Connecting Waterloo Warriors Around the World!

You are part of a powerful network of more than 255,000 Waterloo graduates who are making an impact on the world. By engaging your communities and sharing your pride in Waterloo, you have a profound influence both on the University and on the students who aspire to be like you.

News

Thursday, December 7, 2023

TEDxUW features alumni expertise

This fall, the University of Waterloo TEDx Team brought back their in-person conference after 5 years. The theme for this year’s conference was From the Ground Up, and it was all about inspiring the audience to forge their own unique paths, both personally and professionally. More than 180 attendees joined the event and seven speakers brought the theme to life with their fascinating stories, including four alumni.

On Thursday October 26, the Faculty of Health celebrated Organ Donation Awareness day with a pop-up event that shared inspirational information for campus community members. The event was led by Alumni Council member and donor ambassador for the Trillium Gift of Life Network, Eric Celentano (BSc '79), in partnership with the Faculty of Health.

After graduating with a three-year degree in Math and Physics, I could not find a job anywhere. I was 21 years old, female, and looked 14. Well, I could have been a key punch operator for Bell, but I turned that down.

Months went by and I had to get a student loan to tie me over. I was still eating at the cafeteria and Wesley (then Professor Graham to me) would stop to talk every day: "Have you found a job yet?" And then, finally: "If you haven't found a job in another month, come to me and I'll make one for you."