
As is our habit here at the McGill Reporter, we like end the calendar year with a look back on 2019. What were the McGill Reporter stories that captured the attention of our readers? What events marked the University? Which members of our community emerged as newsmakers by breaking new ground, blazing new trails and giving to the community – locally and more globally?
Top McGill Reporter stories of 2019
Rankings. While rankings stories are always popular among our readers, this year proved especially so. In compiling the most-viewed Reporter articles of 2019, we were somewhat surprised to see that four of the Top 10 stories – including the top three spots – were rankings results.
The Top 10 most viewed McGill Reporter stories included:
- McGill on the rise in annual QS World University Rankings by Subject
This set of Quacquarelli Symonds rankings evaluates 48 of the most popular subjects with students around the world, making it one of the most comprehensive ranking of its kind. McGill rises in rank in twenty‐four subjects compared to last year’s results, and declines in eight. Read more. (Posted in February).
- McGill #30 in the world
The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) releases the results of its 2019-2020 rankings – and McGill’s teaching and research strengths secure the University’s place as #30 out of the 20,000 universities that the CWUR assessed. Full story. (August)
- McGill among the top 50 most prestigious universities in the world
McGill moves up to 42nd on the Times Higher Education rankings among almost 1,400 universities from 92 countries. Learn more. (September)
- In memoriam: Kelly Nobes (1974 – 2019): McGill hockey coach was 45
The McGill community was saddened to learn of the death of Kelly Nobes, head coach of McGill’s men’s varsity hockey program on September 4. He was 45. Read the article. (September)
- McGill-led research unravels mystery of how early animals survived ice age
How did life survive the planet’s most severe ice age? A McGill-led research team has found the first direct evidence that glacial meltwater provided a crucial lifeline to eukaryotes during Snowball Earth, when the oceans were cut off from life-giving oxygen, answering a question puzzling scientists for years. More details. (December)
- Eleven members of the McGill Community appointed to the Order of Canada
Filmmakers, lawyers, doctors – even a former television Dragon – are among 11 members of the McGill community to be appointed to the Order of Canada. More information. (July)
- Jane Goodall to return to McGill to deliver the 2019 Beatty Lecture
It is announced that famed researcher and nature conservation advocate Dr. Jane Goodall would deliver the 65th Beatty Lecture in September, 40 years after her first Beatty Lecture appearance in 1979. Full story. (April)
- McGill tops Maclean’s rankings for 15th straight year
Maclean’s Magazine issues its annual university rankings in October and, for the 15th consecutive year, McGill is named Canada’s top medical-doctoral university. The medical-doctoral category includes 15 Canadian universities, each with a medical school and a wide range of PhD programs. Read more. (October)
- Historic gift launches McCall MacBain Scholarships
John and Marcy McCall MacBain announce the creation of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill through a landmark gift of $200 million, the single-largest gift in Canadian history. Learn more. (February)
- McGill postdocs and grad students earn prestigious scholarships
Sixteen McGill grad students win Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, and two postdocs receive Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. Read the article. (May)
Of course, 10 stories don’t even come close to illustrating what a busy – and impactful – year 2019 was at McGill. From student successes, staff celebrations and major funding announcements, to scientific breakthroughs, sustainability initiatives and the launch of a bold fundraising campaign, the University didn’t rest on its laurels.
Here’s a month-by-month recap of some of McGill’s most compelling stories of 2019 (not including the Top 10 stories above).
January
- John Rea among eight McGillians appointed to Order of Canada
As announced by Julie Payette (BEng’86), Governor General of Canada, 103 new appointments to the Order of Canada 103 new appointments to the Order of Canada. Recipients included eight members of the McGill community (). John Rea, a professor at the Schulich School of Music, was one of the recipients, along with McGill alumni and honorary doctorate recipients. More details.
- Student mental health services at McGill transformed by new Student Wellness Hub
A partnership between The Rossy Foundation and McGill establishes a new approach to student wellness and mental health, as well as a revitalized physical space. Full story.
- Four McGillians make Chatelaine’s Women of the Year list
Four members of the McGill community were named to Chatelaine magazine’s Women of the Year list for 2018. The list highlighted 32 “newsmakers, trend-setters, policy-makers and all-around awesome women who helped put Canada on the world stage.” Read more.
- McGill Law prof named Canada’s new justice minister
David Lametti, Member of Parliament for LaSalle–Émard–Verdun and a professor at the Faculty of Law, was sworn in as Canada’s new Minister of Justice. Learn more.
- McGill researchers among recipients of $34 million grant to combat cancer
McGill and MUHC research teams are part of an international effort to uncover how chronic inflammation causes cancer. Read more.
February
March
April
May
June
July
- Collins Oghor: “African solutions to African problems”
A profile of Collins Oghor is a McGill alumnus, doctor, international medical researcher, global health consultant, entrepreneur, world traveler and fashion maven. When he spoke to the Reporter in July, Oghor was getting ready to return to Africa to work on global health initiatives on that continent. More information.
- Nicholas Kasirer nominated to the Supreme Court of Canada
On June 10, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (BA’94) nominated Quebec judge Nicholas Kasirer (BCL’85, LLB’85) to fill a pending vacancy on the Supreme Court of Canada. A McGill law professor for 20 years and Dean of the Faculty from 2003 to 2009, Kasirer replaced Justice Clément Gascon (BCL’81) upon his retirement from bench in September. Full story.
- Victory lap for McGill Formula Electric
McGill’s electric race car takes top prize in international competition. Read the article.
- McGill recognized as International Sustainability Institution of the Year
McGill was named the International Green Gown Award’s Sustainability Institution of the Year for its “ambitious yet realistic’ Vision 2020 Sustainability Strategy. All the details.
- Tracking down, and telling the stories of, McGill’s PhD graduates
The ambitious TRaCE program seeks to track down 5,000 McGill PhD grads to find out where life has taken them following graduation Learn more.
August
September
October
November
December
As we close out 2019, the staff of the McGill Reporter wish all our readers nothing but the good stuff for 2020. Health, happiness and lots and lots of love!
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