Convocation season, which is possibly my favourite time of year, is officially upon us. As we celebrate our graduates and honorary degree recipients, we are also honouring several outstanding individuals within the York community for their academic and research excellence and dedication to community engagement. This week we will acknowledge the appointment of a University Professor and a Distinguished Research Professor, and the recognition of three University-Wide Teaching Award recipients, five Governor General's Academic Medal recipients, and the Murray G. Ross Award Recipient. Two of this year's Robert J. Tiffin Leadership Award winners will also cross the stage and receive their diplomas.
Of course, I spend the entire year talking about our outstanding students, faculty and staff and how they make York such a wonderful place to be, but it was very rewarding to be reminded of this fact by those whom we are celebrating this week. I am proud that our community works so hard to help one another succeed.
I look forward to celebrating each of these individuals this week, and am pleased to introduce them to you here.
Professor Paul Delaney
Director, Division of Natural Science, Faculty of Science
Recognition: University Professor
"I have worked closely with hundreds of members of my Observatory Teams over the years, excited and motivated students who shared my love of astronomy and teaching. Watching them grow and become successful in their varied endeavors after York has been nothing less than exhilarating."
Director, Division of Natural Science, Faculty of Science
Recognition: University Professor
"I have worked closely with hundreds of members of my Observatory Teams over the years, excited and motivated students who shared my love of astronomy and teaching. Watching them grow and become successful in their varied endeavors after York has been nothing less than exhilarating."
Dr. Laurence Packer
Professor of Biology, Faculty of Science
Recognition: Distinguished Research Professor
"I am part (and the founder) of a vibrant group of bee researchers at York [that includes] two additional faculty members, both of whom did their PhD with me. At times, my research group has been the largest wild bee research team in the world, and certainly the most diverse."
Professor of Biology, Faculty of Science
Recognition: Distinguished Research Professor
"I am part (and the founder) of a vibrant group of bee researchers at York [that includes] two additional faculty members, both of whom did their PhD with me. At times, my research group has been the largest wild bee research team in the world, and certainly the most diverse."
Dr. Krista Hunt
Contract/Adjunct faculty member and Learning Specialist & Advisor, Sexual Assault Prevention Education, Centre for Human Rights
Recognition: President's University-Wide Teaching Award
"Besides the amazing education that I received here, I want to thank a few key people from York who continue to be inspiring champions of innovative teaching and learning: Michael Alex, Evelyn Encalada Grez, Victor Choi, Sandra Whitworth, Greg Malsecki, Benjamin Huff, Fatima Khan, Regan Mancini, Janet Morrison, John Amanatides, Tanya Da Sylva, Janice Newton, and my colleagues at the Centre for Human Rights. These educators continue to remind me that 'Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which [people] deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world." (Freire, 2000)
Contract/Adjunct faculty member and Learning Specialist & Advisor, Sexual Assault Prevention Education, Centre for Human Rights
Recognition: President's University-Wide Teaching Award
"Besides the amazing education that I received here, I want to thank a few key people from York who continue to be inspiring champions of innovative teaching and learning: Michael Alex, Evelyn Encalada Grez, Victor Choi, Sandra Whitworth, Greg Malsecki, Benjamin Huff, Fatima Khan, Regan Mancini, Janet Morrison, John Amanatides, Tanya Da Sylva, Janice Newton, and my colleagues at the Centre for Human Rights. These educators continue to remind me that 'Education either functions as an instrument which is used to facilitate integration of the younger generation into the logic of the present system and bring about conformity or it becomes the practice of freedom, the means by which [people] deal critically and creatively with reality and discover how to participate in the transformation of their world." (Freire, 2000)
Dr. Kabita Chakraborty
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.
Recognition: President's University-Wide Teaching Award
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.
Recognition: President's University-Wide Teaching Award
Leva Rouhani
PhD Candidate in Education, University of Ottawa
MA, Interdisciplinary Studies, York University
Recognition: Governor General's Gold Medal (Master's Level)
"York has an array of faculty members that continuously help their students succeed. I was blessed to have had a core group of these professors (Minoo Derayeh, Alina Marquez, Livy Visano, Pablo Idahosa, Cheryl Van Daaelen Smith) that pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged my boundaries, and ultimately had my best interest at heart. All my achievements are truly a result of the resources York offered at all stages of my degree."
PhD Candidate in Education, University of Ottawa
MA, Interdisciplinary Studies, York University
Recognition: Governor General's Gold Medal (Master's Level)
"York has an array of faculty members that continuously help their students succeed. I was blessed to have had a core group of these professors (Minoo Derayeh, Alina Marquez, Livy Visano, Pablo Idahosa, Cheryl Van Daaelen Smith) that pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged my boundaries, and ultimately had my best interest at heart. All my achievements are truly a result of the resources York offered at all stages of my degree."
Dr. Jennifer Rabin
Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School PhD '15, Clinical Psychology, York University
Recognition: Governor General's Gold Medal (Doctoral Level)
"Many faculty members in the Psychology department at York University have been instrumental in my success as a graduate student. My graduate supervisor, Dr. Shayna Rosenbaum, in particular, encouraged and challenged me throughout my academic career. As a direct result of Shayna's support and commitment to training, I accomplished far more than I ever thought possible. Even though I am no longer in Shayna's laboratory, she continues to be an invaluable mentor to me as I move forward in my career."
Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School PhD '15, Clinical Psychology, York University
Recognition: Governor General's Gold Medal (Doctoral Level)
"Many faculty members in the Psychology department at York University have been instrumental in my success as a graduate student. My graduate supervisor, Dr. Shayna Rosenbaum, in particular, encouraged and challenged me throughout my academic career. As a direct result of Shayna's support and commitment to training, I accomplished far more than I ever thought possible. Even though I am no longer in Shayna's laboratory, she continues to be an invaluable mentor to me as I move forward in my career."
Youssef Kodsy
BA Hons, Political Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Summa Cum Laude
Recognition: Governor General's Silver Medal
"York University, and specifically the department of Political Science, contributed substantially to my intellectual growth. The department is renowned for its critical approach to the study of power relations, an approach which the professors of the department work tirelessly to train their students in. The entire faculty continuously demands that their students press their intellectual questions further and to research and resolve these questions in unconventional and innovative ways."
BA Hons, Political Science, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Summa Cum Laude
Recognition: Governor General's Silver Medal
"York University, and specifically the department of Political Science, contributed substantially to my intellectual growth. The department is renowned for its critical approach to the study of power relations, an approach which the professors of the department work tirelessly to train their students in. The entire faculty continuously demands that their students press their intellectual questions further and to research and resolve these questions in unconventional and innovative ways."
Catherine Spagnuolo
BSc Hons, Science, Faculty of Science, First Class with Distinction
Recognition: Governor General's Silver Medal
"My experience as a York University student over these past four years was certainly a positive one. I am particularly thankful for my excellent professors who taught me much of what I know and helped foster my interest in healthcare. Exercise Therapy for Chronic Diseases was one of my favourite courses at York! Dr. Perry did a fantastic job at facilitating class discussions, which made the course very engaging. The course content was very applicable and solidified my decision to pursue a career in medicine."
BSc Hons, Science, Faculty of Science, First Class with Distinction
Recognition: Governor General's Silver Medal
"My experience as a York University student over these past four years was certainly a positive one. I am particularly thankful for my excellent professors who taught me much of what I know and helped foster my interest in healthcare. Exercise Therapy for Chronic Diseases was one of my favourite courses at York! Dr. Perry did a fantastic job at facilitating class discussions, which made the course very engaging. The course content was very applicable and solidified my decision to pursue a career in medicine."
Jesse Thistle
PhD Candidate in History, York University
BA Hons, History, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Summa Cum Laude
Recognition: Governor General's Silver Medal
"When I came to York I was looking for answers to who I was as a Metis person. Raised without my culture, I lost my parents at a young age, I needed to know where I was from and who my ancestors were. To find out I took Indigenous history courses at York with Dr. Victoria Freeman and Dr. Carolyn Podruchny and they walked me through the journey of self-discovery."
PhD Candidate in History, York University
BA Hons, History, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Summa Cum Laude
Recognition: Governor General's Silver Medal
"When I came to York I was looking for answers to who I was as a Metis person. Raised without my culture, I lost my parents at a young age, I needed to know where I was from and who my ancestors were. To find out I took Indigenous history courses at York with Dr. Victoria Freeman and Dr. Carolyn Podruchny and they walked me through the journey of self-discovery."
Sayjon Ariyarathnam
Candidate in the Osgoode/Schulich joint JD/MBA program
BA Hons, Criminology and Human Rights and Equity Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Summa Cum Laude
Recognition: Murray G. Ross Award and Robert J. Tiffin Leadership Award
"The most important resource that enabled my development was the Career Centre, where I was able to take advantage of the multitude of work/study and internship opportunities. On the personal development side, having a collection of like-minded individuals in groups such as SCOLAPS, the Student Senator Caucus, and the Dean's Circle of Student Scholars enabled me to cultivate lasting friendships. The guidance on part of professors and teaching assistants in both my affiliated departments has been invaluable and has definitely played a major role in my success here."
Candidate in the Osgoode/Schulich joint JD/MBA program
BA Hons, Criminology and Human Rights and Equity Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies, Summa Cum Laude
Recognition: Murray G. Ross Award and Robert J. Tiffin Leadership Award
"The most important resource that enabled my development was the Career Centre, where I was able to take advantage of the multitude of work/study and internship opportunities. On the personal development side, having a collection of like-minded individuals in groups such as SCOLAPS, the Student Senator Caucus, and the Dean's Circle of Student Scholars enabled me to cultivate lasting friendships. The guidance on part of professors and teaching assistants in both my affiliated departments has been invaluable and has definitely played a major role in my success here."
Juan Luis Garrido
BA Hons, Drama Studies and Sociology, Glendon Campus
Recognition: Robert J. Tiffin Leadership Award
"York has been my backbone and support system during some of the hardest and proudest moments of my life. From being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in first year, to being able to talk about it on the TEDxYorkU stage, my time at York has been defined by the community and the love, development, and care it provides. The reason I enrolled, the reason I signed up for my first club, the reason I loved being on residence, and the reason I will forever be proud to call myself a York alum is because of the incredible community I found."
BA Hons, Drama Studies and Sociology, Glendon Campus
Recognition: Robert J. Tiffin Leadership Award
"York has been my backbone and support system during some of the hardest and proudest moments of my life. From being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in first year, to being able to talk about it on the TEDxYorkU stage, my time at York has been defined by the community and the love, development, and care it provides. The reason I enrolled, the reason I signed up for my first club, the reason I loved being on residence, and the reason I will forever be proud to call myself a York alum is because of the incredible community I found."
