Friday, July 3, 2015

New deans, interim CIO take their offices

The Faculty of Mathematics and the Faculty of Science have new leadership as two new deans started their work on July 1.

Stephen Watt is now dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and professor in the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science.

Professor Watt received his PhD in computer science at University of Waterloo in 1986 and began his career as a research staff member at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. As a researcher, he has sought to identify and solve the main questions to make symbolic mathematical computation more effective, and his contributions span a variety of fields including computer algebra systems, programming languages and compilers, pen-based mathematical computing, mathematical algorithms, and mathematical data communications and knowledge management. He was named distinguished university professor at Western in 2011.

Watt has served as a board member for Descartes Systems Group Inc. since 2001, including as board chair and lead director. He was also founding director of the Ontario Research Centre for Computer Algebra, and he sits on the board of directors of Waste Diversion Ontario.

Watt succeeds Ian Goulden, whose term ended June 30.

Professor Robert Lemieux began work this week as dean of the Faculty of Science and as professor with tenure in the Department of Chemistry.

Lemieux completed his BA in 1984 at the Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and his PhD in 1989 at the University of Illinois, in Urbana, Illinois. A faculty member at Queen’s University since 1992, he recently held the position of professor in the Department of Chemistry and served as associate dean (research) in the Faculty of Arts and Science. 

His past administrative service includes a one-year term as acting associate dean in the Faculty of Arts and Science and a five-year term as head of the Department of Chemistry. 

As a scientist, he has established a multi-disciplinary research program in the chemistry of organic materials that is recognized internationally for its innovative approaches to the design of compounds that form or induce ferroelectric liquid crystal phases found in high-performance microdisplay applications. His contributions to the field of liquid crystals research were recognized by the International Liquid Crystal Society with the 2012 Samsung Mid-Career Award and, earlier in his career, by an Ontario Premier’s Research Excellence Award in 2000 and one of the inaugural Queen’s Chancellor’s Research Awards in 1999.

He has taught organic chemistry and materials chemistry at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Lemieux succeeds Terry McMahon, whose term ended June 30.

Bruce Campbell began his tenure as interim Chief Information Officer on July 1. Campbell is currently Director, Technology Integrated Services (TIS), which has overall responsibility for much of Information Systems and Technology’s core IT infrastructure and related services.

Previous to this, he has held roles as IST’s Director of Network Services, the Manager of the Faculty of Science’s computing department, and a number of technical and IT leadership roles in the Faculty of Engineering.

Campbell succeeds Dave Wallace and will serve until the role is filled permanently.

Waterloo names on the Order of Canada list

100 new appointees to the Order of Canada were named on Wednesday, July 1, and a number of honorees have a Waterloo connection.

Professor Linda Nazar was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions as a materials chemist who has developed advanced battery systems for clean-energy storage. She is a professor in the Department of Chemistry, is cross appointed to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and is a researcher at the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN).

Chancellor Emeritus Prem Watsa was named a Member of the Order of Canada for his achievements as a business leader, and for his work as a volunteer and philanthropist.

Ophelia Lazaridis, a Waterloo alumna who served on the University's Board of Governors from 2009 to 2015, was also named a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions as a community leader and philanthropist who focuses on education and the arts.

Also named a Member of the Order of Canada was Professor Carolyn Hansson of the Faculty of Engineering for her contributions as a materials engineer whose efforts have reduced corrosion and improved the performance of reinforced concrete structures.

Garry Rempel becomes a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to the field of chemical engineering, notably for advancing research in rubber technology. He is a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and affiliated with the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN).

"People linked to University of Waterloo improve the world in many ways — such as through their groundbreaking research, with excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation, or their philanthropic efforts," said Ian Orchard, vice-president, academic and provost. "So it is fitting that so many members of the Waterloo family are receiving such high honours for their valuable contributions, and the University offers sincere congratulations to all of them."

Other honorees include computer scientist Stephen Cook, who received an honorary degree from Waterloo in 1999. Cook was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Biologist Paul Hébert, who received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Waterloo in 2011, was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Author Lawrence Hill, who received an honorary doctorate from Waterloo in 2011, becomes a Member of the Order of Canada.

Also named an Officer of the Order of Canada was Douglas Fregin, co-founder of Research In Motion (now BlackBerry) for his innovative advancements in communications technology and for his many philanthropic endeavours.

“The Order of Canada, one of our country’s highest civilian honours, was established in 1967, during Canada’s centennial year, to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.” says the Governor General of Canada’s website. “More than 6 000 people from all sectors of Canadian society have been invested into the Order.”

The Order has three levels: Companion, Officer, and Member.

The entire list is published on the Governor General’s website.

Recipients will receive their award at a ceremony to be held at a later date.

Red, white and you: Relive Canada Day on Storify

Canada Day volunteer Husnia Barakzai waves a Canadian flag tied to a hockey stick (possibly the most Canadian thing imaginable) alongside a group of stilt-walkers who stood proud (and tall) for the Canada Day Celebration Wednesday.

The crowd at the University of Waterloo's Canada Day Celebration topped 65,000 showing off their red and white on Wednesday, according to police estimates. It was a day of interactive family fun, delicious local foods, and live entertainment featuring exceptional Canadian talent, all capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.

To read what the community was saying about the event in their own words, be sure to check out the Storify link on the Community Relations and Events website.