Friday, September 23, 2016

Waterloo at SLxOntario: where great relationships STEM from

by Cindy Wei

I’m not sure why today’s youth are often stereotyped as obnoxious, rebellious phone-addicts who slack in school and couldn’t care less about helping others. SLxOntario, a get-together for scholarship winners from seven universities across the province, would change the minds of anyone who still feels that way. On Friday, September 16^th, the Schulich Foundation hosted its first-ever event in Canada, meant to connect and inspire over 90 scholarship winners at the state-of-the-art MaRS Discovery District in downtown Toronto.

Or, in the words of David Stein, the co-founder of two software companies and guest speaker at SLxOntario, “the Olympics for Smart People”.

David Goodman, the Executive Director of Schulich Leader Scholarships, launched the event and introduced a number of students from various universities, who presented Leader Talks. One Schulich Leader described how her love of art motivated her to create business cards for charitable organizations. Another Leader explained how she overcame ‘Impostor Syndrome’, when high achievers fail to internalize their accomplishments, believing their successes merely the result of luck. From starting a movement that changed York University’s campus culture to patenting concussion-proof helmets to highlighting Canada’s role in the space industry, I was blown away by the ambition, talent, and persistence on display in the room.

Mackenzie Collins, who recently settled into her first year of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, was one of those Leaders. A brilliant persuasive speaker in both English and French, Mackenzie is not only a three-time Skills Canada provincial champion, but also has three national medals under her belt. I was lucky to chat with Mackenzie during our three-hour round trip, who loves conveying her ideas to interested listeners, but admits to feeling nervous during her walks to the podium.

Another guest speaker with ties to the University of Waterloo was Jordan Banks, the Managing Director of Facebook Canada and one of Canada’s 50 Most Powerful Business People. Jordan, with his philanthropic nature and passion for innovation, was appointed to the Board of Governors of the University of Waterloo in 2012. He delivered a lecture about preparing for the future – even joking about how he’d planned on becoming an artist or musician!

During the next rounds of networking, Leaders were assigned to different tables based on personal interests and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines. As a Kinesiology major, I was assigned to the Behavioural Sciences table, where I chatted with numerous Psychology and Linguistics students over delectable slices of Basque-style cheesecake from Bar Raval, a donation from one of Toronto’s hottest restaurants.

A short walk to Hart House ensued, where everyone engaged in an informational speech by one of the University of Toronto’s professors. Photos were taken and plates were devoured while Leaders discussed experiences, offered advice, and exchanged contact information. Before I knew it, the clock read 7:00 and it was time to return home, feeling honoured to represent the University of Waterloo at a gathering for “the best and brightest in Canada”.

Green rooftop a serene getaway

by Anne Grant

“If you’re looking for a nature inspired get away from the campus bustle, consider the Faculty of Environment’s green roof on the EV3 building,” says Bev Raimbault, Faculty of Environment’s Ecology Lab Coordinator.

At 500 square metres, the area features a garden of native, drought-resistant plants that are adapted to the local climate and conditions. In order to create a diverse ecosystem, its design includes varying depths of the growing medium, using a variety of materials, and planting a diversity of plant species. Some of the native Ontario species planted on the green roof include: nodding wild onion, wild bergamot, big bluestem grass, and side oats gramma to name a few.

The patio with muskoka lounge chairs and tables is a welcoming space for individuals looking to relax or be inspired in a natural area. You may encounter more than plants; butterflies, nesting ducks and pollinators have been spotted here. The paving stones are highly reflective to keep the building cool and reduce heat absorption. Rainwater from the roof is collected to a cistern for re-conditioning and grey water re-use. By constructing the first LEED® building on campus, the green roof is a great contribution to the building’s energy efficiency.

Bev maintains this garden, along with all the naturalized gardens that surround the Faculty’s buildings.

A Crystal Apple for Coolman

In Belgium last month, the Office of Advancement’s very own Jason Coolman, who serves as associate vice-president, development, was honoured with a Crystal Apple award by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

The award is achieved by speakers who receive outstanding feedback and evaluation from their peers at 10 or more international CASE conferences and seminars. Jason’s ties to CASE span many years, both as a member and as a volunteer. He has presented at CASE events in Canada, the US and Europe, and has authored several feature articles on the topic of alumni engagement for CASE CURRENTS magazine. He also sits on the magazine’s editorial advisory panel, serves on CASE’s Board of Directors (District II), is a faculty member for the annual CASE Europe Alumni Relations Institute, and has served as chair of several conferences and workshops. In 2011 Jason received a Rising Star award from CASE, in recognition of his early accomplishments in the field of advancement.

At the awards ceremony, Jason said, "Our institutions are filled with students, faculty and staff who are trying to make positive change in the world - from medical breakthroughs, to social and environmental change, to the next technological revolution - and I'm extremely fortunate and proud to play a part in it.”  

CASE is an international non-profit organization which helps its 3,670 member institutions build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, and champions the public support of education.

Winnie The Pooh and friends visit Senate; other notes

Attendees at Monday's Senate meeting were treated to a scene straight out of the Hundred Acre Wood as Winnie the Pooh and his friends paraded through the senate chamber.

The visit was the result of a wager made by Dean of Arts Doug Peers that if leadership giving for the University of Waterloo's United Way Campaign reached 100 percent participation, the University's six deans would dress as Winnie the Pooh characters and give Senate a visit.

Not only was the goal reached even before the official campaign start date, the amount collected exceeded last year's donations - quite a pot of honey for Pooh Bear.

The cast of characters included:

• Dean of Applied Health Sciences James Rush as Christopher Robin
• Dean of Science Bob Lemieux as Winnie the Pooh
• Dean of Environment Jean Andrey as Tigger
• Dean of Engineering Pearl Sullivan as Piglet
• Dean of Mathematics Stephen Watt as Owl
• Dean of Arts Doug Peers as Eeyore

​Get Involved Week, which is being hosted by the Federation of Students, ends with Clubs and Societies Day. Over 250 student clubs and nearly a dozen societies will gather in the Student Life Centre from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to meet undergraduates interested in getting involved. All undergraduates are encouraged to attend Clubs and Societies Day to make new friends, learn new skills, or simply have a little extra fun on campus. More information is available online.

A new Weight Watchers series is scheduled to begin on campus, with the registration and information session taking place on Tuesday, October 4 at 12:15 in PAS 2438.

The first week of the series will be Tuesday October 11.

Weight Watchers is giving a free Bento Box ($20 value) to members who join as of week 1. A minimum of 15 members are needed to run the program. Contact Paula Rex and confirm by October 1 so that the organizers know if they have enough people to run the series.

The Centre for Career Action (CCA) will be hosting its semi-annual Further Education Boot Camp event on Saturday, September 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the William M. Tatham Centre (TC). The Boot Camp offers twelve unique workshops for students and alumni. During the event, professionals will talk about experiences in their field and, where relevant, explain how they manage their private practice. Career Advisors will provide specific advice about application requirements for professional and graduate programs.

For more information about further education workshops or to book individual appointments, please visit the Centre for Career Action.