A glance at our first 60 years
Growing, changing, innovating, the University of Waterloo has been on a six decade long journey that's has only just begun. From humble beginnings, this two building campus has grown to span over 400 acres. Take a glimpse through the decades to see how our school has expanded, technology has advanced, and our students have grown.
Click on any photo to begin viewing.

The Ontario government announced a tuition fee increase, the first in eight years, which raised undergraduate fees from $255 a term (plus a $60 co-op fee) to $312. And for the first time, graduate students would have to pay fees for three terms a year. Jack McNie, minister of colleges and universities, faced protesters when he visited UW for the official opening of Chemistry II.

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On March 10, 2017, the University participates in the food Bank of Waterloo Region's Canstruction build with a 60th anniversary structure.

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Dean of Arts Doug Peers makes opening remarks at the Hagey Hub official opening on February 10, 2017.

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Arts officially opened a student space in the J.G Hagey Hall of the Humanities on February 10, 2017.

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Alumni shared their highlights and predictions at the Beer + Quantum Physics - Quantum Event: The Exhibition at THEMUSEUM in Kitchener.

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Alumni at the Beer + Quantum Physics - Quantum Event: The Exhibition in December 2016, shared their highlights from the first 60 years at University of Waterloo and their predictions for the next 60 years.

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The University of Waterloo opens Velocity Garage in October 28, 2016. With 37,000 sq. ft. of space, it is the largest free startup incubator in the world.

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University of Waterloo students at Waterloo Warriors vs. Queen's Gaels football game at Reunion 2016.

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On April 29, 2015, Waterloo is selected as part of the UN Women’s HeForShe Impact 10X10X10 initiative (the only Canadian organization selected).

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Canada's Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan and University of Waterloo science students.

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University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering broke ground on Engineering 7, a facility that will feature a 3D printing lab and RoboHub, with Dean of Engineering, Pearl Sullivan, and president Feridun Hamdullahpur in attendance (November 12, 2015).

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Grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre with Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis and Stephen Hawking in attendance (September 21, 2012).

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In 2012, current Chancellor Tom Jenkins and urban and regional planning graduate Toby Jenkins donated Tech Town, now names The Toby Jenkins Applied Health Research Building. A 60,000 square-foot building in David Johnston Research and Technology Park, to the University.

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The first time the pink tie was hung for convocation on Mathematics 3 instead of Mathematics and Computer building was in 2011.

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The Accounting wing of Hagey Hall of Humanities officially opened on May 11, 2009.

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Groundbreaking ceremony for the new School of Accountancy, a new expansion of Hagey Hall, with president David Johnson in attendance (March 27, 2007).

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A small group chatting in the Centre for Enviornmental and Information Technology.

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Official opening of the Centre for Environment and Information Technology (March 1, 2004).

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November, 1988: the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre opens. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections and Archives.

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Groundbreaking of the William G. Davis Computer Resarch Centre, now known as Davis Centre, with guest of honour, William G. Davis in attendance (April 16, 1985).

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President Douglas Wright helps unpack a truckload of computer equipment donated by Digital Equipment Corporation (1984).

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This team of graduate students — Jim Jonkman, Tom Schultz, Greg Bakker, Jonathan Schaeffer – drew publicity in March 1983 for work on a chip to speed up the computations of chess-playing computer programs. (The picture was taken in 1982)

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The Ontario government announced a tuition fee increase, the first in eight years, which raised undergraduate fees from $255 a term (plus a $60 co-op fee) to $312. And for the first time, graduate students would have to pay fees for three terms a year. Jack McNie, minister of colleges and universities, faced protesters when he visited UW for the official opening of Chemistry II.

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Groundbreaking ceremony for the Optometry Building with N.J. Penwarden, Carl Pollock and A.W Cole in attendance (June 1972)

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Judith Zakrewski, a member of the first graduating class in kinesiology.

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Warrior Track and Field Meet May 23, 1970. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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Hon. John P. Robarts and D.A. Sprott looking at equipment demonstration on May 23, 1968. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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Opening in 1967, the Red Room in the Mathematics and Computing building was where the University's main computers were located. It was the home of the IBM 360 Model 75, the largest computer in Canada at the time.

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Construction of the Mathematics and Computer Building on February 6, 1968. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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The first Mathematics convocation as a faculty and the opening of the Mathematics and Computing Building (May 23, 1968).

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University of Waterloo, Girl Engineering Students : Sandra Jory and Margaret Murray reduce male to female ratio from 1200 to 1 to 500 to 1. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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First annual invitational track meet October 15, 1964. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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Madwoman of Chaillot Rehearsal December 05, 1966. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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Peering into the 1403 printer is Richard Shirley. Marian Rankin is seated at centre in front of the IBM 7040. Sandra Hope is at rear. Mike Doyle, reading a sheet of printout, stands in front of the IBM 1401.

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Three international students from Nigeria speaking with Dr. D. T. Wright in September, 1961. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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University of Waterloo football team in 1961. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.

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An aerial view of the part of the "South Campus" with Columbia Lake at the top right.

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An aerial University of Waterloo campus 1961. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections and Archives.

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This house still stands near the centre of campus as the Graduate House restaurant and pub. University of Waterloo Library Special Collections & Archives.