Left side (top to bottom): 1999, 2007, 2016. Right side (top to bottom): 2017, 2019, 2021.
The Civil Engineering Class of 1956, known as the 5T6 Civils to their group, is celebrating the 70th anniversary of their graduation from U of T Engineering. Additionally, the class is observing over six decades of philanthropy in the form of an annual scholarship for Civil Engineering students. This enduring scholarship is poised to go on for years to come as their lasting legacy.
“Over the 70 years since graduation, the 5T6 Civils have designed more than bridges, roads, buildings and water treatment plants – they have built lasting connections with each other. Their contributions, humour and companionship remain part of this remarkable group,” reflects alumnus Jim Burgess.
In 1964, as classmates established themselves in their careers, they decided to give back; the class banded together to establish their 5T6 Civils Scholarship. As Burgess recalls, “I was president – as I have been since undergraduate days – when the scholarship was established. At the reunion meeting, Mike Uzumeri – a professor at the time – made the motion to establish the scholarship. There was considerable discussion and then a vote was passed with a significant majority in favour.”
The scholarship is awarded to a second-year Engineering student at U of T on the basis of high academic merit and leadership, as demonstrated through involvement in extracurricular activities. “A second-year student was chosen to be the recipient, as at that time Survey Camp was five weeks long and this greatly reduced the summer working time for students,” explains Burgess.
Initially, the value of the award was $100 and individual annual donation was $15. Over the years the value of the award and the level of contribution have increased substantially. The contribution has increased to $100 annually with some classmates making larger one-time contributions.
In 2025, the award was $6,148 and the market value of the fund was $189,000. Next year, the market value is anticipated to exceed $200,000, with the award likely to be about $8,000. Initially, the scholarship was administered completely by the alumni, with selection of the winner made by four classmates who were on the teaching staff at U of T. Investment of the funds were made by the class. In recent years the scholarship has been handled by the U of T but with the student attending the reunion. The scholarship winners have been invited and attended the reunions as guests.
Of the original 72 graduates, now all nonagenarians, there remain some 12 active members. The dozen include Jim Burgess, Bill Clarke, John Hurlburt, Lembit Maimets, Ed McKelvey, Neville Monteith, Norbert Morgenstern, Bill Pick, Mike Rose, Bill Steggles, Dan Van Beilen and Don Waddell.
One of the most visible members of the class, Orlando Martini, passed away in January 2026; his daughter, Saskia Martini-Wong has taken over the secretarial tasks and continues to attend the reunions. Martini was known to visit campus for Alumni Reunion, as well as scholarship celebrations and to also visit Camp when the opportunity arose.
Though all are currently in their 90s, classmate Lembit Maimets will celebrate his 100th birthday in September, making him the eldest of the group and first centenarian of the group.
Included among the 62 recipients are three Civil undergrads who later became teaching faculty in the department – Professor Emeritus Frank Vecchio, Professor Emerita Brenda McCabe and Professor Marianne Touchie.
If you would like to make a contribution to the 5T6 Civils Scholarship, please click this link
