(photo by Matthew Volpe)
Published: March 13, 2025
By Kailyn McLeod
University of Toronto Giving day is about more than donations – it’s about building community.
For Rachel Ma, a University College and fourth-year Rotman Commerce student, and David Fernández, a U of T alumnus and department head at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, that sense of community shaped their journeys at the university.
As ambassadors for U of T Giving Day on March 26, 2025, they’re sharing their stories to inspire others to give back.
Now in its third year, U of T Giving Day unites faculty, staff, alumni and librarians in support of students and researchers.
Read to see how philanthropy has made a difference in Ma and Fernández’s lives – and how you can help create even more opportunities this Giving Day.
David Fernández
Fernández grew up in Venezuela with limited access to public libraries. His family’s small, at-home book collection sparked his love of reading, but it wasn’t until he immigrated to Canada that he discovered the transformative power of libraries.
When Fernández arrived at U of T as an undergraduate student, he was awe-struck by the university’s vast library resources – from Robarts Library to John M. Kelly Library to Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library.
“When I first entered these spaces, it was one of the first times I truly felt like I belonged,” he recalls.
As a commuter student, Fernández spent hours in U of T libraries – reading, meeting friends and recharging between classes. His involvement in the Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS) was also supported by library resources, deepening his sense of community.
Fernández’s academic journey took a pivotal turn when he was awarded the F. David Hoeniger Book Collection Prize in his later undergraduate years.
“That was a tipping point in my life and career,” he says. The award provided much-needed tuition relief and empowered him to pursue his calling to become a librarian.
Now department head of rare books and special collections at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Fernández views his work as public service.
“Libraries are for everyone,” he says, highlighting that Thomas Fisher is open to the public.
Committed to amplifying marginalized stories, Fernández ensures the library houses diverse collections, including specialized 2SLGBT+ materials.
As a second-time ambassador for U of T Giving Day, Fernández believes “libraries need our support now more than ever.” He’s passionate about ensuring U of T libraries remain spaces of creativity, inclusivity and social change.
“Libraries aren’t just where books reside. They’re where communities are built,” he says.
Rachel Ma
When Ma tried out for Rotman Commerce Liquid Assets Dragon Boat Team in her first year, she was battling body dysmorphia and lacked confidence.
“I didn’t even want to go to the gym, let alone join a co-ed sports team,” she recalls.
She determined to meet new people and stay active, Ma gave it a shot – and was welcomed with open arms.
“They saw potential in me and had compassion for someone trying something new,” she says.
Ma not only made the team but soon took on leadership roles, including co-director of corporate relations and director of finance.
“I found a life-changing sense of belonging and wanted to give junior paddlers the same opportunity,” she says.
As finance director, Ma worked with her colleagues to reduce team fees by 15 percent and launch women’s-only gym sessions, resulting in more than 20 female recruits and the team competing in a women’s regatta for the first time in years.
“It was rewarding to see women who were new to the gym, like I once was, join and succeed,” she says.
Ma also helped draft the team’s first-ever alumni-sponsored bursary, ensuring students from all backgrounds could benefit from the teamwork, leadership and perseverance she found so vital to her overall university experience.
She credits her mentors, teammates and donor support for empowering her to fully commit to the team.
“My university experience would have been very different; I would have struggled to balance classes, internships and community-building while working part-time jobs without that support.”
Ma’s story is a testament to the power of community. Her message as a U of T Giving Day ambassador is clear:
“You don’t have to wait for community to come to you. You can create it by reaching out and supporting others.”
Join Fernández and Ma in making a lasting impact this U of T Giving Day