Tribute to Professor Gerhard Ens on his Retirement

Biography 

Professor Gerhard Ens was born in Altona, Manitoba on the edge of the Mennonite West Reserve. He grew up on the Canada/United States border in Gretna, Manitoba and attended the Mennonite Collegiate Institute. Professor Ens earned both his B.A. and M.A. degrees at the University of Manitoba, and a Ph.D. at the University of Alberta. He taught Canadian and American History at Brandon University from 1990 to 1997, and Canadian History at the University of Alberta from 1997 to 2020.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

Napping at any time of the day.

What has been your favourite class to teach over the years and why?

I enjoyed every course I taught. A good class is made by good students.

What advice would you give to a Professor just beginning his/her life in academia?

One of Samuel Beckett’s quotes: “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

If you were not an academic, what do you think you would be doing?

Carpentry work with less than ten fingers.

If you could share a meal with any four individuals, living or dead, who would they be? (Not your family)

John Rowand; Marcel Proust; Ronald Hamowy; Michel de Certeau

Thank you Gerhard, wishing you a happy retirement!