Bader Day | Bader Celebrations
Queen’s University celebrates its 180th anniversary this year, an achievement made possible by the contributions of innumerable people through the decades who were part of this community as students, teachers, researchers, staff members and volunteers. No account of our history would be complete, however, without special acknowledgement of the Bader family, whose association with Queen’s began 80 years ago and has continued with increasing vitality to this day. An association that has been characterized throughout by kindness and an expansive vision, it is a story worth telling anytime, but in Queen’s 180th year it has a special resonance.
Monday, November 15th, marks the 80th anniversary of Alfred Bader’s arrival on our campus. Released from an internment camp in the fall of 1941, Alfred was accepted at Queen’s where he received a B.Sc. in Engineering Chemistry, a B.A. in History, and an M.S. in Chemistry. He went on to graduate with a Ph.D. from Harvard.
I am declaring Monday, November 15th “Bader Day” to honour this accomplished scholar, incomparable benefactor, and treasured friend, together with his beloved wife and philanthropic partner and inspiration, Isabel Overton Bader, LLD’07, as well as his sons David and Daniel, who have chosen through their family foundation, Bader Philanthropies Inc., to continue their father’s philanthropic legacy at Queen’s.
The generosity of the Bader family is astounding by any measure, but I particularly want to thank them for the spirit and quality of their philanthropy, for the love of this institution which they have consistently expressed. That has inspired, elevated and encouraged us to want the very best for Queen’s; and it has enabled us to achieve great distinction in fields that increasingly set us apart from our peers.
We join together as a community to give thanks for the impact of the Bader family’s unparalleled generosity, which spans decades and continents, and illustrates the power of philanthropy to contribute to a better world.
Patrick Deane
Principal and Vice-Chancellor
