Engineering celebrates outstanding faculty, alumni

Engineering celebrated outstanding faculty and alumni during its signature awards event on May 18.

Gilles Patry, Howard Shearer, David S. Wilkinson and Philip Wood were all recognized at the Faculty’s annual Applause and Accolades celebration.

Patry, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation, was given the Faculty’s Engineering Leadership Award. Patry was a professor of civil engineering at McMaster University from 1983 to 1993. Patry has had an illustrious career in academia and industry, creating a successful wastewater treatment company during his time at McMaster.

Shearer, Chief Executive, Hitachi Canada, earned the Faculty’s L. W. Shemilt Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. Shearer, the son of Jamaica’s third Prime Minister the late Hugh Shearer, came to Canada as an International student to study at McMaster University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1977. After working at a number of high-tech firms after graduation, Howard moved in 1984 to Hitachi Canada Limited, an International Japanese firm. He moved through the ranks to Chief Executive Officer and President to Chief Executive today.

Wilkinson, Provost and Vice-President Academic, was the recipient of the Engineering Research Achievement Award. Wilkinson has differentiated himself throughout his academic career as an outstanding hands-on administrator, researcher and educator, who possesses a strong complement of operational and leadership skills.

Wood, Director, Engineering I, was given the Faculty of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award. Wood has been an invaluable member of the McMaster community. His teaching is characterized by an extraordinary devotion to students, boundless enthusiasm, and leader in self-directed learning.

This year’s celebration was held at Hamilton’s LIUNA Station.