Whatever you read, see, or hear, chances are a York grad has had something to do with it

by Michael Todd

    There's hardly an aspect of modern life that hasn't felt the influence of some York graduate in the last few years. Consider, for instance, such well-known personalities as Mark Breslin (BA '73), founder of Yuk Yuks comedy clubs, astronaut Steve MacLean (PhD'83), CTV news broadcaster Sandie Rinaldo (BFA '73), lawyer Clayton Ruby (BA '63), or renowned Canadian writers such as Nino Ricci (BA '81) and Neil Bissoondath (BA '77). York grads have come of age in just about every field, including the arts, science, business and politics. Should we be surprised? Maybe not, suggests Gregory Sorbara, member of York's alumni board.

    "It's entirely predictable, if you consider York's growth during the Baby Boom," says Sorbara (BA '78, Glendon, LLB '81). York will see a cohort of York grads start to make a name for themselves, he says. "York alumni are becoming very successful. They'll be acknowledging their alma mater more. These people are trailblazers."

    Certainly graduates Steven Hudson, Margot Franssen and John Hunkin deserve the title. All three grads have made their mark in the areas of finance and business. Hunkin (MBA '69) is CEO of CIBC Wood Gundy, one of the country's leading investment firms. Franssen (BA (Phil) '79) is president of The Body Shop Canada, which was named by the Financial Post in 1994 as one of the 50 Best Managed Private Companies. Hudson (BBA '81) founded Newcourt Credit Group in 1984. Now, as its CEO, he runs one of the fastest growing public companies in Canada, one that recently acquired AT&T Capital Corp. for $1.6 billion (U.S.). The acquisition more than doubles the Toronto-based company's size making it the second biggest commercial finance company in the world.

    Alumni participation in York's $100 million National Campaign is something of a watershed event. Large donors haven't traditionally been York grads; frequently, they've come from outside, recognized a worthwhile project, and financially supported it. Partly that may be because of demographics -- we haven't, until recently, had an alumni base who had "made it." Now York alumni have been influential as corporate donors in a new kind of fund raising venture. The Brazilian Carnival Ball has become one of Canada's largest and most prestigious charity balls. York
University is the beneficiary of the 1998 Ball's proceeds.

    Proceeds will help fund research to reduce violence among children and youth. Hudson's Newcourt Credit Group has pledged $150,000 as evening sponsor of the Ball. Hudson himself is currently negotiating a major gift to York University. Franssen's Body Shop Canada is supplying gift packages to the Ball, along with Holt Renfrew. Franssen has also made a $150,000 personal gift to York and an estimated $500,000 will come to the
University through the donation of a Body Shop franchise. CIBC Wood Gundy has donated $60,000 as magazine sponsor of the Ball. CIBC Wood Gundy CEO John Hunkin has pledged $100,000 personally to the University. He was also instrumental in securing a $1 million gift from CIBC to the National Campaign.

    "You'll see more support of this kind," says Sorbara. "I think it establishes a new level of maturity for York and deepens our ability to raise whatever funds are necessary for York to continue its programs. We're doing that without the benefit or burden of the past."