Gord Nixon, Michelle Gibson, Mike Young

Alumni Association Award Recipients Announced

The Chair of the Queen’s Initiative Campaign, a former student rector, and a doctor with a passion for teaching will each be honoured at the Queen’s University Alumni Association  (QUAA) Awards Gala on April 8, 2017.

The event will be hosted by Principal Daniel Woolf, Artsci’80, and QUAA Volunteer President Sue Bates, Artsci’91. The recipients are being honoured at a historic time in Queen’s history as we celebrate the university’s 175th anniversary.

“The QUAA Awards are a wonderful way to honour alumni for their hard work and contributions,” says Ms. Bates. “Thank you to the students, staff and my fellow alumni who submitted nominations. I’m also grateful to the Association volunteers whose dedication make the awards program possible.”

Every year, Alumni Association members and the Queen’s community nominate individuals for 11 awards honouring students, professors, alumni and volunteers and their exceptional impact on the communities they serve.

The Alumni Association takes great pride in presenting the following recipients of this year's Alumni Association Awards:

The Chair of the Initiative Campaign, Dr. Gord Nixon, Com’79, LLD’03, is receiving the Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honour bestowed by the Alumni Association. The former Royal Bank of Canada CEO and Gaels rugby player has a long history of volunteering and supporting his alma mater. Dr. Nixon and wife, Janet, recently made a significant gift to Queen’s in support of the revitalization of the campus rugby field, which is now named Nixon Field.

It’s not every day that students nominate their professor for an award, but Department of Medicine Professor Dr. Michelle Gibson, MEd’13, is clearly exceptional. Dr. Gibson will be receiving the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching Award. Her passion goes beyond simply teaching students; she is invested in curriculum development and student assessment. Her nomination is a true testament to her dedication to her students and her impact in the classroom.

Mike Young, Artsci’16, will be presented with the Outstanding Student Award. Mr. Young is known to Queen’s students and alumni alike for his role as Student Rector. Since Mr. Young came to Queen’s, he has been a peer leader on campus and an advocate for mental health, student equity and autonomy. Inside and outside the classroom, his greatest wish is to do what he can to ensure more Queen’s students have the same positive experience.   

Follow us on Facebook as we roll out featured stories on each recipient leading up to the 2017 Association Awards Gala:

Alumni Humanitarian Award – John MacIntyre, Com’78

Alumni Mentorship Award – Greg McKellar, Artsci’78, MA’84

Herbert J. Hamilton Volunteer Service Award – Kathy Owen, Arts’67

Marsha Lampman Branch Volunteer Award – Monica Dingle, Com’02

One to Watch Award – CleanSlate (Taylor Mann, Artsci’14, Scott Mason, Artsci’15, Oleg Baranov, Sc’15)

Rising Star Volunteer Award – Theresa Wetzel, Artsci’07

Initiative of the Year Award – Calgary Career Management Panel (Calgary Branch, Nicholas Godwin, Arstsci’11, accepting on behalf of the Branch)

Do you know a worthy candidate? Visit the Queen's Alumni Award website to nominate an alumnus or alumnae today.