Generations of women from across the EMU community gathered at White Oak Lavender Farm on Sept. 18 to celebrate six women whose leadership and service have helped shape the university.
The fourth annual Royal Women Soiree drew more than 60 students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the university and welcomed six new members into Royal Women for EMU.
This year’s inductees were:
- Dr. Katherine Evans, professor of teacher education
- Marci Frederick, former director of libraries, who was honored posthumously
- Renee Leap ’83, senior associate director of financial aid
- Dr. Melody M. Pannell ’97, GC ’19 (restorative justice), former professor and director of multicultural student services
- Karen Moshier-Shenk ’73, former senior associate director of advancement
- Audrey Shenk ’86, systems librarian
Each inductee was introduced by someone special in their life and presented with an honorary Royal Women pin and ribbon.
Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, EMU’s director of alumni engagement and community connections and leader of Royal Women for EMU, said the six honorees were selected for their contributions to the university and beyond.
“We felt like this was a good group of women we could celebrate in 2026,” Reed said.
Launched in fall 2023, Royal Women for EMU builds connections, celebrates women’s leadership, and raises financial aid for EMU students.
“It’s a time that we gather and network,” Reed said. “We have women who have been a part of Eastern Mennonite for decades, and then we have younger women as well. There are all different generations, which I love.”
One of those connections stood out to Reed as a highlight of the evening.
Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and a 2025 Royal Women honoree, inducted Pannell, who previously led multicultural student services at EMU and, as Reed described, “basically paved the way for Celeste.”
“Celeste talked about how, if it weren’t for Melody Pannell, she wouldn’t be in the position she is today or doing the work she does with Student Life,” Reed said. “I thought that was a very special moment for the two of them and for EMU.”
Pannell, now director of healthcare leadership education and community wellness at UVA Health in Charlottesville, described her induction as a “deeply significant and full-circle moment.”
“It is an honor to be recognized among a community of women whose gifts, knowledge, and leadership have shaped EMU and empowered our students to become their most authentic selves in service to the world,” she said. “I am humbled to stand alongside them and to continue contributing to the legacy of resilience, justice, and compassionate leadership that defines EMU.”
Pannell also is founder and CEO of Destiny’s Daughters Inc., a therapeutic and spiritual mentoring program focused on the healing of Black women and girls, and serves as board chair of Anabaptist World Inc.
She shared the moment with her niece, Kaziah Tillman, a first-year student at EMU.
“Having her present to witness this milestone made the experience even more meaningful, reminding me of the enduring impact of our work and the bright future ahead for EMU’s young women leaders,” Pannell said.
The ceremony featured remarks from EMU President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, a member of the inaugural class of Royal Women inductees in 2023, and an introduction from Nathan Leopard, vice president for advancement.
For Shenk and Leap, both of whom have served EMU for 40 years, the recognition also offered a chance to reflect on their long careers at the university.
“It was an honor to be recognized for 40 years of service and to be part of such a distinguished group of inductees,” Shenk said. “I was glad that library staff were well represented at the event.”
Leap said the relationships she has formed during her career in EMU’s Financial Aid Office have shaped her both personally and professionally.
“I have been challenged, encouraged, and enriched by those relationships and have evolved tremendously as a person and professional,” she said. “I am indebted to and thankful for the EMU community, and will treasure this honor.”
About Royal Women for EMU
Royal Women for EMU is a networking and philanthropy initiative led by Reed and co-chairs Louise Otto Hostetter ’79 and Kay Nussbaum ’78. The initiative seeks to inspire visible leadership, bold investments, and empowering networks in support of EMU’s future, with a goal of raising $70,000 for student scholarships.
Last year, Royal Women awarded its first student scholarship.
Learn more about the initiative at emu.edu/royal-women.
Past Royal Women inductees
2025
- Isabel Castillo Ressler ’07, MA ’17
- Deirdre Longacre Smeltzer ’87
- Sara Monger, class of ’27 (posthumously)
- Celeste Thomas
2024
- Lois Bowman Kreider ’60
- Julie Haushalter ’03
- Margaret “Peggy” Webb Christopher ’54 (posthumously)
- Theda Good ’06
- Noussaiba “Noussa” Garti ’25
2023
- Susan Schultz Huxman
- Tynisha Willingham
- Lee Snyder
- Esther Augsburger ’72
- Hannah Mack Lapp ’66
- Pat Swartzendruber
- Sheryl Wyse ’68
- Beryl Brubaker ’64
- Dorothy Jean Weaver ’72
- Nancy Heisey ’94
- Sara Wenger Shenk ’75
- Leymah Gbowee MA ’07
- Mim Mumaw ’61
- Kay Nussbaum ’78
- Louise Otto Hostetter ’79
- Shannon W. Dycus
- Jackie Font Guzman
- Carrie Bert ’97
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