Text: Emilie Faarup Storvik
Photo: Eirik Halvard Norseth/NTNUI

Looking back at the past year, there are certain events that deserve to be highlighted once again. One of these is the appointment of Raymond Toft as a Commander of NTNUI’s Order.

During NTNUI Dance’ 40th Anniversary celebration in April last year, Raymond Toft was promoted to Commander of NTNUI’s Order. NTNUI’s Order was established in 1920 and has three grades: Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight. The Grand Cross is the highest rank, and Knight is the lowest. NTNUI’s Order is awarded to members and others for meritorious contributions to NTNUI. The Order holds significant prestige within the association and serves as a way to thank members for their efforts beyond their assigned roles.

Raymond has held several central roles in NTNUI over 15 years, including being an athlete, instructor, and board member. In 2017 and 2018, Raymond won the Norwegian Championship in acrobatic rock’n’roll. He also reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship in the same years, capping it off with a World Championship participation in 2018 representing NTNUI.

In addition to his roles as an instructor and his own sporting achievements, Raymond has held various positions on the NTNUI Dance board for over 10 years, including competition and licensing officer, deputy leader, leader, board member, and IT officer. As a board member in recent years, Raymond has focused on improving internal communication within NTNUI Dance and has been involved in developing a new website and registration system. He actively participates in volunteering activities for Dance, dance shows each semester, and maintaining technical systems.

Many group leaders also remember Raymond as someone who often led the famous dance courses during group leader gatherings at the Student Cabin.

Beyond NTNUI Dance, Raymond has also contributed to the entire NTNUI organization. He has served on the election committee, the control committee, and is now part of NTNUI’s council. He made significant contributions to the statutes committee, which was tasked by the general assembly to review and revise NTNUI’s laws. This work ensured that NTNUI’s laws align with the Norwegian Sports Federation’s legal framework, and it was completed and adopted at NTNUI’s general assembly in March 2024. Raymond has also been a part of NTNUI Moment in recent years, contributing significantly to the efforts for a new sports facility.

Raymond has also been active in several groups beyond Dance, and many know him from Calisthenics and Gymnastics. For the groups within NTNUI, he has stepped in wherever needed, whether as a chair or secretary at group meetings or by contributing to volunteer work. He has been an important sparring partner for many over the years, offering knowledge, critical questions, and insight into NTNUI as an organization. Raymond takes on responsibilities and tasks that are time-consuming, sometimes ungratifying, but essential for the future of NTNUI’s volunteer members as well as the future of the organization itself.

NTNUI thanks Raymond for his efforts and is proud that Raymond has been appointed as a Commander of NTNUI’s Order.