Giving Day thrives all year in Environment
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Service and generosity run deep in the Waterloo community, inspiring countless acts of impact both on and off campus. From running the Fruit and Veggie Market to donating monthly, our community is committed to cultivating a memorable student experience.
As the University of Waterloo's second annual Giving Day approaches, we caught up with members from the Faculty of Environment’s faculty, staff and retiree communities to find out what motivates them to support the next generation.
Helena Shilomboleni
Professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Development
For me, being part of the Faculty of Environment means being valued for who I am and being part of something bigger than myself.
I find a lot of value in giving back and supporting student wellness and success. Our ability to thrive individually and collectively depends on being active in our communities. It’s what motivates me in my work, in my mentorship and as a donor.
Brenda Panasiak
Faculty Research and Administrative Coordinator
As a staff member in the Dean's office, I help students and faculty navigate the administrative details related to research programs and awards. I enjoy helping with events and activities for the ENV community, like the Fruit and Veggie Market in EV3, and last year I donated to the staff giving program for my first time. I can appreciate that being in academia is hard, stressful and expensive. If a few dollars from my salary helps to improve a student’s experience, it seems like a worthwhile thing to do. I am proud to work with and support people who are actively working on solutions to our planet's greatest challenges.
Jean Andrey
Dean of the Faculty of Environment from 2014 to 2022
For me, students are at the centre of everything that we do at University of Waterloo. As a professor and former dean, I was committed to being accessible and hearing from students how to support their learning journey and overall experience. Now, in retirement, I focus on giving back by supporting student scholarships, like the Jean Andrey Environment Leadership Scholarship, and by being present on campus for special events.
University of Waterloo has been like a second home for me. I have belonged to the Faculty of Environment community since 1983, and it has given me so many opportunities and relationships. The Faculty is a place with heart and mission, and belonging connects my past, present and future. Being actively involved is the only way to give back and a way to help build a better future.
UWaterloo Giving Day is a multi-week long campaign, already underway, that culminates on May 21. Thanks to a series of matching opportunities, this is a powerful moment to follow in Helena, Brenda and Jean's footsteps and support Environment student scholarships and experiential learning.
