Ten graduating seniors were honored as “Cords of Distinction” recipients in a ceremony held Saturday afternoon, Apr. 30 at Eastern Mennonite University.
Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated the recipients, who were cited for their “significant and verifiable impact” on the university and on student life, for their contributions to developing the institution’s positive image, for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond, for their high academic and social standing and their embodiment of EMU’s shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.
They wore gold and blue cords as they graduated Sunday, May 1.
Blue represents strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community. Gold represents the love of spirit and yearning toward creating a better university environment or community.
The recipients are:
- Braydon P. Hoover, Elizabethtown, Pa., biology major;
- Benjamin Bergey, Perkasie, Pa., vocal performance and church music
major; - Brianna Oelschlager, Sellersville, Pa., biochemistry major;
- Courtney L. Walker, Philadelphia, Pa., English major;
- Janelle Freed, Collegeville, Pa., philosophy and theology and justice,
peace and conflict studies majors; - Jessica Sarriot, Silver Spring, Md., peacebuilding and development major;
- Michael Spory, Boswell, Pa., photography and art majors;
- Peyton Erb, Harrisonburg, Va., liberal arts with elementary education and
ESL licensures; - Samfee K. Doe, Monrovia, Liberia, biology and psychology majors; and
- William Morris, Charlottesville, Va., business administration major.