After two consecutive years of rain, the clouds finally parted for participants in the Kenaidan-York University Chair’s Cup Golf Tournament on June 1.
The annual tournament drew more than 130 golfers for a day of golf and sunshine at Copper Creek Golf Club in Kleinberg, Ontario, raising an impressive $552,000 for graduate student scholarships, including a double match from the Ontario government. The proceeds will benefit 36 York graduate students, with each receiving a $15,000 Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS).
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| Above: From left, Gian Fortuna, senior vice-president, preconstruction, Kenaidan Contracting Ltd.; Paul Cantor, chair, York Board of Governors; Greg Stack, event co-chair; Adi Aviram, PhD candidate and scholarship recipient; Mamdouh Shoukri, president & vice-chancellor, York University; Guy Burry, event co-chair; Patrick Monahan, vice-president academic & provost; and Douglas Peers, dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies, & assistant vice-president graduate |
York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri spoke of the importance of the Chair’s Cup to the success of York’s talented graduate students and the University as a whole. “We are extremely thankful that so many members of our York community give generously to our graduate student scholarships,” he said. “The donations not only help our institution continue to attract and retain the best and the brightest, but also provide our graduate students with the opportunity to pursue what they do best, and that is the opportunity to strive for excellence.”
The tournament, now in its 11th year, has thrived due in large part to the efforts of a dedicated team of volunteers led by Guy Burry (BA ’82), event co-chair since the inaugural tournament in 2001, and Greg Stack (BA Spec. Hons. ‘81), also a long-time co-chair. “In our 11 years, we have raised more than $4 million to the benefit of approximately 300 exceptional students – that’s with help from 
government matching,” said Burry, who also served as emcee during the reception after the tournament.
Right: The prize for first place went to the foursome from Gryphon International Investment Corporation – a long-time sponsor of the Chair's Cup. From left are Lawrence McManus, Stan Carruthers, Daniel Weiss and David Nyren
Burry thanked Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. and its president Aidan Flatley (BA ’78) for generously assuming the role of title sponsor since 2008. Special thanks were also extended to premier sponsor TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, which has been part of the Chair’s Cup since its inception, and partner sponsor Bird Construction Company.
Guests also heard from one of the many graduate students to benefit from support, Adi Aviram, a PhD candidate in York’s clinical psychology program and an OGS recipient.
“Ontario Graduate Scholarships have afforded me the opportunity to conduct research and freedom to focus on my studies,” she told participants. “With the help of your contributions, I have been successful at publishing my research in peer-reviewed journals as well as presenting my research at international conferences.”
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| Above: Event co-chair Guy Burry (in red) with his foursome from Tenth Power Inc. and members of the York cheerleading squad |
Aviram briefly described her research focusing on new treatments for patients with severe and resistant mental health disorders and made the important connection between the day’s activities and those who ultimately benefit through York research.
Photos from the event can be viewed or downloaded at http://11thannualchairscup.shutterfly.com/.
The date for the 2012 Kenaidan-York University Chair’s Cup Golf Tournament will be announced soon. For information, contact Melanie Litwin, advancement events planner, at 416-736-2100, ext. 58107.