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Quilting is a handicraft with a long history. Some sources suggest it emerged during Medieval times as a quilted garment under armor, but there is evidence that stitching padding and fabric together could date back as far as 3400 BCE! Since the beginnings, quilted items have been practical and beautiful, and provided a focal point for social interaction. Ever heard of a quilting bee? It’s a gathering where quilters share skills and techniques, and generally catch up. 

It’s no wonder why this craft has such longevity. Two members of the Renison community, Brenda Maciel and Julia Williams, have picked up the needle and found peace (or perhaps piece) in patchwork.

Joseph Olubobokun is a Renison Board member and a generous donor to the College. Time and money are both finite and therefore valued possessions. The decision to give both to a single organization is meaningful; Joseph’s story is worth sharing.

The road that led Joseph Olubobokun from Lagos, Nigeria to Waterloo, Ontario is long and complex and included lengthy detours in London, England; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Woodstock, Ontario and North Portal, Saskatchewan. Throughout his sojourning, three sign posts were constant companions on Joseph’s journey: faith, networking, and a universal language.

You can find anything online. Replacing a sink? Want to get into yoga? Need to know what plants will work in the shade of your backyard? It’s all there, right at your fingertips. That’s exactly why Renison alum Rachael Fowler wanted to go online for an educational series about therapy. Since graduating, Rachael has been working with a wide variety of clients, including some who are hesitant to try therapy. So she wanted to introduce clients to therapy to prepare for sessions, make the concepts accessible, and get to the heart (or mind) of the matter. 

In August 2023, Renison played host to a group of rowdy Renison residents… from the 1970s! This high-energy group brought their school spirit back to where most of them had connected and began lifelong friendships. 

Renison community members might notice a new addition to the hallway, tucked into the vestibule beside the Ministry Centre and the outdoor space where students can be found gathering for regular bonfires. In this small space, Renison’s Student Wellness and Food Security Committee has made a big impact, with the new Community Fridge and Cupboard.

f you’ve been in the halls of Renison over the last few months, you may have noticed a new lounge space in the location previously occupied by the Renison Registrar Office. This space, which had originally been slated for a student lounge before being used as an office, was ideal because of its central location and proximity to the student-run Moose Tracks Connection desk. The hallway is known as “The Link” because it links the area of Renison where Social Development Studies and the School of Social Work reside, to the Great Hall, Library, Chapel and classroom spaces. The Link Lounge, together with Moose Tracks, means that the Link is now largely student space, easily accessible and on the main level of Renison. We spoke with Ryan Connell, Assistant Director of Student Experience and Housing (SEAH) at Renison, about the new lounge.

Studying abroad can be very daunting for some, but not for Renison resident Leo. Leo’s story at Renison started when he enrolled in the Joint Academic Program. He began during the pandemic and started his journey at Renison through virtual classes. The Joint Academic Program allows students to complete their studies in two different countries, combining the best of both educational systems. To hear more about his story, we sat down with Leo and discussed his experiences at Renison! 

During his time in GEAR, Yoshi became deeply involved with the Renison community and has participated in, and hosted, many events at the college. During that time, Yoshi booked a one-on-one meeting with Ryan Connell (Assistant Director, Student Experience and Housing) and started discussing his previous experiences hosting events and cultural workshops for international students at the Tohoku University in Sendai. Ryan suggested that Yoshi host a similar event at Renison, highlighting Japanese culture, as there are many who are interested in learning about Japan and who want to connect with Japanese students. Yoshi found the idea to be extremely exciting and got to work! Yoshi hosted an extremely successful and popular event called “Let’s go to Japan.” Yoshi expressed how fulfilling it was to share his culture and language with those interested in learning about them. The “Let’s go to Japan” event continues to a popular offering of the ELI, and has prompted similar events, conducted both in-person and online. 

After several years of limited travel, eight University of Waterloo students were able to participate in the Kakehashi Project, a week-long exchange program through Japan’s Friendship Ties Programs, overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The students spent their Reading week, February 17-25, 2024 in Japan, exploring the cities of Tokyo and Aichi. Their trip was followed by a special exchange day at Waterloo when Renison hosted six Japanese students in early March. The project is designed to build mutual understanding and friendship between Canadian and Japanese students with engaging, and often transformative, intercultural experiences. 

Originally scheduled to take place in January each year, Renison’s Founders’ Day celebration has evolved throughout the past sixty years to better meet the needs of our community. Founders’ Day has traditionally fallen on January 14, in alignment with the College’s Charter Day (January 14, 1959). An argument could be made, however, for October 16, which was the official opening date of Renison’s original two-storey, seven room house at 193 Albert Street. 

One of the traditions of Founders’ Day that has not changed is the bestowing of Renison honours on members of our community. This year we have an incredible line up of honorees: