The Faculty of Health was proud to celebrate two remarkable alumni at fall convocation, recognizing their outstanding contributions to health, community well-being and public service.
Both honourees – Dr. Albert Wong and Caryl Russell – embody the Faculty’s commitment to improving lives through leadership, innovation and dedication to building healthier communities. Their achievements reflect the lasting impact of Waterloo graduates and the strength of our alumni community.
Honorary Doctorate: Dr. Albert Wong
Many attendees gathered to hear Citizenship Judge Albert Wong share personal stories from his remarkable lifetime of service at a public lecture in October. A proud Waterloo alumnus (BSc ’80, Kinesiology), Wong has devoted more than 49 years to public service, including peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Africa. As a citizenship judge since 2014, he has helped integrate more than 300,000 new Canadians and advocates for inclusive immigration policies.
Beyond his official role, Wong is deeply engaged in community service, especially within Asian-Canadian communities. He advocates for unity, collaboration, and social cohesion – values he believes are essential to building a stronger, more inclusive Canada.
The Faculty of Health was proud to recognize his exceptional contributions on October 24, bestowing him with an honorary doctorate during convocation.
Honorary Member: Caryl Russell
This year, the Faculty of Health also celebrates the exceptional career of staff member Caryl Russell (BSc ’80, MSc ’92, Kinesiology), who was named Honorary Member of the University at fall convocation. Russell retired after an outstanding 44 years of service to the University of Waterloo. She transformed lives across campus, in the community and throughout Canada with her leadership, innovation and deep commitment to improving health and wellness.
Russell’s impact is far-reaching. She co-founded both the Hardy Hearts cardiac rehabilitation program and UW WELL-FIT, a groundbreaking exercise program for cancer survivors. These programs have supported thousands of participants while providing hands-on training for generations of students, cementing her legacy as both a compassionate leader and an exceptional educator.
As one of the longest-serving team members in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences’ history, Russell leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of dedication and community impact. Her contributions have shaped the way exercise is used to improve health and wellness, and her influence will continue to benefit students, researchers and community members for years to come.
Fun fact
We hunted down Caryl's and Albert's graduation photos in the Faculty's hallowed halls and found them next to each other on the 1980 class composite.
