President
Eric Norris
I am 4th Year Honours History Student. History has been a lifelong passion for me and the subject that has always interested the most throughout my academic career. Over the course of my time in school I have come to see the understanding of history as vital to how people perceive the world around them and respond to changes. Although I am interested in all periods of historical study, I find myself gravitating toward 20th century history when reading about new subjects or selecting courses. I joined History Society earlier this year to better form connections with other Waterloo History Students and found it rewarding to help plan and execute events and initiatives which bring the community closer together. Outside of history I spend time playing music (usually with the UW JamNet) cheering for/suffering with the Toronto Maple Leafs and playing video games.
Vice President
Stefan Venceljovski
Stefan Venceljovski Is a 3rd -year History and Political Science major with a keen interest in Canadian History, the Cold War and International Relations. His primary study and research focus is how our past political and historical narratives drive and impact our lives today. More specifically, he is interested in studying this relationship in the context of the Cold War He enjoys studying Canadian and international politics and relations in the broader context of examining how our world operates today. He enjoys reading on these subjects and others and is an avid tennis player in his spare time. He loves to discuss history and political topics at length, Favourite books include the Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux and Epidemics and History: Disease, Power and Imperialism by Dr. Sheldon Watts.
Events Officers
Kyle Reekie
I am a 3rd year Honours History Major Co-op, English minor.
Favourite Historical Era: Post Industrial Revolution 1850 – present
Favourite Books: For Those I Loved by Martin Gray, All Quiet on the Western Front by Enrich Maria Remarque, and The Lord of The Rings by JRR Tolkien.
Favourite Historical figures: Alexander the Great, JFK, Saint John Paul II, and Tecumseh
Hobbies: Reading, Basketball, board games, and fishing
Charlie Dickson
My name is Charlie and I am honoured to be a distinguished member of the UW History Society, acting as one of the Events Coordinators. I’ve always loved the pursuit of knowledge and I took up reading history in a serious way during the pandemic. My goal is to contribute to building a vibrant community of historically-interested people on campus, by planning events, connecting classmates and peers, and helping to reach first years who may be interested in choosing history as a major. My biggest historical interests include the First World War and it’s causes, the Roman Empire and it’s decline, and the Age of Discovery, among others. Would love to get to know you!
Treasurer
Tegan Griffiths-Fulton
I am in my third year pursuing Honours Arts and Business with a focus on History. Fascinated by the complexities of the past, I find inspiration in historical figures such as T. E. Lawrence, Cleopatra, and William Wallace. Beyond the pages of textbooks I enjoy J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” as well as videogames swimming. With a diverse range of interests
Secretary
Haowen (Rick) Li
Hello! My name is Haowen (Rick) and I’m a history major at the University of Waterloo. My interest in history can be traced all the way back to my childhood. I remember when I was kid I would spend time at my grandpa’s study room which was filled with the calligraphy works and historical books. I like East Asian history and culture. My favourite historical figures include Augustine of Hippo, Sun Tzu, Wang Yangming, Confucius, Cao Cao, and Felix Mendelssohn. When I am free I also like to spend time doing the choir, do some quiet reflection, and playing the Guqin (A seven-string Chinese zither)
Society Volunteer
Joel Botter
I am 4th Year Honours History Student. Ever since I first learned to read I was drawn to history, first through historical fiction, and then academic and popular histories. Though initially a Political Science student, I switched to history as I came to understand it as the field where we studied the application of the theories taught in PoliSci as well as other social sciences. In addition, I believe that our understandings of history shape the way we see the world and as such believe it is beneficial to have as unbiased an understanding as possible. Specifically I am interested in political history, as well as the intersection of science and defence policy during the Cold War. In my free time I have an avid love of reading, cooking, and video games. My favourite book, a historical fiction, is The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.
Society Volunteer
Omar Ghazal
Hello, I am a 2nd year Recreation & Sport Business student who’s passionate about learning and sharing history. I am most interested in ancient history from around the world but also very intrigued by modern history and how it shapes our world today. I am thrilled to be part of the UW History Society exec team and to help create a successful and memorable term.