Lessons from the halls of power

The Hon. David Onley (BA, 1975) hopes his experience in the halls of power will encourage his students to make a difference by getting involved in public life.

“I’d like to inspire students and help groom the next generation of leaders the same way a group of us were inspired some 40 years ago by our professors,” says the former Ontario lieutenant-governor.

Onley joined UTSC in January as a senior lecturer teaching a course on the vice-regal role—the Queen’s representative—in Canadian politics. He will work with students on research projects incorporating personal papers from his time in office. The material will offer a unique inside look at several issues that compelled legislative attention during his seven-year term. The appointment will also help Onley as he prepares to write a memoir about his tenure as lieutenant-governor.

Much has changed on the campus where Onley was an undergraduate involved with student government and the campus radio station in the mid-70s. He points to program and enrollment growth as well as new developments like the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre as just a few of the reasons to be excited about UTSC’s future.

Onley’s experience meeting foreign diplomats will also serve him well in another position as U of T’s ambassador for this summer’s Pan Am & Parapan American Games in Toronto.