As the 2016-17 academic year draws to a close (York’s cherry trees have bloomed and gone, while the lilacs on campus are in their glory), the 2017-18 year approaches with the promise of new directions under a new president.
The biggest story in this issue is, of course, the change of leadership as Mamdouh Shoukri steps down from a 10-year stint as president and vice-chancellor. Taking over is longtime York faculty member, researcher and dean Rhonda Lenton, York’s current vice-president academic and provost.
We include a Q-and-A with Shoukri in which he reflects on his time at York, including both the challenges he faced and the milestones he accomplished during his tenure – one being the building of a new architecturally award-winning building for York’s engineering school.
Lenton, who will be York’s eighth president, talks about her future visions for York’s faculty, staff and students. The York University Magazine will include a more in-depth interview with Lenton in our fall issue.
Perhaps the second most noteworthy story this issue contains – at least from a York grad success story perspective – is about the resounding praise the musical Come From Away has received from North American audiences. Conceived and written by York grads David Hein and Irene Sankoff, it retells the story of the heart-warming reception airline passengers received in Gander, N.L., when their flights were diverted there because of 9/11. It is receiving rave reviews and has won a number of awards.
In our Noteworthy section, make sure to check out the story “Anchor of Change” on York grad Ginella Massa and how she’s changing the course of broadcast news in Canada.