Ontario Tech names five recipients of 2026 Awards of Distinction

Ontario Tech University presented its 2026 Awards of Distinction to five people at the university’s Chancellor’s Dinner on Oct. 14 in Oshawa. Rola Dagher, Rocco Tullio and Regan Watts received Chancellor’s Circle Awards, while Fred Dermarkar and Laurie Swami received Presidential Awards of Distinction, according to the university’s Oct. 19 announcement.

The annual awards highlight volunteer work, professional achievement and service connected to the Ontario Tech community. Chancellor Mitch Frazer and President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steven Murphy presented the awards, the university said.

Ontario Tech said the Chancellor’s Circle Award is given for volunteerism in civic, charitable or social causes and for professional achievements.

Dagher, a former president of Cisco Canada, was named a Chancellor’s Circle Award recipient. Ontario Tech said she spent more than two decades with Cisco, Dell EMC and Bell Canada. The university said she has received the Horatio Alger Award and was named among RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant award recipients.

Tullio, founder and chief executive officer of Rock Developments, received a Chancellor’s Circle Award. He is president and governor of the Oshawa Generals. Ontario Tech said Tullio and his wife, Danielle, have supported youth recreation, community facilities and charitable initiatives in Durham Region and Windsor-Essex. The university said they previously received the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Philanthropist Award.

Watts, founder of Fratton Park Inc., received a Chancellor’s Circle Award. Ontario Tech said he has worked in public policy and corporate affairs, including more than two decades advising organizations in government, business and the not-for-profit sector. The university said his volunteer roles include chairing the board of directors of Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre and serving on the external advisory board of the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government at St. Francis Xavier University.

Ontario Tech said the Presidential Award of Distinction recognizes service and dedication that has had an impact on the university community.

Dermarkar, president and chief executive officer of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, received a Presidential Award of Distinction. Ontario Tech said Dermarkar and his wife, Susan, contributed more than $1 million over the past decade to support student awards, graduate education, Indigenous student success and capital expansion.

Swami, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, received a Presidential Award of Distinction. According to Ontario Tech, Swami has personally supported the university’s Fuel the Future campaign. The university said the organization has supported Ontario Tech’s Women for STEM initiative.