Dr. Hugh Wood honoured as Distinguished Lecturer for 2024 C.J. Mackenzie Gala
USask Engineering alumnus Dr. Hugh Wood has had a stellar career as an engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, community builder, educator and researcher.
The University of Saskatchewan College of Engineering has announced that Dr. Hugh (Doc) Wood (BE’66, MSc’69, PhD’72 Engineering Physics) will be the distinguished lecturer at the college’s 47th annual C.J. Mackenzie Gala on January 30, 2024, at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.
The gala has become known within the engineering community as the premier event where engineers gather to network and connect with students while celebrating a distinguished engineering alum and learn from their keynote address.
Hugh Wood, this year’s speaker and inductee to the college’s Alumni Wall of Honour, is known as an engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, community builder, educator and researcher. His impact and influence in the profession of engineering – and beyond - continues to this day.
After earning three degrees in Engineering Physics from USask, Wood worked at SED Systems – now Calian Advanced Technologies. He then returned to USask Engineering for 26 years, serving as a faculty member and later department head in electrical and computer engineering.
He was integral to the development of the Digital Signal Processing stream. In recognition of his contributions and support, the 2C74 Electrical Engineering Undergraduate lab was named the Doc Wood Lab in 2019.
Wood is also noted for his contributions to WaveCom Electronics, which later became Vecima Networks. He joined the company in 2000 and served as its chief operating officer, contributing to its growth from start-up to a significant player in the international telecommunications marketplace. Today the company is valued at $350 million.
More information about the gala and its history in the college is available on the CJ Mackenzie Gala website. Tickets are on sale now on Eventbrite.
