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On Campus

The 2025-2026 season at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts has been announced, featuring incredible acts and artists from Canada and around the world, such as Montreal’s Juno Award-winning Dominique Fils-Aimé.

• WHAT: The Isabel’s 11th season; subscriptions, flex packages, and single tickets
• WHEN: Now through spring 2026   
• WHERE: 390 King St. W., Kingston

The Isabel announces stellar lineup to “extend the rafters”

The Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts announced its 2025-2026 season on April 23. The 11th season is curated around the theme of “Extending the Rafters,” invoking the Haudenosaunee tradition of building good relations. In September, artist and activist Tom Wilson opens the Soloist Series with his Tehohàhake Trio and exhibit Fading Memories of Home. The Soloist Series includes concerts with percussionist Aiyun Huang and violinist Mark Fewer, jazz singer Dominique Fils-Aimé, and violinist James Ehnes. The Ensemble Series includes performances by the Elmer Iseler Singers, Roomful of Teeth, Kuné World, and the Amir Amiri Ensemble. Spotlight Concerts include A Miss Emily Christmas, Israeli Chamber Project, and Jane Bunnett and Maqueque. A highlight of the season will be the 2026 Bader-Overton National Piano Competition. The season will include performances by the Venice Baroque Orchestra, cellist Elinor Frey, violinist Chloe Kim, and a narrated performance curated by CBC radio host Tom Allen. The Piano Series includes Philip Chiu and Janelle Fung, Marc-André Hamelin and Charles Richard-Hamelin, and Jaeden Izik-Dzurko. Find out more about the dynamic 11th season.

�ʹ�����’s, Embassy of Mexico embark on new hub for learning and research

�ʹ�����’s has partnered with the Embassy of Mexico in Canada to establish the Mexico-Canada Research and Learning Hub. The hub will foster closer ties among Mexican and Canadian researchers, academics, and students through facilitating connections, encouraging collaboration, and continuing the momentum of ongoing research and academic initiatives between the countries. Carlos Joaquín González, Ambassador of Mexico to Canada, and Sandra den Otter, Vice-Provost (Global Engagement), formalized the partnership on April 1 in a signing ceremony attended by �ʹ�����’s leaders, faculty, staff, students, embassy representatives, and notable guests, including Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) President Alejandro Adem, �ʹ�����’s Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Matthew Evans, and Vice-Principal (Research) Nancy Ross.

New leaders set to begin roles in �ʹ�����’s Health Sciences and Advancement

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane has recently announced two appointments. Lisa Tannock will be the new Dean of �ʹ�����’s Health Sciences and director of the School of Medicine, effective July 1, 2025, and Kate Wilson will be the new Vice-Principal (Advancement), effective Sept. 1, 2025. Dr. Tannock joins �ʹ�����’s from the University of Kentucky, where she is the associate provost for faculty advancement and a professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. As dean of �ʹ�����’s Health Sciences, Dr. Tannock will lead a faculty that includes the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. Ms. Wilson joins �ʹ�����’s from the University of Cambridge, where she is currently serving as CEO of its Centre for Better Futures at Downing College. In this role, she works to connect senior leaders with the university, its colleges, and partner organizations to advance solutions to global challenges. 

Six Canada Research Chairs appointed

Six faculty members have been appointed Canada Research Chairs, with four renewals and two new chairs in areas that include health-care innovation, communications technology, language revitalization, and sustainable resource extraction. The federal Canada Research Chairs program recognizes established and emerging global research leaders at Canadian universities. As part of a national strategy to attract and retain top talent, the program supports researchers who are advancing knowledge and addressing critical challenges across disciplines. Dr. Gabor Fichtinger (School of Computing), Dr. Ning Lu (Smith Engineering, Electrical and Computer), Dr. Lindsay Morcom (Education), Dr. Jianbing Ni (Smith Engineering, Electrical and Computer), Dr. Farzaneh Sadri (Smith Engineering, Mining), and Dr. Amber Simpson (School of Computing / Biomedical Sciences) are among the 179 Canada Research Chairs awarded or renewed across the country in March. This announcement brings �ʹ�����’s total number of Canada Research Chairs to 45.

New president leads the AMS

Jana Amer, Healthsci’26, has been elected 2025–26 Alma Mater Society (AMS) president, defeating Nico David Brasset Duque, Artsci’25, in the student vote. She will lead the AMS alongside Vice-President (Operations) Elena Nurzynski, Artsci’25, and Vice-President (University Affairs) Alyssa Perisa, Artsci’25. Ms. Amer’s campaign was built around ACT – Accessibility, Collaboration, and Transparency – three pillars aimed at fostering a student government that listens to and supports every student. She aims to remove barriers, making AMS resources and services easier to navigate and ensuring clear access to essential tools. “It’s crucial to build a culture of love and mutual respect. My goal is to ensure every student feels like they belong at �ʹ�����’s,” she says, adding that she is committed to amplifying marginalized voices, particularly religious minorities, through proactive listening and action, including interfaith panels, cultural celebrations, and open dialogues.

Anonymous donation will support AI research and graduate studies

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are helping researchers around the world answer some of humanity’s toughest questions. Now, a new $1.15-million anonymous gift to the Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering will ensure more of that important work happens at �ʹ�����’s. “It’s no secret that AI and machine learning are transforming the world of research for the better,” says Daniel Layton-Matthews, Head of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering. “With this gift, we’re going to help ensure that �ʹ�����’s top-tier geological researchers can continue their important work and that grad students get the financial assistance they need.” The donor has been a longtime anonymous supporter of �ʹ�����’s. More than a decade ago, they established a fund for undergraduate education in Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering at �ʹ�����’s. They have also set up several other scholarships and funds at other institutions.