Daily Bulletin, Thursday, May 26, 1994

CONVOCATION continues.  Yesterday's was a short session; today's (2 p.m.
in the main gym as usual) promises to be a long one, with 919 BA's and
63 master's and doctoral degrees to be awarded.  The registrar isn't positive
off-hand, but thinks it's probably the largest number of degrees ever
given out by UW at a single convocation ceremony.

Two honorary degrees will be presented -- to George Renison, war hero,
business leader, and chancellor emeritus of Renison College, and to Joan
Chalmers, Toronto patron of the arts.  The speaker will be David John,
associate dean (special programs) in the arts faculty.  Three of this year's
winners will be called forward for their Distinguished Teacher Awards:
Gisela Brude-Firnau of Germanic and Slavic, Catherine Black of French, and
Stanley Laiken of accountancy.  And Walter Martin, retired from the English
department, and Doug Crowne, retired from psychology, will be installed as 
distinguished professors emeritus.

Right after convocation, a tree in Alumni Lane, between Matthews Hall and
Math and Computer, will be dedicated on behalf of the 1994 graduates.  The
custom is for each year's class to endow a tree.  There are 18 trees so far.
The 1994 grads have contributed some $700 for their tree, an already
planted horse-chestnut, on which a plaque will be unveiled.  Leftover funds
will be used to install a bench along Alumni Lane and for general upkeep.

THERE WAS one unfortunate note at yesterday's ceremony:  Jack Brown, retired
secretary of the university, who was to be installed as an "honorary member
of the university", was ill and could not be there.  UW president James
Downey said he would be honoured at fall convocation instead.

Betty Havens, provincial gerontologist of Manitoba, received an honorary
Doctor of Letters degree.  She told the graduating class something about
what it means to "live long and prosper" -- without a trace of irony in using
that phrase on the day that "Star Trek: The Next Generation" finished its
television run in a blaze of publicity.  Downey congratulated the graduands
in applied health sciences, independent studies and environmental studies
on entering, in Harvard's phrase, "the company of educated men and women".
There were smiles, tears, flowers, neckties, black gowns and special awards.

Wendy Sherk, graduating with a BSc in health studies, received the
Governor-General's Silver Medal, not previously announced, as the bachelor's
degree graduate with highest standing this year.  In fact, there are two
silver medal winners for 1994, convocation was told; the name of the other
winner will be announced tomorrow.

CAMPAIGN WEEK:  Activities continue in the special "week" aimed chiefly at
building up faculty and staff enthusiasm for the Community Campaign.  Since
it's raining pretty hard at the moment, organizers have postponed the
golf and tai-chi demonstrations that were scheduled for noon today.  They'll
try again Tuesday.

But still happening today is "Tour the Information Highway", a demonstration
by computing services, at noon in the Davis Centre lounge.  Still happening
is a noon talk by Larry Lamb of environmental studies on "natural gardens",
in Davis Centre room 1304.  And still happening is "Dress in School Colours
Day", sponsored by the bookstore and gift shop.

STATISTICS HONOUR:  Jack Kalbfleisch, the dean of mathematics and a
statistics professor specializing in survival analysis and life history
analysis, has received the Gold Medal of the Statistical Society of
Canada.  "His research has had a large influence," says the society's
citation, "especially in applications to medicine and industry."  It's the
highest honour given by the Canadian professional society.

Chris Redmond
Information and Public Affairs, University of Waterloo
888-4567 ext. 3004      credmond@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca