Award-winning broadcast journalist Shelagh Rogers (Artsci'77) was officially installed as Queen's University's 16th Chancellor during the first ceremony of Fall Convocation 2024. Her three-year term began in July following her appointment to the role in April 2024.
The Chancellor is the highest officer and ceremonial head of the university, presiding over convocations, conferring degrees, and chairing annual meetings of the University Council. Chancellor Rogers is the 16th person to hold the position since its creation in 1874, and the second woman to serve in the role. The first was Agnes McCausland Benedickson, who served from 1980-1996.
During the installation, Chancellor Rogers took the official oath of her new role and put on the robes of the office. Senate Vice Chair Duncan Hunter shared warm greetings and best wishes that academic institutions across Canada sent to the new Chancellor for her installation. Chancellor Rogers then had an opportunity to address convocation.
Chancellor Rogers addressing convocation after being officially installed.
"Four passions have fueled my life: adult literacy, mental health, public broadcasting, and truth, healing, and reconciliation," said Chancellor Rogers during her address to convocation. "So many of the world's problems start with a failure of imagination. Let's reclaim our capacity to imagine. Let's hold on to our imaginations. And let's imagine otherwise. I thank you kindly for the privilege of addressing you at this convocation. And, graduating students, thank you for what you are about to do. I imagine you are going to change the world."
Later in the ceremony, Chancellor Rogers conferred an honorary degree for the first time since joining Queen's. The degree was awarded to acclaimed Cree artist Kent Monkman, whose work challenges colonial perspectives and historical narratives about Indigenous peoples and has been featured in prominent institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hirshorn Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Following the afternoon installation ceremony, Chancellor Rogers was celebrated during a special evening reception at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. There she met with members of the Queen's community, including university leaders, students, faculty, and staff. She also delivered remarks during the reception, as did Principal Deane, Board of Trustees Chair David Court, and Rector Niki Boytchuk-Hale.
You can listen to a recording of CFRC's audio broadcast of the speeches during the reception on the CFRC website.
