GRADUATE & STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2019 – NOMINATIONS DEADLINE 7 MAY 
29 March 2019
After a very successful reception in March held to celebrate 20 years of the First Trust Bank Queen’s Graduate and Student of the Year Awards, the countdown to the 2019 nominations deadline – Tuesday 7th May – is underway!
Graduates, staff and students of the University – along with friends and family members – are being invited to submit nominations for individual students and graduates who have made a big impression.
The organisers want to hear about graduates who have made a substantial impact on the arts, science, business, sport or public life or a significant contribution to others, and about students who have done something amazing during their time at Queen’s.
One in 12 adults in Northern Ireland is a graduate of Queen’s University – so over 100,000 alumni are currently making a real difference to people’s lives locally, nationally and internationally.
Queen’s students are distinguished alumni in the making. Every year thousands of students make a positive impact by participating in community service projects, internships and volunteer activities both on and off campus.
Last year’s First Trust Bank Graduate of the Year was the creator and writer of the award-winning Derry Girls. Speaking at the time, Lisa said: “Queen’s holds a very special place in my heart and I cherish the time I spent as a student there. It’s where I wrote my earliest plays and where I made some lifelong friends; in fact several members of our cast and crew on Derry Girls were old Queen’s classmates of mine.
“It was a wonderfully supportive environment to grow as a creative. I found my voice as a writer there and for that I will be eternally grateful.”
At the commemorative event in early March which was attended by almost 30 former graduate and student winners, the 2008 winner Jonathan Scott, shared his thoughts on the Awards via a video from his home in Kenya.
Don’t miss your opportunity to highlight the hard work of an inspiring or innovative individual or group of individuals; for full details and to make a nomination for either – or both – awards click here.
The annual Graduate and Student of the Year Awards were launched in 1999 by the Queen’s Graduates’ Association (QGA) and the University’s Development and Alumni Relations Office, with the generous support of First Trust Bank. The Bank’s endorsement further recognises and celebrates the achievements of outstanding Queen's students and graduates, who make such a valuable input to life in Northern Ireland and beyond.
The Awards judging panel consists of representatives of the QGA, the University, the Students' Union and First Trust Bank. The judges stress that academic qualifications, high office or fame are not prerequisites to winning; they will also be looking for nominations that are novel, courageous, innovative or even bold.
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 their time at Queen’s. Nominations for individual – or groups – of graduates should be for those who have made a substantial contribution to the arts, sciences or business or to 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, can also be considered.
For further information about the First Trust Bank Queen’s Graduate and Student of the Year Awards please contact Stephen O’Reilly (Alumni Officer, Engagement), on telephone: +44 (0)28 9097 1945; to submit on online nomination click here (for graduate) or here (for student).
General enquiries about this news story to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office at Queen’s; tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
Back to Main News
Top of Page