EMU won with a final total of 26,866 points, placing 94th out of more than 7,000 groups. EMU was 14th out of all universities, leading the pack among higher-education institutions with 10,000 or fewer students. Participants were given one point per mile and 20 points per day of biking.

“The success of the EMU teams was fantastic, but even more enjoyable was making new connections with team members in different areas of campus,” said , EMU sustainability coordinator. “It’s surprising to find so many others who are excited about bicycling. It spurred some healthy competition, too.”

Benjamin Bailey led EMU with a team-high 2,442 miles. EMU had 19 faculty and staff riders log 9,415 miles during the challenge.

Overall, the National Bike Challenge saw more than 30,000 people ride 12 million miles. Riders participated either as an individual or on a team of up to 10 persons.

The bike-challenge award was the second earned in 2012 for EMU’s bicycling efforts. In October, the League of American Bicyclists conferred a bronze award on EMU, making EMU the third university in Virginia, following Virginia Commonwealth (silver award) and George Mason (also a bronze), to be recognized by the League as a “bicycle friendly university.” Nationally, EMU is one of the two smallest universities 鈥� and one of just a handful of private ones 鈥� to receive the bicycle-friendly designation from the League of American Bicyclists.

Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated the recipients, who were cited for their 鈥渟ignificant and verifiable impact鈥� on the university and on student life, for their contributions to developing the institution鈥檚 positive image, for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond, for their high academic and social standing and their embodiment of EMU鈥檚 shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.

They wore gold and blue cords as they graduated Sunday, April 29.

Blue represents strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community. Gold represents the love of spirit and yearning toward creating a better university environment or community.

The recipients are:

• Benjamin Bailey, Simsbury, Conn., peacebuilding and development, Biblical studies major;
• Brendon Derstine, Harleysville, Pa., history and social science, secondary education licensure;
• Grace Engle, Wauseon, Ohio, social work major;
• Brandon Habron, Fredericksburg, Va., liberal arts major;
• Katie Jantzen, Plymouth, Neb., environmental sustainability;
• Clothilda Johnson, Banjul, The Gambia, nursing major;
• Katherine Landis, Lancaster, Pa., photography, digital media major;
• Rebekah *[last name omitted on request], Pettisville, Ohio, nursing major;
• Michelle Ramirez, Harrisonburg, Va., social work major;
• Andrew Richter, Perkasie, Pa., business administration major.