Leading a new school comes with its own set of challenges, says Ryan Henschel ’15, co-principal of Rocktown High School in Harrisonburg.

For one thing, there isn’t much of a blueprint to follow. There’s no history to draw on or precedent for how things are done.

“We’re still developing the identity of the school,” Henschel said. “And we’re creating all the processes from scratch to keep things running smoothly.”

It’s a formidable task, but also one filled with excitement and possibility.

“There aren’t as many ‘bad habits’ we need to undo before setting the tone for the school,” he said. “In that way, it’s a little easier.”

Henschel, in his first year as co-principal, leads over 1,000 students and several EMU alumni on staff at Rocktown, which opened in fall 2024. He previously served as its assistant principal.

Originally from New Market, Henschel said the opportunity to play collegiate baseball drew him to EMU. During his four seasons on the team, the starting pitcher contributed to the Royals’ growing success. In 2015, as a team captain, he helped lead the squad to its first ODAC Tournament appearance since 2002, when former MLB catcher Erik Kratz ’02 was on the team.

Baseball helped him grow, teaching him to manage his time, strengthen his organizational skills, and develop as a leader. It may have been what brought him to campus, but the school’s close-knit community and small class sizes led him to stay.

“I got to know my professors,” he said. “As an athlete, I knew almost all the other athletes and coaches and would interact with them. That played a huge role in making me feel like I truly belong to this community.”

EMU is a Division III school, which means it cannot offer athletic scholarships. For Henschel, receiving the President’s Scholarship, which is awarded to EMU students who maintain a 3.0 GPA, made a real difference.

“That scholarship helped reduce the financial burden both during and after my time at EMU,” he said.

Henschel chose to major in math education because he “really enjoyed math.” “You don’t hear that a lot,” he said. “It came easier to me than other subjects, and I could help other students learn math, which gave me great joy.”

After graduating from EMU in 2015, Henschel taught math at Harrisonburg High School until 2023, when he was named assistant principal. When Rocktown opened the following year, he joined the new school as assistant principal. Henschel, who has a master’s degree in education from James Madison University, became Rocktown’s co-principal last fall.

His wife, Rachel Richard Henschel ’15, a teacher at Spotswood Elementary School, is also an alum of EMU’s acclaimed teacher education program. He credits the program, and its immediate, hands-on experiences, with preparing teachers to serve and lead in the classroom.

During his first semester at EMU, an introduction to teaching course placed him in a local school practicum, where he could quickly translate course theory into practice.

“That’s when I fell in love with teaching,” he said.

Since welcoming students two years ago, Rocktown has earned awards across a wide range of categories, from its innovative architecture and cardiac arrest preparedness to its music education and athletics programs.

“As a new school,” said Henschel, “we’re currently in the exciting phase of cultivating a culture of excellence and seeing our students reach their full potential.”

Your support helps students pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Join us for the 10th annual LovEMU Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future EMU students. On April 1, let’s show that our generosity knows no bounds…for the record!

When the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus took the reins as EMU’s interim president last July, she worried that she would lose the authentic relationships she developed with students over the years as the former head of student affairs. While it’s true there’s now a greater distance, both figuratively and literally, between Dycus on the third floor of Campus Center and the hundreds of EMU students who cross the Front Lawn below her, it hasn’t been as far as she feared.

Over the past several months, Dycus said, she’s found ways to engage with students and show up for them. And so when a pair of student clubs asked her last month to participate as a panelist in a Valentine’s Day-related “How to Flirt” session, it was another reminder her approach was working.

“My initial reaction was, ‘Is this something a president should do?’ And then I realized that they wanted someone who could speak honestly and authentically, so it was actually an honor they included me,” said Dycus. “It was a wonderful opportunity for me to be with students again and to talk about things that matter a lot to them.”

Dycus isn’t the typical university president. The first Black woman to lead EMU in the role, even in an interim capacity, she’s brought courage and boldness to the presidential suite. That confidence comes from a deep devotion for the university and its mission, shaped by years of serving its students. She said she’s learned to love engaging with donors and stakeholders, sharing stories of the school’s successes and expressing what excites her, well beyond the corners of campus.

“I’ve actually found that to be one of the things I enjoy most about this role,” she said. “My passion for EMU gets concentrated in conversations I get to have.”

As the calendar flips from Black History Month to Women’s History Month and she approaches the ninth month of her two-year appointment, the ordained minister and educator reflected on her leadership, the mentors who have molded her, and her goals moving forward.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus leads a line dance at the Turner Pavilion in Downtown Harrisonburg during the fourth annual Royals Go Downtown in September 2025. | She greets students outside EMU alumna-owned Magpie Diner at the start of the cross-town culinary crawl. | Dycus chats with Jonathan Swartz, dean of students, at the Harrisonburg Holiday Parade in December 2025.

From conversations with faculty, staff, and students at a series of listening sessions held by the marketing and communications team in mid-February, it’s clear that people on campus feel a spirit of change in the air. A renewed energy courses through the veins of the university, and much of it stems from the new face in the president’s office. Dycus, ever the humble servant leader, brushes off the credit and heaps it on the leaders around her.

“Our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is an adaptive and cohesive team,” said Dycus. “We identified our gaps in areas like branding or fiscal data and have launched shared responses, which is critical. Our team of four deans, with unique portfolios for teaching and learning, is also incredible. It’s a collaborative effort focused on what’s truly a priority for us as an institution.”

That priority has been righting the ship through the headwinds and choppy waters of higher education. Dycus and the leadership team have worked to stabilize the university and guide it toward long-term sustainability, ensuring it can thrive for generations to come.

“One of my goals this year, and as we keep moving forward, is to truly empower faculty and staff on campus to lead within the scope of their work and feel energized and excited about EMU’s identity and progress,” she said. “I want them to know they have permission to advocate, both on campus and beyond, for the good things they see.”

Lately, there’s been plenty of positive news to go around. The momentum from last year has carried into this one, said Braydon Hoover ’11, MAOL ’21, vice president of enrollment and marketing. Undergraduate applications have jumped 92% compared to last year, and offers of admission have risen 126%.

When Dycus looks back at the many mentors in her life, she can’t overlook her roots in the traditional Black church where she was raised. The granddaughter of a pastor in the Disciples of Christ denomination, she recalled the many Black women in her congregation who offered wisdom, corrected her, and challenged her in ways that were important for her formation.

“I felt loved and cared for by each of them,” she said. “They invested in me and poured into me, with their wisdom, time, and energy, in ways I still feel grateful for. How do I continue that investment with the next generation of young people? There’s a real responsibility and commitment in what they gave me.”

One of the people who impacted her most was her high school guidance counselor. As a sophomore starting at her third high school, Dycus struggled to make new friends and figure out her identity. Her counselor, Marilyn Corbitt, was pivotal in helping her find a place where she belonged and in affirming the gifts she saw in herself.

“I left high school and started college hoping I could be a Marilyn Corbitt for someone else,” said Dycus. She earned a degree in education and planned to become a guidance counselor herself.

Corbitt died in September 2019 at age 80. She was one of the only Black counselors at Dycus’ high school of more than 3,000 students and served as advisor to its Black Student Association.

“She did a wonderful job of teaching us many of the things we weren’t learning in the classroom and challenging us to live them out in real ways, from leading service projects in the community to expressing culture in ways that brought joy,” Dycus said. “She encouraged us to use our voices, even when it was uncomfortable.”

“I still carry her spirit and the impact she had on me,” she continued. “I didn’t get a chance to go back and tell her ‘thank you,’ but I carry the hope that I can be Marilyn for whichever young version of Shannon needs it.”

Students at EMU say Dycus has supported them and helped them grow through her mentorship.

“She always chats and checks up on me and emphasizes my mental health,” said senior Nia Boyd. “She’s like an auntie for me. I always enjoy sharing a laugh with her.”

As co-president of the Student Government Association last year, senior Genesis Figueroa worked closely with Dycus. “She was always there to help us out, especially when it was hard being a woman of color on the executive team,” said Figueroa. “I saw how she not only did her job, but also supported and encouraged students to speak up for themselves.”

For senior and first-generation college student Emily Suarez Nunez, Dycus has helped her recognize the value of quiet presence and support and become more confident speaking up for others.

“I appreciate that, even with her new role and responsibilities, she is still Shannon,” said Suarez Nunez. “Every time I see her, she’s the same kind, genuine, listening ear she’s always been. When I talk with her, the world slows down for a few minutes, and sharing that moment feels like a deep breath that refills and recharges me.”

A set of mosaic prints has adorned her EMU offices. The prints feature portraits of people throughout history who have inspired her in different ways.

Among the portraits are bell hooks, the educator and activist who shaped Dycus’ understanding of what it means to be a teacher; theologian and spiritual leader Howard Thurman, the first Black dean of a predominantly white institution; and two icons of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

“I come to this role of president not as a traditional academic, but as a leader who seeks boldness and truth, like Martin and Malcolm did,” said Dycus. “I come as an educator who is deeply concerned with the growth of humans, as bell hooks was. And I come as someone who pays attention to the spirit in people and in our community, as Howard Thurman did. Whenever I feel fragmented or unconventional in how I arrived here, they remind me how all the pieces can come together in meaningful ways.”

Learn more about Dr. Dycus at��emu.edu/president.

Kirk Shisler ’81 wants to make one thing very clear: He’s not retiring. At least not anytime soon. After 21 years of faithfully serving his alma mater as its vice president for advancement, he’s simply switching gears. 

This summer, Shisler will transition from his lofty perch as VP to a new position specially carved out for him that utilizes his unique qualities and strengths in a way that benefits EMU best. He said his new role as senior gift planning advisor will allow him to focus exclusively on securing major gifts to sustain EMU’s mission.

“We recently crossed the halfway point of EMU’s five-year, $40 million Forward Together campaign, and I am pleased to report that we have already raised $29 million, or 72% of the goal, which puts us ahead of schedule,” Shisler said. “I look forward to increasing our fundraising momentum even more as I assume my new role.”

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus will formally announce the news of Shisler’s transition via email on Thursday, Jan. 22. With the announcement, EMU officially enters into a national search for its next vice president for advancement.

For several years now, Shisler said, he’s anticipated a transition like this one. By passing his administrative responsibilities on to a successor, he can directly focus his energies toward the aspects of advancement he enjoys most and where he will have the greatest impact. And, despite the various headwinds straining higher education, Shisler said he believes EMU is poised to transcend those challenges.

“We have a strong leadership team in place under Interim President Dycus, and a tremendous faculty and staff,” Shisler said. “EMU’s value proposition includes a proven track record for the employability of its graduates, who also benefit from an education that blends rigorous academics with soft skills in leadership, conflict resolution, and other skills needed to succeed in today’s work environment.”

‘An enduring imprint’

EMU’s presidents, past and present, commended Shisler for his effective fundraising, steadfast leadership, and deep commitment to the university over the past two decades. 

Dycus, interim president of EMU since July 1, credited Shisler with “shaping a culture of generosity rooted in mission” and strengthening alumni and donor relationships. “Kirk’s steady, values-driven leadership will leave an enduring imprint on this institution and the countless students whose lives have been changed through his work,” she said.

Dr. Loren Swartzendruber ’76, MDiv ’79, president of EMU from 2003 to 2016, noted that he had recruited Shisler twice to EMU: first as an admissions counselor when Shisler was a high school senior, and later as president when Shisler was hired to lead the advancement division. “No university president can be successful without a person of Kirk’s caliber in that office,” said Swartzendruber. “His continuing efforts to attract leadership gifts will pay dividends for years to come.”

And President Emerita Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, who led the university from 2016 to 2025, expressed gratitude for the “enormous positive impact” Shisler had “year after year for 20 years without fail,” advancing EMU’s mission, supporting its students, contributing to its financial health, and ensuring its donors felt special and important. 

“Without ‘Captain’ Kirk’s can-do spirit, relational genius, and organizational prowess, there is no first-ever EMU comprehensive campaign for people, programs, and facilities,” said Huxman, referencing the Forward Together (2023-28) campaign. “There is no audacious $40 million five-year goal, half of which we raised in just the first two years. This bold and successful campaign has been the crowning achievement of his great legacy in executive administration at EMU.”

Indeed, there have been many crowning achievements for Shisler over the years. Whether it’s the completion of EMU’s state-of-the-art track and field complex—regarded among the finest athletic facilities in the conference—the transformation of laboratories and classrooms in the Suter Science Center through a $12 million campaign (2007-15), or renovations to the south section of University Commons, he’s always kept his eyes squarely on the prize: ensuring EMU not only survives but also thrives long into the future.

Less visible, but just as impactful as those capital improvement projects, is the membership growth of EMU’s throughout his tenure. The group of alumni and donors name EMU in their estate plans, supporting the future financial stability and security of the school. “We have grown the society from roughly 150 members, when I arrived in 2005, to over 600 today,” Shisler said. “We often refer to these future gifts as EMU’s Book of Futures. The approximate future value of these estate commitments currently exceeds $35 million.”

Clockwise from top: Kirk Shisler, vice president for advancement, with Phil Helmuth and Graham Stauffer, during LovEMU Giving Day 2023. | The longtime advancement VP speaks during a gathering celebration at Homecoming and Family Weekend 2021. | Shisler accepts a hard hat from Braydon Hoover ’11, MA ’21, then-associate vice president for advancement at EMU, during a groundbreaking ceremony for the track in 2023.

Focus, patience, and tenacity

One key ingredient to Shisler’s success is the length of his tenure, which has allowed him to build close connections and enduring relationships with alumni and donors.

According to a from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, fundraising administrators have a median of five years of service in their position, slightly below the median for all higher ed administrative positions (5.5 years). Those figures are well below the 21-year span that Shisler has served at EMU.

During those 21 years, he estimated, working with advancement teams and the three aforementioned presidents, he helped raise about $120 million for EMU. Last year, thanks to a combination of generous donors and several large bequests, the university achieved its second-highest fundraising total on record.

“Those who have been involved in higher ed and nonprofit fundraising for as long as I have know that it takes significant focus, patience and tenacity to secure gifts of significance for our organizations,” Shisler said. 

Doug Mason, an advancement consultant who has advised EMU’s team for 15 years as well as many other schools, said his most successful clients have leaders who “stick with it and really invest in the mission of their institution.”  

“Donors really appreciate continuity,” Mason said. “Having somebody like Kirk, who’s been there for over two decades, is quite unusual, and it’s been extraordinarily beneficial to EMU.”

So why exactly has Shisler stayed for so long? He said the societal impact of EMU’s alumni around the world continues to motivate him and sustain his commitment to the university’s mission. He added that, through the years, he’s been blessed to be part of “highly motivated and supportive teams of advancement professionals,” and that he’s continually inspired by the dedication and high-quality work of EMU’s faculty and staff.

A seasoned fundraiser

Growing up in Telford, Pennsylvania, Shisler said his parents taught him at a young age the importance of giving generously and of tithing to the church. But it wasn’t until later, after entering the workforce, that he realized his skills in storytelling and communications could be used to fundraise for causes he cared about. The Dock Mennonite Academy alum graduated from EMU with a bachelor of arts in English in 1981. He then began a quarter-century career at Laubach Literacy International, a nonprofit now known as ProLiteracy.

In 2004, Swartzendruber called Shisler to ask whether he would be interested in the VP position, succeeding Richard L. Gunden. After an interview that summer, Shisler accepted the offer (he started in the position in April 2005). “Loren said to me, ‘Well, Kirk, you will have served Laubach for 23 years. I’m really hoping that you’ll give the same amount of time, or more, to EMU,’” Shisler recalled. “And here we are. With my transition to a different role, I may end up serving 23 years.”

As a result of his change, the avid fly fisherman said he’ll spend less time on the road and more time with his family—he and his wife, Mary Ann, have two sons, Ben and Andy. He’ll also spend less time in meetings as he devotes his focus entirely on working with major donors to design “charitable gifts of significance” for EMU.

Back when he was first hired at the university, Shisler told the late Jim Bishop, former public information officer for EMU, in a 2005 news article: “EMU is at a very exciting juncture in its history. I believe the school is truly a vehicle for healing and hope in our troubled world, and I look forward to joining the EMU community as, together, we advance its mission.”

Twenty-one years later, those words still ring true.

EMU announced the selection of Dr. Dycus as interim president in April after a unanimous vote by the EMU Board of Trustees in March. The decision followed a national search process that began after Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, EMU’s ninth president and first woman president, announced her retirement in October 2024, effective June 30, 2025. Dr. Dycus, the first Black woman in EMU history named to the position, will serve a minimum term of two years.

Since April, Drs. Dycus and Huxman have been meeting regularly to discuss the intricacies of the presidency, engage with key community stakeholders, and identify priorities for the year ahead in order to ensure a smooth transition between leaders.

“The example Susan set for the many female leaders on campus is astounding, and her leadership has empowered us all,” Dr. Dycus said. “I’ve learned so much from the way she has moved through her role, modeled leadership, and created new space to lead authentically.”

Dr. Dycus’ responsibilities include promoting the passions, positive outcomes, and successes of the university to both internal and external audiences. “One of the critical roles of a university president is to serve as its chief storyteller,” said Dr. Dycus. “To be able to advocate, celebrate, and cheerlead for EMU will be an exciting and essential part of my work as interim president.”

As chief storyteller for EMU since 2017, Dr. Huxman is confident in her successor. “Shannon is absolutely the right person to lead EMU into its next chapter. She has the smarts, the stamina, and the faith connections and storytelling gifts.”

A call to lead

After earning a bachelor of arts in middle and secondary education from Butler University, Dr. Dycus served as a high school teacher in Indianapolis from 2006 to 2008. While she loved the classroom, she sensed a deeper calling that extended beyond teaching toward spiritual leadership. She decided to follow in her family’s footsteps and enroll at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS). In 2010, she became a third-generation graduate of CTS, where she earned a master of divinity and was ordained as a minister in the Disciples of Christ tradition.

Dr. Dycus spent time as a hospital chaplain before serving as an academic advisor (2011-2013) and adjunct faculty member (2012-2017) at Franklin University of Ohio’s Indianapolis campus.

From 2013 to 2019, Dr. Dycus served as co-pastor of First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis. It was at First Mennonite that former EMU board member JB Miller ’70 first witnessed Dycus’ leadership strengths. Miller said she struck him as “wise beyond her years” during his time as a congregant. “She leads with confidence,” he said. “There’s a gentleness to it but also a firmness that people find refreshing. She can make tough decisions and is willing to own those tough decisions.”

During a sabbatical in 2017, Dr. Dycus attended a summer program in spiritual direction at Eastern Mennonite Seminary—her first introduction to EMU and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley. She recalls falling in love with the campus and imagining a future in Harrisonburg with her husband, Gregory, and their two sons, Malachi and Semaj.

She saw an opportunity to bring her vision to life two years later when EMU posted for the position of dean of students. Dr. Dycus applied for and landed the job, which she began in July 2019. She served in that role until 2023 and as vice president of student affairs and dean of students from 2023 to 2024, before being promoted to vice president for student affairs, equity, and belonging.

Dr. Dycus has “made it a priority to support EMU students as they arrive on campus and to navigate barriers in their education” since 2019 when she created and led the C.A.R.E. Team, a proactive and coordinated response to supporting student needs and their well-being. Dr. Dycus helped EMU to understand and expand its care and services throughout the pandemic.

In 2020 and 2024, she secured Department of Justice sexual violence prevention grants to fund EMU’s Safer Together office. She has worked with EMU Counseling Services to increase staffing and training for mental health support, and has been a staunch student advocate for peaceful responses to global injustices.

“I’ve seen so many students grow just by knowing her, observing her, and having the chance to connect with her,” said Jonathan Swartz MA ‘14 (conflict transformation), MDiv ‘14, dean of students at EMU. Swartz echoed a favorite saying from his high school basketball coach when reflecting on her leadership approach. “Be quick, but not in a hurry.” He said, “Her steadiness and ability to think quickly and plan well, but not be in a hurry, showed up and shined through during COVID.”

That steady, people-centered leadership is something Dr. Dycus intentionally cultivates. “I’ve been trained to be present with people, to show up and listen, offer empathy, and apply what I’ve learned to shape my leadership,” said Dr. Dycus, who earned a doctor of ministry in public theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2024.

The track ahead

As Dr. Dycus takes the lead on the track ahead, her top priority remains EMU students—specifically ensuring they have a safe, supportive environment and meaningful learning experiences. Her vision also includes maintaining a strong commitment to a values-based education while continuing to create new pathways of access and achievement for students, as outlined in the university’s 2023-2028 strategic plan. Another leadership focus will be inspiring confidence among faculty and staff while reimagining a more streamlined academic structure that supports long-term financial stability.

Dr. Dycus says that evolving EMU will not be easy but that she is hopeful. “The role will be challenging. There will be hurdles. But hope comes from a power greater than those challenges and from people united in purpose,” she said. “We can overcome what lies ahead. What we’re building together is stronger than anything that stands in our way.”

To learn more about Dr. Dycus, visit: emu.edu/president

This article is an abridged version of the feature story that will appear in the summer 2025 issue of Crossroads.

Dr. Dycus has spent 15 years working in learning communities and ministry settings, including the past six years at EMU. She served as dean of students from 2019-2023 and as vice president of student affairs and dean of students from 2023-2024 before being promoted to her current role where she oversees the Student Life, DEI, and Athletics departments—and nurtures a co-curricular vision of social accountability, holistic well-being, and academic success for all students.

Dr. Dycus’ selection as interim president was approved by unanimous vote from the EMU Board of Trustees at a meeting on March 26. The decision followed a national search process that began after Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, EMU’s ninth president and first woman president, announced her retirement in October 2024, effective June 30, 2025. The Interim President Search committee included diverse representation from across the EMU community and was co-chaired by Dr. Jim Leaman ’86, associate professor of business and director of the business and leadership program, and Jane Hoober Peifer ‘75, MDiv ‘98, vice chair of the board.

“Shannon has proven her outstanding ability to set vision, listen well, and execute the best way forward as an EMU administrator, and she is a trusted and gifted spiritual leader,” said Peifer. “Shannon is committed to preparing EMU students to be peacebuilders in the world, and her collaborative and decisive leadership is needed in this climate of ever-changing higher education realities.”

“Despite the headwinds in higher education, EMU has established terrific momentum,” said Manuel (Manny) Nuñez ‘94, chair of the board. “A key piece of our success standing out in the world as peacebuilders is achieving academic excellence while maintaining fidelity to our Anabaptist faith tradition. Shannon brings both spiritual depth and strategic vision to the role of interim president—qualities that will serve EMU well in this season of opportunity.”

“I have always seen my own call to lead communities, in both education and ministerial contexts, toward our growth and becoming in relationship with each other and God,” said Dr. Dycus. “I look forward to leading EMU through this transitional moment and continuing its commitment to a values-based education that inspires achievement and compassion.”

Dr. Dycus has “made it a priority to support EMU students as they arrive on campus and to navigate barriers in their education” since 2019 when she created and led the C.A.R.E. Team, a proactive and coordinated response to addressing students and their well-being. In 2020 and 2024, she was awarded Department of Justice sexual violence prevention grants to fund EMU’s Safer Together office. She has worked with EMU Counseling Services to increase staffing and training for mental health support, and has been a staunch student advocate for peaceful responses to global injustices.

Dr. Dycus serves as a board member for Eastern Mennonite School and On the Road Collaborative. She is a Women in Leadership advisory board member for Mennonite Church USA. Prior to her time at EMU, Dr. Dycus served as an academic adviser and adjunct faculty member at Franklin University of Ohio (Indianapolis campus) and as co-pastor at First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis.

She received her doctor of ministry in public theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, a master of divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, and her BA degree in middle and secondary education from Butler University.

Rooted in the values of academic excellence, peace and justice, and an active faith shaped by Anabaptist-Mennonite beliefs and practices, ��ݮ���� offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary degrees that prepare students to serve and lead in a global context. A leader among faith-based universities, EMU was founded in 1917 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and has a site in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; students can study in person or online.

Visit Interim President Search for more information.

Few business programs encourage students to use Facebook and Wikispaces to develop collaborative team strategies outside the classroom. But then, the Steward-Leadership Masters in Business Administration at EMU is no ordinary MBA program.

MBA students in a summer class on “Stewardship, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship” interact with rangers at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park.

“Given its history of increasing leadership strengths, building management skills, and developing stewardship strategies, EMU’s MBA program is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of today’s demanding work-place and regional employers, as greater emphasis is now placed on ethics, stewardship of natural and human resources and effective collaborative strategies for a fast-changing global marketplace,” said Anthony E. (Tony) Smith, MBA co-director. “These very qualities lie at the heart of EMU’s institutional core values.”

Innovative course includes live projects

Dr. Smith has been teaching a summer course in the MBA program “Stewardship, Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship,” that engaged students in systems approaches to stewardship and innovation and involved them in live projects with local corporations and non-profit organizations.

The clients included:

• Shenandoah National Park
• Rosetta Stone
• American Shakespeare Center
• Staunton Creative Community Fund (SCCF)

“I’m very impressed by the amount of research on a complicated topic, in a short period of time that the MBA students have achieved.” said Tim Taglauer, assistant chief of interpretation and education for Shenandoah National Park, after MBA students gave a presentation on business strategies for increasing the “sustainable advantage” for the Park.

Their recommendations included repositioning the park as a center for increasing eco-literacy and for the park to develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with local communities and schools.

Meghan Williamson, executive director of SCCF, found that the MBA students had developed an innovative “business to environment” model that could strengthen the success of their small business clients and outlined innovative financing methods to support SCCF’s programs.

The course ended Aug. 4 with MBA business strategy presentations to Rosetta Stone and to the American Shakespeare Center.

Linda Manka, naturalist ranger at Shenandoah National Park, discusses stewardship design principles and their application to real-life business situations as MBA students Kim Shipe (l.) and Juanita Zban listen.

“This course is but one example of how the EMU’s Steward-Leadership MBA program offers a distinctive approach to preparing business leaders for the challenges of an increasingly uncertain business environment,” Smith stated. “The program works with the busy schedules of full-time working professionals who are seeking to strengthen their careers.”

For more information about the Steward-Leadership MBA program, contact Smith at anthony.smith@emu.edu or visit the website at www.emu.edu/mba or the MBA Facebook page, entitled “Steward Leadership MBA at EMU.”

Questions/additional comments: Dr. Tony Smith, 432-4095

By Mike Barber, Daily News-Record

Senior third baseman Jameson Jarvis (Courtesy Wayne Gehman)

His coach and teammates talk about next year, and about what Jameson Jarvis will mean as a “ghost.”

Jarvis, the lone senior on this year’s ��ݮ���� baseball team, isn’t thinking about his supernatural life-after-baseball. What, then, was the third baseman thinking about as he took the field for the final home game of his EMU career?

“Do what I do every day, just try to go out and play hard,” Jarvis said after the Royals were swept in a doubleheader by Southern Virginia. “Fell short, once again.”

Perhaps the best Royal tenure since that of catcher Erik Kratz is coming to a close – and with little fanfare.

Wednesday, Jarvis played his last home games in front of about 30 people.

Jarvis’ father made the drive from Culpeper. His nephew split time between cheering and running laps. His fiancee took in the game from a blanket behind the backstop, and their dog, a brown dachsund named Oscar, clad in a Jarvis jersey, barked – sometimes at key moments, other times at fans or other dogs passing by.

The games unfolded like so many others in this 9-29 season. EMU dropped the opener 6-5, stranding seven runners. In the second game, the Royals took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, then got outscored 10-2 over the final three innings, and lost 10-5.

But afterward, it wasn’t Jarvis’ 2-for-8 showing or his two runs scored that his teammates and coach were talking about.

‘Born Leaders’

Senior third baseman Jameson Jarvis (Courtesy Wayne Gehman)

“Some people are born leaders,” junior infielder Derek Butler said. “And I think that’s what Jarvis is.”

Said coach Mark Mace, who arrived with Jarvis three seasons ago: “Jameson’s the heart and soul of this team. He’s the leader. That kid means a lot to me. He’s a ‘yes sir, no sir’ kid. He represents our university well and I was very honored to coach him.”

That’s why Mace said Jarvis will have an impact on next year’s Royals team – and those down the line.

“Jameson’s going to be our first ghost,” Mace said. “He’ll always be with this program. When games get close later down the line, he’ll step up as a ghost and we’re going to win those games.”

In a voice soft yet forceful, Jarvis admitted he’s not sure how people will look back on his career or what impact he had on his young teammates.

“I’m not in their minds,” said Jarvis, who transferred to EMU after two years at Division II Shepherd. “I don’t know what they think of me. I’d like to think that I carried myself in a respectable manner as someone they could look up to. Hopefully, I did.”

He has a career .295 batting average, having started all 109 games he’s played in at EMU. He has 112 hits, 67 runs and 79 RBIs in that span. His 18 home runs rank 11th in school history, and if he finds a way to drive out two more in his final two games, he’d move up to a tie for 10th.

Wednesday, his leadership manifested itself vocally.

With his team trailing 5-2 midway through the fourth inning of the first game, Jarvis tried to lift some hanging heads.

“Let’s go,” he said. “Let’s start swinging the sticks.”

After the second game – one that saw EMU cough up seven runs in a painful sixth inning – Jarvis explained his approach.

“Whether you give up a seven-run inning or you don’t, I’d like to think it doesn’t affect the way I play,” he said. “Still try to get the hit, try to make the play in the field. That’s all you can do.”

Again Wednesday, like so many times in the past three seasons, his encouragement and effort weren’t enough. The Royals have a 27-85 record during Jarvis’ career.

For his part, Jarvis said he thinks Mace has the Royals going the right direction, though he said the big picture isn’t something he focuses on. He prefers the cliche of one game at a time.

“I’m a player. That’s something a coach would have to answer,” Jarvis said. “But as long as the youth stays here and stays together, I think they’ll keep building. Each year I think we’ve made minor improvements here and there. It’s not something that happens overnight.”

At EMU, it’s something that may require the help of a ghost.

EMU is offering a series of seven seminars designed to help persons sharpen their leadership and conflict management skills.

EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP), MA in business administration program and the Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP) have teamed up with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center to focus on topics ranging from negotiation skills for a “win-win outcome” to dealing with various personality types in the office.

The seminars will begin late January, meeting 9 a.m. for noon on seven Fridays in classroom 211/212 of the University Commons. (See campus map.)

‘People-Handling Skills’

“In my 30 years in business, I’ve noted that the vast majority of middle and senior managers are highly competent in their fields of expertise, but some lack the people-handling skills they need to be fully successful,” said Allon Lefever, director of EMU’s MBA program and entrepreneur. “This seminar series will offer practical help in this arena.”

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity for EMU to work more closely with organizations like the Chamber and SBDC to add the element of the ‘people-side’ of business to their existing and excellent array of services,” said Susan Landes Beck, a CJP administrator and initiator of the series. “With these joint efforts, the Valley has a practical package of training opportunities for local persons who want to grow in all areas of their leadership, business, entrepreneurship and management skills,” she added.

Costs, Schedule and Registration

The cost is $59 per seminar or $349 for the entire series, with a 10 percent discount for Chamber members.

Instructors are seasoned faculty members from EMU’s CJP, ADCP and STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilence) programs as well as from James Madison University and the Wharton, Aldhizer and Weaver law firm.

The schedule follows:

• Jan. 25: Leading Healthy Organizations in a Changing Environment;
• Feb. 1: Building Your Business and Your Integrity;
• Feb. 22, Cultural Awareness Matters: Effective Communication in Today’ s Diverse Workplace;
• Feb. 29: Personality and Communication Styles at Work;
• Mar. 28, Practical Leadership: Using Your Style to Effectively Lead;
• Apr. 11: Transforming Conflict Among Team Members;
• Apr. 25: Negotiation Skills for Leaders.

Persons attending the entire series will receive a certificate in organizational leadership.

To register or for more information, visit http://www.emu.edu/seminarseries or call 540-432-4651 or e-mail pi@emu.edu.

By Tom Mitchell

When addressed his young audience of 30 at , he spoke with a seasoned sense of urgency.

Dean

Eastern Mennonite Seminary has selected a theme for its 2004 School for Leadership Training that builds on a desire among many church members for good preaching and authentic dialog between pulpit and pews.

The program theme, “Preaching: Renewing the Conversation between Pulpit, Pew and Bible,” will focus on helping participants to become better preachers and to “enliven the conversation among participants” for more active participation between those proclaiming the Word and worshipers.

The Jan. 19-22 conference at EMU will include four worship services created to reflect the variety of worship styles used in congregations and examples of good preaching by guest speakers.

“Most people filling church pews