鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 imagine a better person to undertake this project,鈥� said Provost , PhD, in announcing the appointment. 鈥淒on brings a unique perspective as an EMU graduate, sociologist, theological and cultural interpreter, and prolific writer of widely read scholarly books.鈥�

A 1967 graduate from EMU, Kraybill holds a doctorate in sociology from Temple University. He served on the EMU Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1995, and chaired it from 1989 to 1995.

Of the two dozen books he wrote, coauthored or edited, 鈥溾�� is one of his most widely read. It won the National Religious Book Award in 1979. With nearly 100,000 copies in print, now in its third edition, it has been translated into Arabic and five other languages.

Kraybill anticipates beginning the intensive research required for the centennial project. 鈥淚 have many projects I鈥檇 like to pursue at this next stage of my life,鈥� he confesses. 鈥淭his one captures my interest because it offers a unique opportunity to investigate a case study of the transformation of Mennonite/Anabaptist identity in the twentieth century.鈥�

In a , when Kraybill was honored as , he noted he is happiest doing research and writing quietly at his desk at the at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania.

Kraybill anticipates telling the EMU story while exploring such key questions, including: What was distinctive about Mennonite/Anabaptist identity at EMU? How did those understandings evolve over the past century? How and why did EMU remain Christian and Mennonite?

Kraybill plans to trace several 鈥渢ransformations,鈥� as he calls them, across the institution鈥檚 history. These include the movement from passive nonresistance to activist peacemaking; and from the institution鈥檚 early goal of safeguarding youth from the world to preparing them to engage it.

He anticipates that the resulting book will speak to Mennonite and EMU-related audiences as well as to those unfamiliar with Mennonites or the university. Content from the book may be part of a special website yet to be developed to help celebrate the centennial marking the start of the school in 1917 with celebrations in the 2017-18 academic year.

Kraybill, distinguished college professor at Elizabethtown College and senior fellow in its Young Center, is regularly quoted in national and international media outlets on news related to Anabaptist groups. During the 2006 Amish school shooting in Nickel Mines, Pa., he interpreted Amish culture to a worldwide audience.

He was the primary consultant for a two-hour PBS film, 鈥淭he Amish鈥� that aired in February.聽 His most recent book is 鈥淐oncise Encyclopedia of Amish Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites.鈥� A 1967 and major at EMU, he edits a series of books on Anabaptist topics published by the Johns Hopkins Press.

Further details about EMU will be posted at .

Editor’s Note 11/1/2017: EMU’s new Centennial history is now available through EMU at the special price of $19.99 plus tax, shipping and handling. To order, . The book is also available from and at at a cost of $40; Amazon also offers a Kindle version at $18.99. If you have questions about the book purchase, contact 草莓社区 at centennialbook@emu.edu or 540-432-4101.

"WWLD: What Would Lloyd Do?", is a musical comedy written by and starring Ted Swartz ’89 and Trent Wagler ’02, and directed by Ingrid De Sanctis ’88). The play, with guest artist Jay Lapp and featuring music groups The Steel Wheels, Shekinah and Sons of the Day, will be presented 8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Oct. 10-11 in Lehman Auditorium. Tickets, at $7.50 for adults and $5 for students, are available in advance at Red Front Super Market and at the door.

Ted Swartz (l.) and Trent Wagler will premiere a new theater piece, "WWLD (What Would Lloyd Do??), as part of homecoming weekend at EMU, Oct. 10-11. Photo by Jon Styer

A symposium, "Forgiveness in the Face of Tragedy: The Amish of Nickel Mines," will take place 10-11:30 a.m. Friday in Lehman Auditorium. Featured speakers will be Donald B. Kraybill ’67 and Herman Bontrager ’72, both of whom played key roles with the Amish community following the tragic shootings in a schoolhouse October, 2006. A question and answer period will follow.

Ken J. Nafziger, professor of music, will lead a worship celebration of song and scripture 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 in Lehman Auditorium. Recipients of the alumnus of the year award, distinguished service award and lifetime of service award will participate and be recognized in the service.

Reunions and Breakfast Meetings

Traditional homecoming features will include reunions at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 11 for graduating years ending in a "3" or "8," from 1963 to 2003. The "Jubilee Alumni," persons who attended EMU 50 years ago or more, will hold a luncheon and program at 11:30 a.m. that day in Campus Center Greeting Hall, where members of the class of 1958 will be formally inducted.

Breakfast meetings will be held Saturday morning for alumni and friends of the business and economics department; nursing, education, the sciences, athletics (Loyal Royals), Bible and religion (Haverim).

The language and literature department will host a reunion 9-10 a.m. for all staffers formerly associated with the ".

See the full Homecoming schedule for more detail.

Oakwood Gathering and Science Summit

Former residents of Oakwood residence hall are invited to gather near the site of this "once-beloved dormitory," which has been demolished to make way for a three-story, environmentally-friendly, 120-bed facility, at 11 a.m. Saturday to share stories and jog memories. Read more about the recent demolition of Oakwood and see the web-cam to track progress.

At a mini science "summit" 10 a.m. Saturday, EMU science faculty and students in environmental classes will share research projects and give updates on plans to renovate and expand the 40-year-old facility.

Arts and Athletics

An art exhibit featuring works by EMU visual arts and communication professors Barbara Fast, Cyndi Gusler ’93, Jerry Holsopple ’80 and Steven Johnson will be on display in the third floor gallery of Hartzler Library. Media will include mixed media fiber art, drawings, photography and digital images. A gallery talk and reception will be held 4 p.m. p.m. Saturday.

Varsity field hockey, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer games are scheduled on Saturday, preceded by a Loyal Royals "fun run" 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the EMU track.

The Paul R. Yoder, Sr., Memorial Golf Classic will be held Fri., Oct. 10 with start times at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Spotswood Country Club in Harrisonburg.

More Information

Special activities for children (kindergarten through fifth grade) and youth (grades 6 through 9) are scheduled at various times Saturday, and childcare for infants through age 5 will be provided during reunions and at other designated times.

During the weekend, a documentary video produced by alumnae Tiffany Horst ’07 and Carrie Keagy ’07, will be shown several times, featuring historic images and interviews that help to interpret the growth and changes that EMU has seen over the years while remaining true to its vision, according to Douglas J. Nyce ’86, director of alumi/parent relations.

The registration desk in the University Commons will be open 3-8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 10 and 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 11.

For more information, go to www.emu.edu/homecoming, call the alumni office at (540) 432-4245 or e-mail alumni@emu.edu.

Earl Zimmerman

It is a philosophy and way of life that permeates what is known as the Anabaptist church family