'The Chatterbox', David Balzer's 1978 camping trailer retrofitted to be a mobile audio-recording studio used to collect neighbourly stories of kindness, gratitude, and community.

CMU student's involvement in Chatterbox research project leads to deeper understanding of storytelling

Amanda Dueck may have a background in filmmaking, but her experience at CMU in an audio recording studio has given her a whole new perspective on storytelling.

Dueck, who entered CMU's Communications and Media program to follow her passion for filmmaking, has, for the past two months, been helping run a special mobile audio-recording studio retrofitted out of a 1978 camping trailer called 'the Chatterbox'.

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CMU alumna Emma Siemens ('23) will begin a Master of Journalism at Carleton University this fall after receiving the Wendy Elaine Nelles Award from the Word Guild.

CMU alumna earns national recognition as a rising writer

A national writing award is helping CMU alumna Emma Siemens take the next step toward a career in journalism.

The 2023 Communications and Media graduate is the recent recipient of the Wendy Elaine Nelles Award from the Word Guild, an organization of Canadian Christian writers and editors. The award recognizes emerging writers studying journalism, literature, media, and communications in Canada and includes an $850 prize to support their professional development.

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Sunday at CMU

Sunday at CMU: June 2026

Eternal Life

This month on Sunday at CMU, we are hear new sermons from Andrew Dyck, Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality and Pastoral Ministry at CMU. He is an alumnus of Mennonite Brethren Bible College, a predecessor of CMU, and holds a PhD in Christian spirituality from the Free University Amsterdam, through the International Baptist Theological Study Centre. In this series, he reflects on what Jesus means by eternal life and why that matters for us today.

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Students, mentors, and facilitators gathered at Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre for the inaugural Music Maamwizing songwriting retreat. Over four days, participants collaborated on original songs while exploring Indigenous musical traditions, cultural respect, and creative partnership.

CMU student's vision becomes a collaborative songwriting retreat

At the end of April, 14 CMU students participated in a transformative collaborative songwriting retreat with renowned Indigenous musicians and CMU faculty members. The event was conceptualized by alumna Bryna Link, who convocated with CMU's Class of 2026 just days before, and brought to life by Link and CMU Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Anneli Loepp Thiessen.

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Stories of neighbourly love: David Balzer interviewed by Matt Galloway on The Current (CBC)

Stories of neighbourly love: David Balzer interviewed by Matt Galloway on The Current (CBC)

The Current with Matt Galloway:

"David Balzer of Winnipeg is spending his summer recording people's stories of gratitude. Since 2023, the associate professor of Communications and Media at Canadian Mennonite University has set up a mobile recording studio at community events and invites people to share a story of a kind neighbour. He records in hopes they will share it with the neighbour to generate appreciation and community connection."

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