ENGINEERING & GEOSCIENCE WEEK
Regina engineer first woman to receive Lt.-gov. Meritorious Achievement Award
A University of Regina graduate has been honoured for contributions to the engineering and geoscience professions.
Shawna Argue BASC’87 was the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Meritorious Achievement Award at a ceremony in Saskatoon on November 26. Argue is not only the first U of R grad to receive this prestigious honour, she is also the first woman to receive the award in its 17-year history.
“What a tremendous honour to be recognized in this way and to be among such an elite group of previous Meritorious Achievement Award recipients,” said Argue. “It’s very humbling to be selected by my peers for such an award.”
Currently the Director of Registration for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS), Argue has enjoyed a dynamic career that has seen her become one of the most respected members of the province’s engineering community.
From 2004-2015, Argue owned her own consulting business – Argue and Associates Management Consultants, Inc. – working with a variety of Western Canadian clients in industries including resource extraction, oil and gas production and transportation, utilities and manufacturing. Previous accolades for Argue have included being named as a Woman of Distinction by the
Regina YWCA and as a recipient of the Regina Engineering Society’s Engineering Excellence and Volunteer Awards.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Argue has been a tireless volunteer in the community, fundraising more than $40,000 for CIBC Run for the Cure and serving many other community organizations. Prior to joining APEGS as a staff member, she was a long-time volunteer, including serving on Council and as President. She has also been the Saskatchewan Director and a Past President of the Canadian Society of Senior Engineers and is an Alternate Warden for Camp 25 for the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer Iron Ring Ceremony.
“Shawna is highly respected in her field and throughout the entire engineering profession,” said David demontigny, Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. “She is a strong role model for everyone on what can be achieved when you work hard with integrity and passion.”
Attending the University of Regina from 1982-1987, Argue graduated with a degree in Industrial Systems Engineering with a co-op education designation. She was in one of the first graduating classes of the then-new systems approach – combining theoretical knowledge with social, economic, and environmental aspects of the profession.
“There were only 30 or so of us that graduated in 1987 and I was one of only three women and the only woman in Industrial Systems engineering,” said Argue. “Because we were a small group we got to know our faculty members really well and worked very collaboratively on all of our projects.”
Argue would build upon her degree to become not only a highly respected engineer but a highly regarded and well-rounded professional.
“My time at the U of R taught me how to solve problems with a logical and scientific approach. Because of the systems approach, we took classes in other disciplines, including business and economics, which helped me in the non-engineering roles of a consulting company,” said Argue. “When I went to get my MBA, some of my course credits even transferred!”