The żě˛ĄĘÓƵ community is mourning the loss of Neil Marcellus Livingston, 53, a PhD student in Humanities.

“I feel truly privileged to have worked with Neil. I will miss the wide-ranging intellectual conversations we had, his insights and humour, and his energy and drive to make a difference. He will be remembered by all of us who were lucky enough to know him as a dear friend with whom we wished we could have spent more time,” Markus Reisenleitner, Neil’s supervisor here at York said.

Humanities program director Victor Shea said, “Those of us who were lucky enough to know Neil will remember a kind soul who had a charisma and an energy that lit up a room. Wherever he was there were smiles and laughter, and good debate and discussion of things that matter. In his intellectual work he was writing a dissertation on Little Jamaica on Eglington and gentrification.”

Neil was born in 1971 and raised in Guelph and Elmira by his mother Catherine Elstone. He graduated as valedictorian of Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS) in 1990. He cared deeply for his mother, who passed away in August 2023.

Neil was predeceased by his father, James Livingston, in October 2020. His father greatly inspired him academically.

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żě˛ĄĘÓƵ is proud to announce that Htet Min Lwin, doctoral candidate at Humanities and grad associate at York Centre for Asian Research has been awarded a . The program supports 11 Scholars from around the world for full-time preparation of dissertations in Buddhist Studies.

Htet is one of 11 scholars at universities in Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States who have been awarded $30,000 each for dissertation fieldwork, archival research, and writing. This program is made possible by a grant from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global and administered by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).

Htet’s research explores the State’s attempts in 1958, 1962, and final successful attempt in 1980 to institutionalize monastics in Myanmar under a centralized state-backed authority. Arguing against the triumph of the State’s political secularism, it demonstrates the monks’ own Buddhist logic and the sources of power within the tradition to finally accept this centralized authority. It shows how the nation-state’s attempt to regulate religion ended up with not only the monastics being put under State control, but also with the State being equally, if not more, shaped and transformed by religion—creating society and polity more towards orthodoxy, and resulting in the authoritarian, nationalist Buddhist state and communities.

“ACLS applauds these outstanding fellows and grantees, who will expand understanding of Buddhist traditions both inside and outside the academy, through research, writing, translations, a new teaching position, and professional placements at celebrated museums and publications,” said Deena Ragavan, ACLS Director of International Programs. “This eleventh cohort of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhist Studies represents a wide range of nationalities, institutions, and Buddhist traditions, echoing our commitment to better reflect and engage scholars and communities of Buddhism worldwide.”

_{Photo of Htet Min Lwin}

The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) is recognizing the contributions of Professor Emeritus Brayton Polka, one of żě˛ĄĘÓƵ's longest-serving professors with 55 years of dedicated service to the University.

Polka joined żě˛ĄĘÓƵ in 1966 with an initial appointment as an assistant professor of history and humanities. He served as a professor until his retirement in 2002 and now teaches part-time at York. His research and teachings have focused on European philosophy, religion, literature and the arts.

“I sincerely wish to congratulate Prof. Brayton Polka on his commendable 55 years of service to the Faculty of LA&PS," said LA&PS Dean J.J. McMurtry. "It is indeed a moment of pride for the University to have such dedicated mentors giving students the opportunity to pursue their academic interests with excellence.”

Polka, who is now 84, has always been committed to the development of students. Drawing from Kant’s Enlightenment call: Sapere Aude: “Dare to think,” Polka encourages his students to think critically, independently and truthfully.

_{Brayton Polka}