Queen's alumni achieved great things in the past 12 months, such as commanding the International Space Station, becoming a top executive at the National Football League, and being named to the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
Let us look back at some of our favourite Queen’s alumni moments from 2018.
March
Drew Feustel on the International Space Station
NASA astronaut Drew Feustel, PhD'95, DSc'16, blasted off for a 197-day mission on board the International Space Station. He took part in several spacewalks, did a live Q&A from space with students and community members in Grant Hall, and became commander of the ISS. He safely returned to Earth in October.
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Indigenous studies pioneer honoured at Queen's University Alumni Association Awards Gala
Dr. Marlene Brant Castellano, Arts’55, LLD’91, earned the Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honour bestowed by the Alumni Association. She is a pioneer who shaped the way Indigenous studies are taught across North America, and her work with the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples set standards on the way research is conducted with Indigenous communities.
Mary Ann Turcke named Chief Operating Officer of the NFL
Being named COO of the NFL made Mary Ann Turcke, Sc'88, MBA'97, the highest ranking woman in one the biggest sports leagues in the world.
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April
Queen’s University Alumni Association gets a new president
Jeremy Mosher, Artsci’08, started his two-year term as alumni association president and will represent more than 155,000 alumni over the next two years.
Jeremy Mosher, Artsci'08, with his wife Andrea (Hay) Mosher, Artsci’08, with their newest little Gael.
June
Tragic loss inspires new fellowship
The William Henderson Foundation donated $1 million to Queen’s to combat interstitial lung disease after the organization’s director, David Pattenden, lost his wife, Ruth, to the disease in 2016.
Law grad helps create LGBTQ Heritage Minute
Steven Maynard, MA'87, served as a historical consultant for the first Heritage Minute focused on an LGBTQ issue. The video focused on activist Jim Egan and his fight for the legal rights of same-sex couples.
Law grad becomes Jeopardy! champion
Jordan Nussbaum, Law’15, earned major bragging rights after winning $17,800 on Jeopardy!
July
Michael Ondaatje wins Golden Man Booker Prize
The English Patient, written by Michael Ondaatje, MA’67, was named the best Man Booker Prize-winning book of the past 50 years. It originally won the prestigious award in 1992.
August
Baders make another major gift to Queen’s
Alfred Bader, Sc’45, Arts’46, MSc’47, LLD’86, and Isabel Bader, LLD’07, continue to be the university’s most generous benefactors. Over the past six decades, the couple has made many transformative gifts to Queen’s, including the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Herstmonceux Castle, and three Rembrandt paintings. This year, Bader Philanthropies donated $1 million (US) to support four projects related to their passion for the arts.
October
101-year-old returns for Homecoming
More than 3,000 alumni returned to Kingston to take part in Homecoming. Among our favourite moments was seeing 101-year-old John Purkis, Com’48, and his wife Shirley Purkis, Arts’41, hanging out with fellow alumni and current students.
Queen’s Black Alumni Chapter launches
This new chapter hosted its inaugural event after months of work and planning. Visit their Facebook or LinkedIn pages to learn more.
Asha Gordon, Artsci'08, is part of the Queen's Black Alumni Chapter leadership team.
November
Stephen Smith to enter the Canadian Business Hall of Fame
Stephen Smith, Sc’72, LLD’17, who donated $50 million to the School of Business in 2015, will be inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2019.
96-year-old alumna honoured by Principal Daniel Woolf
Bermuda resident Elizabeth “Betty” Musson Kawaley, Arts’43, has one amazing story. Read more about her in a recent Bermuda newspaper article.
Making history with the Kingston Police Force
Alumna Antje McNeely, Artsci’83, MPA’13, was sworn in as the chief of Kingston Police Force. She is the first female chief in the force’s 177-year history.
Did we miss any great moments from 2018? Let us know. Send us an email or comment on our Facebook post.
