The York University Student Centre was a sea of red and white Thursday as students, staff and faculty showed their spirit by wearing the University’s colours.
“I welcome everybody to Red and White Day. It’s always a wonderful day to see so many of you here and to see red and white prevailing across the entire campus. It shows the spirit of York University,” said York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri.
“This University is an incredible institution that we’re all very proud of and it is first and foremost the students who make it so special. We have 270,000 living alumni all over the world. And because of York University they are succeeding in a variety of fields.”
One particularly special student is Lidia Kazakova, who Shoukri and Peter Cribb, associate dean, students, in the Faculty of Science, announced as the current student tuition winner in the ‘this is my time’ campaign. A biology student, Kazakova told the crowd how surprised and important the win is for her. She works almost full time to afford her tuition, so getting free tuition is a welcome bonus.
Kazakova’s winning vision is as follows: “2024: My research in stem cells and regenerative medicine helps make Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases a thing of the past.”
“Congratulations to Lidia,” said Cribb. “It’s truly fantastic to see the vision of our students and they are fantastic visions from all Faculties. Lidia’s vision exemplifies what we in science hope to facilitate and hope to inspire in our students through our programs.”
Red and White Day also displayed the talent of York students with performances by York’s cheerleaders, members of the York U Caribbean Student Alliance and York U hip hop dance team Stylewise.
It was also a time to celebrate the achievements of York’s athletes, individually and as a team. York won the OUA Women’s Tennis and the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Men’s Soccer. Members of both teams took to the stage to several rounds of applause.
Gillian McCullough, Sport and Recreation manager of Interuniversity Sport, told the crowd that she has a challenge for them. “To make everyday a little more red and a little bit more white.”
McCullough also challenged staff and faculty to make the time and make a difference in a student’s life. “To the York students, I want to remind you of the opportunities York provides and of all the amazing ways to get involved, to grow, to learn.”
I want to thank you for the sacrifice, dedication and commitment to yourself and your team mates, your fellow Lions and to York…be proud to wear the red and white and represent something bigger and something as great as York…And tell everyone you meet how great it is to be a York Lion.”
As Shoukri said, “This University goes from one success to another. It’s great to see so many of you. Thank you for helping to build the spirit of York University on Red and White Day.”