Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs, is pleased to announce that Kate Johnson (MDiv’06) has been appointed as Queen’s next university chaplain, effective August 19.

"We are pleased to welcome Kate back to the Queen's community," says Ms. Tierney. "I am delighted Kate will continue the important role of chaplain, providing pastoral and spiritual counselling, as well as supporting multifaith programming on campus."

Kate Johnson

Ms. Johnson brings extensive chaplaincy and counselling experience to the role, most recently from her work with Correctional Services of Canada, Kingston General Hospital and the Canadian Hearing Society. She is a graduate of Queen's, having received a Master of Divinity with a concentration in restorative justice from Queen’s Theological College in 2006.

"My own time studying at Queen's was full of both joy and challenge and I am really looking forward to journeying with students through this time of huge growth in their lives,” she says. “It will be wonderful to be in a ministry where there is so much to celebrate. I also have roots in interfaith dialogue and am excited about engaging that passion in an environment that promotes conversation and inquiry. It is daunting to be following in Brian's footsteps, but I can't stop smiling as I look forward to what I am sure will be a gratifying ministry."

As chaplain, Ms. Johnson will provide spiritual guidance to students, staff and faculty, facilitate a variety of interfaith activities, provide multifaith invocations at convocation, and preside over other university events. She succeeds Brian Yealland, who retired in June after 32 years as university chaplain.