News

At the University of Waterloo, innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities are around every corner. Yet in the Spring semester an opportunity arose to rethink how students can be involved in changemaking. What if UWaterloo could provide a space for students to apply their innovative and systems-change mindsets to a real-life, ever-changing problem: the COVID-19 pandemic?

Theology scholar Sarah Kathleen Johnson has always been interested in religion and Christian worship. In her pursuit of education, her many different involvements at Conrad Grebel University College deepened, clarified, and expanded those interests, through courses, innovative chapel experiences, and late night conversations.

Lowell Ewert, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, has been honoured with one of the four UWaterloo 2020 Distinguished Teacher Awards. This award celebrates exemplary instructors with a record of teaching excellence over an extended period. In addition to intellectual rigour, criteria for the award include impact beyond the classroom, concern for students, and a favourable and lasting influence on students and colleagues.

This week, we witnessed the murder of George Floyd, and waves of both peaceful and violent protests across North America.  I share the same range of emotions that so many have eloquently expressed: sadness, shock, outrage, and a sense of shame that racism and racist violence are still a reality for so many people in both the United States and Canada. 

At Grebel, we are so proud of the compassion, skills, and dedication of our alumni. We know that frontline workers in healthcare have been working ceaselessly during this current global pandemic. Thank you to all who have been taking care of vulnerable people and keeping our communities safe. Here are a few updates from Grebelites on the frontlines. We’d love to hear from more of you! You’re welcome to send us your update to grebel@uwaterloo.ca.

Mike Groh (Grebel 80-81) writes:

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many changes and challenges for Conrad Grebel University College. While construction on the kitchen and dining room expansion continues, many other activities have been curtailed or adjusted.

“Worship is the beating heart of the Christian church,” reflected Professor Carol Penner, who teaches practical theology at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo. Carol and a team of six volunteers from Mennonite churches across Canada and the USA have spent the last two years creating a website of worship resources with an Anabaptist Mennonite approach designed to aid leaders in the Mennonite Church.

The high value Laura Gray places on her students is obvious inside the classroom and out. Laura is associate professor of Music at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo, serving as chair of the Music Department for nine of her 22 years at Grebel.

Conrad Grebel University College’s Student Council (StuCo) promotes the College’s values by facilitating a fun and meaningful student-life experience. Grebelites elect eight students each term to represent various roles on StuCo, from president to social convener.

For the first time in its history, the Conflict Management Certificate Program (CMCP) is being offered online. The program is based out of Conrad Grebel University College’s Peace and Conflict Studies department, and offers workshops in a variety of conflict management and mediation practices.