By Fred W. Martin
After its April meeting, the Conrad Grebel University College Board of Governors was pleased to announce the four year extension of the term of President to Susan Schultz Huxman, commencing July 1, 2015.
President Huxman started her term in July 2011, in the middle of a $9 million building project. This successful project opened last June with over $6.3 million in donations. During her first four years, there were significant faculty retirements, replacements and expansions that in total brought 10 new faculty members to Grebel. Her first term also included the plans for, and the opening of, the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union Center for Peace Advancement (CPA) and the celebration of the College’s 50th anniversary.
“It is important to have a solid academic providing leadership at Grebel at this time in our history as we continue to develop existing and new programs reflective of current Anabaptist thought and establish interdisciplinary research through the CPA,” says Geraldine Balzer, a board member who works on faculty at the University of Saskatchewan.
Fred Redekop, pastor at Floradale Mennonite Church and the current Board chair noted that, “we recently passed our five year Strategic Plan, ‘Extending the Grebel Table,’ and Susan is well positioned to lead the College on this ambitious undertaking. We look forward to Susan's dynamic leadership as the College goes forth to seek wisdom, nurture faith and pursue justice and peace in service to church and society.”
"It has been an absolute delight to serve as President of Conrad Grebel from 2011-2014. What a calling! What great people. What a vibrant College!” responded Huxman. “I think of myself as an ambassador of Grebel's special mission, its ‘salt of the earth’ people and its distinctive programs wherever I go, on or off campus, in travels near and far.”
"As a student leader, I find that Susan is very encouraging of our ideas, ensuring the student voice is seriously considered when planning the future direction of the College,” said Student Council President, Kenny Hildebrand. “There were several opportunities to join the table with staff and faculty, communicating what was important to the student body as we moved forward with Grebel’s strategic plan.”
The strategic plan adopted recently outlines many priorities that connect to external audiences. “I’m looking forward to a second term, where we can realize these priorities, and extend the ‘Grebel Table’ to our growing constituencies,” said Huxman.
Founded in 1963 by Ontario Mennonites, Conrad Grebel University College is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the University of Waterloo. The College’s mission is “to seek wisdom, nurture faith and pursue justice and peace in service to church and society.” Conrad Grebel’s core values include inspired teaching, scholarly excellence, compassionate service, community building, active peacemaking and global engagement. These are expressed through the academic and student life programs.