Monday, June 15, 2026

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• 10 unforgettable moments that make Waterloo convocations memorable
• Waterloo welcomes the Ontario Summer Games this July
• Join us for an open house celebrating David DeVidi
• Your 2025 annual pension statements are now available
• Monday's Notes

10 unforgettable moments that make Waterloo convocations memorable

This article was originally published on Waterloo News.

Convocation at the University of Waterloo is a vibrant blend of tradition, community and celebration. Whether you’re crossing the stage or cheering from the audience, here are 10 signature sights, sounds and traditions that make the day unforgettable.  

The red carpet 

Before crossing the stage, graduands make one final walk as students, in fine style, down the red carpet. It’s a moment to pause, smile and take it all in. Beneath the convocation arch, the carpet marks the transition from years of study to bold steps into their next chapter as proud alumni. The red carpet is also where thousands of glamorous selfies and family photos are snapped, and marks a ceremonial entrance into a lifelong connection with the University of Waterloo. 

The Eagle Staff 

Each convocation ceremony begins with the entrance of the Eagle Staff, which leads the academic procession. The Eagle Staff symbolizes wisdom, strength and the University’s commitment to reconciliation. It was formally welcomed to campus in 2023 with a special Pipe Ceremony and a four-directional presentation honouring Indigenous traditions. Today, it opens every convocation as an acknowledgment of the responsibility to recognize, accept and incorporate Indigenous perspectives in how we teach, govern and behave as an institution.   

The mace

The University’s solid silver and ebony wand follow the Eagle Staff and carries deep historical meaning. The mace — designed by Toronto artist Eric Aldwinckle and given to the University in 1965 by the family of the late Stanley F. Leavine — features lions, chevrons and the shield of the province of Ontario. Topped with an egg-shaped ovum representing creativity and new beginning, the mace reflects Waterloo’s sprit of innovation and unity of diverse ideas coming together. 

Traditional drumming 

Before speeches and degree presentations, convocation opens with traditional drumming and an Indigenous welcome, often led by Indigenous Elder Myeengun Henry. This moment grounds the community, acknowledges the land and honours the Indigenous peoples whose histories and stewardship shape the University’s ceremony and commitments. 

The academic regalia  

Convocation is a spectacular array of academic gowns, robes, hats and hoods — each with distinct meanings and symbolism. The academic dress worn at Waterloo is patterned after that of Oxford, the world’s oldest English-speaking university. The chief officers on the convocation stage — the Chancellor and the President — wear gowns of the Oxford cut and trim, each with its own distinctive colour. These gowns share a common design with those worn by honorary degree recipients, as do the black gowns worn by candidates for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and the red-and-green gowns, which are Waterloo’s regalia for Doctor of Philosophy degrees. 

Read about all 10 unforgettable moments on Waterloo News.

Waterloo welcomes the Ontario Summer Games this July

The Ontario Summer Games are coming to Waterloo Region this summer from July 30 to August 2!

The University of Waterloo is a proud community partner for this year's games. We will play two key roles: (1) providing accommodation and food for more than 1,500 student athletes and coaches in our residences; and (2) hosting rugby and basketball at campus venues.

Waterloo students, staff and faculty are encouraged to take part as volunteers, either here on campus or at sport venues across the community.

Available roles include:

• Accommodations (checking in Athletes and Coaches; Welcoming athletes to their residence)
• Field of Play (scorekeeping, timekeeping, set-up and tear down, marshalling)
• Venue support (greeting and registration; ticketing; directions

Learn more about volunteer opportunities. 

Join us for an open house celebrating David DeVidi

An invitation on behalf of the Office of the Associate Vice-President, Academic.

Please join us as we celebrate Dave and his leadership as the Associate Vice-President, Academic (AVPA) on June 24 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Needles Hall, Third Floor Room 3318. This casual afternoon gathering is an opportunity for colleagues, friends, and community members to celebrate Dave and thank him for his dedication, steady guidance, and contributions to undergraduate academics at Waterloo over the past seven years.  

Drop by to share your well wishes, stories, and appreciation as we mark this important milestone together. Brief remarks will begin at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is not required.  

Your 2025 annual pension statements are now available 

A message from Human Resources.

Your 2025 annual pension statement is now available through the secure myPENSIONinfo portal. To access your statement, log in via the link on the Human Resources homepage using your WatIAM credentials; a Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) code will also be required. Once logged in, you can view your statement either by selecting “View my Personal Annual Statement” from the My UW Pension panel or by choosing the “Personal Statement” icon in the Tools panel. Your 2025 statement will be listed under the “2025” Plan Year — click the PDF titled “University of Waterloo Pension Plan for Faculty and Staff” to download or print your copy. 

Please note that any personal, spousal, or beneficiary updates made in Workday on or after May 1, 2026 are not reflected in this statement. After reviewing your statement, you may update this information in Workday as needed. Consult Workday User Guides or contact hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca for assistance.  

If you need assistance with your WatIam credentials or 2FA setup, please contact the IST Help Desk at helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567 ext. 44357. 

For further questions about your statement or help navigating myPENSIONinfo, please contact pensions@uwaterloo.ca. 

Monday's Notes

Did you know? The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism has a NEW! podcast - Gender Diversity Amplified. In the first episode: a conversation about inclusion at Pride. Through personal stories and reflections, guests explore what it means to feel a sense of belonging and the importance of visibility for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Together, they consider how Pride can continue to evolve into a space where everyone feels welcomed, celebrated, and included. Listen on Spotify.

A reminder to register for next week's University Pension plan (UPP) information session on June 22, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Humanities Theatre or virtually. The session will include pension fundamentals, an overview of the current University registered pension plan (RPP), the rationale for the exploration, an introduction to UPP and how compares to Waterloo’s RPP and what a potential conversion process would involve. 

Next up in the Cheriton School of Computer Science's Distinguished Lecture Series: Gilles Brassard — Alan Turing and me, Tuesday, June 16, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., DC 1302 and online via Zoom. Gilles Brassard laid the foundations of quantum cryptography at a time when nobody could have predicted that the quantum information revolution would usher in a multi-billion-dollar industry, much less that the United Nations would proclaim 2025 to be the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and that the ACM would grant him the Turing Award for this work. Professor Brassard is also among the inventors of quantum teleportation, which is one of the most fundamental pillars of the theory of quantum information. He has received honorary doctorates from many prestigious institutions, and this week will receive one from the University of Waterloo at Spring Convocation.

If you need an excuse to grab a cookie, Subway in SLC will be selling cookies for the Subway Never Miss Lunch campaign this week. For every cookie sold from June 15 to 21, Subway® will make a donation to Food Banks Canada. Now in its sixth year, Subway® Canada has helped Food Banks Canada deliver over 1 million food packs to hundreds communities across Canada.