Spirit Day is an annual event where students, staff and faculty can celebrate the vibrant spirit and community at York University. Spirit Day this year also falls on the anniversary of York’s founding in 1959! Since then, York has built up a reputation of being a diverse, community-oriented and boundary pushing university, educating more than 50,000 students in 200+ programs.
To celebrate our university’s 66th birthday and the cross-campus Spirt Day celebrations, I’d love to share some fun facts about our university.
1. Glendon history
York’s largest campus may be the Keele location, but its first campus was actually Glendon. It became York’s first permanent establishment in 1959 and was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson in 1966.
2. Not just three campuses
York has three main campuses and six additional campuses and centres – including the Las Nubes EcoCampus in Costa Rica!
3. One of Canada’s biggest universities
York is Canada's third-largest university, with approximately 53,100+ students, 7,100+ faculty and staff and over 375,000+ alumni worldwide, in addition to 11 faculties and 31+ research centres.
4. Go York… Yeomen?
We’ve all gotten accustomed to the York Lions, but did you know that before there were lions, there were Yeomen and Yeowomen? The name was changed in 2003, but the official name of the York Lions mascot is still Yeo!
5. We the North
York is proudly the official university partner of the Toronto Raptors! Keep an eye out for the several raffles and giveaways for tickets and merch throughout the year.
6. Films on campus
There are more than just student films being shot on campus. Big productions such as American Psycho 2: All American Girl and season one of Gen V were shot on York’s campuses.
7. A win for psychology
York’s psychology program has been ranked #4 in Canada! The program was also ranked among the top 75 worldwide by ShanghaiRanking’s Global Raking of Academic Subjects.
8. Notable alumni
York’s expansive history has resulted in a lot of notable alumni, including (but not limited to) actors Rachel McAdams and Dan Levy, Youtuber and television host Lilly Singh, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, film director Weyni Mengesha and Lincoln Alexander, the first Black Canadian member of parliament.
10. STEM innovation
York is home to the first and only space engineering program in Canada at the Lassonde School of Engineering.
And that’s not even the half of it! Do some digging of your own to find out some more fun facts about York and learn why our university is consistently ranked among the top educational institutions in the world. Happy Spirit Day!