This listing includes events for the spring 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.
January
Jan. 12 — Exploring Research Showcase. Come hear EMU STEM faculty and students share highlights from a range of opportunities, including research projects, internships, and other applied STEM experiences. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center (SSC) 106.
Jan. 14 — Campus Worship: Hymn Sing for Hope. Students and faculty from EMU’s Music and Peacebuilding major lead a hymn sing. Learn more about campus worship and other worship services on campus here. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel, Seminary Building.
Jan. 16 — Winter Unconference session: Divisional Structure Update. Divisional Deans Sarah Bixler and Michael Horst will provide an overview of the most recent phase of work, which includes the creation of the department structure, program leadership, and describe the collaborative process of configuring departments. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Strite Conference Room (Campus Center 105).
Jan. 16 — Opening reception for exhibition by landscape oil painting artist Rebecca Souder Gish ’09. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).
Jan. 19 — MLK Jr. Celebration 2026. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Beyond the Dream: Social Justice and Ecological Consciousness.” Events include a convocation with featured speaker Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò (10:15-11:30 a.m., Lehman Auditorium), soapmaking and fire cider sessions (registration required), and a world climate simulation. Times and locations available at emu.edu/mlk.
Jan. 26 — Concerto/Aria Competition. The student-musicians who win this competition will earn coveted spots to perform as soloists with the EMU Orchestra during its spring Concerto/Aria Orchestra Concert in April. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
Jan. 27 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jim Yoder, professor of biology at EMU. “Tracking the Untrackable: Animal Movement and Behavior at the Smallest Scales.” Dr. Yoder will briefly share his own journey of studying animal movement from birds and mammals at large spatial scales to tephritid fruit flies using harmonic radar in Australia. He will also focus on his newest research project studying tick movement and behavior, also utilizing harmonic radar. 12:10-1:10 p.m., West Dining Room.
February
Feb. 4 — Celebrate Black History Month with EMU’s Black Student Alliance during Convocation. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.
Feb. 6 — Suter Science Seminar with Lee Brown, assistant professor of biology at James Madison University. “Things We Miss When We Take for Granted What We [Don’t] Know – Lessons From a Few Years of Monarch Butterfly Research.” Dr. Brown presents research from her lab since 2023 investigating the use of radio telemetry for tracking monarch movements, and the conservation-relevant discoveries that have emerged. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.
Feb. 6 — International Food Festival. The beloved annual event provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community to share the great wonders of their respective cultures through food. 5:30 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations.
Feb. 20 — Suter Science Seminar with Paula Skye Tallman, assistant professor of anthropology at Loyola University Chicago. “Action Research: Water Insecurity, Women’s Health, and Socio-Environmental Justice.” Dr. Tallman will review the ways that water insecurity influences women’s health on a global scale. She will then discuss how her team has used an “action research” framework to connect scientific research to on-the-ground action to promote gender equality and environmental conservation in Peru and Indonesia. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.
Feb. 24 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Ji Eun Kim, associate professor of political science at EMU. “A Year of Surprise, Unexpected Turns, and Resilience.” 12:10-1 p.m., West Dining Room.
Feb. 26 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
Feb. 27 — Opening reception for exhibition by Charlottesville-based mixed media artist Cassie Guy. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).
Feb. 28-March 5 — Chamber Singers Spring Break Tour. Locations and times of performances to be announced.
March
Spring Break for students is between Feb. 28 and March 8. Classes resume on Monday, March 9.
March 11 — Campus Worship: Fasting and Feasting. This campus worship service, co-sponsored by the Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE), will explore the practices of Fasting and Feasting for religious observances including Ramadan (Islam), Lent (Western Christianity), and The Great Lent (Eastern Orthodox Christianity). 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.
March 13 — Suter Science Seminar with Grayson Mast ’18, general surgery resident at Old Dominion University. “Checking In: Updates from a Surgeon in Training.” Dr. Mast’s presentation will focus on the pathway to becoming a surgeon, describing his day-to-day experience, and an overview of his clinical research. He will also discuss the importance that his time at EMU had in shaping his worldview, practice of medicine, and approach to patient care. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.
March 24 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jeffrey Copeland, professor of biology at EMU. “Sleep, Fat, and Aging: Investigating the Role of Serotonin and Glutamate in Biological Behaviors.” Dr. Copeland uses the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin in sleep and circadian rhythms, as well as glutamate in aging. 12:10-1 p.m., West Dining Room.
March 27 — Mornings with the Mayor, featuring Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed. University Commons Student Union, 10:15-11:05 a.m. Read about last year’s inaugural event here.
March 27 — Royal Women dedication of the Inclusivity Science Mural. Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd is an Indigenous eco-philosopher, artist, and wildlife tracker and is one of the scientists featured in the Inclusivity Science Mural located in the Suter Science Center. After a guest appearance at Mornings with the Mayor, they will be participating in the mural dedication. 5 or 6 p.m. at Suter Science Center.
March 27 — Senior Show Art Opening #1. Come see the final projects of the first group of senior VACA students. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).
April
EMU observes an Easter Recess for Good Friday on April 3.
April 1 — LovEMU Pep Rally. This fun-filled celebration kicks off the 10th annual LovEMU Giving Day. 10:15-11:05 a.m., University Commons Yoder Arena.
April 8 — Campus Worship: Celebrating Easter! This campus worship service, co-sponsored by Eastern Mennonite Seminary, is dedicated to celebrating Easter with readings, reflections, and music on the significance of Easter. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.
April 13 — Film screening for VACA Professor Elizabeth Miller Derstine‘s Bloom. 8-9:30 p.m., SSC 106.
April 15 — ACE Festival Keynote with Dr. Deborah Lawrence, the director of research and analytics for nature-based solutions and engineered carbon dioxide removals. “Our Connection to Nature: Gift, Joy, Grief and a Life’s Work.” 10:15-11:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.
April 16 — EMU’s Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival 2026 continues with a full day of scholarly presentations, poster sessions, a music department student recital (12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium), and an authors’ reception and award presentation (3:45-5 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations and Student Union). View a full schedule of ACE Festival events at emu.edu/ace.
April 16 — Senior Show Art Opening #2 (during ACE Festival). Come see the final art projects of the second group of senior VACA students. 4:45-5:30 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).
April 16 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
April 17 — University Choir Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
April 18 — Senior recital featuring Naomi Kratzer. 3 p.m., Martin Chapel.
April 19 — Chamber Singers Spring Concert. 7 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church (1600 College Ave., Harrisonburg).
April 23 — Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
April 24 — Orchestra Spring Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
April 28 — Cords of Distinction ceremony. Ten graduating seniors will be honored with the Cords of Distinction award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community, and society over the course of their college careers. 10:10 a.m., Martin Chapel.
May
The 108th University Commencement is from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Commencement for the EMU Lancaster campus is Friday, May 8, 2026.
May 2 — University Baccalaureate. The ceremony includes presidential and faculty addresses, senior class salutations, and the presentation of the senior class gift, as well as moments of prayer, music, and poetry from graduates. 7-8:30 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.
More information
Arts at EMU — To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at EMU, visit 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 spring 2026”