Ten graduating seniors were honored as Cords of Distinction recipients in a ceremony Saturday afternoon, April 29, 2017 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.
Read faculty/staff tributes to 2017 recipients.
They will wear gold and blue cords during the graduation ceremony on Sunday, April 30.
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.
2017 Cords of Distinction recipients
- Diego Barahona, major in biochemistry and environmental sustainability and minor in biology and chemistry, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras;
- Azariah Cox, major in photography and minor in digital communications, from Forest, Virginia;
- Hannah Daley, major in chemistry with a concentration in environmental sustainability and a minor in mathematics and physics, from Lothian, Maryland;
- Quinn Kathrineberg, major in English with a Secondary Licensure (6-12), from Salina, Kansas;
- Oksana Kittrell, major in psychology and a minor in youth ministry, from Big Island, Virginia;
- Madison List, major in religious and intercultural studies, from Arlington, Virginia;
- Mariah Martin, major in nursing, from Greencastle, Virginia;
- Macson McGuigan, major in digital media and environmental sustainability with a concentration on environmental/social sustainability and a minor in photography, from Berryville, Virginia;
- Mario Valladares, majors in business administration, economics and accounting, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras;
- Elisabeth Wilder, major in social work and a minor in pre-law, from Hesston, Kansas.
The following students were nominated for the award: Lorraine Armstrong, Virginia Baisden, Jonathan Bishop, Hannah Mack-Boll, Nathaneal S. Brigham, Robert Cook, Tyler Denlinger, Chen Elena Liu, Ben Emswiler, Kaylee Ferguson, Jonae Guest, Katelyn Hackenbracht, Christina Hershey, Liana Hershey, Kyle Richard Johnson, Lamar Kiser, Paul Lankford, Jordan Leaman, Allan Oloo, Ezrionna Prioleau, Robert Propst, Olivia Resto, Janaya Sachs, Grantley Showalter, Jacinda Stahly, Lydia Tissue, Megan Weaver, Eli Wenger, Shay Whetzel.