As we begin the 2019-2020 academic year, I see God moving in exciting and powerful ways at Redeemer. This fall, Redeemer continues to shape students with a Reformed Christian worldview and prepare them to make an impact wherever they are called to serve.

The recent effort to restructure tuition and fees is energizing life on campus. With a 42 per cent reduction in tuition, undergraduate students and their families are saving thousands of dollars each year. Christ-centred university education is now within reach for many more students. There have been encouraging increases in the number of students returning and new students enrolled.

The Redeemer 2020 Strategic Plan has also made a significant impact. The five-year strategic plan, which is wrapping up this December, has fostered innovation, increased program quality and strengthened the university’s vision. Redeemer continues to establish, with an entrepreneurial and creative spirit, new programs and opportunities for students, faculty and staff that will keep the university competitive.

In May, over 130 golfers met on the greens to support the Re Campaign which funds the strategic plan. The Re Golf Tournament raised over $65,000 to advance Christian higher education at Redeemer. Thank you to the players and sponsors who helped make the day so successful!

The leadership team, faculty and staff are working together on a new strategic plan to keep the university growing and expanding in the future. In workshops,that group has brainstormed ways to continue to make Redeemer an attractive choice for new students and reach a wider audience.

The leadership team, faculty and staff are working together on a new strategic plan to keep the university growing and expanding in the future.

This year, Act Five is an exciting addition to Redeemer’s academic programs! Working in partnership with five local Christian high schools, we are thrilled to be at a full first-year cohort. Organizations, businesses and trades across the city will provide placements to Act Five students. These 12 students have an exciting, educational year ahead of them!

Over the summer, Redeemer hosted its second week-long research fellowship for high school students. The students stayed in dorms for the week, spent time in Redeemer’s labs and travelled off-campus to assist in conducting research. This faith-based program gives young people from across Canada the opportunity to participate in real-world research projects and get a taste of campus life.

Almost every week, my wife Cheryl and I host dinner with students on campus. We enjoy getting to know these young people and getting feedback from them about their experience at Redeemer. Consistently, we hear from students about the strength of the community on campus and their enduring friendships in the dorms. They feel a solid support system among staff and students that has become a hallmark of Redeemer.

As I reflect on my first year at Redeemer as president, I feel blessed to be part of this community as it seeks to honour the Lord. Each part of this university works to serve as a body of believers knowing that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” Please pray for Redeemer as we keep this verse from Colossians 3:23 at the heart of what we do.