Editor:
Brandon Sweet
University Communications
bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Convocation brings the heat with 5,784 degrees
A total of 5,784 students—4,818 undergraduate and 966 graduate —will receive their degrees this week at ݮƵ's114thconvocation, taking place from June 13 through to June 17. Over the next five days, the graduating classes across all six faculties will cross the stage.
Among the many awards and honours handed out includehonorary doctorates,distinguished teaching awards, awards for excellence in graduate supervision, Distinguished Professor Emeritus,University ProfessorԻHonorary Member of the University designations, and alumni medals.
All of the convocation ceremonies take place in the Physical Activities Complex (PAC) on theݮƵ campus.The Convocation web pages in the Registrar’s Office website have been updated to include the2017Honorary and Award Recipientsand the2017ղ徱ٴǰԲfor this week'sconvocation ceremonies.
Processional music will be provided by The Convocation Winds under the direction of Harry Currie.
Receptions will follow in the Great Hall of the ݮƵ Centre after each ceremony.
The Convocation ceremonieswill be livestreamed.
Convocation begins with Applied Health Sciences
Convocation gets started at 10:00 a.m. this morning with the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences..
398 undergraduates, 51 Master's and 9 PhDs will cross the stage today.
Bearing the Mace will be Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies Leeann Ferries. The national anthem will be sung byJulie-Anne Desrochers.
Laurie Hoffman-Goetzwill be named Distinguished Professor Emerita.Hoffman-Goetz earned her PhD from the University of Michigan in 1979, and joined the University of ݮƵ in 1980. In 1997 she received a Master of Public Health degree from George Washington University. She has built a program of research that is broad, original, and highly influential, covering areas including the study of stress, exercise, and immune function as well as health communication and health literacy. She is renowned as a dedicated teacher and mentor of graduate students, receiving the select Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision from the University of ݮƵ in 2015.
John William Frankwill receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws and address Convocation.Frank is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he earned his BSc (1971) in biological and medical sciences, and MD (1974) in medicine and community health. He was awarded an MSc degree in community health in developing countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (1981). Currently Dr. Frank is Director of the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy. Having dedicated his professional life to advancing public health research in Canada as well as globally, he has been recipient of numerous awards including the Canadian Public Health Association’s Honorary Life Membership in 2005, and a Fellowship in the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
Clare Cumminswill deliver the valedictory address.
Bill McIlroywill receive the Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision.ProfessorMcIlroy exemplifies excellence in graduate supervision through his extraordinary capacity to recognize talent and potential in trainees, foster their development, and provide ongoing support throughout their careers. He questions and challenges, while also supporting and inspiring, within a clear framework of mutual expectations and accountabilities. His ‘student’s first’ attitude is not a cliché, but is the priority around which he organizes his time and effort.
While fostering an environment in which trainees develop effective communication skills and establish strong scholarly track records, ProfessorMcIlroy also inspires a spirit of entrepreneurship, innovative thinking and collaboration by removing limitations in thinking and problem‐solving. Heinstills in his trainees that the goal of scientific research is not to earn a degree or a publication, but to advance our knowledge of science to promote health and well‐being and to transform lives.
McIlroy tailors his approach to each student as an individual with different needs, strengths, and areas for development. He is regarded by his students as both a master mentor and career path navigator. His previous trainees attest to the value of his ongoing mentorship, and pay him the ultimate compliment that a supervisor could receive – emulating his approach with their own students. The impressive cadre of successful researchers, clinicians and other professionals thatMcIlroy has trained are a vibrant testament to his legacy of excellence in graduate supervision.
Shelley Ann Martinwill receive the Applied Health Sciences Young Alumni Award.
Syed Mahamadwill receive the Alumni Gold Medal.
Receiving departmental awards for distinguished academic achievement will be:
- Kinesiology —Emma Lin Heimbecker
- Public Health and Health Systems —Syed Mahamad
- Recreation and Leisure Studies —Natalie Anne Verschueren
The Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Studies award at the Master's level will be granted toKristen Marie Boonstraand the Doctoral-level award will go toThomas Beltrame.
Faculty of Environment ceremony takes place this afternoon
At 2:30 p.m., graduates from the Faculty of Environment will receive their degrees. 477 undergraduates, 78 Master's and 18 PhD students will cross the stage. Bearing the mace will beJennifer Clapp, Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability. Michael Klein will sing the national anthem.
Pat Mooneywill receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws and address Convocation.Mooney is co-founder and executive director of the ETC Group, an international civil society organization that works to address the socioeconomic and ecological issues surrounding new technologies that could have an impact on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Over a fifty year career, he has championed the protection of plant genetic diversity and the livelihoods of small-scale farmers around the world. He has received many awards, including The Right Livelihood Award that honours those offering visionary and exemplary solutions to the root causes of global problems, and the Pearson Peace Medal from the United Nations Association of Canada.
Brandon Gaffoorwill deliver the valedictory address.
Emma Fisher-Cobbwill receive the Alumni Gold Medal.
Departmental awards for distinguished academic achievement will go to:
- Environment, Resources and Sustainability —Sara Ann Ganowski
- Environment and Business —Emma Fisher-Cobb
- Geomatics —Jack Jia Run Su
- Geography and Aviation —Eric Cheng
- Geography and Management Studies —Samantha Maria St. Amour-Gomes
- International Development —Alana Danielle Meier
- Knowledge Integration —Jillian Renee Anderson
- Planning —Michael Allen Wideman
Receiving Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Studies Awards at the Master's level will beWilliam Towns, and at the Doctoral level,Jeremy Pittman.
Tuesday's notes
The School of Planning’s Undergraduate Advisor Linda Youngblut is retiringafter 39 years of dedicated service to the School and the University of ݮƵ. Aretirement celebrationwill be held at School of Planning’s Patio (EV3 3rdFloor) on Thursday, June 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To RSVP, contact Taylor Ertel by sending an email tot3ertel@uwaterloo.ca.
The Faculty of Engineering is presenting aDistinguished Lecture Series event featuring Professor Chunli Bai, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciencesin Beijing, China, on Saturday, June 17 entitled"Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in China:From Fundamental Research to Applications."ProfessorBai will be receiving an honorary degree on Saturday, and willprovide an overview of nanoscience and technology development in China, including the national strategy, funding resources and most recent research achievements across the nano R&D spectrum, from fundamental research to applications. ProfessorBai will also present the challenges ahead and the future planning of China and CAS in the area of nano science and technology.
The free public lecture takes place at 3:00 p.m. in QNC 0101.
Linkof the day
When and where
Spring Convocation, Tuesday, June 13 to Saturday, June 17.
University Club Spring Convocation Luncheons, Tuesday, June 13 to Saturday, June 17, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., University Club.
Distinguished Lecture Series, “,” Silvio Micali, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Tuesday, June 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., DC 1302.
Group Bike Ride & Picnic in the Park, Tuesday, June 13, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Bikeshare station at Dana Porter Library main entrance.
Get a Job using LinkedIn, Tuesday, June 13, 5:00 p.m., Dana Porter Library room 329
Banting postdoctoral fellowship preliminary applications due, Wednesday, June 14.
Interviews: Proving your Skills, Wednesday, June 14, 2:30 p.m., TC - William M. Tatham Centre room 1208
Biology presents a public lecture by Stephen Scherer, "Decoding 10,000 Whole Genome Sequences Towards Understanding Autism," Wednesday, June 14, 3:00 p.m., STC 0060.
Wednesday, June 14, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2ndFloor.
Working Effectively in another Culture, Thursday, June 15, 1:30 p.m., TC - William M. Tatham Centre room 1208
Recognizing Excellence Discussion Seriesfeaturing Professor Efim Zelmanov, University of California, "Asymptotic Theory of Finite Groups," Thursday, June 15, 2:00 p.m., DC 1302..
featuring Vicki Iverson, "My Journey from Student to Entrepreneur," Thursday, June 15, 3:15 p.m., DC 1302..
, Thursday, June 15, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., ݮƵ Park.
50thAnniversary Celebration of the School of Architecture, Thursday, June 15, 6:00 p.m., School of Architecture.
How to be an Exceptional Employee, Friday, June 16, 12:30 p.m., TC - William M. Tatham Centre room 1208
Cryptography, Security, and Privacy Colloquium, “,” Prashant Nalini Vasudevan, PhD candidate, MIT, Friday, June 16, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., DC 2585.
NEW –WIN Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Chunli Bai, President, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,”Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in China: From Fundamental Research to Applications,” Saturday, June 17, 3:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre 0101.
NEW -Matthews Golf Classic, Monday, June 19, 8:30 a.m., Grand Valley Golf & Country Club.
NEW -More Feet on the Ground Mental Health Training, Monday, June 19, 9:00 a.m., Counselling Services.
NEW -SLC/PAC Groundbreaking Celebration, Monday, June 19, 12:00 p.m., BMH Green.
WaterTalk: Linking Eawag’s Research to Policy and Practicepresented by Janet Hering, director of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (), Monday, June 19, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., QNC 1501.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Distinguished Lecture featuring Professor Göran Andersson,"Research Challenges of the Future Electric Power System," Monday, June 19, 2:00 p.m., EIT 3142.
Senate meeting, Monday, June 19, 3:30 p.m., NH 3407.
NEW -Canadian Society of Microbiologists 67thAnnual Conference, Tuesday, June 20 to Friday, June 23.
NEW –Procurement Trade Show, Tuesday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 21, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., DC 1301.
PhD seminar,,” Ivana Kajić, PhD candidate, David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, Tuesday, June 20, 11:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m., DC 2310.
NEW -Coping Skills Seminar - Cultivating Resiliency, Tuesday, June 20, 4:00 p.m., HS 2302.
25, 35, and 45-Year Club Recognition Reception, Tuesday, June 20, 6:00 p.m., Physical Activities Complex.
Bike Day, Wednesday, June 21, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Arts Quad.
Community Dialogue event, “Uncomfortable is OK: How Truth and Reconciliation Shapes Us All,”Wednesday, June 21, 6:00 p.m., University of ݮƵ Stratford Campus.
, “Using online platforms to find potential customers,” Wednesday, June 21, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2ndFloor.
NEW - Seminar,“,”Professor Olga Veksler, Computer Science Department, Western University, Thursday, June 22, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., DC 1304.
NEW -, Thursday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., EV3 third floor. RSVP tot3ertel@uwaterloo.ca.
, Saturday, June 24.
Network for Aging Research Spring 2017 Symposium, “Engagement in Innovation,” Monday, June 26, 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
NEW –WISE Public Lecture Series- Smarter Cities: New Services, New Applications for Control, Monday, June 26, 11:00 a.m., CPH 4333.
Algorithms and complexity seminar, “,” Erik Waingarten, Columbia University, Wednesday, June 28, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., DC 1304.
NEW –ݮƵ Women’s Wednesdays – Territorial Acknowledgment, Wednesday, June 28, 4:00 p.m., DC 1301.
, “Perfecting your pitch,” Wednesday, June 28, 7:30 p.m., Velocity Start, SCH 2ndFloor.
NEW –UW Farm Market,Thursday, June 29, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Lower Atrium.
NEW -University of ݮƵ Canada Day Celebration 2017, Saturday, July 1, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Columbia Lake Field.
NEW - Canada Day holiday, Monday, July 3, most University operations closed.
NEW -, Wednesday, July 5, 12:00 p.m., TC 1113.
NEW -, “3-minute pitches in front of a panel of judges,” Wednesday, July 5, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre Room 0101.
NEW -,“3-minute pitches in front of a panel of judges,” Thursday, July 6, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre Room 0101.
NEW –UW Farm Market,Thursday, July 6, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., ݮƵ Centre Lower Atrium.
NEW –Writing Centre workshop, “Say it in your own words: paraphrase and summary,”Thursday, July 6, 4:00 p.m.
NEW –Engineering 101,Saturday, July 8, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
NEW –Applied Health Sciences 101, Saturday, July 8, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
NEW -Conrad Grebel Concert: University of ݮƵ Balinese Gamelan Ensemble, Saturday, July 8, 2:00 p.m., Victoria Park, Kitchener.
NEW -LGBTQ+ Making Spaces Workshop, Monday, July 10, 12:30 p.m., NH 3308.