Eastern Mennonite University has announced the selection of the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus as interim president. “With leadership experience pastoring in Mennonite Church USA and in student life at EMU, Rev. Dr. Shannon Dycus will keep EMU well connected to our Anabaptist identity and distinctive mission. As an Anabaptist womanist theologian, her wisdom and insight will prioritize EMU’s integrity with our Anabaptist values and extend the broad welcome of beloved community. I am enthusiastic about her approach to leadership that is attentive to justice, nonviolence, spiritual discernment and academic excellence,” said Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler, associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

As a special Mornings with the Mayor edition of Convocation on Wednesday, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections at EMU, stepped into the role of host as she interviewed several trailblazing women leaders making their mark on campus. The one-of-a-kind program, held at the Student Union, celebrated Women’s History Month and paid tribute to departing EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman.

Makinto, a student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary pursuing a master’s degree in Christian leadership, performs during a rehearsal for EMU’s 2023 Music Gala Concert. The 61-year-old associate pastor and worship leader uses music as a tool for activism, building bridges between cultures and communities. “All my music is geared toward bringing diverse people together,” he said

Dr. Andrew Suderman delivered the fifth and final installment in the “Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures” series on Thursday evening in Martin Chapel. He spoke about the history of Anabaptism in the 20th century and explored how the faith movement, which began in Europe and largely remained in the North Atlantic region during its first four centuries, has become a truly global phenomenon.

EMS alum Hendy Matahelemual (MA ’19) reflects on an Intentional Interim Minister training offered by the Shalom Collaboratory at Eastern Mennonite Seminary and the Center for Congregational Health. During a cold, snowy week, several pastors from Mosaic Mennonite Conference and Allegheny Mennonite Conference, representing diverse backgrounds, attended the Intentional Interim Minister training in Princeton, New Jersey.

Historical research has a funny way of changing your writing plans, says Dr. David Evans, professor of history and intercultural studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. What began as a book that aimed to celebrate the contributions of white allies in the fight for Black freedom, he said, morphed into a research project that questioned the effectiveness of those allies and their movements toward racial justice.