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The Conrad Grebel University College community is pleased to highlight some notable students who are graduating this week. These students have demonstrated academic excellence throughout their degrees and are recognized for their hard work and achievement in their respective fields.

Anna Mahler is graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree at the top of the PACS Department and is the recipient of the Arts Faculty Department Award for PACS. She studied both Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) and Environment, Resources and Sustainability (ERS). “The things which stand out for me as the most meaningful experiences aren't necessarily large events,” she shared. “Small things like attending PACS or ERS community events with students and faculty or sitting in the Grebel atrium between classes and being greeted with smiles and short chats, ultimately created a space of comfort, connectedness, and belonging which will stay with me.” 

Anna also reflected on how combining PACS with ERS helped her better understand the practical implications of peace and sustainability. “Applying a PACS lens to the field of sustainability not only improved my understanding of the underlying drivers of these issues, but also - and most importantly - it has informed how I hope to address these challenges in just, effective, and peaceful ways.” She also emphasized the importance of conflict resolution skills in navigating environmental and social challenges. 

Anna encouraged incoming students to “tailor their degree to follow their passions. These degrees are quite flexible, and it will not only render the experience more engaging but also more meaningful and rewarding!” She also recommended students to consider enrolling in the co-op program because “hands-on work experience develops unique skills separate from those we gain in classes, and it works wonders in preparing you for life after graduation.” 

Anna is now working as an Environmental Associate at EcoAdvisors. The organization focuses on simplifying sustainability by enacting strategic environmental designs and outlooks for numerous institutional sectors.

Chloe Shantz is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and a double major in Music and English Literature and is the recipient of the Music Departmental Award. “I grew up in a musical family, and English was always my favourite subject in school,” she said. After graduating high school during the pandemic, Chloe found herself drawn to the supportive and close-knit environment at Grebel. “I wanted the small college experience,” she explained. 

One of Chloe’s most meaningful experiences involved singing with the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Chamber Choir. She joined the choir in her first year and continued to sing with the ensemble throughout her degree. “A treasured memory in the Chamber Choir was when I was given the opportunity to conduct the choir in a piece of my choosing,” she said. “I chose to conduct a friend’s original composition, a piece about time passing and the need to hold on to the moments you have.” 

To new students, Chloe offered encouragement. “It's okay to have many different interests and university is about trying many different things. If you can make it work with your courseload and program requirements, I highly recommend trying to combine degrees,” she said. “Making connections across disciplines is a very important skill that will give you new perspectives with which to view things and teach you how to adapt well to different environments.” 

Chloe is graduating with specializations in Intensive English and in Creative Writing and is now working as a writer, singer, and music instructor. 

Bel Cairns is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies and is the recipient of the Departmental Award for Classical Studies. Classical Studies was a subject they discovered after initially beginning their degree in Mathematical Physics. “I actually hadn't heard of Classical Studies before starting university,” they said. “I switched in after taking an Ancient Greek language course and really loving it.” Studying the ancient world gave Bel “a broader perspective to think about current issues, and the tools to understand and be critical of the ways narratives about Ancient Greece and Rome are used within the modern world.” 

At Grebel, Bel was deeply involved in student life at Grebel, including serving as Student Council President. That experience helped them build leadership skills and confidence. “It allowed me to give back to the community and also imagine the ways things could or should be different. After being so involved at Grebel, I’m more likely to seek out ways to participate and give back in other communities too.” 

Bel said they are proud of how their time at university helped them grow. “It took some trial and error, but I found an area of study that I find endlessly fascinating and energizing. I'm also proud of the friends that I made,” they added. “As I move into graduate school, I hope that I will keep paying attention to the things that matter most, and give myself the grace to be a different person than I thought that I was.” 

This fall, Bel will begin a PhD in Medieval Studies at the University of Notre Dame. 

Anna, Chloe, and Bel are just a few of the many graduates that the Grebel community is celebrating at this spring’s Convocation. These student academic achievements reflect dedication, curiosity, rigour, and commitment to excellence. In both residence and academic settings, Grebel continues to be a place where students are encouraged to seek wisdom, nurture faith, and pursue justice.

By Audrey Whitman