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When the university integrated social media into the convocation ceremonies for the first time in June, it did so quietly, unsure what the response would be like from students and parents.  But 2,000 congratulatory tweets and one marriage proposal later, it was clear that the CONVO-sation, as it was dubbed, had taken on a life of its own.

This fall marks University of Waterloo’s 105^th convocation. Convocation is an opportunity for members of the University and guests to gather and celebrate the achievements of our graduates, as well as the accomplishments of those receiving honorary degrees and awards.  Honorary degrees are awarded to those who have been designated by the Senate (the university’s governing body) as deserving a special honor.

Students graduating at the 105^th convocation on Oct 19 and 20, will be the newest members to join Waterloo’s increasingly global club of alumni. From Albania to Zambia, Waterloo’s 160,000 grads currently live in 144 countries around the world, and with each new convocation ceremony the number continues to grow.

Convocation is a ceremony of ancient traditions and weighty symbols.

Once graduating students have entered the ceremony, faculty members enter walking two by two, followed by university officials, all in their academic finery. Near the end of the procession, a selected faculty member will carry the Mace, a traditional symbol of the university’s authority.

WATERLOO, Ont. (Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012) - The University of Waterloo Stratford Campus marks a historic occasion today with the grand opening of its new building that will house programs designed to support the confluence of art, business and technology for the next generation of innovators. Leaders from the university, partners from government and industry, and students will all participate in the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. today.

Mohammed Khanani, a first-year Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) student, comes from a family of entrepreneurs in Pakistan. When searching for a program, he wanted a broad range of theoretical learning along with practical experience to prepare him for the demands of business.

WATERLOO, Ont. (Friday, Oct. 12, 2012) – Important research with the potential to improve human health has earned national recognition for four University of Waterloo professors whose Canada Research Chair (CRC) grants were announced today.

Three of the researchers are new chairs at the Tier 2 level, and one advances to Tier 1.

WATERLOO, Ont. (Monday, October 1, 2012) – Oil sands development in northern Alberta isn’t polluting the nearby Peace-Athabasca Delta via the air and water to the extent many may believe, two recently published University of Waterloo research studies have found.

WATERLOO, Ont. (Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012) – An expert in the management of physical systems, including the environment, water resources, infrastructure and natural disasters, will share lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake when he delivers the TD Walter Bean Lecture in the Environment at the University of Waterloo this evening.

WATERLOO, Ont. (Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012) – The University of Waterloo has named Nello Angerilli as its new associate vice-president, international.