The grand opening of Hagey Hall Hub, the beautiful $8.5 million addition to J.G. Hagey Hall, was attended by staff, faculty, alumni, friends and, of course, the Arts students to whom the space is dedicated. All were present to celebrate the new building and thank the many donors who made it possible. This celebration was extra special for its timely connection to the University of Waterloo’s 60th anniversary year, and to families of our University’s founders.
Six decades of innovative thinking
The charter board of governors set out to create a new kind of university – and a new kind of graduate. Beyond the mould-breaking concept of co-operative education, they also championed a balanced, multi-faceted education that combined science, math and engineering with the humanities, social sciences and creative arts.
The founders believed, as has proven to be true, that graduates with well-rounded knowledge and experience are best equipped to meet society’s many and diverse challenges.
To that end, they established the Faculty of Arts and encouraged students within it to meet their full potential. Arts programs grew quickly, in both popularity and number; and, between 1962 and 1973, the University erected four buildings, and a fifth in 2008.
Supporting Arts students
By 2012, with more than 8,000 Arts students, faculty and staff on the main campus, the Faculty had run out of space again and searched for a solution. They envisioned an exciting space that incorporated one of the first Arts buildings, J.G. Hagey Hall, named in honour of one of our founders and the first president of the University.
Hagey Hall Hub was made possible through the contributions of many generous people, including representatives from industry and our alumni, staff, faculty and friends. Of special note is a generous group that was drawn to the project by their family involvement and support for the founders’ visionary approach to education.
A family legacy
In recognition of the efforts of their fathers, grandfathers and fathers-in-law, whose bold and visionary thinking created what has become known as Canada’s most innovative university, the families of our founders contributed generously to the construction of Hagey Hall Hub.
Donor John Pollock shakes hands with Arts student Hannah Beckett in Founders Hall, the main floor of the Hub, February 10, 2017, at the grand opening event.
John Pollock, a long-standing philanthropist, community leader, and son of University of Waterloo co-founder Carl Pollock, was a major donor to the fundraising campaign. He also acted as the campaign’s lead volunteer, talking with the families of other co-founders, sharing memories of their families’ involvement with the university and discussing the importance of the Faculty of Arts.
While rightfully proud of their familial achievements, this group of community-minded benefactors is equally visionary in their support for future generations of Waterloo students. Founders Hall, the bright and inspiring open space dedicated to Arts students is testament to their family legacy and foresight.
Many thanks to the families of our co-founders, as well as to all of the other generous contributors, including alumni, faculty members, staff and retirees, who support Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts and, most importantly, the students who will use their Arts education to make our world a better place.
Every gift makes a difference — thank you!
For more information on the Faculty’s fundraising priorities and to learn how you can make a gift in support of the Faculty of Arts, please visit Support Arts, or contact Kim Bardwell, Director of Advancement, or Nancy Mattes, Associate Director. To learn how you can make a lasting legacy through a planned gift, or if you have made provisions for the University of Waterloo in your estate plans, please email Sharon McKayTodd, or call at 519-888-4567, ext. 35413, or refer to the University’s Planned Giving web page.
