Helping students fully engage in learning opportunities

Special thanks to the generous donors who established new awards and funds between March 2025 and July 2026.

“Receiving this award was an unexpected and incredibly meaningful surprise. As a student working three part-time jobs to make ends meet, financial stability is not always easy to achieve. That is why this recognition means so much to me. To be acknowledged and supported for pursuing something I am passionate about is truly rewarding, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.” - Merna, BA ’26 (Fine Arts)

Roy Norton Master of Public Service Endowment

Dr. Roy Norton has dedicated his career to public service, holding senior leadership positions in government, diplomacy, and international relations. His career includes service with the Canadian Parliament, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Ontario, and multiple diplomatic assignments across the United States, concluding as Canada's Chief of Protocol. In addition to his public service accomplishments, Roy has been a valued mentor, instructor, and administrator in the Master of Public Service Program and a Fellow with the Balsillie School of International Affairs. This endowment supports the Master of Public Service program and reflects Roy's commitment to preparing future public sector leaders. Initially, the fund will support the Roy Norton Lecture, which brings experienced practitioners and thought leaders to engage with students and the broader community. As the endowment grows, it may also support experiential learning opportunities, student networking activities, data-focused initiatives, and financial assistance for students pursuing careers in public service.

Geoffery Malleck Memorial Award

This award was established by Betty Ann, Brandon and Julia in memory of their late husband and father, Geoffery (Geoff) Malleck, who served as a lecturer at the University of Waterloo for more than twenty years and inspired countless students through his passion for business and entrepreneurship. Geoff's entrepreneurial journey began in his early twenties when he launched a newspaper delivery company with his father. He later owned and operated several successful family businesses before pursuing an Executive Master of Business Administration at Queen's University and embarking on a career in post-secondary education. The Geoffery Malleck Memorial Award honours Geoff's belief in entrepreneurship, leadership, and family enterprise. The award will support Arts and Business students who have demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative through ventures, innovation projects, competitions, community-based solutions, or other entrepreneurial activities. Preference will be given to students whose experiences reflect the resilience, leadership, and family-business values that defined Geoff's life and career.

Nancy-Lou Patterson Award for Works on Paper

Francesca Patterson established this endowment, with support from the Patterson Rozee Family Foundation, to ensure the long-term future of the Nancy-Lou Patterson Award for Works on Paper. The award honours Distinguished Professor Emerita Nancy-Lou Patterson, who taught the University's first Fine Arts courses in 1964 and went on to found the Fine Arts Department in 1968. Throughout her career, Nancy-Lou was a pioneering educator, artist, and mentor whose influence helped shape generations of Waterloo students. This award recognizes excellence in works on paper by undergraduate Fine Arts students. Selection is based on both technical achievement and conceptual strength, as well as the presentation of the work. By establishing this endowment, Francesca Patterson has created a lasting tribute to her mother's remarkable legacy and enduring impact on the development of Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo. 

Dr. E. Palmer Patterson II Graduate Scholarship in Indigenous Histories

Established by Francesca Patterson, with support from the Patterson Rozee Family Foundation, in honour of her father, Dr. E. Palmer Patterson II, this scholarship recognizes his longstanding contributions to teaching, scholarship, and student mentorship. Dr. Patterson joined St. Jerome's College in 1962 and taught in the University of Waterloo's History Department from 1964 until his retirement in 1992. The scholarship supports graduate students whose research focuses on the histories of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Recipients will demonstrate academic excellence and a deep commitment to Indigenous historical scholarship and engagement. Through this award, Dr. Patterson's legacy of intellectual curiosity and historical inquiry will continue to inspire future generations of researchers examining Indigenous histories and experiences.

Gerhild Unny Memorial Graduate Award

The Gerhild Unny Memorial Graduate Award honours the life and creative legacy of Gerhild Unny (1939-2025), a respected local artist whose work reflected a lifelong passion for art, literature, nature, and cultural exploration. After immigrating from Germany to Waterloo in 1965 with her husband, Dr. Tharakkal Unny, Gerhild developed a distinctive artistic practice that drew inspiration from the natural world and diverse cultural traditions. Working across numerous media throughout her life, she became particularly known for her striking sandblasted wood artworks created in her forested home near St. Agatha. This award supports graduate students in the School of Critical and Creative Arts whose research or creative practice explores diverse cultural perspectives and the relationship between nature, art, and aesthetic inquiry. By encouraging interdisciplinary and culturally informed scholarship, the award celebrates the curiosity, creativity, and global outlook that characterized Gerhild's life and artistic work.

Robert J. Glushko Undergraduate Prize in Cognitive Science

The Robert J. Glushko Undergraduate Prize in Cognitive Science recognizes exceptional student research that advances our understanding of the mind. Dr. Robert J. Glushko, Adjunct Full Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, established this prize to encourage undergraduate students to pursue original scholarship and to reward outstanding contributions that demonstrate creativity, intellectual independence, and interdisciplinary thinking. Dr. Glushko distinguished career has bridged cognitive psychology, information systems, software engineering, and document design. Throughout his professional life, Dr. Glushko has championed interdisciplinary approaches to understanding how people create, organize, and interpret meaning. In addition to founding several innovative technology companies and contributing to international initiatives, Dr. Glushko has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting excellence in Cognitive Science.

NLP1968 Art Supplies Award

Established by Francesca Patterson, with support from the Patterson Rozee Family Foundation, this award honours Distinguished Professor Emerita Nancy-Lou Patterson and celebrates her foundational role in the development of Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo. Nancy-Lou taught the University's first Fine Arts courses in 1964 and founded the Fine Arts Department in 1968, dedicating her career to fostering creativity, collaboration, and artistic excellence among her students. The NLP1968 Art Supplies Award recognizes students who demonstrate both strong academic achievement and meaningful contributions to the Fine Arts community. Presented annually across multiple artistic disciplines, the award reflects Nancy-Lou's spirit of generosity, engagement, and mentorship while helping support students as they continue to develop their artistic practice.

Jerry Krauel Experiential Learning Award

Jerry Krauel earned his PhD in German from the University of Waterloo in 1984 and has devoted his career to language education, linguistics, and student learning. As a faculty member at Concordia University since 1992, he has taught German, Applied Linguistics, ESL, and TESL, while pursuing his academic interest in historical Germanic linguistics. This award supports undergraduate Arts students who wish to pursue experiential learning opportunities that enrich their education beyond the classroom. Eligible experiences may include conferences, research opportunities, volunteer placements, field courses, workshops, networking events, and other learning activities. Through this award, Jerry seeks to encourage students to broaden their perspectives, develop professional skills, and engage more deeply with their academic interests.

Jerry Krauel Award for Excellence in Humanities

The Jerry Krauel Award for Excellence in Humanities supports undergraduate students in the School of Critical and Creative Humanities who have demonstrated both strong academic achievement and a commitment to language studies, cultural understanding, and international engagement. Through this award, Dr. Jerry Krauel seeks to encourage students to deepen their global perspectives through coursework, international exchanges, work-integrated learning experiences, and other activities that foster cross-cultural learning and appreciation.

Harding Family Award for Experiential Education and Research in Anthropology

Established through the generosity of Matthew Harding (BMath ’91), Andrea Harding, and their family, this award reflects their belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of providing students with opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. The Harding family is committed to supporting students as they pursue meaningful academic experiences that foster curiosity, personal growth, and community engagement. The Harding Family Award for Experiential Education and Research in Anthropology will support undergraduate students who participate in experiential learning opportunities and research activities that deepen their understanding of people, cultures, and societies. Whether through fieldwork, community-based projects, independent research, or other hands-on learning experiences, the award encourages students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings while developing the critical thinking, analytical, and intercultural skills that are central to the discipline of Anthropology

Are you interested in supporting a fund or starting a scholarship? Let us know by contacting Kim Bardwell, Director, Arts Advancement at kim.bardwell@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 47310.