More than 3,400 students respond to the ‘this is my time’ brand celebration contest

Current student contest table

Current student contest table

In celebration of York’s new brand campaign– “this is my time” – one current student will win free tuition for a year at York for their inspiring vision for the future – how they’ll put their York U degree to work to make a positive impact on society.

The announcement of the winner of the “this is my time” Free Tuition contest will be made Nov. 14 during the University’s annual Red & White Day celebration.

The contest is part of a campus wide awareness campaign that focuses on the exceptional students who have chosen York University for their postsecondary education.

Launched Sept. 19 as part of the unveiling of York University’s bold new brand campaign, the contest highlights the excellence of a York education through the visions and aspirations of the University’s students.

“The response has been nothing short of remarkable,” says Susan Webb, executive director, Communications & Public Affairs. In all, some 3,482 students posted their visions on the contest Vision Exchange Wall prior to the contest closing on Oct. 26. What most impressed the organizers of the contest was the depth articulated in each of the visions and the number of students who took the time to post their hopes and dreams for the future.

Lisa Philipps head shot “The hopes and dreams posted by students on the vision exchange are truly inspiring,” says Lisa Philipps (right), associate vice-president research and a member of the brand advisory group. “Their visions for the future show the tremendous passion and creativity of York students and their determination to make a better world.”

Visitors scrolling through the visions will see creativity, thoughtfulness and passion in action.

One student wrote, “2016: I am catalyst of change, inspiring young minds to embrace and promote healthy living within themselves and their community.” Another stated, “2019: I have bridged the gap of acceptance and understanding between students with special needs and their typically developing peers. While another states, “2019: I am a passionate pursuer of justice & equality. By seeking the truth & promoting ethical values, I am making a positive impact on society.”

All submissions are being reviewed by the panel of York judges and shared with faculties to help determine the winner.  The contest, which was open to all full- and part-time students at York U (including international and graduate students), has a grand prize of a year of free tuition, a credit worth up to $6,200, which can be used up to the year 2016.

In addition to the contest for current students, the campaign also includes a contest for future students with a grand prize of free tuition. The contest for future students closes Nov. 11 and the winner will be announced on MuchMusic.

The contest winner will be featured in the next series of “this is my time” advertisements that will launch in 2013.