Board chair earns national honour

“Share A licensed engineer for nearly four decades, Murray Gamble has shaped the region’s institutions through his dedicated volunteer service A Civil Engineering alum and leader at the University of Waterloo has been recognized with a national award for his decades of service to the engineering profession and the Waterloo region community. Murray Gamble (BASc ’85), P.Eng., chair of the University’s Board of Governors and president of The C3 Group of Companies, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Engineers Canada Meritorious Service Award for Community Service. The award, presented annually by Engineers Canada — the national association of Canada's engineering regulatory bodies — recognizes outstanding Canadian engineers for their contributions to their profession, their community and the safety and well-being of Canadians. “Receiving this award is an honour and a highlight of my career,” said Gamble. “I have been fortunate to work with many great organizations and so many remarkable people over the years. I am grateful to all those who were involved in my nomination.” Doing the work What distinguishes Gamble's four decades of community involvement isn't the breadth of his commitments; it's the quality of them. He is known for taking on roles where the stakes are real, asking the hard questions early and remaining engaged long after others have moved on. That quality of sustained commitment is perhaps best illustrated through his relationship with alum Matt Rendall, co-founder of Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors. Gamble first met Rendall (BASc’ 08, MBET ‘09) in 2008, when Rendall was a student in Waterloo's Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) program and Clearpath was little more than an idea. Gamble joined an early mock board of directors, became one of the company's first angel investors in 2010, and remained on its official board through to its acquisition in 2023 — 15 years of involvement across every stage of the company's growth. Clearpath is one of more than 20 early-stage companies that Gamble has supported in this way across the region over his career. "It is the difference between short-term advice and long-term stewardship," said Rendall, who completed his undergraduate degree in Mechatronics Engineering. "Murray's motivation, time and again, was not simply to win a deal; it was to build founders and strengthen the community around them." Beyond the innovation economy That same instinct carries through Gamble's work well beyond the startup world. During a twelve-year tenure with the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, he launched the Adopt an Artwork program and backed early-stage pilot projects, including Walk the Talk tours and an Education Hub that the Gallery said could not have moved forward without his support. He has held governance roles with Centre In The Square and THEMUSEUM, contributed to newcomer integration through the Immigration Partnership Council, and helped found the Waterloo Economic Development Corporation, where he is past chair. Gamble has served on the University of Waterloo Board of Governors since 2012 and has chaired the Board since 2023. He also contributes to the Faculty of Engineering's Dean's Advisory Council and previously helped found and chair the Board of Advisors for the MBET program. Both Gamble and The C3 Group of Companies have generously supported the University through gifts for scholarships, athletic awards and entrepreneurial resources. “Murray exemplifies the kind of thoughtful, long-term leadership our communities depend on.” said Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor. “ He brings sharp judgment, genuine curiosity and a deep commitment to building stronger institutions across this region. “We are fortunate to have him as part of the University of Waterloo community. This recognition reflects the lasting impact of his contributions.” Gamble’s Engineers Canada recognition follows earlier honours including the Waterloo Region Record's Barnraiser Award (2013) and the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce's Michael R. Follett Community Leader of the Year (2017). He received the award at the Engineers Canada gala on May 21, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta. Feature image: Murray Gamble (pictured right) receives his award at Engineers Canada's gala; photo courtesy of Engineers Canada and Adam Peariso. Campus Engineering Awards, Honours and Rankings Community Share

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