A pair of UW connections named to Order of Canada

There are a few University of Waterloo connections among the latest appointments to the Order of Canada.

Frances Westley, who is a professor emeritus at the school and formerly the J.W. McConnell Chair in Social Innovation, is one of 61 new appointments, announced Wednesday morning.

In a press release, the Governor General said Westley is being honoured “for her contributions to the study and application of social innovation in Canada and abroad.”

Westley told 570 NEWS she had no idea she was nominated.

“I was driving close to my home, and my phone rang so I pulled over,” she said, “It was a woman calling from Ottawa, and she said that I had received this great honour and I burst into tears.  And I don't burst into tears very often.”

“I have received a few other wonderful honours in my life, but I don't think anything has ever meant as much to me as this.”

“It's a wonderful country, and to be recognized in this way, I don't think there could be anything better.”

Meantime, the school's next president and vice-chancellor has made the list.

Vivek Goel was named “for his contributions as an academic and administrator who is committed to the advancement of public health services, evidence-based health care and research innovation.”

He now serves on the federal COVID-19 Immunity Task Force.

Goel takes over at UW in July.