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Engineering Professor Receives Educator Award
May 4, 2009
He’s been a teacher, a researcher, a leader, an innovator. Now he has been recognized for his myriad of contributions to education in Hamilton and beyond.
Art Heidebrecht, professor emeritus of civil engineering at McMaster, is the recipient of an Excellence in Education Award presented by the Industry-Education Council of Hamilton. He was presented with the award at the annual Partners in Education Breakfast in Hamilton on April 30, along with eight other recipients representing all levels of education in the Hamilton region.
Prof. Heidebrecht retired this month as executive director of the McMaster-Mohawk Bachelor of Technology Program, which he played a pivotal role in establishing. The program was launched in 2006 to offer an accelerated path for working technologists, internationally trained professionals and high-school graduates to earn both a college diploma and university degree in technology.
This is Prof. Heidebrecht’s second retirement from McMaster. He first retired in 1996 after serving in numerous leadership roles at the university including professor and chair of the Department of Civil Engineering, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, provost and vice-president academic, interim principal of Divinity College and acting director of the Centre for Continuing Education. In 2004, he agreed to take on the start-up of the Bachelor of Technology program.
“Art Heidebrecht’s role at McMaster has far surpassed the University’s boundaries,” said Mo Elbestawi, vice-president of research and international affairs at McMaster, who nominated Prof. Heidebrecht for the award. “His work with B-Tech has been far-reaching and unprecedented and his commitment to education, research and training is, truly, second to none.”
The Industry-Education Council of Hamilton has organized the awards program for educators since 1997. This program recognizes outstanding local learning leaders who through innovative public-private sector partnerships are helping ensure that Hamilton has the skills, knowledge and competencies to compete as a community of choice. In 2005, the program was expanded to recognize representatives from all levels of education in Hamilton.
