1982

It was a day of nostalgia and reconnecting on campus as the Class of 1982 gathered for their 40th reunion. From re-living memories to creating new ones, alumni from all corners of Canada and the world came together and bonded over their shared passion for sport, education and their time spent as undergraduates in the then Bachelor of Physical and Health Education (BPHE) program.

The day was filled with stimulating activities, including tours of the U of T’s state-of-the-art facilities, a chance to watch the #1 nationally ranked women’s hockey team in action and dinner at the famous Duke of York pub in the evening. The highlight of the event was the opportunity for the alumni to reconnect and reminisce about their days as students. Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, a member of the Class of 8T2, was also in attendance.

“The 40th reunion was a special occasion to catch up and learn about the advancements of our Faculty and tour the modern facilities,” said Kerr. “Over the years, KPE has made significant strides in providing an exceptional learning experience for students, and it was an honour to share this with my fellow alumni.”

Another alumnus in attendance, Peter Baxter, reflected on his time as a student and spoke about how the Faculty provided a unique opportunity to translate his love for sports, recreation and meditative art into platforms for serving and connecting with others. He also highlighted the importance of student leadership and the Faculty’s mission to instill empathy and compassion in its students.

Baxter also spoke about the impact of alumni, including Kerr, and how their successes in areas like women’s sports can inspire and impact many others. Kerr also reflected on the accomplishments of her fellow alumni, highlighting the diverse range of careers that the class has undertaken. “From teaching to entrepreneurship to coaching, we have all pursued different career paths, yet we still hold onto the fond memories and common threads that unite us,” said Kerr.

In addition to reminiscing about their cherished memories, the Class of 8T2 also announced the creation of the Inclusive Excellence Scholarship to support future KPE students. “This scholarship is a way for us to level the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds, and to reduce barriers and expand access for students,” said Kerr.

Baxter went on to say, “The Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education played a significant role in shaping our lives, and we want to give back by ensuring that future generations of students can experience the same benefits we did.”

The 40th reunion was a celebration of the lifelong bond shared by the Class of 8T2. This event was not just a reunion but a testament to the enduring power of the KPE community and the profound impact individuals can make when they come together. — Ibtesaam Mohamed Afroz Moosa

Over two years in the making, and through the challenges of the global pandemic, on June 2, 2022, 44 members of the University of Toronto’s KPE Class of 1972 gathered at the Beacon Hall Golf Club for an unforgettable 50-year anniversary reunion.

The Class of ‘72 has a long-standing tradition of community, reconnecting every five years for reunions, with some members meeting more frequently for gatherings throughout the year. The Class of ‘72’s exceptional efforts to stay in touch and create memorable experiences have kept their vibrant alumni community alive, and this latest 50-year anniversary reunion is no exception.

Speaking to two members of the Class of ‘72, Mrs. Susan Whiteside (BPHE 1972) and Mrs. Angela Papworth (BPHE 1972), one can get a sense of the deep level of friendship and camaraderie that began during their time at KPE and has continued to this day. Both Mrs. Whiteside and Mrs. Papworth shared fond memories of their class’s team spirit, including taking extra notes for classmates who missed lectures due to Varsity games and sharing resources during group projects and sporting activities.

This team mindset has continued into the planning of this latest reunion. Determined to connect with as many members of their class as possible, the event planning committee spent countless hours to find 77 of their 101 graduating classmates. The committee worked hard on creating specialized “Catching Up” profiles for the reunion – booklets made up of personal write-ups from each attendee that would capture a favourite memory from their student years, their activities after graduation, and what they are up to today. Personal additions such as this, along with other group efforts like customized KPE Class of ‘72 hats, KPE Class of ‘72 cupcakes, extremely generous contributions to their Raffle and Draw, and a KPE Class of ‘72 trivia game made the event all the more special. The Class of ‘72 also received their Chancellor’s medals at the reunion to commemorate 50 years of community and friendship.

A lasting contribution of the Class of ‘72 from this reunion was their generous fundraising in support of the Kirk A.W. Wipper Award. This award is presented to a student who demonstrates “enthusiastic involvement in the Outdoor Projects, leadership, willingness to help others and a concern for the natural environment.” This award resonated with members of the Class of ‘72 not only for its incredible support to a student pursuing outdoor physical education, but also for their personal connection to Mr. Wipper himself. Mrs. Whiteside and Mrs. Papworth shared that a common favourite KPE memory featured in the “Catching Up” profiles was the Class of ‘72’s fourth-year trip with Mr. Wipper to Camp Kandalore. They also shared the positive impact Mr. Wipper had on students as a caring mentor who went above and beyond to support students at KPE.

At the close of the KPE Class of ‘72’s 50-year anniversary reunion, members of the event planning committee left a sign-up sheet for their 2027 event that was quickly and enthusiastically filled. This special group of alumni’s incredible bond has not only created a wonderful tradition of reconnecting, but has supported KPE students through their tremendous fundraising efforts for the Kirk A.W. Wipper Award. It is a great pleasure for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education to celebrate the incredible Class of 1972. — Sami Anguaya

Do you have a class reunion story to share?

Please send stories and photos to alumni@kpe.utoronton.ca