Barry Tenhouse, who died on September 15, 2001, was a former President and lifetime member of the Atkinson Faculty Alumni Association. It was felt by many that Barry exemplified the objectives of our organization, which are stated in article 3.01 of our Constitution as follows:
a) To provide resources, information, and activities for its members in the belief that their educational experience with the University is not confined to their years at the University, but continues throughout their entire lives; 
b) To encourage and promote a spirit of fraternity and unity among the members of the Association; 
c) To promote the welfare, prestige, and excellence of the Faculty; 
d) To foster an understanding of the function of the Association among undergraduates of the Faculty, and 
e) To operate at all times as a charitable, benevolent and philanthropic organization.

The Barry Tenhouse/Atkinson Faculty Alumni Association Book Prize consists of a $500.00 York University Bookstore gift certificate awarded at the Annual Awards Reception to the student, staff, or alumni member of the Atkinson Community who is felt to best exemplify these values, as determined by a careful review of the nomination forms. 

John Andrew Sheran, who died on October 7, 1988, was an active Atkinson student and graduate (BA 1978, BA Honours 1981). He was a strong supporter of Atkinson and its principle of providing a top–quality university education for part–time and mature students. Mr. Sheran was an active member of the Atkinson Faculty Alumni Association, serving in a number of executive positions, including President. In appreciation for his years of dedicated service, and to carry on his efforts of providing support to Atkinson, the Association has created this scholarship to be awarded annually. The amount of the John A. Sheran Memorial Scholarship may vary from year to year. It will be awarded to a student: who is currently registered; is proceeding to a degree through the School of Administrative Studies; has completed at least 60 credits at York, of which at least 30 credits will have been at Atkinson, and of those, a minimum of 18 credits must have been in the major; holds the highest overall average, provided it is not less than B+. Preference may be given to the candidate having completed the majority of his/her courses at Atkinson. Recipients of other scholarships in the same award year will not be eligible for this award. The John A. Sheran Memorial Scholarship may be awarded to a student only once. Enquiries should be directed to either the Office of the Faculty Council or the School of Administrative Studies no later than September 1st.

The Teaching Award is recognition from alumni and students of the special contribution given by the award recipient to the well being of the learning process for part-time students. It is presented once per year in November at the Atkinson Faculty Awards Ceremony. There is no monetary value to the award. The respect that the award has achieved is testament to the high quality of the winners over the 16 years of the award's existence and to the high quality of Atkinson Professors.

The award was created through the efforts of an ex-president of the Alumni Association, Pat McDonell. Pat continues to participate as a member of the Teaching Award Selection Committee. The choice of recipient is made after a careful review of the nomination forms and, when available, student teacher evaluation forms. The winner receives a personalized plaque and has their name engraved on the award plaque with other winners. The name of the winner is not published until announced at the Awards Ceremony. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Chair of the Selection Committee, Noreen Stuckless, at 416-323-6216.