“Four passions have fueled my life: adult literacy, mental health, public broadcasting, and truth, healing, and reconciliation,” said Chancellor Rogers during her address to convocation. “So many of the world’s problems start with a failure of imagination. Let’s reclaim our capacity to imagine. Let’s hold on to our imaginations. And let’s imagine otherwise. I thank you kindly for the privilege of addressing you at this convocation. And, graduating students, thank you for what you are about to do. I imagine you are going to change the world.”

Later in the ceremony, Chancellor Rogers conferred an honorary degree for the first time since joining Queen’s. The degree was awarded to acclaimed Cree artist Kent Monkman, whose work challenges colonial perspectives and historical narratives about Indigenous peoples and has been featured in prominent institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hirshorn Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Following the afternoon installation ceremony, Chancellor Rogers was celebrated during a special evening reception at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. There she met with members of the Queen’s community, including university leaders, students, faculty, and staff. She also delivered remarks during the reception, as did Principal Deane, Board of Trustees Chair David Court, and Rector Niki Boytchuk-Hale.

You can listen to a recording of CFRC’s audio broadcast of the speeches during the reception on the CFRC website.