Honouring Service and Commitment |
A community strengthened by dedication and generosity
The College's annual community awards include:
These awards collectively highlight the profound impact individuals have on UCC, reinforcing the strong sense of connection among students, faculty and alumni who give so generously of their time and talent.
For information, please contact Associate Director of Community Relations Leanne Gardner at lgardner@ucc.on.ca or 416-488-1125 ext. 2232.
Old Boy of Distinction Award
Established in 2017, the Old Boy of Distinction Award is one of UCC’s highest honours. Presented annually by the UCC Association Council, the award recognizes a lifetime of significant achievement and positive impact on the local, national, or global community, while upholding the College’s values.
All members of the UCC community are encouraged to nominate an Old Boy of Distinction. All nominations are treated as confidential by the College.
Old Boy of Distinction Award Recipients:
Old Boy Of Distinction Award Recipients |
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Young Old Boy of Distinction Award Recipients
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John D. Stevenson Award
This award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding volunteer service to the College over a number of years. Established by the UCC Association in 1993, it honours exceptional contributions to the College community and is named for John D. Stevenson ’47. The Council considers both the length and nature of volunteer service, including the range of roles undertaken and the consistency of service to the College.
All members of the UCC community are eligible, with the exception of current faculty and staff.
Nominations are invited annually from the College community. The Association Council reviews nominations and selects a recipient, who is recognized at Founder’s Dinner.
| About John D. Stevenson |
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Great volunteers demonstrate commitment, common sense and an innate understanding of an organization’s aims. Few have displayed these capacities more clearly than John Stevenson. As a student, he was deeply involved in College life. Among his achievements, he won a Proficiency Prize for academic merit and was assistant editor of College Times. He was a Prefect, platoon commander in the battalion and a member of the First Football Team. After attending university and completing law school, he launched a distinguished legal career. In 1960, John returned to UCC as director of the Old Boys’ Association and in 1969 he led the proposal to combine all elements of the school’s community and then became the first president of the new Upper Canada College Association. John became a trustee of the Foundation in 1976 and served as chairman in 1979. The Foundation's assets grew steadily during his stewardship. |
| Previous Award Winners |
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Harold A.D. Roberts Circle
Membership in the Harold A.D. Roberts Circle is awarded annually in recognition of substantial contributions or exceptional service by members of the UCC Association, either through short- or long-term commitment. It honours those who go “above and beyond” to meaningfully improve the UCC Association and the College.
Consideration is given to the length and nature of service, including the range of roles undertaken and the consistency of contribution.
All members of the UCC community are eligible, with the exception of current faculty and staff.
Receiving this recognition does not preclude future consideration for the John D. Stevenson Award.
Winners are celebrated at the College's annual Volunteer Reception.
| A tribute to "Mr. UCC" |
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The UCC Association introduced the Harold D. Roberts Circle in 1980 as a new volunteer recognition program. It complements the John D. Stevenson Award and expands the College’s ability to recognize outstanding service to its community. Consideration is given to the diversity of roles undertaken and the length of service. Harold “Mr. UCC” Roberts was associated with the College for more than 65 years — as a student, Old Boy, parent, secretary of the Association, governor, Foundation director, and lifelong ambassador of goodwill. After the war, Roberts spent 30 years in the insurance industry, ultimately becoming manager of the Toronto office of the Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. He became secretary of the Old Boys’ Association in 1926 and held the role until 1948. During the 1929 stock market crash, he became known for his remarkable efforts to help unemployed young men find work, reportedly placing more than 2,000 individuals. An article in a 1941 edition of Saturday Night recounts: “Another young man, unemployed at the time, was called from the hospital where his wife was going to have a baby. He was able to return to her in time to report, before the baby arrived, that he had landed a job at $3,000 a year! And no one was happier than Mr. Roberts when he found work for a man of fifty-nine on Christmas Eve.” Roberts served on the Board of Governors from 1933 to 1951. He resigned as manager of an insurance company and took over the full-time position of director of the newly formed UCC Foundation in 1950 until 1966, preferring the College atmosphere to the pressure of the business world. He also played a key role in the 1958 emergency building fund campaign, personally reaching out to Old Boys around the world to help rebuild College facilities. He inspired the creation of the Quarter Century Club in 1942. In 1980, at a dinner attended by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Harold Roberts received a standing ovation from thousands of Old Boys and friends of the College — an enduring reflection of the esteem in which he was held. |
| Harold A. D. Roberts Award Winners |
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The UCC Catalyst Award
The UCC Catalyst Award recognizes young alumni who are flourishing as their best selves and living the College's values to make a positive difference in their world — and inspiring those around them to do the same.
Presented annually by the UCC Association Council, this award celebrates young Old Boys who have channelled their UCC education and experiences into meaningful pathways that reflect their passions.
Winners of the UCC Catalyst Award are invited to campus to serve as mentors and role models for current students, strengthening the lifelong connection between alumni and the next generation of Old Boys.
The selection process intentionally seeks recipients from diverse industries and backgrounds, reflecting the breadth and plurality of the UCC community.
To be eligible, nominees:
- Are under 40 years of age at the time of nomination.
- Attended UCC for two or more years.
- Exemplify the College’s values of learning, pluralism, service, community and wellbeing.
Up to five recipients may be honoured each year. We welcome nominations from all members of the UCC community. Please note that nominations for the 2026–27 year are now closed.
To nominate an individual for the 2027–28 year, please complete the form here before midnight on May 10, 2027.
AWARD CRITERIA
- The award requires a minimum of one nominator and at least one supporter.
- Any member of the UCC community can nominate or endorse a candidate.
- Nominees must exemplify the College’s values.
- Nominees should be under 40 years of age at the time of their nomination; exceptional circumstances may be considered.
- Nominees must be alumni of Upper Canada College (alumni are defined as individuals who attended the College as students in good standing for two years or longer).
- Nominees should be living at the time of nomination (posthumous nominations will not be considered).