On March 3rd 2023, the Hall of Fame Award, established by the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CHBE) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2021, was proudly presented to three accomplished members of the CHBE community: Patrick Daniel, Jimmy Lee and Richard Kerekes!
The Hall of Fame award was launched to recognise members of the CHBE community who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to society, the University and the Department through their engineering scholarship, and reflects the programme’s deep, academic roots and long, distinguished history.
The first individual to be inducted this year, Patrick Daniel, earned his Master of Applied Science in CHBE in 1970. Throughout his more than four-decade career, Patrick worked in the energy industry with Hudson’s Bay Gas and Oil, IPL Energy, and then at Enbridge where he was responsible for starting its Technology and Consulting business units, its international division and its expansion in to the natural gas business. Under Patrick’s tenure as CEO, Enbridge became one of the largest gas utilities in North America and uniquely positioned to help accelerate the global transition to a cleaner energy future. Enbridge continues to advance and contribute an array of new low carbon techniques and technologies including hydrogen, renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage technologies.
In addition to his support of a number of philanthropic endeavors around the world, Patrick also donates time and resources in support of important activities in the CHBE department and at UBC, including serving on the Applied Science Dean’s Advisory Council, fundraising for the current CHBE building, supporting CHBE research and the Chem-E-Car design team. Find Patrick Daniel’s award citation on the Hall of Fame page.
Jimmy Lee, the second new inductee into the CHBE Hall of Fame, obtained his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in CHBE in 1981. In 1992, he founded Mercer International Inc., and served as its president and CEO until 2015. During this time, Mercer International grew its pulp and paper business while also diversifying its international holdings and operations to produce natural, fiber-based products. Under Jimmy’s leadership, Mercer International adopted a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship that it continues to build on today by continuous improvement in environmental performances, mitigating climate change, continuous improvement in resource efficiencies, practicing sustainable forest management and embracing social responsibility. Jimmy currently serves as the executive chairman of the board of Mercer International Inc. while continuing to champion advances in the bioeconomy and environmentally sound manufacturing processes, including sustainable pulping technology. Find Jimmy Lee’s award citation on the Hall of Fame page.
Professor Richard Kerekes, the third and final inductee of CHBE Hall of Fame in 2023, earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto, then, went on to complete his PhD in Chemical Engineering from McGill University. Early in his career, Dr. Kerekes worked at Paprican, the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada. In 1978, As part of an agreement between Paprican and UBC, which lead to immeasurable advances in research and education for the pulp and paper industry of B.C. and Canada, Dr. Kerekes joined the CHBE department as an honorary professor. In 1983, Dr. Kerekes was appointed director of the UBC Pulp and Paper Centre (PPC), playing an instrumental role in the funding and constructing of the Pulp and Paper Centre Building. Dr. Kerekes was the director of the Centre until 2005. Under his leadership it established a reputation as a centre for innovations and key resource for the pulp and paper industry in Canada. Dr. Kerekes is considered one of the world’s foremost pulp and paper engineers and has delivered major advancements in the pulp and paper research during his career. Find Richard Kerekes’ award citation on the Hall of Fame page.
Plaques are placed in the atrium of the CHBE building in honour of each inductee.
