<General Information<Financial Services, Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Prizes<Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards and Prizes<Scholarships, Awards, Prizes and Medals for Continuing Students

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Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Labib Prize in Space and Communication Sciences/Space Engineering

Donor: York University Licensing Board

This annual prize is awarded to the student with the highest grade point average among all second-year students in the Space and Communication Sciences Program and the Space Engineering Stream in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It was established in honour of Nabil Labib, who obtained his PhD in 1972 from the Centre for Research in Experimental Space Sciences (CRESS).

Labour Studies Student Achievement Prize

Donors: Division of Social Science and CUPE

The Labour Studies program presents this prize annually to the second-year student (successful completion of at least 54 credits) entering the third year of the Labour Studies Program with the highest cumulative grade point average at the end of year 2. Students must have maintained a course load of at least 24 credits in the fall/winter session of their second year.

Lander Dandy Prize in Plant and Animal Biology

Donor: Friends of Elizabeth Lander and Cynthia Dandy

The prize is to honour the contribution of Elizabeth Lander and Cynthia Dandy during their careers at York. A book prize and certificate will be awarded to the student with the best combined performance in the concurrent completion of the courses SC/BIOL 2010 4.00 and SC/BIOL 2030 5.00.

The Law and Society Prize

The Law and Society Honours Prize has been established by the Law and Society program to recognize academic excellence of a fourth-year LASO honours major. The prize will be awarded in September of each year to the continuing fourth year (84+ credits) LASO honours major who has attained the highest academic average in his/her LASO program courses over the course of his/her degree program (based upon a minimum of 24 program credits).

Thomas Henry Leith Memorial Scholarship

The T.H. Leith Memorial Scholarship was created by colleagues and friends to honour the late Harry Leith, University Professor, who was the founder of the Natural Science Program at Atkinson. An award will be made annually for academic excellence (with a grade of A or A+) to an Atkinson student enrolled in a course reflecting Professor Leith's interests in the nature of science, the environment or conservation.

Lillian Lerman Book Prize

This prize honours Lillian Lerman, former director of undergraduate studies in the Division of Social Science, who retired in 1991. It recognizes her dedication and contribution to undergraduate teaching. The prize will go to the most outstanding student essay in a first-year social science course. Submissions will be made by course directors.

Alan Lessem Memorial Award

Donor: Friends and Family of Alan Lessem

The Alan Lessem Memorial Award commemorates the late Professor Alan Lessem, his contributions to the field of musicology and the musical community, and his many years of service to the Department of Music and the Faculty of Fine Arts. This award will go to a graduating undergraduate student in the Department of Music in recognition of an outstanding piece of scholarly (written) work in an upper-level course in music. Overall grade standing is not a criterion. Nomination will be made by the Executive Committee of the Department of Music acting in consultation with music faculty members.

Laya Liberman Memorial Scholarship

An endowed scholarship in memory of Laya Liberman will be given to a full-time or part-time student in the Department of Visual Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, in third or fourth year of study with special interest, dedication and enthusiasm in painting or sculpture. Prime consideration for the award is merit in one of these two areas taking into consideration good academic standing.

Marion Lower Prizes in Composition

This award has been donated to honour the memory of Marion Lower, a composer, pianist and church organist in the Chicago area for about 60 years. There are two prizes of equal value, one in classical contemporary composition and the other in jazz composition. Selection will be made by a panel of faculty composers and the Music Executive Committee. The panel may decide in any given year that no entry is worthy of the award.

Olive Lower Prize in Jazz Piano

Olive Lower had a long career as a jazz style pianist accompanying silent movies. In honour of her talent, this award has been established and will be given annually to a student who is judged to be the outstanding jazz pianist in the Music Department. The recipient will be chosen by a panel of jazz faculty members.

Gordon Lowther Scholarship

Donor: Ms P. Lowther, Ms A. Riggall

The Gordon Lowther Scholarship honours the memory of Professor Gordon Lowther, faculty member in the Division of Social Science, noted for his interests in evolutionary biology and philosophy. The scholarship is given annually to a full-time student in an Honours program going from the first to second year in one of the Social Science programs housed in the Division of Social Science. The scholarship is awarded to the student with the highest cumulative grade point average for his or her first year of studies at York University.

Leonard George Lumbers Scholarship

Donor: Elizabeth Chubb and Virginia Goodman

The Leonard G. Lumbers Scholarship is presented in memory of a good York Governor, a good friend and a fine, fine person. This scholarship is awarded to a continuing student entering the second year of the Bachelor in Environmental Studies Program who exhibits academic excellence coupled with qualities of enthusiasm, commitment and active participation in the life of York University.

Lex MacKenzie Scholarship

Donor: Friends of the late Major A.A. MacKenzie, MC

Named in honour of Major A.A. MacKenzie, MC, this scholarship fund will be awarded annually to an outstanding full-time undergraduate in a Canadian history course, or one considered equivalent by the appropriate Faculty. The scholarship is awarded in alternate years in the Faculty of Arts and in Glendon College. The recipient must reside north of Steeles Avenue in the old provincial riding of York North, as it existed to June 1966, comprising the townships of Vaughan, King, East Gwillimbury, Whitchurch, Markham, North Gwillimbury, Georgina and all municipalities within this area.

Dr. Wendell MacLeod Award

Donor: Dr. Wendell MacLeod

This annual award and a plaque will be given to the graduating Norman Bethune residence student in any Honours program who has demonstrated commitment to internationalism, community leadership or to health and society concerns. For more information, contact the Norman Bethune College Master's Office at 416-736-5164.

Mainguy Genetics Award

Donor: Friends of the late Phillip Mainguy

In memory of Phillip Mainguy, this award goes to a third- or fourth-year biology student who has taken at least 12 credits in genetics, including cytogenetics. The recipient must be a serious student of genetics who shows competence in both the laboratory and the classroom.

Sergio Marchi Scholarship

Donor: Friends of Sergio Marchi

This scholarship was established as a tribute to the Honourable Sergio Marchi, PC MP (Honours BA '79, York). The scholarship will be awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student who is entering the fourth year of an Honours program in the Faculty of Arts with a major in political science. Selection will be based upon overall grade point average at the end of third year.

Kathleen Martindale Memorial Scholarship

Donor: Friends of Kathleen Martindale

This is an annual award given in memory of the late Professor Kathleen Martindale, who, until her death in 1995, was a member of the English Department, Faculty of Arts and coordinator of the Women's Studies Program.

Elizabeth Mascall Prize

Donor: Mrs. H.S. Marmorek

The prize is given annually to two second-year students in the Faculty of Fine Arts Department of Theatre Arts for exceptional acting performances in a play presented by the University during that year. Each prize will consist of a free subscription to the four or five plays to be presented by the University Alumnae Dramatic Club in the following season at the Alumnae Theatre.

Master's Award for Academic Excellence

Donor: Master's Office, Calumet

This award is given to a graduating student in a three- or four-year program who has maintained at least an 80 per cent course load with a 6.0 (B) overall average. Courses must have been taken as a member of Calumet College. The intention of this award is to recognize the student who, in the opinion of the master, has given exceptional service to the college, or has shown outstanding loyalty to the college's democratic principles.

Master's Award for Outstanding Contribution to College Life

This award, which carries with it a citation and cash prize, is presented by the master to an upper-level student who has given exceptional service to Calumet College, or has shown outstanding loyalty to the college's democratic principles, and has maintained an excellent academic record. This award is presented in the spring, but might not necessarily be given each year.

Master's Prize for Academic Excellence

Donor: Master of Norman Bethune College

This annual award and a plaque will be given to the graduating student in Norman Bethune College in any Honours program who achieves the highest grades in that final year of full-time study. Contact the Master's Office, Norman Bethune College, 416-736-5164, for information.

Margaret Matheson Scholarship in Women's Studies

The Margaret Matheson Scholarship in Women's Studies is offered to one or more students proceeding to a degree in women's studies. The successful candidate(s) must have completed AK/AS/GL/WMST 2500 6.00 with a minimum grade of B+. Preference will be given to those students who demonstrate financial need on a bursary application form.

Virginia McDonald-Evans Memorial Prizes

The Virginia McDonald-Evans Memorial Prizes have been established by colleagues, students and friends to honour the late Professor McDonald-Evans, distinguished scholar and devoted educator. These prizes will be awarded annually to the Atkinson student majoring in political science who, while enrolled in a 3000- or 4000-level course offered by the Political Science Program, produced the finest piece of written work in one of two areas of study that were of special interest to Professor Virginia McDonald-Evans. One prize will be awarded in the area of government and politics of Canada, and another prize will be awarded in the area of political theory.

McKittrick Scholarship

Donor: Optech Incorporated

This award was established to recognize the contribution and achievements of Mr. Stan McKittrick in the field of aerospace in Canada. It will be given each year to the top first-year student in space and communication science.

McLaughlin College Public Policy Scholarship

The McLaughlin College Public Policy Scholarship will be awarded annually to two McLaughlin College students majoring or minoring in a Public Policy Program or area of study. One recipient must have completed second year (minimum of 48 credits completed) and has registered in their third year of study; and the other recipient must have completed third year (minimum of 72 credits completed) and has registered in their fourth year of study. The recipients must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 8.0 (A).

June McMaster-Harrison Memorial Prize

The June McMaster-Harrison Memorial Prize has been established by colleagues, students and friends to honour the late Professor June McMaster-Harrison, former Chair of the (then) Department of English of Atkinson. The prize will be awarded annually to a student who, while enrolled in an Atkinson English or humanities course at the 3000 or 4000 level, produces the finest piece of written work in any area of study, with special preference given to work in areas that were of particular interest to Professor McMaster-Harrison, including literature of the Romantic period; the American Transcendentalists; archetypal (e.g. Jungian) interpretation of literary works; innovative literary theory and methodology; cross-disciplinary studies involving literature (e.g. literature and the other arts; literature and the sciences).

Megaw Prize in Experimental Physics

Donor: Professor and Mrs. W.J. Megaw

A prize and a plaque will be awarded each year to the student who achieves the highest grade in the third-year laboratory course SC/PHYS 3210 6.00.

Merriam Music Prize

Donor: Merriam School of Music

Preference for the Prize will be given to a third- or fourth-year student in any discipline within the Music Department. The recipient must demonstrate artistic and academic excellence, and an interest and potential in music education or teaching.

Metro Toronto Lodge B'Nai Brith Scholarship in Canadian Jewish Studies

Donor: Metro Toronto Lodge B'Nai Brith

The Metro Toronto Lodge B'Nai Brith Scholarship in Canadian Jewish Studies is a prize for the best essay in the area of Canadian Jewish studies.

George H. Michie Memorial Scholarship Award

The George H. Michie Memorial Scholarship Award has been established to honour the late Professor George H. Michie by encouraging student interest in rural Canadian studies. The award will be made each year to an Atkinson student who has completed during the award academic year (the previous fall/winter or summer) at least six credits at the 2000-level or above which, in the opinion of the Awarding Committee, falls into the category of rural Canadian studies, with a grade of at least B+ in the course. Students must have completed 36 credits with at least a 7.0 (B+) average. The student's overall standing in courses as well as the student's degree of concentration in relation to rural Canadian studies, will be taken into consideration by the Awarding Committee. The prize will be awarded early in the fall term. If no student is of sufficient merit in a given year, no award will be made.

Marion Miller Urban Studies Award

Donor: Friends and Colleagues of the late Marion Miller

Two prizes will be awarded annually to Faculty of Arts students majoring in urban studies who have demonstrated high academic achievement and made some extracurricular contribution to the Urban Studies Program. One award will recognize a senior student who is graduating from the program and a second will be given to a continuing program student, probably, though not necessarily, a student moving from the 3000 level to the 4000 level.

Tait Montague Book Prize

The Tait Montague Book Prize is awarded each year to the economics student who, in the opinion of the Faculty, has achieved the highest standing in AS/ECON 1000 3.00 and AS/ECON 1010 3.00.

MR. SUB Scholarship

Donor: John F. Tobin

The MR. SUB Scholarship is to be awarded to an undergraduate student enrolled in a business program who has achieved high academic standing and demonstrated a history of community involvement.

Gladys Neilson Book Prize in Canadian Studies

Donor: Friends and Colleagues of Gladys Neilson

An annual award of a book prize will be made to a superior student in the Canadian Studies Program.

bp Nichol Award

bp Nichol's death in September 1988, before his 44th birthday, was a tragedy for York University and the Canadian literary world. He was a winner of the Governor-General's Award, a Fellow of Calumet College and taught with the Creative Writing Program. He is remembered as a gentle, giving and humane man. This award, in the form of a book certificate, is given to an exceptional undergraduate student writer for accumulative achievement in creating writing.

To be eligible, students must be nominated each spring by an instructor in the Creative Writing Program. No application is required. The winner is chosen by a jury appointed by Creative Writing, Humanities, English and Fine Arts.

Nicol, Vince and Wensley Book Prize in Anthropology

This award is given in honour of former staff members, Irene Wensley, Rena Nicol and Beryl Vince for their exemplary service to the Anthropology Department (Arts) and its students. Each year three book prizes will be awarded, one each to the second-, third- and fourth-year anthropology majors having the highest cumulative grade point average.

Hiromi Niki Memorial Scholarship

Donor: Mrs. Hiromi Niki and Family and Friends of Hiromi Niki

Hiromi Niki was a key contributor to the success of the Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry at York and to the University's Graduate Program in Chemistry and Earth and Space Science. In his honour, this award is given to the most outstanding fourth-year student in an Honours degree stream in atmospheric chemistry, based on a cumulative grade point average in science courses. The recipient will have completed at least 90 credits and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 8.0 (A) on all science courses.

L.L. Odette Sculpture Scholarship

An annual scholarship will be awarded to a third- or fourth-year student in the Department of Visual Arts. The prime consideration for the award is merit in sculpture. A secondary factor is overall academic standing. This is a spring award.

OECTA Award

Donor: Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association

Established in 1987, the OECTA Award is awarded on the basis of professional and academic excellence, and is open to all candidates graduating from their third year of the Pre-Service Program who have completed ED/EDUC 3000 3.00. To receive this award (with plaque), ED III candidates who meet the grade point average criteria must be recommended by a course director. No application required.

Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Award (Consecutive)

Donor: Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association

This award is open to all Pre-Service Faculty of Education students enrolled in the Consecutive Program, who have completed ED/EDUC 3000 3.00. The award is made on the basis of professional and academic excellence.

Ontario Real Estate Association Prize

The award is given in recognition of the best academic term paper in introductory real estate, AK/ADMS 3810 3.00, in any given year. An endowment for this award was provided by the Ontario Real Estate Association.

Outstanding Sociology Student, Year One/Year Two/Year Three

These awards are designed to recognize high performance and service among students who major in sociology (Arts). The award will be presented to one student in each of years one, two and three. Students must present high academic promise and initiative in both course-related and extracurricular activities in the York University and wider communities. Nomination by the course director of a sociology course is required.

Carleton E. Perrin Book Prize for Excellence in Science and Humanities

Donor: Friends and Colleagues of the late Professor Carleton E. Perrin

This award, in the form of a book certificate, is given to the single most outstanding science student (i.e. an undergraduate student actively registered in the Faculty of Science and Engineering) in a humanities course in the Faculty of Arts. Candidates considered for this award are expected to have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, and have a notable appreciation of the humanities. The Chair of the Division of Humanities will seek out the best candidates, and, together with the director of the Division of Natural Science, will make the selection. The award normally will be presented each year in the fall.

Oscar Peterson Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to outstanding music majors enrolled in FA/MUSI 3051 6.00 who have maintained a minimum average of 7.0 (B+) in the Jazz Program and a minimum overall average of 5.0 (C+). The number of scholarships and monetary value varies dependent upon funds available.

Douglas Menzie Phillips Jazz Scholarship

Donor: Mrs. Joan Phillips

The Douglas Menzie Phillips Jazz Scholarship is given annually to a second- or third-year music major in recognition of outstanding instrumental performance in a jazz workshop. The scholarship was established by his family to commemorate Douglas Menzie Phillips, BCom, CA, and celebrate his longstanding love of jazz.

Political Science Scholarship

The scholarship is made to the graduating fourth-year student, Honours or Specialized Honours, including Honours double major, in the Faculty of Arts, with the highest grade point average calculated on political science courses only. In the event of a tie, the department will decide whether to make more than one award (but no more than three). If more than three students have the same political science grade point average, the department will take into consideration the number of political science courses taken by the students and their overall grade point averages in its selection of the three nominees.

Irvine R. Pounder Award

Irvine R. Pounder was one of the two founding members of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at York University. This award was established on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The best second-, third-, and fourth-year students will receive a certificate in his name.

President's Creative Writing Prize

Donor: York University

The President's Creative Writing Prize is a literary competition held annually and open to full- or part-time York University undergraduate students. Four prizes are awarded for the best entry in poetry, prose fiction, screenplay and stage play. The competition will be judged by a panel of writers who are members of the York community. Contact the Creative Writing Program office at 236 Vanier College for information and deadlines.

President's Honour Roll

This distinction is marked by a transcript notation and a letter from the president of York University. It is awarded to the very select group of continuing or graduating students who have achieved a sessional grade point average of 9.0 (A+) on a minimum of 30 credits in the previous fall/winter term. Winners are identified by the Scholarships and Bursaries unit of Student Financial Services.

R.F. Price Scholarship Fund

Donor: Friends of the late R.F. Price

Named in honour of R.F. "Bud" Price, a former administrator in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science, this scholarship is awarded annually to an Honours kinesiology and health science major student entering the third year of the program. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative average of 6.0 (B) and have contributed in a leadership role to the School of Kinesiology and Health Science. Applications are available from the School of Kinesiology and Health Science. Please contact the executive officer in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science for further information and deadline dates.

Psychology Undergraduate Book Prizes

These awards are offered as a means of identifying, honouring and rewarding excellence in the Psychology Honours Program of the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Six awards will be made annually to the most outstanding second-, third- and fourth-year psychology students completing a full course load (one award for Faculty of Arts and one award for Faculty of Science and Engineering for each year level). Recipient selection will be based upon sessional grade point average.

The Sandra W. Pyke Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Professor Sandra Pyke to assist an Honours undergraduate Faculty of Arts student entering year four (successful completion of at least 90 credits) of a double major or major/minor program in Psychology and Women's Studies. The scholarship will be given to the eligible student who has the highest overall cumulative grade point average at the end of year three. The recipient must be a Canadian citizen. In the case of ties, the award will be divided equally among the students who meet the criteria for the award.

Recipients of the President's Scholarship or the University Awards of Distinction will be excluded from receiving this award concurrently. A condition for accepting the award is that the student will enrol in at least four full courses (24 credits) for the session in which the award is granted.

Charles Edward Rathé Scholarship

The recipient will be a full-time Founders College student who has achieved the highest grade point average on 30 credits completed at York during their first year of study at the University and will be registering in at least 24 credits the following September for second year.

Neil Reimer Scholarship

Donor: Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada

The Neil Reimer Scholarship is financed by the Neil Reimer Union Education and Development Fund, a fund established in 1984 by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (formerly the Energy and Chemical Workers Union) to honour their founding national director. The Centre for Research on Work and Society presents this scholarship annually to the third-year student majoring in the Labour Studies Program who has achieved the highest grade point average.

Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, York North Branch, Prize

Donor: Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, York North Branch

The Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, York North Branch, Prize is intended to assist a graduating teacher candidate in her first year of teaching. All graduating female students in the elementary (P/J/I) Concurrent or Consecutive Program will be eligible. One award will be awarded at the Spring Convocation to the student who has shown the most outstanding qualities in scholarship, teaching ability and character throughout the year.

Beverley Margaret Reynolds Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been established to honour the late Beverley Margaret Reynolds, York employee and alumna, in recognition for an outstanding research paper relating to the general area of Third World studies completed by one or more Atkinson students. To be considered for the award students must: be currently registered at York University; have completed at least 30 Atkinson credits with a minimum overall average of 7.0 (B+); have completed 12 credits in courses related to Third World studies with a grade of at least B+ in those courses; submit a paper of high quality completed as part of course work in a course related to Third World studies during the award academic year (the previous fall/winter or summer); provide at least one letter of recommendation as evidence of active participation/involvement in community service. Third World studies courses are those that deal critically with a) development problems in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; b) the experience of indigenous peoples in the Americas; and c) racial and ethnic issues in Canada and elsewhere, as these affect peoples of African, Asian, Latin American or Caribbean origin.

Carey Risman Memorial Scholarship

Donor: Friends and Family of Carey Risman

Carey Risman was a former, exceptional student at York University who passed away January, 1996. He achieved very high academic excellence in the Combined Honours Program in Biology and Chemistry and was awarded the Ruth Hill Memorial Scholarship in 1989. He was also an NSERC summer research student in the Biology Department for several years and published a manuscript in 1991 based on his summer research. He was an enthusiastic, unassuming and caring individual who will be sadly missed by both faculty and fellow students. In his memory, the Carey Risman Memorial Award will be given to a student who is in his/her third year of the double major program in biology and chemistry, or in the same year of the Biochemistry program. The award will be based on academic achievement, the student must have a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 7.5 based on a minimum of 60 credits taken in the first two years.

Stuart G. Robbins Book Prize

Awarded each year after grades processing to the third-year Honours kinesiology and health science major student who has completed a minimum of 75 credits, has a minimum average grade of B over all courses taken for the degree, in both academic and practicum courses, and has the highest cumulative grade point average in kinesiology and health science courses. A student may only receive this award once.

E.S. Rogers Film & Video Production Award

Donor: Rogers Communication Inc.

The E.S. Rogers Film & Video Production Award is given annually in recognition of artistic excellence/promise to a fourth-year production student in the Department of Film & Video, Faculty of Fine Arts, to help offset production costs for an approved fourth-year project of outstanding merit. The award, named for E.S. (Ted) Rogers, President and CEO, is supported by an endowment from Rogers Communication Inc.

E.S. Rogers Film & Video Scholarship

Donor: Rogers Communication Inc.

The E.S. Rogers Film & Video Scholarship is an annual award in recognition of academic excellence to a fourth-year production student in the Department of Film & Video, Faculty of Fine Arts, to help offset production costs for an approved fourth-year project of outstanding merit. The award is named for E.S. (Ted) Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc.

Samuel G. Rosen Memorial Prize

Donor: Friends and Family of the late Samuel G. Rosen

A book prize is awarded for the outstanding essay in Judaic studies by a third- or fourth-year student.

Murray G. Ross Award

Donor: York University

This award, established by the Student Council in 1962 in honour of York's first president, is presented annually to a graduating student for scholarship and outstanding contributions to undergraduate student life. No application is required.

Beryl Rowland Book Prize

Donor: Dr. Beryl Rowland

A book certificate is awarded to a McLaughlin student majoring in English with outstanding overall achievement.

George Ryga Award

This award is made annually to a theatre major achieving the highest academic standing in THEA 3290 8.00 and registered in THEA 4290 8.00. The award commemorates the noted playwright George Ryga whose works include The Ecstasy of Rita Joe.