Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Black at Waterloo Collection available at W Store
A message from Print + Retail Solutions.
W Store is excited to introduce the Black at Waterloo Collection – a curated lineup of essentials including a hoodie, tee, hat, toque, and sticker designed to celebrate Black identity, community, and belonging at the University of Waterloo.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every item sold will be directed to the Black Student Opportunities Fund, an initiative created in partnership with the Black Collective and the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-R), that addresses the impacts of systemic racism and enhances experiences of Black students on campus.
The Fund supports student well-being, transitions, academic success, emergency needs, and outreach and recruitment efforts that help ensure Black students are heard, understood and prioritized throughout their UWaterloo journey. By choosing from this collection, you’re helping create opportunities and foster a more equitable campus for current and future generations.
Lectures in Catholic Experience will feature Micah True
A message from St. Jerome's University (SJU).
On Thursday, March 12, St. Jerome’s will welcome Dr. Micah True, an expert on early Canadian history with a special focus on the history of the Jesuits in Canda, to speak on a topic of interest to those interested in medical humanities and Indigenous history. Dr True’s talk, “Anne of Austria's Surgeon: François Gendron, the 17th-century Jesuit Mission to the Wendat, and the History of Medicine” will explore the French surgeon François Gendron (1618–1688) who served the Jesuit mission to the Wendat as a voluntary labourer for six years, from 1643 until 1649. Later in life, he treated the queen mother of France Anne of Austria's breast cancer, using a remedy of his own device that appears to have been inspired by Indigenous practices he learned about in the Wendat mission. Gendron's story is not unknown, but he has mostly been remembered in Canada and in France—inaccurately, in both cases—as the first European physician to live in what is now Ontario and as a charlatan who took advantage of an ailing royal. In this Lecture in Catholic Experience, Micah True shows how accounting for the life and experiences of this little-studied participant in the Jesuit mission in New France yields important insights for our understanding of the earliest decades of settled Canada, and how the knowledge produced in the Jesuits’ missions there was received in France.
Dr. True is a Professor of French and Folklore at the University of Alberta, where he also serves as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. He is the author of Masters and Students: Jesuit Mission Ethnography in Seventeenth-Century New France, published by McGill-Queen's University press in 2015, and the translator of the Jesuit Pierre-François-Xavier de Charlevoix's 1744 epistolary account of his voyage through North America, published in Brill's Jesuit Studies series in 2019. His new book, published in 2025 by McGill-Queen's University Press, is The Jesuit Relations: A Biography.
“Professor True’s research offers important lessons for contemporary approaches to reconciliation by highlighting a striking example of cross‑cultural learning from Canada’s Indigenous peoples during the early seventeenth‑century Jesuit mission to the Wendat, and the significant–though largely uncredited and certainly under-appreciated–impact this learning had in Europe at the time,” says St. Jerome’s President Peter Meehan.
The event will take place in the Notre Dame Chapel in SJ1 Academic Building at 7:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed. To reserve your tickets, please register for this free event on Ticketfi.
Remembering Karen Kawawada
A message from the School of Optometry & Vision Science.
The School of Optometry & Vision Science is mourning the loss of Karen Kawawada, our communications manager and a valued colleague whose dedication, creativity, and generosity touched many in our community.
Karen first joined the University of Waterloo in 2010, working for Communications and Public Affairs and the Faculty of Environment. In 2013, she went on to gain extensive experience in senior communications roles across Canada, England and New Zealand, before returning to Waterloo in 2024 to join the School of Optometry & Vision Science. In her role, she led the School’s strategic communications efforts with exceptional skill and care, strengthening the visibility of our teaching, research, and clinical initiatives.
Colleagues remember Karen for the passion and dedication she brought to all aspects of her work. Quietly and without seeking recognition, she championed stories of groundbreaking research, highlighted our students’ achievements, and helped share the School’s impact with audiences across Canada and beyond.
One of Karen’s most significant contributions was leading communications during the ambitious and ongoing campaign to support the new Waterloo Eye Institute. She also played a central role in guiding communications throughout the complex process of relocating the School’s public-facing clinics during the construction phase; work that required clarity, patience, and steady leadership.
“Beyond her many professional accomplishments, Karen will be remembered for her kindness, thoughtfulness, and the way she made people feel heard and supported,” said Dr. Ben Thompson, director of the School. “She approached every challenge with calm determination and every story with genuine curiosity and respect. Her work stands as a testament to the grace with which she lived and the passion she shared.”
Karen will be profoundly missed by her colleagues at Waterloo, and friends and collaborators across the wider communications community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and to all who had the privilege of working alongside her.
Editor's note: I count myself among those who had the privilege of working alongside Karen, who joined Communications and Public Affairs in 2010 back when that unit was still a small shop. She distinguished herself as an effective member of the University's communications team, contributing to a wide variety of projects and providing content for the Daily Bulletin in her role as communications officer. She had a sharp wit and a great sense of humour, often swearing that she saw a resemblance between me and Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams. After moving on from CPA, she would continue to help me amplify stories and events from the Faculty of Environment in the Daily Bulletin, and we picked up where we left off years later when she returned to campus as the School of Optometry & Vision Science's communications manager. Karen was a bright light extinguished all too soon. Karen's husband, Jon MacKay, has posted a tribute on his website that contains links to a number of charities that were close to Karen's heart — consider making a donation as an expression of sympathy. Details about Karen's Celebration of Life will be released at a later date.
Link of the day
Mr. Clean throws in the towel after 68 years
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!
Winter 2026 Student Experience Survey. The Winter SES is now open. Please check your @uwaterloo email or visit LEARN to see if you have been invited. Those that submit their responses will receive $5 on their WatCard. The survey is open until February 27.
Teaching Critical Engagement with AI - In Person (CTE7560), Thursday, February 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in MC 2036
February Book Club Meeting, Friday, February 27, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., International Experience Lounge, Needles Hall.
Afrofuturism Film Screening: Boots Riley’s I’m a Virgo, Friday, February 27, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm, EC5 Room 1111.
NEW - Foresight for Climate Resilience Panel, Monday, March 2, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., Grebel Gallery, Conrad Grebel University College and online.
NEW - Department of Anthropology Silver Medal lecture, "A project for the public: Turning a rescue excavation of an 18th century cemetery into a unique visitor experience at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada" featuring Dr. Amy Scott, Trent University, Monday, March 2, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., EV3 4412.
Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Systematic Search Methods, Tuesday, March 3, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., online.
Public talk: He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada, Tuesday, March 3, St. Jerome’s University, SJ2 2002.
SIGNAL Summit, Wednesday, March 4 to Friday, March 6,
Fruit and Veg Market, Wednesday, March 4, 12 noon to 4:00 p.m., SLC lower atrium, PSE 1st floor. $10 for a bag of assorted produce while supplies last.
Into the Open: An exploration of education without paywalls, Wednesday, March 4, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., SLC Black & Gold Room (SLC 2144).
Velocity presents Give to Rise: An International Women’s Day Micro-Retreat and Skill Session, Thursday, March 5, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., MC 2037.
NEW - Culture Fest 2026, Thursday, March 5, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College, Room 2202 (Community Education Room).
International Women’s Day 6th Annual High Tea Social, presented by the Faculty of Science. Friday, March 6, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., virtual discussion on Zoom. Register today.
Home Routes folk concert: Onna Lou and Keri Latimer, Friday, March 6, 7:00 p.m., Brubacher House - North Campus.
Agri-Food Innovation Challenge, Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 20.
Systematic and Scoping Reviews: Systematic Screening using Covidence and Zotero, Monday, March 9, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, online.
Agri-Food Innovation Challenge kick-off event, Monday, March 9, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., South Campus Hall second floor cafeteria.
Unlock the Power of Linear Regression, Tuesday, March 10, 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, DC 1568.
Faculty of Health International Women’s Day panel event, Tuesday, March 10, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m., online.
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:
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East Campus Hall, Engineering 5, Engineering 6, Pearl Sullivan Engineering (formerly E7) fire alarm testing, Friday, February 27, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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Wilmot South, Wellesley South, Eby Hall, Claudette Millar Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, February 27, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Earth Sciences and Chemistry electrical shutdown, Saturday, February 28 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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E2 Loading Dock crane operation, Monday, March 2, 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon, E2 loading dock will be closed to accommodate a crane and flatbed truck lifting materials onto the roof of E3.
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School of Pharmacy, Integrated Health Building, Innovation Arena (OSC) fire alarm testing, Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
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University Club, Bauer Warehouse, Avril fire alarm testing, Wednesday, March 4, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
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Energy Research Centre, Math 3, Burt Matthews Hall fire alarm testing, Friday, March 6, 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.