“I have been reading EJ’s columns in the Washington Post for years, and many others here at EMU have been too,” says . “He seemed to be an excellent match for the mission, vision and values of EMU. His writings reveal his consistent orientation toward a society based on fair social and economic practices, rooted in his Christian commitment as a Roman Catholic. He also comes with wide international experience as a former foreign correspondent for the New York Times. I think he will resonate well with many at EMU as our commencement speaker.”

Dionne鈥檚 career started in the late 1970s-80s at the . During that time, he was based in bureaus in Paris, Rome and Beirut, gaining a broad perspective on how international affairs affect American politics. Between these experiences abroad, he reported on government and national politics.

In 1990 Dionne joined the Washington Post as a political reporter. He began writing his bi-weekly column in 1993.

In a few recent columns, Dionne challenges his readers to address 鈥渢he vexing intersection of wage stagnation, declining social mobility and rising inequality.鈥� To not forget 鈥渙ur country鈥檚 struggle over race鈥ut also about our larger quest for justice.鈥� And to suggest, 鈥渁ll sides stop fighting and pool their energies to easing the marriage and family crisis that is engulfing working-class Americans.鈥�

These words resonate with EMU students like senior Jacob Mack-Boll who says he was pleasantly surprised to hear that EMU chose a political writer as the 2015 commencement speaker.

鈥淎s someone who is graduating, I feel like there are pieces of my education that have been very political in nature, but on a small scale,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 want us to have a lens that is outward, as people who can bring about change on a larger level in society. If Dionne will be advocating for societal changes that are realistic and possible, I鈥檓 looking forward to what he will be telling us.鈥�

Shortly after Dionne joined the Washington Post, he wrote the book 鈥淲hy Americans Hate Politics,鈥� which won the Los Angeles Times book prize, and was a National Book Award nominee. Since then he has authored, edited or co-edited nine other books, including most recently 鈥淥ur Divided Political Heart: The Battle for the American Idea in an Age of Discontent,鈥� published in 2012.

Dionne received a BA from Harvard University in 1973, summa cum laude, and a doctorate from Oxford University in 1982, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with his wife Mary Boyle and their three children, James, Julia and Margot.

Kauffman has extensive local and international mission experience serving most recently as VMM global ministries director and advancement associate since 2011. A seven-member search committee of members began their work in June 2013, and recommended Kauffman to the VMM Board.

Phyllis Miller, chair of the VMM Board states, 鈥淲e are delighted with Aaron鈥檚 selection as president. His unanimous selection by the Board indicates a trust level in his leadership along with a proven track record as global ministries director. We are grateful to God for this servant leader he has given us to lead VMM for this next period of time.鈥�

Kauffman will follow Loren Horst, who has served since 2002 as VMM president. Loren and his wife, Earlene, will be considering future VMM mission assignments after he concludes his current role on December 31, 2013. He states, “I am very pleased with the selection of Aaron Kauffman. Aaron is relationally warm, missiologically sound, and administratively competent. He combines mission passion with a deep faith in Jesus and love for the entire church. Aaron鈥檚 mission experience and proven leadership have prepared him well for this additional responsibility. I offer my full and prayerful support.”

Growing up in Pennsylvania, and attending , Mountville, Pa., Kauffman recounts learning a mission-minded way of living through the congregation鈥檚 refugee ministry, active youth group and mentoring relationships with church members, including mission leader, David Shenk of . As a result, he eagerly participated in local and international short-term mission experiences while a high-school and college student.

After completing a bachelor of arts in at 草莓社区 (EMU), he finished a MA in TESOL and bilingual education at Georgetown University in 2003. Following two years as an ESL teacher in , he and his wife Laura were jointly appointed by VMM and and served from 2005-2008 in La Mesa, Colombia, as church youth group leaders, members of a church planting team, and as a teacher and a nurse, respectively, at the local Mennonite school.

Upon returning to Harrisonburg, Va., to attend seminary, he became curriculum coordinator of the at EMU while also teaching university courses in language instruction and methodology. He completed a in 2012. He has since taught undergraduate courses in as adjunct professor at EMU.

Upon his selection, Kauffman notes, 鈥淚t is truly an honor to be asked to serve Virginia Mennonite Missions in this way. With God’s help and the church’s prayerful support, I look forward to continuing VMM’s legacy of faithful witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. It is an exciting time to be part of what God is doing around the world through the church.”

Aaron and Laura Kauffman are members of , Broadway, Va., a congregation of Virginia Mennonite Conference. They have four children, Abigail, 8, Sophie, 6, Asher, 3, and David, 3 months. Laura Michelle Souder Kauffman completed a at EMU in 2002 and has worked as a maternal health nurse. She is currently a member of a VMM Ministry Support Team and a stay-at-home mother. Their parents are Paul and Donna Souder, Harrisonburg, Va. and Dennis and Rose Kauffman, Lancaster, Pa.

Virginia Mennonite Missions was formed in 1919, with headquarters in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Now with a budget of $2.5 million, its mission is to invite people to faithful living in Jesus Christ by forming and enabling congregations and individuals to continue God鈥檚 reconciling work in the world. Approximately 75 persons serve in 16 countries including the United States in the areas of disciple-making and church planting, education, leadership development, deaf ministry, refugee ministry and urban ministry.

Article courtesy Virginia Mennonite Missions, Oct. 21, 2013