We Give Thanks!
Whether you’re a student, faculty, staff member, or friend of EMU grateful for your friends and colleagues, your adventures and experiences, or the beautiful, welcoming community we all call home, there is so much to be thankful for.
Through its many changing seasons, EMU continues to be a place of service, leadership, and transformation. We are thankful for the thousands of people who have been part of the EMU story, and are thankful for those who will shape it in the future.
We invited members of our community to share what they are thankful for, and feature their comments in the slideshow below.
An amazing team that not only shows up but supports each other.
Stephanie Whitson – faculty/staff
I'm grateful for creative, caring and supportive Student Life co-workers who make EMU a better place for students and make work fabulous and fun!
Jennifer North Bauman – staff
I am thankful for the supportive and intentional community at EMU.
Jacob Horsley – Staff: Admissions Counselor
I'm thankful for students who engage and lean into exploring new and challenging topics. I'm thankful for thoughtful colleagues who are generous with their advice and encouragement.
Yeimarie Lopez – Assistant Professor, Social Work
I am thankful for community that fosters learning and joy!
Paul Yoder – Associate Professor of Teacher Education
I am grateful for an incredible community of students, staff, and faculty, and for the opportunity to walk alongside them in our daily work and lives.
Cathy Smeltzer Erb – faculty/staff
I am grateful for the incredible support the admissions team has provided to me. Even though we aren’t in the same location, you have consistently made me feel supported, heard, and connected. You guys are the BEST!
Wendy Kellogg – Recruitment and Enrollment Specialist for the Lancaster Site
"We are deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication of the faculty at EMU. We see the many ways you are showing up for students, working hard to meet diverse needs and sharing passion for your content inside and outside of the classroom. We are grateful to be your colleagues and friends and to continue working together to make EMU a place where deep learning happens.
Kate Clark – Faculty Senate Co-Presidents
The people I work with. And I mean this in a completely non-work related way. My colleagues have become good friends to me beyond the office. I feel so lucky to have met them
Merry Yirga – Assistant Director of Admissions for Community Partnerships
I’m extremely thankful for my colleagues in the Financial Aid Office. Ever since I arrived at EMU a little over a year ago, I’ve been impressed and pleased with Renee, Katie, Lain, and Naomi’s financial aid professionalism, collaborative spirit, and commitment to serving our students well. They work hard, look for ways to improve the office operations, and strive to fulfill EMU’s mission every day. I couldn’t ask for a better team in the FAO and appreciate each of them so much. They will even occasionally laugh at my dad jokes!
Troy Martin – Director of Financial Aid
I am thankful for good food, great friends, and loving family!
Liz Heilbronner – Staff
Faith, Family & Friends
Vanessa Derrow – Health Info. Mgt. Coordinator
I'm thankful for the great community of student-athletes and coaches I get to work with in the athletics department at EMU!
Andrew Stoddard – Athletic Commuications Specialist
administrators, faculty and staff doing the hard work of positioning EMU for a strong future in an uncertain world
Mary Sprunger – Professor of History
Health!
Ann Butwell – staff
I’m so thankful for EMU’s culture, one that embraces change, difference, and collaboration. There’s always an opportunity to learn something new on campus, whether you’re talking with a student, staff member, or faculty. We continually encourage one another to learn, grow, and lead together. In many ways, this environment has allowed me to build incredibly meaningful relationships at EMU.
Cassandra Guerrero – Staff: Gifts Receipting Coordinator
I am grateful to work with such incredible program directors and faculty. It's inspiring to work with people who are so dedicated to our students, programs, and university mission. I'm also grateful for President Dycus' leadership. These are challenging times in higher education, and I'm grateful for her wisdom, relationship building, keen intellect, and grounded presence.
Michael Horst – Dean
Grateful for a dynamic and supportive team, and thoughtful, passionate and inspiring students.
Paula Ditzel Facci – fac
Words can’t fully express the gratitude I feel for the support I’ve received (and continue to receive) from my EMU family after losing my mom to cancer in July and throughout the difficult months leading up to it. I couldn’t have made it through without your steady support, and I will be forever grateful.
Steph Jensen – GPR Graduate Recruitment Specialist
I'm thankful that I work for an institution that holds the same peace and justice values that I do.
Levi Clymer – Event Operations Coordinator
I am thankful for my coworkers, who work hard in our shared mission, and also know how to have excellent fun. It's a joy to work together!
Jessica Hostetler – Executive Administrative Assistant - Enrollment
I'm thankful for all the awesome people I get to work with everyday. Also, I'm grateful for my family and dubstep.
Adam Wirdzek – Staff: Web Manager
I am grateful to be part of a community that stands up for immigrants.
Stephanie Powell – Faculty
This year, I continue to be grateful for the many leaders I am surrounded by who consistently serve our teams and this university with quality and care. This work does not happen in a vacuum, so I am particularly grateful for all the ways we sharpen and support one another toward our shared goals.
Braydon Hoover – VP for Enrollment & Marketing
I am thankful for all the experiences and learning I have gone through in my life. They teach me a great deal about myself and how to be a better person. Here at EMU, I am thankful also for all the ups, downs, and in-betweens as they have made me more resilient. I am also deeply thankful for all the care EMU genuinely provides for us students, and how EMU is working hard to make sure we have the best experience possible during our time in school. The faculty, staff, and student body are very welcoming, and I am thankful to be here attending a school that focuses on the whole person, not just a transcript passing by. More than anything, I am thankful to be alive and here in the present. Let's not forget the outside support I have from friends and family. I wouldn't be who and where I am if it hadn't been for them.
Carina Groll – First-year
I'm grateful for good health and feeling mostly well. It's not always that way.
Brian Burkholder – University Chaplain
So grateful for the colors of creation - as, once again, the colors of fall showed up and showed out in their splendor and brilliance. Reminded that we have a God who created beauty - "and pronounced it good."
Deb Pardini – Admin Ass't
So grateful for students who are open to learning about past harms in our local community and how they can be a part of repairing past injustices. I am so inspired by the curiosity and concern I see in EMU students.
Deanna Durham – faculty
To be able to experience and celebrate the transformative energy on the campus, serving students with amazing colleagues on the beautiful, scenic campus of EMU.
Valarie Ghant – Coachlink Coach
Jesus
Liberty Powell – Junior
I am thankful to God for my family, parents, friends, professors, coworkers, who are always there to help me out with difficulties and laugh with me in happy moments.
Gisele Kuate – Junior
My husband had a massive heart attack this fall. I am immensely grateful that he survived, is recovering well, and to know that we have more days together.
Jennifer Cline – MAC Program Director; Assoc Prof
I am thankful that I have the opportunity to teach students about essential things in their field of study. And what could be more important to them than what is essential?
D. Gonzol – Adjunct instructor, EMU
I am thankful for the show "Sex and the City"
Ani Koontz – First Year
I'm thankful for my amazing EMU family (students and staff) and for the positive difference it collaboratively makes to so many.
Rosa Bare – Director of Advancement Operations and Stewardship
I am thankful for all the academic opportunities I have gotten in the past few months at EMU.
Zainab Kamran – First year
I am thankful for the fantastic staff members (and student staff) that I collaborate with in the Office for Student Life, Campus Life, and Facilities. I could not imagine this work without them!
Allen Clay Jr – Associate Dean for Campus Life
Our incredible "EMU Outdoor" club leaders who have completely revamped and revived outdoor enthusiasm at EMU!
Tyler Goss – Director of Student Engagement & Leadership Development
For students who invite us to understand their experience and their journey and who trust us with that privilege. I am blessed by the relationships I build with students. It is what makes this work meaningful.
Ryan Good – EMU Washington Semester Director
I'm thankful for public libraries which provide us with free access to information, entertainment, and a place to gather!
Bryce Van Vleet – Assistant Professor of Psychology
I am grateful to have found a village of support—both here at EMU and beyond—who help share the burden during hard times, who celebrate one another's big and small wins, and who consistently show up for each other.
Nicole Litwiller – Annual Giving and Donor Communications Specialist
I'm thankful for the alumnus -- soon to be named -- who just sent $100,000 (!!) to EMU so that students with financial need can pursue an opportunity that has changed the lives of thousands of students-now-alumni for the past fifty-plus years: professor-led cross-cultural learning! I couldn't be happier about, or more grateful for, what this alum has decided to do for today's undergraduates! Generosity is contagious.
Tim Swartzendruber – Senior Regional Advancement Director
I am thankful for my parents and their support
Jennifer Perera – Grad Student
"1. I am grateful to the Almighty God for how far He has brought me.
Judith Nandikove – Sophomore
My Mother who passed in May of this year. I carry her with me daily.
Laura Kollar – seminary student
I'm thankful that I live in a place where I can see mountains every day and the sun usually shines, even if it's cold outside.
Mary Ann Zehr – Assistant Professor of Rhetoric & Composition
I am thankful for our admins that work in the various offices in academic and student life. These individual are often times the first face a student sees. They also handle many behind the scenes tasks that helps everything else run smoothly.
Tynisha willingham – Admins and support staff
The academic growth and advancement opportunities that EMU has given me
Belen Hernandez Rosario – Biomedicine Grad student
The breadth and depth of the talent and knowledge of our students, faculty, and staff that extends far beyond the corners of our campus into the world. But also, coffee.
Ryan Cornell – Senior writer, marketing and communications
Did I mention dubstep?
Adam Wirdzek – Staff: Web Manager
I'm thankful to work with a team here at EMU that not only meets all the challenges that come our way, but conquers them. Plus we have fun while doing it!
Aric Berg – Marketing and Communications Project Manager
I am thankful for faculty who drop everything they are doing in order to pour love and care into students experiencing a crisis. I have seen my colleagues show such genuine concern when a student shares they need help, and it warms my heart to know we show up for each other on this campus in really deep and meaningful ways.
Kory Schaeffer – CJP, Director of Programs
