Recipients of the Alumni Achievement Medal

Congratulations to the following Faculty of Engineering alumni who have received the Alumni Achievement Medal since 1994. This distinguished group of Engineering alumni have received this medal in recognition of their professional achievements, community service, or academic excellence. The Alumni Achievement Medal is the highest honour that the Faculty of Engineering bestows on its graduates.

2024 medal recipients

Read the 2024 awards announcement.


Belinda Elysee-Collen

Belinda Elysee-Collen (BASc 1991)

BASc 1992, Chemical Engineering


is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Community Service

in recognition of her contributions to both her community and profession, including dedicated volunteer work teaching young people to swim, lifelong engagement with the Girl Guides of Canada, consistent support of Waterloo Engineering with class reunions, and promoting women in STEM through mentorship with Women in Food Industry Management.


 


Clovis Raimundo Maliska

Dr. Clovis Raimundo Maliska (PhD 1981)

PhD 1981, Mechanical Engineering


is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Academic Excellence

in recognition of his pioneering work in the field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), leading the adoption of CFD in industries across South America, North America and Europe, in addition to acting as a mentor to a generation of scholars in the field, and for contributions as a business leader, including founding Engineering Simulation and Scientific Software Ltd.


 


Gamal Refai-Ahmed

Dr. Gamal Refai-Ahmed (MASc 1991, PhD 1995)


MASc 1991, Mechanical Engineering
PhD 1995, Mechanical Engineering


is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of his global leadership and distinguished contributions to the advancement of thermal management in high-performance computing, and for the commitment to excellence, innovation and mentorship, demonstrated through his work at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Inc.
 

2023 medal recipients

Read the 2023 awards announcement


Head and shoulders photo of Erin M. Chapple (BASc 1998)

Erin M. Chapple

BASc 1998, Electrical Engineering
 

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of her 25-year career at Microsoft as a talented software builder, systems thinker, sought-after strategic leader and champion of inclusive communities. 


 


Michael J. Scott

Head and shoulders photo of Michael J. Scott (BASc 1990, MASc 1992)

BASc 1990, Civil Engineering
MASc 1992, Civil Engineering
 

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of his long-standing, internationally recognized achievements in novel medical devices and stem cell therapy product development to treat intractable diseases due to his deep technical knowledge, ingenuity in solving problems and ability to instill greater purpose within his team.  
 


 


George Yu

Head and shoulders photo of George Yu (BASc 1986)

BASc 1986, Systems Design Engineering
 

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of his accomplishments as a diligent scientist and world-renowned luthier in creating award-winning violins for musicians worldwide and for his significant contributions to the modern renaissance of violin making.

2022 medal recipients

2021 medal recipients

2020 medal recipients

2019 medal recipients

2018 medal recipients

2017 medal recipients

2016 medal recipients

2015 medal recipients

2014 medal recipients

2013 medal recipients

 Read the 2013 awards announcement.


Lynnette D. Madsen (BASc 1986, Electrical Engineering)

Lynnette D. Madsen
BASc 1986, Electrical Engineering
BA 2004, Psychology

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of her vision and outstanding leadership in the areas of materials and nanotechnology, as well as her promotion of groups underrepresented in science and engineering.






 

2012 medal recipients

 Read the 2012 awards announcement (PDF).


Ilia Kaufman

Ilia Kaufman, MASc 1969, PhD 1971

MASc 1969, Electrical Engineering
PhD 1971, Systems Design Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of his role as founder, president and CEO of Kaufman Consulting Services Ltd., a world-leading software company that developed language technologies such as multilingual spell checking, grammar and search programs, and localization systems.








 


Michael D. Watkin

Michael D. Watkins, BASc 1980

BASC 1980, Electrical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition for being a world-renowned business strategy author and co-founder of Genesis Advisers, a leadership development firm specializing in transition acceleration programs and coaching.









 

2011 medal recipients

 Read the 2011 awards announcement (PDF).

Stephan F. Matusch

Stephan F. Matusch

BASc 1991, Systems Design Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments as founder of Ionic Engineering, a leader of industrial automation in the mining industry, and his significant contributions to his community as the founding director of SudburyROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes.



 



 



Nityanand Varma

Nitvayanand Varma

MASc 1964, Civil Engineering
MASc 1970, Management Sciences

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Community Service

in recognition of his numerous community service roles over the past 45 years that have strengthened professional, social, cultural, religious and charitable organizations in Ottawa, Nepean and other Ontario communities.






 

2010 medal recipients

 Read the 2010 awards announcement (PDF).


Bruce Bodden

Bruce Bodden

BASc 1969, Civil Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of his outstanding vision and leadership throughout the transition of a small, traditional civil engineering and surveying firm into a multi-disciplinary engineering company now known as MMM Group Ltd. of which he is president and CEO.





 



 


Frederick R. Grigsby

Frederick R. Grigsby
BASc 1971, Electrical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments in the engineering, construction, commissioning and operation of large steel mills, and also his significant contributions to information systems as senior vice-president for information technology at CN Rail.
 







 



Kevin J. Negus

Kevin Negus

BASc 1984, Mechanical Engineering
MASc 1985, Mechanical Engineering
PhD 1988, Mechanical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his professional accomplishments as general partner of Camp Ventures, a venture capital investment firm specializing in early-stage technology start-up companies, and for his remarkable research contributions that have resulted in him holding a variety of patents for innovative circuit designs.


 




 



George H. Newton

George H. Newton

BASc 1964, Electrical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Community Service

in recognition of his many community service roles that have strengthened civic engagement and contributed to building healthy communities throughout Ontario and Quebec, as well as his strong commitment to Waterloo Engineering. 







 

2009 medal recipients

 Read the 2009 awards announcement (PDF).


Cameron A. Piron

Cameron Piron

BASc 1998, Systems Design Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his innovative leadership as president and co-founder of Sentinelle Medical Inc. in the research and manufacturing of leading-edge MRI technologies that allow physicians to more quickly and accurately diagnose breast cancer and other medical conditions.


 






 



Kevin Salvadori

Kevin Salvadori

BASc 1993, Systems Design Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his unique combination of skills and compelling vision of the future that as executive vice president of business transformation and technology operations at Telus has helped him lead significant transformational programs within the telecommunications industry in Canada.





 



 



Gerald R. Sullivan

Gerald R. Sullivan

BASc 1974, Chemical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his extraordinary accomplishments as a serial entrepreneur who has started up six technology-based companies that have employed dozens and have contributed to the economy of  Waterloo Region, as well as the University of Waterloo.







 

2008 medal recipients

2007 medal recipients

2006 medal recipients

2005 medal recipients

Catherine A. Booth

Catherine A. Booth

BASc 1988, Systems Design Engineering
MASc 1990, Management Sciences

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement and Community Service

for her outstanding professional achievements as a role model and exceptional leader in the field of information technology consulting, and for her community service as a volunteer dedicated to making her community a better place to live.



 



 



John M. Seminerio

John M. Seminerio

BASc 1982, Systems Design Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his remarkable leadership in the volatile high-tech computer industry as one of the top serial entrepreneurs in Canada. His involvement with venture capital groups to invest back into the high-tech community helps create opportunities to grow this sector of the Canadian economy.






 

2004 medal recipients

2003 medal recipients

2002 medal recipients

Arthur F. Church
BASc 1976, Mechanical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his exemplary business leadership in the manufacturing industry and his ongoing personal commitment to the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Waterloo.







 


Wai-Cheung Tang

Wai-Cheung Tang
BASc 1980, Electrical Engineering
MASc 1984, Electrical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his remarkable research contributions, innovations in technology, and ongoing leadership as an engineer, scientist, and business leader in the satellite communications industry.

2001 medal recipients

 

Anthony P. Franceschini
BASc 1975, Civil Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

For his outstanding success in the engineering profession and his many accomplishments while progressing through positions of increasing leadership in the consulting engineering industry.









 


David S. McLeod

David S. McLeod
BASc 1979, Systems Design Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

For his continuing support to the enhancement of the medical profession and his many contributions to his community as a doctor, leader, and volunteer, particularly in the athletic sector.






 


 


Mark Turchan

Mark P. Turchan
BASc 1983, Systems Design Engineering
MASc 1985, Systems Design Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

For his academic excellence, his continuing contributions to the education of others, and his remarkable professional achievements through multiple careers and across multiple industries.






 

2000 medal recipients

1999 medal recipients

1998 medal recipients

1997 medal recipients

1996 medal recipients

1995 medal recipients

1994 medal recipients

John Bergsma
John Bergsma
BASc 1969, Mechanical Engineering
MASc 1971, Civil Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his outstanding achievements as an engineer in Canadian industry, particularly the energy sector, dedicated service to his community, and distinguished and noteworthy contributions to the University of Waterloo over a great many years.


 



 


Don Haycock
Don Haycock
BASc 1968, Civil Engineering
MASc 1973, Civil Engineering
and
Frank Rovers
BASc 1970, Civil Engineering
MASc 1972, Civil Engineering

are awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for their outstanding professional accomplishments in the area of environmental engineering, as an innovator, pioneer, creative problem solver and entrepreneur - an international leader in his field who has brought significant economic benefits and renown to Canada.

 






 


J. Norman Lockington

J. Norman Lockington
BASc 1973, Chemical Engineering

is awarded the Faculty of Engineering
Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement

for his outstanding contributions to the management of technology in the Canadian steel industry with particular reference to his work in environmental engineering, occupational health and safety and industrial hygiene, including furtherance of professional activity therein.