The Hub: a new space for students

The Hub has been open to students (and everyone) since the fall, but February 10, 2017, marked the formal opening to honour the many people who contributed to this important priority project to enhance the campus experience of Arts students. The grand opening was also a perfect opportunity to honour UWaterloo's founders and celebrate our 60th anniversary.

Photos by Selina Vesely, BA '16 Global Business and Digital Arts.

The Hub's main floor is named Founders Hall. Spearheaded by John Pollock, relatives of the University's Charter Board of Governors rallied together as donors to name the main floor in honour of the visionaries who joined Gerry Hagey in 1955 to plant the seeds that grew to become Canada's most innovative university.  

Arts Ambassador students led tours of the three-level space for alumni, donors and anyone else interested in seeing the space from all perspectives. In the photo, at the base of the stairs is John Templin, with his mother Elizabeth (a founding family member) and his son Peter Templin behind.

Dean of Arts, Doug Peers, hosted the grand opening event, with contributing remarks from President Feridun Hamdullahpur, Professor Emeritus Ken McLaughlin, and student leaders representing the Arts Student Union and Arts Endowment Fund.

Founders Hall donor Eileen Wiegand, her son Murray Wiegand and his wife Nancy admire the plaque that names the University of Waterloo's Charter Board of Governors (the founders) and their donor families.

Political Science Professor Emeritus Peter Woolstencroft, who is a donor to the Hub, smiles for the camera beside the Donor Wall of Honour plaque near the Hub main entrance.

Joanne Shoveller, Vice-President of UWaterloo Advancement, with President Feridun Hamdullahpur and John Pollock, son of founder Carl Pollock, chat after the grand opening formal remarks.

John Pollock meeting 4th year student Hannah Beckett, who spoke at the event on behalf of the Arts Endowment Fund, which is a student-managed and funded endowment that contributed $200,000 to the Hub construction project, with additional funding annually.

Hub donor Rob MacIsaac and his daughter Catherine, a current UWaterloo student, at the grand opening.

Donor May Yan, who recently retired from UWaterloo, and Dan Parent, Director, Design and Construction Services with UWaterloo's Plant Operations.

President Hamdullahpur speaking with Founders Hall donors Laurette Hillborn Pond and her husband, Dr. Ronald Pond.

Students gathered at the long L-shaped counter in Founders Hall. At the end of the day, the Hub project is all about, and for, the students.