Ten graduating seniors are Eastern Mennonite University’s 2025 Cords of Distinction recipients. They will wear blue and gold cords signifying their achievement during the 2025 Commencement. A special ceremony honoring the recipients will be held on Tuesday, April 29 at 10:10 a.m. in Martin Chapel.
The Cords of Distinction Award was established in 2000 to recognize and honor graduates who have demonstrated creative learning and achievement, exemplary leadership and engagement across communities, and a commitment to the values of the university—academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith.
The cords are blue and gold. Blue honors the strength of conviction that one person can help to restore hope across communities. Gold celebrates excellence and the courage to practice and pursue peace.
The 2025 Cords of Distinction recipients are:
—Ruth Abera, a biochemistry major with minors in restorative justice, criminology and honors core from Damascus, Md.;
—Mariana Acosta, an engineering (mechanical emphasis) major and honors minor from Salem, Oregon;
—Noussaiba Garti, a digital media & communications major and psychology minor from Fez, Morocco, and Orlando, Florida;
—Adesola Johnson, a biology (neuroscience track) major with minors in chemistry and honors from Dallas, Texas;
—Erika Lopez, with majors in liberal arts and elementary education (PreK-6) licensure, special education endorsement, from Goshen, Indiana;
—Cristal Narciso, a social work major from Val Verde, California;
—Garrett Nyce, with majors in economics and business analytics and a minor in data analytics from Souderton, Pennsylvania;
—Marciella Shallomita, with majors in biology (neuroscience track) and mathematics and a minor in bible, religion and theology from Serpong, Indonesia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
—Allysen Welty Peachey, with majors in biology and environmental science from Champaign, Illinois;
—Fiker Yigzaw, a global studies major with minors in peacebuilding and environmental justice from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Nominees are:
- Addi Fowler
- Adrianna Jacobs
- Aidan Yoder
- Amber Bonds
- Ava Shenk
- Caleb Chupp
- Daniela Espinoza
- Doran Kennedy
- Ella Brubaker
- Elphas Andudu
- Emma Nord
- Madison Stockner
- Halie Mast
- Hellena Gebremedhin
- Iris Anderson
- Jason Dwyer
- Jordan Kerr
- Karla Hostetter
- Lauryn Moore
- Levi Myers
- Cassidy Walker
- Cassidy Williams
- Chidubem Ekoh
- Meredith Lehman
- Mikayla Pettus
- Morgan Leslie
- Nashay Dickson
- Rachel Tusing
- Rachel Wheeler
- Reah Clymer
- Rosa Martin
- Roumany Sefin
- Trinity Price
- Zack Furr
- Zahra Alzeyadi
Congratulations to all of you!
Both the list of awardees as well the nominees makes me proud to teach at EMU! Congratulations to all!