Messy disputes in divorces can have lasting impacts on spouses and their children. Sometimes, litigation in a courtroom is the best way to go, says Harrisonburg attorney P. Marshall Yoder, a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University’s (EMU) Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and adjunct professor at EMU. But more and more couples are fi ...More
Mark K. Shriver, a leader in social justice and the son of parents who devoted themselves to public-service work, will give the 95th annual commencement address at Eastern Mennonite University on Sunday, April 28, at 1 p.m. Shriver is senior vice president for strategic initiatives and senior advisor to the chief executive officer of Save the Children U.S. Programs, which works to ensu ...More
Matt Styer’s obsession growing up was National Geographic. He not only wanted to read the magazine, he “had” to, said his mother, Grace. “His goal was to work for them,” she said. Leukemia cut short the 30-year-old’s life pursu ...More
Familiar with the true story of Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf from early childhood, yet became a famous author, political activist and lecturer in the early 20th century? Recall the role of her gifted, devoted teacher Anne Sullivan, depicted in the drama The Miracle Worker? Not to minimize ...More
Steven Rittenhouse ’11 recalls a student-teaching “aha!” moment – a turning point both for himself, then an Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) undergraduate, and for a boy who dropped into his classroom during a planning period at Thomas Harrison Middle School (THMS). “He was visibly frustrated with his math homework. We worked with it together, and I helped him see he misunder ...More
The link between genetics and mental illness continues to engage Abram Hostetter, a psychiatrist who is in his fourth decade of world-recognized research into why Old Order Amish are more susceptible to bipolar disorder than the general population. Hostetter, an alumnus of two Mennonite colleges, is part of a University of Miami team that has been researching mental illness among generat ...More
Four Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) alumnae are teaming up for the fifth annual “Voices of Hope, Winter Opera Gala” to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The event will feature renowned operatic soprano, Madeline Bender, who graduated in 1993. Two former E ...More
Preparing teachers to weave sustainability concepts into their elementary, middle and high school classrooms has led Jared Stoltzfus to combine his doctoral studies at Arizona State University (ASU) with part-time work developing curriculum at two high schools. Stoltzfus is one of six ASU students who co-created “Sustainability Scien ...More
Kelley Shradley-Horst, an art teacher at Harrisonburg High School and 2006 graduate of Eastern Mennonite University, didn’t get her hopes up. Even after scoring one of five regional nominations on her way to becoming the Virginia Secondary Art Educator of the Year, she was skeptical about actually winning the honor. “I kind of had a stigma that no one from Harrisonburg ...More
Mindful of the many joys and sorrows of life – both big and small – we asked the EMU community to share what they are thankful for at this time of year. Perhaps the following Thanksgiving reflections will encourage you to reflect on your blessings today. Enjoy! Thoughts of Thanksgiving I am thankful for [fellow residents on] my community hall who care for on ...More
