In a year when campus was truly wherever a student lived, the celebrated student perspectives from around the world. This years winner, Alvin (Junyi) Li, says of his photograph, The scenery was so dreamy that the cascading waterfalls, accompanied by mist and ambient lights, created an incredible atmosphere.
Medical school placements to jump 20 per cent
The Queens University School of Medicine expects to increase undergrad and residency program placements by more than 20 per cent thanks to new funding from the province.
The announcement means Queens will receive 20 new undergraduate seats and 30 post-graduate positions. Currently, the university enrols 108 undergraduate students (from about 5,000 applications) and 126 residency positions each year.
Dr. Jane Philpott, Dean of Queens Health Sciences and Director of the School of Medicine, is not sure when Queens can start accepting the additional students, but she hopes it will be this fall.
The move, she says, is a step toward addressing the strain on our health-care system. Its the province, she points out, that sets the undergraduate and residency cap for each school as it predicts the needs of Ontario.
Were really hoping that were also going to see an expansion of our nursing school we desperately need that and, you know, ideally someday it would be great to grow the rehabilitation therapy school as well, she says.
Its not just about training more doctors. Its training more health professionals at large, and making sure that they have the resources to do their work and the support that they need It could not be more urgent to be seeing the training of more health professionals.
New lecture series opens access to top scholars
A new lecture series will provide alumni and the Queens community access to some of the leading researchers and internationally renowned visiting scholars.
The Queens Lecture Series will showcase knowledge from across campus and bring it directly to alumni and the university community through an ongoing series of annual lectures.
Queens is known for its research leadership and a history of innovation that has helped solve some of the worlds most pressing problems, says Queens Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand, Artsci94. The Queens Lecture Series is a wonderful opportunity to have direct access to and learn from these renowned experts.
Queens researchers and experts are making an impact around the world and this lecture series aims to share their knowledge with the campus community. The series will promote lectures that have been made possible through the generosity of donors who have established endowed funds at Queens. The first lectures were to be held April 14 and 28, with more dates to follow.
Queens supports those affected by invasion of Ukraine
Queens University is aiding displaced persons, as well as students, academics, and others impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane issued a statement March 1 condemning Russias actions, and the university has taken several measures to support campus community members impacted by the crisis. Those measures have included contacting students particularly those from Ukraine and Russia, as well as those with connections to the region to extend assistance. As well, communications to the whole student body highlight supports available through the Office of the Registrar, Student Wellness Services, Queens University International Centre, Faith and Spiritual Life, and other areas of the campus community.
Currently, Queens has no students participating in exchange programs in Ukraine or Russia, however, university outreach continues to those in the region.
Teams are also working with international partners to explore ways to aid potential refugee students and academics from Ukraine, for whom the university has systems in place to provide financial assistance and admission pathways. The Office of the Registrar is also working with students who may have had funding affected by economic turmoil to ensure they have access to emergency bursary support.
Members of the Queens community also gathered March 11 for a vigil for peace in connection with the invasion.
The afternoon event, hosted at Grant Hall by Interfaith Chaplain Erin Burns, provided an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to come together, reflect, and support one another.
Ivan Shapovalov, a PhD student in cancer research from Ukraine, spoke at the event and shared his feelings of being away from his family, friends, and loved ones amid the devastation, while also holding out hope for peace.
But words of support are not enough, he added, calling on everyone to take action in their daily lives.
Some people just find themselves in a war zone one day, but the rest of us have a privilege and perhaps an obligation to choose to fight the small wrongs. And even though war is tearing apart my Ukraine, there is a lesson and a reminder in it for a moral compass of anyone in Canada, too.
Two Queens deans reappointed to new terms
Two Queens University deans have been reappointed to new terms. Dr. Kevin Deluzio, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and Dr.浮arbara Crow, Dean皋f the涌aculty of Arts and Science, have been renewed effective July 1.浴r. Deluzio will serve another five-year term, while Dr. Crow has been renewed for three years, after which she will to retire to focus on research.
Dr. Deluzio, recently named a 2022 Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada, has served as dean since June 2017. Before that, he was head of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering from 2014 to 2017, as well as head of the Human Mobility Research Laboratory at Queens.
Dr. Crow has served as dean since July 2017. During her first term, the faculty developed its first strategic plan, based on the guiding principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion; excellence in teaching, research, and service; transparency, accountability, and fairness; and continuous learning, professional development, and global engagement.
Fighting Squirrels take on the Gaels
Did you hear Queens sports teams are rebranding their name to become the Fighting Squirrels? If you did, then you were probably looking at the Queens Alumni social media channels on April 1.
This years April Fools Day prank announced the university was changing the school nickname because a Gaelic translation error resulted in teams mistakenly being called the Gaels.
The post earned about 50,000 impressions but not too many people were fooled, judging by the dozens of comments from people who enjoyed the good laugh. (With apologies to the handful of alumni who said they wanted to buy Fighting Squirrel merchandise.)
There is a long history of April Fools pranks at Queens. Over the years, students have attached a giant inflatable King Kong to the Grant Hall clock tower and placed a car in a tree.
A few people fell for last years April 1 prank on Queens Alumni social media, believing the clock in the Grant Hall tower had been replaced by a digital clock.
Black Studies program gains 7 faculty members
The Faculty of Arts and Science welcomes seven new faculty members to the Black Studies program, including four Queens National Scholars in Black Studies.
The Queens National Scholar program attracts top talent, ensuring growth and the continuation of our efforts to advance research and scholarship in Black Studies and provide an exceptional student learning experience through curricular innovation, says Barbara Crow, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science. These seven new faculty members provide an interdisciplinary energy and depth to our course offerings, while also supporting students who are committed to making connections between research, activism, and social change.
Their recruitment was the result of an intensive search with a focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and scholarship that emphasizes global Black studies.
Macleans Power List includes 7 from Queens
Macleans Power List includes 7 from Queens Seven members of the Queens community are among 50 Canadians Macleans has named to its annual Power List for leading transformative change in a time of global uncertainty.
The Power List highlights the individuals, groups, and issues shaping our world. This year, Macleans said it focused on those helping to navigate the global pandemic, as well as those who will lead change in the future.
Our ability to navigate these problems will rest heavily on our brightest, bravest, and most accomplished, the magazine noted. Remember their names, and lend them your ears.
The following Queens community members were included:
- Chancellor Murray Sinclair, LLD19 (No. 30; shared with his son, Niigaan Sinclair)
- Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem, Artsci83 (No. 3)
- Defence Minister Anita Anand, Artsci89 (No. 5)
- PMO Director of Policy John Brodhead, Artsci00 (No. 8)
- Communications specialist and adviser Scott Reid, Artsci92 (No. 26)
- Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, LLD04 (No. 29)
- Giller Prize winner and Queens Department of English 2022 Winter Writer in Residence Omar El Akkad, Comp04 (No. 43)
Ban Righ Foundation honours mature women students
On March 8, the Ban Righ Foundation celebrated 13 students for their achievements and determination. Each year, the Ban Righ Centre hosts a Spring Awards ceremony as a chance for students and their families and friends, faculty, staff, and Ban Righ Foundation donors to gather at the end of term. The awards celebrate the achievements and determination of mature Queens students who identify as women. This year, the awards were held in conjunction with the Ban Righ Foundation Inspiring Women awards in a combined Facebook premiere video event. Mature women students from all disciplines are eligible to apply for these annual awards.
The awards committee was pleased to receive applications from students across many faculties and from such varied backgrounds, many of whom had not been familiar with the Ban Righ Centre previously. This was a great opportunity to introduce new students to our supports and services, says Lisa Webb, student adviser and program planner for the Ban Righ Centre.
I hope to serve not only children, but also their parents who wish to immigrate to Canada, says Ka Yan Hamorn Lau, who is pursuing a graduate diploma in immigration and citizenship law and is this years recipient of the Marian Webb Award. I started my journey at Queens, in preparation for becoming a licensed immigration consultant. I am proud to call myself a lifelong learner.
The Mildred Blackadder/Zonta Club Bursary is awarded to a mature woman who is also an Indigenous student and this year was awarded to Candace Lloyd, who is pursuing a masters in Education.
Tanashi. Sharing my traditional knowledge as a M矇tis woman is important and assisting others to incorporate Indigenous content in schools is how I am giving back to my community. As with any new venture, being an adult returning to school has brought its own stresses and challenges, she says. This award provides me with the opportunity to continue my educational journey by reducing financial burdens.
