Spotlighting the Next Generation of Innovators at the 2025 Lassonde Awards Ceremony

York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering marked another year of excellence on October 8, 2025, with its annual Student Awards Ceremony — a vibrant gathering that celebrated innovation, collaboration, and achievement. Bringing together students, faculty, and partners, the event honoured recipients who are not only high achievers but also changemakers, using their knowledge to build a better future. 

Dean Jane Goodyer captured the spirit of the ceremony in her opening remarks, saying, “We are proud of everything you’ve accomplished — in your studies, in your communities, and in the ideas you’ve brought to life. You are the reason we are here, and the reason we believe so strongly in opening doors and creating opportunities.” 

Dean Goodyer also recognized TTC as Lassonde’s Co-op Employer of the Year, an accolade that acknowledges the outstanding co-op experiences they offer, with students highlighting the mentorship, support, and collaborative environment that define their work terms. 

Left to right: Paul Dudzinski, Talent Acquisition Specialist, TTC; Tammy Kim-Newman, Director, Industry Partnerships, York University; Robinson Ravindran, Talent Acquisition Specialist, TTC; Jane Goodyer, Dean, Lassonde School of Engineering 

A highlight of the event was an empowering spotlight talk from Karen Lai, President and Founder of KPM Power. Drawing on her deep ties to the Lassonde community, Lai spoke about her work championing gender diversity in STEM—through hackathon sponsorships, collaborations with the k2i academy, and other initiatives that inspire the next generation of innovators. 

Karen Lai, President and Founder, KPM Power with Sarah Gyasi, recipient of the KPM Power Bursary. 

The significance of awards and scholarships resonated throughout the event, most memorably in the student spotlight talk by Dauood Ahmad, who received the Enbridge Engineering Award. 

Ahmad’s talk underscored that strategic support doesn’t just benefit one student—it amplifies leadership, collaboration, and innovation across the entire Lassonde community. 

“For many students, the equation is dangerously simple: time equals money,” Ahmad reflected in his talk. “The time we spend working to close a financial gap is time we cannot spend designing, leading, and building a better world.” 

Dauood Ahmad receiving the Enbridge Engineering Award. 

Lassonde proudly welcomed back alumna Emily Secnik as Master of Ceremonies. A Civil Engineering graduate, Secnik now works as a Civil Engineer-in-Training and Project Manager at Dillon Consulting Limited, exemplifying the leadership and impact of Lassonde alumni in the professional world. 

A total of 34 awards were celebrated this year, made possible through the unwavering support of Lassonde’s partners and donors. 

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

View the event gallery. 

Left to Right: Noah Santon, NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral recipient; Elias Akmel Suna, McKittrick Scholarship recipient; Elisa Dong, Ontario Graduate Scholarship recipient; Mark Gartner, B.W. Boville Prize in Atmospheric Sciences recipient; Areez Habib B.W. Boville Prize in Atmospheric Sciences recipient; Ethan Marcus Thompson, Lorraine Ng Charitable Foundation Scholarship in Earth and Atmospheric Science recipient. 

Melissa Pryszlak, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Ontario Professional Engineering Foundation for Education presenting the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education Undergraduate Scholarship and Gold Medal to John Yacoub.