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Eastern Mennonite University held its annual student recognition ceremony during finals week. The various recognitions included honors from academic departments, student life and athletics.
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Linda Gnagey, director of the Academic Success Center, recognized tutors of distinction Jared Bergman, Chelsea Brubaker, Robert Chaplin, Joy Driver, Anastasia Dronov, Kara Durren, Austin Engle, Megan Good, Alyssa Gore, Melissa Kinkaid, Leah Lapp, Collin Longenecker, Anali Martin, James Paetkau, Emilio Ramirez Fajardo, Andrew Reimer-Berg, Ginny Sorrell<\/strong>, and Ben Stutzman<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anna Ressler <\/strong>was named Tutor of the Year. She is a four-year tutor, a psychology mjaor who tutored writing, speech and psychology. \u201cShe provided caring and competent support for many students, meeting them at their instructional level and moving them forward to academic success,\u201d Gnagey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Peter Dula announced the winners of the annual Haverim Bible and Religion Writing Award, for best essays on issues in scholarship of the Bible, religion, philosophy, or Anabaptist-Mennonite thought:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Biology Department gives several awards for exceptional academic, scholarly and service accomplishments. Professor Jim Yoder presented the recognitions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leah Lapp<\/strong> earned the Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student award for high academic achievement, significant research experience, and the potential to contribute to the field of (bio)chemical sciences. This is the highest award given to a graduating senior. Leah will also be nominated for the American Chemical Society, Virginia section award. Professor Matt Siderhurst presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aden Weybright<\/strong> was selected by the faculty teaching general chemistry as the Outstanding First-Year Chemistry Student, based on academic excellence, collegiality, enthusiasm and understanding of core concepts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Darren Good<\/strong> was named the Outstanding Senior in Computer Science. This faculty-designated award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional ability in and out of the computer science classroom. It is the highest honor bestowed on a student within the computer science major and is determined by academic excellence, service, and contributions to the computer science culture at EMU. Professor Esther Tian presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Riley Mathers<\/strong>, an education major earning a K-12 special education licensure, received the Courage to Teach Award, an annual recognition of a student teacher\u2019s dedication and effectiveness in teaching, genuine caring for students, highly principled behaviors, reflective practice, passion for teaching and the courage to navigate challenging experiences in teaching. Erb presented Mathers with a copy of Parker Palmer\u2019s book, Courage to Teach.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2020 Teachers of Promise include <\/p>\n\n\n\n In normal times, the Teachers of Promise annual event brings together 100 outstanding pre-service teachers from Virginia for recognition, mentorship and professional development. They are nominated by their respective pre-service programs at colleges and universities around Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The honorees \u201cexemplify strong potential for impacting students in the classroom, high academic standing, commitment to the teaching profession, and embody EMU\u2019s teacher education mission to \u2018teach boldly in a changing world through an ethic of care and critical reflection,\u2019\u201d said department chair and professor of education Cathy Smeltzer Erb<\/strong>, who honored the students at the recognition ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n James Paetkau<\/strong> and Austin Engle<\/strong> were honored as Outstanding Seniors in Engineering. This faculty-designated award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and commitment to professional integrity. It is the highest honor bestowed on a student within the engineering major and is determined by academic excellence, service, and contributions to the engineering culture at EMU. Department chair Esther Tian presented the award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professors Audrey Myers and Kate Clark presented the spring semester awards for the nursing department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emma Yoder<\/strong> was awarded the Outstanding History Award by Professor Mary Sprunger. Emma met several criteria including academic excellence and contribution to the department. Her capstone essay was \u201cMennonites and Voting: How Politicization of Identity Leads to Church Fracturing (2000-2020).\u201d By analyzing church members\u2019 opinions on presidential elections as expressed through the Mennonite press, she found that while Mennonites have embraced political activity in the last half century, they have not developed a theology that makes room for democratic citizenship, thus leaving the church without the tools to address harmful polarization among members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Emma has also served the department as an undergraduate learning assistant in the large U.S. history survey courses; completed a sociology major; and been active in SGA and Earthkeepers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She was awarded with a copy of the Martyr’s Mirror<\/em>, by van Braught, a publication first printed in 1685 to preserve the stories of Christians who remain true to faith despite severe persecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Emma, we hope you<\/em> remain true to your ideals as you embark on a future committed to social and environmental justice, informed by a meaningful and purposeful understanding of the past,” Sprunger said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Daniel Showalter recognized the following awardees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The faculty of the EMU Music Department usually selects one graduating student to award the outstanding senior in music award based on skill, acumen, work ethic and accomplishment as a musician. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis year is exceptional in that our faculty felt that all five of our graduating seniors met and even exceeded the criteria for this recognition,\u201d said department chair David Berry. \u201cAdditionally, their perseverance in the midst of a season of lost opportunities has been particularly inspiring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Berry presented all five seniors with the Outstanding Senior in Music recognition. The students and just one of their many accomplishments, are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phoebe Swe <\/strong>and Kate Kauffman<\/strong> were awarded the Galen R. Lehman Achievement in Research Awards for creativity, thoughtfulness and exceptional commitment to research in pyschology. Phoebe\u2019s project was on external validity of comfort foods and Kate\u2019s on testing help- seeking behavior. Professor Greg Koop presented these awards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anna Ressler<\/strong> was awarded the Judy H. Mullet Award for Internship Excellence. \u201cAnna stood out for her exceptional contributions at her field placement, Generations Crossing,\u201d said Professor Ryan Thompson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Jenni Holsinger recognized Nathan Amos,<\/strong> for his lifetime membership into Alpha Kappa Delta International Honor Society, for academic achievement in the major of sociology. Nathan has been invited to wear the honor cord as he joins members from EMU’s peer institutions and 650 other colleges and universities as part of the honor society’s work in bringing together people interested in developing scientific knowledge for the purpose of service. He joins senior Ariel Barbosa<\/strong>, last year\u2019s initiate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2019-20 pastoral assistants, including: Anna Cahill, Lydia Haggard, Victoria Barnes, Caleb Oakes, Justin Odom, Luke Hertzler, Austin Yoder, Yoel Bobadilla<\/strong> (spring) and Yonas Ketsula <\/strong>(fall) <\/strong>were honored by Campus Pastor Brian Martin Burkholder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ten seniors were honored with Cords of Distinction, EMU\u2019s highest honor. Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated the recipients, who were cited for their \u201csignificant and verifiable impact\u201d on the university and on student life; for their contributions to developing the institution\u2019s 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\u2019s shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The recipients are Lindsay Acker<\/strong>, Ariel Barbosa<\/strong>, Kiara Kiah<\/strong>, Donaldo Lleshi<\/strong>, Cheyenne Marzullo<\/strong>, Gabby McMillon<\/strong>, Justin Odom<\/strong>, Emily Powell<\/strong>, Abigail Shelly<\/strong>, and Leah Wenger<\/strong>. More coverage is here<\/a> and forthcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nominees for this award include Victoria Barnes, Elena Bernardi, Mim Beck, Sara Byler, Robert Chaplin, Lydia Chappell Deckert, Kiana Childress, Ally Coffey, Elizabeth Dagliano, Emily Davis, Joy Driver, Anastasia Dronov, Caroline Gehman, Megan Good, Bailey Hall, Lydia Haggard, Peter Han, Luke Hertzler, Amber Hooper, Emma Hoover, Kate Kauffman, Andy King, Melissa Kinkaid, Collin Longenecker, Liz Marin, Anali Martin, Madeline Mast, Caleb Oakes, James Paetkau, Maddie Rinehart, Fibi Souleymane, Meredith Stinnette, Phoebe Swe, Nik Tucker, Clara Weybright, <\/strong>and Emma Yoder.<\/strong> The Donning of the Kente ceremony will be later this week. Those who participate in the voluntary ceremony wear stoles that highlight their cultural connections. More coverage is forthcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recipients of kente include Ariel Barbosa, Tala Bautista, Kirby Broadnax, Kiana Childress, Emilio Fajardo, Sophia Hartman, Alexus Hobert, Paul Kayembe, Earnest Kiah, Kiara Kiah, Donaldo Lleshi, Juan Becerra Martinez, Justin Odom, <\/strong>and Kiontay Reynolds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recipients of satin sashes are Phoebe Swe, Diana Crespin-Gomez, Maha Mehanna, Juan Vazquez, Donaldo Lleshi, Sako Haji, <\/strong>and Rodrigue Makelele.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Seth Weaver <\/strong>and Leah Wenger<\/strong>, co-presidents of the SGA, passed the gavel to Anisa Leonard<\/strong>, Justice Allen<\/strong> and Allison Shelly<\/strong>, incoming co-presidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Royals Athletics Honors will be Friday at 7 p.m. <\/strong>Annual awards of freshman of the year, athlete of the year and academic achievement awards will be presented, culminating in the president’s awards. All 42 of this year’s seniors will be recognized, with four giving short reflections on their time as a student-athlete at EMU. View the ceremony at www.emuroyals.com\/livevideo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Royals athletes are recognized regularly at EMURoyals.com. Only spring semester honors are listed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tie Evans<\/strong>: Royals Athlete of the Week (Jan. 27-Feb. 2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n DJ Hill<\/strong>: Royals Athlete of the Week (Jan. 6-12), ODAC Player of the Week (Jan. 6-12) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lexi Deffenbaugh:<\/strong> Royals Athlete of the Week (Feb. 17-23)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chrissy Delawder<\/strong>: Royals Athlete of the Week (Jan. 13-19)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chloe Roach<\/strong>: Royals Athlete of the Week (Feb. 3-9) <\/p>\n\n\n\n John Judy: ODAC Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 3-9), ODAC Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 10-16), Royals Athlete of the Week (Feb. 10-16)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jacob Merica: Royals Athlete of the Week (March 2-8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ben Shenk: \tRoyals Athlete of the Week (April 13-19) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Morgan Tricarico:Royals Athlete of the Week (March 30-April 5) <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n Isaac Alderfer<\/strong>: Royals Athlete of the Week (Jan. 20-26), All-ODAC Second Team Indoor 800m and Distance Medley Relay, All-South\/Southeast Region Team Indoor 800m, VaSID All-State Second Team Middle Distance and Distance Medley Relay<\/p>\n\n\n\nBible and Religion<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Biology<\/span> <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Business and Leadership<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Chemistry<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Computer Science<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Education<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Engineering<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Nursing <\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
History<\/span> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Mathematics<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Music<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Psychology<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sociology<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nUniversity Recognitions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Campus Ministries<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cords of Distinction<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Student Government<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAthletics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basketball<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Baseball<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Golf<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Lacrosse<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Indoor Track & Field<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n