president's report 2010
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2 0 1 0 P r e s i d e n t ’ s R e p o r t
Since joining the
university in September
2007, Dr. Max Blouw has
encouraged the Laurier
community to take stock
of its past, to understand
its present and to plan
for a successful future.
Inspiring lives...Universities in Canada and abroad are in a period of remarkable transition. A range of social, technological and
economic forces are rapidly reshaping the very ways in which we teach, learn and research.
At Wilfrid Laurier University, we are committed to embracing the opportunities that exist in times of change, and we
do so with a clear understanding of the university’s strengths, values and traditions.
This understanding was enriched by the Envisioning Laurier process, a consultative research initiative conducted in
2008-09 to determine what our university is today and what it should aspire to be in future.
Our findings made it clear that Laurier is an extraordinary institution with a unique ability to combine teaching and
research excellence with a vibrant sense of community and social engagement.
The Envisioning Laurier research was the basis for developing a statement of Values, Vision, Mission and Guiding
Principles for the university. It also helped us craft an institutional proposition: Inspiring lives of leadership and purpose.
This short, evocative statement captures the essence of what Laurier is and what distinguishes it from other universities.
As such, it provides a powerful launch pad for promoting the university and telling the Laurier story.
The pages ahead introduce that story while providing an update on key developments within the university. I think
you will agree that Laurier is an exceptional community with a remarkable story to tell. As we approach the university’s
centennial in 2011, I invite you to join us in celebrating the Laurier story and sharing it with the world.
Dr. Max Blouw
President and Vice-Chancellor
Wilfrid Laurier University
of leadership and purpose
As a child, Ayiko Solomon
(BA ’08) endured unspeak-
able horrors during the civil
war in Uganda. Shaped
by that experience, and
inspired by his studies at
Wilfrid Laurier University,
he founded Peace for All
International, a non-profit
agency dedicated to building
peace, promoting healing
and creating sustainable
development in northern
Uganda and Nepal.
Inspired...
to improve lives
Dr. Quincy AlmeiDA For Quincy Almeida, research isn’t just about discovery — it’s about making a
difference for those suffering with movement disorders. In 2005, Almeida opened the Movement Disorders
Research and Rehabilitation Centre to help people suffering from diseases such as Parkinson’s. A primary
objective of the centre, which was recently renamed the Sun Life Financial MDRC in recognition of the
company’s support, is to understand brain dysfunction associated with several movement disorders, and then
translate this knowledge into the development of rehabilitation strategies and novel inventions that have the
potential to improve patients’ movement control. Many of Almeida’s patients have experienced remarkable
results, and his ongoing research means that other people struggling with Parkinson’s will be able to enjoy
more active and fulfilling lives.
• Joanna Harries Joanna Harries (BBA ‘03,
MBA ’08) first learned about “social enterprise”
during her business studies at Laurier. She went
on to a successful career in consumer products,
but remained passionate about supporting
social causes through business. Today, Harries is
director of international expansion for Endeavor
Global, a not-for-profit that seeks to strengthen
emerging economies by supporting high-impact
entrepreneurs.
• BHarati setHi Social work PhD student
Bharati Sethi came to Canada from India in
1994. Inspired by her own struggle to become
a Canadian citizen, she is now helping others
through her community-based research on
immigrant issues. Her commitment to social
justice has earned her several prestigious
awards, including a Hilary M. Weston
Scholarship and a Vanier Canada Graduate
Scholarship.
Laurier recently opened an
office in the heart of toronto
to transform and promote
the university’s presence in
Canada’s largest city. The
office, on the main floor of
the Exchange Tower, serves
the many alumni and co-op
students who live and work
in Toronto. It also helps us
deliver innovative programs,
such as our weekend-format
MBA, which has operated
in Toronto for the past 12
years.
Inspired...
to transform
PArTnerinG FOr SucceSS When Laurier opened its Brantford campus in 1999, few could have
predicted the transformative impact it would have on both the city and the university. Yet this unique
partnership has revived an ailing downtown, created post-secondary opportunities for thousands of students,
and enabled Laurier to develop innovative new programs. What began with 39 students and one building has
grown to nearly 2,400 students in 19 buildings. And the demand continues. Laurier Brantford is in the midst
of building a $39.9-million Research and Academic Centre with the help of federal and provincial Knowledge
Infrastructure funding. Additional projects are in the planning stages, including the redevelopment of two
recently acquired properties. Projections suggest the Brantford campus could serve 4,000 students within five
years. The success of Laurier Brantford highlights the role of a multi-campus strategy in transforming a city and
enabling a community-minded university such as Laurier to “grow big while staying small.”
• KitcHener caMpus Laurier’s Lyle S.
Hallman Faculty of Social Work couldn’t be
closer to the subject at hand. Situated in a
beautifully renovated former high school in
downtown Kitchener, students and faculty
frequently interact with the people who
benefit most from their knowledge and
research. In 2009, the Faculty shared a
community leadership award for collaborating
with local agencies to provide social work
training to new Canadians.
• Milton caMpus As one of the fastest-
growing communities in Canada, Milton is
keen to attract a university. The town, just
west of Toronto, has invited Laurier to explore
the potential for opening a campus there. An
innovative campus in Milton could attract the
funding needed to develop new programming
that would be accessible to all Laurier students
via state-of-the-art technology, while helping
the province satisfy the growing demand for
university access in the Greater Toronto Area.
Learning, teaching and
research are at the heart
of a university. But it’s
the people, culture and
energy of the institution
that really inspires students
and faculty. To this end, we
recently developed a fresh
academic plan that builds
on our tradition of teaching
and research excellence and
reflects the value Laurier
places on inspiring lives of
leadership and purpose.
Inspired...
to look forward
mASTer PlAn The demand for post-secondary education in Ontario, and Laurier’s consistently strong
reputation among students, has led to a dramatic expansion of the university over the past decade. To
prepare for growth and renewal in a strategic way, the university has developed a campus master plan to
guide the physical development of Laurier’s two largest campuses. In Waterloo, where the campus is largely
contained to one city block, we are striving to make efficient use of the existing footprint while preserving
and developing open spaces. In Brantford, where the campus is integrated into the downtown, we are
pursuing a mix of new developments and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. For both campuses, we are
striving to ensure that the physical environment inspires and supports the social engagement and community
involvement that’s at the heart of the Laurier experience.
• laurier BrantforD’s researcH anD
acaDeMic centre The new Research
and Academic Centre is part of a strategy
to significantly increase enrolment and
research capability at Laurier’s Brantford
campus. Scheduled to open in fall 2010, the
building is designed to achieve Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
silver certification, in keeping with Laurier
Brantford’s reputation for innovation and
leadership.
• sustainaBility Inspired by the leadership
shown by students, Laurier established a
Sustainability Policy in 2009 that encourages
the university to continuously improve its
environmental performance. Since then, Laurier
has initiated an energy conservation program,
hired a full-time sustainability coordinator,
supported alternative transportation options,
and increased the opportunities for students,
staff and faculty to reduce, reuse and recycle.
chongqing is one of the
most dynamic regions in
China, a country that has
become a major player in the
global economy and in post-
secondary education. Laurier
was the first Canadian
university to establish an
office in southwest China,
and our leadership recently
inspired the City of Waterloo
to enter a “Friendship City
Partnership” with Chongqing
that will benefit both
Laurier and the surrounding
community.
Inspired...
to think globally
DeSTinATiOn FOr inTernATiOnAl STuDieS The community of Waterloo has become a global
centre for studies in international affairs, and Laurier is playing a leadership role in building that reputation.
The university is a founding partner in the Balsillie School of International Affairs, a unique academic centre
involving Laurier, the University of Waterloo and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).
In 2008, Laurier was awarded a second five-year term as host institution for the Academic Council on the
United Nations System (ACUNS), an international association focused on multilateral relations and global
governance. Laurier is also home to the Laurier Centre for Global Relations, whose director — alumnus Paul
Heinbecker — is a former ambassador and permanent representative of Canada to the UN. A number of
Laurier faculty members have cross-appointments to CIGI and the Balsillie School, and many Laurier students
benefit from scholarships and research opportunities associated with these two world-class centres.
• international experience As Laurier’s
mission statement says, the university
“challenges people to become engaged and
aware citizens of an increasingly complex
world.” We also value experiential learning.
That’s why we have exchange agreements
with universities in more than 20 countries,
providing students and faculty with the
opportunity to enrich their lives by studying
and working abroad.
• international DevelopMent Many
in the Laurier community are driven by a
desire to make a positive difference in the
world. Alternative Reading Week is a great
example. Teams of students, staff and faculty
devote their winter break to helping others,
from restoring a school for special-needs
children in Mexico to helping clean up in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Chemistry professor Dr. Hind
Al-Abadleh is helping the
world understand how to
remove pollutants from
contaminated water. The
award-winning researcher
studies “environmental
interfaces,” such as how
organic arsenics interact with
soil in the environment. Her
findings are influencing the
development of pollutant-
removal technologies, which
will benefit communities
around the globe.
Inspired...
to make a difference
reSeArcH Research is fundamental to what we do at Laurier — it enhances teaching excellence and
inspires our faculty and students with a passion to discover. To align with Laurier’s core strengths and values,
we have identified five areas of research strength: globalization and governance; business, economics and
quantitative analysis; environmental studies; health and well-being; and social analysis and social justice.
Laurier’s commitment to research is evident in the year-over-year growth of our research portfolio, which has
more than doubled since 2000. The university now has 15 research-chair positions and 21 research centres
and institutes. We also rank high in our class in national faculty awards and for the number and value of
research grants we receive. However, our most important research asset is our researchers themselves. They
challenge one another to explore their fields in new and innovative ways. In the process, they inspire lives of
leadership and purpose in our students and the broader community.
• Dr. suKHvinDer singH oBHi Dr. Sukhvinder
Singh Obhi’s innovative research in cognitive
neuroscience has a wide variety of aims and
applications, from assisting people with brain
disorders to understanding consciousness and
human-action planning. The award-winning
researcher is an active member of Laurier’s
Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience.
• Dr. Maurice Kugler Dr. Maurice Kugler,
CIGI Chair in International Public Policy in
Laurier’s Department of Economics, explores
how global market integration affects
economic growth in the world’s poorer regions
and nations. The results of his research,
conducted through his concurrent positions
at Laurier and the Centre for International
Governance Innovation (CIGI), has significant
influence on international development policy.
Laurier swimmer Whitney
rich, a four-time provincial
all-star, is back in familiar
waters thanks to a special
community partnership
to fund the $4.2-million
renovation of Laurier’s
Olympic-size pool. Financial
supporters included
students, community
swim clubs, federal and
provincial governments,
area municipalities, and the
university.
Inspired...
by sport
ATHleTicS AnD leADerSHiP The Laurier Golden Hawks have a proud tradition of excellence in
athletics. In 2008-09, our varsity teams earned national championships in women’s curling and cheerleading,
and provincial titles in women’s hockey, women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s soccer. Our athletes also
excel and lead by example in other areas. Through Healthy Hawk Days, student-athletes run gym classes at
elementary schools and speak to students about healthy living habits; the Laurier Lettermen’s Club hosts an
annual sports play-day for more than 250 elementary school children; and the Women’s Athletic Association
offers leadership and participation opportunities to female Laurier students. As well, many of our student-
athletes volunteer with minor sport teams as coaches, referees and mentors. At Laurier, we have a tradition
of inspiring lives of leadership and purpose through athletics and recreation.
• outstanDing WoMen of laurier
The Outstanding Women of Laurier
Award recognizes a female student who
combines athletic and academic success
with a commitment to leadership and young
athletes. Our 2009 winner was Hollie Nicol,
a varsity curler who won two national
championships and a silver medal at the
World Universiade games in Harbin, China.
Nicol also volunteered with the Special
Olympics, instructing wheelchair curlers.
• atHletes anD acaDeMics Laurier
values a well-rounded university experience,
and many of our varsity athletes excel at
both sports and academics. In the 2008-09
season, 45 Laurier student-athletes were
recognized as academic all-stars by their
respective interuniversity leagues, at both
the national and provincial levels. Many of
our varsity athletes go on to leadership roles
in their careers and communities.
In his second year at Laurier,
Greg Overholt founded
Laurier SOS (Students
Offering Support), a charity
to help early-year students
prepare for exams. Students
pay for a peer-led session,
with proceeds going to
fund schools in developing
countries. Laurier SOS has
raised more than $200,000
to date and has grown into a
national charity operating at
15 universities across Canada.
Inspired...
to get involved
A reAl cOmmuniTy Laurier offers its students a small-university experience with big-university
opportunities. There is a genuine sense of community on our four campuses, a quality that our students,
faculty, staff, and alumni are keen to preserve. In fact, many of our alumni tell us that our close-knit feel
is what clinched their decision to attend Laurier in the first place. Laurier students are passionate about
volunteerism, leadership and extra-curricular involvement. We support that passion in many ways, from our
innovative Student Leadership Centre to our community service-learning programs, which combine academic
course work with volunteer placements in the surrounding community. As well, there are more than 100
student clubs on the Waterloo campus alone, giving students plenty of opportunities to get involved, engage
in healthy debate, and assume leadership roles within the university.
• co-curricular recorD Laurier was the
first Canadian university to formally recognize
the educational and career benefits of
volunteer and leadership activities by offering
a co-curricular record — an official chronicle
of a student’s involvement in campus
activities. Since Laurier introduced it in 2004,
more than 4,800 students have completed a
co-curricular record.
• stuDent leaDersHip centre Laurier’s
Student Leadership Centre encourages and
enables students to get involved in university
life and the broader community. Guided
by the philosophy that leadership is about
getting involved, and that all students have the
capacity to make meaningful contributions,
the centre offers a wide range of leadership
training, activities and volunteer opportunities.
The Carnegie building, a
landmark in Brantford for
more than 100 years, was
acquired by Laurier as part
of the initial partnership
to establish a campus in
the city. Partnerships are
essential for keeping the
entire university strong and
vibrant, and Laurier values
the supportive relationships
that sustain all its campuses.
Inspired...
to give
GivinG As Laurier approaches its 100th anniversary in 2011, it is clear that our longevity and success
is built on the generosity of an exceptional community of alumni, students, staff, faculty and friends.
Contributions take many forms, from financial donations to volunteer work on university committees.
Such commitments of time and money are invaluable. They enable Laurier to reach beyond its most basic
responsibilities and provide the facilities, expertise and opportunities that truly inspire lives of leadership
and purpose. In 2009, we received $7.5 million from a wide variety of individual donors and organizations.
These gifts ranged from a record-breaking $1.3 million in annual giving to more than $1.8 million in estate
gifts. Every contribution helps strengthen the university’s commitment to excellence and to the unique
community that is Laurier. For this we thank you.
FULL-TIME STUdENT ENrOLMENT By CATEgOry (HEAd COUNT)
2008-09 2009-10
Undergraduate full-time 12,239 13,194
Graduate full-time 781 832
TOTAL 13,020 14,026
Note: Student enrolment is based on fall term head count as of November 1 Graduate student enrolment includes students from the affiliated Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
FULL-TIME UNdErgrAdUATE STUdENT ENrOLMENT By FACULTy/SCHOOL (2009-10 HEAd COUNT)
# %
Faculty of Arts 4,952 37.5
School of Business & Economics 3,104 23.5
Faculty of Science 2,419 18.3
Laurier Brantford 2,054 15.6
Faculty of Music 301 2.3
Dual Majors 225 1.7
Faculty of Education 139 1.1
FULL-TIME grAdUATE STUdENT ENrOLMENT By FACULTy/SCHOOL (2009-10 HEAd COUNT)
#
Faculty of Social Work 249
Faculty of Arts 236
School of Business & Economics 140
Faculty of Science 137
Seminary 52
Music 18
dEgrEES ANd dIPLOMAS ISSUEd 2008 2009
Undergraduate degrees and diplomas 2,704 2,751
Graduate degrees and diplomas 480 537
TOTAL 3,184 3,288
STAFF ANd FACULTy 2008-09 2009-10
Full-time faculty 497 516
Permanent staff, non-faculty 912 925
TOTAL 1,409 1,441
NUMBErS TO NOTE
In the 2008-09 year, our sponsored research income rose to $9.124M from $8.347M in 2007-08.
As of April 1, 2010, the total number of Laurier alumni reached 71,110.
Laurier alumni can be found in 88 countries.
By thenumbers
To view the university’s audited financial statements, visit www.wlu.ca/finance
A reputationfor excellence
MACLEAN’S
Once again Laurier was the leader in its category in the Maclean’s 2009 reputational survey of Canadian high-school principals and guidance counselors, heads of national and regional organizations,
university officials, CEOs and corporate recruiters:
Among Top 3 in Canada for overall reputation in the
Primarily Undergraduate category.
No. 1 in Ontario in the Primarily Undergraduate
category for:
Highest quality
Average entering grade
Proportion of students who graduate
Student retention
THE gLOBE ANd MAIL
Laurier received high marks in The Globe and Mail’s 2010 Canadian University Report, which is based on a survey of undergraduate students at 53
universities across Canada.
Faculty member’s subject knowledge A+
Overall university atmosphere A
Overall quality of education A
Satisfaction with university experience A
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Percentage of students who evaluated their educational experiences as excellent or good (2008 NSSE)
First-year Senior-year
Percentage of students who would attend thesame institution again (2008 NSSE)
90%
79% 79%86%
78% 77%
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First-year Senior-year
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Laurier
Ontario
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Laurier
Ontario
Canada
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Percentage of students who evaluated their educational experiences as excellent or good (2008 NSSE)
First-year Senior-year
Percentage of students who would attend thesame institution again (2008 NSSE)
90%
79% 79%86%
78% 77%
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First-year Senior-year
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Laurier
Ontario
Canada
Laurier
Ontario
Canada
At Laurier, we strive to provide students with an exceptional university experience by combining academic excellence with a wide range of outstanding extra-curricular opportunities. The result? Laurier students consistently rank their experience ahead of Ontario, Canada and U.S. averages in independent surveys.
NSSE
Laurier ranks above the Ontario and overall averages in many categories of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), an American-based study that asks first-year and senior students at more than 700 institutions in Canada and the U.S. about their undergraduate experience. Highlights from the latest NSSE:
WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY75 University Avenue West | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5
73 George Street | Brantford, Ontario, Canada N3T 2Y3120 Duke Street West | Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2H 3W8
130 King Steet West |Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5X 1C9
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