“The story of the Good Samaritan reminds us that those who serve most effectively are not typically the most respected among us, nor do they often come from the ranks of those with obvious power,” said Swartzendruber. “Servant leaders are those who frequently did not seek leadership roles but act out of deeply held values which are often then noticed by others.”

Swartzendruber linked his message to several alumni who have made an impact as servant leaders across the world, including: , a 2007 graduate of and a ; Eliza Barnhart Burkholder, a 2009 nursing graduate who received the first in Harrisonburg; , a 2007 graduate and DREAM Act advocate; and , a 2007 graduate who is leading an environmental effort in Borneo to stop palm oil producers from taking over the rain forest, among others.

In distinguishing EMU from its peers as a “Christian university like no other,” Swartzendruber noted its diverse program base.

“There are five Mennonite colleges in the U.S. and EMU is the only one that embodies a seminary, a Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, a , and with the advent of the new this fall, a total of ,” said Swartzendruber.

EMU also includes an to prepare non-native speakers for futher academic study and a popular .

In closing, Swartzendruber issued a promise to students that an education at EMU is more than just a one-way “dissemination of information” that can be found on podcasts and mass lectures.

“Our promise is that for your tuition payments, you will have every opportunity to become an educated person, one who will be prepared to serve and lead in a global context. And we will fulfill that promise by seeking to be ‘like no other.'”

Cross-cultural sending

The convocation closed with a commissioning for students who left campus Wednesday on fall semester cross-cultural seminar to New Zealand and .

, professor of , and his wife Kathy, will lead a group of 22 students to New Zealand to explore the variety of sustainability issues facing the island country.

The program will have two themes鈥攃ultural and environmental. The cultural studies will center on homestays and the book, 鈥淭he Sociology of Everyday Life in New Zealand.鈥� They will spend time in urban and rural areas, focusing on specific environmental issues and applying them to their particular interests and fields of study.

The majority of the stay will be in the mountainous and agricultural environments of the South Island.

The South Africa and Lesotho group, led by Harlan de Brun, instructor in physical education and recreation, and assisted by EMU alumni Denay Fuglie and Kelsey Yoder, will study the values and norms of South African culture, learn about the African Independent Church movement, do elementary Sesotho language study and focus on community development and projects with particular attention given to AIDS issues.

The group of 21 students will read, hear lectures and journal about the history and culture of Southern Africa, including the Apartheid era and how religious beliefs affected government policy. They return to campus Dec. 5.

鈥楽henandoah Welcome鈥�

Returning students, faculty and staff gave new members of the EMU community a traditional 鈥淪henandoah Welcome鈥� as they wended their way through a human 鈥渢unnel鈥� of smiling faces and clapping hands accompanied by Appalachian bluegrass music.

EMU鈥檚 fall semester ends Dec. 14.

(President Swartzendruber speaks at 12:50)

Both former Royals are originally from Telford, PA, and graduates of .聽 They have been named the school鈥檚 Young Alumni of the Year, an award which is based on demonstration of academic, spiritual, and lifestyle practices as outlined in the school’s graduate profile carried out since graduation.聽 The duo will be honored at the school Homecoming Weekend on Oct. 19-20.聽 Kratz will also be inducted into the previous weekend.

Heavener is a 2003 graduate of Christopher Dock before making her way to EMU.聽 She was a three-year starter at midfielder on the Lady Royals鈥� field hockey team, playing in a total of 65 games in four seasons.聽 Heavener was also named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association D-III National Academic Team.

As a student at EMU, she started working in the office of the Senate Majority Leader and after graduating, continued to work in Washington, D.C., with the Faith and Politics Institute and as a lobbyist for the Aircraft & Pilots Association. 聽In March 2012, she was chosen for a global advocacy campaign called , left her job on Capitol Hill, and lived with the Dayak tribe in Borneo, Indonesia.聽 There Heavener worked with a team in the oldest rainforest on the planet to stop illegal deforestation, educate locals, and rescue orangutans. Her 100 days in the jungle will be released as a documentary, “The Rise of the Eco-Warriors,” in early 2013. 聽She currently lives in Washington, D.C., and works as the Facilitator for DeforestACTION.

Kratz was a four-year starter at catcher for the Royals, completing possibly the best baseball career ever by a Royal.聽 He was named Old Dominion Athletic Conference Player of the Year in both of his final two seasons, 2001 and 2002.聽 He graduated with the NCAA record for career doubles, and also held 20 season and career records at EMU.

Since leaving college, Kratz has continued his playing days, spending much of the past decade in Minor League baseball.聽 His work ethic paid off when he finally made his Major League debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010.聽 Kratz signed with his hometown Philadelphia Phillies the following year, and this summer is getting significant playing time.聽 As of Aug. 16, Kratz has played in 23 games for the Phillies with a .273 batting average, 5 homeruns and 13 RBIs.

For more information on Kratz, .聽 For more information on EMU鈥檚 Hall of Honor, .