2013 William Peyton Hubbard Memorial Award Recipients
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2013 William Peyton Hubbard Memorial Award Recipients On February 21, 2013, Hydro One’s annual William Peyton Hubbard Memorial Awards were presented to two deserving students: Delson Campbell and Norah Valcourt. In an address to the award winners, Judy McKellar, Vice President of People and Culture, emphasized the importance of Mr. Hubbard’s courage, and the courage of the award recipients in pursuing their goals. Joe Agostino, General Counsel, presented the awards to Delson and Norah. About the 2013 Recipients Delson Campbell Delson Campbell is an Electrical Engineering Technology (Control) student at Mohawk College. Born in St. Vincent, a small island in the Caribbean, Delson immigrated to Canada with his family in 1977 when he was two years old. After joining the workforce right out of high school, Delson made the decision to further his education. He enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Technology program, which he believed was well-suited to his interests and talents. He wanted to pursue a program that would challenge him intellectually, while motivating him to learn. Delson was thrilled to be named one of the recipients of this prestigious award and can’t wait to begin working at Hydro One this summer. Norah Valcourt Norah Valcourt is enrolled in the Electrical Engineering Technician program at Algonquin College in Ottawa. After immigrating to Canada in 2008, she hoped to follow in her father’s footsteps and work in the electrical field. Norah returned to formal education as a mature student, after working in administration and financial services. Taking this step has proven to be the right choice and she feels great about her decision. Norah is actively involved in her community. She works with children at her local church as a Sabbath school teacher and an Adventures Club Instructor. To give back to her community, she wants to pass on principles and values she believes are essential to building stronger societies. About the William Peyton Hubbard Memorial Awards William Peyton Hubbard (1842-1935), the son of a freed slave from Virginia, was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1894. During a career that spanned 20 years, he served as the city’s first black Alderman, Controller and Acting Mayor. Among his many achievements was his unwavering support for the development and public ownership of hydroelectric power, amidst strong opposition by Toronto’s powerful business community. Hubbard’s leadership and commitment led Sir Adam Beck, regarded as the “father” of Ontario Hydro, to consider him as his strongest ally of the public power movement. Together they made a formidable team. Beck fought for public ownership province-wide, while Hubbard took the lead on the municipal level. In 1907, Hubbard’s efforts were realized when Toronto City Council approved the development and public control of hydroelectric power. In 1992, Ontario Hydro established educational awards for black university and college students in recognition of William Peyton Hubbard. Since May 2000, Hydro One has continued to support black students through scholarships honouring the achievements of William Peyton Hubbard. The academic awards have been granted annually to two black students (where possible, one male and one female) studying power industry-related disciplines at a recognized Ontario university or community college. The recipients are also offered a work term or summer employment at Hydro One. .