Giving from the heart: York community steps up in a big way to help students face pandemic challenges
Hundreds of York community members have rallied around our students by making donations to provide additional support to students through the York University Emergency COVID-19 Student Relief Fund. With support coming from alumni, donors, faculty, staff, the York University Alumni Board, and members of York’s Board of Governors, over $450,000 has been raised to provide further supports for students.
Last year, the Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Women focused its recruitment heavily in Toronto’s Jane and Finch area — a highly-racialized neighbourhood that is filled with stereotypes and misconceptions. The hope was to reach out to and impact young students who otherwise would not have had the opportunity or exposure to STEAM fields. The results have been tremendous.
Students who are refugees in Canada experience unique challenges in accessing post-secondary education. This is where incredible organizations like Western Union step in to help with refugee students’ financial burdens and provide them with support towards their education.
An innovative partnership between York University and Shopify is making waves as one of the most unique experiential education opportunities in post-secondary. The initiative is part of the Lassonde School of Engineering’s Industry Partnership Stream, which blends program learning outcomes and experiential education. Students admitted to the stream complete both practicum credits and the course requirements leading to an honours bachelor of science degree in computer science.
Last year, the Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Women focused its recruitment heavily in Toronto’s Jane and Finch area — a highly-racialized neighbourhood that is filled with stereotypes and misconceptions. The hope was to reach out to and impact young students who otherwise would not have had the opportunity or exposure to STEAM fields. The results have been tremendous.
Community
A new Art Gallery from a visionary arts family
York University is deeply grateful for a leadership gift of $5M to build a new art gallery on the Keele Campus to solidify York’s long commitment to visual arts.
With this extraordinary gift, Joan and Martin Goldfarb’s heart-felt philanthropy secures the future of talented young students – and builds an exciting future for the visual arts community at York University and beyond.
The Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery, a new, stand-alone building, will be designed and constructed by award-winning architectural firm Hariri Pontarini Architects.
Named in honour of the Honourable Jean Augustine, and launched in 2008, this endowed university chair has been supported by hundreds of donors — roughly 500 at last count — and is one of only two such chairs in Canada dedicated to research and knowledge mobilization on Black and African-descended communities. Community is at the heart of the Jean Augustine Chair’s purpose, and the wide support received reflects Jean’s declaration that this initiative is “By the people, for the people.”
In his mother’s memory, Konata Lake has endowed an award that reflects her commitment to education, and honours her achievements as a single parent. The Alrica Gordon Entrance Award will be distributed each year in perpetuity to support a Black student in financial need at York University, who is also a single parent. The first recipient of the Alrica Gordon Entrance Award will be selected in the fall of 2020.
The family of the late Avie Bennett has made a gift of $400,000 to support Canadian Writers in Person (CWIP), a Canadian literature course at York University that brings published authors and students together for a unique academic experience. The gift will create an endowment to provide ongoing support to the course and its public reading series offered by York’s Department of Humanities.
Named in honour of the Honourable Jean Augustine, and launched in 2008, this endowed university chair has been supported by hundreds of donors — roughly 500 at last count — and is one of only two such chairs in Canada dedicated to research and knowledge mobilization on Black and African-descended communities. Community is at the heart of the Jean Augustine Chair’s purpose, and the wide support received reflects Jean’s declaration that this initiative is “By the people, for the people.”
'This is my way of giving back': A lifetime of creating opportunity for others
The late Dr. Ignat Kaneff truly lived his deeply held values.
He expressed his commitment to others with extraordinary generosity – of his time, resources and spirit. His start as a proud immigrant to Canada who went on to build a real estate empire was “a quintessential Canadian immigrant success story,” said his family.
A long respected and beloved friend of York University, ‘Iggy’ Kaneff was always an active supporter.
A new research chair at York University will tackle the toughest global health challenges by studying the impact that policies and laws have on health.
York University Professor Steven J. Hoffman was named inaugural holder of the Dahdaleh Distinguished Chair in Global Governance & Legal Epidemiology.
Over 50 years, Earle Nestmann has shown his commitment and enduring love for York University and its students. He started himself as a student and became a visiting assistant professor. Today, he is an active member of the University’s Board of Governors and a donor.
Fifteen years in, the Heaslips’ impact is nothing short of extraordinary. To date, 29 York students have received the Heaslip Leadership Award, valued at $15,000 and renewable for two years for a total value of $45,000.
A new research chair at York University will tackle the toughest global health challenges by studying the impact that policies and laws have on health.
York University Professor Steven J. Hoffman was named inaugural holder of the Dahdaleh Distinguished Chair in Global Governance & Legal Epidemiology.