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Convocation brings the 2,500 degree heat to a cool campus
There's nothing like the warmth of graduand good vibes to shake off that early-autumn chill. The fall colours on campus will be complemented with additional hues, shades, and tints, from Faculty-specific graduation regalia to congratulatory floral bouquets, as the University of Waterloo celebrates its 129th Convocation ceremonies on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26.
2,523 degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded to graduands as they cross the stage. Degrees and diplomas will be conferred across a total of five ceremonies on October 25 and 26, marking the first time an evening ceremony has been added to one of the fall Convocation dates. The ceremonies are being livestreamed.
But first off, a word about parking during Convocation. On Friday, October 25 and Saturday October 26, parking lots M, N, W, L, and R will be closed. To help facilitate parking for graduates and their guests, active permit holders in parking lots L, R, and student lots will be temporarily relocated as follows:
- Staff permits for L Lot are valid in Lots Q or X
- Staff permits for R Lot are valid in Lots J, S, or X
- Student permits are valid in Lots C or X.
"Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we support the University in accommodating visitors during this special time for graduates," says a note from Sustainable Transportation sent to the affected permit holders. "Please contact Sustainable Transportation if you have any questions."
Each convocation ceremony in the Physical Activities Complex will feature Gladwyn Badger carrying the eagle staff, with Indigenous open remarks provided by Myeengun Henry.
Faculty of Environment and Faculty of Health (Friday, October 25, 10:00 a.m.)
For the Faculty of Environment, 85 undergraduates, 85 Master's and 10 PhD candidates will cross the stage at the first ceremony this morning, and for the Faculty of Health, there will be 74 undergraduates, 181 Master's and 13 PhD candidates.
Bearing the mace will be Heather Mair.
Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher will be officially installed as the University of Waterloo's 12th Chancellor. Dominic Barton will receive the title Chancellor Emeritus.
Myeengun Henry will receive an honorary doctorate.
Valedictorian Maryam Mohiuddin Ahmed of the Faculty of Environment will address Convocation.
Receiving the Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the doctoral level will be Guneet Sandhu of the Faculty of Environment, who accepted the award at the spring 2024 convocation.
Receiving the Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the doctoral level will be Michela Janelle Stinson, who accepted the award at the Spring 2024 convocation.
Faculty of Mathematics (Friday, October 25, 2:30 p.m.)
324 undergraduates, 144 Master's, and 36 PhD candidates will receive their degrees.
Cecilia Cotton will bear the mace.
Oluwatofunmi David Awosoga will deliver the valedictory address.
Receiving the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal for outstanding academic performance in a Doctoral program will be Nils Hendrik Lukas, who accepted the award at the Spring 2024 convocation.
The Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Master's level will be Laura Pierson.
Receiving the K.D.Fryer Gold Medal for academic excellence and good citizenship is Kefan Cao.
Faculty of Science (Friday, October 25, 6:30 p.m.)
At the first fall Convocation evening ceremony, 298 undergraduates, 66 Master's students and 24 PhD candidates will receive their degrees.
Bearing the mace will be Laura Hug.
Valedictorian Nikhil Anil George will address Convocation.
Dr. Barb Moffat will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Dr. Moffatt is a plant biologist whose research focused on the role of enzymes in plant development and was a pioneer in early aspects of molecular genetics. In her teaching, she encouraged students to think critically rather than memorize facts. She was a biology program advisor for most of her career. Her commitment to students led to her receiving the University of Waterloo Distinguished Teaching Award in 2007, and she served as associate dean of student relations for ten years. She considers it a great honour to have shared her passion for science with hundreds of students each year and enjoyed watching them flourish.
Dr. Sherry Schiff will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Dr. Schiff is widely recognized as a leader in her research field and was responsible for creating an internationally renowned research program in environmental and isotope biogeochemistry in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Waterloo. Schiff established herself as an outstanding researcher and dedicated teacher until her retirement in 2023. Her career is one of remarkable and sustained productivity and innovative research as well as significant service contributions to the department. Schiff's research program focused on training the next generation of scientists and she was an important mentor to women in a previously male-dominated field, successfully combining busy family life with a field-oriented research program.
Guest speaker Danielle Paes will address Convocation. As an award-winning clinician and dedicated patient advocate, Dr. Paes is well-recognized as a dynamic and forward-thinking health care leader. She earned her Bachelor and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Waterloo and holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Guelph. Paes currently holds the position of chief pharmacist officer at the Canadian Pharmacists Association, where she is driving strategic efforts in pharmacy practice, workforce sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition to her genuine passion, her unique career portfolio gives Paes a national lens, enabling her to provide leadership and guidance on key issues facing health care in Canada. One of her greatest joys is spending time with her partner and their two bright and curious children.
Faculty of Arts (Saturday, October 26, 10:00 a.m.)
On Saturday morning, 326 undergraduates, 297 Master's, and 21 PhD candidates will cross the stage to receive their degrees.
Doug Peers will bear the mace.
Mark Yantzi will receive an honorary doctorate.
Jillian Rose Adams will deliver the valedictory address.
Dr. Guy Poirier will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Dr. Poirier retired in 2023 from the Department of French Studies after 20 years of service. During his tenure, he was department chair for 8 years. Poirier is recognized for his scholarship on representations of gender and homosexuality in early modern France and Jesuit travel narratives in New France. His excellence and impact have been recognized in numerous ways, including the 2023 Canadian Society for Renaissance Studies Lifetime Achievement award and as co-recipient of the 2020 Gabrielle-Roy Prize. In 2021, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Alexi Orchard will be named the Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Doctoral level.
Aparajita Bhattacharya will be named the Finalist for the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal at the Master's level.
Faculty of Engineering (Saturday, October 26, 2:30 p.m.)
110 undergraduates, 299 Master's students, and 50 PhD candidates will receive their degrees at the afternoon ceremony.
Bearing the mace will be Maya Przybylski.
Jim Estill will receive an honorary doctorate.
Sanaz Saadatmand Hashemi will deliver the valedictory address.
Dr. Howard Armitage will be named Distinguished Professor Emeritus. Dr. Armitage is professor emeritus and founder of the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business at Waterloo. He has served as director of the School of Accounting and finance and special advisor to the president for entrepreneurship. He holds a PhD from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Alberta. Armitage has received numerous accolades, including the 3M Taeching Fellowship, Startup Canada Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year and the City of Waterloo's highest civic award. Armitage is widely published and a sought-after speaker, focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation's role in driving organizational and community growth. He has worked with global institutions such as the World Bank, assisting countries in developing entrepreneurship programs.
Receiving the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal for outstanding academic performance in a Master's Program will be Chi-En Amy Tai, who accepted the award at the Spring 2024 convocation.
Waterloo installs 12th Chancellor today
Dr. Jagdeep Singh Bachher, the University of Waterloo's 12th chancellor.
Today is a momentous occasion for the University of Waterloo as it installs its 12th Chancellor, Jagdeep Singh Bachher.
Jagdeep Singh Bachher is a three-time University of Waterloo alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering (1993), Master of Applied Science in Management Sciences (1994), and a Ph.D. in Management Sciences (2000) from Waterloo. He has had a successful career as an entrepreneur and global finance leader, working for companies like Manulife Financial and Alberta Investment Management Corporation. Currently, Dr. Bachher is the Chief Investment Officer and VP of Investments at the University of California, overseeing a $175-$180 billion portfolio.
His tenure at UC has focused on sustainable investing and long-term growth, with investment assets doubling over ten years. Dr. Bachher is a prominent figure in institutional investment, known as an innovator and advocate for change. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Institutional Investors Roundtable, representing investors managing over $11 trillion in assets.
Dr. Bachher is involved in organizations like Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Silicon Valley, and the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Future of Investing. He is the author of the book The New Frontier Investors, focusing on how pension, sovereign, and endowment funds are reshaping investment management.
He has been a steadfast supporter of the University of Waterloo for over 30 years, serving on its Board of Governors since 2018, including as vice-chair. His three-year term began on July 1, 2024 as per the University of Waterloo Act.
Yesterday, local luminaries from government, academia and industry and invited guests from the University community gathered in Engineering 7 for a special dinner celebration marking Dr. Bachher's installation.
The Chancellor plays a vital ceremonial role for the institution, as they not only preside over convocation ceremonies but also act as a bridge between the University and the wider world. Chancellor Bachher will serve as a key ambassador, championing the institution's interests on multiple fronts—locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally.
This installation marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the University, with Chancellor Bachher poised to bring fresh perspectives and leadership to our vibrant academic community. His role will undoubtedly enhance Waterloo's connections with the broader community and help advance the University's mission to create global impact.
Campus Housing initiative diverts more than 31,000 pounds of waste after residence move-out
A message from Campus Housing.
What happens with the leftover belongings that students leave in residence after they move out?
Campus Housing is continuing to tackle this problem after the initial success of our Waste Diversion pilot project in 2020. As 5,200 students departed during our busiest move-out of the year (with many students moving out after living with us for eight months), we collected clothing, electronics, household items (kitchen supplies, bedding, etc.), non-perishable food items, and books from our UW Place communities and the Villages (Village 1, Mackenzie King Village and Ron Eydt Village).
Since beginning the Waste Diversion project in 2020 Campus Housing has diverted a total of 31,796 lbs from ending up in landfills. We have collected:
- 13,715 lbs of household items, books, and electronics
- 12,380 lbs of clothing and bedding
- 3,267 lbs of non-perishable food items
These belongings get a second life through our UpCycle event where students moving into residence can take items for free for their suites, like small household electronics and kitchenware. Whatever is unable to be distributed through the UpCycle event the remaining items go to WUSA initiatives like the WUSA Food Support service, the Sustainability Office's Free Store, and other community partners.
Thank you to our Campus Housing Residence Hospitality Experience team for their hard work in sorting and weighing all the collected donations and setting up the Up Cycle event, and to our partners (past and present), including the Sustainability Office, WUSA, and 4RepairKW.
We are looking forward to continuing this initiative in the coming years to help create a more sustainable residence experience and give back to students moving into residence.
Open Access Week: data and open access
A message from the Library. This article was originally published on the Library's website.
Every October Open Access Week (OAW) is celebrated by universities and organizations around the world. OAW serves as an opportunity for academic and research communities to come together to not only recognize open access as it exists today, but to learn about the benefits of increasing open access across academic research.
While journal articles and books are well known research outputs that can be made open access, data can also be made available open access. At the University of Waterloo, the Library and Office of Research co-chair a research data management (RDM) working group that is bringing together the many resources accessible to scholars to help make their research data available.
Data repositories like the Federated Research Data Repository (FRDR) and Borealis are free to Waterloo scholars and help facilitate the creation of open access data. Both repositories are Canadian; depositing data into these repositories generates a persistent identifier which works towards making data open access and findable to other people.
The Library’s Research Data Management guide has helpful resources for learning more about how to deposit data and how it can be made open access. Specific questions can be sent to LibraryRDM@uwaterloo.ca.
Kids Science Open House tomorrow; Flu vaccines at Campus Wellness and other notes
Giant microbes, dinosaurs and planets – oh my! "Do you have a young aspiring scientist in your house, performing their own experiments, and making ground-breaking discoveries?" asks Science Outreach. "From biology and chemistry to physics and earth sciences, explore unique, free, hands-on activities for kids at our annual Kids' Science Open House!"
The open house takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 26 in STC and EIT. Watch your step, there may be future scientists underfoot this weekend!
"Seasonal influenza outbreaks occur in Canada from late Fall through the Winter months," says a message from Campus Wellness, Health Services. "Campus Wellness, Health Services is pleased to offer the flu vaccine once again through appointment-only for all UWaterloo students (and student’s families if registered with the Family Health Clinic), Employees, alumni and retirees starting Monday, October 28." Please call 519-888-4096 to make an appointment.
Join the Leveraging Movement to Support Learning Session webinar on Tuesday, October 29. "Learn how short breaks and movement can be used to improve students’ focus, participation, and performance," says a note from Campus Wellness. "This session will offer examples of how movement can effectively be integrated into academic settings, and you will be encouraged to consider how to facilitate learning environments that encourage movement and support the holistic wellbeing of our students." The webinar takes palce on Tuesday, October 29 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Join on MS Teams.