TORONTO, March 23, 2012 – Two City of Toronto councillors are this year’s recipients of the 2012 York International Award from York University.

Councillors Michael Thompson and Josh Colle are the winners of York International’s Internationalization Award for an External Community Member or Group. The award will be presented tonight at a gala hosted by York International.

“We are very pleased to present this award to these two outstanding members of Toronto City Council,” said Lorna Wright, York University’s associate vice-president international.

“These awards recognize the councillors for their exemplary efforts to create new initiatives that enrich the experience of young people who leave their families and countries to travel to Ontario and in particular, to York University, to study,” said Wright.

Thompson and Colle were nominated for the award by York Vice-President Academic & Provost Patrick Monahan. Monahan nominated the councillors “for their work to establish valuable new programs that welcome and support not just York University’s international students but all international students who call Toronto home.”

In 2010, the City of Toronto initiated a program where city councillors attend and welcome new international students at international student orientations across the Greater Toronto Area. The councillors also worked to establish a reception program at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport, which provides a warm welcome, a package of materials introducing the students’ new city, a free telephone call home to their loved ones, and transportation.

The councillors also established an International Student Reception at Toronto City Hall where recognition and financial awards for international students who have contributed to the City of Toronto are distributed.

Thompson has represented Scarborough Centre since 2003. Colle was elected in October 2010 to represent the area of Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence.

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 10 faculties and 28 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.

-30-

For more information, contact:
Craig T. Wright, Coordinator International Student Programs,
(416)736-2100 x70650, cwright@yorku.ca