Selah Woelk is a University of Waterloo student with a passion for community-based peacebuilding and restorative justice. She is currently in her 4B term of the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) degree, with a Minor in Music.
Navigating a gunpoint situation in Kenya. Camping near the flaming Darvazaa gas crater in Turkmenistan. Manually flagging down a train in Sicily. Co-creating a Great Lakes funding program with Ontario Indigenous groups. Relaxing in hot springs in Iceland. Developing a climate peace and security policy for the Canadian government. Grebel alumnus Patrick Quealey (BES 2002) enjoys regaling friends with stories of his adventures – anecdotes collected during his extensive personal travels and experiences from his career with Canada’s government. Patrick shines while trying new things, exploring unknown territory (both physically and in policy), and creating connections.
“Openness to possibility has been really important to me and my journey,” shared Katie Gingerich (BA, 2015), a Grebel alumna who founded The Ripple Effect Education (TREE) – a non-profit peace education organization, during her undergraduate studies. “Stepping out and starting this organization didn’t just happen overnight,” explained Katie. “Grebel’s opportunities are what made me who I am.”
“Growing up, I was–and still am–terrified of conflict. I run away from conflict, which is hilarious considering what I do,” shared Hannah Redekop (BA 2011), who has facilitated meetings between warring groups in Colombia, documented the Israeli occupation's human rights abuses against Palestinians during a year spent in Palestine, and now shares the stories of those who bear conflict's violent burden.
It is a cliché story—the one where the hopeful, career-hunting traveller stumbles into New York City and discovers it is the promised land of opportunity—but for Kenny Hildebrand (BA 2015), the story is all too real. He laughed when summarizing his journey from St. Catharines to New York City; it started with an old friend jokingly suggesting he move there and ended shortly after with an offer to work at one of the largest law firms in Manhattan. “Moving here was an inside joke that went a little too far,” he mused.
The annual C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest, established in 1974 by the directors of the C. Henry Smith Trust, offers Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) students and Grebel residents/associates an opportunity to discuss peacebuilding and social justice issues on campus and beyond. The intercollegiate competition is administered by the Peace and Justice Ministries of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Undergraduate students from every Mennonite and Brethren in Christ college in North America, including Canada, are eligible to participate.
Henry Smith was an American Mennonite historian and professor at Mennonite colleges and the University of Chicago. Overall, he taught history for nearly 50 years at the collegiate level. He is well-known for his many books on Mennonite history and his attention to the peace commitments of the Mennonite tradition.
On March 13, 2024, from 7 pm to 8 pm in Grebel’s Community Education Room, the PACS Department and the Grebel Chaplaincy’s Offices are organizing a speech performance and inviting you to participate. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of this peace speech competition, and for that reason, we have increased the cash prizes for the winners. The stakes have never been this high! The contest winners will be rewarded with cash prizes of $1000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $300 for third place. For more information, reach out to the PACS Academic Advisor.
To learn more about the contest and meet previous PACS or Grebel resident participants, visit this link here.
Application deadline - February 29, 2024.
Are you planning to attend the event? Fill out this registration form.
Kristin moved into Grebel and the University of Waterloo in the fall of 1995 initially to pursue her first love – acting. She enrolled in the theater program but transferred after her first year as she developed a keen interest in her Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) electives and decided to keep acting alive as a hobby. After graduating in 1998, she ventured off alone to the United States for work, where she quickly began missing her friends. “I decided I needed one day in my life where everyone I’ve ever met in the entire universe could get together and just party and celebrate life together,” said Kristin. “And so that’s when the 2010 party was born.”
Six Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) students from Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo were selected to attend the Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) United Nations (UN) Office Seminar on November 1-3, 2023. The three-day event held in New York City invited student delegates from across Canada and the United States to gather with one question in mind, does the UN matter?
Make a Difference (MAD) Market is a one-day artisan and craft holiday market held at Conrad Grebel University College on December 2, 2023. Hosted by the Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Undergrad Society, all funds collected from participating vendors, the silent auction, and the suggested $2 entry contribution will be donated to A Better Tent City, Waterloo. Fill your car with family and friends to make a difference while shopping for this holiday season!
Suggested at the door donation: $2
Free parking.
All organizational profits (entry donation, silent auction, vendor fees) will be donated to A Better Tent City.
Are you a local artist or craftsperson who would like to participate as a vendor?
Now taking vendor applications! All interested should contact Isabella by November 3rd for a vendor application package. Space is limited.
Would you like to contribute items to the silent auction, or sponsor a basket? Contact Isabella for more information.
From the A Better Tent City website:
ABTC began as a low barrier/housing first approach to provide an opportunity to move people experiencing homelessness from dangerous conditions on the streets into a more safe and supportive community with protection from the environment, access to hygiene and sanitation facilities, and connection to services and healthcare on a path to stable housing.
Learn more about A Better Tent City. II View on YouTube
Grebel is home to a vibrant residence and academic community made up of students across all faculties and programs at the University of Waterloo.
Prospective students, families, and teachers are invited to visit Grebel to meet current students, staff, and faculty to learn about the residence and academic programs. Learn about student life at the University of Waterloo and tour the wider campus.
Take a tour of residence, learn about your faculty of interest, and sample the famous Grebel cookie!
Register in advance and receive information on in-person sessions, presentations, and how to plan your time on campus. (Coming soon)
Grebel's convenient parking is free for the day! Enter off of Westmount Road North.
Get a taste of Grebel's menu by purchasing an all-you-can-eat lunch ticket for $10.
Let current students show you around the Grebel campus, including residence rooms and facilities.
Meet Grebel faculty in Peace and Conflict Studies, Music and Mennonite Studies. They're happy to answer your program questions!