Donors champion Laurier commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion in support of student success
Laurier donors are playing a vital role in supporting Laurier’s ability to provide programming, services and student financial aid that lift up equity-deserving students and ensure our university is diverse, inclusive, with equal opportunity for all.
Here are two important ways that Laurier donors are creating a more inclusive and vibrant learning experience at Laurier for everyone.
Laurier donors support the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Laurier’s Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI) works to cultivate a campus culture that respects and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and social justice in all aspects of campus life, from classrooms to residence communities. CSEDI provides support, education and spaces for students to get help, find community and engage in EDI initiatives.
Some examples of CSEDI-supported groups and initiatives include the Rainbow Centre (Waterloo) and Queer Sphere (Brantford) as well as Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Supports; the Centre for Women and Trans People (Waterloo) and Laurier Brantford Women’s Centre; and the Association of Black Students (Waterloo), the Black Student Collective (Brantford), the Middle Eastern Association (Brantford) and the Muslim Students’ Association.
CSEDI also offers multi-faith practice spaces and advocacy, and access to chaplains of various religions. It supports disability justice and accessibility. CSEDI connects equity-deserving students with personalized support, and support for events throughout the year, including Black History Month.
Donors support CSEDI generously. In the fall of 2022, through Laurier’s first EDI-focused fundraising campaign, more than 294 donors gave CSEDI more than $102,240 (including including matching funds generously donated by the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association) to help CSEDI and the students it serves to thrive.
“I am so grateful for the incredible support provided by the Laurier community,” says CSEDI manager Lauren Burrows (BA ’14, MA ’20). “Thanks to the support of so many, we will be able to do more to build a safer, more inclusive Laurier for all.”
Laurier donors support financial aid for equity-deserving students
In alignment with our Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Laurier seeks to increase the number of financial awards for equity-deserving students. Many of our donors share the same vision.
Currently, Laurier students have the opportunity to self-identify as racialized as part of the awards application process, in which that and other eligibility factors like grades, activities and financial need are assessed. EDI processes are constantly evolving and we will continue to look for ways to support equity-deserving students through awards.
In 2022, Laurier donors set up six new awards for racialized students: one in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, one in the Faculty of Education and four in Athletics and Recreation. 14 students were impacted by receiving one of these awards.
Here is the story of two of the awards set up within Athletics and Recreation.
Waterloo Brewing and Mammoth Mug support two new Athletic Financial Awards
Local alumni-run organizations Waterloo Brewing and Mammoth Mug signed milestone sponsorship agreements with Laurier Athletics and Recreation in 2022, totaling more than $500,000 in support for student-athletes at Laurier, including one athletic financial award from each company for equity-deserving students. A total of five students will receive one of these awards yearly.
This joint investment from Waterloo Brewing and Mammoth Mug will help the Athletics and Recreation department’s recruitment efforts by providing increased supports to racially and socio-economically marginalized recruits, while also supporting off-season training and exhibition play.
Both companies were inspired by Laurier’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and the university’s dedication to developing its student-athletes through the department’s three core pillars of excellence: academic success, athletic success and community engagement.
“We couldn’t be happier knowing our investment will create a positive impact for the university and community alike," said George Croft, president and CEO of Waterloo Brewing. "We believe access to education helps build strong communities, so we hope to help inspire Laurier’s student-athletes as they work hard at their post-secondary education, both on and off the field.”
“We would like to thank the Laurier Golden Hawks team for the opportunity to build a partnership with an organizational culture enriched with high-performance sport and community engagement," said Joe Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of Mammoth Mug. "Laurier’s student-athletes have been a pillar of our community and we are looking forward to further elevating their EDI presence in Waterloo Region.”