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There are 48 third- and fourth-year students, 85 second-year and 180 first-year. Because they're popping out of every available space, Columbia rented six nearby townhouses to house the male students.
What fills the shoe to overflowing is the addition of part-time students which brings the total enrollment to slightly over 400.
The Bachelor of Religious Education program started in 1986 with nine students. Now there are 86 enrolled. Choices of majors have expanded. The Church Ministries major has extra "tracks" in Caregiving and Worship. The Community Support Services program, added last year, is growing. The Early Childhood Education program, thriving after five years, offers the basic program as well as the Supported Child Care/Special Needs program. The College hopes to have full government approval for the Infant and Toddler Care program very soon.
While 31% of Columbia's students are from non-Mennonite denominations, 39% are Mennonite Brethren, 24% Conference of Mennonite, and 6% from other Mennonite denominations.
Students are enjoying the sunlight pouring into the completely renovated bookstore and lower student lounge area. The entire lower level of the teaching building has been repainted and new carpet installed with a workday by faculty and some financial contributions from them as well. Because the community reclaimed the gym Columbia had been using, the athletics department now rents time at the gym at Western Pentecostal Bible College. Columbia has installed a new Sport Court floor there. It also created a fitness centre for students in a room on campus. Bruce Enns, director of athletics and recreation, has put much creative thought into the sports program. He also has just completed his degree-- Master of Science, Sport and Recreational Management from the University of Saskatchewan. Bruce has a new part-time assistant, Shirley Esau.
Faculty member Janet Boldt has returned from a one-year leave of absence, adding the area of conflict negotiation and resolution to her expertise. Another new face on campus is seminary student Brian Wiebe, chapel intern, who is leading the discipleship group programs, the worship programs for Friday's worship chapels, and doing some teaching. Both female residence directors, Jennifer LaMarsh and Kristine Masterson, are new as well.
Henry Martens, chartered accountant, is the new Controller. Martens has owned and operated his own companies for the last 16 years, and brings unique professional and practical skills to the job. "I feel this is a calling to respond to the needs," he says, "and a chance to give back the gifts and resources I have been given.
October 18-20 was an important weekend for all who are connected with Columbia. On Friday evening the College hosted a Dessert Fellowship with John Redekop, alumnus and adjunct professor, as speaker. Sixty years of ministry were highlighted by a 35-foot-long display walking viewers through the six decades of the school's existence. Saturday, October 19, was the Annual General Meeting and Sunday, October 20, was Columbia Day in supporting churches in the Lower Mainland, and throughout B.C. We want our constituency not only to rejoice over our stuffed shoe, but also to walk with us for a mile.
Susan Braid
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