Queen’s University proclaims Bader Day, announces three new gifts

Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Queen’s University has proclaimed Nov. 15 Bader Day, honouring the Baders’ extraordinary philanthropy over the years and also announcing three new gifts from the Bader family and Bader Philanthropies, Inc. The Baders, the late Dr. Alfred Bader, BSc’45, BA’46, MSc’47, LLD’86, his wife, Isabel Bader, LLD’07, and Bader Philanthropies, Inc. have been among Queen’s University’s most significant donors,  gifting of the 15th-century English castle, Herstmonceux, home to the Bader International Study Centre, providing $31 million in support of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, a lead gift of $40 million (USD) in support of Agnes Reimagined, more than 500 paintings and works on paper to the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, and funding a variety of student awards.

“The philanthropic impact of the Bader family and Bader Philanthropies Inc. at Queen’s is unparalleled,” says Vice-Principal, Advancement, Karen Bertrand. These most recent gifts will put our students on the forefront of training and research in the fields of art history and art conservation while supporting our mission to advance Indigenous initiatives at the university.” Continuing a philanthropic tradition that began in 1948, the latest series of gifts from Isabel Bader and Bader Philanthropies, Inc. aid Queen’s mission to advance research and knowledge and include:

• 12 paintings to Agnes Etherington Art Centre. The paintings, all from the Dutch 17th century, include still lifes, Biblical scenes, and scenes from daily life.  A link to images of the paintings can be found here.
• Nine Leica S9i microscopes to help students in the Queen’s Art Conservation program examine and treat cultural artifacts.
• Funding for the Outdoor Gathering Space, modelled after an Ojibway round house, and endowing a new full-time, permanent Curator, Indigenous Arts and Culture at Agnes.

This autumn, Queen’s celebrated the contributions of the Baders with a Bader Celebrations’ campaign that highlighted the impact of their philanthropy. Nov.15 will see the culmination of the campaign with Queen’s University Principal Patrick Deane declaring Bader Day; an entire day dedicated to celebrating the Baders and their impact on Queen’s, Kingston, and the world. Bader Day marks the 80th anniversary of Alfred’s arrival on campus and is also National Philanthropy Day.  Dan Bader will be available for in person or virtual interviews.

For more information visit: https://www.queensu.ca/alumni/bader  OR  https://www.bader.org/

For media inquiries contact:

Julie Brown
julie.brown@queensu.ca
343-363-2763

Victoria Klassen
Victoria.klassen@queensu.ca
343-363-1794