Classes

Dale was a member of York’s founding classes. He had a rich undergrad experience with an innovative liberal arts and science curriculum, close relations with great professors and, as part of the group, started the men’s and women’s sports teams first called “Muddies,” as well as the York-Glendon newsletter, Pro Tem. The group remains in touch.

Gary recently published a new book, Ice War Diplomat: Hockey Meets Cold War Politics at the 1972 Summit Series. The book was launched in the spring of 2022. Gary served as the vice president of advancement at York University from 1998 to 2001.

Richard established RA Retirement Advisors, helping boomers transition successfully from work to life after work. For 12 years, he was a volunteer with a Nunavut initiative program through the not-for-profit Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO), where volunteers work toward economic and social change worldwide.

Peter was elected 16th mayor of Mount Royal/Ville Mont-Royal in Quebec in November 2021. He served as founding member of EERS Global Technologies Inc. for seven years, and has been president of P.J. Malouf & Co. Inc. since 1981.

William wrote a book, entitled Leadership, Loyalty, and Liability: A Pilot’s Reflections on Canada’s Military, of interest to readers with military experience, those considering joining the military, or others just curious about its inner workings.

Grant is the founder of gbtlaw, a Canadian firm that offers legal services in the areas of business purchase, business sales and the starting of new businesses. In 2017, he developed GivWiz-Snipetz Inc., an iOS app by a donor to help other donors plan and monitor their donation goals. He lives in Oakville, Ont., with his wife, Nancy.

Michael has worked as chief financial officer of Elysian Carbon Management since 2019. Elysian provides carbon capture and geologic storage solutions to large industrial facilities seeking to transition to low-carbon products through the elimination of megatons of carbon dioxide emissions. He lives with his wife in New York.

Claire works as a television and film writer for such shows as Little Mosque on the Prairie and Degrassi: The Next Generation. She has written several romantic comedy films for Hallmark, Lifetime and CityTV. Her first novel, At Last Count, will be released this summer, supported by Toronto Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council literature grants.

Bruce leads a new production of Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte at San Diego Opera. Further into the 2022 season, he will also conduct an orchestral workshop with the San Diego Symphony in preparation for the opera company’s first major opera commission in nearly a decade.

In 2021, Kathleen published the children’s book Stories from the Back Garden. Serving as both author and illustrator, she was inspired by the adventures of wildlife such as chipmunks, squirrels and raccoons in her backyard in Caledon, Ont. She hopes that her book will appeal to readers of all ages.

As a professor at Durham College, Clayton received the 2021 Faculty Award of Excellence. An experienced adult educator with a demonstrated history of leadership working in a post-secondary environment, he was recognized for his online/in-person hybrid teaching skills, as well as instructional design, facilitation, and curriculum and career development.

In January of this year, Bruce released Failed Promise: Five Reasons Why R.B. Bennett Lost the 1935 Canadian Federal Election, the first book to deal entirely with this pivotal electoral cycle in Canadian history.

After graduating from York, Nadia completed a certificate in adult teaching, training and development. She also completed a master’s degree in professional education, focused on early childhood education. In 2020, Nadia opened a childcare centre on the rural island of Mayreau in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Most recently, she completed a doctorate in educational leadership (EdD).

After graduating from York’s professional writing program, Eva went on to become a coordinator of humanities collections at U of T Libraries. In 2021, she completed her first novel, The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, a mystery set among libraries and books.

Adebe is a writer, editor and literary educator. In 2005, she was named Toronto’s first Junior Poet Laureate. Her fourth volume of poetry, Vox, comes out this fall.

Crystal is a behaviour therapist and a stand-up comedian with experience performing her comedy routines across Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean and India. She can be seen on comedian Kevin Hart’s LOL Network, as well as on season two of Roast Battle Canada on the CTV network. Crystal has recently written and published the children’s book The Crown, written to empower children of colour.

After graduation, Robyn worked as a youth staff counsellor on cruise ships. She then attained her Montessori teaching diploma and bachelor’s degree in education, and began teaching art in 2005. She recently published her first picture book, A Little Touch of Colour, as an artist and illustrator. She has been married for 10 years and has three children.

Sadie works in long-term care with a focus on recreation therapy and resident well-being. She recently became the executive director of the new Humber Meadows Long-Term Care Home in North York, Ont.

Igor is a public speaker and has written seven different books on fitness and nutrition, including High Blood Pressure Reversal Secrets and Type 2 Diabetes Reversal Secrets. He is the founder and owner of Fitness Solutions Plus. In 2010, he was named one of the top five personal trainers in Toronto by Metro News.

As an ADHD and ASD coach, Dana started Blue Sky Learning, a coaching and consulting business helping students and professionals with disabilities achieve success in their studies, relationships and self-growth goals

Since graduating from York, Monica has worked as a social support worker with several organizations in Toronto, including WoodGreen Community Services, and Accommodation, Information and Support Inc. She is currently a student at the Aveda Institute, training to become a hairstylist.

Within six months of graduation, Léa began working as a bilingual medical records coordinator at a private health-care company. In 2018, she was hired as a bilingual community health worker to develop and facilitate health promotion programs for the French-speaking community in Toronto’s Jane and Finch neighbourhood. While there, she applied the knowledge she gained at York about the social determinants of health. She describes her experience at York – where she learned about Canada’s health-care system and became passionate about the social determinants of health and the role they play in impacting marginalized communities – as extremely fulfilling.

In 2019, Tapo founded the feminist-informed Future Black Female (FBF) non-profit organization, which works to empower Black girls and women between the ages of 16 and 22 to take charge of their futures through academic, social, political and civic engagement. FBF offers access to strong networks, rights-based advocacy, and skills development and advancement.

After graduation, Josée studied dermatology at Ohio State University, and has since been completing her residency at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Ben articled with the law firm of Ari Goldkind and now practises restorative justice. A trained circle-keeper guiding participants in a healing circle (a versatile restorative practice), Ben volunteers his services at Peacebuilders International, a Toronto organization that helps youth in conflict. As well, he is currently co-Chair of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association’s Accessibility Committee, which fosters and promotes opportunities for people with disabilities in criminal law.

In 2022, Rachel released The Documentary Distribution Toolkit: How to Get Out, Get Seen, and Get an Audience through Focal Press, a publisher of media technology books. She currently works as coordinator of business operations, film and TV for Entertainment One.

After graduating from law school, Ken found success as an account manager at legal recruitment firm The Mirillion Group, helping legal assistants, lawyers, law clerks and paralegals find jobs with a variety of law firms. His portfolio also includes engineering, accounting, finance and human resources.

Since graduating from York, Catherine has released a single, and she continues to pursue releasing more music while working in the field. She is very grateful for the education and experiences she gained while studying at the University and is expecting great things while embarking on her next life chapter.

A celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer, Menaka taught in the Department of Dance, where she established an endowment for three student scholarships. In 1993, York awarded her a Doctor of Letters honoris causa in recognition of her many contributions as a performer, teacher, choreographer and scholar. She died in Toronto from Alzheimer’s disease on February 5. She was 79. Her passing came two weeks after the death of her brother Rasesh, a professor of economics who later taught Indian studies at York from 1969 to 1999. Born in Bombay, he died at home in Toronto on January 19. He was 86.