EMU at Lancaster proudly celebrated the achievements of 45 graduates across its undergraduate and graduate programs at the ceremony, held at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania, where it conferred 11 bachelor of science degrees (including six in the aviation program), seven master of arts degrees in education, and 27 graduate certificates.

The Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, vice president for student affairs, equity, and belonging at EMU, delivered the Commencement address. Dycus, who has spent 15 years working in learning communities and ministry settings, including the past six years at EMU, will begin her role as interim president of the university on July 1. She shared words of celebration and encouragement with the graduates, and recognized how they adapted, stretched, and sacrificed to complete their studies.

“You completed assignments with children on your lap, took exams during night shifts, joined Zoom classes between caregiving and work,” she said. “You have balanced more than books. You have raised families, worked jobs, navigated change, and carried responsibility, all while pursuing a vision that wouldn’t let go. You returned to the classroom not because it was easy, but because it mattered.”

That theme of persistence and perseverance was also expressed by EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman in her welcome remarks, reflecting on how many graduates—immersed in their coursework during the COVID-19 pandemic—demonstrated remarkable fortitude and resilience, while testing the bonds of what it means to be a supportive community of learners. Huxman, EMU’s first woman president and its first academic president, is retiring this year after nine years at the helm.

Four members of the graduating class provided perspectives from their time at EMU at Lancaster.

Jill Jones, who earned a graduate certificate in trauma and resilience in educational environments, shared how a breast cancer diagnosis and a decision to transition from teaching kindergartners to preschoolers in a Head Start program led her to EMU at Lancaster. She first scrolled past an ad for the graduate program on her Facebook feed, but when it kept appearing—and a friend texted her suggesting she apply—she decided to take a chance.

“What I found was the most amazing learning experience I have ever encountered: classes with students and professors who were as passionate about teaching others about trauma as I was, connections and relationships with people not only from all over the country but also in different countries, and courses that were so interesting I couldn’t wait to learn more and share what I had learned,” she said. “This program not only made me a better teacher but also a better person, and I use what I learned in this program daily in my classroom and life. It breathed back into me my love of teaching, with my only regret being that I didn’t do it sooner.”

A pair of graduates from the aviation program, Griffin Snyder and Ella Hickey, spoke about their commitment as a class to see everyone succeed. Snyder said they’ve not only learned how to operate aircraft but also how to manage pressure, assess risk, and lead with professionalism. He credited the program with cultivating essential skills in discipline, communication, and perseverance. “At EMU Lancaster, it’s not just about earning our certificates and ratings,” he said. “It’s about the community we built along the way. Together, we have celebrated milestones, supported each other through challenges, and pushed one another to be our best.”

Behind every successful pilot is a team, Hickey said, whether it’s instructors, classmates, or the aviation community. “There was never any hesitation if someone needed help, we were there,” she said, describing late-night study sessions and endless phone calls with classmates. “We showed up for each other in a selfless way, balancing our own goals with a genuine commitment to seeing everyone succeed.”

Wesley Morgan, who earned a BS in Leadership and Organizational Management, spoke about the challenge of balancing coursework with other responsibilities. “All of us have full-time jobs, families, and homes to take care of, and chose to add ‘student’ to the many hats we have been wearing over the past two years,” he said, recalling a time writing a paper at the hospital while his wife and newborn were asleep.

He found support through his cohort in the LOM degree completion program. “We all met together weekly, all had the same assignments, and this meant we were all a part of each other’s lives for the two years we were together,” Morgan said. “We were not just classmates, we became friends as we worked together, struggled together, and learned together. It was a privilege to be a part of this program with the cohort we had.”

EMU at Lancaster offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs and professional development programs to help students excel in today’s workforce.

Meghan Shober performed the prelude for the ceremony. Janet Lind, member of the EMU Board of Trustees, led the opening prayer of invocation. Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs at EMU, presented and commissioned the graduates. Dr. David Martin, director of graduate teacher education, and Derek Kline, director of the aviation program, distributed diploma covers to the graduates. EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman conferred the degrees and provided the Commencement blessing. 

An estimated 3,000 people attended the ceremony to celebrate the graduates.

The Rev. Dr. Lesley Francisco McClendon, senior pastor of C3 Hampton and adjunct instructor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, delivered the Commencement address. She encouraged graduates to live into the instruction of Micah 6:8, the guiding verse foundational to EMU’s mission: “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?” As they leave campus, McClendon urged them to carry that call into a lifelong journey of discovery in the world.

McClendon also serves as a member of the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board and as an instructor at Duke Divinity School. She is the founder of Herstoric Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to empowering leaders of all backgrounds to discover their voice, lead with confidence, and leave a lasting impact. 

“The world doesn’t just need more professionals, it needs more compassionate, just, and humble leaders. And I have no doubt that’s exactly who you are,” she told graduates. “You are ambassadors of hope, agents of change, and bearers of light in a world that desperately needs it.”

Undergraduates Jason Dwyer and Adesola Johnson and MA graduate Getachew Temare presented the graduate perspectives.

For a longer summary of the Commencement address and the graduate perspectives, visit the post below.

EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman presided over the ceremony—her final commencement as university president before retiring later this year.

Cords of Distinction

Ten graduating EMU seniors were honored as Cords of Distinction recipients in a ceremony on Tuesday, April 29, at Martin Chapel. The award recognizes graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community, and society over the course of their college careers.

Senior Celebration

Members of the Class of 2025 gathered for  Senior Celebration on Thursday, May 1, at the EMU Discipleship Center. The graduating seniors shared a meal, socialized, played games, snapped a group photo, and received an inspiring message from EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman. “Since I announced my retirement earlier this year, I’m really glad to be graduating with the Class of 2025,” she told them. 

Reflecting on the seismic changes and challenges from 2021 to 2025, she praised the graduates for showing “a lot of resolve, a lot of resilience, and a lot of adaptability—those qualities will serve you well wherever you go, through thick and thin.”

Lavender Graduation

EMU hosted its fourth annual Lavender Graduation on Friday, May 2, in the Old Common Grounds space (University Commons 177). The event honors LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni and celebrates their unique experiences, achievements, and contributions to the university.

Nursing Pinning Ceremony

Seventeen new nursing graduates were recognized at a pinning and commissioning ceremony on Saturday, May 3, at Lehman Auditorium. Receiving the nursing pin symbolizes graduates’ completion of their education, their entry into the nursing profession, and their commitment to providing compassionate care.

Donning of the Kente

Tears were shed, laughs were shared, and hugs were held as 38 graduates were honored at EMU’s 10th annual Donning of the Kente Ceremony on Saturday afternoon in the MainStage Theater. The cultural ceremony celebrates graduates who recognize their African and international roots.

Baccalaureate: Graduate Celebration and Sending

Members of the Class of 2025 were honored at the Baccalaureate: Graduate Celebration and Sending service on Saturday evening in Lehman Auditorium. The ceremony included presidential and faculty addresses, senior class salutations, and the presentation of the senior class gift, as well as moments of prayer, music, and poetry from graduates. The service offered graduates an opportunity to pause and reflect on their journey as they prepare their hearts and spirit for what lies ahead. 

CJP Celebration of Blessings

The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) at EMU sent 13 graduates off into the world with words of affirmation and reflection at its annual Celebration of Blessings on Sunday, May 4, in Martin Chapel. CJP faculty and staff members provided words of tribute for each graduate, and three graduates shared how their experiences at CJP transformed them.

Carnival Day

Commencement week kicked off on Monday, April 28, with a full afternoon of fun, food, and festivities. Carnival Day, held at the University Commons parking lot, featured inflatable bouncy houses, a petting zoo, a dunk tank, and sweet treats from Smiley’s Ice Cream, compliments of the President’s Office. 

“Today is the first day of finals week, and we wanted to give students an opportunity to relax,” said EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman. “And you know what, this gives me a chance to meet with them and talk with them a little bit.”

EMU at Lancaster will hold its Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 9, at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for a recap of the Lancaster ceremony coming soon!

McClendon also serves as a member of the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board and as an instructor at Duke Divinity School. She is the founder of Herstoric Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to empowering leaders of all backgrounds to discover their voice, lead with confidence, and leave a lasting impact. She holds a doctor of ministry from Duke University, a master of divinity from Regent University, and a bachelor of arts from Oral Roberts University.

The world doesn’t need perfect people, she told the graduates, but rather it needs present people—those who show up, who listen, and who aren’t afraid to be the light in heavy places. She encouraged them to hold fast to their faith and values amid challenges. “You’ll walk into rooms where your faith is questioned, where your values are challenged, and your leadership is needed, but don’t shrink,” she said. “Remember, you’ve been shaped for this moment: not just to succeed, but to serve; not just to rise, but to reach; not just to lead, but to love.”

The graduates are stepping into a world that is both exciting and unpredictable, McClendon said. Technological advancements are reshaping daily life, global connections are bridging diverse cultures, and societal challenges prompt urgent calls for justice and compassion. In navigating this complex and ever-changing landscape, she pointed to the timeless wisdom of Micah 6:8. “It offers a compass,” she said, “a way to orient ourselves amid uncertainty.”

Unpacking the “profound simplicity” of the scripture, she explained that acting justly means making the conscious decision to stand up for what is right, even when it’s difficult; that loving mercy involves extending grace, understanding, and kindness, even when it’s undeserved; and that walking humbly with God means seeking guidance beyond our own understanding and recognizing that our talents and achievements are gifts to be used for a higher purpose.

She called on graduates to embody the Anabaptist and Mennonite values of simplicity, community, peace, service, and justice. “So I charge you: act justly, even when it’s inconvenient; love mercy, even when it’s not returned; and walk humbly, even when the world tells you to flex,” McClendon said. “Build bridges, lift voices, stay rooted, stay teachable, stay bold. Let Micah 6:8 be not just a memory verse, but a mission.”

“The world doesn’t just need more professionals, it needs more compassionate, just, and humble leaders. And I have no doubt that’s exactly who you are,” she continued. “You are ambassadors of hope, agents of change, and bearers of light in a world that desperately needs it.”

Undergraduates Jason Dwyer and Adesola Johnson and MA graduate Getachew Temare presented the graduate perspectives.

Dwyer reflected on finding his people, his place, and his home at EMU. Before he left for college, his parents told him that along with earning a degree, he’d also be getting an education in people. At the time, he didn’t understand what they meant. But after four years at EMU, he said “it’s become crystal clear.” “We’ve learned how to live in shared spaces, how to do laundry for the first time, how to wake up without someone telling us to—at least, some of us have,” he said. “We’ve had hard conversations with roommates, met deadlines, worked through challenges, interacted with professors and peers, and, most importantly, we’ve learned about ourselves.”

The political science and history double major from Fairfax, Virginia, played on the Royals baseball team for four years and said he met “so many incredible people” through his teammates, academic programs, and campus clubs. “We came in as individuals with different dreams, different hopes, and different stories. But somewhere along the way, in the classrooms, in the dorms, on the field, or in the community, we started becoming more,” Dwyer said. “We became a class. We came in as individuals, but despite our differences, we are now leaving as one: the Class of 2025.”

Johnson, a Cords of Distinction recipient, shared her most memorable EMU experience: a research trip to Australia tracking fruit flies. As she arrived at the site, she was overcome with dread when she realized she would have to confront her fear of birds every day for the next five weeks. “I never knew how debilitating fear could be until that moment,” she said. “But I quickly realized that my drive to succeed was much greater than my fear.”

For many graduates, she said, commencement day might be filled with anxiety and fear. “However, I want you all to know that fear can coexist with your drive, your plans, and your ambitions,” Johnson said. “Fear can be your fuel. At a time when many things feel uncertain, remember that your very existence is proof that you can succeed.”

Temare shared his journey as a refugee, then joining EMU through the Summer Peacebuilding Institute in 2023, and ultimately earning a master’s degree in conflict transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.“Here at ˛ÝÝŽÉçÇř, and especially at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, transformation is not something you read about,” he said. “It is something you live. You wrestle with systems, stories, and suffering. You learn that peace is not passive and that justice is not optional.”

Reciting the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice”—Temare said that truth echoed in every classroom, every circle, every quiet moment of reckoning. “We engaged in practices that made us uncomfortable, reflective, and awake,” he said. “We learned that justice is not a concept reserved for courts or governments, but something we live, in how we treat one another, encouraged through accountability and love. And it wasn’t just theory, it was practice: in community meals, in hallway debates, in learning to listen beyond what we agreed with.”

EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman presided over the ceremony—her final commencement as university president before retiring later this year. In her opening remarks, she reflected on how many graduates began their college journey in 2021, amid the pandemic, and demonstrated great fortitude and creativity through times of upheaval. “You have shown the next generation what it means to shoulder setbacks and still be immersed in a rigorous and caring academic environment,” she said. “These are powerful life lessons that will serve you well wherever you go.”

Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs, commissioned the graduates. Deans Dr. Daniel Ott and Dr. Tara Kishbaugh presented the graduates. Dr. James Rosenberger ’68, member of the EMU Board of Trustees, led the opening prayer of invocation. Sarah Witmer Lehman, mother of Meredith Lehman ’25, delivered the commencement blessing. The ceremony featured singing by Reah Clymer ’25, accompanied by Dr. David Berry, associate professor of music, on piano.

In the heartfelt ceremony, CJP faculty and staff members Dr. Gloria Rhodes, Amy Knorr, Dr. Joe Cole, and Dr. Catherine Barnes provided words of tribute for each graduate, expressing their feelings of love, pride, and honor. The following CJP Class of 2025 graduates were recognized:

Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation

RĂŠka BordĂĄs-Simon, NyĂ­regyhĂĄza, Hungary

Jess Cochran, Charlottesville, Virginia

Susan Hochstedler, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Dorothy Maru, Eldoret, Kenya

Maybree Spilsbury, Mesa, Arizona

Getachew Temare, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Graduate Certificate in Conflict Transformation

Megan Carnice, Quantico, Virginia

Karen Chamblee, Weyers Cave, Virginia

Master of Arts in Restorative Justice

Ann Dye, Blacksburg, Virginia

Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice

Sydney Butler, Baltimore

Jim Cole, Lebanon, Ohio

Abigail Stockman, Craftsbury Common, Vermont

Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership

Tyler Carnahan, Broadway, Virginia

Three graduates shared how their time and experiences at CJP transformed them.

Ann Dye ’25 said that being at CJP has been a life-changing experience. She recounted joining a conflict transformation course—her first college class in nearly 30 years—and feeling fear, anxiety, and discomfort. “But all throughout that first semester, I was held in patient kindness by professors who taught in a way I had never experienced before,” she said. “They engaged with curiosity, compassion, and presence, sitting with my own—and maybe a few others’—fear and confusion. They actually demonstrated the peacebuilding skills they were teaching, engaging all of us with dignity, creativity, and adaptability.” 

When she began to explore the field of restorative justice, based on a professor’s recommendation, she said “it felt like finding the half of my life that had been missing.”

Susan Hochstedler ’25 began taking electives at CJP for her seminary degree program. At the time, she said, she was exhausted. She had been leading a church community through the COVID-19 pandemic and also felt weighed down by family issues and the increasing division in society. “I came to CJP because I wasn’t sure what else to do,” she said. “But I stayed because of the knowledge and the passion, the brokenness and the authenticity, and the exquisite beauty of this peacebuilding community.”

When Dorothy Maru ’25 lost her grandmother three months after arriving at EMU, her entire world crumbled and she spent several months trying to make sense of it all. It wasn’t until she took a class with CJP Professor Dr. Paula Ditzel Facci that she began to see that, in the midst of her grief, there was tremendous growth. Her grandmother was “a woman of delusional faith,” Maru said, who believed in things that didn’t make much sense, “but because of how she believed in me, I had no choice but to believe in myself, too.”

“To the Class of 2025, let us go out into the world with a conviction that we are capable of creating a better world,” Maru said. “Let us apply what John Paul Lederach calls The Moral Imagination, to imagine that which doesn’t yet exist, to be delusional enough to believe that it is possible. It’s possible to demand justice, to choose peace, to create space for every voice.”

The ceremony featured a graduate slideshow created by CJP student Hannah Gilman. Katie Mansfield, CJP affiliate faculty member, opened the event with drumming. Maybree Spilsbury ’25 performed “The Swan” on cello, accompanied by Julie Spilsbury on piano. Kory Schaeffer, director of programs at CJP, delivered welcome remarks. CJP students Tabitha Roberts and Josiah Ludwick delivered the student blessings, and CJP affiliate faculty member Dr. Catherine Barnes concluded the celebration with a graduate sending.

The baccalaureate service offers graduates an opportunity to pause and reflect on their journey as they prepare their hearts and spirit for what lies ahead. “It is a moment to look back with pride and to look forward with courage,” said Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs, in her welcome. The graduates were joined by family members, friends, supporters, and EMU faculty, staff, and administrators to celebrate their achievements.

EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, in her address “You are Salt of the Earth and Light to the World!”, reflected on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and offered three lessons: be other-centered, not me-centered; pay attention to the redemptive love offered all around you, even in brokenness; and step out of your comfort zone and build bridges to solve societal problems.

“My wish for you, Class of 2025, is that you vanquish your fears as you become shakers of salt and beacons of light in your homes, your neighborhoods, your churches, your workplaces, and your communities,” Huxman said.

Huxman, who has served as EMU’s ninth president for the past nine years, is retiring this year. Throughout her two terms, she has worked diligently to help EMU fulfill its Anabaptist mission, inspired by Micah 6:8, to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Chad Gusler, associate professor of language and literature, delivered the faculty address titled “The Sound of Your Love Saying Goodbye.” In his humorous and enlightening message to graduates, the wordsmith reflected on monsters, recounting childhood memories of living near a fantastical, kid-eating monster, and how he later transformed into a tickle monster for his own children. “But here’s the truth: I’m not the only monster in this room,” he said. “You all are monsters, graduating with a BA in monsterhood.”

“You show us, professors, administrators, all the parents out there, who we are,” Gusler said. “Because monsters are mirrors, reflecting the best, and sometimes even the worst, of us. So check your limbs, walk without fear, and embrace your monstrosity.”

Mana Acosta and Meredith Lehman, senior class co-presidents, provided the senior class salutations, reflecting on their experiences as EMU students. Acosta, a Cords of Distinction recipient, spoke about the beauty of transition and of the “gravity to leaving a place” and saying goodbye.

“Some of us are headed into jobs, grad school, or that uncertain place in between,” she said. “But no matter where we land, we carry something from EMU: the quiet belief that we are responsible to the world around us. We’ve learned that justice isn’t only an idea, it’s a habit you practice, and that hope isn’t soft, it’s stubborn. So here we are, standing at the edge of something new. It’s going to be scary, but we’re not doing it alone.”

Lehman, the first EMU student to receive the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, spent the spring semester at the Washington Community Scholars’ Center. She reflected on how living so close to the “upheaval and chaos” in Washington, D.C., taught her an important lesson: “There are people who care, working in quiet persistence” to fight injustice. “There are networks of resistance all around the world, whether you see them or not. This school has prepared us all to be those people.”

“The world needs you desperately,” Lehman told the graduates. “I wait in eager anticipation to see all of my fellow graduates emerge from this institution with vigor, hope, and vision for the world.”

Aja Laun, senior class business manager, and Iris Anderson, senior class secretary, presented the senior class gift to Huxman. The undergraduate Class of 2025 raised money for improvements to the “grasscrete” pathway between the Sadie Hartzler Library and University Commons.

Graduates received an EMU pin 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 pin at Commencement and beyond to celebrate their EMU experience.

Following the service, the graduates, their families, and EMU faculty and staff were invited to a President’s Reception held in the Campus Center Greeting Hall. The event provided an opportunity for graduates and family members to meet with faculty, staff, and administrators, mingle with one another while they remained on campus, and enjoy refreshments.

The ceremony featured piano music from Mikayla Pettus ’25 and adjunct faculty member Harold Bailey, singing from Emma Nord ’25 and Cassidy Williams ’25, and a poetry reading from Alexis Lewis ’25.  Marciella Shallomita ’25 led the prayer of invocation. Professors Dr. Kevin Seidel and Dr. Timothy Seidel, senior class advisors, read scripture passages from Micah 6:6-8 and Matthew 5:1-16. Jonathan Swartz, dean of students, offered the reflection and ritual, and Brian Martin Burkholder, university chaplain, provided the sending blessing.

The cultural ceremony celebrates graduates who recognize their African and international roots. Each graduate receives a handwoven stole of Kente cloth, a symbol of prestige in many African societies, or a satin sash with flags from the countries they feel a connection to. 

Sashes bore the flags of countries including Afghanistan, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, and Sudan.

The ceremony recognizes and rewards achievement, encourages recipients to continue striving for excellence, and provides an intimate end-of-the-year experience. Each recipient chose a family member, friend, mentor, administrator, faculty or staff member to place the stole or sash around their neck during the ceremony and speak about them. Those speakers shared joyful and heartfelt stories and words of praise about each graduate—at times bursting into laughter and, at others, holding back tears.

Graduates wore the stoles and sashes at Commencement for inspiration and to honor, celebrate, connect, and reflect on their collective heritage and communal struggles and successes.

Hosts of the ceremony were Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services, and Micah Shristi, director of international student services. 

The following graduates were recognized:

Yishake Abate, donned by Micah Shristi;

Ruth Abera, donned by Shannon Dycus;

Bethel Abiy, donned by Hellena Gebremedhin;

Elphas Andudu Adam Elnail, donned by Evans Adam Elnail;

Ariam Yonas Addisu, donned by Carlin Kreider;

Epherem Yoseph Amare, donned by Ephrata Amare;

Asmait Asgedom, donned by Deanna Durham;

Sha’Dymon Blanton, donned by Floria Hicks and Laurette Tucker;

Amber Bonds, donned by Jacqueline D. Bonds and Nathan L. Bonds;

RĂŠka BordĂĄs-Simon, donned by Gloria Rhodes;

Maru Dorothy Chepchirchir, donned by Valentine Jemutai;

Jailyn Diaz, donned by Martha Delgado and Julio Diaz;

Chidubem Ekoh, donned by Ndidi Ekoh;

Addi Fowler, donned by Jaqueline Fowler;

Karim-Ja’Quan Frazier, donned by Stacey Gibson;

Hellena Gebremedhin, donned by Rebecca Tezazu;

Denait Gebretsadik, donned by Tsegay Berhe, Marta Gebretsadik, and Saba Gebretsadik;

Emanuel Assegid Habte, donned by Hasset Dagnew;

Sulaiman Hashimi, donned by Jim Leaman;

Adesola Jessica Johnson, donned by Dayspring Johnson;

Erika Lopez, donned by Molly Ford;

ML Lormejuste, donned by Royale Parker;

Nicole Marie Mayorga Quintanilla, donned by Gerardo Mayorga and Lourdes Quintanilla;

Frehiwot Mekonnen, donned by Abraham Mekonnen;

Aneisha Emerlyn Moore, donned by Adesola Jessica Johnson;

Damon Morgan, donned by Sheila Morgan;

Cristal Narciso, donned by Mikaela Brooks Fauver;

Mikayla Pettus, donned by Celeste Thomas;

Cecilia Gabriela Rafael Castelan, donned by Susana Castelan and Norberto Rafael;  

Brii Redfearn, donned by Jonathan Swartz;

Marciella Vania Shallomita, donned by Brian Martin Burkholder;

Getachew GebreKiros Temare, donned by Gloria Rhodes;

Rebecca Tezazu, donned by Hellena Gebremedhin;

Riya Tingwa, donned by Karen Farias;

Chuck Tirtasaputra, donned by Melkysedek Tirtasaputra;

Rita Abden Saleh Toto, donned by Grace Toto;

Aixa Mariola Warren, donned by Judy Hiett; and

Fiker Yigzaw, donned by Timothy Seidel.

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

The history of nursing pinning ceremonies dates back to the Crusades, when monks caring for the sick and injured were given a Maltese Cross, Dr. Cathy Rittenhouse, associate professor of nursing, shared in her opening remarks. Florence Nightingale awarded medals of excellence to her outstanding nursing students, which led to the tradition of presenting nursing graduates with pins. The nursing pin symbolizes graduates’ completion of their education, their entry into the nursing profession, and their commitment to providing compassionate care, Rittenhouse said.

“It is widely acknowledged that an undergraduate degree in nursing is one of the most difficult and challenging majors,” she said. “These graduates have had not only to learn complex and detailed information, but actually apply it in real time in their clinical experiences where their patients’ lives and safety depended on them.”

The ceremony recognized the following graduates, each of whom earned a bachelor of science in nursing. As they strode up to the stage in white coats to receive their pins—many presented by parents and family members—their future plans and biggest inspirations were shared.

Mary Kate Bomberger will work either on the oncology floor at Sentara RMH Medical Center (Harrisonburg) or in the progressive care unit at Augusta Health (Fishersville).

Mild Butsridoung wants to work in an operating room.

Taylor Chandler is exploring her options, with her main interest being intensive care unit and emergency department nursing. Her goal is to earn a doctor of nursing practice.

Liza Churchill remains undecided because “there are so many endless opportunities to choose in nursing.”

Daniela Espinoza will work in the intensive care unit at the University of Virginia Medical Center (Charlottesville). She would like to earn a doctor of nursing practice and specialize in pediatrics.

Rachel Hermosillo will work in the medical-surgical unit at Sentara RMH Medical Center. She would like to earn a master’s degree so that she can teach.

Jordan Kerr will work in the stroke unit at Meritus Medical Center in Maryland. Her goal is to work in the emergency department.

Lydia Lee will work in the medical-surgical unit at Wamego Health Center in Kansas.

Halie Mast will work in the medical-surgical oncology unit at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Floribella Mendoza will work on a medical-surgical floor. 

Virginia Miller will work in the progressive care unit at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Yeana Park will work in a medical-surgical telemetry unit at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

Trinity Price will work in the progressive care unit at Virginia Commonwealth University Health in Richmond. She plans to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. 

Ava Shenk will work in the stroke and dialysis unit at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Aixa Warren will work in the emergency department at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Jenna Weaver will move to Anchorage, Alaska, and would like to work in a progressive care unit.

Rachel Wheeler will work in the labor and delivery unit at Augusta Health. She would like to become either a women’s health nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife.

In a farewell message to the graduates, Hannah Tissue Ferguson ’14, assistant professor of nursing at EMU, reminded them that they will always have a support system at EMU. “As you begin your next steps, wherever that may be, remember the values that have shaped you here,” she said. “Lean into them and let them guide your calling. And when the work is hard, which it will be, know you are not alone. You are a part of a long line of EMU nurses who carry light into dark places and you all, without a doubt, will continue that legacy.”

The honor is one of the university’s most valued, cherished, and meaningful awards given all year. It recognizes graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community, and society over the course of their college careers. Recipients of the award were presented with blue and gold cords to wear at Commencement. 

Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and chair of the Cords of Distinction committee, said the award, established in 2000, recognizes and honors students’ experiences beyond academics. “We have many students who come to EMU with gifts that aren’t necessarily recognized in the classroom, so their contributions can sometimes go unnoticed,” she said. “These students participate in high levels of engagement outside of classes and recognize the importance of social and civil aspects of engaging in the local community.”

EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, in her remarks, extolled the graduates’ ability to bravely stay the course and model selfless achievement, even through a pandemic, political upheaval, and personal struggles. “Each in their own way, they have helped make the world a better place: more humane, more peaceful, more inclusive, and more attentive to serving marginalized communities,” she said.

Ruth Abera

A biochemistry major with minors in restorative justice, criminology, and honors core from Damascus, Maryland, she was honored by Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs at EMU.

From the moment Abera arrived on campus, she stepped into leadership roles that reflect her deep commitment to advocacy and service. She was vice president of the Student Government Association and a leader on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion subcommittee, where she worked to bring about lasting change, including more inclusive restroom signage and free menstrual products on campus. She also served as a student chaplain and Y-Serve leader who helped organize the meal-packing event earlier this semester. 

“What drives Ruth is her own personal journey, immigrating to the U.S. after middle school and overcoming the challenges of cultural transition,” Willingham said. “It is that experience that has shaped her passion to ensure every student feels seen, valued, and empowered.”

Mariana Acosta

An engineering major and honors minor from Salem, Oregon, she was honored by Dr. Daniel King, associate professor of engineering.

Acosta’s cup overflows with meaningful involvement to connect and uplift people. She led meal-packing efforts with Sustainable Food Initiative, volunteered with Mennonite Action, and captained the intramural Ultimate Frisbee team. She was involved in the engineering club and Engineers in Action, where she worked with students, engineers, and communities to design and build footbridges in Bolivia and Eswatini. “I’m not sure there’s a more fitting metaphor than that Mana is quite literally a bridge builder,” King said. 

Acosta is also a three-time winner of the annual Kryptos cryptanalysis competition. “It’s quite fitting that a defending national champion codebreaker has not only deciphered how to do college well, she has the keys for how to do life well,” King said.

Noussaiba Garti

A digital media & communications major and psychology minor from Fez, Morocco, and Orlando, Florida, she was honored by Deanna Durham, associate professor of social work & sociology, and Dr. Jerry Holsopple, professor of visual & communication arts.

Garti brings a curiosity to projects that span the campus and community, engaging fully, and inspiring excellence through thoughtful attention to color, form, style, and communication. She’s always observing the world, not to accept it as it is, but to imagine what it could be. Even while navigating her own struggles, she leans in with courage and care.

“Your journey hasn’t been easy,” Durham said. “You left after your first year, unsure if you’d return. But return you did, and how grateful we are for that. Your capacity to look up and follow even the slightest sliver of light has brought us to this moment where we celebrate you.”

“Your presence has been a gift, challenging us with your creativity, questioning us with your critical thinking, nudging us to reflect on our values, and yes, inspiring us to update our fashion sense,” Holsopple said.

Adesola Johnson

A biology major with minors in chemistry and honors from Dallas,  she was honored by Dr. Mark Sawin, professor of history and director of the honors program.

At just 20 years old, Johnson is a young superstar with a passion for scholarly research. At EMU, she quickly established herself as a respected leader, serving on the Honors Council and on SGA. She was EMU’s first DEI Inclusive Excellence Student Leader. She gained positions on two prestigious federally funded research grants, and is known for presenting at conferences with style and flair as “Research Barbie.”

Outside of campus, Johnson, who is originally from Lagos, Nigeria, volunteered for Church World Service, where she helped immigrant groups adjust to their new home. “Simply put, Adesola is the kind of person the world needs, and the kind that EMU is proud to help launch into the world,” Sawin said.

Erika Lopez

A liberal arts and elementary education (PreK-6) licensure, special education endorsement, major from Goshen, Indiana, she was honored by Dr. Ron Shultz, associate professor of elementary education.

Lopez is not one to sit on the sidelines. When there’s a need, she’s quick to help out, especially when advocating for those in underserved or underrepresented communities. She served as president of the Student Education Association, as a representative with the Committee on Teacher Education, and helped secure a grant that added more than 100 diverse children’s books to the EMU Education Department. She spoke out against book banning in local schools, was editor of The Weather Vane, and participated in various student organizations and clubs.

“Her future elementary students will be incredibly fortunate to have a teacher who invests deeply in relationships, demonstrates genuine care, and seeks to provide equal opportunity for each one to succeed,” Shultz said.

Cristal Narciso

A social work major from Val Verde, California, she was honored by Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services.

A top-notch lacrosse goalie during her four years at EMU, Narciso is fiery and fills every room she enters with fierceness. She helped revive the Latinx Student Alliance, served as its co-president for four years, and led an initiative to print and distribute hundreds of red “Know Your Rights” cards to support and empower local immigrants. She has also assisted with preparing meals for women and children experiencing homelessness through the Bridge of Hope nonprofit.

“Cristal works to influence her peers and to help transform the EMU community into a place where everyone is valued, heard, accepted, and cared for,” Thomas said. “She is not afraid to have those difficult conversations, and fights for what she believes is the right thing for all.”

Garrett Nyce

An economics and business analytics major and a data analytics minor from Souderton, Pennsylvania, he was honored by Adam Posey, head baseball coach.

It’s no small wonder Nyce is the first baseball player in more than a decade to receive the Cords of Distinction award. The first baseman has worked constantly to improve himself on the field, excelled within the classroom at a level “we have never seen in our program,” said Posey, and lived fully into the campus community and his Mennonite faith. Nyce was a Royal Ambassador, tutor, and more, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. 

“It takes an incredibly rare talent to be able to balance the rigors of being a student-athlete while managing to maintain the academic workload and campus involvement that Garrett’s had in his career here at EMU,” Posey said. “He’s been a sparkling example of what a student-athlete can and should be.”

Marciella Shallomita

A biology and mathematics major and a bible, religion, and theology minor from Serpong, Indonesia, and Philadelphia, she was honored by Tyler Goss, director for student engagement and leadership development.

“For those who know Marciella,” said Goss, “you know three things to be true: She is capable of anything, her faith is her foundation, and you should never challenge her to a badminton match.”

Shallomita made a lasting impact on campus, volunteering more than 360 hours for Campus Activities Council, serving as co-president of CAC, and as founder and president of the Badminton Club. She was a student chaplain, and served on leadership for Every Nation Campus and Celebration, where she contributed her musical talents. She also led the Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance and the Math Club. â€œMarciella is a brilliant student, a servant leader, and someone whose faith infuses every corner of her life,” Goss said.

Allysen Welty Peachey

A biology and environmental science major from Champaign, Illinois, she was honored by Dr. Jim Yoder, professor of biology.

Welty Peachey worked tirelessly as a leader, motivator, and ambassador, promoting EMU’s shared values and integrating her care and concern for God’s people and creation into her service. She is known as a person of action, working to motivate and energize her peers to become more involved on campus and in the community. She was president of Earth Keepers, where she organized advocacy projects, initiated a composting program with SFI, and facilitated engagement with other student groups. She also shared valuable student perspectives with the Creation Care Council and Board of Trustees. 

“She’s inspired me with her energy, engagement, faith, and firm belief that change can happen, and no doubt has made me a better teacher and mentor,” Yoder said.

Fiker Yigzaw

A global studies major with minors in peacebuilding and environmental justice from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, she was honored by Micah Shristi, director of international student services.

Throughout her past four years at EMU, Yigzaw has extended a warm welcome to new students and to newly arrived immigrants, offering a smile and laugh that have helped many feel accepted and appreciated. Armed with an ability to balance humor with hard work, she facilitated countless International Students Organization planning meetings and served as a model in speaking up for her fellow students.

Shristi recounted a moment when Yigzaw called on staff members to improve communication and affordability of summer housing for students. “To quote John Lewis, ‘You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim, or diminish your light,’” Shristi said. “Thank you for sharing your bright light and serving as a force for good in our community.”

The 2025 Cords of Distinction selection committee included Celeste Thomas, Brian Martin Burkholder, Trina Trotter Nussbaum, Deanna Durham, Braydon Hoover, Justin McIlwee, and Aundrea Smiley.

This year, the ceremony recognized 17 graduates. Dr. Kathy Evans, professor of teacher education, and Dr. Heike Peckruhn, associate professor of religious studies, bestowed the graduates with rainbow stoles to wear at Commencement. Cassidy Williams ’25 and Dr. Stephanie D. Powell, assistant professor of Hebrew bible, provided keynote addresses.

The first Lavender Graduation ceremony was celebrated at the University of Michigan in 1995. Dr. Ronni Sanlo began the tradition after being denied to her own children’s graduations because of her sexual identity. Today, more than 200 colleges and universities offer Lavender Graduation ceremonies for their students. The first of these at EMU was held in 2022. 

Incoming EMU interim president Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, vice president for student affairs, equity, and belonging, delivered the welcome and EMU greeting at the ceremony. She shared the history of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students at EMU, beginning with the off-campus Open Door support group in the mid-’90s and continuing through the creation of Safe Space—a student group pivotal in advocating for EMU’s 2015 hiring policy change that allowed the employment of openly queer faculty and staff. Since its inaugural ceremony in 2022, EMU’s Lavender Graduation has honored 65 graduates and alumni over the past four years.

“To our graduates today, you’ve done something extraordinary,” Dycus said. “You’ve navigated a world that has not always made space for you. You’ve pursued knowledge in classrooms that didn’t always reflect your identity, claiming the right for your visibility, and still you rose. You showed up, you spoke up, and you pushed forward.”

Williams, who graduated with degrees in music and education licensure (PreK-12), likened life’s journey to a road with bends and guardrails, lots of potholes, and that “one stretch of construction the county swears will be finished by summer.” She advised graduates to lean into uncertainty and embrace change with open arms, even when it might be stressful or terrifying. 

“Learn to live with your mistakes and the embarrassing moments that keep you up at night,” Williams said. “Learn to live with the people who love you and learn to live civilly with the people who don’t. Learn what helps you and learn what harms you. Learn your strengths and your weaknesses. Learn to recognize your strengths and to not back away or undermine your worth.”

Powell, who joined the EMU faculty at the start of the 2024-25 academic year, shared her journey in finding a welcoming community where she felt belonging. She had come out as a lesbian before applying to graduate school and knew she wanted to attend a seminary where she could be her authentic self and be accepted by her teachers and peers. She found that community at Chicago Theological Seminary, where she earned her master of divinity.

“Each of you is about to embark on new adventures with many new choices in front of you,” she said. “That may be continuing your education or beginning a new job, it might be choosing a new place to live, starting a family, traveling, starting a business. You have a right to choose the people, the places, and experiences that will allow you to be who you are. You have the right to live in a community where you find the freedom to live to your full self.”

The ceremony also featured a moment of solidarity, silence, and visibility for those who are not out, nor will ever be out.

Dr. Kathy Evans delivered opening remarks. Indigo Gott ’24 served as emcee. Riley Quezada ’24, Cassidy Williams ’25, Emma Nord ’25, and Canyon Penner ’25 performed music.