Conrad Grebel celebrates 50 years

Conrad Grebel University College will celebrate its 50th anniversary this weekend with the largest reunion in the institution's history. Events are running from today until Sunday, August 25 with everything from a 1960s alumni brunch to a talent show.

Conrad Grebel is affiliated with the University of Waterloo and is situated on its campus, one of the four "federated and affiliated" university colleges located across the creek. The university college was chartered in 1961, taught its first classes in 1963, and dedicated its first building (a residence) in 1964. Christened Conrad Grebel College in honour of Conrad Grebel, a prominent Swiss founder of the Anabaptist movement, the school added "university" to its name in 2001 in recognition of its expanding academic programs. A detailed history of the institution is available on Conrad Grebel's 50th Anniversary website.

Winfield Fretz, Conrad Grebel’s first president, dreamed of establishing a college as a community. He said, “Life isn’t very meaningful unless it’s enjoyable and the college ought to teach people how to live happily.”

Many happy returns will be wished as the reunion gets underway tonight with a Date Stone Ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m. Open to everyone, the ceremony will involve the laying of a date stone at Conrad Grebel's new main entrance.

Following that is the sold-out Winfield Fretz Bow Tie Gala at 6:30 p.m. in the Dining Hall. Funds raised from this event will go towards naming the Fretz Seminar Room in the MSCU Centre for Peace Advancement.

On Saturday, the dining hall will be the location of a Sixties Era Reunion Brunch starting at 10:30 a.m. Various decade-era reunion gatherings and academic reunions are scheduled on Saturday as well starting at 2:00 p.m. There will be activities for children of all ages as well, including a bouncy castle, games, crafts, and juggling, along with Ultimate Frisbee. Saturday will also feature the launch of a 50th anniversary book written by Marlene Epp, professor of history and Peace and Conflict Studies, entitled "Bridging Mind and Spirit: Conrad Grebel University College, 1963-2013."

On Saturday night, attendees will be treated to "Grebel HAD Talent," a show that will replicate talent displays from yesteryear. The event takes place outdoors on the lawn.

On Sunday, a 50th anniversary Reunion Service will be held in the Theatre of the Arts in Modern Languages at 10:30 a.m. The service is open to the community and members of the university community.

A celebratory video documentary entitled "Challenging Mind and Spirit: Grebel's first 5 Decades" featuring alumnus Eric Friesen as narrator will also be screened during the reunion festivities.

A full listing of activities is available on the Conrad Grebel 50th Anniversary website.

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Giving guests the gift of wi-fi with Net-ID

Faculty and staff members now have the opportunity to allow campus guests quick access to the university's wireless networks, according to an announcement from Information Systems & Technology (IST).

The solution comes in the form of Net-ID, a university sponsored system that provides immediate, self-service wireless access to university guests. Temporary Net-IDs can be created for single guests or in bulk quantities for conference guests. Net-IDs can also be immediately sponsored for guests with a 'flip-open' laptop, tablet or phone who would like to access the university's wireless network.

More information and Instructions for creating guest Net-IDs can be found on the Net-ID website (CAS authentication is required). The Net-ID user manual available on that page has detailed instructions.

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Kerry Brown at extension 36437.

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Remembering Jack Pearse

Jack Pearse, retired Warriors men's golf coach and Recreation and Leisure studies pioneer, died Tuesday, August 20. Known as "Coach Emeritus" and "Captain Summer Camp" depending on who you asked, Pearse leaves behind a strong legacy in both university sport and in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

Pearse joined the university's golf program as head coach in 1968, leading the Warriors to four provincial championships. In 1972, his team won the first Canadian University Championship during a season in which the Warriors were undefeated. He remained coach until 1975 and taught golf in the Kinesiology skills program.

“Jack’s passing is a huge loss for Waterloo and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and his wife of 60 years, Helen Pearse”, said Bob Copeland, director of athletics. “He was a wonderful, caring, benevolent man who gave more than he took throughout his life.”

He was named to the university's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2003, after his retirement, he returned to Warriors Golf as assistant coach alongside Dave Hollinger. Pearse and Hollinger retired from the golf program in June.

Pearse was a founding member of the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Pearse proposed the Recreation and Leisure Studies degree to the Ministry of Education. He served as one of the three original faculty members when the department was established, the first of its kind at a Canadian university.

He was well-known as a leader in Ontario's youth summer camp community with a career spanning nearly seven decades, beginning in 1949. He served as director of Camp On-Da-Da-Waks (now Camp Red Pine) in the Ottawa Valley and founded Camp Tawingo in Huntsville in 1960. Pearse was a president of the Ontario, Canadian and American camp associations. The Canadian Camping Association gives out an award named in his honour every year.

“Jack’s visionary outlook and depth of character helped lay the groundwork for the Faculty we are today,” says Susan Elliott, dean of the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. “A true community builder, he understood both the value and science of human relationships, bringing together generations of campers, students, and athletes to learn from each other and improve themselves in the process.”

In 2012, Pearse’s contributions to the department were celebrated with the establishment of the Recreation and Leisure Studies Founders Entrance Scholarship.

Pearse was 87, and is survived by his wife Helen and four children. Both the Athletics department and the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies have posted full tributes.

Update: Funeral details are available online. Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home on Wednesday August 28 from 2:00 p.m. to -4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Thursday, August 29 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A private family committal and burial will take place at Parkview Cemetery. A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held at Camp Tawingo in Huntsville on Sunday, September 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the camp.

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