Thousands of alumni, students, and community members gathered on campus for Homecoming 2025, celebrating generations of tricolour pride and shared memories. The Oct. 17-19 weekend marked the 99th edition of Homecoming, bringing alumni from across Canada and around the world together for one of Queen鈥檚 most cherished university events.
Agnes launches Fall 2025 off-site program
Agnes Etherington Art Centre continues its innovative off-site programming in the lead-up to , opening next year. At its temporary exhibition space in the Rideau Building (207 Stuart St.) and other local venues, Agnes presents a new season of ambitious exhibitions and programs developed in collaboration with the , , , and more. 鈥淎gnes continues our commitment to deepening relationships with local creative communities, artists, and spaces,鈥 says Emelie Chhangur, director and curator of Agnes. 鈥淥ur closure has been an incredible journey of building trust, establishing new partnerships, and collaboratively investing in Kingston鈥檚 future as a foremost destination for arts and culture.鈥 The program began with in September and extends into 2026 with , scheduled to close on March 29. Visit for details.
Queen鈥檚 marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Academic activity was suspended on Sept. 30 as the Queen鈥檚 community marked , a day when Canadians remember and honour victims and Survivors of the Indigenous residential school system. With many wearing orange T-shirts featuring a design by Cree artisan Jaylene Cardinal in support of Kahw谩:tsire Indigenous-Led Child and Family Programs, the university recognized what is also known as Orange Shirt Day with activities and events designed to offer opportunities for students, faculty, employees, and alumni to learn and reflect. 鈥淥ur acknowledgment of this important day took so many forms that can speak to people in different ways 鈥 from art, to Sacred Fires, to opportunities to listen to and participate in important discussions. There was a meaningful way for each person to connect,鈥 says Lisa Maracle, associate vice-principal (Indigenous Initiatives). 鈥淔or me, personally, it was also moving to see so many people supporting the day by wearing orange shirts. There is still a lot of work to be done, of course, but just seeing more people participating is a positive sign.鈥 In a note to the Queen鈥檚 community, Principal Patrick Deane encouraged 鈥渁ll non-Indigenous community members to actively engage in their own learning, now and in the future, and to be responsible and steadfast allies.鈥
Smith School of Business celebrates Stephen Smith鈥檚 transformational gift
The Smith School of Business community gathered in Toronto on Sept. 23 to celebrate a decade of transformation sparked by Stephen Smith鈥檚 visionary gift. Held at SmithToronto in the heart of downtown, the event celebrated Mr. Smith鈥檚 historic $50-million gift 鈥 the largest ever made to a business school in Canada when it was given on Oct. 1, 2015. In front of a packed house of faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and many past and present Smith Scholars (recipients of the Stephen J.R. Smith MBA Scholarship), the evening featured remarks from Dean Lynnette Purda, Principal Patrick Deane, and Kerri Regan, director of the MIB and full-time MBA programs. Ms. Regan also moderated a panel featuring alumni Vir Advani, MBA鈥17, Brenda Baganzi, MBA鈥22, and Andrew Lue, Artsci鈥14, MBA鈥20. Mr. Smith, Sc鈥72, LLD鈥17, received a standing ovation as he shared his pride in the impact of his gift, which was motivated by his strong belief in the power of education to drive Canada鈥檚 long-term prosperity.
Bader College to re-open to students and researchers after essential repairs
After a hiatus to address repairs at Herstmonceux Castle, Bader College will re-open in 2026 for educational programming, with a new academic model and vision guiding its operations and strategic direction. This fall, the essential repairs to the castle building, as outlined in a recent survey conducted by architectural firm Gould Baxter, will be completed, and all areas of the castle will be accessible by the end of the year. These restorations include the newly rebuilt gatehouse parapet and repairs to the southwest tower. Additional restoration works will be conducted over the next few years, but they will not have an impact on operations at Bader College.
Draft of Queen鈥檚 University Bicentennial Vision released
Queen鈥檚 has released a draft Bicentennial Vision that will guide the university as it approaches its 200th anniversary in 2041. The release follows consultations over the past several months. The draft Bicentennial Vision, written by an internal advisory group based on themes and feedback collected since January 2025, sets out Queen鈥檚 ambitions to be Canada鈥檚 defining research university, uniting academic excellence, world-class research, and Queen鈥檚 renowned close community with a shared sense of purpose to help solve the world鈥檚 成人大片 challenges. It also provides a framework that is complementary to ongoing efforts to achieve structurally balanced budgets, and to guide short- and longer-term planning across teaching, research, and operations. Following the assessment and incorporation of feedback collected this fall, the draft Bicentennial Vision will be presented to the Board of Trustees by Principal Deane for final review and approval in December.
