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Eastern Mennonite University paid tribute to a Harrisonburg couple for many years of financial support to a host of projects and programs.
EMU held an appreciation dinner just before Christmas for Lewis E. and Ethel Strite and family members to express gratitude for their benevolent gifts to the university.
Most recently, the Strites sold their home at 1919 N. College Ave. to the university, including a substantial gift-in-kind. The house is the new residence of EMU President Loren E. Swartzendruber and his wife Pat. It will also be used to host guests and special campus activities.
The home purchase was initiated by the EMU board of trustees, with the leadership of Sheryl K. Wyse, board chair, and Curt Hartman, chair of the trustees finance and advancement committee.
“I was privileged to tour the house when the Swartzendrubers moved in,” said interim EMU President Beryl H. Brubaker. “We made no mistake in purchasing your lovely home and we are grateful that you were willing to
transfer it to our hands and our care,” she told the couple.
The retired couple have had long-time involvement in a variety of business and church enterprises. Lewis Strite was long-time owner and president of the former Shenandoah Manufacturing Co., a poultry equipment firm in Harrisonburg. He was instrumental in the development of Mennonite Broadcasts, Inc., now Media Ministries, in the 1950s and gave leadership to capital campaigns at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. They were also involved in Mennonite Christian Leadership Foundation.
The Strites have made significant contributions to campus facilities, including renovations to Northlawn residence hall and to building the Campus Center, the seminary building and University Commons.
Strite Auditorium on first floor of the EMU Campus Center is named in honor of the couple.
“Your name has become a household word as generations of students, faculty and staff gather in this auditorium to learn, to dialogue and to worship,” Dr. Brubaker said. “Each of these major buildings has contributed immeasurably to our ability to carry out the mission of EMU.
“Your endowment of the Preaching Institute at Eastern Mennonite Seminary is blessing the lives of numerous pastors throughout this country as well as the congregations that they serve,” the interim president continued. “You also have contributed to the Clinical Pastoral Education program at EMS, another program with powerful impact, particularly on persons experiencing crisis.
“The Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, the Shenandoah Valley Children