Crossroads Summer 2014 - Alumni Magazine of Eastern Mennonite University

BUILDING summer 2014

emu... preparing students to serve and lead globally

vol. 95, No. 1

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Building on Solid Footing

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Extra Innings for Suter Center

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EMU Has Busy Summer

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Fastest Runner Chooses EMU

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3,000 at Red Wing Festival

The combined hubbub of construction projects and thousands of summer guests makes for feelings of excitement – and of dislocation.

EMU has launched a second phase of fundraising so that the entire Suter Science Center can be upgraded to 21st century standards, not just the labs.

The events calendar linked to the auxiliary services section of EMU’s website lists 32 major events running from the first of May to the ninth of August this year, from family reunions to church camps.

One of the all-time top athletes in the U.S., milerecord-setter Jim Ryun, has settled into making EMU the site of one of his three running camps.

The Steel Wheels anchor a multi-generational, community-focused festival that has brought dozens of performers and thousands of visitors for a music weekend in a park 20 miles south of EMU.

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for the Homeless

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to Homecoming!

Mercy

Mercy House has 13 housing units in three locations and is managed by nine full-time staff members along with numerous volunteers.

Come

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In this Issue

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Read about this year's three alumni award winners and register to attend and enjoy Homecoming 2014.

HOMECOMING AND FAMILY WEEKEND • October 10-12, 2014

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busy summer

photo by Michael sheeler Thomas Plaza was one of the gathering points for the 200 future EMU students who participated in SOAR – Student Orientation, Advising and Registration – in the late spring and summer of 2014. On May 16-17, 100 incoming students and family members came to campus, followed by 90 more on June 14 (when this photo was taken). The teens registered for classes, talked with professors and staff, toured campus, and got a taste of this warm community.

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photo by Michael sheeler To make Roselawn more accessible, especially for those with physical disabilities, this structure on the southeast side of Roselawn will contain an elevator.

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BUILDING ON SOLID FOOTING EMU’S INTERNAL EMAILS this the three-story-high unfinished elevator summer were unusual – yet oddly shaft attached to Roselawn, surveying a heartening. The combined hubbub of stupendous eastern mountain view with construction projects and thousands his assistant director, Ed Lehman. of summer guests made for feelings of Daryl Bert ’97, who monitors EMU’s excitement – and of dislocation. construction and renovation projects as There was this funny message: “Hisvice president for finance, noted that intory professors Mark Sawin and Mary spiration for renovating Roselawn flowed Sprunger hope students will find them from successfully meeting the needs of in their temporary office spaces borEMU’s fast-growing Intensive English rowed from the library.”

Program. Before IEP moved to the Some employees signed up to help col- revamped first floor of Roselawn in 2012, leagues move their office belongings from IEP was lodged in a small house near the spaces they need to vacate on campus to seminary building on Smith Avenue. other landing spots before classes begin.

A dozen staffers volunteered to clean SUCCESS OF IEP dormitory rooms on a Saturday morning “After our success with IEP’s space, we in July, responding to an emailed request began to consider whether we could for extra cleaning help. (Physical plant re-purpose the other floors of Roselawn,” staffers needed assistance to achieve a Bert said. He added, however, that quick turn-around between two huge IEP’s growth owed more to “the energy summer camps using the residence halls, and entrepreneurship of [IEP director] back to back.)

Kathleen Roth,” than to its new space, EMU’s long-time registrar, David which merely addressed the need for Detrow ’77, was juggling classroom additional space generated by Roth’s assignments, squeezing classes into all efforts. available spaces, awaiting the completion By the spring 2015 semester, one of of classroom, seminar and office spaces the largest classrooms on campus will be on the second and third floor of Roseon the third floor of Roselawn. It will lawn, plus those in the east section of the feature a soaring ceiling, made possible Suter Science Center. by a “pop-up” structure on the roof of “It’s satisfying to reuse and bring to Roselawn, offering a great, naturally lit new life a residence hall that has been space for up to 50 people. under-utilized,” said physical plant direcAnother room will be the hub of tor C. Eldon Kurtz ’76, perched atop distance-learning, with television screens,

cameras and seats for 20.

“I expect a lot of our growth in graduate and professional studies over the next number of years to be in the development of distance-learning programs,” said Jim Smucker, dean of EMU’s newly named School for Graduate and Professional Studies.

“With a few exceptions, we are saying any new program needs to be able to be delivered at a distance. Our preferred model will be a hybrid approach which will include short-term residencies and synchronous and asynchronous delivery.”

The undergraduate side of the university is also growing, with a 6% increase over the last three years and a 39% increase in applications since 2009.

Tallying all of the programs, including graduate students, “we are as large of a university as we have ever been since opening as a school in 1917,” said Luke Hartman ’91, vice president for enrollment.

The second and third floor of Roselawn will bring together a number of liberal arts departments that often collaborate in an interdisciplinary manner – history, applied social sciences, Bible and religion, and language and literature.

(Psychology will join this group on a temporary basis, awaiting renovation of the western portion of the Suter Science Center.) A large-sized classroom, medium-sized classroom, seminar room, www.emu.edu | crossroads | 5

rendering courtesy of blueridge architects This is an architectural rendering of Roselawn after all of the planned renovations are completed. In 2014-15, the first floor of Roselawn will continue to serve the students, faculty and staff of the Intensive English Program. The two upper floors will house a large-sized classroom, medium-sized classroom, seminar room, gathering area, and offices.

and gathering area will be shared among these departments.

Two of these departments will be vacating old houses on the southern edge of campus, which will be turned into administrative offices and “intentional community” housing for students. The former language and literature area will be occupied by the department of development and church relations, which is moving from a privately owned house for which EMU paid rent.

Meanwhile, renovations on the 45-year-old Suter Science Center are fully underway, with the word “renovations” used broadly. The “head room” on Suter’s southern flank had to be torn down entirely when its foundation proved to be unstable. So that part of Suter Science will be rebuilt from the ground up. Some other parts of Suter have been gutted, as necessary to rework the ducting for heat6 | crossroads | summer 2014

ing, cooling and ventilation and to make other changes required for state-of-theart science laboratories and classrooms.

MOST BUILDING SINCE 2000 Construction projects this summer are the most extensive undertaken at EMU since the northern section of the University Commons was built in 2000 to house the athletic facilities, snack bar, game room, student-life offices, and bookstore. That cost $11 million. The construction budget for the projects underway this summer will total $9.4 million.

For its first 90 years, EMU averaged one major construction project every seven years. The pace of new construction and renovations has accelerated in recent years, as EMU seeks to accommodate the growing demand for up-to-date spaces.

Cedarwood residence hall was completed in the fall of 2009, along with extensive renovations to Elmwood and Maplewood residence halls – all conforming to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

These dorms have proven to be highly popular for rental by summer groups, which accounts for the thousands of new faces on campus this summer.

In 2011, the Lee Eshleman Studio and MainStage theaters, Margaret Martin Gehman Art Gallery, Common Grounds Coffeehouse, and the Kenneth A. Longacre Sr. Advanced Media Lab were completed, rounding out the renovation of the University Commons.

Renovations to the east portion of the Suter Science Center began in early 2014 – a $7 million project.

“To stay on the forefront of a wholeperson education – with graduates who

photo by justin roth

photo by Michael sheeler

busy summer

The popular sand volleyball court east of Roselawn and south of Hillside residence hall will have night lighting in 2014-15, thanks in part to a grant from the student government association.

become physicians, nurses, lab techdisabilities and had no air conditionnologists, physical therapists, and other ing or cross ventilation via its narrow science professionals – we are committed windows. But it was built on a solid to having the quality of facilities needed foundation, with a strong shell, so Kurtz by our teachers and students,” said Kirk and Lehman worked with Blue Ridge Shisler ’81, vice president for advanceArchitects to find a way to salvage the ment. building.

“I am deeply grateful to the 465 alumni, friends and foundations that have LEARNING FROM LEED WORK supported our current renovations,” he Now Kurtz thinks Roselawn might end said.”*1 up being one of the nicest places on Kurtz says Roselawn is proving to be campus, with “all the lessons we learned an “amazing transformation of spaces.” in putting up LEED-certified residence Previously, consideration had been given halls being applied to Roselawn. These to tearing down Roselawn, since it was are standard for us now.” not accessible to people with physical Like Cedarwood, Roselawn will have its climate controlled through a “variable * As Crossroads went to press, EMU was named a refrigerant flow” system, used successwinner for "superior fundraising" in an annual contest fully for 20 years in Japan and Europe sponsored by CASE, the nation's top professional but fairly new to the United States. The group in higher ed advancement. Among the six 2014 winners were Sarah Lawrence and Villanova. Rochester occupants of each room will be able Institute of Technology was one of the five winners in to regulate the temperature to their 2013. Only EMU was awarded in both 2013 and 2014.

satisfaction. “We keep adding climatecontrolled space, yet our energy usage keeps going down,” said Kurtz. “Saving energy is really satisfying to me.”

Between the construction projects and the high usage of facilities by summer groups, Kurtz said his staff have been stretched thin this summer – “we haven’t budgeted additional positions to take on the extra work.” On the plus, “we’re looking forward to less maintenance on the ancient and obsolete HVAC systems that are being replaced.”

Lest smaller improvements be overlooked amid the big ones, note that night lighting is appearing on the sand volleyball court, with labor provided by physical plant staff and materials partly covered by a grant from the student government association.  — Bonnie Price Lofton www.emu.edu | crossroads | 7

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EXTRA INNINGS NEEDED

to fix Suter Center for all purposes WHEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bonnie Price Lofton invited me to comment on the status of the Suter Science Campaign exactly one year ago, I opted for the venerable baseball metaphor – “we are rounding third base and heading for home!”

At that time, we needed to raise $1.6 million in new commitments to reach our goal of $7 million. Thanks to 465 wonderful EMU “diehard fans” comprised of alumni, donor friends and foundations, the goal was surpassed by this past December 31 – one year earlier than planned. This allowed for intensive renovations of our science labs (occupying the east section of Suter) to begin this spring. These will continue in three stages through August 2015.

With over $500,000 committed beyond the original campaign goal, it didn’t take long for our campaign steering committee, board members, and key donors to encourage us to “hit the ball out of the park” and plan for a second phase of fundraising so that the entire Suter Science Center would be upgraded to 21st century standards.

Thus, here we are, in “extra innings” or phase II of a $3.3 million fundraising campaign to transform the west section of Suter. Thankfully, nearly $800,000 of this goal has already been given or committed by EMU fans! Our goal now, and it’s ambitious, is to secure gifts and multi-year commitments for the balance of this project by June 30, 2015, so that renovation of Suter West can proceed seamlessly in the fall/winter of 2015.

As donors to the first phase know well, one of the major costs of the lab upgrade was the complete overhaul of Suter’s HVAC system, which had been limping along for a number of years. The renovation plan for Suter West (both

lower and upper levels) naturally calls a successful outcome to phase II of the for the complete upgrade of HVAC; new Suter Science Campaign, we are mindful sprinkler system; expansion of the Park that in fundraising, as in baseball, “extra Road entrance; and improvements to the innings” can drag on and take a toll on D. Ralph Hostetter Museum of Natural the players involved.

Science, the Discovery Room (former To that end we are inviting EMU planetarium), classrooms and offices. alumni and friends to “step up to the Significant improvements are also plate” – as they have so faithfully done planned for the iconic lecture hall SC106, in the past – and contribute their share including new seating, lighting and of “singles,” “doubles,” “triples” and a upgraded technology. Thanks to the home run here and there. If there’s a energetic efforts of the Student Govern- “grand slam” contribution waiting to be ment Association, students hosted a launched, that would be fine too! live auction this past April featuring a For more information about the phase variety of donated items from alumni II renovation plans for the Suter Science and artifacts from the science center. The Center, including naming opportunities, auction generated $21,000 to support the please visit emu.edu/science-campaign or eventual renovation of SC106. contact me, Kirk Shisler, vice president While our campaign “team” remains for advancement at kirk.shisler@emu. upbeat about the prospects for achieving edu or at 540-432-4499  photo by Michael sheeler

By Kirk L. Shisler '81 vice president for advancement

Vice president for finance Daryl Bert '97 was caught by a photographer one July afternoon, wearing a hard hat and jeans as he personally checked out the progress of contruction at the Suter Science Center. The crane is adjacent to Suter's former "head room."

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rendering courtesy of blueridge architects photo by Michael sheeler

EMU's architects envision a redesigned entrance on the west side of the Suter Science Center, with a circular driveway permitting safe access for buses bringing schoolchildren to the Discovery Museum.

In late July 2014, this was an interior scene at the east end of the Suter Science Center. Dozens of local carpenters, plumbers, electricians, masons, heavy equipment operators, and other construction experts will deserve credit when this project comes to fruition.

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photo by Michael sheeler

busy summer

rendering courtesy of blueridge architects

A small army of construction vehicles have traversed EMU's grounds this summer, carefully maneuvering around the residence halls and other facilities not under renovation. The Suter construction area is fenced off, and all sites are well marked with notices designed to ensure safety.

Just inside the redesigned entrance, the Discovery Museum in what was formerly a planetarium will have windows and stations for children to enjoy age-appropriate ways of exploring science and nature.

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IT’S SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS . . .

not easy, for sure – it’s busy here FROM AUGUST TO APRIL, students are the life blood of EMU. After that, the faces on campus may be less familiar, but EMU’s heart keeps beating strong with summertime institutes and programs, sports camps, renovation and maintenance work, and groups who rent campus facilities.

Groundskeeping staff – including up to six full-time work-study students – continue to pull weeds, mow lawns, care for trees, plant flowers and edible landscaping, repair buildings, and perform general maintenance. In the words of grounds supervisor Will Hairston, “It’s not like the grass takes a break.”

Work-study student Shay Whetzel says he enjoys getting to the end of the hard day’s work, then realizing he helped make the campus “look amazing.”

DOZENS NEEDED ALL SUMMER Other vital contributors include library staffers who take care of one of the best places to study, housekeeping crew members who make sure the facilities stay clean, and dining hall workers who take care of the people taking care of everything else. All these groups have student workers to help out while caring for each other, the campus, and the events that visit the campus.

Auxiliary services, with three full-time and eight work-study and/or temporary employees, handles the events that use the EMU campus by coordinating with leaders, communicating with various departments, setting up furniture for use, and making sure everything needed by a visiting group is available.

“We stay extremely busy over the summer,” says Lynn Veurink, assistant director for auxiliary services. Generally speaking, he says EMU hosts three kinds of large events, as well as a number of 12 | crossroads | summer 2014

small events. The large events include church, youth, and athletic groups.

Churches come to campus for meetings, retreats, and conferences. Youth groups come to worship and learn. Athletic groups come to practice and learn using EMU’s equipment and fields. Many of these events go on for days at a time, so visiting groups must use the dorms.

RUNNING IS BIG The largest athletic event is Blue Ridge Running Camp, involving 40 to 50 coaches from NCAA Division I, II and III schools across the country. The biggest church group is Apostolic Eastern Camp, involving several Apostolic churches from across the Eastern United States and Canada. These two groups, with populations reaching several hundred each, run back to back.

Auxiliary services prepares for Apostolic Eastern Camp to fill every single dorm room for a week in July, and then spends the weekend afterwards preparing the rooms again for Blue Ridge Running Camp. This weekend might be the most stressful time on campus during the summer.

The largest youth event is a summer camp held by Lift Ministries, a Baptist group that involves several youth groups.

This event runs early in July.

32 MAJOR EVENTS The events calendar linked to the auxiliary services section of EMU’s website lists 32 major events running from the first of May to the ninth of August this year.

Outside of church, youth, and athletic events, EMU serves family reunions, wedding receptions, travelers, and other one-time events by renting out Lehman Auditorium, the gymnasium, dorm

buildings, or other facilities. Some traveling groups simply need to use the dorms for one night, or some performing groups, such as Rockingham Ballet Theater, may need Lehman Auditorium for a few shows.

EMU serves Augusta County Public Schools by renting out the University Commons for the graduation ceremonies of four county high schools. Over the course of two days, 8,000-10,000 people pass through the Commons to attend these graduations.

EMU ROLLS ON TOO The main EMU-sponsored events after spring graduation ceremonies are the Summer Peacebuilding Institute, Summer Preparatory Music Program, the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, the Interfaith Peace Camp for children, Adult Degree Completion Program classes, and the Summer Institute for Spiritual Formation. This year, especially, construction workers are on campus, updating and remodeling the Suter Science Center and renovating Roselawn into office and classroom spaces.

Veurink points out that EMU hopping over the summer is “a matter of stewardship – by using your facilities you generate revenue.” If EMU didn’t invite others to use the campus, it would be wasting the potential of the campus.

The revenues, which hit an all-time high gross of approximately $600,000 in 2012, says Veurink, support EMU’s general fund. More than that, many of these groups form intimate connections with the EMU community, as about 80% of the groups are returning groups. Veurink described the connection by saying that “they kind of become like family to us.”  — Robert Propst, class of 2017

busy summer

The Blue Ridge Running Camp (t0p) attracts hundreds of runners each year. Local children attend the annual Interfaith Peace Camp (middle row, left, in photo by Bradley Striebig). In this Summer Peacebuilding Institute class (middle row, right), instructors Johonna McCants and Carl Stauffer are in the background; students Madison Collins Jr. from Washington D.C. and Abdull Hadi Sanaei from Afghanistan are in the foreground. In 2014 they were among 184 people from 36 countries at the institute. Grounds supervisor Will Hairston (at right in bottom left photo) relies on student help to keep the campus looking lovely. In mid-June music lovers savor the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival (bottom right, in photo by Lindsey Kolb), which marked its 22nd year at EMU in 2014. (Photos by Michael Sheeler, except as noted.)

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ALL-TIME TOP U.S. RUNNER, JIM RYUN

ONE OF THE ALL-TIME top athletes in the United States, mile-record-setter Jim Ryun, has settled into making EMU the site of one of his three annual running camps.

Ryun tried EMU for the first time in the summer of 2013, moving his training camp from Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. He returned in 2014 and says he’ll be back with his campers in 2015 and, he hopes, for many years to come.

“Today is the day, 48 years ago, that I set the world record for the mile in Berkeley, California,” Ryun told an EMU reporter on July 17. He sounded thoughtful rather than boastful, as he sat on the grass under a tree by the EMU track patiently answering questions that he has probably answered a million times.

It also happened to be the 48th anniversary of the day that somebody named Anne Snider approached Ryun after he had been signing autographs for a long time and asked for one for herself. He politely declined her request but held out the promise to comply in the future, maybe even after he returned to his University of Kansas. He did learn that she happened to be visiting California and was enrolled at arch-rival Kansas State.

DECADES OF BEING "WE" Somehow it all worked out. Three years later – a year before Jim graduated from university – Anne and Jim were married and on their way to a lifelong partnership. He uses “we” more often than not in conversation – referring to the two of them becoming born-again Christians in 1972, raising four children (and adoring their 12 grandchildren), entering the political arena when Jim represented Kansas’ 2nd district in Congress, and holding camps for runners (largely high school-aged) since 1973.

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photo by jonathan bush

... embraces EMU as annual camp site

Jason Lewkowicz, EMU's cross country and track & field coach (in white cap at right), shares Ryun's view that running should be done as an expression of faith in God.

“You’ve got to meet Anne – she’ll be ber of uncompromising conservatives in along soon,” Jim said as the reporter was Congress. putting away her notepad. And Anne From July 13 to 18, 2014, however, Jim came along just then, walking jauntily and Anne weren’t focused on politics north toward the outdoor track from – they were utterly devoted to the 58 their rooms in Cedarwood residence hall, runners under their care in the Jim Ryun accompanied by one of their sons and Running Camp at EMU, including five his wife, who help direct the camps with from Eastern Mennonite High School, mom and dad Ryun. along with their coach, EMU junior Anne turned out to be all of 5’3” along- Tyler Eshleman. side her 6’3” husband, but the outsized warmth of her personality lent support CHRISTIAN ATMOSPHERE to her husband’s contention that she was Eshleman was the Ryuns’ trouble-shooter indispensable to his successful runs for and general go-to person on behalf of Congress, where he was a fervent “small EMU during the camp. “He’s been great,” government” Republican in the House of said Jim. “If I could take him everywhere Representatives, 1996-2007. with us, I’d love it.”

In 2006, the National Journal named The love was mutual. “My athletes Jim the most conservative member of who attended are already spreading the Congress, an honor that ranks with Jim’s word of the education, encouragement, running awards, to judge by his manner and spiritual growth they experienced of speaking. “I believe in small governat the camp,” said Eshleman. “They are ment, lower taxes, a debt-free nation, a setting better goals, and showing new strong military, a strong family, and less enthusiasm for their sport. I can only Social Security and Medicare,” he emhope more of my team will take advanphasizes. He is the chair of the Madison tage of this marvelous opportunity next Project, which seeks to enlarge the numsummer.”

photo by Michael sheeler

busy summer

At age 67, Jim Ryun (left) jogs two or three times a week and bikes when he can – plus joins his campers in playing Ultimate Frisbee – but he mostly focuses on nurturing upcoming runners, such as the high schoolers coached by EMU junior Tyler Eshleman (right).

Jason Lewkowicz, EMU’s cross country and track & field coach, was juggling competing demands on his time during camp week, yet most days he made a point of joining the Ryuns for their worship and learning sessions. “I am grateful for how Jim and Anne integrate faith into their running camp. . .[as well as] their emphasis on using the gift of running to honor God, the giver of that gift!”

In addition to the EMU camp in the Shenandoah Valley, the Ryuns hold one each summer near the beach in San Diego, California, and a third in the mountains of Greeley, Colorado. In 2014, camp fees were $650 for an individual, with discounts for coaches and runners who come as a member of a team.

Campers must be at least age 13 to come, but the camp website – ryunrunning. com – says there is no upper age limit.

The website also makes it clear that the camp has a Christian atmosphere. “We believe well-rounded runners are those who are nurtured physically, mentally and spiritually,” says Jim, which is why devotional sessions based on biblical pas-

sages are an integral part of the camp.

Another accomplished Olympian, pentathlon athlete Jack Daniels, is always part of the training team at the Ryun camp.

BEST H.S. ATHLETE EVER Jim Ryun was one of the most famous and admired athletes of his day – named in 1966 (at age 19) as Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” and as ABC’s Wide World of Sports’ Athlete of the Year, among many other kudos.

He still holds five of the six fastest mile times in U.S. high school history, all under 4 minutes, and “most of them on much slower track surfaces than today’s,” notes ESPN.com. He won the silver medal for the 1500 m at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

Today, over 40 years after he set them, Ryun still holds the American junior (19 and under) records at 880 yd (1:44.9), 800 m (1:44.3), 1,500 m (3:36.1), and two miles (8:25.1).

Memories of Ryun’s running career, which ended in the mid-1970s, remain

strong. In 2007, ESPN.com named him the “best high school athlete ever,” above such well-known figures as Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The Jim Ryun Running Camp grew by about 40% between its first and second years at EMU. Ryun says they turn away applicants at the 100 camper mark at each of their three sites, a goal likely to be reached at EMU in the next two years at the rate things are going.

“There is no doubt that the Ryun Running Camp offers a great experience for the campers,” said Lewkowicz, who plans to commit more time to the camp in 2015. “To be able to spend a week with Jim Ryun, Jack Daniels, and the rest of the staff is worth the cost of registration alone. However, they work hard to ensure a great holistic experience for the camp attendees, integrating faith, team building, and fellowship, to the daily running and learning regimen. Any young runner would come out of the Jim Ryun Running Camp experience with a positive outlook on life and running.”  —– Bonnie Price Lofton www.emu.edu | crossroads | 15

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busy summer

photo by jon styer During the Summer Peacebuilding Institute, these six experts in Strategies in Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) took a break from their classroom activities to silently walk the prayer labyrinth on the hill adjacent to Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

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THOUSANDS THRONG TO NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL ... made possible by many folks with ties to EMU FROM A HEADLINING ACT to the bike-powered recycling effort, from a group of staff and volunteers to the tent distributing Menno Tea to hundreds of friends and alumni, EMU and its graduates helped make the second annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival a success.

Close to 3,000 people attended each day of the festival, July 11-13, 2014, at Natural Chimneys Park in Mt. Solon, Virginia. First held in the summer of 2013, the Red Wing festival is hosted by The Steel Wheels, a nationally known roots music band that features three alumni: Trent Wagler ’02, Eric 18 | crossroads | summer 2014

Brubaker ’01 and Brian Dickel, class of ’98. (The fourth band member, Jay Lapp, attended EMU’s sister Mennonite school in Indiana, Goshen College, for a time.)

After enjoying performing at other festivals across the country since they started touring seriously around 2010, members of The Steel Wheels began thinking about ways to create a new festival in the Shenandoah Valley.

“We wanted it to be rooted in community and informed by our upbringing,” said Brubaker after Red Wing ended this year. “We wanted a family-friendly event where we would be proud to bring our own children and expose them to many

different kinds of authentic musical expression.”

The band partnered with Black Bear Productions, a local event production company, and began planning well over a year in advance for the first event.

Their vision was realized in a multigenerational, community-focused festival that has brought dozens of performers and thousands of visitors for a long weekend of music on four stages at Natural Chimneys, about 20 miles south of EMU’s campus.

“The exciting thing is that all [our] dreams and more are already being fulfilled,” Brubaker added. “It’s amazing

busy summer

The Steel Wheels, captured by RubySky Photography

The Steel Wheels perform before a large crowd at Natural Chimneys Park during the second annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival. Photograph by Keesha Dickel ’00, who is married to The Steel Wheels bass player Brian Dickel (class of ’98), and whose company, RubySky Photography, was a festival sponsor.

that so many people from our community are investing time, creativity and resources to make the festival a true success.”

Jeremiah Jenkins, a managing partner of Black Bear Productions, said the welcoming, friendly atmosphere at the festival is one of its special characteristics.

“Red Wing has fans of all ages. This sets a certain tone of respect and appreciation among the crowd, and that collective enjoyment really fuels us all weekend,” he said. “Red Wing brings out both the seasoned festivarian and the first-timers, and together we create our own festival culture. We’re proud of the Red Wing

fans, volunteers and staff that treat the park and each other with such conscientiousness.”

After noticing how many EMU alums attended the first festival, the university signed on as an official sponsor in 2014.

Throughout the weekend, advancement staff passed out tea and connected with hundreds of alumni, prospective students and other festival-goers.

EMU and Red Wing organizers also collaborated to minimize the amount of trash generated at the festival. The festival banned the sale of plastic water bottles and required visitors to bring or purchase a reusable steel cup to use at the free water station and in the beer garden, Jenkins said. Food vendors were also required to use renewable, recycled or compostable materials for all service items.

Aware of EMU’s commitment to sustainability, Black Bear Productions hired EMU sustainability coordinator Jonathan Lantz-Trissel ’00 to oversee trash and recycling collection during the weekend. He and his team of volunteers collected well over 1,000 pounds of recyclable materials and 500 pounds of food waste to add to EMU’s compost piles.

“When people congratulate me on the festival, I always say that it takes a village,” Jenkins said. “We’re so glad that EMU is part of ours, from the alumni office and sustainability team to the many EMU alumni that bring their families each year.”

In addition to The Steel Wheels, about 40 other bands performed this year at Red Wing, including The Walking Roots Band, first formed under another name at EMU. Six of the eight members are EMU graduates: Lauren ’09 and Mitch Yoder ’09, Jackson Maust ’09, Kristina Yoder ’09, Adam Schmid ’09 and Seth Crissman ’09, MDiv ’15. Crissman also said the welcoming feel to the festival was important to the group.

“Something we care about a lot is being able to create and share music that is fun for everyone. There was a broad range of ages at Red Wing, and music brings all these people together,” he said. “In making music in this roots-folk tradition, we draw nourishment from those who have come before and, hopefully, pass it on to those who will come after us. It was a lot fun to be able to listen to and enjoy other musicians doing the same thing at Red Wing. It was exciting to see so many people excited about roots and folk music, especially local music.”

Another band performing at Red Wing, Ragged Mountain String Band, featured Reuben Miller ’00 on fiddle.

The third Red Wing Roots Music Festival will likely be held on the second weekend in July 2015, with exact dates to be announced soon on the festival’s website and Facebook page. In the meantime, Brubaker said, The Steel Wheels will be recording a new album that will be ready in time for next year’s event.  — Andrew Jenner www.emu.edu | crossroads | 19

MERCY WORKS

... to house those without homes SOON AFTER GRADUATING from Eastern Mennonite College in 1970 Roy Early opened a photography studio in the Park View area of Harrisonburg. In the late 1970s he moved the business downtown. It was a time of growth for the then-small community, and the people who were being left behind by the changing times were visible in the area around Early’s studio.

The homeless congregated on street corners, begging passersby for change.

In other parts of the town people were living in their cars, in tents and even in cardboard boxes. Not just individuals, many of the homeless were families with young children.

While there were resources available for individuals struggling with homelessness, no facility was equipped to help families. Accepting assistance often meant that a father went to one part of 20 | crossroads | summer 2014

the shelter and a mother to the other, dividing their children between them.

In 1987 a group of concerned local citizens began meeting about how to deal with the issue of homeless families in the area. The initial meeting was held at Early’s studio. In August 1988 the group incorporated as a nonprofit organization whose motto was “Changing the World One Family at a Time” and chose “Mercy House” as its name.

FAMILIES SHOULD BE TOGETHER “We started out as a shelter, but soon realized that we needed a program that would try and correct the problems that cause homelessness,” Early recalls. “We wanted to focus on families staying together, getting jobs and becoming selfsufficient.”

Mercy House began by renting a house and moving two families in. It

Phyllis and Roy Early, both 1970 graduates, organized a group of concerned local citizens in the late 1980s to address the issue of homelessness in EMU's home region. The result was Mercy House.

was immediately evident that addressing homelessness would not be easy and that solving the problem would take more than just providing a roof over someone’s head.

“The staff came rather quickly,” Early says. “We started off thinking that a homeless family would be happy just having a place to live, but we quickly realized that they would need much more support than that.”

Mercy House hired a director to administer the program and to also mentor the people who lived there, introducing them to other community resources, like addiction counseling and job training.

Employment was found for adults and once they started earning money, half of it was put into savings each week. By the time a family was ready to move out of Mercy House typically they would have a nest egg of several thousand dollars that they could use to establish a home.

Within a year, Mercy House purchased its first property and renovated it into eight apartments. Later a thrift store was established that provided both funding

photos by Michael sheeler

busy summer

Mercy House has expanded over the years, now running a food pantry (above), home for at-risk and expectant mothers, day care center, and programs designed to solve the problems that lead to a "revolving door" of people in and out of homelessness.

for the organization and employment opportunities for those living at Mercy House.

“The thrift store has been a huge part of our financial success,” Early says, noting that revenue from the store at 1005 South High Street is nearly half of the organization’s budget.

longer have a support network of family nearby when they fall on hard times.”

Over the years an estimated 1,600 families have lived at Mercy House.

Although all stories do not end in success, many former residents have broken the cycle of homelessness. One left this anonymous story on the organization’s Web page: Many years ago, I experienced becoming homeless due to a job loss.There is nothing as frightening as not being able to provide for your children. I stayed at Mercy House.

I was encouraged to go to college and become less vulnerable through education.

I did that over the next few years.

Mercy House has expanded its services over the years. It has a home for at-risk and expectant mothers, a day care center and a food pantry. It has programs that work to prevent homelessness and give temporary assistance to keep families in their homes, as well as an “aftercare” program that continues to monitor and assist families for a year after they move out of Mercy House.

HUNDREDS SERVED ANNUALLY Today Mercy House is an organization with a budget of over $1 million, has 13 housing units in three locations, and is managed by nine full-time staff members along with numerous volunteers. Along with Early and his wife Phyllis Garber Early ’70, several other EMU alumni are involved, including staffers Selinda Figueora Perry ’01 and Jayne Kinkead Perry ’03. Over 200 adults and children pass through their housing annually.

NATIONAL MODEL Both the organization and the type of “We realized that we had a revolving door people they help have changed over the where people would stay with us, move years. out on their own and in three months “In the beginning we often helped peo- they would be back,” says Twila Lee, ple who were struck with some type of Mercy House executive director. “We disaster. They had a fire or an unexpected were putting a roof over their heads, but medical catastrophe and they lost their not solving their problems. Now we’ve home,” Early says. “Now drug addiction become a national model for the concept is a devastating problem and people no that you can provide services to people

when they are outside a shelter.”

Mercy House has been a state leader in implementing the federal government’s Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, according to Michael Wong, executive director of Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, which partners with Mercy House for grant applications and referral services.

“Mercy House has been a valuable and essential service within our community,” Wong explains. “They have taken a leadership role when it comes to initiatives to address homelessness in our community, and they are the only resource that is family-oriented in our local area.”

Over the years the Earlys have stayed involved with Mercy House. Roy has been a constant member of the board of directors. Both volunteer several days a week, with Phyllis running the food pantry and Roy helping with organizational and maintenance needs.

“Roy is not much of a ‘sit-down-on-acommittee-and-discuss-things’ kind of person,” Lee says. “He’s always constructing, fixing and rebuilding things. Phyllis has volunteered here every week since I’ve been here. They are both just real workers.”  — Jeremiah Knupp Editor’s note: The spring 2014 issue of Crossroads was devoted to the impact of alumni on EMU’s home community of Harrisonburg. regrettably, Mercy House was not covered in that previous issue. www.emu.edu | crossroads | 21

AFTER A SIX-MONTH LISTENING PROCESS that engaged a broad range of stakeholders, including Mennonite Church USA, the board of trustees of EMU postponed formal action regarding its hiring policy pertaining to individuals in covenanted same-sex relationships.

The November 2013 board decision to suspend personnel actions related to the current hiring policy remains in effect as discernment continues.

In offering his public appreciation to President Loren Swartzendruber '76, MDiv '79, DMin, and his leadership team, Andy Dula '91, chair of the EMU board of trustees, said, “I am proud to be part of EMU, a university where contentious issues can be engaged with mutual respect and with Christian discernment and compassion. We are extremely grateful for President Swartzendruber’s leadership during this challenging time.”

Carlos Romero, executive director of Mennonite Education Agency – which liaisons with six Mennonite higher education institutions – said: “The process was consistent with how the church engages in discernment around difficult issues.”

The president’s cabinet invited a wide range of constituents – including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and church leaders – to fill out survey forms giving their views on EMU's hiring policy, which to date restricts hiring to those who are single and celibate or those in recognized marriages. More than 7,000 people participated in the survey.

In addition, 20 “dialogue sessions” were held on campus, encompassing about 300 individuals. At least one president’s cabinet member was present at each session to listen and report perspectives without attribution to the rest of the cabinet. The president and cabinet members also engaged leaders across the church.

“The listening process was extremely valuable in enabling the president’s cabinet to gain a deeper understanding of the range of feelings, hopes and fears about extending university employment to persons in same-sex covenanted relationships,” said Dula.

“Based on this feedback, we acknowledge that the church is currently engaged in extensive discernment over human sexuality. We wish to honor our relationship with the church by not taking a final action now on changing EMU’s hiring policy.”

Swartzendruber emphasized that the listening process was never viewed as a “democratic process” with the outcome determined by the most votes, but rather “as a way of hearing from those who care deeply about EMU.” Swartzendruber confirmed that views proved to be highly

22 | crossroads | summer 2014

photo by jon styer

Listening process ends, waiting period continues

Andy Dula, chair of the trustees, is shown speaking while President Loren Swartzendruber listens.

divergent and often passionate, regardless of the stance.

“We never expected to see consensus on this matter,” said Swartzendruber. “We were hoping for respectful dialogue, and indeed this is what we saw within our university community. Internally there was a consistent theme of wanting to maintain unity in spite of our diversity on these and other important issues.

“EMU’s role as a university is to grapple with the difficult questions of our time,” he added. “From the beginning, we bathed this process in prayer, seeking God’s guidance.

We also received encouragement from numerous church leaders and members to stay engaged with the Mennonite Church as we wrestle with these questions.”

Dula said the board has no definite timetable for making a final hiring policy decision. “We’ll consider what emerges in the wider church in making our plans,” he said.

The board’s official statement, passed by a strong majority vote on June 20, 2014, reads in part: We reaffirm EMU’s mission—to prepare students to serve and lead in a diverse global society—and EMU’s role as a university that fully engages the difficult questions of our time and welcomes diverse perspectives and experiences into the conversation. Out of respect for EMU’s relationship with Mennonite Church USA and its ongoing discernment of human sexuality, we defer action on formally changing EMU’s policy on hiring employees in covenanted same-sex relationships.  — Bonnie Price Lofton Editor’s note: During on-campus conversations on same-sex relationships during 2013-14, an often-referenced book was What Christians Think About Homosexuality – Six Representative Viewpoints by L. R. Holben, published in 1999. Though the language is somewhat dated, Holben’s summary of the range of viewpoints on this topic seems to have stood the test of time. Holben was then a freelance writer, but is now an ordained Episcopal priest. A summary of Holben’s book can be found at www.emu.edu/listen.

photo by michael sheeler

mileposts

Thomas Plaza in front of the Campus Center is the site of dramatic productions, informal music concerts, faculty-staff picnics, and community-wide gatherings, such as this student-led hymn sing and prayer gathering pertaining to EMU's "listening process" on covenanted same-sex relationships.

Faculty & Staff Cathy Smeltzer Erb ‘85, chair and professor of teacher education, Harrisonburg, Va., and many other members of the education department devoted numerous hours to analysis and writing for departmental assessment by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), which resulted in a successful review by NCATE and reaccreditation of EMU’s teacher education program.

Jack Rutt ’72, formerly director of information services, is now doing “special projects support” for the office of the provost. In his early 60s, Rutt sought to hand his leadership role to another (which turned out to be Ben Beachy – see below) and to be assigned roles with less responsibility and fewer hours per week. Rutt now is linked to the renovations at Roselawn and the Suter Science Center, working with the project management team to run the online project management software, take notes at planning meetings, track task assignments/decisions made, and provide liaison assistance with the information systems components of the projects.

Benjamin (Ben) Beachy ’00, MA ’09 (business), associate director of technology systems, Fulks Run, Va., has been promoted to director of infor-

mation systems at EMU. Ben originally came to the university in January of 2002 as a network administrator, rising to associate director in the last couple of years. Some of his responsibilities as director will be improving the reliability of the campus internet and wireless networks, enhancing institutional reporting from the student information system, and working with faculty and students to find the right balance of technology in the classroom.

Andrew (Andy) Richter ’12, admissions counselor, Harrisonburg, Va., has accepted a management position at Richter Drafting and Office Supply Co., in Souderton, Pa., a company owned by his father. In the words of admissions director, Jason Good ’05, Richter is “an effective communicator with an engaging and caring personality… [with] a gift for connecting with students and parents from a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. He will be sorely missed in our office.”

Teresa Haase, associate professor in counseling, was honored as the Counseling Educator of the Year by the Central Valley Counselors Association.

1960-1969

Noah Martin ‘63, Johnstown, Pa., a retired counselor, has written a marriage manual titled A More Excellent Way in

which he looks at the myths of marriage, how to build a stronger marriage, how to fix a broken one, forgiveness and reconciliation, developing open and honest communication, assessing the vulnerability of a relationship, and the influence of families of origin. It is meant to increase the knowledge and skills of those engaging in marital and premarital counseling and is based on a biblical perspective with an Anabaptist flavor.

Carl Hansen ‘65, SEM ‘67, Harrisonburg, Va., and his wife Vera, class of ‘64, have returned from a winter in Ethiopia where they served as volunteers at the Meserete Kristos College – Vera working in the college library and Carl teaching courses in world history and Anabaptist/ Mennonite history and thought. The Hansens spent 32 years working in Kenya and Ethiopia under Eastern Mennonite Missions before their retirement in 2011.

Since then, they have returned each winter as volunteers to organize and lead the Experience Ethiopia Tour, a public relations tour that benefits Meserete Kristos College.

Wayne ’69 and Lois King ’70 Hochstetler, Bloomington, Ill., recently completed their assignment in London, England, with Mennonite Mission Network. While there, they provided worker care on location for mission workers around the world. They are now retired in Bloomington/Normal, Ill.

1970-1979

Jane Wert, class of ‘71, Miron, Lancaster, Pa., of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster, Pa., has been appointed archdeacon for the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.

Loretta Lehman ‘75 Collins, Huntington, Pa., a reverend at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Lewistown, Pa., has accepted the position of diocesan jubilee officer with the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania.

Randall Longenecker ‘75, Athens, Ohio, assistant dean for rural and underserved programs at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, has received the 2014 Outstanding Educator Award from the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for his role in helping prepare medical students and residents for practice in rural areas.

The NRHA noted Randall’s work as a longtime rural physician, his efforts in bringing together students from all of Ohio’s medical schools for rural health retreats, and his success in connecting students with opportunities for networking, leadership, and advocacy through trips to the nation’s capital.

Dennis ‘76, MDiv ‘79, and Linda Augsburger ‘76 Gingerich, Cape Coral, Fla., have been awarded a fully funded, four-month sabbatical through

www.emu.edu | crossroads | 23

the National Clergy Renewal grant of the Lilly Endowment Fund. Their renewal plan includes six weeks exploring family history and Anabaptist roots in Europe, a Footsteps of Paul cruise in the Greek Isles, and a 10week road trip to the west coast and back.

This summer marks their 35th year in pastoral ministry, 28 of which have been in Cape Coral, Fla., as founders of Cape Christian Fellowship, a Mennonite-affilated church that has grown from three couples to over 2,000 in attendance each weekend.

Simone Horst (left) and Lois Bowman

Horst succeeds Bowman in historical library On July 1, Simone Horst ’12 became the special collections librarian of the Menno Simons Historical Library at EMU. If her leadership tenure lasts as long as her two predecessors, she will serve for decades.

Retiring librarian Lois Bowman ’60 is “proudest” (her word) of the many researchers she has helped in her 45 years at the historical library. In addition, she has cataloged thousands of books, including many rare and foreign titles. With a master’s degree from Harvard University and a second master’s from Catholic University in rare book librarianship, Bowman is EMU’s longest serving faculty and staff member, beginning in 1962.

“One of the jewels of EMU’s crown is the Menno Simons Historical Library which Lois has helped to create,” Beryl Brubaker ’64, director of the Sadie Hartzler Library, said at a retirement reception for Bowman on June 11. “It’s a jewel not only because of the materials Lois and others have collected but also because of the in-depth knowledge and interest of its staff. Ask her anything about Mennonites or related groups or about genealogy or the Shenandoah Valley, and Lois will shower you with information. She enjoys talking with visitors. She’ll proudly show you the rare book collection too, a collection that is second to none on the East Coast.”

Looking ahead to her retirement, Bowman says of her library work, “I don’t expect to miss any of it, because I plan to continue as a volunteer, doing the work I enjoy most. The rest I won’t miss!”

Bowman became head librarian of the historical library in 1990, when her supervisor, Grace Showalter, died days before she was scheduled to retire.

Bowman’s successor, Horst, has completed a master of library and information science from the University of South Carolina. She is co-director of EMU’s digital conversion project and since 2008 has worked as an assistant in EMU’s archives.

“The library staff has worked since about 2011 on a project to digitize items from EMU’s special collections and make them available online,” says Horst. “It’s been a learning process for everyone, but it has been exciting to see the fruits of our labor in the recent months.” — Paul Souder

24 | crossr oads | summer 2014 24 | crossroads | fall 2007

Lawrence Ressler ‘76, Marshall, Tex., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU), has been named interim president by the ETBU board of trustees.

Conley McMullen ‘78, Keezletown, Va., professor of biology and chemistry at James Madison University (JMU), was honored with the 2014 JMU Provost’s Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship.

The award is given to a faculty member who integrates scholarship, service, and teaching that enhances student learning and provides a challenging and supportive environment with a heightened sense of intellectual stimulation. Conley was honored for his work in floristics, systematics, and pollination biology in the eastern United States and Galápagos Islands.

1980-1989

Michael (Mick) Sommers ‘85, Leola, Pa., pastor of Ridgeview Mennonite Church, was one of four members from ACC conference who traveled to Argentina in February to visit the people of the churches in the Vision Evangelistica y Misionera de la Zona partnership. He spent the majority of his time in the towns of General Villegas, Trenque Lauquen and Pehaujo, and preached 11 different sermons over 11 days.

1990-1999

Starla J. King, ’90, Philadelphia, Pa., has authored a book titled Wide Awake. Every Day. Daily Inspiration for Conscious Living, published by Little Big Bay. She wrote the book as a way to capture and share her learnings about the value of attention and intention in the midst of everyday life.

Starla is a certified creativity and writing coach. Her business, OutWrite Living, supports emerging authors as they transition their writing from private to public.

Coreen (Cori) Lyman ‘90, SEM ‘92, and Kirk Lyman Barner, SEM ‘91, Americus, Ga., have helped publish two theology books based on the life of Clarence Jordan and the Koinonia Farm experiment. Roots in the Cotton Patch explores the history of Jordan’s storytelling and his biblical interpretation methods, and uncovers some important previously unpublished stories.

Fruits of the Cotton Patch interprets Jordan’s storytelling and the meaning of his prophetic voice in the areas of peacemaking in the context of historical harms, the future of the affordable housing movement, and permaculture.

Jill Stoltzfus ‘91, Souderton, Pa., is the research institute director at St. Luke’s

University Health Network, an institution that includes six hospitals and various private physician groups. Her responsibilities include serving as a clinical adjunct professor of biostatistics at Temple University/St. Luke’s University Health Network School of Medicine.

Brian Martin ‘92, Hatfield, Pa., president of Master’s Design Build Group, was honored with two Contractor of the Year awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, in recognition of his company’s work on a residential addition and a residential kitchen renovation. Because these projects won awards in NARI’s Northeast Region, each is in the running for the national award.

Rhonda Miller ’92, Iowa City, Iowa, completed the music therapy equivalency program at the University of Iowa and is now employed by Iowa City Hospice as a board certified music therapist.

Laurie Eshleman ’94 Longenecker, Lancaster, Pa., is care coordinator for Healthy Beginnings, a holistic maternaland-child health program of Lancaster General Hospital, which is committed to the empowerment of pregnant and parenting women.

Joseph (Joe) Gascho II ‘95, formerly of Columbia, Md., has been named assistant professor of harpsichord and early music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Joy Kraybill ’95, Washington D.C., has played a major role in working out kinks and communicating information regarding the Affordable Care Act – often called “Obamacare” – for the past two years. For instance, in early April 2013, she was a featured presenter at a Baltimore conference of the National Governors Association, where she was identified as “Director, Issuer Oversight Branch, Division of Plan Management, Exchange Policy and Operations Group, Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight,” and as a panelist discussing: federal exchange relationship with health plans; data coordination; rate and form review; flow of information between federal and state; network adequacy and essential community providers; QHP certification and oversight; benefits for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs; and high-risk pools. Joy was also mentioned in an announcement on producersweb. com posted Feb. 4, 2014: “Joy Kraybill and other CCIIO officials offer several pages of advice for producers still struggling with HealthCare.gov.”

Katrina (Trina) Mullet ‘96 Siegrist, Elkhart, Ind., graduated on May 24 with a master of divinity with a concentration in pastoral care and counseling from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She will enter a clinical pastoral education residency at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Ind.

2000-2009

Kate Good ‘00, Lancaster, Pa., has been named the executive director and president of the Parish Resource Center. The center

provides services to 80 congregations from many denominations in Central Pennsylvania to advance their ministries and help create networks of support among faith communities. Kate will be developing and delivering in-person, on-site, and internet-based services. Her experience in publishing, marketing, and communications make her uniquely qualified to help churches adapt to the challenges of a fast-changing world.

Mindy Nolt ’01, Lancaster, Pa., is about to release an album of all her own original music titled Movers and Lovers, featuring Jared Hankee ’02, Frances Miller, Grad. Cert. ’11 (conflict transformation), and Reuben Miller ’00. Her songs are about love, loss, memories, questions about life, the way things are, and the way they ought to be. Mindy hopes her music will entertain, inspire, and challenge those who listen. Visit mindynolt.com.

Roy Brooks ‘02, Harrisonburg, Va., is the managing agent for Priority Property Management, LLC. He manages day-to-day operations of the business, which covers all aspects of leasing and managing residential and commercial property owners.

Karimi Kinoti, MA ‘02 (conflict transformation), Nairobi, Kenya, has been heading the work on poverty eradication and social justice issues in Africa with Christian Aid, an organization based in the United Kingdom. She also chairs the Nairobi Peace Initiative.

Daniel (Dan) Lapp ‘02, Hershey, Pa., successfully defended his thesis titled “Molecular Mechanisms of Astrocyte Protection Following Oxidative Stress,” earning his PhD in neuroscience from Penn State University. He is also finishing years three and four of medical school. His wife, Lynley Culbertson ‘02 Lapp is the employee wellness coordinator for 8,500 employees at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The couple lives in Hershey, Pa. with their daughter, Brontë.

M. Christine (Christie) Benner ‘04 Dixon, Pittsburgh, Pa., graduated with distinction with a PhD in English literature from Drew University. Christie accepted a position teaching English at Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh, Pa., beginning in the fall.

Amanda Gross ‘06, MA ‘13 (conflict transformation), Pittsburgh, Pa., has transitioned into the full-time role of Pennsylvania program director for the American Friends Service Committee. Amanda will continue to piece together fun projects, teaching gigs, and art while connecting to the organization’s mission to “...promote lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.”

Drew Strayer, MA ‘06 (conflict transformation), Mountville, Pa., is the community groups pastor at Manor

Church in Lancaster, Pa. He works with the life groups and various ministries in the community to fight human trafficking and homelessness. Drew has been in this role since the fall of 2012.

Phillip (Phil) Wiechart, MDiv ‘06, Jenison, Mich., was ordained by IndianaMichigan Mennonite Church Conference for chaplaincy at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Lisa King ‘08, Lancaster, Pa., and Jennifer Wagner ‘10, Mountville, Pa., helped author an article titled “Nurse Manager Residency Program: An Innovative Succession Plan,” which was published in the May/June 2014 issue of Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing. The article’s primary purpose was “to ensure nurse managers meet current and projected nursing management needs and organizational goals” by describing how they developed and implemented a nurse manager residency program at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pa. Heidi Konstant ‘09 Findlay, Orlando, Fla., is now associate director of advancement services for the University of Central Florida Foundation, Inc. Briana Gascho ‘09, Grand Rapids, Mich., is currently a prosthetics resident and recently became a certified orthotist at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. She evaluates amputees for prosthetic care, casts limbs, assists with the fabrication of devices, fits and adjusts prostheses, and cheers people on as they pursue getting back to their lives after amputation. After this year of residency is over, Briana will take her board exams to eventually become a CPO – certified prosthetist-orthotist.

Kimberly Nissly ‘09, Dillsburg, Pa., was awarded the John and Gwen Deakle Scholarship from the Mississippi College School of Law during its annual Law Day ceremony.

The scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated initiative, exhibited a concern for the less fortunate, showed an understanding of justice, and possesses a strong work ethic.

2010-

Kristen Wall, MA ‘10, Washington D.C., manages the Kosovo programs at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), an organization that strengthens democratic institutions in new democracies. Prior to working at NDI, Kristen was the program manager for the policy studies program at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

She has taught nonviolent communication, trauma healing, restorative justice, and conflict transformation in prisons, religious congregations, and graduate programs.

Raad Amer, MA ‘11 (conflict transformation), Harrisonburg, Va., has become international care coordinator for Arabic-speaking patients at Johns Hopkins University Medical Institutions. Raad is expected to be highly customer service oriented, knowledgeable and culturally sensitive – a professional who will quickly and successfully manage requests from

Bill Grace, with his book cover

Author energizes first Collaborative MBA session A one-week residency featuring a nationally-known authorspeaker kicked off the new Collaborative Master of Business Administration program started by three Mennonite colleges.

The first cohort of about a dozen students gathered for their start-of-the-semester residency at Bluffton University in Ohio, Aug. 11-15, 2014. They participated in an orientation to the program and took a class on “Leadership for the Common Good” with George Lehman, PhD, of Bluffton.

He is the Howard Reid professor of business, chair of the business studies division and director of graduate programs in business.

Joining the class for one day was Bill Grace, author of Sharing the Rock: Shaping Our Future through Leadership for the Common Good. Published in 2011, the book sums up 25 years of study on how businesses and other organizations develop leaders.

“We want the residency at the beginning of each semester to be intellectually provocative,” said Jim Smucker, PhD, director of the Collaborative MBA and dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at EMU. “We also want to build a strong sense of community.”

Sharing the Rock introduces seven practices focused on advancing the common good through business, politics, government, education, healthcare and community service organizations. “The book teaches aspiring leaders how to choose their personal values, embrace the wisdom of the margins, craft a vision, create gracious space, claim their voice, receive hope and act with courage,” said Grace.

Grace worked for 15 years in higher education before launching the Center for Ethical Leadership in 1991. Later he founded Common Good Works, which takes him throughout the United States for seminars on leadership development.

The Collaborative MBA offers most of its courses through interactive video conferencing and projects in which students talk with their professors, either via technology or in person. The curriculum is based on the concept of “leadership for the common good,” emphasizing six values – spirituality, community, leading as service, justice, sustainability and global citizenship.

The three sponsoring schools are Bluffton, EMU and Goshen College in Indiana. — Steve Shenk www.emu.edu | crossroads | 25

patients, physicians, and clients, while maintaining hospital policies.

Kaltuma Noorow and Caleb Hinga

Kindred spirits from Kenya discover each other at EMU Their neighborhoods in Nairobi, Kenya, were only 30 minutes apart. Yet these two students traveled more than 7,500 miles to meet for the first time at Eastern Mennonite University, where they discovered a closer connection than geographic proximity.

At the end of her first EMU semester, Kaltuma Noorow had a casual conversation with Caleb Hinga, then a sophomore. She mentioned her mother’s name – Dekha Abdi. Instantly Caleb made the connection,“You’re Dekha’s daughter!”

Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, a Somali-Muslim woman who was internationally recognized for her peace work, had been his mother’s inspiration at EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP).

Caleb’s mother, Waringa Hinga, had earned a CJP master’s degree in the spring of 2011. Kaltuma’s mother was a student at the Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) in 1998 and 2009 and an SPI instructor in 2011. She died in an automobile accident weeks after returning to Kenya in the summer of 2011.

“I don’t want her dream to die,” says Kaltuma, a rising junior majoring in peacebuilding and development. Kaltuma, 23, is the eldest of Abdi’s four children. When their mother died Kaltuma was on track to be an architect, studying at a university in Kenya.

Some of her EMU classes are taught by her mother’s former professors. Now Kaltuma hopes to go on to earn a master's degree in conflict transformation.

Fellow Kenyan Caleb describes a similar journey, prompted by his mother to come to EMU. “She saw leadership abilities in me, but I wasn’t using them in positive ways.”

Three years later as a rising senior, computer science major Caleb is glad he followed his mother’s advice. “I was studying mechanical engineering in Kenya. My physics class had 700 students; the teacher was projected on a big screen.

Here, classes are small. The teacher knows if you’re slacking.

They know your strengths and weaknesses,” says Caleb.

He and Kaltuma lead the International Student Organization; he served as president in 2013-14 and she as vice-president, poised to be president in 2014-15. In addition, Caleb has served on student government, campus activities council, and as an organizer for a 20-school international student event at James Madison University. — Paul Souder

26 | crossr oads | summer 2014 26 | crossroads | fall 2007

Theodore (Theo) Sitther, MA ’13 (conflict transformation), Takoma Park, Md., is legislative secretary for peacebuilding policy with the Friends Committee on National Legislation. He is directing the organization’s lobbying efforts to help fulfill its goal of seeking a world free of war and the threat of war. This includes building a framework for peace within U.S. government structures and encouraging nonviolent measures to prevent and resolve violent conflict.

Peyton Erb ‘11, Harrisonburg, Va., teaches third grade at Keister Elementary School.

Kaitlin Heatwole ‘11, Harrisonburg, Va., has ended her three-year term at EMU as office coordinator for applied social sciences where she was an integral part of the department for day-to-day organization and procedural support and worked on re-accreditation with the Council of Social Work Education. Kaitlin and her husband, Nathan Hershberger ‘12, are beginning a three-year term in Iraqi Kurdistan with Mennonite Central Committee.

John Hostetter ‘11, Harrisonburg, Va., was one of five teachers to receive the Teacher of the Year award for Staunton City Schools. His peers selected him to represent Shelburne Middle School, where he is a sixth-grade language arts teacher.

Stephen (Steve) Kniss ‘11, Harrisonburg, Va., digital asset librarian at Rosetta Stone, has been accepted into the master of fine arts in cinema program at DePaul University in Chicago, Ill. He will begin this fall with a concentration in directing.

Igor (Scott) Tiosso ’11, Harrisonburg, Va., is a quality analyst with MillerCoors, LLC, Shenandoah Brewery.

Laura Beidler ‘12, White River Junction, Vt., is now curriculum and teaching assistant at the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice. She provides support to faculty and students and assists with curriculum development and course logistics, as well as providing individual assistance to students. She’s interested in refugee and immigrant health and health literacy and would like to do future study on how well health literacy and health education interventions work in vulnerable populations.

Patrick Campbell ‘12, MA ‘14 (conflict transformation), Silver Spring, Md., is a disaster program manager with American Red Cross National Capital Region. He leads a team of 180 that works in volunteer management, community resilience, and providing direct disaster assistance.

Ryan Eshleman ‘13, Batesville, Miss., is entering his second year of teaching at North Panola High School in Sardis, Miss., through Mississippi Teacher Corps, a program of the University of Mississippi. He is transitioning from teaching biology and human anatomy & physiology to 9th grade English and a hybrid science class titled “Geology/Aerospace Studies.” He says the work

has been challenging, and that he “hopes to be a consistent and caring presence that students feel every day. Whether they learn physics formulas or anything else I teach is of much less consequence.”

Tessa Gerberich ‘13, Myerstown, Pa., is one of 13 SALT participants from the East Coast region finishing their one-year assignments in July. She served in Jos, Nigeria, at a clinic run by Faith Alive Foundation, an organization that provides free, holistic healthcare to about 10,000 people each month. She staffed an antenatal clinic for expectant mothers, cared for adults and children living with HIV/AIDS, and helped deliver 25 babies. Because of this experience, Tessa hopes to train as a midwife and dreams of one day teaching other nursing or midwifery students in international contexts.

Erica Stoltzfus ‘13, Haven, Kan., a charge nurse at Mennonite Friendship Communities in South Hutchinson, Kan., served as moderator for the plenary sessions at Mennonite Health Assembly in Kansas City, Mo., March 6-8, 2014.

MARRIAGES

Starla King ‘90 to Sandy Manne, June 14, 2014.

Sherry Beachy ‘91 to Dennis Swift, April 12, 2014.

Shanti Martin ‘01 to Stephen Brown, April 12, 2014.

Peris Ruiru, class of ‘07, to Josh Berry, June 1, 2014.

Isaac Shelly ‘09 to Rebecca Crist ‘14, May 24, 2014.

Jordan White ‘13 to Katie Martin ‘15, May 10, 2014.

Mitchell Stutzman ’11 to Jasmine Martin ’11, June 21, 2014.

Igor (Scott) Tiosso ’11 to Lauren, midApril 2014.

Kendall Wenger ’12 to Emily Miller ’11, May 24, 2014.

David Jantzi ‘13 to Saralyn Mast ‘14, May 31, 2014.

BIRTHS & ADOPTIONS

Lauren, Intensive English Program instructor, and Ben Powell, Harrisonburg, Va., Georgiana, May 28, 2014.

Andrea Wolfgang ‘96 and Rolando Zelaya, Royersford, Pa., adopted Wilmer, Sept. 2013.

Ryan ‘97 and Britany Hoover, Lancaster, Pa., Kinston Jude, May 21, 2014.

Eric Eberly ‘98, Intensive English Program lecturer, and Ling Dong, Harrisonburg, Va., Ella Summer, June 17, 2014.

Holly Herr ‘98 and Andy Stravers, Gallup, N.M., Felix Joseph, April 16, 2014.

Starla Wallick ‘99 and Yan Ling, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Vienna, June 5, 2014.

Danielle Conser ‘99 and J.C. Siembida, Salem, Ohio, Kayleigh Grace, June 19, 2014.

Benjamin (Ben) ‘09 and Laura Lehman ‘09 Ruth, Hershey, Pa., Nolan Penn, June 12, 2014.

Valarie Rodgers ‘99 and Raymond Stevens, Clover, S.C., Haegan Marie, April 26, 2014.

Daniel ‘10 and Rachel Herring, Virginia Beach, Va., Andie Joy, May 21, 2014.

Christopher ‘00 and Maria ‘00 Clymer Kurtz, Linville, Va., Indigo Laif, Feb. 22, 2014.

Elaine Froese ‘01 and Chris Finnie, Baden, Ontario, Canada, Leah Ruth, June 3, 2014.

Justin ‘10 and Rachel Mast ‘09 Reesor, Harrisonburg, Va., Emma Lynn, July 4, 2014.

Andrew ‘11, information systems network technician, and Monica Crorken, Harrisonburg, Va., Charles (Charlie) Bernard, July 3, 2014.

Brian ‘01 and Rachel Nafziger ‘02 Oswald, Sturgis, Mich., Ellyn Elizabeth, Feb. 22, 2014.

Jay (Michael) ‘10 and Rachael King ‘10 Harnish, Harrisonburg, Va., Madelyn Grace, July 3, 2014.

Kyle ‘02 and Marta Horst, Lititz, Pa., Cora Sue, May 21, 2014.

Jessica Myers ‘12 and Eric Fitzgerald, Knoxville, Tenn., Jackson Lee, July 19, 2014.

Joel ‘03 and Bess Steury ‘03 Daly, Goshen, Ind., Robert Frederick, Mar. 15, 2014.

Linda Mugambi ‘03 and Mike Brown, Willoughby, Ohio, Brandon Gitonga, May 17, 2014.

Sara Kauffman ‘03 and Joseph Mwagura, Overland Park, Kan., Liliana Nyasha, May 24, 2014.

Jen Varner ‘03 and Lincoln Nafziger, Archbold, Ohio, Mya Mae, Feb. 27, 2014.

Fany Buezo-Arevalo ‘04 and Joffre Arevalo, Goshen, Ind., Abigail Lorena, Feb. 6, 2014.

Molly Hurst ‘04 and Matthew Coiner, Vesuvius, Va., Aleah Beth, July 5, 2014.

Margaret (Grete) Horst ‘04 and Christopher Johnson, Newport News, Va., Emily Page, July 10, 2014.

Martha Sachs ‘04 and Donny Magana, Tucker, Ga., Matthew, Feb. 3, 2014.

Rodney ‘05 and Janae Yoder ‘05 Hostetter, Ephrata, Pa., Brynlee Grace, Mar. 31, 2014.

Benjamin (Ben) ‘06 and Melanie Kratzer ‘06 Schlabach, Harrisonburg, Va., Oliver Lee, May 21, 2014.

Eric ‘06 and Stephanie Walton ‘05 Sents, Broadway, Va., Avery Lynn, June 22, 2014.

Joshua Akers ‘07 and Martha Fawzy Fayz Bakheet, Christiansburg, Va., Eli Joshua, Jan. 29, 2014.

Heather Keim ‘07 and Jason Fike, Bridgewater, Va., Joel Nicholas, Feb. 22, 2014.

Kevin ‘07 and Melissa Ressler, Lancaster, Pa., Acacia Lois Atieno, May 27, 2014.

Catherine Bargen, MA ‘08 (conflict transformation), and Richard Siegenthaler, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Roxanne Justine, June 14, 2014.

Jared ‘09 and Adrianne (Addie) Miller ‘09 Leaman, Wakarusa, Ind., Brooklyn Grace, April 27, 2014.

DEATHS

Ethel Musser Rutt ‘35, Lancaster, Pa., died April 18, 2014, at age 100. She taught in one-room schools in Rapho and Conoy Townships, later teaching at Bainbridge Elementary School and the Elizabethtown Area Schools. She retired after 35 years of service. Ethel also dedicated her life to Christian education, teaching at the State Hospital for Crippled Children, the Marietta Mennonite Church, Dundalk Christian Academy, and volunteering at the Water Street Rescue Mission. She and her husband, Henry, served at many churches, including Newville Bible Church, Fairlawn Community Church, and Christian Missionary Alliance churches of Elizabethtown, Dundalk, and Lancaster, Pa. Her hobbies were ornithology, propagating and cultivating roses, writing, and international correspondence by email.

Richard S. Weaver '36, Harrisonburg, Va., died July 27, 2014, at age 94, as Crossroads was going to press. His obituary will appear in the next magazine issue.

John Lehman, class of ‘38, Port Charlotte, Fla., died June 21, 2014, at age 94. He was a salesman for most of his life and enjoyed the friendships it brought him.

Ruth Nussbaum Martin ‘53, Goshen, Ind., died June 16, 2014, at age 87. After graduating from EMU with an elementary education degree, Ruth taught school in Kansas, Idaho, and Puerto Rico for many years. She always enjoyed music and participated in choirs at the colleges and churches she attended.

She read widely, enjoying literature, poetry, history, inspirational writings, and newspapers to keep informed of local and world news. She loved puns and was a champion Scrabble player. While her husband, Allen, was in active medical practice in Shipshewana, Ind., she was a member of the Indiana Medical Auxiliary Association. She was a member of College Mennonite Church in Goshen.

Mark Kniss, class of ’52, Harrisonburg, Va., died June 6, 2014, at age 87.

Upon completion of his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1956, Mark served in India under the Mennonite Board of Missions and started a clinic that expanded into a full outpatient department. It was a 60-bed hospital by the time he left India in 1973. After returning stateside, he opened a family practice, Park View Medical Center, where he continued to see patients until his retirement in 1998.

He returned to India five times to assist at the now-named Nav Jivan Hospital, the last in 2011 to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Catherine Mumaw ‘54, Harrisonburg, Va., died July 17, 2014, at age 82. She earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in family resource management from Penn State University and taught home economics at various schools and universities across the U.S. and in Jamaica and Nepal. Catherine was a member of and provided leadership to a number of associations, both secular and within the Mennonite Church, including the American Home Economics Association, International Federation for Home Economics, Women in Development, Mennonite Mutual Aid (now Everence), Mennonite Economic Development Associates, and Mennonite Community Association. In addition to being named EMU’s 2006 Alumna of the Year, Catherine was honored with the 1985 Indiana Home Economic Leader Award, the 1992 Family and Consumer Scientist in Community Service Award, and the 1994 Distinguished Faculty award by the Oregon State Home Economics Alumni Association. In her free time, Catherine enjoyed music and sang in various choirs.

She also enjoyed photography and traveling to foreign destinations – of which she visited over 40.

Naomi Derstein Ressler ‘54, Elkton, Minn., died April 8, 2014, at age 89.

Before attending, EMC, Naomi earned her nursing degree from Grand View Hospital in Harmon, W.Va. and worked with Mennonite Central Committee as a registered nurse at a children’s home in France. After returning stateside, she continued to work as a registered nurse in various areas for over 29 years. Naomi was a hard worker who enjoyed her career as a nurse and, when she had time, enjoyed reading.

Wilbur (Bill) Maust ‘56, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, died after a long battle with cancer on July 2, 2014, at age 80.

After graduation, Wilbur was led to post-war Europe with Mennonite Central Committee to work with the refugees of World War II. While in Europe, he fell in love with Vienna and began offering music seminars to students and adults there, continuing for 30 years. His interest in Gregorian chant and monastic life was shared with anyone with whom he came into contact and was integral to his busy life. Bill conducted choirs and taught vocal studies and music history at EMU,

Earlham College, Queen’s University, and Conrad Grebel University College.

In retirement he pursued his love of gardening, renovating houses, building furniture, baking bread, and watching the Blue Jays.

Christine Headings Wenger ‘66, Mesa, Ariz., died of cancer May 19, 2014, at age 70. She and her husband, Harold, served together as missionaries with Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Missions in five countries – Zambia, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Mozambique – for a total of 24 years. Christine was a warm and gracious host to many guests over the years from around the world. She also enjoyed quilting, reading, birding, and time with her family.

Harold Stoltzfus ‘68, MDiv ‘76, Lititz, Pa., died March 29, 2014, at age 77. In 1956, following a two-year 1-W term of service, Harold established Harold’s Signs, a commercial sign-painting business, but after several successful years, received his call to ministry and returned to school. He was ordained as a Mennonite minister in 1971 and pastored congregations, including Martins Creek Mennonite in Millersburg, Ohio, and Tel Hai Retirement Community in Honey Brook, Pa., until his recent retirement from Lancaster Evangelical Free Church in Lititz, Pa. Harold’s ministry wasn’t limited to the pulpit. He worked as a traveling evangelist and Bible teacher, led seven tours to the Holy Land and other countries, and founded the Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin, Ohio. Using his gift of fundraising, he also helped plant 10 churches.

Mary (Marty) Hartzler, class of ‘72, Yellville, Ark., died Feb. 19, 2014, at age 63. After graduation, Marty served three years in Yemen with the Peace Corps, before returning stateside to become a medical technician with Dupont in Houston, Tex., eventually retiring to Yellville, Ark., to live out the remainder of her life.

Brenda Miller Freed ‘74, London, Ohio, died on April 8, 2014, at age 62. Brenda taught school for 25 years, many of them as a first grade reading specialist, until she retired on disability in July 2008. She was an active member of London Christian Fellowship, where she participated on the worship team and on the fellowship committee. She volunteered at Madison County Hospital, London Correctional Institution, and the Country Closet Thrift Shop, and spent her free time on puzzles, such as Sudoku and crypto quotes, and biking (she biked over 20,000 miles in the last 16 years).

Valerie Brunk Hertzler ‘91, Harrisonburg, Va., died unexpectedly June 14, 2014, at age 45. Passionate about helping others, she worked for over 20 years at Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services, most recently as a day care social

www.emu.edu | crossroads | 27

Centennial celebration committee is off and running to 2017-18 photo by LINDSEY KOLB

Louise Otto Hostetter, a 1979 graduate who has served on many boards in Harrisonburg, assumed the lead for EMU’s centennial planning steering committee in July. EMU will celebrate its 100th anniversary during 2017-18.

As committee chair, Hostetter will work with those giving leadership to various aspects of the year’s celebrations, including large-venue events involving music, theater and art; alumni gatherings; worship services; academic department gatherings; storytelling; and displays. She will oversee the master schedule and manage the centennial budget.

“EMU began with the vision of relatively few people and has grown over the past 100 years to a global community,” said Hostetter. “With the resources of those who are currently involved with EMU as well as those with past connections, we can explore and honor the history of EMU with a variety of events in 2017-18, as well as celebrate the vision going forward.”

Hostetter also serves on: the advisory boards for Sentara RMH Medical Center Foundation and the Forbes Center arts complex at James Madison University; the church council of Community Mennonite Church; and the board of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.

In 2011-13 she co-chaired the capital campaign for the RMH Funkhouser Women’s Center and in 2010-11 she was president of

worker. Valerie was devoted to her husband and children and sought to create a simple, beautiful life for her family. She was deeply and fiercely loyal and always dependable.

Though she could speak her mind if necessary, Valerie’s actions spoke loudest.

Charles Ndegwa, MA ‘05 (conflict transformation), Turasha, Kipipiri Constituency, Nyandarua County, Kenya, died June 10, 2014, at age 52. He dedicated his life to peacebuilding. Though he lived and worked in Kenya, he spent a number of years pursuing peace in the United States.

William (Billy) Seidle ‘09, Harrisonburg, Va., died April 30, 2014, at age 27. He was a beloved member of his community and from early on was active in volunteer and outreach programs supporting wounded veterans and troops, and advocating for the homeless, troubled youth, and those less fortunate. After graduating from EMU, all of his jobs involved helping others with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.

Since 2010, he devoted his life to helping refugees from Eritrea and Ethiopia and was viewed as a cherished member of the Habesha family.

Correction

Louise Otto Hostetter

the EMU Alumni Council. From 1999 to 2012 she was an intensive individualized instructor at Eastern Mennonite School.

Coming to EMU from Arcola, Illinois, Hostetter majored in English education and met her future husband, Alden Hostetter, a pathologist. All three of their sons have attended EMU. Donald Kraybill, a 1967 graduate who is the nation’s best-known writer on Amish and Mennonite culture, has been commissioned to produce a history of EMU. — Steve Shenk

MUSIC, THEATER, VISUAL ARTS…

On page 8 of the spring 2014 Crossroads, the photo caption of three alumnae-nurses in front of the Harrisonburg Community Health Center misidentified one of the nurses in the photo. Erin Coleman Frazier ’13 was the nurse on the left, not Rebekah Charles ’07, who was not in the photo.

Degree Key CLASS OF - attended as part of the class of a given graduation year HS - high school degree from era when high school and college were one MA - master of arts MDiv - master of divinity SEM - attended the seminary

Mileposts is compiled by Braydon Hoover '11, who may be reached at braydon.hoover@emu.edu or at 540-4324294. send news directly to braydon or to alumni@emu.edu.

LET’S INFUSE THEM INTO OUR CENTENNIAL!

Editorial Policy

Are you a playwright or composer? We'd like to stage a major theater and/ or music production for our centennial celebration during Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct. 17-19, 2017.

Milepost entries regarding alumni employment, degrees obtained from other universities, marriages, 50-year and 60-year anniversaries, births, adoptions, and deaths are printed on the basis of submissions from alumni or on the basis of publicly available information. We do not do further research to verify the accuracy of the information that alumni provide us, nor do we make judgment calls on the information that they wish to be published, beyond editing for clarity, conciseness and consistency of style. The information provided to us does not necessarily reflect the official policies of EMU or of its parent church, Mennonite Church USA.

Want to paint a commemorative mural? We’ll find you a wall. Want to be part of a gallery showing? Let us know. Have documentary film talent and ideas on how to make a film relevant to EMU’s 100th birthday? Tell us.

And give us an estimate on the budget and timeline you would need.

Just go to emu.edu/centennial and fill in the form for “Arts Ideas.” Or email Laura Daily in our advancement office, laura.daily@emu.edu.

Please submit your ideas by January 1, 2015.

28 | crossroads | summer 2014

ALUMNI HONOREES

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2014 photo by Steven Stauffer

Alumnus of the Year OSWALD, PIONEER IN HELPING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

When accepted his first teaching job after graduating from college, he also discovered a field of study that defines his academic and professional career.

“The opportunity to work with children with autism was not the result of a deliberate plan or any previous experience with autism,” says Donald Oswald. “Grafton School in Berryville, Virginia, was just beginning the program for students with autism and I was fascinated by the children and intrigued by the opportunity to work with them individually.”

Oswald’s fascination with the emerging field of autism diagnosis, combined with the strong foundation he received as a psychology major at EMU, helped launch his productive career.

Raised on a Nebraska farm, Oswald chose Hesston College (Kansas) for his first two years of college. EMU’s innovative psychology department, led by John H. Hess Jr. ’64, attracted him for his junior and senior years. A young Galen Lehman ’73 had just started his long teaching tenure. And in one psychology class, Oswald met Jean Miller ’74, the woman who became his wife.

Of his non-psychology professors, Oswald names Willard Swartley ’59 as “perhaps the most memorable. His Old Testament course made a lasting impression because of his commitment to scholarly integrity.”

Within the newly build Hartzler Library, Oswald was introduced to scholarly research first-hand. “I recall the pleasure I got from spending whole days in the library tracking down sources, and reading and integrating the material I found. I no longer remember the topic, but the process made a real impression and the experience whetted my appetite for independent research.”

Whetted may be an understatement. Oswald’s 19-page curriculum vitae lists more than 12 pages of academic articles, book reviews/editorials/abstracts, books/chapters, grant-related products, and workshop presentations which he authored, co-authored or produced.

After graduating magna cum laude in 1975, Oswald received a master’s in education in school psychology from James Madison University in 1981. Two degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University followed: master of science in psychology in 1987 and doctor of philosophy in psychology in 1989.

Among his peers, Oswald is known for his willingness to share knowledge and research. He is director of diagnostics and research at Commonwealth Autism Service in Richmond, Virginia.

Of his work there, Oswald says, “About 15 years ago, I had the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary diagnostic assessment

clinic for young children for whom there was a question of a diagnosis of autism. The clinic was established on the principles of using the best evidence-based diagnostic tools available, working together collaboratively across disciplines, and actively seeking to integrate parents as essential and equal partners in the process.”

He has served as director of the clinic ever since, guiding it to its mid-Atlantic status as a model training site for interdisciplinary teams that wish to provide similar diagnostic services.

Oswald is also clinical professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s department of psychiatry, mentoring psychologistsin-training.

His wife Jean has just retired from her position as director of a preschool where she spent 20 years. Oswald is active at First Mennonite Church of Richmond, leading music and worship.

His hobbies are reading, bicycling, and singing.

Music unites Oswald’s EMU years with his present life, recalling that he sang in the touring choir under Lowell Byler. “I still sing with a community chorus, One Voice Chorus. Our mission is to foster harmony between people of African-American and European-American descent.” — Paul Souder www.emu.edu | crossroads | 29

ALUMNI HONOREES photo by Brenda Burkholder/MCC

Distinguished Service Award

FROM VIETNAM, TO NYC, TO LANCASTER, TO KITCHEN SINK

Donald Sensenig’s journey of service as a missionary, pastor, refugee advocate, interpreter and restorative justice volunteer has taken him to the Bronx in New York City, Saigon in Vietnam, barrios in Los Angeles, and refugee camps in Thailand and Honduras.

Yet when Sensenig tells one of his favorite stories of victimoffender reconciliation, the setting is only a few short miles from his boyhood home. He waits in a farm lane, sitting on the open tailgate of a beat-up pickup truck. With him is the man from whom a four-wheeler was stolen and wrecked. “The guy won’t show,” says the victim to Sensenig, a volunteer facilitator with the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Center for Community Peacemaking.

“After a long nervous wait, the young man finally arrived on his motorbike to face his victim,” says Sensenig. “The fact that he came, his willingness to appear, broke the cycle of anger and retribution. The meeting ended with the victim offering to ask his boss to take the offender on as a stone-mason apprentice. This kind of genuine reconciliation happened over and over.”

The Center recently named Sensenig as their Volunteer of the Year. Since 2003 he has succeeded in bringing victims and offenders together to make things right in dozens of incidents.

To make things right and bridge the divide between people is a theme that runs through Sensenig’s years of service. Ten of those years were in Saigon, Vietnam, from 1963 to 1973, “living in the middle of a conflict involving massive violence by our own country, while trying to grow into and live out a gospel of peace and nonviolence,” he says.

There he and his young family, along with Mennonite coworkers, were involved in church-building and relief service, marked by “deep fellowship, debate, prayer, sadness, and learning together. We are much enriched by our Vietnamese sisters and brothers who joined us on the journey.”

Of his years in the crucible of war, Sensenig says, “One of my temptations is the subtle way our all-too-human belief in ‘redemptive violence’ can sneak up on me, imagining that war can bring security. I have gradually forgotten how awful war is, awful to its core.” But when he does remember, “the tears still come.”

During his midlife decades, Sensenig worked to repair the wounds and displacements of war. He served with Mennonite Central Committee in their refugee resettlement program, first with Vietnamese refugees, then with those escaping the violence of Central America.

His mastery of the Vietnamese language has opened many doors, including the practical service of interpreting in medical, 30 | crossroads | summer 2014

school and court settings. His commitment to the Vietnamese community in the Lancaster area runs deep, where he serves informally as a counselor, mediator and pastor. “I am fascinated by the very different religious development of the great Asian cultures and the understandings that Christian faith can bring to and learn from that context.”

After graduating in 1960 from EMU with a degree in Bible and sociology, Sensenig and his wife Doris ’60 moved to New York City where he received a master’s degree in religious education from New York University. During his college years he served at a YPCA church in Mount Jackson, Virginia; while at NYU he assisted at the small Mennonite churches in Harlem and the Bronx.

He co-pastored Stumptown Mennonite Church for many years until his retirement in 2003.

For Don’s wife, Doris, even more telling than these public roles are his behind-the-scenes activities – volunteering in preschool Sunday School classes; washing windows for church spring cleaning; taking service workers to and from the airport; helping mentally challenged people with paperwork, appointments or other needs; washing the dishes each evening. “These ‘smaller’ unpaid actions indicate a servant’s heart to me,” she says. — Paul Souder

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2014

Outstanding Young Alum

LEADER IN HOSPITAL, CHURCH, COMMUNITY

Elizabeth Good ’01, is seldom far from the wise counsel of an EMU professor, though separated by many miles and years since graduation. “Ann Hershberger was, and still is, a tremendous influence on my life and career as a nurse,” says Good. “I still email her with questions and we sometimes talk on the phone.

She continues to challenge me to think differently about my career and education. She encourages me to keep challenging myself.”

During her early years as a nurse at several hospitals, Good’s leadership abilities were quickly noticed. She chose a challenging program at Case Western Reserve University, and in 2007, received dual master’s degrees in business administration and nursing. “EMU helped me develop all the essential skills for my time in graduate school,” she says. “The nursing school curriculum was very rigorous and required us to develop strong study schedules, to work hard, to be organized and prepared.”

Several years ago, Good was promoted to director of the 150-employee emergency department at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio, which cares for 90,000 patients a year. She led her team to win the prestigious Lantern Award presented by the Emergency Nurses Association.

Alum thedirector Yearof corporate education at Aultman. As Goodof is now she moves into leadership positions and away from frontline patient care, she still draws on the philosophy of whole-patient care she learned at EMU. “Consistently, throughout the curriculum, we were reminded that we weren’t just caring for a specific disease Inorone typical afternoon at his health clinic, Tim Leaman ’93, injury.

MD, treated a 9-year-old a sexually transmitted “The patient’s physical,with mental, and spiritual healthdisease, were all part examined an HIV was insays tearsGood. about“In upcoming of the disease andpatient healingwho process,” my present cancer and counseled colleagueorwho overwhelmed role, Isurgery, can’t just focus on the afinancials the was more businessbyrelated the needs around her. aspects of the job. In order to be most successful, I must Leaman is the make room for site the medical heart.” director at the Kensington AvenueHer office of the Esperanza HealthtoCenter in theineconomically caring heart has led Good participate service trips disadvantaged NorthtoPhiladelphia.

Patients are to Liberia andneighborhood Puerto Rico. of “I went Liberia as a result of atoften in “intense” situations of abject poverty, he says, tending the EMU homecoming weekend a few years lacking ago when health insurance while struggling with substance abuse, domestic Leymah Gbowee [MA ’07 in conflict transformation] was violence, and IHIV-AIDS. recognized. attended about every event where she was present Esperanza thesoSpanish word formonths “hope,”later, Leaman explains. or spoke. I is was inspired.

A few when I learned But it’s notfrom the kind of Mennonite wishful hopewas he planning has for the success of his a group Kidron a trip to Liberia, Philadelphia sports teams,toheknow laughs. is aatdeep, abiding faith I asked to go.

Learning the Itgirls Bridges of Hope that comes waiting on God. experience.”

School wasfrom a wonderful mentoring The health organization, is holistic in its apGood is acenter, sponsora Christian of her church’s youth group and has traveled proach, offering spiritual, emotional support as well with them to Puerto Ricosocial, on a and mission trip. “The biggest take-as medical The center meets of itsour patients away I help. had from that trip was the howneeds amazing youththrough are,” she an interdisciplinary team that includes nutritionists, dentists, nurses, counselors, and social workers as well as family doctors like Leaman.

photo by April Jackson/LifeScapes Studio

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2012

Leaman HolisticallyTreats InnerCity Patients in ‘Intense’ Situations

says. “We hear a lot about the youth in our country and how bad they can be. But we really should be thankful for and proud of our youth and how they represent the Mennonite church.”

Good serves on the board of the Domestic Violence Shelter of Stark County, Ohio, volunteers for Meals on Wheels and has served as a mentor in the Big Brother, Big Sister program, to name just a few of her civic activities.

“My EMU semester to the Middle East changed my life forever,” says Good. “I just can’t sit still anymore! While on cross cultural, we moved about every two weeks to a different city or town. A fellow student commented, ‘What are we going to do when we get back to the States, and we aren’t moving every two weeks?’ I feel like I haven’t stopped moving since!” — Paul Souder www.emu.edu | crossroads | 31