Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Thrive is back for the fall term

Creating an inclusive and supportive campus environment, where students, staff and faculty can speak openly about mental health and work together to promote mental wellness is what Thrive is all about. We recognize that mental illness is something that will impact us all, either directly or indirectly at some point in our lives. Thrive is a series of events focused on building positive mental health for all and challenging the stigma associated with mental illness.   

We have lots of different ways for you to get involved and support a healthy mind. The Thrive fall term events will be hosted from November 4 to 8 and will feature a mental wellness panel moderated by Ben Fanelli, a walk for mental health, a forum hosted by the Committee on Student Mental Health (CoSMH), student mental health trainings and other community building events. Free cellphone PopSockets will be handed out at certain Thrive events, so come early. Check out the Thrive website for event times and locations.

The Thrive Committee also encourages everyone to wear their Thrive t-shirts on Tuesday, November 5, available to order on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can also help by spreading the word to your departments and areas and/or host your own event by filling out our partner web form. Campus Wellness and the Thrive Committee are excited to be continuing the important work in encouraging our community to Thrive all year long.

Architecture professor receives sustainable design award

This article was originally published in Waterloo Engineering news.

A Waterloo School of Architecture professor’s research has captured a top sustainable design award and will be showcased at Expo 2020 taking place in Dubai next year.

Elizabeth English was awarded first place in the sustainable products category of the Architecture MasterPrize Product Design Award for her Buoyant Foundation Project of which she is the founder and director.

Elizabeth English of the School of Architecture won the Architecture MasterPrize Product Design Award for her buoyant foundation work.

Designed for flood-prone areas throughout the world, the retrofitted houses float without damage during flooding while remaining grounded under ordinary conditions. The earth-friendly approach works in synchrony with natural flood cycles, rather than trying to control the forces of nature.

The Architecture MasterPrize Product Design Award recognizes exceptional architectural product designers and manufacturers along with those achieving excellence in architectural projects and practice.

English has been selected to have her research, entitled Vulnerable in Vietnam, featured at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Best Practice Programme called Small Steps, Big Leaps, Solutions for Sustainable Impact.

Including the global best practice showcase at Dubai’s Expo is intended to “shine a light on projects that are providing real solutions to the world's biggest challenges.” Twenty-five million people are expected to attend Expo 2020, which runs from October 2020 to April 2021.

Witnessing Passion at the Eby Lecture

This article was originally published on the Conrad Grebel University College website.

On October 10, 2019, Professor Mark Vuorinen, Chair of Music at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, will speak on “Witnessing Passion: Musical Depiction of Minor Characters in Passion Music by Bach, Ešenvalds, MacMillan, and Pärt” as the 2019 Benjamin Eby Lecturer.

The Passion accounts in the four canonical gospels are full of witnesses to the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Christ. Often, their presence is distilled into a few menial words, yet their presence as eyewitnesses is absolutely essential. With the help of some guest vocalists, Vuorinen’s lecture-demonstration will explore ways through which J.S. Bach, Ēriks Ešenvalds, James MacMillan, and Arvo Pärt note, musically, the presence of these biblical by-standers.

“As a conductor,” explained Vuorinen, “I’ve encountered these works with open eyes and ears, finding new relationships in the music each time. I’ve been struck by the way in which Bach pays attention to how the passers-by in the Passion account relate to the action. It illuminates the human side of the story, which I think helps listeners relate in a more personal way.”

Ēriks Ešenvalds and James MacMillan have both visited Grebel in the past—Ešenvalds as a choral music workshop leader and MacMillan as the 2016 Sawatsky Visiting Scholar. “I’ve been very fortunate to have spent time with the three living composers whose music I’ll discuss,” reflected Vuorinen. “Each of them, in their own way, are carrying on the traditions of Bach’s Passion settings in their own works. These works are very personal accounts, as they were for Bach. It’s striking to me that in a largely secular age, these composers, whose own faith is deeply palpable in their work, follow in this old tradition of setting the Passion. ”

“The annual Benjamin Eby Lecture is an occasion to showcase Grebel faculty research in the wider community,” explained Dean Troy Osborne. “For faculty, it is a chance to share the ideas and topics that we are most passionate about. We hope that the public will catch some of our excitement and interest and continue the conversation beyond the lecture.”

In addition to his role as Chair of the Music Department, Vuorinen is Associate Professor of Music at Grebel, where he teaches courses in conducting and choral music. Vuorinen conducts the University of Waterloo Chamber Choir and is also the Artistic Director of Kitchener-Waterloo’s Grand Philharmonic Choir and The Elora Singers.

Remembering Larry Marks

Larry Marks, Elizabeth Breen, Gwen teBoekhorst, and Mercedes Perez.

A message from Housing and Residences.

Housing and Residences has recently received the sad news that Larry Marks passed away on October 2. 

Larry began his career at UW in the Food Services Department, initially working on contract for several years, before becoming full time in 1975. Larry stayed with Food Services for 26 years before transferring to the Housing Department in 2001 where he worked in several different communities including REV and most notably, UWP. After 16 years within Housing, and a collective 47 years at the University, Larry announced his retirement in May 2017.  

Larry will be greatly missed by his dear friends within the department, throughout campus and by the many students and student-staff that he had heartfelt connections with. He entertained everyone with his stories and humour, and he could recall an event in detail no matter how much time had passed. He always made a effort to stay connected to those he had met while working here, especially the residents who had since graduated.

Larry sought out interactions with students and he cherished each of them. He loved to talk about the students he had met and found so much joy in connecting with them outside of Housing to celebrate and support what amazing people they had become. Larry cared deeply for those he knew and our sympathies and thoughts go out to his family, friends and co-workers. 

Larry’s family has let us know that there will not be a funeral but rather a celebration of life will be planned in the future.  Once the plans are known, details will follow.