A new scholarship established by John and Vickie Janetos began funding graduate research in mental health in fall 2018. The couple also supports UW WELL-FIT, an innovative exercise program for those undergoing cancer treatment. When we sat down to chat with them about this wonderful commitment, we realized the family boasts three generations of Waterloo grads!
When wee Theodore and Josephine Janetos were born, each was promptly outfitted with Waterloo swag by besotted grandparents John (BSc ’73, Kinesiology) and Vickie (BSc ’76, Kinesiology/Dance).
That’s because they were born into a thoroughly dedicated UWaterloo family, one with roots reaching back to the University’s very beginnings.
It happened like this: St. Jerome’s and UWaterloo founder, Father Cornelius Siegfried, had a niece named June Toushan, and she came to Waterloo to study liberal arts after raising her family.
Father Corky (as he was affectionately known) was thrilled to have more family on campus, since June’s two eldest daughters, his great-nieces Vickie and Cindy, were already here studying kinesiology and dance. Later, June’s youngest son Chris also chose Waterloo, enrolling in the economics program.
Meanwhile, a Waterloo kinesiology grad named John Janetos was back in town studying social work at Laurier when he met Vickie. The two were married in 1978 by Father Corky, and their two sons Benjamin and Daniel were christened in the chapel at St. Jerome’s by Father Corky as well.
Later, Benjamin decided to study economics at Waterloo, where he met his future wife Katie Watkins, who was here studying history. The two were married in 2009 in a ceremony presided over by none other than Father Corky.
John and Vickie continue to make Waterloo a part of their lives, attending campus events and keeping in touch with alumni friends. This year, they also established a much-needed scholarship to fund graduate research in mental health, an area of special interest to the family.
Thank you John, Vickie and the entire Janetos/Toushan/Siegfried clan – we’re proud to count your family as part of ours!
