{"id":62541,"date":"2026-10-16T13:16:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T17:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=62541"},"modified":"2026-10-16T13:34:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T17:34:03","slug":"a-history-making-homecoming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/a-history-making-homecoming\/","title":{"rendered":"A history-making homecoming"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Momentous weekend celebrates inauguration of EMU\u2019s 10th president<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Homecoming and Inauguration Weekend 2026 was one for the history books. It featured a first-of-its-kind gala that celebrated EMU\u2019s history, a concert by The Steel Wheels on the campus Front Lawn, and, as the centerpiece of the weekend, the investiture of the <strong>Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus<\/strong> as the university\u2019s 10th president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were plenty of events to attend and people to meet. In case you missed any of the festivities, we\u2019ve rounded up some of the highlights below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community Partners Luncheon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-24-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-24-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-24-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-24-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-24.jpeg 1430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A networking event bringing together business owners, local leaders, and government officials from across the Shenandoah Valley kicked off inauguration weekend by recognizing EMU\u2019s community partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-emu-news wp-block-embed-emu-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"QPPuou3KZo\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/emu-celebrates-its-community-partners\/\">EMU celebrates its community partners<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cEMU celebrates its community partners\u201d \u2014 EMU News\" src=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/emu-celebrates-its-community-partners\/embed\/#?secret=qgaornREvG#?secret=QPPuou3KZo\" data-secret=\"QPPuou3KZo\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Writers Read<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/15161032\/image-10-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/15161032\/image-10-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/15161032\/image-10-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/15161032\/image-10-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/15161032\/image-10-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/15161032\/image-10-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The homecoming festivities continued the following evening with a Writers Read featuring <strong>Patricia Grace King \u201989<\/strong>, author of <em>Those Who Vanish<\/em>, and moderator <strong>Esther Harder \u201903<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-emu-news wp-block-embed-emu-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"U8WVWhvQib\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/patricia-grace-king-89-headlines-writers-read\/\">Patricia Grace King \u201989 headlines Writers Read<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cPatricia Grace King \u201989 headlines Writers Read\u201d \u2014 EMU News\" src=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/patricia-grace-king-89-headlines-writers-read\/embed\/#?secret=PubwcLu1f9#?secret=U8WVWhvQib\" data-secret=\"U8WVWhvQib\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Golden Alumni Luncheon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-27-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-27-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-27-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-27-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-27.jpeg 1430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former classmates reminisced about their time on campus at EMU\u2019s Golden Alumni Luncheon, held at Martin Chapel for alumni who attended Eastern Mennonite 50 years ago or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-emu-news wp-block-embed-emu-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"WrqRHFqAxH\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/golden-alumni-luncheon-welcomes-class-of-1976\/\">Golden Alumni Luncheon welcomes Class of 1976<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cGolden Alumni Luncheon welcomes Class of 1976\u201d \u2014 EMU News\" src=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/golden-alumni-luncheon-welcomes-class-of-1976\/embed\/#?secret=PPUBIsoTYJ#?secret=WrqRHFqAxH\" data-secret=\"WrqRHFqAxH\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Inaugural Evening: An All-Black Affair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-25-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-25-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-25-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-25-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000654\/image-25.jpeg 1430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yoder Arena took on an air of elegance on Oct. 9 as donors and other university supporters gathered for The Inaugural Evening: An All-Black Affair, a gala celebrating EMU\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-emu-news wp-block-embed-emu-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"zaskLC84EO\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/all-black-affair-celebrates-new-chapter-in-emus-history\/\">All-Black Affair celebrates new chapter in EMU\u2019s history<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cAll-Black Affair celebrates new chapter in EMU\u2019s history\u201d \u2014 EMU News\" src=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/all-black-affair-celebrates-new-chapter-in-emus-history\/embed\/#?secret=0N0RHkfDE7#?secret=zaskLC84EO\" data-secret=\"zaskLC84EO\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EMU Athletics Hall of Honor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000655\/image-26-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000655\/image-26-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000655\/image-26-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000655\/image-26-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000655\/image-26-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16000655\/image-26-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four former student-athletes were inducted into the EMU Athletics Hall of Honor on Oct. 9. The 25th annual ceremony, held at MainStage Theater, featured tributes to 2026 honorees <strong>Sarah Roth Shank \u201910<\/strong>, <strong>Ryan Eshleman-Robles \u201913<\/strong>, <strong>Hannah Chappell-Dick \u201916<\/strong>, and <strong>Jess (Rheinheimer) Bishop \u201916<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-emu-news wp-block-embed-emu-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"vWjopYROpG\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/emu-inducts-four-athletes-into-hall-of-honor\/\">EMU inducts four athletes into Hall of Honor<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cEMU inducts four athletes into Hall of Honor\u201d \u2014 EMU News\" src=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/emu-inducts-four-athletes-into-hall-of-honor\/embed\/#?secret=yziYKZRxLo#?secret=vWjopYROpG\" data-secret=\"vWjopYROpG\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Capella Collective<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16011137\/Acapella-Concert_CS-7-1024x576.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16011137\/Acapella-Concert_CS-7-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16011137\/Acapella-Concert_CS-7-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16011137\/Acapella-Concert_CS-7-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16011137\/Acapella-Concert_CS-7.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The night wrapped up with an a cappella concert at Lehman Auditorium, where local groups featuring many EMU alumni joined forces for a performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Investiture of the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16010156\/image-28-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62551\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16010156\/image-28-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16010156\/image-28-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16010156\/image-28-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16010156\/image-28.jpeg 1431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beginning at the 10th hour of the 10th day of the 10th month of EMU\u2019s 110th year, an investiture ceremony in Yoder Arena formally inaugurated the <strong>Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus<\/strong> as the university\u2019s 10th president and first Black president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-emu-news wp-block-embed-emu-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"hWrl8OfbfW\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/a-momentous-day\/\">\u2018A MOMENTOUS DAY\u2019<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201c\u2018A MOMENTOUS DAY\u2019\u201d \u2014 EMU News\" src=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/a-momentous-day\/embed\/#?secret=CdmYQjxWmV#?secret=hWrl8OfbfW\" data-secret=\"hWrl8OfbfW\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EMU TenTalks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16015407\/image-32-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16015407\/image-32-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16015407\/image-32-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16015407\/image-32-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16015407\/image-32.jpeg 1431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EMU hosted its annual TenTalks event Saturday afternoon, featuring Alumni of the Year <strong>Eric Brubaker \u201901<\/strong> and <strong>Trent Wagler \u201902<\/strong> of The Steel Wheels, Distinguished Service Award recipient <strong>Cynthia Lapp \u201986<\/strong>, and Outstanding Young Alum Award recipient <strong>Kirk Livers \u201911<\/strong>. Each had 10 minutes to impact, influence, and inspire the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-emu-news wp-block-embed-emu-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"XnJVMhqn8L\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/alumni-impact-influence-and-inspire-crowd-at-tentalks\/\">Alumni impact, influence, and inspire at TenTalks<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cAlumni impact, influence, and inspire at TenTalks\u201d \u2014 EMU News\" src=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/alumni-impact-influence-and-inspire-crowd-at-tentalks\/embed\/#?secret=D0xIWeufEN#?secret=XnJVMhqn8L\" data-secret=\"XnJVMhqn8L\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Royal City Celebration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16095158\/Royal-City-Celebration-8-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-62596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16095158\/Royal-City-Celebration-8-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16095158\/Royal-City-Celebration-8-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16095158\/Royal-City-Celebration-8-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16095158\/Royal-City-Celebration-8.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sound of Americana and folk rock music filled the EMU Front Lawn on Saturday afternoon as The Steel Wheels performed at the third annual Royal City Celebration. It marked the first time the alumni-fronted band had performed on campus since the 2017 Centennial Homecoming celebration. The band, which has performed for more than 20 years, will make its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DdXKCSWvgLk\/\">Grand Ole Opry debut<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As he listened to the music, <strong>John Shenk \u201971<\/strong> remarked on the lineup of events during Homecoming and Inauguration Weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYesterday, with the three events I was at, I thought, \u2018How could they improve from that today?\u2019\u201d said Shenk, who also attended the Golden Alumni Luncheon, the All-Black Affair, and the a cappella concert. \u201cWell, they totally outdid it!\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Momentous weekend celebrates inauguration of EMU\u2019s 10th president Homecoming and Inauguration Weekend 2026 was one for the history books. It featured a first-of-its-kind gala that celebrated EMU\u2019s history, a concert <a href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/a-history-making-homecoming\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"more-link\">... read more <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">about A history-making homecoming<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":302,"featured_media":62561,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[266,5583,14184,14715,5861,17562,17564,5642,60,4513],"tags":[5663,19164,19165,19247,19166,17881,11902],"feature":[17427,17426,17241,17422],"class_list":["post-62541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-campus-community","category-campus-guests","category-campus-life","category-conferences-and-events","category-digest","category-events","category-faculty-and-staff","category-homecoming","category-student-life","tag-hall-of-honor","tag-homecoming-2026","tag-homecoming-and-inauguration-weekend","tag-homecoming-highlights","tag-investiture","tag-tentalks","tag-the-steel-wheels","feature-emu-home-page-feature","feature-myemu-feature","feature-news-feature","feature-news-landing-page-main-feature"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A history-making homecoming - EMU News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/a-history-making-homecoming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A history-making homecoming - EMU News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Momentous weekend celebrates inauguration of EMU\u2019s 10th president Homecoming and Inauguration Weekend 2026 was one for the history books. It featured a first-of-its-kind gala that celebrated EMU\u2019s history, a concert\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2026\/a-history-making-homecoming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"EMU News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EasternMennonite\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-16T17:16:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-16T17:34:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2026\/10\/16014834\/Investiture_CS-13.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"855\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ryan Cornell\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EMU_News\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EMU_News\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ryan Cornell\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/a-history-making-homecoming\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/a-history-making-homecoming\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ryan Cornell\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/4d24e9770fdab8276fbcf29504123fdf\"},\"headline\":\"A history-making homecoming\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-16T17:16:43+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-16T17:34:03+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/a-history-making-homecoming\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":551,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/a-history-making-homecoming\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu-wordpress-multisite-instance-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/43\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/16014834\\\/Investiture_CS-13.jpeg\",\"keywords\":[\"Hall of Honor\",\"Homecoming 2026\",\"Homecoming and Inauguration weekend\",\"Homecoming highlights\",\"investiture\",\"TenTalks\",\"The Steel Wheels\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Alumni\",\"Campus Community\",\"Campus Guests\",\"Campus life\",\"Conferences and events\",\"Digest\",\"events\",\"Faculty and staff\",\"Homecoming\",\"Student life\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/a-history-making-homecoming\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/a-history-making-homecoming\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emu.edu\\\/now\\\/news\\\/2026\\\/a-history-making-homecoming\\\/\",\"name\":\"A history-making homecoming - 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