A biology master’s candidate hopes that participating in the RBC Summer Founders Program will help him to build a business that will allow him to make a living doing what he loves — making cool stuff.

Lincoln Savi is the founder of Savi Made, which produces realistic, hand-painted, 3D printed models of animals for science, education, and display purposes.

“Though my educational background is science specific, I’ve always been a creative person,” he says. “While I am a dedicated biologist and an avid maker, I feel the EPICentre Founders program will help me gain the needed knowledge to start a business effectively.”

The program is intended to help startup founders launch viable ventures, working over 12 weeks with entrepreneurs-in-residence Maureen Lucas and Dave Kirby. This is the first of a series of articles introducing this summer’s participants leading up to a showcase of their prototypes on August 1 at EPICentre. Learn more on the centre’s website.

High academic performances and leadership skills landed 21 University of Windsor engineering students scholarships from the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education.

Asif Khan, chair of the Windsor-Essex chapter of Professional Engineers Ontario, recognized students on behalf of the foundation during a ceremony at the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation for those who received scholarships in the past three years.

“For me, the most significant benefit has been that the financial support has allowed me to fully dedicate my time and energy into succeeding in my studies,” said Steven Vrantsidis, a recipient of the foundation’s $1,500 entrance scholarship.

The Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education is a charity run by a volunteer board of directors that provides scholarships to encourage engineering students to pursue careers in the profession. The scholarships are financed through donations from professional engineers in Ontario, as well as corporate and individual donations.

“These scholarships demonstrate the commitment of the profession to its future leadership and to professional excellence,” Khan said.

In the past three decades, the foundation has donated more than $130,000 to engineering students at the University of Windsor. It has established two annual scholarships for six UWindsor undergraduate students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership skills through involvement in extracurricular or volunteer activities.

The 2015-2017 recipients had a chance to share advice with a room of undergraduate students during the ceremony.

“Work hard, because whatever you get out of your university education will be what you put in,” Vrantsidis said.

Israa El-Sabbagh received a $1,500 undergraduate scholarship. The industrial engineering student recommended networking with professors.

“It’s is really important. So is connecting with engineers in the community, volunteering and remaining active in the community,” she added.

Alex Michael Smith (2017), Eric Walo (2016), and Vicki Bousaba (2015) received the Professional Engineers Gold Medal, awarded to an engineering student who attains the highest cumulative average throughout their undergraduate term.

Learn more about the foundation on its website.

Kristie Pearce

Spots are going quickly for the 2018 Alumni and Friends golf tournament Monday, July 30, at Ambassador Golf Course, so organizer Rob Janisse encourages those interested to register now to secure a place.

“You won’t want to miss this — 18 holes on one of our area’s premier courses, with the bonus of knowing you’re supporting student success,” he says.

The day’s proceeds benefit UWindsor scholarship funds.

The event will feature on-course wine and beer tastings, door prizes, meals, and competitions:

• longest drive and closest to the pin contests;
• a $10,000 hole-in-one prize; and
• a chance to challenge former National Hockey League all-stars Al Iafrate and Rick Vaive to “beat the pro.” The two played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and so are skilled golfers.

Admission costs $725 per foursome, $190 for individual golfers, and $50 for dinner only. Registration includes cart rental, a bucket of range balls prior to the 9 a.m. shotgun start, hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Click here to register.