TORONTO, May 9, 2003 -- More than 35 years after the outstanding success of Montreal’s world fair, several former members of Expo 67’s Ontario Pavilion, have made a gift to the host province, Quebec, via York University’s Glendon College in Toronto. Presented in the spirit of cultural unity, the gift provides one annual endowed scholarship to a student from Quebec, pursuing undergraduate studies at Glendon College, York University’s bilingual liberal arts faculty.
"The College is grateful for the group’s generosity, commitment and enthusiasm," said Kenneth McRoberts, principal and dean of Glendon College. "Their contribution will go a long way in encouraging talented Québécois students to attend Glendon, and learn more about Canada--and Toronto in particular--while improving our understanding of Québec."
The aptly titled Ontario 67 Scholarship celebrates the hospitality and friendship shown to the rest of Canada and the world during Expo 67, while noting its success. The Ontario 67 Scholarship will help students conquer financial barriers to their success.
The Ontario Pavilion group gathers 30 highly successful Ontarians with visions of a strongly united Canada. The group meets regularly to celebrate lifelong friendships, share fond memories, and rejoice in the spirit of determination and achievement that both inspired Expo 67, and followed them throughout their lives.
"We have such wonderful memories of those days we experienced firsthand, and of the fair’s phenomenal success," said Gary Smith, Expo 67 group spokesperson, York's Glendon College alumnus and former Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia. "This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ and of extending a hand to deserving Québécois students who have a truly Canadian perspective."
Glendon College, a meeting place for Anglophone, Francophone and Allophone students from across Canada and around the world, is the perfect setting to honour the legacy of Expo 67. It provides a solid baccalaureate education that includes a thorough knowledge of French and English languages, and culture. Each year, close to 2,000 students—including a sizable contingent from Quebec—benefit from the picturesque setting, quality programs and intense language immersion experience.
Expo 67 drew some 50 million visitors and featured more than 90 provincial, international, industrial and theme pavilions, many of which were declared architectural wonders. In the years that followed, the world fair became an important symbol of Quebec and Canadian culture and history.
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For further information, please contact:
| Kenneth McRoberts | Eva Innes |
| Principal, Glendon College | Member, Expo 67’s Ontario Pavilion |
| York University | 416-924-7008 |
| 416-487-6727 | eva.innes@sympatico.ca |
| kmcrob@yorku.ca |
YU/047/03
