News

Ron Mathies’ significant contribution to the field of Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) was honoured by Conrad Grebel University College in awarding him with the inaugural Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Visiting Scholar Award.

Ron is well-known locally and within the international non-governmental organization community for his leadership and vision on issues of service, development, and international peacemaking,

Effective September 1st, students enrolled at Conrad Grebel University College (CGUC) and the University of Waterloo in the Faculty of Arts will have the option of majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS). Previously only an interdisciplinary program, students could obtain a PACS minor, PACS option, or diploma only. Students are pleased to hear that the BA plans were approved in the beginning of April, some even delaying graduation as a result.

For me, PACS was the most meaningful part of university and I was really excited to be able to major in it,

Conrad Grebel University College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. James N. Pankratz as its next academic dean, effective January 1, 2006. He succeeds Marlene Epp, who will move into full-time teaching of History and Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!”, will be shown between Wednesday, March 16 and Saturday, March 19, 2005 at the Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick Street, Kitchener. Performances begin at 8:00pm, with doors opening at 7:30pm.

A montage of the comic strip, the play is an average day in the life of Charlie Brown. It is a lighthearted and fun play for families to bring their children to,

says Director, Adam Feiner.

The play includes 6 actors and four dancers, all students of Grebel,

Dr. Fernando Enns, teacher of systematic theology and ecumenical studies at Heidelberg University in Germany, is Conrad Grebel University College’s 2005 Bechtel Lecturer. He will be speaking on Mennonites: a Peace Church in Conversation on March 16 & 17. Wednesday’s lecture will focus on Dialogue and Diversity in the Ecumenical Movement, while Thursday’s lecture will deal with Identity and Tolerance in a Pluralist Society.

Conrad Grebel University College has planned a memorial service for Thursday, February 3 at 12:30pm in Grebel's Chapel.

With deep sadness Conrad Grebel University College mourns the loss of founding president, Joseph Winfield Fretz, 94, who passed away peacefully on January 24, 2005, after a brief illness at Kidron-Bethel Retirement Center in North Newton, Kansas.

It is with deep sadness that Conrad Grebel University College mourns the death of Dr. Rodney James Sawatsky, on November 27, 2004. Rod died at home in Waterloo at the age of 60, in loving care after a courageous struggle with brain cancer. Beloved and devoted husband of Lorna (Ewert) for 40 years. Cherished father of Tanya of Waterloo, Lisa and Katherine, both of Toronto.

This summer, Conrad Grebel University College welcomed Dr. Nathan Funk, Assistant Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS), as the newest member of the Grebel faculty. With his highly interdisciplinary training, broad range of teachable courses, and keen interest in research and writing about ethnic and communal identity in large-scale conflict and peacebuilding processes, Funk promises to be a perfect match for Grebel’s growing PACS program. Marlene Epp, Academic Dean, says

Most people of Russian Mennonite heritage have heard stories of the massive old oak tree in Khortitsa, Russia. The tree was an unofficial gathering place for the whole community with picnics, weddings, and meetings often taking place in the cool shade of its leaves. Coined “Hundert-jaehrig Eiche” (Hundred Year Old Oak) by early Mennonite settlers, the tree is estimated to be 700-800 years old.

After combing through nine of Frank H. Epp’s filing cabinets (so far), Linda Huebert Hecht knows more than a little bit about this important church leader. Hired by Conrad Grebel University College in 1999, she has worked part-time archiving Epp's extensive collection of correspondence, research notes, articles and newspaper clippings. According to Sam Steiner, Grebel Archivist, this five year project, jointly funded by the Frank H. Epp Memorial Fund and Grebel, is important because