York University has ranked first among Canadian universities for the second year in a row in a global campus sustainability survey, wrote The Canadian Press Jan. 10, in a story that was carried in newspapers and broadcast media across the country.
The Toronto university was 14th in the world among participating universities from 42 countries in the 2011 UI GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities.
York is the third largest university in the country, with 55,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff. “York University continues to strive to be at the forefront of sustainability strategies,” said York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri.
From 2006 to 2011, York says it has met or bettered its sustainability targets, while increasing enrolment and adding new buildings. “This is testament to the excellent work of students, faculty and staff on sustainability issues,” said Professor Ilan Kapoor [Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University].
- Kapoor also discussed the projects that made York the greenest university in Canada, on CTV News Jan. 10.
- TheGridTO.com listed the story first in a list of cultural media items “trending up”.
Schulich marketing prof gives kudos to Maple Leaf campaign
One way Maple Leaf Foods worked to regain consumer confidence was by marketing their products as making lives better or easier, wrote Marketing Magazine Jan. 10. In response to Canadians’ desire for healthier, more natural food, the company introduced the Schneiders Country Naturals line in 2011, made only with recognizable ingredients like lemon juice, sea salt, celery extract and vinegar – all of which are clearly labelled on the front of each package instead of on the back, as is custom. The launch was a follow-up to its Maple Leaf Natural Selections deli meats that are also filler- and preservative-free. In March 2011, the Natural Selections line was awarded Product of the Year, a Canadian consumer-voted program, in the “Fresh Deli” category.
Alan Middleton, professor of marketing at York University’s Schulich School of Business in Toronto, applauds the advertising efforts around the company’s Naturals line, saying it’s exactly right for the brand positioning. “The whole point about the style is its straightforward simplicity because that’s the right brand personality for something that doesn’t add ingredients or chemicals [in the processing]… The style matches the product proposition,” he says.
Schulich grad named CEO at Campbellford hospital
Campbellford Memorial Hospital has ushered in the new year with the appointment of a new president and chief executive officer, wrote Trenton’s Community Press Jan. 10.
The hospital’s board of directors this week passed the full-time mantle of leadership to former chief financial officer Brad Hilker [MBA ’90], who has been the hospital’s interim CEO since the departure of Kelly Isfan seven months ago.
Hilker is a certified management accountant with a master of business administration from York University [Schulich School of Business] who began working in health care administration in 1990.
Buddy Holly tribute features fine arts grad
On Feb. 3…the hit songs of [Buddy Holly and his band] will come to life in Beaverton as the Town Hall Players present a one-night-only showcase, The Buddy Holly Anniversary Concert, wrote the Brock Citizen Jan. 10.
The show will celebrate the music of Holly’s famous final tour and stars Jeff Giles [BFA Spec. Hons. ’06] as Buddy Holly – a role he’s performed in The Buddy Holly Story to much fanfare.
“Everything about Giles’ performance is red hot. From the raunch in his throat to the twang of his guitar he delivers the goods, and then some,” reads a Hamilton Spectator review of his performance in the musical.
The Stoney Creek native studied theatre at York University [Faculty of Fine Arts] and got his big break when he landed a role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Boys in the Photograph.