TORONTO, August 1, 1997 -- York University welcomes its new president, Dr. Lorna R. Marsden, to her first day on the job today.

Marsden, 55, brings to York University a wealth of experience, expertise and community involvement that is difficult to match. She comes directly from Wilfrid Laurier University, where as president she proved her ability to manage university affairs effectively while leading the way on larger public policy issues.

Marsden received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto and her PhD from Princeton University. She joined the University of Toronto in 1972, where she lectured full time in the Department of Sociology and carried out administrative duties 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 position she held until yesterday.

"I am delighted and challenged by the task ahead of me," said Marsden. "Working with faculty, staff and students, I want to build on York's well-established international reputation for academic excellence, innovative research, award-winning teaching, and social relevance," said Marsden.

Marsden said the first duty of the president is to mobilize the resources to enable students and faculty to get on with learning, teaching and research; the second, she added, is to explain to the sceptical world the importance and value of what goes on inside the 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 population studies to labour markets to societal change.

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., and the Institute for Work and Health. Marsden has also been president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women (1975-77), founder and director of the Child, Youth & Family Policy Research Centre (1987-1992) and a council member of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.

"I look forward to the challenge of leading this important university. While the government re-evaluates the future of -- and its commitment to -- post-secondary education, York will ensure that its students continue to receive good quality, affordable education and that its faculty continue to contribute to the body of research that should guide change in our society. I recognize the recent changes in the culture of York University and their importance to our future," she said.

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. With its combination of dedicated and talented faculty, bright and ambitious students, dynamic curriculum and modern campus in the heart of one of North America's most influential urban centres, York University is setting the modern standard in academic excellence.

Marsden succeeds Dr. Susan Mann, who stepped down July 1. The new president will greet members of the York community during a gathering on the York Common Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

For interviews, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
sinem@yorku.ca

Alison Masemann
Media Relations Officer
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
masemann@yorku.ca
YU/064/97