2026 is a big year for the Queen’s University Alumni Association – we are turning 100! Formed in November 1926 by unanimous vote at the first Homecoming celebration, the association has had an impact on the institution over the past century that is truly immeasurable. While we could count the philanthropic dollars raised, grants awarded, and events held, more difficult to quantify are the intangible benefits arising from the informal connections, mentorship, support, and counsel offered by, and within, our community.
One of the best parts of my role as QUAA president is having a view into the many ways members of our community support Queen’s and each other. While we take great joy in celebrating the contributions of our alumni through channels such as our annual QUAA Gala awards (June 4 in Toronto!), and in the Alumni Review, there are also so many small acts of alumni generosity and kindness that are constantly occurring and worth celebrating!
This was recently affirmed at a virtual panel hosted and moderated by the president of the Queen’s Student Alumni Association, Samantha Rogers. Sam gathered a group of student leaders with the Alma Mater Society and the Society of Graduate and Professional Students (SGPS) to share their experiences with alumni, as well as their perspectives about where students might benefit from different forms of alumni support.
The students were especially enthusiastic about connecting with alumni who had held their roles in the past, or who shared academic and career interests. The students shared how much they enjoyed speaking with alumni about how the university culture has shifted over the years. They were interested in strategizing how our community can keep evolving for the better, while also holding on to what makes Queen’s unique and special – a question of mutual interest!
One of my favourite moments of the panel was when incoming SGPS president Tatyana Grandmaitre, a second-year law student who also completed her undergraduate degree at Queen’s, talked about the ripple effects of alumni mentorship. She noted her observation that students take kernels of wisdom away from their conversations with alumni and repeat them to other students, on campus and beyond. In that way, the mentees become the mentors! It was a nice idea I could relate to on both sides.
Overall, the conversation left me feeling gratitude for alumni who freely give their time and energy to our students, setting an amazing example that multiplies many times over. Hearing from our student leaders left me incredibly optimistic for the future of our alumni association. Cheers to the next 100 years: thank you for all that you do and the big and small ways you support Queen’s – and Cha Gheill!
