Joyce Shenk Maxwell ’85 had heard from family members that her uncle, Daniel Shenk ’71, was a gifted storyteller. When the world went into lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, she began collecting stories from his life over phone calls, recording and transcribing their conversations, and sending them back to him to review. Somewhere along the way, those stories became the beginnings of a memoir, co-authored by the two of them and published by Pandora Press in April.

The memoir, Search for a Blessing: A Gay Man’s Journey from a Mennonite Missionary Childhood to the Streets of AIDS Activism, recounts his earliest memories growing up as the son of Mennonite missionaries in East Africa and going to boarding school at age six, and reflects on his life’s work responding to the AIDS crisis in New York City during the 1980s and ’90s.

“As gay men are growing sick and dying from an illness that no one yet understands, Shenk becomes a chaplain for the disenfranchised and a founding member of Bailey House, a residence for people with AIDS,” a description reads. “This memoir is also a story of family, as Shenk grapples with a demanding father and struggles to relate to his uncomprehending siblings.”

A book launch at , 76 W. Gay St., in Harrisonburg this Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m. will feature a reading, Q&A, and book signing with Shenk and Maxwell. People can purchase a copy of the book at the event or email Maxwell for one at joyce.maxwell1@verizon.net.

Finding his calling

Shenk’s formative experiences at EMU and his relationships with faculty who supported and mentored him sparked a passion for advocacy work.

After a year at Pace University in New York City, the Lancaster Mennonite High School grad transferred to EMU, where he studied sociology and became involved in student government and the Peace Club. “We were the activists on campus at the time, in the early ’70s,” he said. “We were going off to Washington D.C. for anti-Vietnam War protests, and I was deeply involved in that.”

The summer between his junior and senior years at EMU, Shenk served as an assistant chaplain at a prison in Southampton County, Virginia. There, he gained insight through interviews with inmates and discovered a growing empathy for them and other marginalized communities. He said the late professor Grant Stoltzfus, who taught church history at EMU for 17 years, was a major influence on his life. “He was extremely supportive of my interest in corrections,” Shenk said. “He drove the whole way down to see me, a three- to four-hour drive.”

After graduating from EMU, Shenk continued his work as a prison chaplain and then returned to New York City, where he worked with clergy serving in city-run hospitals through the Council of Churches. “They were coming into contact with this new, mysterious disease,” he said. “That’s sort of what put me in touch with AIDS at the very beginning, relating to these chaplains who were encountering it.”

Shenk was a founding member of Bailey House, which provides housing and supportive care for people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. He also helped form the AIDS Resource Center, which advocated for supportive and pastoral care for people with HIV/AIDS.

He graduated from Union Theological Seminary and was ordained at Judson Memorial Church, which is affiliated with the American Baptist Church and the United Church of Christ.

Maxwell, a writer and editor of biographies, also credited her EMU education with giving her the skills and values she needed. She majored in home economics education, and said the arts and design emphasis of the program helped her develop a career in publications and layout. “EMU was formative in my writing,” she said. “Those aspects of maturation where you learn to be coherent and cohesive in how you communicate certainly happened at EMU.”

Their EMU family connections run deep. Shenk’s brother and Maxwell’s father, the late Joseph Shenk, was an Eastern Mennonite Seminary alumnus who served as campus pastor and international student advisor at EMU, and later as co-pastor of Weavers Mennonite Church in Harrisonburg. Another of Maxwell’s uncles, the late Omar Eby, was professor emeritus of English who taught at EMU for nearly 30 years.

Shenk retired and moved back to Virginia in 2023. He now lives at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, near his niece and other family members.

‘A very real story’

Shenk said his goal for the book is not only to tell the story of what it was like to be a gay man in New York City during the early years of the AIDS epidemic, but also to share a message of God’s love and to humanize LGBTQ+ people. “I hope it helps people become more open to their lives,” he said.

In his praise for the book, historian and author John L. Ruth writes that, while “avoiding the tone of any official echo chamber, Dan Shenk offers a non-defensively candid explanation of the unlikely arc of his spiritual pilgrimage.”

“And I think he caught a little bit of the tone of the book,” Maxwell said. “It’s not a triumphal book in any sense. It’s not a raised-fist kind of book. It’s really somebody who’s grappling with being authentic and being true to themselves.”

“I think there’s a place for stories that are based in hurt and alienation,” she added. “It’s a very real story that a lot of people can relate to, because all of us have been hurt in one way or another and are trying to understand how to find healing and wholeness in the midst of that.”

For more information about the book, visit .

Read other reviews of the book:

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.”

“Peace is like an egg,” Lederach said. “It is delicate and fragile, but in the right conditions, it gives life.”

Lederach is an assistant professor of peace and justice studies at Chapman University. She has spent more than a decade working with grassroots peacebuilders in Colombia to transform violent conflict, expand possibilities for environmental justice, and cultivate more just and livable communities. She is the author of Feel the Grass Grow: Ecologies of Slow Peace in Colombia and co-author of When Blood and Bones Cry Out: Journeys Through the Soundscape of Healing and Reconciliation.

Commencement weekend served as a homecoming for Lederach, whose father, John Paul, co-founded EMU’s internationally recognized Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and served as its first director. Her presence at the ceremony coincided with the center’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Graduates of the Class of 2026 attend EMU’s 108th annual Commencement on Sunday in Yoder Arena.

Dr. Angela J. Lederach (left) recalled attending EMU commencements as a child and fully immersing herself in the campus fountain’s “crystal clear waters” while dressed in her Sunday best. “If you want to know the real reason why you are inside today instead of outside, you know where to direct the blame,” she joked with graduates. Kylik Bradshaw (right), a liberal arts graduate, beams during the big day.

Lederach spoke about how she has learned from peacebuilders and CJP alumni around the world to listen for the sounds of justice. Alumni such as Emmanuel Bombande MA ’02 and Leymah Gbowee MA ’07, who worked to bring peace to West Africa and Liberia, taught her to speak the language of justice, while Larisa Zehr ’11 in Colombia showed her how to walk alongside people pursuing peace in the wake of dehumanizing violence.

“To speak the language of justice requires courage,” she said. “Not the loud bravado that conceals cowardice and blares from the world stage today, but the quiet courage found in the register of everyday life, in the recognition of our shared humanity, in our willingness to stand up and say ‘never again,’ and in our ability and willingness to sacrifice for one another.”

That courage emanates from the lives of people like Michael “MJ” Sharp ’05, who was killed in 2017 while working as a United Nations expert on armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“The language of justice is rooted in hope,” Lederach said. “…And I have to say, Class of 2026, the work of guarding hope is not easy.”

“And yet, as graduates of this institution have taught me over and over again,” she added, “it is precisely by slowing down enough to notice and attend to the lives and possibilities found close to the ground that dreams are protected and held and continue to grow, even amid violence.”

Cords of Distinction recipient Irais Barrera Pinzon, a political science and Spanish language & Hispanic studies graduate, smiles wide during Commencement.

Arelys Martinez Fabian (left) and Yenifer Dottin-Carter ’23 (right) present the graduate perspectives.

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

Hall reflected on the bittersweet emotions many were feeling as they left behind the dorms they once called home, the friends who joined them on their journeys, and the places on campus where memories were made. “But those memories are not leaving us,” he said. “They are a part of us. They are who we have become. As we turn this page in our lives, we will be taking a part of EMU into our occupations.”

Reading from Matthew 5:13-17, he called on his fellow graduates to act as the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” He said it’s easy to go through the motions, to blend in and lay low. “But I encourage you, whatever you do, to go the extra mile. Be a light in people’s lives. Stand out, work hard, and make an impact.”

Martinez Fabian recalled feeling a mix of excitement, fear, and uncertainty when applying to colleges four years ago. She said she didn’t know where life would take her, but she knew she was stepping into something bigger than she could ever imagine. Like many of her fellow graduates, she wasn’t just chasing her own dreams but also carrying the hopes of her family.

“This finish line isn’t just about my goals, it’s about my parents’ goals,” she said. “It’s about their journey, the miles they traveled from their homes, the long years of difficult work, and the challenge of learning a new language and navigating a new culture.”

Through it all, the late-night study sessions and Common Grounds conversations, she said, “we found our people.” She said she has been fortunate to meet friends who have become her lifeline throughout her time at EMU. “So I ask you this: How lucky are we that saying goodbye feels this hard? That kind of sadness only exists because of how meaningful those connections are.”

Dottin-Carter shared the story of her path to EMU, beginning with her family’s immigration from the Dominican Republic to Cambridge, Massachusetts, and her eventual move to Harrisonburg with her then-boyfriend, now husband, Isaiah MA ’22 (restorative justice). She invited graduates to imagine the countless stories lived among them, of triumph, hardship, laughter, and sorrow, that will be carried within them as a collective memory.

She encouraged graduates to find a space where their story is honored, their presence is valued, and their legacy is seen. “And if you cannot find it, build it,” she said. “Find your people, find your place, find space where you are loved, understood, and validated.”

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus presides over EMU’s 108th annual Commencement.

The ceremony recognized 304 graduates from 23 states, Puerto Rico, and 15 countries.

This marked Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus’ first Commencement as interim president. In her opening remarks, she said many of the Class of 2026 graduates began their time at EMU during a season shaped by significant cultural and political change.

“You’ve navigated a world marked by tension, rapid shifts, and real questions about identity, belonging, and truth,” she said. “In the midst of it all, you stayed grounded in your learning. You stayed grounded with one another. You demonstrated resilience, discernment, and a willingness to engage complexity rather than turn away from it.”

The Rev. Gordon Meriwether, a member of the EMU Board of Trustees, led the opening invocation. The EMU Chamber Singers, led by Dr. Benjamin Bergey, performed a musical selection. Divisional deans Rev. Dr. Sarah Bixler and Dr. Michael Horst presented the graduates. Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham commissioned the graduates. Retiring professors Dr. Doug Graber Neufeld and Deanna Durham delivered the Commencement blessing.

Watch a video recording of Commencement below!

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.

Graduates were joined by family, friends, supporters, and EMU faculty, staff, and administrators to celebrate their accomplishments and the unique gifts they bring to their communities and the world.

Formerly known as Baccalaureate, the annual ceremony offers graduates an opportunity to “look back with pride and look forward with courage,” Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said in her welcome. “It’s a space to breathe deeply, reflect on all that has brought you to this moment, and prepare your heart and spirit for what lies ahead.”

Graduates were joined by family, friends, supporters, and EMU faculty, staff, and administrators.

Senior class co-presidents Arelys Martinez Fabian and Genesis Figueroa deliver the senior class salutations (left). Dr. Tynisha Willingham welcomes the audience in Lehman Auditorium on Saturday evening (right).

In a shared address highlighting their close partnership, Figueroa and Martinez Fabian reflected on their experiences at EMU and encouraged graduates to carry what they’ve learned into every space they enter.

From late-night study sessions at Common Grounds Coffeehouse to “those dreadful group assignments,” campus became not just a place to take classes, but where they discovered who they are, the senior class co-presidents said.

“EMU has a way of pushing us, not just academically but personally,” they said. “It asks us to think critically, engage with people who are different from us, and consider how we want to show up in the world.”

“EMU doesn’t just prepare us for what’s next. It challenges us to think about why we do what we do,” they continued. “To consider how we can contribute to something bigger than ourselves, whether in our careers, our communities, or the everyday choices we make.”

Ethan Neufeld, senior class business manager, and Maria Longenecker, senior class secretary, presented the class gift to Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus. Each year, the senior class selects a meaningful gift that reflects their shared experience and leaves a lasting legacy. This year, the Class of 2026 chose to fund improvements to the EMU Game Room in the University Commons, expanding options for students, faculty, and staff.

Eli Stoll performs the opening song, “The Lord Lift You Up” (Voices Together 832).

Dr. Tara Kishbaugh (left) delivers the faculty address. Ethan Neufeld, senior class business manager, presents Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus with the senior class gift (right).

In her address titled “Go bravely…but please call,” Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success, urged graduates to keep a firm belief in themselves and hold onto their optimism. The longtime professor drew from her chemistry curriculum, likening the graduates’ situation to molecules in a transition state.

“This transition state is a normal part of transformation,” she said. “Butterflies don’t force it. The struggle is part of the becoming.”

She also reminded graduates that they didn’t arrive at Commencement weekend alone. “Look at the love that has brought you here,” she said. “…You belong to each other, and you belong to us. You’ve left a mark on EMU, and hopefully you will see the imprint of EMU in your future selves as little ripples.”

Graduate Celebration and Sending featured gathering music from Naomi Kratzer; an opening blessing from Sarah Prroj; an opening song from Eli Stoll; a performance of Stephen Paulus’ “The Road Home” by senior Chamber Singers members Erin Batten, Lauren Kauffman, Naomi Kratzer, Hollyn Miller, Jacob Nissley, Eli Stoll, Joshua Stucky, and Sean Swartley; poetry readings from Miranda Beidler and Emily Suarez Nunez; a sending blessing from Brian Martin Burkholder; sending music from Makinto; and reflections from senior class advisors Mark Metzler Sawin and Jonathan Swartz, who also handed out EMU pins.

Graduates received pins representing the wisdom they’ve shared and the investment and commitment they’ve made during their time as students. They were encouraged to wear the pins at Commencement and beyond, honoring how EMU has supported them in their learning and growth.

Mark Metzler Sawin and Jonathan Swartz, senior class advisors, offer their reflections.

Miranda Beidler (left) shares original poetry, while Sarah Prroj (right) gives an opening blessing.

During their four years at EMU, much has changed, Metzler Sawin told the graduates. Presidents, both nationally and at EMU, have changed, as has the power and scope of artificial intelligence. “But most importantly, yourselves,” he said. “You’ve grown in many ways during these same four years.”

Much has also stayed the same: “The significance of human connection, the value of genuine relationships, and the core values that made you the unique and significant person you were when you arrived here and still are today,” he added.

In her opening blessing, Prroj reflected on the moments that have challenged her and the relationships that have shaped her into who she is today. EMU didn’t just educate her, she said, but also formed her, teaching her how to lead, listen, care, and become part of something bigger than herself. Sharing the words of pastor Rick Warren, she said that when people take their final breath, no one asks for their trophies, achievements, or diplomas.

“They asked for the people they love,” she said. “Because in the end, it’s not what we accomplish that matters most. It’s who we share our lives with. And that’s what makes EMU so special. It’s not just a place of learning, but a place of community where we’re known, supported, and shaped by one another.”

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

Hosted by Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and CoachLink coach, and Micah Shristi, director of international student services, the ceremony featured a musical drum performance led by Makinto and his son, Joël Friebe-Makinto.

Since 2016, the ceremony has celebrated graduates who honor their African and international roots. Each receives a handwoven stole of kente cloth, a symbol of prestige in many African societies, or a satin sash featuring the flags of countries they feel connected to.

Sashes at Saturday’s ceremony bore the flags of Albania, Argentina, Barbados, Burkina Faso, the Cherokee Nation, China, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Honduras, Iceland, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Oromia, Palestine, Peru, Puerto Rico, Senegal, South Sudan, and Uruguay.

Class of 2026 graduates take part in Saturday’s Donning of the Kente Ceremony in EMU’s MainStage Theater.

Joël Friebe-Makinto (left) honors his father, Makinto. Celeste Thomas (right) welcomes attendees to the ceremony.

The ceremony celebrates achievement, encourages recipients to continue striving for excellence, and provides an intimate end-of-year experience. Each recipient selected a family member, friend, mentor, administrator, or faculty or staff member to place the stole or sash around their neck and offer remarks, sharing joyful and heartfelt stories and words of praise about each graduate.

Graduates wore the stoles and sashes at Commencement to honor their collective heritage and reflect on shared struggles and successes.

“Our hope is that they feel the support of their village,” Thomas said. “Additionally, we hope the ceremony signals the college’s desire to meet the needs of all its students.”

Micah Shristi honors a graduate during the ceremony.

Since 2016, the ceremony has celebrated graduates who honor their African and international roots.

Participants

The following graduates were recognized:

Makinto, a general theological certificate major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Mukarabe Makinto Inandava and Joël Friebe-Makinto.��

“You’re a clear example of how, no matter your age or where you are in life, you can accomplish anything,” Friebe-Makinto told his father. “You are a continuous inspiration for me and someone I can always look to for guidance.”

Esdras Burgos, accounting and business administration major from Charlottesville, Virginia, was donned by M. Esther Showalter.

Arelys Martinez Fabian, a Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK–12) licensure from Winchester, Virginia, was donned by M. Esther Showalter.

Zazkia De la Vega, a marketing and business administration major from Cusco, Peru, was donned by M. Esther Showalter. 

Ankita Adhikari, a computer science major from Pokhara, Nepal, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Donovan Arnason, a digital media, photography, and design major from Stafford, Virginia, was donned by Phyllis Braxton Arnason.

Elili Asefa, a nursing major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was donned by Baati Ayana.

Irais Barrera Pinzon, a political science, Spanish language and Hispanic studies major from Richmond, Virginia, was donned by Wendell Shank.

Mimi Bayongwa, a social work major from Riverdale, Maryland, was donned by Dia Mekonnen and Perpetue Kaimba. 

Lemi Amanuel Bekele, a biochemistry major from Kansas City, Missouri, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Shristi recalled receiving an email from Bekele, who was waiting for his admissions decision in 2019. “He sent me the following email, and I quote: ‘Please answer me. To wait for your answer I am in the forest in a tree to get data and it’s too dark and cold,’” Shristi read aloud. “That same determination carried Lemi through his years at EMU.”

Jean Betancourt, a business administration major from Meridian, Mississippi, was donned by Angel Betancourt.

Nia Boyd, an art and writing studies major from Richmond, Virginia, was donned by Lenice Sudds.

Kylik Daquan Bradshaw, a liberal arts major from Crewe, Virginia, was donned by De’Andra Oliver, Te’Ahra Oliver, Theron Oliver, and Kayanna Bradshaw.

“Through every season, you have shown resilience, courage, and determination beyond your years,” Bradshaw’s mother said. “But your greatest gift has always been your heart, your love, your loyalty, and your strength. Even when you were challenged with difficulties, you never let it break you.”

Chase Comer, a political science and history major from Timberville, Virginia, was donned by Amy Miller.

Ruach Dhieu Ruach Deng, a computer science major from Bor, South Sudan, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Odesa Elezi, a nursing major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Luis Elezi.

Jasmin Escamilla Ruiz, a digital media, photography, and design major from Bluemont, Virginia, was donned by Irma Ruiz Ramirez. 

LaToya Fernandez, an MA in restorative justice major from West Hartford, Connecticut, was donned by Lyric Bryant.

Genesis Figueroa, a political science, Spanish language and Hispanic studies major from Millersburg, Ohio, was donned by Mia Figueroa.

Leah Frankenfield, a psychology major from Moraga, California, was donned by Rachel Tusing.

Sofia Garcia Pini, an MA in restorative justice major from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was donned by Joe Cole.

Jamila Gaskins, an MA in conflict transformation major from Los Angeles, was donned by David Evans.

Emily Guin, a nursing major from Lovettsville, Virginia, was donned by Juan Guin.

Jacqueline Jackson, a nursing major from Staunton, Virginia, was donned by Jacqueline Badger-Jackson.

Jayda Lenae Jones, a social work major from Goodview, Virginia, was donned by Kim Jones.

Yohanna Kebede, a computer science major from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was donned by Haweni Tolosa.

Emae Klompenhouwer, a social work major from Newport News, Virginia, was donned by Remco Klompenhouwer.

Ramata Lam, a biomedicine major from Baltimore, was donned by Kaitlyn Upshaw.

Mallery Salemah McShine, an MA in restorative justice major from Fredericksburg, Virginia, was donned by LaToya Fernandez.

Dia Mekonnen, a social work and political science major from Silver Spring, Maryland, was donned by Deanna Reed.

Abraham Mekonnen, a computer science major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Noel Abeje. 

Last summer, Mekonnen interned at Morgan Stanley in New York City. This summer, he is headed to Northern California, where he will work for Palo Alto Networks. “How many people can say they’re hopping from Wall Street to Silicon Valley at 23 years old?” his close friend Abeje said. “Here’s the thing about Abraham: when the rest of us go to a mall, we typically just shop. Abraham asks the storekeepers how much they made that week and whether they’d recommend entering the industry. He’s constantly studying the world, ambitious, resilient, and relentlessly curious.”

Fadi William Michael, a marketing major from Bethlehem, State of Palestine, was donned by Jim Leaman.

Diego Morales Torres, a computer science major from Ponce, Puerto Rico, was donned by Team Oosthuizen.

Zipola Nayituriki, a social work major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Mary Ann Zehr.

Tasia Ocaranza, an MA in education major from Staunton, Virginia, was donned by Kathy Evans.

Taylor Helenna Parker, a digital media, photography, and design major from Charlottesville, Virginia, was donned by Mikaela Brooks Fauver.

Royale M. Parker, a business administration and psychology major from San Bernardino County, California, was donned by Ruby Parker and Roy Parker.

Jennifer Perera, an MS in biomedicine major from Miami, was donned by Jose Perera.

Robyn Chardaé Pratt, an MA in education major from Newport News, Virginia, was donned by Sandra Pratt.

Sarah Prroj, a business administration major from Shkoder, Albania, was donned by Micah Shristi.

Sharon Salinas Morales, a restorative justice in education major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Andrew Claassen.

Jacob Sankara, an MA in conflict transformation major from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, was donned by Gloria Rhodes.

Roumany Sefin, a business administration and medical lab science major from Port Said, Egypt, was donned by Jim Leaman.

Zoe Seifu, a nursing major from Harrisonburg, was donned by Nati Seifu.

Anisa Yousef Sharhabeel, a business administration major from Rockingham, Virginia, was donned by Rita Tutu.

Shayleigh Michelle Sims, a biology and secondary education (6-12) licensure major from Palmyra, Virginia, was donned by Kathy Evans.

Emily Suarez Nunez, a nursing major from McGaheysville, Virginia, was donned by Silvana Nunez.

Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez, an accounting and business administration major from Hopewell, Virginia, was donned by Lindy Backues.

Cheylan Ury, a psychology major from Staunton, Virginia, was donned by Shaion Ury.

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus poses with Class of 2026 graduate Emily Suarez Nunez following the ceremony (left). Alumni returned to campus on Saturday to honor friends at the ceremony (right).

“We’ve laughed together, we’ve cried together,” Shristi said in his closing remarks. “What a beautiful space.”

The Donning of the Kente Ceremony is sponsored by Multicultural Student Services, International Student Services, and the Black Student Alliance.

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

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!

The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was held at the University of Michigan in 1995. Dr. Ronni Sanlo began the tradition after being denied the opportunity to attend her children’s graduations because of her sexual orientation. Today, hundreds of colleges and universities offer Lavender Graduation ceremonies for their students. EMU held its first Lavender Graduation in 2022.

Since its inaugural ceremony, EMU’s Lavender Graduation has honored 76 graduates and alumni over the past five years, according to Jonathan Swartz, dean of students.

“This time tonight is a declaration that your identities deserve to be celebrated,” he told graduates on Friday, “not just tolerated, not just accepted, but uplifted with pride, love, and joy.”

Jamila Gaskins MA ’26 (conflict transformation), a speaker at Friday’s Lavender Graduation ceremony, receives a rainbow stole from Dr. Kathy Evans, professor of teacher education and director of the undergraduate teacher education program.

Erin Batten ’26 (left) served as emcee for the ceremony, while Sarah Peak ’26 (right) delivered the undergraduate keynote address.

Erin Batten ’26, a liberal arts graduate from Bridgewater, Virginia, performed music and served as emcee for the ceremony. Sarah Peak ’26 and Jamila Gaskins MA ’26 (conflict transformation) delivered the keynote addresses.

Peak, a psychology and peacebuilding graduate from Sanford, North Carolina, recalled her first day at EMU. During move-in, a protester stood across from the residence halls holding a sign condemning people in the LGBTQ+ community.

“At that moment, all my fears came true,” she said. “But within minutes, students and faculty assembled with flags and signs supporting the queer community on campus, and Tyler Goss pulled out the queerest playlist possible, which I’m partially convinced he curated specifically for moments like that one.”

Students passed out bottles of water, she said, not only to one another but also to the protester. “It was then that I realized I was in the right place, that I was joining a community that truly cared for everyone, and that I would be cared for, even when others did not agree with that notion.”

Gaskins, a Center for Justice and Peacebuilding alumna from Los Angeles, encouraged graduates to question society’s binary expectations and challenge existing systems.

“You are graduating into a world that will hand you a blueprint about who you should be, what success looks like, what fights are worth having, what compromises are necessary, and which possibilities are realistic,” she said.

The world needs people who can imagine what does not yet exist, she said. “It needs people who can say, ‘I know this isn’t how it’s done, but here’s how it could be done,’ and who can hold the image of a more just world clearly enough to take the next step toward it.”

A dance party was held in the Old Common Grounds space following the Lavender Graduation ceremony, continuing the celebration.

Dr. Kathy Evans (left) provides the grounding moment at the start of the ceremony. She presents a stole to a graduate (right).

Lavender Graduation also included a moment of solidarity, silence, and visibility for those who are not out nor will ever be out. Dr. Kathy Evans, professor of teacher education and director of the undergraduate teacher education program, and Dawn Neil, coordinator for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, presented the stoles to the graduates.

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.

Written, produced, and co-directed by Kniss and John Klein, the award-winning indie dramedy follows three siblings in their 30s—Michael (Josh Bywater), Ellie (Angela Morris), and James (Timmy H. Barron)—as they gather at their family’s cabin for a weekend visit. When their parents (Laura T. Fisher and John Lister) unexpectedly announce their divorce, the trip quickly unravels.

The 81-minute film blends humor with heartfelt moments as the siblings grapple with the news and confront long-buried tensions. Never Not Yours premiered in June 2024 at the Interrobang Film Festival in Des Moines, Iowa. It boasts an 8/10 rating on IMDb.

‘A warm hug of a movie’

Over the past year and a half, Kniss and Klein have taken the film on the road, screening it at festivals across the country, meeting audiences, and building connections.

Never Not Yours has earned multiple accolades, including Best Feature Screenplay at the Grand Rapids Film Festival, the Independent Spirit Award at the Naples (Florida) International Film Festival, Best Feature Film at the Iowa Independent Film Festival, and several honors at the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival near Chicago, where it was crowned Best Film of the Festival.

Kniss said the reception at festivals and screenings has been overwhelmingly positive. “A lot of what we hear is, ‘I finished watching your film and had to call my mom,’ or ‘I had to call a sibling,’” he said. “It’s a very personal film, not just for the two of us, but for everyone who worked on it.”

Kniss described the film as “a warm hug of a movie” that explores how difficult moments can ultimately bring people closer together.

“At the end of the day, what we remember isn’t our jobs,” he said. “It’s the relationships we had, the friends, the family, and the time we spent together. Those are what make lasting memories. That’s what we hope audiences take from this film.”

John Klein and Steve Kniss ’11 wrote, produced, and directed Never Not Yours. 

Film was shot in eight days

Kniss and Klein, who connected while in graduate school at DePaul University in Chicago, had previously written a script for a feature-length drama set during World War I. It was based on the life of Kniss’ great-grandfather, Lloy Kniss, who documented his experiences as a Mennonite conscientious objector in the book (Herald Press, 1971).

“Because it’s a period piece, it’s much more expensive than something the two of us are able to finance ourselves,” Kniss said. “We wanted to write something small that we could put together and own entirely ourselves.”

After some brainstorming, the idea for Never Not Yours began to take shape.

“It’s not the easiest film to pitch to an audience in terms of, ‘Come watch this dramedy about this couple getting divorced and everything that comes out of that,’” Kniss said. “What we like to talk about with this film is just how small it is.”

Filmed entirely in and around Nashville, Indiana, a town about an hour south of Indianapolis, the movie was shot in just eight days at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“That’s a crazy short time to shoot a 110-page script,” Kniss said. “Most low-budget films are shot in 15 to 20 days. I don’t think it was until the third or fourth day, when we had shot roughly half the movie, that we started to feel confident our plan would work.”

During filming, the five-member cast and seven-member crew lived together in the same cabin where the story takes place. “Typically when you’re making a movie, you go to set, you wrap, you go home, you sleep, and return the next day,” Kniss said. “The 12 of us got really close because we were all living on set. It almost felt like summer camp.”

‘EMU was the perfect place’

Kniss, who is originally from Chicago, majored in vocal performance and digital media at EMU. His parents, Fred ’79 and Rosalyn ’77, and older brother, Michael ’06, are alumni, and he said he had always wanted to attend EMU.

“I chose EMU because I wanted to be in a community and I wanted to become a better person, and I think EMU was the perfect place for that,” he said. During his sophomore year, he was in India for his intercultural when his father was appointed provost.

In a November 2009 , Kniss wrote about how The Lord of the Rings trilogy and its director, Peter Jackson, inspired him to pursue filmmaking. He wrote that he’s seen each movie at least 15 times, “both extended and theatrical versions, with actor and director commentaries,” and was “absolutely enthralled” by them.

“That was my early film school, watching those behind-the-scenes documentaries to learn how these things even existed,” Kniss said in a recent interview. “I still consider those films to be huge inspirations for me because it was the most incredible thing to see an entirely new world created on film.”

After graduating from EMU, Kniss worked at Rosetta Stone and TV3 Winchester. His desire to make films never left him, and in 2014 he enrolled in the master of fine arts program at DePaul University. He graduated with his MFA in 2019.

Kniss and his wife, Monica Stouffer Kniss ’09, live near Asheville, North Carolina, with their two children. He is in his third year as assistant professor at Western Carolina University, where he directs the film and television production program. Teaching gives him the summers off to create films, and he and Klein are beginning to plan what they’ll shoot this summer.

Lately, the directing duo has been screening their short film, (2025), around the country. As for future projects, Kniss said they’re still deciding which features to develop. They still have that script for the World War I drama about his great-grandfather tucked away, waiting for whenever they’re ready.

“Obviously, I’m really close to that one,” Kniss said. “At some point, I’d love to make that film.”

“Never Not Yours” is also available to rent and purchase on . For updates about the film, including future screenings, visit its Facebook page at .

Watch the trailer below!

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.

A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Lederach has engaged in more than a decade of participatory research with grassroots peacebuilders in Colombia as they work to transform violent conflict, deepen possibilities for environmental justice, and cultivate a more just and livable world.

Her research focuses on community-based responses to the interlocking dynamics of political and environmental violence.

She is the author of the award-winning Feel the Grass Grow: Ecologies of Slow Peace in Colombia (Stanford University Press, 2023). Alongside her father, John Paul Lederach, she also co-authored When Blood and Bones Cry Out: Journeys Through the Soundscape of Healing and Reconciliation (Oxford University Press, 2010).

With a dual PhD in cultural anthropology and peace studies from the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Lederach has accompanied peacebuilding, environmental, and restorative justice initiatives in Sierra Leone, the Philippines, Colombia, Bolivia, and the United States.

“I feel incredibly honored and, quite frankly, humbled to be chosen to speak at EMU’s Commencement,” Dr. Lederach said. “The faculty, students, and alumni at EMU have deeply shaped my understanding of justice and peace and inspired me to imagine and work toward more peaceful and dignified futures for collective life on this planet. They form a vital part of the transnational community that has taught me what solidarity means in practice and inspires my everyday work of building peace amid ongoing violence.”

“By combining interdisciplinary scholarship with ethical inquiry, EMU has helped nurture a distinctive community that spans the globe,” she added. “I am indebted to this community for my own formation, learning, and sense of grounded hope, and I am honored to be part of this significant milestone for the graduating class.”

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus said Dr. Lederach brings a rare depth of scholarship that bridges lived experience and critical inquiry. Her work explores how “slow peace” emerges through grassroots communities that reshape and sustain peace over time, while also carrying forward and reimagining a generational legacy in restorative justice and conflict transformation.

“In her work, she reminds us that peace is not only studied but practiced, offering our graduates a compelling vision of leadership that is thoughtful, courageous, and rooted in the daily work of building a more just and hopeful world,” Dr. Dycus said.

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Rooted in the values of academic excellence, peace and justice, and an active faith shaped by Anabaptist-Mennonite beliefs and practices, ��ݮ���� offers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees that prepare students to serve and lead in a global context. A leader among faith-based universities, EMU was founded in 1917 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, has a site in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and offers programs in person and online.

To livestream Dr. Lederach’s Commencement address, visit EMU’s .

Wyse is a fourth-generation Iowa farmer and New York Times bestselling author of the cookbook There’s Always Room at the Table (HarperCollins, 2025). He offered talk show hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos tips to make the most of their outdoor spaces and boost their curb appeal, including ways to attract pollinators, trim herbs, and prune plants.

Watch the EMU alum’s TV appearance below!

Dr. Ben Ruth ’09, a noninvasive cardiologist with Sentara Cardiology Specialists in Harrisonburg, received the 2026 Golden Stethoscope Award.

Ruth was selected from 43 nominees and more than 400 physicians on the Sentara RMH Medical Center staff to receive the award. Now in its 18th year, nomination for the annual award is “one of the highest honors a Sentara RMH physician can receive,” according to a sent by Sentara Health on April 1.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Ruth said in the release, “especially knowing it comes from colleagues I respect and collaborate with every day.”

The Golden Stethoscope Award is announced each year on National Doctors’ Day (March 30) and recognizes outstanding physicians who demonstrate excellence in patient care, customer service, communication, and teamwork.

‘EMU helped prepare me’

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Ruth came to the Shenandoah Valley to attend EMU and graduated with a degree in biology and a minor in math. “It’s here that I met my wife (Laura Ruth ’09) and I really grew to love this area,” .

“EMU helped prepare me with the empathy, integrity, and the clinical skills that my patients need,” he said in a last summer.

After graduating from EMU, Ruth earned his doctor of medicine from Pennsylvania State College of Medicine (Hershey, Pennsylvania) in 2015. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in general cardiology at the University of Virginia Health System. He joined the at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg in August 2021.

Treats patients with compassion and humility

At Sentara, Ruth specializes in advanced imaging and preventive cardiology. His patients not only enjoy his professionalism, the release says, but also his warm, friendly demeanor.

Colleagues noted in their nominations that Ruth is a highly skilled, compassionate physician who provides exceptional, patient-centered care. He is known for listening carefully, communicating clearly, and going above and beyond to ensure patients feel respected, understood, and well cared for.

“Dr. Ruth brings a combination of clinical and imaging skills, compassion, and humility to every patient encounter,” Dr. Brad Rash, medical director of Sentara Cardiology Specialists, said in the release. “He is also an exceptional colleague and resource for our cardiology team. This recognition is well-deserved and a fitting tribute to the positive impact he has on the community.”

“Dr. Ruth earned that recognition through consistent excellence,” Dr. Robert Garwood, vice president and market chief medical officer at Sentara RMH Medical Center, said in the release. “He keeps his team well-informed, fosters a collaborative environment, and serves as an exceptional mentor. His sound judgment and thoughtful decision-making ensure the highest quality of care for his patients.”