President's Message
Welcome to York University and happy New Year! I am excited to get 2013 underway, given the many achievements we had throughout the fall term.
Let me start with the groundbreaking for the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am athletics stadium. With many changes happening on our two campuses, the construction of this athletics stadium is just another example of our commitment to student success, academic excellence, and community engagement.
This new state-of-the-art sporting venue will enhance the experience not only for our students and athletes, but will also create a lasting legacy for our community members for years to come.
As Canada’s third largest university, we are one of the nation’s leading research and teaching universities, with a thriving community of 65,000 students, staff, faculty.
Our researchers are committed to collaborating with government, international organizations, industry partners and other academic institutions to advance knowledge and push beyond traditional research methods. Professor Jonathan Weiss received $1 million from the federal government to chair a new autism research program that will focus on the mental health challenges linked to the disorder.
We also launched a new branding campaign called “This is my Time”. As part of the campaign, we awarded free tuition to Jacqueline Tran, a student in the faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, as well as future student Sosina Tilahun, who plans to enroll in the film program offered by the Faculty of Fine Arts.
At the administrative level, Professor Rhonda Lenton became the new Provost and Vice-President Academic, and Faculty of Education Dean Alice Pitt was appointed Vice-Provost Academic. Professor Ron Owston was appointed interim dean of the Faculty of Education and Barbara Crowe was appointed interim dean of Graduate Studies.
And many members of our community participated in yet another successful Red and White Day.
So what does 2013 hold?
We offer some innovative classes, like Professor Simon Black’s course that takes a closer look at “legal graffiti” in Toronto while studying the city through hip-hop culture.
We have planned another Red and White Day on March 26, York’s birthday…and of course, we have brought back our second annual “President for a Day” contest scheduled for February 26.
And finally, we are again launching the President’s Staff Recognition Awards where we honour and celebrate the achievements of our dedicated staff. This long-standing tradition allows you the opportunity to recognize colleagues, staff and administration for their commitment to the University.
I am looking forward to 2013, and I am thrilled that you are joining us on this journey.
Sincerely,
Mamdouh Shoukri
President and Vice-Chancellor
