Alumni

The idea of a ceremony for the Obligation of Canadian Engineers dates back to 1922, when seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada attended a meeting in Montreal with other engineers. Rudyard Kipling responded to a call from the seven engineers with The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer, to be administered by the Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc. It was instituted with the simple end of directing newly qualified Canadian engineers toward a consciousness of their profession and its social significance, and indicating to more experienced engineers their responsibilities in welcoming and supporting the newer engineers when they are ready to enter the profession.

The Obligation Ceremony is not connected to any other engineering organization nor to any university, although many of them support the idea of the Obligation and may participate in the administration of the Ceremonies. 

Reference: The above was adapted for this site

Iron Ring - Contact List

The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Camp XIII has a history dating back to 1922, when seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada attended a meeting in Montreal with other engineers. One of the speakers was civil engineer Professor Haultain of the University of Toronto. He felt that an organization was needed to bind all members of the engineering profession in Canada more closely together. He also felt that an obligation or statement of ethics to which a young graduate in engineering could subscribe should be developed. The seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada were very receptive to this idea.

Haultain wrote to Rudyard Kipling, who had made reference to the work of engineers in some of his poems and writings. He asked Kipling for his assistance in developing a suitably dignified obligation and ceremony for its undertaking. Kipling was very enthusiastic in his response and shortly produced both an obligation and a ceremony formally entitled “The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.”

The object of the Ritual can be stated as follows: The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer has been instituted with the simple end of directing the newly qualified engineer toward a consciousness of the profession and its social significance and indicating to the more experienced engineer their responsibilities in welcoming and supporting the newer engineers when they are ready to enter the profession.

The Ritual is administered by a body called The Corporation of the Seven Wardens Inc./Société des Sept Gardiens inc. The seven past-presidents of the Engineering Institute of Canada in 1922 were the original seven Wardens. The Corporation is responsible for administering and maintaining the Ritual and in order to do so creates Camps in various locations in Canada. The Ritual is not connected with any university or any engineering organization; the Corporation is an entirely independent body. The Ritual has been copyrighted in Canada and in the United States.

The Iron Ring has been registered and may be worn on the little finger of the working hand by any engineer who has been obligated at an authorized ceremony of the Ritual of the Calling of the Engineer. The ring symbolizes the pride which engineers have in their profession, while simultaneously reminding them of their humility. The ring serves as a reminder to the engineer and others of the engineer’s obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct. It is not a symbol of qualification as an engineer – this is determined by the provincial and territorial licensing bodies.

The deadline to complete the Application process below is Friday, January 24, 2020. 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Print and complete the External Application Form  & complete the online payment by clicking here. Your application will not be reviewed until we receive your payment.

B.Tech. students must complete their PEO challenge exams before they are eligible for the iron ring.  This also applies to B.Tech. students who have completed an M.Eng., M.A.Sc, or Ph.D. (they must still apply to the PEO and pass any exams they are assigned).  This is a newer, stricter rule effective as of 2017.

If you are from camp XIII and you have misplaced your ring follow the steps below to receive your replacement.

1. The cost to replace your Iron Ring is $30.00.

2. If you would like to pay by credit card please use our online tool ring replacement request and we will send you a replacement ring in the mail to the address provided. Please allow 7-10 business days for this process.

3. If you would like to pay by cash or cheque please come to the office (JHE A201D) anytime between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to receive your replacement on the spot.

4. We accept payment in Canadian funds only - cash, Visa/Mastercard/Amex or cheque made payable to "Kipling". Please do not email credit card information.

Replacement refund Policy:

Rings may be exchanged for a different size, we are unable to offer refunds

Iron Ring Exchange:

To exchange your Iron Ring for a different size at no cost, please mail in your ring indicating the new size you would like sent to you OR come by the Engineering Alumni Office (JHE A201D) to exchange your ring on the spot.

If you have any questions or for more information regarding your Iron Ring replacement, please contact Carm Vespi.

Please note, due to the closure of the engineering alumni office, we are not able to do ring exchanges or replacements in person. We are continuing to process ring replacements for McMaster Engineering graduates only. Please be patient as there may be extra delays due to mail services and ring processing.

The actual ringing of the candidate may be done by any obligated engineer of your choice who has taken the obligation a minimum of 10 years ago. The intent of this requirement is to have Engineers of some experience, welcoming and encouraging you as a new Engineer. Submit the Presenter form no later than Friday, February 14, 2020.

Seven Camp Wardens will be in attendance at the ceremony to present the rings to graduating engineers who do not have presenters. In this case, the Presenter form does not need to be filled out.

IMPORTANT: If there is a possibility that a special circumstance exists concerning the individual you intend to ask to ring you, you must explain the circumstance in a written notice and submit it along with the Presenter form to the Engineering Alumni Office no later than Friday, January 1, 2020 to be approved by the Camp Wardens.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If your proposed Presenter has not been Obligated (i.e. has not received their Iron Ring at a prior Ritual of the Calling of An Engineer), they cannot present an Iron Ring, or otherwise participate in, the Ceremony.  This requirement stands even if your proposed Presenter is a Professional Engineer, but has not been Obligated.   It is mandatory that a Presenter must be an Obligated Engineer.  No exceptions.

Please fill out the presenter form can be found here

Click Here

Click Here

Click Here

Joshua Wong, BENGM '06 (Computer Engineering):
"Ironically, despite social distancing, a sense of community is more important than ever. While there maybe engineers who could literally be smart enough to be rocket [applied] scientists, no rocket leaves the earth without an enormous team of people. It may feel lonely right now, but this is the perfect time to reach out and reconnect with friends or former colleagues/classmates who you haven’t seen in a while. Or even reach out to someone new. Potential mentors are likely WFH and are probably more likely to respond to requests for introductions or answer questions about careers. Stay safe!"

Jesika Briones, MEEI '08:
"Our present reflects our future. Access to clean air, clean water, food, shelter, and healthcare will always be needed. Can we find a way to do it better? Entrepreneurs, doers, makers, this is your time to shine. "

Alvin Pilobello, BEBSC '09:
"As both MacEng alum and professional EQ coach, one of my top advice for both my clients and fellow Mac grads / current students is: Be kind to yourself, and be kind to others. This is unprecedented, we are learning how to figure out a new way of working / living / learning together, and it's going to feel messy and imperfect. It's OK! Let's remember to be empathetic to each other's unique needs and perspectives, and ... it bears repeating: Be kind! :) "

Osama Ragheb, MSCAP '01:
"My Advise is to never put a limit for your creativity. Follow your passion but also be yourself. Do not follow others , do not follow the path to the top if you did not find your passion there. Money can only make wealthy people, but can not make successful ones. Believe in yourself and define yourself. When the work meets the passion you will reveal the best of you. In your trip of life, remember your loved ones as they are the most precious gift of life."

Brendan Kenalty, BENG '92 (Mechanical Engineering):
"Well this might sound a bit folksy....but take a long term view...this too shall come to pass. Be flexible in short term...keep learning & preparing for opportunities in the future! One of the benefits of experience is ability to understand and plan for the natural cycle of economic growth & contraction. Having graduated as Engineer in heart of 1992 recession, there were NO engineering jobs so I pivoted to leverage my analytical skills for business (FYI businesses LOVE people with math skills). Later as an entrepreneur with our own businesses through Dot.com crash, 9/11 and 2008 financial crisis...there were many times the present looked really bad...and the future was uncertain. Try to stay positive and know that eventually everything will go back to normal...and we'll re-start our march toward progress in all aspects of our lives. Out of every situation comes opportunity....so what are opportunities for the next 18-24 months while the economy and job market recover? Can you start a business? Can you do a Masters? Now that you've competed your formal degree...take opportunity to spread wings and learn some new PRACTICAL skills that are, and will be in HUGE demand in new economy. For example Data Scientist or the technology and applications which leverage the wealth of data being collected in the world today. How can you USE data to help companies? Consumers?
If you are looking for job...target the industries / companies of the next economy not the last one. Canadians have always been innovators...Nortel / Blackberry and now Shopify. As Canada comes off our oil and natural resource economy....what will be next? We need to identify new industries we can lead and create value globally. Amazon & Telsa aren't just hot stocks...the way they think and operate is changing the world. Eco-friendly products and manufacturing, businesses that help save the planet, modern agriculture, bio-tech / genetics and health services for our aging population.
Stay Safe. Stay positive...this is all temporary...I promise!
Brendan
PS : You need a GREAT LinkedIN profile and network...feel free to connect with me to get ball rolling https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendankenalty/ "

Mitchell Minniti BENGM '13 (Civ Eng-Structure/Geotech):
"We are living in unprecedented times and the world will be very different moving forward. You are in a unique position where you are able to connect how the world is changing with core concepts you are learning in your programs. Some industries/roles will change drastically as a result of the pandemic and you have the opportunity to be at the forefront of change and innovation!"

Harsh Shah, MENG '19 (Manufacturing Engineering):
"I would advice students that are looking for either summer co-op's or new graduate jobs - The quarantine time is a time to Excel . This is the perfect time to build your skill sets by reaching out to the pioneers in your intended field of jobs that can guide you what skills you need to work on or get certified which will be helpful in the near future to get your dream jobs!"

Alex Figueroa, BENG '14 (Elec & Biomed Eng):
"You may feel pressured to be working on yourself or developing new skills during these times but please understand that there is no pressure to do this. It is a privilege to be bored and have the time to do these things but not everyone is as fortunate so don't be so hard on yourself if you spent time with family and doing things you enjoy instead. Your mental health is very important and not taking care of it will lead to burning out.
However, if you are fortunate to have time to develop new skills I recommend working on improving your technical writing. In most fields, your ability to write in order to communicate ideas and maintain visibility into your work becomes paramount to growing as a leader. In Software Engineering, as you become more senior you'll find you spend more time writing than coding over time."

Swasti Krishnamoorthy, B1 '19 (Engineering Design):
"This lockdown gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with your families, learn new skills and test your creativity. Creativity and learning to empathize are essential for generating innovative solutions for today’s complex problems regardless the field. It is really hard for many working professionals to take the time off and do so. So now is the time. Stay safe. Be Positive."

Mohammed Abedin, BENG '10 (Chemical Engineering), MENGD '11:
"My advice during this lockdown is to spend quality time with your family and also to reflect on your goals and aspirations. Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 25 years? Expand your LinkedIn network. Research various companies that interests you and reach out directly to their Managers, VPs, Directors and CEOs via LinkedIn and ask them all your burning questions. Most people will answer your questions, you just gotta ask. All the best!"

Brook Gordon, MSCAP '03:
"I have the privilege of teaching the Capstone course for the McMaster University Engineering & Management program. 2020 will be my 11th year! I am witness to their creativity, ability to work under very tight deadlines, multitask, communicate effectively in writing and verbally > all the characteristics I look for when hiring. I know course work is changing as all classes move to online formats. There are concerns about how to fill the void of lab work, how to manage a co-op if the company is on shut down, access to technology to support online learning. So many moving pieces! My advise is two fold - first and foremost is to stay focussed on what needs to get done. Deadlines, assignments, etc. These are important because it’s all that professors have to assess learning and ability. Second is to take this time to figure out what your passion is and what you truly want out of life. There are resources like What Colour is my Parachute, Strengths Finders, etc. There are also low cost online programs that can help you answer these questions, like the one I created as a fundraiser for the #Soroptimist Live Your Dream scholarship, supporting single mom’s. You are resourceful! Use this time to plan what’s next."

Carlos Escalante, BENG '98 (Civil Engineering), MBA '14:
"My advice during this lock down is to stay strong, stay safe and look out for one another. As with everything, this too will pass ... so hang in there. If you’re fortunate to be able to work from home take this opportunity to spend time with family and explore new ways to connect. McMaster University is hosting some great online content in many different subjects. Explore some new interests and take a few online courses in a subject matter that might be new to you. Be safe and take care!"

Martin Scherer, BENGS '06
"Go outside. It's all right to be scared but look after yourself. The anxiety feeds on itself. Limit what you news you read, and limit how often you read.
Go outside. Be alright with you. There is a lot of people talking about taking advantage of this time to self-improve. Learning new skills. Finding your side hustle to focus on. Some people can do this. Others don't have the time to focus on learning new skills for various reasons. Not everyone is in the position to do this. If you are not, that's all right. Look after yourself.
Go outside. Find a schedule, and try to keep to it. Eat regularly (and try to eat healthy), schedule time to read, to review things. Exercise. Go outside. And call your mom. She probably misses you."

Melanie Englert, BENGM '16:
"Engineering teaches you to think outside the box and to be creative. Apply these skills to this difficult and uncertain time to make the best of it. Find joy in small things and take time away from the news to recharge."

Andy Morrisey, BENG '12 (Civil Engineering):
What we are currently living through is like nothing we have lived through before. It is like nothing our parents have lived through before. In many cases, it is like nothing our grand-parents have lived through before. We are all learning how to live in this new and temporary reality together and on the fly. This includes politicians, scientists, your professors and your peers. There is no standard, and everyone is adapting differently. If you haven't mastered a new skill, learned to cook, or found some other benefit that social media pressures you to find - you are not alone. Many people are struggling through this, whether it is financially, in their school work, or with their mental health. If you need help, ask for it - people now more than ever are willing to help."

Aleah Henry, BEBSC '13:
Stay in touch with each other - especially friends and classmates away from home! Use this time to catch up on rest from overdoing it during the regular school year, but don't let all the knowledge you have been accumulating trickle away. Think about what you have been doing, what you wish you were doing and how you can make the two match up moving forwards.
This is such a strange and tragic experience for many, but try to find some silver linings. Focus on that and make this time as positive for you as you possibly can."

Fred Niemeyer, BTECH '02 (Manufacturing Engineering):
"Unlike the students who wet before you; you have tools to your disposal that previous classes only dreamed off. Yes, I am talking about social media; you are not alone and you have the ability to keep connected. Don't be discouraged, you have done the work, completed your studies; you have succeeded. The Kipling ceremony was postponed, your graduation will be postponed; but you have succeeded. You are entering a world changed, you have your concerns, and you are anxious, but you have succeeded. Use your success, use you social networks, look at your struggles, and look at what you have learned, and use this opportunity to prepare for our next opportunity. As engineers you have learned to investigate, analyze, and problem solve. Use these skills to direct you to your dreams. Mac gave you the tools, your profs, and alumni know where you came from. Now go forth and set your path."

Dr. Seth Dworkin developed his passion for mechanical systems while studying Engineering at McMaster University. Driven by that passion, he completed his Bachelor’s degree summa cum laude, and went on to pursue a Masters and PhD at Yale University. There, he developed a keen sense of environmental responsibility, and began embarking on a career to impact positive change. While working as a lecturer and NSERC Postdoctoral fellow in Mechanical Engineering at U of T, he discovered a love for teaching, and began shaping his career path through academia. Seth joined the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Ryerson University, where he is currently an Associate Professor. He manages a large research program which has trained over 40 research assistants at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels, produced 38 journal papers, delivered 80 conference presentations, and received over $3 million in research support. His work is impacting the fields of clean air and renewable energy through new techniques in high-performance computer simulation. He has developed software for the inexpensive design of geothermal heating and cooling systems, which has already penetrated the geothermal industry and is in use today. Through awards from CFI, and working with Compute Canada, Dr. Dworkin uses computational infrastructure of over three-thousand CPUs for alternative energy and emissions research, making his one of the largest high-performance computing labs in the country.

After graduating with a Masters in Materials Engineering from McMaster University, Shane gained experience working at Dofasco, Bodycote and Liburdi Turbine Services. In 2008, he started Steel Image which specializes in a unique process of metallurgical failure analysis and in‐situ metallography. He is currently the Chair of ASM Ontario (Materials Society) and regularly speaks at events on failure analysis and in‐situ metallography. Shane is also an artist, bringing art and technology together in a gallery exhibit of metals and materials taken through an electron microscope.

CEO, Guavus: A Thales Company

Faizel is CEO of Guavus : a Thales Company. Guavus is a streaming analytics and artificial intelligence company based in Silicon Valley, Montreal Canada and Gurgaon India. Prior to Guavus Faizel was the President, COO and Board Member of SS8; a network intelligence company. Prior to SS8,  Faizel was the vice president of Data Loss Prevention at McAfee, where he was responsible for the DLP business worldwide. Faizel joined McAfee through the acquisition of Reconnex, where he was the vice president of products and marketing. Prior to Reconnex, Faizel held executive leadership roles in product and marketing at ConSentry, Caspian Networks and Nortel Networks.

Faizel holds an MBA from The University of Ottawa, an MS in Engineering from Carleton University, and a Bachelor in Engineering from McMaster University.

James Politeski is a growth-driving senior executive. Recognized for his leadership skills and strategic vision, he has dedicated his career to growing and transforming businesses within the consumer electronics industry.

He is Group President of Home Appliances, Consumer Electronics, Commercial Sales and Monark Premium Appliances at Sears Holdings in Chicago. Prior to joining the Sears team, he was President at Samsung Electronics Canada.

In a changing retail landscape, James is driving transformation towards a member and customer focused approach to retail. With over 20 years in sales and marketing leadership roles, he is known for building high performance teams and growth-based cultures.

James holds a Mechanical Engineering and Management degree from McMaster University, and actively supports his alma mater as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board.

James’ commitment to education is deep. For the past couple of years, he has been a judge and speaker for McMaster Electrical and Computer Engineering Final Year Capstone Projects. He is also on the Board of The Learning Partnership, a national charitable organization dedicated to championing a strong public education system in Canada.

James is a dedicated supporter of the Canadian Cancer Society and has been a team leader for the Relay for Life since 2006.

His career has allowed him the privilege of working and travelling abroad, and James is fluent in French. James, nous sommes très fiers de vous!

What I most appreciate about James is his passion about the power of positive culture and his belief that the potential in people and teams should be unleashed. He relies on optimism, creativity and perseverance to successfully implement change.

Friends and colleagues of James have the utmost respect for him. His leadership is inspiring, and everyone who knows James will attest to his positive influence on them.

As mentioned by his friend Ken Fredeen, James lives by the mantra that “if it can’t be measured, it’s not worth doing.” Well, the impact of James’ own life and career can certainly be measured – with positivity, enthusiasm and great success.

Howard Shearer, the son of Jamaica’s third Prime Minister the late Hugh Shearer, came to Canada as an International student to study at McMaster University where he earned a  bachelor’s degree  in electrical engineering in 1977.

After working at a number of high-tech firms after graduation, Howard moved in 1984 to Hitachi Canada Limited, an International Japanese firm. He moved through the ranks to Chief Executive Officer and President to Chief Executive today.

Considered, a dynamic executive, Howard has not only led Hitachi to success these past 15 years, he has also played a leading role in the community. Mr. Shearer serves on the boards of the following 
non-profit and public sector organizations: the Canadian Nurses Foundation, the Principal's Advisory Council (University of Toronto at Mississauga), the Canadian Studies Advisory Committee (University College, University of Toronto), and Governing Council of the University of Toronto. Mr. Shearer also is a member of other professional organizations, including the Energy Council of Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Association and the Canadian Nuclear Society.
He served on the McMaster Board of Governors and is currently on the Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board.

His ambition is to make Canada a global powerhouse in smart systems and big data. He believes that it’s important that Canada build capacity in the digital world right across the spectrum from smart homes, connected vehicles to medical devices.

Although well established as a Canadian business executive Howard continues to maintain his ties to his home country. He is a key player in the Jamaican Canadian Initiative for Disaster Resilience and Response (JCIDRR) chaired by former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner.

Jamaicans and Canadians alike are being mobilized to assist the country in the event of a natural disaster. The organization is committed to putting in place expertise and financial support to "equip Jamaica with an up-to-date counter-reaction to disaster and avoid the type of situation that Haiti has gone though in the last several years".

Howard volunteers his time on several committees and councils. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Hitachi Power Systems Canada Ltd. He has been Director of Metrolinx since July 2012. He also has been a Member of HCL's Board of Directors since 1999. Mr. Shearer served as Director of the Independent Electricity System Operator.

Through the partnership with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy where he serves as Director, he is on the forefront of the nuclear renaissance in Canada. He is advocate for the need for future qualified graduates in nuclear engineering and technology.

Howard is described by his associates as having a common-sense, hands on approach to his work, which has gone a long way in defining his enthusiasm, and his strong technical and leadership skills. To this end, Howard Shearer is recognized as one of the Faculty’s most accomplished alumni.

Hoda ElMaraghy is a trailblazer for women in engineering.  She became the first Canadian woman to earn a doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1976; and in 1994 she became the first woman to serve as dean of engineering at a Canadian university. Currently, she is a Distinguished University Professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering at the University of Windsor and Director of its Intelligent Manufacturing Systems Center. In addition to her pioneering research, Hoda ElMaraghy is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the International Academy for Production Research, Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, as well as a senior member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  She is a member of the Order of Ontario and was elected to international membership by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

Paula Claudino has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management from McMaster University and Master of Applied Science in Renewable Energy Engineering and Policy from Carleton University. She is a Professional Engineer with a career in industrial energy management and has had the opportunity to work with industries ranging in size from small and medium enterprises to large industry and mines in various countries, including Canada, Singapore, Bangladesh, South Korea, the U.S.A. and Brazil, as well as the European Union. She is fluent in English, French and Portuguese, and since moving to Germany in 2016, has been working on her German.

Barry Hill put his two McMaster engineering degrees to excellent use for nearly three decades as he helped build power generating stations for Ontario Hydro. His greatest legacy, however, involves his work on the farm he operates with his wife Cheryle. Hillsfield Farms is a 2,000-acre grains and oilseeds farm on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory where Barry and Cheryle have helped introduce new crops and agribusiness opportunities to the area.

A member of the Six Nations Farmers Association, Barry has also served as a board member of the Food Systems Partnership and of Two Rivers Community Development. He has been president of both the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) and the Brant County Federation of Agriculture as well as a founding director of the Integrated Grain Processors Cooperative and a leader in the organization of the First Nations Agri Group co-op.

He is a frequent contributor to newspapers including the Brantford Expositor, writing on issues from energy to agriculture, and he was the first Native instructor at Six Nations Polytechnic when it opened in 1993. A recipient of the Six Nations Community Treasures Award, Barry was named Brant County Farmer of the Year in 2011 and he was a finalist in the 2014 BMO Farm Family Awards.

Barry is also the organist at Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks in Brantford and at St. Paul’s Church in Ohsweken.

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