Celebrating a community of Queen’s scholars

Queen’s has launched several major scholarships and admission awards in recent years, many of them aimed at making Queen’s more accessible to exceptional students from diverse backgrounds. The goal of these programs is not only to put a Queen’s education within reach for students but also to make them feel supported throughout their studies.

An annual celebration hosted by Student Affairs in Grant Hall brought together more than 300 first-year and upper-year students admitted through the Promise Scholars, Commitment Scholars, Karta Catalyst Scholars, and Principal’s Global Scholars programs, as well as the Major Admission Awards, including the Chancellor’s Scholarship. Along with recognizing their achievements, the gathering also helped them connect with Queen’s faculty, staff, and senior leaders in attendance.

“Student scholars bring exceptional academic potential, diverse perspectives, and leadership to campus,” says Interim Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs, Corinna Fitzgerald. “This celebration is a way to welcome new scholars into the Queen’s community, create connections, and recognize their achievements. It also highlights how these scholarships and awards have grown over time and supports the university’s desire to increase meaningful opportunities for students and strengthen the campus community.”

Two upper-year students took to the Grant Hall stage during the reception to reflect on their experiences at Queen’s so far and to offer encouragement to their peers.

“Coming here meant turning down a full-ride scholarship to a school closer to home. But Queen's offered me something money can't buy: community,” said Lucas Perri, second-year health sciences student and Commitment Scholar, during his speech at the event. “As scholarship recipients, we're part of something rare: a place that invests not in our accolades, but in our potential. Potential we may not always see in ourselves, but that others at Queen's see in us. My first year taught me something important: every scholarship here represents more than recognition—it represents belonging.”

Lucas Perri speaking during the event. (Madeline Da Silva)

Perri says that one of the highlights of the event for him was seeing the first-year students gradually become more relaxed and make connections.

“At the beginning of the reception last year, I was a nervous first-year constantly adjusting my tie and by the end I’d made a lot of new friends and got to know deans and professors,” says Perri. “It was fun to see this year’s newest students go through the same experience and be able to talk with them and give them some advice. It helped me see how far I’ve come since starting Queen’s and made me feel like I’m part of something bigger.”

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Senior leaders like Chancellor Shelagh Rogers were on hand to meet with the students and celebrate their achievements. (Madeline Da Silva)

Major scholarships and awards at Queen’s

All Queen’s major scholarships and awards recognize academic achievement, and some are also specifically designed to increase access to the university among equity-deserving students.

The Commitment Scholars program recognizes the significant contributions of equity-deserving students to creating and supporting an inclusive community through demonstrated commitment to racial justice, social justice, and diversity in their schools, their communities, and at Queen's. There are currently 49 Commitment Scholars at Queen’s.

The Promise Scholars program is designed to reduce financial barriers and increase access to Queen’s for first-generation students from Kingston and the surrounding counties. The program provides dedicated financial, academic, and career support to help students complete their degree. There are currently 19 Promise Scholars at Queen’s.

Students during the Grant Hall celebration. (Madeline Da Silva)

The Karta Catalyst Scholars program is a partnership with The Karta Initiative, which provides access to university for promising students from low-income rural communities in India. There are currently 9 Karta Scholars at Queen’s.

The Principal’s Global Scholars program provides students who have been forcibly displaced by war, conflict, and political instability with an admissions pathway and funding to complete their degree at Queen’s. Through Queen’s long-standing partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program, we currently have 11 WUSC students at Queen’s.

The Major Admission Awards recognize students who demonstrate superior academic ability, creative and original thinking, involvement in school or community activities, and proven leadership. These awards include the Chancellor’s Scholarship, for which students must be nominated by their high schools. There are currently 168 Chancellor’s Scholars and 185 additional Major Admission Award recipients at Queen’s.

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