Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

Photo of award winner

The Faculty of Environment Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award was established in 2008 to recognize and honour alumni who finished their degree more than ten years ago and who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, proven community impact and significant contribution to sustainability. 

Meet our outstanding 2022 recipient, Chris Derksen 

Do you know an exceptional alumnus?

We would love to consider them for one of our awards. Please click the link below to nominate them today. It only takes 5 minutes and you could be helping us discover our next award recipient! 

Nominee eligibility

  • Graduates of Faculty of Environment undergraduate or graduate programs.
  • Minimum of 10 years post-graduation.
  • Excludes self nominations and current University of Waterloo faculty and staff.

Selection criteria

  1. Demonstrated professional achievement including, but not limited to:
    • Exemplary career success;
    • Significant recognition and/or awards;
    • Leadership, board and/or advisory roles; and/or
    • Visible success/known beyond industry segment.
  2. Demonstrated public (local or global) service including, but not limited to:
    • Significant, sustained involvement/volunteerism;
    • Highly visible leadership in the community;
    • Proven impact (local, regional, national, or international); and/or
    • Philanthropy.
  3. Demonstrated impact advancing sustainability in one or more of the following:
    • Economic sustainability: economic equity, responsible growth, supply chain management, smart growth etc.;
    • Social sustainability: human rights, gender equality, indigenous rights, social justice, public health, advocacy, well-being etc.; and/or
    • Environmental sustainability: climate change, energy and materials use, carbon emissions, natural resources, waste and pollution etc. ​​​​​​
  4. Additional information may be considered that doesn’t necessarily fit in any of the categories above includes:

    • Overcoming personal challenges or systemic barriers;

    • Maintaining work-life balance; and/or

    • Remaining connected to the University of Waterloo.

Nomination process

  • Complete the online Nomination Form by April 30.
  • The Screening Committee will put forward the top candidates for each category to the Selection Committee.
  • The Selection Committee will review the nominees to select one or more recipients for each award.
  • The awards will be given out at the annual Alumni Awards Dinner, or alternative event, each fall, dependent on the recipients' availability.
Note: nominations are accepted throughout the year but will be awarded based on the above timeline.

Past recipients

2022

Chris Derksen

Chris Derksen

 BES '97, Geography | MA '98, Geography | PhD '01, Geography

Research Scientist of Environment and Climate Change Canada

2021

Man posing for picture in nature

Derek Coleman

PhD 1974, Planning

2021

Woman Posing for picture in nature

Maureen Reed

PhD 1991, Geography

2020

Wanjiku Chiuri

Wanjiku Chiuri

PhD 1996, Planning

2019

Thomas Mueller

Thomas Mueller

MA 1992, Planning

2018

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O`Reilly

BES 1981,  Man-Environment
MA 1984, Regional Planning and Resource Development

2017

Scott Thompson

Scott Douglas Thompson

BES 1982, Planning

2017

Bryan Tuckey

Bryan Tuckey

BES 1978 
MA 1980, Planning

2016

Stephen Thompson

Steve Thompson 

MAES 2000, Local Economic Dev't

2015

Carol Layton

Carol Layton

BES 1980, Geography

2014

Mike Labbé

BES 1975, Planning

2013

Ian MacNaughton

Ian MacNaughton  

BA 1968, Urban & Regional Planning
MA' 1971, Regional Planning and Resource Development

2013

Deirdre Laframboise

BES 1984, Man-Environment

2012

Jim Davidson

Jim Davidson

BES 1980, Geography

2011

Steven Franklin

Steven Franklin

BES 1980, Geography
MA 1982, Geography
PhD 1985, Geography

2010

Barbara Mason

Barbara F. Mason

BES 1981, Geography

2009

Linda Mortsch

Linda Mortsch  

BES 1979, Geography
ME

2008

Terry Fenge

Terry Fenge  

PhD 1982, Regional Planning & Resource Development

2008

Susan Cartwright

Susan M. Cartwright

MA 1981, Geography

2008

Toshikazu Mito

Toshikazu Mito

MAES 2003, Local Economic Development

2008

Don Fleming

Don Fleming

BES 1970, Urban & Regional Planning