CMU is launching its presidential search for a successor to current President Gerald Gerbrandt, who completes his term on June 30, 2012. CMU’s presidential search website goes live Friday, February 18 to mark the launch of the search.
Gerbrandt has served as a president at CMU since its inception in 2000. For the first three years CMU was led by a team of three presidents, each representing one of the founding colleges – Gerbrandt (Canadian Mennonite Bible College), John Unger (Concord College) and George Richert (Menno Simons College). In 2003 Gerbrandt became the first sole president of CMU.
“Gerald has been a gift to CMU,” says Ron Loeppky, chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “He has brought many administrative, teambuilding, and visionary talents to CMU; as a result, the institution has grown and thrived.”
Under Gerbrandt’s leadership, says Loeppky, CMU has experienced continual expansion in academic programming, educational settings, and enrolment, with CMU now serving about 1,750 students. Gerbrandt has also been involved in CMU’s numerous capital initiatives, was instrumental in shaping a significant visioning initiative and guided the process for CMU’s acceptance as a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada in 2008.
“On one level, the greatest highlight has been seeing a dream, a vision, gradually become a reality over a 10-year period,” reflects Gerbrandt on his time leading CMU. “On another level, the students are the greatest satisfaction. Students are the reason CMU exists.”
Gerbrandt’s term was slated to end in June 2011; however, he accepted the CMU Board of Governors’ invitation to extend his term for another year.
The Board appointed a Presidential Search Committee, headed by Loeppky, in November 2010.
“The Committee will now begin the process of receiving nominations and applications and then evaluate and interview potential candidates.” says Loeppky.
The new president, under the Board’s direction, will lead CMU according to its mission, vision, and core commitments—based on biblical principles and rooted in Anabaptist-Mennonite and evangelical perspectives—as well as oversee all aspects of CMU, including academics, student life, enrolment and marketing, administration and finance, development, strategic planning, and external relationships.
“As CMU moves into the next phase of its growth and development,” says Loeppky, “the president will fulfill a key leadership role in providing vision, developing new academic programs, campus and faculty development, and constituency relations.”
“My vision for CMU is that it continue to grow and mature in drawing and inspiring students in their commitments of faith, in representing an Anabaptist witness for peace and justice in our society, and in resourcing the church”, adds Gerbrandt. “CMU has amazing potential; I trust over the coming years this will be realized even more fully.”
A full description of the position, which is anticipated to commence July 1, 2012, is available at http://www.cmu.ca/presidential_search.html.
Canadian Mennonite University is an innovative Christian university, rooted in the Anabaptist faith tradition, moved and transformed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Through teaching, research, and service, CMU inspires and equips women and men for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society.