The Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry proudly welcomed attendees to the second annual ChemEng Soirée, held on Friday, March 27 at the Faculty Club. The event brought together nearly 120 members of the ChemEng community for an evening of connection, reflection and celebration of the department’s achievements over the past year.
Hosted by Professor Gisele Azimi, the soirée provided a valuable opportunity for alumni to reconnect with the department and engage with current students, staff and faculty. The evening began with a warm welcome and expressions of gratitude to attendees, as well as to the event’s generous sponsors—Jupiter Energy Ltd., Hatch, and CMTE—whose support was instrumental in making the event possible.
Professor and Chair Ramin Farnood delivered opening remarks, recognizing the collective efforts of the department. “Our strength lies in the dedication of our community—faculty, students, staff and alumni—whose continued pursuit of excellence and innovation drives the impact and reputation of our department forward,” he remarked.
A highlight of the evening was an address by Distinguished Alumni and Arbor Award recipient Michael May (ChemE 9T1, PhD 9T8), who shared reflections on his time in the department and offered words of encouragement to current students. His remarks underscored the lasting impact of the ChemEng community and the value of maintaining strong connections across generations of graduates.
Student leaders also took the stage to showcase the achievements of the department’s student clubs over the past year. Presentations from Freddie Perera, Basma Elsabban, Mariam Itani, and Kenneth Sulimro highlighted the important role these organizations play in fostering student engagement, leadership and professional development.
Faculty updates provided insight into the department’s continued growth and evolution. Professor Mahadevan shared developments in the undergraduate curriculum, while Professor Arun Ramchandran spoke about progress within the graduate program, including plans to expand enrollment in the coming years.
The evening also featured the presentation of two prestigious faculty awards by Professor Edgar Acosta. Professor Arthur Chan was recognized for his outstanding contributions to teaching and his lasting impact on students, receiving the Bill Burgess Award. The Diran Basmadjian Award, which celebrates dedication, approachability and excellence in teaching, was presented to Professor Jennifer Farmer for her commitment to creating an engaging and supportive learning environment.
Beyond the formal program, the soirée offered ample opportunity for networking and reconnection. Attendees enjoyed meaningful conversations and renewed connections across the ChemEng community. Staff member Jordan Wosnick, Executive Director of BioZone, shared, “It was fun talking to the alumni—one of whom I had worked with in a previous role and hadn’t seen in about 15 years. It was great to reconnect.”
Prior to the reception, guests were also invited to attend pre-event tours of the Unit Operations Laboratory, led by Professor Ariel Chan, and BioZone, led by Jordan Wosnick, offering attendees a closer look at the department’s facilities and innovation spaces.
The department extends its sincere thanks to all faculty members, volunteers and organizers who contributed their time and effort to make the event a success, as well as to all those who attended. The ChemEng Soirée reflects the strength and generosity of a community that remains deeply engaged—supporting the next generation of engineers while advancing the department’s mission and impact.
We look forward to welcoming the community back for the next ChemEng Soirée in 2027!
For more pictures from the night, please visit this page.