“On behalf of the Grebel Board of Governors, I am very pleased to announce the reappointment of Marcus Shantz as President of Conrad Grebel University College, supported enthusiastically and unanimously by the Board,” announced Board Chair Paul Fieguth in December 2021. “The reappointment committee solicited and received input from a great many people, and there was overwhelming appreciation for Marcus’ leadership. We are looking forward to his continued contributions to the broader Grebel community.”
Praised as a community builder, Marcus authentically reflects the identity and mission of the College. He is widely respected across Grebel’s various constituencies and he shows vision and respect for the role of post-secondary education within the church, and also for his role and relationships to broader university and societal sectors.
“Marcus’s collaborative and collegial leadership style helped steer Grebel through some significant challenges, where he modelled resiliency, rootedness, and hope in difficult times,” noted Paul. “The pandemic, in particular, created extraordinary conditions that Marcus met with sensibility, compassion, and determination.”
“In the next few years, I think we have a real opportunity to connect Grebel to big issues playing out at the university and in the wider world,” said Marcus. “We’re part of a university that is largely focused on advancing technology—and we confront big questions about the impact of technology on the human condition. Seen in this light, Grebel’s offerings in peace, music, history, and theology have never been more relevant. I’m looking forward to finding new ways for Grebel to serve our university and community, and in finding partners who are interested in what we have to offer.”
Marcus has served the College as president since October 2017 and will begin his second 5-year term in fall 2022. Overall, he is viewed as the right person at this time in Grebel’s history to take on the challenge of the post-pandemic recovery and to move the institution forward.
