On Campus
It is the oldest library on campus, and now, exactly 100 years to the day it originally opened, Queen’s will celebrate the Douglas Library’s centenary (1924–2024). To mark this milestone, Queen’s University Library invites all alumni to a talk by architectural historian Dr. Jennifer McKendry. Learn the secrets and incredible stories behind the limestone of this campus landmark.
- WHAT: “Douglas Library: An Essay in Gothic Revival”
- WHERE: 1923 Reading Room in the Douglas Library
- WHEN: Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.
Cancer research transformed by landmark gift
A transformational gift is set to advance cancer research at Queen’s. Announced June 10, a $25-million contribution from Murray and Cara Sinclair will allow the university to build research capacity, establish advanced facilities, create training opportunities, and improve cancer care and treatments locally, nationally, and around the world.
“We are grateful to the Sinclairs for their exceptional generosity, driven by their desire to change the future of cancer care through research and education,” says Jane Philpott, Dean of Queen’s Health Sciences. “This gift aligns with our faculty’s key priorities: to drive world-renowned, collaborative research; to prepare the next generation of health scientists; and to improve health care in Canada and beyond.”
In recognition of the Sinclairs’ gift, the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute has been renamed the Cara & Murray Sinclair Cancer Research Institute (SCRI). The SCRI is the only Canadian centre that unites experts from three key disciplines – cancer biology and genetics, clinical trials, and cancer care and epidemiology – to share knowledge, advance treatments, and evaluate patient impact.
“We want everyone here to know how pleased we are to be here, and how honoured we are to play a role in supporting such important work,” said Murray Sinclair, Com’84, at the event, which was held at the School of Medicine on Arch Street.
Queen’s ranks 8th on Impact list
The university earned its fourth consecutive top-10 finish, reaching eighth globally and second in North America, as part of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. The rankings are a global assessment of progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Queen’s is the only Canadian university to achieve four consecutive top-10 finishes since the ranking began in 2019.
“The Queen’s community should be very proud of this year’s results, as they show that our institution’s commitment to tackling the world’s greatest challenges remains strong and is supported by real action,” notes Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. “Our performances in the Impact Rankings have raised Queen’s profile internationally and continue to open doors for collaboration and opportunities to have even more impact.”
The goals were established by United Nations member nations in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.
First recipients of unique program receive degrees
The first two graduates of the Promise Scholars program, which provides comprehensive supports to local first-generation students, donned their caps and gowns and crossed the stage to receive their bachelor’s degrees in June.
Queen’s announced the creation of the Promise Scholars program in 2019 and admitted the first students in 2020. Five awards are available each year, and there are currently 16 Promise Scholars enrolled at the university.
Promise Scholars receive academic and career support in addition to four years of funding between $60,000 and $100,000 (depending on their program) that enables scholars to graduate loan-free with no repayable debt. Queen’s connects Promise Scholars with guidance even before they start their studies by enrolling them in QSuccess, a mentorship program that pairs each first-year student with an upper-year student mentor.
“Being a Promise Scholar has been a transformative experience and it was truly an honour to be part of the first cohort of the program,” says Reem Gharib, a Promise Scholar who recently completed the commerce program. “I was able to pursue my dream program because of this scholarship. I know I’m never going to forget the opportunities it’s given me.”
Make a gift to support Promise Scholars
McDonald Institute earns $45.5M in federal support
On April 16, the federal government tabled Budget 2024 and pledged $45.5 million over five years to the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute as part of a $734-million plan to support major research and innovation infrastructure in Canada.
Hosted at Queen’s, the McDonald Institute is the cross-Canada network for astroparticle physics researchers, uniting experimental, theoretical, and technical expertise within one organization.
As a world leader in this rapidly growing field, Canada has played a key role in advancing global priority research in physics, astronomy, and cosmology. Canada’s success is grounded in sustained commitments from its funding partners, who have supported world-leading major research, including the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics and 2016 Breakthrough Prize for Queen’s Professor Emeritus Dr. Arthur McDonald and his collaborators.
Political Studies professor wins prestigious fellowship
Faculty of Arts and Science Associate Dean (Research) Stéfanie von Hlatky became the fourth Queen’s professor to earn an acclaimed Trudeau Fellowship, one of only four researchers across Canada to earn this honour in 2024.
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation selected this year’s honourees for their research excellence, their leadership as engaged educators, and their skills in academic teaching and mentoring.
“I am very committed to research leadership so receiving this honour is particularly meaningful for me personally, but also very relevant for my role as Associate Dean (Research) in FAS,” says Dr. von Hlatky.
Dr. von Hlatky’s contribution highlights the link between gender equality and international peace and security and is tied to her work as the Canada Research Chair in Gender, Security, and the Armed Forces.
Queen’s bids fond farewell to Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill)
Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill), an alumna and lifelong educator and facilitator of Indigenous knowledge at Queen’s University and within the region, has retired from her position of Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation).
“Jan’s impact on Queen’s University can be felt in so many ways,” says Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) Stephanie Simpson. “Her guidance has led to everything from a shift in pedagogy to dedicated spaces on campus for Indigenous teaching and learning … I know her legacy will graciously inhabit this university, and region, for generations to come.”
Since becoming an adjunct faculty member in the Queen’s Faculty of Education in 1988, she provided the university with vital leadership around Reconciliation and Indigenization. She helped establish the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP), served as the program’s academic co-director from 1997 to 1998, and was named the director of Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre at Queen’s. She co-ordinated the revitalization of the Indigenous Council of Queen’s University, she assisted in the development of the Indigenous Studies Minor, and she was a member of Queen’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Task Force.
The Office of the Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) will begin its search for the position of AVP (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation) in the upcoming months. Those interested can send any feedback on the search.
Influential Indigenous scholar joins Law
Kimberly Murray, a Mohawk lawyer and executive leader, has been named as Queen’s National Scholar in Indigenous Legal Studies. Ms. Murray, who will join the Faculty of Law in January, has dedicated her legal career to promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and advocating for Indigenous communities.
Ms. Murray has previously served as the executive director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2010–2015) and as Ontario’s first-ever assistant deputy attorney general for Indigenous justice (2015–2022), revitalizing Indigenous laws and expanding legal services and programs for Indigenous Peoples.
“Through her exceptional scholarly and advocacy experience,” says Dean Colleen M. Flood, “Kimberly will help reinforce our faculty’s expertise in Indigenous law, contribute to our innovative approaches to teaching and learning about Indigenous laws – including on-the-land teaching – and further our aspiration to be a leader in Indigenous knowledge and in realizing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action no. 28.”
New rector installed in May
Niki Boytchuk-Hale, ConEd’24, was installed as the 39th rector of Queen’s University in May and will serve in a role that is unique to Queen’s among Canadian universities. The first rector took office in 1913 and the position has been filled by a student since 1969. The rector is the third-highest officer of the university following the chancellor and principal.
Ms. Boytchuk-Hale, who is set to begin studying for a master’s degree in education in the fall, has three strategic pillars for her term as rector: communication, well-being, and collaboration.
“I believe that the quality of life of students at Queen’s needs to be improved, and that we can improve it by working together as a campus community,” says Ms. Boytchuk-Hale. “It is my goal to ensure not only that resources for students are in place but also that students are aware that these resources exist.”
Queen’s 2024–25 Pathy Foundation Fellow named
Recent graduate Damai Siallagan, Artsci’24, has been named the 2024–2025 Queen’s University Pathy Foundation Fellow.
The Pathy Fellowship is a self-directed opportunity for young leaders. Fellows propose projects in any field, sector, and community. The program offers recipients experiential learning opportunities to gain a competitive advantage for their careers as they test and develop skills in their respective fields while benefiting from a rich support network of peers, facilitators, and experienced practitioners.
An alumnus of the global development studies and history programs, Mr. Siallagan is working on a project that aims to improve digital literacy among Indigenous communities to adapt their services for growth in the tourism sector of Lake Toba, Indonesia.
Professors recognized for graduate supervision
Dr. Heidi Ploeg and Dr. Asha Varadharajan have been recognized for their inspiring mentorship of students with the 2024 Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision.
A professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Dr. Ploeg directs the Queen’s Bone and Joint Biomechanics (Q-BJB) Lab in the Centre for Health Innovation. As Smith Engineering Chair for Women in Engineering, Dr. Ploeg has a mandate to increase the number of women who become practising engineers and scholars.
An associate professor in the Department of English, Dr. Varadharajan has supervised 16 PhD dissertations, three master’s theses, and four post-doctoral fellows, and she has served on more than 40 examining committees in a range of departments. Her supervision is founded upon respect for the intellectual autonomy of students, awareness of disciplinary demands for critical excellence and professionalization, and acute attentiveness to student needs and aspirations.
