Convocation concludes Saturday with Engineering
Convocation will conclude this Saturday with two ceremonies for the Faculty of Engineering, with 1,475 students receiving degrees.
In the morning ceremony at 10:00 a.m., 835 graduands will cross the stage to receive degrees in Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geological Engineering, Management Engineering, Management Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Mechatronics Engineering.
Rick Haldenby, professor in the School of Architecture will bear the mace.
Reinhold Schuster will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus. In his 35 years at Waterloo, Professor Schuster has made lasting impacts on generations of engineering students. A highly respected educator, researcher and structural engineer, he has made major contributions to the development of his field with his work having been recognized nationally and internationally through various honours and awards and professional memberships, including: CAN-AM Amity Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers; Germany's Commander's Cross of Merit (similar to the Order of Canada); and as Fellow of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers. As one of Canada's foremost researchers in the cold-forming of steel structures, he continues to play a leading role in the development of national and international design standards. These efforts have been extensively recognized by professional and technical societies, and he is widely sought-after for his consultancy services across the globe.
Renowned as a premier instructor for students in engineering and architecture, he made a priority of ensuring that they benefit from theoretical knowledge as well as the practical application of concepts and methods. He has lectured extensively to practicing engineers through short courses addressing behavior and strength of cold-formed steel structures as well as construction techniques and economics. He has authored or co-authored more than 60 scholarly contributions, including three books or book chapters, and has supervised 20 graduate students. Apart from his reputation as a profoundly talented instructor he was instrumental in the establishment, expansion, and stewardship of undergraduate exchange programs that connect Waterloo with leading institutions in Germany and Austria.
While he maintains directorship of the university’s Canadian Cold Formed Steel Research Group, he officially retired as a Waterloo professor in 2005.
Jeffrey West will receive the Distinguished Teacher Award. West is a Professional Engineer, Fellow of American Concrete Institute, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Since joining the University of Waterloo in January 2008, West has supervised a dozen Master’s students, as well as supervised six PhD students. West is recognized as one of the top instructors in his department by excelling in leadership and mentoring, course design and delivery, as well as leadership in curriculum renewal. Student teaching evaluations have always been outstanding, conveying students’ appreciation for his effective teaching methods and learning environment. As one of his students notes, “His unique delivery method and organized presentation made each and every lecture a sheer joy to attend”. West is widely known for his ability to convey material to the class in a clear and concise manner by infusing lectures with step-by-step procedures and well-designed course notes that allow for the clarification of even the most abstract topics. Many nominators noted the continuous care and dedication that West provides to his students in and out of the classroom.
In the afternoon ceremony at 2:30 p.m., 640 students will receive their degrees in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Nanotechnology Engineering, Systems Design Engineering.
Bearing the mace will be Associate Dean, Graduate Studies Bruce Hellinga.