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Reminder: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women ceremony, Dec. 3

National Day of Remembrance FEATURED
National Day of Remembrance FEATURED

York University will host a ceremony to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Monday, Dec. 3. The ceremony commemorates the lives of 14 young women who died at École Polytechnique in Montreal in 1989. They were killed because they were women in an engineering school.

The ceremony takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the First Floor Café of the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. A light lunch will be provided.

As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, this day represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQ2+, people with disabilities and others who are marginalized in society.

This pan-university ceremony is a collaborative initiative between President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton; the Lassonde School of Engineering; the Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion; the Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education; and the Community Safety Department.

York University hosts Gairdner Student Outreach Lectures

More than 300 high school students attended this year’s Gairdner Student Outreach lecture at York University

“Celebrating, convening and inspiring” are the themes that support and motivate the Gairdner Foundation. Each year, the foundation hosts a series of student outreach lectures given by leading scientists. This year’s lectures took place Oct. 24 at York University’s Keele Campus.

More than 300 high school students attended this year’s Gairdner Student Outreach Lectures at York University

If the response from the more than 300 high-school students gathered in the Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan Theatre to hear this year’s Gairdner Student Outreach Lectures is anything to go by, the motivation to explore science as a career is strong.

Ron Pearlman

The Gairdner Lectures are an annual and national event brought to universities across Canada through the efforts of the Gairdner Foundation, and brought to York University in particular by York University Professor Emeritus Ronald Pearlman, who is also the associate scientific director for the Gairdner Foundation. The event celebrates award-winning scientists whose research creates significant advances in the field of science. This year’s speakers were Professors Lewis E. Kay and Nada Jabado.

Avani Abraham

Fourth-year York University biology student Avani Abraham kicked off the lectures by introducing Kay, a biochemistry and chemistry professor at the University of Toronto in the Department of Molecular Genetics and a senior scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Kay, the winner of the 2017 Canada Gairdner International Award and the recipient of the 2018 Herzberg Award (the most prestigious award for Canadian scientists, presented by the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada), explained his findings in the field of biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Along with his team, Kay discovered methods that “visualize” protein molecules in their natural environment and learn about how the shapes of proteins evolve in time and lead to biological function. He jokingly referred to his research as “how molecules dance.”

Lewis E. Kay

He was able to make advancements on how molecules involved in neurodegeneration could form abnormal structures that would eventually lead to diseased states. The work of Kay and his colleagues has led to new insights into how “cellular machines” function and how the communication between different parts of these machines can be targeted for the development of drugs in the fight against certain cancers. His methods and research tools, freely disseminated, are used in labs across the world by teams researching diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Nada Jabado

The lectures continued with Professor Nada Jabado, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Academy of Science, Life Sciences Division. Jabado is currently a professor of pediatrics and human genetics at McGill University and a principal investigator at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, where her research program focuses on pediatric brain tumours. Jabado explained how she focused on the 10 per cent of cancers that cannot be prevented, which are the cancers that occur in children and young adults. Her work aims to detect and treat cancer as early as possible.

Her team discovered that pediatric brain cancers, astrocytomas, are molecularly and genetically distinct from an adult tumour. Jabado and her team were the first to identify a previously unknown molecular mechanism driving a pediatric high-grade cancer, namely “recurrent somatic driver mutations” in histone molecules. Histones are involved in regulating the expression of genes and in the development and growth of many body tissues, including in the brain.

These mutations partly explain why this cancer may remain unresponsive to treatment. Jabado’s groundbreaking work has contributed to a paradigm shift in cancer treatment with the identification of histone mutations in human disease, and she and her team hope to translate these findings into optimal detection and therapeutic possibilities. The team is also exploring how best to engage children, parents and health-care professionals in therapeutic decision-making based on the genetic makeup of the tumour.

Following the lectures, the high-school students had the opportunity to tour the Keele Campus with a senior undergraduate student and to find out more about the science programs offered at York University.

Visit York University’s Explore Science website for more opportunities to experience science programs.

Following the student lectures, a small lunch was held for the speakers with faculty and research trainees. This was followed by a presentation by Kay of the York Gairdner Lecture titled “NMR, Why Bother? Studies of the p97 Molecular Machine Provide an Answer” to an enthusiastic and engaged audience of more than 150 who gathered in the University’s Senate Chamber. The lecture capped off an exciting day that showcased the highest quality science supported by York University and the Gairdner Foundation.

York U engineer creates computer models for Hollywood film ‘Clara’

John Moores

John Moores, associate professor in Earth Science & Space Engineering at the Lassonde School of Engineering, is internationally known for his research in planetary science, but now he’s got a new role to add to his resume: scientific consultant for a feature film. Moores provided visuals for the film Clara, as well as computer code and graphs for the film’s art department. At the producer’s request, he and McMaster University Professor Doug Welch ensured the script met scientific standards.

Moores ran novel computer simulations about what some of the key plot points would look like in real life. He published a paper about an important part of the simulations in the journal American Astronomical Society earlier this year. Clara is a drama featuring former Suits star Patrick J. Adams and actress Troian Bellisario. The film will be released in theatres on Nov. 30.

The film’s synopsis involves Isaac Bruno (played by Adams), an astronomer obsessed with searching the cosmos for signs of life beyond Earth, despite the collapse of his personal life right in front of him. His relentless research of the night sky leads him into the path of an unqualified but confident amateur astronomer named Clara (played by Bellisario). Working together, their efforts ultimately lead them to a shocking and profound scientific discovery.

Below, a GIF showing a computer simulation.

Weekend wrap: Lions win triple-overtime game against the Thunderwolves

Lions logo
York U Lions

The York University Lions men’s basketball team beat the Lakehead University Thunderwolves on Saturday, Nov. 23 in Thunder Bay, Ont., in a massive 112-104 win following an exhilarating triple overtime.

York’s Gianmarco Luciani led the Lions in points, with a total of 26 throughout the away game.

The first period saw the Thunderwolves leading with 18 points and the Lions were two points behind at 16. Luciani was the first to score with a three-point bucket less than a minute into the quarter. York’s DeAndre Pierre then followed with a two-point shot, giving the Lions an early 5-0 lead over their opponents. The Thunderwolves’ Davarius Wright then secured a three-point shot, putting Lakehead on the board. More details on the York Lions website.

Locke scores OT winner in first game of season against Voyageurs

The York University women’s hockey topped the Laurentian University Voyageurs 1-0 with an overtime goal on Saturday evening in Sudbury, Ont., their second overtime win of the weekend.

The Lions had a quick turnaround from the previous evening’s 6-5 overtime win against the Nipissing Lakers. Despite the high-scoring game against the Lakers, after three periods, neither the Lions nor the Voyageurs were able to get a shot past the goaltenders.

The Lions outshot the Voyageurs in the first period with 15 shots on goal compared to the Voyageurs’ nine. The Voyageurs had 17 more shots in the last two periods, while the Lions only had 12, but neither teams were able to find the back of the net. More details.

On Friday night, the Lions also beat the Nipissing University Lakers in overtime in North Bay, Ont., smashing a three-game losing streak.

The first period of the game saw both teams making an appearance on the scoreboard. However, the Lakers were the first to complete a successful shot on goal at 5:27, which was fired by forward Kaley Tienhaara with assists from teammates Zosia Davis and Jetta Derenoski.

The Lions answered 59 seconds later when forward Avery Reeves found the back of the net, assisted by Natalie Dean and Kara Washer. The two teams went into the second period tied 1-1. More details.

Lions win nail-biter against Varsity Blues

The York University Lions men’s volleyball team beat the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Sunday, Nov. 25 in a spectacularly close 3-2 win for the home team in a game that extended to five sets.

York’s Andrew Tauhid led in points between both teams, scoring a game total of 25.5 points, 25 of them being kills, while outside hitter Andrew Shotbolt also had a phenomenal game, contributing 21.5 points and 20 kills.

The Lions beat the Blues in the first set, which went over 25 points as the home team battled for the 27-25 win. York’s ability to keep a ball in the game contributed to their first set win, especially as they attempted to secure their last few points and Tauhid raced down the court as the ball was escaping the Lions and he brought it back into the game to secure another point for the Lions. More details.

On Friday evening, the Lions played in front of a packed house and, despite a hard-fought battle, were defeated by the Ryerson University Rams 3-2 at the Tait Mackenzie Centre.

After three consecutive points in the first set, it was Toure Nwakwesi who earned the first point for the Lions. The game was tied early on, 6-6, but the Lions led the Rams 16-11 by the midway break. The Lions stayed strong and held onto their lead to win the set 25-19. More details.

Lions defeated 3-0 by first-place Rams

The York University women’s volleyball team were defeated by the Ryerson University Rams 3-0 on Friday evening at the Tait Mackenzie Centre.

The Rams, who went undefeated in the 2017-18 season, and won the U SPORTS women’s volleyball championships, sit in first place in the OUA East division with a 6-1 record. With the loss, the Lions are still tied in second place with the Toronto Varsity Blues sharing a 5-2 record.

It was the Rams who dominated the first set, racking up a total of 15 consecutive points at the start of the game before the Lions were able to earn one for themselves. After the Lions earned a point from a Ryerson serve that went out of bounds, it was the Rams who earned one last point to lead the Lions 16-1 midway through the set. The Lions were able to add four more points before the end of the set, but the Rams topped the Lions 25-5. More details.

Two days later, the Lions lost their final game before the holiday break to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Tait McKenzie Centre with a 3-0 win for the Blues.

The University of Toronto took the first set in a close 25-23 win. York was able to secure four points in a row following the Blues’ first point of the game, which gave the Lions an early 4-1 lead. More details.

Lions five-game win streak halted with loss to Thunderwolves

The York University Lions women’s basketball team lost to the Lakehead University Thunderwolves in Thunder Bay, Ont., on Saturday, Nov. 24, which put a halt to their historic five-game winning streak.

The scoreboard in the first half of the game was almost identical for both teams. In the first quarter of the game, the Lions ended with 22 points and the Thunderwolves ended with 23.

The Lions’ Lauren Golding opened up the game with a three-point jump shot. The scoring went back and forth between both teams and neither led to far ahead from the other. The Thunderwolves scored two layups, which were followed by a layup from York’s Katrina Collins-Samuels and a three-point shot from Emma Jonas. More details.

Lions fall 3-1 at home to Varsity Blues

The York University men’s hockey team played against their city rivals, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, on Saturday evening and were defeated 3-1 at Canlan Ice Sports.

Both teams had chances in the first period, with the first huge chance coming from the Varsity Blues after a shot squeezed past Alex Fotinos, but hit the post and remained out of the Lions’ net. Ben Verrall had the first big chance for the Lions, taking a shot that went off the post. A few minutes later, Dexter Bricker received a long pass just behind the Varsity Blues’ defencemen; however, it was stopped by the goaltender. After multiple chances by both teams, Toronto’s Matt Campagna slipped one passed Fotinos to lead the Lions 1-0 just four minutes before the end of the period. More details.

On Thursday, the Lions lost 5-2 to the University of Guelph Gryphons in Guelph, Ont., ending the Lions’ season-high four-game winning streak.

The Gryphons previously fell short to the Lions back on Oct. 13, 2018, as the Lions beat their opponents in a 4-3 win at their home arena. The first period of the game saw 11 shots on goal for the Lions and 12 shots on goal for the Gryphons, one of which was fired by Matt Kenney, entering the Lions’ net and giving the Gryphons their first lead of the game. More details.

Las Nubes Student Association hosts events, silent auction Nov. 28 for Las Nubes EcoCampus

Each year, engaged, enthusiastic and committed volunteers at the Las Nubes Students Association (LNSA) work hard to raise funds for the communities that surround York University’s Las Nubes EcoCampus in the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor (ASBC) in Costa Rica.

The Lillian Meighen Wright Centre
The Lillian Meighen Wright Centre is the heart of York University’s activities in Costa Rica

This year, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES), the LNSA invites the York University community to learn more about the progress of the Las Nubes Project through a series of events on Nov. 28, including the 10th annual silent auction.

The Las Nubes Project was created by Professor Howard Daugherty from the Faculty of Environmental Studies, after a generous donation was made to York University in 1998 by Dr. Woody Fisher, a noted Toronto physician medical researcher and co-founder of the Canadian Liver Foundation. In 1999, FES created the Fisher Fund for Neotropical Conservation in honour of Fisher and to this day, the fund continues to have an impact on students, faculty, institutional partners and community members within the ASBC through experiential education, research opportunities, international collaboration and exchange, and community engagement that promotes social and environmental health and well-being.

Some of the latest developments include the Las Nubes Semester Abroad, with six courses, and the Las Nubes Reading Week Program taught by York faculty in Costa Rica; and Scott Library’s community learning center La Casita Azul serving communities in the heart of the biological corridor.

Inspired by the philanthropic legacy established by Howard Daugherty, Fisher and numerous other donors and friends of the Las Nubes Project, the LNSA works hard to raise funds each year in support of the growth and development of the project.

On Nov. 28, the LNSA will host a series of events:

• a daytime silent auction (Vari Hall, 9 a.m to 2 p.m.);
• a painting workshop with Costa Rican artist and current MES student Raquel Bolaños (HNES 109, 4 to 6 p.m.); and
• a culminating evening mixer and auction (New Student Centre, A2).

Both the daytime and evening auctions will have an array of items up for bid, including artwork and paintings, photographs taken by students who have participated in the semester abroad, jewelry and hand-made Boruca Masks from Costa Rica.

Raquel Bolaños
Raquel Bolaños

The painting workshop will be led by Raquel Bolaños, a Costa Rican visual artist an activist who has executed numerous participatory art installations and has worked with several cohorts of York University Students who have participated in the Semester Abroad in Costa Rica. Bolaños has developed a unique mixed-media art style including ink on paper, acrylic paint and digital design and illustration. Her passion for art is rooted in environmental and social challenges, taking her to unconventional places such as streets or rural communities where she executes participatory art projects such as murals that are intended to reflect on and heal society. The workshop will explore the birds of the Las Nubes Eco Campus.  Pre-registration for the workshop is required, and the workshop fee includes all supplies with complimentary admission to the evening mixer in the New Student Centre at 6:30 p.m.

The day will culminate in an evening reception hosted by the Las Nubes Alumni Network and the Las Nubes Students Association as an occasion to welcome back all the students and alumni who have taken field courses in Las Nubes since its inception. The event will include remarks from FES Dean Alice Hovorka, reflections from a recent Las Nubes alumnus and current York University psychology/music major Jose Miguel and will feature exciting live music.

Purchase a ticket to connect with current students, alumni and faculty members over food and drinks, and learn how to get involved with the project. All proceeds from this event including ticket sales will go towards the Las Nubes Project, and with a fundraising goal of $2,000, the LNSA will: support a community initiative led by the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Santa Elena (the closest town to the EcoCampus) by funding the creation of 500 calendars for community members to educate and increase awareness of the biodiversity of Santa Elena; the purchase of reusable containers for families within the ASBC to reduce use of disposables; and the donation of holiday food baskets to Costa Rican families in need. 

About the Las Nubes Student Association (LNSA)

The Las Nubes Student Association (LNSA) is an organized student group at York University that was initiated to promote sustainable ecological conservation and social sustainability practices in the biological corridor of the Las Nubes region of Costa Rica.The LNSA aims to create awareness about the Las Nubes project, and get students excited and involved in various activities and events.

The Las Nubes Alumni Network (LNAN) was established in 2011 after the passing of Professor Howard Daugherty, who created the Las Nubes Project. To honour his ideals and philosophy, students who had the opportunity to learn from Daugherty established a network of people who have worked, researched, or/and volunteered for Las Nubes. The LNAN aims to provide mentorship, social networking, and opportunities for professional development, by sharing common experiences and reconnecting with colleagues and friends who have been associated with the project.

York launches digital awareness campaign for International Day of Persons with Disabilities

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

York University’s Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (REI) and the Division of Advancement’s Alumni Engagement team will launch a digital awareness campaign to support International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which is recognized worldwide on Dec. 3.

International Day of Persons with DisabilitiesThe theme of this year’s campaign, which began Nov. 23 and continues until Dec. 7, is “empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality.” The purpose of the campaign is to recognize and raise awareness of IDPD, profile York student leaders and alumni who identify with disability and help foster an inclusive environment at York for persons with disabilities.

REI and Alumni Engagement have partnered to profile York student leaders and alumni who identify with a disability and are working to help make our communities more accessible and inclusive. Their efforts will be shared on their web landing pages, the University’s LCD screens and social media.

The REI content will showcase four exemplary York University students who identify with a disability and are engaged in the campus community and beyond in disability advocacy. The REI web page also includes information about campus resources.

The Alumni Engagement content will feature five alumni who identify with a disability and have made significant contributions to their communities.

In recognition of their abilities and contributions to York University, York is committed to preventing, minimizing and removing the barriers to participation for persons with disabilities in the activities of the University, including employment, academic and social.

Leading thinkers gather at York University to discuss countdown to Canadian climate action

a dry arid landscape due to global warming

To understand how climate change already impacts human health in Canada and around the world, leading scientific and civil society organizations will gather at York University on Nov. 29. The day-long event will focus on findings contained in the Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change, a Lancet-led yearly review of the world’s response to climate change and how it affects human health globally.

Dr. James Orbinski

“Climate change is the main issue right now in global health, with already massive humanitarian impact globally,” says Dr. James Orbinski, former international president of Doctors Without Borders and the inaugural director of the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research at York University.

“We know what needs to be done to adapt to the health impact of climate change and to stop it from getting worse by radically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. What we need to figure out is how to work together to get this done,” he says.

The Lancet Countdown is the result of international, interdisciplinary collaboration. The report focuses on what can be done now and how the world is moving – slowly – in the right direction.

Despite the report’s findings, Canada is among the worst climate change offenders, according to a new study published in Nature Communications. Along with Russia and China, this country’s current climate change policies are estimated to contribute to global temperature rise of more than five degrees Celsius by the end of the century. Scientists estimate that if global temperatures rise over 1.5 degrees Celsius, there will be irreversible damages to human and planetary well-being.

Orbinski notes that traditional boundaries between disciplines, between researchers and practitioners, and between political perspectives are common challenges to effective climate action.

With Dr. Courtney Howard, a Canadian physician associated with the Lancet Countdown, Orbinski will welcome representatives from across disciplines and sectors to track Canada’s progress on health and climate change. The 2018 Canada-specific Lancet Countdown Report will also be launched at an event on Nov. 29, which is open to all members of the York University community and beyond.

Hosted by the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research (DIGHR), and in partnership with The Lancet, the Canadian Public Health Association and the Canadian Medical Association, the gathering will feature an impressive roster of speakers, including Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Blockchain For Climate Foundation, the York University Sustainable Energy Initiative, the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Global Health Emergency Medicine at the University of Toronto.

Two consecutive panels of global health researchers and practitioners will explore how climate change affects mental health, the spread of infectious disease and human migration. Each will discuss extreme weather events, pollution-related mortality rates and media trends in Canada. Panellists will also speak to the technological innovations and intersectional perspectives crucial to curbing and adapting to climate change.

All are welcome to explore this window of opportunity to enhance global health through climate action.

For more information and to register for the launch of the 2018 Canada-specific Lancet Countdown Report, visit go.yorku.ca/dighr-rsvp-lancet and follow DIGHR on Twitter at @DIGHR_YorkU.

The York University Magazine wins silver at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards

The York University Magazine took home silver in the category of Best Publication, Academic Division, at the 2018 Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPAs), whose 10th anniversary edition took place at Toronto’s Eglinton Grand on Nov. 14. This is the first time The York University Magazine has been recognized by this prestigious awards program.

Deirdre Kelly, editor of The York University Magazine, accepts the silver award for Best Publication, Academic Division, at the 2018 Canadian Online Publishing Awards
Deirdre Kelly, editor of The York University Magazine, accepting the silver medal for Best Publication, Academic Division, at the 2018 Canadian Online Publishing Awards

The COPAs honour excellence in Canada’s growing digital publishing industry, and this year’s event included news organizations, lifestyle publications, independent publishers and others from across the country. Other nominees included Vancouver Magazine, CTV Calgary, HuffPost Québec, VRAK TV (Bell Media), Harrowsmith Magazine, Chatelaine, FLARE and The Kit.

York University competed against four other post-secondary institutions for best publication: McGill University, the Ryerson School of Journalism, Sheridan College and the University of King’s College School of Journalism in Nova Scotia, which won gold.

The York University Magazine was the only competitor in the academic category without a designated school of journalism, making the silver medal win especially noteworthy for the judges, according to COPAs producer Martin Seto. “The York University Magazine is the evening’s biggest surprise,” Seto said. “Just look at who you were up against. Great job. Well done.”

The digital edition of The York University Magazine features exclusive web-only content that’s not included in the yearly print edition. It is updated on a regular basis with fresh stories, photos and videos to keep readers informed about the latest news at York.

To be notified when new issues of The York University Magazine and web exclusives are online, visit magazine.yorku.ca/subscribe to subscribe.

To learn more about the COPAs, visit the Canadian Online Publishing Awards website.

Grade 9ers get a glimpse into university life during Take Our Kids To Work Day

Take Our Kids To Work Day 2018

More than 120 Grade 9 students accompanied their parents, guardians, relatives, friends and volunteer hosts to the Second Student Centre on York University’s Keele Campus on Wednesday, Nov. 14, as part of the annual Take Our Kids To Work Day. The program, which was started by the Learning Partnership in 1994, was open to all University staff and faculty members.

Take Our Kids To Work Day 2018

The whirlwind day began at 9:30 a.m. with a tour of York’s Keele Campus. Here’s how two of the participating Grade 9 students felt about the tour, in their own words:

I enjoyed my visit at York University. I was not sure what to expect, having never visited a university before. I was very surprised at the size of the school. It is a large campus with many buildings – and a lot of walking. At first, I felt intimidated. There were many students, so we were broken up into groups to go on the campus tour. With so many buildings, it was difficult to remember all the names, but I don’t think I will ever forget the Lassonde School of Engineering and the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design building. The engineering building looks like something from a space movie. It is a beautifully designed building. I was fascinated to see the way students were studying – not with their heads down in books, but writing on the walls, being creative and not getting in trouble for writing on the walls. Our visit to the School of the Arts, Media Performance and Design was exciting for me. I am an arts major, so I wanted to hear everything about it. In addition, I was fortunate to get a tour of the Art Gallery of York University (AGYU). This was not a part of the campus tour, but my godmother took me because of my love for art, and for a brief moment I closed my eyes and saw my art hanging on the wall of the AGYU. When I first arrived on campus, I thought to myself: “There is no way I would be able to go to this school. Getting in would be one problem because I am sure there is a lot of competition. But it is also such a large school that if I did get in there, I would be sure to get lost every day, or at least be late to class every day.” However, after the campus tour, my visit to the art gallery, seeing all the great places to eat, meeting so many friendly people and realizing that the buildings are very easy to get to, I began to feel comfortable, my doubts turned into excitement and now I have a new goal in sight: the Art Gallery of York University!
– Mariana Gonsalves (goddaughter of Karen Traboulay, internal communications advisor, Communications and Public Affairs)

My experience at York University was exhilarating. When I went for a tour, everything looked futuristic and alive. I first went to the Lassonde School of Engineering’s Bergeron Centre where there were a lot of white boards to write ideas down. I went into a room where all of the 3D printers were, and a laser cutter. Then, I went into a room called the Sand Room, which has different types of machines that cut, drill and put together different things – that’s where I want to be! After that, I walked around to take a look at the campus. We were introduced to the Student Centre, which is like a mall, with so many different stores and places to read and study. Then I went to the Tait McKenzie Centre, which has a stadium, gymnasiums, studios, squash courts, swimming pools, tennis courts, grass fields and softball fields. It was almost time for my tour to end, so the last building I went to was Accolade East. There were so many theatres and rooms with music that you could hear from other rooms. One theatre can hold an average of 300 people! My day at York University was one of the best experiences. I’m for sure going to apply here for my future plans of mechanical engineering.
– Bianca Gravina (daughter of Grace Gravina, marketing officer, Communications and Public Affairs)

New this year, York partnered with the Neighbourhood Action Youth Employment Committee to host students from local high schools – Emery Collegiate Institute, Downsview Secondary School, C. W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute and James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School – who didn’t have a parent or guardian to accompany to work. The participating students were able to explore York’s Keele Campus and gain valuable exposure to a number of potential educational and career paths available to them.

After the campus tour, the students and their hosts gathered in the Second Student Centre’s Convention Centre for a complimentary pizza lunch, with closing remarks by Joanne Cary, interim assistant vice-president of human resources and chief HR officer. She spoke about resiliency, perseverance and sustainability, and about the many unique opportunities for both students and staff at York.

After lunch, the smiling students headed out with full bellies, York-branded T-shirts and an extra-special, eco-friendly surprise: a set of reusable, stainless-steel straws and a straw-cleaning brush, generously donated by York’s Licensing Program to help reduce one-time-use plastic waste.

The Grade 9ers then accompanied their adult chaperones to work for the remainder of the day.

Take Our Kids To Work Day at York University is sponsored by the Division of the Vice-President, Finance and Administration. For more information about the annual event, visit vpfa.info.yorku.ca/take-our-kids-to-work-day.

Two Glendon professors recognized at 2018 Heritage Toronto Awards

Glendon

York University’s Glendon College was well represented at the 2018 Heritage Toronto Awards on Oct. 29, when two faculty members were recognized for their work.

The Heritage Toronto Awards, now in its 44th year, highlight extraordinary contributions to the conservation and celebration of Toronto’s heritage. Professor Roberto Perin and Professor Elaine Gold were among the seven winners named from 60 nominees in five categories.

“Co-Interim Principal Ian Roberge and I look at this event and the awards presented as a recognition of the natural evolution of the roles of museums and historic collections in the making of civil society and as creators of new knowledge,” said Dominique Scheffel-Dunand, Glendon co-interim principal and associate principal, Research and Graduate Studies. “We are delighted that Professor Roberto Perin and Professor Elaine Gold, both engaged in investigating culture and language contacts and diversity in cities and in Canada at York University’s Glendon Campus, were recognized at the 2018 Heritage Toronto Awards for their important contributions to the creation of new knowledge in this field.”

Perin, a history professor, was presented with The Historical Writing: Book Award, for his work titled The Many Rooms of This House: Diversity in Toronto’s Places of Worship since 1840.

The Many Rooms of this House is a story about the rise and decline of religion in Toronto over the past 160 years. Unlike other studies that concentrate on specific denominations, or ecclesiastical politics, Perin’s ecumenical approach focuses on the physical places of worship and the local clergy and congregants that gather there. His timely and nuanced analysis reveals how the growing wealth of the city stimulated congregations to compete with one another over the size, style, materials, and decoration of their places of worship. However, the rise of consumer capitalism after the Second World War has negatively affected these same congregations leading to multiple church closings, communal breakdown and redevelopments. Perin’s fascinating work is a lens to understanding how this once overwhelmingly Protestant city became a symbol of diversity.

The Canadian Language Museum, housed on the Glendon Campus with Gold as director, was also profiled at the event. Their exhibit “Read Between the Signs: 150 Years of Language in Toronto” was nominated in the Public History Award category. The exhibit opened in the Glendon Gallery in 2017 and was translated by students in Glendon’s School of Translation.

The winners were announced during a ceremony which took place at The Carlu in Toronto.  More than 500 guests from Toronto’s city-building community attended this flagship networking event.