Class Notes

Catch up on classmates, housemates, faculty, and friends.

We Want Your Class Notes

Marking career and personal achievements, special milestones and the birth of future ¾ÅŠćÖ±²„ alumni - Class Notes helps you stay in touch with former classmates, housemates, and faculty.

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  • 1970s

    Barry Kuretzky and George J.A. Vassos

    – Law’76 and Com’76, Law’80

    Littler, the world’s largest employment and labour law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that Barry and George have both been featured in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada,ā„¢ the 20th consecutive year in which both have been recognized. Best Lawyers Canada first published in 2006, and both Barry and George have been fortunate enough to have been listed each year since then.

  • Erika Agneta Lawn Nielsen and Graham Smith, Class Note

    2000s

    Erika Nielsen and Graham Smith

    – Mus’07 and Mus’06

    Erika Nielsen and Graham Smith are thrilled to announce the birth of their first child, Silas, who arrived smoothly in February, 2025. Silas is the first grandchild on both sides and descends from five generations of ¾ÅŠćÖ±²„ graduates dating back to 1898, including proud grandmother Andrea Lawn (Mus’83), and great-grandmother Sandra Lawn (Sc’59, MPA’88). So far he seems to enjoy hanging backstage at his parents' concerts and at National Music Camp, and is working hard at developing his soprano vocal range!  

  • 2020s

    Stephanie Dekker

    – MBA’25

    After earning her Bachelor of Commerce from the Edwards School of Business, Stephanie spent 18 years in senior leadership roles with the Government of Alberta. Earlier this year, she completed her MBA at Queen’s and Cornell. She’s since launched Barely Craving, a wellness brand featuring Premium Fullness Fibre, which is for appetite control. Drawing on her executive experience and the strategic thinking fostered in the MBA program, she’s now building a purpose-driven business that simplifies wellness for busy lives. Barely Craving recently received media attention in Women’s Insider, and I’d be honored to share my story with the Queen’s alumni community as an example of career transformation, applied learning, and evidence-based innovation. She welcomes alumni to reach out to her.

  • 1960s

    Douglas Wereley

    – Sc’69, Ed’71

    Doug and Christine just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married in August 1975. Christine is a graduate of Nursing at St. Lawrence College (1976). Doug’s career involved working in the secondary educational sector as a physics teacher, board science – math consultant and a secondary school administrator. Doug retired in June 2003. He has continued to keep busy volunteering in various community activities and is presently serving on a cemetery board as vice-president and financial chair. They have twins, Stephanie and Christopher (Artsci’04). Doug and Christine are enjoying their retirement and devote much time with their family, especially their grandchildren and travelling extensively in Europe. One can get in touch with Doug through email.

  • Ursula Kenkel and Taylor Pettingill, Class Note

    2020s

    Ursula Kenkel and Taylor PettingillĀ 

    – Artsci’20 and Sc’19

    This past weekend, Ursula and Taylor celebrated their wedding at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. They met early in their undergraduate years, almost exactly eight years ago, and it felt only fitting for the couple to say ā€œI doā€ on the campus where their story began. Surrounded by cherished friends and family, many of whom are fellow Queen’s alumni, they were reminded of the deep connections and lasting memories the campus and the ¾ÅŠćÖ±²„ community has given them.

  • Patrick and Jan (Riley) Neville, Class Notes

    1970s

    Patrick Neville and Jan (Riley) NevilleĀ 

    – Artsci’75, Ed’75 and Artsciā€˜76

    In mid-May, Jan and Pat made a trip back to Kingston with two close friends of theirs, Beth (Randle) Taylor (Artsciā€˜74, Ed'75) and Don Taylor (Sc'75). Both couples had met a little over a year after graduating from Queen’s. In Kingston, the two couples were celebrating 50 happy years of marriage. 

    A picture was taken of Jan and Pat in the chapel at Theological Hall, almost exactly 50 years after they were married there by the legendary Padre Laverty. Wonderful memories indeed!