Celebrating Paul Penner's retirement
Paul started his Grebel career as a student while studying Economics and Sociology in 1980. He took an interest in the goings-on at Grebel as the Student Council President in 1982 - 1983. After graduating in 1983, Paul worked in maintenance at a nursing home and took business courses part-time. He returned to Grebel in 1988 as our Business Manager, then transitioned to Operations Manager in 1995 and finally to Director of Operations.
Paul has represented Grebel’s interests in four large construction projects over 35 years, resulting in a beautiful and functional set of buildings that serve our community well. When Paul started at Grebel, Skybunks had been banned, but Paul re-instituted Skybunks safely, and eventually purchased the modular furniture that made home-made Skybunks unnecessary. More recently, Paul initiated the Green team in 2021 to coordinate Grebel’s environmental efforts. The Board has endorsed the Green Team’s goal of reducing emissions by 35% by 2030.
Paul’s influence extends beyond the buildings to generations of students and staff at Grebel. Over Paul’s time at Grebel, the custodial team has become more organized and effective, supporting Grebel’s programs and events. Paul has supported Grebel staff in finding their voice by creating staff meetings, gathering staff input on policies, and supporting the creation of a Staff Representative to the Board position. Paul’s baking has brought joy to many meetings and faculty and staff coffee breaks. "Paul Penner’s Comedy Classics" movie nights have been a favourite of residence students for five years and he has hosted dozens of off-campus residents in his home.
Submit your well-wishes and blessings
Join us in Paul's retirement celebrations by submitting well-wishes, memories, or stories by using the form below. Submissions will be published to this page weekly.
Words of thanks and blessings
Submissions will be shared weekly on this page.
"As a resident in 1997 and a Don in 1998, Paul made me feel welcome, safe and supported. He faced everything head-on with a smile, enthusiasm and kindness. He showed me that it is possible to be authentically yourself, encourage others to do the same, all while paying attention to the task at hand. Paul, I hope that in your retirement that you get to feel as respected and wonderful as you made us all feel every day!"
- Mary Anne C.
Thanks for being a relaxed presence during the occasional chaos at Conrad Grebel! And for driving to Blue Jays games!
- Samuel Steiner
I was lucky to live at Grebel in 2007/2008 while Paul was there. He was always kind, funny, and patient with the prank wars that sometimes got out of hand!
- Gillian Delanghe (Willard)
I'm sure there's many memories. However, the first one that came to mind was Paul's participation in various banquet skits. I've included a link to an "Undercover Student" skit.
- Staci Weber
Paul,
One of my favourite memories of Grebel will forever be co-hosting not one but TWO Paul Penner Movie Nights with you and Dolores. What a joy to be able to present my favourite movie, Clue, to a new generation of students in the same manner that I first experienced watching it. I know all of the students who have attended of your movie nights will remember the experience for the rest of their lives, and so will I.
I hope your retirement is filled with fun, laughter, and lots of beach time!
- Mandy Macfie
It has been gratifying to work with Paul on so many projects at Grebel; as he says, “Fred brings in the money and I spend it.” From building projects to scholarships to special projects like “We are all Engines of Joy,” Paul is enthusiastic and passionate about seeing things through and making Grebel better. His idea to bring back Jim Paterson to envision a piece of art to adorn the new dining room is a case in point. This sculpture captures the best of Grebel, connecting students to alumni and inspiring the community to new heights of joy! Paul has played a huge role in this – Happy Retirement.
- Fred W. Martin.
"Dear Paul, my very first memory of you was when we met on the patio at You@Waterloo Day in May 2015 - who knew only a few short months later I would be moving into your home as an Off-Campus Resident for the Fall! You and Dolores quickly became lifelong friends, mentors and fellow Leafs fans. A few weeks into that term, you asked me to join a kitchen and dining room committee which later turned into your next and final building project at Grebel. You will be known for going far above and beyond in your service to the community - from offering to drive our group of MEDA Convention attendees to the airport at 5am to responding to calls of fire alarms at all hours. I look forward to the many more walks and get togethers we'll continue to have in your retirement!"
-Hannah Hill
Sending you love and prayers for your new adventures in retirement. I’m thankful for the impact you had on my time at Grebel and particularly for your fantabulous jokes.
Peace, Deb Worth (2001)
Paul, it has been such a delight getting to know you as we worked together on the insurance program for CGUC over the past decade or so. I will miss our chats as we tried to save the world along with ensuring CGUC had the best insurance possible. I wish you a fantastic and fun-filled retirement. Don't be a stranger!!
- Anita Flootman Paterson
Hi Paul. I truly enjoyed working with you on a number of the construction projects that we had the privilege of completing during your time at Grebel. You represented the best interests of Grebel extremely well. All the best to you in your retirement.
- John Schiedel
Hi Paul, I particularly want to thank you for your Green Team foresight and strategic planning. I remember when I asked you off hand in the dining room about Grebel's upcoming green efforts you had all the information past, present and future right at your fingertips. I felt your genuine commitment and formidable ability to summarize! You carry the same breadth of knowledge and connection to generations of staff and students. You hold incredible institutional knowledge and huge social capital! You know how to make people feel cared for and how to keep traditions and in jokes alive. Your presence will be much missed.
- Teresa Edge
Thank you for all that you have done for Grebel. I have many good memories from our time working together when I was a summer student custodian. Wishing you well in your retirement.
- Kristen Hines
Paul,
I'll always remember when you had told me I was the successful candidate for a Grebel position. That was one of those moments where you just know your life trajectory has changed. Your delivery was perfect, with the classic Paul smile and a giggle when I asked if it was ok to share the news with my dad. Other memories I hold dear are jovial lunch conversation, which often included fun Grebel history, freshly baked platz at coffee breaks, and hearing about your relaxing day off where you brain was still at Grebel, but happily took calls and answered emails with the view of a beautiful lake!
Something that was abundantly evident about you Paul, was that while your work was largely about a building you made it about the people. Every student who lived there, every Grebel employee, and every visitor. You cared deeply about the experience they had. You cared about their development as humans, their sense of belonging, their voice. And for students, you cared that they had good exposure to 80's comedy classics! ;)
You've contributed greatly to the Grebel community over the years and impacted the lives of many!
Since you are a person who seems to have boundless energy and stamina, it will be exciting to see what you do in retirement! I wish you and Dolores a smooth transition and a wonderful start to a new era!
- Rebekah DeJong
Paul, you have an amazing way of making genuine connections with students, and of remembering and making us feel seen & known for many years later. Thanks for trusting me with the precious task of cat(and house)-sitting, and for loving to laugh. Blessings on the next season. May whatever grows - rest, play, and possibility - be both hoped for and surprising.
- Alissa Bender
Congratulations on your retirement Paul! What an impact you have made on Grebel. I've always appreciated your friendly and pragmatic approach to everything you do, as well as yours and Dolores' warm hospitality. I have particularly fond memories of working on projects through my time at Grebel which were only possible because of your encouragement and support, including Solar Grebel and the new beach volleyball court. You so clearly have had the best interests of students, staff and faculty at heart, and your legacy will live on in this community to which you gave so much over the years.
- Aaron Neufeld
When we were interviewed by Paul Penner in 2018 for the Campus Host role, we were a little skeptical that our life circumstance, like having a four month old baby, would mesh well with Grebel life. Thankfully, Paul is the kind of guy who thought that the resume we provided in the interview on behalf of our four month old daughter was a green flag, and not a red one. During the Covid lockdown in 2020, we (Colin, Faith, and Ronen) found ourselves being the unlikely lone residents of Conrad Grebel University College. For months, we lived almost entirely alone in a great big building. It was a little intimidating for the first few weeks, with some of the only other humans we saw on a regular basis being the construction workers who were building the kitchen expansion to the residence building. However, we were lucky enough that Paul Penner, being the director of facilities and operations, meant that he was one of the only people that was able to enter Grebel freely. He was our one single neighbour for months and we greatly appreciated his presence. Not only was it reassuring to see a Grebel leader in the flesh on a regular basis to assuage our concerns, but he didn't stop investing in our family. He gave Ronen a bunch of children's books and made sure to check up on us from time to time. We remember how he would hide little oranges for Ronen to find around the school when we came to visit or say hi. We are grateful for everything that he has meant in our lives and we know that his retirement is well earned. Thank you, Paul.
- Colin, Faith & Ronen Friesen