Queen's Law Celebrates 50 Years at Homecoming

Photo by Bernard Clark

Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo, Law ‘76, Dean Bill Flanagan and Chief Justice Heather Forster Smith, Law ‘71, in Macdonald Hall where the Judiciary Recognition Wall was unveiled at the gala homecoming reception on October 20, 2007.

Queen's Law's 50th anniversary celebrations culminated with a gala reception on October 20, 2007, in a place familiar to all alumni, the Lederman Law Library. Unveiled at the reception were the Judiciary Recognition Wall, Lederman Law Library refurbishments, and the new Cumulative Giving Donor Wall. The event was very well attended by alumni, professors, staff and students and gave attendees the chance to meet and reunite in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Honoured at the reception was Professor Emeritus Irene Bessette, the first law librarian and woman teacher at Queen's Law. Bessette, a courageous survivor of terrible persecutions during World War II, went on to become a legal scholar of world-wide experience in Europe, Africa and North America. Joining Queen's Law in 1968, Bessette taught French and civil law, and had a distinguished 20-year career.

Dean Flanagan thanked Justice Harvey Brownstone, Law ‘80, and Justice Helen MacLeod, Law ‘75, for leading their fellow judges in raising funds for the Lederman Law Library. Chief Justice Annemarie Bonkalo, Law ‘76, of the Ontario Court of Justice and Chief Justice Heather Forster Smith, Law ‘71, of Ontario's Superior Court of Justice then spoke on behalf of their colleagues.

Chief Justice Bonkalo commented on the success of the event in engaging and re-engaging the Queen's Law alumni. "Queen's Law was important to each of us because it provided us with legal grounding," she said. "After 34 years, who would have guessed I would be here, so proud and humbled to be included on the judicial wall with so many illustrious people?"

Chief Justice Smith echoed Chief Justice Bonkalo's words saying "I am proud to have come to Queen's Law and have many fond memories from my time here." Chief Justice Smith clearly reflects on Queen's Law with nostalgia and pride, calling it a "remarkable, vibrant, energized school, committed to supporting its students."

Four classes were recognized for their support given as part of the school's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Dean Flanagan thanked the classes of Law '67 and Law '85 for their contributions in support of upgrades to the Lederman Law Library. Don Mitchell, Law '67, spoke on behalf of his class which directed their gift to the library out of respect for the late William R. Lederman, the first Dean of Queen's Law.

George Frank, Law ‘80, noted that his 25th reunion renewed his sense of connection to his classmates and Queen's Law, and that he had wanted to commemorate this by giving back to Queen's Law. He and his classmates provided donations to create the Law '80 Visiting Lecturer Fund.

Deidre Newman, Law ‘81, spoke of her immense gratitude for the contributions made by her classmates in support of Queen's Legal Aid and the Correctional Law Project.

The reception was followed by a gala dinner at Ban Righ Hall, where guests enjoyed the moving remarks made by keynote speaker Geraldine Tepper, Law ‘60. Throughout the evening, attendees laughed and recalled fond memories of their time at Queen's Law.