Hudson Acocella, a Political Science major

Ciela Acosta, a Peacebuilding & Development major

Peyton Alger, an English major

Muna Alsadun, a Social Work major

Johana Alvarenga, a Liberal Arts major

Ephrata Amare, a Biology major

Theo Andreas, a Nursing major

Meredith Atkinson, a Political Science and Psychology major

Wendy Avila Peralta, a Nursing major

Silas Bates, a Psychology major

Malia Bauman, a Social Work major

Leah Beachy, a Nursing major

Kayden Beidler, an English and Applied Mathematics major

Miranda Beidler, an English and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Renae Benner, an Engineering major

Terranie Bennett, a Writing Studies major

Leah Blough, an Accounting major

Karina Bondaruk, a Biochemistry major

Madison Bowyer, a Nursing major

Lincoln Brechbill, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jasmine Bruce, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Noah Buckwalter, a Biology and Environmental Science major

Daisy Buller, an Art major

Leah Cap, a Political Science major

Paulina Cárcamo Nufio, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies and Education Licensure (PreK–12) major

Mara Carlson, a Psychology major

Seungmin Cha, a Chemistry major

Joel Chamberlain, a Sociology and Environmental Science major

Camden Clapper, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Sebastian Clemente, a Psychology major

Jaydyn Clemmer, a Nursing major

Zoe Clymer, a Biology major

Cristina Colón Torres, a Psychology major

Chase Comer, a Political Science and History major

Rebekah Copeland, a Computer Science major

Ashley Cromer, a Nursing major

Kaitlyn Cunningham, a Psychology major

Logan Darrow, a Biology major

Ace Davis, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ruach Deng, a Computer Science major

Lexie Dingus, a Nursing major

Emily Donovan, a Biology major

Levi Dougherty, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jacob Dwyer, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Monica Ehrenfels, a Music major

Odesa Elezi, a Nursing major

Matt Elijah, a Recreation and Sport Management major

Benjamin Elliott, a Political Science and Peacebuilding major

Julia Fisher, an Art and Education Licensure (PreK–12) major

Abby Foltz, a Nursing major

Addison Fornadel, a Nursing major

Leah Frankenfield, a Psychology major

Benjamin Friesen Guhr, an Engineering major

Lily Gatesman, a Psychology major

Marta Gebretsadik, a Nursing major

Jassel Gomez Bonilla, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ellysa Gray, a Nursing major

Juliana Greaver, a Nursing major

Emma Greer, a Marketing major

Carter Griffin, a Business Administration and Recreation and Sport Management major

Emily Guin, a Nursing major

Sitara Hackney, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Madelynn Hamm, an Environmental Science major

Josh Haponski, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Glenn Harder, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Abbey Harper, a Nursing major

Keegan Harrison, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ryan Harrison, a Political Science major

Bridget Hay, a Psychology major

Willem Hedrick, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Justin Hochstedler, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Gabe Hollenbacher, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Elie Hoover, a Social Work and Music major

Mason Hunter, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Claire Hurst, a Biology major

Shawna Hurst, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Aspen Jones, a Psychology major

Braxten Jones, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Josh Joseph, a Recreation and Sport Management major

Zainab Kamran, a Computer Science major

Apekshya Karki, a Medical Lab Science major

Lauren Kauffman, a Psychology major

Sophia Kauffman, a Psychology major

Sara Kennel, a Global Development major

Esme King Martin, an Environmental Science and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major

Emae Klompenhouwer, a Social Work major

Jazi Knight, a Nursing major

Ani Koontz, a Biology major

Naomi Kratzer, a Music and History major

Gisele Kuate Mogouong, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Sophia Lacher, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6), and Special Education General Curriculum (K–6) major

Maggie Ladd, a Social Work major

Ella Lambert, a Nursing major

Reina Landa, a Nursing major

Joy Lee, a Nursing major

Camryn Lohr, a Nursing major

Erin Loker, a Psychology major

Zeke Longacre, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Maria Longenecker, a Biology major

Brittany Love, a Psychology major

Caris Lucas, a Nursing major

Summer Lucas, a Nursing major

Reya Marron, a Nursing major

Brooke Martin, a Leadership and Organizational Management major

Olivia Martin, a Nursing major

Rosa Martin Fonseca, a Biology major

Micah Mast, an Engineering major

Kiyah Mata, a Psychology major

Caleb Metzler, a Political Science, Sociology, and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major

Eli Miller, an Environmental Science major

Hollyn Miller, a Psychology major

Isaac Miller, a Biology major

Sarah Miller, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Diego Morales Torres, a Computer Science major

Leilani Muniz, a Liberal Arts major

Samuel Myers, an Environmental Science major

Judith Nandikove, a Theology and Religion and Peacebuilding & Development major

Ethan Neufeld, a Biology and Biochemistry major

Sophia Nguyen, a Biology major

Ashutosh Niraula, a Computer Science major

Jenna Oostland, an Environmental Science major

Owen Osterberg, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Seth Ours, a Psychology major

Eden Owings, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Livy Pagano, a Psychology major

Leah Palmieri, a Nursing major

Katie Parks, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6), and Special Education General Curriculum (K–6) major

Sarah Peak, a Psychology and Peacebuilding major

Zachary Perry, an Applied Mathematics major

Ezra Peters, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Sarah Poirot, a Nursing major

Bryce Poppe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jocelyn Portillo-Romero, a Biology and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Sarah Prroj, a Business Administration major

Adam Rhodes, an Environmental Science and Peacebuilding major

Miriam Rhodes, a Music, Liberal Arts, and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Ella Richer, an Environmental Science major

Oliver Rivera, a Psychology major

Kyla Ross, a Psychology major

Jasmin Ruiz, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Gabriella Seal, a Nursing major

Roumany Sefin, a Business Administration and Medical Lab Science major

Addison Shanholtz, a Nursing major

Dulce Shenk Zeager, a Biology major

Emma Shepard, a Nursing major

Josiah Shimp, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Marianne Short, a Nursing major

Rose Short, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Ava Sitko, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ari Smart, an Art and Education Licensure (PreK–12) major

Megan Smith, a Nursing major

Brooke Snyder, a Writing Studies major

Elijah Spicher, a Nursing major

April Stafford, a Nursing major

Keriana Stottlemyer, a Nursing major

Amelia Stuckey, a Biology and Environmental Science major

Simon Stuckey, an Engineering major

Joshua Stucky, a Nursing major

Kate Stutzman, a Biology major

Levi Stutzman, an Engineering major

Emily Suarez Nunez, a Nursing major

Kristina Suslaev, a Nursing major

Jazmyn Taylor, a Business Administration major

Kenzie Taylor, a Digital Media and Communication major

Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Michelle Thompson, a Nursing major

Lauren Townsend, a Recreation and Sport Management and Organizational Leadership major

Collin Troutman, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Cassidy Turpen, a Psychology major

Christopher Varone, a Psychology major

Delaney Via, a Nursing major

Aniyah Walker, a Business Administration and Marketing major

Ava Walker, a Psychology major

Jadyn Weik, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Micah Wenger, a Music major

Reuben Wenger, a Biochemistry and Peacebuilding major

Yuji Wenger, a Biology major

Julia Williams, a Nursing major

Will Wolf, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Amanda Yoder, a Nursing major

Bryn Yoder, a Nursing major

Elliott Yoder, a Public Health major

Malia Yoder, a Biology major

Noah Yoder, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Sam Yoder, a Nursing major

Bethelhem Zelalem, a Nursing major

Matthew Zerbe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Lisa Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major

Mara Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major

The conference, “Thriving in Ministry: Family Systems Theory as a Resource for Faith Communities,” was hosted by the seminary in partnership with The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and supported by the Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Joe Carolin Memorial Fund.

Throughout the conference, participants explored family systems theory as a resource for understanding and strengthening relationships and congregational life. Ordained and lay leaders, along with others interested in family systems thinking, considered how Bowen theory and differentiation of self, along with their faith traditions, could guide reflection and cultivate thriving in ministry.

Keynote speakers Rev. Dr. Robert Creech and Dr. Dan Papero presented from their expertise in the fields of practical theology and psychotherapy, respectively. Over the two days of the conference, Dr. Creech shared keynote addresses about the intersection of language between systems thinking and Christian theology, as well as how the practice of differentiation of self enhances pastoral care. Dr. Papero spoke about the most recent neuroscientific research regarding the impact of stress on brain functioning. Both contributed to panel discussions with other presenters.  

Conference keynote speaker Dr. Dan Papero (left) has been a faculty member of The Bowen Center since 1982. He has written numerous articles and book chapters on various aspects of family systems theory and family psychotherapy. The Rev. Dr. Robert Creech (right), a former pastor and faculty member of Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, is the author of “Family Systems and Congregational Life” (2019) and co-author of “The Leader’s Journey” (2020), both with Baker Academic.  

Workshops and presentations included discussions on preaching, biblical studies, parenting, and tools to help participants thrive in ministry and daily life.

Among the goals of the Thriving in Ministry conference were to help participants:

• grow in their capacity to differentiate self through an increased understanding of the science of human relationships in families and congregations
• apply family systems theory to the work of faith leaders in pastoral care, preaching, youth work, religious education, and other ministry settings
• explore practical applications, including family diagrams, triangles, and other ways of shifting from an individual to a systems perspective

Other guest presenters included Chaplain Penny Driediger, the Rev. Melanie Lewis, Pastor Lana Miller, Janis Norton, the Rev. Dr. Emlyn A. Ott, the Rev. William Pyle, and the Rev. Chet Yoder. Faculty presenters included Dr. Kenton T. Derstine, Kathleen Cotter Cauley, the Rev. Randall Frost, Dr. Barbara Laymon, the Rev. Jennifer Long, and Amie Post.

For more information about the conference, visit .

Commencement address

Dr. Angela J. Lederach, assistant professor of peace and justice studies at Chapman University, delivered the Commencement address in Yoder Arena.

The author and anthropologist, whose father, John Paul Lederach, co-founded the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, spoke about the lessons she’s learned from peacebuilders and CJP alumni around the world.

Undergraduates Dylan Hall and Arelys Martinez Fabian, along with MA in Counseling graduate Yenifer Dottin-Carter ’23, presented the graduate perspectives.

This was Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus’ first Commencement as interim president.

Celebration of Blessings

The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding sent 17 graduates into the world with words of tribute during its annual Celebration of Blessings on Sunday afternoon, following Commencement. This year marks the 30th anniversary celebration of the CJP. 

Graduates LaToya Fernandez, Jamila Gaskins, Hannah Gilman, and Jacob Sankara offered their perspectives.  

Graduate Celebration and Sending

EMU honored members of the Class of 2026 at its Graduate Celebration and Sending service on Saturday evening in Lehman Auditorium.

The event featured a faculty address by Dr. Tara Kishbaugh, senior class salutations from co-presidents Genesis Figueroa and Arelys Martinez Fabian, and the presentation of the senior class gift, along with prayer, music, and poetry from graduates.

Donning of the Kente

Family, friends, faculty, and other supporters gathered in the MainStage Theater on Saturday to honor the perseverance, compassion, and determination of this year’s graduates at EMU’s 11th annual Donning of the Kente Ceremony.

The event recognized 49 graduates celebrating their African and international heritage.

Nurse Pinning

Sixteen EMU nursing graduates marked a major milestone Saturday morning during a pinning and commissioning ceremony in Lehman Auditorium.

Dr. David Rosie, an emergency medicine physician at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg, delivered the keynote address.

Lavender Graduation

EMU recognized 11 graduates at its fifth annual Lavender Graduation on Friday evening in the Old Common Grounds space. The ceremony honors LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni while celebrating their unique experiences, achievements, and contributions to the university.

Sarah Peak and Jamila Gaskins delivered the keynote addresses.

EMU at Lancaster will award 21 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 13 graduate certificates at its Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo will deliver the address.

Stay tuned for a recap of the Lancaster ceremony.

“When you see them pouring themselves into the work of justice and peace, and you see them giving and giving, remind them to pause, please,” Schaeffer, director of programs at CJP, said. “Remind them to rest. Remind them to seek out something joyful because this work needs them, but it needs them whole.”

The ceremony honored graduates of CJP’s master’s degree and graduate certificate programs and was held Sunday afternoon in Martin Chapel following EMU’s 108th annual Commencement.

This year marks the 30th anniversary celebration of the CJP, which was co-founded and led by John Paul Lederach. His daughter, Dr. Angela Lederach, delivered the Commencement address earlier Sunday.

Graduates from EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding are embraced and recognized by CJP faculty and staff during the annual Celebration of Blessings in Martin Chapel on Sunday.

In the heartfelt ceremony, CJP faculty and staff members Dr. Gloria Rhodes, Amy Knorr, Dr. Paula Ditzel Facci, and Dr. Joe Cole provided words of tribute for each graduate. The following CJP graduates were recognized:

Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation

Diego Crespo Guido of Mexico City, Mexico

Jamila Gaskins of Los Angeles

Hannah Gilman of Salt Lake City

Chelsea Griffin of Flagstaff, Arizona

Leslie Meja of Nairobi, Kenya

Jacob Sankara of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

CatiAdele Slater of Upperville, Virginia

Tamera Vaughan-Drozd of Vienna, Virginia

Graduate Certificate in Conflict Transformation

Spike Coleman of Charleston, South Carolina

Devin Withrow of Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Master of Arts in Restorative Justice

Maria Arias of Viedma, Argentina

LaToya Fernandez of West Hartford, Connecticut

Sofía Garcia Pini of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice

Réka Bordás-Simon of Nyíregyháza, Hungary

Mallery McShine of Fredericksburg, Virginia

Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership

Josiah Ludwick of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Tyler Stanley of Harrisonburg, Virginia

Dr. Gloria Rhodes ’88 (left) and Kory Schaeffer MA ’24 (right), co-directors of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, offer their welcome remarks.

As the graduates go out to create a more just and peaceful world, they also weave a web of connections and build an extended community of learning, Professor Dr. Gloria Rhodes ’88, academic director of CJP, said in her remarks.

“We’re a small community, and EMU is a very small university,” Rhodes said. “But together, we are enormous.”

She said there are more than 23,000 EMU graduates around the world, including more than 800 who have earned degrees from CJP’s master’s programs.

As a CJP alumnus, Schaeffer said he shared the graduates’ joy and quiet solidarity, as well as their sense of how much they had cared, questioned, and transformed throughout their time at CJP.

“This work was never just the books you read or the papers you wrote,” he said. “It was also the gray hairs, the tears, the tightness in your body, and the moments you questioned everything. It was the weight, literal or metaphorical, that comes with doing work that is both deeply personal and profoundly collective.”

LaToya Fernandez, an MA in restorative justice graduate, shares the journey that led her to CJP.

Conflict transformation graduates Hannah Gilman (left) and Jamila Gaskins (right) reflect on their experiences in the program.

Graduates LaToya Fernandez, Jamila Gaskins, Hannah Gilman, and Jacob Sankara shared their perspectives.  

Fernandez recalled visiting Ghana a couple of years ago and experiencing something there that changed her life. “I grieved there, I left my burdens there, I cried for my ancestors,” she said. “I learned things about myself that I didn’t know.”

She left Africa with a mission to bring that sense of healing to her communities and to the United States. She had applied to another school’s restorative justice program, which offered her a full scholarship, when a friend encouraged her to learn more about CJP. “You want to go to a place that’s going to value you and all your decolonizing institution ways,” Fernandez recalled her friend telling her. “That’s exactly what happened. I came to EMU and I fell in love.”

Gaskins, who spoke at EMU’s Lavender Graduation two days prior, asked the crowd when they last breathed. “Not a shallow breath, the kind most of us live on, tight chest, shoulders up near our ears, but a full breath. One that goes all the way down, opens up the belly, and reminds you that you are here, present, alive.”

“So many of us are chest breathers, and I say this with love and a little humor, because chest breathing is a perfectly functional way to stay alive, but it cuts us off,” she said. “It blocks access to the richness of our emotional experience, the very experience this work demands we stay connected to. We cannot feel our way into someone else’s suffering if we are numb to our own.”

Gilman said their past two years in the program have involved real sacrifice, balancing work, family, stressful logistics, and a dream. There have been many hard moments and even some tears, but also triumphs, laughter, and joy. There were moments of fear, and they showed up anyway.

“What a unique experience it has been to do this in a place like CJP,” she said. “With faculty and staff who knew us, challenged us, believed in us, and who, bless them, gave us extensions. I’m so grateful to share this era of growth with you, this particular season of becoming, of stretching, of learning what we are made of and made for.”

Mukarabe Inandava-Makinto (right), a CJP student, her husband, Makinto GC ’26 (left), and their son, Joël Friebe-Makinto, perform the musical prelude

CJP students Virginia Maina and Kensly Cassy offer student blessings (left). Amy Knorr (right), CJP’s peacebuilding practice director, provides the graduate sending. “This is actually my favorite day of the entire year, even more than Christmas,” Knorr said. “And it’s not because summer break begins tomorrow, but because we are sending forth so many graduates who will go on to change and transform the world.”

Sankara shared that he felt two emotions when he received his acceptance to the CJP program: excitement and intimidation. “Some of my colleagues at [Mennonite Central Committee], when I was working there, had gone through the program, and they spoke about it with a kind of reverence,” he said.

Along with those emotions came real anxiety. How would Sankara, an international student from Burkina Faso, find the money to fund his studies? He said his family’s visa situation was also uncertain. “I had to make a decision to trust God and move forward, even without having all the answers, and slowly things began to unfold,” he said.

He received a helpful scholarship from CJP and support from friends and family. Eventually, his family was able to come to the United States and was there to celebrate with him on Sunday. Sankara described CJP as more than a program, calling it a community.

“When I say community, I don’t mean a group of people who simply agree with each other,” Sankara said. “I mean a space where we celebrate, laugh together, and step on each other’s feet, not once but repeatedly. But the difference is that we acknowledge it, address it, and grow through it.”

Gabriella Seal, a 2026 bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduate, opened the ceremony by recognizing the graduates’ supporters—faculty, staff, families, friends, partners, and children—who carried them through moments when the journey felt overwhelming.

“If there’s one thing that defines this class, it’s that no two of us took the same path to get here,” she said. “Some of us dreamed of becoming nurses for years, while others found our way through entirely different experiences and chapters of our lives. Regardless of the path, we all made the same choice: to step into something difficult, meaningful, and deeply demanding.”

She recalled times of exhaustion and uncertainty, when the weight of their training felt especially real.

“Through it all, we continued to show up for our patients, for our future, and for each other,” she said. “Somewhere along the way, this stopped being just about passing exams or mastering skills. It became about learning how to stand beside people in some of the hardest moments of their lives.”

EMU nursing graduates recite “The Nurse’s Pledge,” led by Dr. Laura Yoder during Saturday’s pinning ceremony.

Gabriella Seal ’26 (left) delivers opening remarks during the ceremony. Dr. David Rosie (right) served as keynote speaker.

Dr. David Rosie, an emergency medicine physician at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg who has worked in medicine for 26 years, delivered the keynote address. He said he is continually impressed by how EMU’s “fantastic nurses” rise to the occasion.

He encouraged the graduates to question orders from doctors and physician assistants that do not seem to make sense, think outside the box, seek unconventional solutions, and trust their instincts.

“If you have a sense that something isn’t right, then you should listen to that,” he said. “Sometimes the treatment isn’t right. Sometimes it’s someone being trafficked or abused. Those things don’t announce themselves.”

EMU’s nursing graduates received pins and stethoscopes from those who supported them throughout their nursing coursework.

The ceremony recognized the following BSN graduates, each of whom was pinned by a special person in their lives. Samantha Johnston, instructor of nursing, read their dedications and shared their future plans.

Class of 2026 graduates

Leah Beachy will work in the emergency department at Augusta Health.

Madison Bowyer will work on the organ transplant floor at the University of Virginia Health.

Odesa Elezi will work in geriatric nursing at Bridgewater Retirement Community.

Abigail Foltz will work in medical oncology at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Emily Guin will work in the emergency department at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Jacqueline Jackson is exploring her future plans.

Meygan Kyger will work as a registered nurse at the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Reina Landa will work in the emergency department at Virginia Commonwealth University Health.

Caris Lucas will work in medical oncology at Sentara RMH Medical Center. 

Gabriella Seal will work in the emergency department at Augusta Health.

Marianne Short will work in the progressive care unit at Augusta Health.

Elijah Spicher will work in correctional nursing at Middle River Regional Jail.

April Stafford will work in the progressive care unit at Augusta Health.

Joshua Stucky will work in the intensive care unit at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Emily Suarez Nunez is exploring her future plans.

Kristina Suslaev will work in the emergency department at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

In her closing remarks, Seal told her fellow graduates they will care for people in some of their most vulnerable and meaningful moments. Nurses will be present in times of fear, healing, grief, hope, and heartbreak, she said, and how they show up will matter more than they may ever fully realize.

“Long after people forget the details of their hospital stay, they will remember how they were treated,” she said. “They will remember who made them feel seen, heard, safe, and cared for. That is the kind of nurse each of us now has the opportunity to become.”

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

As one of the university’s most valued, cherished, and meaningful awards given each year, the Cords of Distinction honor recognizes those who have positively influenced on-campus communities, actively pursued EMU values, engaged in and valued social and community involvement, and reflected academic excellence and social accountability. Recipients of the award are nominated by faculty, staff, administrators, and students and are chosen by the Cords of Distinction selection committee.

“These students participate in high levels of engagement outside of classes and recognize the importance of the social and civic aspects of engaging in the local community,” said Celeste Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services, CoachLink coach, and co-chair of the Cords of Distinction committee. “They embody ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ They have chosen to make the community better than when they entered it, and we thank you all for that.”

The 10 recipients were presented with blue and gold cords to wear at Commencement, which will be held Sunday, May 3, 2026.

They are:

• Sophia Armato
• Irais Barrera Pinzon
• Leah Beachy
• Leah Frankenfield
• Genesis Figueroa
• Arelys Martinez Fabian
• Dibora Mekonnen
• Sarah Prroj
• Roumany Sefin
• Emily Suarez Nunez

Click each recipient’s name above to jump to their section.

Sophia Armato

A Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK-12) licensure major from Manheim, Pennsylvania, she was honored by Sydney Metz, head field hockey coach.

Armato embodies what it means to be a Royal, choosing excellence in the classroom, dedicating hours of service to others, and living out her faith by loving like Jesus, her coach said. She has also raised the standard of integrity within EMU’s athletic community, Metz said, recalling a conversation they shared about the culture they hoped to build for the field hockey program.

“Our program was in a fragile place, and even one wrong move could set us back further,” Metz said. “But in that conversation, we also talked about what it means to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. … You showed a willingness to lean into this challenge, to start a standard, and to grow in every area of your college experience.”

Metz said that Armato has made the most of her EMU experience. “You could find ‘Soph’ coming to practice after a long day of student teaching, then leaving practice to help others understand a Spanish conversation,” she said. “She would end her evening working at home on projects for her small business, continuing her homework, only to wake up early to serve coffee at Common Grounds. And through it all, she was living out her faith daily.”

Irais Barrera Pinzon

A political science and Spanish language & Hispanic studies major from Richmond, Virginia, she was honored by Celeste Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services.

The first time Thomas met Pinzon, she knew immediately the student would change the tapestry of EMU.

Pinzon, with her infectious smile, high energy, and “urgency to get down to business,” motivates those around her to “get on board and, not just say something, but do something,” Thomas said. “You exude kindness toward everyone and have a genuine concern for the well-being of others. You are always seeking ways to make the world a better place, and when you set out to do something, you do not stop until you reach the goal.”

That was especially evident in the menstrual hygiene project she led, securing a $1,200 grant and installing 10 dispensers across campus, Thomas said. Pinzon also served on the board of the Latinx Student Alliance (LSA), fed the unhoused, and participated in the International Food Festival, the Latino student banquet, and Hispanic Heritage Month events.

“Being a first-generation immigrant college student with your own challenges, you were able to look beyond your own needs and assist others who may be less fortunate,” Thomas said. “You shared that your goal was to inspire other first-generation Latino students to keep dreaming by showing them that no goal is too big.”

Leah Beachy

A nursing major from Salem, Oregon, she was honored by Dr. Kate Clark, associate professor of nursing.

Beachy represents the very best of what it means to be both a nurse and a servant leader. She demonstrates keen intellect, discipline, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose. “But what makes Leah truly exceptional goes beyond academics,” Clark said.

During her four years on the women’s soccer team, Beachy exemplified courageous leadership, advocating for change, gathering teammate feedback, engaging administrators, and pursuing solutions grounded in accountability, Clark said. As senior captain, she helped rebuild trust and integrity within the program, contributing to one of its strongest seasons both competitively and culturally.

Through EMU’s nursing program, Beachy learned to unite clinical excellence with justice-oriented patient care, seeing health care not just as treatment, but as a pursuit of dignity, equity, and compassion. Shaped by her intercultural experiences in Guatemala and Mexico, she helped facilitate a trauma-informed support group at Our Community Place for individuals recently rehoused after homelessness.

“And yet, even with all these accomplishments, Leah is most known for her warmth, her authenticity, and her limitless joy,” Clark said. “Whether serving as a tour guide, an ambassador for EMU, or simply showing up for others, she builds community wherever she goes and has a lot of fun doing it.”

Leah Frankenfield

A psychology major from Moraga, California, she was honored by Annalise Livingston, project coordinator for Royal RISE.

Frankenfield has been involved in just about every part of campus, always making an effort to connect with and support others, Livingston said.

“You are one of the most compassionate, driven, and engaged people I know, and your persistent dedication to caring for and including those around you is wildly inspiring,” she said. “Your determination to ensure that everyone feels they belong and have a safe space to be themselves, drawn from your own experience and vulnerability, shines through in your many involvements across campus.”

Through her leadership across various clubs and organizations, including Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA), University Women’s Empowerment Network (UWEN), Student Government Association, and Royal RISE, the senior psychology major—who will join EMU’s graduate counseling program this fall—planned programs and events to create welcoming environments and encourage connection. 

Frankenfield also served as a TA and peer tutor, ensuring students felt seen and supported. She’s provided students with a warm, friendly presence through her work at Common Grounds, the dining hall, the advancement and admissions offices, the library, and beyond. “You embody authenticity and humility,” Livingston said, “managing your hectic schedule in a semi-baffling way that leaves everyone around you wondering how on earth you do it all.”

Genesis Figueroa

A political science and Spanish language & Hispanic studies major from Millersburg, Ohio, she was honored by Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus.

From her first day on campus, Figueroa has shown up consistently and with care, Dycus said.

As a conversation partner with the Spanish community and through her leadership roles—first as a senator, then secretary, and eventually co-president—Figueroa has shaped EMU in ways both visible and deeply felt, building connection and belonging across campus. Those roles require navigating complexity, listening deeply, and representing others with integrity, Dycus said, and Figueroa has carried them with a steady, grounded presence.

“What stands out most is not just what you’ve done, but how you’ve done it,” she said. “Again and again, people describe you as someone who listens deeply, brings warmth, and helps others feel seen. That kind of leadership shapes culture. That’s what you’ve done for EMU.”

Figueroa carried that spirit into the Latinx Student Alliance, as president of Young Democrats, and as a senior class officer, helping others learn together.

“One nominator said it best: ‘Genesis rises to any occasion, leading with initiative, creativity, awareness, and a deep commitment to collective learning and action,’” Dycus said. “Alongside it all, you remain committed to your academic work, bringing discipline, focus, and purpose as a political science and Spanish major, as well as engagement with immigrant communities in Harrisonburg.”

Arelys Martinez Fabian

A Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK-12) licensure major from Winchester, Virginia, she was honored by M. Esther Showalter, instructor of Spanish language and Hispanic studies.

In a fast-paced world, Martinez Fabian knows when to pause and be fully present with others, actively listening and walking alongside those in need, Showalter said.

During Martinez Fabian’s first year at EMU, Showalter’s childhood best friend unexpectedly passed away. In the midst of that loss, the student came to her office to offer support. She brought a small houseplant to honor her friend, and over the years, it has grown from a foot tall to four feet high. “It is by far my healthiest plant,” Showalter said. “Many people comment on how great it looks, and I tell them the story of my friend and how you, Arelys, have comforted me in my time of need, as you have for so many others.”

Along with Figueroa, Martinez Fabian served as co-president of the Student Government Association, becoming the first Latinx women in that role. She led with heart and humanity, Showalter said, strengthening communication between students and administrators and ensuring student voices shaped key campus decisions. Her leadership also increased involvement from underrepresented students, contributing to a more inclusive and engaged campus culture.

“Arelys has lived the EMU experience to its fullest,” Showalter said. “She is an inspiring leader, a curious learner, and an empathetic friend.”

Dibora Mekonnen

A political science and social work major from Silver Spring, Maryland, she was honored by Deanna Durham, associate professor of social work and sociology.

Whether leading the social work student organization, the Young Democrats, or the University Women’s Empowerment Network (UWEN), or serving as a Community Advisor, hall director, dialogue facilitator, student chaplain, or development office assistant, Mekonnen has consistently worked toward a vision of EMU at its best. She has also been involved with the Campus Activities Council, Student Government Association, and the EMU Washington Semester. “Over the past four years,” Durham said, “is there anything you did not say ‘yes’ to?”

Mekonnen’s leadership and deep commitment to building a more inclusive and welcoming university have touched every corner, building, and space on campus, Durham said. This past semester, that impact extended into the local community through her senior social work practicum, where she worked with Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed. “You are a multitasker extraordinaire,” Durham told Mekonnen. “Your ability not only to generate ideas but also to bring others along with you is impressive. You have embodied the belief that we are always better together.”

As hall director of Elmwood, Mekonnen fostered a community grounded in inclusion, social awareness, and belonging, Durham said. “You have pushed for change on campus and have never remained silent when there was potential for harm to another student.”

Sarah Prroj

A business administration major from Shkoder, Albania, she was honored by Tyler Goss, director of student engagement and leadership development. 

Goss remembers his first interaction with Prroj. The International Student Organization (ISO) was preparing for its popular International Food Festival. Dozens of cooks would soon gather on Thomas Plaza, and he and other volunteers were setting up decorations, including more than 50 flagpoles. Each flag came with its own challenge, Goss said, noting the political significance of their placement. 

“In the midst of all that chaos and decision-making, there was Sarah, a first-year student, stepping up, directing, delegating, and leading with confidence and ease,” Goss said. “That moment was just the beginning.”

The Albanian international student dedicated her four years at EMU to the ISO, but her impact extends beyond that community. She served as a Community Advisor and Royal Ambassador and led the Good Business Gathering Club. At Common Grounds, she began as a barista and became its financial manager. She also served as student government treasurer. Away from campus, she volunteered at Young Life camp and shared her story at the Perspectives of World Missions Conference.

“From ISO president to community volunteer to SGA treasurer, and all the hours of Common Grounds’ financial tasks in between, Sarah leads every space with dependability, vision, and a deep desire to help each community flourish,” Goss said.

Roumany Sefin

A business administration and medical lab science major from Port Said, Egypt, he was honored by Dr. Jim Leaman, associate professor of business.

It’s the rare undergraduate student who publishes original research and presents it at a prestigious academic conference, Leaman said, yet Sefin did so halfway through his undergraduate career. “Then, he leveraged that innovation to launch an entrepreneurial venture to serve the needs of others,” the professor said.

Sefin combines world-class science with a true heart for service. As a dedicated researcher and founder of ROUMATICS, he’s already made a mark in the medical field, Leaman said. “His cancer research at EMU and Harvard was chosen for an American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting, a huge honor for any scientist.”

One of his nominators wrote: “In my many years as an instructor and mentor, I have seldom seen a student with more commitment to academic and moral excellence.”

Sefin supports his peers on campus by tutoring across three academic disciplines and guiding international students as they navigate English and adjust to life in the United States. He is also an active volunteer at a local nonprofit and serves as a deacon at his church.

“Whether he’s leading Bible study or teaching DNA workshops locally, Roumany leads with kindness and excellence,” Leaman said. “He truly represents the best of this community.”

Emily Suarez Nunez

A nursing major from McGaheysville, Virginia, she was honored by Allen Clay Jr., associate dean for campus life. 

From student chaplain to hall director, Suarez Nunez’s time at EMU has reflected her deep commitment to the well-being of the campus community, Clay said.

As hall director, she led first-year students with poise and compassion. She approached difficult conversations with empathy and clear boundaries, and worked through conflict in ways that built both accountability and belonging.

“Her supervisors speak of her as a trusted leader who embodies EMU’s values of academic excellence, peace, justice, and social responsibility,” Clay said. 

Suarez Nunez’s impact reaches well beyond residence life through her involvement in the Student Government Association, student chaplains, and Y-Serve. She has spent countless hours in service, led spring break trips to Atlanta and Puerto Rico, and helped coordinate volunteer opportunities that connect EMU students with communities in need.

Her coworkers describe her as someone who can brighten a room, even while balancing the rigorous demands of a nursing degree. “Her patients will encounter not just medical expertise but a caregiver who knows how to listen, honor difficult moments, and help people feel seen,” Clay said. “That is a gift that Emily will carry forward in the next steps of her life.”

In his closing remarks at the ceremony, Jonathan Swartz, dean of students and co-chair of the Cords of Distinction committee, noted the many things the recipients will carry with them after graduating from EMU: their cords, degrees, relationships, and memories.

“You also carry responsibility, because the world you are entering does not need more impressive resumes nearly as much as it needs people who are willing to live with clarity, compassion, and courage,” Swartz said. “[It needs] people who will ask not just what can I achieve, but what can I repair; not just where can I succeed, but where am I needed? If these cords mean anything beyond today, it’s this: you’ve already begun to answer those questions with your lives, and we trust you will keep answering them.”

The 2026 Cords of Distinction committee members: Jonathan Swartz, Celeste Thomas, Kate Clark, Deanna Durham, Justin McIlwee, Dawn Neil, and Aundrea Smiley. Special thanks to Jennifer North Bauman for her help and to Thaddeus Jackson ’25, who performed music for the event.

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

“Brittany Scott’s actions changed the trajectory of this patient’s life and exemplify the very heart of the DAISY Award,” it adds.

Commencement is fast approaching, bringing a full weekend of events and ceremonies honoring this year’s graduating class. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help guide you through the weekend.

When is Commencement and where will it be held?

��ݮ����’s 108th annual Commencement ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Yoder Arena. View the map below.

How long will it last?

The ceremony lasts about two hours.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

A live video feed of the Commencement ceremony will be available on .

Where should I park?

Please see the campus map for parking information. The south portion of the University Commons parking lot will be reserved for handicapped and mobility-restricted parking. Guests may notify a parking attendant if assistance is needed in getting from the parking area to the commencement seating.

Where should I sit?

Seating is first come, first served and opens at 11 a.m. on Sunday. A remote viewing location will be available in University Commons Room 177.

How many students will be graduating?

EMU will award 313 degrees at Commencement. The total includes 171 undergraduate degrees, 129 graduate degrees, 10 Eastern Mennonite Seminary degrees, and three doctoral degrees, as of April 23.

Who will deliver the commencement address?

Dr. Angela J. Lederach, an anthropologist and assistant professor of peace and justice studies at Chapman University, will deliver the address. Learn more about her below.

Who else is speaking?

Graduating seniors Dylan Hall and Arelys Martinez Fabian, and Yenifer Dottin-Carter from the MA in Counseling program, will offer graduates’ perspectives.

Who are the class officers?

The 2026 undergraduate class officers are:

• Co-presidents: Genesis Figueroa and Arelys Martinez Fabian
• Business manager: Ethan Neufeld
• Secretary: Maria Longenecker

Is the event free? Is there a limit to how many guests can attend?

Commencement is free to attend, with no ticket required and no limit on the number of guests.

What other events can I attend?

Ten graduating seniors will be honored as 2026 Cords of Distinction recipients in a special ceremony on Friday, April 24, at 10:10 a.m. in Martin Chapel. EMU will host its fifth annual Lavender Graduation on Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds) to honor LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni. EMU’s 11th annual Donning of the Kente ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 3 p.m. in the MainStage Theater to recognize graduating students of color and international students. On Sunday, May 3, after Commencement, the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding will host a graduation celebration at 4 p.m. in Martin Chapel. All events are listed online here.

When is Graduate Celebration and Sending?

Graduate Celebration and Sending will take place on Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium. Dr. Tara L. S. Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success, is the featured speaker for this year’s event, which is for all graduating students. The event will include performances of music and poetry from students, as well as the presentation of the class gift.

Will the dining halls be open?

Here’s the dining hall schedule for commencement weekend:

Saturday

• Continental breakfast: 8:15-9 a.m. 
• Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Dinner: 5-6 p.m. 

Sunday

• Continental breakfast: 8:15-9 a.m. 
• Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 

What are some other places to eat and things to do in Harrisonburg?

Check out  to celebrating graduation weekend in Harrisonburg from the city’s tourism office, packed with recommendations for dining, graduation gifts, and things to do while you’re in town.

When will the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, campus hold its graduation?

EMU at Lancaster will hold its commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo will deliver the address. EMU at Lancaster will award 21 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 13 graduate certificates at the ceremony.

Where can I find more information?

Visit or email questions to commencement@emu.edu.

More than a series of classes, SPI is a place to learn in community. Participants live on campus, share meals, attend lectures, and build connections that last long after the program ends.

This year’s sessions will be held May 18-26, May 28-June 5, and June 8-12.

The application deadline for U.S. participants is May 8. Learn more and apply at .

Junior vocalist Elie Hoover (soprano) and senior saxophonist Jadon Harley will perform as student soloists with the EMU Orchestra at its spring Concerto/Aria Concert at 7 p.m. this Friday in Lehman Auditorium.

We caught up with Hoover, a social work and music interdisciplinary studies major from New Carlisle, Ohio, ahead of the event.

What piece will you perform at the concert?

I will be performing “Una donna quindici anni” from Mozart’s Così fan tutte. My voice teacher helped me choose a piece that fits my voice well. It’s a lively selection that I have a lot of fun singing.

Is there a specific teacher you’ve been training with?

Shannon Kiser has been working with me to make this piece the best it can be. He encourages me in many ways and always offers insightful guidance to help me improve. [Music Professor] Benjamin Bergey has also worked hard to prepare the orchestra and integrate me into the process.

What excites you most about this concert?

I’m especially excited to sing in this concert because it’s a unique opportunity to perform as a soloist with such a large and talented group of musicians as an undergraduate student. It’s truly an honor to share the stage with my peers as well as musicians from the community. I hope they have as much fun performing with me as I do with them.

What’s your favorite thing about EMU Music?

The EMU Music Department has been a home for me over the past couple of years. The ensembles and classes vary in size and level, allowing them to meet students where they are. I always know I have people who will help me improve and classmates I can grow closer to and share this journey with.

Livestream the concert on the .

EMU held its ninth annual Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival on Wednesday and Thursday. The campuswide event, hosted by the Provost’s Office and organized by its Intellectual Life Committee, offered students opportunities to learn and engage with one another and to showcase their research, creative projects and papers.

In her opening remarks before the festival’s keynote address on Wednesday, Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus described the ACE Festival as a “celebration of student scholarship.”

“It’s where ideas take shape, not only in papers and research, but also in art, performance, and creative expression, and in the courage it takes to share one’s thinking with others,” she said.

“Here, students learn from one another,” she added. “We engage perspectives across our fields and practice the kind of communication and collaboration that will shape our lives beyond today and this semester.”

Career fair

Students connect with local employers at a career fair in the Hall of Nations on Thursday.

A new addition to this year’s ACE Festival was a career fair held Thursday inside the University Commons Hall of Nations. The event, hosted by the Alumni Engagement Office, gave students a chance to interact directly with employers, connect with alumni professionals, explore career options, and pursue internships or jobs.

Employers represented a range of industries, including Augusta Health, Merck, Park View Federal Credit Union, and Momentum Earthworks. 

One of those employers was Kirby Dean ’92, director of parks and recreation for Rockingham County. He previously served as head coach of the EMU men’s basketball team for 15 years, leading the “Runnin’ Royals” to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Although his department didn’t have any full-time job openings, he said he’s always hiring part-time workers to staff the rec center desk, rake fields during baseball tournaments, or mow grass. He said the career fair was a great way to build relationships and connect with students.

“I feel like there are just good kids here,” Dean said. “They were good when I went here from 1988 to 1992, they were good when I coached here from 2003 to 2018, and they’re good now. They’re the kind of people I’m generally looking for.”

Another employer at the career fair represented the local school division. Jeron Baker, assistant director of human resources for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, said the division typically looks to fill between 50 and 60 jobs each year, mostly teaching positions in math, science, elementary education, and English Language Learner (ELL) classes.

The former associate director of EMU admissions said EMU graduates have a natural understanding of the diversity and complexity within Harrisonburg’s student community.

“They sense the nuances of the human component and understand that education is not just about outcomes, but about process,” he said. “The process of knowing our students more deeply and understanding their systems more fully—it’s just something that comes naturally to EMU students.”

About 60% of students in the city’s public schools speak Spanish at home, Baker said, and 50 to 60 languages are spoken by students across its two high schools. 

“EMU’s ability to create cross-cultural experiences for its students while also bringing in international populations helps students develop cultural competency in ways that are unique to EMU,” he said. “That supports our populations, our students, our families, and the broader vision HCPS has for its students.”

In an last week, EMU sophomore Francisco Rodriguez said the event offered him a chance to look at a lot of different career paths.

“Sales is a big passion of mine,” he told the newspaper, “but understanding there are other options available here, it’s really nice to be able to check it all out.”

Presentations

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Senior nursing majors Emily Guin, Kristina Suslaev, and Reina Landa give a presentation on the effects of social media use on mental health in children and adolescents. | Senior engineering major Levi Stutzman discusses gentrification trends in Washington D.C. and Denver during a poster session at the Suter Science Center. | Chase Comer, a senior majoring in political science and history, presents research on shifting voting patterns in Virginia’s Buchanan and Rockingham counties. 

Students from a wide range of majors presented their academic research Thursday in oral presentations and poster sessions across campus. Topics included the concentration of antioxidants in cinnamon bark, the effect of data centers on surrounding infrastructure and resources, the relationship between trauma and homelessness, and the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.

Senior Emily Guin, part of a group of nursing majors presenting at Martin Chapel early Thursday morning, said her favorite thing about the ACE Festival was attending other presentations and supporting her peers. “I feel like I learn something new at every presentation,” she said. For instance, she said that last year she learned childhood obesity rates in Harrisonburg were higher than the national average.

Guin will work at Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Emergency Department after graduation. Her group presented on the relationship between social media use among children and adolescents and their emotional well-being and mental health. She said they researched the topic because of how relevant and new it is. 

“I think it’s crazy how impactful social media is, both positive and negative,” Guin said. “I can’t imagine growing up in such a digital time now. It makes me feel so old to say that, but I can’t fathom having everything posted on social media.”

Like many students on campus, engineering senior Levi Stutzman had a busy day of presentations. He was part of a cohort that tracked EMU’s carbon emissions and presented findings showing the university is not on track to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 (as outlined in its Climate Action Plan).

He also delivered a poster presentation analyzing census data from 2000 and 2020 for areas of Washington D.C. and Denver to chart gentrification in those cities. Later that afternoon, he and three other students gave an engineering capstone presentation on a “single-axis shake table” they designed to simulate sesmic movement and its impact on structures. 

“It’s exciting to show off your projects and see what everyone else is working on,” Stutzman said. “It’s a special time of the year.”

Another engineering major, junior Micah Mast, presented a 3D printer he revived and upgraded. EMU purchased the printer, a Makerbot Replicator+, in 2018. Because the machine’s parts and software were discontinued, it had largely been unused for several years. 

“It was always the printer nobody wanted to use because the prints were low quality,” Mast said. “It just kind of sat there.”

For his project, he replaced the printer’s proprietary control system with modern open-source electronics, resulting in improved print quality, a faster workflow, and long-term serviceability, all for about $150. The upgraded MakerBot adds a fourth working printer to EMU’s collection. 

“This goes along with sustainability, using things that otherwise would’ve essentially been thrown in the trash,” he said. 

Mast said his favorite thing about the ACE Festival is showing the rest of the school what he spent an entire semester working toward.

“There were countless hours of trying to get it to do what it’s doing right now,” he said, pointing to the machine, which was successfully printing tugboats known as the “3DBenchy” test print.

Art exhibition

Senior art students Donovan Arnason, Daisy Buller, Hollyn Miller, Jasmin Ruiz, and Allie Watkins presented their capstone projects during an opening reception Thursday afternoon at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. The exhibition will remain on display through May 1.

Student recital

A student recital at Lehman Auditorium featured performances by vocalists Mac Rhodes-Lehman (bass) and Eli Stoll (baritone), pianists Rafael de Tablan and Micah Wenger, violinist Miriam Rhodes, violist Monica Ehrenfels, flautist Nina Dunsmore, and guitarist and vocalist Erin Yoder (alto). The musicians were accompanied by Harold Bailey and Dominic Baldoni on piano.

A wind ensemble concert was held that evening, followed by a university choir concert on Friday as part of the weeklong ACE Festival lineup. View recordings of those concerts on the .

Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation

The 17th annual Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation recognized and celebrated the winners of EMU’s Excellence in Teaching Awards. Faculty members Dr. Ryan Good, Dr. Kathryn Howard-Ligas, and Kevin Carini were announced as this year’s recipients. 

Click the post below for testimonials about each recipient, the winners of the student writing and academic awards, and the faculty and student authors recognized for their published scholarly works.

Keynote address

A keynote address by Dr. Deborah Lawrence, chief scientist at Calyx Global, opened the ACE Festival on Wednesday morning. Lawrence, who taught at the University of Virginia as an environmental sciences professor for more than 25 years, reflected on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, EMU’s Common Read this year, and spoke about her research on forests in Borneo, Mexico, and around the world. 

Read our recap of her address below:

The ACE Festival is hosted by the Provost’s Office and made possible by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Center for Interfaith Engagement; and the Daniel B. Suter Endowment, which supports EMU’s commitment to fostering curiosity, discovery, and scientific learning. 

For a full schedule of ACE Festival events, visit .

Photos by Aric Berg and Jon Styer/At Ease Consulting

As part of its ninth annual Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival, EMU held its 17th annual Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation on Thursday. The ceremony, hosted by the Provost’s Office in Old Commons Grounds (University Commons 177), celebrated the university’s Excellence in Teaching Award winners.

The awards honor three outstanding educators who exemplify excellence in teaching across four dimensions: impact on students, effective teaching practices, subject knowledge, and continual growth. This year’s recipients are:

• Dr. Ryan Good (professor or associate professor category)
• Dr. Kathryn Howard-Ligas (assistant professor or instructor category)
• Kevin Carini (adjunct faculty category)

Dr. Ryan Good
Associate professor of urban studies and director of the EMU Washington Semester

Professor Good’s teaching extends far beyond the classroom. He invites students into the lived realities of Washington D.C., helping them critically engage issues of race, space, and inequality. His deep knowledge of the region, combined with intentional course design, creates transformative learning experiences. Students describe “eureka moments” that reshape how they understand the world and their place in it. Ryan is reflective in his teaching, constantly refining his approach, and deeply committed to his students’ academic, professional, and personal growth. Simply put, he is the heart of the program.

“Not only does he work hard to prepare lessons that get students to think critically about what they are seeing in the city, he brings the city to them,” a colleague wrote. “They visit key organizations and events so that they can experience the real D.C. and gain deep insights about this city’s issues and how residents are overcoming them.”

“Ryan is enthusiastic about Washington and all the lessons it has to offer young minds,” another colleague wrote. “He loves this place. And he helps students to fall for it as well. A good number of our alums end up staying here afterwards or returning at a later point to live and work here.”

“Ryan would be the first to say that teaching and learning is a dance, and he is only a partner in their process, but I would say that he lays down the right tune and tempo and steps for them to succeed,” wrote another.

Dr. Kathryn Howard-Ligas
Assistant professor of psychology

Students consistently speak to Professor Howard-Ligas’s dynamic presence in the classroom. Her ability to balance interactive learning with deep disciplinary knowledge makes her courses both engaging and accessible. Drawing on her background in theater, she brings energy and clarity to complex psychological concepts. More importantly, she is intentional about connection, ensuring students feel supported, seen, and able to succeed.

“I appreciate the ways Kathryn connects with her students and ensures they have the support they need,” a colleague wrote. “Kathryn has been a great addition to the psychology department and has felt like a steady presence during all the transitions that the psychology department has endured.”

“Dr. Ligas is the most energetic teacher I have ever come across,” a student wrote. “Early morning classes are not for the weak but she speaks with such enthusiasm that it keeps you engaged throughout the class. And I genuinely love how she makes us do a ton of group activities, which to me, are a great way to learn. She also has great mastery over psychology concepts and clears all confusion and doubts with absolute clarity.”

Kevin Carini
Adjunct faculty in natural sciences

Students describe Professor Carini as deeply caring, engaging, and committed to their success. Even in challenging moments, he meets students with understanding and encouragement. His classroom is one of respect and energy, where learning physics becomes interactive, creative, and even joyful. Whether incorporating students into problem-solving or bringing humor into complex concepts, he creates an environment where students feel both challenged and supported.

“He takes time to listen and actually wants to see us succeed,” one student wrote. “In the classroom, he always incorporates the students into learning by writing his own problems with our names in them or making silly noises while crossing out variables to keep us interested and focused. He brings a positive and enthusiastic attitude to the classroom and EMU.”

In addition to the teaching awards, Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs, recognized three faculty members who reached significant milestones at EMU this year:

• Dr. Hongtao Li has been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor
• Dr. Timothy Seidel has been promoted to full professor
• Dr. Kristopher Schmidt has been promoted to full professor

Student writing awards

The ceremony recognized recipients of EMU’s First-Year Writing Awards, given to first-year students for their “excellent research papers.” The recipients are:

• First place: Ash Dixon for “The Environmental and Economic Effects of Fast Fashion”
• Second place: Monica Ehrenfels for “Assessing the 15-Minute City: Walkability in Modern Urban Spaces”
• Third place (tie): Malia Yoder for “Protecting our Forests: The Fight Against Deforestation” and Joshua Henkel for “AI Among Students”

Student academic awards 

The winners of EMU’s student academic awards were also announced at the event. Dr. Michael Horst, dean of Behavioral, Health and Natural Sciences, and the Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler, dean of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, presented the awards.

Behavioral, Health and Natural Sciences

• The Judy H. Mullet Award for Psychology Internship Excellence: Hollyn Miller
• The Galen R. Lehman Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research in Psychology: Lauren Kauffman and Leah Frankenfield
• Outstanding Second-Year Biology Student: Malachi Peachey-Stoner
• Outstanding Senior Biology Student: Maria Longenecker
• Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research: Maria Longenecker
• Natural Sciences Award for Exceptional Service: Sophia Nguyen and Dulce Shenk Zeager
• Outstanding First-Year Chemistry Student: Lisa Zimmerman and Mara Zimmerman
• Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student: Ethan Neufeld 
• Outstanding Senior in Engineering: Levi Stutzman
• Outstanding Senior Environmental Science Student: Madelynn Hamm and Jenna Oostland
• Outstanding Senior in Computer Science: Rebekah Copeland
• Outstanding Senior in Mathematics: Katie Tanous

Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Music

• Outstanding Student in Music: Naomi Kratzer and Eli Stoll
• Excellence in Musical Leadership: Jacob Nissley

Business and Leadership

• Outstanding Business Administration Senior: Sarah Prroj
• Outstanding Business Analytics Senior: Erik Wilkinson
• Outstanding Accounting Senior: Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez
• Outstanding Achievement Award: Fadi Michael
• Outstanding Marketing Senior: Zazkia De la Vega
• Exceptional Research in Business and Leadership: Roumany Sefin
• Exceptional Service Award: Zazkia De la Vega
• Exceptional Leadership Award: Ben Knutsson

Center for Justice and Peacebuilding

• CatiAdele Slater for the dedicated organizing work as a graduate assistant, particularly the D.C. field trip
• Hannah Gilman for the innovative work advancing peacebuilding and conflict transformation tools in education through your practicum
• Toya Fernandez for the innovative work on restorative justice and racial healing, particularly bringing the Sankofa Circles to EMU
• Mercy Francis-Harris for your dedicated, thoughtful and quality work in all your classes
• Tyler Stanley for the dedicated work developed in all your classes, particularly PAX 509

Undergraduate Teacher Education

• Virginia Scholars Award in Undergraduate Teacher Education: Arelys Martinez Fabian

Authors’ Reception

The event showcased faculty and student scholarly works published since Jan. 1, 2025. Featured authors included:

Faculty

Ann Schaeffer, associate professor of nursing; James M. Yoder, professor of biology; Bryce Van Vleet, assistant professor of psychology; Mary Ann Zehr, assistant professor of rhetoric and composition; Wendell J. Shank, instructor of Spanish; Carol Grace Hurst, associate professor of social work; David F. Evans, professor of history and intercultural studies; Jacob Alan Cook, assistant professor of Christian ethics; Doug Graber Neufeld, professor of biology; Kathryn Mansfield, adjunct faculty for Center for Justice and Peacebuilding; Stephanie Day Powell, assistant professor of Hebrew bible; Timothy Seidel, associate professor of community and international development; Mark Metzler Sawin, professor of history; Debbi DiGennaro, instructor of social work; Heike Peckruhn, associate professor of religious studies; Jeff Copeland, professor of biology; Paula Ditzel Facci, assistant professor of peacebuilding; Dr. Cherelle Johnson, instructor of business and leadership; Benjamin Bergey, associate professor of music; Mary Sprunger, professor of history; Daniel Showalter, professor of mathematics; Benjamin J. Guerrero, assistant professor of music; and Steven David Johnson, professor of Visual and Communication Arts.

Students

Ash Dixon, first-year psychology major; Monica Ehrenfels, first-year music major; Joshua Henkel, first-year sociology major; and Malia Yoder, first-year natural sciences major; as well as the authors and artists of The Phoenix (2025), which was edited by Alexis Lewis and Zoey Mongold.

First-year student Monica Ehrenfels and junior Micah Wenger, both music and peacebuilding majors, provided music for the authors’ reception.

Photos by Aric Berg and Jon Styer/At Ease Design & Consulting

The EMU Washington Semester combines a full-time internship with academic coursework. Students are placed in internships across a wide range of fields, including government, nonprofit organizations, communications, business, and advocacy. These placements are tailored to each student’s interests and career goals, ensuring that every student gains meaningful, hands-on experience. No matter where they end up working, students develop practical skills that set them apart in a competitive job market.

One of the most impactful aspects of the EMU Washington Semester is the personal growth it fosters. Living in a new city, navigating professional environments, and building a network from the ground up pushes students out of their comfort zones. For many students, this experience opens doors they may not have previously imagined. 

Students live alongside peers who are also pursuing internships, creating a supportive environment where they can share experiences, challenges, and successes. These connections often last well beyond the semester, forming a network of driven individuals across diverse fields.

The EMU Washington Semester is more than just a study away program; it is a launching pad for future careers. By combining academic learning with professional immersion in the nation’s capital, it equips students with the knowledge, experience, and confidence needed to thrive in their chosen paths.

The Washington Semester is intentionally interdisciplinary, welcoming students from a wide range of majors, and the spring 2026 semester is no exception. Spring 2026 participants span the breadth of majors at EMU, pursuing studies in political science, public health, engineering, and recreation and sport management. 

EMU Washington Semester Director Ryan Good noted: “Disciplinary diversity is a hallmark of the EMU Washington Semester and distinguishes us from other D.C.-based study away programs. Over the past two years, EMU Washington Semester students have pursued 31 different majors, hailed from six colleges and universities, and worked at over 40 internship sites around the D.C. region.”

This diversity shapes both internships and classroom learning. Students pursue opportunities aligned with their fields and learn alongside peers with different perspectives, creating a richer, more dynamic experience.

By embracing a wide scope of majors, the EMU Washington Semester ensures that students from all disciplines can gain valuable professional experience while exploring how their field connects to broader societal challenges.

Read on to learn more about the internship experiences of our spring 2026 students.

Leah Cap, from Spotsylvania, Virginia, is a senior majoring in political science. This spring, Leah is an intern at , a D.C.-based nonprofit that supports incarcerated and returning citizens with holistic reentry services. Her main tasks include helping clients find shelters and other programs, scheduling appointments, distributing food to people experiencing homelessness, and making phone calls.

Through her internship, Leah has gained a broader perspective on how systems work and a behind-the-scenes look at how to support at-risk clients. The highlight of her internship experience has been seeing clients come in down on their luck and later seeing them return happier and healthier.

Edwin Rios Sanchez, from Harrisonburg, Virginia, is a senior majoring in recreation and sport management, with minors in business administration and coaching. This spring, Edwin is working as an equipment manager for and football clubs. His main duties include preparing equipment for coaches, attending trainings, and setting up for games, including steaming players’ jerseys and ensuring they have their game-day gear.

One highlight of Edwin’s internship experience was traveling to Florida for a weeklong away trip with DC Power. During his time in D.C., Edwin has learned to feel more comfortable in a new environment.

Fortie Chipeta, from Mount Jackson, Virginia, is a junior majoring in public health with a minor in environmental science. This spring, Fortie is an intern at , working with its housing and homelessness prevention department. Her main duties include researching local resources and writing helpful tips for a weekly newsletter, handling medical records by scanning and uploading patient documents into eClinicalWorks (eCW), and answering calls and assisting with the patient intake process.

During her time in D.C., Fortie has focused on growing from her experiences rather than striving for perfection. Instead of stressing, she is learning to focus on how to fix problems and do things the right way the next time. One of the biggest highlights of her internship has been taking ownership of the weekly newsletter. She enjoys researching resources for residents and takes pride in ensuring each issue is finalized and sent out on time every Wednesday. 

Alexandre (Zander) Armstrong, from Waynesboro, Virginia, is a senior majoring in engineering. This spring, Zander is interning with the Clinical Engineering Department at .

One of the highlights of his internship has been getting a behind-the-scenes look at a hospital and learning how it operates. Life in the city has been challenging at times, but it has also given Zander the opportunity to navigate public transportation.

In addition to the four Washington Semester students, the Nelson Good House is home to two other students who have been important members of the community this semester.

Morgan Hutchens, a Goshen College senior, is majoring in Deaf Studies, the study of the origins of American Sign Language, Deaf community, and Deaf culture. The goal of the program is to promote awareness, social justice, and accessibility. As part of her program, Morgan is attending Gallaudet University for one semester. Gallaudet University is the only Deaf university in the world and also offers programs for hearing students.

Morgan describes living in the Nelson House as an amazing experience because it has given her the opportunity to build strong connections with others. One of her favorite things to do with her housemates is cook together, which brings her joy through good food and meaningful conversation. Morgan describes her time in D.C. as both challenging and exhilarating. Attending Gallaudet University has been a lifelong dream, and the experience has been eye-opening and deeply meaningful.

Leslie Meja is a graduate student at EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP). He is completing his CJP practicum at the Kenyan Embassy in D.C. The inclusion of graduate students in the Washington Semester community enriches the experience for everyone and creates additional opportunities for learning and exchange.

Students interested in spending a semester in the nation’s capital should visit for more information or to apply. Be sure to also check out the EMU Washington Semester to see what our students are up to.

As keynote speaker for the 2026 Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival, Lawrence told a crowd gathered at Lehman Auditorium on Wednesday morning about the year she spent researching plant-animal interactions on the tropical island.

She was tasked with walking a specific route through the forest, starting at dawn, recording every animal she observed and noting what it was doing and eating. She recalled listening to gibbons sing in the mornings, watching macaques leap from tree to tree in the evenings, and seeing her first orangutan in the wild. 

Lawrence, who holds a BA in anthropology from Harvard University and a PhD in botany from Duke University, said she had arrived at college three years earlier “pretending to be a pre-med major so I would have something to say when asked,” but still unsure what she wanted to do. When she returned from that year in Borneo, she discovered a newfound sense of purpose: to save the rainforest. 

“The rainforest had held me for a year, giving me a place to learn about nature and about myself,” she said. “What a gift.”

In the years since, she has devoted much of her life to understanding the human connection to nature and the consequences of actions like deforestation. Her research has taken her around the world to forests in Cameroon, Costa Rica, Mexico, and East Africa, as well as North Carolina and Virginia.

Lawrence spent more than 25 years as a professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia, where she focused on global forest systems and climate dynamics.

In addition to her academic career, she served as a science advisor to the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Change, supporting climate policy and international negotiations. She played a key role in establishing SilvaCarbon, a U.S. interagency program dedicated to forest carbon measurement and monitoring.

For the past four years, Lawrence has worked as chief scientist at Calyx Global, a carbon credit rating agency. At the startup, she leads efforts to ensure the scientific integrity of greenhouse gas ratings. She also directs research and analytics for nature-based solutions and engineered carbon dioxide removal.

“I still do science every day, but my target is different,” she said. “I think of it as the flip side of academic research. I used to study nature’s climate solutions—how forests and land can alter the climate. Now I study how those solutions get put into action, bundled up, and sold as carbon credits. And my job is to make sure [corporations] are delivering the climate impact that they promise.”

In her address, Lawrence spoke about the wonders of photosynthesis—“It takes something you cannot see and turns it into something you can touch and eat”—and the glorious splendor of spring. “Life is simply bursting out all around us, and it’s an amazing thing,” she said.

She recognized her feelings of eco-grief, the sadness she feels about the loss of ecosystems and living beings, and the increasing rate of extinction. “[T]he earth is more than just a place where we live,” she said. “It’s a place we love. We would not feel sadness if we felt no love. So I just want you to remember that. If you are feeling sad about what’s going on in the world, you’re also feeling love.”

Lawrence said she had been encouraged to read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer six years ago but hadn’t found the time. Having recently read the book, which is EMU’s Common Read for 2025-26, she expressed appreciation for its wisdom. 

“Trying to know something is a way to love it,” she said. “That’s what I wish for all of you while you’re here in college. Study something deeply. It will change the way you view the world, including yourself, including nature.”

EMU’s ACE Festival continues Thursday with a full day of student presentations and performances, an authors’ reception and award presentation, and the first-ever ACE Fest Career Fair. For a full schedule of events, visit .

Watch a video recording of the address below!

Thanks to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Daniel B. Suter Endowment, and the Center for Interfaith Engagement for collaborating with ACE Festival and the Provost’s Office to bring Dr. Lawrence to campus.