TORONTO, May 12, 2004 -- York University will recognize the dedication and contributions of its alumni and friends during its annual Bruce Bryden Alumni Recognition Awards dinner to be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 13.
Those being honoured are Joseph Sorbara, Principal, The Sorbara Group; Peter Currie, Vice-Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Royal Bank of Canada Financial Group; Janet Green Foster, award-winning nature Filmmaker; and Tim Price Chair, Brascan Financial Corporation.
“The Bruce Bryden awards recognize York University’s most distinguished alumni and friends for outstanding contribution to their communities, leadership and achievement, “ said Naguib Gouda (York, MBA ’84), York’s new Executive Director of Alumni and Advancement Services. “York University takes great pride in this year's recipients whose extraordinary achievements demonstrate that York is a unique place where students are encouraged to challenge conventional notions of success and make a real difference in the world.”
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.
A description of each award recipient follows:
Achievement Category: Recognizing true distinction in professional life or in any field of endeavour
Janet Green Foster (York, BA ’69, PhD ’76) is an award winning nature filmmaker and author best known for the CBC television series Wild Country Canada. While studying for her doctorate at York in l972, Janet began working with her husband John, as television producer, writer and co-host in the field of natural science programming. She has been involved in the making of television documentaries about Canada’s wilderness and wildlife ever since. Since l995, Janet and John have been producing documentaries for the Discovery Channel (Canada). Currently, they are filming a one-hour special on Algonquin Park. Among their television awards is a Gemini for Best Photography, the Golden Sheaf Award for Best Science and Nature Documentary, and last year, the Directors’ Award from the Friends of Algonquin. Janet is author of three non-fiction books for young readers: A Cabin Full of Mice (de Pencier, ‘80); The Wilds of Whip-poor-will Farm (de Pencier,‘82) and Journey to the Top of the World (de Pencier ‘87). She is co-author of To the Wild Country (VNR’75) and Adventures in Wild Canada (M&S ‘84), books that were based on the CBC television series. Janet works with elementary school children across Canada and shares with them her passion for wildlife and wilderness places.
Contribution Category: Recognizing dedication to the advancement of York University through commitment and contributions
Joseph Sorbara (York, LLB ’68) is a principal of The Sorbara Group, a family owned enterprise engaged in insurance brokerage and real estate development and investment, involved in property management and industrial and residential construction within the GTA. Sorbara was appointed to the York University Board of Governors in 1988, and was made an Honorary Governor after 12 years of service in 2000. He now chairs the York University Development Corporation and is also a member of the York University Foundation board of directors. An active member in the community, Sorbara has served as Chair of the Board of Governors of Humber College, as President and Director of the Rotary Club of Toronto Black Creek, a director of York-Finch General Hospital, President and a director of the Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation, a director of The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and a member of the founding board of Villa Colombo Home for the Aged.
Leadership Category: Recognizing a true pioneering spirit in professional life or in any field of endeavour
Peter Currie (York, BA ’73, MBA ’78) is vice-chairman and chief financial officer of RBC Financial Group. In 2003, Currie was named Canada's CFO of the Year. Currie joined Royal Bank in April 1997 from Northern Telecom Limited where he was senior vice-president and chief financial officer. After graduating from York in 1973, where he received an undergraduate degree in economics, Currie began a career in finance with Procter & Gamble. He serves on the boards of several industry, community, educational and international institutions, including: York University (Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Board of Governors), the Schulich School of Business (Board of Advisors), Toronto East General Hospital and the Private Sector Council based in Washington, D.C.
Friend Category: Recognizing contributions made by people who are not York alumni
Tim Price, (BA ’64, CA ’69) is the Chairman of Brascan Financial Corporation (formerly Trilon Financial Corporation) and served previously as Chairman of the boards of directors of The Edper Group Limited and Hees International Bancorp Inc. Born in England, Price received his BA in 1964 from the University of Victoria and his CA in Quebec in 1969. He was appointed to the York University’s Board of Governors in 1996, and is currently the Vice-Chair of the Board, Chair of the Finance and Staff Resources Committee, a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the York University Development Corporation. Price is a member of York University's Board of Governors, is founding Chair of the York University Foundation Board of Directors and co-chaired York's national campaign of over $100 million. He also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board at York’s Schulich School of Business, St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation Board and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation Board.
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For further information, please contact:
Ken Turriff
Media Relations
York University
416-736-2100, ext. 22086
YU/071/04
