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A new $1.3 million professorship will bring more experiential learning, outreach, and groundbreaking research to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. 

The Peter Taylor Professorship in Mathematics and Statistics, named in honour of one of Queen’s longest-serving faculty members, will be funded over the next decade by a longtime anonymous donor to Queen’s with a passion for the mentorship of future leaders.

“It’s humbling to have this named after me, and I’m truly thankful,” says Dr. Taylor (Artsci’64, MSc’65). “I know this generous gift will help the department continue to recruit top-tier faculty who will provide invaluable mentorship to students.” 
Dr. Taylor is currently a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, with a cross appointment to Biology and Education. In 2024, he celebrated a remarkable 55 years at Queen’s.

Outside of Queen’s, Dr. Taylor is perhaps best known for his extensive curriculum writing with the Ontario Ministry of Education, as well as his co-founding of , an innovative high-school math program that inspires students to work collaboratively and creatively.

In 2013, Dr. Taylor’s service to Queen’s and beyond was recognized through the creation of the, which helps finance the Math Quest summer camp for high-school girls. The anonymous donor to the new professorship has also been an avid supporter of that fund.

“The generosity of this donor is remarkable,” says Bob Lemieux, Dean of Arts and Science. “And now this new professorship gives us a way to further enhance the university’s ability to attract and retain distinguished scholars, foster cutting-edge research, and enrich the educational experience of students.”

The professorship also closely aligns with four of Queen’s six strategic goals related to research impact, student learning, research and teaching integration, and global engagement.

“A huge thank you to this donor for their commitment to teaching and research — and their recognition of a legendary Queen’s professor,” says Troy Day, Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. “This gift is going to ensure our students get the very best education in mathematics and statistics for years to come.”