Recipients of the Distinguished Service Awards announced

This year’s recipients of the Distinguished Service Award are a group of faculty and staff members who have made a lasting impact throughout their outstanding careers at Queen’s University.

Selected by the University Council Executive Committee, the award recognizes exemplary service to Queen’s University over an extended period of time. 

“This year’s Distinguished Service Awards recipients are an amazing group of individuals – individuals who have exceeded their obligations – demonstrating in their own unique ways, in their respective fields, the spirit of leadership, innovation, and initiative that has been a hallmark of this great university. Not only has each one of them made a truly lasting contribution to this university, but through their individual efforts, they have significantly shaped the life of, and ultimately, the future path of Queen’s,” says executive committee vice-chair Marcus Wong (ArtSci’03). “On behalf of University Council, congratulations to all of our Distinguished Service Award recipients and thank you for everything that you have done, and will do, for Queen’s.”

The 2020 recipients of the Distinguished Service Awards are:

• Selim G. Akl:  Dedicated faculty member since 1978, current Professor, nationally recognized computer science researcher and scholar, and tireless champion for the School of Computing.
• Jan Allen: Queen’s alumna, Director of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, augmented the Centre’s exhibitions, publications and acquisitions while promoting collaborative curatorial and research work, nationally recognized curator and arts leader.
• Jacquie Brown: Long-serving Program Assistant (Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering), committed to compassionate and tailored student support, safety on campus and continuous training resulting in widespread positive impact on the lives of students, faculty, and staff.
• Jennifer Medves: Former Vice-Dean (Health Sciences) and Director of the School of Nursing, former Vice-Chair of Senate and exemplary participant in University governance, devoted to student mental health, innovative programming, and the profession of nursing.
• Richard Reznick: Former Dean (Faculty of Health Sciences), Director (School of Medicine), and CEO (Southeastern Ontario Academic Medical Organization), pioneer of innovative educational programs, internationally renowned medical education expert, and leader of transformative change.
• Daniel R. Woolf: 20^th Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Principal Emeritus, Queen’s alumnus, Professor of History, influential academic and administrator, introduced the University’s new budget model, governance reform, and position of Provost, committed to innovation, faculty renewal, wellness, and the arts. 

Inaugurated by the Executive Committee of the University Council in 1974, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have made the University a better place through their exemplary service and extraordinary contributions. The University Council was established by statute in 1874. It is one of the three governing bodies of the University and all elective members are elected by and from Queen’s alumni. The University Council serves as both an advisory and an ambassadorial body to the University as a whole and is responsible for the election of the Chancellor.

Questions about the Distinguished Service Awards can be directed to the University Secretariat at ucouncil@queensu.ca or 613-533-6095.  

Note: This article originally appeared in the Queen's Gazette.