Eighty years ago, the late Dr. Alfred Bader (BSc'45, BA'46, MSc'47, LLD'86) arrived on campus to begin his studies at Queen’s, inaugurating an ongoing relationship between the university and the Bader family that has been marked by a series of transformational gifts. To commemorate the anniversary and the extraordinary philanthropy of the Baders, Queen’s has proclaimed Nov. 15 Bader Day and is also announcing three new gifts from the Bader family and Bader Philanthropies, Inc.

“The philanthropic impact of the Bader family and Bader Philanthropies Inc. at Queen’s is unparalleled,” says Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand. “These most recent gifts will put our students on the forefront of training and research in the fields of art history and art conservation while supporting our mission to advance Indigenous initiatives at the university.”

Continuing a philanthropic tradition that began in 1948, the latest series of gifts from Isabel Bader and Bader Philanthropies, Inc. aid Queen's mission to advance research and knowledge and include:

  • 12 paintings to Agnes Etherington Art Centre. The paintings, all from the Dutch 17th century, include still lifes, Biblical scenes, and scenes from daily life.
  • Nine Leica S9i microscopes to help students in the Queen’s Art Conservation program examine and treat cultural artifacts.
  • Funding for the Outdoor Gathering Space on campus, modelled after an Ojibway round house, and endowing a new full-time, permanent Curator, Indigenous Arts and Culture at Agnes.

The Baders, Dr. Bader, his wife, Isabel Bader, LLD’07, and Bader Philanthropies, Inc. have been among Queen’s University’s most significant donors,  gifting the 15th-century English castle, Herstmonceux, home to the Bader International Study Centre; providing $31 million in support of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts; a lead gift of $40 million (USD) in support of Agnes Reimagined; more than 500 paintings and works on paper to the Agnes Etherington Art Centre; and funding a variety of student awards.

Bader Day will be an entire day dedicated to celebrating the Baders and their impact on Queen’s, Kingston, and beyond. The day will include a visit to campus by members of the Bader family, and on Nov. 17 Queen's will also confer an honorary degree on Daniel Bader.

Learn more about the Baders on the Queen’s Alumni website and the Bader Philanthropies, Inc. website.

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