Empowering Future Leaders at the 2024 Lassonde Awards Ceremony 

On October 1, 2024, York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering held its annual student awards ceremony, a vibrant celebration of innovation, collaboration, and achievement. The event brought together students, faculty, and community partners, embodying the School’s commitment to empowering its people with perspectives, tools, and knowledge. 

Each award recipient not only excelled academically but also demonstrated a strong commitment to using their education to make a positive impact on the world. This was highlighted in Dean Jane Goodyer’s welcoming remarks, where she expressed, “We’re so proud of you. You’ve excelled in your academics, thought outside the box, gotten involved in clubs and activities, and shown leadership in your communities.” 

She thanked the School’s partners and donors, “Your support helps transform the student experience. Just last year, our undergraduate students received over $2.3 million in awards, scholarships, and bursaries, which have made a big difference by helping ease the financial pressure of tuition and student loans.” 

Dean Goodyer recognized RBC as Lassonde’s Co-op Employer of the Year, an accolade that acknowledges the exceptional learning experiences consistently provided to the School’s students for nearly a decade. 

The ‘spotlight talk’ was provided by David Goodman, VP and Executive Director, The Schulich Foundation. The Foundation offers the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships, valued at $120,000 for engineering scholarships and $100,000 for science and math scholarships.   

The impact of awards and scholarships was illustrated throughout the ceremony, especially in the ‘student spotlight talk’ by Austin Martins-Robalino, recipient of the NSERC Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. 

“I have received awards and scholarships during each year of my studies,” recalls Martins-Robalino. “Even now in my PhD, they give me time to support undergraduate initiatives like the Concrete Canoe and Great Northern Concrete Toboggan. On a personal level, these supports mean that I will – in a few years – be the first person on either side of my family to be conferred with a Doctorate.” 

Lassonde welcomed back alumna Hannah Yorke Gambhir, who served as the Master of Ceremonies. Yorke Gambhir graduated from Lassonde in 2021 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Since then, she has been working as a management consultant at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, specializing in operational excellence and talent development. 

A total of 36 awards were presented during the ceremony, made possible through the generous contributions of Lassonde’s valued partners and donors. 

To see the full listing of award recipients, please see the event program.  

View the event gallery.