University of Toronto Engineering Society - Skule Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

Page 9 text:

From the Office of the Dean Engineers are by nature optimists, generally taking the view that something can always be done to bring about improvement. As the 8T4 class approaches graduation its natural optimism is somewhat strained by the still-depressed employment situation. Our economy is however on the upswing and a shortage of skilled personnel can confidently be predicted within the next few years when the 8T4 graduates will have completed their apprenticeships and will be entering their most productive phases. The world in which you will practice your engineering profession is con- tinuing to change rapidly as it has done in the past. The liberal un- dergraduate education which you have acquired will provide the foun- dation, the discipline and the habits of organization which are needed to cope with the unknowns and uncertainties of the future. We, as engineers, are leaders in the initiation and design of change in society. The Class of 8T4 has been outstanding in its support of quality in engineering education as evidenced by its continued support of incidental fees for improved equipment and facilities. The Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering will continue to strive for high quality and will need your on-going support in further years. I hope that all of you will maintain a close connection with the Faculty as Alumni, to our mutual benefit. And, may I wish each of you a productive and challenging engineering career. Gordon R. Slemon Dean

Page 8 text:

From the Desk of the President To the class of 8T4 : As we look back over our four years, it’s hard to believe the changes which have taken place. It seems like only yesterday that we were lining up outside Con- vocation Hall, wondering what the future had in store for us; yet today we find our- selves in a similar situation. Life in engineering has been a real ex- perience; the pubs and capers, the all- night software assignments and im- possible problems sets provide a store of memories. Now, those problems which seemed impossible have long since been solved and replaced with entirely new ones. We can learn from our past and with this knowledge we leave engineering with strength and confidence in ourselves and our abilities to solve these new problems. Although we are graduating during difficult economic times, we are still riding on the leading edge of technology. New discoveries are occuring at phenomenal rates. With the abilities we have developed as engineering students, we can understand and partake of these discoveries and succeed in our role of satisfying the needs of society. In closing, I would like to thank all members of the Engineering Society executive and all class representatives for their outstanding contributions to the Society. It has been a pleasure and an honour to serve as President of such a spirited group of individuals. Cheers! Scite et strenue, Ron McKenzie President

Page 10 text:

From the Pen of the Editor Over the past several years there has been a noticeable change in the outlook of students in the Engineering Faculty. Difficult economic times have hardened us to the possibility, almost certainty, that there are no jobs waiting foriis at the end of four long and difficult years at the country’s top engineering school. As a result, competition between students for top marks, seen as the only assurance of a job, has become extremely fierce and students have become reluctant to participate in anything that could possibly take time away from studying. Both the Engineering Faculty as a whole and individual students are suf- fering from the present-day attitude. Out of the 2700 students enrolled in this Faculty, at best 150 are actively involved in the Engineering Society. Nothing is more frustrating for those people who work to organize our social events and athletic program and put together our publications than to see a poor turnout at a pub (how many of you really study all Friday night?), a team default because of players that don’t show up, or a three- member yearbook staff. It appears that the majority of Engineering students cannot see the value of balancing studies with extra-curricular activities which necessitate accepting responsibility and learning to work with others. These abilities are vital to the development of a truly professional engineer, and students lacking in these abilities will experience difficulty in finding and keeping a job, despite their honours standing. Engineers were once the most active and spirited group on campus; this yearbook is dedicated to the students who still try to maintain this tradition. You may notice some faces appearing repeatedly. Perhaps next year they may be replaced by many new and different ones. Mary Svazic Editor Book of Skule 8T4