Upcoming book about York’s history can now be pre-ordered

In 1955 a group of Toronto professionals began discussions on expanding adult education in their city. The outcome was York University, founded in 1959 and opened in 1960 with 76 students.

How York came to be, the challenges and triumphs are detailed in York history Professor Emeritus Michiel Horn’s upcoming book – York University: The Way Must be Tried (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2009).

Horn covers the period from the 1963 faculty revolt to the troubled search for a successor to York founding president Murray Ross and the budgetary problems that led to the resignation of President David Slater. Horn also delves into many of York’s innovations and triumphs – bilingualism at Glendon College, the arrival of Osgoode Hall Law School and the phenomenal growth of York’s Keele campus, including the Schulich School of Business. In addition, the philosophies that guide the Faculties and York’s groundbreaking research are explored in detail.

In York University: The Way Must be Tried, Horn weaves archival research and interviews into a compelling narrative, documenting the development of an institution committed to helping professors and students reach across disciplinary boundaries.

Today, there are over 50,000 students in 11 Faculties on two campuses, making York the third-largest university in Canada. Faculty and staff have grown from under 20 to nearly 8,000.

Right: Michiel Horn

Pre-orders of York University: The Way Must be Tried, expected to be released in January 2009 just in time for York’s 50th anniversary, are now being accepted. Although the 320-page book will be available at the University bookstores in January at the retail price, institutional units are being given the opportunity to pre-order copies at the reduced rate, for delivery in January 2009.

A minimum order of six copies is required to purchase at the special pre-order price of $35 (retail price will be $49.95 plus tax). Pre-orders must be received by Aug. 15, 2008.

To place an order visit the YU50 Web site’s book order page.