Eastern Mennonite University

Whether collaborating with graduate students in a university medical center's research lab or shadowing doctors in hospitals in Peru, several Eastern Mennonite University undergraduate students heading into careers in medicine and the health sciences came away from summer 2022 with memorable experiences and insights into their future. Aden Weybright spent nine weeks at Baylor University working in a lab through the Baylor College of Medicine's undergraduate research SMART program. He applied to about 20 programs offering similar opportunities and was accepted to five. Baylor's program matched his research interests. He hopes to return there after graduation to a lab environment and then pursue a career in surgical oncology. Cindi Boyer and Belen Hernandez Rosario, with several EMU MS in biomedicine students, traveled to Peru with Professor Kristopher Schmidt. They were recipients of CT Assist's annual Experiential Learning Grant for students in EMU's pre-professional health sciences program. Boyer hopes to become a physician's assistant. Rosario is considering earning an MS in biomedicine before moving on to medical school and a specialty in cardiology.

Ten graduating Eastern Mennonite University seniors were honored as Cords of Distinction recipients in a special ceremony on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Six education students from EMU were selected to attend the 2024 Teachers of Promise Institute, which was held March 22-23 in Midlothian, Virginia. The annual event brings together 100 of the top pre-service teachers in Virginia for professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities.

Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) has announced the 2022 Yoder and Webb Scholars. The scholarships cover full tuition and include admission into EMU's Honors Program. The Yoder Scholars program was founded by Carol and Paul R. Yoder Jr., both graduates of 1963, with a gift of more than $1.2 million. [Read more about their reluctance for a spotlight and long legacy of philanthropy when named as 2011 Philanthropists of the Year by the Fundraising Professionals of America, Shenandoah chapter.] The Webb Scholars program honors Ada Webb, one of the first African-American students to attend the university; and Margaret (Peggy) Webb who was the first African-American graduate in 1954. The 2022 Yoder and Webb scholars are Elili Asefa, Nia Boyd, Anne Cornelius, Maria Longenecker, and Arelys Martinez Fabian.

Seven Eastern Mennonite University engineering students put their brains and muscles to work this summer with Engineers in Action, contributing to bridge building projects that increased access and safety for rural communities in West Virginia and Bolivia.

The first students funded by a three-year, $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation spent several weeks this summer on biosecurity research and chemistry education in Australia. The group included six students from area universities: two from Eastern Mennonite University, three from Bridgewater College, and one from James Madison University.

Eastern Mennonite University Theater reimagines "The Crucible" as an allegory for today's society in a soul-searching production that premieres in the Studio Theater this fall. Professor Justin Poole, theater program director, hopes the performance sparks conversations so "we can learn from our mistakes," he said. Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "The Crucible" deftly illustrates the parallel of the Salem witch trials in 1693 Massachusetts and the 1950s McCarthy hearings to root out communism during what is referred to as "The Red Scare." Miller was accused of supporting communism and expected to name others.

Ben Bontrager-Singer, of Goshen, Ind., was an engineering intern this past summer at Tesla's headquarters, known as Gigafactory Texas, in Austin. The company is one of the biggest world leaders in sustainable energy with electric cars, solar and integrated renewable energy solutions.

Senior Caleb Hostetler participated in the Summer Undergraduate Applied Mathematics Institute undergraduate research program at Carnegie Mellon University, working with a group of four students studying a mathematical game. The research has applications in the mathematical fields of graph theory and linear algebra. The experience provided insight into the world of academic mathematics, Hostetler said. "In addition to exposure to the world of academia, I also built valuable connections with people that would be very helpful if I decided to pursue research further." Participants presented their research, and attended panels with grad students, postdoctoral students, and other professionals in the field.

Eastern Mennonite University's Chamber Singers, now in their 44th year, have announced their 2022-23 season, culminating in a spring European tour. Chamber Singers is a select choir, directed by Professor Benjamin Bergey, that performs a wide range of choral literature of various periods, styles, and cultures. The choir performs on and off campus in area venues and churches, and also hosts a spring tour in early March. This year performances are planned from March 3-12 in Ohio and Indiana. The European tour will be in late spring, dates TBD.

Sarah Grossen was recognized with the Outstanding CA Award, for her three-year commitment to serving as a community advisor in EMU residence halls.

Director of Multicultural Student Services Celeste Thomas recognized the leaders the Latinx Student Alliance, many of them first-year students who stepped in to revive and continue the club after several seniors involved in leadership graduated.

Philip Krabill and Leah Walker, interfaith chaplains, were recognized for offering opportunities in fall and spring, respectively, helping to create spaces on campus for engagement around issues of religious diversity and justice. They co-planned events such as SoulStories and interfaith leadership convocation breakout groups, student dinners, and celebrations of sacred holidays on campus, according to Trina Trotter Nussbaum, associate director of the Center for Interfaith Engagement.

The Office of Faith and Spiritual Life is recognizing these students for leadership as student chaplains for nurturing faith and spiritual life in various ways this year: Micah Buckwalter, sustainability; Alyssa Breidigan, worship; Natallie Brown, discipleship; Elizabeth Eby, engagement; Kate Landis, worship; Emma Nord, community; Reah Clymer, community; and Halie Mast, service.

The Campus Activities Council All-Star Award is given to EMU students for volunteering over 200 hours for CAC or working more than 350 hours.

Alcinda Brubaker earned the Exceptional Service Award from Eastern Mennonite University's Business and Leadership Department.

Five education students were named as 2022 Teachers of Promise, among 100 of the best and brightest pre-service teachers in Virginia:

Aaron Horst earned the Exceptional Service Award from Eastern Mennonite University's Business and Leadership Department.

La`akea Fujita is a sophomore at Eastern Mennonite University with an impressively varied resume. She is an associate in her mother's public relations business, plays violin in her home church, and has worked as a baker and ebay entrepreneur. To add to that list, Fujita recently received the Minority Accounting Scholarship from the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA).

Ten graduating seniors are the 2020 Cords of Distinction recipients. They would wear blue and gold cords signifying their achievement during the 2020 Commencement, tentatively scheduled for fall 2020. More details will posted at the Commencement website when available.

Eastern Mennonite University held its annual student recognition ceremony during finals week. The various recognitions included honors from academic departments, student life and athletics.

Eastern Mennonite University soprano Kiara Kiah recently placed third in her division at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) audition - she now advances on to national preliminaries.

The EMU Student Government Association consists of 4-5 executive members and 13 senators, nominated by the student body. The purpose of the Student Government Association, as stated in their constitution, is to develop responsible student leadership and to acknowledge the opportunity and obligation of students to participate in addressing student and institutional concerns. Members sponsor beneficial student activities and organizations, stimulate communication and cooperation among students, faculty and administration, encourage accountability to the policies and the Anabaptist values fundamental to the University and foster community and strive to make improvements in all areas of University life.

If you think being read to is just good for children, think again. This semester, Eastern Mennonite University students have been spending time reading with residents at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community. The practice is not only mutually enjoyable but also therapeutic. In the centuries-old practice of bibliotherapy, literature becomes a way to support good mental health and healing through connection to story. Professor Marti Eads began the EMU program at the start of the fall 2019 semester. Each EMU student is paired with a VMRC resident for weekly one-on-one meetings to dip into literature. But the partners also trade personal stories, wisdom and connection.

Inspired by a visit to a NASA research facility three years ago, Eastern Mennonite University engineering student Dylan Grove '19 dedicated his senior engineering capstone project to building a wind tunnel for his alma mater. Grove, who is from Dickerson, Maryland, began research for the tunnel last August, and designed and constructed it this spring and summer. The 14 feet-long structure includes a series of component systems - intake manifold, test chamber, diffuser, blower - that are precisely designed and mounted on a black metal frame to create 100 mile-per-hour winds. The EMU engineering department will use the tunnel in its fluid mechanics class to model air flow and study lift, drag and other forces on models such as an airplane with an eight-inch wingspan.

Eastern Mennonite University junior Tiffany Heishman has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship from the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative. An EMU honors student, Heishman is an accounting and business administration double major with a leadership minor. She holds an associate degree from Lord Fairfax Community College, and will graduate from EMU in May 2021 with the 30 extra credit hours necessary for taking the certified public accountant exam. Then, in addition to finding corporate employment, she hopes to open her own business managing farm finances.

The grand opening of "The Royal Treatment" - which includes two barber's chairs, a hairwashing station, television and two comfortable couches, all enlivened by a bright wall mural celebrating African and African-American culture - was Monday, Jan. 21, at 11:45 a.m. during the university's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration.

Eastern Mennonite University celebrated the opening of its newest student lounge - "The Royal Treatment," an informal barbershop and salon - during its observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The grand opening of "The Royal Treatment" - which includes two barber's chairs, a hairwashing station, television and two comfortable couches, all enlivened by a bright wall mural celebrating African and African-American culture - was Monday, Jan. 21, during the university's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. Modeled after a barbershop and salon, the space will be managed by the Black Student Union (BSU). Historically, the African American barbershop and salon was, and still is, a meeting place for the community and where grassroots planning and community organization happened during the Jim Crow era and civil rights movement.

EMU has built a strong partnership with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology to make it easier to earn a bachelors degree. Chad Hummel discusses his career path and why he chose EMU. See the video.

The Eastern Mennonite University student group Earthkeepers has announced the 2019 winners of its annual mini-grants supporting campus sustainability projects. Another purpose is to foster creative and educational collaboration - as is apparent in the projects awarded this year: The Cycling Club was granted $500 to purchase and - with help from Best Bike Mechanic of the Blue Ridge Ben Wyse - repair more bikes for renting out to EMU students at a subsidized price, said club president Ella Reist. "It advocates biking culture around campus and Harrisonburg." Senior Ben Zook was awarded $450 to help fund his solar-powered mobile kiosk, which will be on the turf field to power any needs there, including the concession stand. The project, which will be a collaboration between the Earthkeepers and Engineers for a Sustainable World clubs and the Student Government Association as well as local companies Engineering Solutions and Secure Futures, "represents the student body interest in implementing sustainability designs around campus," he said. The Sustainable Food Initiative (SFI) received $150 for a water collections system for the campus chicken coops, a project that King called "simple, but ingenious." The system, to be built and installed by SFI members, will increase "the self-reliance of SFI food production and reduces the campus's water requirements," said Wade Banks, SFI co-president. The Chronicles of Yarnia knitting group received $100 for a "tempestry" knitting project creating tapestries that illustrate the change in temperatures in a location over the years. "The finished pieces will depict climates change in a unique fashion and attract attention and awareness that numbers in a report cannot," said advisor Barbara Byer.