News

Each April, the community at Conrad Grebel University College gathers together to recognize the achievements of all graduating students who have been involved in the College’s residence or academic programs, at both graduate and undergraduate levels. The Convocation ceremony took a surprise turn this year, as a rare mid-April ice storm shut down the University of Waterloo and Grebel for three days. With the celebration scheduled to take place right in the middle of the storm, the event was cancelled for everyone’s safety. About 70 students and a few of their families held an impromptu gathering at Grebel.  This provided an opportunity for them to hear valedictorian Jared Baribeau deliver his address. Jared left Canada the next day to work in Cambodia for Demine Robotics.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Waterloo, on April 20 Conrad Grebel University College hosted a sold-out gala dinner featuring the Honourable Bob Rae as keynote speaker. Focusing on the theme of “Pursuing Peace: Stories from Home and Abroad,” the evening included alumni stories, acknowledgements of those who have impacted the PACS program, as well as Bob Rae’s reflections on the pursuit of peace.

The Institute of Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies at Conrad Grebel University College announces the 2018/2019 recipient of the J. Winfield Fretz Fellowship in Mennonite Studies, Dr. Ben Nobbs-Thiessen.  A Latin American historian whose research focuses on the evolving history of the low-German Mennonite diaspora in the region, he completed his PhD at Emory University in 2016 and is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. 

Conrad Grebel University College is hiring for 3 contract positions! The Office Assistant and Receptionist (9-month contract) ensures that the main office runs smoothly and efficiently while providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere to students and visitors. The Conference, Bookings, and Events Coordinator (10-month contract) ensures that conferences and events are well-planned and organized. The Administrative Assistant to Theological Studies & the Anabaptist Learning Workshop (2-year contract) is responsible for attending to the administrative tasks that of the Theological Studies department and the ALW program. This position requires an individual with strong organizational skills, excellent interpersonal skills and outstanding attention to detail. Apply by April 25, 2018. Read complete job descriptions at www.grebel.ca/positions.

Working toward reconciliation with Indigenous neighbours takes time and requires building awareness and understanding. Following the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Justice Murray Sinclair issued this challenge: “We have described for you the mountain. We have shown you the path to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing.”

Representatives of Anglican, United, Lutheran, and Mennonite Settler communities are lacing up for the climb. Muriel Bechtel, a retired Mennonite pastor says, “We are well aware that re-educating ourselves about our colonial history takes courage. We believe building awareness is a vital step in the reconciliation process for churches, governments, and all people who call this land our home.

Four productions of Discovery: A Comic Lament will occur in Waterloo Region from May 31 to June 3. As chair of the planning committee, Bechtel says “Only as we acknowledge our complicity in the displacement and dispossession of Indigenous communities, will we be able to move beyond our paralysis and confusion to deeper listening and action in partnership with Indigenous-led healing and justice efforts. We believe that this drama will inspire and motivate us for the climb ahead.”

“I always find hope in the resilience of the Rohingya people — in their dignity in the face of incredible abuse,” remarked the Honorable Bob Rae, in a CBC interview in early March. Currently working as Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, Rae has spent four months traveling to Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the UN in New York. Tasked with investigating the humanitarian crisis, Rae is actively assessing efforts required to ensure the secure return of refugees to their homes, and gathering evidence of breaches of law and human rights. He reports that Canada has been “publicly associated with the peace process, with the dialogue on governance and pluralism, and with a number of other critical issues, and this engagement needs to continue.”

It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we announce the winners of the orchestra@waterloo concerto and aria competition. 

Eric Liang performed spectacularly with Brahms 2nd piano concerto, winning him the 1st place position. Eric will be performing the 1st movement with the orchestra@waterloo on our upcoming concert on March 29, 2018. 

With an air of celebration, in a hall filled with support from over 400 friends, family, alumni, students, staff, faculty, University of Waterloo representatives, and community members, Marcus Shantz was installed as Conrad Grebel University College’s eighth president on October 29, 2017.

With deep sadness, Conrad Grebel University College announces the passing of Ralph Lebold (1934-2017) on Tuesday, October 31. Lebold followed Frank H. Epp as the third president of Grebel from 1979 to 1989. Ralph is survived by his wife Eileen, and his children, Cindy and Scott, Connie and Tony, Marvin and their families. The funeral service will be held at Waterloo North Mennonite Church on Saturday November 4, 2017 at 11 am.

For 48 days beginning September 25, the names of 661,818 soldiers and nurses on all sides of the First World War will be digitally displayed at more than 60 locations around the world. The Mennonite Archives of Ontario will be one of these locations.