Presenting King's Top News Stories of 2021

2021 was another newsworthy year for King’s. Our students, faculty and staff rallied and through vaccination, masking and other precautions returned to campus for classes for the fall term. Our essential workers were an integral part of keeping this place operational and safe throughout the year, and we thank them for keeping King’s open during this year.  At the same time, despite the obstacles caused by the pandemic, we have worked towards creating a better campus and world, with the goal of giving voices to the experiences of marginalized people. The Communications and Media Relations department searched through our news archives to highlight some of the top news items from the past year. 

S.A.F.E. Program

The King’s School of Social Work entered into a new community partnership with the Thames Valley School Board to develop the Support and Aid for Families Electronically (S.A.F.E.) program. The free and virtual program helps families struggling due to COVID-19 and creates clinical learning opportunities for our students. Read more at King's Social Work students assist area families struggling with COVID-19 - February 10, 2021 and Social Work students' frontline learning benefits families during the pandemic - December 21, 2021.

Martin Luther King III speaks at King’s

Martin Luther King III spoke with King's students and the wider community on February 24, 2021, during the Annual Speaker Series organized by the King's University College Students' Council. The talk received local and surrounding area media coverage. Read more at Talk by Martin Luther King III receives media coverage – February 25, 2021.

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Dr. John Grant, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, and Dr. Nigel Joseph, Lecturer in the Department of English, French, and Writing, were honoured as the recipients of the 2021 King's Awards of Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Grant was honoured for Full-Time Faculty and Dr. Joseph was honoured for Part-Time Faculty. They were selected by a committee of students, faculty and staff which reviewed dozens of nominations from the King’s community. The recipients presented lectures at the Student Awards Ceremony held on November 22, 2021. Read more at Recognizing excellence in teaching – April 28, 2021.

King’s raises Progress Pride Flag

After the consultation of many across our campus and the King’s community, King’s raised the Progress Pride flag for the first time during Pride Month. By raising the Progress Pride flag, King’s continues to work towards making sure we are a welcoming community to all and take care of each other.  Read more at: King's flies the Progress Pride flag - June 14, 2021.

King’s TikTok case study wins awards

The research plan and implementation of King’s TikTok account, along with its continued success, earned accolades from the two major communications associations in Canada: the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), Hamilton Chapter and the London chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Read more at King's TikTok case study wins 2nd Communications Award – June 29, 2021.

King’s alumnus tells story of returning to class

It was an “incredible feeling” as John Sherratt ’21 received his Bachelor of Arts degree this past June, over 50 years after first beginning his degree  at King’s in 1968. “It has rekindled a love of learning, so much so, that I have enrolled to do another degree at King’s, in Philosophy,” he says. Read more at New alumnus says nothing should stand in the way of goals – July 12, 2021.

King’s student-athletes make news in the Canadian Football League

Three former King’s student-athletes have begun their careers in the Canadian Football League including Marc Liegghio, BA ’20 (Criminology, Sociology, and Disability Studies) who became a member of the 2021 Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Read more at King's set to score in CFL – August 16, 2021.

Dedication of the Reflection Circle

Members of the King’s University College community gathered for a special ceremony to dedicate the Reflection Circle at King’s, and to honour Joanne and Peter Kenny for their generous support of this new space. Read more at Reflection Circle at King's dedicated to use by the community - October 8, 2021.

King’s establishes $1M research fund for full-time faculty

King’s University College took a major step forward in supporting and enhancing research by its full-time faculty.  A $1 million fund has been established to support research. Read more at King's invests $1M in research awards for faculty - November 17, 2021.

King’s/Brescia Anti-Racism Working Group (KB-ARWG) Report released

The Presidents of King’s University College and Brescia University College jointly released a report on campus racial climate at the two institutions. Read more at Presidents of King's and Brescia release report on campus racial climate - King's University College (uwo.ca) - November 22, 2021.

Participatory Reading event moves reconciliation education forward

The  Social Justice and Peace Studies department put student research into action by holding a Participatory Reading of the TRC Calls to Action. It was designed as a way to engage the community in truth-seeking and reconciliation. There was “an incredible response” as 94 volunteers, including members of the King’s and London community, each read one of the Calls to Action. Read more at Participatory Reading event moves reconciliation education forward – December 15, 2021.

King’s faculty receive SSHRC Grants

Through their research, King’s faculty exemplify our tradition of giving a voice to the experiences of marginalized people. Several of these projects were recognized by grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Read more at King's faculty recognized by receiving research grants – December 16, 2021.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, and moving online for the start of the winter 2022 term, The King’s community looks forward to the positive newsworthy events that we hope will also take place. 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 department at communications@kings.uwo.ca to be featured.