Category: General News

CMU Announces Appointment of Cam Priebe as Outtatown Director

Post author By CMU
Post date May 30, 2011

Priebe to Assume Role July 1, 2011

President Gerald Gerbrandt is pleased to announce the appointment of Cameron Priebe as Director of the Outtatown Program, effective July 1, 2011.

“Cameron Priebe will take on leadership of this program at an important time, with fall plans for Outtatown programs firmly in place,” says Gerbrandt. “Cam brings a strong background in pastoral care and leadership of high school and university-age students. We feel he is particularly well suited to take on leadership of this important CMU discipleship program.”

“It is great to be welcoming Cam Priebe to CMU,” says Paul Kroeker, CMU Dean of International Programs and Outtatown Director (2005– 2011). “We look forward to continued growth in the Outtatown program through the skill sets and perspectives of a new director. May he experience the Lord’s blessing. ”

Priebe holds a Master of Arts degree in Christian Ministry from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno. His previous experience includes an appointment at Bethany College where he provided pastoral care and leadership for student leaders and residence staff. He also served with the Ministry Quest program, in which he was responsible for developing intentional retreats and ministry experiences for high school students.

Currently on staff with the Mennonite Brethren National Conference, Priebe assists young leaders and churches to be intentional about the development of their relationship with God and their understanding of how they are uniquely gifted to serve and love God.

“We welcome Cameron to CMU and look forward with anticipation to the contribution he will make to the Outtatown program and to the University at large,” says Earl Davey, Vice President (Academic).

Outtatown’s mission is to inspire and nurture students in their life of discipleship with Jesus Christ in a journey towards: knowing God in truth and relationship; knowing yourself in personality, character, abilities and gifts; and knowing the world in its beauty, diversity and pain. Outtatown offers a choice of two-semester programs at site locations in Guatemala and South Africa, for which students may earn up to 18 credit-hours, and new in fall 2011, a one-semester French Africa program.

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition, offering undergraduate degrees in arts and science, and such disciplines as business and organizational administration, communications and media, peace and conflict resolution studies, music and music therapy, theology, and church ministries, as well as graduate degrees in Theological Studies and Christian ministry. CMU is a Member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through Outtatown.

For information contact:
Nadine Kampen, Communications and Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca
Tel. 204.487.3300, Toll free 877.231.4570
Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3P 2N2

Tags Outtatown

Renowned Peacekeeping Instructors to CSOP 2011

Post author By CMU
Post date May 19, 2011

First Session Instructors McKay, Burch Lead Courses June 6 -10, 2011

Excitement is building as Canadian Mennonite University prepares to welcome renowned instructors and dedicated students its third annual Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP) June 6 to 24, 2011.

CSOP instructors bring great depth of experience and personal insights and perspectives to CSOP’s summer program. Through its intensive courses for professional development and academic credit, students have an opportunity to learn from those with first-hand experience and advanced training.

First session instructors are Stan McKay, who will address First Nations perspectives on living in covenant, and Mark Burch, who will focus on living in voluntary simplicity.

“We are delighted with the line-up of instructors for CSOP 2011,” says CSOP Co-Director Jarem Sawatsky. “At CSOP, our aim is to create opportunities for people from different backgrounds and perspectives to connect in positive and respectful ways—learning together, supporting each other, and creating networks of engaged peacebuilders.”

“CSOP offers a collaborative learning community for people from all backgrounds and faith traditions,” says Co-director Valerie Smith. “We want participants to feel nurtured and better equipped through experiencing various forms of peace practice and exposure to significant emerging ideas and teachers in the field.”

Canadian Mennonite University, through Menno Simons College (CMU’s campus at The University of Winnipeg) and through its south Winnipeg Shaftesbury campus, offers one of the most comprehensive undergraduate program in peace and conflict studies in the world. Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through its Outtatown discipleship program. CMU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

Session I Instructors – June 6-10

Covenants of Peace and Justice with Stan McKay
This course will introduce a Cree Christian perspective on living in covenant relationships. An examination of biblical covenants, historic First Nations treaties, and contemporary struggles for justice will be the focus for exploring the role of peacemakers in a global context.

Aboriginal educator Rev. Stan McKay, was Canada’s first Aboriginal Moderator of the United Church of Canada (UCC), Canada’s largest Protestant denomination. He sought reconciliation and understanding both within and outside the UCC, and between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. Stan comes from Fisher River, Manitoba, a Cree First Nation community. He is the former Director of the Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Centre. He received a career National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1997.

Study of Voluntary Simplicity with Mark Burch
Within International Development Studies, development is increasingly understood as a participatory, deliberate process aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals within community. This course examines the concept, theory, and practice of voluntary simplicity as a means of development for individuals seeking alternatives to consumer values and culture.

Author, educator, and group facilitator, Mark Burch has practised simple living since the 1960s and offers workshops and courses on voluntary simplicity. He is a lecturer at UWinnipeg, former director of UWinnipeg’s Campus Sustainability Office, and co-director of the Simplicity Practice and Resource Centre. He has been a featured guest on CBC-TV Man Alive, and What on Earth?, CBC Radio Ideas, and Vision TV’s The Simple Way, and was a regular radio columnist on Discovering Simplicity for CBC-Winnipeg. Author of four books on voluntary simplicity, Mark’s most recent book is, De-junking: A Tool for Clutterbusting.

Visit www.cmu.ca/csop
For CSOP information, contact:
CSOP Co-director Valerie Smith
csop@cmu.ca; Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 316
CanadianSchool of Peacebuilding at CMU
500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2

For CMU information, contact:
Communications & Marketing Director Nadine Kampen
nkampen@cmu.ca; Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 621
Canadian Mennonite University
500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2

Tags Canadian School of Peacebuilding

General News News Releases

This Hidden Thing By Dora Dueck Wins 2011 McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award

Post author By CMU
Post date May 12, 2011

CMU Press is pleased to announce that Dora Dueck’s novel This Hidden Thing has been named the McNally Robinson Book of the Year, as announced at the Manitoba Book Awards held April 17, 2011 at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre in St. Boniface.

This Hidden Thing is the first novel to be published by CMU Press, which is an academic publishing initiative of Canadian Mennonite University.

“If you are surprised, so am I,” said Dueck in her acceptance speech. “I’m happy to be in the company of these wonderful writers.” Dueck, who lives in Winnipeg, also paid tribute to local booksellers McNally Robinson for their dynamic support of Winnipeg’s literary community.

This Hidden Thing is a “humane and fully satisfying depiction of times, places [and] communities,” according to jurors Joan Barfoot, Trevor Cole , and Richard Lebrun. Elsewhere, the jury for the Margaret Laurence Award for Fiction, for which This Hidden Thing was shortlisted, describes Dueck’s novel as “a testament to the pleasure of pure storytelling.”

Dueck’s novel follows almost the entirety of the life of Maria Klassen, a young Mennonite woman who immigrates to Manitoba in the 1920s. Maria works for a prosperous family while navigating the intricate experience of life in a new country. The story examines the powerful themes of silence and hiddenness within the Mennonite community, as well as offering realistic portrayals of passion, poverty, war, and family – the everyday experiences of an ordinary yet remarkable woman.

The Manitoba Book Awards are organized annually by the Manitoba Writers’ Guild (MWG) and the Association of Manitoba Book Publishers (AMBP). This Hidden Thing was nominated for the Book of the Year Award alongside Curiosity by Joan Thomas, A Cycle of the Moon by Uma Parameswaran, Out of Grief Singing: A Memoir of Motherhood and Loss by Charlene Diehl, and Walking to Mojácar by Di Brandt. The award is sponsored by McNally Robinson Booksellers. It is awarded each year to the author of the English-language book by a Manitoba author that is judged the best-written by a jury comprised of writers, scholars, publishers, and journalists. The prize carries with it a cash value of $5,000.

To order, visit or contact any of the following:

CMU Bookstore
Tel. 204.487.3300; toll free 1.877.231.4570
Email: cmubookstore@cmu.ca
Visit: http://www.cmu.ca/cmupress for information, including book club questions

Mennonite Publishing Network
Visit: www.mpn.net

McNally Robinson
Tel. 204.475.0483
1120 Grant Avenue, Winnipeg, MB

For CMU PRESS information, contact:
cmupress@cmu.ca
204.487.3300
Canadian Mennonite University
500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2

For CMU information, contact:
nkampen@cmu.ca

Tags CMU Press, Dora Dueck

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Outtatown Celebrates Experiences of Students Returning from International Sites

Post author By CMU
Post date May 12, 2011

GuatemalaAfter three months of service and learning in some very challenging and rewarding situations, 64 Outtatown students and eight leaders returned home in April from South Africa and from Guatemala, completing a challenging and rewarding eight-month Outtatown program. They were joined by their families and friends and CMU staff during a weekend of dialogue and celebrations, closing with their Outtatown graduation service on April17 at CMU.South Africa

“Change was evident in each one of our students – change that went deeper than the tans and the smiles on their faces,” says Paul Kroeker, Dean of International Programs and Outtatown Director. “These students had been challenged deeply as they encountered beauty and brokenness in so many different ways along their journey. It was evident in their eyes as they began to share what they had learned and experienced.”

On the days following their arrival back in Manitoba, the teams and leaders took time to debrief and share their experiences.

“Their eyes glistened as stories began to pour out of them, sharing insights which had transformed them on this journey. They had stayed with families who lived in houses smaller than their bedroom back home, but who hosted them in that humble setting with love, joy, and acceptance,” says Kroeker. “This had been very moving to receive and experience. They saw extremes in wealth and poverty, and knowing which group they were in, had to ask some profound questions about international justice and the basic question that was once asked of Jesus, “and who is my neighbour?”

Kroeker notes that, for most of the Outtatown students, Christian community was the most significant part of the journey. It helped to define the transformational learning that had taken place. Within the context of a well mentored experience, each student had been challenged to new levels of self-acceptance, and accountability. “They had learned to deal with the issues of beauty and brokenness within, just as they were dealing with similar issues in the world around them,” says Kroeker. “This combination gave hope that the change was not superficial, nor momentary, but something which they would continue to process in the years to come.”

Graduation on Sunday, April 17 concluded the program’s debriefing process and gave opportunity for a celebration of learning and achievement. In addition to students and leaders, countless ministry partners across Canada, in Guatemala, and in South Africa were part of the journey.

“Through stories, music and in the spirit of the place, God’s grace and goodness was celebrated by parents and friends who came to the graduation,” says Kroeker. “They had been part of a large prayer support network throughout the year, and wanted to be part of the process as one story of transformation came to its conclusion, and the next story of God’s grace would begin.

The Outtatown Discipleship School is a unique and enriching program for students seeking a life-changing experience of adventure, travel, service, and Christian studies.

Outtatown’s mission is to inspire and nurture students in their life of discipleship with Jesus Christ… in a journey towards: Knowing God in truth and relationship; Knowing yourself in personality, character, abilities and gifts; Knowing the world in its beauty, diversity and pain. Outtatown offers two-semester programs at site locations in Guatemala and South Africa, for which students may earn up to 18 credit-hours, and new in Fall 2011, a one-semester program with a French Africa site location.

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition, offering undergraduate degrees in arts and science, and such disciplines as business and organizational administration, communications and media, peace and conflict resolution studies, music and music therapy, theology, and church ministries, as well as graduate degrees in Theological Studies and Christian ministry. CMU is a Member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through Outtatown.

For information, contact:
Nadine Kampen
Communications & Marketing Director
Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 621
nkampen@cmu.ca
Canadian Mennonite University
500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, MB R3P 2N2

Tags Grad 2011, Graduation, Outtatown

General News News Releases

Students End Academic Year with Parting Gift

Post author By CMU
Post date May 10, 2011

Boxes of Books Collected and Donated for Better World Books

Kirsten Hamm, CMUSC 2010-2011 President

Amidst the pressures of finishing essays and studying for finals, CMU students found time in April to look up from their books and conduct a book drive for

those with fewer resources, lending their support to “Better World Books.”

Student Council members launched their book campaign as a way to support world-wide literacy while also helping people find a way to recycle text books, novels, and other books they no longer planned to keep.

“Better World Books is an organization that partners with Books for Africa, Invisible Children, Worldfund, and the National Center for Family Literacy to promote literacy around the world,” explained the Student Council 2010-2011 President Kirsten Hamm. “Any donated books that cannot be used directly in classrooms are sold and the proceeds are used to fund teaching programs in Africa.”

Students established two collection stations on the Shaftesbury campus, and collected a total of 30 boxes with more than 1,000 books donated by students, faculty, staff, and friends of CMU.

“What better way to end the semester than by getting rid of books that you don’t need, for others in need?” asks Hamm.

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is an accredited Christian university offering undergraduate degrees in the arts, music, music therapy, theology, and church ministries, and master degrees in theological studies and Christian ministry. CMU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through Outtatown, CMU’s adventure and discipleship program.

www.betterworldbooks.com

Tags Kirsten Hamm

General News News Releases

CMU Co-sponsors New Rosamunde Summer Music Academy

Post author By CMU
Post date April 28, 2011
1 Comment on CMU Co-sponsors New Rosamunde Summer Music Academy

Canada’s Newest Summer Strings Program Features Top Instructors

Music students of all ages have the opportunity this summer to study with some of Canada’s finest string teachers at CMU as it hosts the inaugural Rosamunde Summer Music Academy, Canada’s newest summer music program. RSMA, which will run from August 21 to 26, 2011 is the brainchild of Yuri Hooker, Artistic Director, and Elation Pauls, Managing Director.

“I have always wanted to offer Manitoba’s aspiring string players an opportunity to learn in an intense and supportive program,” says Hooker, who also serves as Principal Cellist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. “I’m very excited about the possibilities that our partnership with CMU will inspire.”

RSMA is attracting students from across the country, Hooker says. It is the first program of its kind in Winnipeg, emphasizing each student’s individual growth with an eye to inspiring them with new ideas and approaches as well as setting them on a good path for their year of musical study. Qualities that make the program unique are its inclusiveness and its holistic philosophy to music making.

The RSMA offers programs for string players of all ages and skill levels, from young ones just starting out through to advanced teenagers and university age students all the way to keen adult amateurs.

“I love the idea of young kids being mentored by the older students, and the mutual inspiration that will be sparked between the more mature and the younger students,” says Pauls, Assistant Principal Second Violin in the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

“I want students to see how music can be an integral part of their daily lives, regardless of whether they choose to pursue it as a career,” she says. “Often times, young kids and adults don’t get the opportunity to study with performers/teachers at the top of their career—when I’ve seen it happen it has invariably sparked a greater joy in their music making as well as a depth and freshness of experience that they can then take back to their studies with their primary teachers.”

Pauls and Hooker believe music should flow as an outpouring of each individual’s daily experience. For that reason, they’ve devised a schedule that will emphasize the development of music as a natural part of daily life, as an infectious expression of the soul. Before the official start each morning, drop-in yoga classes will be offered on campus.

Hooker enthuses: “Yoga helps people to get in touch with what is essential: breathing well, moving through space thoughtfully, thinking clearly, observing oneself objectively. At RSMA, students will have an opportunity to begin each day meditatively with a progression toward the more interactive large ensemble rehearsal at the end of the day.” Hooker notes that individual study can often be an isolating experience, and the work alone is essential, but adds, “What we’re aiming to do is to bind everyone’s solo efforts together in music-loving community throughout each day of study.”

The overall program structure is based on the model that Hooker refined during the four years of his Winnipeg Summer Cello Institute, which RSMA now replaces. Each student will have the opportunity to participate in daily technique and master classes, a generous amount of private lesson time, accompanying sessions with experienced coaches, chamber music and string orchestra rehearsals, and Alexander technique sessions.

“Having performed and taught at summer music festivals around the world, I am a great believer in their power to inspire students to new heights of music making and give them a great head start on their studies,” says Gwen Hoebig, one of RSMA’s faculty members and Concertmaster of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. “I am thrilled to see the establishment of the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy here in Winnipeg and I’m excited to be a part of this new project!”

“A week of intensive study in this kind of nurturing environment can really fire up a student’s interest and commitment level, sustaining them throughout the year,” adds Pauls. “The rate and quality of improvement during one intense week is often miraculous.”

Out of town students will stay at CMU’s excellent dormitory facilities. The week will kick off with a faculty recital on August 21 and culminate with a student recital on August 26.

RSMA 2011 Faculty (See online biographies at www.rosamunde.ca)

Elation Pauls, Violin/Managing Director Assistant Principal Second Violin, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Gwen Hoebig, Violin Concertmaster, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Daniel Scholz, Viola Principal Viola, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Yuri Hooker, Cello/Artistic Director Principal Cello, Winnipeg Symphony Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Andrea Bell, Cello Cellist, Rembrandt String Quartet

Meredith Johnson, Double bass Principal Bass, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Michelle Mourre, Conductor/Collaborative Piano & Ensemble Coordinator Former Conductor-in-Residence, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

The vision of the Rosamunde Summer Music Academy is:

tune: to tune in, tune the body, tune the instrument, fine-tune abilities, harmonize musical and interpersonal relationships

train: to be afforded the opportunity to learn with innovative teachers at the top of their careers who are dedicated to the development of the whole musician

try: to gird up each student as they try out new ideas, letting them fail or succeed in a supportive, non-competitive environment, finally enabling each student to

“Tear It Up!”

Visit www.rosamunde.ca

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition, offering undergraduate degrees in arts and science, business and organizational administration, communications and media, peace and conflict resolution studies, music and music therapy, theology, and church ministries, as well as graduate degrees in Theological Studies and Christian Ministry. Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through its Outtatown discipleship school. CMU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

For RSMA information, contact: info@rosamunde.ca

For CMU information, contact:
Nadine Kampen, Communications & Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca
Tel. 204.487.3300 Ext. 621
Canadian Mennonite University | 500 Shaftesbury Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3P 2N2

Tags music

General News

CMU Student Volunteers Work with MDS in Tennessee

Post author By CMU
Post date April 20, 2011

MDS Service Trip Reminds Students They Can’t Take Life for Granted

As recent events in Japan have shown, for many in our world, natural disasters can shake our lives to the core. Such was the experience in May 2010 for the people in Lyles, TN, when their town was decimated by flooding and three tornadoes. The events of that day killed dozens of people and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes.

During CMU Reading Week 2011, nine CMU students under the leadership of CMU staff member, Rick Unger, put homework and rest behind them to participate instead in a Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) trip to Lyles. CMU student volunteers in Tennessee were David Attema, Raya Cornelsen, Raquel Epp, Karen Jantzen, Christina Janzen, Esther Klassen, Brittany Kroeker, Brad Muller, and Nia Rogers.

“The purpose of the trip,” said Sandra Loeppky, CMU Coordinator of Commuter, Disability and International Programs, “was to expose students to MDS as a volunteering option, to serve where there is a need, and to network and meet people from all over Canada and the United States.”

Their time spent dry-walling, siding, and insulating honed their construction skills and their sense of service, and allowed them to get to know people from the area. But it was a rewarding experience for many more reasons.

According to Nia Rogers, the MDS trip taught her that “life is fragile; you can’t take anything for granted. You never know when things can get ripped out from under you,” she said.

For Brad Muller, intergenerational communication was a benefit of the MDS trip. “There were predominantly retired people working there. We learned that young people don’t always have to stay with young people. That was a huge realization,” he said.

Finally, for Unger, who had participated in last year’s reading week MDS service trip to Dulzura, CA, going to Tennessee was important as a way “to get out there and see the world outside of CMU, the greater community.”

He also enjoyed getting to know the students whom he sees on a regular basis but doesn’t generally get the chance to spend time with. Unger was thrilled that the student participants gave up their reading week break in order to pay money and work hard all week long as MDS volunteers.

Loeppky agrees and believes that “unique things happen when you travel and serve with a group of people.”

All students asked would undoubtedly go on another MDS service trip.

Front, l-r: Rick Unger, Nia Rogers, Karen Jantzen, Brittany Kroeker, Esther Klassen. Back l-r: Raya Cornelsen, Brad Muller, David Attema, Christina Janzen, Raquel Epp

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is a Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition, offering undergraduate degrees in arts and science, with courses and programs in such disciplines as disaster recovery studies, business and organizational administration, communications and media, peace and conflict resolution studies, music and music therapy, theology, and church ministries. CMU offers graduate degrees in Theological Studies and Christian ministry. CMU is a Member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).

For further information, contact:
Nadine Kampen
Communications and Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca
Tel. 204.487.3300 Toll free 877.231.4570
Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3P 2N2
www.cmu.ca

Tags MDS

General News

First Disaster Recovery Grad Inspired to Alleviate Suffering

Post author By CMU
Post date April 20, 2011

David Barker Completes Disaster Recovery Studies at CMU

DRS Graduate David Barker with CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt and Instructors Lois Nickel (DRS) and Kenton Lobe (IDS)

Three years ago, in the middle of reading Roméo Dallaire’s traumatic first-hand account of the Rwanda genocide, David Barker decided his future would be in disaster response.

“It was the first time I read something about the actual suffering going on in the world,” says Barker, recalling his profound emotional response to Dallaire’s book, Shake Hands with the Devil.

This spring, Barker became the first student to graduate from Canadian Mennonite University’s fledgling Disaster Recovery Studies (DRS) program. Barker received his diploma on April 17 with a major in Peace and Conflict Studies and two minors, one in International Development and the other in Disaster Recovery.

If CMU had offered a major in disaster recovery, he would have taken it, Barker says. When he enrolled, CMU was just getting the 18-credit-hour program off the ground.

CMU developed its Disaster Recovery Studies program through a partnership with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS), a faith-based agency with more than fifty years of experience responding to disasters in Canada and the U.S.A.
The emphasis of CMU’s program is on the longer-term phases of individual, family, and community rebuilding following disasters. A key part of the program is a series of two terms of fieldwork, eight to ten weeks each, fulfilling CMU’s practicum requirement.

“The first term is spent serving with MDS. The second may be either with MDS or with another agency that does disaster recovery work in North America or internationally,” says DRS Instructor Lois Nickel, Program and Region Director with MDS. “Through these service terms, students like David Barker receive hands-on and leadership experience in the rebuilding of disaster-affected, often vulnerable communities. DRS helps students understand the nature of disasters, their aftermath, and the best ways to help people and communities recover physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually.”

Ever since reading Dallaire’s book, Barker has felt called to help alleviate suffering in the world caused by disaster and conflict. He feels his classes and hands-on fieldwork over the past three years have helped equip him to begin that work.

In the summer of 2009, Barker completed his first practicum helping rebuild homes destroyed by California wildfires. “It was a very valuable experience,” he says. “We actually got to interact with the people who had been in the disaster and hear their stories – to talk to them about how they grew spiritually and mentally.”

For his second practicum, Barker worked with the Red Cross in Winnipeg helping develop a tool to assess the province’s ability to respond to disasters such as floods, heat waves, tornados, forest fires, or blizzards. In the classroom Barker studied the theory behind disaster response and the phases of recovery.

Barker’s long-term goal is to get a job working for an organization like the Red Cross, World Vision, or the UN. He says he’s willing to live in whatever part of the world he’s needed. “I’d find that interesting and rewarding,” Barker says.

But to get that kind of job, Barker needs more volunteer experience on his resumé. That’s why, the day after graduation, he started volunteering with the Manitoba government’s Emergency Measures Organization coordinating responses to the annual spring flood.

For information, contact:
Nadine Kampen, Communications and Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca Tel. 204.487.3300 Toll free 877.231.4570
Canadian Mennonite University 500 Shaftesbury Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3P 2N2

Tags David Barker, DRS, Gerald Gerbrandt, Grad 2011, Graduation, Kenton Lobe, Lois Nickel

General News

Gerald Gerbrandt Announces Inaugural Winners of the CMU President’s Gold Medal Awards

Post author By CMU
Post date April 19, 2011

Erin Weaver, Rebecca Reesor Recognized as Outstanding CMU Graduates

Canadian Mennonite University at its April 17, 2011 Convocation made the inaugural presentation of the President’s Gold Medal for Scholarship, Leadership, and Service to two outstanding CMU graduates from the Class of 2011.

“CMU is bestowing its new award to honour students whom the University considers to have best exemplified the vision of CMU for scholarship, leadership, and service during their time here as students,” says CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt. “The recipients of the President’s Gold Medals in 2011 are Erin Elizabeth Weaver and Rebecca Ann Reesor.”

“Approved by CMU Senate in March 2011, the President’s Gold Medal award process identifies graduating students who have achieved a grade point average of 4.0 or more,” notes Registrar Wesley Toews. Members of Faculty and Student Life then submitted nominations from this list of exceptional students and a selection committee comprised of representatives from CMU Faculty, Student Life, and the CMU Awards Committee made the final choices.

CMU President’s Gold Medal winners Erin Weaver (at left) and Rebecca Reesor with President Gerald Gerbrandt

“We have amazing students and the new President’s award is a great way to feature them,” says Peters Kliewer. “The candidates for the award were all great students – bright, competent, caring people. They will make a valuable contribution and be effective in their home communities and in the world.”

CMU 2011 President’s Gold Medal Award Winners

Erin Elizabeth Weaver (CMU ’11)
Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (4-Yr.) in International Development Studies with a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies, Erin Weaver has been very involved in student leadership at CMU. A member of the CMU Student Council for the past two years, Weaver was Vice President of Student Relations in 2010-’11, and in the prior year, served as the chair of the Peace and Social Awareness Committee.

Demonstrating a passion for those in need, Weaver took an active role in helping students on campus but also reached out beyond the campus to the inner city, where she took a particular interest in addressing homelessness. Generous with her time and in using her gifts to serve those around her, Weaver organized and coordinated such events as the CMU Pearson Challenge, Tuition Freedom Day, and Blood Donor Clinics.

Weaver, who comes from Red Lake, Ontario, lived on campus at CMU. While completing her CMU practicum requirement, she also lived for several months in Uganda.

Rebecca Ann Reesor (CMU ’11)
Rebecca Reesor graduated with a Bachelor of Music, with concentrations in Performance and Music Ministry. An exceptional pianist, Reesor recently won first place in the CMU 2011 Verna Mae Janzen competition.

Beyond her music and academic work, Reesor was also able to share of herself in other ways within the CMU community and through committee work. Reesor, who lived in residence, was highly engaged in campus life. She participated in CMU ensembles; led and participated in Wednesday night worship services and student chapels; was a hard-working member of our Peace-It-Together (PIT) worship committee; and was a planning member for a ministers’ worship conference. She was also in the CMU sports program in earlier years, playing for the Blazer Women’s Soccer team.

Reesor completed her practicum in her home church in Bluevale, Ontario and is using skills she learned at CMU with Winnipeg’s Fort Gary Mennonite Brethren Church, where she currently works in a music role.

Reesor and Weaver were among 82 graduates who received CMU Shaftesbury Bachelor or Master degrees at the 2011 Convocation, where guest speaker Rudy Wiebe (MBBC ’61) shared an inspirational message. Also celebrating that same day were 62 students, returning days earlier from Guatemala and South Africa, who completed the CMU Outtatown program.

For information, contact:
Nadine Kampen,
Communications and Marketing Director
nkampen@cmu.ca
Tel. 204.487.3300 Toll free 877.231.4570
Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3P 2N2

Tags Erin Weaver, Gerald Gerbrandt, Grad 2011, Graduation, Rebecca Ressor

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CMU Announces Appointment of Dr. Paul Doerksen in Humanities Faculty

Post author By CMU
Post date April 19, 2011

Assistant Professor in Biblical & Theological Studies Assumes Role July 2011

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President Gerald Gerbrandt is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Paul Doerksen as Assistant Professor in the Biblical & Theological Studies Department at Canadian Mennonite University, beginning July 1, 2011.

Dr. Earl Davey, Vice-President Academic, says of Doerksen’s appointment, “Paul’s rich teaching experience, his scholarly depth, and his profound understanding of the role of theological reflection in the university and the church will strengthen CMU’s profile significantly, and will provide students with a remarkable mentor.”

According to Dean of Humanities Gordon Matties, “Not only does Paul understand well the public role of the university as it serves the larger Canadian and international community, he is also sensitive to CMU’s mission to serve and shape the church even as it remains open and vulnerable to being shaped by the church.”

“Good education,” Doerksen says, “cultivates openness to the world, to ideas, to being formed, and forming others in significant ways, and lets us know that we are not alone.”

Doerksen will have teaching responsibilities in Theology and Ethics, History of Christianity, and Anabaptist Studies. His areas of interest are wide ranging, including political theology, emerging church theology, peace theology, human rights, and theological ethics.

He holds a PhD from McMaster University (Hamilton, ON), a Master of Theological Studies from Conrad Grebel University College (Waterloo, ON), Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from The University of Winnipeg, and a Bachelor of Religious Education from Briercrest Bible College.

Doerksen is a published scholar, having written Beyond Suspicion: Post-Christendom Protestant Political Theology in John Howard Yoder and Oliver O’Donovan (Paternoster Press, 2009) as well as articles in books and journals. He is currently working on a book on the notion of moral patience.

Since 2007 he has led the popular Continuing Education venture called Take and Read: A Theology Book Discussion Group, which will continue as he makes the transition to CMU.

Doerksen comes to CMU from years of experience in high school teaching at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute (Winnipeg, MB) and teaching university courses in various contexts. As a member of the Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church, he is also the Manitoba representative on the denomination’s national Board of Faith and Life. He also serves on the board of L’Arche Winnipeg.

Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) is an accredited Christian university offering undergraduate degrees in the arts, music, music therapy, theology, and church ministries, and master degrees in theological studies and Christian ministry. CMU is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) . Located in Manitoba, CMU has over 1,700 students at its Shaftesbury Campus in Southwest Winnipeg, at Menno Simons College in downtown Winnipeg, and enrolled through Outtatown, CMU’s adventure and discipleship program.