News

By Nancy Schnarr, Senior Manager, Central Communications

Looking forward at Renison means not only building and managing our physical spaces but also evaluating and updating services and program offerings. For decades, the Social Development Studies (SDS) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs have been pillars of Renison, meeting the needs of students as they made their way into professions like Social Worker, Teacher, or Lawyer – among many others. The two academic units worked together to support students’ professional goals throughout both the SDS undergraduate degree and the 10-month BSW post-graduate degree.  More recently, they embarked on further integrating the two and, after 5 years of planning, the single pathway SDS+BSW double degree will become reality for students starting in Fall 2026, pending University of Waterloo Senate approval.

To each of our many donors, thank you for your generous support of Renison University College.

At Renison, faculty and students are helping to change the world. Supporters like you help to ensure that Renison continues its strong presence as a place of education and social change within our community, nationally, and internationally.

The Renison University College Annual Report for 2024 is now available. Presented at the Annual General Meeting on October 22, 2025, this year's report includes financial highlights, remarks from the Board Chair and President, updates on Renison programs, and feature stories about students and alumni who have made an impact this year. Read on for more. 

Congratulations to Dr. Meg Gibson! On Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Dr. Gibson was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. She received this award in recognition of her service to Ontario and to Canada. 

Congratulations!

Just released: With the support of student feedback from an online survey and consultation sessions, Renison Student Experience and Housing has developed a road map report to explore ways we can make Renison an event better place to learn and grow for our student community.

This week, we celebrate with Renison grads who will walk across the stage and receive their degree during Spring Convocation. Congratulations to each of you on your incredible achievement!

We are so grateful and proud to have you as part of the Renison community of alumni – and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

During Convocation, we also announce the Spring 2025 Student and Faculty Award Winners. Each award winner embodies the values of Renison in a special way, and these awards recognize their contributions to our community. 

It’s official – Renison has a Pride logo! We worked with students through our Queer and Cozy group to come up with something that resonated with our 2SLGBTQ+ community – and here it is!

Here’s what our President, The Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry, had to say about the new logo:

“Renison is a safe and inclusive space, and I’m deeply proud to be a part of it. This new logo is a visual representation of our values and an extension of our work to ensure that everyone feels welcome at Renison – not just during pride month but every day of the year.”

The logo is now also available in our merch shop, visit renison.ca/merch and select the new logo when choosing your item(s).

We hope you like it!

Meet Zainab - a Renison student, peer leader, advocate for refugees, and wonderful community member. Learn what she has to say about her experience at Renison!

By Renison President and Vice-Chancellor, The Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry

This has been a year of transition for my family. Almost year ago, my wife, Marnie, daughter Carmen and I loaded up our 2008 Dodge Journey for the 2,600 kilometer journey from Regina, Saskatchewan to Waterloo, Ontario. When it comes to bonding moments, little can compare to 50 hours in a mid-sized vehicle.

The distance I travelled from Luther College to Renison University College now seems incidental when compared to the distance we have travelled as a College since my arrival. In addition to the practical demands of unpacking boxes, finding a local parish, and updating license plates, I had a college and community to get to know.

By Cort Egan, Director, External Relations and Communications

Longtime readers of Renison Reports will know that we typically identify a theme that will weave its way through many of the articles found in the publication. This year’s theme is together in hope and possibility and it came, quite organically, from a comment that our new president, Dr. Marc Jerry, made while discussing how we will overcome what, at times, appear to be insurmountable financial pressures. “We will get there,” Marc said. “And we will do so together, in hope and possibility.”.