“It feels great to be back teaching in person,” said Alicia Batten, Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies. “It is much easier to communicate with people, even with masks on. It was a bit odd coming back to the classroom in the middle of the semester, however.
Coming this March, Conrad Grebel University College is hosting two distinct winter lectures, offered by Professors Sofia Samatar and Regina Shands-Stoltzfus. The presentations are focused on addressing global social concerns and raising awareness about oppression.
Through the Arts First program, the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Arts provides a wide spectrum of courses each term with an emphasis on developing inquiry and communication skills. First-year students have an opportunity to explore a variety of topics based on a professor’s expertise, with each course taught in a small seminar setting where students build social awareness and ethical engagement. These courses are often a gateway to learning about potential majors students might pursue, including Grebel’s programs such as Music, Peace and Conflict Studies, Mennonite Studies, and Religious and Theological Studies.
Music unites people all over the world. This winter, Conrad Grebel University College is bringing people together virtually through the Noon Hour Concert series, starting January 26 at 12:30 pm. Additional concerts will premiere on most Wednesdays during the Winter term. These concerts are recorded with a small live audience and are broadcasted on the Grebel YouTube channel.
As the pandemic lingers and students persevere in challenging times, students in the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) program at Conrad Grebel University College created pods. These small groups, made up of students with a mix of experiences, met virtually or in-person to offer mutual support, encouragement, and advice throughout the term.
In 2019, Canada’s parliament designated the second week of September as Mennonite Heritage Week, granting special recognition to Mennonite resilience, cultural production, and peacemaking efforts. The designation encourages deeper public appreciation of Mennonite contributions to “building Canadian society.” This call comes alongside increasing acknowledgment among some Mennonites of all that past and current participation in nation-building has entailed - prominently, white settlers’ involvement in the state’s varied colonialist projects targeting Indigenous peoples. This year, we mark Mennonite Heritage Week by drawing attention to an upcoming conference, to be held at Conrad Grebel University College in May 2022, that invites reflection on these parts of Mennonite history, in Canada and in other contexts.
A fun and enjoyable experience. An awesome way to spend a weekend. One hundred-percent student-run, put together during a pandemic, with so much work put in by the cast and production teams. And best of all, a “once in a lifetime opportunity! This is the first time Big Fish the Musical will be presented as a movie,” Grebel student, and member of the musical production team, Hannah Bernstein said.
Since 1964, Conrad Grebel University College has implemented numerous upgrades and additions into campus. Although the washrooms are among the improved facilities, their accessibility was lacking. More specifically, power-operated doors and washrooms that are easy-to-access are welcome improvements to those with mobility issues. The 2020 “Welcoming Washrooms” project aimed to make this happen.
Rewarding experiences, everlasting friendships, skill-developing opportunities, and even a chance at love—“after everything the Grebel community has given me, giving back in the way of leadership just makes sense,” said Grebel resident, Josh Rampersad.
In September 2020, Grebel’s new kitchen and one section of the dining room expansion were completed just in time for fall term residents to enjoy the more spacious communal area. Since then, the new spaces have received much praise.