“Cords of Distinction” Ceremony 2012

The Cords of Distinction award honors the efforts of graduating students who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community or society. The Blue cord represents strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution; also willingness and openness to share thoughts and ideas. The Gold cord represents love of spirit....

Session IV: “Anabaptist Witness in the Empire I” – Janna Hunter-Bowman, Mark Thiessen Nation

#Occupy Empire: Anabaptism in God’s Mission Janna Hunter-Bowman offers a lecture, “Embodied Discourse as Truth Claims and Behavior Change: A Constructive Alternative to Human Rights,”  followed by a response by Mark Thiessen Nation.  Janna Hunter-Bowman is pursuing a Ph.D. in peace studies and theology from the University of Notre Dame.  She earned an M.A. degree....

Session III: “Alternatives to Empire” – Paulette Moore, Bethany Tobin, JR Rozko

#Occupy Empire: Anabaptism in God’s Mission Session II is a series of three Lectures: Paulette Moore and friends from the local “Occupy” movement present on “Occupy Harrisonburg and the Local Church.”  Paulette is a filmmaker, educator, journalist, and activist.  Through her work with established and emerging media she explores how art, power, conflict, and justice....

Session II: “Race in the Empire” – Nekeisha Alexis-Baker, Carl Stauffer

#Occupy Empire: Anabaptism in God’s Mission Nekeisha Alexis-Baker offers a lecture, “Race, Racism, and the Nation-State,”  followed by a response by Carl Stauffer.  A native Trinidadian and long-time New Yorker, Nekeisha Alexis-Baker currently calls Elkhart, Indiana her home.  She received her BA with a major in African Studies from New York University, and her MA....

Session I: “(C/c)atholicity in the Empire” – Chris Haw, Peter Dula

#Occupy Empire: Anabaptism in God’s Mission Chris Haw offers a lecture, followed by a response by Peter Dula.  Chris  is a carpenter, painter, theologian, and a potter.  With his wife, Cassie, and baby, Simon, Chris lives with fellow community members at Camden House, a small intentional community in Camden, New Jersey.  Chris grew up Catholic,....

Homecoming Worship Service

Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate, receives EMU’s “Alumna of the Year Award” and shares personal reflections. Also being honored posthumously is Glen Lapp, EMU’s “Distinguished Service Award” recipient, who was killed in 2010 while on a medical relief trip to a remote part of Afghanistan.  Reverend David Myers also brings greetings from the White....

Reunion Gathering

The reunion classes gather in Lehman Auditorium for a short presentation.  President Swartzendruber recognizes the newest inductees into the EMU Hall of Honor, as well as Alumna of the year Leymah Gbowee and the Distinguished Service Award recipient Glen Lapp. Leymah Gbowee and the parents of Glen Lapp offer a response of gratitude.