York flies flag for Canada in US colloquium

York University is the only Canadian university to be invited to make a presentation at a prestigious colloquium to be held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on the occasion of the installation of its new president, Edward M. Hundert.

Lorna R. Marsden, York president and vice-chancellor, is delivering a presentation about “Great Universities and Their Cities” on Jan. 30. She will present a case study focusing on York’s unique contribution to the GTA’s cultural community. Marsden is the only Canadian university president invited to participate in the inaugural colloquium. Also participating are the presidents of eight US universities, including Yale University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Marsden will be presenting in partnership with York grad, the Hon. David Tsubouchi (BA’72, LLB’75), Ontario Minister of Culture and Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, focusing on the partnership between the province and York in furthering the GTA”s arts and culture communities.

The colloquium builds on the notion that the most effective universities of the next generation will be catalysts for vitality in their regions. Each of the event’s sessions will address a particular aspect of the partnerships between great universities and their cities, and provide a greater appreciation for the enormous benefits that these relationships can bring to all concerned.

“York University was born right at the start of the cultural revolution in Canada and ours is the product of many cultures. They influence each other and make Toronto one of the most exciting places in the world,” said Marsden in a York media release. “This event focuses attention on elements critical to healthy cities, and the valuable role played by universities in supporting and strengthening them.”