Letter to the Editor
Re: “A decision to be applauded”
Issue #2-2009

Naming the Policy Studies building in honor of Robert Sutherland, BA 1852, is a wise political and historical decision, as Sutherland was the first black graduate of Queen’s, a courageous forerunner of a multiracial student body of today, and a noble donor of Queen’s.

I fully support Velma Vosper, NSc’50, who points out that the spirit of multiracial and international development has existed at Queen’s for many years.

This spirit has not only existed in classes at Queen’s, student residences, and student activities, but also among the population of Kingston and Queen’s alumni all over the world. Velma writes about her home being her “International House” – a multiracial international residence. Together with her late husband, George Vosper, BSc’53, they made their house a “home-away-from-home” for students from Africa, Asia, the West Indies, and Germany. I was one of them myself.

In later years, the Vosper house and the Vosper family always represented hospitality and friendliness to me and to members of my family. I hope this spirit will continue to prevail at Queen’s and in the City of Kingston.