EMU community eager to embrace university theme of “Sustain Together”
Campus felt warmer than usual on Monday morning, and it wasn’t just because of the sunshine. The music was bumping, the bubble machine was set to max, and positive vibes were in full swing. Faculty and staff members lined the pathway in front of Lehman Auditorium, holding signs and cheering as students arrived for Opening Convocation.
The annual ceremony serves as the traditional kickoff to the school year. Judging by the excitement on Monday morning, this year is sure to be bursting with energy and enthusiasm.
Keep scrolling for snapshots of the music, engaging speakers, and words of wisdom from Opening Convocation 2025!
Students received a hero’s welcome as they made their way into Lehman Auditorium for the ceremony. There were plenty of hugs and high-fives to go around!
As faculty and staff processed into Lehman as per tradition, they were treated to rhythmic djembe drumming led by Makinto, an Eastern Mennonite Seminary student and globetrotting musician. The talented multi-instrumentalist and worship leader energized the audience, leading everyone in a lively call-and-response of “walk in peace,” “together we can,” “and unity,” and “E-M-U.”
Members of the EMU Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Benjamin Bergey, lifted their voices together in a flawless rendition of the hymn, “The Unclouded Day.” Earlier this summer, the choir performed at venues across Europe and represented North America at the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism celebration in Zürich.
Those attending Opening Convocation got a special treat as Dr. David Berry, director of the music program at EMU, debuted a new, rockin’ song written just for the occasion. Berry lit up the piano and delivered some fiery rap verses, while adjunct music instructors Jonah Barnett (guitar) jammed out on electric guitar and Tabatha Parrott (contemporary voice) wowed with her powerhouse vocals.
Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs at EMU, provided words of welcome and introduced the university theme for the year ahead. “For those of you who are first-year students, you’re stepping into a world of endless possibilities, new friendships, and academic challenges. But you don’t have to do it alone because we do this thing at EMU together,” she said. “… ‘Together’ is a word you’re going to hear, see, and, I hope, feel in your mind. We will learn together, we will serve together, we will compete together, and, this year, we will sustain together.”
| Did you know? The Common Read for this year is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. |
Seniors Maria Longenecker and Leah Frankenfield, who are serving as Student Government Association co-presidents this year, introduced themselves and encouraged students to express their concerns. “Together, we’re committed to making sure each student feels that their voice matters and is heard on campus,” said Longenecker. “We strive to support all students, including our multicultural, athletic, international, commuter, first-gen, and everyone in between.”
Claire Hurst, a third-year environmental science and public health major who spent the summer as a climate advocacy intern through the EMU Washington Semester, shared her experiences and spoke on the importance of environmental sustainability. At its core, she said, environmental sustainability is about using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
“For me, a passion for the natural world has grown from countless summer nights camping under tall pine trees and Sunday afternoon hikes filled with laughter among friends and family. It feels natural to want to protect and give back to the places that have provided me such joy and fulfillment,” she said. “As we begin this fall semester, I encourage you all to think about how you connect and engage with our everyday spaces. … Anything that allows you to appreciate the environment will translate into wanting to protect it.”
The Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus used the Opening Convocation, her first as EMU’s interim president, to talk about trees. She invited the members of the EMU learning community to imagine themselves as trees and their lives together as a forest. She spoke about the interconnected root systems deep underground that anchor trees and absorb water and nutrients, the methods trees use to communicate stress and share resources, and the many ways they work in unison to sustain the forest as a whole—not just themselves.
“Forests don’t thrive because each tree is the tallest or the strongest; they flourish because they are connected.” she said. “EMU, we are a living forest, rooted in shared values and branching toward new possibilities. Every one of us—students, faculty, staff—brings something essential to this ecosystem.”
Thank you to everyone who helped make Opening Convocation a spirited success, and we are excited to “Sustain Together” this year!
Sounds and looks like a great start for the new academic year. Best together!