YURA 2016-2026 | 91��ɫ Retirees' Association

World Events

2016 : Hillary Clinton defeated by Donald Trump in US elections; Brexit vote
2017: Rohinga Humanitarian crisis in Myanmar
2018: US-China trade tensions and tariffs
2019: Pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong
2020: COVID-19 pandemic; Joe Biden elected US president
2021: Ongoing pandemic restrictions and rapid approval of vaccines; digital transformation of the workplace; Afghanistan retaken by the Taliban after chaotic US withdrawal
2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine
2023: October 7 attacks, start of Israel-Hamas war
2024: Donald Trump elected US President; generative AI confirmed as core component of global industry
2025: New isolationism of the US with tariffs and a pivot away from NATO
2026: Expiration of the nuclear Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty; US intervention in Venezuela; war in Iran and the Middle East; global energy crisis following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Tech leaps of this decade:

2016 : Apple Air Pods introduced; the headphone jack removed from the iPhone7
2016 on: Proliferation of wearable devices and of smart homes (using Alexa and HeyGoogle); innovative use of 3D printing in industry and health care; significant advances in robotics
2017: Apple iPhoneX introduced
2018: ByteDance relaunched as TikTok
2020: ZOOM becomes the standard for remote work, education and social connection during the pandemic; Microsoft 360 launched
2021: 5G as the new standard in cellular technology, launch of Wordle and other virtual games
2022 on: Mainstreaming of generative AI including ChatGPT

Some “fun facts” and interesting phenomena:

Box Office hits included Star Wars : The Last Jedi (2017), La La Land (2017), The Avengers (2018 & 2019), Yesterday (2019), Dune (2021 and 2024), Barbie (2023), Inside Out 2 (2024), Hamnet (2025), KPop Demon Hunters (2025), Project Hail Mary (2026).
Oscar Best Picture winners included The Shape of Water (2018), Parasite (2020), Nomadland (2021), Oppenheimer (2024) and One Battle after Another (2026).
Success of foreign films Parasite (2019), Emilia Pérez (2024) and Sentimental Value (2025).
Best Musicals were Hamilton (2016), Come From Away (2017) [created and written by 91��ɫ alumni David Hein and Irene Sankoff], & Juliet (2019) and Wicked (2023).
Popularity of singers Alissa Cara, Billie Eilish, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Drake, Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift (with her Eras Tour in 2023-2024). Top songs included “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, "Hello" by Adèle and “Bad Guy” and “Wildflower” both by Billie Eilish. Many hits driven by TikTok. Afrobeats and Latin music were also very popular.

Canadian Events

2016: Justin Trudeau Prime Minister; Kathleen Wynne Premier of Ontario, John Tory mayor of Toronto: year of the Fort McMurray wildfire dubbed “The Beast”
2017: “Canada 150” marking the celebration of Canda’s sesquicentennial; national dialogue regarding Indigenous Reconciliation
2018: Doug Ford elected Premier; legalization of recreational cannabis; CUSMA trade deal replaces NAFTA
2019: Liberals re-elected but with a minority; deepening political divide between the Prairies and central Canada
2020: due to the COVID pandemic, border with the US closed; CERB—Canada Emergency Response Benefit introduced
2021: Discovery of residential school graves in Kamloops and other locations; pandemic election leaves Justin Trudeau with a second minority government; Laurentian University declares insolvency
2022: “Freedom Convoy” protests in Ottawa; invocation of the “Emergencies Act” to clear blockades
2023: Olivia Chow elected mayor of Toronto ; worst wildfire season on record with smoke in much of Eastern Canada and the northeast US; Ontario Blue Ribbon Panel report on post-secondary education in Ontario
2024: 100% tariffs imposed on Chinese EVs; between 2024 - 2026 federal government introduces sweeping changes to reduce the number of international students, with dramatic impact on colleges and universities
2025: Mark Carney elected Prime Minister; “elbows up” in response to US protectionism and threats from Donald Trump
2026: Ongoing trade tensions as CUSMA to be renegotiated; Davos speech by Mark Carney; Toronto and Vancouver to host some FIFA World Cup games; Ontario announces major changes to OSAP program.

Some “fun facts” and new words that evoke the zeitgeist

During this decade, Penny Oleksiak won four medals at the Rio di Janeiro Summer Olympics in 2016 and Summer McIntosh won four medals at the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024.
The Edmonton Oilers twice made it to the Stanley Cup finals in 2024 and 2025 only to be defeated by the Florida Panthers.
The historic season of the Blue Jays in 2025 had them play the LA Dodgers in the World Series, becoming the team of all of Canada before defeat in game seven.
Juno winners this decade included Leonard Cohen, Arcade Fire, Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, The Weekend, Charlotte Cardin, and Tate McRae.
Words of the decade (from the American Dialect Society include woke, wokeism, to gaslight, hastag “Me Too”, fake news, single use plastics, essential workers, social distancing, lockdown, doomscrolling, Fauci Ouchie, you’re muted, quiet quitting, brainrot, rage bait.

About 91��ɫ and those who served in various roles during this decade

Chancellor: Gregory Sorbara, Kathleen Taylor
President: Mamdouh Shoukri, Rhonda Lenton, Lisa Philipps
Chair Board of Governors: Rick Waugh, Paul Tsaparis, Antonio Di Domenico
Chair of Senate: George Comninel, Lesley Beagrie, Franck van Bruegel, Alison Macpherson, Mario Roy, Poonam Puri, Lauren Sergio, Patricia Burke Wood
University Secretary: Maureen Armstrong, Cheryl Underhill, Pascal Robichaud, Sarah Willey-Thomas
VP Academic and Provost: Rhonda Lenton, Lisa Philipps, Laina Bay-Cheng
Vice-Presidents (various roles): Janet Morrison/Lucy Fromowitz/Yvette Munro [Vice-Provost Students]; Robert Haché/Amir Asif [Research and Innovation]; Gary Brewer, Carol McAulay, Narin Kishinchandani [Finance & Administration]
LA&PS Dean: Ananya Mukherjee-Reed, John Justin McMurtry, Kathryn McPherson
Graduate Studies Dean: Barbara Crow, Fahim Quadir, Thomas Loebel, Alice Machlachlan
Principal Glendon College: Donald Ipperciel, Ian Roberge/Dominique Scheffel-Dunand, Mario Fiola
Dean, Schulich School of Business: Dezso Horváth, Detlev Zwick
Dean, Science: Ray Jayawardhana, Janse van Rensburg, Rui Wang, Robert Tsushima, Maydianne Andrade
Dean Lassonde School of Engineering : Janusz Kosinski, Jane Goodyer
Dean Osgoode Law School: Lorne Sossin, Mary Condon, Trevor Farrow
Dean Environmental Studies/ Environmental and Urban Change (in 2020): Ravi da Costa, Alice Hovorka
Dean Arts, Media, Performance, Design (in 2016): Shawn Brixey, Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt, Sarah Bay-Cheng, Brandon Vickers
Dean Education: Ron Owston, Lyndon Martin, Robert Savage
Dean Health: Harvey Skinner, Paul McDonald, Susan Murtha, David Peters
Chief Librarian: Joy Kirchner, Andrea Kosaic, Joseph Hafner

Building and changes to the campus during this decade

Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study and Research Building (2017)
School of Continuing Studies (2022-2023)
Markham campus (2024)
Neuroscience Facility (2026), expansion of Sherman Health Sciences Bldg
School of Medicine announced [to open in 2028 in Vaughan]

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2016 Fine Arts Faculty becomes AMPD, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
2017 Rhonda Lenton becomes President; Completion of the subway to 91��ɫ with the opening of the 91��ɫ and the Pioneer Village Stations on campus,
2018 the title “College Heads” replaces that of “College Masters”; new programs and research initiatives in the area of Black Studies
2019 new one-metre telescope installed at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory
2020 in March, at the onset of COVID, 91��ɫ suspended all face-to-face instruction, and moved all courses to online formats, closed athletic facilities and residences, and imposed mask and vaccine mandates. No spring convocation ceremonies were held.
2021 Launch of the 4-yr Bachelor of Science in Nursing; introduction of the parking app “HONK”, City-enforced parking and gate arms removed from parking lots and garages
2022 five-year agreement between 91��ɫ and the City of Markham to build engagement and cooperation; in the Fall students, faculty and staff return to campus
2023 91��ɫ libraries introduced LibKey to allow faster and easier access to electronic articles; 91��ɫ hosts Congress 2023
2024 91��ɫ launches Forward Action Plan; 91��ɫ awarded gold medal from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
2025 Markham Campus wins top international architecture award; farewell to President Rhonda Lenton
2026 91��ɫ MD program approved by Ontario Quality Council; Lisa Philipps becomes Interim President and Laina Bay-Cheng Interim VP Academic and Provost.

YURA during this decade

2017 to 2019 Pattern of regular in-person activities : Annual “Showcase” event held to build community and raise funds for YURA student awards; annual AGM meetings held in person; YURA executive members very active at CURAC conferences. Outings organized to the Stratford and Shaw Festivals as well as to the Bata Shoe Museum, the Aga Khan Museum and other sites.
COVID pandemic of 2020 brought dramatic change and significant challenges. Outings and in-person gatherings were no longer possible, so YURA pivoted. Charmaine Courtis moved the YURA office to her dining room table; members learned to use ZOOM and meetings were held virtually; Fran Wilkinson launched the online YURA Coffee Hour on Tuesdays which gave a precious opportunity for members to share coping strategies; Anne-Marie Ambert produced the quarterly Newsletter and increased the number of Person-to-Person Bulletins with stories, accounts of experiences, useful tips, and irreverent humour-- all of which acted as rays of sunshine during the seemingly endless pandemic. Ian Greene, Steve Dranitsaris and others devoted time to creating an informative and user-friendly website to keep members informed about learning and volunteer opportunities, events, membership and pension concerns.
AGMs continued with a range of interesting AGM guest speakers including David Crombie, Audrey Macklin, Douglas Saunders, Anna Porter, Royson James, Brian Goldman, Irvin Studin, Eileen de Villa, Glen Jones, and Christine O’Kelly.
Many YURA members were honoured with CURAC tribute awards: among them, Mildred Theobalds, John Lennox, Anne-Marie Ambert, Charmaine Courtis, and Fred Fletcher.
YURA noted the passing of past leaders Albert Tucker (in 2017) and Sandra Pyke (in 2026).
In 2020, 2021, and 2022 YURA participated in the Toronto Waterfront Charity Challenge as its main fundraising activity. The event generated enthusiasm and energy in the context of effort for a common cause.
The YURA office reopened in the Fall of 2022 and the weekly coffee hour became a monthly event, the online YURA Café.
A survey of members was conducted in 2022 to learn more about YURA members and their interests and concerns; the survey results continue to inform the planning and actions of the Executive Committee.
2022 As per the Memorandum of Understanding signed by YURA and 91��ɫ in 2012, a Joint Committee YURA-91��ɫ was formed, with regular meetings to discuss concerns of retirees and strategies for underscoring the importance of retirees within the University community. Two important initiatives have emerged: a very successful “meet-up” on Senior Scholars and current faculty and collaboration on a reception for retirees at which new retirees are congratulated and introduced to YURA and its members.
In 2023, YURA moved from Central Square to a temporary location in the Bennett Centre and then moved to the Lorna Marsden Honour Court.
Since 2023 YURA has had a close relationship with YU-CARE. YURA members make a precious contribution when serving as research subjects. YURA and YU-CARE have collaborated on the Age-Friendly University initiative.
Since 2024, YURA members have been conducting the YURA Challenge walk on the Keele campus in early October. The event raises our visibility on campus, brings members together, and raises funds for causes such as our student awards (which are now fully endowed), food security on campus, and starting in 2025 study pods for the 91��ɫ libraries.
2025 YURA announces plans to celebrate its 40^th anniversary in 2026.

YURA's fourth decade - Executive Board members

2016 – John Lennox & Charmaine Courtis (co-pres), Steve Dranitsaris (Sec), David Smith (Treas), Anne-Marie Ambert (Newsletter Editor)
2017 and 2018 – Ian Greene & Charmaine Courtis (co-pres), Steve Dranitsaris (Sec), David Smith (Treas), Anne-Marie Ambert (Newsletter Editor)
2019 and 2020– Ian Greene & Charmaine Courtis (co-pres), Steve Dranitsaris (Sec), David Smith (Treas), Anne-Marie Ambert (Newsletter Editor)
2021 – Ian Greene & Charmaine Courtis (co-pres), Diane Beelen Woody (Sec), David Smith (Treas), Anne-Marie Ambert (Newsletter Editor)
2022 & 2023 – Diane Beelen Woody & Steve Dranitsaris (co-pres), Marla Chodak (Sec), Melody King (Treas), Anne-Marie Ambert (Newsletter Editor)
2024 and 2025 – Diane Beelen Woody & Steve Dranitsaris (co-pres), Marla Chodak (Sec), Melody King (Treas), Steve Glassman & Richard Weisman (Newsletter Editors)
2026 – Diane Beelen Woody & Steve Dranitsaris (co-pres), Melody King (Treas), Steve Glassman & Richard Weisman (Newsletter Editors), Secretary TBA

Served as members-at-large and ex-officio during this decade

Angus Anderson	Sheelagh Atkinson	Bruno Bellissimo	Cathy Boyd-Withers
Jane Crescenzi	Grace Chui	Colin Deschamps	Fred Fletcher
Sheila Forshaw	Agnes Fraser	Rosanna Furgiuele	Jane Grant
Debbie Hansen	Gabrièle Hardt	Ed Lee-Ruff	John Lennox
Jean Levy	David Leyton-Brown	Billie Mullick	Patricia Murray
Ross Rudolph	Savitsa Sévigny	Stan Shapson	Harvey Skinner
Donna Smith	Peter Victor	Marc Wilchesky	John Wilson
Michelle Young	Lorna Wright