Past and present students, donors, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the exceptional achievements of eight alumni and a long-time supporter of the Faculty.
Hosted by Mary Wells, dean of engineering, this year's event recognized the developer of innovative wearable technology, the founders of a fully integrated and reusable packaging program, two alumni leaders and co-class representatives, an advocate for equity and diversity, a leader of distributed control technology and systems, the CEO of a company that specializes in PVC recycling and waste reduction, and a valued friend of the Faculty.
The Young Alumni Achievement Medal
Awarded to Dhananja P. Jayalath (BASc ’12, electrical engineering) in recognition of co-founding and leading Athos with grit and determination to become an innovative wearable technology company that has helped athletes train more effectively and reach their performance goals faster, as well as for inspiring future entrepreneurs by mentoring Waterloo Engineering students through the co-operative education program.
The Team Alumni Achievement Medal
Awarded to Kayli Dale and Jacqueline Hutchings (BASc ’20, chemical engineering) in recognition of founding Friendlier, an eco-friendly solutions company launched during the challenging economic environment of the COVID-19 pandemic, to mitigate the environmental impact of increased takeout containers, assisting restaurants transition to a more sustainable, reusable packaging solution and reducing landfill waste.
The Team Alumni Achievement Medal
Awarded to Stephen Kozary and George Roberts (BASc ’79, chemical engineering)in recognition of over 40 years of continuous and tireless commitment of alumni leadership and volunteerism as co-class representatives, serving and enhancing the lives of their fellow chemical engineering classmates of 1979 through consistent communications and regular reunions, and for creating an interconnected community that supports members with a strong professional and social network.
The Alumni Achievement Medal for Community Service
Awarded to Camille A. Mitchell (BAS ’06, architectural studies; MArch ’10, architecture) in recognition of advocating for equality and diversity in the field of architecture as a founding member of Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT) and Black Architects + Interior Designers Association (BAIDA), and empowering design professionals from underrepresented groups through mentorship and outreach.
The Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement
Awarded to Mark J. Nixon (BASc ’82, electrical engineering) in recognition of software innovation, research leadership and industry-leading contributions in the field of process control and automation, notably as a leader of distributed control technology and systems, the design and standardization of WirelessHART technology, all of which are used to streamline manufacturing processes and optimize industrial operations.
The Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement
Awarded to David S. Foell (BASc ’89, chemical engineering) in recognition of leading Return Polymers Inc. as president and CEO for developing a unique and innovative recycling technology that significantly reduces PVC waste from landfills, resulting in extensive recognition from leading industry bodies including the Vinyl Sustainability Council, and subsequent successful acquisition of the company.
The Friend of the Faculty Award
Awarded to Microsoft in recognition of the company’s generous and committed partnership with Waterloo Engineering, through its significant contributions to furthering research, entrepreneurship and innovation, its commitment to supporting students through the co-operative education program, experiential education at the IDEAs Clinic, and student scholarships.
Go to Celebrating alumni achievements and industry support for the full story.