Note: EMU Professor Cyndi Gusler’s opening reception has been rescheduled to Oct. 28
This listing includes events for the fall semester at EMU. To see most current details, additional events and further information, please visit the events calendar at: emu.edu/events
EMU News often publishes event previews. Visit emu.edu/news to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive Tuesday morning weekly updates.
September
Sept. 5 — Convocation: Unlocking the Brain. John Almarode, professor of education at James Madison University, will help students and faculty learn studying hacks to improve academic performance. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.
Sept. 5 — Bonfire and movie night. The Latinx Student Alliance hosts a bonfire movie night, featuring a screening of Selena with s’mores and Jarritos. 8 p.m., Discipleship Center/EMU Hill.
Sept. 12 — Student internship symposium. Computer science and engineering students will share about their internship experiences over the past spring and summer. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 001.
Sept. 12 — Opening reception for Fleeting, a photography exhibition from Macson McGuigan ’17, visual media manager for EMU marketing & communications. The exhibition will remain on display until Oct. 3. 4 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).
Sept. 17 — Convocation: How to College. Participants will learn essential insights in how to succeed in college. 10:15 a.m., University Commons Student Union.
Sept. 18 — BSA Movie Night. The Black Student Alliance and EMU Gospel Choir present a showing of the movie, “Let It Shine.” 8 p.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170).
Sept. 19 — Suter Science Seminar: “Harnessing a One Health approach to investigate triatomine bugs, vectors of Chagas disease.” Jennifer K. Peterson, assistant professor of medical entomology at the University of Delaware, will share her research into the Chagas disease. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.
Sept 22 — Tertulia. The EMU Language & Literature Department hosts a sing-along celebration with storytelling. Guests are encouraged to wear a jersey or traditional clothing that represents a Hispanic country to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. 6:30 p.m., Old Common Grounds (University Commons 177).
Sept. 23 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Mary S. Sprunger. “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide: The Omnipresence of (Mennonite) History.” Sprunger, professor of history at EMU, presents on her sabbatical year, which was themed around the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism and included popular lectures and publications, scholarly articles and conferences, and a unique EMU Alumni and Friends Anabaptist heritage tour on gender and class. 12:10-1 p.m., Northlawn West Dining Room.
Sept. 23 — “The 1910 ‘Legal Lynching’ of Pink Barbour in Harrisonburg, Virginia.” Gianluca DeFazio, associate professor of justice studies at James Madison University, and Mark Metzler Sawin, professor of history at EMU, present on how Pink Barbour, a local Black man, was “legal lynched” via the court system, which allowed the state to legitimize violence against Black people. 5 p.m., Strite Conference Room (Campus Center 105).
Sept. 26 — Wind & Jazz Ensemble Concert. Join the musical ensembles for the first concert of the year! 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
October
Fall Break for students is between Thursday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 19. Classes resume on Oct. 20.
Oct. 1 — Peña Folklórica. The EMU Spanish Department invites guests to explore the music of the band Raymi, which will share traditional and modern Andean music and culture. 6:30 p.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.
Oct. 2 — David Berry Faculty Recital. Join Dr. David Berry, associate professor of music at EMU, for an evening of beloved piano tunes spanning the classical and jazz genres. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.
Oct. 3 — Suter Science Seminar: “From Plant Genes to Retinal Neurons: A Genomic Journey in Research and Teaching.” Ray Enke, professor of biology at James Madison University, provides a behind-the-scenes look at his winding path through the world of epigenetics. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.
Oct. 8 — Campus Worship: What is a Mennonite? In this 500th year of Anabaptism, some are pondering the question, “What is a Mennonite?” Join Troy Osborne, dean and associate professor of history and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario, for updated perspectives on this theme drawn from his book, Radicals and Reformer: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.
Oct. 8 — Keim History Lecture. Troy Osborne, dean and associate professor of history at Conrad Grebel University, will highlight key themes that appear in his recent Mennonite history text. The lecture will begin at 5 p.m., following a reception held in the upper level of Suter Science Center. 4:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.
Oct. 10-12 — Homecoming 2025. Visit emu.edu/homecoming for a full listing of events. Various locations and times.
Oct. 10 — A Capella Celebration. Enjoy an evening of music with a special collaboration of local a capella groups. 7:30 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. Tickets are $10. Register in advance here.
Oct. 11 — EMU TenTalks. EMU’s three alumni award winners—visionary artist and futurist Fabrice Guerrier MA ’15 (conflict transformation), organizer Brittany Caine-Conley ’14, and leader Jess King ’96—will share their stories for 10 minutes each with a Q&A at the end. 1:30 p.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.
Oct. 12 — The EMU Chamber Singers performs at a Homecoming Worship Service. 10 a.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.
Oct. 21 — Queer History Month keynote presentation: Chad Sager (aka Jayda Knight, Rhinestone Productions) and Chad Walters (IN2GR8ION). Join the co-creators behind two of the Valley’s most vibrant expressions of queer creativity and performance as they explore themes of identity, artistry, and community, as well as how drag and design can be powerful tools for storytelling, self-expression, and connection. 7:30 p.m., University Commons Student Union.
Oct. 27 — Augsburger Lecture by Rev. Dr. Almeda Wright, associate professor of religious education at Yale Divinity School and author of Teaching to Live: Black Religion, Activist-Educators, and Radical Social Change (Oxford University Press, 2024). 7 p.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170).
Oct. 28 — Sabbatical Spotlight and opening reception for Salt & Fury, a collection of paintings by Cyndi Gusler, professor of visual and communication arts at EMU. 4 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).
Oct. 29 — Disability Awareness Month Convocation. Guest speaker Bailey Vincent, a deaf choreographer, dancer, director, and journalist whose art and advocacy invites us to reimagine access, storytelling, and belonging, serves as keynote speaker. 10:15 a.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170)
Oct. 30 — Student Recital I. The program includes a variety of pieces that music students have been working on in their private lessons. Bring a lunch and show your support. Halloween-themed reception to follow! 12:10-1 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event has been canceled.
November
Thanksgiving Break is between Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 30. Classes resume on Monday, Dec. 1.
Nov. 7 — Gala Concert. The EMU Music Department hosts its annual, ever-popular Gala Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
Nov. 14 — Suter Science Seminar: “Life after Ice: Wildlife and Ecosystem Responses to Recent Glacier Loss in the High Tropical Andes.” Kelsey Reider, assistant professor of biology at James Madison University, will explore how tropical, high-elevation plant, microbe, and animal communities are responding to glacier loss, and the cascading effects of ice loss on downstream water resources. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.
Nov. 23 — Joint Choir Concert. 8 p.m., University Commons Student Union.
December
Final exams are from Tuesday, Dec. 9, to Friday, Dec. 12. Residence halls close for winter break at noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, and reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Dec. 3 — Christmas Stories & Song. Come celebrate and share the stories and songs of Christmas with the Faith and Spiritual Life team, student readers, and Benjamin Bergey leading singing. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.
Dec. 4 — Student Recital II. Support EMU music students as they perform in the second student recital of the semester. 12:10-1 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
Dec. 5 — Christmas Concert. Come celebrate the holidays with the Music Department! Featuring performances by the EMU Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, University Choir, and Chamber Singers, it’s sure to be an evening of joy and celebration. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
Dec. 9 — Convocation: Intercultural Sharing. Students who spent the fall in the EMU Washington Semester program will share their experiences. 10:15 a.m., University Commons Student Union.
Dec. 10 — Convocation: Student Recognition Ceremony. The campus community gathers to celebrate students for their accomplishments and achievements. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.
More information
Arts at EMU To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at EMU, visit www.emu.edu/arts.
Center for Interfaith Engagement The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at Eastern Mennonite University promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.
Suter Science Seminars Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit EMU’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.
University Chapel A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.
Join the Discussion on “Arts and Lectures Calendar for Fall 2025”