TORONTO, January 29, 1997 -- William A. Dimma, Chair of the Board of Governors of York University, announced today that Dr. Lorna R. Marsden will become the next President of York University.

"Dr. Marsden brings to this demanding post a proven ability to manage university affairs in an exemplary manner while leading the way on larger public policy issues. She will serve well the students, faculty and staff of York University, and also the entire academic and larger community," said Dimma. "She brings to York a wealth of experience, expertise and community involvement that is difficult to match," he said.

Marsden, Professor of Sociology and President and Vice-Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University, will succeed Dr. Susan Mann, who steps down this summer to do historical research in Quebec before taking up her position as Professor of History at York University.

Marsden, 54, received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and her PhD from Princeton University. She joined the University of Toronto's Sociology department in 1972 where she lectured full time until her appointment in 1984 to the Canadian Senate (Toronto-Taddle Creek). Marsden continued to teach part time until 1992, when she resigned from the Senate to become the President and Vice-Chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University.

A recipient of honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of New Brunswick, the University of Winnipeg, Queen's University, and the University of Toronto, Marsden has had a long and distinguished academic career while serving the community through her participation in many public and private organizations. She has amassed an array of awards and research grants for work on issues ranging from the globalization of the welfare state to women's work in the labour market to gender, science and medicine.

The widely-published and sought-after speaker currently serves as director for such organizations as Manulife Financial, the Laidlaw Foundation, Gore Mutual, Westcoast Energy Inc., the Institute for Work and Health, and the International Federation of Institutes of Advanced Studies. Marsden has also been president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (1975-77), founder and director of Child, Youth & Family Policy Research Centre (1987-1992) and a council member of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.

"I am both delighted and challenged by this endorsement," said Marsden, who said she treasured her five years at Wilfrid Laurier University. "I look forward to the challenge of leading Canada's third largest university during these transitional times. While the government re-evaluates the future of -- and its commitment to -- post-secondary education, York must ensure that its students continue to receive quality, affordable education and that its faculty can continue to contribute to the body of Canadian research that should guide change."

Dimma, Chair of the Search Committee, said the calibre of candidates seeking the Presidency speaks to York's stature in the academic community and to the growing recognition of the excellence, relevance and innovation of its teaching and research.

Dimma thanked President Mann for her thoughtful leadership during her term as president and especially for her dedication to the enhancement of York's academic quality.

"Under President Mann's leadership, York has established itself as a dynamic, innovative and contemporary university with a strong and demonstrated commitment to academic excellence. President Mann's insistence that administrative and financial changes be deliberately designed to sustain and enhance York's academic endeavours has made York a better and stronger institution, well positioned for future development, growth and eminence," said Dimma.

York University, which began in 1959 with a class of 76 students, is now Canada's third largest university with approximately 40,000 students and 3,000 faculty on two campuses (Keele, and York's bilingual campus, Glendon) in the heart of the Greater Toronto Area.

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