A Magazine for Alumni and Friends
This edition of Campus magazine is an exciting one for the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association. We are putting Indigenous initiatives in the spotlight and sharing the story of how Laurier is helping make university a welcoming place for Indigenous students, traditionally an under-represented group in Canadian post-secondary education.
These efforts are important, especially considering Laurier's commitment to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action. We all have a responsibility and role to play in the important work of reconciliation.
As WLUAA president, I am proud to see the many Indigenous members of Laurier's alumni community featured in this edition of Campus. Many of their lives intersected on Laurier’s campuses and their paths have diverged in so many interesting ways since graduation.
You'll read about entrepreneurs, educators, creators and changemakers – Laurier graduates like Rebecca Jamieson, president of Six Nations Polytechnic and a leader in Indigenous language preservation, and Graydon Nicholas, an attorney, judge and politician who served as the 30th lieutenant governor of New Brunswick.
I urge you to take the time to read their stories and note the accomplishments of your fellow Golden Hawks. Learning about their lives made me feel an even greater pride in Laurier.
If you attended Homecoming this year, you would have also felt a surge of Laurier pride. Whether you attended in Waterloo or Brantford, this year’s festivities were bursting with excitement.
In Brantford, we celebrated in the beautiful new Laurier Brantford YMCA – a transformative project for Brantford's downtown core. In Waterloo, we celebrated reunion years for several classes, including an especially spirited Forever Purple and Gold dinner and dance where the class of 1968 celebrated its 50th reunion with graduates of other classes from the 1960s. Alumni also reconnected at the annual Homecoming pancake breakfast and cheered on our Golden Hawks football squad from the sidelines and end zone. You can review all of the best photos and moments from the celebrations at facebook.com/LaurierAlumni and @LaurierAlumni on Instagram.
Please also take a moment to review the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association's annual report, which is available online at laurieralumni.ca/annualreport. The report details our work to engage Laurier alumni during the past year, including key statistics and financial statements.
Wising you a happy holiday season and golden new year!
Marc Richardson '94
President
Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association