Queen’s-Kingston community leaders recognized

The Queen’s University Alumni Association announces the recipients of two annual awards aimed at recognizing leadership at Queen’s and in the Kingston community.

Merv Daub, a professor emeritus with Queen’s School of Business receives the 2008 Padre Laverty Award. Walter Fenlon of Assante Financial Management Limited, Fenlon Financial Division receives the 2008 Jim Bennett Achievement Award.

“It will be my great honour to bestow these prestigious awards on two such exemplary individuals as Dr. Daub and Mr. Fenlon, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Queen’s and Kingston communities,” says Ann Robinson, President of Queen’s Alumni Association, Kingston Branch.

Currently a member of the Board of Governors for the Kingston General Hospital and a past Board Member of the Community Foundation of Greater Kingston, Dr. Daub is a former captain of the Queen’s football team and an alumnus of Queen’s Class of 1966. An economics professor for 31 years at Queen’s School of Business, he demonstrated leadership and commitment throughout his career, chairing the building committee when the business school relocated to Goodes Hall, and founding the popular annual Queen’s Business Forecast Lunch.

“The Padre gave great service to Queen’s, and was an institution, in his time,” says Dr. Daub. “To be considered worthy of an award in his name, is a fine honour indeed.”

Well known in Kingston for his strong leadership and involvement in the community, Walter Fenlon co-chairs both the Grand Theatre Restoration Fundraising Campaign and the Imagine Kingston Summit. He has also served on the board of the Community Foundation of Greater Kingston. His long-standing support of local charities and important city initiatives such as Market Square and the Kingston Regional Sports and Entertainment Centre has made his name synonymous with generosity and dedication.

“It is indeed a great honour to be the recipient of any award but to be singled out amongst the many who work so hard to make this a more vital and caring city has been the furthest thing from my mind,” says Mr. Fenlon. ”Receiving this award and playing just a small part in our city of what Jim Bennett stood for and the love he had for his community is indeed gratifying and appreciated.”

Inaugurated in 1967 as the Kingston Award, and renamed in 1991, the Padre Laverty Award commemorates the long and distinguished service of the first University Chaplain, Padre A. Marshall Laverty. Presented for service to Queen’s and the Kingston community, the award goes to an alumna/us, usually a Kingston-area resident.

Inaugurated in 1993 as the Kingston Achievement Award and renamed posthumously in 2000, the Jim Bennett Achievement Award commemorates the distinguished and dedicated service of the late Dr. Bennett to the university, to its students, and to the citizens of the greater Kingston community. It honors Kingstonians who have made outstanding achievements in careers, sport, the arts, or volunteer endeavours.

These awards will be presented at the Padre Laverty/Jim Bennett Awards dinner, hosted by the Kingston Branch of Queen’s alumni association on April 23, 2008 at Queen’s Ban Righ Hall.