DEC 29
UW President Emeritus Feridun Hamdullahpur appointed to Order of Canada
Former UW President Feridun Hamdullahpur was named to the Order of Canada in recognition of his research in mechanical engineering and his leadership in academia.
UW alum John Lounds was also named a member of the order. Lounds is the former president and CEO of Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). He was appointed for his contributions to land conservation across Canada.
Source: Waterloo News
JAN 4
Kelly Scherr appointed as the 2023 Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence
Kelly Scherr has been appointed the 2023 Douglas Wright Engineer-in-Residence.
Scherr is the deputy city manager of environment and infrastructure with the City of London, where she leads a team of over 800 who deliver a full suite of water, wastewater, drainage, solid waste, environmental, transportation, construction administration, infrastructure operations, rapid transit, major projects, forestry, and fleet services.
Scherr attended the University of Regina, where she received her degree in regional environmental systems engineering.
JAN 5
Masks strongly recommended but optional on campus this winter
UW has stated that masks will be optional on campus this term; however, this was accompanied with a strong encouragement that everyone wear a mask in indoor settings. The university also stated that if required, they will not hesitate to reinstate a mask mandate.
Masks will continue to be available on campus.
Source: Internal memo sent to all UW students and employees
JAN 9
UW launches new Trust in Science and Technology Research Network
The University of Waterloo has launched the Trust in Science and Technology Research Network, the first multidisciplinary research network of its kind in Canada to tackle the issue of combating misinformation and disinformation. The network will bring together researchers and practitioners from across disciplines to improve communication with the public and build trust in science and technology.
The inaugural co-directors of the network will be Donna Strickland, recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics, and Ashley Rose Mehlenbacher, the Canada Research Chair in science, health, and technology communication.
Source: Waterloo News
UW appoints new Special Advisor to the Provost on Organizational Strategy
UW has created a new role of special advisor to the provost on organizational strategy to provide leadership support to the university Vice-President, Academic & Provost, James W.E. Rush, in planning and overseeing opportunities for process, system, and organizational improvements.
Marilyn Thompson will be filling this role starting Jan. 16, 2023. Thompson previously worked as associate provost of human resources.
Source: Internal memo sent to all UW employees
