Engineering Student Leaders Honoured with Prestigious Cressy Awards

On April 8th, eight Engineering students received the prestigious 2008 Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Awards in recognition of outstanding extracurricular contributions to the University and community: Jennifer Aiello, Henry Cheung, Alvin Chick, Tiffany Chow, Alexandra Istchenko, Kerolyn Shairsingh, Alaina Lagrou and Varuna Prakash.
 
Established by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1994, the awards are named in honour of former U of T Vice-President of Development and University Relations – Gordon Cressy – in recognition of his commitment to higher education and his leadership in fundraising and community service. Similar qualities of leadership and dedication are demonstrated among the students who are honoured with this award – students who are committed to making a difference.  
 
Congratulations to our Engineering students who recently received this prestigious award.

Jennifer Lynn Aiello, Chemical Engineering + MBA Candidate 0T8 (Skoll Program)

Since the beginning of her academic career at the University of Toronto, Jennifer has made significant contributions to student life, first as a student of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering and then as an MBA student at the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management.

Since 2006, Jennifer Lynn Aiello has been a member of the Health Care and Biotechnology Association where she selected speakers to address her fellow Rotman School of Management students about pressing issues within the healthcare industry. In collaboration with the Women in Management Association, this MBA candidate coordinates SheBiz, a day-long symposium that provides young women with an opportunity to learn about the diverse career options available to them in the business industry.

Jennifer continues her involvement in the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering today as a Faculty Representative for the Engineering Society, representing women’s rights.

Henry Cheung, Engineering Science 0T7 + PEY

From the day Henry walked onto campus, he became involved in student life at Skule™. An active participant in intramural sports, an engaged leader, and a talented musician, Henry’s dedication to improving the Engineering student experience is evident.
 
Henry has been involved with every part of the Engineering student experience through his dedication to F!rosh Week, Women in Science and Engineering, Homecoming, Godiva Week, Skule™ Nite, EngSoc, Toike Oike, athletics, student recruitment and various musical groups.
 
He’s been actively involved in the Engineering Society for three years, holding roles as Vice-President of Communications, Class Rep. and Council Chair Speaker. He recently served as Chair of the Blue & Gold Committee and was the lead organizer for this committee when their Homecoming parade float was awarded Best Overall Entry in 2006.

Alvin Chick, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 0T7 + PEY
 
Alvin’s thesis explores the practices and frameworks use to develop a culture of innovation within the financial services industry. A natural innovator within his own right, Alvin brings innovation to each of his leadership roles.

In 2004 he held the positions of Vice-President of Finance and Vice-President, Internal, for the Toronto Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, where he raised more than $6,000 to send two students overseas. That same year, he increased registration in the University of Toronto Engineering Kompetition (UTEK) by 262% through implementing effective marketing and communications. In various leadership roles with the University of Toronto Consulting Association (UTCA), he has increased sponsorship by 120% and grew the UTCA annual business case competition by 100%.
 
Alvin’s innovative business acumen has earned him nine prestigious awards and honours from the University and the community.

Tiffany Chow, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 0T7 + PEY

A First Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, this Mississauga Young Citizen of the Year recipient participates in the Hart House Symphonic Band and represents 12,000 students on the University’s Governing Council Academic Board.
 
In addition to hiking in the Canadian Rockies and running in the 2007 Cancer Relay for Life, Tiffany is also passionate about community outreach. She was a speaker for Nortel Network’s Take Your Kids to Work Day during her Professional Experience Year at Nortel and she was interviewed by CTV about women in technology.
 
In addition to her plentiful professional and personal accomplishments, Tiffany is currently ranked 15/51 in her program and was named to the Dean’s Honour List in the Fall of 2006.

Alexandra Istchenko, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 0T7 + PEY

A competitive road-racer, Alexandra was honoured by the Engineering Athletic Association in 2007 with the PEY Female Athlete of the Year award for her involvement in intramural sports.
 
Amidst all of Alexandra's athletic involvement, she also coordinated all the physical and technical aspects for Skule™ Nite 2007, planned and organized Cannonball and she is currently leading a six-person executive as Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Club.
 
Throughout the summers of 2003-2005, she worked in the House of Commons in Ottawa where she supported the government’s daily operations and helped organize and administer weekly caucus meetings and national caucus events.

Alaina Lagrou, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 0T8

Throughout high school, Alaina taught piano lessons to 18 students and became the Company President at the Junior Achievement of Canada conference, where she managed a team of 30 peers to create a small business. She has received numerous leadership awards in addition to the Cressy Award and can write her way around a program using C++.
 
In the past year as President of EngSoc, Alaina created and implemented a mandatory summer training program for orientation leaders in Engineering. This new program incorporated a number of important topics: diversity and equity awareness, effective communication and conflict resolution.
 
Alaina’s well-rounded and high-level leadership experience perfectly suited the academic and administrative leaders who invited her to participate in the Faculty’s Leadership Development Program. Here, she helped craft the Faculty’s vision for incorporating leadership into the Engineering curriculum.
 

Varuna Prakash, Materials Science and Engineering 0T8
 
In high school, Varuna tutored her peers in English, mathematics and science. Today, she is ranked 2/30 in her class and leads the Materials Science and Engineering Club as President and continues to tutor and mentor high school students.
 
A reporter for The Cannon student newspaper, Outreach Officer for Engineers Without Borders, and a student representative for the Engineering Faculty council, Varuna has received six top awards from Engineering.
 
A dedicated advocate of enhancing the engineering student experience through her own leadership, Varuna has worked with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering to ensure a positive future for prospective students through outstanding recruitment events.
 

Kerolyn Katrina Shairsingh, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry 0T8

Kerolyn, a member of the University of Toronto Karate Club and Formula SAE Racing Team, has served as an exemplary role model during her four years of residency at New College. In the 2006-2007 academic year, Kerolyn’s peers elected her Vice-President of the Residence Council. In this role, she planned social and cultural activities for 800 New College undergraduates. The previous year, she was House Representative for her floor.

In addition to the prestigious awards that Kerolyn has earned during her academic career at U of T, she helped a grade 9 student reach her academic potential through New College’s Mentorship Program. Kerolyn is widely respected for her consummate leadership skills, poise, maturity and compassion.

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