Queen’s is honouring six outstanding members of the Queen’s community – including three alumni – with the Distinguished Service Award for the lasting impact they made throughout their time at the university.
Recipients are selected by the Queen’s University Council Executive Committee to recognize exemplary service to the university over an extended period of time.
The six recipients are:
Leslie Dal Cin
Dal Cin, who retired earlier this year, was the first female executive director of Athletics and Recreation at Queen’s. She is a respected leader in the national post-secondary sports sector who spearheaded the redevelopment of all athletic facilities across campus. She was instrumental in the expansion of varsity and recreational programming and had a transformative impact on the health, well-being, and success of thousands of student athletes.
Leslie Flynn, Artsci’78, Meds’87, MEd’15
Dr. Flynn is the former Vice Dean (Education, Faculty of Health Sciences) and currently a professor, educator, researcher, mentor, and leader of the pursuit, improvement, and championing of education at all levels. She is dedicated to the fundamental transformation of medical education, and her accomplishments will impact students, faculty, and staff for years to come.
Jim Leech, MBA’73
Chancellor Emeritus Leech is a former trustee and chair of University Council who enthusiastically celebrated more than 40,000 graduates during convocation ceremonies. The generous philanthropist – who served as chancellor from 2014 to 2021 – has had a profound impact on the lives of countless students and enriched the university community with his dedicated service.
Don Raymond, Sc’84, PhD’98
Board Chair Emeritus Raymond is a volunteer extraordinaire who is committed to principles of collegial governance. He fostered strong relationships with student leaders resulting in fundamental changes to responsible investment strategies, decarbonization, and climate action at the university.
Dan Langham
The director of Environmental Health and Safety at Queen’s since 1999 is a trusted adviser who has helped develop policies, programs, and services to promote a healthy and safe workplace and campus. He was instrumental in the university’s response to COVID-19 and provided guidance and leadership in navigating the complexities of safety during the global pandemic.
Kim Woodhouse
The former (and first female) Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Interim Vice-Principal (Research) is an innovator and leader of transformational change in engineering education. She is an advocate for cultivating the link between teaching, research, and industry, and is instrumental in the vision and realization of world-class research facilities at Queen’s.
“I have always believed that together, we can become and go further than any of us could go alone. As a national school of choice, we continue to set our expectations high, and we are invigorated by a challenge,” says Executive Committee Vice-Chair Marcus Wong, ArtSci’03. “Without doubt, these six dedicated individuals have gone above and beyond in their service to the Queen’s community and in pursuit of excellence. On behalf of University Council, congratulations and thank you for everything you have done, continue to do, and will do for Queen’s.”
The Distinguished Service Award was inaugurated in 1974 and recognizes individuals who have made the university a better place through their exemplary service and extraordinary contributions. Past recipients are listed on the University Secretariat’s website.
