CMU graduates record class

A record class of 69 students participated in the April 25 graduation ceremony of Canadian Mennonite University, held at Portage Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church.

Graduates received three- and four-year degrees in Arts (with such majors as History, English, International Development Studies, Conflict Transformation Studies, Psychology, Computer Science and Political Studies), Church Ministries, Church Music, Musical Arts, and Theology.

Valedictorian Joe Wiebe said that CMU is like a friendship that is formed from continuous interaction and authentic dialogue. “What makes CMU such an interesting and attractive friend is that it is a university of the church for the world that intends on training students according to the truth, namely Jesus Christ,” he said.

Commencement speaker and poet Jean Janzen of Fresno, Cal. reflected on the student-chosen theme of Jeremiah 6:13–16 with an address entitled “Three Faces for the Journey.” She suggested that grads remember three faces as they embark from CMU.

The first face was that of Moses whose face glowed after he encountered God. “Take time to be amazed, be reverent and be in awe,” said Janzen. The second face she suggested was that of Menno Simons, who consistently asked what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. Finally, she encouraged the class to picture their own faces as they find their places in this world. The ideal place, she suggested, was “where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

In the baccalaureate service that morning CMU vice president and academic dean Harry Huebner expanded on the graduation class verse: “Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

He suggested three road signs to help discern the path ahead: look truthfully, perform the faith, and welcome the stranger.

A week earlier, CMU’s Outtatown program celebrated the graduation of 96 students, fresh from their experience in Guatemala and South Africa. CMU president Gerald Gerbrandt also announced the creation of the Diane Kroeker Memorial Scholarship Fund. Kroeker served as administrator of the Outtatown program (formerly called School of Discipleship) for six years. She died tragically in February in Guatemala.

—CMU