TORONTO, May 7, 2008 -- York University research concerning the relationship between early life development and later physical and mental health has received a $2 million boost thanks to a recent gift from the Lillian and Don Wright Foundation.

"I want to express my gratitude on behalf of York University to the Lillian and Don Wright Foundation for this most generous gift," said York President and Vice-Chancellor, Mamdouh Shoukri. "York University is blessed to have generous benefactors who help us dream and grow. This gift will help enhance the undergraduate and graduate experience at the Faculty of Health, and that will help us better serve our communities."

The money will be used to support the launch of The Lillian Wright Maternal-Child Health Scholars Program within York’s Faculty of Health.  The gift will provide annual support to graduate and undergraduate scholarships in the area of maternal-child health; fund travel costs for scholars to present research findings and create a learning academy.

"The Lillian Wright Maternal-Child Health Scholars Program will be a catalyst for engaging outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in interdisciplinary education and research in the field of maternal and child health,” said York’s Faculty of Health Dean Harvey Skinner. “An exciting innovation will be the formation of a learning academy drawing together current and past recipients of the scholarship and other potential young scholars who will be mentored by senior academics, professional leaders and junior faculty.”

The Faculty of Health at York University has an ambitious mission to be an integrative force for promoting health – locally and globally. Its vision is to keep more people healthier longer by educating future leaders in redefining and advancing health and human science. Through exceptional education and research, the Faculty emphasizes effective approaches for keeping more people healthier longer and co-creating the total health system.

 

York’s Faculty of Health consists of four integrated units encompassing Health Policy & Management; Kinesiology & Health Science; Nursing and Psychology. In its first year, the Lillian Wright Maternal-Child Health Scholars Program has engaged and awarded students from each of these units.

 

“The Lillian and Don Wright Foundation, and the Wright and Meighen families, have a distinguished track record of supporting education, health care and the arts,” said Paul Marcus, president and CEO of York University Foundation. “We are proud of our association with them and are grateful for their support of the vision of York’s Faculty of Health. This generous pledge will have a tremendous impact on maternal-child health, York students and, by extension, society as a whole.”

 

The gift represents a significant contribution to “York to the Power of 50”, the largest fundraising campaign in York's history. York has received more than $150 million in pledges to date toward the University's goal of $200 million.

 

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 24 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation. 

Contact:
Keith Marnoch, York University, Media Relations
(416) 736 – 2100 ext. 22091, marnoch@yorku.ca