Cords of Distinction recipients are (back row, from left) Emma King, Rachel King, Carissa Harnish, Rebecca Longenecker, Rebecca Martin, Erin Rheinheimer and Emily Shenk and (front row, from left) Jacob Landis, Jordan Luther, and Gee Paegar. (Photo by Londen Wheeler)

Ten EMU graduates earn Cords of Distinction for contributions to campus and community

Ten graduating seniors were honored as Cords of Distinction recipients in a ceremony held Saturday afternoon, April 25, 2015 at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU).

Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated the recipients, who were cited for their “significant and verifiable impact” on the university and on student life; for their contributions to developing the institution’s positive image; for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County area and beyond; for their high academic and social standing; and their embodiment of EMU’s shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.

They wore gold and blue cords during the graduation ceremony on Sunday, April 26.

Blue represents strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community.

Gold represents the love of spirit and yearning toward creating a better university environment or community.

2015 Cords of Distinction recipients

  • Carissa Harnish, a major in biology and Spanish from Manheim, Pennsylvania
  • Emma King, a major in digital media and communication and minor in journalism and photography from West Unity, Ohio
  • Rachel King, a major in biology, from West Unity, Ohio
  • Jacob Landis, a major in congregational and youth ministry and Biblical studies and minor in biology from Sterling, Illinois
  • Rebecca Longenecker, a major in English and minor in mathematics from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
  • Timothy (Jordan) Luther, a major in Biblical studies from Martinsville, Virginia
  • Rebecca Martin, a major in history and minor in economics and Spanish from Akron, Pennsylvania
  • Gee Paegar, Jr., a major in history and environmental sustainability and minor in political studies and international development from Monrovia, Liberia
  • Erin Rheinheimer, a major in art with K-12 licensure and a minor in environmental sustainability from Alexandria, Virginia
  • Emily Shenk, a major in liberal arts with an elementary education licensure from Goshen, Indiana