2022 King's Alumni Award Recipients

King's University College and the Alumni Association Board of Directors are pleased to announce the 2022 Alumni Award recipients. Congratulations to Jennifer Robson '92, Alumni Award of Distinction recipient, and Chloée Godin-Jacques '19, Recent Graduate Award recipient.

This year's Alumni Awards Ceremony will take place virtually and in person at King's on Friday, September 23, at 6 p.m. as part of the annual Homecoming weekend. Following the awards ceremony, the celebrations will continue at the NEW Alumni Dinner. Tickets are available at www.kings.uwo.ca/homecoming.

"Every year, the Awards Selection Committee is tasked with reviewing all of the exceptional nominations received for these awards," says Matt Pepe '87, committee chair. "This year, we are pleased to honour Jennifer Robson and Chloée Godin-Jacques, two outstanding alumnae who are leaders in their fields and who exemplify the values of King's University College. We are proud to count them as King's alumni and look forward to celebrating with them at Homecoming."

Alumni Award of Distinction

Jennifer Robson '92 (BA Hons French and History)

International bestselling author

Jennifer Robson '92 is an author of historical fiction, an academic, and a self-proclaimed history nerd. She has written six novels set during and after the two world wars and is the only Canadian author to have three books on the Canadian bestseller list simultaneously.

"I had an extraordinarily rich undergraduate experience at King's," says Robson, who credits King's and Professor Paul Webb for fostering her love of history. She speaks fondly of her classes with Dr. Gerry Killan, Dr. Lorraine DeCicco, and Dr. Dante Lenardon, and noted in a Western Gazette interview, "I learned more about writing from Professor DiCicco than any other single teacher I've had."

Robson earned her doctorate in British Economic and Social History from Oxford University and worked in journalism, publishing, and as a freelance editor, before becoming a full-time author.

As a highly respected author, Robson is regularly invited to speak at literary festivals, libraries, and conferences. This year, Robson is featured in the King's Homecoming lineup. She will provide a reading from her bestselling novel, The Gown, on Saturday, September 24. Book fans can attend the event in person or virtually, and there will be opportunities to ask questions about her books and writing process. Reserve your spot by registering at www.kings.uwo.ca/homecoming.

Recent Graduate Award

Chloée Godin-Jacques ’19 (BA Hons Disability Studies and Social Justice & Peace)

Lead Consultant, Chloée Catherine Consulting

PhD student, Western University

Chloée Godin-Jacques is a disabled activist, community-based researcher, and social entrepreneur who works tirelessly to advocate for a more equitable and inclusive society.

While completing her undergraduate degree at King's, professors recognized Godin-Jacques' "academic maturity, insight into human behaviour, vast empathy, and the ethical urge to make meaningful change in the world." She has worked and volunteered with many local and national organizations, including Pillar Nonprofit Network, City of Woodstock, and Eviance (formerly the Canadian Centre for Disability Studies). In 2020, she launched Chloée Catherine Consulting to offer resources and tools that reduce and/or eliminate attitudinal, environmental and societal barriers towards disabled communities in daily society.

"One of my greatest passions in life is to generate awareness about accessibility, disability, and intersectionality by sharing my triumphs and stories of struggle," says Godin-Jacques. "There is both a need and a hunger for more accessibility and disability awareness in today's society."

After graduating from King's, Godin-Jacques earned a master's degree in Cultural Studies from Queen's University. She is working towards her PhD in Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies at Western University.

Dr. Vidya Natarajan, who submitted the nomination, says, "Chloée's compassion, courage, service to humanity, dedication, focus, effort, and wisdom concerning accessibility and a more democratic social system is why she deserves to be celebrated with the King's Recent Graduate Award."

About the Alumni Awards

The King's University College Alumni Association administers two awards annually that recognize the achievements, dedication, and community service of deserving alumni.

The Alumni Award of Distinction recognizes King's alumni who are an inspiration to others, have made a significant contribution to the community or society, or who have reached a high level of accomplishment in their field.

The Recent Graduate Award recognizes the accomplishments of alumni who graduated from King's within the last 15 years. It celebrates achievement in such areas as service to humanity, professional accomplishment, community service, the advancement of knowledge, or service to King's.

For more information about the Alumni Awards Ceremony and Homecoming 2022, visit www.kings.uwo.ca/homecoming.  

For more information about the Alumni Awards, visit www.kings.uwo.ca/alumni/events-and-chapters/awards/.