Convocation is a special time to celebrate a significant milestone. For the first time in two years, the University of Waterloo invites the graduating class to celebrate their accomplishments in front of families and friends during the in-person celebrations throughout the week.
The Systems Design Engineering (SYDE) class valedictorian was selected by their peers, in recognition of their social and academic contributions to the Waterloo community, to represent the graduating class at the SYDE convocation ceremony.
Before coming to Waterloo, Ellen McGee (BASc ’22) was unsure what she wanted to study but was told she would like engineering because of her interest in math and science. But after visiting the fall open house and listening to the talk on Systems Design Engineering (SYDE), McGee knew the program was for her.
“It had a huge focus on the design process and looked at the big picture problems,” McGee says. “I was excited to learn about different aspects of engineering and I liked how SYDE allowed you to be creative while solving problems every term with a design course.”
Along with playing in intramural sports, McGee was heavily involved in the Waterloo Engineering Society (EngSoc) having spent time in different roles: class representative, director, commissioner, and even being president for more than one year. But McGee’s fondest memories were during orientation week as a leader with her friends and welcoming incoming first year students.
Ellen McGee
“I was also EngSoc president at the time and gave a presentation on Engineering traditions, including the purpling event,” McGee says. “We had a huge turnout of 400 first years at the purpling event, where so many people dyed themselves purple – the colour of Engineering – a week of being goofy and having fun on campus.”
After graduating with her Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering, McGee is travelling through Europe with her friends before returning to Seattle to work as a programs manager at Microsoft, where she was hired after a successful final co-op term.
Visit Waterloo News for the full list of Waterloo Class of 2022 Valedictorians.