Shawna Argue, ACAA Lifetime Achievement recipient. Photo: U of R Photography
Shawna Argue has enjoyed a dynamic career as one of the most respected members of Saskatchewan's engineering community.
"I am a detail-oriented, logical thinker," says Argue. "Engineering is a profession that applies science to solving a variety of problems. I like that about the profession. But, more than that, it is the people that I have had the opportunity to work with over the years, from a variety of professions; some were classmates, some colleagues, some clients, some volunteers and some all of the above! Many have become lifelong, close friends."
She is currently the director of Registration for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Argue previously owned a consulting business working with a variety of Western Canadian clients in industries including resource extraction, oil and gas production, transportation, utilities and manufacturing.
"I have been told that I was the first woman to undertake a variety of activities in my profession," she says. "At the time, I was not aware that was the case and didn't even think about it. I have never been one to want to accomplish something just because I was a woman. I just wanted to get the job done."
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Argue has been a tireless volunteer in the community, raising more than $40,000 for CIBC Run for the Cure and serving many organizations including the Royal Regina Golf Club, Assiniboia Club, Regina Business and Professional Women's Club, Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Service and Royal Lifesaving Society Canada. She has also been the Saskatchewan director and president of the Canadian Society of Senior Engineers and is a warden for Camp#25 (Regina) for the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer Iron Ring Ceremony.
"I started volunteering early in my life for various causes Red Cross, Royal Life Saving Society Canada, and many others," Argue explains. "As I progressed in my career, my volunteer activities were refocused on my profession. I thought I was giving back to my profession by volunteering, but in fact, my profession was still giving to me as I continually learned more."
Named a Woman of Distinction by the Regina YWCA in the Science and Technology category, Argue is also a recipient of the Regina Engineering Society's Engineering Excellence and Volunteer Awards. In 2019, she was the first woman to receive the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - SK's Lieutenant Governor's Meritorious Achievement Award. She is also the first female University of Regina Engineering graduate to be recognized with an Alumni Crowning Achievement Award - Lifetime Achievement Award.
"I was very surprised and pleased when I was informed that I was receiving this award," she says of her Lifetime Achievement Award. "It is a great honour and a humbling experience to be recognized in such a way. It is very special and meaningful to be recognized for my professional and volunteer achievements."
Argue and her husband, Kent Walde BAdmin'84, have been married for 31 years. They live in Regina and also have an all-season cottage at Sunset Cove. They enjoy a variety of activities including vacationing at their timeshares in Kelowna and Barbados, cooking, golfing, gardening and sipping a fine wine.
This story originally appeared in the 2020 Fall/Winter issue of the University of Regina magazine, Degrees. You can read about more interesting alumni and others associated with the University by visiting the current issue of Degrees.
