North South Soirée raises over $4,000

The North South Soirée on April 25 brought together over 100 attendees, including students and their families, profile alumni, and retired and current teachers for an evening of music, food, and solidarity. 

The event celebrated the last graduating cohort of students in the North South Studies profile, and the launch of the profile’s new name: Social Change & Solidarity.  

North South Studies alumni Katie McKenna shared words in memory of Myron Galan, a former teacher and coordinator of the profile, who passed away in 2020. McKenna remembered traveling on the field trip to Nicaragua with Galan in 1998, and described how the profile had contributed to her path as a media-maker, researcher, activist.  

Current teachers and students also celebrated the contributions of Maryann Farkas, a history teacher and long-time advocate for social change, who retired in 2023.  

“A big thank you to the second-year students who shared about their learnings from their solidarity delegation to Cuba, and to the first-year students who worked hard to staff this event,” says Sara Kendall, Profile Coordinator. “Thank you to everyone for joining us to celebrate the legacy of North South Studies and the launch of our new profile.” 

The event raised over $4,000 for the 2024-2025 field trip to Cuba, including medical donations, and for the profile’s new local partnerships.  

The organizers wish to thank the Dawson Foundation, as well as the Sustainability Office for providing valuable support and for making the event zero waste! 

Those that could not attend can still make a donation to support the Profile’s field trip and community partnerships. 

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