Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Remembering those we lost in 2025
As the year 2025 draws to a close, we are taking a moment to remember those faculty, staff and retirees who passed away this year, including some of those who have not yet had their passing mentioned in the Daily Bulletin.
January 2025
Krystyna Luka, who began working at Waterloo in September 1992 in Food Services, passed away on January 15, 2025.
February 2025
George Francis, who joined the University on July 1, 1970, passed away on February 17, 2025.
Professor Emeritus Ian McGee of the Applied Mathematics department, who started working at Waterloo in 1967, passed away on February 20, 2025.
Monica Beal, staff member in the Biology department from 2012 to 2017, passed away on February 24, 2025.
Professor Emeritus Timothy Topper, who began working at Waterloo in September 1962 and retired on September 1, 1996, passed away on February 28, 2025. Dr. Topper was a member of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
March 2025
Darrol Bryant, longtime professor at Renison University College from 1973 to 2005, passed away on March 1, 2025.
Sivabal Sivaloganathan, chair of Waterloo’s Department of Applied Mathematics from 2016 to 2023, and professor of Applied Mathematics from 1990 to present, passed away on March 2, 2025.
Raymond S. Ramshaw, who started working at Waterloo on April 1, 1967 and retired in 1996, passed away on March 18, 2025. Dr. Ramshaw was a professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
April 2025
Sigfrid Hoefert, who joined the University on September 1, 1961, passed away on April 6, 2025. Dr. Hoefert was a professor and former chair of the Germanic & Slavic Studies department.
Hans Knepper, who started at Waterloo on November 28, 1982, passed away on April 12, 2025. Knepper worked as a construction coordinator in Plant Operations.
Professor Emeritus Art Green, a member of the Fine Arts department from 1977 to 2006, passed away on April 14, 2025.
Elizabeth Varriano, who joined the University on September 9, 1995 and retired in June 2012, died on April 20, 2025. Varianno worked at Pastry Plus in Village 1.
Professor Emeritus Fadle M. Naqib, who started working at Waterloo on July 1, 1980, passed away on April 26, 2025. Dr. Naqib, who retired in 2003, was a professor in the Economics department.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Rolf George, whose career at Waterloo began on September 1, 1966, passed away on April 28, 2025. Dr. George was a member of the Philosophy department.
May 2025
Heather Hutchin, who began working at Waterloo on February 19, 1968, died on May 5, 2025. Hutchin was a longtime staff member in the Registrar’s Office.
Professor Uppaluri Murty, who started at Waterloo on September 1, 1967 and retired from Combinatorics and Optimization in 1996, passed away on May 13, 2025.
Professor Uppaluri Murty.
Robert Truman, who joined the University on July 1, 1973, passed away on May 7, 2025. Truman served as Director of Institutional Analysis and Planning from 1984 until his retirement in 2010.
Michael M. Henry, who started working at Waterloo on July 3, 1979, passed away on May 31, 2025.
June 2025
Maria S. Medeiros, who began working at Waterloo on September 22, 1969, passed away on June 6, 2025.
Michael W. Holmes, who joined the University on January 11, 1982, passed away on June 9, 2025. Holmes worked as an IT specialist in the Libraries prior to his retirement.
Professor Emeritus Eric J. Reardon, who began working at Waterloo on July 1, 1974, passed away on June 13, 2025. Dr. Reardon was a professor in Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Professor Eric J. Reardon.
John S. Keeler, who started at Waterloo on January 1, 1960, passed away on June 14, 2025. Keeler was the third faculty member hired in Electrical Engineering at the University.
Dr. Raymond Laflamme, a trailblazer in quantum information processing and pioneer of the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), passed away on June 19, 2025.
July 2025
Harry M. Logan, who started his career at Waterloo on September 1, 1966, passed away on July 5, 2025. Dr. Logan was a Professor in the English Language and Literature department and had retired in September 2000 after a 38-year career at Waterloo.
Dr. Gisela Brude-Firnau, who began working at the University on September 1, 1968 and retired in September 2003, passed away on July 10, 2025. Dr. Brude-Firnau was a Professor in Germanic & Slavic Studies.
Professor Gisela Brude-Firnau tapes a German literature lecture, circa 1969. Photo courtesy of University of Waterloo Archives, Graphic Services fonds.
Dick Pullin, a major figure in Waterloo’s co-operative education unit from the 1970s to 1996, passed away on July 16, 2025.
Walter S. Singh, who started at Waterloo on February 8, 1984, passed away on July 17, 2025
August 2025
Jitka Dvoracek, who began working at Waterloo on January 1, 1980, passed away on August 1, 2025. Dvoracek worked as a library assistant in the Davis Centre Library prior to her retirement in September 2004.
Professor Emeritus Joseph A. Novak, who started his career at the University on September 1, 1984, passed away on August 10, 2025. Dr. Novak was a member of the Philosophy department.
Jean Spowart, who began working at Waterloo on November 9, 1966 and retired in July 1996 as part of the Special Early Retirement Program (SERP), passed away on August 14, 2025. Spowart was the longtime secretary for the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW).
Bob McKillop, a former Athletics coach who worked at the University from 1969 to 1990, passed away on August 16, 2025.
Carrie Jenks, who began working at the University in March 2021 in University Relations and then in the Office of the President as Administrative Manager, passed away on August 21, 2025.
Professor Larry R.G. Martin, who joined the University on July 1, 1969, passed away on August 31, 2025. Dr. Martin was a professor in the School of Planning.
September 2025
Thomas Kelly, who joined the University on September 18, 1989 and worked as a custodian in Plant Operations, passed away on September 2, 2025.
Professor Kostadinka "Dida" Bizheva, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, passed away on September 8, 2025.
Horst Beyerle, who began working at Waterloo on October 1, 1961, passed away on September 9, 2025. Beyerle joined the University as an Electrician and worked in Plant Operations for 38 years.
Thomas Gary Waller, who started at Waterloo on September 1, 1968, passed away on September 12, 2025. Waller was a Professor in Psychology who served as a senior administrator in several roles during his career.
Guy Vinandy, who began working at Waterloo on December 11, 2000, passed away on September 13, 2025. Vinandy was a Building Serviceperson and Mason in Plant Operations.
Professor Allan Best, who joined the University on July 1, 1977 and left the University in the 1990s, passed away on September 14, 2025. Dr. Best was a founder of what is now the School of Public Health Sciences
Reginald Dollimore, whose career at Waterloo began on January 22, 1991, passed away on September 15, 2025. Dollimore was a Custodian in Plant Operations.
Andrew Miller, who started working at the University on April 29, 1991, passed away on September 18, 2025. Miller worked as a Mechanic in Plant Operations.
October 2025
Joe Bevan, who joined the University on September 12, 1988 and retired on January 1, 2025 after working as a multimedia specialist in Mapping, Analysis, and Design, passed away on October 8, 2025.
Professor Emeritus William John Gilbert, who joined the University in 1968 and retired in 2004 as a Professor in the Pure Mathematics department, passed away on October 25, 2025.
Professor Wayne Chang, an associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering’s Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business and coordinator of the Enterprise Co-op (E Co-op) program, passed away suddenly on October 30, 2025.
November 2025
Tiuley Alguindigue, who joined the University on October 27, 2003 and worked as a Lab Instructor and Software Specialist in Electrical and Computer Engineering, passed away on November 4, 2025.
Eugene Kowalski, who joined the University in 1979 and retired in 2002 after 23 years as a Custodian in Plant Operations, passed away on November 5, 2025.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Warren Ober, whose career at Waterloo began on September 1, 1965, passed away on November 5, 2025 at the age of 100. Dr. Ober was a long-time member of the English department and retired in 1995.
December 2025
Bu Tar Pa, who joined the University in January 2022 and worked as a Custodian in Plant Operations, passed away on December 16, 2025. A GoFundMe has been set up to support his family.
William Coram, who began working at Waterloo in 1991, passed away on December 19, 2025. Bill Coram worked as a Freight and Mail Delivery Associate in Central Stores and had recently retired after 33 years at Waterloo.
If I have missed a friend or colleague in this roundup, please send me a note at bulletin@uwaterloo.ca.
Reminder: Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series 2.0 coming in January
A message from the Office of Research.
Students, staff, faculty, alumni and retirees of the University of Waterloo are invited to attend the January panel of the Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series 2.0, hosted by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International and the Provost's Office. This is the final panel in the series and will focus on free speech, hate speech laws, and freedom of expression in and beyond university environments. It will bring significant attention to the wealth and poverty of free speech, to university conduct under the rubric of expanding freedom of expression, and to matters concerning the banning of symbols, flags, and insignia under hate speech laws.
Organized by Dr. Suzan Ilcan, Professor of Sociology and University Research Chair, and moderated by Dr. Shana MacDonald, Associate Professor of Communication Arts at the University of Waterloo, the panel will include:
- Dr. Honor Brabazon, Associate Professor, Legal Studies, St. Jerome’s University at the University of Waterloo
- Dr. Allyson Lunny, Associate Professor, Law & Society, York University
- Dr. Alexie Tcheuyap, Professor, French; Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Waterloo
The event will take place on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:25 p.m., with a reception to follow from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. in East Campus (EC) 5, room 1027. Please register to attend, as seating is limited, and registration will close when capacity is reached.
Reminder: join the Global Futures Fund 2.0 online information session in January
Faculty, staff and grad students exploring bold, high-impact ideas are invited to the Global Futures Fund 2.0 Online Information Session on Monday, January 12, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This online session is designed to provide information about Global Futures and the Global Futures Fund (GFF 2.0).
Attendees will learn how to prepare an Expression of Interest (EOI) for one of the GFF 2.0 grant streams:
- Pre-seed grants – Up to $50,000 for one-year to help early-stage ideas assess feasibility, build teams or prepare for future funding.
- Leverage grants – Up to $200,000 over two-years for projects that build on existing initiatives.
- Scale grants – Up to $500,000 over two-years to grow initiatives with campus-wide or regional impact.
A final reminder to clean your offices and other notes
Will the last person on campus this week please throw out the trash? That's the message from Plant Operations, who is reminding those of us still working on campus today and tomorrow to "please empty any personal office garbage, especially if it contains food waste, and place it in the kitchenette or bathroom bins. Recycling, including organics should be sorted and placed into the waste / recycling receptacles throughout the building."
"Leaving food waste behind over the break can attract pests and create unpleasant odours, so your help in keeping things clean is greatly appreciated!" says the note from Plant Operations. "If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Facilities via email.
"The Writing and Communication Centre is hiring!" says a note from the WCC. "We are looking for graduate students and undergraduate students to work as in-person peer tutors for the winter 2026 semester. Our peer tutors use a variety of collaborative strategies to coach students through brainstorming, drafting, revising, or presenting their course assignments."
Applications are due January 7, 2026.
Ho, ho, holiday closures
As campus winds down for the holidays, some early closures to note:
St. Jerome's University will close at the end of the day on Friday, December 19 and re-open on January 5, 2026.
Renison University College will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19, and will re-open on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Conrad Grebel University College will close on Saturday, December 20 and will reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.
Velocity will be closed on Monday, December 22 until Friday, January, 2, 2026. The building will be card access-only.
Link of the day
35 years ago: Lech Walesa sworn in as president of Poland
When and where
The Campus Wellness Student Medical Clinic offers healthcare visits with Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students. Services include: vaccinations, immunity testing, naturopathic services and more. Counselling Services offers appointments with counsellors in person as well as via phone and video. Students can book appointments for these services by calling Campus Wellness at 519-888-4096.
The privately-run Student Health Pharmacy (located in the lower level of the Student Life Centre) is now offering new COVID booster shots and flu shots. Covid booster shots are available by appointment only – please call ext. 33784 or 519-746-4500. The Student Health Pharmacy’s summer hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Naloxone kits are still available – pick them up in the pharmacy at no charge.
The Waterloo Eye Institute optometry clinics in Waterloo and downtown Kitchener offer comprehensive eye exams and eyewear, including glasses and contact lenses, with the Waterloo location offering various specialized services including urgent eye care. Discounts apply for University of Waterloo students and employees. The Waterloo Clinic is at a nearby interim location, 419C Phillip St, during construction at the School of Optometry and Vision Science. The Kitchener Clinic remains at the Health Sciences Campus, 10B Victoria St. S. Book online or by phone at 519-888-4062.
Warriors Winter Youth Camps, registration is now open for multi-sport and games, baseball, basketball, eSports, football and hockey camps for boys and girls ages 5 to 18. Register today!
Nominations open: WUSA General Elections, Monday, December 22.
University holiday break, Wednesday, December 24 to Friday, January 2, 2026.
Lectures and classes begin, Monday, January 5, 2026.
Co-operative work term begins, Monday, January 5, 2026.
WUSA Welcome Week Brunch, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., SLC Great Hall.
NEW - Applications due for Writing and Communication Centre undergraduate and graduate student in-person peer tutors for winter 2026 term, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
Global Futures Fund 2.0 Online Information Session, Monday, January 12, 2026 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., online. Register Now
Antagonism and Intimidation in Academia Speaker Series 2.0, Monday, January 12, 2026, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., EC5 1027.
Velocity Innovation Open House, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Federation Hall.
Cracking the code: tips for technical interview success, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., TC 2218.
MPACS Grad Program Info Session, Thursday, January 15, 2026, 12: noon to 1:00 p.m., Register today!.
Lectures in Catholic Experience presents Dr. Gary Adler, Jr., "Catholic in Governing, not Catholicism in Government: How Local Government Officials Manage Interaction between Religion and State," Thursday, January 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m., Notre Dame Chapel, St. Jerome's University. Register on the SJU website
PhD oral defences
Civil and Environmental Engineering. Mi Zhou, “Interface Shear Behaviour and Modelling of Ultra-High Performance Concrete.” Supervisor, Dr. Trevor Hrynyk. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, January 8, 2026, 10:00 a.m., E2 2350.
Chemical Engineering. Ali Ghodba, “Model-Based Optimization of pH and Temperature in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Culture.” Supervisors, Dr. Hector Budman, Dr. Luis Ricardez Sandoval. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Thursday, January 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m., E6 2022.
Geography and Environmental Management. Sarah Fatholahi "Semantic Segmentation of LiDAR Point Clouds for 3D Mapping of Underground Space" Supervisor, Dr. Jonathan Li. Available upon request from the Faculty of Environment, Administrator, Graduate Studies. Oral defence Friday, January 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m., remote.
Electrical and Computer Engineering. Pat De La Torre Sanchez, “Real-Time Speed of Sound Estimation for Point-of-Care Tissue Health Assessment.” Supervisor, Dr. Alfred Yu. Thesis available via SharePoint – email eng.phd@uwaterloo.ca to request a viewing link. Oral defence Friday, January 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m., EIT 3142.
Psychology. Emilie Caron, “Posture and Attention.” Supervisors, Dr. Dan Smilek, Dr. Jonathan Carriere. Available upon request from the Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies and Research Officer. Oral defence Friday, January 9, 2026, 10:00 a.m., PAS 2464.
Upcoming service interruptions
Stay up to date on service interruptions, campus construction, and other operational changes on the Plant Operations website. Upcoming service interruptions include:
- North parking lot at RAC-1 shoring activity, Monday, November 10 to January 1, 2026, shoring, pile driving, lagging and tie-backs will take place between November 10 to the end of December 2025 as part of WaterFEL construction, traffic restrictions and limited access to be in place, excessive noise and vibration may occur in the work area.
- Passage Link between ESC and C2 flooring replacement, Monday, December 22 to December 31, access will be restricted during the construction period.
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Quantum Nano Centre, Biology 1 and 2, Health Services, Science Teaching Complex fire alarm testing, Monday, December 22, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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UWP (Beck Hall, Eby Hall, Grand Commons) electrical shutdown, Monday, December 22, 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, an electrical shutdown will affect all normal power within the listed buildings due to a high-voltage feed connection, the building will be without normal power for 4 hours, and elevators will not function. Emergency power will be active.
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Central Services Building domestic cold water (potable) shutdown, Monday, December 22, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., during this time the 8" potable line will be shut down to accommodate metering installation.
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MKV-East temporary electrical shutdown, Tuesday, December 23, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., there will be an electrical shutdown that will affect all normal power and lighting due to ongoing electrical work, the east wing of the building (mostly bedrooms and hallways on the 1st floor) will be without normal power for approximately 1 hour, emergency power will be active.
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Energy Research Centre, Math 3, Burt Matthews Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, January 2, 2026, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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School of Pharmacy, Integrated Health Building, Innovation Arena fire alarm testing, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Minota Hagey, Mackenzie King Village, Ron Edyt Village fire alarm testing, Friday, January 2, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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East Campus 1, East Campus 2, East Campus 3, East Campus 4, East Campus 5 fire alarm testing, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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University Club, Bauer Warehouse, Avril fire alarm testing, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Environment 1, 2 and 3, Modern Languages, Dana Porter Library, Needles Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, January 9, 2026, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.