On January 22, students, friends, classmates, and faculty gathered in the Meeting Place on campus to honour Shivank Avasthi’s life and legacy. The memorial, held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, provided a space where the community could collectively mourn, reflect, remember, and grieve a loss that has greatly and profoundly affected UTSC.

On December 23, 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi was fatally shot in the Highland Creek Valley, just steps away from the UTSC campus. The tragedy sent shockwaves through classrooms and clubs. Avasthi was respected and deeply loved. He was a dedicated member of the UTSC cheerleading team and was on track to graduate from the Life Sciences program, majoring in human biology and neuroscience.

At the memorial, friends of Avasthi shared personal stories and reflections, offering insight into his character beyond his academic and extracurricular achievements. Speakers recalled his kindness, sense of humour, and unwavering support for those around him. For many in attendance, the stories shared underscored Avasthi’s impact, demonstrating how he fostered a sense of purpose and belonging within the communities he was part of.

Avasthi’s involvement with UTSC Cheerleading was fondly remembered throughout the memorial. Teammates spoke fondly of his dedication, hard work, and contagious enthusiasm. His presence helped cultivate an inclusive team environment. This loss has been felt especially strongly within the cheerleading community, where Avasthi was remembered not only as a teammate but also as a close friend and source of encouragement.

As the memorial drew to a close, attendees remained in the Meeting Place, continuing quiet conversations and providing support for one another. 

The student-run commemoration was organized by the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) in collaboration with the UTSC Cheerleading team. The memorial was also supported by various campus resources, including the Office of Student Experience & Wellbeing, the Office of Ceremonies & Events, Facilities Management, and Food Partnerships & Business Development. Decompression rooms and on-site counsellors were available throughout the service to provide extra support to attendees.

In a message shared with the UTSC community, Alison Mountz, Acting Principal during Principal Linda Johnston’s bereavement leave, acknowledged the importance of the gathering. She recognized the range of emotions students are experiencing across campus. Mountz described the memorial as an opportunity for students “to come together in shared grief and to offer comfort after a senseless act of violence.”

Mountz also expressed gratitude to UTSC staff who worked throughout the holiday break to support students in light of the unexpected tragedy. She acknowledged that much of this work occurs behind the scenes but emphasized that it has been carried out with “compassion and professionalism.”