King's in 2023: A Year in Review
December 19, 2023
Throughout 2023, our community, including our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, contributed to the King’s story, as told through the news stories on our website. The King’s Communications and Media Relations department has compiled this special “Year in Review” to celebrate the events and accomplishments of 2023.
Spotlighting student and alumni success
King's student looks to inspire others as USC President – February 17
Sunday Ajak won his bid to become the president of Western’s University Student Council (USC), so he can “inspire the leader in every single one of us.”
Laura Crowe to begin term as KUCSC President on May 1 – March 24
KUCSC President Laura Crowe has drawn on her experience at King’s and continues to enhance her leadership skills.
Congratulations to 2023 King's Alumni Award recipients – July 25
Jennifer Slay ’99 was the Alumni Award of Distinction recipient and Bangishimo ’13 was the Recent Graduate Award recipient.
Manik Singh's table tennis tale – July 26
Passion, hard work, and unwavering support have taken BMOS student Manik Singh from being a table tennis enthusiast to representing his country and university at the highest levels.
King's students' papers receive Highly Commended Honours at Global Awards – September 22
Four King's students – Olivia Holland, Kevin Southgate, Riley Buist and Alexis Andrade – had papers recognized as Highly Commended as part of the 2023 Global Undergraduate Awards.
Retiring Fidler wants to be remembered for being helpful to all – November 15
Phyllis Fidler ’04 retired as Manager of General Accounting & Financial Information Systems after 30 years at King’s. Read about her amazing career and her family ties to King's.
Giving back to our community
Overwhelming response to earthquake relief fundraiser – March 1
A KUCSC-led fundraiser to help those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria raised over $22,000, with support from the King’s and greater Western community.
SJPS Student brings backpack donation program to King's – April 6
First-year Social Justice and Peace Studies (SJPS) student Trista Reid began collecting gently-used backpacks when she was 10. She has now brought her campaign to King’s to support students in our community, with help from KUCSC and the SJP Club.
Student takes leap of faith to give back to the community - April 13
After wishing for support for her anxiety attacks, Simran Mann, SJPS and CYS student, created her own mental health kits and gifted them to 120 grade three students in London as part of a workshop she facilitated.
Honouring staff and faculty
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Faculty members honoured for excellence in teaching – June 8
Dr. Darcy Harris was recognized for full-time faculty and Dr. Jennifer Silcox was recognized for part-time faculty as recipients of the 2023 King’s Awards of Excellence in Teaching.
Dr. Antonio Calcagno named Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada – September 5
Dr. Antonio Calcagno, Professor of Philosophy, joined the prestigious body of distinguished scholars in Canada.
Recipients of King's Recognition Awards honoured – December 12
Julie Siverns and Maija Wilson, ’08, ’23, will be honoured at the King’s Christmas luncheon for best exemplifying King’s mission, vision, and values.
Celebrating research excellence
In 2023, King’s researchers received $1,884,035 in external grants. Learn more about research grants received by King’s faculty.
Awards celebrate faculty research excellence at King's – April 27
This year’s recipients of the Research Excellence Awards, including the inaugural Distinguished University Professor Designation, the Hugh Mellon Excellence in Research Award, King’s Research Excellence Chair – Early Career and the King’s Research Excellence Scholar Grants, were introduced as part of a special event on April 27, 2023.
Embarking on a successful trip to India – April
King’s representatives travelled to India for their first in-person meeting with academic leaders and administration at O.P. Jindal Global University near New Delhi, India. While there, a new financial award, with a maximum value of $32,000 over four years, designed to attract and encourage Indian students to pursue higher education at King’s, was introduced.
King’s broadens international network with memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in India and Vietnam
As part of their global journeys, King’s signed memorandums of understanding with Don Bosco International School in Mumbai, India (April 18), GD Goenka University in Delhi, India (June 7), International University, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City (October 12), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (CanCham) (October 16) and the University of Economics and Law in Vietnam (December 7). These MOUs aim to promote academic exchanges, support intercultural activities, and create new pathways for students to attend King’s.
Supporting diversity
David Suzuki and local environmentalists join together for Environmental Equity discussion – September 26
Internationally known and revered advocate, activist and author David Suzuki spoke to our community about environmental equity issues as well as the challenge of systemic racism as part of the Author Series event on October 3, 2023, as part of EDID Awareness Week. The event was a collaboration between the Cardinal Carter Library, the EDID Office, King's University College Students' Council (KUCSC) and The Write Place.
Creating a place where everyone can belong – October 6
Two student-driven groups – the BIPOC Student Support Group and the 2SLGBTQIA+ Support Group – seek to provide a safer space for equity-denied members of the King’s community.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair to explore concepts of justice and reconciliation – November 13
King’s is hosting Dr. Cristina Stanciu, our first Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Justice and Reconciliation, in the 2024 winter term.
Supporting Partnerships in our Community
King's Community Support Centre expands in London with free counselling by social work students – December 11
The King’s Community Support Centre has expanded its scope to reach more of London’s vulnerable population during a time of exponential issues related to health and homelessness. Students at King’s School of Social Work help people at risk to rebuild dignity and renew hope through counselling services to overcome trauma.
The Support and Aid for Families Electronically (SAFE) program, operated by students enrolled in the Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work programs, provides free online counselling to more families in the London area, thanks to a $43,000 grant from TD Bank Group (TD).
We anticipate 2024 will be another busy and eventful year for the King’s community, with even more accomplishments, both personal and campus-wide, to be celebrated. News stories (including those from external sources) and media releases can be found on our website. As always, if you have an interesting story to share with the King’s community, reach out to the Communications and Media Relations department.