In recognition of its accomplishments over the past 12 years, which includes a world record, the Queen’s solar vehicle team is this year’s recipient of the Jim Bennett Achievement Award.
The award is for Kingstonians who have made outstanding achievements in careers, sports, the arts and volunteer work. Past winners include the Queen’s Bands and the Golden Gaels football team.
“We were actually pretty surprised, to tell you the truth,” commented Jeff Bird, solar car project manager.
“It’s a great honour to be the recipients of such an award, after so much effort… our work finally paid off.”
“It’s nice to be recognized… and receiving this award will increase the public awareness of what we do,” added Melodie Berg, the team’s business manager.
Inaugurated in 1993 as the Kingston Achievement Award, the award was renamed last year after the late Dr. Jim Bennett, in recognition of his distinguished and dedicated service to Queen’s, its students and the citizens of Kingston.
Dr. Bennett was a professor of electrical engineering and the Director of Alumni Affairs, as well as being very active in student associations and activities.
The award recognizes the Solar Vehicle Team’s consistent and successful efforts, which include designing, manufacturing and racing solar-powered vehicles as well as educating the public about solar energy and its possibilities. The team has been able to accomplish its goals through funding both from Queen’s and private companies.
Among the team’s accomplishments is a world record for distance traveled in a solar car at Suntrek 2000 where their car traveled from Halifax to Vancouver, a distance of 7044 km, at an energy cost of only $9.22. They also placed second in Sunrayce ’99 and World Solar Car Challenge ’99.
The goal of the team each year is to lower the cost of the car while increasing its speed and efficiency.
“The project really shows what Queen’s students can do. There are so many people who contribute to this project’s success. Winning this award is a great opportunity to show the world what our students, and Canadian students, for that matter, are capable of,” explained Bird.
The team has been praised for its diverse mix of students from the Faculties of Applied Science, arts and science, and the School of Business. Bird also noted the incredible amount of support the team has received from the Queen’s administration, especially the Faculty of Applied Science and the group’s chief advisor, Dr. Stephen Harrison.
Alumni Association Chair Fred Siemonson, who took part in making to decision to give the team the award, commended the high level of teamwork exhibited by the Solar Car team.
“This event shows that Queen’s students can excel and be recognized in the international community for their efforts as a team. The solar car vehicle exemplifies successful enterprise today, and since teamwork is the way corporations get ahead today, that’s why they’re successful,” he said.
The Kingston Branch of the Queen’s Alumni Association will present the Solar Vehicle team with its award at the annual Padre Laverty dinner on April 19.
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