Harold I. Schiff Lecture explores the impact of volcanic gases on the atmosphere
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Image shows a volcano erupting the and gas plume
Ulrich Platt
Professor Ulrich Platt of the Institute for Environmental Physics at the University of Heidelberg will give the 25th Annual Harold I. Schiff Lecture on Thursday, June 16 at York University’s Keele campus.
The lecture starts at 2:30pm and is organized by the York University Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry and the Faculty of Science. In his lecture titled, “Quantification of Volcanic Gas Emission by Optical Spectroscopy − How and Why”, Platt will present an overview of new techniques to measure volcanic gas emissions. The Harold I. Schiff Lecture is free and open to the public. All are welcome.
Volcanoes play an enormous role in the Earth’s system and atmosphere due to the scale and nature of their physical force. Volcanic gas emissions are often studied and not just out of scientific curiosity, they have a significant influence on the composition of the atmosphere. Volcanic gases are also a window into the processes occurring in the Earth’s interior. The forecasting of volcanic eruptions can be improved by measuring the variations in the gas emissions ratio between known gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
In recent years, spectroscopic quantification of gas emissions from volcanoes and other sources has made enormous progress. In particular, passive spectroscopic approaches observing volcanic gases based on their observation of scattered sunlight in the Ultraviolet (UV) spectral range has evolved from an art to more refined techniques.
UV spectrometers are used by the Network for Volcanic and Atmospheric Composition Change, which for about a decade has routinely monitored more than two dozen volcanoes by fully automated installations, said Platt, noting that thermal emission spectroscopy is becoming important for case studies. A drawback of techniques that rely on solar radiation is the limitation on observations to daylight. Novel techniques such as the bi-static Light Emitting Diode Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) System promises to make range resolved measurements of emission plumes from volcanoes.
In his lecture, Platt will give an overview of the available techniques for the quantification of volcanic gas emissions by optical spectroscopy. He will also discuss sample results and give an overview of future developments.
The Harold I. Schiff Lecture series was established in honour of late Professor Emeritus Harold I. Schiff, who was York’s founding dean of the Faculty of Science in 1968. Among his numerous achievements are his major contributions to the development of techniques for measuring trace constituents in the upper atmosphere and to the interpretation of the physics and chemistry of the stratosphere.
An educator and scientist in the field of chemistry, Schiff began at York in 1964 and was named a member of York’s Founders Society in honour of his contributions to the early development of the University. While at York, Schiff was chair of the Department of Chemistry and director of the Natural Science Program in 1964, dean of the Faculty of Science from 1965 to 1972 and director of the Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry from 1985 to 1989.
York prof donates important geometric models to Canada Science & Technology Museum
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Asia Ivić Weiss with some of the models
A York University professor will donate a collection of geometric models once belonging to esteemed geometer Donald Coxeter to the Canada Science & Technology Museum on behalf of York’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
York U Professor Asia Ivić Weiss was Coxeter’s last PhD student and was given authority over the models, which were donated to the department in 1990. Coxeter died in 2003 at the age of 96, and left part of his collection to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, with other pieces going to Weiss, and the University of Toronto where he worked as a professor for 60 years.
Weiss, who has the objects on display in her office and in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics lounge, says she decided to donate the objects in an attempt to preserve them.
Some of the models – which are constructed with paper or wood – are beginning to show signs of deterioration.
“The museum will have the right conditions for storing the models, and will hopefully be able to restore the ones that need it,” said Weiss.
Part of the collection is a coveted 24-piece set made by H.T. Flather as part of the the 59 icosahedra. Flather, and Englishman, made the models out of paper, and paper and wire, in the 1930s.
Flather modelsFlather modelsFlather models
“During the war, Flather wrote to Coxeter and asked if he could ship his models to him for safe keeping,” said Weiss.
When the war ended, Flather offered for Coxeter to keep the models, which were part of an incomplete set (he made 24 of the 59 icosahedra). Flather eventually made another complete set, which are now preserved at Cambridge University in England.
Weiss will also donate other models from Coxeter’s collection that were given to him over the years, as well as some of Coxeter’s personal items including a painting his mother did, his original dissertation, books, geometric drawings on paper, and a wooden sculpture by artist John Robinson.
In total, Weiss will donate approximately 50 pieces to the museum, which will include them in its permanent collection. The facility is currently closed and undergoing renovations, and is expecting to open with this collection on display in 2017.
Story and images by Ashley Goodfellow Craig, YFile deputy editor
York University receives $1M gift from Carswell Family Foundation for graduate student scholarships
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Allan Carswell
Allan Carswell
On Tuesday, May 31, York University announced and celebrated a $1-million gift from Professor Emeritus Allan Carswell and the Carswell Family Foundation. The donation will create a permanent endowment and an expendable fund to establish Carswell Scholarships for graduate students in the Faculty of Science and the Lassonde School of Engineering.
Addressing the more than 100 guests in attendance at the announcement, York University President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri spoke about the importance of the gift. “In his role as a professor here at York, Allan experienced firsthand the significant contributions that students make to the research enterprise, as well as the financial challenges of being a graduate student,” said Shoukri. “He also understands the challenges of being a faculty member trying to recruit great students. This gift will go a long way to addressing those challenges so that our students and faculty members in the Faculty of Science and the Lassonde School of Engineering have the support they need to continue to conduct groundbreaking research.”
York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri announces the Carswell gift to guests gathered in the University’s Life Sciences Building
The gift will allow York University to start awarding Carswell Scholarships as early as this September. The endowed component of the donation has been matched by the University with the support of the Provost and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies to ensure that the Carswell Scholars program continues over the long term.
“This is a very special occasion and opportunity for the Carswell Family Foundation,” said Carswell. “It’s a win-win-win situation: a win for not only students, but also for the professors and their research activities, as well as more broadly for the advancement of science and engineering. The foundation is extremely pleased to be a part of this.”
Students, faculty and staff gathered to listen to the announcement
This is not the first gift that Carswell and his family have made to York University. In 2004, Optech, a global company founded by Carswell during his tenure at York, became a significant supporter of research at the University with a donation of $125,000 to establish what is now called the Optech Lab. To this day, the Optech Lab at York continues to stage a unique-in-Canada course on experimental techniques in laser physics and atom trapping.
Ray Jayawardhana
At the gift announcement, Ray Jayawardhana, dean of the Faculty of Science, and Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering, spoke about the impact Carswell’s gift will have for their students moving forward.
“As a pioneering scientist and a long-serving physics professor, Allan understands the transformative potential of research and the vital role that graduate students play in the research enterprise,” said Jayawardhana. “He appreciates that graduate students are not only the `scientists of tomorrow’, but also of today… I can’t wait to see the exciting discoveries and meaningful contributions that Carswell Scholars will make at York and beyond.”
Janusz Kozinski
“With this gift we can guarantee that more of our young talent will have the resources and the support to get started on their journeys into the unknown,” said Kozinski. “It will be up to them to show the courage, the skill, the perseverance and the will it takes to get to the top of their fields. We have no idea where their journeys will take them or where they will end. What we do know, is that for many of them here at York – thanks to the Carswell Foundation – it started here today.”
This gift comes at an opportune time in the University’s journey, particularly with the launch of Impact: The Campaign for York University, a $500-million fundraising and alumni engagement campaign. This Campaign celebrates the University’s impact on the world – past, present and future – and acknowledges alumni and donors, like Carswell and the Carswell Family Foundation, whose financial support has contributed to this remarkable success.
“On behalf of York University and all of our students, faculty and staff members, I wish to thank Dr. Carswell and the entire Carswell family for this incredible contribution towards our students and our future,” said Shoukri.
Six emerging and established researchers newly appointed York Research Chairs
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Six emerging and established researchers from across the University are newly appointed York Research Chairs. The appointments are part of a program established to build, support and intensify the world-renowned research underway at the University.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of six new York Research Chairs and congratulate them on this significant accomplishment,” said Robert Haché, York’s vice-president research and innovation. “Recognized for their leadership in scholarship, research and creative activities, these Research Chairs reflect the spectrum of excellence in research & scholarship undertaken across the University.”
Tier 1 Chairs
Natel Bergeron
Nantel Bergeron, professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science, was awarded a Tier 1 York Research Chair in Applied Algebra. Bergeron is one of the pioneers in the development of the theory of combinatorial Hopf algebras that serve as a conceptual laboratory in which researchers can understand and solve complex problems from other areas of science and mathematics. His research program will help to better understand the complexity of algorithms in computer science and mathematics and bring further insights into super-symmetry of nature.
Ellen Bialystok
Ellen Bialystok, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, has received a Tier 1 Walter Gordon York Research Chair in Lifespan Cognitive Development. Her research examines the effects of experience on cognitive function and brain organization across the lifespan, with a particular focus on bilingualism as an example of an intense and prevalent experience. The award will support studies of patients with early Alzheimer’s disease to provide a more complete description of these dynamic changes and develop a training protocol based on compensation that will improve cognitive function for all patients.
Chun Peng
Chun Peng, professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, was awarded a Tier 1 York Research Chair in Women’s Reproductive Health. Peng’s long-term goal for her research program is to understand the regulation of female reproduction and the mechanisms underlying the development of ovarian cancer and preeclampsia. Her proposed research will enhance the overall understanding of female reproductive health and reveal novel biomarkers for preeclampsia and therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer.
Stepan Wood
Stepan Wood, professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, has been awarded a Tier 1 Chair in Environmental Justice and Sustainability. His research program explores transnational sustainability governance schemes across many issue areas from a transdisciplinary perspective. His research program seeks to harness these interactions to empower marginalized interests and advance sustainability.
Tier 2 Chairs
Jimmy Huang
Jimmy Huang, professor and director of the School of Information Technology, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), received a Tier 2 York Research Chair in Big Data Analytics. Huang’s research focuses on the areas of information retrieval, big data and their applications to the web and medical healthcare. The objective of his research program is to overcome limitations of existing information retrieval methods and to formally develop a new retrieval paradigm called context-sensitive and task-aware information search for big data.
Amro Zayed
Amro Zayed, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, was awarded a Tier 2 York Research Chair in Genomics. Zayed’s research group sequences the genomes of thousands of bees to identify mutations that influence their economically and ecologically relevant traits. Zayed’s program aims to improve the health of Canadian honey bees, which will increase the sustainability and security of Canada’s food supply.
More about the York Research Chair program
The York Research Chairs program serves as an internal twin for the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program. The level of support and recognition provided to York Research Chairs is aligned with supports and recognition provided through the CRC program.
York Research Chairs are available at two levels analogous to CRC chairs. Tier I York Research Chairs are open to established research leaders at the rank of Full Professor. Tier II York Research Chairs are aimed at emerging research leaders within 15 years of their first academic appointment at the rank of Associate or Assistant Professor. Both have five-year terms that are renewable in the context of open-competition based on peer review and the continuing availability of resources.
For more information, contact Mark Roseman, director, Strategic and Institutional Research Initiatives, at ext. 22507.
York professor and postdoc present big data research at Parliament Hill
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Research Matters event in Ottawa
Faculty of Science mathematics Professor Jianhong Wu and Postdoctoral Fellow Yawen Xu were invited to participate in the Research Matters Parliament Hill Pop-Up Research Park, which took place May 18.
Professor Jianhong Wu explains his research to visitors attending the Research Matters event in Ottawa
Wu and Xu presented research from a collaborative project led by several scientists at York University. In addition to Wu and Xu, the project involves Professors Aijun An in the Lassonde School of Engineering, Paul Ritvo in the Faculty of Health, and Peter Tsasis in the Faculties of Health and Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. The research was conducted in collaboration with Manifold Data Mining Inc. and several hospitals.
The project explores the Canadian Community Health Survey to identify statistically significant variables that influence the classification of an individual’s current health status and sentiment. The team will use these variables to build predictive models for informing behaviour changes that can lead to management of chronic diseases, improved wellness and quality of life. The project aims to advance both population and individualized healthcare in Canada.
“The purpose of the Pop-Up Research Park, organized by the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), was to provide MPs, political staff, and senior government officials an opportunity to engage with Ontario university research teams and learn more about how their research is impacting Ontarians,” said Celia Haig Brown, associate vice-president research at York University. “It was a great opportunity to showcase York’s leading role in working with industrial and hospital partners to mine big health data to inform healthy living.”
“COU provided a good platform to demonstrate the important role of data science in the integration of information and knowledge gained through research funded by the tri-councils to inform policy and action,” said Wu. “I was excited to be a part of sharing data scientists’ perspectives and progress at the Hill.”
Wu is the Canada Research Chair in Industrial and Applied Mathematics (Tier 1) and the director of the Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. Xu is a postdoctoral fellow in statistics jointly supervised An, Wu, and Zhen Mei at Manifold Data Mining Inc. She is funded by an NSERC Collaborative Research Development grant and by BRAIN.
York U bee researchers host conference for local colleagues
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Researchers from York’s Faculties of Science and Environmental Studies hosted the fifth Southern Ontario Bee Researchers Symposium, dubbed “BeeCon”, on May 20.
BeeCon is a free, one-day conference that provides an opportunity for local and international melittologists, and students in particular, to meet and discuss their work on a wide range of bee-related topics, including bee behaviour and conservation.
Participants at this year’s BeeCon
The symposium was initially launched by Professor Laurence Packer in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, to provide an opportunity for students to showcase their research, receive feedback, and interact with bee experts from nearby universities. This year’s meeting was organized by Brock Harpur, PhD student in Amro Zayed’s lab in the Faculty of Science, and Sheila Colla, assistant professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies.
“This is one of the more unique, focused conferences I’ve had the pleasure of taking part in,” said Harpur. “It also highlights that York is one of the best places in the world to study bees – with one of the most diverse bee collections and cutting-edge genetic and science-based conservation research and policy development all being pursued in a single university.”
This year’s event had a record high attendance of students, senior researchers, community members, and industry professionals. It featured short presentations by colleagues from Brock University, Western University, the Universities of Guelph and Toronto, Fleming College, as well as from the Universities of New Hampshire and Rochester in the U.S. In addition, scientists from Pollinator Partnership and Wildlife Preservation Canada shared their insights.
The event was sponsored in large part by the Faculties of Science, Environmental Studies and Graduate Studies, and the Department of Biology, with support from Friends of The Earth and Wildlife Preservation Canada.
Professor Steve Alsop awarded Svend Pedersen Lecture Award
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Steve Alsop
York University Professor Steve Alsop is the recipient of the prestigious 2016 Svend Pedersen Lecture Award from the Department of Mathematics & Science Education at Stockholm University. Alsop delivered the award lecture May 26 in Vivi Täckholmssalen.
The Svend Pedersen Lecture is awarded annually to a researcher who has made a major and lasting contribution within the fields of mathematics education or science education. As a lecturer at the Department of Mathematics & Science Education at Stockholm Institute of Education, Pedersen took the initiative in the late 1970s to incorporate results from science education research into the curricula of teacher education. Many teachers and educators in Stockholm got their first introduction to education research as a result of taking Pedersen’s courses. He was also the first person to defend a doctoral thesis in science education at Stockholm University. Research at the Department of Mathematics and Science Education rests on the foundation laid by Pedersen.
Alsop’s award lecture, “Science education and promises and politics of affect,” explored values, desires and wishes that shape contemporary studies of emotions in science and education. The lecture considered “what can be learned from how science and education researchers study emotions” and “what possibilities and promises might emotions and affect offer our science pedagogies and research.” It also looked at how science and education become entangled and heavily invested in particular structures, relationships and practices, and concluded with a forward-looking focus on science education and climate justice.
“We are very proud that Professor Alsop was chosen to give the Pedersen lecture and of the recognition that this award brings to the Faculty of Education,” said Ron Owston, dean of the Faculty of Education. “We wish him the best of success.”
Alsop is internationally recognized for his pioneering research in science education, which has had a major and lasting impact on the field and for the development of research at the Department of Mathematics & Science Education, Stockholm University. His research explores personal, social, political and pedagogical articulations of technoscience in educational settings and contexts, including schools, universities, museums, science centres and environmental organizations.
Alsop teaches courses and supervises graduate students in the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Environmental Studies and Department of Science & Technology Studies.
Fields Institute names Tom Salisbury associate director of industry liaison
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Tom Salisbury
Professor Tom Salisbury of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at York University has been named the new associate director of industry liaison at the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences.
The announcement was made May 20 by the Fields Institute, which launched a search for the position in early 2016 and vetted candidates from across the globe.
Salisbury will step into the tenured role on Sept. 1, and will “develop a scientific environment that nurtures connections and collaborations between academic researchers and scientists in industry,” said a media release issued by the Fields Institute.
He replaces Huaxiong Huang, who will lead the Fields Institute as deputy director beginning in July 2016.
“Having the Fields Institute play a role in liaising between academic mathematicians and industry is something that will be of great benefit to our students, and to those of the other Ontario universities that sponsor Fields,” said Salisbury. “I’m excited at the prospect of helping this take place.”
Salisbury was previously acting as deputy director of the Fields Institute from 2003 to 2006, and is a Fellow of the Fields Institute.
“With over 30 years of experience, Salisbury is a leading figure in probability theory, specifically Brownian motion and related Markov processes, including their applications to mathematical finance and actuarial sciences,” said the release.
Salisbury received his BSc in 1979 from McGill University, and his PhD in mathematics in 1983 from the University of British Columbia. After a postdoctoral position at Purdue University, he moved to York University’s Department of Mathematics & Statistics, where he is a professor and was a former department chair.
He teaches financial engineering at York, was director of analytics at Quantitative Wealth Management Analytics group (QWeMA) prior to the latter’s acquisition by CANNEX, and led the Finsurance project at MITACS. He is a fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS), he chaired the task force that initiated the 2007 revision of the Ontario grade 12 curriculum and he subsequently served on the Ontario Minister of Education’s curriculum council. He has served terms as deputy director of the Fields Institute and as president of the Canadian Mathematical Society. His research is supported by NSERC, MITACS and the IFID centre.
Founded in 1992, the Fields Institute is a leading international research centre located on the campus of the University of Toronto.
The mission of the institute is to enhance mathematical activity in Canada by bringing together mathematicians from Canada and abroad, and by promoting contact and collaboration between professional mathematicians and the increasing numbers of users of mathematics.
Sarrazin Lectureship recipient Doug Crawford to present lecture on May 29
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York University neuroscience researcher Doug Crawford will present a keynote lecture on May 29 as part of a one-day symposium on perception and sensorimotor processes.
Doug Crawford
Crawford was selected by the Canadian Physiological Society (CPS) earlier this year as the recipient of the 2016 Sarrazin Award Lectureship in recognition of his contributions to research in physiology. Recipients of the award present a one-hour lecture during the annual CPS meeting, which takes place this year during the 10th annual Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN-ACN) conference.
The lecture will be presented during a one-day satellite symposium that is jointly sponsored by the Canadian Action and Perception Network (CAPnet) and CPS: the CAPnet-CPS CAN-ACN Satellite Symposium.
Crawford, who will deliver a lecture on the neural mechanisms of vision, memory and movement in gaze control systems, says the timing of the lecture is particularly meaningful.
After leading CAPnet since its inception in 2007, Crawford is stepping down.
“It’s a great way to end,” he said. “I’m very proud, very happy at what we’ve accomplished in these first nine years.”
CAPnet began in 2007 as a partnership between Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) groups at Western, York and Queens universities. Since that time, and under Crawford’s leadership, the group grew to a national neuroscience consortium reaching from Quebec to B.C.
CAPnet has also been a very active proponent of research funding in Canada, and has sponsored two CREATE programs including the current Brain in Action partnership with Germany and a number of conferences.
Over the last three years, CAPnet has partnered with CPS for a CAN-ACN satellite meeting that grows each year.
Jennifer Steeves
Jennifer Steeves, a York University neuroscience researcher, organized this year’s satellite symposium “Action & Perception: Cognition, Coding and Clinical Populations” which runs 9am to 4:30 pm on May 29 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.
“It focuses on perception and sensorimotor processes underlying the control of vision and movement in healthy and clinical populations,” she said, adding the event will highlight presentations from neuroscientists across Canada in three talk sessions with 17 oral presentations, as well as 53 poster presentations and Crawford’s keynote lecture.
The event is also sponsored by York University, University of Toronto, VPixx Technologies and Magstim.
President’s Staff Recognition awards celebrate the University’s outstanding employees
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It is one of the highlights of the academic year and a time when the University community pauses to recognize, thank and celebrate outstanding employees for their work.
Some 150 guests paid tribute to the recipients of the staff recognition awards
On May 5, at The Underground Restaurant, five individuals and one team were lauded for their exceptional service to York University during the President’s Staff Recognition Awards dinner. In total, 28 individuals and five teams were nominated by their colleagues for the prestigious awards. More than 150 guests including recipients, their families and friends and nominees attended the event, which was hosted by York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, who also presented the awards (with the exception of the Ronald Kent Award, which was presented by President Emeritus H. Ian Macdonald).
Lynda Tam, assistant dean of students in the School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design, receives the Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award from York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri
With a huge smile, Shoukri addressed guests. “As you know, this is one of my favourite events of the year. It is an opportunity to thank our colleagues who make this place work. It is really wonderful to see so many of you here today,” he said. “This event is very important to the University.
“The people who we are recognizing tonight are those individuals who put extra effort to ensure that York University continues to be run smoothly and efficiently,” said Shoukri. “They display a tremendous amount of leadership and commitment to York University. There is nothing more valued than receiving recognition by one’s own peers. Thank you for everything that you do!”
The recipients of the President’s Staff Recognition Awards are listed below (in order of award presented). Click on the award names to view video testimonials for each recipient. The videos were created by Learning Technology Services in collaboration with the Office of the President.
For a full list of nominees, see the announcement in the March 16YFile.
The Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence – Advancement Research and Records team: Jeff Briand, associate director research and records, Advancement; Steve Wardle, senior advancement research analyst, Advancement; Philipa Vaz, advancement research analyst, Advancement; Betty Kung, research and records analyst, Advancement; Jordan Kelyana, prospect analyst, Advancement; and, Christabelle Ambrosio, prospect analyst, Advancement.
The Advancement Research and Records team following the presentation of the Harriet Lewis Team Award for service excellence. From left, Jordan Kelyana, Steve Wardle, Betty Kung, Jeff Briand, Christabelle Ambrosio and Philipa Vaz.
President Shoukri presents the President’s Voice of York Award to Cristalina Del Biondo
The Ronald Kent Medal – Howard Hunter, laboratory technologist, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science.
During the dinner, the guests were treated to videos that described each recipient and offered messages of support and thanks from nominators and colleagues. Following each video, the president presented the awards and the recipients then offered a few words to the gathering.
“I just want to thank the president and the various people who create these awards for staff. I think it is really important, especially at a University of this size, to have the great contributions of staff recognized,” said Tam, who paid tribute to her fellow nominees and past recipients of the Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award. “This is a great, great way to recognize excellence at York University.”
Speaking on behalf of the Advancement Research and Records team, Briand thanked the nominators and the president and took time to congratulate the other nominees for the award. “Our team works very hard and we are focused on service,” said Briand. “This has been a wonderful experience for us to receive this award, particularly for the department.”
Briand took time to speak about each of the team members. “Collectively, we do our work to make York a better place. It is amazing to find an alum who has done something really interesting, operated a great business, won an award, or as our recently launched campaign says, has had an impact. Finding that person and getting them engaged with the University is an awesome feeling,” he said.
Henry Leung accepts his award from President Shoukri
A soft-spoken Leung shyly thanked his nominators and spoke about his pride in receiving the award. He said the award was not only for him but also for all of his colleagues in Campus Services and Business Operations.
Another of the recipients, Del Biondo said she was overwhelmed with the news that she had received the award. “All the paper and words in this universe would not be enough to truly express my gratitude. I am honoured to be here tonight,” said Del Biondo, who took time to thank her co workers who nominated her.
Hartley also thanked her team for nominating her. “I feel so lucky because the group of amazing individuals who were nominated for this award… well, I have no idea how the selection committee came up with their decision. I hope that all of my fellow nominees feel as lucky and a winner as I do,” she said. “What was so special about winning this award was the email that I received from the broader York community. It made me realize that the clinic has become part of the fabric of the University and I am very proud of that.”
Louise Hartley, recipient of the President’s Leadership Award, with President Shoukri
She spoke about the University’s mental health strategy and lauded York for its leadership stance in Canada on mental health and wellness. She took time to thank her colleagues, the mental health strategy team and the Faculty of Health for their support of the clinic.
To round out the evening, President Emeritus Macdonald presented the Ronald Kent Medal to Hunter.
“When I start out every day, there are two things on my mind,” said Hunter. “One of them is to try to do a good job and the second is don’t make a spectacle of yourself. As I stand here in front of you, I think I am going to have to reevaluate the second thought.”
Howard Hunter receives the Ronald Kent Medal from President Emeritus Ian Macdonald
The evening concluded with congratulations from Shoukri and a toast by York Vice-President of Finance and Administration.
Shoukri thanked TD Meloche Monex, one of the University’s affinity partners, for their long-standing support of the awards reception.
