Ten seniors from three states and two countries ceremonially received “Cords of Distinction” on April 26, the highest honor conferred by Eastern Mennonite University on traditional undergraduate. The next day, they wore their blue and gold cords across their shoulders as they graduated.
The students were cited for their “significant and verifiable impact” on the university and on student life, for their contributions to developing EMU’s positive image, for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond, for their high academic and social standing, and for their embodiment of EMU’s values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.
The blue cord represents the strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community. The gold cord represents the love of spirit and yearning towards creating a better university environment or community in which all may take part.
The recipients were:
- Christine Baer, a peacebuilding & development and environmental sustainability major from Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
- Aaron Erb, a peacebuilding & development major from Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Laura Glick, a social work major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Nicole Groff, a biology major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Ardi Hermawan, a nursing major from Parsurvan, Indonesia
- Rose Jantzi, a liberal arts major with an elementary education licensure recipient from Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Litza Laboriel, a social work major from Trujillo, Honduras
- Krista Nyce, a psychology major from Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Melody Tobin, a liberal arts major with an elementary education licensure from Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Brandon Waggy, a peacebuilding and development and Biblical studies major from South Bend, Indiana