![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.cmu.ca\/media_archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/IMG_7621-1024x682.jpg\" "\\"CMU\\"")
CMU is launching its presidential search for a successor to current President Gerald Gerbrandt, who completes his term on June 30, 2012. CMU\u2019s presidential search website goes live Friday, February 18 to mark the launch of the search.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
CMU is launching its presidential search for a successor to current President Gerald Gerbrandt, who completes his term on June 30, 2012. CMU\u2019s presidential search website goes live Friday, February 18 to mark the launch of the search.<\/p>\n
Gerbrandt has served as a president at CMU since its inception in 2000.\u00a0 For the first three years CMU was led by a team of three presidents, each representing one of the founding colleges \u2013 Gerbrandt (Canadian Mennonite Bible College), John Unger (Concord College) and George Richert (Menno Simons College).\u00a0 In 2003 Gerbrandt became the first sole president of CMU.<\/p>\n
\u201cGerald has been a gift to CMU,\u201d says Ron Loeppky, chair of the Presidential Search Committee. \u201cHe has brought many administrative, teambuilding, and visionary talents to CMU; as a result, the institution has grown and thrived.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under Gerbrandt\u2019s leadership, says Loeppky, CMU has experienced continual expansion in academic programming, educational settings, and enrolment, with CMU now serving about 1,750 students. Gerbrandt has also been involved in CMU\u2019s numerous capital initiatives, was instrumental in shaping a significant visioning initiative and guided the process for CMU\u2019s acceptance as a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada in 2008.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn one level, the greatest highlight has been seeing a dream, a vision, gradually become a reality over a 10-year period,\u201d reflects Gerbrandt on his time leading CMU. \u201cOn another level, the students are the greatest satisfaction. Students are the reason CMU exists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gerbrandt\u2019s term was slated to end in June 2011; however, he accepted the CMU Board of Governors\u2019 invitation to extend his term for another year.<\/p>\n
The Board appointed a Presidential Search Committee, headed by Loeppky, in November 2010.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Committee will now begin the process of receiving nominations and applications and then evaluate and interview potential candidates.\u201d says Loeppky.<\/p>\n
The new president, under the Board\u2019s direction, will lead CMU according to its mission, vision, and core commitments\u2014based on biblical principles and rooted in Anabaptist-Mennonite and evangelical perspectives\u2014as well as oversee all aspects of CMU, including academics, student life, enrolment and marketing, administration and finance, development, strategic planning, and external relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs CMU moves into the next phase of its growth and development,\u201d says Loeppky, \u201cthe president will fulfill a key leadership role in providing vision, developing new academic programs, campus and faculty development, and constituency relations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy vision for CMU is that it continue to grow and mature in drawing and inspiring students in their commitments of faith, in representing an Anabaptist witness for peace and justice in our society, and in resourcing the church\u201d, adds Gerbrandt.\u00a0 \u201cCMU has amazing potential; I trust over the coming years this will be realized even more fully.\u201d<\/p>\n