50-year Class Reunion

Reunion banner

Welcome to your 50-year class reunion!

The 50-year anniversary class reunion in 2024 is for the Waterloo Engineering class of 1974. 

You're invited to reunite and reminisce about your engineering student days at your golden anniversary class Reunion. We hope that you will be able to attend your class reunion to celebrate with your family and friends and to reconnect with your classmates, your professors, your Faculty, and your University. You will also have an opportunity to learn how the campus has changed since you graduated as well as meet current students and learn about current student life on campus.

Browse this page to learn all about your reunion, or choose a link to go directly to:

Reunion program

There is a variety of fun, educational and social activities planned for your class Reunion - register for one, two, several or all events.

Friday, May 31, 2024

Rock this Town poster - when live music rocked Kitchener-Waterloo

Documentary Screening: “Rock This Town”

4:30 P.M. & 7:00 P.M.
Princess Twin Cinemas, 46 King Street North, Waterloo

Rock This Town brings to life the exciting history of rock music concerts in KW from the 1960’s and 1970’s. An insider’s look into the gritty reality of building the local live music scene. This 70-minute documentary features interviews with music business pros plus performances by today’s musicians. Rock stars come and go but live music is here to stay!

Rock This Town was produced by Betty Anne Keller (BA '69), who will join each documentary screening to introduce the film and provide an exclusive Q&A session. The late Joe Recchia (BASC '68, MASC '71) and other special guests are featured in the film.

Come to the Princess Cinemas to relive the music and memories that made history!

Cost: $10-$15 per person, plus tax.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Alumni picking up merchandise

Engineering Reunion Open House

9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Atrium, 1st Floor, Engineering 7

More Information

The open house will be your one-stop shop headquarters for all things Reunion: name badges, maps, event information, refreshments, engineering tours and much more!
At the open house, you will be able to:

  • Mingle with fellow engineering classmates from the classes of 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019
  • Meet the Dean of Engineering and EngSoc executives
  • Replace your Iron Ring - Camp 15 Iron Ring Wardens will be in attendance
  • Entertain the kids: Engineering Science Quest (ESQ) will provide fun educational activities
  • Experience the latest in robotics research at the RoboHub
  • Purchase your EngSoc souvenirs from the pop-up Novelties Store 
  • Test your engineering skills at the Engineering Ideas Clinic
  • Meet The Toolbearers and take a photo with The Tool
  • Refuel with light refreshments and snacks
  • Enjoy a cold beverage from the cash bar

Cost: Complimentary (advanced registration preferred)

Engineering 7 building

Engineering Tours

10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Departing from the Atrium, 1st Floor, Engineering 7

More Information

Take a student-guided tour through the halls of Engineering to see your old stomping ground and its new state-of-the art labs to hear about the transformational research taking place within the Faculty of Engineering. For those who prefer to explore the buildings independently, a self-guided tour option is available.

Cost: Complimentary

Mary Wells

Breakfast Lecture with the Dean

9:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
Room 3101 & 3102, 3rd Floor, Engineering 5

More Information

Enjoy a light breakfast to kick off this year’s Reunion lecture line-up! While you enjoy light breakfast fare and mimosas, Mary Wells, the Dean of Engineering, will deliver a 60-minute visionary lecture about the future of engineering at the University of Waterloo, followed by a Q&A session.

Cost: $20 (advanced registration recommended due to limited seating). Cash bar available.

VIRTUAL OPTION: Register for the ‘online lecture’ and you will be emailed a link to watch the recorded video of the lecture at your leisure.

Alumni listening to a lecture

Drink Talk Learn (DTL): Engineering Research Talks

11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Room 3101 & 3102, 3rd Floor, Engineering 5

More Information

Pour a specialty coffee and learn from Waterloo Engineering faculty members about the transformational and cutting-edge research taking place on campus. These research talks, consisting of five presentations of five minutes each, will focus on the University of Waterloo’s five global futures framework: societal, health, technological, sustainable and economic. These five Waterloo at 100 global futures address the world’s most pressing challenges and the University’s relentless commitment to fundamental research and scholarship. Alumni will have the opportunity to ask questions about the research. Our world is changing, and we must evolve with it – learn how through these research talks.

Cost: Complimentary (advanced registration recommended due to limited seating). Cash bar.

VIRTUAL OPTION: Register for the ‘online lecture’ and you will be emailed a link to watch the recorded video of the lecture at your leisure.

Lunch at Federation Hall

Forever Black and Gold Luncheon - Milestone Anniversary Celebration

12:00 - 2:00 P.M.
Federation Hall

More Information

Join us at Fed Hall for a gourmet buffet lunch, interactive activities and displays and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with alumni and friends from all faculties. Wear or bring along your favourite University of Waterloo clothing or memorabilia for a chance to win great prizes! This event will feature a special celebration for alumni celebrating 25th, 50th, 55th and 60th anniversaries, with an archives display of photos and memorabilia from the milestone years.  

Cost: $30 per person (tax included); price includes one beverage and gourmet lunch buffet.

People in a classroom listening to a lecture

Back-to-the-Classroom Lecture with Prof. Larry Smith

2:30 - 3:30 P.M.
Room 1350, 1st Floor, Davis Centre

More Information

Professor Larry Smith
BA 1968, Economics
MA 1975, Economics

“Generative AI and Tomorrow’s Economy”

Starting with a review of the current economy, professor Larry Smith will explore the effects of generative AI on the economy. Will it set off a surge of productivity? How will it affect the labour market? Or is AI’s potential exaggerated?

See the legendary Professor Larry Smith deliver one of his famous addresses. You'll feel like a student all over again!

Can't wait to hear Prof. Smith speak at Reunion? Check out his outrageously popular TEDxUW talk on YouTube - "Why you will fail to have a great career" - which has over 7 million views.

Cost: Complimentary (advanced registration recommended due to limited seating)

ONLINE LECTURE: Register for the ‘Online Lecture’ and you will be emailed a link to watch the recorded video of the lecture at your leisure.

Poets

Poets Social Mixer

2:00 - 6:00 P.M.
POETS, 1st Floor, Carl Pollock Hall

More information

Take advantage of this EngSoc and alumni social mixer in POETS to connect with your engineering classmates and to meet current engineering students. Hear about present-day student life directly from students and the current challenges and opportunities students face. The patio will also be open!

Must be legal drinking age.

Cost: Complimentary. Cash bar.

Man putting his hand on a hard hat

Iron Ring Ceremony

6:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Faculty Hall 7303 & 7363, 7th Floor, Engineering 7

More Information

Calling Waterloo Engineering classes of 1974 and 1999! Celebrate your golden and silver anniversaries at this exclusive Iron Ring ceremony sanctioned by Iron Ring Wardens of Camp 15 Waterloo. Spouses and guests are welcome to attend as you renew your obligation to the Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer.

Cost: Complimentary (advanced registration required)

Reunion dinner event

Reunion Dinner Party

7:00 - 10:00 P.M.
1st and 2nd Floors, Engineering 7

More Information

Reception: 7:00 p.m.
Dinner: 8:00 p.m.

Complete your Reunion celebrations with a gourmet buffet dinner in the company of your classmates. Relive your student memories, enjoy good food and drink, and celebrate the milestone anniversary of graduating from the University of Waterloo. A pre-dinner reception with the Dean of Engineering, Mary Wells, will take place on the first floor of E7 followed by dinner. You and your guests will be grouped for dinner according to your decade of study in select locations throughout the Engineering 7 building.

Cost: $75.00 per person. Price includes one beverage, appetizers and buffet dinner. Cash bar. Advance registration required; spouses and guests are welcome to attend.

Note: HST #R119260685
If you have any questions about your reunion, please email or call 519.888.4567 ext. 43863. (Please email for the fastest response.)

Registration

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL REUNION EVENTS!

Register online or by phone at 519-888-4567, ext. 43863. Deadline to register is Friday, May 24, 2024.

NO TICKETS WILL BE ISSUED

Refunds: The last date for cancellations or changes to your registration is Friday, May 24, 2024; you will be charged in full for cancellations received after this date. If Reunion activities need to be moved from in person to virtual at any time, full refunds will be issued.

Support Waterloo Engineering

Celebrate Reunion by making a gift to support Waterloo Engineering. Your donation makes a meaningful impact, helping your alma mater excel current and future student success. There are many ways you can give, such as to your favourite student team, WEEF or an area of greatest need. Make your gift while you register for reunion activities or online.

Accommodations

Make a weekend out of your Reunion! We have a variety of locations offering special prices for alumni and guests coming back for Reunion. Be sure to mention “University of Waterloo Alumni Reunion” to take advantage of the rates listed below. Spaces are limited so book early to secure your room.

Walper Hotel 
20 Queen Street South, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A3 
$209 per night 
Book directly online with code G-UOWL (entered under “special rate” as a Corporate or Group code) 
Book before May 3 for guaranteed rate  

Delta Waterloo  
110 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON N2L 0C6 (1.7 km) 
$205-225 per night  
Book directly online 
Book before April 18 for guaranteed rate 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs 
45 Benjamin Road, Waterloo, ON N2V 2G8 
$159-169 per night 
Call 519-514-0088 for reservations or book directly online with Corporate ID #0003242147 

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs 
55 Benjamin Rd, Waterloo, ON N2V 0C6 
$159-169 per night  
Call 519-514-0090 for reservations or book directly online with Corporate ID #0003242147 

Courtyard Marriott Waterloo St. Jacobs  
50 Benjamin Rd E, Waterloo, ON N2V 2J9 (5.1 km) 
$174 per night 
Call 519-884-9295 for reservations or book directly online 
Book before April 30 for guaranteed rate 

ON CAMPUS:

United College guest rooms
190 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G5
$115 per night
Call 519-885-1460, email: utdhotel@uwaterloo.ca, or book directly online

Helpful hints

Campus parking 

  • Paid visitor parking is available on Friday, May 31, 2024 in parking lots A, B, C, H, M, N, Q, W and X at $5 per day (credit card or coins required).
  • Complimentary parking will be available on Saturday, June 1, 2024 in parking lots A, B, C, N, R, W and X. Pay parking is available in Lot H ($5 in coins required).

Maps and directions 
Campus Maps, Directions, and Parking 

Dress code 

  • Daytime events are casual. 
  • Business or business casual attire recommended in the evening. 

Other things to do on campus and tourist information 

Special Offer

Celebrate your class reunion in style with the W Store's wide selection of Waterloo Alumni branded apparel and gifts! Shipping available worldwide. Enjoy exclusive savings in store on May 31 and June 1, 2024 when you spend $75 (before taxes) and receive $10 off your purchase.
Some exclusions apply: Custom UWaterloo Jackets, grad rings and course materials are excluded from this offer. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer/promotion.

Virtual Options

Cannot make it to campus for your Reunion? Are you looking for a way to participate from afar?

We’ve got you covered! All three lectures scheduled for your Reunion will be recorded and available for sharing after the event. Enjoy the Reunion lectures again and again and again! Register for the “online lecture” options if you’d like to receive the links to the lecture recordings.

Video recordings will be available for the following Reunion lectures:

  1. Reunion Breakfast Lecture with the Dean of Engineering
  2. Drink Talk Learn (DTL): Engineering Research Talks
  3. Engineering Back-to-the-Classroom Lecture with Prof. Larry Smith