3 9 17 CMU Joins The Mission of New Graduate The AUCC Menno Simons College Program Announced THE CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE • WINTER 2009 Editor’s Note With this issue of the Blazer, I am writing my last Editor’s Note. In May I begin a new job as Director of Sales and Marketing for Mennonite Publishing Network. As I leave, I do so with good memories of my time at CMU, and also with a firm belief in the value and importance of Christian university education—not just for students, but for the President Gerald Gerbrandt addresses staff and students at an Oct. 31 celebration of CMU church itself. becoming part of the AUCC. See story page 3. I am absolutely convinced that if the church in Canada is to have a future, it will be because it has invested in the lives of its youth. The world is a complex place, filled with challenges and dilemmas on many levels—politics, eth- ics, poverty, war, the environment, health Table of Contents: care, economics, and many more. A Sunday school or youth group education, as good as 3 A “Gold Seal” of Approval they are, simply won’t be sufficient to prepare young people for the challenges they will face 5 Practicums an Integral Part of CMU as adults. If the church is to have a relevant voice, it will need members who are educated, 9 A Bridge Between Menno Simons College thoughtful and biblically literate, and who have developed a deep and knowledgeable compas- and The Public University sion for a suffering, broken and needy world. 11 News from CMU Where will these Christians come from? They CMU Home to Major Art Work; New Staff, will come from schools like CMU. As Dr. Earl Davey, Vice President Academic, so eloquently Faculty Appointed; New School of Peacebuilding noted at the university’s opening program, Launched; Three Students From Same Family CMU is a place where students can cultivate their “intellectual capacity to understand, inter- Studying at CMU; Outtatown Students, Leaders pret, critique and constructively address com- Reflect on First Semester; New Graduate Program plex issues,” become “people who are rooted in the biblical text” and grow their ability to love Approved. and care for others, along with their trust and belief in God. 18 People & Events Do you know someone who is wondering 20 Alumni News where to study in September? Tell them about CMU. Are you wondering where to make a 23 President’s Message donation this year? Give a gift to CMU. In both ways you can invest in the future of the church. The Blazer is a publication of CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY, published three times a year. John Longhurst, Editor Editor/Communications Director: John Longhurst Alumni/Constituency Relations, Designer: Alyssa Rempel, Coordinator: Eleonore Braun. Printed in Canada by Friesens, Altona, MB Made with recycled paper (30% recycled, 20% post consumer). Publications agreement number 40686550 | Vol. 4, number 2. ISSN-1715-5843 MOVING? Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Canadian Mennonite University, Drop us a line, fill out the web form at 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2 | Ph. (204) 487.3300 | www.cmu.ca/alumni.html or email [email protected] Toll-free: 1(877) 231.4570 | Fx. (204) 487.3858 | [email protected] | www.cmu.ca On the cover: Alicia Mitchell of Winnipeg MB, in the Founders’ Hall. 2 winter 2009 A “Gold Seal” of Approval CMU Becomes Member of the Universities and Colleges of Canada There have been a number of major milestones scholarship, research and programs.” in CMU’s short decade of life: The passing of Getting accepted into the AUCC is no small the Mennonite College Federation Act by the accomplishment. To qualify for membership, a uni- Government of Manitoba on June 29, 1998; the versity or college must meet stringent criteria that signing of a Memorandum of Association to cre- include having a highly qualified faculty; degree pro- ate the university by Concord College, Canadian grams that are characterized by breadth and depth Mennonite Bible College and Menno Simons College in the traditional areas of the liberal arts and/or on November 18, 1998; and the holding of the first sciences; a commitment to, and proven track record classes in September, 2000. of, teaching, research, scholarship, academic inquiry Add one more significant item to that list—being and the advancement of knowledge; and service to accepted into the Association of Universities and the community. Colleges of Canada (AUCC) on October 22, 2008. “It isn’t easy to get into the AUCC,” says Gerbrandt. “Being accepted into the AUCC is another impor- “The standards are very high. By being accepted, tant step for CMU,” says President Gerald Gerbrandt. Canada’s other universities agree that we meet those “It means we have achieved one of our key goals— high standards, and that students can expect the best recognition by other universities in Canada.” possible university-level education at CMU.” For Gerbrandt, becoming a member of the Speaking of students, they are the ones who will AUCC—which represents 94 public and private most immediately feel the impact of CMU’s accep- universities and university-degree level colleges in tance into the AUCC. Canada—is like getting “a gold seal of approval. It “Students will find it easier to gain admission signifies that CMU is like other Canadian universi- to graduate or professional programs,” says Earl ties when it comes to quality of teaching, faculty, Davey, Vice President Academic, adding that “some springwinter 20062009 3 Canadian universities have already told their regis- Some people might wonder if getting into the trars to streamline applications from CMU students AUCC means that CMU is now a “real” university. for various graduate and undergraduate programs.” Gerbrandt rejects that notion. CMU faculty will also benefit, Davey says. “CMU was a ‘real’ university before being accepted “In addition to the sense of validation that comes into the AUCC,” he says. “The quality of our faculty, of being accepted into the AUCC, they are now eli- teaching, scholarship and programs did not change gible for a much broader range of research grants,” the moment we were accepted into membership. In he says. “Given this opportunity, many of our faculty fact, it was the high quality of our academics that will most certainly secure increased levels of fund- enabled us to get AUCC membership. Becoming a ing. This will greatly enhance their ability to do member merely recognized that CMU had already research and advance their own scholarship, as well attained the high standards that the organization as the general level of scholarship at CMU.” expects of its members.” CMU’s recruitment efforts will also be aided by the Others may wonder if AUCC membership decision, notes Gerbrandt. will change the Christian character of CMU. For “For many prospective students today, accredi- Gerbrandt, the answer is unequivocally no. tation is key to deciding where to study,” he says. “We are the same Christian university today that “Going to university or college is expensive, and we were before the AUCC extended an invitation to they want to be sure their degrees are recognized by us to join them,” he states. “Our desire to educate employers, and that they can transfer credits if they students to be thoughtful followers of Jesus has should choose to go on to further studies.” not changed. Our mission to be a university that is But present and potential students and faculty aren’t rooted in the Anabaptist faith tradition, and moved the only ones who can feel good about AUCC mem- and transformed by the life and teachings of Jesus bership, Gerbrandt adds—members of Mennonite Christ, is the same. Our goal is still to inspire and Church Canada and the Mennonite Brethren Church equip women and men for lives of service, leadership of Manitoba, the two bodies that own CMU, can also and reconciliation in church and society.” “look with pride on this development,” he says. Looking back on the five-year application and Getting into the AUCC “shows the wisdom of approval process, Gerbrandt notes there are many their decision to merge Concord College and CMBC people to thank. with Menno Simons College to create CMU,” says “Being accepted into the AUCC was the result of Gerbrandt. “That decision has proven to be a good the hard work of many people—faculty, staff, stu- one, now that CMU has been recognized as a cred- dents, board members and others. I am grateful to all ible and reputable university by the highest body for who worked hard for this, and for those who prayed universities in Canada.” for CMU during this time.” B 4 winter 2009 Michael Bueckert with a friend in Kenya. Practicums An Integral Part of the CMU Experience Lessons learned shape students “for a lifetime” Where is CMU located? In Winnipeg, of course. programs,” she says of MSC’s practicum program, But it’s also in Tanzania, Kenya, Ontario, Thailand, which is a requirement for the four-year majors in Nicaragua, Quebec, Ireland—any place students are International Development Studies and Conflict doing their practicum assignments. Resolution Studies. “It’s like we have over a hundred campuses around As for the students, while they “often enter their the world every year,” says Werner Kliewer, who placement with the idea that they are going to ‘give directs the practicum program at CMU’s Shaftesbury back’ to the community or ‘help’ people—and they campus. often do—they also inevitably feel that they have The practicum assignments—a requirement for received far more than they have given,” she adds.