The Ontario Tech Awards of Distinction have recognized five leaders whose work connects community service, student opportunity and Canada’s technology and energy sectors.
The Oshawa university announced the 2026 recipients on October 19, following presentations at its Chancellor’s Dinner on October 14. Chancellor Mitch Frazer and President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Steven Murphy presented the honours.
Rola Dagher, Rocco Tullio and Regan Watts received the Chancellor’s Circle Award. Fred Dermarkar and Laurie Swami received the Presidential Award of Distinction. The two awards recognize different kinds of contribution: broader civic and professional leadership in the first case, and exceptional service to the Ontario Tech community in the second.
Community leadership and service
Tullio’s recognition has a direct connection to Oshawa’s sports and community life. He is founder and chief executive officer of Rock Developments and president and governor of the Oshawa Generals.
The university highlighted his work supporting opportunities for young athletes, along with the team’s contribution to Oshawa’s cultural and economic life. It also recognized philanthropic support from Tullio and his wife, Danielle, for youth recreation, community facilities and charitable initiatives in Durham Region and Windsor-Essex.
Dagher, a former president of Cisco Canada, was honoured for technology-sector leadership and efforts to empower others. Ontario Tech pointed to a career spanning more than two decades at Cisco, Dell EMC and Bell Canada, as well as support for vulnerable children and families and mental-health awareness.
Watts, founder of Fratton Park Inc., was recognized for public-policy and corporate-affairs leadership. His career has included advising government, business and not-for-profit organizations, while his volunteer roles include chairing the board of the Boost Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.
The Chancellor’s Circle Award recognizes volunteer work that benefits others through time, talent and involvement in civic, charitable or social causes. It also honours professional achievement that helps strengthen communities.
Support for students and future energy leaders
Dermarkar is president and chief executive officer of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. The university recognized both his nuclear-sector leadership and his support for student success.
According to Ontario Tech, Dermarkar and his wife, Susan, have contributed more than $1 million over the past decade toward student awards, graduate education, Indigenous student success and capital expansion. The university says their award endowments and capital support are creating opportunities for future generations.
Swami, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, was honoured for leadership in the nuclear industry and a commitment to education, inclusion and developing future leaders.
Ontario Tech highlighted her personal support for its Fuel the Future campaign and the organization’s support, under her leadership, for the Women for STEM initiative. The university linked her recognition to technical excellence, environmental stewardship and opportunities for women in engineering.
The announcement brings together leaders from different fields rather than a single industry. Through the Ontario Tech Awards of Distinction, the university is recognizing contributions that extend from local recreation and community support to education and the future workforce.
