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John Saywell to launch his book about York in the 1960s and early ’70s

John Saywell’s new book, Someone to Teach Them: York and the Great University Explosion 1960-1973, will be launched Oct. 21 at a reception in Vanier College. 

From the early 1960s to the 1970s, the province of Ontario witnessed an explosion in university enrolment. In response, a dozen new universities were established and faculty recruited wherever they could be found. York was one of them.  

In Someone to Teach Them, Saywell offers an insider’s account of that period of tremendous growth at York. Dean of arts at the time, he saw the University burgeon from 500 students in 1963 to 7,000 by 1970. Featuring many of the elements of a personal memoir, this is a thoroughly researched account of a critical decade for the history of education in Ontario. (See YFile May 23.) 

Saywell is a University Professor emeritus of history and social science at York. He will be on hand to sign books at the reception from 5 to 7pm in the Renaissance Room, 001 Vanier College.  

The book launch is co-sponsored by York’s Faculty of Arts and Department of History, the York University Retirees Association, the York University Bookstore and the University of Toronto Press. 

For more information about the book launch, contact Michael Legris by Oct. 17 at mlegris@yorku.ca or at 416-736-2100 ext. 22078.