Sowing Seeds for New Beginnings

The air was full of excitement and anticipation as another Orientation Week dawned upon Conrad Grebel University College this year.  Excited students were met with Grebel’s distinctive sense of community as they settled into residence, took part in orientation activities, and explored Grebel and the wider University of Waterloo campus. 

“Just like that, another fall term is up and running, with first-year students receiving an enthusiastic welcome from returning Grebel students and beginning to feel at home here,” remarked Director of Student Services, Jessica Reesor Rempel. “I don't take it for granted that we have dozens of upper-year students who move in early and volunteer countless hours in the first week so that new students will have the same welcoming experience that they once had themselves. These Grebelites spread enthusiasm for Grebel's traditions much more effectively than the staff could do alone.” 

This fall, the Grebel residence is running at full capacity with 140 students living in residence and 32 in the apartments, plus another 36 connecting to Grebel while living off-campus. Grebel students study in a cross-section of UWaterloo’s faculties, with 32% in Arts, 20% in Science, 19% in Engineering, and 24% from other faculties such as Environment, Math, and Health.  Aditionally,19% identify as Mennonite, with 53% of students identifying with other Christian traditions. While 24% have no affiliation or have not indicated their faith status, another 4% are from other faiths. Grebelites also hail from all over Canada, with 83% of students from Ontario, 4% from Alberta, 2% from Saskatchewan,1% from Manitoba, 3% from British Columbia, and 8% international. 

“Fall is filled with new beginnings, fresh challenges, and lots of opportunities for growth,” said Dean Troy Osborne. “Grebel faculty look forward to building relationships with students and the work we can accomplish together in the classroom, music ensembles, and beyond the university walls.” Undergraduate enrollments decreased by 14% compared to last year, with 1304 course enrollments. In addition to teaching undergraduate courses in Mennonite Studies, Religious Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Music, and History, Grebel also offers two graduate programs: a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) and a Master of Theological Studies (MTS). This term, Grebel welcomed 17 new MTS and 13 new MPACS students, resulting in 34 MTS and 31 MPACS students. In the MPACS program, there are 25 domestic and 6 international students. The MTS program experienced a 17% increase in enrollment from last year and just over half of MTS students have connections to the Mennonite Church. This year, to start off the term, both graduate programs went on a field trip to the Office of Indigenous Relations and Brubacher House museum. The goal was to learn the history of the land Waterloo Region is situated on, which includes Indigenous and Mennonite Histories. The graduate students were also encouraged to reflect on the fact that there is an Indigenous claim on the land.  

One meaningful Grebel tradition is the annual Act of Community, a collective action that celebrates community and marks the arrival of new members. This year, students threw maple keys off the patio railings. “Even tattered maple keys can still fly, signifying that perfectionism is not a necessary condition for success,” noted Visiting Chaplain Chip Bender. The fact that most of the maple seeds will not become trees symbolized that “the point is not to get to a particular outcome. The point is simply trying.”  

An invocation worship service on the theme “I See You” was held to bless the Grebel community in the new school year. Along with the story of Zacchaeus, Bender explained the theme: "Amid our busy, scheduled lives, may we keep our eyes open to see the opportunities that pop up to see and to connect with the people we would otherwise overlook." 

Furthering the message of “I See You” in his speech to start the school year, Grebel President Marcus Shantz advised students to reserve judgment and keep an open mind. “If you do these things, you’ll make friends, you’ll begin to understand that all the people around you are a great gift, and you’ll help to make the world a better place.” 

By Tasbiha Ansari, Grebel Communications Co-op Student