Year in Review 2021: Top headlines at York University, May to August

January 11, 2022

As a new year emerges, YFile takes a look back on 2021 to share with readers a snapshot of the year’s highlights. “Year in Review” will run as a three-part series and will feature a selection of top news stories published in YFile. Here are the stories and highlights for May to August, as chosen by YFile editors.

May

A group of people wearing face masks — York researchers tested several materials to find which one is more efficient at filtering aerosols and more breathable

York researchers test best materials for filtration and breathability in mask inserts
York University researchers tested several materials to find which one is more efficient at filtering aerosols and more breathable for use as a middle layer or filter for cloth-based masks.

York University advances plans to establish a new School of Medicine supported by GTA health and government leaders
York University and Greater Toronto Area (GTA) health sector and local government leaders signalled positive momentum and growing support for a new School of Medicine at York that will focus on training family and community doctors in an integrated setting.

School of Nursing creates new approach to mentorship
An initiative out of the School of Nursing in York University’s Faculty of Health enhanced professional development during the pandemic and shows holds promise for post-pandemic learning and mentorship.

Indigenous students shine online in virtual pilot program
This eight-week virtual pilot program brought together 16 Indigenous students from various countries and communities to learn about their commonalities and differences.

June

An injection of hope: Herd immunity – where are we now?
In this three-part series, YFile investigates the COVID-19 vaccine as an injection of hope for recovery. Read part two, An injection of hope: What we learned from the vaccine rollout; and part three, An injection of hope: COVID-19 and the road to recovery.

York University graduate student receives Trudeau Doctoral Scholarship
Cristina Wood, a PhD candidate in York University’s Department of History, was awarded the prestigious Trudeau Doctoral Scholarship, presented by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, which recognizes top doctoral students in Canada and abroad in the fields of humanities and social sciences. This was the first time since 2016 that a York student had been chosen for this scholarship. Several other students were recognized with awards in June, including Health Studies graduate Hanaa Ameer who earned the Murray G. Ross Award, three undergraduate changemakers who received Governor General’s silver medals, and three York graduate students who were awarded Governor General’s Gold Medals.

Schulich Professor David Johnson is the George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains inaugural director (image: Gordon Hawkins)

Schulich launches George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains and announces its research Chair
Building on Schulich’s unique Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) program, its deep relationships with industry and George Weston Ltd’s world-class expertise in supply chain management, the new centre is poised to be a global leader in supply chain education. David Johnston, program director of the MSCM, was named the new George Weston Ltd Chair for Sustainable Supply Chains and is the centre director.

July

Morgan Fics and Nicole Alexander — Morgan Fics (left) and Nicole Alexander (right)

Like mother, like son: Introducing the first mother-son MFA screenwriting graduates in York history
As many York University graduates geared up for the final hurrah of their academic careers, Nicole Alexander breathed a sigh of relief after defending her four-years-in-the-making master’s thesis. She followed rather untraditionally in the footsteps of her eldest son, Morgan Fics, making them the first mother and son in York history to both graduate with their MFA in screenwriting.

York scholars receive Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
York University Postdoctoral Fellows Mohammad Naderi and Vasily Panferov were recipients of the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by the Government of Canada. The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship is valued at $70,000 per year for two years, supporting postdoctoral researchers who will positively contribute to Canada’s social, economic and research-based growth. As well, York PhD students Debbie Ebanks Schlums and Maureen Owino were awarded prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and 11 students received the Robert J. Tiffin Student Leadership Award.

Eleven athletes with ties to York University are competing in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan
Athletes with affiliation to York University included Jason Ho-Shue (Badminton), Katie Vincent (Canoe-Kayak), Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes (Beach Volleyball), Shady El Nahas (Judo), Brittany Crew (Shot Put), Pierce Lepage (Decathlon), Bismark Boateng and Khamica Bingham (Track & Field), Arthur Szwarc (Indoor Volleyball) and Syed Muhammad Haseeb Tariq (Swimming). Alumna Andrea Prieur, a certified athletic therapist, was part of the Health Services team and alumna and former Lion Natalie Ghobrial was an athletic therapist with the Women’s Softball team.

August

Funding supports York project to advance gender equality in pandemic recovery
A project out of York University that will advance gender equality in the social and economic response to COVID-19 was one of 237 projects that received funding under Women and Gender Equality Canada’s $100-million Feminist Response and Recovery Fund.

The prototype household filtration unit developed by Pratik Kumar and Professor Satinder Kaur Brar

Lassonde postdoctoral Fellow earns award for research that improves drinking water
Pratik Kumar, a postdoctoral Fellow in Professor Satinder Kaur Brar‘s lab in the Lassonde School of Engineering, won an award for his work on improving the quality of drinking water.

Children’s health course tackles SDGs with an assist from globally networked learning
Pairing York University students with Universidad San Francisco de Quito students for a rich and meaningful learning experience focused on children’s health was the the work of Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, associate professor in the Children, Childhood and Youth Studies program, with support from the globally networked learning team in York International.

Check back in the next edition of YFile for Year in Review 2021: Top headlines at York University, September to December. To see part one, January to April, go here.

Year in Review 2021: Top headlines at York University, January to April

January 9, 2022

January

York University, Mackenzie Health launch innovative health collaboration in York Region
York University joined forces with Mackenzie Health in an innovative new community-focused health collaboration that will aim to enhance health services, training of highly qualified personnel, research and innovation and healthier outcomes for York Region residents, and beyond.

York University launches new international Indigenous Student Exchange Program with virtual pilot
The exchange program is funded by the federal government-sponsored Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program. Ten Indigenous students at York University joined Indigenous students from partner universities worldwide to participate in a series of facilitated online workshops on a variety of themes.

Image shows two people talking over video chat — As a succession of government and public health measures and guidelines came into effect, the Emergency Management Team met regularly over evenings and weekends to plan and implement changes

Recognizing hard work and dedication in York University’s 2020 COVID-19 Emergency Management Team
As the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly impacted all aspects of daily life in 2020, York University moved quickly to assemble an emergency team that would prove instrumental in its ability to respond to the crisis. Throughout the pandemic, the emergency team managed preparedness and response efforts, working evenings, weekends to mobilize efforts to protect University community members.

Dahdaleh Institute research on improving water safety in humanitarian operations published in leading journal
Groundbreaking new research from York University’s Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research providing recommendations to improve the safety of household water supplies in refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps was published in Water Research, the leading water science and engineering journal.

February

Faculty member Mark Terry’s documentary film was recognized during the UN SGD 2020 Action Awards

Youth Climate Report, documentary film project led by York faculty member Mark Terry, recognized with UN SDG Action Award
The Youth Climate Report, a documentary film project led by Mark Terry – explorer, award-winning filmmaker and contract faculty member and course director at York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change – earned an Honourable Mention from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2020 Action Awards.

York University announces new Postdoctoral Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars
York University launched a new Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars, as part of a wider commitment to promoting justice and embracing a variety of scholarly perspectives, backgrounds and lived experiences.

Lassonde’s K2I Academy launches Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Black and Indigenous Youth
The K2I Academy welcomed 25 Black and Indigenous students from the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) to participate in a 14-week paid research program. The high school students worked on research projects related to engineering, computer science, earth science and/or atmospheric science under the guidance of undergraduate research assistant mentors, supervised by Lassonde faculty.

Compelling content across communication platforms earns York Communications & Public Affairs eight awards
York University creates content that matters and earned eight prestigious awards in recognition of the high-quality work produced by Communications & Public Affairs (C&PA).

March

York’s UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability, Professor Charles Hopkins

York named founding partner of new global UNESCO network on education for sustainable development
York University announced it is one of six founding partners of a global UNESCO network on Education for Sustainable Development led by Leuphana University in Lüneburg, Germany.

Researchers at York University receive $9 million in Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding
Three major research projects at York University received more than $9 million in research infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more than $518 million in research infrastructure funding on March 3 supporting 102 projects at 35 post-secondary institutions and research hospitals across the country.

Celebrating experiential education’s pandemic successes
Experiential education was the star of two celebratory events held at York University. Both events showcased how students and faculty have been able to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep experiential education thriving during a year of teaching and learning remotely.

New Research & Innovation resource documents York’s unique contribution in fight against COVID-19
A vital resource created in the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation is a comprehensive, ever-expanding and searchable list documenting COVID-19 research and expertise undertaken across York University.

April

York University Lions men's hockey player Kaleb Dahlgren and women's track and field athlete Monique Simon-Tucker were named York's top graduating student-athletes at the 53rd annual Varsity Athletics Banquet April 8, 2021 — York University Lions men’s hockey player Kaleb Dahlgren and women’s track and field athlete Monique Simon-Tucker were named York’s top graduating student-athletes at the 53rd annual Varsity Athletics Banquet April 8, 2021

Three student-athletes nominated for York’s Heart of a Lion award
Three York University Lions student-athletes have been nominated for York’s Charles Saundercook Memorial Trophy: men’s hockey player Kaleb Dahlgren, women’s track and field athlete Simone Da Silva and women’s hockey player Kelsey McHolm. Four student-athletes also received the 2021 Lions Legacy awards: men’s hockey player Kaleb Dahlgren, women’s hockey standout Lauren Dubie, women’s soccer player Teni Odetoyinbo and track and field athlete Monique Simon-Tucker.

York University researchers leading national infectious disease modelling efforts
Researchers in York University’s Faculty of Science were awarded federal government funding to lead national disease modelling efforts that will help us better predict, prevent and respond to emerging infectious disease.

New student-driven initiative offers a hub for students to take action on the SDGs
The SDG Student Hub was launched in fall 2020 as part of the partnership between York and the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) to bring world-class initiatives in sustainable development to its communities. The SDSN works with universities and other knowledge centers to help them activate sustainable development initiatives through knowledge mobilization; problem-solve partnerships with governments, business and civil society; and encourage local social entrepreneurship.

Check back in the next edition of YFile for Year in Review 2021: Top headlines at York University, May to August.

Tait McKenzie Centre closed until Jan. 24

December 15, 2021

The Tait McKenzie Centre on the Keele Campus of York University has announced it will close until the new year.

The closure began at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15 and the facility will reopen on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022. All dates are subject to change based on restrictions and conditions from the Government of Ontario, City of Toronto or York University.

To learn more, visit the Tait McKenzie website.

Vice-Provost Students offers an update on the review of the culture in York’s Athletics & Recreation varsity teams

October 27, 2021

In 2020, the Division of Students, working with the Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion hired Ethical Associates, a third-party firm of independent human rights practitioners, to conduct an Equity Climate Review of student-athletes’ experiences while engaging with York’s Athletics & Recreation Department.

The review was initiated following concerns raised by some current student-athletes and student-athlete alumni. At the outset of the review, Vice-Provost Students Lucy Fromowitz committed to share the recommendation with the York University community. The full review can be found on the Vice-Provost Students website.

The Equity Climate Review was not an investigation. Rather, the broad mandate was to explore the climate in the department through the experiences and perceptions of current student athletes and student-athlete alumni dating back to 2012, and of coaches and administrative staff. The review sought to identify gaps in programs, processes or structures that might contribute to experiences of anti-Black racism, discrimination or any issues of inequity, and to recommend areas for improvement to ensure the community can enjoy an inclusive and respectful environment.

“The review, with 22 recommendations, has provided a clear path forward. We accept all recommendations and have published our Action Plan alongside the review. We are committed to creating the conditions in which our student-athletes can thrive, and we hold ourselves accountable to report on our progress towards these goals,” said Fromowitz.

In addition, on Tuesday of this week, the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Anti-Racism Report was released. While the Equity Climate Review was completed well in advance of this report and includes student-athlete reflections on a broad number of areas, Fromowitz believes that the OUA Report underscores the need for the University to advance its work in implementing the recommendations.

In closing, Fromowitz offered her thanks to the more than 300 students, 28 coaching staff and 39 administrative staff who participated and shared their perceptions, experience, and attitudes about issues of importance to the community.

To learn more and to view the full message, visit the Vice-Provost Students website.

York Lions football team ready to roar

September 17, 2021

York University Lions football team on the field with the Lions flag

There is no shortage of energy in the York Lions football locker room as the team prepares to hit the field for the first time in nearly two years.

Head coach Warren Craney and his coaching staff have been preparing the group for this moment since the day the world shut down. They’ve relied on team meetings, home gyms, the outdoor High Performance Centre – anything to keep players engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, the Lions intend to take the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) by surprise in 2021, and hope that two years’ worth of preparation will help them dominate the field against an array of able opponents.

Craney says, in training camp, it appears the extra preparation has paid off.

“This is the best football team I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” says Craney. “I think this team speaks a lot to our depth. Our coaches have done a great job in terms of recruiting high-impact players and have solved a lot of depth issues that we’ve had in the past. It’s the fastest football team I’ve ever seen on the field, both on offence and defence.”

2021 Football Schedule

One of the reasons behind the 12-year coach’s excitement is his new addition into the offensive co-ordinator role, Tommy Denison. Denison was hired in March 2020, and though it may have taken him a while to set foot on York’s campus, he has his fingerprints all over the 2021 Lions offence.

Denison’s tried-and-true system has made the Lions offence look dynamite. Leading the way will be fifth-year receiver Alex Daley, who was among the OUA’s leaders in his stat lines during the past two seasons. Retson Daley, Alex Daley’s brother, is also set to make a big impact on the Lions as an NCAA Division I student-athlete.

Running back Darnel Jarret burst onto the scene in 2019 with authority and will be looking to follow up that campaign with an even bigger one this season.

Jaxon Hume, a two-sport athlete also competing in track and field, brings size, speed and athleticism as a return specialist. He arrived on the scene in 2019 in a big way, scoring his first career touchdown on a 107-yard kick-off return against Ottawa in week five. More of that is expected this year, as Hume showcased his impressive quickness over the duration of Lions training camp.

The biggest change on the offence arguably comes at quarterback. Brett Hunchak, York’s all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts, has transitioned to Craney’s coaching staff. Noah Craney will start this year, and his coach believes his athleticism will help him excel as the Lions’ starting quarterback.

They will all play behind an offensive line that is anchored by second-year tackles Evan Anseeuw and Logan Scott.

When asked about the defence, Coach Craney had trouble coming up with the proper words to describe the group. He settled on “insanity.”

On the defensive line, tackle Kwadwo Boahen has been unblockable all camp. He will be flanked by Nate Brennan and Kevin Musai, who round out the veteran defensive line, and new addition Jason Janvier-Messier, a top 2020 recruit who has left good impressions on his teammates and football operations staff after proving himself to be a hard worker on the field and in the gym during the 2020 shutdown.

Behind them, Matt Dean, Dawson Davis and Desi Dixon Jr. make up the “triple D linebackers,” as Coach Craney calls them, and are dominating figures showcasing a great deal of chemistry together in camp.

In the secondary, Daniel Amoako has stepped up into a leadership position along with the team’s 2019 leading tackler, Talik Ehouman.

The pandemic has brought a lot of uncertainty – and the OUA standings are likely to be affected by that in 2021. With no football played in 2020, and a shortened six-game schedule upcoming, the OUA is sure to be hit with many surprise performers.

Coach Craney believes his team is well-suited to be one of the surprises.

“I think this team can accomplish great things,” he says. “Our team’s goal is to host a playoff game this year. And I believe it’s something we can do.”

This year, there are East and West Divisions in football and eight teams will make the playoffs. The post-season will begin with the top seed in each division hosting the fourth-place team while the second and third seeds do battle. The following week will be the semifinals, with the remaining two teams in each division facing off against each other. On Saturday, Nov. 20, the 113th Yates Cup championship will cap off the OUA campaign with each division’s winner competing for the trophy.

Town aims for gold at Senior Wrestling World Championships

September 13, 2021

She may be returning to don red and white at York University, but Alexandria Town will wear another red and white uniform at the upcoming 2021 Senior World Wrestling Championships in Oslo, Norway.

Town, a native of Scarborough, Ont., has wrestled her way onto Team Canada in the 57-kilogram division for the upcoming international competition, making her return to the stage where she made Canadian history with a gold medal victory at the U23 level in 2018.

The qualification came last weekend, when Town joined her Canadian teammates in Saskatoon for the Senior World Team Trials, an event that determines Canada’s entrants into the world championships.

The event was held for the first time in over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite that, Town showed no signs of rust. She defeated Montreal’s Laurence Beauregard 13-0 in the 57-kilogram division final. Beauregard, a member of the Concordia Stingers varsity wrestling team, was the only other competitor in the division.

Both her and Town received byes to reach the final. Town’s decorated world championship resume displays her experience with international-level competition. She competed for Canada at the 2018 U23 World Wrestling Championships in Bucharest, Romania, becoming the first Canadian to ever win gold at the event.

Town, embarking on her second stint as a Lion, recently re-enrolled at York to attend teachers college. She previously graduated from York with a degree in kinesiology and health science and has spent the past three seasons competing internationally for Canada, winning multiple medals at events around the globe. She finished 12th at her first senior world championships and third at the Canadian Olympic Trials in 2019.

In her three years competing for the Lions (2016-18), Town became York’s first women’s wrestling all-star and all-Canadian. She won three Ontario University Athletics medals and two U SPORTS medals.

York University student-athlete sets North American record at Tokyo Paralympics

September 9, 2021

Charlotte Bolton

Incoming York University student-athlete Charlotte Bolton is joining the Lions this fall after an impressive Paralympic debut in Tokyo.

As the youngest member of Team Canada’s Paralympic track and field team, the 18-year-old from Tillsonburg, Ont., finished sixth overall in both of her events – F41 shot put, with a best distance of 8.73 metres; and F41 discus throw, with a North American record-setting distance of 27.72 metres.

Bolton’s original goal was to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, but the one-year postponement of the Tokyo games worked in her favour, allowing extra time to hone her skills before the revised qualification deadline. Let’s see what another three years can do for this rising athletic star.

To read more about Charlotte Bolton, see the Aug. 18 YFile story.

YFile
Newsletter

Tag: Athletics