Herbert J. Hamilton Volunteer Service Award

Presented annually to an alumnus/alumna in recognition of volunteer service to the life and work of the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Alumni Association (QUAA), either through short-term impactful involvement or long-term commitment.

Award Eligibility & Criteria

Candidates should be:

  • A Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s alumnus/alumna
  • A current or past volunteer within the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Alumni Association. This could include any number of roles contributing to the QUAA mission to reach out and foster a lifelong association with Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s, including but not limited to: the QUAA board, Branches, Reunions, and Chapters
  • Someone who has made a significant, peer-recognized contribution as an alumni volunteer to further engage our members in the life and work of the university

2026 Recipient

Elaine Wu

  • Artsci'98, MIR'00, Law'03

Elaine Wu smiling wearing a blue collared shirt, black jacket, with shoulder length black hair

Elaine Wu graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and went on to complete a joint Master of Industrial Relations and Laws degree at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s. As a student, she was actively engaged in campus life, working at the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s Journal, serving as secretary-general of the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s Model United Nations, and acting as finance director of the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s International Affairs Association.

Following her graduation, Elaine has remained deeply engaged in the life and work of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s through more than two decades of dedicated volunteer service, including a leadership role with the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½â€™s Toronto Alumni Branch and serving on the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Alumni Association Board working to advance the alumni awards program.

Throughout her 21 years of service, Elaine has been guided by a clear and consistent purpose: to foster meaningful connections between alumni and the university. Her leadership, creativity, and collaborative spirit have significantly enhanced alumni engagement and strengthened the sense of community among graduates.