Explore EMU's History
Want more history? Delve into digital versions of the Weather Vane student newspaper, 1939 to present.
- 1910-1919
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1917: Sinking Roots in Virginia
Eastern Mennonite School opens in a Harrisonburg-area former resort hotel, known as “The White House.”
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1917: J.B. Smith
J.B. Smith is named the school’s first president, serving until 1922.
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1919
The first class of four women and three men graduates.
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1919
Construction on the Ad Building begins.
- 1920-1929
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1920: EMS Bulletin
The EMS Bulletin (now Crossroads) begins.
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1922: YPCA
Young People’s Christian Association (YPCA) is formed.
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1922: A.D. Wenger
A.D. Wenger is named the school's the second president, serving until 1935.
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1924: Professor Hostetter
Professor D. Ralph Hostetter joins the science faculty.
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1928: Motto and Seal
The school motto and seal are created.
Learn More - 1930-1939
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1933
Toy factory formed to provide jobs for EMS students during the Great Depression.
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Early 1930s: The Snack Shop
The first snack shop was a gathering place for hungry college students.
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1935: John L. Stauffer
John L. Stauffer is named the school's third president, serving until 1948.
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1937
The first four-year academic program, leading to a bachelor of theology degree, is offered.
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1939: The Weather Vane
First issue of the Weather Vane newspaper is published.
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1939
Students are allowed to leave campus without asking for permission.
- 1940-1949
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1943: Thanks to Jacob Shenk
“The Chapel,” later named Chester K. Lehman Auditorium, is built. It is used for campus worship.
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1944: Mental Healthcare During WWII
During World War II, many male students serve as conscientious objectors in mental health hospitals, influencing the field for years to come.
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1946: Diversity Grows
First international students are admitted: a Russian man from Belgium and a brother and sister from China.
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1947
EMS offers additional four-year bachelor degrees in subjects other than theology.
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1947: EMC
For its 30th birthday in 1947, EMS formally marked the end of its long transition from being a secondary school, to a junior college, to a four-year institution. It assumed the name of Eastern Mennonite College (EMC).
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1948: John R. Mumaw
John R. Mumaw is named the school's fourth president, serving until 1965.
Learn More - 1950-1959
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1950: Park Woods Cabin
Park Woods Cabin has long offered fellowship and a retreat in the midst of nature.
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1951: The Legacy of the Augsburgers
Myron Augsburger, future president, begins his first year as a student.
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1954: Virginia’s First Noncommercial Radio Station
WEMC, Virginia’s first noncommercial radio station, was founded on campus in 1954.
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1954: First African-American Graduate
Peggy Webb Howard is the first African-American graduate from EMC.
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1958
The new student center (site of the current University Commons) opens with gym, bookstore, snack shop, post office and classrooms.
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1959
EMC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, known as SACS.
- 1960-1969
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1960: The First Seminary Classes
From its earliest days as a four-week Bible institute until now, Eastern Mennonite has maintained focus on its religious purpose. In 1960, EMC offers its first seminary classes.
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1962: First Piano Accompaniment
For the first time, piano accompaniment was allowed on campus.
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1962: One of the First African-American students at EMC
One of the first African-American students to matriculate, Grandison Hill shares his memories.
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1963
The school colors, royal and white, are selected.
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1965: Myron S. Augsburger
Myron S. Augsburger is named the school's fifth president, serving until 1980.
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1967: Martin House
EMU purchases Martin House, the first of several buildings acquired to serve the expanding campus.
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1967
EMC hosts its first “international guest professor,” from The Netherlands.
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1968: The Suter Science Center Opens
The science building with labs and a planetarium opens for classes.
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1968: Information Systems
The first computer, a refrigerator-sized IBM 1130, arrives on campus.
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1969: Hartzler Library Fund Drive
EMC unites in 'miracle fund drive' to complete the Hartzler Library. Students raise $111,000 in four days.
Learn More - 1970-1979
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1970
EMU athletics name changes from Courtiers to the Royals.
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1971: Intentional Community Living Begins
Theme housing offers community living to student-residents with shared interests.
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1973: Cross-Cultural Visionary
Professor Al Keim leads the first EMU-sponsored cross-cultural trip.
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1977: The Washington Study Service Year Program
The Washington Study Service Year program is founded by Nelson Good.
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1977: EMC’s 60th Anniversary
EMC celebrates 60 years with speeches and a giant cake.
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1979: Student-Led ‘Celebration’
Since late ’70s, student-led ‘Celebration’ service offers worship through contemporary music.
Learn More - 1980-1989
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1980: Richard C. Detweiler
Richard C. Detweiler is named the school's sixth president, serving until 1987.
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1980: Dr. Abraham Davis Leads the New
Cross-Cultural CenterThe Cross-Cultural Center was the precursor to today’s Multicultural and International Student Services.
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1982: EMHS Separates
Eastern Mennonite High School incorporates separately from EMC.
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1984: Cross-Cultural Requirement
Global Village curriculum requires cross-cultural study for all students.
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1984
The Ad Building burns during major renovation.
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1986: Campus Center
New Campus Center completed on site of former Ad Building.
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1987
EMC joins the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
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1987: Joseph L. Lapp
Joseph L. Lapp is named the school's seventh president, serving until 2003.
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1989: Lancaster
EMU begins offering classes in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Learn More - 1990-1999
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1990: Victory over Bridgewater
The baseball team beats Bridgewater College for the first time.
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1992: Seminary
Ground broken for Eastern Mennonite Seminary building.
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1994
EMC becomes Eastern Mennonite University.
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1995
Center for Conflict Transformation forms the first class of master’s in conflict transformation students.
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1995: MA in Counseling Begins
The MA in counseling program is the first of four graduate programs to start in the early ‘90s.
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1996
Summer Peacebuilding Institute is formalized.
- 2000-2009
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2000: University Commons Dedication
University Commons facilities are dedicated on Saturday, March 26.
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2002: WCSC Founded
Washington Community Scholars' Center - formerly Washington Study Service Year (WSSY) - offers cross-cultural experiences and internships in Washington D.C.
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2003: Beryl Brubaker Named Interim President
Former Provost Beryl Brubaker becomes interim president for six months.
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2003: Loren E. Swartzendruber
Loren E. Swartzendruber is named the school's eighth president, serving until 2016.
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2006: WCSC Moves
The Washington Community Scholars’ Center (formerly WSSY) moves to the Nelson Good House in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington D.C.
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2011: Leymah Gbowee
Leymah Gbowee MA ‘07 is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
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2011: The Campus Center
Campus Center, built in 1986, celebrates 25 years.
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2014: Graduate and Professional Studies
Formal establishment of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
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2015: Suter East Complete
Suter Science Center East renovations are complete.
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2016: Lee Snyder Named Interim President
Former Academic Dean Lee Snyder is named interim president for six months.
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2017: Susan Schultz Huxman
Susan Schultz Huxman is named the school's ninth president.
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