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Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award

The Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award (ABTA) and induction into the Tricolour Society is the highest tribute that can be paid to a Queen’s University student for distinguished service, leadership, character, and community impact during their time at Queen's.

• The award is named in honour of Dr. Agnes Benidickson who was Chancellor of Queens University from 1980 until 1996.
• Admission to the Tricolour Society shall be limited to current students at the University. The number of students to be admitted to the Tricolour Society is limited to 4 students per year. It is not a requirement that the maximum of 4 students per year is reached, it is up to the discretion of the Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award Selection Committee.
• The Rector (or delegate) serves as the Chair, and non-voting member, of the Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award Selection Committee (ABTASC). The selection process follows the procedures as outlined in the Terms of Reference.
• For more information, please contact the Office of the Rector 

Who Can I Nominate?

The Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award is for students only. Nominate a student that has devoted their time and efforts to the Queen's community in non-athletic/academic ways. If you know a student who has significantly and positively impacted life at Queen's, in your life or the lives of others while attending Queen's, you should nominate them!

Award Criteria: 

• Admission to the Tricolour Society shall be limited to current students at Queen’s University. The total number of students to be admitted to the Society each year shall not exceed a maximum of four (4) recipients and is the jurisdiction of the (ABTASC).
• The Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award shall be awarded to a student for valuable and distinguished service, leadership, character, and community impact and whose involvement must not be limited to athletic or academic endeavours.
• A nominee’s service may be confined to a single field (excluding athletics or academics) or may have taken the form of significant contributions over a wide range of activities (may include athletic or academic activities).
• Only current students at the University may submit a nomination and individuals are unable to self-nominate.
• Admission shall not be granted simply because a person holds or has held a position or office on campus.

Nomination Process: 

• In the late Fall of each year, the ABTA Committee releases the . 
  • 2025 Deadline:  December 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST
• The nomination package will consist of a nomination form and letters of support and must be completed for an individual to be eligible. The package will be submitted electronically to the Office of the Rector through the online nomination portal.
• Each nomination must have a completed nominee information form with a primary and secondary nominator, both of whom must be current students.
• Letters of support must accompany the nomination form. No less than three (3) and not more than five (5) letters of support. Letters should include the nominee’s name and describe the nominee’s contribution(s) to and impact at Queen’s University.
  1. These may be authored by those who can directly speak to the exemplary contribution a nominee has made, i.e. Faculty, staff, student, community member, etc.
  2. Letters of support may be co-authored and/or signed.
  3. Letters must include the name, faculty, role/function and contact information of the submitter.
• Upon receiving nomination packages, the Office of the Rector will confirm acceptance of the nomination, and request any additional information (CV, list of extracurriculars, contact info, etc.).

Selection Process: 

• The Rector (or delegate) serves as the Chair, and non-voting member, of the Agnes Benidickson Tricolour Award Selection Committee (ABTASC).
• The selection process follows the procedures as outlined in the Award's Terms of Reference
• Using the information provided in the nomination package, the ABTASC will select no more than 10 nominees to interview. Once the successful nominees are chosen to progress to the interview stage, the Office of the Rector will inform all candidates of the status of their nomination and will invite the selected group to schedule interview times.
• Interviews will be held in person unless otherwise stated.

• Selection of the successful nominee(s) shall be made holistically, based on nomination packages, interviews, and submitted CV.

• Decisions of the Tricolour Awards Selection Committee are final, subject to the provisions of Article H.

• Emblematic of the high honour of the ABTA, recipients shall be recognized by:
  • An Awards presentation - early April 2025
  • The Rector and Chancellor presenting a plaque at their convocation
  • Their names are engraved on a plaque in the John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC)
  • Being admitted into the Tricolour Society

Please address any questions regarding award nominations and the selection process to the Office of the Rector.