We are pleased to announce this year’s University of Toronto (UofT) Donald Tong Graduate Scholarship recipient, Sam Richardson, MASc candidate at the University of Toronto.

On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, an evening ceremony was held at the DIALOG Toronto studio where DIALOG’s Daria Khachi, Partner and structural engineer; Jordyn Tripp, structural engineer and former UofT Donald Tong Graduate Scholarship recipient; and Marianne Hatzopoulou, Chair of the University of Toronto’s Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, presented the UofT Donald Tong Graduate Scholarship award.

Currently pursuing his first year of the Master of Applied Science program in the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto, Sam was selected as this year’s scholarship recipient for his exceptional academic record, active participation in the community, and research in structural engineering.

Sam’s research focuses on pre-engineered hollow structural section welded connections, which involves developing a numerical model to analyze and design planar Y, X, overlapped K, and gapped K connections. The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) will offer this software as a web-based program on their website. There is potential to use the software to add design charts to the CISC Handbook of Steel Construction by creating typical connections for various configurations such that the connection capacity exceeds the branch’s capacity.

Throughout his academic career, Sam has had a longstanding passion for structures, leading him to excel academically and gain valuable work experience. Upon completing his master’s degree, Sam plans on becoming a structural engineer and hopes to take on challenging projects that serve more than just functionality but contribute to the local community.

“I’m very pleased to have been awarded this recognition for an engineering student who shows not only a strong academic background, but also good communication and community service experiences as well,” says Sam. “Donald Tong was clearly an inspirational person who will always be remembered by the company, and I’m proud this award can carry on his memory, and his traits, that made him such a recognizable person.”

Congratulations Sam on this well-deserved achievement!

About Donald Tong

The University of Toronto Donald Tong Graduate Scholarship in Structural Engineering is named after DIALOG’s long-time structural team member Donald Tong, who tragically passed away in 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. Donald epitomized the integrated design culture at the heart of DIALOG. He began his career as an interior designer, followed by a stint as an architectural technologist, before he found his passion in structural engineering. It is our hope that future structural engineers will embody Donald’s creative, wide-ranging design spirit.