Eight changemakers in literature, health, journalism, law, music and more will receive honorary degrees throughout 91亚色's annual spring convocation ceremonies taking place June 7 to 21.

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A woman who has blazed a trail as a business executive in Canada has marked another first when she was installed as 91亚色鈥檚 first woman chancellor on Wednesday.

Kathleen Taylor became the first woman to chair the board of one of Canada鈥檚 big five banks when she took the helm of the Royal Bank鈥檚 governing body a decade ago. She also served as the first president and CEO of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts chain following its iconic founder and was the first woman to lead a major branded international hotel company.

She credits her professional accomplishments as a leader in the public and private sectors and her dedication to breaking down barriers for others, to the education and inspiration she gained as a student at 91亚色. She was the first in her family to attend university.

鈥淜athleen Taylor鈥檚 illustrious career has spanned many industries, and she has tirelessly served her local and global communities,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色鈥檚 president and vice-chancellor.

鈥淪he is an inspiration in her new role as chancellor, because she embodies the positive change our students, staff, faculty and researchers all strive for and what 91亚色 U is known for.鈥�

Taylor, who took over from the Hon. Gregory Sorbara to become 91亚色鈥檚 14^th chancellor in January, was installed at a special ceremony at the Tribute Communities Recital Hall Accolade East Building on Keele Campus. Many community members came out to join the celebration.

鈥淎s a 91亚色 alum and a champion for higher education, Ms. Taylor represents what can be accomplished when we stretch the limits of what we perceive as possible and challenge the status quo to support a more inclusive and sustainable world,鈥� said Paul Tsaparis, chair of 91亚色 U鈥檚 board of governors.  

Her first public act as chancellor will be conferring degrees on thousands of new graduates at the spring convocation, June 9-23. It will also bring her full circle. Almost four decades ago, Taylor herself was graduated from 91亚色 with a Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School and a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business.

鈥淚 learned many lessons at 91亚色 鈥� in the classroom and on campus 鈥� that continue to inspire me today,鈥� Taylor said. 鈥�91亚色 is a unique place where academic opportunities align with passion and ideas that can have a positive impact on the world.鈥�

The result, she said, is a globally engaged University she is proud to be part of.

鈥淭he clear nexus of my humble beginnings and the kind of career I鈥檝e had the honour, privilege and pleasure to enjoy is education. The skills, the relationships, the experience that came with that were foundational to my career.鈥�

Chancellors hold the University鈥檚 top ceremonial position and become a member of the board of governors. They serve as a connector, inspiring leader and respected member of the community.

Along with Sorbara, Taylor joins a long tradition of distinguished chancellors that began in 1959 with Wilfred Curtin, former chief of air staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Former Ontario premier John P. Robarts held the post from 1977 to 1982, while acclaimed jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was 91亚色鈥檚 chancellor in the early 鈥�90s.

鈥淚 am honoured and excited to take on this important role with 91亚色,鈥� said Taylor, who has received many prestigious recognitions over the span of her career, including being admitted as a member of the Order of Canada in 2016.

She received the Schulich School of Business Award for Outstanding Executive Leadership and the inaugural Medal for Career Achievement from the Hennick Centre for Business and Law at 91亚色. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from 91亚色, McGill, the University of Toronto and Trent. She also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Mount Saint Vincent and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Huron University College.

A champion of women and children, Taylor works tirelessly to ensure greater diversity and inclusion in boardrooms and executive ranks.  She is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Hospital for Sick Children and the Immediate Past Chair of the SickKids Foundation.  She is also a Founding Visionary and Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the Prosperity Project, a national non-profit devoted to the advancement of women in leadership and the economy.

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Excitement is mounting as more than 9,000 graduates prepare to descend on 91亚色 to attend the first in-person graduation ceremony since the beginning of COVID-19.

This Spring Convocation season will be like none before, as it celebrates not only 91亚色鈥檚 graduating Class of 2022, but also the Classes of 2020 and 2021 who were unable to experience the proud tradition of walking across the stage because their Convocation had to take place online during the pandemic.

鈥淕raduating from university is a major accomplishment at any time, never mind having to complete your studies remotely during a pandemic,鈥� says 91亚色鈥檚 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. 鈥淚t was important to 91亚色 to recognize the resilience, courage and perseverance of our graduates and graduands in addition to their academic success with the magic of an in-person Convocation.鈥� 

Spring Convocation, led by Lenton and Chancellor Greg Sorbara will take place from Thursday, June 9, to Friday, June 17, at Convocation Pavilion at Sobeys Stadium (formerly Aviva Centre) at Keele Campus. Glendon Campus ceremonies will be held on Saturday, June 18, at Glendon Green, located at 2275 Bayview Ave.

This year鈥檚 Convocation is preceded by a weeklong alumni celebration, during which all 2020 and 2021 graduates who attended virtual ceremonies are being welcomed back to campus in celebration of their degrees. The Alumni Ceremonies at Keele Campus began Friday, June 3, and run until Thursday, June 9. Glendon alumni will attend the campus鈥檚 main ceremony on June 18 (full schedule here).

With safety in mind, attendees are asked to wear masks and graduates are asked to place their hands over their hearts instead of shaking hands, as they receive their diplomas. Graduates can invite two guests each 颅鈥� which could put total attendance well over 25,000 颅鈥� and all attendees are invited to join a faculty reception immediately after each ceremony. More details about what to expect can be found on the Convocation website.

鈥淥ur University鈥�, says Lenton, 鈥渋s committed to driving positive change. I am confident that the Classes of 2020-22 will use their experience here to disrupt the status quo and speak out against injustices, inequities, violence, and threats to our planet and our humanity. Whatever they do, wherever they go, I know they will implement their vision and the knowledge they gained from 91亚色, to support a better future.鈥� 

Lenton says those who earned their degrees during the pandemic are graduating into a starkly different world than those before them. While there is still uncertainty about what the future holds, she says, 91亚色 students have been prepared with the skills to lead the changes necessary for a more just, equitable and sustainable world. 

Examples of such forward-looking talented graduates abound.

Ignacio Isola is realizing a boyhood dream as he graduates from the Lassonde School of Engineering with a Space Engineering degree into a full-time job at the Canadian aerospace company . During his time at 91亚色, he and his mentor Prof. Isaac B. Smith conducted groundbreaking research that advanced humankind鈥檚 understanding of space by solving a longstanding mystery about ice deposits at Mars鈥� south pole.

鈥淢y experience at 91亚色 was amazing,鈥� Isola says. 鈥淚 always felt I was at home here, even though I was alone. Because of the sense of community that 91亚色 has.鈥�

Naima Sood, who is graduating with a Sociology degree from Glendon College, says she has newfound confidence in her abilities and sense of freedom in using her voice 鈥� both of which she struggled to find growing up in New Delhi.

鈥淚 came from India feeling doubtful about myself, and 91亚色 truly gave me an opportunity to become the person I am today,鈥� Sood says. 鈥淚 definitely feel like I鈥檓 ready to take on what鈥檚 next for me, and if there are disappointments that come my way, 91亚色 has better prepared me for that. 91亚色 has prepared me for the journey ahead 鈥� the good, bad, the ugly, all of it. I鈥檓 ready to take it on.鈥�

91亚色 will confer honorary doctorates on 12 distinguished recipients who have made outstanding contributions in such endeavors as community building, social justice, mental health advocacy and Indigenous rights.

Elder Duke Redbird, an Ojibwe artist, poet and scholar, brings an Indigenous approach to art and design education. Among the first wave of Aboriginal peoples in Canada to enrol in a university, Redbird graduated from 91亚色 with a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1978 and has gone on to be known in the academic world a 鈥減ath breaker鈥� 鈥� someone of great vision and experience. His books of poetry, theatrical productions and appearances on television and film have contributed to the written and oral repository of Indigenous thought and literature in Canada and around the world.

Olympic athlete and health advocate Silken Laumann won multiple medals in rowing at the Pan American Games, World Rowing Championships and the Olympic Games. But her story reveals more than athletic prowess. A favourite to win gold at the 1992 Olympic games, Laumann was told her rowing career was over after a horrific accident caused massive injuries to her leg and ankle. But less than three months after the injury, Laumann created one of greatest moments in Canadian sport history by coming from behind to win bronze at the Barcelona games. After revealing her long battle with mental illness, Laumann is now a motivational speaker and life coach on mental, physical, and spiritual health 鈥� inspiring others to overcome challenges.

Evolutionary biologist, paleontologist and popular science writer, Neil Shubin, will also receive an honorary doctorate. Shubin discovered the first Tiktaalik Roseae fossil skeleton on Ellesmere Island in Canada鈥檚 North in 2004, giving it an Inuit name at the suggestion of his hosts. The transition fossil is perhaps the most important paleontological find of the 21st century. Shubin continues to create positive change in the world of science, as a respected writer and public speaker who commands a global following.

Convocation 2022 is creating a buzz both on campus and on social media.

The community is invited to join the conversation using #91亚色UConvo. Graduates are encouraged to post videos about what鈥檚 next for them, post photos using Convocation stickers and GIFs made specially for the Class of 2022 and submit a song that represents their time at 91亚色, for a curated Spotify playlist.

鈥淪pring Convocation 2022 will be one to remember,鈥� Lenton says.  

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Top executives from CAMH, CAA and the City of Toronto, and a youth human rights worker recognized for their leadership

TORONTO, November 24, 2016 鈥� Four of today鈥檚 most inspiring leaders and top executives whose path to success included a 91亚色 education will be honored at The Bryden Awards, sponsored by , are named after the late Bruce Bryden (BA 鈥�64), founder of the 91亚色 Alumni Association and the first alumni chair of the 91亚色 Board of Governors. The sold out event will take place at the on Thursday, November 24.

鈥淎s we celebrate a new group of Bryden recipients, we are reminded of the new ways of thinking and endless possibilities that come with 91亚色 education 鈥� and this year鈥檚 Bryden recipients are no exception,鈥� said Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色, 鈥淭hese incredible 91亚色 alumni have made major contributions to society, locally and globally, and encourage the entire 91亚色 community to reach even higher.鈥�

The are inspiring role models with outstanding achievements. Their leadership in the community, and impact, will be recognized in the following four categories:

1.Outstanding Achievement: A graduate who has achieved distinction in their field and whose integrity and ability inspire alumni, faculty, staff and students.

Dr. Catherine Zahn (BSc 鈥�74), president & CEO, CAMH
Catherine Zahn is a champion for the integration of psychiatry and neuroscience and is working to steer mental health care into the mainstream of medicine. In 2009, she was appointed as president and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada鈥檚 leading mental health hospital and largest academic health science centre focused on mental illness. Zahn received a Bachelor of Science degree from 91亚色.

2.Tentanda Via: A graduate who has demonstrated innovative, unconventional and daring leadership and success, reflecting the University鈥檚 motto 鈥� 鈥淭he Way Must Be Tried.鈥�

Jennifer Keesmaat (MES 鈥�99), chief planner & executive director, City of Toronto
As chief planner and executive director for the City of Toronto, Jennifer Keesmaat is committed to creating places where people flourish. Most recently, she was named as one of the most influential people in Toronto by Toronto Life magazine and one of the most powerful people in Canada by Maclean鈥檚 Magazine. Keesmaat received a graduate degree in Environmental Studies (MES) from 91亚色.

3.One to Watch: A graduate who has made a significant impact in their field and/or community within 15 years of a bachelor鈥檚 degree or 10 years of a professional/ graduate degree.

Cheyanne Ratnam (BSW 鈥�12, MSW 鈥�14), founder & project manager, What鈥檚 The Map: Mobilizing Newcomer Homeless Youth
Using her extensive knowledge of and experience in the child-welfare system, and her keen interest in the human rights of young people, Cheyanne Ratnam is making a big name for herself. Founder of the 鈥榃hat's The Map?鈥�: Newcomer Youth Leading The Call to Action 鈭� Designing a Support System That Works鈥� initiative, she currently serves as its project manager. She is also the founder and primary investigator of the Child Welfare Permanency and Family Project (Study) with a provincial scope. Ratnam has earned both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in social work from 91亚色.

4.Outstanding Contribution: A graduate who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of 91亚色 and its students through exceptional service, commitment and/or philanthropic contributions.

Bill Graham (MBA 鈥�86), chair of the National Board, CAA; executive-in-residence, Schulich School of Business, 91亚色 U
Bill Graham is a respected business leader with more than 40 years of experience in automotive, technological, investment and financial service industries. He currently serves as chair of the national board of the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Graham has a long history of supporting education and future generations of business leaders at 91亚色鈥檚 Schulich School of Business. He holds an MBA (with distinction) in international finance and business from the Schulich School of Business.

The award ceremony, hosted by 91亚色 U alumna Jill Dempsey (BA 鈥�04), begins at 7pm on Thursday, November 24.

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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. 91亚色 students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91亚色 U is an internationally recognized research university 鈥� our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91亚色 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.91亚色 U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media contact:
Janice Walls, Media Relations, 416-736-5543, wallsj@yorku.ca

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