At each annual Closing of the House, the Queen’s Debating Union recognizes the achievements of some of our most dedicated members with the presentation of our five internal awards:
The Robert Sutherland Award
Named for the first known Canadian university graduate of African descent and former treasurer of the QDU Robert Sutherland (B.A.H., Classics and Mathematics, 1852), this award formerly recognized a member of the Union who has achieved significant cumulative competitive success during their time with the club. As of 2019, the award is presented to the member who achieved the greatest competitive success during the debating year. Past winners include:
- Nicholas Abernethy (2023)
- Nicholas Abernethy (2022)
- Brent Leung (2021)
- Corey Davidson (2020)
- Addy Rawat (2019)
- Julia Milden (2017, 2018)
- Julia Kirby (2016)
- Amelia McLeod (2014, 2015)
- Kaya Ellis (2012, 2013)
- Adam Hetherington (2011)
- Christine Wadsworth (2009, 2010)
- Sarah Sahagian (2008)
- Steve Dickie (2007)
- Laura Kustisto (2006)
- Nick Shkordoff (2005)
- Eric Szmurlo (2004)
- Michael Saposnik (2003)
The Debating Blue Award
Given to a graduating member of the club who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the QDU, the Debating Blue Award is named for the official colour of our Union. As a show of the club’s gratitude for their enduring dedication, the recipient of the award becomes an honourary lifelong member of the QDU. Past recipients include:
- Livi McElrea (2023)
- Emily Xu (2022)
- Brent Leung (2021)
- Patrick Cowley, Corey Davidson, Reem Toubache (2020)
- Addy Rawat and Naomi Chernos (2019)
- Ksenia Podvoiskaia and Tavish Logan (2018)
- Betsy Studholme and Mitchell Dorbyk (2017)
- Julia Kirby (2016)
- Holly Kallmeyer and Michelle Polster (2015)
- Katherine Fu and Amelia McLeod (2014)
- Kaya Ellis and William Gibson (2013)
- Ryan Tolusso (2012)
- Megan Van den Hof (2011)
- Michael Portner-Gartke (2010)
- Ben McNelly (2009)
- Lisa Jorgensen and Sarah Sahagian (2008)
- Steve Dickie (2007)
- Frances Ue and Laura Kustisto (2006)
- Nick Shkordoff and Aron Seal (2005)
- James Fenske (2004)
- Alex Dutton and Tamara Kagan (2003)
- Michael Saposnik (2002)
- Will Hutcheson and Nicola Matthews (2001)
The Lorna Breckon Novice Award
Lorna Breckon served two terms as the QDU’s first female treasurer in the 1940s concurrent with her acting as President of the Levanna Debating Society, then the all-female equivalent of the QDU. Named in her honour, the Lorna Breckon Novice Award recognizes a novice member of the club who has proven both their dedication and competitive potential, in addition to demonstrating strength of character. Past winners include:
- Lily Mckay-De Carvalho (2023)
- Jiarui Che (2022)
- Nimai Koneru (2021)
- Livi McElrea (2020)
- Emily Xu and Jubilee Lambie (2019)
- Olivia Stanton and Aidan O’Toole (2018)
- Patrick Cowley (2017)
- Addy Rawat and Mark Sinclair (2016)
- Ksenia Podvoiskaia (2015)
- Mitchell Dorbyk (2014)
- Kate McNeil (2013)
- Holly Kallmeyer (2012)
- Katherine Fu (2011)
- Kaya Ellis (2010)
- Jenny Zhang (2009)
- Megan Van den Hof (2008)
- Robin McNamara (2007)
- Joanna Adams (2006)
- Lisa Jorgensen (2005)
- Johsa Manzanilla (2004)
- Laura Kustisto (2003)
- Nick Shkordoff (2002)
- Sharon Tikiryan (2001)
The Thomas Holloway Award
Thomas Holloway was a former Queen’s Commerce student and member of the QDU. He passed away due to injuries suffered during a traffic collision in his final year at Queen’s. He is remembered as a bright, articulate, kind, and generous individual. In tribute to his memory, the Thomas Holloway Award is to be given annually to the QDU member found to have made the most significant contribution to the club for that year. Contributions should be assessed holistically, taking competitive success, strength of character, club commitment and all other information deemed relevant by the selection committee into account. This award shall be given to whoever best fits the criteria above, regardless of their academic year or the number of years they have belonged to the club. Past Recipients include:
- Erica Gow & Nimai Koneru (2023)
- Robert Howden (2022)
- Livi McElrea (2021)
- Ekam Kaur (2020)
- Liv Stanton (2019)
- Jordan Greene (2018)
- Michael Didow (2017)
- Will Rooney (2016)
- Mitchell Dorbyk and Holly Longhair (2015)
- Julia Kirby (2014)
- Jake Roth (2013)
- Rebecca Schidlowsky (2012)