In Conversation: 2025 Queen’s Distinguished Service Award Winners

In this special episode of Campus Beat, host Dinah Jansensits down with 5 of the 6 2025 Queen’s University Distinguished Service Award Recipients.

Inaugurated by the University Council in 1974, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have made the University a better place through their extraordinary contributions. Queen’s faculty, staff, students, retirees, and members of University Council, the Queen’s Alumni Association, and the Board of Trustees are invited each year to nominate candidates for a Queen’s Distinguished Service Award.

This years’ recipients include faculty, staff, and volunteers who’ve helped shape Queen’s through years of leadership, mentorship, and behind-the-scenes support.

Of the winners, Principal and Vice Chancellor Patrick Deane said that is  “an incredibly inspiring group of people we’re celebrating with this year’s Distinguished Service Awards,” and “Their passion, commitment, and generosity have made a lasting mark at Queen’s, and we’re all better for it. Principal Deane extended his gratitude and went on to add that the winners “represent the best of our community, and their work is inspiring.”

This years’ winners, Dr. Stephen Archer, Heather Black, Tianna Edwards, Professor Takis Katsabanis, Sandra Murray, and Ann Tierney will soon be honoured at a special reception at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts on November 7th.  Registration for the event is still open via queensu.ca/alumni.

Unfortunately, we were not able to connect with Distinguished Service Award Winner Sandra Murray. Sandra dedicated 37 years of extraordinary service to Queen’s, becoming a cornerstone of the Centre for Teaching and Learning. Starting as a receptionist and progressing to impactful leadership, she played a vital role in supporting faculty and staff, advancing teaching excellence, and fostering a rich academic environment benefitting generations of educators and learners alike. She leaves an enduring legacy defined by steadfast dedication, generosity, and an unparalleled support network vital to Queen’s academic community.

Congratulations to Sandra alongside her Distinguish Service Award Winning peers on their tremendous accomplishments!