Look At Us Now! York University To Celebrate 40th Anniversary Of The Proclamation Of The York Act, March 26, 1959

TORONTO, March 24, 1999 -- Forty years ago this Friday -- March 26, 1959 -- the York Act received Royal Assent in the Ontario Legislature, bringing to life an institution whose diversity, innovation and excellence emerged with dizzying speed over four decades. From an initial class of 76 students in 1960, York University has evolved into the third largest university in Canada, attracting 40,000 students in search of top-notch teaching and research.

"In 1959, we had no faculty, no students, no buildings -- only President Murray G. Ross and grand dreams," said York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden. "Forty years later: We have more than 40,000 full and part-time graduate and undergraduate students in 10 faculties on three campuses; more than 4,500 faculty and staff, many leaders in their fields; twenty research centres; 144,000 alumni worldwide, many prominent players in all sectors of society; and the completion of our largest, most successful $108 million campaign," said Marsden.

Praising the values and vision of the University founders over those inchoate years, Marsden added that they and those who followed have helped York establish itself as an important contributor to local, provincial and national communities -- academic, social, cultural and economic -- and a leader in pioneering partnerships with community colleges.

Founding York University president Murray G. Ross, President Marsden, and Chancellor Avie Bennett will be at York's Keele campus Friday afternoon to help celebrate this anniversary with members of the York community, including student leaders, alumni, and pioneers from the first class of students, the first staff of 13, the first faculty of 16, and the first physical plant workers.

D. McCormack Smyth, York University Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar, will tell the fascinating and feisty story of "The Creation of York University" during a lecture Wednesday, March 24, from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Harry Crowe Room in Atkinson College. Smyth will recount York's first year at U of T's Falconer Hall, its move to Glendon campus in the fall of 1961 and its early emphasis on liberal arts and part-time adult education, while remembering the personalities, the problems and the potential of the period -- when Leslie Frost was premier, and the province was scurrying to accommodate the educational needs of the baby boomers.

Details on Thursday and Friday's 40th anniversary celebrations are attached, but the York community will celebrate this important milestone through to March 25, 2000 by, for example:

establishing the York University Founders' Society: the first honorees will be announced Thursday and Friday; others will be announced throughout the year, at Spring and Fall convocations, Homecoming, etc.

publishing a document highlighting 40 years of Research at York;

producing a York Faculty Honorary Recognition book, highlighting members of the Order of Canada, Fellows of the Royal Society, Distinguished Research Professors and others.

implementing, through the University's Quality of Life on Campus Committee, 40 improvements during the 40th anniversary year.

initiating an oral history project, capturing the early voices of York as we prepare for the publication of a 50th anniversary official history of York University.

The general public, who will wake up Thursday to a special section in the Toronto Star on York's 40th anniversary, will also notice York University 40th anniversary banners flying high along streets surrounding the university's three campuses: the campus at Keele and Steeles; the Glendon campus at Bayview and Lawrence; and the Miles S. Nadal Downtown Management Centre at King and Bay. Later that day, former York vice-president Bill Small, who served as secretary at York's first Senate meeting on Nov. 14, 1960, will be honoured during the University's regular monthly meeting of Senate.

To view York's charter legislation, visit www.yorku.ca/admin/univsec/index.htm. Or check out the York website at http://www.yorku.ca. to visit what the Maclean's 1999 Guide to Canadian Universities calls "one of the nation's liveliest intellectual centres ...that has transformed itself from an outpost of higher education into a first-rate centre of learning."

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For more information, directions, or for interviews with York's leaders past and present, contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
YU/028/99

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Come celebrate four decades of accomplishments with York University as it marks 40 years since its legislative inception March 26, 1959

Wednesday, March 24, 1999
2 to 4 p.m.
D. McCormack Smyth, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar
The Creation of York University
The 1998-99 Research Lecture Series
Harry Crowe Room, Atkinson College (Room 109)
4700 Keele St., York University

Thursday, March 25, 1999
4 to 6 p.m
York University Senate Meeting
Senate Chamber, Room N940 Ross Building
Remarks from Senate Chair Maurice Elliott, President Lorna Marsden and Vice-President (University Advancement) Gary J. Smith
Honouring of former York vice-president Bill Small, who served as Secretary to York University's first Senate meeting, Nov. 14, 1960. Small will be the first to be inducted into the York University Founders' Society

Friday, March 26, 1999
12:30 p.m.
Unveiling of York University 40th Anniversary banner (15'X30')
Remarks from President Marsden, Chancellor Avie Bennett, York Federation of Students' President Dawn Palin
Vari Hall Rotunda, 4700 Keele Street

Raising of the York University 40 anniversary flag on York Commons

1 to 2:30 p.m.
Celebration reception
Founders Dining Hall
Remarks from:
President Lorna Marsden
Vice-President (University Advancement) Gary J. Smith (B.A. `68)
Founding President Murray G. Ross
Professor Norman Endler, who has taught 40 years at York University
Glendon College Professor Alain Baudot

Cutting of the York University 40th anniversary Cake
Announcement, induction of 1st members of the York University Founders' Society
First mail metered with York's 40th anniversary logo by long-serving York University postmistress Irene Cote.

PHOTO NOTE:
On display will be archival materials -- exhibits, photographs, University Mace -- from York's early days. York student jazz musicians will be performing.