Full house: Graduands, their proud families and friends packed the Physical Activities Complex for the University's 108th Convocation last week. More than 5,800 students crossed the stage in ceremony after ceremony, sending the grand total of graduates of the University of Waterloo north of 165,000.

And where will these graduates go, now that Convocation and their University of Waterloo education is behind them? Onward to great things, no doubt.

Photograph by Jonathan Bielaskl, Light Imaging.

 

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Professor receives Germany's highest honour

Professor David John was awarded Germany’s top honour for his work in promoting German language and culture throughout his career as a professor at the University of Waterloo, including establishing the Waterloo Centre for German Studies.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, called the Bundesverdienstkreuz, honours both Germans and foreigners in all areas of endeavour. Similar to the Order of Canada, this award represents the highest tribute Germany pays for services to the nation in political, economic, social or intellectual fields.

"The University of Waterloo has deep roots in this community, and the Waterloo Centre for German Studies perfectly illustrates our commitment to the people in this region," said Feridun Hamdullahpur. "I congratulate Professor John on this honour recognizing his contributions to this area's German identity."

Walter Stechel, the consul general of Germany, presented Professor John with the Order of Merit at a ceremony in Kitchener on Wednesday, June 11.

“This prestigious award is an especially fitting one for David John whose career has been distinguished by his passion for and commitment to German language, literature and culture,” said Douglas Peers, dean of the Faculty of Arts at Waterloo. “We are very proud and grateful for his significant contributions to scholarship, teaching and inter-cultural understanding."

At Waterloo's convocation last week, Professor John was awarded the title of distinguished professor emeritus at the Faculty of Arts convocation ceremonies for his accomplishments in research, teaching, and service.

Professor John retired from Waterloo in 2012 after 38 years as a faculty member in the Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies. He received his doctorate in German from the University of Toronto. As a scholar of 18^th-century German literature, his most profound contributions have been his research into Johann Wolfgang Goethe’s literary works and intercultural stage adaptations. He was named honorary founding director of the Waterloo Centre for German Studies in recognition of the fundraising efforts that led to the establishment of this endowed research centre at the University of Waterloo.

 

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Space conference lifts off from Waterloo

Astronauts and space researchers attending the inaugural Aging in Space for Life on Earth Symposium at the University of Waterloo will hear for first time that some astronauts’ arteries are stiffer when they return from six months in space.

These new findings, presented by Waterloo kinesiology professor and Schlegel Research Chair in Vascular Aging Richard Hughson, are part of a four-day symposium exploring how results from spaceflight research can benefit life on earth. For the first time, one day of the symposium – Tuesday, June 17 – will be dedicated to the science of aging in space.

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield is shown performing Richard Hughson's BP Reg experiment on board the International Space Station, incorporating the Leg-Arm Cuff System, Pulmonary Function System and Continuous Blood Pressure Device.
More than 200 international researchers and 3 astronauts, including former Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk, European Space Agency astronaut Reinhold Ewald, and Japanese astronaut Chiaki Mukai who flew in space with John Glenn will be in attendance.

Other findings set to be shared at the symposium include how spaceflight revealed a new mechanism for salt storage that now has been linked to auto-immune diseases, and how cells in astronauts’ bone marrow might turn to fat – a phenomenon that can affect sedentary people on earth.

“Space flight allows us to examine changes in bones, muscles and arteries that would normally take years to develop on earth. Many of the changes in astronauts’ bodies have direct links to aging and chronic disease. Spaceflight research has great potential to improve life on earth,” said Professor Hughson.

 

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St. Paul's launches community garden

by Kelly Deeks.

Lexi Salt, a 4A International Development student and member of St. Paul’s GreenHouse, launched the St. Paul's Community Garden, along with a team of students. Salt developed the idea while participating in GreenHouse, UWaterloo’s social innovation hub. Salt said the intent for the garden “is to raise awareness about local, organic, healthy, and sustainable food, build community, and increase local production opportunities on campus. We are striving to encourage student engagement in their food systems.”

The produce from the garden will be used in Watson’s Eatery at St. Paul’s, and food services provider Chartwells has agreed to purchase the produce at market value. Additionally, some of the vegetables and herbs will be donated to the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre for their fall/winter Soup and Bannock days. In the speech she made at the sod turning, Salt said she got the idea "out of the gap that I identified in student engagement in their food system on campus. After lots of brainstorming and mind-mapping, I decided that one of the best ways to address this was to encourage food production on campus.” She added, “St. Paul’s was a perfect ecosystem for this, given its environmentally innovate nature, not to mention that this is home for me.”

A portion of the revenue will go towards ‘Indevours,’ a campaign to support International Development students travelling overseas for their 8-month volunteer field placements. The rest of the funds will be re-invested in the garden, so that it can be self-sustainable.

More information about St. Paul’s GreenHouse and Indevours is available online.

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Monday's notes

"On Monday, June 9, friends and family of the late Richard Vollans gathered in the Peter Russell Rock garden for the unveiling of the garnet rich gabbroic anorthosite which was dedicated in his memory," writes Sharon McFarlane. "The angular, light grey rock sprinkled with small chunks of red garnet, is from the Adirondack Highlands of Indian Lake, New York and donated to the garden by Barton International."

Terry McMahon, Dean of Science, addressed the crowd of over 50 people, smiling as he read aloud the quote by Charles Darwin inscribed on the rock.  “A man’s friendships are one of the best measures of his true worth”.  Other speakers included Barry Warner, Chair of Earth and Environmental Science, who describe the unique qualities of garnet and Mario Coniglio who thanked those who had contributed to the Richard Vollans Science Leadership Award set up in his memory. 

"Richard’s widow, Wendy Vollans, as well as their two daughters, Alexandra and Elizabeth (shown at right by the rock), were presented with small keepsakes of garnet as well as a calved piece off the main rock on a plaque. Bright smiles, along with the bright pink of Elizabeth’s hair, were a perfect match for the feel of the event that celebrated a much loved member of the University."

"After the presentations, guests were invited to indulge in cupcakes, pink lemonade and watermelon—all personal favourites of Richard," McFarlane concludes.

In other news:

The University's Senate has its last meeting until the fall today at 3:30 p.m. in NH 3001.

The Centre for Teaching Excellence is presenting a CUT Teaching Dossiers Consultation Session (CTE193) today beginning at 9:30 a.m. in EV1 241. The Centre's website has more details.

 

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