Nina Dobrev, Mike Meyers and more went to Ryerson, Margaret Atwood and Malcolm Gladwell went to U of T — there are a lot of famous alumni of Canadian universities. What you may not know, is that a good chunk of these people went to Waterloo universities like Wilfred Laurier and The University of Waterloo!
From tech founders to radio hosts, the famous students of Waterloo’s universities are plentiful. Did you know that these famous people went to school in Waterloo?
Mike Lazaridis (co-founder of Blackberry)
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Before holding various positions (including co chair and co ceo) of multi billion dollar company Blackberry, Mike Lazaridis was a student at Waterloo University. In 1979, he studied electrical engineering at the well respected university. He almost graduated from the prestigious undergraduate program, but dropped out two months before graduation to pursue business endeavours after being presented a contract from General Motors.
What can we say, everyone has a different path -- but the university of Waterloo is proud to have the business man as one of their past students.
Shad (Host of Hip Hop Evolution)
This CBC Radio One host and alternative hip hop musician is multi talented — and was the first to replace Jian Ghomeshi as host of the Q talk show. The multi talented Hip Hop Evolution host was heard on Q between 2015 and 2016. He is also the proud owner of a
a business degree from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Matte Babel (TV Personality)
Another TV personality, matte Babel, has been on Canadian TV since we can remember. From Much Music VJ to guest star stints on Degrassi, we don’t remember Canadian events ever not being covered by Babel. Not to name drop, but he’s interviewed the likes of Mariah Carey, Usher and Justin Timberlake.
Before being on our tv screens and linked to Pretty Little Liars’ Shay Mitchell, Babel graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Double Honours in Sociology and Communications, along with a Minor in Business and Geography.
Kevin O'Leary (CBC Dragons Den)
“Mr Wonderful” himself has achieved recognition for his work on both Dragons Den and Shark Tank. Before the businessman turned TV personality was listening to brand pitches, he studied environmental studies and psychology at University of Waterloo.
Brenda Irving (CBC Sports Team)
Another great interview with another pair of CDN medallists. Gold again! #gpd2016 #RoadToRio #cbcsports pic.twitter.com/1d3USCI74G
— Brenda Irving (@BrendaCBCSports) April 9, 2016
Many will recognize Brenda Irving as CBC’s sports journalist. Before achieving the accolade of first first female Hockey Night in Canada rinkside reporter, she studied radio and television at Conestoga College.
Heather Moyse (Athlete)
Heather Moyse has two Olympic gold medals under her belt, having competed as a rugby union player, bobsledder, and track cyclist. Before kicking serious ass at the Olympics, Moyse studied kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. She went on to be inducted into the school’s Sports Hall Of Fame in 2002, and earned the University of Waterloo Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Young Alumni Award in 2010.