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CMU Press Releases Two Books for Children

 
Permalink: http://www.cmu.ca/media_archive/index.php/2011/cmu-press-releases-two-children’s-books

December 15, 2011… CMU PRESS is pleased to announce the release of two children’s books: On the Zwieback Trail by Lisa Weaver, Julie Kauffman and Judith Rempel Smucker, and David’s Trip to Paraguay, by Miriam Rudolph.

On the Zwieback Trail is an alphabet book, with each letter devoted to a different aspect of Russian Mennonite history, including the origin of Mennonite Central Committee, the history of the Mennonite people in Russia and the role of non-violence in the Russian Mennonite tradition, in addition to a number of personal anecdotes, unique historical artefacts, songs and recipes compiled by the author and designers.

“We hope that this book will spark family conversations about faith and cultural heritage,” said author Lisa Weaver. “We made the information accessible to children, but inviting to adults as well.”

In addition to writing On the Zwieback Trail, Weaver has a previous book, Praying With Our Feet, published by Herald Press in 2005. Julie Kauffman is the designer behind Simply in Season and both the designer and co-author of Simply in Season Children’s Cookbook (published by Herald Press in 2005 and 2006, respectively); Rempel Smucker has done a variety of design work for Mennonite Central Committee, including Consider the Threshing Stone, published in 2008 by Pandora Press.

David’s Trip to Paraguay is written and illustrated by Miriam Rudolph, a professional artist and printmaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba currently residing in Minneapolis. The book follows the true story of Rudolph’s grandfather’s immigration from Altona, Manitoba to Loma Plata, Paraguay in the 1920s.

Rudolph’s illustrations are constructed from acrylic paint and handmade coloured papers that beautifully demonstrate the contrast between the white Manitoba winter and the lively, bright buildings, forests, and creatures in Paraguay, where Rudolph was born. “I put some of my own love for Paraguay in the book, although I must admit that I’m quite at home in Canada now,” said Rudolph. The illustrations display Rudolph’s unique visual style, a style influenced by maps, memories, and way-finding. “I had a lot of fun making all the illustration panels fit together so that the whole long journey became more apparent,” she said.

The subject of her book, the small, South American country of Paraguay, has played an important part in Mennonite history since the early 20th century. “Moving around seems to be a common Mennonite theme,” said Rudolph. “I hope that the book might put Paraguay on the map for some people, since it is rarely talked about. I often get asked, ‘So, where exactly is Paraguay and what is it like?’ Maybe the book will at least partially answer that question. It is such a beautiful, but also poor, forgotten little country. I wanted to somehow show it to people.”

CMU PRESS is an academic publisher of scholarly, reference, and general interest books at Canadian Mennonite University. Books from CMU PRESS address and inform interests and issues vital to the university, its constituency, and society. Areas of specialization include Mennonite studies, and works that are church-oriented or theologically engaged.

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

TO ORDER:

Contact CMU Bookstore: 204.487.3300 or cmubookstore@cmu.ca

On the Zwieback Trail  Lisa Weaver, Julie Kauffman, Judith Rempel Smucker
CMU Press 2011 – 72 pages, hardcover, $25.00
ISBN 978-0-920718-92-6

On the Zwieback Trailis a delightful and informative children’s alphabet book of Russian Mennonite history, lovingly assembled as attractive collages of artefacts, historical narratives, photographs, recipes, and personal anecdotes of the past. Every page has something new to offer—whether it’s the meaning of the word “Anabaptist”, the role tractors played in the story of Mennonite Central Committee, or a delicious recipe for fluffy zwieback, this alphabet book is sure to charm and educate children and adults alike.

David’s Trip to Paraguay /Davids Reise in das Land der vielen Farben  Miriam Rudolph
CMU Press 2011, 32 pages, hardcover
English and German, $22.00
ISBN 978-0-920718-91-9

This is a gorgeous book by an exciting young artist, inspired by the extraordinary journey made by her grandfather from Canada to Paraguay in the late 1920s. David, a farm boy from Southern Manitoba, is excited when his family, in search of a new home, decides to leave wintry and white Canada behind to start a long journey by train, ship, and oxcart to South America. Along the way he takes in colourful impressions of New York’s skyscrapers, the ocean, flying fish, crocodiles, foreign cities, and many more exciting things that let him know he is going the right way. This is an exceptional children’s book, but also a beautiful art work for all ages. In addition, the dual-language text (English and German) adds a valuable educational dimension.

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General News News Releases

Championship Repeat at Western Canadians

Winners of the 2010 Western Canadian College Volleyball Championships in Saskatoon, the CMU women’s volleyball team entered the 2011 championships as the team-to-beat November 25- 26  in Olds, Alberta and proved themselves to be as good as it gets in Western Canada.

The 2011 women’s field consisted of thirteen teams from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Along with the Blazers, Assiniboine Community College and the University of St-Boniface represented the Manitoba Colleges Athletics Conference in Olds.

The Blazers cruised through their pool matches, defeating Palliser College (SK), Ambrose University College (AB), St. Mary’s University College (AB), and Selkirk College (BC) all in straight sets to advance to the medal-round.

In Saturday’s playoffs, CMU made short-work of Brandon’s ACC and then defeated Prairie Bible Institute (AB) 2-0 (25:18, 25:21) to advance to the final against King’s University College of Edmonton.

With the gold-medal on the line CMU again showed their pedigree, giving a strong team effort and getting a 9 kill performance from defending MCAC MVP Evelyn Kampen and 6 kills from middle Breanne Giesbrecht in support, on way to a 2-0 (25:22, 25:18) championship victory.

Released December 2, 2011

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CMU Welcomes Writer, Film-maker Larry Krotz

What are the ethical and social implications of our actions in the world? As Westerners, what help are we providing in third-world countries like Africa and what are the effects of our actions?

 On Monday, December 5, in the Conference Room on CMU’s south campus, guest Larry Krotz will speak on his research on AIDS in Kenya and about outsiders in Africa. Through his two books on these topics, titled Piecing the Puzzle and The Uncertain Business of Doing Good, Larry will read and discuss his perspective on the ethical and social implications of development projects in Africa.

“It’s exciting to have him coming because he’s an excellent communicator on social justice and development issues, in particular on AIDS and outsiders in Africa,” says Paul Dyck, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of English at CMU.

Larry Krotz is a writer and documentary film maker, whose primary focus in his works has been to reveal how our actions affect the world.  He is well-travelled, and is quite familiar with Africa – Kenya, Zimbabwe and Angola in particular – as well as the Canadian north, where he has explored and become accustomed to First Nations communities and traditions. As a young adult, he spent a year in Canada’s arctic working with Inuit students in Churchill, Manitoba.

Krotz graduated with a BA in political science from York University’s Glendon College, in 1972. He moved to Winnipeg shortly after and became a writer, publishing his first book about Manitoba prisons called Waiting for the Ice Cream Man in 1976, collaborating with photographer John Paskievich.

He has written many articles and features since then; his journalism has made appearances in The Globe & Mail, Weekend magazine, Western Living, Quest, the United Church Observer, Canadian Geographic, Saturday Night, Equinox, and Border Crossings. His documentary videos have featured stories about community histories of Manitoba’s north, civil war in Angola, and a 1998 film titled Searching for Hawa’s Secret for the National Film Board of Canada which included footage from his trips to Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Krotz has also written non-fiction books about First Nations communities, a self-help guide for middle aged men, a novel titled Shutter Speed, and other works.

His new book, Piecing the Puzzle, will be highlighted during his discussion at CMU. Piecing the Puzzle is the story about the origin of AIDS and the thirty years following its discovery. His book highlights the struggle and battle against the AIDS epidemic, and how it has defined the last decades in both Africa and the world. 

The Uncertain Business of Doing Good, also featured in his presentation, examines NGO, scientist and peacekeeper projects that are done with the intention of helping Africa. He examines thought provoking questions about the nature of these actions and what drives our motivation as western outsiders. Krotz offers views on how we have come to see Africa and whether our help has been offered the right way.

In discussing our actions and their implications on the world around us, Larry Krotz will encourage his audience to reflect on the way we think about Africa and challenge  us to change our thinking around international development projects. 

Released Dec. 2, 2011

 

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General News News Releases

CMU Students Celebrate Tuition Freedom Day

In a room packed with faculty, staff, guests, and students, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) students on November 25 paid thanks to those who each year help to make higher education possible.

In opening the University’s annual Tuition Freedom Day celebrations, CMU Student Council (CMUSC) President Ben Borne noted: “This is a day where the students and all of CMU recognize the generous hearts of our donors, and say ‘thank you.’”

“Today marks the day when we celebrate the fact that donors have provided a great contribution in order for us to continue our studies here at CMU, since our tuition fees do not cover the full costs of our education,” said CMUSC Vice President, Activities, Belinda Morales, who chaired the event organizing committee.

CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt noted that just over $13-million is spent annually under CMU’s operating budget, of which about $10.3 million is related to academic costs. Of this total, he said, students themselves contribute roughly $4.6 million or 45% of costs. “The next largest portion of about $3.6 M, or 36%, comes from the Manitoba Government. More than $2.1-million is donation money, roughly $400,000 from conferences and congregations, and $1.7 from individuals who believe in CMU and contribute their money accordingly.

Manitoba’s Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy, the Honourable Erin Selby, brought greetings from the provincial government. Administrators, students, donors, and government – all contribute to sharing the costs of education, Selby noted. “We each do our part to sustain higher education, but today is the day that we recognize that, from this day forward, the operating costs come from other sources (than tuition).” She congratulated CMU for preparing students to lead rich, full lives. “We know they will contribute to our society,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of supporting churches, Elton da Silva, executive director of the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba, spoke to students about the church’s reasons for investing in higher education at CMU. “There are great results that come out of having you being part of CMU, learning here, being equipped here. We will have better churches in the future because you have spent your time here.”

President Gerbrandt welcomed Katherine Wiens to speak on behalf of more than 1,800 individual donors who contribute to CMU each year.

In his introduction, Gerbrandt commented on Katherine Wiens’ long-standing connection to CMU, noting as well that her father was J.J. Thiessen, one of the people responsible for establishing one of CMU’s founding colleges, Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC), in 1947.

“My father J.J. Thiessen was very involved in the college, giving counsel, time, and prayer support,” she said, describing a time when “he went to a friendly manager of the bank and asked for a loan which he promptly gave to CMBC. He repaid that in monthly instalments,” she recalled.

Many members of their extended family benefited from the higher education they received at CMU and earlier founding institutions, said Wiens. The latest family member associated with CMU spent a year with the University’s Outtatown discipleship school.

“One does not support (an institution) only for what one’s children will get, but also for those in the next generations as well. I see CMU as God’s plan for our churches at this time.”

Stephanie Heide expressed appreciation from the student body to CMU’s donor groups. “Without the support of donors, the tuition we pay would be over double what it currently is. For a lot of us, that would mean not being able to continue our education. The support of donors makes a difference – a life-changing difference – by making quality education at an accredited Christian University possible.”

“We, the students of CMU, express our deep-felt thanks to those who have contributed to our education by helping to make it affordable. It is a huge gift to us,” said Heide. “Thank you, donors.”

Released Dec. 2, 2011

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General News News Releases

Winter Courses Appeal to Part-time Students

For part-time students, mature students working towards a degree, and for members of the community who want to study a course of personal or professional interest to them, evening courses offer opportunities to build on personal learning and professional career goals.

“Many students appreciate the option of studying in the evening, and for part-time students in particular, flexibility in scheduling courses is a necessity, due to employment hours, child-care arrangements, or other commitments,” says CMU Registrar Wesley Toews.  “We are pleased to offer a great selection of courses this next term, and it is always gratifying to see members of the community coming out to study subjects in which they have developed a keen interest, or courses they feel would prepare them more adequately for the work they do.” 

Evening course offerings, available for credit or audit, include:  five courses exploring the Bible and theology, including Issues in Youth Ministry trends;  business courses for those working towards a BBA degree or business major or for personal and professional development; two courses in CMU’s Communications and Media stream; a course for those interested in gaining expertise in Disaster Recovery Studies; an English course relating to South African literature on Apartheid and Reconciliation; a music course on conducting, and another on the psychology of music for those interested in music therapy, and two psychology classes, one of which is also a business program credit.

CMU Evening Courses – January-April 2012
BTS-2310 Issues in Youth Ministry (John Berard)
BTS-3520 Sixteenth-Century Reformations (Paul Doerksen)
BTS-4495 Practice and Theology of Mission (Titus Guenther)
BTS-5080 Theology of Isaiah (Pierre Gilbert)�
BTS-5700 The Church in Ecumenical Perspective (Karl Koop)
BUSI-2050 Fundamentals of Marketing (Andrea Martens)
BUSI-2030 Management and Organizational Theory (Ingrid Peters-Fransen)
COMM-3030 Public Relations (Paula Havixbeck)
COMM-2000 New Media (David Balzer)
DRS/IDS-2171 Crisis, Humanitarian Aid, and Disaster Recovery (Bruce Guenther)
ENGL-3950 South African Literature: From Apartheid to Reconciliation (Franklin Hyde)
MUSC-4170 Band and Orchestral Techniques (Virginia Helmar)
MUSC-3830 Psychology of Music (Jennifer Lin)
PSYC-2410 Counselling Techniques (Lynda Loewen)
PSYC/BUSI-3000 Organizational Leadership (Vonda Plett)

CMU Evening Courses – January-April 2012
6:00pm – 8:45pm

Monday

BTS-5080 Theology of Isaiah (Pierre Gilbert) 
The book of Isaiah provides an awesome picture of the person of God and, some say, the clearest and most incisive statement of monotheism in the Old Testament. But, as lofty a picture of God as it may provide, the book presents an equally dismal portrait of Israel and by extension of human nature. The book of Isaiah is not, however, a simple exercise in hopelessness. It is first and foremost a book of hope. Isaianic hope is rooted in two ideas: 1) the loving, perseverant and compassionate nature of a God who has a project for Israel and all of humanity; 2) the provision of a means of redemption that ultimately derives from God’s initiative and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the incarnation of Christ and the full revelation of the Kingdom of God. In this course, we will examine the book of Isaiah in terms of 1) the overall theme in a canonical perspective; 2) the relevant historical context(s); 3) its contribution to biblical theology and its relevance for the Church today.  Prerequisite:  This is a course for graduate students.  Persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree are welcome to apply for admission to this course as Continuing Education students.

BUSI-2050 Fundamentals of Marketing (Andrea Martens)
Analysis of marketing problems, emphasizing various alternatives available for achieving economic efficiency in the distribution process; public policy with respect to marketing.

BUSI/ECON-3500 International Business and Economics (Craig Martin)
This course examines economic theory and its application to business in an international context. The course will address social, environmental, ethical and economic issues associated with international business, including the interaction between government and business.  Prerequisites: Two of ECON-1000/3, ECON-1010/3, or BUSI-1000/3.

ENGL-3950 South African Literature: From Apartheid to Reconciliation (Franklin Hyde)
The aim of this course is to impart a broad outline of South African literature since 1945 in its political, cultural, and economic contexts. The course will focus primarily on novels and film adaptations, with some diversion into the genres of reportage and documentary film. Texts are drawn from all the major population groups of South Africa, from both the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.   Reading this literature as the product of a specific historical and cultural location will introduce students to some of the major ideas of postcolonial and trauma theory.  Prerequisites: ENGL-1010/3 and1020/3 or permission of the instructor.

PSYC-2410 Counselling Techniques (Lynda Loewen)
Explores the formation of helping relationships, using the Human Relations Model of Helping, with a focus on self-understanding as a basis for effective communication and understanding of human interactions. Topics will also include helping skills, helper characteristics, communication skills, barriers to communication, relationship establishment, ethics and values clarification.  Prerequisite: PSYC-2400.

Tuesday

BTS-2310 Issues in Youth Ministry (John Berard)
The post-modern world creates challenges and opportunities for the church’s ministry to youth. Pressures and crises that put youth at risk will be identified and the issues with which many struggle will be explored with a goal of finding ministry responses that can lead to healthy growth and development. 

BTS-4495 Practice and Theology of Mission (Titus Guenther)
This course examines the historical and theological roots, as well as the biblical understanding and practice of mission and evangelism.  It explores the challenges of communicating the Good News of the Christian faith in contemporary society. It reflects on the nature of the church and its calling to be a witnessing and reconciling community.  The course will include several videos on mission/evangelism, and group visits to some local service and evangelism projects. Prerequisite: 60 credit hours of university-level studies, including 9 credit hours of Biblical and Theological Studies.

COMM-3030 Public Relations (Paula Havixbeck)
This course examines the principles and practices of communication between corporate, public, and not-for-profit organizations and their various constituencies. It includes the study of public opinion research, communication campaigns, media relations, consumer identity, and representational ethics. Students learn basic skills including: assessing needs; designing, planning and evaluating communication strategies; writing news releases and planning news conferences. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, or permission of the instructor.

DRS/IDS-2171 Crisis, Humanitarian Aid, and Disaster Recovery (Bruce Guenther)
Today crises threaten global human security as never before. These crises are caused by a complex mix of natural hazards (such as floods, earthquakes, or droughts) and human action or inaction. This course will explore how humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery efforts can best promote resilience by reducing vulnerability and disaster risk. Community and organizational responses to humanitarian crises will be examined, emphasizing efforts to improve aid quality and accountability. Prerequisite or corequisite: 6 credit hours of introductory social Science; IDS-1020 is recommended.

MUSC-4170 Band and Orchestral Techniques (Virginia Helmar)
A practical study in rehearsing and conducting large and small instrumental ensembles. Students will examine performance and instructional materials, appropriate for school, church and community settings. Prerequisite: MUSC-3150/3

Wednesday

BTS-5700 The Church in Ecumenical Perspective (Karl Koop)
This course is concerned with the unity of the church and how that unity is expressed through diversity of expressions in Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Anabaptist traditions and perspectives. In exploring such unity amidst diversity, topics such as the following are considered: the nature of the church, the way of salvation, the reading of scripture, ministry and sacraments, ecumenical relations, the church’s relationship to other religions, and the church’s involvement in the secular realm.  Prerequisite:  This is a course for graduate students.  Persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree are welcome to apply for admission to this course as Continuing Education students.

COMM-2000 New Media (David Balzer)
This course investigates the user-experience, theory, and current trends in the field of New Media. The course’s core interests are in identifying and understanding the principles of New Media design and experience, and in applying these principles to the analysis of New Media artefacts and environments. The course will enhance the capacity of students to understand, design, and assess current and future developments in emergent digital media.  A technology fee will be assessed for this course. 

PSYC/BUSI-3000 Organizational Leadership (Vonda Plett)
Examination of the theory and practice of leadership and decision-making in organizations. Topics include trait, behavioural and situational models of organizational leadership, leadership as power and influence, and processes involved in the decision making of individuals and groups, large and small, formal and informal. Attention will also be given to development of skills in leadership. Prerequisite: 45 credit hours of university-level courses.

Thursday

BTS-3520 Sixteenth-Century Reformations (Paul Doerksen)
A study of the Reformations of the sixteenth century, including the Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist, and Roman Catholic reforms within their social and political contexts. Special attention will be given to the key texts of the various movements. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including 6 credit hours in Biblical and Theological Studies.

BUSI-2030 Management and Organizational Theory (Ingrid Peters-Fransen)
Examination of the underlying principles concerning the formation of organizations and their internal management. Emphasis will be on the study and analysis of various theoretical approaches to organizational theory and management.

MUSC-3830 Psychology of Music (Jennifer Lin)
An in-depth study of the psychological and physiological aspects of musical behaviour and experience including basic knowledge of music and affect, the influence of music on behaviour, and perception and cognition of music, as well as a study of current research in the field. Prerequisite MUSC-1030/3 and 30 credit hours of university-level study.

Released Dec. 2, 2011
 

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General News News Releases

Festschrift Honours Harry Huebner

When Professor Emeritus Harry Huebner retired from his full-time role as Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in 2008, there were hints that a special Festschrift was underway to further celebrate his career.

As the German word implies, a Festschrift is a writing that is meant to celebrate.  Co-editors Karl Koop and Paul Doerksen were delighted to play a key role in producing such a book as a means to pay tribute to a beloved member of the academic community and church.

“We are excited to announce the publication of a collection of essays entitled The Church Made Strange for the Nations: Essays in Ecclesiology and Political Theology,” says Koop, CMU professor of History and Theology and Director of Graduate Studies.

“The book, published by Pickwick Publications, part of Wipf and Stock Publishers, in their Princeton Theological Monograph Series, celebrates the contributions made by our colleague Professor Harry Huebner during his long and distinguished career,” says Doerksen, CMU Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. The title The Church Made Strange for the Nations is taken from an essay Huebner wrote in 1997.

The celebratory book launch and reception took place November 25, 2011 at CMU.  CMU Vice-President Academic Earl Davey opened the program, with remarks then shared by Koop, Doerksen, and Huebner.

“Harry has been an inspiring professor and mentor, an influential scholar, a competent administrator, a valued colleague, and a theological leader of the church. Today, handing over this book to Harry is another small way toward recognizing his contributions. It is also a way of giving thanks to God for his goodness to us,” says Koop.

Doerksen noted how Huebner exerted a strong influence over his faith formation and approach to teaching long before he met Huebner in person. He recalled reading a chapter by Huebner called “How Can Ethics Be Christian?” Says Doerksen:  “I was sent down a road of inquiry that continues to this day – and so, over the years since, I’ve marched hundreds of students through that essay.”

In accepting the honour paid to him, Huebner acknowledged the time and effort that goes in to producing such a book.  “Thank you for this rare and special gift,” he said. “I am especially appreciative of the diverse group of colleagues and perspectives represented in this book – seven colleagues are from this beloved institution and eight from elsewhere.”

 Huebner, who graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BA in Philosophy/Psychology and an MA in Philosophy, earned his PhD in Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College. He came to one of CMU’s founding college Canadian Mennonite Bible College (CMBC) in 1971, and remained at CMU throughout his career, taking time to do PhD work in Toronto from 1974-’75 and serving with Mennonite Central Committee in Jerusalem from 1981-’83.

In his spare time, Huebner enjoys travelling, especially to the Middle East. He and his wife Agnes attend Charleswood Mennonite Church in Winnipeg and have three grown children, Christopher, Rochelle, and Carolyn, and seven grandchildren.

TO ORDER:  Book orders and individual purchases can be made through the CMU Bookstore at 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg MB.

Released November 30, 2011.

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Audio Faculty interviews Sunday@CMU Radio

Craig Martin – Business and Faith

Craig Martin
Assistant Professor of  Business and Organizational Administration
The Redekop School of Business

Interview Date: February 2010 and November 27, 2011

In this two-part interview, David Balzer – host of Sunday@CMU radio, speaks with Craig Martin about a new 5-year co-op program. They also discuss the creation of The Redekop School of Business and what it means for Christian faith to shape business.

Part 1
[audio:http://www.cmu.ca/media_archive/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/100221CraigMartin1.mp3|titles=100221CraigMartin1]
Play/Download Here

Part 2
[audio:http://www.cmu.ca/media_archive/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/20111127CraigMartin2.mp3|titles=20111127CraigMartin2]
Play/Download Here

For more information on Craig Martin and the new Redekop School of Business, click here.

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Alumni Profiles Articles

Alumni Profiles – Megan Klassen-Wiebe

Practicum experiences sometimes take students outside their comfort zones into new territory and new environments, giving them opportunities to do something they otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to do.

CMU alumna Megan Klassen-Wiebe’s practicum took her to Cedar Lane Farm, a small, mixed, family-run farm in Coles Island, New Brunswick for five months in 2009. There, she was involved in a wide variety of activities, including gardening; feeding and watering animals (pigs, chickens, turkeys); butchering chickens and turkeys; milking cows; collecting eggs; stacking hay bales; making granola and granola bars; and selling goods at the market.

Klassen-Wiebe graduated from CMU in 2009 with a general BA, and at first wasn’t too sure about her professional future.

“This experience gave me a chance to explore a passion in myself that I had only just discovered at CMU,” she says of her practicum. “It was a way for me to begin to look beyond the community of CMU and to see into the greater world. It made me aware of issues that I wanted to think about further in life and gave me a purpose beyond my CMU graduation.

“It was through this practicum that I decided that I wanted farming to be a part of my future, and led me to studying Agroecology at the University of Manitoba,” say Klassen-Wiebe.

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Articles Student Profiles

Student Profiles – Peter Dueck

Current CMU student Peter Dueck, who will graduate in 2012 with a four-year BA in Biblical and Theological Studies with a Philosophy minor, says his practicum experience was beneficial in a number of ways.

Dueck completed his practicum assignment during 2010-2011 as a Grade 7/8 teacher aid at St. Aidan’s Christian School, a private Christian school in Winnipeg that accepts students who are no longer welcome or no longer feel safe in the public school system. There, he tutored students while serving as a positive male role model for them, many of whom had none. 

“My placement challenged me to think seriously about the role of a Christian institution in a non-Christian neighbourhood, and what that role should be,” says Dueck, who is currently volunteering at the school once a week during his last year at CMU.

Dueck says his practicum complemented his academic studies and helped prepare him for an education role. However, he adds that his practicum was also about growing personally and professionally.

“CMU, as a whole, has taught me less about what I should do professionally and more about daily experience and how to work my way through it,” he shares. “CMU and my practicum experience guided me along the journey of discovery within the world; I have developed a greater understanding of how to live and work as a disciple of Christ.”

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Alumni Profiles Articles

Alumni Profiles – Cindy Bass (CMU ’09)

CMU alumna Cindy Bass’ practicum helped her to create a new job position and employment for herself.

As part of her practicum experiences, Cindy, who graduated from CMU in 2009 as a mature student with a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree, volunteered her services at Extendicare Tuxedo Villa personal care home in Winnipeg, where there was no music therapy program in place. She ended up with a permanent part-time job.

She now works as a Canadian Association for Music Therapy-accredited music therapist at Tuxedo Villa and at another personal care home. As well, she runs her own private-practice business for children with special needs, which she plans to expand in the future.

Cindy also fulfilled practicum assignments in Winnipeg at Riverview Health Centre, St. Amant Centre, and several elementary schools, giving her a taste of working with different clientele.

Cindy credits her practica to giving her hands-on experience and figuring out which populations and environments were a good fit for her.

“The practicum experience was definitely one of the greatest parts of the whole learning experience,” says Cindy. “There is nothing quite like hands-on experience that prepares you for the working world. It also gives you a very good idea of knowing whether it is the right profession for you or not.

“CMU definitely prepared me to get out there and do the work,” she adds.