Canadian Mennonite
Volume 12, No. 10
May 12, 2008


First Hutterite graduate of CMU

Canadian Mennonite University Release

 

WINNIPEG—“If your experience at CMU [Canadian Mennonite University] doesn’t make you a better Hutterite, we’ve failed you!” That’s what one Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) professor said several times over the past year to Jesse Hofer, the first Hutterite to graduate from the university. “Far from failing me, CMU has gifted me with a renewed commitment to my roots and new tools to both challenge and appreciate my tradition,” says Hofer, a member of the Silverwinds Colony near Rosenort, Man. Hofer’s journey to CMU began when his colony called him to become a teacher. “Unlike other students, I did not choose to go to university,” he says. “For Hutterites, university education is an assignment based on the needs of the community. Silverwinds needed a teacher, so I was asked if I’d be willing. Of course, I agreed.” Hofer will now go on to education studies at the University of Manitoba to become a teacher at the colony.

Graduates of the 20th master of theological studies program class at Conrad Grebel University College include, from left to right, front row: Nancy Mann, Anne Campion, Sarah Pinnell, Anna Wiens and Barb Smith-Morrison; and back row: Dalinda Reese, Jean Lehn Epp, Keith Regehr, Ryan Wiens and Andrew Martin. Not pictured are: Zohreh Abdehodaie, Sungyoul Park and Lori Guenther Reesor. The two-year interdisciplinary program prepares students for ministry or further graduate work, or provides personal enrichment. The 13 students make up the largest graduating class ever, and bring to 70 the total number of graduates. About half of all grads are in ministry, a quarter have entered or completed doctoral studies in theology, and the rest are in a variety of professions.

Back to Canadian Mennonite home page