York U honours six alumni for achievements at home and abroad
TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2011 − York University will celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of six outstanding alumni during the 2011 Bryden Awards gala, Thursday, Nov. 17, from 7:30 to 10pm at Toronto’s Design Exchange.
2011 Bryden Alumni Award Recipients:
Clayton Ruby (BA ’63)
Pinnacle Achievement Award
A passion for social justice makes Clayton Ruby one ofCanada’s leading defence lawyers. A member ofYork’s first graduating class, Ruby earned a BA when the new University was still located at Glendon. His remarkable legal career has often placed him in the public spotlight. He represented both Donald Marshall Jr. and Guy Paul Morin, two of this country’s best-known victims of wrongful conviction, and also negotiated a settlement for the surviving Dionne quintuplets. Equally passionate as a defender of freedom of expression and environmentalism, Clayton Ruby epitomizesYork’s ideal of enlightened, active engagement with the world in which we live.
Irene Sankoff (BA ’99) and David Hein (BFA ’97)
One(s)-to-Watch Award
Irene Sankoff and David Hein burst onto the Toronto theatre scene with their extraordinary hit musical, My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding. Based on the true story of David’s mother, Wedding has seen tremendous success inToronto andNew York and is being licensed acrossNorth America. Irene and David’s “overnight” success was built upon theirYork education and years of dues-paying in theToronto andNew York theatre and music scenes. Willing to confront issues such as homophobia, and with talent and drive to spare, the couple is destined to remain a cultural force for years to come.
Eric Robert Walters (BA '79, BSW '82, MSW '86)
One(s)-to-Watch Award
A children’s author, Eric Walters began writing to entice his Grade 5 students into becoming more interested in reading and writing. Since then, he has published 68 novels for young people that have been translated into numerous languages and won more than 70 awards.
His charitable work is equally impressive. He established The Creation of Hope, a volunteer residential program helping orphaned children inNairobi. He has also poured his talent and passion into the Terry Fox Foundation, Uganda Guluwalk, Free the Children and a handful of organizations that encourage boys’ literacy.
Sheila Forshaw (BSc ’83)
Local Hero Award
Many say that Sheila Forshaw is the best women’s field hockey player Canada has ever produced. A fixture in the halls at York’s sports centre, Tait McKenzie, Sheila is just as well known across campus as a dedicated participant in numerous committees and activities at York. One of York’s most decorated student athletes, Sheila led the Yeowomen to two Ontario golds and two National silvers in field hockey and was twice named York's female athlete of the year. Returning to campus in 1995 to lead York’s interuniversity athletics program, Sheila continues as a one-of-a-kind influence in Canadian athletics through her tireless leadership at Sport York and on national committees.
Gregory Cooper (LLB ’69)
Outstanding Contribution Award
Greg Cooper’s biography reads almost like a history ofYork itself. A member of the University’s first undergraduate class in 1960, he subsequently pursued a law degree at Osgoode Hall Law School, seeing it become York’s Faculty of Law in his final year. Despite a busy legal career, Greg’s involvement withYork only grew after graduation. He followed classmate Bruce Bryden as president of the Alumni Association and served on the Board of Governors for 17 years. His Chairmanship of the Building & Property Committee from 1987-1991—a period of tremendous growth and capital development—is renowned. According to one admirer: “It is time for this unsung hero to be sung.”
The gala will be emceed by Barbara Budd, past CBC Radio “As It Happens” host,YorkUniversity alumna and 2009 Bryden Alumni Award recipient.
Past recipients include ESPN basketball commentator Mark Jones, national affairs journalist Chantal Hébert and astronaut Steve MacLean. Like Budd, all recipients are graduates ofYorkUniversity.
Watch a video about the Bryden Alumni Awards.
Members of the media are invited to contact the Alumni Office (647-231-7377) or Media Department (416-736-2100 x22091) atYorkUniversity.
About Bryden Awards
The Bryden Alumni Awards recognize the extraordinary achievements and contributions ofYorkUniversity alumni, of whom there are over 250,000 spread around the globe.
They are presented annually following a formal nomination process and review and selection by a peer jury.
These awards were inspired by Bruce Bryden, who was an exceptionally committed and influential leader at York. He was a member of York’s first undergrad class and held several prestigious positions, including founding president of the York University Alumni Association and member of the Board of Governors.
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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 55,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 240,000 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.
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Teodorini, Manager, Advancement Communications, York University, 647-231-7377, eteodor@yorku.ca
Wallace Pidgeon, Director, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100 ext. 22091, wpidgeon@yorku.ca
