McMaster Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni and volunteers

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BY McMaster Alumni Association

May 31, 2007

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Fred-Hall4.jpg” caption=”Fred Hall, associate vice-president (academic), will receive an Alumni Association Honorary Membership on Saturday, June 2. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]The McMaster Alumni Association will recognize three recipients of the Arch Award, two Honorary Membership recipients and one recipient of the Distinguished Service Award on Saturday, June 2 during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Alumni Gallery Induction & MAA Awards Ceremony as part of the Alumni Weekend.

The Arch award recognizes three of McMaster University's most recent graduates for success in career endeavours as well as interesting, unusual or innovative accomplishments in his or her public or personal life. This year's recipients are:

  • Jonathan Abrams: Founder and CEO of Socializr, an online service for sharing event and party information with your friends. He is an award-winning entrepreneur who also created the social networking service Friendster in 2002.

  • Quincy Almeida: As director of the Movement Disorders Research & Rehabilitation Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University, he examines neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease. His research is currently funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

  • Julie Hard: While on a two-month placement in Kenya for her master's degree, she was shocked by the lack of resources available to people living with disabilities. When she returned, she and her husband established the Kenya Working Group (KWG) to help co-ordinate volunteer rehabilitation professionals and students for the project in Kenya.

    Two Alumni Association Honorary Memberships will be granted to Dr. Fred A. Hall and Dr. Ron Foxcroft for outstanding contributions to the University.

  • Dr. Fred A. Hall is associate vice-president (academic) and has been a faculty member at McMaster for 34 years.
  • Dr. Ron Foxcroft is the CEO of Fluke Transportation Group, Chair of the McMaster Athletics & Recreation Campaign and long-time supporter of the University.

    Chancellor Dr. Mel Hawkrigg will be recognized with the highest volunteer award of the McMaster Alumni Association, The Distinguished Service Award. The award is given in recognition of outstanding contribution and dedication to the Association, long-term loyalty and dedication.

    “Mel has always been a close friend to McMaster and a contributor to the community,” says Karen McQuigge, director of Alumni Advancement. “He is a familiar face to students and alumni, and will always hold a special place at McMaster.” Dr. Hawkrigg's term as Chancellor will end June 2007.

    The awards ceremony will start at 3 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre, CIBC Banquet Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.