TORONTO, Tuesday, September 12, 2017 – Build it and they will come. Expected to be the largest telescope situated on any Canadian university campus, once in place, it will open the night skies for students, faculty and the wider community.

Media are invited to learn more about the future new telescope, the generous gift that made it possible, and take a tour the York U Observatory with its existing telescopes.

WHAT: York University Observatory funding announcement

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 14 at noon to 1pm, followed by tours of the observatory

WHO:

• Rhonda Lenton, President & Vice-Chancellor
• Ray Jayawardhana, Dean, Faculty of Science
• Allan Carswell, Carswell Family Foundation
• Jeff O’Hagan, VP Advancement
• Paul Delaney, University Professor, Faculty of Science

WHERE: Lobby of Life Science Building, Keele campus, York University, (number 90 on the Map.)

-30-

York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. York U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contacts:

Sandra McLean, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097, sandramc@yorku.ca