鈥淣athan embodies what we hope our students and alumni do,鈥� notes Diana Suter Berkshire, of the awards committee. 鈥淗e embraces 聽the 鈥榦ther,鈥� different ways of living and new experiences, making himself vulnerable while offering his unique gifts.鈥�
Traveling internationally, living in Iraq, and studying various cultures and religions all feels natural to Hershberger, thanks to a lifelong exposure to the broader world.
Nathan, 28, was born in Managua, Nicaragua,to Jim and Ann Graber Hershberger, who spent a combined total of 17 years in mission-service work in Central America. The family moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1990. Sisters Sara and Rachel are school alumni. [Note: Ann Graber ’76 Hershberger is a professor of nursing and director of cross-cultural programs at EMU.]
After attending EMS grade six through 12, Nathan earned a degree in history, philosophy and theology from聽聽in 2012. A semester in the Middle East,聽 led by long-time cross-cultural leaders, Linford and Janet Stutzman, helped stir interests in that region longer-term.
While in college, Nathan married Kaitlin Heatwole, a 2011 EMU graduate from Christiansburg, Va.聽He went on to earn a master’s degree in religious studies in 2014 聽at University of Virginia. From there, the couple was off to Ankawa, Iraq, for a three-year assignment with聽Mennonite Central Committee. Son Leo, now 2, was born there.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we could have asked for a more incredible cross-cultural experience, living among people who spoke three different languages 鈥� Arabic, Kurdish and Aramaic 鈥� in this northern Iraqi setting,鈥� Nathan noted.
Nathan spent much of his time working with two church-related organizations 鈥� St. Peter鈥檚, a K-12 school, teaching English and at Mar Qar Dakh School, where he taught 11th and 12th grade history. Kaitlin was program coordinator with a local pastors鈥� organization that planned projects for people displaced by violence caused by the militant group ISIS.
The food, geography and customs of the region 鈥渨ere amazing,鈥� notes Hershberger. The couple appreciated worshipping and experiencing the liturgy, history and music of a large Chaldean Catholic Church. Professionally, it was also a growing time. 鈥淭his was my first real teaching experience, but I quickly felt a strong connection with my students,鈥� Nathan stated.
At the same time, he said, he and Kaitlin sometimes struggled with their role in Iraq. 鈥淲as I useful?鈥� he wondered. 鈥淟iving and working in the midst of people facing major problems made it difficult to connect and build relationships, though eventually we definitely made many friends,鈥� he said.
Now Nathan is in a doctoral program in theology at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, and Kaitlin is working on a master鈥檚 degree in city and regional planning at University of North Carolina. Long term, Nathan sees himself 鈥渢eaching on any level.鈥�
鈥淓MHS鈥� emphasis on international service helped push me in the direction of living overseas and helping people,鈥� he says. That exposure, along with school鈥檚 鈥淎nabaptist emphasis on being 鈥榯he people of God,鈥� and trying to live at peace with 聽each other, locally and beyond,鈥� had a significant impact, Nathan says.
As part of EMHS聽聽activities, Nathan will be recognized with the Young Alumnus award and speak in chapel at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 19. The public is welcome. In addition, Nathan will speak in classes and catch up with former teachers who were mentors and key in his journey.
His counsel to current students: 鈥淭ake it easy, focus on exploring areas of interest and where they might take you. Push out of your comfort zone.鈥� Nathan definitely practices what he preaches.