Walter LaPlante, a graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Technology - Mechatronics program in 2009 received his 2025 Premier's Award in the category of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Innovation at a special awards ceremony on Nov. 24, 2205.
St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi, Walter and Kristen LaPlante and Senior Vice President John Fairley at the Premier's Awards in Toronto on Nov. 24, 2025. (John Fairley/St. Clair College)
"I want to take this moment to recognize all the nominees who were nominated," LaPlante said during his acceptance speech. "I was looking at all their bios and everything, and they were equally deserving. So, I want to take that time to recognize them as well."
With this award, Walter LaPlante becomes only the fifth Alumni of Distinction from St. Clair College to receive the prestigious honour.
"I also want to take the time to really appreciate St. Clair College for allowing me to embark on this journey, including President Michael Silvaggi and Vice President John Fairley, who have been a great host through all this. I really appreciate St. Clair College for that," LaPlante said.
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.
Minister Nolan Quinn - who is the first minister to be a college graduate and hold that cabinet position - was on hand to present the award.
"Our colleges are producing the graduates that drive innovative change to make a stronger, more prosperous Ontario," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "Congratulations to Walter LaPlante on being a recipient of this year's Premier's Award for his cutting-edge contributions to Ontario's homegrown auto-manufacturing field."
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 2013 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.
At the end of his acceptance speech, LaPlante emotionally transitioned to Sign Language, where he signed a thank you to his family through an interpreter.
"I'd also like to talk about my beautiful family. I have four daughters, Nora, Emma, Kate and Remy and my beautiful wife," LaPlante signed. "Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it. I'm grateful for your support and everything we've been through on our journey. Thank you and I love you."
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
