A Magazine for Alumni and Friends
Laurier students have a long history of making an impact in our local communities, across the Canada and around the world.
In this 1968 photo, students from Laurier (then known as Waterloo Lutheran University) participate in Shinerama in downtown Kitchener.
Today a well-known national fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Shinerama originated at Laurier’s Waterloo campus in 1961 as an alternative to traditional first-year orientation activities. Paul Enns, president of Laurier’s sophomore class that year, came up with the concept of a shoe-shine fundraiser as a positive way to welcome students to campus life.
Shinerama has since grown to become Canada’s largest annual post-secondary fundraiser, involving students at nearly 60 university and college campuses who shine shoes, wash cars and host events to raise funds for the cause. In total, Shinerama has generated approximately $28 million for the fight against cystic fibrosis.