Waterloo remembers

No words can add to their fame, nor so long as gratitude holds a place in men's hearts can our forgetfulness be suffered to detract from their renown. For as the war dwarfed by its magnitude all contests of the past, so the wonder of human resource, the splendour of human heroism, reached a height never witnessed before. — Arthur Meighen, prime minister of Canada, 1921

Ordinary life pauses for a few minutes this morning as the University of Waterloo, and all of Canada, marks Remembrance Day, mourning the country's war dead and honouring those who, daring to die, survived, in wars past and present.

Says a memo from the provost: "In 2005, UW initiated the practice of observing a minute’s silence at 11 o’clock on November 11 – Remembrance Day. I would therefore ask that, if possible, whether you are alone, with a group, or in front of a class, you take time at 11 o’clock on November 11th to observe a minute’s silence, remembering and honouring the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace."

As national leaders mark the occasion in Ottawa, local dignitaries will place wreaths at the Cenotaph beside Waterloo City Hall on Regina Street, and veterans will parade, in a ceremony that starts at 10:00 a.m. A wreath will be placed by two undergraduate history students, Andrew Basso and Sigita Bersenas, on behalf of the university. Basso and Bersenas are executive members of the UW History Society.

Ceremonies will also be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Kitchener Cenotaph on Frederick Street and at the Cenotaph on Queen’s Square a block from the Architecture building in Cambridge and at the Cenotaph in downtown Stratford.

On the main Waterloo campus, a service begins at 10:45 a.m. in the Student Life Centre great hall. The service includes the traditional two minutes’ silence and multi-faith prayers for peace. Across campus, the customary Remembrance Day service organized by the student Engineering Society will be held starting at 10:30 a.m. inside POETS in Carl Pollock Hall.

The official date of the Remembrance Day commemoration is always November 11, the anniversary of the day in 1918 when the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War. Much of the imagery of the day is connected to that war, including the poppies, worn in lapels, that are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion as a fund-raiser. They recall the wildflowers that grow in the fields of Flanders, north Belgium, as mentioned in the poem by Lt.-Col. John McCrae of Guelph that is read at many Remembrance Day commemorations.

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$1 million gift will establish peace centre

A press release from Conrad Grebel University College

In an announcement that has special resonance on this day of remembrance, Mennonite Savings and Credit Union (MSCU) and Conrad Grebel University College have revealed plans to create the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel. MSCU’s million-dollar commitment will empower Conrad Grebel to create an accelerator centre committed to collaborative peace innovation with lasting impact.

“We’re thrilled to make such a transformational commitment to peace building in our world. We believe the MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement will be an innovative expression of our core values and are gratified that we’re able to share our resources to enhance the Mennonite tradition of building peace-filled communities,” stated Brent Zorgdrager, chief executive officer of MSCU.

Together, MSCU and CGUC envision an MSCU peace centre that is a hub of entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering new ways to advance peace in a conflict-filled world. In addition to teaching and research facilities, the Centre will provide shared seminar and project space for students and faculty, as well as space for community service organizations, pastors, and other peace builders. The peace centre will add a fourth floor (pictured above) to the capital expansion already proposed for Conrad Grebel as part of their Next Chapter campaign. Construction is to start in March 2012.

“This is a new day at Grebel,” stated President Susan Schultz Huxman. “A day marked by a great partnership with MSCU to advance peace education and action here at home and around the world. Grebel and the University of Waterloo understand how interdisciplinary education and innovation work hand in hand. We’re excited to enhance our peace education work through this creative initiative.”

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Congress 2012 promises Big Thinking

A news release from the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Seven Canadian and American luminaries are coming to Waterloo in May to join the Congress 2012 of the Humanities and Social Sciences Big Thinking lecture series. Wilfrid Laurier University president Max Blouw and Douglas Peers, Congress Co-chair and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, made the announcement at last night's event at the Tannery.

The speakers include Margaret Atwood, Thomas Homer-Dixon, holder of the Centre for International Governance Innovation Chair of Global Systems at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, University of Alberta professor and Canada Research Chair in Political Economy and Social Governance Janine Brodie, Chris Hedges, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author Jane Urquhart, Mary Eberts, co-founder of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), and University of Michigan professor Sidonie Smith.

"The Big Thinking lecture series will open one of Canada's largest multi-disciplinary conferences to the host community of Waterloo, giving attendees and organizers a forum to connect with community members," said CFHSS president Graham Carr. "The stellar line-up of thinkers and their varied perspectives and disciplines are emblematic of the 2012 conference theme of 'Crossroads: Scholarship for an Uncertain World'."

Big Thinking lectures are open to both Congress delegates and community members. They are the cornerstone of Congress, highlighting the importance of humanities and social sciences scholarship on issues that affect all Canadians and giving community members a chance to experience the conference.

Congress 2012 will be hosted by Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo from May 26 to June 2, 2012.

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Friday's notes go to 11

A quick reminder: The Registrar’s Office, Student Awards & Financial Aid and Student Accounts offices will be closed this morning until 9:30 am for an information sharing meeting.

Some info from the Faculty of Environment: Donor bricks were installed at the entrance of the Environment 3 building yesterday in preparation for two opening events next week. On Thursday, November 17th, a Friends & Alumni event features guest speaker Jay Ingram. The following day marks the official Environment 3 opening with government representatives helping to cut the ribbon on the targeted LEED Platinum building. Information and links to register for both events are available on the Environment Events website.

The first signs of work on the addition to Health Services will appear on Monday as construction fencing goes up to close off access to the building's rear entrance. All access will now be at the main entrance facing ring road. Existing parking will also be eliminated. The addition is expected to be completed in early 2013, at which point renovations will begin to the original structure. The pedestrian walkway along the roadway between Health Services and St. Jerome's will be closed and reworked during the first phase of construction.

TEDxUW is being held in Hagey Hall tomorrow. The student-organized event promises to showcase the best ideas from the University of Waterloo in the spirit of the renowned TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) conference series. The event will feature 12 speakers including economics professor Larry Smith and Desire2Learn founder John Baker. The event will be streamed live.

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, will be on campus Monday to make an announcement related to antibiotic resistance. The event will take place at 9:00 a.m. in room 339 of the Earth Sciences & Chemistry building. Minister Goodyear will be joined by Vice-President, University Research George Dixon and Dr. Marc Ouellette, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity.

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