In celebration of Bill Flanagan’s term as Dean of Queen’s Law – an unprecedented 14 years of transformation and growth (2005-2019) – alumni and friends have contributed over $550,000 to support one of his most dedicated and successful pursuits. An endowed award in his name will help fund a wide range of international study opportunities for Queen’s Law students as an increasingly essential part of the practice of law in a globalized world.

With their donation to the Bill Flanagan International Studies Award fund, contributors are also invited to post a note about how he affected their lives, to be displayed on a virtual wall. Several are already in place.

“Bill is a visionary who through perseverance, tact and hard work led the transformation of Queen’s Law to be among the best law schools in the country,” wrote David Allgood, Law’74, Past Chair of the Dean’s Council. “From the physical plant, to the faculty, to alumni support, to leading-edge online learning and [the pursuit of] Truth and Reconciliation, he has taken Queen’s Law to the next level plus one!” 

“Bill Flanagan has done so much for the school, increasing its profile and its breadth,” wrote Justice Darla Wilson, Law’84. “Under his leadership, the law school has grown exponentially, and he has made all of us proud of our alma mater.”

“Bill’s obvious intelligence and initiative have greatly benefitted the law school,” added Jim Walker, Law’81. “And his enthusiasm for Queen’s Law is contagious! The school has been very fortunate to have had Bill as dean and that will have lasting benefit for years to come.” 

During that deanship, which came to a close on June 30, Flanagan oversaw a 25 per cent increase in faculty, creation of the school’s PhD program, initiatives responding to the calls for action in the Truth and Reconciliation Report, establishment of innovative online undergraduate and graduate programs, and a dramatic expansion and relocation of clinical programs. 

The school’s international law offerings, which went global in 2001, when he initiated the International Law Programs at the Bader International Study Centre (the “Castle”) in the U.K., continued to grow significantly during his deanship. 

The Dean Bill Flanagan International Studies Award will be available annually to a JD student selected to attend the International Law Program at the Castle and/or participate in an international internship. This added support for Queen’s Law students on the global stage will reflect both Flanagan’s and the Faculty’s commitment to international perspectives in the study of law.

Sheila Murray, Law’82, a nine-year member of the Dean’s Council and its Chair since 2013, is committed to celebrating the Flanagan years. “Bill’s thoughtful approach to change and to the growth of the school made him almost impossible to say no to,” she wrote for the virtual wall. “He did not see any limits, and as a result he encouraged everyone around him to reach higher. The reputation of the school has never been better.” 

Gifts to the Flanagan Award can be made online. Making your donation “in honour of Bill Flanagan” entitles you to write your own message about his leadership for our virtual wall.