Campus News

Campus News: Summer 2023聽

A closeup photo of the ceiling woodwork on the Indigenous Gathering Space.

Photography by Callum Linden

On Campus 

There鈥檚 a new structure on campus 鈥 the university鈥檚 latest Indigenous gathering space. An important place for ceremonies, learning, and community, its form is inspired by traditional Anishinaabe wigwams.  

  • What: A new Indigenous gathering space 
  • Where: Near the south end of Tindall Field 
  • When: Opening Fall 2023

It鈥檚 a three-peat for Queen鈥檚 in the Impact Rankings 

For the third straight year, Queen鈥檚 has ranked among the top 10 in the 鈥 earning third place worldwide and first place in North America out of more than 1,700 universities.  

The rankings are a global measurement for assessing universities鈥 performance in advancing the , which were established in 2015 to guide global action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure shared peace and prosperity for everyone by 2030.   

Queen鈥檚 submitted evidence for all 17 SDGs and placed first in the world for its contributions to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), second in the world for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and seventh for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). 


Register now for Homecoming 

Online registration for Queen鈥檚 Homecoming 2023 is open. Join your former classmates and return to campus Oct. 20鈥22. 

This is a milestone reunion year with special programming for graduating class years ending in three or eight, as well as members of the Tricolour Guard (alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more). However, all alumni are welcome back to campus to celebrate. 

Activities this year include the family-friendly Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering, the Alumni Parade to Richardson Stadium, and a football game against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees. 

Visit Queen鈥檚 Homecoming to register and see a list of planned events.  


Queen鈥檚 strategy to enhance global engagement 

Queen鈥檚 has launched its new Global Engagement Strategic Plan 2023鈥2028, a guiding document for enhancing the university鈥檚 ability to generate global impact. 

Designed in alignment with the Queen鈥檚 Strategy, the plan sets out six objectives for embedding global engagement across the university鈥檚 mission and for creating a thriving global community that welcomes diverse ways of knowing and being from around the world.  

Its development involved consultation with more than 400 students, faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, alumni, and staff, as well as local and global partners. 

Some of the key commitments within the plan include expanding global learning and study abroad opportunities, financial and administrative supports for global research, and the Principal鈥檚 Global Scholars and Fellows program. The United Nations鈥 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a critical component of Queen鈥檚 definition of global impact as well, and the plan includes actions for advancing them across the university鈥檚 mission.


Library resources available online for alumni 

Alumni worldwide now have access to new electronic resources from . 

The library has officially expanded . All that鈥檚 required for access is a Queen鈥檚 NetID and password. (Alumni who don鈥檛 currently have a NetID can create one by signing up for a Queen鈥檚 email address.)


Dr. Smol awarded prestigious Vega Medal 

, PhD鈥82, is now a member of an elite group of explorers, oceanographers, geographers, and anthropologists after receiving the Vega Medal in April.  

Sometimes referred to as equivalent to a 鈥淣obel Prize in Geography,鈥 the Vega Medal is awarded by the every two to three years to an outstanding geographer or anthropologist with international renown.  

Dr. Smol collected his prize from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the society鈥檚 chief patron.  

Dr. Smol is recognized as one of the foremost experts in the study of long-term global environmental changes to lakes and rivers. He has contributed to our understanding of the impacts of pressing environmental issues, such as climate change. 


Meet four recently appointed Queen鈥檚 leaders 

Matthew Evans is Queen鈥檚 new provost and vice-principal (academic) and began a five-year term on Aug. 1. Dr. Evans has held academic and senior administrator roles at five universities, in various educational systems 鈥 Scotland, England, Hong Kong, and most recently he was the provost at United Arab Emirates University.  

Stephanie Simpson, Artsci鈥95, Ed鈥97, MEd鈥11, LLM鈥18, started a new role as vice-principal (culture, equity, and inclusion) on June 1. The role delivers on the Queen鈥檚 mission, vision, and values, particularly the institution鈥檚 commitment to Indigenization 鈥 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (I-EDIAA). Ms. Simpson has been an integral part of the Queen鈥檚 Human Rights and Equity Office since 1996. 

is the new dean of the . She鈥檚 previously served as the director of the Centre for Health Law, Policy, and Ethics at the University of Ottawa, and was a professor and Canada Research Chair in the University of Toronto鈥檚 Faculty of Law for 14 years (2000鈥2014). 

has been named the inaugural associate dean, Indigenous Health, and chair, Indigenous Health, for a five-year term, effective Sept. 1, 2023. Dr. Funnell will strategically guide in its actions to achieve reconciliation. 


University Club drops membership fees 

Looking to open its doors further to the Queen鈥檚 community, the University Club has eliminated membership fees for all alumni, as well as faculty, staff, and retirees. 

The University Club is required by statute to keep a list of members, so any new members are required to fill out an application form, which can be obtained on the club website or by visiting the club, located at 168 Stuart St.

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