Next week, Eastern Mennonite University goes out into the community with “Here Together,” a six-day celebration to kick off the 2021-22 academic year.
The week’s events were organized by faculty and staff, both on the Harrisonburg main campus and at the Lancaster site. Some events in Harrisonburg, including a nature walk, plant swap, and downtown concert, are open to the public. (See more info below.)
And it’s likely residents out and about will see EMU “Here Together” participants out and about: cleaning up around the Northeast neighborhood, working at Gift & Thrift, and spending time with animals at the SPCA. These and other projects, such as preparing care packages for nurses and creating comforters and knitted items for local charities, aim to spread some positive energy into the community.
There’s more fun planned as well: a pickleball tournament, a baking contest and tours at the Friendly City Food Co-op, and an underwater photography session at Rawley Springs Park.
Braydon Hoover, director of advancement and annual giving and the planning committee spokesperson, calls the week “a fresh approach on an old tradition.”
The Fall Faculty/Staff Conference traditionally brings EMU employees together for two full days in August before students arrive and the fall semester begins. The event welcomes everyone, part-time and full-time, from facilities management to coaches to faculty of all schools, from student and residence life staff to admissions and other departments — each employee an integral contributor to the university’s culture and life.
“It’s always a really rich and symbolic time of learning, worship and fellowship that celebrates our beloved values of community and relationship,” Hoover said. “This year, we’re still having some of the traditions of the Faculty/Staff Conference that we all look forward to, but we’ve also woven in opportunities to experience and share with each other things we love to do. The week promises to be not only fun and rewarding for us as EMU employees, but also a token of gratitude towards and solidarity with our neighbors.”
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Come to Your Senses: Exploring Nature Together: Monday, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. (for parents/grandparents and children), Park Woods
Explore nature in the EMU Park Woods through guided sensory awareness activities well suited for young children partnered with a parent or grandparent or a few elementary age students working together. These are tried and true environmental education nature awareness activities using simple materials, observation and presence.
Plant/Veggie Swap and Flower to the People: Thursday 5-7 p.m., Thomas Plaza
Bring your prized homegrown fruits, vegetables and plants and trade them with other folks or just give them away! Take home a bouquet of homegrown flowers from EMU faculty and staff.
Downtown Music Concert and Free Ice Cream, Saturday 12-2 p.m., by Massanutten Regional Library.
Music faculty will perform, and the Ice Cream Pedaler will be in action (in case you don’t know or have not witnessed this, it’s the [world-famous] bicycle-powered ice cream maker). Free ice cream!
The Fall Faculty-Staff Conference Committee includes Fred Kniss, provost; Amy Hartsell, executive advisor to the president; Benjamin Bergey, professor of music; Braydon Hoover, director of development and annual giving; Don Tyson, professor of nursing and director of the MSN program; Laura Lehman, director of digital content and strategy; Carol Hurst, professor of social work; Mary Jensen, provost, EMU Lancaster; Shelby Tinsley, administrative assistant, President’s Office; and Stephen Farrar, administrative assistant, music department.