Ron Mathies chosen to be Grebel’s first Sawatsky visiting scholar

Friday, July 22, 2005

Ron Mathies’ significant contribution to the field of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) was honoured by Conrad Grebel University College in awarding him with the inaugural Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar Award.

Ron is well-known locally and within the international non-governmental organization community for his leadership and vision on issues of service, development, and international peacemaking,

Ron Mathies public speaking
says Marlene Epp, Academic Dean at Conrad Grebel University College. In the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami disaster, Mathies has been on the local and international stage more than ever. Mathies visited the University of Waterloo during International Peace Week in March, where he delivered a speech, entitled "Tsunamis of Hope: Responding to the Asian and Global Crises" that addressed several global issues in need of response from the world community.

Ron Mathies was the Executive Director of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) from 1996 to 2005. He is the former Director of Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel College and former MCC Southern Africa Coordinator and Malawi Country Representative. Ron received a BA from the University of Waterloo, MSc from the University of Guelph, and EdD from the University of Toronto. In 2004, Ron accepted, on behalf of MCC, the first Global Citizenship Award from University of Winnipeg, presented by President Lloyd Axworthy.

Ron will complete his tenure as Executive Director of MCC in June, 2005. Given Mathies’ departure, the Sawatsky Scholar committee felt that

as the Sawatsky Visiting Scholar for 2005-2006, Ron would have the opportunity to debrief and reflect on his important contributions to service and development over the past decade.

In keeping with Sawatsky’s own academic activity, the Sawatsky Visiting Scholar is awarded to renowned scholars, practitioners and performers whose expertise in their field represents a wide range of interests to the Grebel community. As the Sawatsky Visiting Scholar, Mathies will make presentations and engage in dialogue within the college’s academic and residential programs and also give a public lecture. As well, he will teach a full semester PACS course entitled "Doing Development: Issues of Justice and Peace."

Rod and Lorna Sawatsky
Dr. Rodney Sawatsky joined the faculty of Conrad Grebel in 1974, teaching in the areas of History, Religious Studies, Mennonite Studies, and PACS. He served the college as academic dean from 1974-89 and as president from 1989-94. During those years Rod was instrumental in the development of the college’s graduate Theological Studies program and the establishment of the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre. Rodney, and his wife Lorna, were key figures in the Grebel community. Rod and Lorna returned to Waterloo in the summer of 2004 after ten years in Grantham, Pennsylvania where Rodney served as President of Messiah College. He died on November 27, 2004 of brain cancer.

By way of honouring Lorna’s involvement and Rod’s tenure at Conrad Grebel, the Board of Governors established the ‘Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar Fund.’

For more information on the Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar visit program and scholarship endowments webpage.