In this busy convocation season, the Toronto Star turned its gaze June 19 on a special mother-daughter convocation story at York University. A large photo and feature splashed across the front page of the GTA section June 19 began: “Kimberly Pollishuke made a bit of education history yesterday. The 23-year-old is the first second-generation graduate from York University’s Faculty of Education, getting her degree from the same faculty as her mother, Mindy Pollishuke, 52, who was part of the first graduating class in 1975.” Mindy, as a past-president of the education alumni association, also had the privilege of being the only parent to put on her daughter’s red, white and pale blue hood, symbolizing York’s Faculty of Education. “For a brief moment, while the 1,800 proud friends and family of the grads looked on, mother and daughter held each other and touched foreheads, their faces lit by brilliant smiles.” Kimberly was also presented with the Patricia E. Harvey Memorial Scholarship, the Faculty’s most distinguished award, for professional and academic excellence. A large photo above the story featured York University Chancellor Avie Bennett and President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden congratulating mother and daughter.
Trend overwhelmingly towards same-sex marriage, prof tells NY Times
In a June 15 story about impending same-sex marriage rights in Canada, The New York Times quoted Patrick Monahan, incoming dean of York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School. The writer noted that dozens of gay and lesbian couples had already rushed to municipal buildings in Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton to marry without waiting for a decision from Ottawa on whether to appeal a recent Ontario court decision to extend full marriage rights. “The trend of court decisions is overwhelmingly in the direction of recognizing an entitlement for gays and lesbians to be married,” said Monahan.
On air
- Patrick Monahan, associate dean of York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, discussed the legal aspect of same-sex marriages, on “Talk It Over” (CFAX-AM), Victoria, BC, June 18.
- Jamie Cameron, professor at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, appeared before the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications May 29 to discuss the current state of Canadian media industries. The meeting was broadcast by CPAC-TV, Ottawa, June 17.
- Fred Lazar, airline specialist and economics professor at York University’s Schulich School of Business, discussed why pilots at Air Canada are upset and want to fight the new seniority list, on CTV’s national “Newsnet Features” June 17.
- Alan Young, professor at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, spoke about how criminal law is misunderstood and needs major repairs, on TVO’s “Studio 2” June 17.