A semester at the Washington Community Scholars' Center (WCSC) provides opportunity for professional internships in a variety of fields where students make positive contributions to the community and gain career experience. Students complete the cross cultural graduation requirement through integrative urban studies coursework and critical engagement with the Washington DC community. WCSC students experience city life, explore Washington's culture and history, study about urban issues such as gentrification, and manage a house budget and relationships in the communal living environment of the Nelson Good House.

Eastern Mennonite University is pleased to recognize students who were named to the Fall 2018 Dean's List. The Dean's List, compiled at the end of each term, includes degree-seeking students who achieve a semester GPA of at least 3.75 with no withdrawn, incomplete, or failing grades for 12 semester hours of standard grades.

EMU students have completed their cross cultural study requirement for graduation. The cross cultural experience at EMU is a life-changing experience and central to the university's mission to prepare students to lead and serve in a global context. Cross-cultural study has been a part of the core curriculum for over 30 years and is one of the oldest programs in the country. Faculty have introduced students to cultural learning through educational travel in more than 80 locations around the globe.

EMU students have completed their cross cultural study requirements. The cross cultural experience at EMU is a life-changing experience and central to the university's mission to prepare students to lead and serve in a global context. Cross-cultural study has been a part of the core curriculum for over 30 years and is one of the oldest programs in the country. Faculty have introduced students to cultural learning through educational travel in more than 80 locations around the globe.

Music concerts by student ensembles brought in the sounds of the holiday season at Eastern Mennonite University.

Students were recognized for fall semester achievements and accomplishments during a special gathering in Lehman Auditorium.

Twelve Eastern Mennonite University seniors presented their research at the 2018 Virginia Association for Psychological Science annual convention. Original research projects is an added strength of the psychology program at EMU an opportunity for students to conduct individual research on a topic related to their unique interests.

Duran Slocum - a first-year student in Eastern Mennonite University's new leadership and organizational management bachelor's degree program with a concentration in aviation - has completed his first solo flight. Slocum celebrated his first solo flight the traditional way: having the back of his shirt cut. Before instructors and their students began using radios to communicate in noisy cockpits, an instructor seated behind a student needed to tug on the back of the student's shirt to get their attention. The removal of a new pilot's shirttail following a first solo flight shows that he or she no longer needs an instructor escort. A resident of Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, Slocum soloed on Oct. 19. His flight instructor is Jon Glick. He answered a few questions about his passion for flying: Why are you interested in aviation, and when did you make the decision that this was in your future? I have been interested in aviation since I was about seven years old. My grandfather was a pilot in the military and told me many fascinating stories. I decided this was in my future a couple of years ago after I got out of the military and wanted to try something new. What was your first solo experience like? My first solo was an exhilarating experience. It was a fairly calm day for wind, and I was ready to solo as it had been postponed the previous three times. It was a wild experience to be controlling the aircraft all on my own. Did you do anything special to celebrate this big step in your career? I brought my girlfriend, her daughter and granddaughter to share the experience with me, and we went out to lunch afterward. I also had my shirt cut and signed with the date of my solo. Why did you choose Lancaster at EMU for your professional preparation? It was the first available near me. It would not have been possible to continue in my education otherwise. What have you most enjoyed about the program? I have most enjoyed the aspect of flying. I enjoy the classes and the camaraderie we build at EMU within our aviation program. What are your professional goals? I would like to be a test pilot in the long term, as my grandpa had a crash during Pearl Harbor which was the aircraft's fault. In the meantime I will work diligently to get all the necessary certificates to open up my own skydiving school, as that is what I did in the military.

Eastern Mennonite University's nursing program held a white coat ceremony for its newest class of nursing students. Students participate in this ceremony at the beginning of their first semester in the clinical level of the nursing program. Each ceremony includes the sharing of the Hippocratic Oath and the acknowledgement and understanding of EMU's Sacred Covenant model for nursing. By taking the oath before clinical healthcare training begins, students - and the community that supports them - formally acknowledge their entry into the service of new professional responsibilities and ethical concerns.

Digital media majors from Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) gain work experience in internships at sites located aroundWashington D.C. while earning a full course load of credits, engaging with urban culture and history and living together in an intentional community. The internship was part of the Washington Community Scholars' Center, a residential program of EMU in the nation's capital that combines work experience with coursework and cross-cultural immersion.

Cienna Stover - a first-year student in Eastern Mennonite University's new leadership and organizational management bachelor's degree program with a concentration in aviation - has completed her first solo flight. Stover, a resident of southern Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was the first student officially accepted into the program, and therefore received a free "Discovery Flight," which she took on March 10. Seven and a half months later, she soloed, on Oct. 31. Her flight instructor is Mitchell Shenk.

The MA in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) program, designed for working mid-career professions, provides skills and training in conflict transformation, decision-making and strategic planning, individual and team leadership, financial management and mentoring. In the mentorship course, mentors and mentees use readings, DiSC and Enneagram activities to explore personality traits, and discuss concepts of leadership through personal stories and reflection on topics such as self-management, authenticity, experience, emotional response, and life balance. Additionally, the student participates in a 360-degree review to assess personal leadership strengths and areas for improvement through a confidential survey of supervisors, co-workers and those s/he supervises. Over both semesters, the course involves combined classroom sessions and several one-on-one meetings.

Sammy Thomas (Owings, Md./Northern) is enjoying a great start to his senior season of basketball. He walked away from Eastern Mennonite University's game against nationally-ranked New Jersey City with his first double double of the season (16 points and 12 rebounds), and is currently second in the ODAC with shooting percentage--he's been sinking 73.9% of his field goal attempts. Exemplary performance, effort, and leadership makes Sammy Thomas athlete of the week.

Luella Kaufman Glanzer, a 2006 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University and a current graduate student in the MSN program, was recognized by the Virginia Nursing Association in an annual award spotlighting 40 exceptional rising nursing leaders under age 40. Since 2017, Glanzer has been UVA Health System's first nursing retention program coordinator.

Eastern Mennonite University's theater department presented Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure' in the Lee Eshleman Studio Theater Nov. 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 and Nov. 4. Cast and Crew Isabella: Anna Ressler (a junior from Kidron, Ohio) Duke Vincentio: Andrew Stoltzfus (a first-year from Harrisonburg, Virginia) Angelo: Isaac Longacre (a first-year from Quakertown, Pennsylvania) Claudio/Chorus: Yoel Bobadilla (a junior from Lancaster, Pennsylvania) Pompey/Chorus: Avery Trinh (a first-year from Columbia, Maryland) Lucio/MistressOverdone/Chorus: Christian Stutzman (a sophomore from Sugarcreek, Ohio) Provost/Barnardine/Chorus: Jay Sheppard (a first-year from Maidens, Virginia) Mariana/Juliet/Chorus: Renata Loberg (a graduate student from Salem, Oregon) Composer: Jim Clemens Set Designer: Shannon Dove Costume Designer: Rachel Herrick Stage Manager: Gwen Mallow (a junior from Quicksburg, Virginia) Assistant Director: Joseph Seitz (a first-year from Harrisonburg, Virginia) Lighting Designer: Robert Weaver Assistant Stage Manager: Jareya Harder (a first-year from Mountain Lake, Minnesota) Sound: Chris Runion (a sophomore from Broadway, Virginia) Stage Crew: Alexa Lahr, Johnny Prioleau, Chris Runion, Jay Sheppard Theater Promotions Assistant: Liz Marin (a junior from Harrisonburg, Virginia) Costume Crew: Phil Yoder, Katya Mattichak Poster Designer: Missy Mutterspruch Costume Manager: Hailey Holcomb Props Manager: Ezrionna Prioleau Lighting Assistants: Jareya Harder and Liz Marin

Ethan Sommers became the first pilot to solo in the history of Eastern Mennonite University at Lancaster's aviation program. A Lancaster, Pennsylvania resident, Sommers is a first-year student in the new leadership and organizational management bachelor's degree program with a concentration in aviation . By the time he graduates, Sommers will have earned a bachelor's degree as well as private and commercial pilot certificates with an instrument rating and a flight instructor certificate. Flight training is conducted through a partnership with Lititz-based Aero-Tech Services, Inc. Sommers soloed on Oct. 15. His flight instructor is Michael Hornberger. Students in the four-year aviation program begin flight school in their first semester and will eventually earn a bachelor's degree in leadership and organizational management, as well as several flight certifications.

Maha Mehanna, a graduate student at Eastern Mennonite University's Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP), provided the keynote address during the Daughters for Life Foundation's sixth annual gala dinner in Toronto, Canada. Mehanna, a Palestinian Muslim peace activist from Gaza, is the first recipient of a CJP scholarship that partners with the foundation.

Christopher Leiva - a first-year student in Eastern Mennonite University's new leadership and organizational management bachelor's degree program with a concentration in aviation - has completed his first solo flight. Students in the four-year aviation program begin flight school in their first semester and will eventually earn several flight certifications, as well as a bachelor's degree in leadership and organizational management.

Eastern Mennonite University Lancaster RN-BSN program is pleased to recognize students named to the Dean's List for the fall semester 2018. The Dean's List, compiled at the end of each term, includes degree-seeking students who achieve a semester GPA of at least 3.75 with no withdrawn, incomplete, or failed grades for 12 semester hours of standard grades.

Noelle Yorgey - a junior transfer into Eastern Mennonite University's new leadership and organizational management (LOM) bachelor's degree program with a concentration in aviation - has completed her first solo flight. Flying solo was "a bit surreal," Yorgey writes below, but her experience in the LOM-Aviation program has been particularly grounded: "Coming from a four-year state college to a classroom of people in all different walks of life is really inspiring. One day you might talk with a mason, architect and IT expert. The passion you see them pursuing their career with and the diversity of the class provides a unique atmosphere, which stimulates conversation and various points of view." A resident of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, Yorgey soloed on Nov. 9. Her flight instructor is Jon Glick. She answered a few questions about her passion for flying: Why are you interested in aviation, and when did you make the decision that this was in your future? Since I was a sophomore in high school, I have had a growing passion for aviation. On vacation, my family and I were introduced to an aviation missions organization, Agape Flights. My interactions with the organization inspired me to consider aviation as a career. I have spent the past two years pursuing a business degree, but several weeks before business school resumed this fall, I learned of EMU's business and aviation program. It could not have been more clear that this is what I was called to pursue, and I am so thankful for the opportunity! What was your first solo experience like? Soloing is a bit surreal. From day one, my instructor had been beside me in the cockpit. The day of the solo, he hopped out of the plane and that was the moment that I realized that this was real; I was going to fly the plane. In a word, soloing was rewarding. My classmates and I have been working so hard to prepare, and the moment you roll out and take off on your own, it proves that you have the ability to apply all you have been learning in real-life situations. Did you do anything special to celebrate this big step in your career? I told a lot of my friends and family! Why did you choose Lancaster at EMU for your professional preparation? Having pursued my business management degree at a state school for the past two years, I can honestly say that I never expected to be attending EMU. Once I heard of the aviation program though, I leapt at the chance to pursue my passion for aviation. What I found so valuable about this program was the organizational management degree I would be receiving alongside the aviation certifications. From what I have observed, this entire program is structured for my classmates and me to succeed. From a personal mentoring program to a pipeline agreement with Republic Airline, the staff at EMU have worked incredibly hard to establish a strong foundation for the first cohort of our program. What have you most enjoyed about the program? It sounds cliche, but flying has been one of my favorite parts of the program. One of the things that drew me to aviation was the challenge of learning everything I needed to know about the plane and world of aviation. It is really rewarding to walk into a lesson and be able to track my progress, as I begin executing various maneuvers. I also love my classmates. Getting your private pilot certificate in a three months is very fast, but knowing my classmates are on the same track is incredibly motivating. Another neat aspect of the program is that my cohort and I take classes with a lot of non-traditional students in our business classes. What are your professional goals? Once out of school, I would like to fly for the regional airlines. My long-term goal is to become a missionary pilot.

The Student Government Association and the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) at Eastern Mennonite University are partnering for a racial equity initiative on campus. There is a broad mission - and specific plans for implementing a vision for a Racial Equity Leadership Institute (RELI). An introductory forum for RELI was announced in the Campus Center on Tues., Nov. 27. The forum was cosponsored by the Student Government Association. The event will serve as "groundwatering" for upcoming cohort-based racial equity trainings, said CODI chair Melody Pannell, professor of applied social sciences. The pilot program for the racial equity leadership institute initiative will launch on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January 2019.

EMU's Emmanuel Boamah (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) has earned a repeat spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team. The senior defender finishes his career with an elite spot on the All-South Atlantic Region First Team. With a spot on the Second Team last fall, Boamah became the first EMU men's soccer player named All-Region since 2009. Now he enters even rarer air, becoming one of just five Royals ever to earn multiple All-Region honors, and the first since Ryan Brenneman in 1998-99. Jeff Shank (1992-93), Clay Rosenberger (1993-94) and Nate Derstine (1994-96) are the other Eastern Mennonite men named to more than one All-Region Team. All of Boamah's predecessors have since entered the EMU Hall of Honor. A four-year starter in EMU's back line, Boamah, also a four-year All-ODAC honoree, has been a dynamic presence on the field. While routinely thwarting opponent's attack up the middle, he got into EMU's attack, often on set pieces. Boamah set career highs as a senior with four goals scored and one assist. He scored in three of the Royals' final four games, and hit the game-winner against rival Bridgewater College for the second year in a row. Boamah closed his career with eight goals (including three game-winners) and one assist. Coach Roger Mast said Boamah had a unique impact on his team. "We are so proud of Emmanuel and what he is contributed to our program in his four-year career," Mast said. "E-man's athleticism, passion for the game, and relentless desire to win made him one of the top defenders in both the conference and the South Atlantic Region. I am also proud of him for the way that he has matured as a man throughout his career. We will certainly miss his big smile next season." In Mast's 28th season, the Royals finished 9-9-1, earning their third straight season at .500 or better. At 6-4 in the ODAC, the men had their most wins in conference play since 2011. Boamah was one of 11 men from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference to earn a spot on the three All-Region Teams, and one of just four on the First Team.

Dylan Miller, a student in EMU at Lancaster's aviation program, completed his first solo flight. Students in the four-year aviation program begin flight school in their first semester and will eventually earn several flight certifications, as well as a bachelor's degree in leadership and organizational management.

The fall 2018 music gala at Eastern Mennonite University will highlight the university's many ensembles - and a "lullaby" requiem. The annual event is 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, in Lehman Auditorium, with a freewill offering to benefit the music scholarship fund. The first half of the concert will feature the EMU jazz and wind ensembles conducted by Bob Curry and the orchestra conducted by Benjamin Bergey . In the second half, Professor Ryan Keebaugh will conduct the combined choirs and orchestra in a performance of Gabriel Faure's Requiem Mass. The evening ranks among concerts at EMU as "one of the biggies," said Professor James Richardson , music department chair. "It's a uniquely combined effort," he said. "You'll see faculty performing along with students - part of the ethos of our department's sense of community." That community includes music majors but also other students, as "many of the people that make up our ensembles are doing it for their own edification - and we like that," he said. "We have open doors."

The t-shirts made for Take Back the Night (TBTN) events at Eastern Mennonite University Oct. 31-Nov. 2 may have been seen as a humorous twist on a milk ad campaign, but they also made an important statement, said co-organizer Ana Hunter-Nickels. With "got consent?" on the front, and "#IWillTakeBackTheNight" on the back, the shirts were a "huge hit" - and reflected the events' focus on consent and awareness. Since the 1960s, TBTN events have been held in more than 36 countries and 800 communities, first in Belgium and England and then the '70s in Florida and, following the murder there of a woman walking home after work, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to the Take Back the Night Foundation's website. The foundation seeks "to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence" and "to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives."

Volleyball player Maria Yoder (Manheim, Pa./Hempfield) has earned a unique honor, named to a repeat spot on the Google Cloud District 5 Academic All-District Team. The award recognizes her work both in the athletic and academic spheres at Eastern Mennonite University. Yoder was also named Academic All-District in 2017, as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). She is now eligible for CoSIDA's Academic All-America voting. "It's an honor to be recognized among other fantastic scholar-athletes," Yoder said. "I'm so appreciative of the support I've received from the athletic department in making academics a priority, as well as the flexibility and support from professors when volleyball interferes with coursework. I've been pushed and had wonderful role models in both academics and athletics these past four years." In her fourth year as a starter for the Royals, Yoder finished with 158 kills, 60 blocks and 36 aces. She was first or second on the team in all three categories. Additionally, Yoder came in 12th in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in both aces and blocks, while her 12 solo stuffs were seventh in the league. She ended her career with 123 aces, helping the Royals lead the ODAC in aces each of her final two seasons. Yoder stands No. 8 in EMU Career Sets Played, and narrowly missed the Top 10 in career blocks, kills and aces. Academically, the Yoder Scholar holds a 3.98 GPA, majoring in biology with minors of honors and psychology. She studied in Guatemala and Columbia in the spring of 2017 as part of EMU's cross cultural study program. On campus, Yoder is a member of EMU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Pre-Professional Health Club, and also plays cello in the Chamber Orchestra. Coach Carrie Bert said her two-year captain had high expectations for herself every time she stepped on the court, noting that the strategy and gamesmanship of volleyball intrigued and inspired her. That same drive bubbled over into Yoder's life off the court. "As a student, Maria is energized rather than discouraged, by challenging course work," Coach Bert explained. "After completing her cross cultural, Maria returned to Guatemala over her next spring break to conduct medical research that considered structural barriers to health care. She spent half of this past summer in Peru researching their health care system . Maria has carried a heavy course load, even in season, which required many hours of studying on the bus. While her future aspirations have changed recently, Maria will undoubtedly do important and meaningful work. She has modeled this commitment and drive for excellence during her four years as a Royal." The criteria for the All-District program states that a player must be of sophomore academic standing, be a starter or important reserve and claim a GPA of at least 3.30 on a 4.0 scale. Eastern Mennonite is a member of District 5, which includes players from NCAA D-III institutions in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Yoder was one of three women from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference honored on the seven-woman team from District 5.

Eastern Mennonite University Lancaster RN-BSN program is pleased to recognize students named to the Dean's List for the fall semester 2018. The Dean's List, compiled at the end of each term, includes degree-seeking students who achieve a semester GPA of at least 3.75 with no withdrawn, incomplete, or failed grades for 12 semester hours of standard grades.

The Latino Student Alliance's annual banquet, a delicious culinary and cultural expedition, marked the near-conclusion of Eastern Mennonite University's Latino Heritage Month celebration. Six events beginning in mid-September provided the campus community opportunities for learning, engagement, worship, musical celebrations and of course, dancing and sharing food together.

Professional internships are at the heart of WCSC, but the program is also a "community-building endeavor." The students live in the Nelson Good House in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington D.C., and bond through meals, grow through urban experiences, and learn to live in community with one another and in the local community, together.

Joshua Chiquillo (Woodbridge, Va./Gar-Field) broke through in a big way last week, netting his first career hat trick and leading EMU's soccer men to a 3-0 week. Today, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference recognized his clutch performances by naming him the ODAC Player of the Week.