#CUalumni #CUpride

Monday, May 4, 208 Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile

concordia.ca/alumni

27th Annual Alumni Recognition Awards Banquet

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THE CAMPAIGN FOR CONCORDIA

NEXT-GEN. NOW.

Whirlwind change is compelling a rethink of everything, including university education and research. To prosper in a time of fast change, students need dynamic learning that connects to the world and public good — that aligns tradition with emerging fields and global opportunities. With a strong reputation as Canada’s top university under 50, we have the momentum and vitality to develop talented graduates who can engage society’s biggest 2st-century challenges. 48,000 students. 2,000 alumni. A lot of talent. A lot of action!

$250-MILLION INITIATIVE FOR CONCORDIA TO LEAD AS CANADA’S NEXT-GENERATION UNIVERSITY

JOIN US! C O N C O R D I A . C A / C A M PA I G N

CONCORDIA PRESIDENT ALAN SHEPARD (LEFT) WITH BUSINESS LEADERS, PHILANTHROPISTS AND CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS ANDREW MOLSON (RIGHT) AND LINO SAPUTO JR. (CENTRE)

TAKE PRIDEIN YOUR ALMA MATER!

Gwen Tolbart

Frederic Bohbot Tetsuro Shigematsu

Anne-Marie Withenshaw

Régine Chassagne

Debra Arbec

Alexandre Bilodeau Louise Archambault

Michael Meaney

You’ve come a long way since joining Concordia’s 2,000 alumni family.

• Update your contact details: concordia.ca/keepintouch

• Write us about your recent achievements: alumni@concordia.ca

Join @ConcordiaAlumni on social media

#CUpride #CUalumni

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FIRST COURSE

WELCOMING REMARKS

Master of ceremoniesSamuel Rancourt, GrDip 5

President, Concordia University Alumni AssociationKim Fuller, BFA 96

Concordia PresidentAlan Shepard

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Samuel Rancourt

Outstanding Student Leader AwardRachel Rammal and Maxime Desharnais

Young Alumna of the YearNiloofar Moradi, BEng 0

Outstanding Staff AwardRosa Cerone, BComm 9, Cert 94

Alumni Award for Innovative TeachingYasmin Jiwani

SECOND COURSE

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Samuel Rancourt

International Excellence Award Rita Kwai Ching Ng, BSc 87, and Gerard Walsh, BA 7

Alumna of the YearFay Arjomandi, BEng 98

Benoît Pelland Distinguished Service AwardDonal P. Ryan, BComm 67

MAIN COURSE

AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Samuel Rancourt

Honorary Life MembershipOscar A. Pekau

John F. Lemieux MedalThomas Dowd, BComm 92

Humberto Santos Award of Merit Susan E. Raymer, BA 7, and Benjamin Wygodny, BA 69

DESSERT

CLOSING REMARKS

Vice-president, Advancement and External RelationsBram Freedman

PROGRAM MENU

FIRST COURSEQuinoa salad, broccoli, roasted red peppers, crumbled feta and fresh mint

SECOND COURSEBeet risotto, oyster mushrooms, tarragon and mascarpone

MAIN COURSEFree-range chicken breast stuffed with wild mushrooms, celeriac mousseline and parsnip

DESSERTPassion fruit caramel pieCoffee, tea and tisane

Join the conversation on social media, tag your posts

#CUalumni

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The Alumni Recognition Awards were launched by the Concordia University Alumni Association in 990. The awards honour outstanding achievements and exceptional service of Concordia’s community members.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADER AWARDAwarded to a Concordia student leader who is an outstanding contributor to student life and the university community.

YOUNG ALUMNI OF THE YEARAwarded to a recent graduate with a record of exemplary service to his/her community and/or profession.

OUTSTANDING STAFF AWARDAwarded to a Concordia University staff member who has made an exceptional contribution to the alumni association or to the university community.

ALUMNI AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE TEACHINGAwarded to a member of Concordia’s faculty who embraces innovation in his/her field of research, sharing of knowledge, teaching ability and/or accessibility to students.

NEW INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Awarded to a graduate or community of graduates outside of Montreal who, through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and outstanding volunteer service in the alumni community or country, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of the alumni association and university.

ALUMNI OF THE YEARAwarded to a graduate who has demonstrated professional excellence and community leadership.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIPAwarded to a non-graduate who has demonstrated a long-term commitment of outstanding service to the alumni association and/or university.

BENOÎT PELLAND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDAwarded to a graduate who has demonstrated a long-term commitment of outstanding service to the alumni association and university. The Distinguished Service Award was renamed in 200 in honour of Benoît Pelland, BAdmin 88, a member of the Concordia University Alumni Association from 990 to 998 and its president from 992 to 994. He was also a member of the university’s Board of Governors from 998 to 999.

NEW JOHN F. LEMIEUX MEDALPresented to a member of the Concordia community whose trailblazing spirit and next-generation approach in the pursuit of excellence challenges current-day boundaries. This award was created in 208 to honour John F. Lemieux’s legacy and lifetime of school spirit. Lemieux was a senior counsel at Fraser Milner Casgrain in Montreal. He served on the Loyola Alumni Association’s Board of Directors from 2004 to 204 and represented the association on Concordia’s Board of Governors from 2006 to 202. In 205 he established the John F. Lemieux Fellowship in Genocide and Human Rights Studies to enable emerging leaders to meet the goal of helping to prevent mass atrocities.

HUMBERTO SANTOS AWARD OF MERITThis most prestigious honour is awarded to a graduate who has made a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and service to Concordia and the community. The Alumni Award of Merit was renamed in 998 in honour of Humberto Santos, BComm 75, MBA 79. A Portuguese immigrant, Santos enrolled in night classes at Sir George Williams University. He went on to a successful business career, yet never forgot his alma mater. He served for six years on the university’s Board of Governors, chaired the university’s Annual Giving Campaign and was chairman of the Major Gifts division of the Capital Campaign.

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HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF AWARDS

John F. Lemieux Humberto SantosBenoît Pelland

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2 0 8 AWA R D R E C I P I E N T SRachel RammalOutstanding Student Leader

Rachel Rammal is a graduating student in Concordia’s undergraduate psychology program.As a member of the 60th Garnet Key, Rammal represents Concordia

as an official ambassador at various functions. She has spearheaded several academic, philanthropic and community initiatives as vice-president of Academic and Loyola Affairs for the Arts and Science Federation of Associations (ASFA).

In her role as vice-president of External Affairs in the Concordia Undergraduate Psychology Association (CUPA), Rammal advocated for mental health and raised awareness to reduce stigmatization. She represented students on diverse committees and boards across the university and served as a mentor at the university’s Student Success Centre.

Maxime DesharnaisOutstanding Student Leader

Maxime Desharnais is a graduating student in Concordia’s undergraduate civil engineering program. He strongly believes in community involvement and in empowering youth to lead

projects to improve society.

Desharnais has been the president of the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Concordia chapter since 206, but he has been heavily involved with the organization since 204. He spent four months in Ghana, volunteering on a EWB project to improve agricultural techniques.

For his many contributions, Desharnais has received the Loyola Alumni Prize in Engineering in Society, the Order of Merit in the humanitarian category from the City of Brossard, the Brian T. Counihan Scholarship for Outstanding Contribution to Student Life and a Concordia Volunteer Award in 208.

Niloofar Moradi, BEng 0Young Alumni of the Year

After earning her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Concordia in 200, Niloofar Moradi started her career at Rolls Royce Canada. In 20, Moradi joined

Pratt & Whitney Canada as an aerodynamicist in the Turbine Aerodynamics department.

In 206, Moradi earned her Master of Applied Science at École de technologie supérieure in Montreal, while working full time. She currently works in the Turbine Mechanical Design department at Pratt & Whitney Canada, where she designs and integrates turbine components and coordinates interfaces with other modules.

Moradi is passionate about creating new opportunities for the next generation of engineers. She is an active participant in women and leadership events and hopes to inspire more young women to enter the field. Moradi was a guest speaker at Aero Conference 207, organized by the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute and she is a member of the Aerospace sub-committee at Montreal’s Palais des congrès.

Rosa Cerone, BComm 9, Cert 94Outstanding Staff Award

Rosa Cerone has worked for the university intermittently since 988, but she has been positively impacting lives as the internship coordinator for Concordia’s Department of

Education since July 202. It is Cerone’s responsibility to ensure that all students applying for internships in her department are successfully placed.

She is renowned for always going the extra mile for students and her commitment to her work and her department is without equal. Cerone’s nomination for the Outstanding Staff Award was backed by 24 individual letters from faculty, staff, students and alumni — each with their own stories about her warmth, dedication, guidance and encouragement.

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Gerard J. Walsh, BA 7International Excellence Award

Gerard J. Walsh is the co-president of the New York City chapter of the Concordia University Alumni Association (CUAA). A native New Yorker, Walsh entered Loyola College

in the seminal year of 967 (Expo 67), graduating in 97. He played varsity basketball for the Loyola Warriors and was co-captain in his senior year.

Walsh spent the bulk of his career as a director of Patient Financial Services in a number of prestigious hospitals across New York City.

Walsh is the heart of the New York City chapter. His annual activities, such as the Terry Fox run and his St-Patrick’s Day BBQ help make New York one of the most vibrant chapters in the CUAA.

Fay Arjomandi, BEng 98Alumna of the Year

Fay Arjomandi has 20 years of entrepreneurial experience in digital communications and computing. She has served in C-level executive roles covering engineering, strategy,

operations, product development and marketing. She is the executive chairwoman of H2 Wellness and founder and chief product officer at mimik.

Arjomandi served as CEO of NantMobile, Tensorcom, Vodafone xone, Mobidia, and L3 Technology, a board member at Wibbitz, MEF, US Vodafone Global Enterprise Inc., and chairwoman at Vodafone Americas Foundation. In 2007, she was the Canadian technology and innovation representative to the White House.

Arjomandi has authored 4 patents and in 204 she was named one of the most influential women business leaders in Silicon Valley by San Francisco Business Week.

Yasmin JiwaniAlumni Award for Innovative Teaching

Yasmin Jiwani is a professor in Concordia’s Department of Communication Studies. She is the author of Discourses of Denial: Mediations of Race, Gender and

Violence, and co-editor of Girlhood, Redefining the Limits, and Faces of Violence in the Lives of Girls.

Jiwani’s work has appeared in a wide variety of journals and anthologies. Her research interests include mediations of race, gender and violence in the press, as well as representations of women of colour in popular media. She is currently the Concordia University Research Chair in Intersectionality, Violence and Resistance.

Jiwani embraces new technology in her teaching methods and encourages her students to engage with various media platforms to optimize their learning.

Rita Kwai Ching Ng, BSc 87International Excellence Award

Rita Kwai Ching Ng arrived in Canada from Hong Kong in 98, completing high school in Ottawa before moving to Montreal to attend Dawson College. After graduating from

CEGEP 984, Rita Ng was accepted in Concordia’s actuarial mathematics program, earning her BSc in 987.

She then moved back to Hong Kong and began a successful career in insurance. Rita Ng also immediately joined the Hong Kong chapter of the Concordia University Alumni Association (CUAA), where she remains a highly active committee member. She is also vice-president of the Concordia University Hong Kong Foundation Committee. Thanks to Rita Ng’s hard work and dedication, the Hong Kong chapter is one of the CUAA’s most active communities.

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Thomas Dowd, BComm 92John F. Lemieux Medal

Thomas Dowd is auxiliary bishop and Vicar-General of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal. After managing an international business unit at Ericsson Research Canada, he

left the corporate world in 995 to begin his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest in 200.

Bishop Dowd was involved in the internet revolution early on, becoming the first Catholic priest in Canada with a blog. He was named a bishop in 20 by Pope Benedict XVI. Bishop Dowd was very involved in student life during his time at Concordia, and continued his association years later as a part-time theology teacher. He has served on many community boards and was named an Honorary Senior Fellow of Renison College in Waterloo, Ont. in 204 for his work in ecumenism.

Susan E. Raymer, BA 7, and Benjamin Wygodny, BA 69Humberto Santos Award of Merit

Susan E. Raymer and Ben Wygodny are long-time supporters of higher education and their alma mater. Raymer and Wygodny are deeply

committed to their communities in Montreal and in Israel. Their support of Concordia is legendary, as is their hospitality. The door to their Miami home is always open and many Concordians in Florida have experienced their warmth and generosity at alumni events at their residence. They have established several initiatives at Concordia and Technion, Israel Institute of Technology. To bridge the gap between these two institutions, they created the Goldie and Joe Raymer Endowment Fund in honour of Susan’s parents. The fund promotes the exchange of students and faculty between Technion and Concordia. They also endowed the Raymer-Wygodny Global Engineering Initiative and are supporters of the entrepreneurial programs at District 3 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Donal P. Ryan, BComm 67Benoît Pelland Distinguished Service Award

Born in Montreal, Donal P. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Commerce from Loyola College in 967. After graduation, Ryan worked for Expo

67 before travelling to France where he began a career in financial services. He has extensive experience in securities sales, corporate and investment banking and investment management and worked around the world, including in Geneva, Zambia, New York City, Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal.

In 2006, Ryan was approached by the Loyal Alumni Association (LAA) to help organize a fundraising golf tournament and he never looked back — eventually becoming director and then president of the association. From 203 to 204, in his dual-role as president of the LAA and executive vice-president of the Concordia University Alumni Association, he oversaw the merger of the alumni associations.

Oscar A. PekauHonorary Life Membership

Soon after joining the Department of Civil Engineering at Concordia (then Sir George Williams University) in 97, Oscar A. Pekau was asked to transform the undergraduate program

from five to four years.

Later, as department chair he modernized the undergraduate curriculum and expanded the department activities to include Environmental Engineering. In 206, Concordia was ranked 20th in the world for civil engineering programs, and number one in Canada.

In 205, thanks to his significant financial support to Concordia, the Foundation for Undergraduate Scholarships in Civil Engineering was created. He retired in 207 after a 46-year career as Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

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Outstanding Student AwardJulia Sutera Sardo

Young Alumni of the Year Sudhir Jha, MEng 05

Outstanding Staff AwardMichel Gendron

Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching Philippe Caignon

Alumna of the Year Sandra Paikowsky, BA 67

Alumnus of the Year Paul Desbaillets, BFA 03

Benoît Pelland Distinguished Service Award Robert Frances, BComm 87, MBA 9

Humberto Santos Award of Merit Ghislain Arsenault Jr., BComm 85

207 ALUMNI RECOGNITION

AWARDS RECIPIENTS

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REVISIT and RECONNECT!

R E T R O U VA I L L E SH O M E C O M I N G

Mark your cal

endar: September 8

to 25

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