posted on Nov. 10: Distinguished Alumni Award Winners: Eric Hoskins and William Shaw

These awards are made to McMaster alumni who have distinguished themselves through outstanding scholarship, research, creative contributions to the arts or sciences, or service to society.

Eric Hoskins
Eric Hoskins' varied career has always focused on improving the
situation of the most disadvantaged. He has participated in
numerous relief efforts for both the United Nations and UNICEF. He helped to establish a medical clinic for street children in Sudan,
and co-ordinated the release of $2 million of Iraqi assets in Canada to purchase food and medical supplies following the end of the
Gulf War. In 1997, his study on the effects of economic sanctions on those most vulnerable became a UNICEF draft policy. He is
currently a senior policy adviser for the minister of foreign affairs

His humanitarian work has received recognition at home and abroad,
including the Lester B. Pearson Peace Medal (1992) and the
Meritorious Service Cross (1999).

After receiving his B.Sc. in chemistry (1981) and MD degree in 1985,
Hoskins continued his studies as a Rhodes Scholar,
pursuing courses in epidemiology, public health, health economics, and
tropical and community medicine.

He retains connections to McMaster as co-founder of a special, five-year Health Reach Program that encourages doctors to be
advocates for the health and well being of victims of war, disasters,
poverty and violence. He is also an associate member of the
Centre for International Health at McMaster University.

William Shaw
While many may not recognize his name, thousands have watched movie
pictures on large-format projection screens, thanks to his
inventiveness. William Shaw, one of the developers of Imax technology, has been an active and influential member of the motion
picture industry since the 1960s. Today, he continues as a consultant with Imax Corporation.

Following his graduation from McMaster with an MBA (1966), Shaw became the director of development for Multiscreen
Corporation (now, Imax Corp.). He developed the large-format Imax Rolling Loop Projection System, the prototype of which was
completed in the University's physics laboratory. The first permanent Imax projection system was installed in the Cinesphere at
Toronto's Ontario Place in 1971. Shaw is also responsible for the development of numerous Imax projection systems, cameras and camera accessory equipment, and led the engineering team that designed the Imax Dome (Omnimax). He is a recipient of the John Grierson Medal for Technical Achievement from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and the Leonardo Da Vinci Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In 1991, Shaw was made a fellow of the British Cinematograph, Sound and Television Society.