2018

Happy New Year, Queen's Alumni!

It was a year filled with accomplishment, commemoration, beginnings, and endings. Principal Daniel Woolf looks back on the highlights of 2018 and gives us a preview of what to expect in 2019. 

The 14 Most Notable Alumni Moments from 2018

Commanding the International Space Station and winning one of the world’s top literary awards are among the many accomplishments of Queen’s graduates in 2018.

Continuing a Tradition

John Bates, Artsci’84, and Sue Bates, Artsci’91, are buying used Queen’s jackets and donating them to current students.

Bridging the Gap Between Science and Art

A lab affiliated with the Beaty Water Research Centre participated in a creative collaboration with Art the Science.

Eight Alumnae Among Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women

List is proof that Queen’s continues to produce Canada’s next generation of leaders, says Queen’s University Alumni Association president.

A National Honour

Three Queen’s faculty members, two of whom are alumni, are now invested as Officers of the Order of Canada.

Chancellor Honoured For His Philanthropic Leadership

Jim Leech, MBA’73, named Outstanding Volunteer by the Greater Toronto Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Gordon and Katherine Keep Honoured by Vancouver Alumni Branch

Geology donors Gordon, Artsci’79, and Katherine Keep, Artsci’81, received this year’s Kathleen Beaumont Hill Award.

Stephen Smith, Sc’72, to be Inducted into Canadian Business Hall of Fame

The engineering alumnus, who donated $50 million to Queen’s in 2015, is one of Canada’s top entrepreneurs. 

Two Alumnae Named Associate VPs to Advance Inclusivity at Queen’s

Two new Associate Vice-Principal roles will help shape the strategic initiatives of the institution through the lens of inclusivity.

Alumni Interview, Rohan Murti, Sc'10 (Mechanical)

Interview with Rohan Murti, Sc’10, (Mechanical) about working abroad, internships, and his time at Queen’s. 

Queen's Announces Principal and Vice-Chancellor Designate

Dr. Patrick Deane to return to Queen’s University from McMaster University.

Queen’s to Introduce Next Principal

A special livestream will be available on Monday, Nov. 5 as the university announces the name of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor Designate.

Queen’s Faculty of Education Signs an Agreement with 1 Million Teachers

The Faculty of Education formalized its partnership with 1 Million Teachers (1MT) in September. The program provides training to new and practicing teachers in Nigeria through an innovative program that combines online training, gamification, classroom-based learning, and mentorship on a massive scale.

Celebrating Achievement

Biology graduate and international development expert has helped people in more than 60 countries over her 35-year career.

Engineering Alumnus Racing with Andretti Autosport

Dalton Kellett, Sc’15, says studying engineering at Queen’s makes him a better race car driver.

Putting the Final Touches on Mitchell Hall

Students, staff, and faculty will get access to the newest building on campus in time for exams.

Creating Lasting Ties Through Homecoming

Homecoming connects returning alumni with Queen's, classmates, faculty, staff, and current students.

The Trailblazing Women of Queen’s

In honour of Persons Day and Women’s History Month, we look at some Queen’s alumnae who inspire others.

Tribute Event Honours Alumnus

Gordon Vogt Film Screening Room dedication on Oct. 2 featured a silent film screening with a live musical soundtrack. 

Connecting Queen’s Black Alumni

Queen’s Black Alumni Chapter and mentorship program to launch at Homecoming.

The Royal Round-up

Four Queen's University researchers have been elected to the prestigious Royal Society of Canada.

Five Must-Attend Events at Queen’s Homecoming this October

Dust off your tartan and tams and prepare for an exciting return to campus this October.  

An Artful Donation

The most prolific donors in Queen’s history have added to their legacy with a gift of just over $1 million (US).

Schulich Leader Scholarships Awarded to Four Queen’s Students

The scholarships – worth $80,000 or $100,000 – are among Canada’s largest and most prestigious awards for science, technology, engineering, and math students.

Three Law Alumni Among Canadian Lawyer's Top 25 Legal Influencers

Esi Codjoe, Frank Walwyn, and Thomas Cromwell make the list because of their level of respect, and ability to influence public opinion and help shape the laws of Canada.

Elder-in-Residence Position Empowers Education Students

Donor-funded position helps students learn and teach Indigenous studies.

Seven Questions with the New VP Advancement

We caught up with the new Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand, Artsci'94, to talk about her new role, her connection to Queen’s, and the value of the alumni network.

Class of Sc’82 Makes $70,000 Gift to The Tea Room

“If The Tea Room is important to students, it is important to my classmates,” says Class President Don MacDiarmid.

Queen’s Gave Japanese-Canadian Internment Camp Survivor a Second Chance

“Queen’s did not judge him by his family heritage … only by his capabilities and potential,” says son of Howie (Hisao) Toda, Sc’52, during memorial bench ceremony.

Law Grad Becomes Jeopardy! Champion

Jordan Nussbaum, Law’15, wins $17,800 on popular TV quiz show.

Innovation & Wellness Centre Gets a New Name

New building signs will be going up at the corner of Union and Division next month.

Queen's Legal Aid Director and Alumna Appointed to Nunavut Court of Justice

Former Director of Queen's Legal Aid is now a judge in the Nunavut Court of Justice. 

Bettering the Student Experience for His Peers Earns Law’19 Student Top Queen’s Award

Queen's Law student Adam Grotsky, Law'19, Artsci'16, is the newest inductee into the Tricolour Society. 

Legalizing & Regulating Marijuana

Law alumni share their perspectives on different aspects of legalizing recreational marijuana.

Board of Trustees Welcomes Three New Members

Marie Delorme, MBA’00, David Sharpe, Law’95, and John Stackhouse, Com’85, appointed to three-year terms.

Filmmaker and Photographer’s Career Is Clicking

Justin Wu, Artsci’08, has worked with everyone from Bella Hadid to Jay-Z and Jeremy Irons.

New Fund to Support Indigenous Art at the Agnes

A new fund will help the Agnes Etherington Art Centre discover the history behind some of its most important artifacts. 

Alumna Called the “Best Lawyer for Aboriginal Law in Canada.”

Jaimie Lickers, Artsci’03, Law’07, has argued several precedent-setting cases in front of the Supreme Court of Canada.

A Minute in History

Queen's University professor and alumnus Steven Maynard, MA'87, consults on first-ever LGBTQ Heritage Minute.

Tragic Loss Inspires New Fellowship at Queen’s

Henderson Foundation donates $1 million to fight interstitial lung disease in honour of Ruth Pattenden.

Indigenous Alumnus Helps Right a 133-Year-Old Wrong

Blaine Favel, Law'90, has led a 25-year campaign to exonerate a wrongfully accused Cree Chief. 

“Literally the Only Thing Keeping Me Alive Was Being in School”

A car accident in 2010 ended Jane van de Ven-Dantes’ bedside nursing career, but “life-changing” support from Queen’s gives her story a happy ending.

Refugee Expert to Headline Montreal Alumni Branch Dinner

Queen’s Law Professor Sharry Aiken’s keynote address will clear up misconceptions about refugees.  

New Alumni Association President Focused on Helping Volunteers

Jeremy Mosher, Artsci’08, wants to bring volunteers together to share and learn from each other.

‘Queen’s is a Place of Service’ says Agnes Benidickson Award Recipient

Former Queen’s Board of Trustee member Kathleen Macmillan, Artsci’78, to receive the highest honour bestowed by the Ottawa Alumni Branch.

Alumni Volunteer Recognized for 65 Years of Service

Jim Craig is one of nine alumni & student recipients of the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.

Building Teacher Networks Across Borders

A group of teacher-candidates travels to Africa in support of 1 Million Teachers, a startup created by a Queen's alumnus.

Alumni Association Honours its Best at Gala

11 awards handed out to some of Queen’s most dedicated and successful alumni.

The Perfect Fit

Celebrated alumnus Dennis Sharp, Sc'60, and Hélène Côté Sharp have donated $5 million to the newly named Côté Sharp Student Wellness Centre in support of student mental health.

Giving Direction to Queen’s Indigenous Community

Director of Indigenous Initiatives Kanonhsyonne Janice Hill, Ed’99, to receive Alumni Mentorship Award from QUAA.

Indigenous Art Collection Grows with Generous Donation

The Agnes Etherington Art Centre has received a gift of Inuit prints and a bequest from Margaret McGowan, Artsci’78, and her husband.

The Path to NASA

Astronaut Dr. Andrew Feustel, PhD'95, DSc'16, will serve as flight engineer and later as commander of the ISS. Learn more about his journey from Queen's University to NASA.  

Black Law Students’ Association Hosts Alumni Speed Mentoring Event

“We not only want to help current students succeed, but also want these students to know they have experienced alumni in their corner rooting them on,” says BSLA–Queen’s co-founder.

The Ewan Lecture Series: Accessible Astrophysics

Professor Emeritus Dr. George Ewan wants to ensure that particle astrophysics research is understandable to all and credits his late wife Maureen as his inspiration. 

Indigenous Studies Pioneer to be Honoured by Alumni Association

Marlene Brant Castellano, Arts’55, LLD’91, to receive the Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honour bestowed by the QUAA.

Tragedy Leads to a National Movement

After losing his son Jack to suicide, Alumni Humanitarian Award recipient Eric Windeler, Com'82, LLD'15, focused his life on making a difference in youth mental health.

Queen's Innovators in Hong Kong: Alumni Spotlight

As Queen’s works to expand international partnerships and programs of innovation, members of the Hong Kong branch are forging their own path. Four alumni share their entrepreneurial stories and how Queen’s contributed to their success. 

New Graduate Goes from Queen's Senate to Canada's Senate

For four years, Jasmit De Saffel, Artsci’17, saw talented students – such as former rectors Mike Young, Artsci’16, and Nick Francis, Artsci’14 – cross the stage to receive the

Comedy Group Founder is Serious About Working with Volunteers

Peter Higgins of Queen’s Players Toronto says Alumni Volunteer Summit is great way to hone volunteer management skills.

Queen's Research and Queen's Students: A Winning Combination

Queen’s student, researcher are set to share the story of their stunning victory with Northern California alumni.

Rising Media Star Generating a lot of ‘Buzz’

BuzzFeed Canada editor Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Artsci’11, to receive One To Watch Award at the QUAA Awards Gala.

Six Students Inducted Into Tricolour Society

This year’s Tricolour Award recipients are among the “best of the best” students at Queen’s, says Rector Cam Yung, Artsci’17.

Life After ArtSci: One Faculty, Two Alumni Stories

Not all successful entrepreneurs are necessarily business grads. Scott Megginson, Artsci'89, and Sharon D'Acre, Artsci'96, took part in the inaugural Life After ArtSci Summit and shared just how their Arts and Science degree prepared them for successful careers in this Q&A.

UCARE Announces First Co-Chairs

Two alumnae have been selected as the first co-chairs for the University Council on Anti-Racism and Equity (UCARE), which works to build an inclusive campus community and learning environment for students.  

Bringing Queen's Engineering Students Together

The Innovation and Wellness Centre will be home to a range of engineering facilities, including labs, teaching studios, and a common room.

Celebrating a History of Resilience

Edward Thomas, Sc'06, MASc'12, has been investigating the expulsion of black medical students 100 years ago at Queen's and how this history has impacted the community. 

Queen's Love Stories

Whether they met in class, through participating in student activities, or by simple happenstance, these five couples are proof that love is definitely in the air at Queen's this Valentine's Day. 

New Bursaries to Support Racialized & First-Generation Students

An estate gift will create new bursaries for first-year Black Canadian students, first-year visible minority and racialized students, and first-year first-generation students.

Stop the Stigma: Q&A with Bell Mental Health Research Chair Dr. Heather Stuart

In honour of Bell Let's Talk Day, former rector Mike Young, Artsci'16 sat down for a Q&A with Dr. Heather Stuart, Bell Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair. Watch Dr. Stuart share her 5 tips to learn how you can help. 

Queen's Grads' Business Becomes International Product Development Centre

Laser Depth Dynamics, founded by Paul Webster (Sc'06, PhD'13) and Roger Bowes (Sc’92) in 2012, has been acquired by a leading developer of high-performance fibre lasers and amplifiers.

Nine Alumni Among Order of Canada Appointments

Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Thomas Cromwell, Mus'73, LLB'76, among the appointees. 

Principal's New Year's Message to Alumni

It was a year filled with accomplishment, commemoration, beginnings, and endings.  Principal Daniel Woolf looks back on the highlights of 2017 and gives us a preview of what to expect in 2018. 

David Sharpe's Gift Creates Award for Indigenous Law Students

David Sharpe, Law’95, has been helping Queen’s Law reach out to Indigenous JD prospects for the past four years as a volunteer ambassador.