If a picture says a thousand words, York University’s 2016 Student Photo Contest submissions tell an inspiring story. Students submitted more than 600 photo entries with Instagram posts using the hashtags #OpenYourMind and #YorkU, generating more than 12,000 votes.
Prizes for the top three photos were tuition credits valued at $1,000, $750 or $500. The student photo submissions highlight York University’s vibrant and diverse campuses from a unique student perspective.
The overall environment is an important aspect of the learning experience. York University is known for new ways of thinking and fostering diverse perspectives. The contest provided an opportunity for current students to express their unique perspectives, through photography, of any of York’s four campuses – from Toronto, Ontario, to the rainforests of Costa Rica, to Hyderabad, India.
And the winners are…
1st prize: Mitchell Palmer, a third-year engineering student, Lassonde School of Engineering
2nd prize: Michelle Nelson, a first-year year kinesiology student, Faculty of Health
3rd prize: Julia Degutis, a third-year psychology student, Glendon Campus
First place winner, Mitchell Palmer’s stunning photo of a view of the Bergeron Centre surrounded by green space won out as the first place pick
Second place winner, Michelle Nelson's image showcases the serenity of the Life Sciences Building and the York University Observatory
Third place winner, Julia Degutis captures the splendour of a fall day at the Glendon campus
“I took about a hundred photos of just this spot alone,” said Palmer, “I think it’s the most beautiful spot on campus. What I really love about York is that it has a really good mix… So you have the buildings but you also have a lot of areas to just chill and sit outdoors.”
The student photos showcased incredible diversity in what inspired them – from hidden gems and vibrant nature scenes to stunning modern architecture.
Some highlights include:
- Student-focused and technology-enhanced learning spaces at the Life Sciences Building, with 120,000 square feet of labs.
- Landscape scenes mixed with architecture, like the bird’s-eye view of the Lassonde School of Engineering’s Bergeron Centre of Engineering Excellence from the Arboretum.
- The beauty of York’s bilingual mid-town Glendon Campus athletic facility, seen through a reflection off the indoor pool.
- The new EcoCampus, located in a stunning rainforest in the heart of Costa Rica.
All of the images were inspiring and interesting, but only three could win. To view the entire image collection, visit www.yorku.ca/contest