News

Every year, on September 21, the world celebrates the International Day of Peace. Established by the United Nations in 1981, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to build a culture of peace. Inspired by this initiative, the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College invites students, staff, and faculty at the University of Waterloo to attend peace events from September 16 to 22.

Earlier this year, the Canadian Parliament declared the second week of September to be Mennonite Heritage Week – a time to “recognize the contributions that Canadian Mennonites have made to building Canadian society, their history of hope and perseverance, the richness of the Mennonite culture, their role in promoting peace and justice both at home and abroad.”

A new exhibit at the Mennonite Archives of Ontario showcases painted family trees, hand-drawn charts, and other ways Mennonites have visually remembered family. The exhibit is called Growing Family: Design & Desire in Mennonite Genealogy. 

The Grebel Gallery, located in the heart of the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement at Conrad Grebel University College, is pleased to showcase “New Fraktur,” an art exhibit by Grebel alumnus Meg Harder. Visitors will be treated to works that draw on fraktur folk art, an imaginative and densely detailed illuminated calligraphy, historically produced by early Mennonite settlers to Ontario.

It is always a delight to welcome Grebel alumni back to the College as employees. Beginning July 1, 2019, David Y. Neufeld will serve at Grebel as Visiting Assistant Professor of History for two years. He will also hold a research fellowship during his first year.

In the fall of 2020, Conrad Grebel University College students will start the school year equipped to be more welcoming and inclusive than ever before!  On April 1, the Board of Governors approved the budget and final plans for a brand-new kitchen and an expansion of the dining room. To celebrate the start of this essential project, a Ground Breaking ceremony will be held on Tuesday, April 23 at 4:30pm on the site of the new kitchen.

Music builds community! In an effort to strengthen relationships and connections between individuals and groups in academic and local settings, Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo is privileged to welcome an extraordinary musician as the 2019 Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar. Ysaÿe M. Barnwell, Ph.D.

In April 2019, the shovels will hit the ground in front of Conrad Grebel University College’s residence building as construction on a new kitchen facility begins. This project is part of a $6.8 million undertaking to expand the kitchen and dining room capacity at the College.

On December 17, Conrad Grebel University College (Grebel) and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) formalized their partnership to advance peace through the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

The CPA is home to peace-oriented innovators and established organizations from Waterloo region’s vibrant peacebuilding ecosystem. Over the past four years, the CPA has enabled Grebel and MCC to partner in new ways through, for example, consultations, conferences, and gallery exhibits. This agreement builds on that foundation by deepening this unique partnership over the next three years.

Contributions by Leah Wouda and Grace Wright

Each year, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), a non-profit organization focused on using business and entrepreneurship as a tool to alleviate poverty, hosts a convention to engage its supporters. This year’s convention, held in Indianapolis, IN, included a stream of activities that brought together young professionals and students to connect with innovators and entrepreneurs.