A recent recipient of the St. Clair College Alumni of Distinction award is adding another impressive accolade to his resume.
Walter LaPlante, a graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology - Mechatronics program in 2009, has been awarded the 2025 Premier's Award in the category of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Innovation.
Walter LaPlante, a 2025 Alumni of Distinction at St. Clair College wins the Premier's Award for STEM Innovation. (Source: Walter LaPlante)
"I'd like to thank the selection committee and Colleges Ontario, as well as St. Clair College, from the bottom of my heart," said LaPlante. "I really appreciate receiving this honour. It's been an absolute privilege to serve the community, and it means a lot to me and my family."
The Premier's Awards for outstanding college graduates honour the important social and economic contribution that graduates make to Ontario and throughout the world. The awards were launched in 1992 and are administered by Colleges Ontario, the advocacy voice for the province's 24 colleges in partnership with the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.
"Ontario has the best workers in the world, and our college graduates are helping grow that workforce every day," said Premier Doug Ford.
"Congratulations to these recipients who are leading innovation, creating jobs and strengthening communities in every corner of our province. We're proud to recognize their achievements and the vital role they play in building Ontario's future."
Since graduating with distinction from St. Clair College and obtaining further education at McMaster University, the University of New Brunswick, and Wayne State University, LaPlante has emerged as a leader in the field of vehicle control and connectivity and is sought after for his innovative ideas.
LaPlante, a Deaf leader at Ford Motor Company in Michigan, has made a career of leading technological innovation to improve product quality across 20 manufacturing plants worldwide.
He began his career at Ford in 2014 as a production supervisor and now oversees controls and industrial connectivity in stamping engineering. LaPlante developed MAIVS, a mobile vision system that uses artificial intelligence to detect manufacturing defects in real time.
His work has earned multiple honours, including the Henry Ford Technology Award, a handful of technical excellence awards and has contributed to improved efficiency, cost savings and standardization at the Big 3 automaker. LaPlante holds two patents related to vehicle inspection and AI-powered quality control, with another patent pending.
He credits his college education and personal drive for shaping both his success and his advocacy for the Deaf community.
"St. Clair College gave me the opportunity to learn and helped me understand the choice I need to make in my career path," LaPlante said. "Because of the applied, hands-on learning, it really opened my eyes and helped me decide my future path. I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for St. Clair College."
LaPlante also works tirelessly with the Deaf community, including advocating for his daughter at the Michigan School for the Deaf. He helped bring about state legislation in Michigan, which gives parents of young children with hearing loss more education for sign language and language acquisition.
"The most valuable lessons, I believe, are often the ones learned in the real world - the perseverance you've built, the friendships you forged, the understanding and knowledge you've gained are your true compass," he said.
This Premier's Award recognition marks the first time a St. Clair College graduate has received the honour in the category of STEM Innovation, and the first St. Clair alumnus to receive the award since 2004. LaPlante joins four other St. Clair College Alumni of Distinction who have received the Premier's Award since its inception in 1992, including:
- 1992 - Andrew J. Faas, Business Marketing graduate - Category: Business
- 1997 - Dr. Kenneth M. Schneider, Medical Laboratory Science - Category: Health Sciences
- 2000 - Hazel McDonald, Nursing - Category: Health Sciences
- 2004 - Mary Jo Haddad, Nursing - Category: Health Sciences
"The entire St. Clair College community - including our staff, students, and especially the Alumni Association, which initiated this nomination - extends its sincere congratulations to Walter LaPlante on receiving this well-deserved recognition," said St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi.
"It is also noteworthy that Walter is being recognized not only for his innovative contributions as an automotive engineer, including his patent-earning work, but also for his advocacy in support of education for the hearing-impaired - an effort inspired by his daughter's experience," said President Silvaggi. "He exemplifies the well-rounded values we strive to instill in our graduates: using both professional expertise and community-mindedness to make a meaningful impact."
"Having had the opportunity to meet and speak with Walter, I was genuinely inspired by his passion, humility, and unwavering drive to make a difference," Ryan Peebles, the Executive Director of the Student Representative Council at St. Clair College. "Walter's journey is a powerful reminder to all students that challenges can become opportunities when met with perseverance and purpose."
"Walter's story shows us that lessons learned here at St. Clair College reach far beyond the classroom: They help to shape leaders, innovators, and advocates who create change in the world around them," Peebles said. "I hope that Walter's story can help to inspire our students to stay engaged, get involved and believe in the incredible potential within themselves."
The awards will be presented at a special, invitation-only event in Toronto on November 24, 2025.
