Torrential rain and thunderstorms did not deter visitors to Glendon’s Fall Campus Day on Sunday, Nov. 6. In spite of the inclement weather, Glendon experienced record attendance as future students accompanied by their parents came to the campus. Five hundred visitors including 216 potential students and their family members came to the event.
Glendon’s manager of recruitment and liaison, Isabelle Creusot, led the team of Tobi Strohan, Dave Leavitt, Léa Bertrand, Carol Yorkden-Chamberlain, Sophie Gravel and a host of student ambassadors in feverish preparations during the weeks prior to the Fall Campus Day. They created a program that addressed every step in a prospective student’s search for the right university.
Croissants and coffee – a typical Glendon breakfast – and warm words of welcome from Principal Kenneth McRoberts and Louise Lewin, associate principal student services, awaited the visitors.
Right: Croissants and coffee for visitors
Three different informative mini sessions were repeated three times during the morning, so that every visitor had the opportunity to benefit from all the information available. Visitors could also join a campus tour which included a rare opportunity to visit a residence room and adjoining facilities, and speak to students currently living in residence.
An information fair in the cafeteria welcomed visitors to a host of kiosks staffed by faculty and Glendon’s administration. Academic programs, student services and student clubs were 
represented. The faculty and administration answered a variety of specific questions and guests later remarked on how satisfied they were with the attention and information they received at the fair.
Left: The information fair
Grade 12 student Brock Dishart from Banting Memorial Secondary School, Alliston, Ont., said, “I searched for information about universities on the Internet and found what I was looking for on the Glendon Web site. I am especially interested in studying translation and the Glendon translation program looks very interesting. I am seriously considering coming here next year.”
The fictional character Harry Potter came to mind for Modiha Madda, a Grade 12 student at Lorne Park Secondary School, Mississauga, Ont., who said, “For me, visiting Glendon is sort of a ‘Harry Potter experience’. It’s different from other universities in a positive way – it’s like visiting a home where you feel comfortable.” Pleased with the event, she explained, “I love what I have seen and both my parents and I feel reassured by Glendon’s safe and beautiful environment. It offers so many languages and cultures in this small space and seems to be a friendly, welcoming place to people of different backgrounds.”
Right: Modiha Madda with her proud parents
Some of the guests travelled long distances to attend Fall Campus Day. Janelle Lajeunesse drove from Ottawa with her mother and her friend, Marie-Claire Lemay. “Visiting a campus is an important step in choosing a university,” said Janelle. “Now that we have seen Glendon and heard reports straight from students who are currently studying here, my friend and I are much more convinced that Glendon is our best choice. The mini sessions provided lots of information and they were fun. The whole day has been really impressive.”
Dave Leavitt, information services coordinator in Glendon’s Recruitment & Liaison Office, and the Recruitment & Liaison team have created a post-event Web site. Visitors can review the information obtained at the event at www.glendon.yorku.ca/fall. An online survey available on the site provides a venue for participants in Glendon’s Fall Campus Day to provide their reactions. And for those who could not attend the event, the full presentations and event photos are now available online.
This article was submitted to YFile by Glendon’s communications officer, Marika Kemeny