McGill’s 300,000+ alumni include many stellar graduates who continue to inspire through their volunteer leadership, expertise or philanthropic activities.
Each year, the MAA recognizes the achievements of some of these outstanding alumni, as well as students, faculty, staff and friends of McGill. The MAA looks forward to celebrating these individuals at a special celebration in Montreal on May 7, 2024. The MAA is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and welcomes the nomination of candidates from underrepresented communities.
Award Categories and Criteria
The McGill Alumni Association Honours and Awards Program includes several award categories designed to recognize alumni and other members of the greater McGill community for excellence in their chosen field and/or contributions to society that reflects well on the McGill Alumni Association and McGill.
To view the past Honours and Awards list, please see the Related Links on the right.
Alumni Recognition
Award of Merit
This award is presented to an alumnus/alumna who, by his or her own efforts, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of McGill through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and service to the University, the McGill Alumni Association and the community.
Distinguished Service Award
This award is presented to an alumnus/alumna who has rendered outstanding service to the McGill Alumni Association and/or to McGill over a significant period of time.
E.P. Taylor Award
Named in memory of E.P. Taylor, BSc’22, who established the Alma Mater Fund Committee in 1948
to solicit contributions from alumni, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna or a group of alumni to recognize their outstanding voluntary fundraising efforts in support of McGill.
Alumni Student Engagement Award
This award is presented to an alumnus/alumna or a group of alumni to recognize significant efforts to support McGill students.
Catherine Nance Common President of the Year Award
Named in memory of Catherine Nance Common (née McMartin), BA’28, who died in 2007 at the age of 101, this award honours a president who has served his/her branch with outstanding enthusiasm and leadership through the development of varied and relevant programming and the effective recruitment and recognition of other volunteers in the branch, and is an outstanding ambassador for McGill.
McGill
Alumni Event of the Year Award
This award recognizes an event that is conceived, driven and implemented by volunteers in the support and promotion of McGill and that succeeds in engaging alumni in a positive way.
Charles H. Peters Alumni Group of the Year Award
Named in memory of Charles H. Peters, BA’28, LLD’74, in recognition of four generations of McGill alumni, this award recognizes a group, class or branch that has maintained close ties to McGill through reunions, events and correspondence/social media.
Robert Fung International Award of Distinction
Named in memory of Robert H.P. Fung, MDCM’60, the first President of the McGill Society of Hong Kong, this award is presented to an alumnus/alumna living outside of North America who, through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and outstanding volunteer service in his or her alumni community or country, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of the McGill Alumni Association and McGill.
Young Alumni Recognition
James G. Wright Award
Named in memory of James G. Wright, BA’65, an inspiring and beloved community volunteer, mentor and first President of the McGill Young Alumni Association, this award is presented to a young alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated exemplary service to and made a difference in his or her community. Young Alumni are graduates of the last 10 years.
Non-Alumni Recognition
Honorary Life Membership Award
This award is presented to a non-graduate who has demonstrated a significant commitment of outstanding service to the McGill Alumni Association and to McGill.
Student Recognition
Chancellor Gretta Chambers Student Leadership Award
Named in memory of Chancellor Emerita Gretta Chambers, BA’47, this award is presented to one or more students who have demonstrated leadership qualities while contributing in a volunteer capacity to the advancement of the McGill Alumni Association, McGill or the community.
Special Recognition
David Johnston Faculty & Staff Award
Named in honour of former Principal David Johnston’s leadership efforts, this award is presented to a McGill faculty or staff member who is an exemplary ambassador for McGill, and who has done exemplary work on behalf of the McGill Annual Fund or who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the McGill Alumni Association’s activities through voluntary service.
D. Lorne Gales Special Recognition Award
Named in memory of D. Lorne Gales, BA’32, BCL’35, LLD’79, founding President of the Graduates’ Society of McGill, this award is presented to a friend of McGill to recognize the outstanding collaborative partnerships between the McGill Alumni Association, the Faculties, academics and volunteers that result in significant contributions to McGill and to alumni communities.
Honora Shaughnessy McGill Ambassador Award
Named in honour of Honora Shaughnessy, MLS’73, long-serving Executive Director of the McGill Alumni Association, this award is presented to a friend of McGill who has made an exceptional contribution to the University as a role model in fostering friend-raising, loyalty, professionalism and team spirit.