The award comes with a golden EMU [insert fist pump here] and a gift certificate of one’s choice. There’s also a giant trophy. But you know we all work a little harder in hopes of that golden EMU (see how happy Tim is below).

The awardees for January/February were Beth Good, director of intercultural programs, and Tim Stutzman, vice president for finance and operations.

Beth鈥檚 nominations noted the important role she has played this year as lead COVID contact tracer, while still serving as director of intercultural programs and teaching in the nursing program. 

Beth has been amazing in her willingness to step into the role of contact tracer, which has quickly evolved into an adviser/leader to EMU on most things COVID related. This includes answering calls and advising those who show symptoms on their daily tracker, and working directly with students who require isolation or quarantine. EMU would be less prepared if not for Beth.

Tim鈥檚 nominations highlighted his strong leadership of the university鈥檚 finances and operations, and his leadership of the university鈥檚 Crisis Management Preparedness Team.

Tim is on top of things 24/7 in regards to EMU finances and operations. In these heightened COVID crisis times, he is in charge of securing our federal stimulus dollars and doling them out appropriately, securing quarantine and isolation spaces for our students, appointing risk assessment auditors to examine our cyber-security threats 鈥� and that鈥檚 just before noon!

Awardees for April/May were Tyler Goss (left), assistant director of student programs in Student Life and Joshua Lyons, web developer and analyst in Marketing and Communications.聽

Joshua鈥檚 nominations highlighted his amazing website talents, video editing and curating, general versatility, and his leadership in morale-building. 

Joshua is an incredible web developer. He can take ideas and brainstorms and turn them into beautiful web pages, like the new Forward Together page for the development campaign. He also created a platform for displaying our ever-expanding video content and curating it for undergraduate recruitment. Joshua has also enthusiastically stepped in to help with video editing.  He brings the same energy and passion to this new task as he does to his regular work of web developing. Finally, he cares for our team morale by sending regular brain teaser puzzles, encouragement notes and planning quarterly staff hikes.

Tyler鈥檚 nominations noted his imaginative abilities to deliver entertaining programming amidst COVID constraints.

Tyler has been amazing. He has shepherded and developed a great team of student leaders and together they have produced consistently creative and engaging programming despite the fact that we can’t really be together. Student Programs have often taken a “bigger-is-better” approach to programming and this year we’ve had to totally revamp to take a “smaller-virtual-distanced-is-safer” approach. This is completely counterintuitive to us as Student Affairs practitioners. Tyler has led the development of programming with wisdom, wit, and winsomeness through multiple events each week: CAC Virtual Trivia; Pinterest Plant Painting Party; Campus-Wide Capture the Flag; Screaming Bingo; Low-key Laser Tag and Lemon Tarts; Choptober Fest; and on and on! Not only that, he writes hilarious emails.

Congratulations to the winners. And also to those on the Royal Award committee for their work in appreciation of staff: Stephen Farrar, Lori Gant, Sarah Gant, Ericka Gingerich, Bill Goldberg, Marcia Myers, Jon Styer.

As students and faculty wrapped up final exams last week, the 草莓社区 community reflects on the achievement of a major milestone: completing a large portion of the fall semester on campus without a major outbreak in the middle of a pandemic. 

鈥淚 am so very proud of our resilient, faithful EMU community,鈥� said President Susan Schultz Huxman. 鈥淥ur students, faculty and staff all worked courageously, imaginatively and generously this semester so that we could continue to fulfill our educational mission and learn together. This collective, community efforts says so much about who we are: We do indeed 鈥楲ead Together.鈥欌��

EMU held its traditional holiday celebrations early to both celebrate and share gratitude with students before they vacated campus Nov. 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday and winter break. Students finished one week of online classes and reading days before final exams. 

The semester鈥檚 culmination in an online format, along with other minor changes to the fall semester academic calendar, was part of plans announced in August in anticipation of the predicted late fall surge in COVID-19.

Sacrifices made for low numbers

EMU鈥檚 COVID numbers were low throughout the semester. For the weeks when students were present on campus, the university recorded 12 cases. From Aug. 1 to the date of publication, the university community had 20 total cases. [See data at EMU鈥檚 .]

Exit COVID testing, offered to students before they left, was also an indicator of community health, successful monitoring and mitigation. Of the 94 tests conducted among students, faculty and staff, all were negative.

鈥淥ur students took the COVID Commitments seriously and were attentive to following recommended health practices,鈥� said Dean of Students Shannon Dycus. 鈥淣one of this was easy or light. EMU students made true sacrifices in areas like recreation and relationships for the collective health of our community.鈥�

The university initially delayed the start of the fall semester in August because of four positive tests among student leaders on campus for pre-semester training. This decision proved to be beneficial, allowing administrators and staff to make adjustments to plans in place.

The move-in two weeks later and subsequent in-person classes continued smoothly and without major interruption through the rest of the semester. Read about how EMU faculty took on the challenge of hybrid classes.

All of the fall athletics teams, which will compete during the spring semester according to Old Dominion Athletic Conference plans, were able to continue skills training and conditioning, following strict masking and social distancing protocols, according to Director of Athletics Dave King. 

“I am very proud of the student-athletes and their cooperation with the safety protocols in place during practices this fall,鈥� King said. 鈥淭his gives me hope for the spring when we will need to be extra vigilant in our safety efforts.鈥�

The teams concluded the semester with inter-team scrimmages. Spring semester will see all of EMU鈥檚 teams back in action. [Director of Athletics Dave King hosted his last week to share updates.]

Successful strategies

EMU Health Services director Irene Kniss points to testing and identification of positive cases and aggressive quarantine and isolation measures as solid strategies to keep the case load down.

Additionally, EMU had its own COVID hotline to facilitate efficient and effective response and conducted its own contact tracing. Each member of the campus community was required to fill out a daily symptoms tracker and data was monitored by a COVID Response Team, led by Beth Good. The director of EMU’s cross-cultural programs, Good holds a doctorate in nursing and has years of experience in public health.

鈥淭hese strategies will continue in the spring semester,鈥� Kniss said.

The COVID Response team, which will continue in the spring semester, included 13 employees who took on the care for students in quarantine and isolation. They managed meal delivery, transportation, contact tracing and other health and well-being needs. 

Besides physical care, the EMU community also mobilized around providing ways for students to combat isolation, loneliness and anxiety 鈥� all common mental health issues but on the rise especially now. These efforts from Student Life, Residence Life and Health Services, will also continue in the spring, Dycus said, 鈥渇rom quaranteams to spring 鈥榩ause days,鈥� various activities planned by Campus Activities Council, and different student-led worship opportunities.鈥�

Collaborative effort

EMU鈥檚 COVID strategy has been managed by a collaborative team on the Crisis Management Preparedness Team, chaired by Vice President of Finance Tim Stutzman, and by the president and her Executive Leadership Team.

These groups as well as subcommittees logged a huge number of hours during the summer and the semester, meeting sometimes daily to address issues. Much of the protocols and processes, developed in accordance with and by requirement of the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia, aided in a strong infrastructure related to public health, student life, athletics and academic plans for a safe return in the fall. These plans are currently being updated for spring semester.

鈥淥ne of our successes has been the inclusion of a lot of people in their areas of expertise around campus,鈥� Stutzman said. 鈥淭hat includes students, who helped us considerably in the summer with their representation on campus committees and who have shown exemplary leadership, from the Student Government Association to our student leaders in Student Life, and in various clubs and organizations.鈥�

Stutzman and Dycus also noted strong partnerships with city officials, Virginia Department of Health staff, and other local partners. EMU played a role in two local public health campaigns  calling on the community and university students to prioritize public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communication was a priority from the beginning of the summer. A was launched in March 2020 and updated almost daily. From August to December, the university sent approximately 75 communications. Campus signage related to COVID was a major endeavor.

Looking ahead to spring

When students return in mid-January, many of the campus routines set in fall will continue. There will be some major changes related to testing, driven in part by the availability of testing resources. Additionally, all the athletics teams will be competing, with NCAA protocols for increased testing, as well. 

鈥淭he takeaways from this semester are substantial,鈥� said Dycus. 鈥淲e鈥檝e learned communication practices that keep the EMU community informed. We formed habits in the protocols that keep us healthy and are attentive to the needs of mental health and resilience that will help us maintain wellness. We benefited from our collective commitment this Fall and we are working hard to facilitate the same for our Spring return.鈥� 

The spring semester begins Monday, Jan. 18. That day, the university hosts its annual celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Most events will be virtual. 

鈥淲e learned a great deal in the fall semester during what was an intense and serious learning curve,鈥� Stutzman. 鈥淲e know next semester will present its own unique challenges but the successful completion of fall gives us confidence that we are on the right track with our protocols and procedures, and that all of us, students, faculty and staff, are invested and committed.鈥�

More Reading

• Check out the 2019-20 President鈥檚 Annual Report, which includes a timeline of the year, as well as a summary of adaptations and challenges. There is plenty to celebrate about this unprecedented year!
• Read an update on EMU鈥檚 Cross-cultural program and how it鈥檚 adapted.
• EMU鈥檚 virtual offerings have expanded, from professional trainings and coursework to new online degrees. View options at this comprehensive website: .

鈥淲hat about my cross-cultural?鈥�

This question has been at the top of the mind for many 草莓社区 students as the COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe.

Where, when and how to meet this unique academic requirement 鈥� named by alumni as the source of as much personal transformation as their time on campus and in the classroom 鈥� is always the subject of much planning and consideration. Extracurricular commitments, academic requirements such as clinicals and practica, and individual preferences are all factors that students consider.

Now, being flexible and having a Plan B ask even more from students. Yet that鈥檚 the message of program director Beth Good and program coordinator Linda Martin Burkholder in meetings and communications.

鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to the success of this program, and also to working with our students to help them have this experience. Our cross-culturals may look a little different now and in coming months, but these are still exciting opportunities to explore a new culture or cultures, and stretch yourself in new perspectives,鈥� Good said.

Currently, the spring 2021 Guatemala cross-cultural is being reconfigured because of travel limitations. The summer 2021 programs in Lithuania, the Middle East, and the Navajo Nation are currently on schedule. EMU鈥檚 Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center is currently hosting 10 students for internships, coursework and urban exploration this fall semester and will do so again in coming semesters and summers. Programs as far out as summer 2022 are already scheduled.

Program director’s nursing experience informs response

Adapting to complications is nothing new for one of EMU鈥檚 most distinctive curricular programs. In its 30-year-history, cross-cultural groups abroad and in the United States have endured other disruptive events, including natural disasters, political unrest, government crackdowns, and 9/11.

Good acknowledges that a global pandemic brings new and rare challenges to programming that features moving students and their faculty sponsors into different cultures 鈥� often across oceans, continents and borders.

She鈥檚 well-qualified to both make this observation and help to prepare the program: Good holds a doctorate in nursing and has lived and worked in 15 countries. While also adapting EMU鈥檚 cross-cultural programming this semester, she is leading and managing EMU鈥檚 own COVID-19 contact tracing response. (Good is also the parent of four EMU alumnae, each of whom experienced the crosscultural requirement differently.)

Faculty leaders at the forefront of adaptations

Good says the committed faculty who lead EMU鈥檚 cross-culturals are the main factor in the program鈥檚 successful adaptations.

“This program is still thriving amidst all these challenges because of the creativity of our faculty and their deep connections to the people and places of their specific cross-cultural sites,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey enter into these challenges with the spirit of 鈥楲et鈥檚 try this,鈥� because they truly see the value of these experiences and these transformational learning opportunities for our students. They bring so much experience and conviction and heart to these courses.”

For example, last summer, groups were scheduled to travel to Ohio, with Professor Vi Dutcher, and to Lithuania, with Professor Jerry Holsopple. A third group was slated for the annual summer local context cross-cultural, with Professor Deanna Durham and Byron Peachey, academic advocacy advisor.  

Instead, Dutcher, Durham and Peachey created an online course that introduced the Ohio and local context students to Amish culture and Harrisonburg’s historic Black neighborhood and vibrant  immigrant community. Assignments included watching a documentary about the historic Lucy F. Simms School, listening to a podcast about Mennonite history, perusing a photo essay on refugee resettlement, and making quilt-like collages. Students still got a taste of different cultures through culinary assignments, like purchasing ingredients at a Latino grocery store and making Mexican mole sauce. 

“We thought that since we would not be eating local food cooked by our hosts or going to ethnic restaurants, we would have the students prepare food based upon each ethnic group,” Dutcher said. 

Holsopple created a class on world cinema, in which the students watched and discussed films 鈥渁round particular cultural variables, dealing with understanding cultural values, history, historic trauma, some religious differences and observations about how different genders were expected to live.鈥�

Student: ‘Cultural intelligence is a continuum’

Taylor Baldwin, a nursing major who was scheduled for the local context cross cultural, wrote in her final paper that she’s “gained insight and a deeper understanding into culture as a whole through this specific event and within this course.” 

“Our cultural intelligence is a continuum and must be treated as such,” Baldwin wrote. “Cultural intelligence is not a stagnant thing. Our world is ever-changing and our people in it are too. I am determined to learn from each and every opportunity presented to me in order to improve my knowledge, mindset, and skills to continuously grow to be more culturally intelligent.”

Durham said she “found it poignant to hear students reflect 鈥� about their experiences with one another. In my section I had students from rural and urban locations, different races, some quite religious and others not religious at all, some unfamiliar with Harrisonburg’s racial history and others with personal experience in the Northeast community. I heard them challenge, question and push each other in class.”

“We were amazed and moved by the depth of their sharing and what they learned and how they experienced reportedly life-changing ideas,” Dutcher agreed. 

Some of the students responded to the portion of the class on African American history in Harrisonburg and, more broadly, racial violence and injustice in the U.S. Dutcher pointed to a poem, 鈥淒oes It Matter?鈥�, that business administration major Tim Jones wrote and presented as particularly poignant. 

“Does it matter that I fear for my future children that have not taken a single breath on this planet? Again.. Does the color of my skin matter? Does it matter that I don鈥檛 look like you? Does it matter that I don鈥檛 sound like you?” Jones wrote. Read the poem in its entirety here.

For Holsopple, cinematic globetrotting was a balm until he can once again lead students to “feel the sand in your toes on the Baltic sea coast, walk the cobblestones in an old cities, stand on the site where thousands died in the Holocaust, peer into the torture cells of the KGB, taste the chocolate, smell the incense in varied churches, and try to keep from dancing at the music festivals.”

Stay tuned for another update on the cross-cultural program early in spring semester 2021.

The following appointments are announced by Fred Kniss, provost; David Brubaker, dean of the School of Social Sciences and Professions; Sue Cockley, dean of the School of Theology, Humanities, and Performing Arts; and Tara Kishbaugh, dean of the School of Sciences, Engineering, Art, and Nursing. 

Benjamin Bergey, assistant professor of music

Bergey earned his Doctor of Music Arts and Master of Music degrees from James Madison University with a concentration in orchestral conducting, literature and pedagogy. He is a graduate of EMU with a degree in church music and vocal performance. Bergey is currently music director of the Rapidan Community Orchestra and director of music at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. He was assistant conductor of orchestras at James Madison University from 2013-18 and has performed with several orchestras. He brings experience in arts administration and marketing as well, including roles as founder and director of Harrisonburg Sacred Arts and as the music editor of the forthcoming bi-national hymnal Voices Together, for Mennonite Church USA.

Sarah Bixler, instructor, Eastern Mennonite Seminary 

Bixler is completing her PhD in practical theology with an emphasis on Christian education and formation at Princeton Theological Seminary, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2021. At the seminary, where she also earned a Master of Divinity degree, she has worked in administrative roles with Princeton’s Center for Church Planting and Revitalization and Iron Sharpening Iron: Leadership Education for Women Clergy project. She has more than a decade of ministry and teaching experience at Eastern Mennonite Middle School, Zion Mennonite Church (Broadway, VA) and Virginia Mennonite Conference.

Bixler earned her MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary and her BA in English (secondary education) at EMU.

Bethany Detamore, instructor of nursing 

Detamore has worked as an RN and case manager in outpatient surgery and in medical-surgical nursing. She has a BSN from West Virginia Wesleyan University and an MSN from Western Governors University.  

Penny Driediger, assistant professor of practice, Eastern Mennonite Seminary

Driedeger has taught clinical pastoral education and served as director of mentored ministry. She has a B.A. in Social Work from 草莓社区 and an M. Div. from Eastern Mennonite Seminary with a concentration in Pastoral Care. She is ordained for ministry with Virginia Mennonite Conference and most recently she has received Supervisor status through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. She has also been a staff chaplain at  Sentara RMH and served for 20 years in urban ministry in Hamilton, Ontario.

Beth Good, assistant professor and director of intercultural programs

Good will teach in and also provide leadership to EMU鈥檚 intercultural programs, including the undergraduate crosscultural program and off-campus cross-cultural curricular components.  She鈥檒l also teach undergraduate cross-cultural courses. She most recently served as Kenya Country Representative for Mennonite Central Committee, with her husband. Previous professional experiences include living and working in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya, serving as MCC’s global health coordinator, working as director of clinical services of Hope within Community Health Center, serving as the HIV program coordinator for Eastern Mennonite Missions, and teaching classes for EMU’s RN-BS in program. She holds master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in nursing from Widener University. Her BSN is from EMU.

Wendell Shank, instructor, language and literature

Shank holds a MEd from James Madison University and a master鈥檚 degree in teaching Spanish as a foreign language from the University of Salamanca. He earned his BA in English literature and Spanish at EMU. He has taught at JMU and Eastern Mennonite High School and worked in support services and as a home school liaison for Harrisonburg City Schools. Shank also has experience with interpretation in the medical and social services fields, as well as in mediation.

Angela Spotts, instructor, health and physical education

Spotts earned an MS in cardiac rehabilitation and exercise science from East Stroudsburg University and a BS in health science from Bridgewater College. In addition to teaching experience, she was worked as an exercise physiologist in cardiac rehabilitation and clinical settings. 

Matt Tibbles, instructor, applied social sciences

Tibbles brings a broad background in juvenile justice, youth and family services to his teaching role. He earned a BA in youth and family ministry from Harding University and an MA in conflict transformation from EMU. He has worked as a minister, auditor, juvenile justice transition officer and as a nonviolence trainer in Washington state, Texas and Alaska. Tibbles co-taught several courses as a graduate assistant while studying in EMU鈥檚 MA program.

Lela Faye Yoder, instructor, nursing

Yoder has more than 20 years experience in the nursing profession. She has an MSN degree from the University of Toledo and a BNS from EMU. Yoder has worked in a variety of hospital settings, including as a staff and charge nurse in cardiac care, orthopedic-surgical and peri-operative departments. She has also worked in family practice.

Cross-cultural study, which students have called an integral and 鈥渓ife-changing鈥� component of EMU鈥檚 core curriculum for more than 30 years, has taken students to more than 80 domestic and global locations such as the Middle East, Lithuania, Central America and China.

Whether with a full semester abroad or as part of a summer or alternative program, students fulfilling their cross-cultural requirements establish the foundations they need for living, serving and leading in a global context.

Summer cross-culturals

鈥淲hat we鈥檝e experienced, which has provoked much thought and emotion, are the many ways in which one history can be told,鈥� the South Africa group wrote in the 鈥淯nderstanding the Boer Narrative鈥� entry on the cross-cultural blog. That trip is focused on the nation鈥檚 legacy of colonialism and apartheid, and its attempts to overcome that past.

In Puerto Rico, students observed the 鈥渁we-inspiring鈥� perseverance of people still suffering the effects of Hurricane Maria, wrote Emily Lam. The group, led by Professor Jenni Holsinger and Adam Yoder, also learned about the island鈥檚 history, participated in service, and visited Aibonito, San Juan and El Yunque.

The group in Mexico, led by Linda and Brian Martin Burkholder, learned about cultures in different regions of the country, and visiting Mexico City, Teotihuacan and the Costa Esmeralda of Veracruz. They also visited a church youth group in Ecatepec, near Mexico City.

鈥淒espite the language barrier we all got along great,鈥� wrote Emma Picht. 鈥淪ome of us made bets over hot salsa, and we played word games to practice our Spanish and their English. 鈥� Jessica, one of the girls from the youth group, and I connected over music and singing, despite my limited vocabulary.鈥�

In Washington D.C., students in EMU鈥檚 cross-cultural urban studies, internship, and community living experience at the Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center are gaining professional experiences through internships. They also learn about urban cultures, history and life through various tours and a course titled 鈥淏lues & Dreams: A Multicultural History of Washington D.C.鈥�

2019-20

Upcoming cross-culturals in the 2019-20 academic year will take students to Vienna and Europe, the Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center and Guatemala and Columbia.

Beginning August 1, Beth Good 鈥�03 will be EMU鈥檚 director of Intercultural Programs. Currently the Kenya Country Representative for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), she has also lived and worked in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Her other roles have included MCC鈥檚 global health coordinator, the director of clinical services of Hope within Community Health Center, the HIV program coordinator for Eastern Mennonite Missions, and instructor for EMU鈥檚 RN-BSN program. She earned her PhD and MSN from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania.