Renowned Canadian broadcaster and Queen’s alumna to serve as 16th Chancellor

Kingston, ON – April 26, 2024 – Queen’s University is appointing award-winning broadcast journalist Shelagh Rogers (Artsci’77) as its 16th Chancellor. Chancellor-Designate Rogers will begin her term on July 1, 2024, succeeding current Chancellor, The Honourable Murray Sinclair.

“I am very pleased to share that Shelagh Rogers will be joining us as the 16th Chancellor of our university,” says Principal Deane. “Shelagh’s remarkable career, wide-ranging experience, and her roots at Queen’s make her an ideal representative for our institution and its values.”  

Chancellor-Designate Rogers enjoyed a 40-year career as a celebrated broadcast journalist with the CBC. She previously served as Chancellor of the University of Victoria from 2015 to 2021.

“I am honoured and excited to be appointed to this important role at Queen’s,” says Chancellor-Designate Rogers. “I have such fond memories of my time here as a student and look forward to rejoining the campus community ready to contribute to our university’s bright future.”

Beyond her professional achievements, Chancellor-Designate Rogers is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, particularly among youth. She has received accolades from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and has been a recipient of the inaugural Margaret Trudeau Award for Mental Health Advocacy.

In 2011, Chancellor-Designate Rogers was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture, mental health advocacy, and adult literacy. That same year, she was inducted as an Honorary Witness to the testimonies of residential school Survivors and their families, shared at national gatherings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), and she continues to amplify Indigenous voices and narratives in her ongoing work. In 2019, she received an honorary degree from Queen’s University.

“Shelagh was one of the Honorary Witnesses for the TRC and dedicated much of her time and effort to communicating to the public what she had heard Survivors saying,” says Chancellor Murray Sinclair, who chaired Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “I am pleased that she has agreed to accept the position of Chancellor at Queen’s University as her public reputation and communication skills will greatly assist the university in its work and reputation.”

As Chancellor, Rogers will serve on the University Council and Board of Trustees, preside over convocation ceremonies, confer degrees, and play an important role in engaging with Queen’s alumni, hosting dignitaries, and in selecting the institution’s Principal. 

(Photo available upon request)

About Queen’s University 

Queen’s University has a long history of scholarship, discovery, and innovation that has shaped our collective knowledge and helped address some of the world’s most pressing concerns. Home to more than 28,000 students, the university offers a comprehensive research-intensive environment with prominent strengths in physics, cancer research, geoengineering, data analytics, surveillance studies, art conservation, and mental health research.

Media Contact

Julie Brown, Media Relations Manager
brown.julie@queensu.ca
343-363-2763
 

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