TORONTO, August 1, 2000 -- As Canadian universities become increasingly successful in diverting the growing flow of charitable dollars to post-secondary education, York University is recognizing the generous spirit of giving by its own benefactors with an imaginatively designed Honour Court and Information Centre, which officially opens Thursday, August 3.

During a 4:30 p.m. opening ceremony, York will celebrate the first inductees into the Honour Court, including more than 168 foundations, individuals, corporations, university staff, faculty, alumni and friends. Each individual, foundation, association or corporation is celebrated with a permanent granite stone marking cumulative gifts of $100,000 or more to the University since its founding in 1959.

The Honour Court, which also features an information and greeting centre, will be built -- literally -- brick by brick, stone by stone, by the generosity of York's friends as their stones get placed in the slots of the walls. The generosity of one of York's most loyal friends--leading benefactor Seymour Schulich -- made the construction of the Honour Court possible. Schulich has donated more than $20 million to York University, including a recently donated $5 million toward the construction of a new home for the Schulich School of Business. The individually engraved stones -- varying in type, colour and size -- represent each category of donor: Benefactor ($100,000 to $249,999); Patron: ($250,000 to $499,999 ); Builder ($500,000 to $999,999); Founder ($1 million to $4,999,999); and Philanthropist ($5 million and over).

"The York University Honour Court recognizes the extraordinary leadership and generosity of our many donors who have helped to shape the future of our University," said York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden. "It is through these gifts that we are able to fund some of our most important initiatives, including chairs, professorships, student awards and capital projects. All of our benefactors have made an exceptional commitment to the mission and vision of York University and the community it serves. I want to thank Seymour Schulich for taking the lead on creating the Honour Court so that we can pay tribute to our many supporters."

The Honour Court and Information Centre, which is based on an award-winning design by Stephen Teeple of Teeple Architects Inc. and built by Kenaidan Construction, is located along York Boulevard, the main Keele Campus entrance. Construction of the 500 sq. ft. building began last October and was completed in June.

Marsden, Teeple and Schulich will be joined Thursday by York University Chancellor Avie Bennett, Kenaidan Construction President Aidan Flately, Federal Transport Minister David Collenette (B.A., Glendon ‘69) Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Dianne Cunningham, and Vice-President (University Advancement) Gary J. Smith in a tree-planting ceremony and photo opportunity to officially open the building.

Said Smith: "York University has a demonstrated commitment to innovative design. The new Honour Court and Information Centre will certainly be unique, and provide an aesthetically alluring welcome and focal point to the Keele Campus."

The ceremony and remarks will take place 4:30 p.m., in the white tent on the Honour Court grounds, located on York Boulevard, (York's main entrance), 4700 Keele Street. A tour of the building will follow.

York University, Canada's third largest university, is nationally and internationally respected for its innovative research and award-winning teaching. With its combination of dedicated and talented faculty, opportunities for bright and ambitious students, dynamic curriculum and modern campuses in one of North America's most influential urban centres, York University is setting the modern standard in academic excellence.

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For more information, please contact:

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
e-mail: kturriff@yorku.ca

Sine MacKinnon
Director, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
e-mail: sinem@yorku.ca
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