One of Queen’s Law’s early graduates has been recognized for his decades of service to the university.

At a recent alumni celebration in Kingston, Professor Emeritus Don Carter, Law’66 (Arts’64), was presented with the 2019 H.R.S. Ryan Law Alumni Award of Distinction.

“As someone who knew Stuart Ryan as both a teacher and a colleague, this award is a great honour,” says Carter. “It marks a high point of my 54-year journey with Queen’s Law.”

The award was presented to him by outgoing Dean Bill Flanagan, who had been appointed as a Queen’s National Scholar during Carter’s deanship.

Flanagan said selecting this year’s Ryan award winner “an easy decision” for the Dean’s Council awards committee. 

“Don stepped forward to lead Queen’s Law at a time of real need, and he set the foundation for the Faculty so it could become what it is today,” said Flanagan. “I am very grateful for his continued support of Queen’s Law and his support for me during my time as Dean.”

During his tenure at Queen’s, in addition to serving as Dean and as a full-time Professor from 1966-2002, Carter was Director of the Queen’s Industrial Relations Centre/School of Industrial Relations between 1985 and 1990. He also helped establish the Centre for Law in the Contemporary Workplace. He remains engaged with Queen’s Law, as he continues to teach a course in Industrial Relations – an area in which he is one of Canada’s most knowledgeable experts.

“I still enjoy maintaining a connection, and receive great satisfaction from teaching one course,” he says. “My time at Queen’s could not have been more rewarding, and I have enjoyed immensely my interaction with colleagues, students and fellow alumni.”

Perhaps most importantly, Queen’s was where Carter met the woman who would become his wife, Cathie (Arts’65). A Law student dance in 1963 marked the beginning of their relationship, and he took time during his acceptance remarks to note Cathie’s unwavering support and important contributions to his career at Queen’s.

Outside of Queen’s, Carter was active in labour arbitration for 43 years before retiring in 2015. As he concluded his 11-year term as chair of Ontario’s Public Service Grievance Board, he received the 2013 Bora Laskin award for outstanding contributions to Canadian labour law.

Like all Queen’s Law alumni awards, in lieu of a plaque – which would join many others in his home – Carter was given a custom glass artwork piece created by a Kingston artist to commemorate his Ryan Award win.

About the H.R.S. Ryan Law Alumni Award of Distinction

Professor Harold Robert Stuart (H.R.S.) Ryan, LLD’91, one of Queen’s Law’s three founding faculty members, was renowned for his distinguished and multifaceted career that focused on criminal law and civil liberties. The Ryan Award annually recognizes a graduate for significant contributions to the Faculty, University or legal profession. 

By Phil Gaudreau