Honorary Life Members
An Honorary Life Membership is granted and awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Alma Mater Society and demonstrated an unparalleled dedication in supporting AMS members. This award is granted to recognize individuals who have shown a high level of passion for students, the overall student experience and student life on-campus. This award is the highest tribute that the Alma Mater Society can offer any individual, who will subsequently be considered a member of the Alma Mater Society indefinitely.
Please note that this award is not granted on an annual basis, and only granted to honor exceptional individuals. This list was compiled by a review of Queen’s Journal Archives. This list may be incomplete.
Patrick Riley
Patrick Riley was considered a “prominent student leader” on-campus. In 1971-72, Riley was nominated for the Tricolour Award. However, following a series of controversies in the selection process, he was not selected for the award. In response, the AMS Outer Council (Assembly) granted him the life membership. According to The Journal, “this honour is in the constitution, but [had] not been given for a number of years, if ever.”
Riley was AMS President at the time, and unfortunately no further information is available about his nomination at this time.
Richard Alan Broadbent
Alan Broadbent was the first student to serve as University Rector. In a letter published in The Journal, AMS President LeBlanc writes: “on behalf of the Alma Mater Society Executive and all the students at Queen’s, [we] sincerely thank you for all your fine efforts on our behalf … we are aware of the many contributions you made to Queen’s. Speaking for the AMS, we were always grateful for your sound advise and keen interest in our affairs. We know you represented us ably to the Board of Trustee … I hope you will not forget us back here at Queen’s for we will surely miss you.”
Andy Pipe
Andy Pipe was granted the Honorary Life Membership n 1972-73, during his term as Services Commissioner. According to The Journal, Pipe was commended for “developed and exhibited the greatest capacity in leading the student body” and for being a “social leader who thinks in terms of ideals, policies and laws rather than institutions and political or other parties”. Pipe was a medical student at Queen’s University.
Unfortunately no further information is available about this nomination at this time.
Marv Bloos
Marv Bloos was awarded the Honorary Life Membership in 1973-74. According to The Journal, Bloos was “one of Queen’s most extra-ordinary students, a perceptive and provocative participant in student government, as well as an active leader of students in many other areas of involvement.”
During his time at Queen’s, Bloos held the positions of: Floor Senior, President of Arts ’72, President of the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society 1971-72, AMS Education Commissioner 1973-74, Member of AMS Board of Directors 1973-75, Chairman of the Tricolor Awards Selection Committee, Brockington Visitorship Committee, and Residence Don.
Ian Nordheimer
Ian Nordheimer was awarded the Honorary Life Membership for his “dedication” and “long time service to Queen’s”. According to The Journal, Ian left “a personal imprint on so many parts of Queen’s [and] this has been done with distinction.”
During his time at Queen’s, Nordheimer held the positions of: I.R.C. president, AMS Chief Constable, QSA Director. Nordheimer was AMS Vice-President (Operations) when, following the resignation of the President, Ian was appointed as AMS President. John Wilson’s outgoing Vice-President (University Affairs) at the time, expressed the gratitude of the AMS to Nordheimer: “Ian kept the ship of the state afloat when everyone else was heading to the lifeboats”.
Raili Giguere
Raili was granted the Honorary Life Membership for her service for the AMS. During her time, she fostered such a positive environment, and was with the AMS through the many changes over the years: from when the AMS office were in the bomb shelter, to the CFRC addition, Destinations and CoGro. She was with the AMS before computers were present, and for 29 Councils (years). Hearing her sing to keeping her cool as students ask her questions over and over, the AMS would not be the same without her.
Patrick Deane
Patrick Deane became the 21st Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University on July 1, 2019.
Dr. Deane is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University, a position he held for nine years. Prior to that he served as Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen’s and also held a number of academic administrative appointments at Western University and the University of Winnipeg.
In internal records, Dr. Deane is praised as an “asset” to the Judicial System of the AMS.
Donna Janiec
Donna Janiec, Vice Principal Finance and Administration was awarded the Honorary Life Membership for “her ongoing efforts, especially the work and advocacy she conducted at all levels during the JDUC Redevelopment Project”
In an official statement, AMS President at the time, Miguel Martinez writes “It is with great pleasure that I announce that AMS Assembly unanimously voted to grant Donna Janiec Honorary Life Membership with the AMS as a result of her work and dedication to student life on campus. Many of the sentiments shared during Assembly were echoed throughout the room amongst students who had the opportunity to interact with Donna.”
Read the full statement.