草莓社区 awarded 366 total degrees (with some students earning more than one degree) at its 106th annual Commencement on Sunday, May 5, 2024. The total included 207 undergraduate degrees, 88 master鈥檚 degrees, 62 graduate certificates, five Eastern Mennonite Seminary degrees and four doctorates.
More than 3,000 people were in attendance to recognize the graduates.
Business leader and philanthropist聽Jose Koshy, class of 鈥�76, delivered the address on the power of agape love and kindness.聽He shared three acts of kindness he received at EMC that have guided him in building a career, a business and a family.
When Koshy was an 18-year-old first-year student at EMC, his parents needed to leave Harrisonburg. He could not afford to live in the dorms and, 鈥渒nowing my situation, God sent Rachel and Robert Stoltzfus into my life.鈥� The couple lived near campus and took him in 鈥渨ith no questions asked.鈥�
鈥淭heir home was small, but their hearts were big,鈥� Koshy said. 鈥淭hey gave so much from what little they had. They were rich in spirit and they were generous with it 鈥� true agape love.鈥�
Undergraduates Hebron Mekuria and Ariel Morales Bonilla and MA graduate Chidi Ihezuoh offered graduate perspectives.
鈥淰ery few things in this world are actually impossible,鈥� Mekuria told the graduates. 鈥淢any things can be done. They can be hard, challenging and require lots and lots of work, but they can be done.鈥�
For a longer summary of the Commencement address from Koshy and the graduate perspectives, visit the post below.
President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman presided over the ceremony, and Provost Tynisha Willingham commissioned the graduates. The commencement was Willingham鈥檚 first; she started in the role in July 2023.
Cords of Distinction
Ten graduating seniors are 2024 Cords of Distinction recipients. They were honored in a on Friday, May 3, 2024, and wore blue and gold cords signifying their achievement during EMU Commencement.
Lavender Graduation
EMU hosted its third Lavender Graduation on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to honor LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni. The annual event recognizes LGBTQ+ students of all races and ethnicities and acknowledges their achievement and contributions to the university.
Donning of the Kente
EMU held its ninth on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at MainStage Theater. The annual event recognizes and rewards achievement, honors those who contributed to the graduate鈥檚 success, connects graduates to their heritage and international roots, and encourages them to continue striving for excellence.
Undergraduate Baccalaureate
The undergraduate seniors in the Class of 2024 were honored with a service on Saturday, May 4, 2024, which included a scripture reading, musical selections, an address from Instructor Maria Esther Showalter, senior class salutations and the presentation of the senior class gift. View the ceremony .
CJP Celebration of Blessings
The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) celebrated the 33 graduates from its master’s degree and graduate certificate programs on Sunday, May 5, 2024, with a send-off from faculty and staff and reflections from three 2024 graduates.
EMU at Lancaster will hold its Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. The school will recognize 14 aviation graduates and 16 Leadership and Organizational Management (LOM) and Graduate Teacher Education graduates.
Watch for a recap of the Lancaster ceremony coming soon!
Photos by Macson McGuigan/EMU, Cassidy Walker/EMU and Jon Styer/At Ease Design & Consulting