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Before entering a life of public service and ultimately becoming Canada’s first independent Senator in 2016, Peter Harder (BA 1975) moved from the small town of Vineland, Ontario to the slightly larger city of Waterloo to live at Conrad Grebel College and study Political Science at the University of Waterloo. At Grebel, he practiced leadership skills, and learned to think globally and act ethically. Throughout his career in numerous governmental roles – in Canada and internationally – Peter fostered a deep sense of social responsibility, wrote and enacted policies for a welcoming country, and worked to shape a new vision for the Senate. “I gained insight into the highest table in the sense of global symmetry,” Peter summarized.

Spring at Conrad Grebel University College has been filled with fond memories of the past, as several gatherings of alumni have been held on and off the College’s grounds. These events give Grebelites the opportunity to reconnect with former roommates, classmates, and faculty members, strengthening the longstanding community of the College. 

If it wasn’t for Grebel’s stance on welcoming all people from different backgrounds – 2SLGBTQ+ people, people of colour and & marginalised races, international students, students with accessibility needs, and people from all walks of faith – I would not have considered living here. 

“I had never contemplated being a lawyer. Not once. Not growing up, not as a teenager, not until the very end of my undergrad studies,” said Brad Regehr (BA 1993) who is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, a partner at Maurice Law, and former President of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA).

Early on a gloomy Saturday morning in late May, a group of eager Conrad Grebel University College students rolled up their sleeves and began spreading icing on hundreds of cream buns and long johns. Working tirelessly without stopping – not for the rain, not for friends who stopped by, and not even for a taste of the sweet treats – these students volunteered to work in the cream bun tent at the 2024 New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale.

Imogen Sloss, an undergraduate student who recently completed a degree double majoring in PACS and Psychology, has been awarded the Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal for the highest GPA of the 2024 graduating Arts students at the University of Waterloo. The award recognizes a student graduating from the Faculty of Arts with the highest overall average. Imogen also attained the top cumulative average of all Arts students who finished in spring 2023, fall 2023, and winter 2024— by extension, she is also receiving the Department Award for Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) and the Currie Scholarship. 

The date of convocation has arrived, and Conrad Grebel University College faculty, staff, and students recognize the hard work and achievements of Grebel’s graduating class of 2024. The University of Waterloo is proud to present the class of graduates at its Convocation Services, which are recognizing the achievements of several notable individuals with ties to Grebel. “Our hope at Grebel is that students will develop as whole people, and thriving academically is an important part of that whole,” explained Jessica Reesor Rempel, Director of Student Services at Grebel. “It is exciting to see that these students who took the time to engage as student leaders in Grebel’s academic and residence programs also excelled academically during their time at University.”  

Corwin Cambray (BA 1967, MA 1973) has stood by the phrase “community and the public, first and always,” for as long as he can remember. Throughout his undergraduate studies, a career in public service, and his involvement in church and local organizations, he has continuously embodied this value. Corwin received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Regional and Resource Planning from the University of Waterloo and was both a resident and the first Student Council President of Conrad Grebel College. 

Christine Brubaker (BA 1992) considers her acceptance into the National Theatre School of Canada after her undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo and Conrad Grebel University College to be a pivotal moment. “It changed my path,” she shared. “It gave me the opportunity to do something I'd always loved but never been able to really conceive of doing.” At a crossroads while completing her Bachelor of Arts degree, Christine assessed the direction of education and noted, “administration was the thing I was supposed to be doing but drama was the love interest.” Leaning toward a less regimented path, Christine began a dynamic acting career that led to directing, and eventually a place within academics. She is currently Associate Professor at University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts. 

“There are a variety of injustices different people face,” said Lucas Shumaker, a third- year Environmental Engineering student at the University of Waterloo from Lancaster, PA. “Sometimes, certain problems are somewhat invisible to those who don’t face them.” At Grebel’s April End-of-Term Banquet, Lucas was presented with the 2024 Abundance Canada’s Spirit of Generosity Award, which is given to students who have been generous with their time and talents in the Conrad Grebel University College community and beyond.