March 1, 2011
 
In March, 2008 CMU celebrated a wonderful act of generosity.  At that time Walter and Elly Loewen made available to CMU an amazing property in eastern Manitoba.  Braintree Creation Care Centre (BCCC) was established as a place where the Christian faith was to be nurtured, where God’s creation was to be protected, where stewardship of the earth was to be promoted.  Consistent with this, a significant portion of the property was placed under protection of the Nature Conservancy.
 
In the time since, CMU, with support from the Loewen family, has worked at putting this vision into place.  Excited as CMU was about the potential of BCCC, however, the university has struggled to develop a thriving program for the Centre.  From the beginning CMU acknowledged that its capacity as a university to develop BCCC was very much dependent on developing a close connection to its academic program.  CMU’s lack of a strong environmental studies program made developing an integrated academic program connection to the property difficult.  The absence of continuity in leadership for BCCC was an issue.  The physical and logistical distance that exists between CMU and BCCC posed an additional hurdle.  All undermined the ability to develop a vibrant, sustainable program for BCCC.
 
CMU continues to appreciate the tremendous potential that the BCCC property and facilities hold.  Nevertheless, after going through an extensive review process, CMU, along with the Loewen family acknowledges that at this point CMU has been unable to develop BCCC as desired and envisioned.  Through mutual decision we thus have agreed that going forward, this potential will be realized most fully under the leadership of a separate foundation and leadership structure whose primary focus will be on BCCC.  Walter Loewen along with the Drew Foundation thus will take the lead in shaping the future of BCCC even as the university will continue to explore avenues for shared engagement within the program that will be envisioned.  CMU has moved in this direction with some very clear regrets, but believes that in the short and long term, this decision will serve both the university and the Braintree Creation Care Centre most fully.   We are deeply profoundly thankful to Walter and Elly Loewen for their vision, and the generosity of spirit they have demonstrated in working with CMU on BCCC.
 
This is, indeed, a disappointment, even a failure.  We had hoped to accomplish a lot through BCCC.  The message I take from this, however, is not that we should not have tried, or that we avoid failure at all cost.  In order for CMU to thrive it will need to take initiatives which are not guaranteed successes.  And when CMU does this, it occasionally will attempt projects that will not work out as anticipated.  
 
Gerald Gerbrandt
President, CMU