McMaster travel award honours Queen’s historic reign

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The Queen has approved the naming of the Queen Elizabeth II International Travel Bursary, established by McMaster alumnus Arnold A. Beale to honour the longest-reigning monarch in British history.


On September 9, it’s business as usual at Buckingham Palace. It’s also the day Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

McMaster is playing a small role in this historic occasion.

The Queen has approved the naming of the Queen Elizabeth II International Travel Bursary, established by McMaster alumnus Arnold A. Beale to commemorate the milestone.

“I was in grade three when she ascended the throne,” says Beale, a retired teacher who graduated from McMaster with a BSc in biology in 1968 and a BA in economics in 1983. He recalls listening to the Queen’s coronation speech on the radio with his family. “I remember the words ‘a sacred covenant’. She was pledging her life to serving her people, her realm and her family. And that she has done faithfully, diligently and graciously, for more than 63 years. She deserves to be recognized.”

A long-time supporter of the University, Beale has funded two other international travel awards. His new gift will benefit generations of McMaster students in financial need, allowing them to participate in international exchange programs. Preference will be given to students travelling to a Commonwealth country.

“I applaud Mr. Beale for his tremendous support of McMaster students – and for his leadership in helping us to mark such an important occasion,” says president Patrick Deane. “McMaster is indeed fortunate to have such thoughtful, committed and generous supporters. I am particularly grateful, as this new student award helps McMaster further our commitment to internationalization.”

According to Buckingham Palace, on September 9 at around 5:30 p.m. local time in Britain, the Queen will surpass her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, as the longest-reigning monarch of the British Commonwealth.

A patron of more than 600 organizations and charities, Queen Elizabeth II has seen many milestones in her 89 years. She is already the longest-living British monarch (as of December 2007), and she holds the Guinness World Record for most currencies featuring the same individual.

She is also the first British monarch to have had a message placed on the moon, to have conducted a royal “walkabout,” to have sent an email and a tweet – and to have had a Christmas message filmed in 3D.

And according to the Queen’s calendar, September 9 will be business as usual for her, too.

She and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit Edinburgh, Midlothian and Tweedbank for the opening celebrations of the Scottish Borders Railway.