Queen’s faculty and staff convened in the lobby of Stauffer Library on Feb. 10 to unveil the new name of the building’s first floor: the Daniel R. Woolf Gallery.
In September, the Board of Trustees approved the naming of the first floor of the largest library on campus in recognition of Principal Emeritus Daniel R. Woolf, ArtSci ’80. The floor is being renovated over the next year.
Principal Patrick Deane began the ceremony by reflecting on Woolf’s principalship and achievements before the space was officially dedicated in his honour.
Deane said Woolf oversaw a 10-year fundraising campaign—Queen’s largest ever—which raised $640 million and improved the university’s financial situation. Woolf also oversaw a new budget model during his tenure as principal.
“[The] model allowed Queen’s to implement a very ambitious plan to hire new faculty, by which we are still benefiting, and to conduct more groundbreaking research and find new ways to support students,” Deane said at the ceremony.
Deane added that Woolf oversaw the construction of the new medical building, Mitchell Hall, the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, the Smith School of Business, and the revitalization of Richardson Stadium.
In 2017, Woolf launched the Queen’s Remembers initiative to commemorate those who have made significant and noteworthy contributions to the university. The first of the series honoured the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples upon whose traditional lands Queen’s was built.
“It is fitting that we recognize and honour Daniel Woolf’s indelible impact on Queen’s with a nod to that initiative,” Deane said.
Several speakers took the stage, commending Woolf’s contributions to Queen’s and his overall career. Deane then stood on stage as two elements were unveiled: the Daniel R. Woolf Gallery sign, as well as a plinth on the ground below.
“For [the] library renovation, we gather to recognize someone who truly understands the central role libraries play in the lives of students and in the university community,” Deane said.
Woolf thanked the speakers, event organizers, past classmates, and everyone who came out to support him.
“I hope everyone who was part of this 10 years will recognize their own latter successes and accomplishments as well,” Woolf said at the ceremony.
“When I first stepped foot on this campus over 45 years ago, I didn’t imagine just how big a role Queen’s would play in my career and life.”
“The principalship was a terrific station stop along the way,” Woolf added.
“It’s a pleasant thought that decades from now, our small contributions to this challenging life, sometimes difficult but always exciting institution, will be commemorated here, at the very heart of our campus.”
Tags
Library, Principal, Principal Daniel Woolf, Stauffer Library
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