The Schulich community came together to celebrate the official completion of the Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building yesterday. The campus expansion is one of the five major pillars of the Leading Change campaign, Schulich’s most comprehensive fundraising and alumni engagement campaign to date.
Master of Ceremonies John S. Hunkin (MBA ’69, Hon LLD ’04) welcomed guests and the ceremony started with speeches given by President and Vice-Chancellor of York University, Rhonda L. Lenton; Dean Dezsö J. Horváth; Rob McEwen (MBA ’78, Hon LLD ’05); Cheryl McEwen; and President of the Graduate Business Council, James Prince (MBA Class of 2019). “This building will help keep Schulich ahead of the curve and at the forefront of business education and research,” said Dean Horvath.
“Schulich is all about excellence and attracting faculty and staff who are the most highly qualified people in their fields,” said President Lenton. “By linking our commitment to access, excellence and strengthening our outreach, not only locally but globally, we continue to increase and magnify impact many times over.”
Rob and Cheryl McEwen also believe that the building will be a part of the future and propel Schulich to the forefront of business education globally. “I think this building will ignite an explosion of collaborative research, innovation and a generation of Canadian leaders that will propel Canada into the 21st century,” shared Rob McEwen.
With a solar chimney, extensive green roofs and rainwater capture systems, the newly opened facility is one of the most environmentally sustainable academic buildings in North America.
Guests enjoyed exploring and learning more about the features and programs in the building through experiential Behind-the-Scenes Journeys, including an architectural and art walking tour, presentations from the Centres of Excellence, a deep dive into Schulich’s research world, and a meditation session in the new Colleen (BBA ’82, Hon. LLD ’18) and Brian Johnston Wellness Suite.
The evening concluded with a reception honouring Dezsö Horváth’s 30th Anniversary as Dean. Throughout his 30 years of leadership, Dean Horvath has been pushing forward an agenda that has been changing the course of business education. As the world’s longest-serving Dean, Dezsö Horváth has helped turn Schulich into a leading global business school and a global thought leader in various areas of management education.
The ceremony was attended by more than 300 guests, including students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.