Warriors show their Pride

by Jacqueline Martinz, Federation of Students.

Covered in black and gold, the Unity Warriors aren’t your typical superheroes but that didn’t stop them from taking action to support the LGBTTIQQ2SA communities. At the Toronto Pride Parade on June 30, they belted out songs and screamed cheers to spread a message of acceptance.

When they aren’t masquerading in their colourful ensembles, the Unity Warriors are students, faculty, staff, and alumni from the University of Waterloo.

“Nearly 100 people affiliated with the University marched in the 2013 Toronto Pride Parade as Unity Warriors,” said Nicole Joron, the student program coordinator for the Federation of Students, which organized the trip with its One Waterloo Diversity Campaign and Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity. “The theme of this year’s parade was ‘Superqueer’ and we decided our superhero identity had to blend our connection to the University and message. ‘Unity Warriors’ was chosen since the Warrior is our mascot.”

To stand out among the other groups, the Unity Warriors had a special dance choreographed by the UW Cabarettes Club. Their energy and enthusiasm was contagious and soon had onlookers chanting, “Water water water loo loo loo.”

According to Joron, this was the largest crowd the Federation of Students has ever taken to the parade. “There are so many people on campus that want to attend, and that’s why Feds has had a contingent for so many years,” she said. “This is an inclusive, fun way for them to participate and show their Waterloo Pride. Hopefully, there will be a larger contingent in 2014 when Toronto hosts World Pride.”

Photograph by Laura Nguyen.

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On Monday, Rizzo takes her shot

by Dan Ackerman, Athletics.

Devon Rizzo has the shot of a lifetime and it might just be coming at the right time for the fourth-year University of Waterloo varsity golfer.

Rizzo, an engineering student, has been granted an exemption to play in the one-day qualifying event for the 2013 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. The Warrior golfer is coming off an impressive second place finish at the Eastern Provinces Championship in Kingston, an event well known for its deep field of recognized amateur women golfers.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such a high profile tournament and the chance to advance and play with some of the greatest golfers in the world is unlike any feeling I’ve had before,” said Rizzo. “I’m truly humbled and look forward to the opportunity.”

Rizzo will compete against 20 to 25 golfers on Monday, July 8 with the top two from the round advancing to the iconic tournament, which begins on Thursday, July 10 at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo. The LPGA has left open two spots for qualification to be awarded to local amateurs, giving Rizzo the chance to play with the top golfers in the world.

“Devon is a well-rounded, confident golfer and I know she will take this opportunity in stride,” says Warrior coach Carla Munch. “I’ve seen her in pressure moments, including her playoff win at last year’s Canadian University Championship, and she knows how to handle those types of situations. I don’t expect anything different of her on July 8.”

Rizzo, who will be entering her fourth season in the fall, has been nothing short of spectacular since her first season as a Warrior in 2011. In her rookie season, Rizzo collected three Ontario University Athletics (OUA) individual gold medals in just five events played and led the Warriors to their first ever OUA Championship title. Rizzo continued her stellar stroke into her second season capturing two more individual gold medals and once again leading her squad to an OUA Championship. Rizzo jumped out of the gate during the 2012 OUA women’s golf season with three straight individual gold medals to her name. She would go on to medal at each of the six events played at in 2012 including a silver medal performance at the OUA Championship at the very course she hopes to conquer come July 8 - Grey Silo.

“I don’t really have any expectations going into the qualifier, says Rizzo. “I am going to focus on hitting fairways and staying in the moment. It’s going to be fun and I am honoured to be a part of it.”

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Advancement announces appointments

Vice-President, Advancement Ken McGillivray has announced two appointments in the Office of Advancement.

Jason Coolman (left) has been appointed Associate Vice-President, Alumni Relations, "a critically important portfolio dedicated to inspiring and engaging alumni for the purpose of advancing the University of Waterloo," wrote McGillivray in a memo circulated on June 24.

Coolman joined the Office of Development in 2000, serving as Development Officer, Annual Fund and Development Officer, Special Projects & Major Gifts. In 2006, he assumed the role of Director, Alumni Affairs. He is the author of several feature articles on the topic of alumni engagement, has presented his research on the science behind alumni engagement at conferences in Canada, USA and Europe, and participates actively with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

"In the coming months Jason looks forward to meeting with Deans and other key campus partners to discuss the current state of alumni relations at the University and to develop strategies to enhance all facets of alumni relations both domestically and internationally," McGillivray wrote.

In addition, McGillivray announced the continuing appointment of Stephen Shapiro as Senior Executive Director of Global and Regional Development. Shapiro has been serving as interim Associate Vice-President, Principal Gifts and will be transitioning to his new role effective immediately.

"Based in Vancouver, Stephen will be Waterloo’s Advancement resource on the West coast," McGillivray wrote. "His responsibilities will mainly be two-fold: in collaboration with Deans and faculty advancement directors, he will add value and provide service to the Faculty based advancement programs by developing relationships with new prospects in Western Canada, the Western US and in Asia Pacific, and transitioning these opportunities over to the respective Faculty programs; he will also work collaboratively with Waterloo International and other key uWaterloo partners in developing opportunities with key international stakeholders for fundraising activities." Shapiro will also act as a resource to the many alumni volunteers in those three regions, providing advancement guidance to the staff in the Hong Kong office.

"Please join me in congratulating Jason and Stephen on these important roles," McGillivray concluded.

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