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.
