The lasting legacy of Mel Goodes

Kingston, Ont. – Philanthropist, pharmaceutical pioneer, and business leader Melvin Goodes, BCom’57, LLD’94, is being remembered for his lasting impact on Smith and Queen’s, and the students and researchers who benefited from his generosity.

Mel, the former chief executive officer of Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer) and director of both the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Melvin R. Goodes Family Foundation, passed away on Sept. 30 at the age of 89.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of Mel Goodes’ passing,” says Wanda Costen, Dean, Smith School of Business. “I was honoured to meet Mel and Nancy in 2022. I learned of Mel’s deep understanding of the role of business in society—long before business organizations were focused on corporate social responsibility and ESG—and his commitment to giving back. In particular, I was struck by his steadfastness in living a life that illustrated how one uses one’s privilege to advance the greater good. 

Smith School of Business faculty, staff, and students are privileged to teach, work, and learn in a building dedicated to Mel’s parents in recognition of their sacrifices and work ethic that led to Mel’s values-driven leadership and success.”

One of the university’s most generous supporters and a former member of the Board of Trustees, he was also a dedicated volunteer committed to helping Smith School of Business achieve its mission and vision. Mel and his wife Nancy were the lead donors for the capital project to ensure business students and researchers have effective space to work under one roof.

In recognition of his transformational gift to the project, the new building was named Goodes Hall. Mel and Nancy’s generosity also helped fund a further expansion, providing a welcoming gathering space, Goodes Commons, in 2012.

"I truly feel that this gift is a sound investment in the future," Mel said when Goodes Hall opened in 2002. "[Smith] School of Business has shown with its innovative and high-quality programs that it can meet the challenges of a global society. Having one central home where all these initiatives can come together will provide the School with the kind of presence it requires for the 21st century."

In 2006, the Melvin R. Goodes Entrance Award was created to support students entering an undergraduate program. Established by the Melvin R. Goodes Foundation in honour of Mel, the annual renewable award continues to attract the brightest students.

Mel was also a long-time supporter of groundbreaking academic research, establishing the Monieson Centre for Business Research at Queen’s in 2000. The centre is named after his mentor Danny Monieson, a professor emeritus of Marketing at the university.

"Mel Goodes' legacy will live on through the ongoing research that progresses thanks to his generosity, the lives he continues to impact, and the building that bears his family’s name," says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. "The researchers at The Monieson Centre for Business Research and the student recipients of the Melvin R. Goodes Entrance Award, will advance the work Mel was passionate about and make positive contributions to society."

His generosity extended farther than the Queen’s community and one of his greatest areas of advocacy was Alzheimer’s research. Long-time members of the ADDF Board of Directors, Mel and Nancy helped to progress Alzheimer’s science and Mel used his considerable industry knowledge to push drug development forward. Mel and Nancy also established the Melvin R. Goodes Prize for Excellence in Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery, in 2015. Described as the Nobel Prize for Alzheimer’s research, the annual prize funds disease-modifying drug research to establish better treatments and to find a cure.

Queen’s University will continue to honour Mel for his enduring contributions to the university and beyond.