University of Waterloo holds 110th convocation

There were 4,737 undergraduate degrees and 980 graduate degrees handed out at ceremonies taking place over five days, ending today.

"The entire campus community takes pride in the accomplishment of all students receiving degrees at convocation," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. "Whether continuing with their education or innovative research, contributing to our community's entrepreneurial ecosystem, joining a global firm or other important endeavours, Waterloo's newest alumni take with them the tools to succeed and our most sincere congratulations."

Among the highlights of Waterloo's spring convocation:

Tom Jenkins, Chairman of the Board of OpenText, was installed as chancellor
Prem Watsa, chair of Fairfax Holdings, became chancellor emeritus

Waterloo presented honorary doctorates to:

Professor Noga Alon, Baumritter Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Tel Aviv University (Doctor of Mathematics)
Professor Wallace S. Broecker, Newberry Professor of Geology, Earth Institute, Columbia University (Doctor of Science)
Barbara Ehrenreich, award-winning journalist, author and political activist (Doctor of Letters)
Professor Anne Glover, microbial biologist and Vice Principal for External Affairs and Dean for Europe, University of Aberdeen (Doctor of Science)
Professor Nancy Reid, Canada Research Chair in Statistical Theory and Applications, University of Toronto (Doctor of Mathematics)

Professors Niels C. Bols (Science), Wendy Mitchinson (Arts), Reinhold Schuster (Engineering), William D. Taylor (Science), Geoffrey Wall (Environment) and Mark P. Zanna (Arts) became distinguished professors emeriti.

Two students were awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal: Abbas Mehrabian (Mathematics) and Timothy Andrew Sipkens (Engineering).

Jason Blais (Mathematics), Jason Leonard Elzinga (Applied Health Sciences) and Marina Gallagher (Arts) won the Governor General's Silver Medal.

Professors William Coleman (Arts) and William Cook (Mathematics) became university professors.

Seven students received awards for outstanding achievement in graduate studies: Leona Maria Bruijns (Applied Health Sciences), Jennifer Carson (Applied Health Sciences), Fathy Mohamed Hassan (Engineering), Malambo Moonga (Arts), Zhenzhong Si (Environment), Stephen Michael Winter (Science) and Hanmeng Zhan (Mathematics, Fall 2014).

Six students won alumni gold medals, for academic achievement: Benjamin Carr (Environment), Brett Coburn (Mathematics), Lingzhi Han (Arts), Schuyler Schmidt (Applied Health Sciences), Yuqing Tang (Science) and Lydia Terisno (Engineering).

Trevor Grove, former president of the University of Waterloo Staff Association, and Patrick Mihm, a certified sheet metal trades person who worked in the Plant Operations department and a former representative on the Board of Governors, became honorary members of the University.

Four faculty members received distinguished teacher awards: Professors Greta Kroeker (Arts), Michael MacDonald (Arts) Mary Louise McAllister (Environment) and Jeffrey S. West (Engineering).

Four professors were honoured with awards for excellence in graduate supervision: Professors Chris Godsil (Mathematics), Laurie Hoffman-Goetz (Applied Health Sciences), Kam Tong Leung (Science) and Robert Mann (Science).