Alumni in their own words - Marnie Klassen (CMU '21)
Where has your life taken you since you left CMU?
After graduating I very quickly got a job doing communications and admin support with A Rocha Manitoba, a Christian nature conservation organization. I was eager to explore volunteer and service opportunities elsewhere, and through some encouragement I applied and was accepted to the worker program at Romero House in Toronto. Taking this step felt so big for me, in a wonderful way. In the one-year term, I lived and worked with refugee claimants in Toronto's west end. I was the volunteer coordinator for the organization, which had me managing a team of over 140 volunteers, and was a settlement case worker for several claimant families. I learned a lot about the refugee claimant system in Canada, and a lot about interfaith and intercultural relationships. During my time in Toronto, I made connections at Eglinton Saint George United Church and ended up getting a job with that congregation as the Growth Initiatives Project Coordinator, which meant I was coordinating and running food justice-based events and programs through the church. All during this time I began freelance writing and preaching for organizations and churches, mostly exploring the themes of faith and climate. When the contract at the church came to an end, I decided to move back to Winnipeg and focus on developing a podcast called 'The Schism Between Us', which explores religious polarization in Canada, particularly within the Mennonite community. I've also recently taken on work as communications assistant for a worship resource hub called "Together in Worship."
Continue Reading
Candice Viddal reflects on teaching, curiosity, and the beauty of science
Dr. Candice Viddal, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Physics, has worked at CMU since 2010. She and Dr. Jodi Dueck-Read, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution Studies and Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies, are co-recipients of the 2023 Kay and Lorne Dick Teaching Excellence Award.
The award, established in 2022, is granted annually to two faculty members who best exemplify the CMU commitment to excellent teaching.
Continue Reading
David Balzer reflects on teaching, creativity, and finding your voice
David Balzer, Associate Professor of Communications and Media, has worked at CMU since 2009. He and Karen Ridd, Teaching Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies and Conflict Resolution Studies, are co-recipients of the 2022 Kay and Lorne Dick Teaching Excellence Award.
The award, established in 2022, is granted annually to two faculty members who best exemplify the commitment to excellent teaching at CMU.
Continue Reading
Jodi Dueck-Read on teaching that moves learning beyond the classroom
Dr. Jodi Dueck-Read, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution Studies and Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies, has worked at CMU since 2015. She and Dr. Candice Viddal, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Physics, are co-recipients of the 2023 Kay and Lorne Dick Teaching Excellence Award.
The award, established in 2022, is granted annually to two faculty members who best exemplify the CMU commitment to excellent teaching.
Continue Reading
“Love your material, love your students, love yourself”: Karen Ridd on teaching
Karen Ridd, Teaching Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies and of Conflict Resolution Studies, joined the CMU faculty in 2010 after more than a decade of sessional instructing. She and David Balzer, Associate Professor of Communications and Media, are co-recipients of the 2022 Kay and Lorne Dick Teaching Excellence Award.
Continue Reading