First Hutterite Graduate of CMU Prepared For Career As Teacher

“CMU gifted me with a renewed commitment to my roots,” says Jesse Hofer

“If your experience at CMU doesn’t make you a better Hutterite, we’ve failed you!”

CMU grad Jesse Hofer

That’s what one Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) professor said several times over the past year to Jesse Hofer, the first Hutterite to graduate from the university.

“Far from failing me, CMU has gifted me with a renewed commitment to my roots and new tools to both challenge and appreciate my tradition,” says Hofer, a member of the Silverwinds Colony near Rosenort, Man. “My only regret is that I wasn’t able to study here for my full three years.”

Hofer’s journey to CMU began when his Colony called him to become a teacher. “Unlike other students, I did not choose to go to university,” he says. “For Hutterites, university education is an assignment based on the needs of the community. Silverwinds needed a teacher, so I was asked if I’d be willing. Of course, I agreed.”

He started his studies at Brandon University’s special Hutterite education program. But when low-enrolment resulted in the suspension of the program, he had the option of choosing between CMU or a large public university to continue his studies. He chose CMU.

“I chose CMU because I felt it would better prepare me for teaching in my local Hutterite setting,” he says. “I wanted to learn not only the required content but, perhaps more importantly, the invaluable pedagogical skills from committed Christian educators. I also wanted to take courses in Bible and church history that were not offered elsewhere.”

Of his time at CMU, Hofer says he “had many excellent opportunities both for experiencing and thinking about Christian education,” adding that he was “especially grateful for how people showed interest in the story of my people.”

Hofer will go on to education studies at the University of Manitoba to become a teacher at the colony. “The wide range of courses I took at CMU helped prepare me to think about the goal and purpose of education, and how I want to teach,” he says.

Posted April 22, 2008. Revised April 24, 2008.