Six decades at a glance

Monday, November 21, 2016
by Staff

1957 to 1966: Laying the foundation

What would become the centre of campus, 1958

Graduate house in 1958. University of Waterloo Special Collections & Archives.

In 1958, the Waterloo College of Associated Faculties, later to become the University of Waterloo, purchased 184 acres in Waterloo, ON. Founded on engineering and co-operative education, the University quickly added mathematics, arts, science and environmental studies programs. By the 1966, the fledgling school had begun to make an international mark as a computer science leader, with the WatFOR compiler, developed by undergraduate students and used by programmers around the world.

1967 to 1976: Building the supports, setting the stage

Student Village, Red Dining room

 Student Village Red Dining room, 1960's. University of Waterloo Special Collections & Archives.

A strong infrastructure of support was required to meet the needs of a fast-growing campus. New buildings offered food, housing,

health and administrative services — and new approaches to higher education. The world’s first kinesiology program and North America’s only Faculty of Mathematics were established. The Federation of Students was formed. And a tradition of outreach began as physics professors recorded lectures for a part-time distance education program that was the first of its kind in Canada, and soon became the largest kind in North America.

1977 to 1986: The birth of a high-tech hub

Wes Graham

                      Wes Graham, professor of Computer Science. University of Waterloo Special Collections & Archives.

Creator-owns intellectual property policy was cemented as a cornerstone value when Wes Graham, a professor of Computer Science, prepared to turn away a $24-million corporate equipment donation that put the policy at risk. Waterloo’s unconventional approach to intellectual property helped spur a wave ventures founded  by Waterloo alumni and professors — including Watcom (now SAP), DALSA (now Teledyne DALSA), Research In Motion (now BlackBerry) and Certicom. The creation of the Hong Kong Alumni Association was a sign of growing international reach.

Computer arriving on campus, September 1964

Computer arriving on campus in September, 1964. University of Waterloo Special Collections & Archives.

1987 to 1996: Bridges to commercialization

William G. Davis Centre
In November 1988, the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre opened, named for the former Ontario premier and education minister who was a strong supporter of the University. Waterloo emerged as a leader in computer science commercialization, with the launch of startups including OpenText and Waterloo Maple (now Maplesoft).

1997 to 2006: Deepening industry connections

David Jognston Research + Technology Park
To better connect industry needs with University research and talent, Waterloo invited high tech companies to set up shop in its research and technology park, renamed the David Johnston Research and Technology Park in 2011. The new William M. Tatham Centre for Co-operative Education offered improved space and resources for employers and employees in Waterloo’s world-leading program.

2007 to today: Exploring new frontiers

Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre

                       Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre

Student startups and frontier research shared the stage as research moved from discovery to impact in new landmark buildings, including the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, Stratford’s digital-focused campus and Kitchener’s Health Sciences campus. Students seeking to develop and launch their own ventures found a home in a growing suite of entrepreneurship programs, including Velocity — the world’s largest free startup incubator.

University of Waterloo Stratford campus

                           University of Waterloo Stratford Campus