“I love, love, love music! It feeds my soul and nourishes my spirituality in a way that doesn’t always need words,” expressed Susan Allen, a Conrad Grebel University College alumna who earned a Liberal Studies degree with a minor in Church Music and Worship from the University of Waterloo.
2023 marks the year of the 10th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality. The conference has taken place every two years since 2000 and brings people together from all over the world to share knowledge of spirituality and aging: expert researchers and scholars, as well as experts-by-experience such as seniors, practitioners, policymakers, faith communities, and care partners. This year’s theme is Challenges and Choices: Spirituality and dignity in later life.
Dr. Darla Schumm, Associate Provost and Professor of Religious Studies at Hollins University in Virginia, visited Conrad Grebel University College in early February. She was the 2023 Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar. During her time at Grebel, she gave lectures in several graduate classes, spoke at a Faculty Forum, and attended the weekly Chapel service alongside staff and students.
“Grebel is beyond what I wanted; it’s what I needed,” said Elizabeth Ahing, a current resident at Conrad Grebel University College. She is also an upper-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University, working toward a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in Leadership.
The nominations for the 52nd Annual Juno Awards were announced this week, naming some of Canada’s top musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, and more. Included in the nominations is Mark Vuorinen, Associate Professor and Chair of Music at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo, along with The Elora Singers!
As the Artistic Director and Conductor of The Elora Singers, Vuorinen and the choir have been nominated for a Juno Award in the category of Classical Album of the Year (Large Ensemble) for their release of Radiant Dawn: Music for Advent and Christmas.
Dr. Darla Schumm will give the 2023 Sawatsky Visiting Scholar Lecture at Grebel. Dr. Schumm’s lecture will speak on “The Power of Misfitting: Disrupting Sinner, Saint, and Super Crip Controlling Images.” Pulling from theories outlined by Patricia Hill Collins, Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, and others, she will identify the mechanisms in today's religious communities that systemically designate disabled people as inferior. Schumm will raise the concept of power that comes with misfitting and redefine preconceived notions.
The vocal music sphere at Conrad Grebel University College welcomes a new scholarship for passionate students taking Music Studio in Voice, and who sing in a Music Department choir at the University of Waterloo and Grebel. The “Lichti Voice Studies Scholarship Award” was graciously established by Daniel Lichti, an Associate Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University (1998-2017).
To look back on Issa Ebombolo’s (MPACS 2017) career thus far is to look back on a journey of leadership, collaboration, and great accomplishments. From developing a peace curriculum, helping develop programs and support for refugee camps, and now, in his current role, working with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) as Peacebuilding Coordinator for Zambia and Malawi, he has helped promote peace and restorative justice in all that he does. It is fitting that he has been chosen as the 2022 recipient of Conrad Grebel University College’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award.
Grebel Professor Derek Suderman is passionate about connecting with global Anabaptist churches and contributing to cross-cultural teaching. This summer, he taught courses in Cuba and Thailand to resource the Global Mennonite Church.
“When our students think about the future, climate change is their single greatest concern,” noted Conrad Grebel University College President Marcus Shantz. “Grebel must respond in ways that generate hope and inspiration for our students.”