This month, thousands of Waterloo Warriors will cross the stage at the Physical Activities Complex (PAC) to receive their degrees at our spring Convocation. As Vice-President, Advancement, I'm honoured to celebrate this milestone with our newest alumni. There is much excitement on this day, and I feel privileged to be part of it.
At Waterloo, our students come from many cultures, heritages and lived experiences and they bring this diversity to campus. Each one enriches Waterloo's unique learning environment, challenging norms, embracing new perspectives, and delivering creative solutions to complex problems. As they transition into our dynamic global alumni network, we pledge ongoing support and recognition of their achievements.
One way we demonstrate this commitment is by observing important days of significance, such as National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month in June. These occasions highlight the valuable contributions of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. By showcasing their impact on Waterloo and the world, we strengthen our global community of innovators whose contributions, big and small, are making the world a better place for all.
This academic year, Waterloo also hit key milestones in building a truly inclusive institution. A priority for Waterloo is reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, which was reflected in the University’s Commitment Ceremony in September and the welcoming of the Eagle Staff in March, as well as a new tuition waiver for students from two First Nations communities. In our efforts to build more equitable public spaces, we also introduced all-gender washrooms in almost every building, and just recently we added rainbow crosswalks and pathways throughout campus – check them out if you haven’t already!
This commitment to inclusiveness is mirrored by our community. Generous alumni and donors have supported students from Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, including a new award for Indigenous students established by our Chancellor, Dominic Barton. The Faculty of Engineering also announced an award in memory of a beloved professor, Dr. Raymond Legge, for undergraduate students in chemical engineering who contribute to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
I invite you to explore our National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month pages to learn more about these communities’ achievements, and how you can support diversity at Waterloo. Congratulations to our Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ graduates — your contributions are invaluable, and our University community is looking forward to celebrating your many future successes.
Nenone Donaldson
Vice-President, Advancement