Education

10 Winnipeg Free press - saturDaY, December 5, 2015 eduCating foR a BetteR woRld The new Marpeck Commons at Canadian Mennonite University on Grant Avenue. photo by darcy finley By Holli Moncrieff for the free press Manitoba's Christian colleges offer the best of both worlds—a wide range of programs and courses combined with small class sizes and a more personal approach. "o ne thing people don't realize is the depth of our programming," says Kevin Kilbrei, director of communications and marketing for Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). "We offer pre-professional courses in a wide range of areas, from agriculture to education, social work, medicine and law." In many cases, students interested in careers in those fields can take the first three or four years of their schooling at CMU. "Our alumni have gone on to become doctors, lawyers and pharmacists," Kilbrei adds. "We have doctors who took almost all of their requirements here. Some students like to take advantage of our small campus and the better faculty- to-student ratio." A high percentage of CMU students have come from other communities, and find the university less intimidating than larger institutions. "This is their first time in the big city. It's easier to find your place in the community at CMU, and easier to connect with the faculty and fellow students," says Kilbrei. "You're not lost in the crowd; you're not just a number." Many students who attend Providence College are drawn to the school's athletic program. "We have a very successful athletic program," explains David Johnson, president of Providence College. "Our women's volleyball team just took second in the nation in the U.S. competition." The tranquil setting of the college is also appealing, while helping to minimize distractions. Providence used to be located across from the Manitoba Legislature but moved to Otterburne, Man., in order to accommodate more students. "We're only a half hour from Winnipeg, so you get the best of both worlds. We have a river running right next to our 100- acre campus, and we have skiing and hiking trails," Johnson says. "It's a good place—we like it out here. The setting is beautiful." Providence is also a great place to make friends from around the world. Twenty per cent of the college's students are international. "We have students from 40 different countries, so students get an international flavour when they come to Providence," says Johnson. "We have a faith-based approach to education, and our students choose us for that reason. We're i nterdenom i nat iona l— we have Anglican, Catholic and Lutheran students—every type of Christian attends our school." Booth University College is also gaining recognition for its unique approach to post-secondary education. As Susan van Duinen, the dean of the School for Continuing Studies, reports, enrolment numbers are up. Booth had a 15 per cent increase in new students this year, a seven per cent total enrolment increase, and an increase of 3.55 per cent in credit hours. "These increases are so exciting for the staff and faculty and our student body, especially when many other institutions are seeing a decline in their enrolment," van Duinen says. "We offer education for a better world. We firmly believe we're changing the world one graduate at a time." One of the challenges Christian schools face is that most of the public doesn't realize that anyone can attend. "Our programs and studies are open to public—you don't have to be affiliated with the Salvation Army," says van Duinen. "We're even looking at offering new educational opportunities to countries outside Canada." A generous donation from the Petersons in Alberta enabled the college to build Peterson Hall, which is equipped with technology that allows instructors to connect virtually with students. "We're grateful for the million-dollar donation from the Peterson family. The Petersons have a long-time connection with the Salvation Army," van Duinen says. "We acknowledge that many people invest in the lives of our students." ■ THeologiCal sCHools 1-800-668-7768 Prov.ca/apply STUDYSCIENCE ATPROVIDENCE FALL2016 SCIENCE FAITH MINGLE WHERE AND "Providence is also a great place to make friends from around the world. Twenty per cent of the college's students are international."

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