Students who give back to their community will each be recognized with a $2,500 award.
Patrick Deane, vice-principal (academic), is spearheading the new Civic Responsibility Award, an award created with the intention to recognize students’ significant or outstanding contributions to the community’s well-being.
Three students will be recognized with the award.
“The idea for the award began with my observation that with the events on Aberdeen, many uncomplimentary things were said and there was failure to remember all the students who work in the community,” he said.
Deane said the award is deliberately open and unrestricted because contributions to civic responsibility can be manifested in a number of ways.
As well, he said, the award should be seen as a beacon of encouragement to those who are less involved.
“[The award] emphasizes what is great about Queen’s students while holding up an ideal for other students,” he said.
The committee that will eventually choose the three recipients includes Deane, Dean of Student Affairs Jason Laker and Rector Johsa Manzanilla.
“We’re looking for quality and substance,” Deane said.
Manzanilla said she thinks the award is “fantastic.”
“It will reflect pride within community,” she said. “The whole point of the initiative is to encourage Queen’s students to behave responsibly … to encourage students to act differently.”
Manzanilla added that she hopes this award will improve town-gown relations.
“Queen’s students are very aware of the fact that they are relatively looked down upon by residents and police,” she said. “The hope is that this award will cause Queen’s students to identify themselves not just as Queen’s students, but as Kingston residents as well.”
Deane said he thinks Kingston residents will support the award.
“I am confident the community wants to strengthen the relationship.” Nominations for the Civic Responsibility Award can be submitted by any student, faculty member or Kingston resident by Feb. 1. All students are eligible for nomination.
To nominate a student, please see queensu.ca/registrar/awards/toolbox/AllScholAwards.htm.
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