Waterloo Highlights a Season of Leadership, Sustainability, and Community Action
So, let me walk you through what’s been happening around the University of Waterloo lately — because it’s been a week filled with celebrations, big announcements, and meaningful initiatives that really show how active and forward-thinking this campus continues to be.
First, there’s a major moment coming up for the community: a celebration honouring Cathy Newell Kelly, who will be retiring at the end of this year after nearly three decades at the university. Her long service as Registrar has been marked by leadership grounded in equity, transparency, and student success. Much of Waterloo’s progress in academic integrity, digital transformation, and student mental-health initiatives has been shaped by her involvement. A retirement event will be held on December 17, where colleagues and students will gather to reflect on her legacy and wish her well as she begins a new chapter.
On the sustainability front, a milestone was reached with the release of Waterloo’s 2025 Environmental Sustainability Report. This annual report, developed by the President’s Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability, confirms that 22 out of 27 goals from the university’s first Environmental Sustainability Strategy have now been completed or are nearly complete. The remaining objectives are in progress and expected to follow. This marks the final year of the current strategy, and a refreshed version will be launched in early 2026. Progress hasn’t come easily — the past several years have brought many challenges — but the report highlights how thousands of students, staff, and faculty have contributed through research, operations, and campus-wide engagement.
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Another significant announcement comes from the Graham Seed Fund, which has opened applications for its third round of support. This cycle focuses specifically on responsible AI adoption in community-care environments. Research projects that explore readiness and practical implementation of AI in smaller healthcare settings can receive funding of up to $35,000. The deadline for applications is January 12, 2026, and each project must partner a Waterloo faculty member with a regional healthcare organization.
For those on campus, this week also brings Black Friday excitement. The W Store is offering a 20% discount on almost everything in store — including items already on clearance — with some expected exclusions like textbooks, calculators, and select branded merchandise. Alongside the sale, the Winterfest Artisan Market is running in the Student Life Centre, showcasing handmade items created by staff, students, and alumni. Part of the proceeds will support student awards and the WUSA Food Support Service.
Beyond shopping and celebrations, there is a wide slate of academic events, seminars, wellness services, concerts, and even fire alarm testing scheduled across campus. From biodiversity-research discussions and Catholic lecture series to student-wellness clinics, eye-care services, and upcoming exam-period preparations, the campus calendar is packed with activity.
And in broader research news connected to Waterloo, a new national framework has just been released to help Canada build climate-resilient shorelines. Led by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo and the Standards Council of Canada, the report stresses the urgent need for coordinated planning to protect communities from erosion and flooding — especially as storms intensify and sea levels rise. The framework outlines practical steps that governments and communities can use to develop long-term shoreline resilience strategies, emphasizing collaboration with Indigenous governments, nature-based solutions, and strong policy alignment.
All in all, it’s been a week that highlights leadership, environmental responsibility, research excellence, and a deep commitment to community — everything Waterloo is known for.
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