Canada’s first Astronaut visits Lassonde

Marc Garneau, Canada’s first astronaut, dropped by the Lassonde School of Engineering recently for a breakfast meeting and to deliver a talk to the school’s students, faculty, guests and staff.

Garneau, a member of Parliament for Westmount–Ville-Marie, is also an engineer. During the visit, he spoke candidly to engineering students, faculty members and guests about the kinds of issues that are facing today’s engineers. The topics he covered included the Canadian economy, science policy, university funding and his experiences on the international space station.

Marc Garneau

“Marc Garneau is a true renaissance engineer – a fantastic example of what can be accomplished when engineers combine technical ability with leadership, executive experience and a commitment to public service,” said Lassonde School Dean Janusz Kozinski. “It was a privilege to welcome Dr. Garneau to meet our students at the Lassonde School and we hope he’ll inspire many of them to blaze new frontiers in engineering. Role models like Dr. Garneau prove to Lassonde students that the sky isn’t the limit and that they really can change the world.”

“Meeting Marc Garneau was the highlight of my time here at York. He is an inspiring combination of an astronaut, an engineer, a scientist and a politician,” said space engineering student Shelly Sahani. ”I felt privileged listening to him with all his wisdom and it was surreal.”

Graduate student Catherine Tsouvaltsidis added: “Breakfast with Marc Garneau was incredible. Meeting the most influential person of my childhood and hearing his views on how to make Canada a better country and, once again, a leader within the space industry filled me with enthusiasm and positivity for the future.”