INNOVATION-September-October-2020

P R E S I D E N T ' S A W A R D S

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD DR. GORD LOVEGROVE, P.ENG.

TEACHING AWARD OF EXCELLENCE DR. PETER OSTAFICHUK, P.ENG.

Dr. Gord Lovegrove, P.Eng., is passionate about his community and works tirelessly to make it a better place for everyone. He is an associate professor at UBC’s Okanagan Campus School of Engineering, where he was instrumental in the school’s launch and development in 2004. Gord’s teaching focuses on using innovative engineering approaches to planning and designing communities that sustain a high quality of life while protecting the environment. He created the first Go Global programs

Dr. Peter Ostafichuk, P.Eng. (or Dr. Pete, as he is known across UBC) is a Professor of Teaching in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UBC. He is a passionate teacher, innovator, and role model who strives to create

lasting connections with students. He is among the first UBC faculty members to be promoted to the rank of Professor of Teaching, which requires a proven track record of outstanding teaching, educational leadership, and curriculum development. Peter is highly regarded for his work developing the Mech 2 program, the cornerstone program of the UBC Mechanical Engineering Department and a revolutionary new way to think about undergraduate education. In Mech 2, rather than take six or seven concurrent courses per term, students take four consecutive courses over the entire academic year. This helps them learn the principles of mechanical engineering in an integrated and more practical context. With Peter’s visionary leadership, Mech 2 has dramatically improved student learning outcomes and has received national and international recognition. In 2014, Peter took on a newly created role as the Chair of First-Year Engineering at UBC, where he brought his experience to the redevelopment of the first-year curriculum. This redevelopment included a new introduction to engineering courses and a strong focus on engineering practice, design, teamwork, sustainability, communication, professionalism, and ethics. Equally admired and respected by both his students and peers, Peter is strengthening engineering education in British Columbia for generations to come.

for the School of Engineering, which enables students and professionals to study the planning and design of new communities in the Netherlands. The course teaches participants the importance of protecting the environment, maximizing green space, and achieving biodiversity. Committed to improving the campus community, Gord was instrumental in launching UBC’s award-winning student U-Pass BC, which provides students with access to public transportation as part of their student fees, and a similar program at the Okanagan campus. He is currently working on long-term strategies to promote smarter growth neighbourhood design and increase active transport choice, intending to reduce traffic crashes, congestion, and injuries for all road users. Both personally and professionally, Gord works to promote sustainability wherever possible. He is active in serving on several related boards in the Okanagan, including those related to heritage, neighbourhood associations, homelessness, and co-housing. Whether it’s through his teaching, his advocacy, or simply his contagious enthusiasm for creating a happier, healthier future, Gord has made a lasting impact on his community.

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