Canadian Mennonite
Volume 9, No. 17
September 5, 2005
A century of higher education on the Prairies
Rosthern, Sask.
Rosthern Junior College turned a hundred this year.
Tucked into a corner of this small Prairie town of 1,500 inhabitants, the Mennonite high school—which isn’t really a college at all—began life in a rented room around the turn of the century with just eight students and a single vision burning in the hearts of the community leaders.
Like one small light in a dark room, the impact of RJC has radiated across the country—and even the ocean—as year after the year the institution has sent one graduating class after another into the community and beyond to live their lives for Christ.
It all began with an idea and one man willing to take leadership. In 1903, Reverend David Toews began meeting with others about developing an education system for their youth.
“Implicit in this perceived need were concerns among Mennonite settlers for the preservation of…the German language, concerns that arose directly from the pressure in the province to make education English and assimilative,” notes George Epp, RJC board chair.
Their experiences of religious persecution and threats to their pacifist way of life contributed to preserving what their convictions had helped establish. In addition to the preservation of language and culture, the training of teachers for local high schools was important. And encouraging church leadership for the growing Mennonite community was necessary. Another important factor was the training of Mennonite youth in case they could not, or didn’t want to, go into farming.
A strong Anabaptist focus was visible in the first courses offered that day on Nov. 14, 1905. The first teacher was Herman Fast and classes offered included church history, Bible stories, German language, Bible reading and world history. Most were taught in German.
Not everyone shared the vision, however, and in the ensuing years many requests for donations were sent out to keep the school running. In particular, the exhausting task mostly fell to the principals. Rev. Toews was the first principal and by the 1930s principals were spending increasing amounts of time keeping up with the growing demands of the school.
Five years after the school opened, classes were moved to a two-storey brick schoolhouse, and in 1912 a girl’s residence was opened. By the 1940s, the need for a larger school became apparent, but nothing was begun for another decade. Even then, the new building was only finished in 1963.
During the 1940s, a desire was expressed to expand the curriculum so students could get a head start on a university education. The name of the school was changed from the German English Academy to Rosthern Junior College with this plan in mind. Plans to continue along this vein were never fully developed and the idea was eventually dropped, although the name stuck.
Support from beyond the governing authorities didn’t fall into place until 1964, when the Liberal government promised students of separate schools an $85 per pupil grant. Those payments have continued up to the present, increasing according to the cost-of-living index. Today, the provincial grant accounts for 30 percent of the school’s budget.
Over time, many graduates continued on in their studies.
Ernie Epp, who spent 13 years as RJC principal, conducted a survey in the 1970s to see how students fared after leaving. He found a high number of students went on to further education. He also realized that 75 percent of RJC graduates ended up in conference leadership and 95 percent were members of the Mennonite Church.
Traditional jobs like nursing, teaching, farming and mission work made up the backbone of the careers of those who graduated from the college. But some students ended up following slightly different paths. Cornelia Lehn, who graduated in the 1940s, became a well-known author of children’s stories told from a Mennonite perspective (see her obituary, August 22, page 5). Raymond Funk served as a member of parliament (NDP) for the Prince Albert area.
More recently, Chris Epp, a 1980s graduate, pursued a path in the media and today works as a video reporter for the CBC. Mathew Schaaf, who finished high school in 1994, spent time with the Christian Peacemakers Team.
What does the future hold for the school?
Erwin Tiessen has been the principal for 17 years. One focus right now, he says, is to develop further support networks. “We hope to explore more intentional relationships with some (MC Saskatchewan) commissions, such as the camping, youth and Christian Ed groups,” he says.
Building and renovating is always a sign that forward thinkers exist within an institution, and RJC is no different. First, says Tiessen, a building fund needs to grow and, along with that, a financial assistance fund for prospective students. “The number of students needing financial assistance to be able to attend…continues to grow,” he explains.
Always aware of the changing needs of today’s youth, board and staff make it a priority to shape their programs accordingly. That includes exploring a need for building Grade 9 into the program—the school currently offers Grades 10 to 12—and making sure the second language program stays current with the needs of the community.
In honour of RJC’s past, present and future, staff, supporters and former students celebrated its centennial from July 29 to 31. To commemorate the event, a quilt was designed and stitched together by graduates across the country, a history book was assembled and a cookbook was written, all in an effort to commemorate what God has done in Rosthern.
Grace Mennonite celebrates ‘God’s gift of grace’
Regina
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The theme of the 50th anniversary of Grace Mennonite Church of Regina was “Celebrating God’s gift of grace.” The sanctuary resounded with the singing of “Old 606” as the natural acoustics of the building re-echoed the deep feelings of all those who came to participate in the festivities.
On July 23 and 24 the fellowship of more than 200 parishioners past and present gather for hugs, tears and warm greetings, in addition to the singing, reminiscing, praising and praying. The food and weather helped as well. Storytelling, a Jeopardy-style game of answers and questions, and some gentle roasting and toasting were all part of “getting to know you again.”
Stories like the one about how the old manse had been sold for a herd of cattle are captured in the history book prepared for the occasion: Celebrate the Journey: Grace Mennonite Church 1955 - 2005. “Peter Epp, Irvin Martens and Ed Heinrichs drove to the farm in the fall of 1973 to make arrangements to take possession of the herd (12 cattle). Along the way back these three enterprising gentlemen stopped at a neighbouring farm to inquire if by chance the neighbour might wish to purchase the aforementioned cattle. [Ed says it was Peter’s serendipitous following his nose story.] The neighbour agreed and the cattle were sold for cash.”
The Sunday morning service featured a mass choir that included members from the Laotian and Chinese Fellowships—as well as old-timers—and was accompanied by a string quartet as well as organ and piano.
A number of former pastors were able to attend. Pastor Fred Unruh (1969- 1975) encouraged the worshippers, saying, “We celebrate God’s abundant goodness that has nurtured us here.” He added, though, “There are also stories we won’t tell, stories that contain memories of mistakes, failures, broken relationships, shame and sorrow. These experiences are also part of our shared history, and in some ways they show us more about the greatness of God than our accomplishments.”
Ken Bechtel, Mennonite Church Saskatchewan conference pastor, also addressed those gathered. “We and you also share this inheritance as God’s own people...in order to grace yet others,” he said.
A record of the Grace Mennonite story is available on a short DVD as well as a 400-page Celebrate the Journey book. A video of the 50th anniversary events was also made. All three are all available—at cost—from: Grace Mennonite Church, 2935 Pasqua Street, Regina, SK S4S 2H4.
