The Queen’s United Way campaign has now raised $388,817, topping 82 per cent of the overall goal of $475,000.

The biggest workplace campaign for the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington the Queen’s campaign accounts for more than 10 per cent of overall target of $3,808,000.

The funds raised helped the United Way as it assisted nearly 74,000 members of the community – single parents, abused women, families, young children and teenagers, the elderly, the physically challenged, the homeless, and more – via a network of agencies and programs.

Queen’s staff, faculty, and retirees are leaders in the community having the largest workplace and retiree campaign within the region. A recent report by Deloitte showed that Queen’s community members annually raise well over $1 million to support local causes while students put in thousands of volunteer hours with local agencies and programs

To join the campaign and donate, visit the Queen’s United Way site and follow the instructions. Previous donors who have accepted automatic renewal can also use this link to increase their annual pledge.

Two vacant and aging houses at 154 and 160 Stuart Street, which used to house the Queen’s Film and Media department, are slated to be torn down this November.

The buildings have been vacant since September 2014 when Film and Media relocated to the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. The houses do not meet current accessibility standards, have several building code compliance issues, and the cost to refurbish them is prohibitive.

A City of Kingston report to Heritage Kingston in March 2022, notes the property was one of three Queen’s properties on Stuart Street that were assessed as part of a Cultural Heritage Study in 2015. The property was found to have “limited cultural heritage value” and given its condition, was not recommended for any designation.

The near-term plan is to retain the site as green space for future re-development. The mature trees surrounding the property will be protected through the demolition and retained.

The Film and Media department originally occupied 154 Stuart St. in 1969. In 1980, 160 Stuart St. was purchased, and the department occupied both properties. In 1990 the two houses were joined together into their current configuration.

A tower crane will be erected on the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC) revitalization project site this week. The 10-storey tall crane is scheduled to arrive on site on Thursday, Nov. 3, and will take a day to install. Area traffic is not expected to be impacted during the installation or operation of the crane.

Work on the site continues to progress. Rock excavation, which began Oct. 17, is expected to continue for another three weeks. Work is being done between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Removal of demolished and excavated materials is ongoing.

The university thanks everyone for their patience while this important work is completed.

More information on the JDUC Revitalization Project is available online at https://www.queensu.ca/facilities/jduc-revitalization.

The Queen’s United Way campaign has now raised $380,296, reaching the 80 per cent mark of the overall goal of $475,000.

The biggest workplace campaign for the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington the Queen’s campaign accounts for more than 10 per cent of overall target of $3,808,000.

The funds raised helped the United Way as it assisted nearly 74,000 members of the community – single parents, abused women, families, young children and teenagers, the elderly, the physically challenged, the homeless, and more – via a network of agencies and programs.

Principal Patrick Deane, a Campaign Cabinet member for the United Way KFL&A, recently hosted the first of two United Way at Queen’s Speaker Series sessions, focused on how agencies are working to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in our community. The first session – No Poverty – was held on Oct. 19. A recording of the session is available. The second session – No Hunger – will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, Noon-12:45 p.m. via Zoom.

Another event in support of the campaign will take place during Homecoming, with Smith School of Business hosting a charity barbecue in front of Goodes Hall on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Queen’s staff, faculty, and retirees are leaders in the community having the largest workplace and retiree campaign within the region. A recent report by Deloitte showed that Queen’s community members annually raise well over $1 million to support local causes while students put in thousands of volunteer hours with local agencies and programs

To join the campaign and donate, visit the Queen’s United Way site and follow the instructions. Previous donors who have accepted automatic renewal can also use this link to increase their annual pledge.

This year’s Homecoming celebrations will be in-person for the first time as Queen’s alumni reconnect with the university and each other.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Queen’s alumni are returning to campus for Homecoming Oct. 28-30. After two years of online celebrations, staff and faculties are excited to host alumni and organizers are busy prepping for a weekend full of activities.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our alumni family and friends back to campus with open arms,” says Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand (Artsci’94). “It’s a time to re-connect with old classmates and share memories, as well as see the campus today and discover how Queen’s is preparing students to become leaders and top researchers who will make a difference in the world.” 

This year Queen’s is celebrating milestone reunions for alumni who graduated in years ending in two and seven, as well as our newest alumni (2022 graduates) and Tricolour Guard (alumni celebrating 50 years or more since graduation). 

From the moment alumni arrive, the experience will be a feast for the senses with a variety of programming that allows people to reconnect with friends and the campus. 

New this year

This year’s Homecoming will feature a new marquee event – the Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering. This alumni community outdoor event on Saturday gives old friends a chance to connect over a hot cup of coffee and a delicious snack from a local food truck while listening to the musical stylings of Michelle Kasaboski (Artsci’13, Artsci’21), and Jay Goddard (Artsci’20). Alumni can also visit the market area to shop curated goods from local Kingston vendors. The entertainment doesn’t end at delicious food and music. Alumni can enjoy roaming busker performances and a giant lawn game area, perfect for alumni who may be bringing family down for the weekend.

“Many alumni bring their partners and children to Homecoming weekend, so we wanted to offer an event that the entire family can enjoy together,” Bertrand adds.  

Share your memories

Expect to see cameras at the Harvest Gathering. Filmmakers working on a Tragically Hip documentary, set to air on Amazon Prime in 2024, are scheduled to be on hand to interview attendees. Filmmakers are looking for alumni and friends to share their Hip memories. Alumni are encouraged to bring any photos, albums, or videos of iconic Queen’s student moments that feature any (or all) members of The Tragically Hip. The filmmakers will be scanning and accepting content to feature in the documentary.

Something for everyone

This is a great weekend for sports fans and Gaels supporters. The Gaels football team will be hosting the Toronto Blues on Saturday, Oct. 29 in a OUA quarterfinal matchup at Richardson Stadium with kickoff set for 1 p.m.

Also, the OUA Women's Rugby Championship will take to Nixon Field on Friday night as the Gaels take on the Guelph Gryphons starting at 7 p.m. The women’s hockey teams has a pair of games on the weekend, facing the Gryphons on Friday and the Brock Badgers on Saturday. Both games are at the Memorial Centre with puck drop at 7:30 pm.

On the soccer pitch, the women’s scocer team will host a second round OUA playoff game at Richardson Stadium against the Nipissing Lakers. Kick off is 1 p.m.

Getting connected

To connect directly with your old classmates, many schools and faculties are hosting their own open houses, gala dinners, breakfast events, meet and greets, and pub nights. For a full list, please see the Homecoming schedule of events. Please note some events, such as the Tricolour Guard Dinner and the Health Sciences Gala, are paid events that require pre-registration.

The focus this year will be on in-person events, but for alumni around the world who can’t make it back, we will be featuring live highlights of the weekend via Queen’s Alumni social media.

Visit the Queen’s Alumni website to register for Homecoming weekend.