> Yosef Wosk gift strengthens SFU Library services

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Contact:

Yosef Wosk, 778.782.5237, ywosk@sfu.ca
Erica Branda, University Advancement, 604.291.3353/778.231.1274, ebranda@sfu.ca

Yosef Wosk's most recent gift to Simon Fraser University will support a new student learning commons in Simon Fraser University's Belzberg Library at Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver. The $75,000 donation follows his $100,000 contribution to launch the Yosef Wosk Student Learning Commons at SFU's Surrey campus last year.

Student learning commons are one-stop shops for academic support: they provide in-person and online workshops, drop-in tutorials and individualized assistance to ensure that students achieve success in their academic and professional careers.

Observes Wosk: “Academic learning is demanding. Students need to have sharp written and verbal communications skills, a high level of computer literacy and the ability to efficiently research topics using a wide range of print and electronic sources. SFU's student learning commons help students achieve these skills.”

SFU president Michael Stevenson says, “Yosef has been a major supporter of the SFU library for many years. In addition to his generous financial gifts, he has been actively engaged in creating new ideas for acquisitions, programs, and events that have helped establish SFU's reputation for excellence and innovation."

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Backgrounder: Yosef Wosk

Yosef Wosk is an author, rabbi, businessman, and community leader in the arts, museums, heritage conservation, libraries and education. He is also the director of interdisciplinary programs in SFU's Continuing Studies, where he founded the Academy of Independent Scholars as well as the Philosophers' Café, one of the world's largest series of gatherings dedicated to public conversation. His father, the late Morris J. Wosk, was the driving force behind the creation of the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue at SFU's downtown Vancouver campus.

Wosk has been recognized with a number of awards including the Order of British Columbia, a Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Emily Carr Institute of Art + Design. He was named as one of "the Top Ten B.C. Thinkers" by The Vancouver Sun and identified as one of British Columbia's "25 Power Thinkers and most thoughtful citizens" by B.C. Business Magazine.

Digital photo available by request.