White roses was the theme at a ceremony in January at York when a White Rose of Finland medal was presented to Associate Dean of Arts Sheila Embleton by Ambassador of Finland Veijo K. Sampovaara. The award, though having no direct connection with the University, provides York with reflected honour because Embleton is only the second woman in Canada to be given the medal. The first female recipient, Varpu Lindström, is also a faculty member at the University.

The full name of the prestigious award is a mouthful: Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland. Bestowed upon those in the academic and artistic communities in recognition of their outstanding service to Finland, it is seldom awarded to a non-Finn. It is due to Embleton's work toward bringing that little-talked-about country to the foreground and in promoting relations between Finland and Canada, arising from her interest in and devotion to things Finnish, that she was nominated for the honour.

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Contents

• Embleton receives prestigious White Rose of Finland medal
• York and Toronto's Hellenic community team up to launch Hellenic Studies Program and Chair
• Faculty of Education Alumni Association Seeks Nominations for its Excellence in Teaching Award
• Q&A with York's Vice-President (University Advancement) Gary J. Smith
• Shelf Esteem Wants Your Book
• Jewish education program wins grant to train teachers in Western Canada