The ABCs of EMU

When it comes to our beloved university, these are a few—erm, 26—of our favorite things…

A is for Anabaptism

While respect for people of all faith traditions is central to EMU, the university was founded in the Anabaptist-Mennonite Christian tradition, which is known worldwide for bringing people together to solve conflicts with words rather than weapons. Other Anabaptist values deeply rooted in EMU include simplicity, justice and mercy, environmental stewardship, and care for the oppressed and impoverished.

B is for Baristas

If caffeine is what keeps the world running, then the baristas who brew the coffees, teas, and specialty drinks at the student-run Common Grounds Coffeehouse are the quiet force fueling campus, one cup at a time. The comfy couches and cozy atmosphere make this gathering place the go-to spot on campus.

C is for CJP

EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, respected globally for its academic excellence and practitioner-based programming, offers master’s degrees in conflict transformation, restorative justice, and transformational leadership; training in trauma resilience; and a Summer Peacebuilding Institute. Its alumni work in communities, governments and international organizations toward a more just and less violent world.

D is for D.C. program

Each semester and summer, students from EMU and other Mennonite-affiliated colleges come together to the nation’s capital to participate in the EMU Washington Semester, a transformative program that blends academic engagement, professional development, and intentional community living. Students gain meaningful, hands-on experience in their fields through internships thoughtfully matched to align with their academic focus and career goals.

E is for Experiential learning

Speaking of transformative programs and hands-on experience, EMU’s unique experiential intercultural learning opportunities prioritize immersion and mutual engagement with people from different cultural backgrounds. Graduates call their intercultural experiences “life-changing,” giving them the foundation they need as lifelong learners in a global context.

F is for Forward Together

The largest comprehensive campaign in school history, Forward Together: Preparing Tomorrow’s Unifying Leaders (2023-2028) aims to raise $40 million for “people, programs and facilities” by 2028. Learn more and give now at emu.edu/campaign.

G is for Gehman Gallery

Named for the late professor emeritus, the 31-by-21-foot Margaret Martin Gehman Art Gallery is a beautifully designed and illuminated space for students, faculty, staff, and guest artists to exhibit their work. Join us at the gallery on Friday, Jan. 16, at 4 p.m. for the opening reception of an exhibition by alumna artist Rebecca Souder Gish ’09.

H is for Herm

Our fierce and friendly mascot, Herm, can often be found rallying our athletic teams and spreading Royal cheer at community events. Where did the name come from? The following excerpt is from a 2020 article in Crossroads.

1981: Alumni relations director Les Helmuth ‘78 holds a student competition to create a cartoon mascot. The Royals Lion wins the competition, and a character design is first drawn by Darrell Yoder ‘81 with the name “HRM,” short for “his royal majesty.”

I is for IEP

EMU’s Intensive English Program helps English language learners from all around the world find their voice and build a better life for themselves. In a typical semester, the program has 60 to 80 students representing 15 to 20 different countries. “(It’s) one of the best English programs in the area,” said Harrisonburg Councilman Nasser Alsaadun MA ’17 (education). “It has a great reputation with the immigrant community.”

J is for Jesse Longenecker

Did you know one of EMU’s students is a national championship-winning athlete? In April, Jesse Longenecker, then a first-year student from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, won the 2025 College Disc Golf National Championship, helping place EMU disc golf on the national radar.

K is for Kindness

Kindness is central to who EMU is. The DEI team at EMU is driven by the vision to co-create a community of learners where everyone feels connected, accepted, valued, and respected.

L is for Lancaster

About 220 miles northeast of Harrisonburg, EMU Lancaster offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs and professional development programs to help students excel in today’s workforce. Whether students are training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, learning to fly airplanes, earning an instructional certification or degree in education, or advancing their careers with a leadership certificate or degree, the Lancaster team is ready to support them in achieving their goals.

M is for Music and peacebuilding

The first-of-its-kind music and peacebuilding major, available only at EMU, trains students to creatively transform conflict by using music to build common ground, facilitate healing, and create a space of storytelling. It was formally added to EMU’s list of programs in 2021. Learn more at emu.edu/music/peacebuilding.

N is for Nobel laureate

EMU alumna Leymah Gbowee MA ’07 (conflict transformation) was one of three women jointly awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work organizing a peace movement to end the Second Liberian Civil War. Since receiving the prestigious honor, the renowned peace activist, trained social worker, and women’s rights advocate returned to EMU to deliver commencement addresses in 2014 and 2018.

O is for ‘Ooh and ahh’

One look from the top of EMU Hill will have you uttering those words as you take in views of Massanutten Mountain, the rest of campus, and the city of Harrisonburg. It’s a favorite spot for students, faculty, staff—and Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus—seeking tranquility. The summit is also home to the new state-of-the-art Astral Recording Studio (1304 Hillcrest Drive), which opened at the start of the fall semester.

P is for Promise Grant

A total of 76 first- and second-year EMU students have access to an exceptional, tuition-free college education through the EMU Promise Grant. The initiative is open to Virginia residents with adjusted gross family incomes below $75,000 who are first-time, full-time undergraduate students. For more information, visit emu.edu/promise-grant.

Q is for Queer Student Alliance

An open and loving space that affirms people of all gender, romantic, and sexual identities, the Queer Student Alliance (QSA) provides opportunities for respectful, transformative dialogue with students, faculty and staff, and administrators, as well as smaller support spaces for queer students.

R is for Rhodes Scholar

Meredith Lehman ’25, a biology and political science double major, became the first Rhodes Scholar from EMU when recipients were announced in November 2024. She was one of only 32 students in the U.S. selected from nearly 3,000 applicants to receive the 2025 Rhodes Scholarship. The award is considered the most prized international scholarship for American college graduates and covers all expenses to study at the University of Oxford in England.

S is for Sustainability

The following is taken from a webpage outlining the History of Sustainability at EMU:

EMU was encouraging sustainable living long before “green” became trendy. It’s always been part of our understanding of the call to live gently with God’s creation.

EMU students live in LEED-certified, energy-efficient residence halls. Our library draws power from the first-installed commercial-scale solar installation in the state. Dining hall guests compost food scraps to later nourish campus gardens, which provide fresh produce.

T is for Track & field complex

EMU’s new state-of-the-art track & field complex, which opened in October 2024, is one of only a few in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference to meet NCAA certification standards and is designed to host events in multiple configurations. The facility hosted the 2025 ODAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships in April and will host them again in the spring.

U is for Unifying leaders

At a time when the world feels more divided than ever, EMU’s 2023-28 strategic plan, Pathways of Promise, calls on the university to develop students into the unifying leaders and bridge-builders our world urgently needs. Read more about the strategic plan here.

V is for VACA

The Visual and Communication Arts Department (VACA) offers majors in digital media, photography, and design; art; art education; and marketing. VACA students gain access to the program’s extensive collection of quality cameras, lenses, and other equipment, giving them an edge in internships and careers.

W is for Weather Vane

Since its first issue in 1939, the EMU student newspaper has served as a vessel of student expression for both staff reporters and the entire campus community. The Weather Vane “let readers know how the winds were blowing on campus,” described Hubert Pellman ’38. Read a comprehensive history of the student newspaper here.

X is for X factor

Our alumni have that special X factor! EMU graduates are favored by grad schools, sought after by employers, and prepared with skills for a lifetime. Employers say they hire EMU grads because of their respect for others, academic preparedness, and top-notch communication and critical thinking skills.

Y is for Yoder/Webb

Recipients of the four-year, full-tuition Yoder/Webb Scholarship, EMU’s highest academic award, are selected based on academic performance, community and extracurricular involvement, creativity, clarity of thought, and leadership potential. Read about the 2025 Yoder/Webb Scholars here.

Z is for Zehr Institute

Named after “the grandfather of restorative justice,” Professor Emeritus Howard Zehr, the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice hosts conferences, webinars, and courses to facilitate conversations and cultivate connections around RJ. The institute envisions a world that cultivates just and healing approaches to interpersonal, historical, and societal harm.