Jean Surry

Jean Surry, P.Eng., Professor, University of Western Ontario, works to ensure that the engineering profession is perceived as a caring, visible and interesting career choice. She has founded, or co-founded, four volunteer groups in the London area. Surry co-founded Open Doors of Greater London, which comprises volunteers employed in non-traditional professions who meet with students, educators, and parent groups to discuss career choices for students. The London Engineering Awareness Resource Network (LEARN2), founded by Surry, is an information resource for educators. Its members give presentations at local schools and co-host an annual Lego workshop. Surry also founded the London Chapter of The Tetra Society, which recruits volunteer engineers and technicians to create assistive devices for people with disabilities. Since 1989, she has chaired the University of Western Ontario's Committee for Women in Engineering, an advisory and promotional group that encourages students, particularly girls, to pursue engineering as a career.