York University Wins Top Award for Excellence in the Public Sector at North York Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

TORONTO, November 18, 1999 -- York University has been named the 1999 Company of the Year for Excellence in the Public Sector by the North York Chamber of Commerce. Nominated by the Bank of Montreal, the University was cited as "a leader in higher education . . . a public-spirited institution, participating fully in the North York community."

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden will accept the award at the North York Chamber's 10th Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala to be held at 5 p.m. this evening at the Inn On The Park Hotel in Toronto.

"Our University is intricately tied to North York through our many business and cultural associations and programs. Both York University and the community of North York have grown enormously over the past 40 years. Our roots are deeply entwined, and we look forward to further strengthening our partnerships within many more sectors of the North York community," said President Marsden.

The Business Awards celebrate "the accomplishments and contributions that our Award winners have made in our community, our country, and the world," said North York Chamber President Sip Akbar.

The University, which draws approximately 7,400 of its students (about 20 per cent) and employs numerous faculty and staff from the surrounding North York community, was lauded for its many achievements, including its significant economic contributions to North York and to the Greater Toronto Area. York's diversity, its international flavour, a strong emphasis on both scholarship and teaching, its bilingual mandate and the dedication of both faculty and staff have made the university "a leader in higher education."

In community service, the University was recognized for more than 20 years of sponsorship of the York Youth Connection Fine Arts Summer Day Camp at the York Keele Campus, as well as for its many staff and faculty community outreach contributions, in particular, the York Community Relations Department.

"The Bank of Montreal is pleased to be a business partner with York University," said Paul Martell, Senior Relationship Manager, Bank of Montreal (Jane & Langstaff Branch), who nominated the University for this award.

"The University has consistently illustrated its excellence in the education sector. In addition, York's on-going contributions to the quality of life of North York are lasting testaments to its dedication to this community. It is particularly appropriate that York is receiving this award for Excellence in the Public Sector during the University's 40th anniversary celebrations," he said.

The Chamber also presented a scholarship to York University student John Comar "who has shown excellence in his own entrepreneurial business," said President Akbar. This scholarship represents the Chamber's support for the future North York business community, he said.

York University, Canada's third largest university, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It is nationally and internationally respected for its innovative research and award-winning teaching. With its combination of dedicated and talented faculty, opportunities for bright and ambitious students, dynamic curriculum and modern campuses in one of North America's most influential urban centres, York University is setting the modern standard in academic excellence.

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Note: Media may interview award recipients during a reception at 5 p.m. in the Leaside Room, Inn on the Park, and are welcome to photograph and videotape the ceremonies.

For more information, please contact:

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

Amy Ruddell
Events & Program Coordinator
North York Chamber of Commerce
(416) 226-9345
YU/127/99