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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nJ.B. Smith<\/strong> When J.B. Smith<\/a>, the first president \u2014 or principal, as it was called at the time \u2014 of Eastern Mennonite School, arrived in Harrisonburg, Virginia, by train on Oct. 9, 1917, he found that several students had been waiting almost two weeks to start their studies. The next morning, he directed the first registration; classes started on Oct. 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith worked tirelessly to develop the school\u2019s curriculum, hire faculty, recruit students, solicit support from Mennonite churches and expand the campus. He taught a number of courses, and students loved and admired him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith resigned in January 1922 in a dispute about Mennonite churches maintaining their a cappella singing tradition by banning musical instruments in the church as well as in the home. He did not agree that instruments should be banned in the home, and he and his wife had recently purchased a piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A.D. Wenger<\/strong> Raised on a farm near Harrisonburg, A.D. Wenger<\/a>, a founder of EMS, had already twice declined to accept administrative positions at the school before being elected as the second principal of the school in February 1922. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the first tasks that Wenger tackled as principal was what he called a \u201cmountain of debt\u201d that remained from the school\u2019s start-up and construction of the Administration Bulding. In 1930, the junior college achieved state accreditation \u2014 probably the greatest accomplishment of the Wenger years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wenger, whose title was changed to \u201cpresident\u201d in 1926, presided over a school hard hit by the Great Depression for most of the 1930s. Enrollment declined, financial contributions decreased and faculty positions were cut. Salaries, which were already low, were reduced. Wenger died suddenly in his home on Oct. 5, 1935, at age 67.<\/p>\n\n\n\n John L. Stauffer<\/strong> Two days after Wenger\u2019s death, the EMS board appointed John L. Stauffer<\/a>, a charter member of the EMS board, professor and ordained minister, as acting president. He was elected president 13 months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During Stauffer\u2019s 13-year presidency, the student numbers increased from 159 to 442. He, along with longtime Dean C.K. Lehman and others, worked for years to achieve accreditation for EMS as a four-year college. This was finally accomplished in 1947. That fall, the school officially became Eastern Mennonite College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1948, Stauffer asked for and received a sabbatical leave, feeling that he had served his time and that he should step aside for a younger person with more formal education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n John R. Mumaw<\/strong> Taking office as acting president of the newly renamed Eastern Mennonite College in the fall of 1948, John R. Mumaw<\/a> had spent more than half his 44 years on campus \u2014 as student, staff member, campus pastor and professor. He was the first alumnus to be chosen president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the 1950s, Mumaw led EMC in pursuit of regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college achieved regional accreditation in 1959. Enrollment during Mumaw\u2019s 17 years as president increased 44 percent, from 475 to 843. EMC was one of the first colleges in Virginia, a racially segregated southern state, to integrate (in 1948).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the early 1960s, Mumaw started talking about leaving the presidency, but he agreed to stay on until 1965. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Myron S. Augsburger<\/strong> When he took office as president of EMC at the age of 35 \u2014 the youngest president ever \u2014 Myron S. Augsburger<\/a> was already a nationally recognized evangelical leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He gave passion to the office. Drama, instrumental music, intercollegiate athletics and international study developed dramatically. The seminary program was strengthened, and EMC changed its official name to Eastern Mennonite College & Seminary. The two biggest building projects during the Augsburger years were the domed state-of-the-art facility later named Suter Science Center, which opened in 1968, and the building that later became Hartzler Library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After 15 years of work to strengthen EMC&S, Augsburger decided to resign in 1980 to pursue other interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Richard C. Detweiler<\/strong> The EMC board recruited a respected 55-year-old churchman from eastern Pennsylvania, Richard C. Detweiler<\/a>, to succeed Augsburger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under Detweiler, then-academic dean Albert Keim led a consultative process with the faculty that resulted in one of the cornerstones of undergraduate education to this day: a requirement, beginning in 1982, that students be exposed to cross-cultural matters through study and experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest crisis of Detweiler\u2019s tenure was the 1984 fire that destroyed the Administration Building during a major renovation. The building was unoccupied at the time, but the tragedy affected campus morale, and Detweiler faced the challenge of slumping enrollments and budget cuts that affected faculty and programs. By the time he left EMC&S, however, the student population was on the increase again and a striking new Campus Center stood on the side of the hill where the \u201cAd\u201d Building had once stood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1987, Detweiler resigned from the presidency, saying his years at EMC&S were \u201cthe most enjoyable and most difficult\u201d of his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph L. Lapp<\/strong> Like his immediate predecessor, Joseph L. Lapp<\/a> was a native of eastern Pennsylvania. But unlike all six of his predecessors, he was not an ordained minister. He was a lawyer by profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His biggest accomplishments were starting four graduate programs \u2014 counseling, conflict transformation, education and business \u2014 in the 1990s, and, as a result, ushering in the new name of Eastern Mennonite University in August 1994. Under Lapp\u2019s leadership, EMU expanded its innovative cross-cultural program. EMU made numerous campus improvements that culminated in the University Commons complex that includes the Yoder Arena. The building opened in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After 16 years as president, Lapp departed in 2003 to join the staff of Mennonite Foundation (now part of Everence), directing its Harrisonburg office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loren E. Swartzendruber<\/strong> Although elected in 2003, Loren E. Swartzendruber<\/a> did not actually take office until January 2004. He spent the intervening months in preparation for the presidency. Provost Beryl Brubaker<\/strong> was interim president from June to December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among Swartzendruber\u2019s accomplishments were the successful re-accreditation process for another 10 years by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, filling key administrative positions with talented people, and leading the university through economic hard times while balancing the budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest building projects during his administration was \u201cPhase Two\u201d of the University Commons project (completed in 2011) in which the old Student Center was transformed into a main stage theater, studio theater, art gallery, classrooms, advanced media lab, and expanded coffee shop. Other accomplishments included EMU\u2019s groundbreaking solar installation on the roof of the Hartzler Library and attendance with alumna Leymah Gbowee at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Swartzendruber retired in June 2016 after 13 years as president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman<\/a><\/strong> has served as EMU\u2019s ninth president since Jan. 1, 2017. During her leadership, EMU has shattered records for donor giving \u2014 mark your calendars for this year\u2019s LovEMU Giving Day on Wednesday, April 10 \u2014 and the university has garnered its share of the national spotlight with high rankings by U.S. News & World Report<\/a> and Money Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the building projects completed while she’s been at the helm, renovations for Suter Science Center West were finished and dedicated in October 2021<\/a>. Along with new seating, lighting and upgraded technology for S-106, Suter West renovations included modernized classrooms, new laboratory space for EMU\u2019s engineering program, upgrading of the discovery room and expanded displays from the D. Ralph Hostetter Natural History Collection, upgraded climate-control system and an improved sprinkler system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another major project, which is nearing the finish line, is the new track-and-field complex being built. The $6-million complex, which is more than halfway funded, is scheduled to open this year. Donations are accepted online at:\u00a0https:\/\/emu.edu\/campaign\/track-and-field<\/a>. Huxman has served for more than 25 years in higher education in a variety of administrative and academic leadership roles. A graduate of Bethel College, Huxman holds an MA and PhD in communication studies from University of Kansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President from 1917 to 1922<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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President from 1922 to 1935<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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President from 1935 to 1948<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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President from 1948 to 1965<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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President from 1965 to 1980<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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President from 1980 to 1987<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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President from 1987 to 2003<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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President from 2003 to 2016<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCurrent president<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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