I don’t really like getting up at 7:30 AM snoozing until 8:00, forcing myself into a shower, propelling myself to a hastily eaten breakfast, and then speedwalking to my 8:30 class. But as soon as Professor John Brubacher opens his mouth, I am content.
CMU’s Music department is one of its strongest faculties, and even if you’re not in it, you can tell. Music permeates CMU culture. The university’s choirs, which are open to students of all programs, are always full. The weekly recitals given by students taking independent applied music studies, say in voice or piano or saxophone, are always well attended by students of every bent. We sing in Chapel, we sing at Wednesday Night Worship, our student body comprises dozens of independent little bands and singer-songwriter acts that play regular gigs both locally and inter-provincially.
In February, CMU had the privilege of hosting Dr. Henry Janzen, a research scientist in soil biochemistry at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centre in Lethbridge, Alberta. His studies focus on how different farming techniques impact prairie ecosystems. His extensive research in nitrogen and carbon flows allows him to work on and participate in reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Recently Dr. Janzen has expanded his field of study to include socio-ecological issues, which include finding ways to create sustainable farming methods which encourage biodiversity, allow the conversation of soils, the wise use of energy, and creating a harmonious community.
My name is Beth Downey. I’m a third-year English student and I started volunteering for Peer Assisted Learning (PAL), CMU’s volunteer tutoring program, in my first year. PAL gets most all of its volunteers by gathering recommendations from faculty; you’ll understand why when I say that I might never have joined up if I hadn’t found out that one of my English professors recommended me. I would have assumed I needed to be older, more experienced, more advanced. And looking back, I would have missed out.
It goes without saying that Outtatown has been the most influential experience of my life. It shaped how I understand myself, how I view the world, and how I relate with God. (Sound familiar?) In many ways, Outtatown South Africa ended when we gave our tearful hugs goodbye last April. But in some, and arguably the most important ways, Outtatown has not yet come to a close.