Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier University Welcome to Wilfrid Laurier University's Official page - inspiring lives of leadership and pu

Established in 1911, Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading Canadian university known for academic excellence and a culture that inspires lives of leadership and purpose. Laurier has a distinct commitment to teaching, research and scholarship, combined with a strong student focus, high levels of student satisfaction and a deep sense of community. Laurier specializes in arts and social sciences, b

usiness and economics, music, science, social work, education and theology. Laurier has more than 20,000 students throughout its campuses in Waterloo, Kitchener, Brantford and Toronto, Ontario. www.wlu.ca

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Access to fresh, affordable food is a pervasive challenge in Kakisa, considered the Northwest Territories’ “tiniest town...
06/01/2026

Access to fresh, affordable food is a pervasive challenge in Kakisa, considered the Northwest Territories’ “tiniest town.” Two hours north of the Alberta border, Kakisa is a Dene community of fewer than 40 people set along the edge of Kakisa Lake.

Living off the land is the foundation of the community’s food system but has become increasingly difficult as the effects of climate change rapidly alter ecosystems. Northern Canada is warming approximately three times faster than the global average. Wildfires and low water levels are making hunting and fishing more challenging in Kakisa.

Together with Laurier faculty member Andrew Spring, the Kakisa community developed a climate action plan, which includes growing food, setting up recycling and composting programs, and engaging local youth.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/W9VK50Z5hzj

: Laurier and Luther students, staff and faculty are invited to visit the Drag and DIY Pride Fair hosted by Martin Luth...
05/29/2026

: Laurier and Luther students, staff and faculty are invited to visit the Drag and DIY Pride Fair hosted by Martin Luther University College for an afternoon of community, crafts and and drag performance – with a chance to win prizes!

Here's what you need to know:
🗓️ Thursday, June 4
⏰ Noon to 3 p.m.
📍 Martin Luther University College
🎶 Drag performance and prize giveaways at 1:30 p.m.

Activity stations include t-shirt tie-dyeing, bracelet making, affirmation cards, button making, temporary tattoos, rock painting, colouring, and much more!

Each June, Pride Month recognizes the experiences and history of Two-Spirit, le***an, gay, bisexual, trans, q***r, quest...
05/29/2026

Each June, Pride Month recognizes the experiences and history of Two-Spirit, le***an, gay, bisexual, trans, q***r, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+) communities and celebrates their positive impacts around the world.

Learn more about events, research, and community resources: https://ow.ly/4MLR50W0NYH

05/28/2026

LAMA‑palooza is coming! Saturday June 6, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Get ready for an fun-filled day of music, creativity, and community at our FREE open house. Everyone is welcome!
Join us for:
✨ Live music + student performances
✨ Face painting & creative activities
✨ A fun sticker hunt for kids
✨ Delicious treats from Café du Monde Crêperie food truck
✨ Tours of our school & opportunities to meet our incredible teachers
Whether you’re thinking about music lessons, art classes, or just want to enjoy a lively community event, LAMA‑palooza has something for everyone!
Save the date and mark yourself as “Interested”, more exciting details are on the way!
Bring your friends, bring your family, and come celebrate with us! 🎉
https://www.facebook.com/events/1334780941828329

This is your sign to accept your offer to Laurier. 💜💛
05/28/2026

This is your sign to accept your offer to Laurier. 💜💛

05/27/2026

Laurier has one-of-a-kind research opportunities for students.

Every summer, Laurier students travel north to the lakeside village of Kakisa, Northwest Territories, to live and work alongside the community. Together, they have built a thriving garden space, including two large greenhouses. Wildfires and low water levels are making hunting and fishing more challenging, and the nearest grocery store is 90 minutes away, so growing food locally is beneficial.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is how important it is to spend time in the community building relationships so we can do the type of research that the community wants and needs,” says PhD student Calin Lazarescu.

Health Sciences student Ramon Smikle found fun ways to teach Kakisa’s young people about growing and harvesting.

“I hope to have a sustainable impact,” he says.

See how this impactful partnership came to life: https://ow.ly/KtoY50Z4s9a

Laurier has named Tristan Long, associate professor of Biology, as a Laurier Teaching Fellow. The Laurier Teaching Fello...
05/26/2026

Laurier has named Tristan Long, associate professor of Biology, as a Laurier Teaching Fellow.

The Laurier Teaching Fellowship program honours faculty members who demonstrate exceptional contributions to teaching and learning and have established an exemplary record of educational leadership across their department, program, faculty or campus.

An innovative educator, Long reimagines scientific education by embedding active learning, role-playing simulations, student-generated data collection, and collaborative problem-solving in his course design.

Instead of relying solely on high-stakes exams for assessment, Long uses frequent, lower-pressure evaluation techniques that provide students with timely, meaningful feedback to support confidence and growth. He also incorporates podcasts, instructional videos and other teaching tools to increase student engagement and improve access to course materials.

Long has also used active-learning techniques and role-playing exercises to engage students in course content and enhance their critical-thinking skills.

“I am eternally grateful for all the support, resources and inspiration that the Laurier teaching community has extended to me these last 15 years,” says Long. “I am very lucky to be working at an institution where pedagogical innovation and excellence is valued."

Learn more: https://wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2026/may/associate-professor-tristan-long-named-wilfrid-laurier-university-teaching-fellow.html

We woke up feeling happy and golden on this Monday morning in May 💛
05/25/2026

We woke up feeling happy and golden on this Monday morning in May 💛

Congratulations to Laurier Master of Music Therapy alum Madelyn Chung (MMT ’21) on being named communicator of the year ...
05/25/2026

Congratulations to Laurier Master of Music Therapy alum Madelyn Chung (MMT ’21) on being named communicator of the year by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Toronto chapter.

Chung was recognized for amplifying marginalized voices and experiences through building the RepresentASIAN Project, as well as her dedication to mental wellness as a registered psychotherapist and founder of the Blossom Mental Health Fund.

“Madelyn is focused on tackling negative stereotypes and building empathy through her advocacy and storytelling,” says Amie Silverwood, president of IABC/Toronto.

IABC/Toronto’s communicator of the year award celebrates leaders who use communication to inspire change and strengthen communities.

A passion for music was deeply ingrained in Chung by her family. When the classically trained pianist saw a music therapy demonstration, it led her to her next chapter in Laurier’s Master of Music Therapy program.

“Seeing music therapy in action moved me to tears,” says Chung. “I called my mom sobbing and said, this is it. This is what I want to do.”

Laurier’s Master of Music Therapy is currently the only music therapy program in Canada recognized by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), enabling graduates to work in the regulated field of psychotherapy.

Read more: https://ow.ly/6wAW50Z2UsJ

Laurier alum Jenny Bird (BBA ’99) chose creativity over corporate and built Jenny Bird – a top Canadian jewelry and lif...
05/22/2026

Laurier alum Jenny Bird (BBA ’99) chose creativity over corporate and built Jenny Bird – a top Canadian jewelry and lifestyle brand known internationally and worn by celebrities like Michelle Obama, Selena Gomez and Laura Dern. Her brand has earned her a devoted following from around the world.

Jenny shares some insights into her success in this Q&A:

🅠 What did you do after graduating from Laurier?
My first job was working with my dad as an investment adviser at Dominion Securities — essentially as a stockbroker. I had zero interest in the stock market, economic systems or interest rate movements, and I didn’t want to be responsible for someone’s life savings.
I had the skills, but the job lacked creativity. I’m a dreamer and I wanted to spend my days doing something I loved.

🅠 How did you get started in accessories design?
I actually made two attempts. The first was right after leaving Dominion Securities. I joined a small ad agency in Toronto doing brand strategy. It was creative, entrepreneurial and offered a lot of autonomy. I was making decent money and became a fashion customer, which wasn’t how I grew up. I hadn’t had access to things like jewelry or handbags, but I quickly discovered how much I loved them.

I bought a Rebecca Minkoff bag and recognized a gap in the market for approachable luxury. At 25, I quit the agency and used my savings to start making handbags in the same price range — around $300 to $400 each. I was sewing them myself — which was not scalable — and I wasn’t very focused. I quickly ended up on employment insurance. However, I got a taste for designing and creating, and I was hooked. I went back to the agency for another five years. At 30, I was promoted to vice-president, and I realized that if I didn’t quit then, I never would.

I left again — and the second time, it worked. I started in handbags, but when the recession hit in 2009, it became clear they weren’t viable. That’s when I pivoted to jewelry. It felt natural because I was already designing custom hardware for handbags.

🅠 At what point did you feel like you had “made it”?
There were two moments. The first was earning the same salary I would have made as a VP at the agency — a six‑figure income — while maintaining the freedom of being a founder. That meant building a million‑dollar company to support the salary, the expenses and the reinvestment for future growth. It took eight years, but I never gave up. I believed that if I worked hard and treated people fairly, I’d succeed.

The second moment was when Michelle Obama wore the Gemma Hoops. In that moment, I thought, “Okay, I’m good.”

Read the full Q&A: https://ow.ly/JIvi50Z1IQw

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