Toronto, June 10, 2013  – Social justice and human rights activist Bromley Armstrong will receive an honorary degree from York University on Tuesday, June 11 and speak to graduating students at their 10:30am convocation ceremony. Former Ontario Cabinet Minister and philanthropist the Honorable Gregory Sorbara, who will also be awarded an honorary degree, will speak to students at the 3:30pm Convocation.

Bromley Armstrong, Doctor of Laws, Tuesday, June 11, 10:30am −
Human Rights Advocate, Author, Mentor

One of Canada’s eminent human rights advocates, Bromley Armstrong has demonstrated dedication, passion, and lifelong commitment to the battle against racism. For over six decades, Armstrong has worked in civil and human rights, orchestrating civil society and government support for race relations and advocacy for public policy human rights reforms, which has led to greater levels of social justice for all Canadians.

He began his quest for increased levels of social justice when he immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in 1947. As a prominent and determined labour activist, he engaged the support of groups such as the National Unity Association and the Toronto-based Joint Labour Committee on Human Rights, and became instrumental in spearheading the passage of laws in Ontario prohibiting discrimination in housing and public places. He is also a founding member of numerous organizations, including the National Black Coalition in Canada, and has been a mentor to university students and other community members. His autobiography is aptly titled: Bromley: Tireless Champion for Just Causes.

He is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, and has been awarded the Order of Distinction from Jamaica.

The Honorable Gregory Sorbara, Doctor of Laws, Tuesday, June 11, 3:30pm –
Government Leader, Champion of Higher Education

Graduating in 1978 from Glendon College and in 1981 from Osgoode Hall Law School, the Honorable Gregory Sorbara is a champion and longtime friend of York University. In his various capacities within the Government of Ontario in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and again in the 2000s, Sorbara emerged as one of the most resourceful and well-respected of Ontario’s political leaders. He has championed postsecondary education as a catalyst for social and economic growth, as well as a driver of community building. His landmark second budget as Minister of Finance in 2005 featured the bold plan to invest significantly in increasing accessibility for low-income students while funding more enrollments and expanded faculty, graduate scholarships and research.

Sorbara has served in a number of leadership roles at York University, including as board member of the Alumni Association and as a member of the advisory council of the York Circle. His dedication to York has been manifested in many ways, including his passionate advocacy for a subway extension to York and for many of the ambitious new buildings transforming the Keele campus.

Convocation ceremonies will take place at the Convocation Pavilion located at the Rexall Centre, 1 Shoreham Drive, at York University’s Keele campus (#8 on map).

Ceremonies will be webcast at the following link, which will become live when ceremonies begin: http://www.yorku.ca/mygrad/livewebcast.

York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York U’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York U is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York U’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York U's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.

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Media Contact:
Joanne Rider, York University, 416 736 5593 / jrider@yorku.ca
Robin Heron, York University, 416 736-2100, ext.22097 / rheron@yorku.ca