TRADITION OF INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY THRIVES AS YORK UNIVERSITY SET TO BEGIN SCHOOL YEAR
TORONTO, August 27, 1998 -- As summer draws to a close, York University gets into high gear for September. The following are just a few examples of the new and innovative initiatives awaiting the more than 40,000 students heading to York this fall.
Irving Abella Inaugural Lecture -- Renowned scholar, historian and community leader Irving Abella will deliver the inaugural lecture for the J. Richard Shiff Chair for the Study of Canadian Jewry at York University on September 14. Titled "Canadian Jewry: Past, Present and Future", the lecture will highlight the role of Jews in Canadian Society and the mystique surrounding their contribution to business, politics and culture in both pre- and post-Confederation Canada. The address will also profile some of the colourful personalities seldom chronicled by Canadian historians.
Mothers and Sons Conference -- How do mothers teach anti-sexism and challenge patriarchal definitions of masculinity in the rearing of sons? This will be one of several previously unexplored themes examined at an international conference titled "Mothers and Sons Today: Challenges and Possibilities" being held September 25 - 27. The topic of mothers and sons is emerging as a central issue in feminist studies -- the conference represents the first major forum of its kind and builds on last year's widely acclaimed conference on Mothers and Daughters.
Theatrical Trans/Formations Series -- Theatre reveals and constructs social value; in a word, it "trans/forms" culture. York University and the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies are pleased to present a series of free public events, from September through March, in which some of Canada's best known theatre and dance practitioners consider the impact of theatre on the trans/formation of Canadian culture in the last 30 years. The first forum is scheduled for September 28 and is titled: Trans/Forming Theatre: From "Amateur Pastime" to "Cultural Industry". Playwright, Federal MP (Halifax) and NDP culture critic Wendy Lill will be the feature speaker at this event .
Trudeau Conference -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pierre Elliot Trudeau's coming to power in Canada. York University is proud to present a conference dedicated to exploring and examining the Trudeau era and its explosive effects, to be held October 22 - 24. From 1968 to 1984 Canada experienced the events and crises of the declaration of official bilingualism, the War Measures Act, the rise of the Parti Quebecois and the debates over the patriation of the Constitution. The Trudeau era sparked a dream of a just, open society; the conference will debate its legacy and its lessons for liberalism in Canada.
Canadian Institute of International Affairs -- World-renowned for its research centres, York University welcomes the Canadian Institute of International Affairs (CIIA) to its Glendon College
campus this fall. The purpose of the CIIA is to help Canadians better understand foreign policy and global issues through public education. The institute is the only private voluntary organization in Canada
concerned with the whole range of global issues and has established close relations with business, government, the media, universities, opinion leaders, and like-minded institutions throughout Canada and the world. The CIIA also publishes the International Journal, recognized as Canada's pre-eminent scholarly publication on
international relations.
A Celebration of Montreal Automatism -- To mark the 50th anniversary of the Automatist movement of Montreal, York University is hosting a conference , exhibition and performance event November 13-14. The Automatists were a group of young Montreal artists, writers, and dancers who published the manifesto "Refus Global," considered the single most important social document in Quebec history. Best-known of the group are the painters Paul-Emile Borduas and Jean-Paul Riopelle. To further mark this occasion, York University's graduate program in Art History will be offering an interdisciplinary course on Automatism in the fall term.
Prestigious Students Awards -- The measure of a university is the caliber of its students -- Karen Okamoto, 18, entering her first year at York, exemplifies this high standard in academic excellence. With an OAC grade-point average of 93.5 per cent and numerous accolades to her name, Okamoto is one of two winners of York's prestigious Alumni Award of Distinction. She will be pursuing a double major, in Women's Studies and Environmental Studies. Okamoto is passionate in her pursuit of social justice and tireless in her commitment to her community. She has appeared on the WTN program "Girl Talk," has begun to participate in the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPRIG) at York University, and has designed and implemented workshops for the Conflict Mediation Centre in Downsview, Ontario.
Canada Trust Awards -- Three young and altruistic advocates have chosen York University to pursue their studies after being awarded Canada Trust scholarships. Following a life-threatening head injury, Megan Breitkreuz, 18, lobbied the B.C. government for $2 million in funding to support head injury victims. Farrah Byckalo-Khan, 19, founded the Environment and Community Help Organization (ECHO) to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill sites. And Megan Murphy, 19, routed her school cafeteria's surplus food to homeless people in her community. The Canada Trust scholarships recognize outstanding community leadership and are valued at more than $50,000 each.
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For more detailed information, or to request an interview with any of the individuals listed above, please contact:
Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/055/98
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