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From Convocation to Reunion, Waterloo's family grows
by Feridun Hamdullahpur, President and Vice-Chancellor
What stands out for me this month is the richness of the University of Waterloo community. From alumni, to future alumni, to donors, to new partners… This place isn’t just an institution — it’s a family.
Building on the success of September’s Orientation events, we celebrated both Convocation and Reunion Weekend this month, and had a terrific turnout for both.
It was terrific to send another wave of Warrior Alumni out into the world through Fall Convocation 2015. Congratulations to all grads and your families! You probably already saw it on social media, but if not, here’s the video we published to wrap up that weekend of celebration.
Reunion was equally exciting: it’s a thrill to see our alumni reconnect with their alma mater. You can check out our Storify capturing some highlights. Hopefully we’ll see even more of you out there next year – it was an excellent weekend. Thanks to all who helped organize.
Reunion reminds us that our alumni are so essential to our success, both here in the Waterloo region and around the world. Whenever my work for the university takes me overseas, one of the first things I look for is an alumni chapter to support our trip. Our global alumni are some of our absolute best ambassadors. I was delighted to catch up with so many of them this month.
It was a pleasure to celebrate some future alumni this October, too. I enjoyed spending time with Waterloo’s outstanding student-athletes at our annual Honour Roll Reception. We recognized our student-athletes for their commitment to scholarship as well as athletics. As I said to them in my brief remarks: it’s no wonder good athletes make good students. Their hard work, commitment, and team mentality applies both ways.
In developing these students, we are extremely fortunate to have the support of a world-wide network of donors and supporters. On October 27, I welcomed more than 275 guests to our annual President’s Reception, which celebrates the contributions of donors, volunteer leaders, alumni and friends. It was important to say thank you — and even more important to give our supporters a chance to see all the progress at Waterloo. They need to see the huge impact they’re having through their generosity and volunteerism. They’re a special part of our community.
Spending time with our students, alumni, and supporters energized me for the very productive month we had advancing Waterloo’s interests both here in the region and around the world.
Earlier this month Tony Chan, president of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), joined me on campus to sign a new academic agreement between our two universities. Hong Kong is a critical element of the east Asian region where Waterloo has a strong presence. It’s important to build and expand our relationships in that exciting part of the world.
Closer to home — at 10:00 a.m. today, in fact — we are opening the new Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Aging on the north campus of the University of Waterloo. This new centre is home to the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), where students, researchers, and practitioners can collaborate on how to enhance quality of care for older adults. We’ll be honoured by the presence of His Excellency David Johnston — my predecessor and Canada’s serving governor general — at the event.
Today’s event highlights the main theme of our new State of the University Report: Defining Innovation. Our multidisciplinary approach to tackling key frontier disciplines of research and scholarship continues to set Waterloo apart, and this new report tells our story beautifully. Whether on aging, quantum, or any other of the exciting fields where Waterloo is leading the way, we do university education differently here. (In fact, I made that very point in an article for the Ottawa Citizen earlier this month – you can read it online.)
The world is noticing our unique approach to university innovation. This week Maclean’s Magazine ranked Waterloo Canada’s most innovative university for the 24th consecutive year — and that’s on top of the recent news that Pitchbook ranked Waterloo the top school in Canada for venture-capital backed entrepreneurs. Here’s a rundown of Waterloo’s recent reports and rankings on innovation: you are part of a winning team!
On this foundation of strength, I look forward to working in partnership with Canada’s incoming federal government. Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau has spoken very favourably about university education throughout his time in elective office. On behalf of both the University of Waterloo and Canada’s U15, I wish Mr. Trudeau and all Members of Parliament a productive and successful next session of parliament.
Thank you, one and all, for all your efforts during this cold but exciting month.
Have a great weekend, and Happy Hallowe’en!
Feridun
PS: Have you registered yet for our Town Hall? Hope to see you there on November 3rd.
Governor General to open campus buildings today
His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada will be visiting his old stomping grounds in Waterloo today to participate in the official openings of two buildings on the Waterloo campus.
The Governor General, joined by Her Excellency Mrs. Sharon Johnston, viceregal consort of Canada, will open the new Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Aging on the north campus in a ceremony that begins at 10:00 a.m.
The centre is purpose-built for cross-system collaboration. It is home to the Village at University Gates, a 192-bed long-term care home, and a new 30,000-square-foot research facility, home to the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), where residents, health-care professionals, researchers and educators can collaborate to drive innovation and enhance quality of life and care for older adults.
The centre is a partnership between the RIA, Schlegel Villages, the University of Waterloo and Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Public tours of the building will follow the ceremony.
The Governor General will also attend the grand opening of a new building at Renison University College at 12:30 p.m.
The building, home to Renison's English Language Centre and English Language Studies, supports global engagement both on campus and in the community through languages and culture, and will include 14 classrooms and study space for students.
Governor General David Johnston served as the University of Waterloo's fifth president from 1999 to 2010.
Mark your calendars for Random Acts of Kindness Day
If you want to make a difference in your community while interacting with like-minded Waterloo students, faculty and staff, then join up and volunteer as the community spreads kindness beyond the boundaries of the ring road in celebration of Random Act of Kindness Day on Friday, November 6. Waterloo participants will travel to a local grocery store to help spread random kindness to patrons. Transportation, t-shirts and all supplies will be provided. There is a volunteer training session a few days prior where you will receive additional details.
Anyone with questions can contact Brittany Ottewill via e-mail at bdottewi@uwaterloo.ca.
Random Act of Kindness Day (RAKD) was created in 2008 by the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation (KWCF) to reinforce the foundation’s vision of building a better community. The University of Waterloo is a proud participant in this event.
Random Act of Kindness day is brought to you by the University of Waterloo, Federation of Students, and the KW Community Foundation.
You can volunteer by signing up on LEADS.
United Way co-op opportunities thanks to the Menich family
Bonnie Oberle, Mary Ellen Cullen, Feridun, Dr. Stephen R. Menich and previous United Way co-op students.
Every year, University of Waterloo co-op students can apply for a position at the United Way KW & Area thanks to the generous Menich family.
In 2004, the late Stephen J. and Eve Menich started the United Way KW & Area Loaned Representative/Sponsored Employee Co-op Program. Dr. Stephen R. Menich, the son of the original donors, and his wife Mary Ellen Cullen continue to support this important program. Students not only have a rare opportunity to gain experience working in the nonprofit sector, but the United Way gets hardworking, innovative young students as part of their team.
“This resource has been invaluable to us. Not only do we get additional support to run the workplace campaigns that generate approximately $5 million for this community, but we also get to learn from them. By having fresh, young eyes on our practices, we are continually improving how we do business,” said Nancy Bird, VP Resource Mobilization at the United Way KW & Area. “I cannot thank Steve and Eve Menich enough for starting this partnership. With both of them now passed on, it is a real pleasure to continue our work with their family.”
On October 3, as part of the University of Waterloo’s Reunion, there was an Open House for the program. Former co-op students had the opportunity to connect with one another. The family whose generous support funds this co-op were in attendance enjoying the company of students and staff who have benefitted from their family’s generosity, as well as representatives from the United Way KW & Area, local non-profits that hire Waterloo co-op students, and the University of Waterloo.
The event was an overwhelming success and an excellent display of the goodwill and sense of community that the Menich Family, United Way and the University of Waterloo share.
The Devil's Night is in the details
Suggest a name for the Graduate Studies Office’s soon-to-launch graduate professional skills program and you could win a $200 gift card. For more information about the program contact Angela Rooke, manager, professional skills and postdoctoral affairs in the Graduate Studies Office by sending an e-mail to a2rooke@uwaterloo.ca.
In an effort to encourage the Waterloo community to get vaccinated, the University is hosting a number of community flu vaccination clinics. Students, staff, faculty, community and family members are welcome. Everyone 6 months and older should get the vaccine, according to Health Services.
Please visit the Health Services web site for specific dates and locations of this most important health promotion initiative.
(At left: President Feridun Hamdullahpur looks on as a Health Services nurse administers the H1N1 vaccine at the Annual University Community Flu Vaccination Clinic.)
Today is Library Day and the Library is inviting members of the University community to join its celebrations from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Stop by any of the Library's locations during this time for refreshments, to say hello to library staff, and take part in the day's activities.
What is Library Day? Library Day is an annual event that celebrates your connection to the Library. It’s the Library’s chance to show its appreciation for students, faculty, and staff at Waterloo. Come and celebrate the role that the Library has in your learning, teaching, and research!
Library Day activities include refreshments (apples and cookies), pumpkin painting, and dice rolling for the United Way - donate to the campaign for a chance to roll dice for a prize.