On October 27, five people will be recognized for their outstanding achievements during the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Distinguished Alumni Awards. This year’s recipients are from varied industries and careers: from health sciences to engineering and from teachers to students. All five have distinguished themselves at the highest level in their careers and their community endeavors.
“BCIT’s Distinguished Alumni Awards are an opportunity for the institute to celebrate our graduates, their instructors, and their contribution to the social, environmental, and economic prosperity of British Columbia,” says Don Wright, president of BCIT. “Our grads become leaders in their fields, making strong contributions to business and industry, clearly demonstrating the value of BCIT’s programs.”
Mark Angelo, the Founder and Chair of the Rivers Institute, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Distinguished Alumni Awards. His life’s work has raised awareness of the vast importance of rivers in BC, across Canada, and around the world. His many contributions include establishing BC Rivers Day in 1980, a province-wide celebration that now attracts over 75,000 people every year. He also founded World Rivers Day, celebrated by millions in more than 60 countries world-wide. Mark feels his greatest achievements are related to watching the BCIT Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation diploma program grow and evolve over the past 37 years, and he is continually inspired by the amazing accomplishments of the program’s alumni in the community. After retiring this fall, Mark plans to stay involved with the Rivers Institute, write, travel, paddle, and enjoy life as a new grandfather.
Dr. Sanja Boskovic, Chief Instructor of BCIT Power Engineering, will receive the BCIT Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award at this year’s DAAs. Sanja studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sarajevo and was one of the few female power and process engineers in the country. Because of the Bosnian war, she had to make the difficult decision to leave her home. Ultimately, Sanja moved to Canada to pursue her dream of working closely with students. Even when faced with the huge and unexpected hurdle of being diagnosed with stomach cancer, Sanja completed her studies while undergoing chemotherapy. She is now celebrating 10 years of being cancer free. With her positive energy and enthusiasm, she has influenced the success of the BCIT Power Engineering program and her students.
Peter Hrdlitschka will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Leadership at this year’s ceremony. A graduate of the Building Technology program at BCIT (1978), Peter has overseen stunning leading edge real estate developments such as The Bow, in Calgary, the Edmonton Art Gallery, and the Shangri-La in Vancouver – the city’s tallest structure at 196.9 meters. Over the years, Peter’s desire to be an architect transformed into a passion for the business side of construction. He began estimating buildings soon after graduating from BCIT and now manages Ledcor’s overall strategy for sustainable success. He manages over 500 employees and through Peter’s leadership Ledcor is a recipient of BC’s Top Employers of 2001 award. The company has also earned Gold Seal Certification.
David Yochlowitz, Chief Executive Officer of ABC Recycling, will be recognized for Entrepreneurial Innovation at the DAA’s. Under his leadership, ABC Recycling has experienced significant growth; expanding to six operations in BC while developing partnerships in international markets and developing a thriving brokerage business. In 2001, he was a recipient of Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40 and was the past President of the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Recycling Industries. His company has earned top awards as well, including the Grant Thornton Award for Family Enterprise of the Year in 2007 and the Burnaby Board of Trade Business of the Year the following year.
Michael Gartner will receive the BCIT Alumni Association Outstanding Student Leadership Award at the DAAs. Michael is a graduate of BCIT’s newly created three-year Bachelor of Science degree program (2011) and has been an exceptional student. He earned first-class marks and regularly assisted program staff in running orientations and information sessions for new students. Described as a generous mentor, effective leader, and an inspiring individual, Michael continues to seek balance outside of his work in the hospital setting. He hikes the local mountains regularly with physically disabled adventurers as part of the BC Mobility Opportunity Society and visits Lookout Emergency Society in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
The ninth annual BCIT Distinguished Alumni Awards will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel on Thursday, October 27.
This event is presented with the support of Diamond Presenting Sponsor, Accretive Advisor.
For further information on this release, please contact Christina Minton, Media Relations Coordinator, at 604.456.1217 or email christina_minton@bcit.ca.
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