My time at McGill has provided enjoyable memories both past and present. My 1979 classmates worked hard together, then partied together when the work was done. Some have become close friends and we see each other every chance we have.
Our class reunions every 10 years at McGill Homecoming are well attended and provide an opportunity to catch up on our careers and adventures. I helped my friend and classmate Glenn Casbourne organize our 30th and 40th Chemical Engineering class reunions. Being one of the few still in Montreal, it has been rewarding reaching out to classmates and seeing some come back from all corners of the world. I also helped my friend and classmate Mark Costin to arrange a Class of Chemical Engineering 1979 Endowed Class Gift.
I started my career working in a petrochemical facility near Sarnia, Ontario. After seven years, I returned to McGill to complete a pulp and paper master’s program in Chemical Engineering, and since then I’ve worked for three Montreal engineering companies servicing the industry.
My volunteer work at McGill began as a project leader in the Chemical Engineering Design course. This was one of the courses during my undergraduate studies so it was now my turn to help young engineers and learn something from them as well. I have worked with several student teams through the years. It has provided an opportunity to share with the new generation of students and encourage them to use what they have learned and continue to learn on their own.