This time of year brings to mind visions of twinkling lights, feasts with family and friends, late night gatherings with hugs and singing, traditions we all love and hold close to our hearts. Celebrating these moments with people we love is fitting and appropriate. But, the more of life we experience, the more loaded these special occasions can become with mixed emotions that feel out of place while everyone around us seems to be celebrating.
Making space for pain, sadness and trial alongside joy and celebration acknowledges the need we have for a Saviour to come and be God with us, that there is light in the darkness and that we continue to long to have “death’s dark shadows put to flight.”
As the year closes with a myriad of emotions, we look back on a year of God’s faithfulness to Redeemer amidst sometimes difficult circumstances as told through the Top 10 Resound stories of 2022. To God be all the glory!
Redeemer Celebrates 40 Years
Reflecting on the journey to 40 years, the university took an opportunity to look back on The Road to Research Grants at Redeemer, stories of campus features in Markers of a Legacy, a multi-generational family of Redeemer students in All Together Now and the history of student-led worship gatherings in Worship: Inside and Outside the Box.
Looking Back and Forward – A Special Anniversary Weekend
A weekend of events to celebrate 40 years included a concert, celebration service, an alumni art exhibit, alumni author readings and Royals vs. alumni athletics games. A historical timeline, video and photo gallery all come together on a 40th commemorative website.
Redeemer University Appoints Fifth President
Dr. David Zietsma was appointed Redeemer’s president in March. Resound took the opportunity to get to know Zietsma and his passion for Redeemer’s mission in an Interview with the President. Zietsma’s inauguration took place as part of the 40th anniversary celebration service.
Largest Student Body Ever Returns Fully In Person
Redeemer’s enrolment reached an all-time high this fall as the university looks to program sustainability for the future. September also brought a full return to in-person learning, with a dual delivery option for a limited number of students in most classes.
New and Renewed Program Innovation for Student Success
New Schools, New Opportunities announced the launch of the new School of Business and School of Education. Redeemer also announced its fifth degree in Bachelor of Kinesiology Added to Degree Offerings and expanded opportunities for music students in New Music Programs in Worship and Ministry Launched.
Students Prepare for a Diverse and Global World
Distinctly Christian studies and perspectives continued in Redeemer’s classrooms as displayed through the history program in History with Intention, with a special focus on Black History and the God of Redemption and using modern approaches to understanding Indigenous history in Same Past, New Story.
Honouring Inspiring Alumni
The 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Heidi DeVries ’05, was celebrated for her work as a lawyer and executive leader in municipal government in Fearless Faith. As part of 40th anniversary celebrations, Resound also featured Sylvia Taekema ’86, Redeemer’s first valedictorian, in A Turning of the Page and Ruth Ann Schuringa ’89, the first faculty award winner, in Following the Thread of Worship.
Students Tackle Challenges with Faith, Perseverance and Innovation
Redeemer students faced new and exciting challenges head on like those experienced by Jessica Khalil, a health sciences major, in Debate and Discipleship. Hamilton is seeing the fruits of a challenge taken on by a group of students to alleviate furniture poverty in the city in More than Shelter. And the men’s volleyball team discuss the challenges they needed to overcome on the road to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships in Character Always.
Strengthening Reformed Roots
A new name, new director and new faculty fellows for the Albert M. Wolters Centre for Christian Scholarship will take its work on research and scholarship to the next level. The Wolters Centre celebrated Christian scholarship through its Emerging Public Intellectual Award, this year awarded to Dr. Daniel Lee Hill, who will speak on campus on January 25, 2023. Faculty took a deep dive into the university’s Reformed tradition in Digging Into Reformed Roots and Dr. Jessica Joustra and Dr. Robert Joustra explored neo-Calvinism in The Case for Kuyper. Redeemer also recently announced it will also host the 2023 Kuyper Conference next May featuring Makoto Fujimura.
A Grand Opening for the Charis Centre
Redeemer’s new live and learn centre was officially opened in April, combining residences and learning spaces. On the lower level of the Charis Centre, the Innovation Centre is beginning to take shape. A public art installation named The Path highlights the green space west of the Charis Centre.
Are you excited by the important mission of Christian higher education at Redeemer? We invite you to prayerfully consider a year-end gift to this important work.