10 U of T Engineering alumni recognized with 2015 Arbor Awards

Arbor Awards 2015
U of T Engineering’s 2015 Arbor Award recipients (L-R): Stanis Yu, Marisa Sterling, Kia Puhm, Lauri Hiivala, Dean Cristina Amon, Henry Ulozas, Isi Caulder and John Pontrollo. Absent: Kevin Leung, Lawrence Smith and Angela Tran Kingyens (Photo: Gustavo Toledo).

Since 1989, the University of Toronto has recognized more than 2,120 alumni with Arbor Awards for their tremendous generosity and contribution to the experience of U of T students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Below are the 10 remarkable Arbor Award winners from U of T Engineering who were recognized at a ceremony on September 9, 2015.

Meet the 2015 Arbor Award recipients

Isi Caulder (EngSci 8T9)
Isi is an energetic, inquisitive and thoughtful alumna. A patent lawyer active in the technology sector, she is one of the most engaged volunteers at Skule™. She is a Class Leader for the Engineering Science Class of 8T9, the organizer of EngSci Alumni Drinks and a frequent panel speaker, guest judge and mentor at The Entrepreneurship Hatchery. Isi is also a member of the Engineering Alumni Association (EAA) Honours and Awards Committee and an active supporter of women in engineering.

Lauri Hiivala (ElecE 6T5)
Lauri has been an outstanding volunteer and ambassador for the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering for many years: Class Leader for the Electrical Engineering Class of 6T5, Electrical and Computer Engineering Ambassador, founding member of the Skule™ Society Executive Committee, co-host of the Skule™ Lunch and Learn Speaker Series, and the face of U of T Engineering’s Leadership Annual Giving and Annual Fund Appeal. Lauri is truly an inspiration for Skule™ alumni and students.

Kevin Leung (CompE 9T8)
For more than six years, Kevin was U of T’s key regional alumni representative in Beijing, known for his dedication and friendly personality. In 2013, he took up a work opportunity in Singapore, and instantly jumped in and joined the University’s alumni group there. He has continued his work as a U of T ambassador, raising the University’s profile and supporting his fellow alumni.

John Pontrollo (CivE 9T3)
John is a tireless volunteer with the Civil Engineering program at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. In addition to his job as senior vice-president at a leading building materials company, he finds the time to organize industry panels, deliver guest lectures, and provide feedback to students. John is also a member of the Revitalization Advisory Board for Survey Camp, Civil Engineering’s historic site in central Ontario. He is also a class leader for his graduating year.

Kia Puhm (CompE 9T4 + PEY)
Kia is a longstanding friend to The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. As a senior software executive, she is a role model to current students and new graduates. Kia is always willing to give of herself and to mentor young female alumni. Earlier this year, she returned to Skule™ to give an inspiring keynote address.

Lawrence Smith (CivE 7T2)
For more than 10 years, Lawrence has been a dedicated volunteer with the Lassonde Mineral Engineering Program at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. He has given many guest lectures on the economic analysis of mining projects, providing students with valuable real-world experience, and has given feedback and mentorship to students as they’ve worked to complete their major capstone design projects.

Marisa Sterling (ChemE 9T1)
For five years, Marisa was a dedicated member of the EAA’s Honours and Awards Committee. She sourced, wrote and scored nominations, and carefully deliberated and selected award recipients for various awards. Marisa has been a model volunteer, and the Faculty has benefitted from her involvement each year.

Angela Tran Kingyens (EngSci 0T5, ChemE MASC 0T7, PhD 1T2)
Angela is the co-founder and leader of the EAA’s San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. Over the past three years, she has grown the membership to 150 alumni through outreach, organizing social events and helping incoming alumni integrate into their new environment. Angela is a frequent spokesperson for U of T Engineering, promoting graduate studies, leadership and entrepreneurship. She was profiled in the 2015 edition of Skulematters, the annual magazine for U of T Engineering alumni.

Henry Ulozas (CivE 8T0)
Henry is the glue that holds his graduating class together. For more than a dozen years, he’s been organizing quarterly meetings for the Civil Engineering Class of 8T0. He’s also arranged for memorial seat plaques in the Galbraith Building, as a tribute to classmates who’ve passed away. He is currently working with a core group of classmates to raise money for the restoration of Civil Engineering’s historic Survey Camp site.

Stanis Yu (ChemE 0T0)
The Iron Dragons, U of T Engineering’s dragon boat club, isn’t just a recreational hobby — it’s a serious, well-respected competitive team. This is due largely to Stanis, who was a founding member back in 1997, and has been the team’s volunteer head coach since 2004. Since then, he’s coached more than 200 undergrads. In return they’ve inducted him into the team’s Hall of Fame, and named an award in his honour.

— Jamie Hunter1015 Arbor Award winners