Fifteen Engineering Students Receive Gordon Cressy Awards from UofT
Congratulations to the fifteen engineering students who have received Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Awards from the University of Toronto. Named for the former UofT Vice-President who inspired them, the Cressy Awards recognize students for their contributions to improving the world around them and for inspiring others to do the same.
The engineering recipients are:
James An (EngSci)
A founding executive and webmaster of Citizen Engineer and a board member of the Ralph Thornton Community Centre, James An has contributed thousands of hours to various campus and community organizations. He served as the Treasurer to UTERN, VP External Relations of AIESEC Toronto, and Internal Coordinator of LGBTOUT.
Tian (Tim) Chen (EngSci)
Through his years at U of T, Tim has been involved in several student groups and initiatives to improve the experience of other students, such as the Engineering Society orientation, the Leaders of Tomorrow EngSci working group, the career exposition, and the co-founding of Nscientia, a “by students, for students” website.
Jane Chui (EngSci)
Jane is a star student, through both her academic and extra-curricular pursuits. Much of her time is dedicated to helping her peers succeed, through initiatives like NSight and PSI. Through the founding of Citizen Engineer, Jane is bridging the gap between engineering and public policy and engaging students in this important issue.
Alvin Ho (ECE)
Alvin has demonstrated leadership in a variety of extra-curricular activities. He has served as the Speaker of the Engineering Society and as the Communications Director of the Electrical Engineering Club, a role in which he often interacted very productively with the faculty. All the while he has maintained the high standards set for his degree.
Erin Kim (ChemE)
Currently Co-chair of the Leaders of Toronto Graduate Working Group, Erin has organized numerous workshops and seminars on leadership topics. She recently traveled to China as part of the University of Toronto Association for Canada-China Exchange of Leadership, where she taught leadership workshops to Chinese students.
Mike Klassen (EngSci)
Mike’s many contributions to the U of T community include significant contributions to the Leaders of Tomorrow Program, the development of an option in Energy Systems within EngSci, contributions to the Faculty’s Global Engineering Initiative and service as Co-president of our Engineers Without Borders chapter. He also spent four months volunteering in Zambia with Engineers Without Borders.
Amelie Sophie Lesser (CivE)
Amelie has participated in over 15 extracurricular groups at UofT while maintaining an excellent grade point average. She engages in volunteer groups, has been an exemplary ambassador for U of T and has gone above and beyond in her educational endeavours. In 2008 she won the Jon S. Dellandrea Award for International Students.
Yan (Jimmy) Lu (CivE)
Jimmy Lu has taken on countless volunteer roles to improve the student experience and served as a representative of our Faculty to the external community. He has many leadership roles and contributed to cultural events, academic competitions, publications, orientation, charity events, and the Engineering Society.
Kelvin Lui (EngSci)
Through his work with Engineers Without Borders and Leaders of Tomorrow, Kelvin has engaged hundreds of engineering students in leadership development and global engineering. As EWB’s VP Chapter Development, Kelvin is initiating many new projects to improve the organization. As a volunteer consultant with “Endeavour” he has provided non-profit organizations with advice on management, governance and fundraising.
Devang Odedra (ChemE)
Devang Odedra has provided support to Toronto’s homeless through the Eyes of Hope student group and the Salvation Army. He is also been a member of the South Asian Professional Network for Awareness and the U of T Gujarat Council and a volunteer at the Toronto Western Hospital.
Sandy Shuk-Yan Poon (CivE)
Sandy assembled a team of passionate volunteers and built the Eyes of Hope group from a small group of students to a Faculty-wide movement that is truly making a difference in our community. She has raised money for Habitat for Humanity, Free the Children, World Vision and a program that sees engineering students deliver meals to Toronto’s homeless.
Mina Shahid (MIE)
As Co-president of Canada’s largest Engineers Without Border chapter, Mina offers vision, strategy, enthusiasm, and uses his leadership skills and technical expertise to create positive change. He volunteered with EWB in Zambia for four months, and is currently facilitating a leadership development program for younger chapter members.
Vidula Shetye (MIE)
Vidula was the President of the student chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and is the current President of Women in Science and Engineering. Vidula was a founding member and liaison director of the University of Toronto International Students group, and also volunteers extensively in her community.
Geoffrey Michael Siu (EngSci)
Geoffrey is an outstanding leader in the field of music. His most significant contribution has been as founder and manager of the Skule Orchestra. He also founded the annual Skule Music Concert, has organized clinics with prominent musicians, and has coordinated many other events, including EngSci’s 75th Anniversary concert.
Ines Lucia Fernandez Valdivieso (MIE)
Ines Fernandez served as the Director for the Engineering Society’s Orientation Week 2009, designing a program that has more activities and higher student participation than in previous years. Ines also served as Co-President of Women in Science and Engineering where she created innovative workshops to create an inclusive environment for women.
“I am delighted that so many of our students have been recognized for the extraordinary contributions they make to the University and their communities”, said Cristina Amon, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “These students exemplify our mission to ensure that our graduates are not just great engineers but leaders in their community and their profession.”
The Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Awards will be presented on Thursday, April 15th at the Colony Grande Ballroom at 89 Chestnut. Award recipients will each receive a framed certificate.
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