Alumni Profiles
Alumni in their own words - Nathan Loewen (CMBC '94)
Nathan Loewen (CMBC '94), Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama
Where has life taken you since you left CMU?
Today, I'm a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama (UA). I moved to Alabama in 2013 and was hired by UA in 2015. I really enjoy working here! It's a very different context from Canada's that I've come to really enjoy. It's the perfect mix of nature and academia!
Between CMBC and today is a winding story. Back in 1995, I went from CMBC's Bachelor of Theology straight into Religious Studies at the University of Winnipeg. I returned to Saskatchewan, where I worked at Osler Mennonite Church. I soon began night classes at the University of Saskatchewan towards a Master of Sacred Theology at St. Andrew's College, the United Church seminary on campus.
My professor, Marta Frascati, suggested I had a knack for philosophy. She encouraged me to apply to McGill University, where I completed my PhD in Religious Studies. During that time, I took part in a summer study program in India in 2006. That experience introduced me to the many Jain communities, whose teachings on nonviolence—ahimsa—resonated deeply with my Anabaptist theology. I ended up returning to India two more times to continue that learning. What started as a chance opportunity became a central thread in my academic journey.
Those experiences broadened my focus beyond Western philosophy of religion to include Indian religious traditions. Today, I'm part of the Asian Studies minor at UA, and I regularly teach on South Asian religions alongside courses in modern religious thought and philosophy of religion. In 2017, I began to learn natural language processing, which I use in both my own research and teaching. Digital and public humanities are now a key element in our graduate program. I enjoy training students to communicate their work through video, audio, and web-based platforms. It's a wide-ranging role, and I love it. I get to keep learning and help others do the same.
What of your experience at CMU continues to influence your life and/or work?
My time at CMU had a lasting influence on who I am, how I think, and how I engage with the world. Some of the ideas and values I encountered there remain core to my identity. The concept of nonviolence, for instance, continues to shape how I relate to people and the world around me. That thread has remained unbroken through everything I've done.
Another important influence is the Anabaptist doctrine on the "priesthood of all believers." That teaching informs my faith in people's capacity to be greater than themselves—to come together and create something meaningful. The idea is central to how I teach. I don't see myself or any text as the sole authority in the classroom. I view my students as co-learners. Every student is also a teacher, and that dynamic enriches the learning process.
CMU also helped shape my thinking about relationships between church and state. Anabaptist thought offers an important critique of how religious groups may engage with political and social systems. That remains a touchstone for me today as I think about my own responsibilities as an educator and citizen.
One specific memory that really sticks with me is buying Gustavo Gutiérrez's A Theology of Liberation for two dollars from the campus bookstore. It was a random used textbook I picked up in my first year. Then I read it! I had no idea what I was buying at the time, but it turned out to be deeply formative. That I should always find the perspective of the marginalized resonated deeply with what I read about Jesus in the Christian gospels. Gutierrez' book—and the Beatitudes, which have always been important to me—still informs how I think about justice, faith, and being in the world.
What is a memorable story from your time at CMU?
College, in my experience, was full of hijinks—and that's part of what made it such a rich environment. There was this great atmosphere of trust and safety that allowed people to try new things and push boundaries, often in humorous ways. One memory that really stands out is when we "turfed" the women's dorm. We literally brought in sod and laid it down inside (with a plastic underlay...). That was in my third year, and it became one of those legendary campus moments.
Beyond the hijinks, I also remember the way the CMU campus is embedded amid Winnipeg's many communities. I found Charleswood Mennonite Church, for example, which became my home outside of college. That was significant. Being part of a community beyond the college campus, creating life-long connections in all directions—was a grounding part of my experience.
What advice would you give to a current student?
First, experiment. That's my biggest piece of advice. Try new things, even if they scare you a bit. And if you feel daunted, bring someone along—find a wing-person and go explore together. Whether it's joining an ensemble, learning an instrument, taking a class outside your comfort zone, or volunteering in wider communities—just try!
Second, go outside. Seriously. Winnipeg has unique climates and seasons. There's something powerful about being outdoors. Walk through the Assiniboine Forest. Head to the river. Notice the snow, the sky, the changing light through various days. One of my professors used to start class by asking what we had seen that day—not metaphorically, but literally. Ideally, something from being outside. It changed the way I paid attention to the world.
Finally, leave your phone and devices in your room. Touch grass. Touch snow (you're in Winnipeg!). Look into the skies. You'll discover you are part of something bigger. I hope you'll return to your studies more grounded and alive.
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