Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Paul Stolee named interim dean of AHS

"It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Professor Paul Stolee as interim dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences for the period of May 16, 2018 – June 30, 2019 or until such time as a new Dean has been appointed," writes Vice-President, Academic & Provost George Dixon in a memo circulated to faculty and staff in Applied Health Sciences yesterday.

Stolee joined the University in 2004 as the Graham Trust Research Chair in Health Informatics in the School of Optometry. In 2008, he joined the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology (now School of Public Health and Health Systems) where he leads the Geriatric Health Systems Research Group. Professor Stolee’s research program has focused on care transitions, engagement of patients and citizens in healthcare decision-making, primary care, and aging and technology. He has served as Director of the University of Waterloo Network for Aging Research since 2016. Professor Stolee was the 2012 recipient of the Canadian Association on Gerontology Evelyn Shapiro Mentoring Award. He is the current Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue canadienne du viellissement. Professor Stolee holds a B.A.(Hon.) degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta, Master’s degrees in Public Administration (Queen’s) and Epidemiology (McMaster), and a PhD in Health Studies from the University of Waterloo.

"At this time, I would like to thank Paul for agreeing to take on this important role," Dixon's memo continues. "I also would like to express my full support of his leadership in guiding the important work of the Faculty, and my confidence that he will foster the success of students, faculty and staff over the coming year."

Jeffrey Sachs to give lecture at sustainability network launch

The University of Waterloo has been chosen as the Canadian host of The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). In this role, Waterloo will share knowledge, activate research and help solve the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges confronting the world identified in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

As part of the launch of the SDSN at Waterloo, the director of the United National Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Jeffrey Sachs, will be delivering a special lecture on May 7 in the Humanities Theatre.

Sachs is a professor of economics, leader in sustainable development, senior UN advisor, bestselling author, and syndicated columnist. Currently he serves as the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with a lecture start time of 7:00 p.m. Registration is recommended, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

SDSN Canada is part of a global SDSN movement to build a network of universities, research centres, civil society organizations, and knowledge institutions. With over 700 participating institutions worldwide, SDSN members work together, to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. A key component of Waterloo’s involvement in the SDSN comes from its partnership with Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI), a non-profit partnership between the University and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

The official launch of SDSN Canada continues on May 8 with a visioning session, panel discussions, and plenary event featuring SDSN officials and invited guests.

Stay connected with your Warrior community

This is the latest post on President Feridun Hamdullahpur's blog.

As exams come to an end, I want to congratulate our students, faculty and staff members on another outstanding term. I also want to thank our students for their hard work. You continue to go above and beyond what is expected in and out of the classroom.

The end of any Winter term is an exciting one because Convocation is right around the corner and our community of alumni is about to get a whole lot bigger. Soon, these new alumni will leave campus and expand our community of Warriors to new heights and new places.

Our community has no borders and no limits. We are bound together by tradition and common experiences. And, for our soon-to-be-alumni, and our larger alumni community, I urge you to please stay connected with your University and each other.

Staying Connected Starts Now

The first step to staying connected for our soon-to-be-alumni is coming to Convocation this June. Thousands of graduates, family members, friends, faculty, staff and alumni attend Convocation every year to support our new graduates.

Convocation is not only a time for you to actually receive your degree, but it is a celebration of you, your achievements and your future.

As many graduating students are leaving campus to pursue their dreams, Convocation is an opportunity to come back and reconnect with your fellow, newly-minted alumni. Seize that opportunity and keep in touch. This coming Convocation, I am excited to say, will mark a milestone for Waterloo, as we will surpass 200,000 alumni around the world. That is a powerful community of supporters waiting to be tapped into and keeping those relationships strong starts now.

Don’t Be a Stranger, Stay Connected

Our doors are always open. We want to hear from you. We want you to connect with your fellow alumni. And, we want to help you succeed throughout your career.

You are part of a life-long family of Warriors and our Alumni Relations team are always working hard to bring everyone together. Whether it’s through fun and thought provoking events or building relationships through one of our global alumni chapters, there are many occasions to connect with alumni from around the world.

If you haven’t started following the University of Waterloo page or joined our Alumni Group on LinkedIn, please do. Expand your network and develop new relationships with seasoned professionals who have been right where you are now. And, you can always stay in touch and up-to-date through the Alumni Facebook page and on Twitter.

To all our students, well done, you did it! And, to our soon-to-be-graduates, I hope to see you again at Convocation in June. I’ll be the one on stage in blue robes filled with pride.

A co-op term built on experience

by Jacqueline Gergal.

“I was excited to arrive on-site and see all the progress that happened in my absence,” said Patricia Baranoski, a third-year Civil Engineering co-op student.

Returning as field engineer for her second co-op work term at PCL Construction, Baranoski joined the same project she had worked on previously at Market Mall in Calgary, AB. She started with no prior experience in the construction industry but quickly became an invaluable part of the team.

“One of the great things about being on site was getting to see the construction happen every day,” said Baranoski. Her job responsibilities included taking progress photos, updating tracking sheets and upholding high safety standards for the company. She conducted orientations for incoming visitors and participated in weekly safety inspections.

During her second co-op term, she was able to take on additional responsibilities and learn new skills. Baranoski handled the process for clients who requested changes for the project. She was able to resolve on-site issues independently and further advanced her knowledge by the end of her second term.

“Working with PCL brought projects from design concepts on paper to life, while managing schedules, costs and quality,” said Baranoski. “I really like the construction industry; I love being able to see a project take shape from a hole in the ground to a completed structure.”

Baranoski learned skills applicable to a variety of other jobs in her field. She plans to work at an architectural engineering consulting firm for her next co-op term.

For more information on PCL Construction, visit their website.

Notes as extended examinations end

Retired University of Waterloo Professor Audrey Wipper died on Sunday, April 15. A graduate of McGill and the University of California at Berkeley, Wipper joined the Sociology and Anthropology department at Waterloo in 1966 as and assistant professor, one of the department’s first female faculty members. She was named associate professor in 1967 and received tenure in 1970. Her research focus was on African and women’s studies.

Wipper was appointed associate chair, undergraduate affairs in 1983 and sat on the University’s Board of Governors.

She retired in September 1996 and was named Professor Emerita.

The University of Waterloo has released a statement about a community-run event that will be taking place on campus on April 30.

Employers on campus next week hosting employer information sessions include Ceridian, Draper AI, and Uken Games. Visit the employer information calendar for more details.