In a socially-distanced world, building and maintaining connections is more important than ever. We need each other not only to get through challenging times, but to move forward into a future where our hard work, experience, and altruism can make positive change for others.
The Faculty of Environment Class Champions Program was created to support alumni volunteers who want to build networks and bring their classmates back together. The Champions can organize the celebrations of milestone reunions and, if they wish, lead a group-funded class giving campaign to raise money for student scholarships.
For those many alumni who remember entering university with hopes and dreams for their futures, a big part of the growth they have achieved during this time is the friendships they make, which often last a lifetime.
To create more opportunities for future and hopes and dreams, the School of Planning alumni classes of 1981, 1990, and 1995 have generously provided three entrance scholarships with nearly $50,000 raised so far, which will support the next generation of students.
Each one of these scholarships is headed by a Class Champion alumnus. What ties the Class Champions together is their recognition and gratitude of the impact their time as students has had on them, and their passion to give back and help the next generation.
Planning Class of '95 Entrance Scholarship
Anne-Marie Marais (‘95 PLAN) was the Faculty’s first official Class Champion, and in many ways is the inspiration for the program’s inception. Having planned her 10-year, 15-year and 20-year class reunions independently, she was the first to become an official class rep.
“I just had such a great time here, and my classmates and I are so close,” she says. “Some of the people I even talk to every day.”
While reminiscing about class trips, inside jokes, and many other shared memories, Marais also recalls the financial strain of attending university. “I want to enable other students to have the same great experience,” she says. “My classmates and I have known each other for thirty years now, and we’ve always done what we can to help each other, whether it’s professionally or personally.”
Even before the boom of social networks, Marais was always the glue holding her class together and organized many official and casual reunions. “We’re kind of international now, so whenever someone would come to town, we would make sure to meet,” she says. “So it really is just about putting that effort in. It’s about being interested in people, being supportive of them.”
Today, Marais is also co-lead of the Toronto Alumni Chapter for the University of Waterloo. She frequently visits the campus and continues to cultivate friendships at the University through philanthropy and social events. She is grateful for the down-to-earth and tight-knit atmosphere at the Faculty of Environment, where everyone is always willing to lend a hand. The scholarship is an effort to continue that tradition, and Marais hopes that the students who are granted the annual scholarships will have a chance to be equally involved in the community.
Steve Plaice Memorial Scholarship
The passing of a dear friend and beloved classmate inspired Steve Mennill (‘90 PLAN) and Karen Bett (‘90 PLAN) to create and lead the Steve Plaice Memorial Scholarship fund. Many would remember Steve Plaice as a generous classmate, always pulling his weight in group projects and willing to help organize class social events. “How amazing would it be,” Mennill thought, “for the class to help future students, in his honour, on their way to creating their own memories and forging the same kind of wonderful friendships.”
“He was super adored by everyone and just a great guy all around,” says Mennill. “It was easy to get support. Everyone was eager to contribute in his memory.”
The scholarship is meant to support new students and encourage building strong connections. “If there’s anything that the story with Steve reminded us of, it’s that we wished we did more of this,” Mennill says. “You kind of have less time than you think.” Mennill’s and Bett’s efforts have raised more than $10,000 in just three months — well ahead of schedule — moving the launch of the Steve Plaice Memorial Scholarship from 2022 to September 2021.
Class of ’81 Entrance Scholarship Fund
Led by tireless Class Champion and loyal Waterloo volunteer Lee Anne Doyle (‘81 PLAN), the SURP Class of ’81 Entrance Scholarship Fund was launched to help students who may be facing additional challenges due to Covid-19.
Doyle was the first and only female Chief Building Official at the City of Windsor and headed a number of leadership positions throughout her career, including the School of Planning’s 2018 Planner in Residence role.
She recognizes that she and many of her classmates are now in a unique position to be able to give back, both financially and professionally. Gradually realigning to the next phase of her life, Doyle is offering her expertise in advisory roles. She currently sits on Waterloo’s Alumni Council, providing recommendations to the President and Vice-President of Advancement on how to best engage with and maximize the impact of alumni in the success of the university.
Looking back on her work in leadership, she is grateful to the mentors who made her successful career possible. She strongly believes in reciprocal mentoring, having always eagerly contributed to mentoring programs, including the recently launched ENV Connect platform.
“Mentors are able to give us that push and really be impartial, be honest. That builds a lot of trust,” says Doyle. She encourages students and her fellow alumni to join professional associations and alumni groups, and maintain connections within these networks.
Being part of these communities allows us to share knowledge and, “always keep learning,” Doyle explains. The scholarship is her way of enabling new students to embark on that incredible journey.
With the efforts of those who have donated, the scholarship represents a tangible legacy to keep students feeling supported and motivated.
Established in 1969, the Faculty of Environment is currently home to more than 3,000 students and has over 16,500 alumni in more than 80 countries around the world. In the upcoming Fall Semester 2021, the Environment family will once again grow by approximately 700 new students. As our world gets bigger and our community expands, it might often seem harder to stay in touch, but it also creates more opportunities for our network.
Our class champions believe that the scholarships are more than just a way to support students financially. They are a big step towards developing relationships at a time when we really need to be reaching out and helping people. Whether it’s jumping on a conference call, participating in virtual events, or staying connected through social media, this philanthropy effort is a reminder to students and alumni alike to take advantage of the resources that we have. Mentorship and support provided by organizations and individuals within our community are here to help Faculty of Environment students and alumni grow, carry on traditions, and create new ones by contributing to philanthropy.
