Canadian Mortgage News

January 2005 National News Archive

Queen's University Professors Winners of CMHC 2005 Excellence in Education Award

KINGSTON, Ontario, December 14, 2005 — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) presented today Dr. Steve Harrison and Dr. Gary vanLoon with the CMHC Excellence in Education Award for Promotion of Sustainable Practices. Both were honoured for their contributions to sustainability education.

CMHC recognized Dr. Harrison for his efforts in working with students to develop and promote alternative energy technology. Dr. vanLoon's work was acknowledged for his innovative approach to teaching sustainable practices that impact local and international communities.

"Dr. Harrison and Dr. vanLoon are true champions of sustainability in their respective fields. They continue to educate, not only here in Canada but abroad as well, that sustainability happens at many levels", said Steve Jacques, Ontario Manager, Community Development and Research, CMHC. "Whether it is demonstrating the vast uses of solar energy applications or environmentally sustainable approaches to agricultural practices, they are both creating the sustainability champions of the future."

An Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering at Queen's University, Dr. Harrison has over 28 years of experience in the development and evaluation of solar energy equipment. His research of building lighting systems, energy management, solar air conditioning and fuel cells provides his students with a strong understanding of innovative uses of sustainable and renewable energy. He is the founder of the Queen's University Solar Vehicle Team, and as such, has led the team since 1988 in the design, construction and racing of solar vehicles in national and international competitions.

Dr. vanLoon is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Environmental Studies at Queen's University and is an internationally known environmental chemist. He helped create Queen's School of Environmental Studies and its undergraduate curriculum and was a driving force in developing the new School of Environmental Studies' graduate program in Environmental Sustainability.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. vanLoon has developed a research program in environmentally sustainable agriculture in India, and has promoted sustainable development through research projects in India, Nigeria and South Africa.

The CMHC Excellence in Education Award, established by the CMHC Ontario region, honours outstanding educational contribution to sustainable practices in the fields of architecture, planning, landscape architecture, urban design, geography, engineering, and environmental studies. The award recognizes secondary and post-secondary educators in Ontario who have integrated sustainable concepts in housing and community development into the academic curriculum.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada's national housing agency. For close to 60 years, CMHC has been contributing to improving the living conditions and the well-being of Canadians through four areas of housing activities — housing finance, assisted housing, research and information transfer, and export promotion. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, and making vibrant and sustainable communities a reality across the country.

For more information please contact:

Beth Bailey
Communications and Marketing
CMHC
Tel: (416) 218-3355
E-mail: bbailey@cmhc.ca

News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)