University of Waterloo holds 112th convocation

More than 5,400 students received degrees as part of the University of Waterloo's 112^th convocation, which took place this week. There were 4,467 undergraduate degrees and 966 graduate degrees handed out at ceremonies taking place over five days.

“Today, the University of Waterloo is even more relevant and connected to society than ever before, and it is because of our students, including those who received degrees this week,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. “They have shared with us their values and priorities, such as gender equity, diversity and entrepreneurship, and we not only reflect them, we now lead in these fields. On behalf of the University, I extend to the newest graduates my sincere congratulations and thank them for their contributions to our community.”

Among the highlights of Waterloo's spring convocation:

Minyang Han (master’s — Mathematics) and Paul Seili (doctoral — Arts) won the Governor General's Gold Medal for highest standing in a graduate program.

David Choi (Mathematics), Shelley Ann Martin (Applied Health Sciences — Fall 2015) and Alexander Vena (Engineering) won the Governor General's Silver Medal for highest standing in an undergraduate program.

Seven students received awards for outstanding achievement in graduate studies: Stephen Alexander (Environment), Nayeli Azucena Rodriguez Briones (Science), Eric Brown (Science — Fall 2015), Amy Lynne Hackney (Applied Health Sciences), Michael David Klein (Arts), Tor Myklebust (Mathematics) and Anne Elyse Tadgell (Environment).

Six students won the University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal, for academic achievement: Emily Constanza Brubaker-Zehr (Applied Health Sciences), Raymond Cheng (Mathematics), Zinnie Cowing (Environment — Fall 2015), Dylan Dowling (Engineering), Katelyn Rowe (Arts) and Yefeng Zhang (Science).

Sarah Ashpole (Environment) won the Amit & Meena Chakma Award for Exceptional Teaching by a Student.

Linda Nazar (Science) was awarded a University Professor designation.

Roger C. Mannell (Applied Health Sciences), Bruce Mitchell (Environment), John E. Thompson (Science) and Johnny Wong (Mathematics) became distinguished professors emeriti.

David Taylor (Mathematics) and Frank Zorzitto (Mathematics) became honorary members of the University.

Four faculty members received distinguished teacher awards: Jee-Hae Lim (Arts), Robert McKillop (Engineering), Kathryn Plaisance (Environment), Mark Pritzker (Engineering).

Three professors were honoured with awards for excellence in graduate supervision: David DeVidi (Arts), Paul Fieguth (Engineering), Magdy Salama (Engineering).

Shannon Rebecca Fernandes (Science), Isabel Jiayi Ji (Mathematics), Mark Mugwe Kiragu (Science), Ishani Kumar (Environment), Wai Ho Christopher Ng (Mathematics), Prateeksha Ravi (Arts), James Gabriel Paul Schembri (Applied Health Sciences), Shiping Shen (Engineering), Jim Stephenson (Engineering) and Catherine Vendryes (Arts) delivered valedictory addresses.

Waterloo presented honorary doctorates to:

• Alison Brooks, founder, principal and creative director of Alison Brooks Architects (Doctor of Engineering)
• Barry Mazur, Gerhard Gade University Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Harvard University (Doctor of Mathematics)
• Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada (Doctor of Laws)
• Patricia O’Malley, FCPA, FCA, partner, KPMG (Doctor of Laws)
• S. Shankar Sastry, dean and Roy W. Carlson Professor of Engineering at University of California, Berkeley (Doctor of Engineering)
• Alan Tomlinson, research professor and former head of the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University (Doctor of Science)
• David A. Weitz, Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Applied Physics and director of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Harvard University (Doctor of Science)
• Ming-ko Woo, professor emeritus in the School of Geography and Environmental and Earth Sciences at McMaster University (Doctor of Environmental Studies)

For more information, please visit the website for spring convocation 2016.