Professor Susan McCahan, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and alumnus Morden Yolles, CivE 4T8, have each received 2009 Engineers Canada awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Engineering in Canada. Professor McCahan received the Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education for exemplary contributions to the teaching of Engineering at a Canadian University. Mr. Yolles was awarded the Gold Medal, Engineers Canada's highest honour, for exceptional achievement and distinction in Engineering. Established in 1972, the Engineers Canada Awards highlight the contributions of Canadian engineers to their profession, their community and to the safety and well-being of Canadians.

Currently the Faculty's Chair of First Year, Susan McCahan led the development of the Faculty's flagship first year design course, "Engineering Strategies and Practice." She has also developed several training initiatives for educators, including a graduate-level course on Engineering Teaching and Learning and an eight-week University-wide course on "The Fundamentals of University Teaching." Professor McCahan has also received a 3M National Teaching Fellowship, the Alan Blizzard Award and the University of Toronto's President's Teaching Award. In 2006 she was named a Fellow of AAAS for "distinguished contributions and innovations to the education of the next generation of engineers and scientists."

Morden Yolles is not only one of Canada's foremost structural engineers, he has also been extremely influential in the development of modern Canadian architecture and the integration of architecture and engineering. Mr. Yolles was the structural engineer for the five tallest buildings in Canada, as well as such international projects as the World Financial Centre in New York City and Canary Wharf in London. Upon receiving the 1997 Toronto Arts Council Award for Architecture and Design, Mr. Yolles used the proceeds to initiate the Yolles Collaborative Design Competition at the University of Toronto, which has resulted in the creation of a Collaborative Design Studio. Mr. Yolles was named to the Order of Canada in 2003.

"We are extremely proud that Engineers Canada has chosen to honour two such deserving members of our community," said Cristina Amon, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. "These prestigious awards attest the excellence of our faculty and our alumni."

Professor McCahan and Mr. Yolles were honoured at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Montreal on May 21, 2009.