鈥淐olbert said precisely what I think about cynicism nine years ago,鈥� Dionne, a syndicated columnist for The Washington Post, told the crowd. 鈥淐ynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it鈥檚 the farthest thing from it.

鈥淐ynics always say 鈥榥o,鈥� but saying 鈥榶es鈥� begins things. Saying 鈥榶es鈥� is how things grow,鈥� he continued. 鈥淐ynicism isn鈥檛 realism, because realism accepts people as they are.鈥�

Hundreds of students and thousands of family members and friends crowded into Yoder Arena at EMU to watch the university鈥檚 97th annual commencement ceremony.

A total of 486 degrees and certificates were handed out. Of those 486, 370 were undergraduate degrees 鈥� including 139 adult degrees 鈥� 106 were graduate degrees and 10 were certificates in pastoral ministry studies. . A total of .

EMU also awarded a posthumous honorary degree on behalf of Ruth C. Jones of Verona, who died in June at the age of 40 while enrolled in the adult degree completion program.

Jones was finishing a bachelor鈥檚 of science in nursing and was employed at Augusta Health, where she had worked for 15 years. Her husband, Nicholas, received her diploma on her behalf.

Throngs of people filled the 3,600-capacity arena, packing the bleachers and seats on the floor, the track circling above the arena and a theater that showed a live broadcast of the ceremony.

Dionne, 63, who also is a professor in the Foundations of Democracy and Culture at Georgetown University, titled his address 鈥淐ynicism Isn鈥檛 Realism: Letting Joy Surprise You.鈥� In it, he highlighted what he said is the importance of finding the good in everything and everyone, staying humble and continuing to learn.

Remember, Dionne told members of the graduating class, you can always learn something from everyone.

鈥淭he smartest people on this Earth are never, ever the know-it-alls,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he truly ingenious people 鈥β� are constantly amazed by how little they know.鈥�

He also took time to acknowledge the sacrifice and help from parents in guiding their children to graduation.

鈥淚 always disliked the phrase 鈥榮elf-made,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淣one of us is self-made. It鈥檚 a biological and spiritual absurdity.鈥�

Other speakers included Najla El Mangoush, a master鈥檚 graduate from Benghazi, Libya, in the university鈥檚 conflict transformation program; Kimberly Groff, a graduate from Ephrata, Pa., in the adult degree completion program; and undergraduate students Emily Shenk, of Goshen, Ind., and Jordan Luther, of Martinsville.

Speaking to the class, Luther compared the new graduates to a box of crayons.

鈥淪ome of us came from five minutes away down the road while others grew up 5,000 miles away,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur identities are like a 64-box of crayons, filled with subtlety, diversity and compassion; colors to create portraits of peace and transcendence in your community and in your world.鈥�

Dionne graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University and a doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. In addition to writing columns for The Washington Post and serving as a professor at Georgetown University, he is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He lives in Bethesda, Md., with his wife and three kids.

Before concluding his speech, Dionne said to the roomful of graduates: 鈥淐ommencement is the beginning and not an end. Never stop learning.鈥�

Courtesy of the Daily News Record, April 27, 2015

More from commencement weekend:

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 during the graduation ceremony on Sunday, April 26.

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.

2015 Cords of Distinction recipients

• Carissa Harnish, a major in biology and Spanish from Manheim, Pennsylvania
• Emma King, a major in digital media and communication and minor in journalism and photography from West Unity, Ohio
• Rachel King, a major in biology, from West Unity, Ohio
• Jacob Landis, a major in congregational and youth ministry and Biblical studies and minor in biology from Sterling, Illinois
• Rebecca Longenecker, a major in English and minor in mathematics from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Timothy (Jordan) Luther, a major in Biblical studies from Martinsville, Virginia
• Rebecca Martin, a major in history and minor in economics and Spanish from Akron, Pennsylvania
• Gee Paegar, Jr., a major in history and environmental sustainability and minor in political studies and international development from Monrovia, Liberia
• Erin Rheinheimer, a major in art with K-12 licensure and a minor in environmental sustainability from Alexandria, Virginia
• Emily Shenk, a major in liberal arts with an elementary education licensure from Goshen, Indiana

Directed by , assistant professor of at EMU, Into the Woods will be performed in the Main Stage Theater at 7:30 p.m. on April 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, plus a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 6. The show will run approximately three hours with intermission.

Information regarding age-appropriateness for EMU events is available through the聽聽at 540-432-4360 or聽theater@emu.edu.

Into the Woods weaves together the main characters from fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella and others.聽The story revolves around a childless baker and his wife on a quest to begin a family, and their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them.聽In a departure from the standard plot line, the musical explores the consequences of these characters’ wishes.

“Into the Woods is a sprawling story filled to the brim with complex characters and dark magic,” said Poole. “The story provides ample opportunities to push the limits of our imaginations as we explore innovative ways to stage complex theatrical moments. I want audiences to leave the theater feeling that they have had a visceral, engaging experience that transcends what they have felt while watching a film or other mediated form of entertainment.”

Reserved tickets are $15 for adults ($17 at the door) and $12 for seniors, non-EMU students and EMU faculty/staff ($14 at the door) and $6 for EMU students. Tickets are available through EMU鈥檚 box office: 540-432-4582, . Group rates are available.

Cast:

Rachelle Kratz, stage manager

Dylan Bomgardner, assistant stage manager

Sierra Comer, assistant stage manager

Hailey Holcomb, assistant stage manager

Hattie Berg, assistant director

Chris Parks, dramaturg

Bethany Chupp (sophomore)

Shannon Dove

Heather Evans (junior)

Andrew French

Dorothy Hershey (first-year)

Jeremiah Hines (first-year)

Caitlin Holsapple (sophomore)

Heidi Jablonski (senior)

Holly Jensen (junior)

Elisha Keener (junior)

Eric King (senior)

Jaclyn Kratz (sophomore)

Katie Miller (senior)

Ezrionna Prioleau (first-year)

Emily Shenk (junior)

Sarah Sutter (first-year)

Sam Swartzendruber (sophomore)

Isaac Tice (senior)

Robert Weaver (first-year)

Phil Yoder (junior)

Rebekah York (sophomore)