The fall season always brings energy and vigour to the Conrad Grebel University College community, welcoming new and returning students to the University of Waterloo campus. Students and parents were greeted on Move-In Day this year at Grebel’s new and welcoming front entrance! This 2014-15 cohort is the first group of students to enjoy the College’s new facilities. With a bright and spacious library, residence and academic students alike are already making use of this renovated and expanded space. Music students are practicing diligently in the new music studios and practice rooms, and classes are regularly meeting in the three new classroom and seminar rooms. Graduate students in Peace and Conflict Studies as well as Theological Studies are especially pleased with their specially designed area in the Grad Hive.
Mixers, campus tours, cooperative group games, and faculty/staff/student challenges, are all part of Grebel’s orientation week traditions of making every person feel comfortable and welcome. Most notably, the entire Grebel community participates in a commencement service during the first week. President Susan Schultz Huxman explained to students that “wherever and whenever we plant seeds in our life, be they figurative or literal, we are positioned to commit acts of faithfulness.” Expanding on the theme of “Bloom Where You’re Planted,” everyone moved outside to plant a tulip bulb. The next year will be full of anticipation, waiting for the spring flowers to grow, just as students grow in their personal relationships, in their studies, and in their faith.
