“These people are my friends and they’re my colleagues and they’re my inspiration,” Flowe told a roomful of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Harrisonburg residents during a dedication ceremony of the mural on March 27. “I may not know them on a personal level, but every time I see them on the wall of this building, I know that people recognize the work they’ve done.”

That feeling extends beyond just the students at EMU. Dr. Tara Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success, said that seeing the mural fills her with joy. “Every time I see it, it makes me happy,” she told the crowd gathered for the ceremony at Suter Science Center 106.

The Inclusivity in Science Mural, completed in summer 2022, celebrates the scholarship and contributions of seven scientists whose identities as women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), and/or queer individuals have historically been underrepresented in scientific spaces. The mural’s stylized portraits depict chemist Asima Chatterjee, mathematician Gladys West, mathematician Katherine Johnson, arachnologist Lauren Esposito, astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala, eco-philosopher Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd, and ADM (ret.) Rachel Levine.

“[The mural] names the contributions that have too often gone unrecognized,” said Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus in her remarks at the dedication ceremony. “And perhaps most importantly, it offers reflection and invitation to those who walk these halls every day, especially to students who may be asking quietly or aloud, ‘Is there a place for me in this field?’” 

“Together, these figures and all of those represented remind us that excellence in science has never been limited to a single identity, even if recognition has been,” Dycus added. “And we’re affirming something today about EMU itself: that we are a place that’s willing to name gaps and then do the work to address them, and that we believe representation is not symbolic alone—it is formative.”

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus presents her remarks at a dedication ceremony for the Inclusivity in Science Mural.

Dr. Rachel Levine (left) and Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd (right) pose next to their portraits on the mural.

Work on the mural began in spring 2022 and was funded by an Inclusive Excellence Grant made possible by the generous support of Jose Koshy ’76 and Jean Koshy-Hertzler ’79. Learn more about the process behind the project in our article from last month. Veronica Horst ’23, Asha Landes Beck ’22, Grace Harder ’23, Molly Piwonka ’23, Afton Rhodes-Lehman ’24, and Jake Myers ’22 are listed as co-leaders for various stages of the project

A dedication ceremony on March 27 honored the scientists represented on the mural, the artists who brought it to life, and “every person in the arts and sciences who has had to push a little harder against systems that were not built with them in mind,” said event organizer Dawn Neil, coordinator for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  

“This mural is both a celebration and a call to continue the work of building a truly inclusive community,” she said. “When more people belong in science, science belongs to all of us.”

The ceremony included appearances by two special guests whose portraits are on the mural. Sinopoulos-Lloyd, who participated earlier that day in the second annual Mornings with the Mayor Convocation, gave a talk and contributed to a panel conversation. Levine, the former U.S. assistant secretary for health, chatted with EMU News and also attended the event. Both Sinopoulos-Lloyd and Levine signed their names on their portraits as part of the dedication.

Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd gives a talk during the mural dedication ceremony at the Suter Science Center on March 27.

Dr. Rachel Levine (left) and Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd (right) sign their portraits on the mural.

Sinopoulos-Lloyd is an Indigiqueer wildlife tracker, writer, and guide whose work bridges Indigenous ecological knowledge, field-based science, multispecies studies, and poetic inquiry. 

In their talk, they recited poetry, shared photos of wildlife tracks—including a rattlesnake, puma, and toad—recounted their experiences following an elk herd, and discussed how their work connects science, art, and sustainability. They also spoke about the importance of representation. 

“This mural we’re honoring today is not just artwork,” Sinopoulos-Lloyd said. “It’s also a constellation. It represents scientists whose work has expanded what is possible, not only through curiosity, but through devotion, imagination, and care.”

Third-year biochemistry major Dante Flowe shares their connection to the mural during the dedication ceremony at Suter Science Center 106 on March 27.

Afton Rhodes-Lehman ’24, who helped design and paint the mural, speaks during a panel conversation (left). Veronica Horst ’23 reflects on the mural (right) while Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd looks on.

A panel conversation following the talk included several alumni who helped bring the mural from concept to creation. Landes Beck, Horst, Piwonka, and Rhodes-Lehman spoke about their roles in the project, the intertwined relationship of art and science, the importance of representation, and their reflections on what the mural means to them. Kishbaugh and Sinopoulos-Lloyd also joined the panel, along with Flowe, who served as a voice for current students. Senior Madelynn Hamm moderated the discussion.

Horst said they hope the mural continues to honor those who haven’t been recognized for their contributions. “One of the names on the mural that people are probably most familiar with is Katherine Johnson’s, because of her story being told through the book and film Hidden Figures,” Horst said. “I think that made us realize how much we don’t know about how women of color and people from minority identities were involved in a lot of influential work. We don’t get to hear about it because it was overshadowed.”

The program included a message from Jenny Burden, executive director of the Arts Council of the Valley, on the role that public art plays in shaping a healthy, thriving, and inclusive community. It also included remarks from Mavalvala, who is depicted on the mural but was unable to attend the ceremony. 

“I am honored to be included with so many wonderful luminaries,” Neil said, reading a statement from the astrophysicist. “Inclusivity in the sciences is critical, and I’m proud that EMU continues to strive toward this goal. Ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging strengthens our educational communities and strengthens science itself.”

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

ADM (ret.) Rachel Levine, a pediatrician who served as the U.S. assistant secretary for health from 2021-25, visited campus for a dedication ceremony of the Inclusivity in Science Mural at EMU’s Suter Science Center on Friday, March 27.

The mural, completed in summer 2022, features seven professionals in STEM-related fields whose identities as women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ individuals have historically been underrepresented in the sciences. 

Dr. Levine, whose career as a pediatrician spans more than 40 years and whose portrait graces the mural, became the first openly transgender federal official confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021. As part of her position, she served as a four-star admiral leading the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She was the first openly transgender four-star officer and the first woman to serve as a four-star admiral in the Commissioned Corps. She was named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2022.

“The job was as interesting, challenging, busy, and rewarding as you might expect,” Dr. Levine said in a conversation before the dedication ceremony. “It was an amazing experience, very difficult and challenging, but worth it.”

The public health expert sat down with EMU News to talk about the mural, DEI, and the importance of vaccines.

It’s an honor to have you here with us. How did you hear about this event?

[Adrian Shanker, former deputy assistant secretary for health policy and now a consultant] came across the news story about Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd coming here, which mentioned that the mural featured my portrait. I thought that was great and asked Adrian to reach out, and then I was invited to today’s event to meet everyone, meet the artists, meet Pınar, and say hello. I live near Hershey, Pennsylvania, so it’s not that far, and I thought I’d just jump in the car and come.

Have you had a chance to look at the mural?

I just saw it. It’s remarkable. The artists did an absolutely fantastic job.

How do you feel about the mission of the mural?

The terms diversity, equity, and inclusion aren’t accepted terms now. They’re even somewhat radioactive. But I still believe in that mission. I’ve had many experiences in hospitals, government, and other organizations, and I believe that diversity improves any organization, whether it’s a school, the government, a hospital or medical center, or a business. I truly believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We can call them by different names, but I think they’re critically important. I thought it was wonderful that they were able to emphasize that here at the science center and in STEM fields from various perspectives. Being included in that was a real honor.

Anything else you would like to share?

As a pediatrician, I know from more than 40 years of clinical experience that vaccinations are one of the great victories of public health in the 20th and 21st centuries. I can’t tell you how many children and teenagers, who are now adults, have had their lives saved and prevented from illnesses because of immunizations that I administered or ordered. The questioning about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines is harming our nation and our children. We are now seeing vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as measles and others, that could have been prevented. In 2000, there were no cases of measles in the United States. Now look at what we’re seeing, because of the misinformation and overt disinformation about vaccines.

Dr. Rachel Levine introduces herself at Friday’s mural dedication ceremony in Suter Science Center 106. Seated to her right are EMU Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus and artist and scientist Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd.

Dr. Rachel Levine signs her portrait (left) on the Inclusivity in Science Mural. The pediatrician and public health expert talks with EMU News (right) before the ceremony.

Nearly four years after its final brushstroke was applied, the Inclusivity in Science Mural inside the Suter Science Center will get its long-awaited dedication ceremony on Friday, March 27.

The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in SSC 106 with a 30-minute talk led by Pinar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd, one of the seven people featured on the mural. Sinopoulos-Lloyd (they/them) is an Indigenous eco-philosopher, artist, and wildlife tracker, and will speak about the way their work connects science and art with sustainability.

Following the talk, Nicole Litwiller ’19, MACT ’20 will host a panel conversation with Sinopoulos-Lloyd, mural artist and alumna Veronica Horst ’23, a current EMU science student, and Tara Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success. The program will also include reflections from Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus and Jenny Burden, executive director of the Arts Council of the Valley.

A formal dedication of the mural will proceed shortly after 5 p.m., with Sinopoulos-Lloyd signing their portrait. The event is open to the public and will include light refreshments.

About the mural

During the spring of 2022, students involved in EMU’s Art Club and the Earthkeepers group wanted to make the Suter Science Center more welcoming and reflective of who contributes to the sciences, said Dawn Neil, coordinator for the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

“They noticed two things: the space felt visually sterile, and the sciences have historically centered white male voices while overlooking women, scientists of color, and queer scientists,” she said. “They wanted to highlight those hidden figures.”

Work on the mural, funded by an Inclusive Excellence Grant made possible by the generous support of Jose Koshy ’76 and Jean Koshy-Hertzler ’79, began that semester. EMU students Veronica Horst ’23, Asha Beck ’22, Grace Harder ’23, Molly Piwonka ’23, Afton Rhodes-Lehman ’24, and Jake Myers ’22 served as co-leaders at various stages of the project.

“STEM is a field in which, historically, gaining recognition and representation has been challenging for non-white, non-male, and non-heteronormative cisgender individuals,” reads an artist statement for the project. “This mural is intended to be a joyful statement of representation, emphasizing that we have, are, and will continue to make a significant impact on the world.”

“We want to recognize and celebrate these individuals and their contributions to the academic world,” the statement continues. “Our hope is that women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), and LGBTQIA+ individuals at EMU will experience a positive impact through increased awareness of successful individuals like themselves in STEM.”

The project leaders distributed a campus-wide survey to students, faculty, and staff asking whom they would like to see depicted on the mural and then took a vote to determine who those seven figures would be.

The mural features seven professionals who have made and/or are making an impact in STEM-related fields and are queer and/or BIPOC women. In addition to Sinopoulos-Lloyd, the portraits depict chemist Asima Chatterjee, mathematician Gladys West, mathematician Katherine Johnson, arachnologist Lauren Esposito, astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala, and admiral Rachel Levine.

For bios of each of these professionals, scroll to the bottom of this article.

Students from the Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) department designed and painted the mural. Although the project was completed during the summer of 2022, this is the first time it’s officially been dedicated, said Neil.

With sustainability serving as the university theme for the 2025-26 academic year, it seemed like the perfect time and Sinopoulos-Lloyd the ideal guest to help make it happen.

“Their work challenges the idea of what science is,” said Neil. “They’re exploring how the environment connects with things visually, artistically, and also scientifically. It’s a different side of science, one rooted in global and community contexts rather than a strictly data-driven one.”

“They would fit in perfectly as a student here,” she added. “What’s exciting is that their values really align with ours.”

About the speaker

Sinopoulos-Lloyd is an artist and scientist known for their powerful work at the intersection of sustainability, science, and art. They are the co-founder of Queer Nature, an interdisciplinary project focused on ecology, identity, and decolonization. Their work has been featured in The Guardian and The New York Times and archived by the Library of Congress. They lecture nationally at institutions including Stanford University, Colorado College, and the Guggenheim Museum.

In 2020, they were honored with the Audubon National Society’s National Environmental Champion award, as well as the R.I.S.E. Indigenous 2020 Art & Poetry Fellowship.

For more information, visit their website at . 

Sinopoulos-Lloyd will participate in several events throughout the day on Friday, March 27. In addition to the mural dedication, they will serve as a panelist at the second annual Mornings with the Mayor, a special edition of Convocation hosted by Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections, at 10:15 a.m. in the University Commons Student Union. 

They will also meet with students, faculty, and staff for a lunchtime discussion in the West Dining Room of Northlawn Dining Hall at noon.

Sinopoulos-Lloyd is one of seven people featured on the Inclusivity in Science Mural, located on the second floor of the Suter Science Center south of SSC 106 (Swartzendruber Hall). Biographies of each of the people featured on the mural are included below.

Dr. David Evans
Seminary Associate Professor of History and Intercultural Studies, and Director of Intercultural Studies

Evans received the grant to prepare and teach a pilot section of the new CORE 300 “Power, Systems, and Justice” course. This class focuses on race, gender, economic inequality, class, and other dimensions of identity and difference. Students will describe and analyze the ways structural inequality shapes their lives and those around them, and develop skills to work toward equity in their own professional and personal lives. Students will have the opportunity to develop creative and ethical ways of strategically disrupting and transforming unjust systems.

Dr. Kate Clark
Associate Professor of Nursing and Program Director of Public Health

Clark was granted funding for three initiatives. First, she will conduct a review of the current undergraduate nursing curriculum related to nursing care and special considerations for marginalized patient populations. Second, she will gather recommendations from students on content regarding these issues as well as engaging teaching strategies. Finally, she will collaborate with nursing colleagues to develop intentional, scaffolded “threads” through the curriculum focused on racial disparities in health and the care of LGBTQ+ patient populations, and suggest the addition of associated program outcome measures.

Health disparities associated with race and sexual orientation persist throughout health care. Due to these disparities’ implicit and pervasive nature, nurses and other health care workers must understand their existence, explore their reasons, and discuss strategies for nurses to address disparities. EMU’s nursing program aims to provide targeted content on the care of marginalized patient populations.

The Hertzler-Koshy Faculty Fellowship Program, honoring John Asa and Rebecca Hertzler, supports full-time faculty members who encourage student collaborations and advance projects that integrate and infuse diversity into the curriculum with a specific focus on race, ethnicity, disability, and gender content in the curricula (undergraduate, graduate, intercultural programs, training). 

The celebration was held at Brix & Columns Vineyards in McGaheysville, Virginia. Eighteen guests from EMU, including students, administrators, faculty and staff, attended to show their support for Font-Guzmán.

The Diversity Business Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional personal and professional leadership within the business or nonprofit community, according to the nomination form. 

“This person must have a track record of giving back to their community through the creation of economic opportunities, advocating for minorities and those in the protected classes in the workplace and/or in business, or creating an environment for residents to become self-sufficient or successful,” it reads.

Font-Guzmán, who was hired to lead the Office of DEI in 2021, has made great strides in increasing the sense of belonging for all students at EMU. This progress is highlighted in a short-form documentary featuring actor Dennis Quaid and airing in millions of homes.

“Jackie has accelerated EMU’s DEI journey,” EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman said. “She has equipped us in word and deed for how we can expand our horizons and belong together as a community of learners.”

Font-Guzmán said she was deeply grateful for the support and the opportunity to continue contributing to the community’s journey toward inclusivity and belonging. 

“This award is a testament to the extraordinary community at EMU,” she said. “My efforts are built upon the foundational work of countless individuals who have advocated for and advanced DEI over many years.”

The world premiere of EMU’s Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid video at the Campus Center last week was glitzy, glamorous and grand. It had all the star power of a Hollywood awards show; actors Dennis Quaid and Billy Porter made video appearances. It had the high-energy feel of a rockin’ club, thanks to bachata lessons from the Latinx Student Alliance and a DJ-led dance party. And, said those who attended the premiere last Thursday, it showed how far EMU has come in its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The nationally-syndicated, short-form documentary focuses on EMU and its approach to advancing DEI as a peace and justice university. The Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid crew filmed footage on the Harrisonburg, Virginia, campus in late October. The four-and-a-half-minute episode will be distributed to public television affiliates nationwide during the week of April 29 and will air in all 50 states for an estimated reach of more than 60 million households. 

“It is the first time in university history that EMU will be showcased on such a grand national scale,” said EMU Regional Advancement Director and Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, who served as a host for the event.

Watch the on the Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid website.

In addition to the documentary episode, a 30-second promo for EMU will air during peak time (7-11:45 a.m.) and prime time (6-11:45 p.m.) on news networks between April 4 and April 30. Those networks include CNN, CNN Headline News, MSNBC, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business Network, TLC, Travel, and Discovery. The promo video will have an estimated reach of more than 85 million households.

Watch the promo commercial.

The night’s other host Braydon Hoover, associate vice president for advancement at EMU, said Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid also will design and generate an email campaign that sends the documentary to its database, which is more than 1 million contacts strong.

About 200 students, faculty, staff and community members packed Martin Greeting Hall inside the Campus Center for the watch party. They snacked on food from Korean restaurant Mashita, noshed from a mac ’n’ cheese bar, sipped mocktails from Merge Coffee Roasters, and indulged in treats from BMC Bakes, Pioneer Catering, and PrePOPsterous Gourmet Popcorn. 

Eventgoers, many of whom were dressed to impress, posed on the blue carpet and snapped pictures at a photo booth. 

Seven lucky raffle winners went home with a one-of-a-kind Herm lion head, each painted in the likeness of a DEI club or organization: Asian/Pacific Islander Student Alliance, Black Student Alliance, International Student Organization, Latinx Student Association, Queer Student Alliance, Disability Students Alliance, and the Office of DEI.

The event began with a performance from the EMU pep band, who stormed the stage playing Celebrate! and loosened up the crowd.

The EMU Gospel Choir, led by Kay Pettus and accompanied by Professor David Berry on piano, performed “Grateful” by Hezekiah Walker and “He Has Marvelous Things” by Pastor LaRue F. Kidd. Members of the gospel choir are: Reah Clymer, Marciella Shallomita, Laurel Evans, Genesis Figueroa, Canyon Penner, Jacob Nissley, Alaiyis Jasper, Philip Krabill and Micah Mast.

Members of the Latinx Student Alliance, Cristal Narciso, Belen Hernandez, Edwin Rios, and Emily Diaz, instructed the crowd in bachata dance lessons.  

EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman shared in her remarks the progress the university has made in its DEI journey. In 2017, 25 percent of first-year students at EMU identified as persons of color. In 2024, that figure has risen to 44 percent of first-year students. Other steps forward include: the hiring of Dr. Jackie Font-Guzmán in 2021 as the inaugural vice president for DEI, making DEI an essential part of onboarding for EMU faculty and staff, and putting inclusivity at the center of EMU’s five-year strategic plan Pathways of Promise. Huxman said the producers of the Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid series were motivated to “find the gems” where DEI has taken root in positive ways and chose EMU as a shining example.

Keynote speakers and EMU alumni Christian Parks ’16, Akiel Baker ’21 and admissions counselor Merry Yirga ’23 shared their experiences of being students of color at EMU, a predominantly white institution, and how they’ve seen the school grow in its commitment to justice and equity over the years. They spoke about the creation of the Office of DEI and the Black Student Alliance and thanked all the people who paved the way for progress at EMU.

Showtime!

Award-winning actor Billy Porter greeted those attending the event with a video message promoting love, grace and compassion. 

Next, it was Quaid’s turn to appear on screen. From a high-rise overlooking the Los Angeles skyline, the movie star introduced the topic of diversity.

“While we’ve made great strides, there’s always room for improvement,” Quaid says in the opening. “Advocates who are steadfast in their mission for inclusion can be found in just about every industry, as we’re about to see.”

The video features shots of students on campus and interviews with President Huxman, Font-Guzmán and alumnus DeVantae Dews ’19.

Before hanging up the microphone, Hoover announced that Font-Guzmán had been named the 2024 Diversity Business Leadership Award by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.

Crowd Reactions

As she took in the night of celebration, Font-Guzmán said it was time to “go back and continue the hard work” to make EMU “the most inclusive university in the world.”

“We’re not there yet,” she said. “I know that not every single person here feels welcome and a sense of belonging, and every day we move closer to fulfilling our aspirations.”

After watching the video, Amy Knorr, the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding’s (CJP) practice director, said it was wonderful to tell EMU’s story to a new audience. “It’s exactly what EMU needs at this point in time to bring us all together and celebrate,” she said. 

Over by the banquet tables, EMU junior Allie Smith eyed the line for the mac ’n’ cheese bar. Smith, who played in the pep band and appeared in the Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid video playing the bongos, said she was “stoked” to see EMU highlighted. “I think we’re well on our way in our DEI journey,” she said. “I think we’re making great strides, and I think this video is one big step toward that.”

Desmoné Logan, a DEI inclusive excellence student leader and a committee member who helped plan the premiere, remarked on the momentous occasion: “This is like the birth of a new baby. It is something we would’ve never imagined two years ago.”

Taking a break from the dance floor, graduate student and gospel choir member Philip Krabill said watching the episode gave him a sense of pride in attending EMU: “Seeing all that we do in that video, I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, I guess we really are making progress, trying to make changes and make a place for everyone to feel welcome.’”

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the committee whose creativity and vision brought this event to life, including: Jennifer Sodikoff of Contemplate Marketing, Jackie Font-Guzmán, Dawn Neil, Monica Pangle, Tyler Goss, Nicole Litwiller, Deanna Reed, Braydon Hoover, Jen Kulju, Macson McGuigan, Margaux Jacks, Virginia Zelaya, Mike Ramer, Andrea Troyer, Sarah Wittig, Celeste Thomas, Shannon Grinnan, Chris Sharp, Adesola Johnson, Desmoné Logan, Chris Neil, Daniel King, Henry Bowser, Anne Cornelius, Allie Watkins and Kate Landis.

Gratitude also goes out to the generous folks who underwrote the event, including Steve and Tracey Mullet, Brad Driver and Stacy Jennings, and others who wish to remain anonymous.