Now in her fifth year, Abby Krueger reflects on her experiences in student leadership at Conrad Grebel University College. “Grebel has given me a space where I can learn exactly who I am and where I want to end up in the world. I can’t imagine my university experience any other way.”
Two historic academic journals — The Conrad Grebel Review and Mennonite Quarterly Review — will merge into a single open-access publication in 2026 through a new collaboration among their three founding institutions: Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana; Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; and Goshen (Indiana) College.
For 24 years, Fred W. Martin served Grebel in fundraising and advancement. As the Director of Advancement, Fred has been a tireless advocate for Grebel, building strong relationships with donors, alumni, students, churches, and community partners.
“Grebel is a small college, but there is more diversity and difference here than is obvious on the surface,” said President Marcus Shantz, building on the theme of “Who is my neighbour?” “We come from many places, cultures, and countries. We express a rich range of personal identities. Some of us carry deep faith commitments; others are unsure. All of us belong.”
Chris Brnjas, a double Grebel alum, is returning to campus as the new Director of Development at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo. Chris will lead fundraising and alumni relations for Grebel by building relationships through donor engagement, major gift strategy, planned giving, and alumni events.
Dr. Kathryn Ladano (BA 1999) began her academic studies in Music at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo with a clear vision.
A sunny Labour Day weekend saw students new and old moving into Conrad Grebel University College for another year of learning and growing together. There was no shortage of returning students to welcome first-year residents and lend a helping hand moving belongings into dorm rooms.
When students moved into Conrad Grebel University College this fall, they were met with gleaming new washrooms and bright corridors. After four months of construction, four of the six washrooms in Grebel’s residence building have been completely renovated, improving both student experience and building operations.
The year 2025 marks 500 years since a group of young radicals gathered secretly in Zürich, Switzerland. They had fallen out with city and religious officials about issues such as the baptism of children and the separation of church and state. At that meeting, two of the young adults baptized each other, marking the first adult baptism in early modern Europe and the start of the Anabaptist movement. Despite facing persecution and death, the movement spread across Europe. Anabaptists now include Mennonites, Amish, Hutterites, and Brethren in Christ. The people and the religious movement have now spread around the world.
This year, for Mennonite Heritage Week, Conrad Grebel University College has prepared a self-guided Mennonite Art Tour for visitors interested in learning about the history, culture, values, thought, and religion of Mennonites.
Darren DeMelo (MTS 2017) pursued a Master of Theological Studies degree at Grebel to learn alongside fellow Mennonite, Anabaptist, and peace tradition scholars. He is currently a co-founder of and pastor at Estuary Church in Delta, British Columbia, and works part-time at Vancouver General Hospital as a spiritual care intern. He is looking forward to moving back to Waterloo with his family in the fall, where he will be co-pastor at Waterloo North Mennonite Church.