Group of gala award recipients
Front row: Stephanie Zhou, Grace Zhang, Margaret Greenberg, Kayla Cooper, and Daniel Tisch. Back row: Stu Lang, Owen Crawford-Lem, and Lisa Hood.

QUAA Gala Award nominations now open

 The Queen’s University Alumni Association (QUAA) Gala Awards are a chance to honour the tremendous impact alumni have in their communities and around the world. Recipients are ambassadors for Queen’s and have helped establish the university’s global reputation for creating positive change in the lives of others through their generosity and service.

Each spring, the alumni community gathers together to celebrate the achievements of the recipients at the QUAA Gala Awards.

“I felt honoured to receive an award from my peers,” says Kayla Cooper, Artsci'13, recipient of the 2024 Alumni Global Citizenship Award. “The other gala award recipients are incredibly driven, distinguished people – it was truly an honour to be counted amongst their number. Many of my friends from Queen's attended the gala and celebrated with me, and it was very heartwarming to feel so supported by classmates and old friends.”

The QUAA Board of Directors is reminding alumni the 2025 gala award nomination period is now open, and the Board is excited to recognize the outstanding contributions of alumni and students who embody the spirit of Queen's excellence.

There are nine award categories including:

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigenization Alumni Award

This award recognizes someone who has made a significant and ongoing contribution through mentorship, advocacy, or guidance to either an individual or group and advances Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization (EDII) at Queen's, and beyond.

Herbert J. Hamilton Volunteer Service Award

Presented annually in recognition of volunteer service to the life and work of the QUAA, either through short-term impactful involvement or long-term commitment.

Initiative of the Year Award

This award is presented to recognize an initiative that contributes most to the mission of the QUAA.

Marsha Lampman Volunteer Award

Presented annually to up to three branch, chapter, or reunion volunteers who best exemplify Marsha Lampman's outstanding dedication and service to alumni programs of the QUAA.  

Outstanding Student Leader Award

This award recognizes a current Queen’s student whose volunteerism and leadership has contributed in a positive way to one or more aspects of the Queen’s community in all its diversity and/or the broader Kingston community.  

“I have always been a proud Queen’s alum but receiving the Marsha Lampman Volunteer Award in recognition for my dedication and service to the Queen’s Queer Alumni Chapter was true honour,” says Jennifer Reynolds, Com'13, recipient of the 2024 Marsha Lampman Volunteer Award. “I was honoured to be recognized among such a distinguished group of alumni who embody the values and impact of the Queen’s community.  

My hope is that this award recognition inspires others to get involved with causes that are important to them so that we, as alumni, can continue to meaningfully support Queen’s students when it’s needed most.”

For a full list of gala awards or to nominate fellow alumni for one of the gala awards, please visit the Alumni Gala page for more information.

Nominations close Dec. 10, 2024.