Queen's University Alumni Board

Meet your Homecoming hosts! Join CBC Radio's Shelagh Rogers, Artsci’77, and Queen's University Alumni Board president Rico Garcia, Artsci’13, as we virtually celebrate the Queen’s community on Oct. 17. Register now: https://bit.ly/2HbmcXl #queenshomecoming

The Queen's University Alumni Association Annual General meeting brought about 45 alumni together today for voting items, updates, and important conversations on diversity and inclusion. Thanks to everyone who joined us from around the world!

The latest Alumni Review article from QUAA President Rico Garcia (Artsci'13): "Belonging at Queen's" "Not everyone has been as privileged as me in finding that sense of belonging at Queen’s. This has especially been the case for many Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) as evidenced by the hundreds of shocking stories of racism and discrimination recently shared by both students and alumni in various social media channels." Link: https://www.queensu.ca//st/quaa-president-belonging-queens

Our next set of QUAA Board Book Picks features topics ranging from disabilities to the opioid crisis. "Women Philosophers of the Early Modern Period" by Margaret Atherton "When I was last on campus at the bookstore, this book caught my eye. As a philosophy student, I was intrigued to know how the wisdom of 17th and 18th century women philosophers could be applicable today." - Irene Wood, Director of Reunions... "The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving, and Changing the World" by Al Etmanski "Disabilities only become difficulties because of policies and environmental design. This book illuminates stories of people with diverse disabilities to teach us that they love and dream and contribute their talents in powerful ways - even when society is designed to exclude them. My brother has Down syndrome. And he lights up the world." - Graeme Matichuk, Director of Digital Media "They Said This Would Be Fun" by Eternity Martis "Following the author’s time at Western University, which was filled with overt and covert anti-Black racism, this book challenged my perceptions of the Canadian university experience. The book made me rethink my time at Queen’s and how I was blind to some of the anti-Black racism my classmates would have experienced, and led me to consider how I can practice better allyship going forward with my involvement in the Queen’s community and beyond." - Colin McLeod, Executive VP Operations "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking" by Susan Cain "At the risk of oversimplifying, the book is about how society often undervalues the voices of those that are more introverted and soft-spoken. I actually read this book a little while ago, but was reminded of it recently because of what rough shape certain parts of the world are in thanks to listening the loudest, most obnoxious voices, rather than the quieter and more thoughtful ones." - Allan McGavin, Director of Global Branch Network "Overdose: Heartbreak and Hope in Canada’s Opiod Crisis" by Benjamin Perrin "In this book, UBC law prof and former criminal justice advisor to PM Stephen Harper, Benjamin Perrin, provides a gripping account of Canada’s opioid crisis, while describing the transformation of his personal views as a result of researching the topic. Perrin makes a strong case for a fundamental shift in how policy-makers address drug use, arguing it should be considered a public health issue, and drug addiction should be treated as a chronic disease." - Allison Williams, Director of Alumni Giving"

With so many important issues being raised this summer, we're sharing our QUAA Board Book Picks that cover topics ranging from racism to the diverse beliefs in higher ed. Here's our first set: "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates "After spending the last few months in Brooklyn, NY with my little family, I'm welcoming this moment for reflection as I read this book. Having somewhere to escape is a privilege right now that I'm not taking for granted as is the comfort... I feel in my own skin." - Julia Reid, Director of Marketing & Communications "Seven Fallen Feathers" by Tanya Talaga "This book was recommended to me by some of my Indigenous colleagues. It was a hard but important read of seven Indigenous high school students who died in Thunder Bay, far away from their families and their homes. I look forward to reading her book, All Our Relations, next." - Jacklyn Lewis, Director of Special Projects "Educated" by Tara Westover "This has been on my to-read pile for a while, and I finally got to it a few months ago. It’s a good reminder of the breadth of beliefs and values in our world. As someone working in higher ed, I like considering the raw possibilities in our student body - you never really know where people are coming from, or what they’re bringing to the institution and their peers. (That being said, I think this particular novel is likely pretty exaggerated!)" - Lisa Hood, Executive VP Volunteer Recruitment and Recognition "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho "Every time I read The Alchemist, a different lesson stands out. Reading it this summer, during a global pandemic, amidst immense social upheaval, it taught me the importance of perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity. Along with this perseverance, Santiago's tale reminded me to appreciate and learn from the journey itself." - Jasmit Kaur, Director of Young Alumni

We're celebrating the LGBTQ2S+ community of Queen's while recognizing that there is still work to do in our student, alumni, staff, and faculty communities to support LGBTQ2S+ Gaels. Amidst a global pandemic, economic crisis, climate crisis, and modern day civil rights movement, we must acknowledge and actively fight for human rights for all. Happy Pride!