YEAR IN REVIEW: Top news stories at Queen's

It’s been a year of openings and new beginnings at Queen’s and as 2014 draws to a close the Gazette takes a quick look back at some of the top news items for the university.

From the installation of a new chancellor and the unveiling of new facilities, to a new set of guiding principles and the leadership of a cutting-edge research project, there has been much going on at Queen's.

Changing of the chancellors

There was a changing of the guard for the role of chancellor, the highest officer and ceremonial head at Queen’s. The community said goodbye to David Dodge, who completed two three-year terms, and welcomed Jim Leech to the position. Mr. Leech, the former president and CEO of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, stepped into the role on July 1, and was installed at the start of fall convocation, which he then presided over for the first time. Mr. Dodge, a former Governor of the Bank of Canada, oversaw his final convocation in the spring and was honoured, as all his predecessors have been, with a portrait that now hangs in The Peter Lougheed Room in Richardson Hall.

A jewel by the lake

A bold plan with a bold design, few could have imagined just what a special building the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts would turn out to be. Melding modern design with heritage properties on the shore of Lake Ontario, the Isabel offers state-for the art learning facilities as well as a world-class concert venue. Officially opened in September for the start of a new school year, the Isabel was designed by world-renowned architecture firm Snøhetta and is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after performance in the region.

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