John Marshall gives $500,000 to renew the Conrad Grebel residence where he once lived
The alumnus (BES 1985) and his wife, Wendy Derrick, backed the Windows to the Future campaign.
John Marshall (BES 1985) has given $500,000 to Conrad Grebel University College’s Windows to the Future campaign, which is renewing the residence. He and his wife, Wendy Derrick, already supported Grebel through capital gifts and student awards. Marshall says he wanted to help push the campaign over the finish line.
He came to Grebel in 1982 as a transfer student looking for a place to live, and a last-minute residence opening gave him a community he says shaped his studies and his social life. He credits Professor Walter Klaassen, who reviewed every one of his papers after his first term to help with his writing, for the wish to give back.
The campaign began with air handling, washrooms and plumbing, then grew to refresh student lounges, replace internet infrastructure and swap old lighting for energy-efficient LEDs. Marshall points out that in 2026 the residence still has no air conditioning and has 30-year-old washrooms.
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