Under the light of the setting sun in Renison’s Atrium, on Wednesday we celebrated the founding of Renison University College and recognized members of the Renison community who have distinguished themselves by advancing the values of Renison in the broader community.

The evening’s keynote speaker was John Neufeld, Renison alum and Executive Director of the House of Friendship. He began the keynote by saying “the world needs a little more Renison” and described his journey at Renison, including the meeting of his wife Andrea in a Renison corridor and finding his passion in the field of Social Work.

Wallis Zeng, a Renison resident, Peer Leader, and former English Language Institute student spoke next about her experience in our community. First viewing her time at Renison as a means to an end for her English language requirement, her time on campus would becoming, in Wallis’ words, “the cornerstone of profound friendships, transformative experiences, and unparalleled personal growth.”

Four people standing in a row in the Renison Atrium

Left to right: Cort Egan, Joan McKinnon, Mary Dunker Guy, Wendy L. Fletcher at Founders Day 2024.

Two people standing in the Renison atrium talking.

Cort Egan (left) and Gail Cuthbert Brandt (right) at Founders Day May 2024.

Three people standing in the atrium.

Left to right: Karrie Cornies, Lisa Kessig, Wallis Zeng in the Renison Atrium on Founders' Day, May 2024

Person standing at the podium in the atrium.

President Wendy L. Fletcher speaking at the 2024 Founders' Day Celebration event.

Young woman stands at the Renison podium speaking. She is in front of a large black backdrop that has the words "Founders' Day" on it in white.

Wallis Zeng gives remarks at Renison's Founders' Day Event on May 22, 2024.

Man standing at podium in the Atrium

John Neufeld gives the Keynote address at the 2024 Founders' Day Celebration.

Person at podium in the atrium presents award.

Kristina Llewellyn (left) presents the Young Alumni award to Aurra Startup (right).

Woman stands in centre receiving an award.

Ajirioghene Evi (centre) receives her award from President Wendy L. Fletcher (right).

Boy in red shirt receives award.

Nauroz Tanya's son (left) receives the Distinguished Alumni award on behalf of his father who was unable to attend. The award is presented by Christine Gillies (right).

Two people standing in front of a black background, one is handing a folder to the other.

Kristiina Montero presents the Honorary Senior Fellow award to John Neufeld.

Person standing at the podium in the atrium.

Bishop Todd Townshend gives a closing prayer at Renison's Founders' Day celebration.

Three people standing in front of a Renison backdrop. They are each wearing a medal and holding a folder with the Renison logo on it.

Left to right: Aurra Startup, Ajirioghene Evi, and John Neufeld.

three adults and two children standing in front of a Renison black backdrop.

Christine Gillies (far left) and President Wendy L. Fletcher (far right) stand with Nauroz Tanya's family, left to right: Tristan, Lillian, and Zhian.

7 people around a table at the reception for Founders Day 2024.

Left to right: June Longworth, Gerry Mueller, Megan Collings-Moore, Brian Hendley, Gail Cuthbert Brandt, David Bowyer, Karen Bowyer at the reception for Founders' Day 2024.

Three people standing around a table at the Founders' Day 2024 reception.

Left to right: Winston Cherry, Jeff Ford, and Susan Janke at the reception for Founders' Day 2024.

Three people standing around a table at the Founders' Day 2024 reception.

Left to right: Rebekah Churchyard, Rachael Fowler and Mary Churchyard at the Founders' Day celebration reception.

Four people standing around a table at the Founders' Day 2024 reception.

Left to right: Scott McLeod, Wallis Zeng, Karina Fu, and Aaryn Xie at the 2024 Founders' Day Reception.

Four people standing in a row in the Renison Atrium
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Left to right: Cort Egan, Joan McKinnon, Mary Dunker Guy, Wendy L. Fletcher at Founders Day 2024.
Two people standing in the Renison atrium talking.
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Cort Egan (left) and Gail Cuthbert Brandt (right) at Founders Day May 2024.
Three people standing in the atrium.
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Left to right: Karrie Cornies, Lisa Kessig, Wallis Zeng in the Renison Atrium on Founders' Day, May 2024
Person standing at the podium in the atrium.
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President Wendy L. Fletcher speaking at the 2024 Founders' Day Celebration event.
Young woman stands at the Renison podium speaking. She is in front of a large black backdrop that has the words "Founders' Day" on it in white.
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Wallis Zeng gives remarks at Renison's Founders' Day Event on May 22, 2024.
Man standing at podium in the Atrium
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John Neufeld gives the Keynote address at the 2024 Founders' Day Celebration.
Person at podium in the atrium presents award.
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Kristina Llewellyn (left) presents the Young Alumni award to Aurra Startup (right).
Woman stands in centre receiving an award.
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Ajirioghene Evi (centre) receives her award from President Wendy L. Fletcher (right).
Boy in red shirt receives award.
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Nauroz Tanya's son (left) receives the Distinguished Alumni award on behalf of his father who was unable to attend. The award is presented by Christine Gillies (right).
Two people standing in front of a black background, one is handing a folder to the other.
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Kristiina Montero presents the Honorary Senior Fellow award to John Neufeld.
Person standing at the podium in the atrium.
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Bishop Todd Townshend gives a closing prayer at Renison's Founders' Day celebration.
Three people standing in front of a Renison backdrop. They are each wearing a medal and holding a folder with the Renison logo on it.
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Left to right: Aurra Startup, Ajirioghene Evi, and John Neufeld.
three adults and two children standing in front of a Renison black backdrop.
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Christine Gillies (far left) and President Wendy L. Fletcher (far right) stand with Nauroz Tanya's family, left to right: Tristan, Lillian, and Zhian.
7 people around a table at the reception for Founders Day 2024.
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Left to right: June Longworth, Gerry Mueller, Megan Collings-Moore, Brian Hendley, Gail Cuthbert Brandt, David Bowyer, Karen Bowyer at the reception for Founders' Day 2024.
Three people standing around a table at the Founders' Day 2024 reception.
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Left to right: Winston Cherry, Jeff Ford, and Susan Janke at the reception for Founders' Day 2024.
Three people standing around a table at the Founders' Day 2024 reception.
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Left to right: Rebekah Churchyard, Rachael Fowler and Mary Churchyard at the Founders' Day celebration reception.
Four people standing around a table at the Founders' Day 2024 reception.
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Left to right: Scott McLeod, Wallis Zeng, Karina Fu, and Aaryn Xie at the 2024 Founders' Day Reception.
Three people standing in front of a Renison backdrop. They are each wearing a medal and holding a folder with the Renison logo on it.

Left to right: Aurra Startup, Ajirioghene Evi, and John Neufeld.

One of the traditions of Founders’ Day is the bestowing of Renison honours on members of our community. This year, we bestowed the following honours:

John Neufeld, Honorary Senior Fellow (Presented by Kristiina Montero, Vice President Academic and Dean)
Ajirioghene Evi, Distinguished Alumni (Presented by Cort Egan, Director, External Relations and Communications)
Nauroz Tanya, Distinguished Alumni (Presented by Christine Gillies, ELI Lecturer)
Aurra Startup, Young Alumni (Presented by Kristina Llewellyn, SDS Professor)

Read more about our honorees in this year’s Renison Reports.

Nauroz Tanya was unable to join the celebration, and his son accepted the award on his behalf. He did, however, record a thank you video on YouTube.

The evening was capped off with a reception, where attendees enjoyed refreshments and good company.

Thank you to the supporters of our online auction, which raised over $3,000 for our Students First Fund, which supports students through bursaries, awards, and scholarships. The auction was made possible by generous donations from:

  • AmazingCo
  • Brenda Maciel
  • Centre In The Square
  • Drayton Entertainment
  • Flat Rock Cellars
  • Forge Football Club
  • Grand Philharmonic Choir
  • Kitchener Rangers
  • Lost Aviator Coffee
  • National Ballet of Canada
  • New Hamburg's Puddicombe House
  • Niagara Parks
  • Renison Food Services
  • Shed Brewing
  • Together We're Bitter Brewing
  • University of Waterloo 
  • Waterloo Region Museum
  • Wendy Fletcher Originals
  • Wordsworth Books

We thank everyone who was able to attend. The program was recorded, and can be viewed below, or on our YouTube channel.

View on YouTube