Jared Larson

 

Advisor: Jared Larson
Chapter: Saskatoon Chapter
Student Branch: University of Saskatchewan (USASK)

Building Legacy and Mentorship

Jared had to relocate to Saskatoon for work, and actively joined the chapter. Within the first month of joining the chapter he met with the existing USASK student branch executive and took on a leadership role as branch advisor. This past year he was recognized at the Region XI CRC. His passion for student activities has been demonstrate not in one year, but in his career. He was instrumental in developing the 4th year ENIN 463 HVAC elective in order to keep a campus door open for future ASHRAE members. Transition of this success has been passed on to others to carry the torch. Currently the branch co-advisors and capstone mentors are former students who now work in the industry. As he transitioned job locations from Regina to Saskatoon, he ensured there was continuity for the Branch Advisors. Although the award asks for consideration of one branch location, our chapter feels his decade of dedication should be recognized within our province. He also visited programs multiple times at the various Polytech programs in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon where he provided building tours, classroom visits, and served as an HVAC matter specialist in the Architectural Technologist Program.

Post Graduation Mentorship

Jared’s commitment to professional development continued after graduation. He served to act as an industry mentor for recent graduates to earn their professional licence. He also started programs in the local chapter where YEA members and recent grads would speak for 5-7 minutes about a project they are working on and present to the whole chapter. This helped to engage recent graduates within the chapter and develop their skillsets. Jared also mentored many capstone projects over the years. These capstone projects often received first place awards. ASHRAE developed a great reputation on campus and has been invited by the engineering faculty to serve on the advisory board for course evaluation and identifying opportunities to grow.

Guiding The Student Trajectory

Elementary Level

The pathway from student to engineering to HVAC career has several on ramps. The K-12 Stem activities helped elementary students gain interest in HVAC. Jared started a program with an inner city school with great success that was carried on by many generations of student activities chairs. He was able to bring in drawings, infrared cameras, present the annual ASHRAE science award at graduation, among many other successful events.

Post secondary - Technologists

He has expanded beyond the branch level to visit schools for technologists. In the architectural program, the instructor invited him in each year to present a crash course in HVAC system sizing, design and considerations for their final year design project. This often
involved student tours through construction sites. Students were invited to present to the ASHRAE chapter.

Post secondary - University

For the university level, he organized technical tours, soft skills resume workshops, and class presentations. Jared has a great face for radio which made him a prime candidate for the engineering podcast. This past year he was invited as a guest on an engineering podcast, created to help students navigate which field of engineering they want to enter. Jared promoted ASHRAE to the
audience. When it first aired, it had the highest listener count.

Use of Other Media and Other Publicity

Other appearance in the media helped to promote efforts. Degrees Magazine ran an article about the course Jared helped start up. On the photo is the apparatus designed and constructed by students to demonstrate about 10 different pumping configurations by opening valves. Brad Lulik is on the left.
He was a former student who became a co-branch advisor with Jared after he graduated. Despite not agreeing to wear suits for the photo, brad changed his mind last minute and did not tell Jared.

The Local morning news learned of the Lucy book and its translation. David and Jared appeared on the news to promote the book. Dave also served as a co-branch advisor after Brad stepped down. Dave was also a former student of Jared’s and is currently serving as a branch advisor. Jared arranged to visit Kahkewistahaw first nation school on June 9th to do a book reading with a language keeper. They will read one page at a time in both languages to help students learning Cree to understand the translation. This book has able been distributed to Sturgeon Lake First Nation as well.

New Scholarship Fund

This past winter Jared was able to create the Darren Wingerak Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Saskatoon Chapter. This was ratified by Society at the past winter meeting. The Chapter is fundraising to have this endowed in 5 years after which it can be distributed to students.

Mentorship & the Community

The long term effects of Jared’s reach is seen in the industry today. Many former graduates are involved at the chapter level as members, and active board members. Other graduates move away but remain in touch and are still in the HVAC industry. Roughly, there have been approximately 12-20 student who chose HVAC careers based on those he remains in contact with. He brings a certain energy to roll that becomes contagious. It entices others to step up and pay it forward in their career. He has mentored over 14 capstone projects over the years. Many of these were submitted to ASHRAE for competition. One project worth noting was a project where students worked with a womens shelter. The facility could not afford professional help on studies, or retrofit upgrades. The student group submitted the project to ASHRAE and a copy to the owner. The owner was able to leverage this report
and make the case for a new facility. This multi million dollar facility opened last year and has become a vital part to the community. The student project opened the doors for this. Jared was instrumental in setting up the parties, and mentoring this group. The following are a few other examples of student projects, scholarships and awards.