York U. adds to its prestigious ‘Bryden legacy’
TORONTO, November 3, 2009 -- Barbara Budd, accomplished actor and co-host of CBC Radio’s “As It Happens”, is one of six York graduates who will be celebrated for their outstanding contributions and achievements this Thursday evening at York University’s Bryden Alumni Awards event.
Emcee and York grad Jian Ghomeshi (CBC Radio) will host the event, which is presented annually. “The Bryden recipients inspire us--our York community and Canadians in general—to dream big and work hard. We are really proud that they got their start here at York. This year’s event is particularly exciting because it is York’s fiftieth anniversary and many past recipients, such as broadcaster Sandie Rinaldo and choreographer Debra Brown, will be attending,” says James Allan, senior director of York’s Alumni Office.
Budd will receive the Pinnacle Achievement award, which is given to a grad whose integrity and outstanding achievements in their chosen field inspires her peers. Through “As It Happens”, Budd has become a national treasure. Before she took to the CBC air waves though, Budd made her mark on the Stratford stage, acting there for five seasons. She has narrated for “Discovery” and even starred alongside Tom Selleck in “Three Men and a Baby”.
The Outstanding Contribution award will be presented to Marshall Cohen for his commitment to advancing York University. Cohen spent 22 years on York’s Board of Governors, providing expertise and guidance to four University presidents. And he and his wife recently started a scholarship for first generation students. Cohen was Deputy Minister of Finance during the Trudeau years and CEO of Molson Inc. before joining Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. He has volunteered on the boards of Mount Sinai Hospital, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and The Trilateral Commission and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1993.
Sports commentators and brothers Paul and Mark Jones will share the Redefine the Possible award for demonstrating leadership and success that embodies York's motto, "Redefine the Possible.” Mark Jones works for ESPN and ABC as a basketball commentator. Paul Jones is a reporter for TSN and is the voice of the Raptors on FAN590. “Their unconventional paths from the York basketball team to big league success bring new meaning York’s motto, “Redefine the Possible,” so there couldn’t be a more fitting award to bestow upon them,” says Guy Burry, chair of the York University Alumni Association and member of the Bryden selection committee.
Gretel Reid-Willis will be awarded the One-to-Watch award. Her innovative teaching methods for mathematics have been making waves across North Kipling Junior Middle School—she has the students and parents engaged and her colleagues excited. Reid-Willis was awarded the Premier's Award for Excellence in Teaching Literacy and Numeracy in 2007, just six years after graduating from York’s Faculty of Education.
Finally, Robert Drummond, a veteran at the University, will receive the Local Hero award for going above and beyond in his contribution and leadership at the University. Drummond joined York in 1971 to teach in the Department of Political Science. Later, as union chair and chair of Senate, he shaped the University. He also led it as an administrator: first as associate dean, then acting dean and finally dean of the Faculty of Arts. Drummond has been a role model, change agent and inspirational force at York.
About the Bryden Alumni Awards
Each year, York University honours its most outstanding leaders with Bryden Alumni Awards. Inaugurated in 2000, the “Brydens” were inspired by one of York’s great leaders, Bruce Bryden.
A student of York’s first graduating class, Bryden returned to work at York. Over the course of 30 years, he held several prestigious volunteer positions. He was founding president of the York University Alumni Association (1965-1966), Fellow of McLaughlin College (1974) and the first and one of only three alumni ever to chair the Board of Governors, to name just a few of the positions he held. His inspiring commitment and vision helped shape York into the innovative University that it is today.
Past recipients of Bryden Awards include: the late Carol Anne Letheren, (BPHE '63, BA '69, MBA '77) Canadian Olympic Association’s former CEO/Secretary General; national affairs journalist Chantal Hébert (BA '76); long-time Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Lynne Brown (BFA Spec. Hons. '78); CTV’s Sandie Rinaldo, (BA Hons. Fine arts ’73); president and CEO of Bell Globemedia, Ivan Fecan (BA '01, LLD); and TD Bank executive Bill Hatanaka (BA Hons '77).
What: York University’s Annual Bryden Alumni Awards
Where: Carlu, 444 Yonge St. Toronto
When: 7:15 pm, Thursday, November 5, 2009
Details: Photo and interview opportunities
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.
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Contact:
Keith Marnoch
York University
Media Relations
(416) 736-2100 ext. 22091
