On Campus
There’s a new structure on campus – the university’s latest Indigenous gathering space. An important place for ceremonies, learning, and community, its form is inspired by traditional Anishinaabe wigwams.
- What: A new Indigenous gathering space
- Where: Near the south end of Tindall Field
- When: Opening Fall 2023
It’s a three-peat for Queen’s in the Impact Rankings
For the third straight year, Queen’s has ranked among the top 10 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings – earning third place worldwide and first place in North America out of more than 1,700 universities.
The rankings are a global measurement for assessing universities’ performance in advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were established in 2015 to guide global action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure shared peace and prosperity for everyone by 2030.
Queen’s submitted evidence for all 17 SDGs and placed first in the world for its contributions to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), second in the world for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and seventh for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Register now for Homecoming
Online registration for Queen’s Homecoming 2023 is open. Join your former classmates and return to campus Oct. 20–22.
This is a milestone reunion year with special programming for graduating class years ending in three or eight, as well as members of the Tricolour Guard (alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more). However, all alumni are welcome back to campus to celebrate.
Activities this year include the family-friendly Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering, the Alumni Parade to Richardson Stadium, and a football game against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.
Visit Queen’s Homecoming to register and see a list of planned events.
Queen’s strategy to enhance global engagement
Queen’s has launched its new Global Engagement Strategic Plan 2023–2028, a guiding document for enhancing the university’s ability to generate global impact.
Designed in alignment with the Queen’s Strategy, the plan sets out six objectives for embedding global engagement across the university’s mission and for creating a thriving global community that welcomes diverse ways of knowing and being from around the world.
Its development involved consultation with more than 400 students, faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, alumni, and staff, as well as local and global partners.
Some of the key commitments within the plan include expanding global learning and study abroad opportunities, financial and administrative supports for global research, and the Principal’s Global Scholars and Fellows program. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a critical component of Queen’s definition of global impact as well, and the plan includes actions for advancing them across the university’s mission.
Library resources available online for alumni
Alumni worldwide now have access to new electronic resources from Queen’s University Library.
The library has officially expanded off-campus access for all alumni. All that’s required for access is a Queen’s NetID and password. (Alumni who don’t currently have a NetID can create one by signing up for a Queen’s email address.)
Dr. Smol awarded prestigious Vega Medal
Queen’s biology professor John Smol, PhD’82, is now a member of an elite group of explorers, oceanographers, geographers, and anthropologists after receiving the Vega Medal in April.
Sometimes referred to as equivalent to a “Nobel Prize in Geography,” the Vega Medal is awarded by the Swedish Society of Anthropology and Geography (SSAG) every two to three years to an outstanding geographer or anthropologist with international renown.
Dr. Smol collected his prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the society’s chief patron.
Dr. Smol is recognized as one of the foremost experts in the study of long-term global environmental changes to lakes and rivers. He has contributed to our understanding of the impacts of pressing environmental issues, such as climate change.
Meet four recently appointed Queen’s leaders
Matthew Evans is Queen’s new provost and vice-principal (academic) and began a five-year term on Aug. 1. Dr. Evans has held academic and senior administrator roles at five universities, in various educational systems – Scotland, England, Hong Kong, and most recently he was the provost at United Arab Emirates University.
Stephanie Simpson, Artsci’95, Ed’97, MEd’11, LLM’18, started a new role as vice-principal (culture, equity, and inclusion) on June 1. The role delivers on the Queen’s mission, vision, and values, particularly the institution’s commitment to Indigenization – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (I-EDIAA). Ms. Simpson has been an integral part of the Queen’s Human Rights and Equity Office since 1996.
Colleen M. Flood is the new dean of the Queen’s Faculty of Law. She’s previously served as the director of the Centre for Health Law, Policy, and Ethics at the University of Ottawa, and was a professor and Canada Research Chair in the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law for 14 years (2000–2014).
Dr. Sarah Funnell has been named the inaugural associate dean, Indigenous Health, and chair, Indigenous Health, for a five-year term, effective Sept. 1, 2023. Dr. Funnell will strategically guide Queen’s Health Sciences in its actions to achieve reconciliation.
University Club drops membership fees
Looking to open its doors further to the Queen’s community, the University Club has eliminated membership fees for all alumni, as well as faculty, staff, and retirees.
The University Club is required by statute to keep a list of members, so any new members are required to fill out an application form, which can be obtained on the club website or by visiting the club, located at 168 Stuart St.
