john_purkis

John Purkis, BCom, along with his wife, Shirley, Artsci’41, received the 2018 Award for Outstanding Philanthropist from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, South Eastern Ontario Chapter, on Nov. 14, 2018. The Purkises are longstanding volunteers at Queen’s University and in Kingston. Over the past 12 years John led his class of ’48 to fundraise in support of students at Queen’s. Under his leadership, the class reached a record-breaking $1.35 million in support of the Commerce '48 Admission Award. The class endowment fund is ranked No. 3 in the university and No. 1 at Smith.