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    Arts scholarships celebrated

    The first recipients of the Dean’s Admission Scholarship for the Arts were celebrated recently at a special event hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Science.

    [Dean Susan Mumm]
    Susan Mumm, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science, speaks at the ceremony for the Dean’s Admission Scholarship for the Arts. 

    A total of 188 students received the new scholarships for the 2015-16 academic year, which was open to all students in the Bachelor of Arts Honours Program with an average of 88.5-89.9 per cent.

    Dean Susan Mumm spoke of the importance of the scholarships in helping to bring “the best” to Queen’s adding that alumni have played a vital role in providing the necessary financial support.

    Recipients of the Dean’s Admission Scholarship for the Arts signed a card of thanks to supporters.

    “Asking alumni to give to student scholarships is one of the most fun jobs a dean has because alumni respond really well,” Dean Mumm said at the event. “They can remember what it is like to be a student and not have much money. They want to help the next generation succeed so Canada has its next generation of leaders.”

    An example of the difference the scholarships can make was provided by student Skyler McArthur-O’Blenes who said that the support allowed him to stay close to home and be near his family soon after finding out that his father had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Like the other recipients, his goal was achieved through hard work and he is hopeful that through this a new community is being formed within the Faculty.

    The dean and the faculty look forward to a larger event next year when the scholarships are extended to Bachelor of Science Honours students within the 88.5-88.9 per cent range as well.

    “We know we attract top-level students at Queen’s,” says Dean Mumm. “This helps us continue that and gives us a competitive advantage in a very competitive landscape.”

    Helping bridge the gap between cultures

    [QBridge]
    Rasha Fahim was one of the instructors of the QBridge Pathway program at the Queen’s School of English this summer where she taught Severus (Chongxi) Gao, a first-year student at the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. (University Communications)

    Making the switch to university life can be difficult and is only compounded when you are also trying to find your way in a new community and culture.

    [Queen's in the World]
    [Queen's in the World]

    These are the challenges for many international students. However, with the support of a number of programs offered by Queen’s University and the Queen’s School of English (QSoE), that transition is being made easier.

    One such program is QBridge, which acts as a pathway or a bridge to undergraduate studies and delivers academic English language training to international students before they begin their studies at Queen’s.

    The QBridge Pathway initially began in 2010 as an intensive eight-week English language summer program for conditionally accepted international students. This year, the QBridge Pathway was expanded to include the English for Academic Purposes Program, which allows students with conditional acceptance to spend the Fall and Winter terms preparing for undergraduate studies. The first group of QBridge students joined the English for Academic Purposes Program in September 2015 and are currently preparing for their 2016 Queen’s undergraduate studies.

    In the QBridge Accelerated, the students, who have already been accepted to an undergraduate program at Queen’s, listen to lectures, write essays, make presentations and take part in debates. By the program’s end, students are meant to be proficient enough in their academic and language skills to be able to succeed in their first year of university.

    This is not an introductory course.

    “It’s very intense but to get into the QBridge Accelerated program these students have a certain English-language proficiency that’s higher than in other programs,” says Rasha Fahim, an ESL instructor at QSoE who is also pursuing her Masters of Education. “So you’re dealing with more proficient students and they do have the acceptance into their undergraduate programs so they have that motivation, they want those skills.”

    Another aspect of the QBridge Pathway is that it helps the students settle into their new life, not only in the classrooms and lecture halls of Queen’s but in Kingston and Canada as well. While we may think of the community as being a friendly, convenient place, for many new arrivals they are being introduced to a very different way of life, from cultural norms to simply getting around the city.

    “I think it eases the students into their university life because it takes them a while to get adjusted to Canada, to Kingston, just being able to take the bus, moving back and forth, getting used to the culture here a little bit,” says Ms. Fahim. “That’s important because that is part of their well-being too.”

    From a student perspective, Severus (Chongxi) Gao, now in his first-year of studies at the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, says the program was valuable in preparing him for the next stage.

    Initially, he wasn’t all that interested in leaving his home in Shandong, China, early to attend QBridge, he says. However, his father pointed out that it was about more than making the transition to post-secondary education.

    “So I went,” Mr. Gao says. “That was probably the wisest decision I ever made. It helped me a lot.”

    He says that a key to the QBridge Pathway is that it’s not about polishing his English skills, but about raising these to an academic level while also learning about the expectations of a Canadian university. Halfway through his first semester at Queen’s he is already putting much of what he learned to work.

    “For the QBridge students we have the ability to write a proper lab report to get a good mark. We know what to say in reports, we know what to say in emails, we know how to use English properly in different situations,” he says.  “It’s also about accepting another culture, making yourself more comfortable in it and trying to gain something from it. That’s what QBridge helps us to do.”

    This year’s QBridge Accelerated program attracted 49 students, tripling the number from the year before. To learn more about the QBridge Pathway visit the Queen’s School of English website.

    Steam shutdown at JDUC on Monday

    A steam shutdown is scheduled for the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC) on Monday, Nov. 16 between 6 am and 10 am while a contractor removes insulation from a steam line and pressure relief valve in the basement mechanical room.

    The facility’s hot water reserves are expected to sustain the demand for hot water while this work is completed, so there should be minimal impact to the occupants of the JDUC and Graduate Residence.  

    Any questions or concerns regarding this planned work should be directed to Fixit by phone at extension 77301 or by e-mail.

    Electrical and communications manhole and main electrical room audits

    Beginning on Monday, Nov. 16,  AECOM Canada Ltd. and Vickery Electric will be performing an audit of communications and electrical manholes on main and west campuses for their condition and the condition of electrical cabling, etc. The audit will also include accessing the main electrical rooms of most buildings on both campuses to visually assess main electrical equipment and room condition. 

    The audit will begin with communications manholes and once those are complete, the electrical manhole audits will be performed. It is hoped that these audits will be completed before winter weather begins. The electrical room audits will likely take place sometime in December/January.

    Any questions regarding these audits should be directed to Fixit by phone at extension 77301 or by e-mail.

    Flu shot key to preventing spread of influenza

    The battle against influenza is a rite of fall and winter and Queen’s University is doing its best to help prevent the spread of the virus.

    [Flu Shot]
    Getting a flu shot is a key step to preventing the spread of the influenza virus. (University Communications)

    The key to prevention remains the influenza vaccination and the flu shot is already available to anyone who wants it, says Carolyn Borins, Director of Medical Services at Queen’s Health Services.

    There are a number of ways to get a flu shot at Queen’s, from booking an appointment with Queen’s Health Services or asking for one during another health-related appointment. There will also be a free public clinic offered by KFL&A Public Health on Friday, Nov. 13 from 9 am-4 pm at the School of Medicine, 15 Arch St.

    As Dr. Borins points out, the flu shot can prevent contracting the influenza virus. While it doesn’t offer 100 per cent protection the flu vaccine is safe and has been used for years.

    Reducing the spread of the virus is important, not only for your own well-being but for the community as well.

    “If you get influenza you’re going to be really sick for several days and that’s going to interfere in all of the things you want to do,” Dr. Borins says. “So definitely, for Queen’s students it’s really important to do whatever you can to help prevent that from happening. Also at Queen’s there is a lot of living in close quarters – residence, classes.  Then there are people volunteering in hospitals and working with people so it’s a good idea to protect ourselves so we can protect them as well.”

    The flu shot does not offer instant protection and can take up to two weeks to be effective against influenza virus. So, Dr. Borins suggests getting the vaccination as soon as possible before flu season really gets underway.

    Flu shots are also available from the following locations on and off campus:

    • By appointment from Queen’s Health Services. Student card and Ontario health card required. La Salle Building, 146 Stuart St. Call 613-533-2506.
    • By appointment at the KFL&A Public Health Kingston office on Fridays (Nov. 6 and Nov. 20, 9:30-11:30 am and 4:30-7 pm or Nov. 27, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Jan. 8 and Jan. 15, 9:30-11:30 am). 221 Portsmouth Ave. Call 613-549-1232 or 1-800-267-7875 x 1451, or visit kflapublichealth.ca.
    • DrugSmart Pharmacy located in the Queen’s Centre: Call 613-507-7775 to book an appointment. An Ontario health card is required.
    • By arranging an appointment with your family doctor.

    A time to remember

    • Alice Aiken (School of Rehabilitation Therapy), Director, Canadian Institute for Military & Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), speaks during the Remembrance Day ceremony.
      Alice Aiken (School of Rehabilitation Therapy), Director, Canadian Institute for Military & Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), speaks during the Remembrance Day ceremony.
    • Queen's alumnus Jacquie Tessier performs 'The Last Post' during Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony held at Grant Hall.
      Queen's alumnus Jacquie Tessier performs 'The Last Post' during Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony held at Grant Hall.
    • Queen's Chaplain Kate Johnson speaks to the gathered crowd at Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony held at Grant Hall.
      Queen's Chaplain Kate Johnson speaks to the gathered crowd at Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony held at Grant Hall.
    • The Queen's Choral Ensemble performs during Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony for the Queen's community at Grant Hall.
      The Queen's Choral Ensemble performs during Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony for the Queen's community at Grant Hall.
    • Queen's Chaplain Kate Johnson speaks to the gathered crowd at Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony held at Grant Hall.
      Queen's Chaplain Kate Johnson speaks to the gathered crowd at Wednesday's Remembrance Day ceremony held at Grant Hall.

    The Queen’s community turned out in the hundreds to mark Remembrance Day at Grant Hall on Wednesday.

    Led by Chaplain Kate Johnson, staff, faculty, students and community members filled the hall to listen to reflections by Alice Aiken (School of Rehabilitation Therapy), Director, Canadian Institute for Military & Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) and Rector Mike Young, as well as a performance by the Queen's Choral Ensemble.

    Two degrees of success

    Two new honorary degree recipients named during fall convocation.

    Two new honorary degree recipients will be recognized at the 2015 fall commencement ceremonies at Queen’s University. Nellie Cournoyea is being honoured for helping stimulate economic, social and cultural development for Aboriginal people while Richard Battarbee is an international leader in the field of environmental science.

    The degrees are awarded to those who have made remarkable contributions to the lives of people throughout the world in academia, business, politics, science and the arts.

    Nellie Cournoyea

    Nellie Cournoyea, the former Premier of the Northwest Territories, was born in Aklavik, NWT, in 1940 and was educated through the Federal Aklavik Day School by Alberta correspondence courses. She worked at CBC Inuvik for nine years as an announcer and station manager and was a land claim fieldworker for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). Ms. Cournoyea was a founding member, and later administrator and land rights worker, of the Committee of Original Peoples’ Entitlement (COPE).

    Ms. Cournoyea is currently the chair and chief executive officer of Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). The corporation was established in 1985 with the mandate to receive the Inuvialuit lands and financial compensation resulting from the 1984 land claim settlement. Today it has assets in excess of $492 million.

    Ms. Cournoyea will receive her Doctor of Laws Tuesday, November 17 at 2:30pm in Grant Hall.

     

    Richard Battarbee

    Richard William Battarbee is Emeritus Professor of Environmental Change at University College London (UCL) and was the director of the Environmental Change Research Centre (ECRC) at UCL from 1991 to 2007.

    Throughout his career he has been involved in research on the way lake sediment records can be used to reconstruct lake-ecosystem change through time. With his colleagues in the ECRC he has successfully applied those techniques to problems of surface water acidification and climate change. In the 1980s he and his group demonstrated that acid rain was responsible for causing the acidification of surface waters in the British uplands, research that was instrumental in persuading the United Kingdom government to sign international agreements on the reductions of sulphur dioxide emissions from power stations.

    His research on acid rain has continued and now focuses on lake-ecosystem recovery, especially the role of climate change in modifying recovery processes.

    Richard W. Battarbee will receive his Doctor of Science Tuesday, November 17 at 6:30pm in Grant Hall.

    A new vision for volunteering at Queen's

    A new learning opportunity at Queen’s aims to provide practical tools and techniques to those who work with volunteers.

    Presented by the Human Resources Department in partnership with Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, the Queen’s Volunteer Engagement Certificate (QVEC) program offers residual benefits, says Sarah Indewey, Manager, Volunteer Relations and Reunions in the Office of Advancement.  

    [Volunteers at Homecoming]
    The Human Resources Department has partnered with Alumni Relations and Annual Giving to develop the Queen's Volunteer Engagement Certificate program, which will give staff and faculty practical tools and techniques for working with volunteers. Volunteers play an important role at many Alumni Relations events inlcuding Homecoming (above).

    “Volunteerism is an integral component of the work that we do in Alumni Relations and Annual Giving,” she says. “As we strive to improve the way we work with volunteers in our own organization, we hope to share experiences and connect with volunteer managers throughout the university. We think it will be valuable to develop a network of volunteer coordinators with a variety of perspectives to learn from and support each other.”

    QVEC has been designed especially for Queen’s faculty and staff who work with volunteers, explains Maryanne Wainman, Alumni Officer, Volunteer Relations and Reunions. “This is a wonderful opportunity to gain certification customized to working with Queen’s volunteers.”

    Offered in five modules, the course is a blend of in-class sessions and self-directed learning. Topics include how to develop a framework for your volunteer network and strategies to enhance the volunteer experience.

    The partnership came about a year ago when Volunteer Relations staff approached Human Resources with the idea of offering training in volunteer engagement, which would draw on the expertise of Advancement staff who work with volunteers.

    [QVEC logo]
    Queen's Volunteer Engagement Certificate

    “Since the inception of the Volunteer Relations unit in 2012, we’ve had the opportunity to engage individually with a number of Queen’s colleagues about volunteer-related issues, and through this work had the sense that a volunteer engagement certificate program would be in high demand,” Ms. Wainman says.

    While there are precedents at other institutions, what sets QVEC apart is that the course content is tailored to working with volunteers in the higher-education context, and at Queen’s in particular, she says. “While I can’t say for sure if it’s a first, it’s definitely unique,” Ms. Wainman says.

    To register for QVEC and to learn about other certificate opportunities visit the HR learning catalogue. For more information, visit queensu.ca/qvec  and www.facebook.com/groups/QueensVEC/events

    Putting the focus on innovation, entrepreneurship

    • Principal Daniel Woolf speaks during the Principal's Community Breakfast held at the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, Tuesday, Nov. 10.
      Principal Daniel Woolf speaks during the Principal's Community Breakfast held at the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, Tuesday, Nov. 10.
    • The guest speakers at the Principal's Community Breakfast, were, from left, Natasha Baziuk, Venicio Rebelo and Shai Dubey.
      The guest speakers at the Principal's Community Breakfast, were, from left, Natasha Baziuk, Venicio Rebelo and Shai Dubey.
    • Principal Daniel Woolf speaks during the Principal's Community Breakfast held at the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, Tuesday, Nov. 10.
      Principal Daniel Woolf speaks during the Principal's Community Breakfast held at the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, Tuesday, Nov. 10.
    • Principal Daniel Woolf speaks during the Principal's Community Breakfast held at the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, Tuesday, Nov. 10.
      Principal Daniel Woolf speaks during the Principal's Community Breakfast held at the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel, Tuesday, Nov. 10.

    Mapping out a prosperous future path for Kingston and Queen’s was the focus of the Principal’s Community Breakfast held Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Delta Kingston Waterfront Hotel.

    With a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation for the event, Principal Daniel Woolf brought together members of the Kingston and Queen’s communities as well as a panel of special guests, each with their own connection to the university: Shai Dubey, Director, Queen’s full-time MBA and Distinguished Faculty Fellow, Smith School of Business; Natasha Baziuk, co-founder of Gryllies, the winning company from this year’s Queen’s Innovation Connector Summer Initiative (QICSI); and Venicio Rebelo, former owner of two of Kingston’s largest hotels and conference centres.

    Innovation initiatives at Queen’s take a number of forms, ranging from organized initiatives between faculties such as the Queen’s Innovation Connector (QIC), through to courses or components of courses as well as weekend workshops and competitions (e.g., Queen’s Startup Summit, Queen’s Entrepreneurship Competition, Enactus). At the same time, Queen’s Innovation Connector Summer Initiative provides an important opportunity for students to develop a foundation for entrepreneurship and innovation, and an opportunity to put these concepts into practice, while PARTEQ supports innovation through supporting commercialization and transfer of Intellectual Property at Queen’s.

    Each speaker offered a different perspective regarding business and the Kingston economy that drew the attention of the more than 100 people attending the event.

    Ms. Baziuk (Sc’15) spoke about the challenges faced by Gryllies and the support it has received.

    While the start-up was created in a low-risk environment, receiving support from Queen’s, Innovation Park and the City of Kingston through KEDCO, she says there remains room for growth. She pointed to a number of business incubators and accelerators that are based in major centres that draw young entrepreneurs away from smaller communities like Kingston.

    But she also saw an opportunity for Kingston due to its location and the resources available.

    “What I think Kingston could potentially do is, we’re in such a strategic location in terms of being close to Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, that Kingston itself would be a great location to start the next incubator-accelerator program with the university connection as well as an already-established innovation sector,” she says. “I think it will not only keep talent in the Kingston area but also attract talent elsewhere into our community.”

    Mr. Dubey, as the founder of Quicklaw, a leading provider of legal online database services to the legal profession, also spoke about the entrepreneurial experience. Through his work at the Smith School of Business he also sees the strength of the Queen’s learning experience, using Ms. Baziuk as an example.

    “Why are we different? Because we are teaching our people like Natasha to think, to be critical thinkers, to be able to take ideas and then put them into practice,” he says.

    He also sees much potential for the Kingston economy.

    “The opportunity is here, we just need to plug into that opportunity as we go. And we do,” he says. “We have world-class institutions, we have great assets here but how do we take advantage of them?”

     Infrastructure is a key in attracting and keeping people in Kingston says Mr. Rebelo, a Queen’s graduate as well. He says he has seen the community grow in a number of ways and pointed to recent improvements that have provided a boost to the city and Queen’s.

    “What has been really beneficial for the city is the development of the infrastructure of the city itself – the reconstruction of Princess Street, the development of the downtown, the rebuilding of Market Square, putting a skating rink there, the development of the Rogers K-Rock Centre, the Invista Centre, the K&P Trail – all those things are so critical to bring visitors to our town,” he says.

    The positive impressions of the community will remain with the visitors, who will then help spread the word about Kingston and Queen’s and bring them back as well, he adds.

    In kicking off the breakfast, Principal Daniel Woolf provided an update on Queen’s to the many community leaders in attendance.

    Principal Woolf highlighted recent accomplishments such as the $50-million donation to the university from Stephen J.R. Smith and the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics to Professor Emeritus Arthur McDonald (Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy).

    He also highlighted that the key areas of the Strategic Framework, including internationalization, continue to guide the university forward and help bring the Kington and Queen’s communities together.

    “I and other members of the administration regularly travel abroad to raise Queen’s and Kingston’s profile internationally, to recruit students and faculty members and to sign partnerships that will allow student exchanges and research partnerships,” Principal Woolf says. “And from Queen’s perspective one major area of interest is providing a welcoming environment and community for international faculty and students. We are eager to work with the city and community partners to strengthen our capacity to welcome newcomers and help them integrate fully into the community.”

    Honouring Principal Emeritus Smith

    • [Mary Smith speaking]
      Mary Smith spoke at the opening of Smith House, the new residence building named in honour of her husband David C. Smith. (Photo by Bernard Clark)
    • [Family in front of David C. Smith mural]
      Brad Martin, Taylor Martin, Monica Martin, Tom Courchene, Mary Smith, Emily Casey and Tom Casey stand in front a mural of David C. Smith located in the lobby of the new residence building. (Photo by Bernard Clark0
    • [Principal Woolf at Smith House opening]
      Principal Daniel Woolf spoke about the accomplishments and work of Principal Emeritus David C. Smith. (Photo by Bernard Clark)
    • [Exterior photo of Smith House]
      Smith House, located at 222 Stuart St., will accommodate 279 students. (Photo by Bernard Clark)

    David C. Smith’s immense contributions to Queen’s were recognized on Saturday during the official opening of the new residence building that bears his name.

    Mary Smith, Principal Emeritus Smith’s wife, and several other family members attended the celebration on Saturday. Principal Daniel Woolf recalled the collegial and consensus-building approach Principal Emeritus Smith took while leading the institution during a transitional period between 1984 and 1994.

    An expert on labour economics and income policy, Principal Emeritus Smith came to Queen’s in 1961. He took over as head of the economics department in 1968. Over the next 13 years, he built the economics department at Queen’s into a nationally recognized powerhouse.

    Principal Emeritus Smith was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1976 and became a Member of the Order of Canada in 1994. He retired from Queen’s in 1996. After a brief illness, Principal Emeritus Smith died in 2000.

    Smith House is one of two new student residences to open at Queen’s this fall. Brant House, which is named in honour of Dr. Marlene Brant Castellano and Dr. Clare Clifton Brant, officially opened in October.

    The new residences accommodate 550 students, ensuring first-year students will continue to have the chance to live in residence, which is an important part of the Queen’s experience. The new residences also allow the university to restore common rooms in existing residences that were converted to rooms, and to provide additional residence space for upper-year and international students.

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