Thirteen alumni and friends of U of T Engineering have been honoured by the University of Toronto with Arbor Awards, which recognize outstanding voluntary service to U of T.
“On behalf of the Faculty, I would like to extend my deep graditude to our alumni and friends who were honoured with Arbor Awards,” said Dean Cristina Amon. “The exceptional support they give to our students and to U of T Engineering is truly remarkable.”
The following alumni and friends were recognized at the annual ceremony:
Isabel Bayrakdarian (EngSci 9T7)
In 2009, renowned soprano Bayrakdarian helped to plan and execute a musical event that engaged alumni from across the Faculty as well as the Skule Orchestra. Along with fellow Engineering Science graduate and Arbor recipient, conductor Julian Kuerti (EngSci 9T9), Isabel celebrated Engineering Science’s 75th anniversary with an evening of music at Hart House Theatre.
Arun Channan (CivE 8T0)
Channan has been a volunteer for the Department of Civil Engineering since his graduation in 1980. Along with being a class leader and fundraiser, he is an active supporter of the University of Toronto Engineering Kompetition, an annual student-run design event.
Laura Chizuko Fujino
A friend and trusted advisor to the Faculty, Fujino is a member of the advisory board of the Division of Engineering Science and has served as a volunteer at alumni events in California. She has helped secure a number of scholarships for Engineering Science students, while also serving as a mentor to students in the program.
Tiffany Melissa Chow (MIE 0T8)
Chow represented the Faculty on the College of Electors for four years and also served on the Governing Council’s Academic Board. She was an alumni representative on the Community Affairs and Gender Issues Faculty Council Standing Committee and is an active participant in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering’s alumni dinners.
Mauro De Franco (CivE 9T5)
De Franco has been a class leader since his graduation from Civil Engineering in 1995. He has also organized an annual alumni reunion each year since graduation, making the CIV9T5 alumni group one of the most active and cohesive in the Faculty.
Stanley Gasner (MIE 6T4)
Gasner played a major role in organizing the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, including a gala dinner at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. In the year leading up to the event, Gasner oversaw many aspects of the celebrations. He has also organized regular reunions for the U of T Engineering Class of 6T4.
Norman Hann (CivE 7T7)
Hann has worked to promote the matching program at Hydro One as a means for alumni at the company to double the impact of their giving. Hahn has also volunteered as an industrial thesis advisor for undergraduate and graduate students. He has served on the College of Electors since 2009, and is also a member of the Centre for Maintenance Optimization and Reliability Engineering (C-MORE).
Phillip Khaiat (EngSci 7T2)
Khaiat has been a dedicated Hart House volunteer for almost 40 years, serving on the Gallery Club Committee, Graduate Committee and Alumni Committee. He has also been instrumental in engaging U of T alumni in the educational mandate of Hart House through the Hart House Alumni Dinner Series. On the Music Committee, he helped to organize one of the first concerts by Canadian musician, Liona Boyd.
Julian Kuerti (EngSci 9T9)
While serving as assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kuerti helped plan the musical celebration of the 75th anniversary of Engineering Science in 2009. After three months of planning and rehearsals, he conducted the Skule Orchestra to a sold-out audience at Hart House Theatre. The concert also featured fellow Engineering Science graduate, Isabel Bayrakdarian.
R. Scott MacKendrick (ChemE 8T2)
As a partner of Bereskin & Parr LLP, MacKendrick has been lecturing at the Faculty of Law since 1999. He is also Vice-Chair of the College of Electors, overseeing the election of the University’s Chancellor and the alumni members of Governing Council.
Mark Palma (ECE 9T9)
Palma has been a key contributor to the founding of St. Michael’s new mentorship program, hosting the entrepreneur table at the college’s alumni board career networking reception for the last two years. As a result of the success of the reception, he was invited to be the keynote speaker at the St. Michael’s College Student Union symposium.
Jian-Feng Shi (AeroE MASc 0T4)
For the past seven years, Shi has supported the Engineering Outreach Office, teaching high school students from around the world. In addition, Shi led the way in developing a bursary program for youth wishing to attend outreach programs.
Alfred A. Sobanski (GeoE 6T0) and Rosemary Sobanski
Sobanski and wife Rosemary serve on the executive of the Associates of the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). Alfred has undertaken the writing of a new constitution for the Associates and never misses U of T Convocation. As ambassadors for UTM and U of T as a whole, the Sobanskis help to organize Associate events and are always in attendance.
