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Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Linda Ruby graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1986 with a BA in English and Drama before attaining her Bachelor of Education from Western University in 1989. She worked as a secondary school teacher across various schools in the Waterloo and Ottawa District School Boards. In retirement, Linda enjoys spending more time with her husband at their cottage on Georgian Bay, participating in a film club, walking with friends, and spending time with their three young adult children, who live in Ottawa, Vancouver, and Waterloo. Two of their children, Laura and Aaron, also lived at Grebel while studying at UW. 

Patrick Quealey completed his BES (Hons. Coop), Peace and Conflict Studies minor with an International Studies option, at the University of Waterloo in 2002. Patrick went on to complete an MSc. in Environment and Economic Development at the London School of Economics in 2004. Patrick is currently the Deputy Director for Asia within the Bilateral Affairs Division at Natural Resources Canada and the Vice-President of his condo’s Board of Directors. Patrick is especially proud of his two boys Malcolm (14) and Kyran (13). Beyond parenting, Patrick’s biggest passion is travelling and has visited many countries across the world.

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Ruth Richardson Ragovin graduated from Grebel and the University of Waterloo in 1978 with a BA in Religious Studies and Health Studies before receiving her Master of Philosophy in 1982 and Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies in 1985 from Drew University. Following graduation, she was awarded a Fulbright fellowship. She spent years working both as a scholar and serving the church as an ordained minister. Ruth attributes much of her life’s work to a near-death experience she encountered at the age of 15, in Nepal, and the strong influence Conrad Grebel College had upon her.

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Kristin Reimer graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1998 with a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies before attaining her Bachelor’s, Master's, and PhD in Education from the University of Ottawa. Today, she is married with a son, and uses her degrees to teach restorative justice, a movement she has been a part of since the ‘90s, at Monash University in Australia as a Senior Lecturer. Kristin is known in Grebel lore for her grand 10-year party where she hosted 500 people on her farm for a day of reunion and celebration.  

On October 24, 2023, the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre (TMTC) held a virtual Closing Ceremony to mark the end of its 33-year existence. TMTC’s mandate was to develop theological leadership for church and academy, by supporting Mennonite graduate students in theology, biblical studies, and related fields. It worked primarily with students at the ecumenical Toronto School of Theology (TST). As I reflect on what was shared at this closing ceremony, it is evident that TMTC has made important, often behind-the-scenes, contributions to the Mennonite theological ecosystem.

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Curwin Friesen graduated from the University of Waterloo with an honours degree in Economics under the International Trade Specialization program. He was the winner of the Governor General’s Silver Medal and also completed the General Management Program from Harvard Business School. A businessman at his core, Curwin has sought leadership positions in various organizations, namely Friesens Corporation where he led the company for two decades. Today, he is the President of Greenvalley Equipment in Manitoba, and sits on the board of several companies in industries spanning from insurance to software.  

In the fall of 1963, J. Winfield Fretz began his role as the first President of Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ontario.  In addition to hiring the first employees and spearheading a $750,000 building project, he taught courses in the Sociology Department at the University of Waterloo.  This fall Grebel has celebrated this milestone with a variety of 60th anniversary events.

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Kaylee Perez is a passionate refugee advocate who holds a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies and has worked in the settlement sector since 2013. Add being raised in a Cuban-Colombian-Palestinian family in Canada, and you learn what has fueled her dedication to peace work both locally and abroad. Kaylee currently serves as the National Migration and Resettlement Operations Coordinator with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

Grebel's 60 Stories Project | Darren graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Religious and Mennonite Studies. He returned in 2013 to pursue the MPACS program. Today, Darren enjoys riding a bike with his family, and is the Manager of Active Transportation and Development with the City of Kitchener.

When I accepted my coop role, I knew that Grebel had some affiliations with the Mennonite Church, but to be honest, I didn’t really know much about the group, or what that even meant. Fast forward two weeks later, I’m sitting at my desk eating my fourth helping of platz, six pages deep into a Who are the Mennonites article.