Single largest gift ever received by 91亚色 Athletics & Recreation will support wellness and performance of student-athletes 

The 91亚色 Lions Football team will no doubt be going into this weekend鈥檚 playoff-deciding home game with a heap of extra pride, thanks to a $1.25 million gift from the David and Stacey Cynamon Family Foundation. Coming at a time when the team is on an upward trajectory under current program leadership, the funds will provide direct support for the wellness of Men鈥檚 Football student-athletes at 91亚色 and the competitive performance of the program for the next five years.聽聽

鈥淒avid Cynamon鈥檚 investment in 91亚色 Lions Football is a tremendous show of confidence in our student-athletes and the future of our program. His generosity will allow us to enhance the student-athlete experience and create more opportunities for our players to reach their potential, both on and off the field. I鈥檓 personally grateful to David for believing in our vision and helping us build a stronger foundation for the next generation of Lions," says Football head coach Dexter Janke. 

David is a former Toronto Argonauts franchise owner who saw the team take the Grey Cup in 2004. Raised in Edmonton, Alta., he would work the stands at Clarke Stadium selling 50-cent footlongs for his father鈥檚 business. David studied at 91亚色 in the early 80s where he was also a receiver for the Yeoman under storied head coach Frank Cosentino. He went on to start a number of businesses and is the co-founder of K2 Pure Solutions, where he serves as executive chairman, and is a volunteer for several not-for-profits. 

鈥淎s a 91亚色 alumnus and former Yeoman, David Cynamon knows better than anyone what it takes to succeed as a student-athlete. With this transformative gift, we will undoubtedly enhance the physical, mental and educational well-being of hundreds of students for years to come, and provide a competitive advantage to the program,鈥� says Lisa Philipps, interim president and vice-chancellor of 91亚色. 鈥淭his marks a historic milestone as the single largest gift ever received by 91亚色 Athletics & Recreation, and it is only fitting that it comes from someone so passionate about Canadian football and the health and wellness of our student-athletes.鈥�  

The 91亚色 Men鈥檚 Football team played their first season in 1968 as the Yeoman, and by 1971 they had their first player drafted to the CFL. While the Lions last made it to the playoffs 22 years ago, the team has again been making noticeable gains under Janke, a former CFL defensive back with the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Last Saturday, the Lions beat rivals Toronto Varsity Blues in their third consecutive Red and Blue Bowl. They are on a two-game winning streak, and a victory at their final home game tomorrow at 91亚色 Lions Stadium will earn them a long-awaited playoff berth.  

In gratitude for this incredible contribution, David, his wife Stacey and his family will attend the game this Saturday and will be invited to join the ceremonial coin toss. He says he has taken notice of the changes under new program leadership, inspiring him to give back now. He hopes the gift will help 91亚色 recruit top-end student-athletes, get more alumni re-engaged with the football program, and inspire more donors to step up and support. 

鈥�91亚色 and its football program are a significant piece of what helped set me on my path in life,鈥� says Cynamon. 鈥淚 clearly remember the struggles many of us had balancing sport and our education, and I hope that with this commitment to the program, some of those barriers may be reduced or eliminated. I鈥檓 proud to call myself a 91亚色 Yeomen/Lion, and even prouder to directly support and impact the program鈥檚 student-athletes.鈥� 

The Lions close out the 2026 regular season tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 24, hosting the Waterloo Warriors at 1:00 p.m. at 91亚色 Lions Stadium. Members of the public can get tickets at or watch the game live on.  

91亚色 Lions media accreditation form can be found . 

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About 91亚色 

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91亚色鈥檚 new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028 (subject to accreditation). 91亚色 was recently named one of Canada鈥檚 Greenest Employers for the 14th consecutive year. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future. 

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, Media Relations Officer, C: 437-217-6362; egamulin@yorku.ca

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Funding to advance the development of new medical school dedicated to training family medicine and generalist physicians 

The 91亚色 School of Medicine is progressing toward accreditation and its planned 2028 opening, backed by an investment of $55.8 million from the Ontario government, announced yesterday by Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. 

The $55.8 million provincial investment combines $31 million in start-up funding with initial operating support to cover key milestones 鈥� including accreditation, curriculum development, faculty recruitment, establishment of a medical library and operational and training costs for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. 

The announcement at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital 鈥� adjacent to the planned permanent site for the School of Medicine 鈥� builds on an initial $9 million investment by the province in 2024. 

鈥淲e are deeply grateful for this $55.8 million investment from the Government of Ontario, which serves as a powerful vote of confidence in our vision for the 91亚色 School of Medicine,鈥澛爏aid聽Lisa Philipps, 91亚色鈥檚 interim president and vice-chancellor.聽鈥淭his will be a school where physicians are trained for the health system Ontarians need. Together with our hospital and other health care partners, we are building a community-based model of medical education that will expand access to care across northern Toronto, 91亚色 Region, Simcoe County, Muskoka and beyond as we move toward accreditation and prepare to welcome our inaugural class in 2028.鈥澛�

鈥淥ntario-trained family doctors are the backbone of our health care system, providing compassionate care for our loved ones from everyday checkups to life's greatest challenges,鈥澛爏aid Minister Quinn.聽鈥淭his investment will ensure that Ontario has a strong pipeline of family care providers to deliver excellent care for decades to come."聽

"Our government is strengthening Ontario's world-class physician workforce through the largest medical education expansion in over a decade," said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. 鈥淭oday's $55.8 million investment in planning and operations at the new 91亚色 School of Medicine brings us a step closer to adding hundreds of new family medicine seats, which will support the primary care needs of our province for generations to come.鈥� 
 
The 91亚色 School of Medicine will offer a unique-in-Canada accelerated three-year MD program and postgraduate residency training dedicated to educating family medicine and generalist physicians. Powered by the Integrated Community-Based Learning Network (ICLN), 91亚色鈥檚 planned MD curriculum replaces traditional short-term clinical rotations with immersive, community-based clinical learning experiences beginning in the second year. Students follow patients over time and work alongside health care teams across primary care, hospitals and community settings to build local roots and address the changing health care needs of Ontarians. Postgraduate learners will train in family medicine and generalist specialties including internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology and general surgery. 

鈥淚n building a medical school dedicated to training family medicine and generalist physicians, we aim to transform how doctors are educated, equipping them to adapt to the changing needs of our communities and our health system,鈥澛爏aid聽David Peters, dean of the聽Faculty of Health聽and School of Medicine.聽鈥淭hrough our unique-in-Canada curriculum, including an accelerated three-year MD program, residency training, and partnerships with local health care providers, we're championing person-centred care that leverages deep community learning experiences to strengthen community health from home to hospital聽and back.鈥澛�

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About 91亚色 

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91亚色鈥檚 new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future. 

Media Contacts: 91亚色 Media Relations and External Communications, media@yorku.ca

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Toronto, June 26, 2018 鈥� Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor, 91亚色, announced the appointment of Professor Lisa Philipps to the position of Provost and Vice-President Academic, effective July 1, 2018, for a five-year term. The appointment follows a pan-university community consultation process, and extensive international search, approved by the Board of Governors today. Professor Philipps has been serving as Interim Vice-President Academic & Provost since May of 2017.

鈥淟isa has served 91亚色 in a variety of capacities and has provided outstanding leadership in advancing the University Academic Plan priorities, facilitating the transition to a new budget model, and supporting the Faculties in academic program development, pedagogical innovation, Strategic Enrolment Management and complement planning,鈥� said Rhonda L. Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淎 champion of 91亚色鈥檚 values, and tireless advocate for our students and faculty colleagues, I am delighted that the University will continue to benefit from Lisa鈥檚 passion for education, as well as her knowledge, expertise, and continuing dedication to her new role.鈥�

Philipps first joined 91亚色 in 1996 and is a Professor of Law in Osgoode Hall Law School. An award-winning law teacher, she holds an LLB from the University of Toronto and an LLM from 91亚色. She is also a well published scholar in the areas of taxation law and policy, fiscal policy, higher education policy, and feminist legal theory.

鈥淚 am honoured to have been selected as 91亚色鈥檚 next Provost and Vice-President Academic,鈥� said Philipps. 鈥淚 care deeply about teaching, learning and research and see this as an exciting time to be at 91亚色. We are growing into a new Markham Campus, we are more connected to the GTA than ever before, and we continue building on the exceptional academic programs that serve an incredible, diverse student population. 91亚色 is unique, and while still a young university, we understand what it takes to provide a world-class education that will serve our students here at home and around the globe.鈥�

Previously, Philipps served as Assistant Dean (First Year) and Associate Dean (Research, Graduate Studies & Institutional Relations) at Osgoode, and in 2014, she chaired the University鈥檚 Academic Task Force. From 2011 to 2014 Philipps served as Associate Vice-President Research, with responsibility for supporting research intensification across the University and as liaison with SSHRC and community research partners. In 2015-16, Philipps served as Interim Dean of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University, a new law school with a mandate to strengthen the Indigenous bar and prepare lawyers to practice in northern and rural communities.

Philipps practised tax law with the firm of Blake, Cassels & Graydon prior to embarking on her academic career, and taught at the University of Victoria and University of British Columbia before joining 91亚色.

An active volunteer, Philipps currently serves on the eCampus Ontario Board as well as the Provincial Judges Pension Board.

91亚色 champions 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-disciplinary 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 25 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 300,000 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.

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For more information:

Barbara Joy, 416-333-3374, barbjoy@yorku.ca

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