TORONTO, October 31, 2001 -- York University will recognize the dedication and contributions of its alumni and friends during the second annual Bruce Bryden Alumni Recognition Awards dinner to be held Monday, November 5.
Those being honoured are the late Carol Anne Letheren, former CEO/Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Association, former Ontario Finance Minister Ernie Eves, Canadian astronaut Dr. Steve MacLean, former York Board of Governors Chair Dr. William Dimma, and philanthropists Martin and Joan Goldfarb.
The dinner and awards presentation will be held in the Arcadian Court, Hudson's Bay, Queen Street Store, 401 Bay St., 8th Floor, Simpson Tower, at 6:30 p.m. There will be a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby of Thomson Gallery on the 9th Floor.
The award is named after the late Bruce Bryden (BA ‘64), founder of the York University Alumni Association (YUAA) and the first alumni Chair of the York University Board of Governors.
"This year’s distinguished recipients exemplify the quality and diversity of our graduates," said André Beaudry, York University director of alumni affairs and executive director of the YUAA. "York alumni are leaders in science, business, politics, the arts and sport. Their achievements in these and other areas serve as an inspiration for future generations of alumni." A description of each recipient follows:
The late Carol Anne Letheren (MBA '77) -- Alumni Contribution Award
One of Canada’s most influential sports executives, Carol Anne Letheren died on Feb. 1, 2001 after suffering a brain aneurism during a University event. Letheren, the former CEO and secretary general of the Canadian Olympic Association, and a member of the International Olympic Committee, earned her MBA from York’s Schulich School of Business and served as president of the Schulich International Alumni Association and as a member of the YUAA Board of Directors. A key player in Toronto’s 2008 Olympic bid, she helped to foster relationships between athletes, coaches and other prominent figures in Canada’s Olympic movement.
Ernie Eves, QC (LLB '70) -- Alumni Achievement Award
Following more than two decades in provincial politics, former Ontario finance minister Ernie Eves joined Credit Suisse First Boston as its Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor in April 2001. He served as Conservative government house leader, Minister of Community and Social Services and Ontario's first Minister of Skills Development. Prior to public life, he was a partner in the law firm of Green and Eves. Eves is on the board of Justin Eves Foundation, a charitable non-profit organization that assists learning disabled young people to achieve a post-secondary education.
Dr. Steve MacLean (BSc '77, PhD '83, D.Sc '93) -- Alumni Achievement Award
The third Canadian to travel in space, Dr. Steve MacLean was among six original astronauts selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). His mission as a payload specialist aboard NASA’s Space shuttle Columbia took place October 1992. While at York, where he earned his doctorate in laser physics, MacLean received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Post Graduate Scholarship (1980), two Ontario Graduate Scholarships, (1981 and 1982), and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship (1983). He is also a former national champion gymnast. MacLean is director general of the CSA’s Canadian Astronaut Program.
Dr. William Dimma (MBA '69, LLD '98) – Alumni Leadership Award
A widely respected Canadian business leader, Dr. William Dimma was a professor and dean of the Faculty of Administrative Studies. He was a member of York’s Board of Governors from 1976 to 1997, and its chair from 1992 to 1997. Dimma served as president of the Canadian Club of Toronto, director of the Canadian Opera Company, the C.D. Howe Institute, the Economic Council of Canada, the Hospital for Sick Children, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Trillium Foundation. Dimma is board chairman and director of Home Capital Group, Inc. He was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1996.
Martin and Joan Goldfarb – Friend Contribution Award
Philanthropists Martin and Joan Goldfarb are long-time supporters of York University. Martin Goldfarb is a 12-year member on the Board of Governors. Two of the Goldfarbs’ children are graduates of the University. The Goldfarbs recently donated a $3.75-million gift to York’s Faculty of Fine Arts consisting of a significant monetary contribution as well as 67 works of art including paintings by Paul-Emile Borduas and Jean-Paul Riopelle. The Faculty’s home building will be named the Joan and Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts in recognition of this exceptional gift. Martin Goldfarb is chairman of Goldfarb Consultants Ltd., a marketing research firm based in Toronto with 24 offices world-wide. Joan Goldfarb is the president of Joan Goldfarb Design Limited. She also serves as president and director of Extension Investments Limited.
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For further information, please contact:
| André Beaudry | Joanna Korach | Ken Turriff |
| Director, Alumni Affairs | Special Events Coordinator, Alumni Affairs | Media Relations |
| York University | York University | York University |
| 416-736-2100, ext. 20966 | 416-736-2100, ext. 20230 | 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 |
| abeaudry@yorku.ca | jkorach@yorku.ca | kturriff@yorku.ca |
YU/117/01
