Feeling at home at UWaterloo

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

UWaterloo has played a significant role in Stephen Szimanski's (BA ’06) and Jodi Szimanski's (BA ’97, MBET ’20) lives, and they say it feels right to give back to the University that has given them so much.

“If I can give to somebody or help out with something, and that means somebody might end up loving Waterloo like I do, it's worth it,” Stephen said.

He donates monthly to the Men’s Football Program to support the next generation of student athletes.

“They need these investments,” Stephen said. “I don't know if half the guys that I played football with would be playing football now because of the time commitment and money that it takes.”

Jodi gives to the Co-op and Experiential Education Fund because she remembers what it was like as a student balancing her finances and often worrying about things like groceries.  

“Waterloo is just so rigorous academically. If we can take some of those worries out of a student's life, we should try and do that,” Jodi said.