Manfred Erhardt, Germaine Greer, Golda Koschitzky, Francesca Valente to Receive Hon. Docs. York U. Fall Convocation to Recognize Creative Contribution of International Figures in Education, Women's Movement, the Arts, Literature

TORONTO, November 1, 1999 -- German education statesman Dr. Manfred Erhardt, provocative feminist and writer Prof. Germaine Greer, philanthropist and Jewish education innovator Golda Koschitzky, and aficionado and ambassador of Italian culture and arts Dr. Francesca Valente will receive honorary doctorate degrees during York University's Fall Convocation ceremonies Fri., Nov. 5 - Sat., Nov. 6, 1999 at the Tait McKenzie Main Auditorium, York University Keele campus.

"York University has a demonstrated commitment to a wide range of international activities and partnerships, including research, academic programming and faculty and student exchanges. During this fall's convocation ceremonies, we are recognizing some of the people who have played an integral role in helping us to develop and foster these activities and partnerships," said York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden.

The descriptions of the work of the honorary degree recipients below reveal the range and reach of their contributions to the betterment of society.

Dr. Manfred Erhardt: During his tenure as Deputy Minister of Science and Art in the state of Baden-W¸rttemberg (1984-1991), Erhardt played a vital role in establishing the Ontario/Baden-W¸rttemberg (Germany) University Student Exchange Program in which York University has been a key partner. The exchange , widely considered the model for other international student exchanges, has accommodated more than 800 university students between Baden-W¸rttemberg and Ontario since 1989. As Senator (Minister) of Science and Research in Berlin (1991-1996), Erhardt was instrumental in reshaping the university system following German re-unification. In his current position as Secretary-General for the Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany, Erhardt continues to facilitate and foster international relations in higher education and research.

Said Prof. Mark Webber, Associate Director of York University's Canadian Centre for German and European Studies: "Dr. Erhardt's leadership in internationalizing the universities of our partner province Baden-W¸rttemberg has been immensely important to York and all the universities of Ontario. It is fitting that we honour Dr. Erhardt for his many accomplishments, especially given our partnerships with universities in Baden-W¸rttemberg and Berlin, our role as the first university for the Ontario/Baden-W¸rttemberg Student Exchange, and the establishment at York of The Canadian Centre for German and European Studies."
(Erhardt will receive his honorary Doctor of Laws degree, Fri., Nov. 5, 2:30 p.m.)

Prof. Germaine Greer (University of Warwick, UK) established her reputation as an iconoclast and one of this century's most prolific feminist voices when she wrote The Female Eunuch (1969), a work which helped mobilize the women's movement and defined feminism for more than three decades. The book, a run-away best seller, has been translated into many languages, including Chinese and Turkish. It features prominently in almost every women's studies curriculum and is considered a keystone to the formation of the discipline.

Greer's sequel to The Female Eunuch -- The Whole Woman (Doubleday, 1999) -- serves up a scathing critique of the current state of the women's movement. She argues that women must get angry again and set the agenda for the future of feminism into the next decade and beyond.

"Germaine Greer has been the single-most prominent figure in feminism throughout the English-speaking world for the past three decades," said York University English Professor James Carley. "1999 represents the 30th anniversary of her ground-breaking work The Female Eunuch. It is particularly appropriate that York University honour Greer at a time when we too are celebrating an anniversary -- 40 years, and especially in the context of our own pioneering work in the field of women's studies in Canada," he said.
(Greer will receive her honorary Doctor of Letters degree Sat., Nov. 6, 10:30 a.m.)

Golda Koschitzky and her family have provided gifted, and unstinted leadership in many local, national, and international organizations, including the United Jewish Appeal/Jewish Federation of Greater Toronto and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The Koschitzky family recently endowed (through the generous financial support of the Israel Koschitzky Family Charitable Foundation) a Chair in Jewish Teacher Education at York University -- the first of its kind in North America at a public university -- to help meet the growing demand for teachers of Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

"Having endured physical hardship in Nazi-occupied Europe, the Koschitzky family arrived in Canada at the end of the Second World War penniless, but determined to succeed and help others around them," said Prof. Michael Brown, Director of York University's Centre for Jewish Studies. "Through their devotion to family and traditional Judaism, through their commitment to education, and through their participation in the commercial and cultural life of Canada, the Koschitzkys have become role models for members of the Jewish community as well as for newcomers to Canada of all backgrounds," he said.
(Koschitzky will receive her honorary Doctor of Laws degree, Fri., Nov. 5, 10 a.m.)

Dr. Francesca Valente, former director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Toronto (1993-1998), has worked ceaselessly to build connections between Canada and Italy, spearheading numerous academic conferences, student exchanges, art exhibitions, film festivals, architectural forums, literary symposia and poetry readings. Her most spectacular and lasting contribution to York University was the installation of Enzo Cucchi's Fontana d'Italia sculpture on the York campus, the arrangement of an extended visit by the artist to York's Faculty of Fine Arts, and the securing of financial support from Olivetti Canada for the project. Valente has also made considerable contribution to Canadian and Italian cultural studies as an author, editor, translator and curator. Valente now works for UNESCO as a consultant assisting in the restoration of La Fenice Theatre in Venice, Italy.

Said Osgoode Hall Law School Professor and President Emeritus Harry Arthurs: "For almost 15 years, Francesca Valente has been a formidable presence in the cultural life in Toronto, and an assiduous promoter of York's extensive and highly valued Italian and Italo-Canadian connections. She is not merely a cultural ambassador, impresario and bridge builder extraordinare, she is an artist and intellectual of great distinction."
(Valente will receive her honorary Doctor of Letters degree Sat., Nov. 6, 2:30 p.m.)

During the convocation ceremonies, York University will also be inducting five long-serving members of the York community into its Founders' Society, established to help York University celebrate its 40th anniversary and to recognize the values and vision of the University's founders who have helped York establish itself as a leader and pioneer in post-secondary education excellence.

This fall's inductees include: Alan M. Clarke (Secretary of YMCA organizing committee instrumental in York's founding), Prof. Hartwell Bowsfield (Archivist); Michael Koerner (York U. Board of Governors, ë68); Prof. Douglas Lochhead (Librarian, Professor of English); Dr. John Seeley (Professor of Sociology).

Said York University Chancellor Avie Bennett: "The international breadth and influence of this fall's honorary doctorate recipients, the outstanding contributions of the newest Founders, and the interesting diversity of the graduating class are evidence that York University's universe includes leaders from all sectors around the world, founders whose commitment has helped secure our success in higher education, and students who can benefit from both."

Approximately 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students from 10 Faculties will be joining York's now 150,000-strong alumni. York, Canada's third-largest university, is nationally and internationally respected for its innovative research and award-winning teaching.

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For further information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Sr. Advisor/Director, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: kturriff@yorku.ca
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