CMU25 Celebration
With joy we honour the 25-year story of a remarkable learning community and thousands of alumni whose lives call us forward." These words written by CMU President Dr. Cheryl Pauls welcomed people into the celebration of CMU's 25th anniversary on September 19.
Nearly 200 people gathered in Marpeck Commons to celebrate the milestone and hear from speakers representing faculty, staff, the church, government, students, and alumni.
Attendees connected through conversation, viewed photo slideshows highlighting the institution's history, and enjoyed music from a staff and faculty choir reflecting on CMU's past 25 years.
The evening held glimpses of this ethos already at work: eleven faculty and staff wove together short illustrations of life at CMU, reflecting back and looking forward; the new CMU brand officially launched to the public, inviting students and broader community to "Expect more".
The university and its predecessor colleges have thousands of alumni "whose life stories demonstrate why this place matters, here and out there all over, who gently and boldly nudge CMU on," Pauls said.
Many of these alumni trajectories were influenced by work-integrated learning (WIL) placements (formerly called practicum placements), which area required component of every CMU degree.
Whether running the soundboard at a radio station, teaching in South Korea, or shadowing a zoo veterinarian, such experiential learning experiences help students discern their vocational interests.
WIL at CMU is coordinated by the Centre for Career and Vocation, which Pauls announced at the event is now renamed the Ens Centre for Career and Vocation, to honour the extraordinary generosity of Philipp R. and Ilse K. Ens whose endowment fund provides vital support to CMU.
A multitude of other entities have built CMU into what itis today and continue to support it.
"Tonight's gathering is an act of tribute to generations of people who have had a stake in cultivating and nourishing CMU since long before the notion of being a university together was even a dream," Pauls said.