Distinguished Mathematics & Science Alumni Award Recipients

2010 Recipient - Andrew Panko

The Faculty is pleased to recognize Dr. Andrew Panko for both his professional accomplishments and his years of service to both Brock University and the Niagara community. 

Andy Panko became part of the Brock community in 1971, when he entered the Grade 12 program and over the years he has continued to actively support the University.  In addition earning his Honours B.Sc. in Geological Science in 1975 he has also served nine years on Brock’s Board of Trustees (he is currently a Trustee Emeritus), eight years on the Brock University Alumni Association, has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth Sciences.  Dr. Panko is also the proud recipient of the 2004 Brock University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.

He is also a successful entrepreneur and active in the Niagara community. His company Associated Brownfields purchases, remediates and develops post-industrial lands across Niagara and beyond.  He is also an active community volunteer and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the St. Catharines-Thorold Chamber of Commerce and Meridian Credit Union. 

His personal interests include his model train collection and railway history in particular.  Andy also farms 15 acres of grapes just outside of St. David’s where he resides with his wife Domenica (BA ‘75) and their two children Sarah and Alex.

2009 Recipient - Karl Kaiser

Karl Kaiser is a Canadian wine legend. He immigrated to Canada with his wife Sylvia in 1969 and soon after enrolled at Brock. While studying chemistry and biochemistry Karl put his Austrian wine-making experience to use by growing grapes and making wine at home. He went on to receive his B.Sc. in 1974 (and an Honorary Doctorate in ’94). In 1975 Karl and Donald Ziraldo teamed up and established Inniskillin Winery, after obtaining the first winery license granted since1929. For decades Karl produced a broad range of high quality, award-winning, table wines that established Inniskillin as the Canadian leader. He turned his attention to creating icewine in 1984. Now, 25 years later, icewine has become a global icon for Canada and Karl is recognized as the icewine master. Karl’s background in chemistry and biology, coupled with his profound understanding of the grape and wine industry, made him a crucial player in the development of the Vintner’s Quality Alliance (VQA), which provides quality benchmarks for Canadian wines. It goes without saying that the current success of Canada’s wines and Niagara’s tourism industry grew directly from the founding of Inniskillin in 1975. Karl has received numerous awards that recognize his contributions. They include the the Order of Ontario, the Queen’s 50th anniversary Golden Jubilee Award, the Tony Aspler Award of Excellence, and the first ever Ontario Wine Society Lifetime Achievement Award. Here at Brock Karl has been a proud alumnus and a strong supporter of the University’s Cool Climate Oenology & Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) since its inception. He has assisted in extensive research collaborations on Icewine production, lectured to students, and is currently a CCOVI Professional Affiliate. He is actively involved with the development of CCOVI’s strategic plan and its wine analytical services laboratory.

2008 Recipent - John Suk

John Suk of St. Catharines earned his B.Sc. (honours) in biological sciences in 1973. The following year he began what has become an exceptional career within the pharmaceutical industry, continually working to improve the quality of life/medical health of all Canadians and greatly influencing the industry in Canada. In 1997 he established a Canadian office for a German-based drug company, out of his basement. Today that company is Oakville based Nycomed Canada and has over 265 employees. Under John’s leadership, as President and CEO, it has for four consecutive years been named ‘Top 100 Employer’ in Canada by Maclean’s and this year The Great Place to Work Institute ranked them third on their list of ‘Best workplaces in Canada’ which speaks to John’s focus on employees and customers. Contributing to the local and broader community is also important to John and Nycomed Canada. They support education, the arts, community hospital libraries as well as organizations such as the Oakville YMCA and the United Way. John is also involved with many healthcare, scientific, academic and community partnerships for improving the overall health of Canadians. He also serves as a member of Brock’s Board of Trustees.