Faculty's new donor wall celebrates giving

Giving back is satisfying for its own sake. But being acknowledged publicly has special value for many: that’s the motivation behind the Faculty’s new Defy Gravity donor wall.

Situated in the patient reception area at 124 Edward St., it was unveiled in October in front of a group of staff, faculty, students and donors.

“It makes giving concrete. It makes it visual,” says professor Chris McCulloch 7T6, 8T2 PhD of the wall. He’s both acknowledged on the new wall as a $1 million+ donor and is a member of the Faculty’s Defy Gravity campaign cabinet.

At the event, director of advancement and alumni relations Selina Esteves called the wall a “physical expression of our gratitude and also, we hope, an inspiration for others to join this incredible donor community and make their own mark during the campaign for the benefit of our students.”

Cabinet member and assistant professor Susanna Chow 9T2 views the wall as supportive of donors. “It helps some people feel like they’re acknowledged, they’re appreciated,” she says.

As well, it shows to others at the Faculty how vital giving has become. “Having the wall in a public area, patients can see names and realize that the great care they’re getting is because of the generosity of our donors,” says Chow.

Students see it too. “Students play a central role in all of this, they’re the future,” says McCulloch. “It’s students that we are doing this for. That’s why students are included in the various events related to Defy Gravity.”

That includes DDS4 student and Dental Students’ Society president Zoha Anjum. She attended the unveiling and had a chance to speak to donors about the value of giving and in particular, how infrastructure investments have impacted their education. “There are changes being made that improve the student experience and learning, really taking it to a different level,” she says. “Students need to be at the forefront of what happens.”

Upgraded and new spaces, such as the clinic located at 777 Bay St., have had an impact on her experience with patients. Having separated treatment rooms has allowed her to better support patients — many like to listen to music to stay calm “Allowing me to play dentist and DJ at the same time,” says Anjum — and hone her skills in a set-up similar to those in private practice.

The wall will be updated annually, based on giving from the previous year. Donors to the Faculty have given over $20 million since Defy Gravity launched in 2019, and the hope is to double that number by the time the campaign wraps in 2030.

These are big numbers that the Faculty is trying to reach for the campaign, and Chow and others, also recognize that it is equally important to celebrate smaller gifts and volunteering. “It’s not just big donors who matter, but those who give a little and donate their time,” she says. deserve huge thanks as well.

It all comes together to ensure the longevity of the country’s top dental school and its talented students, says McCulloch. “The future of the Faculty is very dependent on the renewal of infrastructure and the support of the U of T Dentistry community. We have to work together to make sure this Faculty has a great future.”