“We, the MacDonald family, have given this award in memory of our nephew and cousin John Morton MacDonald. After studying at university, John worked in the research laboratories at British Telecom and was instrumental in the development of Broadband technology. A BT colleague writes “John was always very supportive and helpful to those trying to learn and accomplish things by their own effort, application and merit.” We heartily congratulate the first recipient of this award Daniel Adamczyk and trust that it will assist and encourage him in a future career.”
John Morton MacDonald
The MacDonalds have been a telecommunications family for a century. In 1918 John Alexander MacDonald laid cables to the trenches in France as a member of The Royal Engineers, and Christina Bremner, through her role in the Queen Mary’s Auxiliary Army Corps, worked at a switch board in Abbeville, relaying messages between GHQ and fighting units.
After World War I they worked together at Kingussie Post Office in the Scottish Highlands, with John Alexander eventually becoming Postmaster after the conclusion of World War II.
John and Christina married in 1925 and their son John Lloyd MacDonald was born in 1932. John Lloyd’s first job was delivering telegrams around Kingussie on his bicycle. At 16 he joined the Post Office Engineering Department in Inverness. He became a jointer and would climb up poles and down manholes to fix faults. He then transferred to the Edinburgh office before taking early retirement around the time that British Telecom officially separated from the Post Office and underwent privatisation.
John Lloyd MacDonald married Elizabeth Miller and their son, John Morton “Mac” MacDonald, was born in 1966. He was educated at Currie High School and Edinburgh Napier University and undertook student placements with British Rail and British Telecommunications (BT). He graduated with a first-class degree in Communication and Electronic Engineering. Following in his father’s footsteps, he joined BT in 1988 after graduating.
John Morton’s first role involved him working on the design of the decision feedback equalisation for the world’s first ISDN transceiver capable of 160kbit/s on existing twisted telephone wires used for voice. His career went from strength-to-strength, and he worked on all types of DSP-based transceivers for exploiting the information capability of BT’s metallic access network, before working for Openreach on the design and deployment of Gfast technology, delivering gigabit/s speeds on phone wires.
He enjoyed writing technical papers, and he represented BT at various international standards bodies and conferences. At the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) he held the role of Vice Chairman of TM6 (DSL and other metallic access technologies), and he held various Rapporteur roles throughout his career.
“Mac” was a first-class engineer who became Chartered with the Institution of Engineering and Technology and went on to become a Fellow of the IET, an honour that he cherished. He was also an IET and BT mentor and throughout his career he was passionate about nurturing and developing engineering students, both apprentices and graduates. He will be remembered as a talented, kind, and thoughtful engineer with a wicked sense of humour.
Outside the laboratory, Mac was stage manager from the Deben Players in Woodbridge, a keen and knowledgeable collector and restorer of planes and other antique carpenter’s tools, and a lifelong Rangers supporter.
The John Morton MacDonald Prize
Mac died suddenly in April 2019, shortly before the death of his father. He left no dependants; he is fondly remembered by his family, colleagues and friends.
The prize has been established to celebrate the memory of John Morton MacDonald and is awarded for the first time in 2023 to an exceptional student studying Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Daniel's experience at ENU
“From the outset as a direct entry student coming from Edinburgh College my time at Edinburgh Napier University was characterized by a constant stream of challenges that positively impacted my personal and academic growth. The immeasurable practical knowledge and support received from the university community greatly enriched my learning experience, ensuring a well-rounded education that extended beyond mere theoretical understanding.”
The John Morton MacDonald Prize
“Receiving this prize serves as a validation of the effort and commitment I invested in my studies. It is a gratifying acknowledgement of my academic capabilities and serves as motivation to continue striving for excellence in my chosen discipline.
Furthermore, being awarded the John Morton MacDonald Prize has instilled in me a sense of pride and accomplishment. It serves as a reminder of the hard work, perseverance, and sacrifices that I made to achieve success in my studies. This achievement will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my personal and professional growth, serving as a source of inspiration and motivation as I continue to pursue my educational and career aspirations.”
What advice would you offer to future students?
“The future is inherently uncertain and holds countless possibilities. While I cannot predict the specific events or outcomes that lie ahead, I can share that embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and learning is a commendable approach.
By striving to be better each day and cultivating a thirst for knowledge, you are setting yourself up for personal and professional growth. Pursuing opportunities to work on exciting projects can provide valuable experiences and contribute to a sense of fulfilment in your chosen endeavours.
While we cannot control all aspects of the future, by focusing on personal development, embracing opportunities, and living with intention, you can actively shape your path and increase the likelihood of a life well-lived.”