York University Day
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York University Day - March 20, 2026
Honoring the Past. Investing in the Future.
What is York University Day?
York University Day marks the beginning of a new annual tradition rooted in faith, vision, and community.
On March 20, alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students are invited to come together for the first time to remember the moment that reshaped York University and to invest in the students who carry its mission forward. This inaugural celebration is rooted in a pivotal decision made in March of 1956—honoring 70 years of God’s faithfulness while looking ahead with hope and purpose.
York University Day is about more than a date. It is an invitation to reflect on our
shared history, celebrate the community we are today, and begin a tradition that will
connect generations of the York family for years to come.
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Why March 20th Matters
In March of 1956, two boards met at a turning point in York’s history.
After a devastating fire and years of uncertainty, leaders stepped forward in faith, choosing to reopen the college and entrust its future to a new vision. That selfless act of courage and commitment gave rise to the York University we know today.
That moment didn’t just shape the past—it created the York University you know today.
Seventy years later, the impact of that decision continues to be felt in classrooms, chapels, residence halls, and in the lives of more than 5,000 graduates shaped by this community.
The New 1956 Board
A Day to Celebrate - And To Look Ahead
York University Day is a moment to pause and reflect:
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To give thanks for the faculty and staff who have shaped generations of students
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To celebrate a Christ-centered mission that endures
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To reaffirm our commitment to students pursuing lives of faith, purpose, and service
It is also a day to look forward—to ensure that access to a York education remains strong for the next generation.
Investing In Students
Support given on York University Day strengthens the York University Scholarship Fund, helping make a York education possible for students today and tomorrow.
Thanks to the generosity of friends of the University, contributions made on March 20 will be matched up to $75,000 —doubling the impact and expanding opportunity for students across campus.
Your support is an investment in:
- Access to Christ-centered higher education
- Students preparing for lives of leadership and service
- The continuation of a legacy built on faith, sacrifice, and vision
Be A Part of YU DAY!
York University Day belongs to everyone who calls York home—past, present, and future.
Whether you are an alum, parent, friend, faculty or staff member, your participation helps carry forward the story that began decades ago and continues today through our students.
Join us on March 20 as we celebrate where we’ve been—and invest together in what comes next.