2017
Congratulations to the 2017 Alumni Association Award winners!
Achievement Award
Samantha Hazell
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Electrical Engineering
Class of 2011
Business Planning Specialist, Toyota Motors Manufacturing Canada
Samantha Hazell has worked hard to establish her career since graduating from the university in 2011. As a student, Samantha was a part of the EcoCAR Electrical/Controls Team where she assisted in converting a two-mode hybrid vehicle into a full-function electric vehicle (FFEV). Her work on this team provided her with the technical knowledge needed to hit the ground running when she began her career at General Motors as a Hybrid Controls Strategist for the Chevrolet Volt thermal battery diagnostic system.
Following her time at General Motors, and a recovery from a severe accident, Samantha moved to Toyota Motors Manufacturing Canada where she is currently the youngest and first female engineer working as a Business Planning Specialist. She built her career quickly at Toyota, also holding positions as Production Control Project Manager, and Program Manager in Supplier Engineering and Development.
In addition to maintaining a busy career, Samantha is also pursuing her MBA in Strategic Management with a research focus on operational analytics. In the future, she plans to pursue a master’s and PhD in engineering, with a focus on sustainable vehicle technologies.
Up and Coming Award
Vahid Anwari
Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)
Class of 2016
Radiological Technologist, University Health Network
Vahid Anwari has achieved a great deal since his graduation in 2016. After completing his four-year degree in only three years, he accepted a full-time position at the University Health Network. This position has provided him with the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research involving the detection of foreign bodies after surgery with the Joint Department of Medical Imaging.
Vahid’s excellent work ethic and leadership helped his research team receive the University Health Network Collaborative Academic Practice Grant of $5,000, with additional matching funds of the same amount from Carestream Health, to help fund their research. Vahid has shared his team's research findings at the 2017 Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Annual General Conference in Ottawa, ON. He has also been invited to present his research findings at the Radiological Society of North America Annual Conference in Chicago, IL.
Philanthropic Award
Benjamin Earle
Master of Arts, Criminology
Class of 2016
Executive Director, Feed the Need in Durham
Benjamin Earle has set himself apart as a leader in the community services sector of Durham Region. He is currently the Executive Director of Feed the Need in Durham and a Research Consultant for the Durham Workforce Authority.
As Executive Director for Feed the Need Durham, Benjamin has increased the organization’s network of emergency food providers to 60 organizations that now serve 6,500 low income individuals each month. Before taking on this role, Benjamin worked at the Community Development Council Durham over a 10-year span, taking on a variety of different roles. He has also held Director and Executive Director positions with key community programs such as the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services Durham, Housing Help Durham, and the LGTBQ Community Help Line and Resource Centre.