Education

6 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS - THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017 CMU specializes in the liberal arts, offering 16 bachelor of arts majors. The university has distinguished itself in the sports of volleyball, basketball and soccer. CMU photos By Kathryne Cardwell for the Free Press Founded in 2000, Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) offers a place for students from a variety of backgrounds to access one of the best educations in the country. "CMU draws students and instructors from across the world," says Kevin Kilbrei, Director of Communications and Marketing at CMU. "Because of our Christian Anabaptist roots, we're known for our positions in social justice, equality, service and now our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation principles." CMU is an accredited member of Universities Canada and provides high-quality education in a range of fields. While most know CMU as a faith-based institution, the university's diverse and interesting courses, great student-professor ratio and welcoming campus have earned their reputation for excellence. That reputation draws people of all faiths — or none. Of CMU's approximately 600 students, 46 per cent declare Mennonite or Anabaptist backgrounds, 42 per cent declare another Christian background and 12 per cent declare no faith background. "There are people who use CMU as a vehicle to expand their worldview," says Kilbrei. CMU also boasts a high population of students from outside Manitoba — about 20 per cent come from outside Manitoba, including over 10 per cent from outside Canada. CMU specializes in the liberal arts, offering 16 bachelor of arts majors such as environmental science, biology, counselling, communications and media, peace and conflict transformation, mathematics and others. They also offer degrees in business administration, music and musical therapy. Students can also pursue graduate and pre-professional studies and cross-cultural experience programs. Some of CMU's biggest strengths are its unique course offerings, which appeal to more people than their regular degree-seeking students. Kilbrei notes that students from other universities often take elective courses at CMU, and community members frequently take courses out of interest rather than simply to complete a degree. Keli Schmidt, a former Winnipegger now working freelance as an apparel developer in Brampton, Ont., was one of those individuals who took classes at CMU out of interest without a goal of earning a degree. She took several courses at CMU in 2002 and still speaks enthusiastically of her education. "CMU didn't give me the answers. It taught me how to ask questions," says Schmidt. "Even just that short time there definitely had the desired effect and has had a lasting impact on the way I think." This year, CMU is offering several new courses. Consumption and Desire, which Kilbrei describes as a course straddling theology and sociology, examines human motivations. Psychology of Social Change looks at the effect of social change on the human mindset. Another new course — especially relevant these days — is Citizenship, Land and Economics, which examines Canadian identity, reconciliation and environmental sustainability. On the science side, the university is offering Molecular and Cellular Lab Methods, a lab- based course. As a smaller university, CMU offers students plenty of hands-on instruction and practical experience. CMU also prides itself on its faculty-student ratio, with one faculty member for every 18 students. And 90 per cent of their faculty members hold PhDs. "This means students benefit from smaller class sizes, even in introductory courses which are typically larger at other universities, and their instructor usually has a PhD," says Kilbrei. CMU has a long-established reputation for its excellent music programs, and the university is expanding in this area as well. This fall, they look forward to debuting their concert band, a response to the popularity of high school band programs in Canada. "This is something our music department is quite excited about," says Kilbrei. Uniquely, the band will be open to students and community members, who can audition for spots now. The band will begin rehearsing in September. Cheryl Ferguson, Director of Bands at Fort Richmond Collegiate and a French horn instructor at CMU's Community School of Music and the Arts, will direct the Concert Band. "She's quite a star in the music community," says Kilbrei. CMU also makes time to focus on athletics, and CMU has enjoyed great success with their teams. The university has distinguished itself in volleyball, basketball and soccer. Once again, CMU's small campus comes to its advantage, as students typically have more opportunities to play rather than riding the bench. For more information, visit CMU.ca ❚ EXPAND YOUR WORLDVIEW AT CMU '' Because of our Christian Anabaptist roots, we're known for our positions in social justice, equality, service and now our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation principles." CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY

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