June 11, 2023 | The Energy Mix

June 9, 2023 | Global News

The thing about history is, it takes a while to happen.

For John Bond (CivE 6T8, MASc 6T9), about 12 years, to be exact.

During the University of Toronto Mississauga convocation ceremony on June 7, Bond graduated with a double major in history and classical civilization after a dozen years of study. At 76, Bond is the oldest UTM grad this spring.

This was his third U of T graduation, having picked up a degree in engineering from St. George in 1968, followed by a master’s degree in applied engineering.

A career as a civil engineer for a railway company followed, designing and inspecting bridges for almost 40 years.

“Because of that, I was always interested in structures and the civil engineering of cities,” he says. “Then, when I went to Rome and saw the aqueducts, I wanted to know more.”

An avid traveller, Bond began reading about the places he would visit, which in turn led to more travel ideas for himself and his wife of 54 years, Lynda.

“I’d always had an interest in history, and we travelled to Europe and New York and there were so many interesting ancient sites and stories,” he says. “I wanted to get more acquainted with what I was seeing.”

As his personal research expanded, Lynda — who met John at U of T in the late 1960s, when she was majoring in history at Victoria College —  made a suggestion.

“The advice from my wife was to ‘read with a purpose,’” he says.

And so, six years before retiring from his civil engineering job, Bond began taking courses at UTM.

“I took one or two a semester, trying to do all the reading and assignments, while still working,” he says. “It wasn’t always easy to stay focused and interested, keeping up with the studying and combining what I have to do around the house,” he adds jokingly. “Always have to help in the kitchen.”

His professors say he balanced it all well.

“John has been an excellent student: diligent with his research, curious to learn new things, and always interested to hear what the other students think,” says Mairi Cowan, a history and pedagogy professor who noted that while she’s happy for Bond’s success, she’s going to miss having him in class.

“The other students and I have learned a lot from being with John in our courses,” she says. “Not only about the content of history but also about how to approach our studies with enthusiasm and openness.”

Despite most of his classmates being the same generation as his two grandkids, Bond says being around them on campus was energizing.

“It’s great being among the young people,” he says. “They really make things interesting.”

And they enjoyed having him around as well, says Department of Historical Studies Professor Christopher Petrakos.

“The students in class seemed to gravitate towards him because of his intellect and wisdom,” says Petrakos.

“John Bond is the kind of student that every professor wants to teach: He is genuinely interested in learning, possesses an informed worldview and questions established interpretations of the past.”

Although he’d been a U of T student before, Bond joked that a few things had changed.

“Everything is computers now for class,” he says, with a laugh. “In the ’60s, it was all handwritten. Computers then came with boxes of punch cards.”

Once Bond retired, he was able to increase both his course load and his travelling, the combination of which sometimes led to serendipitous opportunities.

“I missed a few classes in order to travel,” says Bond. “So I have fond memories of logging on to Quercus from hotel lobby computers in London and Rome to take the required quizzes. One Classical Civilization quiz that I answered in the Rome hotel was about sites and events in Rome.”

It also gave him chances to do his homework where it meant the most.

“I read Homer’s Odyssey for a Classics course while sitting on our hotel patio overlooking the blue Mediterranean on the Amalfi Coast,” he says. “That’s the way to do it.”

Armed with a list of places to see, inspired by his studies, the Bonds are once again ready to explore the world. But John admits he may still have some student left in him.

“Don’t think I need another major, but there are still some classes I’d like to take,” he says. “You should never give up, always go for more education. Get as much as you can. There are always new things to learn.”

ByKate Martin

This story originally published by UTM

 

June 8, 2023 | Marketplace Morning Report

Professor R. Douglas Hooton was awarded the 2023 Howard Medal by the Institute of Civil Engineers (UK) for his paper published in Construction Materials. The paper titled, Long-term alkali–silica mitigation of high-alkali concrete with cement replacements, is co-authored by Benoît Fournier. It will soon be available to read for free in perpetuity on the ICE Virtual Library.

Each year, industry and academia authors are awarded the Howard Medal as recognition for the exceptional quality of their work and its benefit to the civil engineering, construction and material science community.

Second summer of heat study sees 200 sensors set up at homes and venues across Toronto 

 

Unique additions to homes across Toronto are being made for a second summer as part of a collaborative study. One resident described the addition of a temperature and humidity measuring device as a, “Porch earring,” referring to the dangling, and somewhat decorative, apparatus.

Reprising last year’s first summer of gathering data, the continuing examination of temperature and humidity over several summers is part of a larger heat study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

The Transportation and Air Quality (TRAQ) research group, within the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering (CivMin) at the University of Toronto, is collecting data on small-scale variations in ambient temperatures across Toronto. The project is headed by lead investigator Prof. Scott Weichenthal from McGill University in cooperation with CivMin’s Prof. Marianne Hatzopoulou.

Heat waves harm/kill people, particularly vulnerable populations, through a variety of pathways. These events are expected to become more frequent and more severe in the coming years. “Our team will build models to predict high-resolution variations in summer air temperature; there is a wide range of epidemiologists on the team who will use this information and link it to health outcomes to better understand the effects of heat on vulnerable urban populations” says Prof. Hatzopoulou.

The sensors are to be spread across the GTA, while covering a range of urban environments. The group hopes to not only monitor from residential sites, but also also install sensors in green spaces, such as parks or conservation areas. The team will also develop interactive web-based tools to communicate the findings with public health officials and community members.

By Phill Snel

The Class of Civ 5T8 celebrates their 65th anniversary of graduation with style

 

A unique celebration, some 65 years in the making, took place at U of T to mark a stellar anniversary of some extraordinary CivMin alumni. The Civil Engineering graduates of 1958, known in our Faculty as the Class of 5T8,  are celebrating their 65th anniversary of their Convocation.

Ahead of this year’s U of T Alumni Reunion, a lunch gathering at the Faculty Club on Thursday, May 25 held by the Department paid homage to the assembled group. Remarks by Civ Min Chair Brent Sleep and Director of Student Services Nelly Pietropaolo offered deep appreciation for the group’s combined dedication to the profession of engineering, as well as their personal involvement with the Department.

Much has changed for the group, such as the advent of changing from slide rules to powerful computing. The group, most in their late 80s to early 90s, have adapted to changing technology so well, they have held regular video reunions throughout the pandemic. For some perspective, this group graduated before the Galbraith Building, now considered an old building, was even constructed.

Ironically, the first professional engineering role for then new graduate Ernst Ounpuu was a return to the U of T campus. He oversaw the move of what was then the Forestry Building  on St. George some 150 feet north to it’s present-day position on the north side of Galbraith Road (now the Physical Geography Building). The move was necessary to clear the way for construction of the future Galbraith Building.

Made all the more special was the added celebration of a 66th wedding anniversary milestone for Barry and Betty Hitchcock on the very same day. Were it not for Betty, it was noted, Barry would have continued his original plan to traverse to Canada’s Maritimes and continue on to England via ship. Instead, after meeting her he stayed in Toronto to be with Betty and opted for a formal education at U of T. It is thought perhaps the engineering community in Canada, as well as U of T, owes a thanks to Betty for helping to keep Barry here.

Bravo to the Class of Civ 5T8!

In all, nine alumni attended with their guests:
Don Cryder with Susan Cryer, George Fleming with Liz Fleming, Barry Hitchcock with Betty Hitchcock, Robert James, Ernst Ounpuu with Susan Armitage, George Ochrym with Jean Ochrym, Len Pitura with Elizabeth Pitura, Jaan Timusk and George Will. 

 

The Class of Civ 5T8 through the years:

 

 

 

June is Pride Month, and over the next few weeks, U of T Engineering will be rolling out a new suite of materials that highlight the Faculty’s commitment to being a positive, welcoming space for everyone, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were away from campus for a long time,” says Professor Dionne Aleman (MIE), co-chair of the Engineering Positive Space committee. 

“As they return and everything is now happening in person, it’s a good time to strengthen the ways in which we show positivity and inclusivity in all our spaces.” 

Founded in 2010, Engineering Positive Space is an informal group of students, staff and faculty who work together to make U of T Engineering a place where everyone in our diverse community can, as much as possible, feel at home. The group meets a few times each year to discuss current issues and support events such as Pink Shirt Day and Toronto Pride. 

U of T Engineering is committed to fostering an environment in which each member of our community can excel, contribute and benefit from different perspectives. The aim is to build a community that reflects the society we serve. 

“Positive space for an artist is where they want to draw your eye to something of interest, a focus in their artwork,” says Marisa Sterling, Assistant Dean and Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Professionalism at U of T Engineering. 

“It is a great analogy to the Positive Space initiative that sees and hears the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Sexual and gender diversity has been discriminated against, stigmatized and silenced in society and in the Faculty. To embrace Positive Spaces is one way the Faculty can work towards becoming an inclusive school where everyone can feel they belong.” 

The new materials include downloadable posters and decals that are available to faculty, staff and students. More details about the campaign are available on the Engineering Positive Space web page.

“When you receive a decal, make a decision to be actively anti-discriminatory by placing it in your space,” says Sterling. 

“When you see a poster, please reflect on the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, New York, USA and educate yourself on how this event was a tipping point for the recognition of 2SLGBTQ+ people, the commemoration of their impact and the movement to outlaw discriminatory laws.” 

The campaign also includes gender pronoun buttons that can be ordered for free through the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Professionalism. 

“When you see a button, please respect the chosen gender expression of that person and use the pronouns they chose. Wear your own pronoun button to tell people how you identify, to normalize pronoun choice and destigmatize gender expression.” 

The U of T Engineering Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page lists many resources for community members to learn more about discrimination, bias and their effects, such as the Implicit Association Test developed by Project Implicit.  

There is also a channel to confidentially disclose experiences of harassment, discrimination or harmful unprofessionalism to the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Professionalism so that they can be addressed. 

Later in June, U of T Engineering students will enter a float built by the Blue and Gold Committee in the Toronto Pride Parade. As with the Engineering Positive Space campaign, the project is part of building a culture of inclusion across the Faculty, and with the Engineering profession.

“To me, a positive space is about continually adapting and growing our community in order to make it as accessible and welcoming as possible,” says Kaija Mikes (Year 2 EngSci), one of the Blue and Gold Committee Co-Chairs.

“I have met so many unique and wonderful people here at U of T Engineering and I have had the opportunity to engage with a community I really care about. So, to me this is about encouraging people to carry this message into their own lives, to take care of themselves and the people around them.” 

“Positive space means creating a place where members of all communities, including 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, know that they are welcomed and accepted,” says Aidan Castanheiro (Year 2 ECE), the other Blue and Gold Committee Co-Chair. 

“It is a place where everyone can grow and thrive together, making it an integral part of our engineering community.” 

U of T Engineering students who want to help build this year’s float or community members who want to walk with the float at the Pride Parade on June 25 can indicate their interest on a form the Blue & Gold Committee created.

“The message is that you belong here just as much as anyone else, no matter how you identify, who you want to date, or how you dress,” says Aleman. “You belong at U of T Engineering, whoever you are.”

By Tyler Iriving

This story originally published by Engineering News

May 31, 2023 | CBC Online

The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) made presentations to CivMin Professors Shamim Sheikh and Jeffrey Packer at the Awards Gala on Friday, May 26 during the organization’s annual conference in Moncton, N.B. 

Sheikh was presented the A. B. Sanderson Award “in recognition of outstanding contributions by a civil engineer to the development and practice of structural engineering in Canada”.  

Packer was presented the Casimir Gzowski Medal “for the best paper in the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering on surveying, structural engineering or heavy construction”.  The 2022 CJCE paper, on Concrete-Filled Hollow Structural Sections, was co-authored with Prof. Kyle Tousignant (CivE 1T2 & PhD 1T7), now an assistant professor at Dalhousie University.  This is the third time Packer has won this medal.