Students, faculty and staff marked the end of term in style on April 3: they gathered in the student lounge to cheer on winners of the 2016–17 Law Students’ Society (LSS) and other awards. 

Kicking off the festivities, Professor Don Stuart was presented the Stanley M. Corbett Award for Excellence in Teaching for a full-time faculty member. The award, jointly given by the LSS and Faculty, is the fourth such honour he has received from students. This time, his nomination was supported not only by current students, but also by junior faculty members and alumni from as far back as the class of Law’78. 

“Professor Stuart takes a personal interest in the success of his students, and Queen’s Law is very lucky to have him,” wrote one of his nominators. “His knowledge, passion, and expertise in Canadian criminal law are impressive and unmatched.”

“It’s a real privilege to have been teaching so long at Queen’s,” said Stuart. “There’s something special about the environment here and there always will be. I’m in the company of a lot of very distinguished and caring teachers.”

Stuart wasn’t the only criminal law teacher saluted. Corbett Awards for sessional instructors went to Fenton Smith Barristers’ Ian Smith, Law’89, and Amy Ohler. The teachers of Advanced Criminal Law, their first ever course, were unable to attend the ceremony.  

James Holtom, Law’13, returned to his alma mater to hand out his firm’s prize for demonstrated excellence in oral advocacy through competitive mooting. The Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP Moot Award went to Stephanie McLoughlin and Geoff Tadema, both Law’18, winners of the 2017 Mathews Dinsdale National Labour Arbitration Moot.

LSS President Nima Hojjati, Law’17, presented a special hand-made gift to Assistant Dean of Students Jane Emrich, Law’77, who will be retiring on May 31. The token of appreciation was a framed card that read, “Thank you Jane for your kindness, passion and commitment to Queen’s Law,” and included many students’ photos and messages. 

Students from all years were nominated and selected by their peers for their extraordinary accomplishments. 

A full list of awards and recipients follows:

Corbett Teaching Excellence Awards:

Don Stuart (full-time faculty)
Ian Smith, Law’89, and Amy Ohler (sessional instructors)

Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP Moot Award:

Stephanie McLoughlin, Law’18, and Geoff Tadema, Law’18

LSS Recognition Awards:

Gavel Award: Nima Hojjati, Law’17 

Spirit Award: Brendan Dean, Law’17

Millennium Award: Stephanie McLoughlin, Law’18 

Spark Award: Siobhan Morris, Law’19 

Mary Alice “Ma” Murray Awards: Devon Luca, Law’17, and Conor O'Muiri, Law’17 

Denis Marshall Contribution Awards:
Stephanie Bishop, Law’17 
Michael Coleman, Law’17 
Harshdeep Mann, Law’17 
Geneve Say, Law’17 
Cindy Zhang, Law’17
 
Camaraderie Award: Queen's Law Choir Club 

Professional Excellence Award: Queen's Law Refugee Support Group