News

Conrad Grebel University College’s Music Professor Kate Kennedy Steiner and long-time adjunct Professor Debra Lacoste join the Digital Analysis of Chant Transmission (DACT), a 7-year partnership project recently granted $2.5 million in funding by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The aim of the project is to collect, analyze, and trace the transmission of plainchant through time and place, beyond Europe and the Middle Ages.

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Kenny Hildebrand graduated from the Peace and Conflict Studies program at the University of Waterloo in 2015 and now lives in New York City. Since 2020, Kenny has worked as an Associate at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. In his free time, Kenny enjoys traveling, baking, comedy shows, trivia nights, golfing, board games, and spending time with his friends at his local dive bar.

Marlene Epp, Professor Emeritus of History and Peace and Conflict Studies, has recently launched her new book, Eating Like a Mennonite. She was featured on CBC's radio show, The Morning Edition, linked here. 

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Katie Gingerich graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and Religious Studies, and she completed a Master of Education from Wilfrid Laurier University. Today, she is a skilled facilitator, mediator and designer, working as a Manager of National Program Operations at Shad Canada.  

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Greg Culp graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2006 with a degree in Fine Arts. He now lives in Burbank, California with his wife Andrea and three daughters. Since 2012, Greg has worked at Disney Animation Studios in Cinematography Lighting. In his free time, Greg enjoys plein-air digital painting and sketching, photography, and taking the family to Disneyland or to Malibu for a beach day. 

Jessica Reesor Rempel has been appointed as Conrad Grebel University College’s new Director of Student Services. She has already served with distinction as Interim Chaplain, Chaplain, and, for the past few months, as Acting Director. Jessie brings a wealth of experience in pastoral care, social services, and organizational leadership. 

Another of the former Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony youth orchestras is set to continue practicing together as Conrad Grebel University College offers them rehearsal space amidst the symphony’s recent bankruptcy.  

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Devon Spier is a 2012 PACS and Religious Studies graduate from the University of Waterloo, a bestselling author, theologian, and rabbi-to-be. They currently teach students to write their own theology through poems, prose, and digital images. A recipient of peacebuilding awards from YMCA and Interfaith Grand River, they were recently honoured by the Ontario Government with a "Leading Women, Building Communities" award. Devon's poetry books are currently used in religious communities and academic courses taught in Asia, Europe, and North America.

The number of Christian-affiliated Canadians has dropped by more than 200,000 people. 800,000 affiliates have left the United Church of Canada since 2011. Canada’s Catholic representation is down 15% since 1996 and statistics predict the Anglicanism could be gone by 2040. While a selection of media reports may sound daunting, is the situation really that dire?  

Brad is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation in Saskatchewan and a survivor of the Sixties Scoop. In his distinguished career as a lawyer spanning more than 25 years, he was part of the legal team that successfully defended a challenge to a First Nation’s tax laws under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, is a Partner for Maurice Law in Winnipeg, and is the first Indigenous lawyer to hold office as President of the Canadian Bar Association. Brad is also the Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Group for United College at the University of Waterloo and was recently appointed King’s Counsel by the Province of Manitoba.