I am grateful for my husband, my two cats Tomato and Potato, my boss Zach, and my
co-workers Dontae and Chad.
Nina Zhang – First-Year Advisor
I am overwhelmingly thankful for Mary and Carrie taking a chance on someone that hasn't
worked outside of the home in over 25 years and to Athletics for their patience and
support. The atmosphere of community has impacted my life in such an amazing way!
Ann Johnson – Athletics Administrative Assistant
I am grateful for professors who actually sit down with us and make sure we understand
the concepts we are learning in class, but also see us as holistic persons and make
sure we are doing okay emotionally and academically.
Ashley Mellinger – Junior
I am grateful for my brothers and our relationship.
Tatiana Ayala – Junior
I am thankful for the great times that I had with my friends from high school that
have led me to enjoy my time with new friends I have met here.
Genesis Figueroa – First-Year
I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of a committed, thoughtful, and insightful
learning community of faculty, staff, and students. I am grateful for the chance to
be on the journey.
Karen Chamblee – Seminary Graduate Student
I am thankful for fruitful collaboration with students and colleagues!
Kirsten Beachy – EMU Core Director
I am thankful for laughter with friends, sharing meals, and for opportunities to worship
together Sunday evenings at Celebration.
Karla Hostetter – Sophomore
I am thankful for students who ask authentic questions in a way that pushes my thinking
and fuels their learning.
Paul Yoder – Associate Professor of Teacher Education
I am thankful for my professors' support for clubs and projects!
Luke Wheeler – Senior
I am thankful for the awesome community at Mt. Clinton Apartments and the fun things
we do like tailgates and apple cider.
Zach Bauman – Senior
I am thankful for refreshing conversations with friends and laughter.
Megan Miller – Junior
I am thankful for my wonderful family whom I love very much and especially my husband
who "saved" me when my late husband passed away eight years ago. I asked God to bless
me with someone just as awesome as Mo was and He blessed me with Jim. I am also grateful
for my job and my home. I am much blessed and very thankful.
Holly Pederson – Nursing Department
I am thankful that our valley has four distinct seasons. I love getting to enjoy the
changes every few months.
Monica Pangle – Alumni Relations
I am thankful for my family, my friends, and work colleagues.
Cheryl Montgomery – Director of Auxiliary Services
I am so delighted that this door of a seminary education is open to me. I wanted to
go to seminary in my 20s but it would have been lost on me as my mind was made up
about a great many things. Now that I am 50-mumble and I have seen a few of the things
life throws at each of us, my heart is open and so is my mind. I am grateful for the
opportunity, not just to fill my brain with information but to to lean into contemplation
and embrace my mystical side in addition to my intellect. I am moved with gratitude
for this opportunity, and I will not take it for granted.
Carmen Shenk – Seminary Graduate Student
I am thankful for my loving family and friends.
Catherine Kirby – Junior
I am grateful for the incredibly welcoming community I have encountered here at EMU!
Joshua Stucky – First-Year
I am thankful for the CJP community. My relationships with classmates and instructors
have provided the space to share and reflect on how I can transform and heal from
toxic systems.
Jill Heine – MA in Restorative Justice Graduate Student
Thankful for my recent experience in a restaurant near Denver, Colorado, listening
to a generous alumni couple recount a funny story from when they first starting dating
one another as undergrads at EMU. Such a joy to hear memories from alums!
Tim Swartzendruber – Senior Regional Advancement Director
I am thankful that my family is EMU.
Hebron Mekuria – Junior
I'm grateful for everything at EMU. It's been 2 1/2 months at EMU. Grateful for all
the meaningful connections we made at CJP.
Wimarshana Ranasinghe – Graduate Student, CJP
I am thankful for my family and good health!
Tara Blackburn – Graduate Student
I am thankful for good music.
John Jantzen – Junior
So grateful for co-workers who are passionate about the mission and vision of EMU
but are also mentors, friends, teammates, co-conspirators, and supporters of the work
of our office and of the Advancement division.
Jennifer North Bauman – Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement
This year I find myself extra thankful for supportive friends, colleagues, family,
and church family. The people that surround me bring fun, focus, encouragement, and
joy to my life!
Sara Halteman – Manager, Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation
My colleague Jason and I have had the top of an acorn sitting on the hood of our work
truck for the past three weeks. We aren't sure if it's bringing us bad luck or good
luck, but it certainly brings us laughter and something to smile about even on the
rainy days.
Sarah Regan – Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services
I am thankful for my awesome friends and all the adventures and experiences we've
had at EMU so far!
Halie Mast – Sophomore
I am thankful that Jesus paid the penalty for my sins on the cross of Calvary and
that he arose from the dead through the power of God the Father. Consequently, we
also have this great hope that beyond the grave we too will have a resurrected eternal
body, like unto His glorious body! (I Cor. 15)
Roman Miller – Professor Emeritus
The opportunity to cultivate excellent music experiences with amazing colleagues and
young people!
Janet Hostetter – Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir Artistic Director
I am thankful for the pretty views we have from our school and the changing of the
leaves.
Grace Fravel – Sophomore
I am feeling especially grateful for all the humans on EMU's undergrad admissions
team; their intentional, creative, authentic, and social justice-oriented engagement
with our work makes me feel so much joy and gratitude.
Luke Litwiller – Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment
I am thankful for the true people in my life that continue to encourage and support
me no matter what.
Ashley Iscoa – Sophomore
I am thankful to be a part of a community that loves, cares, and supports each other.
Selah Shenk – Accounts Receivable Assistant
I am thankful for the many ways I can be involved on campus in midst of school work
through the Badminton Club, CAC, student chaplains, APISA, Celebration, and more.
I am thankful for the support that I continue to receive from faculty and friends
as I navigate toward my career path.
Marciella Shallomita – Sophomore
I am thankful for life, the school community, and new opportunities. I am thankful
for discoveries of who I am and the new dimensions of my spiritual life.
Chidi Ihezuoh – Seminary Graduate Student
I'm thankful for my family, the EMU community, and Jesus. I am grateful for the people
and environment around me.
Margarita Hernandez-Perez – Junior
I'm thankful for the friendly and welcoming work environment at EMU.
Daniel Zook – Network Administrator
I am thankful for my friends on campus that truly bring joy to me.
Elili Asefa – First-Year
My heart is overflowing with thanksgiving and gratitude for the immeasurable love
God has blessed me with throughout my life. Knowing God gave me the grace to be called
His fearfully and wonderfully created son. I am grateful for His constant presence
in my life, when I walk on the bright, colorful golden paths of life or when I experience
life's most excruciating pain and suffering of losses of the people in my life, For
I trust that God has the best plans for those who believe in Him! Carpe diem and make
it a joyful Thanksgiving Day to all!
David Pham – Graduate Student
I am grateful for my two healthy, wonderful children, and that I am able to work with
students and colleagues in meaningful, mission-driven work.
Benjamin Bergey – Assistant Professor of Music
True crime podcasts. The local Momo Hub food truck. People who say their brave truths.
Owls.
Rachel Herr – Office Coordinator for the Visual And Communication Arts Department
I'm grateful for wellness and getting a good night of sleep. Sometimes it's the little
things.
Brian Martin Burkholder – University Chaplain
I am thankful for the support of family, friends, instructors, and staff throughout
my time at EMU.
Stefan Cerynik – Senior
I'm grateful for co-workers who made it possible for me to help out my mom for a few
weeks this fall. Family who support and care for each other. Volunteers who give their
time to Patchwork Pantry each week.
Jennifer Ulrich – Technical Services Librarian
I'm grateful for chances to travel and connect with the broader community of peacebuilders
within and beyond EMU.
Philip Krabill – Senior/Graduate Student
I'm thankful for an encouraging family and school community.
Laura Lawson – Graduate Student
I am thankful for the technology that allows me to communicate with my family 1,000
miles away. I am thankful for being able to play music that moves me.
Daisy Buller – First-Year
I am thankful for rock solid co-workers.
Marci Frederick – Director of Libraries
In a time of loss, I am and will always be forever grateful for this community's fierce,
yet gentle abiding spirit -- visible in compassion and ennumerable kindnesses, invisible
in prayers.
Lauren Jefferson – Marketing and Communications
I give thanks with a grateful heart to the Holy One, for my family, my coworkers,
and for music that brings joy into my life. I've been blessed beyond all measure.
Ronda Rittenhouse – Executive Assistant to the Provost
Deeply grateful for the generosity and care for others present in our EMU community!
Braydon Hoover – Director of Advancement and Annual Giving
I am grateful for loving friends and family. And cats.
Kate Szambecki – Web Content and Strategy Manager
