Judith Brown receiving this 2019 Jim Bennett Award
Jim Bennett Award plaque

Jim Bennett Award (Kingston Branch)

Inaugurated in 1993 as the Kingston Award, this award is presented biennially by the Kingston Branch of the Queen's University Alumni Association to honour Kingstonians for outstanding achievements in careers, sport, the arts, or volunteer endeavours, contributing to the betterment of Queen’s or Kingston. Nominees do not necessarily need to be Queen’s graduates.

In 2000, it was renamed posthumously as The Jim Bennett Award to commemorate the distinguished and dedicated service of the late Dr. Jim Bennett to the University, to its students, and to the citizens of the greater Kingston community. This award is presented biennially at the Kingston Branch Awards dinner hosted by the Kingston Branch of the QUAA.

2024 Recipient

Sophie Kiwala

Kingston Branch
Sophie Kiwala

The Kingston Branch is presenting this award to Sophie Kiwala for her deep commitment to our community demonstrated through advocacy and volunteerism.

Born and raised in Kingston, Ms. Kiwala has a long history of service to the community. She has worked in the Federal and Provincial government, as staff and as MPP for Kingston and the Islands from 2014-2018. She has advocated extensively for causes like Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Ovarian Cancer, supported the arts through her work with the Tett Centre, and her hands on work with Lunch with George, as a founder of the Jalal Community Charity Garden during the pandemic, and with the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund have had a deep impact on people in need in the Kingston area and beyond.