Friday, October 24, 2025

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• Convocation turns up the heat to 2,800 degrees
• Mathematics, Environment, Health and Science ceremonies today
• Arts, Engineering ceremonies take place tomorrow
• Deans dance for the United Way
• On November 5, remember to take your kids to work

Convocation turns up the heat to 2,800 degrees

The University of Waterloo is celebrating its 131^st Convocation ceremonies today and tomorrow in the Physical Activities Complex. More than 2,800 degrees, diplomas, and certificates will be granted to deserving graduands as they cross the convocation stage and join the University of Waterloo alumni family, more than 260,000 strong.

Convocation represents the highest point in the academic year at this institution and is steeped in tradition.

Presiding over the convocation ceremonies will be the University of Waterloo’s Chancellor Jagdeep Singh Bachher.

Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry will provide an Indigenous opening and closing that includes traditional drumming. The fall convocation ceremonies mark the debut of the University of Waterloo's new Eagle Staff, which was presented to the institution at a ceremony on September 30, 2025. 

The Convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed.

Check out the Convocation website for additional details.

Mathematics, Health, Environment and Science ceremonies today

The Faculties of Mathematics, Health, Environment, and Science will celebrate convocation today with three ceremonies: one at 10:00 a.m., one at 2:30 p.m., and one at 6:30 p.m. Watch the livestream.

Faculty of Mathematics – 10:00 a.m.

478 undergraduates, 135 Master’s students, and 43 PhD candidates will cross the stage.

Kevin Hare will bear the mace.

Julie-Anne Desrochers will sign the national anthem.

Alfred Menezes (BCS ’87, MMath ’89, PhD ’92) will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Dr. Menezes attended the University of Waterloo and went on to receive bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from Waterloo. He has served as a faculty member in the Department of Combinatorics and Optimization since 1998 and was department chair from 2011 to 2015. In 2024, he was recognized as a Fellow of the International Association of Cryptologic Research for “fundamental contributions to the theory and practice of elliptic curve cryptography, and for service to the cryptographic community.” Beloved as a teacher, he has won both the University of Waterloo Distinguished Teaching Award and the Faculty of Mathematics Award for Distinction in Teaching.

Cindy Forbes (BMath ’79) will receive an honorary doctorate and will address convocation. Forbes holds a Bachelor of Mathematics in Actuarial Science from the University of Waterloo. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. She has been a transformational force in modernizing the Canadian insurance industry, namely through various executive roles held with Manulife Financial for more than 35 years, including chief actuary, global chief analytics officer and executive vice-president. From 2017 to 2022 she was chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Waterloo, and a special advisor to the Premier of Ontario from 2021 to 2022.

Maliha Ahmed will deliver the valedictory address.

Negar Arabzadehghahyazi will be named Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Doctoral level.

Sairaj Voruganti will be named Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Master’s level. Voruganti received the award at the spring 2025 convocation.

Helen Dong will receive the K.D. Fryer Gold Medal for academic excellence and good citizenship.

Faculty of Health and Faculty of Environment – 2:30 p.m.

The Faculty Health and Faculty of Environment will have a joint convocation celebration this afternoon. The Faculty of Health students will be up first, followed by Faculty of Environment graduands. Watch the livestream.

For the Faculty of Health, 78 undergraduates, 198 Master's students, and 16 PhD candidates will cross the stage.

For the Faculty of Environment, 81 undergraduates, 83 Masters’ students, and 13 PhD candidates will receive their diplomas.

Peter Deadman will bear the mace.

Julie-Anne Desrochers will sign the national anthem.

Caryl Russell (BSc ’80, MSc ’92) will be named Honorary Member of the University. Russell earned her bachelor’s and master’s in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo. She began her career in the Department of Kinesiology in 1980 as a technology assistant, later serving as research support technician, instructor, and finally director of clinical exercise programs at the Centre for Community, Clinical and Applied Research Excellence. Over her 44-year career, she co-founded Hardy Hearts for cardiac rehabilitation and UW WELL-FIT for cancer survivors; programs that have supported thousands while training generations of students. Russell retired in 2024, marking one of the longest tenures in departmental history.

Albert Wong Kah Seng (BSc ’80) will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa and will address convocation. Albert Wong began life in Canada as a young immigrant in Sudbury, Ontario, where he learned the values of hard work and community service. As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 39 years his service included public affairs in Afghanistan, peacekeeping missions in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and domestic operations in the Canadian Arctic. As a UN peacekeeper, he witnessed the profound impact of diplomacy and collaboration in maintaining peace and security worldwide. A citizenship judge since 2014, Wong has welcomed more than 300,000 new Canadians, helping them integrate into our multicultural society.

Kelly McManus will deliver the valedictory address. Dr. McManus is the Associate Vice-President, Community Relations and Events in University Relations, and her team is responsible for organizing the convocation ceremonies twice a year.

Fasih Rahman will be named the Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Doctoral Level. Rahman received the award at spring 2025 convocation.

Michelle Anagnostou received the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal for academic performance in a doctoral program at the spring 2025 convocation.

Felicia Mae Watterodt will be named Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Master’s level. Watterodt received the award at the spring 2025 convocation.

Faculty of Science – 6:30 p.m.

Tonight, the Faculty of Science ceremony will take place with 327 undergraduates, 50 Master’s, and 19 PhD candidates receiving their diplomas. Watch the livestream.

Bearing the mace will be Laura Deakin.

Julie-Anne Desrochers will sign the national anthem.

Elaine Lillie will be named Honorary Member of the University. Elaine Lillie has been an integral member of the School of Pharmacy since 2007. She began as an instructor in communications before becoming director of interprofessional education and curriculum development. Following retirement, she served as an adjunct faculty member. Lillie spearheaded the Interprofessional Educators Collaborative of Waterloo-Wellington, giving pharmacy students rich opportunities to learn alongside peers in other health professions. Her contributions were recognized with the School of Pharmacy’s Excellence in Teaching Award and the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada’s National Award for Excellence in Education. Significantly, Lillie worked closely with Indigenous leaders and advisors, integrating Indigenous perspectives into classrooms and admissions pathways, leaving a legacy across Canadian pharmacy education. Read this article from the School of Pharmacy about Elaine's career and legacy.

Marianne VanderGriendt (BSc ’80) will be named Honorary Member of the University. Marianne VanderGriendt obtained her bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo in 1980. Following graduation, she joined the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences where she remained until retiring in August 2024 as senior research technician. VanderGriendt played key roles in the implementation of major research initiatives at Waterloo, including the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ecohydrology and the Global Water Futures program. From 2011 to 2024 alone, she worked with more than 200 students and postdoctoral fellows who not only availed themselves of her exceptional technical expertise but also relied on her compassionate moral and material support.

Denise Kreutzwiser (BScPhm ’11, PharmD ’18) will address convocation. Dr. Denise Kreutzwiser is a member of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy’s vanguard class, graduating in 2011. She earned her Honours Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of Waterloo and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from Queen’s University. She completed both year-one general hospital and year-two HIV specialty pharmacy residency programs. Kreutzwiser is the outpatient pain management program pharmacist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario. She is also the St. Joseph’s pharmacy residency program co-ordinator. She is passionate about hands-on learning in the workplace and supporting the next generation of pharmacists.

Alexandra Sinik will deliver the valedictory address.

Irina Bukhteeva will be named Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Doctoral level.

Arts, Engineering ceremonies take place tomorrow

The Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Engineering will celebrate convocation on Saturday, October 25, with a ceremony at 10:00 a.m. and another at 2:30 p.m. 

Faculty of Arts – 10:00 a.m.

371 Arts undergraduates, 296 Master’s students, and 26 PhD candidates will cross the stage. Watch the livestream.

Evan Risko will bear the University’s mace.

Hope Pembe will sing the national anthem.

Maureen Jones (BA ’81) will be named Honorary Member of the University. Maureen Jones joined the University of Waterloo in 1978 as an undergraduate student in English. Jones began working in the Registrar’s Office at University of Waterloo in 1981. She then provided leadership to Continuing Education from 1989 to 2005 before returning to the Registrar’s Office in 2005 as assistant registrar for the faculties of Mathematics and Applied Health Sciences (now Health). In 2008, she became director, Student Awards and Financial Aid, and served as interim university registrar in 2017. She remained in the Registrar’s Office until her retirement in 2024.

E. Paul Penner (BA ’83) will be named Honorary Member of the University. Penner, a pillar of the Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo community, retired in 2024 after 36 years of service. As director of operations at Grebel, Penner oversaw staff, operations and buildings with a mission of hospitality, service and community-building. He led four major building projects, championed sustainability initiatives, supported staff and served on key University of Waterloo committees as a seasoned administrator. Known for involving and collaborating with student leaders in his work in operations, Penner mentored leaders and built lasting relationships with alumni. He has impacted generations of students through his leadership, friendship, stewardship and community spirit.

Alexandrine Gabriel will deliver the valedictory address.

Megan Olivia Kelly will be named Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Doctoral level. Kelly received the award at the spring 2025 convocation.

Hui Ching Fiona Li will be named Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Master’s level. Li received the award at the spring 2025 convocation.

Faculty of Engineering – 2:30 p.m.

Convocation will come to a close with the Faculty of Engineering’s ceremony at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. 130 undergraduate students, 323 Master’s students, and 57 PhD candidates will receive their diplomas. Watch the livestream.

Chris Holt will bear the mace.

Hope Pembe will sing the national anthem.

Matthew Erickson (BA ’87) will be named Honorary Member of the University. Matthew Erickson’s career at the University of Waterloo spans more than four decades of leadership, advocacy and care for the campus community. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1987, he returned to Waterloo to serve as ombudsperson and later as staff relations co-ordinator in Human Resources. His most enduring contribution came as the founding director of the Conflict Management and Human Rights Office, where he established a trusted place for dialogue and resolution. Erickson retired in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of inclusivity, fairness and respect across the University.

Carolyn MacGregor (BA ’83), associate professor, Department of Systems Design Engineering; associate dean, teaching and student experience, Faculty of Engineering, will address convocation.

Andrea Chakma will deliver the valedictory address.

Bahareh Arab will be named Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Doctoral level. Arab received the award at the spring 2025 convocation.

Chang Liu will receive the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal for outstanding academic performance in a Master’s program.

Deans dance for the United Way

Continuing a longstanding October tradition, the University’s six deans delivered a dancing delegation to the Senate at its meeting on Monday, October 20 in support of the United Way campaign.

Accompanied by Tones And I’s “Dance Monkey” and aided by pint-sized child volunteers, the six deans put on quite a show for senators and visitors while raising awareness for the United Way. Dancers included some future Waterloo Warriors, among them Dean of Mathematics Jochen Koenemann's daughter, wearing faculty-coloured t-shirts and feather boas.

"I'd like to thank the Deans for drawing Senate's attention to the importance of our employee community supporting the United Way," said Vice-President, Advancement and External Relations Nenone Donaldson. "The United Way improves lives and builds community in Waterloo Region through their support of over 130 partner organizations." Donaldson also challenged employee Senators, on behalf of the Deans, to get to 80 per cent participation in this year's campaign, sharing that if that achievement was unlocked, a blooper reel from their dance practice would be shared at the November meeting.

President Vivek Goel thanked the “mini-deans” for their help in hyping up the crowd and encouraging them to get out of their seats and make some noise.

To donate, visit the University of Waterloo’s United Way website.

On November 5, remember to take your kids to work

A message from Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR).