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The road to earning a degree is challenging. It takes hard work, courage and dedication. And in this year's graduating class, I have also witnessed their curiosity about the world, their drive to shape a better future, and their resilience through challenging times. As the Class of 2025 crosses the stage, we celebrate their accomplishments and journeys to get to this milestone. The degrees they’ve earned are a culmination of lessons, relationships and experiences. 

Bridging theoretical insight and academia with experimental expertise and industry application has been key to advancing quantum information science — and a defining strength of the Waterloo quantum ecosystem.

While founding Canada’s next tech startup or discovering a major research breakthrough are the impetus for some University of Waterloo changemakers, others use their curiosity and imagination to find ways to unlock social impact locally and globally.

In many cases, the first steps towards making a difference happen at Waterloo where students immerse themselves in a culture of curiosity, entrepreneurship and global stewardship. It’s at Waterloo where a sense of belonging and a responsibility for others can really take root.

The iron ring is small, sized to fit the little finger of an engineer’s working hand. Today it is more often made from stainless steel than iron. Though it doesn’t weigh much physically, it carries enormous symbolic weight, acting as a reminder to Canadian-trained professional engineers of the oath they took to do good, safe work that advances society.

A new Heritage Minute from Historica Canada celebrates Dr. Anne Innis Dagg (PhD ’67, DSc ’19), a groundbreaking zoologist, animal rights advocate and feminist. Dagg received her doctorate degree in animal behaviour from the University of Waterloo and later returned to campus as a faculty member in Independent Studies.  

“For too long, we’ve looked at energy as an infrastructure issue, but we have to think about how it drives society” Chris Henderson said, opening his keynote at Waterloo’s inaugural Energy Transitions Networking Forum.

Second-year University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy student Brett Hummel (PharmD’27) is committed to integrating Indigenous and western approaches in his patient care. Through his studies, he’s developing the clinical skills needed and is using his own experiences and compassion to foster trust and improve health outcomes for Indigenous communities.

Three years ago, in front of a large gathering on campus, we made Waterloo’s first formal commitment to reconciliation, Indigenization, and decolonization. It was a moving moment and a highlight of my presidency. It was also only the beginning of a much longer journey. 

This year, as we once again mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, I am reminded of how far we have come and how much work still lies ahead. While this year's ceremony is my last one as President and Vice-Chancellor, I know that the University’s commitment will continue.

The University of Waterloo community showed off its school spirit on Saturday, September 20, as alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends gathered for Homecoming 2025.  

The day kicked off with the return of a beloved event: the Faculty of Health Fun Run. Participants ran, walked and danced their way around Ring Road for the first time in more than five years.