By RON FANFAIR
As a child, Noah Rudder yearned to be a professional actor.
Earning a scholarship to attend a prestigious overseas university, he figured, would be the ticket to realize his dream.
Good things come to those who wait as Rudder – the son of renowned calypso and soca artiste David Rudder – found out after zeroing in on academics and artistry.
The Victoria University student is among 11 Canadians heading to Oxford University next fall to join a class of more than 100 scholars from around the world who will undertake fully sponsored post-graduate studies and become part of a global community of leaders and change makers.
Victoria University is a federated college of the University of Toronto.
“Our 11 Rhodes Scholars deeply impressed the Selection Committee with their intelligence, passion and, most importantly, their humanity,” said Richard Pan who is the Canadian Secretary for the Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Scholarships in Canada Chair. “We need leaders and doers like these in the world. They each carry a profound sense of responsibility to the communities around them and the will to make a difference. As proud as we are of our scholars’ achievements to date, we are even more excited for their contributions to come.”
As a Trinbagonian, Victoria University President & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rhonda McEwen grew up listening to David Rudder and invited him to perform at her installation in October 2022. He sang ‘The Ganges and The Nile’.
“I am very proud to be here to support all my students, especially Noah, who has Trinidadian roots,” said McEwen.
Passionate about acting, it was fitting that he received the good news while rehearsing for ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at the U of T’s Hart House Theatre last month.
“I was praying and hoping that if I was lucky enough to be granted an interview, it would not be during the week of the show,” said Rudder who played Detective Hercule Poirot. “My prayers were answered and I had the interview during a dress rehearsal. My director permitted me to have my phone with me during the period as I was told to expect a call which I got shortly after the interview.”
Keeping the news to himself until there was a break, he broke it with his family in a family group chat.
“I was in the kitchen cooking when David started screaming,” said Christine Ming Rudder. “I could not understand what he was saying and doing and I became a bit scared as I thought something terrible had happened to him or someone we know. David was very emotional and when he said ‘Noah got it’, I turned off the stove and sat for a moment to soak it in. When he finished his rehearsal around midnight, everyone had to drop what they were doing for us to have a FaceTime family chat because that is how we do things in our home.”
Rudder will pursue a Master of Public Policy at Oxford.
“That is the next step and a way for me to keep honing my ability to problem solve and think about the world’s most complex issues and different and creative ways to come up with solutions,” said the fourth-year student who is doing a double major in Peace, Conflict & Justice and Drama. “I want to be a changemaker and someone who has a voice in the future and will fight for the things I believe in and the world needs.”
Reminded by his mother that he had to declare a major before the end of his first year at Victoria University, Rudder said he didn’t know what to do.
“I told him he had a little time to start thinking about it,” Ming Rudder said. “He came back to me asking what his sister was taking (her undergraduate degree is in Peace, Conflict & Justice), and I told him that is not how it works. His response was, ‘I think I better do something important’. When I inquired what he knew about peace, conflict & justice, he said ‘Nothing, but I am going to learn’. The rest is history.”
Intending to also pursue a Master of Fine Arts at Oxford, Rudder recently learned that the program is mainly for visual artists.
He is considering pivoting to a Master’s in Global Governance & Diplomacy program that investigates a broad range of policy issues related to the institutions and processes of global governance and diplomacy at international, transnational, state and domestic levels.
“I am researching and learning about different ways in which I could help the population in the Greater Toronto Area and globally,” said the Pickering High School graduate and Ajax resident. “My love for the arts will never go away and I will keep acting for the rest of my life. One day, I will be able to pursue a Master of Fine Arts and get some Conservatory-style training because I want to hone my technical skills and take my artistry to the next level.”
Ken Gass, who teaches Performance at the U of T Centre for Drama, is a big fan of Rudder who has written and performed in the Toronto Fringe Festival and various U of T productions.
“It is not just for his achievement within the Performance classes I teach, but his sensitivity towards group dynamics and his generosity of spirit along with his overall compassion for others who may have been struggling with various issues,” said the Factory Theatre’s founding artistic director. “This is also reflected in his responsibilities elsewhere on campus. Noah is very creative and has developed into a talented and skilled actor. He exudes an energy that reveals quiet leadership and a commitment to collaboration and group problem-solving. I’m very confident he will highly succeed wherever he turns his attention and some of that, no doubt, will include the theatre.”
Rudder fell in love with acting while performing in ‘Peter Pan Jr.’ in Grade 6 at Alexander Graham Bell Public School in Ajax.
“I come from an artistic household,” he said. “My dad is a musician and seeing him on stage and so in love with his craft was my inspiration. I am not talented musically, but I discovered my niche. What I love about the stage is the process of creating art, finding breakthroughs in rehearsals and getting to know people and growing. I like the idea of stepping into another person and character. When you look back at what you have done at the end of a play, you can see the different ways in which you have evolved and become better. It is such a perfect memory to look back on.”
As a member of Victoria University’s sketch comedy review, Rudder has a unique opportunity to stage, write and act his pieces.
“That is rare, especially in a theatre like Isabel Bader which is so beautiful,” he said. “The facility is meant for professionals, yet we as students get to access it. We are so fortunate. What can be cooler than writing an essay in a theatre two days before your performance. I love the commotion that reminds me I am alive and here in the moment.”
Graduating in June 2025, Rudder will leave Victoria with fond memories of a university on whose campus he resided for four years.
“That is not common, especially at a Canadian university,” he said. “I know almost everyone here. There are very few days I will not come across someone I don’t recognize. I make a conscious effort to get to know everyone here and learn about their stories. We have extraordinary students.
“The fact that there are two Rhodes Scholars (the other is Amy Mann) at Victoria is not an accident. On the day I learned I was a Rhodes Scholar, I saw a friend running across campus and I told her to slow down while asking where she was going. She told me I am not going to believe this, but Amy just won a Rhodes scholarship. I paused and then said, ‘You are not going to believe this, but what if I told you I am the Rhodes Scholar for Ontario’. She started crying and that was such a beautiful moment. What are the chances of that happening in this small pocket of a large university.”
Rudder was part of the Vic Black Excellence & Inclusion Committee, led by Director of Equity, Inclusion & Transformative Practices Lesa Williams-George, which framed the college’s endorsement of the groundbreaking Scarborough Charter, pledging to fight anti-Black racism and promote Black inclusion.
U of T was among 50 Canadian universities and colleges that signed the 22-page document three years ago.
“I was happy to be among the handful of Black students here asked to play a part in terms of what it would be like for the students at Vic,” said Rudder who, as a child, was enthralled by Greek Mythology and the Classics and spent a summer in Greece. “The main thing I tried to emphasize is that we want BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Colour) students from outside Toronto to know there is a place for them at this institution.”
Williams-George said Rudder is conscientious, thoughtful, caring and possesses excellent character values.
“Noah avidly encouraged the committee members to look towards the Durham region which is his home and invest in local populations that can come and succeed at the university if given the opportunity,” added the former Ministry of Transportation policy analyst & advisor. “He stands out as a leader among his peers, consistently demonstrating a high level of initiative, vision and collaborative spirit.”
As part of The Munk School Peace, Conflict & Justice (PCJ) program experiential learning course, Rudder virtually interned for four months earlier this year at the World Bank.
The PCJ Student Union President was assigned to support an ongoing project on the rollout of internet infrastructure in Africa and its effect on research and development in the region.
Rudder and other interns built a database on the rollout of terrestrial fibre optic infrastructure in Africa between the late 1990s and early 2000s, drawing from archival documents and other resources.
“Noah is a top-class student and this comes out early when you talk to him,” said Justice Tei Mensah who is an economist at the World Bank with responsibility for the African region. “He has a broad knowledge of many areas that sometimes surprised me, considering his age. He is someone who can bring different perspectives on issues which, on several occasions, was demonstrated through our conversations and interactions.
“He is also someone with a strong desire to learn new things and a good team player and leader. During the internship, he provided outstanding leadership by organizing his team on their tasks and taking the responsibility of taking notes and leading on tasks assigned to the group. At the same time, he was careful not to impose his views on the team. Graduate school will allow Noah to mature in other areas of his professional life and enhance his exposure to different cultures and experiences.”
Rudder also interned for four months last summer at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP where Alexandria Pike is a Partner.
“Noah has the rare ability to be both action-oriented and thoughtful,” she said. “He has a jam-packed schedule, taking advantage of every opportunity for learning, leadership and growth. However, he remains extremely curious and is not afraid to ask challenging questions or raise difficult subjects, often in settings where others would be too intimidated to do so. He does all of this with a disarming charm.”
Having caring and supportive family members made it easy for Rudder to pursue his passions and express himself. He is the youngest of three siblings.
Older brother Adam Rudder graduated from U of T’s New College in 2022 and is pursuing Law Studies at Osgoode Hall Law School while their sister – Sarai Rudder – completed her undergraduate degree at the U of T’s Trinity College last year and a Master of Management last August at York University’s Schulich School of Business where, as the youngest student in the class, graduated with the highest mark.
“Without my parents, I would not be here,” said Rudder. “They invested in me before I was born. They made it their mission to ensure I got a chance to do the things I wanted to do from my dad being an artiste and showing me what it means to be a professional and care about your art to my mom who instilled in me the academic onus to be responsible and apply myself. On many occasions, mom stuck her neck out for me and my siblings to ensure we got the support we needed in and out of school. I tried my best to show my family I care about their sacrifices and hope they are proud of what I have accomplished so far.”
Giving everything to Victoria University founded in 1836 is a priority for the recipient of a Bader Opportunity Award offered to incoming BIPOC students demonstrating financial need.
“I wanted to show Vic they were right for choosing me,” said Rudder who last March was honoured with the Crescam Serviendo Award for student leadership. “I have tried very hard to give back in every way I can and I hope they are okay with my efforts.”
As the brilliant student prepares for the next chapter in his life, he can rest assured he is leaving Vic a better place than he found it.
“I am fortunate to work with some incredible students, but there is something truly exceptional about Noah,” said Victoria University Registrar Yvette Ali. “He embodies many of the qualities that I value – humility, kindness, curiosity, intellectual rigour, creativity, tenacity, a quiet confidence and a deep respect for others. I always enjoy my conversations with Noah and have tremendous respect for him as a person.”
