Grebel Now
Conrad Grebel University College
140 Westmount Road North
Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3G6
519-885-0220
Academic
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Grebel Now Fall 2023Rubbing Shoulders with Anabaptists
Lienhard Wäber died in the early winter of 1631 in the village of Brütten just outside of Zurich. His death was self-inflicted. Anna Richi, his wife, found him hanging from a tree in an oak grove near their small home, having followed his footsteps through freshly fallen snow. Wäber’s passing shocked his community, not least the newly arrived Reformed minister Hans Rudolf Fischer, who was charged by the authorities with investigating how such a thing could have happened in his parish. The pastor had known Wäber only as a dedicated school teacher. But as he set out to canvas those in the area who had spent time with the deceased man, the pastor discovered that, despite outward appearances, Wäber had long been mired in deep turmoil.
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Grebel Now Fall 2023The Legacy of Mennonite Studies and History at Grebel
Because Grebel’s mission and programs are rooted in and inspired by its Anabaptist/Mennonite heritage, the College puts a significant emphasis on teaching Mennonite studies and History. While Mennonite Studies wasn’t an official program from the outset, Grebel’s founders wanted to ensure that Mennonite students pursuing post-secondary education at a secular university still had some grounding in Mennonite education.
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Grebel Now Fall 2023Trace, Trajectory, and Truth: A Story of Morocco’s Iconic Lute
The following is a brief excerpt from the 2023 Benjamin Eby Lecture “Trace, Trajectory, and Truth: A Story of Morocco’s Iconic Lute,” given by Music Professor Maisie Sum on November 9, 2023.
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Grebel Now Fall 2023A Sampling of Scholarship
In addition to classroom teaching, faculty and other academic personnel at Grebel accomplish a wide range of scholarship and service in the academy, church, and community. Here is a sampling of recent activities and achievements.
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Grebel Now Fall 2023COMMEMORATING 500 YEARS OF ANABAPTISM: FRIENDS OF GREBEL EUROPEAN TOUR
Grebel alumni, staff, and friends are getting ready to explore Anabaptist beginnings on a European tour in May 2025. Alongside faculty experts Troy Osborne and David Neufeld, travellers will follow this story from the Netherlands through Germany, France, and Switzerland, visiting the very places where events significant to this tradition occurred.
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Grebel Now Fall 2023Radicals and Reformers: A New Anabaptist History Textbook
From renegade gatherings of Christian believers in the 1500s to a global communion of more than 2.1 million members, the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement has been marked by faithfulness and failure, continuity and conflict, radicalism and reformation. Grebel History Professor Troy Osborne was asked by MennoMedia to write a new textbook that draws from recent scholarship on the global church. “I thought that it could be an interesting challenge, and it would also be useful to produce a book I could use in my own courses,” Troy explained. “One of the attractions of the project was working with an advisory group that included professors from a wide variety of Mennonite colleges and universities.”
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Grebel Now Fall 2023Recent History Grads Inspired by the Past
Three recent History graduates reflect on their careers.
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Grebel Now Fall 2023Reconciliation in the Archives: What was lost, what remains, what is possible
Poet Jean Janzen offers a definition of “everything” as “what was lost, what remains, what is possible.” As an archivist I find this a useful definition. I once answered a phone call from an older British man with a common “Mennonite name.” He began quizzing me about local Mennonite genealogy. When I told him how common his name was in southwestern Ontario, he exclaimed incredulously, his voice crackling over the long-distance line, “but I thought I was the only one!” Here was a man, after decades of loss, reaching out for what remains and discovering new possibilities for understanding his personal past.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023The Inexpressible, Intangible Music AND
Conrad Grebel University College is home to the University of Waterloo Music program. Tucked into spacious facilities on the lower level of the College “across the creek” from the sprawling campus of the University, the Department of Music welcomes a diverse student body to learn about and to make music. Over decades, hundreds of students have graduated from Waterloo with degrees in Music, and tens of thousands more have taken courses or participated in music ensembles. The Department of Music is large enough to create a vibrant and creative community of music-making and learning yet small enough that students get to know faculty, staff, and each other, personally.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023Music is Instrumental to Many Waterloo Students
Students choose to integrate music into their university life for various purposes—to pursue their musical passion, be part of something bigger than themselves, or to build meaningful friendships. We asked a group of students from all faculties at the University of Waterloo to tell us how Music connects with their other academic pursuits. Their answers reveal that Music has contributed to a stimulating interdisciplinary environment, revealing surprising partnerships between different fields of study.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023New Lichti Voice Studies Award to Support Inspired Singers
Vocal music students at Grebel and UWaterloo are now supported by a new scholarship open to students enrolled in Music Studio in voice and in Music Department choirs. The “Lichti Voice Studies Scholarship Award” was graciously established by Daniel Lichti, an Associate Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University (1998-2017).
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Grebel Now Spring 2023Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre Activity Ends
Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre (TMTC) will end its operations this spring, following a decision of the Conrad Grebel University College Board of Governors at its February meeting.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023Convocation 2023: Transformation Happens in Community
At the end of April, Grebel’s graduating class of 2023 celebrated the end of their university journeys with one of the College’s beloved traditions—Convocation. Although many students had yet to finish final exams and papers, the afternoon served as a congratulations recognizing the hard work, drive, and dedication that undergraduate and graduate students had put toward their degree. Alongside their peers, families, faculty, and staff, graduates were blessed into their new beginnings with a heartfelt goodbye and warm wishes.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023ORATORICAL CONTEST WINNER
This March, four Grebel students competed in the C. Henry Smith Oratorical Contest—an opportunity for students from Mennonite and Brethren in Christ colleges and universities across Canada and the USA to discuss peacebuilding and social justice issues.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023A Sampling of Scholarship
In addition to classroom teaching, faculty and other academic personnel at Grebel accomplish a wide range of scholarship and service in the academy, church, and community. Here is a sampling of recent activities and achievements.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023Peace Scholar Brings Depth, Curiosity, Originality
Dr. Eric Lepp (BA 2005) will join the Grebel community as Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) on July 1, 2023, becoming the College’s newest tenure-track faculty member. With expertise in conflict transformation, theories and practices of nonviolence and resistance, and peace and social justice movements, Eric brings experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm to this role at Grebel and the University of Waterloo.
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Grebel Now Spring 2023Celebrating Ten Years of MPACS: Pursuing Transformative Peace and Justice
The world is filled with unique and diverse communities and cultures, friendship and family, love, and the resilient human spirit. However, the world is facing turbulent times with polarization, systemic violence, armed conflicts, and oppression on the uprise. “The Master of Peace and Conflict Studies community strives to transform conflicts, repair harms, and build flourishing communities,” said Reina Neufeldt, Chair and Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Grebel.
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Grebel Now Fall 2022Issa Ebombolo: Building Peace in Zambia and Malawi
To look back on Issa Ebombolo’s (MPACS 2017) career thus far is to look back on a journey of leadership, collaboration, and great accomplishments. From developing a peace curriculum, helping develop programs and support for refugee camps, and now, in his current role, working with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) as Peacebuilding Coordinator for Zambia and Malawi, he has helped promote peace and restorative justice in all that he does.
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Grebel Now Fall 2022New Perspectives on a Familiar Story
Grebel Professor Derek Suderman is passionate about connecting with global Anabaptist churches and contributing to cross-cultural teaching. This summer, he taught courses in Cuba and Thailand to resource the Global Mennonite Church.
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Grebel Now Fall 2022A Sampling of Scholarship
In addition to classroom teaching, faculty and other academic personnel at Grebel accomplish a wide range of scholarship and service in the academy, church, and community. Here is a sampling of recent activities and achievements.
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Grebel Now Fall 2022Inspiring Academic Leader Marlene Epp Retires
The Grebel community celebrated Professor Marlene Epp’s 27 years of service at the end of June.
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Grebel Now Fall 2022Transitions and Reappointments
Jennifer Ball has moved on from her role as Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at Grebel after seven years.
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Grebel Now Spring 2022Oratorical Contest Winner
Abi Kowalski and Tim Peters, two Grebel residents, participated in the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest on March 2, 2022.
Category: Newsbites Academic -
Grebel Now Spring 2022A Sampling of Scholarship
In addition to classroom teaching, faculty and other academic personnel at Grebel accomplish a wide range of scholarship and service in the academy, church, and community. Here is a sampling of recent activities and achievements.
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Grebel Now Spring 2022Setting a Foundation for Church Leadership
As part of Grebel’s mission to nurture faith in service to church and society, the College has woven many threads of opportunity into its programming. While Grebel students are on diverse career paths, those who want to build church leadership skills find ways to develop those gifts.
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Grebel Now Spring 2022Worship through Visual Art: A New Hymnal Leads the Way
One of the striking things about the new Mennonite hymnal, Voices Together, is that it includes twelve pieces of visual art.
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Grebel Now Spring 2022New Initiative Sends Profs to Congregations
“Grebel faculty members have a wealth of expertise to share on a variety of topics,” observed Fred W. Martin, Director of Advancement. “Our new initiative, Grebel-to-Go, is an accessible and affordable way to connect our professors with community groups and churches.”
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Connecting Deeply with Nature
Third-year PACS student Samuel Farkas (left) spent his summer with his hands in the earth, planting 110,000 saplings in clear-cut areas of British Columbia.
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Grebel Now Spring 2022Peace Clubs: From Zambia to Oakville
A surprising turn of events brought Grebel Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) student Bethany Serengheu (MPACS 2022) together to work with Zambia-based alumnus Issa Ebombolo (MPACS 2017) on a Peace Club curriculum for The Meeting House church based in Oakville, Ontario.
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Grebel Now Spring 2022Convocation: Threshold of a New Beginning
With excitement and trepidation, Grebel returned to an in-person Convocation service (that was also livestreamed) after a two-year hiatus. This April 10th event marked tremendous achievements and celebrated the hard work and dedication of Grebel’s graduate, academic, and residence students. It was an ending, but also the beginning of a new journey.
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Grebel Now Spring 2022New Anabaptist and Mennonite Historian will Connect the Past with the Present
Grebel has appointed Dr. David Y. Neufeld as Assistant Professor of History, beginning July 1, 2022, succeeding Professor Marlene Epp who retires this summer.
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Scholars Network Relaunched
The Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre (TMTC) in co-operation with the Institute of Mennonite Studies is delighted to announce the relaunch of the Anabaptist Mennonite Scholars Network (AMSN).
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Peace and the Environment: A Journey to Reconnect
Sitting on the edge of an urban stream that runs surprisingly clear, I am nestled in the grass among a small grove of trees who are slowly releasing their yellow leaves that dance and pirouette around me. A black and white speckled woodpecker thrums on a branch nearby. Two black squirrels chase each other from branch to branch making precarious leaps, stopping only to gnaw on walnuts now so plentiful. An occasional but pervasive smell of wild leeks wafts around me and draws me in to taste. My fingers follow the grooves and ridges of the bark on a nearby tree I am getting to know. Amidst the distant urban din, there is quiet here.
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Grebel Now Fall 2021A Sampling of Scholarship
In addition to classroom teaching, faculty and other academic personnel at Grebel accomplish a wide range of scholarship and service in the academy, church, and community. Here is a sampling of recent activities and achievements.
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Making Sense of the Pandemic through Peace Research
A student in Grebel’s Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) program, Simon Guthrie had the idea to take advantage of this unusual opportunity and conduct research on the impact of a global pandemic—right in the middle of one.
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Mennonite Heritage Week
Mennonite Heritage Week was proclaimed by Parliament in 2019 to recognize Mennonite resilience, cultural production, and peacemaking efforts. The designation encourages deeper public appreciation of Mennonite contributions to “building Canadian society.” This national recognition coincides with the increasing awareness among Mennonites of their historic involvement in colonization in Canada.
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Heeding the Call to Ministry
The Master of Theological Studies program at Grebel draws students from a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions. Two current students, Kathryn Cressman and Laurel Rounds Fretz, both felt a gradual pull toward ministry within their home churches.
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Composing Louis Riel's Dream
Music Professor Karen Sunabacka presented the 2021 Benjamin Eby Lecture this October, titled “Composing Louis Riel’s Dream: Exploring the history of the Red River Settlement through family stories and music.” In this lecture she looked at how she has explored her mixed European and Métis heritage in her music. Below, Karen describes her lecture in more detail.
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Grebel Now Fall 2021Long-Serving Assistant Librarian Retires
After 41 years of dedicated service to Grebel, Ruth Steinman has retired as assistant librarian in the Milton Good Library. Alongside Sam Steiner and John Good, Ruth saw the library through many transitions: from microfiche to online databases, and the card catalogue to the Omni book sharing system.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Restorative Justice: At the Heart of the PACS Experience
A Restorative Justice (RJ) worldview is central in the undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses of study in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Grebel.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Alumni Transform Conflict with Restorative Justice
A path to peace, responsibility and healing, rooted in relationship, spreading peace and justice across communities—Grebel alumni have many words to describe the positive impact of Restorative Justice (RJ).
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Grebel Now Spring 2021“No Justice, No Peace”: Bridging Restorative Justice and Peace Advancement
Sparked by the anti-Black racism protests this past summer, the Centre for Peace Advancement team has been spending more time reflecting on our strengths and shortcomings as they pertain to challenging white supremacy.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Restorative Justice: Celebrating a Twenty Year Partnership
Conflict occurs every day, all over the world, and it is important to have the skills necessary to resolve it. The concept of the Conflict Management Certificate Program at Grebel sprang from a Peace and Conflict Studies Department strategic visioning session that occurred in the late nineties.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021New Faculty Member Brings a Restorative Justice Focus
Grebel announces the appointment of Dr. Johonna McCants-Turner to a tenure-track faculty position as Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Grebel, beginning July 1, 2021. McCantsTurner currently serves as Assistant Professor of Restorative Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University’s (EMU) Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Alumni Pursue Musical Careers
Grebel alumni Emily Yarascavitch (BSC 2016), Stephanie Collings (BA 2020), and Nicholas Wong (BMATH 2020) all came to Grebel with a passion for music and another subject, and the flexibility of the Music Department allowed each of these students to dive into both areas of interest.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Virtual Music Ensembles
What do you do when your passion for music as an outlet for creativity is considered dangerous to your health? Like many other group activities, Grebel music ensembles went online.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Laws, Codes, and Christianity
Laws and codes are usually thought of as mundane, but in her Special Topics: Biblical Law course this past fall, Professor Carmen Palmer challenged this assumption by creating an engaging and applicable course with a new perspective.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Convocation 2021: We Are Resilience
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 2021 Convocation took place on Sunday, May 16 in an online format, featuring heartfelt speeches from valedictorians and administrators, and sharing from students.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021A Sampling of Scholarship
In addition to classroom teaching, faculty and other academic personnel at Grebel accomplish a wide range of scholarship and service in the academy, church, and community. Here is a sampling of recent activities and achievements.
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Grebel Now Spring 2021Promoting Peace through Good Governance of Organizations and Systems Delivering Services
Peace brings freedom from pain—it is a solution to some of our most significant problems. Rod Friesen graduated from Conrad Grebel University College in 2013 with a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS). He began working with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ontario in May 2017, where he oversees several service delivery and restorative justice-related projects in his role as a Restorative Justice Program Coordinator.
Category: Academic Alumni