Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award

Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award recognizes mid-career alumni, normally less than 30 years from an undergraduate or graduate program who is making significant contributions in their field of endeavour, setting an example for future alumni to follow. 

Award eligibility and criteria

Candidates should be:

  • A Queen's alumnus/alumna more than 10 years out but not more than 30 years from graduation
  • Someone who has achieved significant success in one or more fields of endeavour and has demonstrated effective leadership in one or more areas or the community
  • An inspiration to the Queen's community

2025 Recipient

Jill Barber

  • Artsci’02

photo of Jill Barber looking at the camera smiling, wearing a yellow shirt.

Jill is a three-time Juno Award-nominated singer-songwriter based in Vancouver, BC. Her critically acclaimed repertoire spans a transformative spectrum, from folk to vocal jazz to pop, and she sings in both French and English.  

 At Queen’s, she studied philosophy and drama, and as a budding songwriter would regularly participate in open mic nights at The Grad Club, fundraising variety shows at Victoria Hall, and Battle of the Bands. It was during this vibrant student life at Queen’s that her passion for music and performing was ignited, which led to her pursuing this dream full-time shortly after graduation.  

Since then, Barber has released multiple award-winning original albums, two children’s books, and has worked with various local and international charities. She has toured extensively across Canada – including many return engagements to Kingston – as well as in the United States, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East.  

 To be recognized for her contributions to the Canadian cultural landscape by her alma mater is both a great honour and incredibly validating as an artist.