CMU homecoming gathers hundreds for weekend of memories

Canadian Mennonite University was host to a wide variety of events during Homecoming 2003 held Sept. 26–28.

Jake Isaac from MBBC class of 1953 receives a 50-year alumni gift of recognition from CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt

In addition to what one might expect at a homecoming weekend – alumni reunions and recognition ceremonies – this year’s participants could choose from an unprecedented number of activities, ranging from a family festival to theological “banter” with Stanley Hauerwas.

The weekend was anchored by special events honouring the classes of 1953 of CMU founding colleges, Mennonite Brethren Bible College and Canadian Mennonite Bible College. The first was a banquet in CMU’s Great Hall, during which the classes were recognized for their contributions to the church and society. The classes reminisced, had fun with trivia questions, and viewed displays including photos, paintings and books written by some alumni. Special guests included faculty members who had taught these classes in 1953.

On Saturday, the CMU Alumni Office hosted a program and reception for the classes of 1947–1951 and ’53 (the 1952 classes celebrated last year). CMU alumni relations coordinator Christine Ens presented two books of memoirs, one for the CMBC and MBBC classes of 1953 and another for MBBC (1947–1951) and CMBC (1950–1951).

“You are teachers, pastors, conference leaders, peacemakers, volunteers, carpenters, radio programmers or announcers, social workers, authors, singers, parents, grandparents and caregivers,” Ens said. “All of you are here because 50 or more years ago, you graduated from Bible college. That was an important time for each one of you. Today we are here to celebrate that accomplishment.”

Clown Michelle Jantzi with a future alumnus of CMU during CMU's Homecoming 2003

George Wiebe (CMBC ’53) led the singing during the program. CMU President Gerald Gerbrandt, in attendance with his wife Esther, gave a short address.

The classes of 1953 announced that they have committed to donate a legacy gift of $20,000 towards an endowment fund for bursaries to deserving CMU students.

Decade alumni reunions were another major part of the weekend. The classes from CMBC 1953, ’63, ’73, ’83 and ’93; and from MBBC classes of 1953 and ’63 gathered from across Canada to reminisce and catch up. Elisabeth Ruegger flew all the way from Switzerland to join her CMBC classmates from 1983.

CMU sponsored a family festival for the second year running. Some 100 children enjoyed a variety of activities including a “mystery tour” of the main CMU administration building, face- and hair-painting, a family concert with Jake Chenier and CMBC alumnus Karlheinz Sawatsky-Dyck (aka The Bubble Man) who presented a new show complete with smoke, fire and, of course, bubbles.

Other events included soccer and volleyball games, a music and poetry night, “live@cmu” (a youth event with a concert with a Latin, folky flavour courtesy of the band RadiantSonchild), and the installation of Gerald Gerbrandt as CMU’s first president with guest speaker Stanley Hauerwas (see Oct. 24 MBH)

Kevin Heinrichs is Director of Communications at CMU.