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Graduate, Student and Alumni Volunteer of the Year

Award winners for 2023

Allstate NI Queen's Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award 2023

Entrepreneur John McKee has been awarded the Allstate NI Queen’s Alumni Volunteer of the Year for 2023. For almost a decade John has nurtured young entrepreneurs at Queen's through volunteering his time with SU Enterprise. As Head Judge on our Dragon's Den competition, John has provided mentoring and support to Queen's students who are embarking on business careers. As an experienced entrepreneur, the advice, expertise and time he has dedicated to Queen's students has been invaluable. John is leaving a lasting legacy for our young entrepreneurs as they embark on their business journeys.

Learn more about enterprise at Queen's
James MacSorley
Allstate NI Queen's Graduate of the Year Award 2023

Paralympian and professional wheelchair basketball player, James MacSorley has won Graduate of the Year Award for 2023. Following a lifelong dedication to wheelchair basketball, his greatest achievement was winning the Paralympic Bronze medal in Tokyo in 2021. James is currently training to compete in the Paralympics Games in Paris next summer. He is also a World and European Champion and serves as an Ambassador for The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT), an organisation which supports mental health and fitness for young adults.

Read more about James' story

Allstate NI Queen's Student of the Year Award 2023

Eimear O'Rourke has been announced as the 2023 Allstate NI Queen’s Student of the Year, for her dedication and commitment to expanding her knowledge through allergy research and public engagement, and through using her own personal experience of allergy to improve the lives of staff and students at Queen’s. Eimear has also been recognised for her various leadership roles within allergy research and the wider Queen’s community. Her work has extended to featuring on a television documentary about allergy, speaking at the European Allergy Youth Parliament and providing advice and support to staff and students at Queen's, through her role as Allergy Ambassador.

Read more about Eimear's story
Three awards are made each year
Two students from the GP society put their arms around each other and smile
Student impact and contributions
Student of the Year Award

Queen’s students are distinguished alumni in the making. Every year thousands of individual students make a positive impact by participating in community service projects, internships and volunteer activities both on and off campus. Those nominated for the Student of the Year Award should have made a significant contribution to the life of the University, or to the lives of others, during the previous 12 months. In the past, this award has gone to individuals for their volunteer work or their entrepreneurism and to groups of law, medical and engineering students for initiatives and breakthroughs in their respective fields.

Previous Winners
Graduate of the Year trophy is awarded to Lisa McGee
Making a difference after graduation
Graduate of the Year Award

Nominations for individuals or groups should be made for those who have made substantial contributions to the arts, sciences, business, sporting, public or academic life. Entries for those who have made a significant contribution to the lives of others, or to the life of the University, are considered. The recipient(s) will be awarded at the annual black tie Charter Day Dinner, organised by the Queen’s Graduates’ Association. The judging panel consists of representatives of the QGA, the University, and the Students' Union. Judges stress that academic qualifications, high office or fame are not prerequisites to winning; nominations that are novel, courageous, innovative and bold are encouraged.

Previous Winners
Sean Hunt accepts his award
Enhancing the lives of others
Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award

An Award will be made to the graduate or group of graduates who has (have) committed time and expertise to the University in support of its goals, to advance the student experience, enhance the University’s reputation, support student recruitment activities, improve the employability of our students, support our alumni community, or to assist in governance. The Alumni Volunteer of the Year may have mentored staff or students, provided student placements or projects, supported the University, association or committee governance, written graduate profiles, spoken at Queen’s events, organised alumni events and activities or otherwise supported the University with a substantial gift of time. A selection criteria will be used by the panel to assess all nominations.

Previous Winners
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