As a new year emerges, YFile takes a look back on 2019 to share with readers a snapshot of the year’s highlights. “Year in Review” will run as a four-part series and will feature a random selection of top news stories published in YFile. Here are the stories and highlights for July to September 2019, as chosen by YFile editors.
July
Glendon Co-Principal Dominique Scheffel-Dunand
Glendon awarded funding to expand French-language health-care education
The federal government, through the Consortium national de formation en santé (CNFS), announced new funding of $1 million over five years to York University’s bilingual campus, Glendon, to improve training in French-language health services.
Research institution at Osgoode to study long-term impacts of access to legal help
The Canadian Forum on Civil Justice (CFCJ), a not-for-profit organization at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School and a recognized leader in civil and family justice research in Canada, received a grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario to begin a study of the long-term impacts of access to legal help to resolve disputes.
Innovative, pan-University capstone classroom launches in September
A new, full-year capstone course was announced to begin pilot testing in the fall at York University. C4: The Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom brings together third- and fourth-year students from different faculties into multidisciplinary teams focused on solving pressing, real-world challenges posed by organizations operating in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds.
Jupiter
Lassonde postdoctoral researcher selected to join NASA mission to Jupiter
NASA selected Christina L. Smith, a postdoctoral researcher at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, to be a participating scientist on NASA’s Juno Mission to Jupiter. Juno’s principal goal is to understand the origin and evolution of Jupiter. Smith has a deep interest in the dynamics of clouds of other planets based upon her past work observing the atmosphere of Mars with the Curiosity rover.
August
New funding for Indigenous-led initiative to help equip youth with skills training
The Indigenous Friends Association, an initiative designed by York University students to connect and support Indigenous youth, will receive funding of more than $350,000 from the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps program.
York University professor first Canadian to receive Bibliographical Society Gold Medal
York University Professor James Carley has been awarded the Gold Medal by the Bibliographical Society, a U.K.-based organization that describes itself as the “senior learned society dealing with the study of the book and its history.” Carley is a Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus in the Department of English, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS).
Aerial view of the telescope being installed
Installation of new telescope expected to be largest at a Canadian university
York University is now home to a new one-metre custom telescope that will enhance hands-on learning experiences and undergraduate research opportunities for the York community and beyond. Installed at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory on Aug. 16, the telescope is expected to be the largest situated on a university campus in Canada.
Lassonde launches the Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Women
The Lassonde School of Engineering welcomed 30 female high-school students to participate in a four-week program of paid research opportunities doing meaningful work in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).
September
Just how big is a proton? York scientists help resolve decade-old puzzle
York University researchers have made a precise measurement of the size of the proton – a crucial step towards solving a mystery that has preoccupied scientists around the world for the past decade.
York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton with Professor Emeritus Allan Carswell
Professor Emeritus Allan Carswell’s gift to accelerate research in dementia care at York University
On Sept. 17, in honour of Helen Carswell and World Alzheimer’s Month, York University and the Alzheimer Society of York Region announced a joint $2.26-million partnership to research Alzheimer’s and dementia care programs. Funded by the Carswell Family Foundation, this gift will be used to advance research into the efficacy of dementia day programs, respite services and various models of care as well as the benefits of integrating support for caregivers into the programming.
Theatre Professor Magdalena Kazubowski-Houston wins two prestigious awards
York University theatre Professor Magdalena Kazubowski-Houston was recently honoured with two prestigious awards for her research – one from the Canadian Association for Theatre Research and one from the American Anthropological Association.
York University takes academic program to Markham with new space at IBM Canada
York University continued to expand its footprint in Markham, Ont., by offering academic programming for the first time at IBM Canada’s headquarters. The classes provide York University students the opportunity to benefit from a high-profile and dynamic environment where they can learn among academics, small and large businesses, entrepreneurs, startups and developers.
Check back in the next edition of YFile for Year in Review 2019: Top headlines at York University, October to December.