Glendon launches its Family Campaign

Glendon’s Family Campaign launched March 28, with an enthusiastic crowd of more than 100 in attendance. The campaign – part of the University-wide York to the Power of 50 Family Campaign – encourages faculty, staff and retirees to support York by way of a donation or planned gift.

The Family Campaign is working to achieve a University-wide participation goal of 2,009 faculty, staff and retirees by 2009, York’s 50th anniversary. With more than 1,700 supporters, the campaign is well on its way. “Participation is our primary goal,” said York Professor Ron Pearlman. “We want to create a sense of community and demonstrate to external donors the commitment of the York family.” Pearlman co-chairs the Family Campaign with York University Retirees Association co-president Nancy Accinelli and Professor Ross Rudolph.

Left: From left, Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts with Family Campaign co-chairs Nancy Accinelli and Ron Pearlman, at the launch of the Glendon Family Campaign. The campaign plans to achieve a University-wide participation goal of 2,009 faculty, staff and retirees.

At the event – held in the BMO Conference Centre in historic Glendon Hall – faculty, staff, and campaign and University administrators enjoyed a buffet lunch and the sounds of the Andrew Maynard Quartet, composed of York students. Those in attendance included York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri; Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts; York President Emerita Lorna R. Marsden; Marie-Thérèse Chaput, Glendon’s director of advancement; Susan Mullin, York University Foundation vice-president development; and Cathy Yanosik, York University Foundation vice-president operations.

Right: Mamdouh Shoukri, York president & vice-chancellor

“It’s nice to see staff and faculty from all parts of Glendon campus here today,” Professor Alain Baudot, chair, faculty and staff, Glendon Fundraising Committee, told the crowd. “I know you, like me, are here because you love Glendon.” Baudot highlighted Glendon’s unique strengths as both a small on-campus community and a college with alumni and retirees in countries around the world.

Jamie Broad, a second-year international studies and history student at Glendon, expressed her gratitude to the York family for the scholarship that allowed her to both pursue her studies and volunteer at a local elementary school. “Later, I was offered a tutoring position with one of the first-grade students in my classroom,” she said. “I enjoyed the experience so much that I started to consider teaching as a career.” Broad now plans to pursue a bachelor of education for teaching in French immersion schools, a new program at Glendon.

Right: Glendon student Jamie Broad expressed her gratitude to the York family for the scholarship that allowed her to pursue her studies and volunteer at a local elementary school

The Family Campaign is also part of Glendon’s Leadership for Global Challenges campaign, dedicated to helping Glendon equip the next generation of public leaders for the challenges of a changing economic and political world. Glendon’s recent opening of a fully bilingual School of Public Affairs is an important milestone toward this goal.

All fundraising activities across York University’s campuses contribute to York to the Power of 50, York’s overall fundraising campaign, which, at more than $150 million in pledges, is now three-quarters of the way toward its $200-million goal. “The participation of the York family is going to help us achieve that last 25 per cent,” said Pearlman.  

For more information on the Family Campaign call 416-650-8210 or click here.