FACULTY & STAFF
Kathy Evans, professor of education, published The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education (Good Books), co-authored with Dorothy Vaandering.
Robin Setlock Frey Felty ’90, adjunct faculty, EMU Lancaster, Lititz, Pa., has been appointed superintendent of New Manheim Township School District. She was formerly assistant superintendent at Warwick School District. She has also served as an assistant superintendent in Ephrata Area School District and a consultant with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Robin has a doctorate in educational leadership and an MBA.
Joan Griffing and Ryan Keebaugh, professors of music, and Marti Eads, professor of English, collaborated on three pieces to be performed by the group Musica Harmonica, of which Griffing is a member, during concerts in Wyoming and at the Decolonizing Music Conference in Puerto Rico in September. Two pieces are based on Eads’ poetry inspired by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Leymah Gbowee MA ‘07. The goal of Musica Harmonica is to promote peace and cultural awareness through musical collaboration.
Amy Springer ’92 Hartsell, assistant dean and coordinator of student services, is an executive board member of The Virginia Network of the American Council on Education, Office of Women in Higher Education.
Ericka Histand ’02 Gingerich began this fall as admissions receptionist and daily campus visit coordinator. She moved from Oregon with her husband David ’02, who is studying at EMS, and two children. Ericka has taught in Oregon and Ecuador.
Rebecca Kauffman, adjunct faculty, language and literature department, has published Another Place You’ve Never Been (Counterpoint Press, 2016), which, among other accolades, was named in the 20 best books of fall 2016 by the Huffington Post.
Steve Kriss ‘94, associate director of pastoral studies, EMU Lancaster, Philadephia, Pa., graduated from Duquesne University with a PhD in rhetoric focusing on ethics and organizational communication. He is director of communication and leadership cultivation for Franconia Mennonite Conference.
Jonathan Lantz-Trissel ’00, sustainability coordinator, is in his second and final year as co-chair of Virginia Sustainability in Higher Education Consortium, comprised of sustainability professionals from 17 Virginia colleges and universities.
Ed Martin retired in June from a part time position as director of the Center for Interfaith Engagement. Ed brought decades of experience in the Middle East and Asia to the position, which he held for six years while commuting from Akron, Pa.
Doug Graber Neufeld, professor of biology, will direct the new Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions at EMU. He returns this summer from a two-year research and service leave working with Mennonite Central Committee in East Africa.
Trina Trotter Nussbaum ’00 has been named interim director of the Center for Interfaith Engagement.
Paul Yoder ’06, MA ’11, assistant professor of education, earned a PhD in education from the University of Virginia in August 2016.
Alena Yoder ’16 is a program associate with the Women’s Peacebuilding Leadership Program at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.
1940 – 1949
Chester Wenger EMHS ’34, AA ’36, BT ’41, Lancaster, Pa., was featured on Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast “Revisionist History,” on the theme of “how people deal with difficult questions.” Wenger’s episode is titled “Generous Orthodoxy,” which takes the title of a 2014 essay he wrote laying out the biblical and theological rationales for his change in belief about LGBTQ inclusion.
1950-1959
Amos Yoder ’54, Grove City, Minn., published his memoir, A Chirp from the Grass Roots. He celebrated his 10oth birthday in November.
Anita Rose Runion ’58 Ovalle, Guatemala City, Guatemala, teaches part-time at Christian Academy of Guatemala after more than 40 years in education.
Urbane Peachey ’58, Lititz, Pa., has published More Than One Thing Is True: Agony and Ecstasy Below Cloud Nine (Masthof Press). The memoir includes reflections on his experiences with Mennonite Central Committee from 1960-86 and as a Mennonite pastor from 1986-2000. He writes as a practitioner about his work with NGOs in the Middle East; on commonalities between Islam and Christianity; and on pastoral life, a section which presents lived examples of adult personal and spiritual formation and makes a strong case for people of faith to be advocates for the common good in public life.
1960-1969
Doug Hostetter ’66, Valley Cottage, N.Y., is director of Mennonite Central Committee’s United Nations (UN) Office. He continues to work on behalf of Vietnamese people affected by Agent Orange. Doug volunteered in Vietnam as a conscientious objector.
Kenneth C. Reed ’66, San Jose, Ca., published Both My Sons (Masthof Press, 2016). This historical novel, his third, recounts the life of a Swiss-German immigrant and his family.
1970-1979
Rebirth, comprised of Rob Eby ’71, Mel Lehman ’71, Dean Clemmer ’72, James Krabill ’73 and Elaine Warfel Stauffer ’73, have re-released their third and final self-titled album as a compact disc and digital download. Proceeds of the sales benefit the Sadie A. Hartzler Library. Visit www.rebirthforsale.com.
Rob Eby ’71, Scottdale, Pa., is a behavioral health therapist with Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services, Inc., in Uniontown. He and wife, Gwen, attend Scottdale Mennonite Church.
John Lazer ’71, Winchester, Va., is a substitute bus driver for Winchester City Schools since his retirement and drives a shuttle bus in Glacier National Park in the summer. Additionally he drives for WATTS, a ministry to the homeless in Winchester. Last year, he went on a mission trip to Nicaragua.
Gloria Shenk ’75 Worme, Mount Joy, Pa., is a receptionist and in support services for Hospice and Community Care Pathways Center for Grief and Loss. She married Tony Worme in May 2014 and moved to Mount Joy soon after, where she attends Mount Joy Mennonite Church.
Carolyn Grasse-Bachman ’76, Bridgewater, Va., is a visiting assistant professor at Bridgewater College in the department of health and human sciences. She earned a BS in home economics education from Eastern Mennonite University, an MEd in home economics education from Oregon State University and a PhD in individual and family studies from the University of Delaware.
Joe Bontrager ’78, SEM ’93 and Gloria Beidler CPS ’92, BS’00 Bontrager have completed their overseas service with Eastern Mennonite Missions and started a term as nonresident volunteer workers to East Africa. They will focus on continued relationships, development, and publication of materials for partner churches.
Conley McMullen ’78, Harrisonburg, Va., a professor of biology at James Madison University, received the James Madison University Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award in 2016.
Wilda Stoltzfus ’78 Schwartzentruber, Bellefontaine, Ohio, is clinical director of Community Health and Wellness Partners of Logan County, a year-old Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that offers whole-person primary health care in two locations in rural West Liberty, Ohio. She had previously worked many years in oncology.
Miles Yoder ’79, Lancaster, Pa., assistant principal at Lancaster Mennonite School, is also principal at the Hershey campus of Lancaster Mennonite School.
J. Merle Zook ’79, Mount Sidney, Va., has returned to his former position as chief financial officer for Dynamic Aviation, based in Bridgewater, Va. Zook started at the company in 1999 as a controller, was promoted to DFO in 2002 and remained in the post until 2010, when he was named executive vice president.
1980-1989
Evon Bergey AA ’81, Lancaster, Pa., is vice president of community initiatives of Landis Communities. Previously she held leadership positions within Magellan Healthcare and Penn Foundation Behavioral Health Services. Lorena Rosen ’81 Suter, Orlando, Fla., is a school social worker with Orange County Public Schools.
Gerald Hershey ’82, Waynesboro, Va., retires after 17 years as president/COE of DuPont Community Credit Union in March 2017. He began his career with DCCU in 1989.
Beryl Jantzi, ‘82, SEM ’91, Harrisonburg, Va., was awarded the President’s Stewardship Award at the Everence National Convention this spring. Jantzi, the Harrisonburg office’s director of stewardship education, trained financial coaches who help pastors with financial issues and helped the office earn a Lilly grant to provide financial assistance and education for pastors.
Melody Keim ’83, Lancaster, Pa., vice president of programs and initiatives at the Lancaster County Community Foundation, has been elected to the Pennsylvania Humanities Council board of directors.
Cheryl Steckly ’84, Croghan, N.Y., has served four years as Lowville Academy and Central Schools superintendent. Prior to this, she was an elementary school principal and director of programs for students with disabilities, and spent 21 years as a teacher for a total of 32 years in education.
Lisa Gallagher ’85, BSN ’89 Landes, Mumbai, India, had the unique opportunity to mentor a fellow alumna. Carrie Schlabach ‘14, a graduate nursing student at Virginia Commonwealth University, served her clinical practicum at the consulate’s health clinic. Landes also taught in the EMU nursing department from 2001-08 before joining the Department of State. (See C. Schlabach ‘14).
Sherwyn Smeltzer ’86, Harrisonburg, Va., has passed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam, one of three steps required to earn the CFP designation, in addition to education and experience requirements. A CPA, he works at Park View Federal Credit Union as a financial planner.
Judy Oaks ’86 VandeBunte, Grand Rapids, Mich., is an NICU nurse at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. She and husband Gene have three sons.
Yvonne Boettger ’87, Harrisonburg, Va., received the Senior Professional in Human Resources designation from the HR Certification Institute. She has been the human resource manager at Park View Federal Credit Union since 2006.
1990-1999
Elizabeth “Beth” Wilson ’91 Hutchins, Oxfordshire, England, creates and sells gifts, jewelry and DIY supplies through two Etsy stores, Colorful Clay and Indigo Lark.
Kevin Longenecker ’91, Rockingham, Va., was one of 42 nominees for the 2016 “Virginia Business” Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Award. The magazine’s awards recognize outstanding performance by CFOs in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Kevin is CFO of InterChange Group Inc., where he works with President Devon Anders ’88. Kevin is a member of the EMU Board of Trustees. Jenny Shenk ’91 Mahone, Newport News, Va., is principal at Warwick River Christian School, which celebrates its 75th anniversary Sept. 16-17, 2017. For more information, visit warwickriver.org.
Tisa J. Wenger ’91, Hamden, Conn., is associate professor of American religious history at Yale University. She and husband Rodney have three children.
Melissa Hensley ’92, Bridgewater, Va., is Virginia’s Outstanding High School Principal of 2016. Melissa has been principal of Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia since 2012.
Daryl Lambert ’92, Mount Sidney, Va., was inducted into the Rockingham County Baseball League Hall of Fame in June. Daryl is a member of the EMU Hall of Honor. He works for the Virginia Department of Transportation. He coached baseball at Fort Defiance High School for 22 years.
Janelle Hurst ’92 Mazariegos, Churchville, Va., challenged her North River Middle School soccer team to score within the first 30 seconds. As a reward, she brought them to an EMU men’s soccer game, where they escorted Royals players onto the field during introductions and then participated in a half-time scrimmage.
Rod Martin ’94, Bechtelsville, Pa., received the Mark S. Walsh Award at the Young Leaders Annual Meeting of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association in Austin, Texas.
Gilberto Perez Jr. ’94, GC ’99 (peacebuilding), Goshen, Ind., is the recipient of two awards for education and advocacy on behalf of the Indiana Latino community: he was named Teacher of the Year 2016 by the Indiana Governor’s Office and the Indiana Latino Expo, and also earned the 2016 Chickadee Bird Award from the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance. He is senior director of intercultural development and educational partnerships at Goshen College’s Center for Intercultural and International Education.
Randy Nyce ’95, Hatfield, Pa., of Everence Financial Advisors in Souderton, Pa., was named Chairman of the Board for the MAMA Project, a development effort focusing on the educational, health and nutritional needs of severely malnourished children, particularly in Honduras. The MAMA (Mujeres Amigas [Women Friends] Miles Apart) Project began in 1987 as a partnership among Mennonite women’s groups in Pennsylvania and Honduras.
Joe Buckwalter ’96, Christiansburg, Va., completed his master’s degree in fish and wildlife science at Virginia Tech and is now a research faculty member.
Tonya Williams ’96 Parker, Broadway, Va., is assistant principal at Cub Run Elementary School in McGaheysville.
Anxo Perez ’97, Spain, is CEO and founder of 8Belts, a language learning company. He published The 8 Steps to Success (2014) and has been awarded two major entrepreneurial prizes in Spain and Europe.
Jonathan Bowman ’98, SEM ’08, Landisville, Pa., has been appointed director of technology for the Lancaster Mennonite School system. He previously taught at Eastern Mennonite High School. For the past eight years, he has served as a pastor with Landisville Mennonite Church.
Jeremy Ours ’98, Kalona, Iowa, is director of advancement at Iowa Mennonite School. He and wife Sheila Bender ’97, live in Kalona.
Sandy Thorpe ’98, Fishersville, Va., received the 2016 Early Career Special Education Administrator Award from the Council of Administrators of Special Education. An 18-year veteran educator, she is executive director of special programs for Harrisonburg City Public Schools.
2000-2009
Mark Longacher ’91, Castle Rock, Co., is an assessor for Douglas County. He and Lisa Hostetler ’92 have three children. They attend First Mennonite Church in Denver.
Gloria Beidler CPS ’92, BS ’00 Bontrager with husband Joe Bontrager ’78, SEM ’93, has completed overseas service with Eastern Mennonite Missions and began a term as a nonresident volunteer worker to East Africa. Shawn Snider ’00, Harrisonburg, Va., won the Baen Books Fantasy Adventure Contest with his short story “The Lavender Paladin.”
Amanda Williams ’01 Knight MA ’08 (education), Singers Glen, Va., was Teacher of the Year at Fulks Run Elementary School, where she is a librarian. Kurt A. Schenck ’01, Lititz, Pa., was hired by Tono Group to lead Relo Real Estate Services. Kurt, partner and broker, is a former commercial Realtor with High Associates and former residential Realtor at Howard Hanna and Sotheby’s.
Sarah Gehman ’02 Bixler, Princeton, N.J., recently graduated summa cum laude with an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary. She received the Arthur Paul Rech Memorial Award in Theology and Pastoral Ministry. Sarah entered the PhD program in practical theology/ Christian education this fall at Princeton Seminary.
Jason Coleman ’02, Buena Vista, Va., has been promoted to associate design engineer after four years with Everbrite, LLC. He had taught K-8 art for nine years. He is entering his 14th season as head baseball coach at Parry McCluer High School. He and his wife Kelley have two sons, Keaton and Tanner.
Deborah Good ’02, Albuquerque, N.M., is data and research manager for Mission: Graduate at the University of New Mexico, a cradle-to-career collaboration to achieve large-scale social change through the addition of 60,000 new graduates with college degrees and certificates in central New Mexico by 2020.
Dan Lapp ’02, Charleston, S.C., graduated from Penn State College of Medicine in May 2015 with an MD and a PhD in neuroscience. He is now a resident in pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina. He and spouse
Lynley Culbertson ’02 have two children. Ashley Sauder ’03 Miller, Harrisonburg, Va., won Best in Show for her mixed media piece “Faded Memory” at the June 16-19 Boardwalk Art Show in Virginia Beach. The award brought a $7,500 prize. Ashley directs the Spitzer Art Center and is managing the Centennial’s “10x10x100” Project.
Sara Kauffman ’03 Mwagura, Fargo, N.D., is lead child care teacher at North Dakota State University. She and husband Joseph have a daughter, Liliana.
Russell James Pyle ’03, Albuquerque, N.M, released his first solo album “RISE” in May and will release “SEASONS EP” in December. He was selected by the National Park Service Arts Foundation to be artist-in-residence at Big Bend National Park for November. Russ is married to Deborah Good ‘02.
Adam Starks ’03, Philippi, W.Va., is assistant professor of business and management at Alderson Broaddus University.
Nicholas (Nick) Buckwalter ’04, Lititz, Pa., opened Wellspan Family Medicine with a partner in Manheim, Pa., They provide full care for families including obstetrics.
Audrey Berkshire Jackson ’04, Chesterfield, Va., joined McGuireWoods Consulting as vice president of advocacy, assisting clients with initiatives related to public affairs and grassroots campaigns.
Eric Kennel ’04, Lancaster, Pa., is executive director of Compass Mark, which helps families, teens and adults in Lancaster and Lebanon counties with substance abuse education, prevention and intervention. He formerly was director of grant development for Liberty Lutheran.
Mary Beth Price ’04, Strasburg, Va., was named administrator of Shenandoah County. She had been assistant county administrator since 1997.
Kristene Wellings ’01, MA ’04 (counseling), Roanoke, Va., works with National Counseling Group. She was a school counselor for 12 years and then became a licensed professional counselor.
Jonalyn Denlinger ’05, Baltimore, Md., was inducted in the Hall of Honor in October. She was a four-time All-ODAC First Team selection and All-American Third Team as a junior. She left the field hockey program fifth in career assists and seventh in career goals and points. She also earned the President’s Award. Jonalyn is director of membership for the Assocation of Baltimore Area Grantmakers and an adjunct professor at University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Peter Sensenig ’05, Zanzibar, Tanzania, published Peace Clan: Mennonite Peacebuilding in Somalia (Pickwick Publications). He is regional interfaith consultant for Mennonite Board East Africa, and holds a PhD in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Zach Bower ’06, Telford, Pa., is a social studies teacher at Christopher Dock Mennonite School.
Andile Dube ’06, Tempe, Az., is published in Walking the Tightrope: Poetry and Prose by LGBTQ Writers from Africa (Lethe Press, 2016). Megan Mlinarchik ’06, Harrisonburg, Va., was inducted into the Hall of Honor in October. She was an NCAA national qualifier a combined 11 times in the pole vault and high jump, earning All-American status in 2005. Megan teaches elementary school in Harrisonburg.
Courtney Wilson ’06, Timberville, Va., received her family nurse practitioner postmaster’s certificate from South University in April.
Derrick ’06, MA ’15 (education) and Rebekah Good ’07 Charles, are currently country representatives with Mennonite Central Committee for Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Oz Blackaller ’07, San Diego, Calif., was a featured chef on The Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen” for the second time. Oz owns Cueva Bar, a tapas restaurant.
Jodi Meyers MA ’07 (counseling), Mount Sidney, Va., was recognized in April as the Central Valley Counselors Association School Counselor of the Year. She has worked at Wilson Memorial High School for nine years. Meyers also worked with Penn State University’s agriculture extension service and taught at James Madison University.
Joy Shaiebly ’07 Shelly, Manheim, Pa., is helping to coach the new women’s soccer franchise Lancaster Torch FC in the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
Timothy ’07 and Cheryl Heatwole ’07 Shenk, Camden, N.J., and their three children are members of a trans-denominational intentional Christian community seeking “to share life together, encourage each other in discipleship, and help empower a life of service in a city that suffers from the interplay of racism, poverty, and environmental degradation.” In fall 2015, Tim and Cheryl started a Montessori program on a sliding scale tuition for children ages 3-5. Visit MontessoriSproutsinCamden. blogspot.com to learn more.
Lars Åkerson ’08, Durham, N.C, co-created Life Lines with a fellow graduate student at Duke University Divinity School. An audio journal for the 147 men and three women living on death row to tell their stories, Life Lines offers an opportunity to restore a sense of humanity among the condemned and give those outside the wall of prison a chance to “look within.”
Cheryl Estep MA ’08 (education), Fulks Run, Va., is coordinator of student assessment at Rockingham County Public Schools. She was previously a math teacher and test coordinator at Broadway High School, and an assessment/technology specialist with RCPS.
Pam Mandigo ’08, Herndon, Va., presented at the Grand Valley Shakespeare Performance and Pedagogy Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with Professor Heidi Winters Vogel on the Crash House Collaborative Theatre Project, a two-week camp for high school students in which they deconstruct original scripts and create a new play.
Jacqueline Painter ’08, Broadway, Va., received the New Advisor of the Year award at the Everence National Convention this spring. She managed the Everence Federal Credit Union branch in Harrisonburg before becoming a financial advisor.
Angela Carter ’09, Harrisonburg, Va., was invited to the International Summit to End Sexual Violence in New York City through Take Back the Night. She performed spoken word pieces at the celebrity sound-off and was a keynote speaker on a panel of survivors.
Rachel Clemmer ’09 Charles, Lancaster, Pa., completed her nurse practitioner degree in 2016 from Penn State Hershey. She began working as a nurse practitioner at South East Lancaster Health Services in August.
Mitchell ’09 and Lauren Derstine ’10 Yoder, Harrisonburg, Va., are serving through Virginia Mennonite Missions in Managua, Nicaragua, where they teach and act as communications directors for a children’s home called Fortaleza de Esperanza (Fortress of Hope). They also teach at Nicaraguan Christian Academy.
2010 –
Teresa Shank MA ’10 (education), Dayton, Va., was named Rockingham County School District’s Teacher of the Year. Teresa is a K-2 reading specialist at Mountain View Elementary School.
Irvin “Joey” Jones III ’10, MA ’16 (organizational leadership), Raphine, Va., provided leadership to Rockbridge County churches partnering in relief efforts after this summer’s floods in West Virginia. He is chairman of the deacons at Faith Mountain Baptist Church.
Benjamin Bergey ’11, Harrisonburg, Va., was among 12 members chosen from the United States and Canada to serve on the committee for the new song collection for Mennonite churches planned for release in 2020. Ben, who will be music editor for the project, is a doctor of music arts candidate at James Madison University.
Anna Engle ’11, Seoul, South Korea, is an English teacher at Jubilee Christian School. Bethany Miller ’11, Hesston, Kan., has joined the independent living department at Bluestem Communities as sales and services manager. She previously worked in admissions at Hesston College.
Lyubov Slashcheva ’11, Iowa City, Iowa, graduated with a doctor of dental surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in April. She was among 10 students to be recognized with an excellence award by the VCU Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care. This summer she was awarded the Steven Roth Memorial Grant through the Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship and worked in rural India at a dental school and hospital. Lyubov has started a master’s degree in dental public health at the University Of Iowa College Of Dentistry.
Maria Yoder ’11 Swartzentruber, Harrisonburg, Va., was Teacher of the Year at Linville-Edom Elementary School, where she is a fifth-grade teacher.
Michael M. Swartzendruber ’11, Kalona, Iowa, is a half-time pastor at Wayland Mennonite Church.
Emily Miller ’11 Wenger, Rockingham, Va., works at Sentara RMH Medical Center. She is married to Kendall Wenger ’12.
Aaron Brydge ’12, Harrisonburg, Va., has been promoted to mortgage loan advisor at Park View Federal Credit Union.
Katie Jantzen ’12, Plymouth, Neb., and her family farm were featured on NPR “Weekend Edition.”
Heather Kennel ’12 McCarthy, Sarasota, Fla., is a fifth-grade teacher at Sarasota County Schools.
Carrie Schlabach ’12, Harrisonburg, Va., graduated in May from Virginia Commonwealth School of Nursing as a family nurse practitioner. She spent the last part of her clinical practicum course providing primary health care to U.S. State Department staff stationed in Mumbai, India— a unique placement made possible by a Mennonite Healthcare Fellowship scholarship (see Lisa Gallagher Landes ‘85, BSN ‘89).
Caroline Borden MA ’12 (education), Harrisonburg, Va., is now teaching in the Middle East. She was formerly a lecturer in EMU’s Intensive English Program.
Lisa Knick MA ’12 (education), Stephens City, Va., teaches English language learners at Frederick Douglass Elementary School in Winchester.
Jenna Longenecker ’13, Lancaster, Pa., is an art teacher for Lancaster Mennonite Schools.
Christopher Eads MBA ’13, Harrisonburg, Va., was selected to serve among 40 individuals on the 2016 Board of Examiners for the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award for Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Lauren Bykowski ’14, Mechanicsville, Va., is an art teacher at J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School in Petersburg. She illustrated a children’s book by Emeritus Professor Don Clymer (See Bookshelf, pg. 35).
Tyler ’14 and Kendra ’14 Litwiller Yoder, Harrisonburg, Va., are serving with Transend, a mission internship through Virginia Mennonite Missions in Harrisonburg. In partnership with Eastside Church, they disciple among James Madison University students and residents of Old South High Street where they live.
Austin Ardron ’14, Charleston, W.Va., begins the pediatric nurse practitioner doctorate program at West Virginia University in summer 2017. He is currently an emergency room nurse at CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital. B.
Lani Prunés ’14, Philadelphia, Pa., is deputy director of communication at Families Against Mandatory Minimums.
Erin Hershey ’15, Lancaster, Pa., completed an internship at Steeple View Lofts through the Shalom Project, a new organization in Lancaster providing recent college graduates exposure and experience in a field they are interested in pursuing as a career while living in intentional community. She currently is employed full time at Ephrata Re-uzit Shop.
Makayla Baker ’16, Staunton, Va., studies Shakespeare and performance as a graduate student at Mary Baldwin University. During the fall semester, she hosted Professor Marti Eads’ global literature class for a tour of the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, where she is wardrobe manager.
Tyler Eshleman ’16, Taos, N.M., is program coordinator at the Taos Initiative for Life Together (TILT). He facilitates and plan wilderness treks for visitors, works on sustainability within the house/community, and creates a social media presence.
Jake Lind ’16, Harrisonburg, Va., works for Coerver Coaching, leading soccer clinics for clubs in northern Virginia and Maryland.
Katie Miller ’16, Washington D.C., is the communications officer for Government Accountability Project (GAP).
Sam Stoner ’16, Staunton, Va., is the first sustainability coordinator for Mary Baldwin University.
Jessamyn Tobin ’16, Harrisonburg, Va., works at the Fairfield Mediation Center. This fall, she displayed art in the seminary and shared at a chapel gathering. Proceeds from the show funded her return to Thailand, her country of birth, to serve with Virginia Mennonite Missions.
Andrew A. Yoder ’16, Harrisonburg, Va., was hired by Staunton-based solar development company Secure Futures as a technical analyst.
CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND PEACEBUILDING
Fidele Lumeya MA ’00, Altoona, Pa., published Ubuntu Peacebuilding, An Afro-Christian Perspective, African Perspectives of Reconciliation (2016).
Kristine Bresser MA ’01, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich., leads debriefings and trains debriefing teams for La Rucher Ministries, which focuses on care of Christian cross-cultural workers through crisis response, trauma awareness and counseling. The center’s base is a retreat in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland.
Emmanuel Bombande MA ’02, Accra, Ghana, was appointed deputy minister and regional integration. Bombande was formerly special adviser to the United Nations General Secretary’s Special Representative to West Africa.
Jeremy Simons MA ’02, Davao City, Philippines, continues to help a coalition of NGOs and Ateneo de Davao University organize networks of peace advocates for peace processes at the national level. He is also a consultant with De La Salle University-College of St. Benilde in Manila on implementation of a conflict transformation and restorative justice program in their student services department.
Jonathan Tieszen, MA ’03, Harrisonburg, Va., has been named senior mortgage advisor at Park View Federal Credit Union, where he’s worked for the past 18 years.
Ashok Xavier MA ’04 and Florina Benoit MA ’04, Chennai, India, will be academic coordinators for the Caux Scholars Program in India, a three-week residential program in conflict transformation and transitional justice for leaders between the ages of 20-30.
Rita Litwiller MA ’04, Bangkok, Thailand, volunteered with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists during their international conference in Sri Lanka.
Judah Oudshoorn MA ‘06, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, published Trauma Informed Juvenile Justice in the United States (Canadian Scholars’ Press, 2016) with a foreword written by Professor Emeritus Howard Zehr. Judah is editor of the press’s new justice studies series, as well as professor of community and criminal justice at Conestoga College, a restorative justice mediator with the Correctional Service of Canada, and instructor of peace and conflict studies at the University of Waterloo.
Thong Tran MA ‘07, Canberra, Australia, completed a PhD from Australian National University and is a visiting fellow at the university’s The Fenner School of the Environment and Society.
Solomon Ketsela MA ‘10, Silver Spring, Md., is pursuing a doctoral degree at Regent University (DMin, community transformation). Additionally he is minister of church planting at Assemblies of Trinity International in Alexandria, Va.
Pushpi Weerakoon MA ‘10, Colombo, Sri Lanka, started working at Transparency International as project coordinator. This work is on behalf of civil society organizations in collaboration with Sri Lankan government.
Judy Clarke MA ‘11, Richmond, Va., is executive director of the Virginia Center for Restorative Justice, a faith-based nonprofit in Richmond working with offenders, victims, and communities experiencing crime to forge paths to reconciliation and improve public safety.
Barbie Fischer MA ’12, Philadephia, Pa., continues to work in restorative justice with her organization, Restorative Encounters. She presented at the 2016 Prison Summit and advised on a groundbreaking exhibit at Eastern State Penitentiary Museum called “Prison Today.”
Michelle Van Rassel MA ’13 Jackett, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, is coordinator for the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Peace Advancement. She is also involved with Community Justice Initiatives, practices mediation and conducts research into Artic security.
Joanne Lauterjung MA ’13, Yangon, Myanmar, is Myanmar Program Director for the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, where she facilitates intra and interfaith dialogues, provides training in conflict mitigation skills, and mentors religious leaders and local peacebuilding leaders.
Tony Harris MA ’15, Annapolis, Md., is senior facilitator at World Learning. Fields of practice include strategic peacebuilding, facilitation, program design, and organizational leadership/development.
Roselyne Onunga GC ’15, Kisumu, Kenya, has been hired as CEO of Local Capacities for Peace International.
Ahmad Zabi Rahat MA ’14, New York, N.Y., is a research associate at ActKnowledge, a social enterprise that connects social change practice with the study of how and why initiatives work with community organizations, nonprofits, foundations and governments.
Daniel Foxvog MA ’16, Lombard, Ill., is assistant director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.
Jordan Detwiler-Michelson MA ’16, Somerville, Mass., is currently international administrative coordinator within the International Development Division at Education Development Center, providing administrative support to various projects which aim to improve education, health and economic opportunity worldwide.
Shiphrah A. Mutungi GC ’16, Kampala, Uganda, is program director of Morning Star under AECOM International. Morning Star is a trauma awareness and resilience building initiative for South Sudan that uses EMU’s Village STAR curriculum adapted to the South Sudan context.
SEMINARY
David Eshleman ’58, SEM ’61, Dover, Ohio, published his fourth book, Share the Irresistible Story of Jesus (ChurchSmart Resources, 2016).
David Shetler SEM ’87, New Paris, Ohio, is serving as the district executive minister of the Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren.
Derek King ’03, SEM ’13, Moundridge, Kan., was ordained by Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA in June at Eden Mennonite Church.
Benjamin Bixler ’03, SEM ’13, Princeton, N.J., began PhD studies this fall in Biblical Studies and Early Christianity with a focus on Hebrew Bible at Drew Theological School in Madison, New Jersey.
Matthew Stearn MBA ’15, SEM ’16, Hampton, Va., is the executive director of Hampton Roads Ecumenical Lodging & Provision, Inc. (HELP), a nonprofit, faith-based organization that works with families in need of shelter, food, health care and financial assistance. Matt was the first graduate of EMU’s dual-degree MBA and MDV program.
MARRIAGES
Dan Landis Wenger ’66 to Thelma S. Wenger ’77, Jan. 25, 2016.
Carol Hess ’72 to Nelson Hoover, April 30, 2016.
Jon Styer ’07 to Rhoda Miller ’03, June 11, 2016
Erin Price ’05 to Robert Saunders, June 4, 2016.
Lara Gautsche ‘10 to Josh Shoemaker, May 3, 2015.
Mitchell Leap ’12 to Amber Loftin ’15, May 29, 2016.
Joshua King ’12, to Annie Diller ’14, June 6, 2015.
Jennifer Blankenship ’13 to Justin Hitt, July 15, 2016.
Kelley Schroder ’13 to Lucas Dauberman, July 29, 2014.
Daniel Nafziger ’13 to Erica Garber ‘14, July 24, 2016.
Kara Leigh Lofton ’14 to Austin Michael Ardron’14, Nov. 13, 2016.
Joseph Luciani MA ’13 (conflict transfor- mation) to Ana Cervante, July 3, 2016.
Anne Marie Baer ’16 to Eric Kemp, June 12, 2016.
BIRTHS & ADOPTIONS
Sherrie Reinford ’99 and Matt Johndrow, Broadway, Va., Logan Harvey, March 31, 2016, received for adoption April 11, 2016.
Krystal Neuenschwander ’00 and Jason Glick, Harrisburg, Pa., Gideon Eustace, Nov. 26, 2015.
Daniel ’02 and Lynley Culbertson ’02 Lapp, Charleston, S.C., Rainier George, April 24, 2015.
Alanna Stoltzfus ’02 and Eric Rosen, Atglen, Pa., Liv Rosen, Feb. 18, 2016
Clay ’02 and Joanna Souder ’04 Showalter, Harrisonburg, Va., Melia Ann, Oct. 8, 2016.
Andrea ’03 and Josh Leaman, Lancaster, Pa., Robert Patrick, Feb. 10, 2016.
Ben ’04 and Meredith Blauch ’05 Wideman, State College, Pa., Jonas Hawthorn, Aug. 30, 2016.
Jessica Witmer ’04 and Nate Gundy, Or- rville, Ohio, Owen Daniel Witmer, May 4, 2016.
Benjamin ’05 and Joanna Goins ’04 Myers, Falls Church, Va., Madeline Claire, May 14, 2016.
Jason ’05 and Bryn Mullet ’06 Good, Harrisonburg, Va., Mara Hostetler, Nov. 13, 2015.
Lindsay Martin ’05 and Nathan Musselman ’00, Harrisonburg, Va., Fox Wesley Martin, July 6, 2016.
Stephanie Good ’06 and Brandon Rittenhouse, Harleysville, Pa., Colton James, May 25, 2015.
Eric ’06 and Stephanie Walton ’05 Sents, Broadway, Va., Audrey Jean, Aug. 30, 2016.
Adam ’06 and Marisa Clymer ’06 Shank, Harrisonburg, Va., Frida Claire, Aug. 2, 2016.
Jenny Hartwig ’06 and Jason Wagner, Harrisonburg, Va., Bethany Charlotte, May 11, 2016.
Shannon Weaver ’06 and Christopher Rutt ’07, Grottoes, Va., Maylee Grace, April 29, 2016.
Chris ’08 and Eliza Barnhart ’09 Burkholder, Danbury, Conn., Judah Quinn, May 8, 2016.
Kevin ’08 and Kara Schlabach ’09 Eby, Harrisonburg, Va., Isaac Bradley, Sept. 9, 2016.
David ’08 and Rebecca Souder ’09 Gish, Charlottesville, Va., Benjamin Paul, April 25, 2016.
Jackson ’09 and Katie Lehman ’09 Maust, Harrisonburg, Va., Julia June, April 26, 2016.
Seth ’09, SEM ’15 and Theresa Peachey ’09 Crissman, Harrisonburg, Va., Isaiah Seth, July 28, 2016.
Michael ’09 and Rachel Clemmer ’09 Charles, Lancaster, Pa., Meredith Olive, June 22, 2015.
Ben ’09 and Laura Lehman ’09 Ruth, Charlottesville, Va., Leo Benjamin, Sept. 4, 2016.
Aaron ’09 and Maria Yoder ’10 Billings, Rockingham, Va., Daniel Guy, May 20, 2016.
Fatemeh Darabi MA ’09 (conflict transformation), Tehran, Iran, Paradis, Dec. 17, 2015.
Mark ’10 and Kathryn ’09 Fenton, Harrisonburg, Va., Lucas Grey, July 4, 2016.
John ’11 and Nicole Hostetter, Staunton, Va., Greta Emilia, May 11, 2016.
Shannon Pollock MA ’11 (conflict transformation) and Jacob Neal, Charlottesville, Va., Asa Folger, Sept. 6, 2016.
Becca Metcalfe, MA ’11 (conflict transformation) and Luke Stone, Medford, Ma., Annelie Hazel, May 6, 2016.
Jessica Myers ’12 and Eric Fitzgerald, Knoxville, Tenn., Asher Cade, April 7, 2016.
Theo MA ’13 (conflict transformation) and Sharmila Peiris Sitther, Silver Spring, Md., Nadhira Amani, Sept. 17, 2016.
Joshua ’14 and Sarah Demaree ’10, MA ’12 (counseling) Defnall, Harrisonburg, Va., Theodore Edward, Sept. 25, 2016.
Janine, MA ’15 (conflict transformation) and Simon Åberg, Harrisonburg, Va., Tatanyha Tinadril, Sept. 23, 2016.
Julio Manuel Reyes Flores, MA ’16 (conflict transformation) and Heather L. Joffe, Harrisonburg, Va., Pablo Mauel, April 24, 2016.
Andrea Burkholder, office assistant in the nursing department, Staunton, Va., Evan Michael, Aug. 8, 2016.
DEATHS
Sarah Spruill Armstrong, Director of the Master of Arts in Education, Nellysford, Va., died Aug. 24, 2016, at 64. Sarah began at EMU in January 2015 and was instrumental in starting the MA in Restorative Justice in Education program. She retired from a 33 year career in the Virginia public school system and was employed at the University of Virginia (UVa) in Charlottesville, where she was senior director for K-12 professional development in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies and then director of programs for the Statewide K-12 Education Advisory Council at Curry School of Education.
Anna Mae Charles ’35 Fretz, Vineland, Ontario, Canada, died March 7, 2015, at 97. Anna Mae earned her MS in nursing from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and taught nursing at Goshen College until 1976. In retirement she worked as a staff nurse at a Florida hospital during the winter months as well as at a retirement community. She was a member of First Mennonite Church.
Grace Haldeman ’36 Hostetter, Harrisonburg, Va., died Aug. 22, 2016, at 97. She and spouse B. Charles Hostetter raised their children in Manheim, Pa. and Harrisonburg, Va. In 1970, they helped with the development of a seminary in Lagos, Nigeria, with Mennonite Board of Missions.
Paul A. Hunsberger ’39, Goshen, Ind., died May 19, 2016, at 97. Paul was a bi-vocational pastor and electrician in northern Ontario and Indiana. He was also involved in the ministry of Choice Books.
Clair Basinger ’47, Linville, Va., died May 14, 2016, at 93. He moved to Virginia from Wayne County, Ohio, to attend EMU and stayed after he married Evelyn Wenger. He attended Greenmount Church of the Brethren.
Ida Mast ’48 Swartley, Harrisonburg, Va., died on May 4, 2016, at 90. Ida and husband, Henry, were involved in church planting for 35 years. They established churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Ida worked as a volunteer at the local Gift & Thrift store for more than 20 years. She was a member of the Lindale Mennonite Church.
Barbara Keener ’49 Shenk, Lancaster, Pa., died on May 6, 2015, at 87. She served in voluntary service in Kentucky and at Laurel Street, Lyndon and Bridgeport Mennonite churches in the Lancaster area. Barbara published several books and hundreds of poems, enjoyed public speaking, and gave tours of Lancaster Country. She taught at various Mennonite schools in Lancaster and at Tidings of Peace Christian School in York.
Betty Drescher ’50, Quakertown, Pa., died on Sept. 21, 2016, at 87. Betty was an elementary school teacher and a member of Finland Mennonite Church.
Mary June Turner ’50 Rohrer, Harrisonburg, Va., died Aug. 29, 2016, at 86. Mary June worked in the cafeteria at Rockingham Memorial Hospital and as a medical secretary. She attended Linville Creek Church of the Brethren.
Anna Stover ’51, Palmyra, Pa., died Feb. 16, 2016, at 97. She lived at Lebanon Valley Breth- ren Home in Palmyra for 30 years. After retiring from Philhaven Hospital where she had been head of housekeeping for 30 years, she was a mission worker in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. She was a Bible teacher and volunteered at Jubilee Shop in Lebanon.
Esther Mae Becker ’51, Lititz, Pa., died on June 17, 2016, at 96. Esther taught English for 35 years in Ethiopia under Eastern Mennonite Missions. She began in the School for the Blind, spent many years in the Nazareth Bible Academy, and ended her career at the University of Addis Ababa. Esther received her master’s de- gree in library science from Syracuse University. She was a member of Kauffman’s Mennonite Church where she taught Sunday school.
R. Herbert Minnich Jr. ’53, Goshen, Ind., died July 7, 2016, at 85. He earned an MS from Cornell University and PhD in sociology from the University of Florida. He was a missionary with Mennonite Board of Missions in Brazil and Kazakhstan. He pastored in Kansas, Indiana and Oregon.
Irene Neuhauser ’53 Riegsecker, Goshen, Ind., died March 19, 2015, at 90. She was a licensed practical nurse and worked in Flint, Michigan, for many years. She was a lifelong member of Mennonite churches, lastly at College Mennonite Church.
Paul W. Fry ’54, Goshen, Ind., died March 8, 2015, at 86. He was an elementary school teacher in Goshen for 33 years. He retired to the Greencroft community, where he was known as an avid gardener of edamame soybeans.
Margaret L. Swarzentruber ’55, of Lansdale, Pa., died on Jan. 2, 2015, at 88. She taught home economics and English at Western Mennonite High School in Salem, Oregon, and later at Central Christian High School in Kidron, Ohio. She volunteered for many conference and church positions. She was a member of Methacton Mennonite Church.
Kathryn Ellen Hostetter ’56 Bucher, Harman, W.Va., died March 16, 2016, at 91. She worked at Mountain Clinic in Harman for 30 years, and in several states and two continents. A member of the Mennonite Nurses Associa- tion for more than 30 years, she served as the organization’s treasurer for 11 years. In 1984, she was honored as their nurse of the year.
Pauline M. Good ’56, Lancaster, Pa., died March 28, 2015, at 84. She was a registered nurse for 22 years at Mennonite Home in Lancaster and a member of Landisville Mennonite Church.
Alma E. Eby ’56, New Holland Pa., died March 9, 2015, at 84. She taught grade school in addition to serving with Eastern Mennonite Missions at the School for the Blind in Ethiopia. After retirement, she became owner of a used book store and volunteered at a thrift store for Mennonite Central Committee. She was involved with New Holland Mennonite Church.
William (Bill) M. Weaver ’58, Harrisonburg, Va., died March 13, 2016, at 86. While serving as a pastor at South 7th Street Mennonite Church, he taught music, Bible and shop at three Christian schools: Conestoga, Ephrata, and Gehmans. He was a pastor at Rissers Mennonite Church and Dillers Mennonite Church, program director at Camp Hebron, and founding pastor of Halifax Mennonite Community Church.
Miriam E. (Landis) Wenger Shenk ’58, Lititz, Pa., died July 3, 2015, at age 101. She was a missionary with Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions to Tanzania where she opened a home for female students and later, a domestic science school. She then served for 11 years as matron in the girls’ dormitory at Lancaster Mennonite School. Until retirement, she went to Kenya to help build and grow churches.
Dale Leon Keener ’60, Falling Waters, W.Va., died April 18, 2016, at 77. He taught for three years in Ethiopia and three years in Rocking- ham County, Va., before owning and operating Keener Insurance Agency in Centerville, Va., from 1973 until his retirement. He was a member of Gateway Ministries of Williamsport, Md.
James Sauder ’60, Ephrata, Pa., died July 22, 2016. He and wife Rhoda worked for 30 years as missionaries with Eastern Mennonite Missions.
Anna Kathryn Eby ’62, Harrisonburg, Va., died March 31, 2016, at 75. Born in Tanzania, she returned there with her husband Omar after graduation. She was later an elementary school teacher in the Rockingham County Schools.
Marie Erb ’63 MacKnight, Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada, died on Feb. 15, 2015, at 76. She was a nurse in Ohio, New York, Iowa and Colorado. After her marriage and move to Canada, Marie taught for two years at the School of Nursing in New Brunswick. She later became a Mary Kay consultant for over 30 years.
Ada Bontrager ’64 Yoder, Kalona, Iowa, died on May 2, 2015, at 80. She spent eight years in Germany under Rosedale Mennonite Mission, 24 years at AAA as a travel agent and tour guide, and more than 20 years ministering at Iowa Medical and Classification Center, a women’s correctional facility.
Floyd Eugene Schrock ’69, McMinnville, Ore., died Oct. 2, 2016, at 69. He was an international student recruiter for Linfield College for 13 years. He was also an ESL teacher at Chemeketa Community College; director of development at Western Mennonite School; and English teacher, librarian and administrator at Logsden Christian School. He enjoyed observing all things in nature, especially birds.
Paul E. Reed ’69, Dayton, Va., died Nov. 1, 2015, at 74. He served as pastor of the Rawley Springs Mennonite Church for 36 years. He also worked as an editor for Christian Light Publications and as a teacher at Berea Chris- tian School in Harrisonburg and in Lancaster County, Pa.
K. Joan Gingerich ’71, Elkhart, Ind., died Nov. 22, 2015, at 67. Joan taught in several elementary schools for Elkhart Community Schools for 30 years.
Esther Gamber ’72, Hesston, Kan., died Feb. 8, 2015, at 89.
William Judd Chelgren Jr. ’75, Harrisonburg, Va., died on Feb. 3, 2016 at 62. He was employed by the City of Harrisonburg Transit.
John P. Bender, ’78, SEM ’83, Allentown, Pa., died Oct. 9, 2016, at 61. John worked for 30 years as a Mennonite pastor in multi-ethnic, urban settings in Harrisonburg, Va.; Raleigh, N.C.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Telford, Pa. He and his wife Marilyn moved to Allentown to support RIPPLE church and help birth Ripple Community Inc.
Monica Cope ’94 Cooper, Coopersburg, Pa., died June 4, 2015, at 42. She was a nutritionist for the Bucks County Health Department for 15 years. Monica was a member of Swamp Mennonite Church, Quakertown.
Lisa Horning Heft CRT ’15, Denver, Pa., died Oct. 12, 2016 at 40. Lisa worked the past six years as a volunteer coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee in Ephrata. A member of Weaverland Mennonite Church, she was also attending Koinos Community Church in Sinking Spring. She was a past president of Lancaster Mennonite Women.
