The students were cited for their “significant and verifiable impact” on the university and on student life, for their contributions to developing EMU’s positive image, for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond, for their high academic and social standing, and for their embodiment of EMU’s values of Christian discipleship, community, service and .

The blue cord represents the strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community. The gold cord represents the love of spirit and yearning towards creating a better university environment or community in which all may take part.

The recipients were:

• Christine Baer, a and major from Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
• Aaron Erb, a peacebuilding & development major from Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Laura Glick, a major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Nicole Groff, a major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Ardi Hermawan, a major from Parsurvan, Indonesia
• Rose Jantzi, a major with an recipient from Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Litza Laboriel, a social work major from Trujillo, Honduras
• Krista Nyce, a major from Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Melody Tobin, a liberal arts major with an elementary education licensure from Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Brandon Waggy, a peacebuilding and development and major from South Bend, Indiana

are 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. In addition, the performance will run at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 25, Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27.

The play follows the four women as they push the limits of their physical and emotional endurance and establish profound yet fragile connections with each other through the magical storytelling of the youngest of them, an indigenous woman from Chiapas.

“This play is about the people behind the headlines and statistics,” said , chair of , who is the director.

Written by Kara Hartzler, a 1994 EMU alumnus, “No Roosters in the Desert” is based on actual interviews by Anna Ochoa O’Leary, assistant professor of practice in Mexican-American studies at the University of Arizona.

Hartzler describes her work as ” …trying to portray them [the play’s characters] as multi-faceted human beings who find themselves in a critical situation and respond by being courageous, flawed, noble, selfish, endearing, and maddening—as emotionally rich as any Shakespearean character.”

Reserved tickets are $10 for adults ($12 at the door), and $8 for seniors & non-EMU students ($10 at the door). Tickets are available through the at 540-432-4582 or emu.edu/boxoffice. Group rates are available.

Cast:

Makayla Baker, a first-year student from Augusta, WVa.

Amanda Chandler, a junior from Harrisonburg, Va.

Meggan E. Garcia Sheridan, a first-year student from Wheaton, Ill.

Rose Jantzi, a junior from Harrisonburg, Va.

Joo-Ah Lee, a sophomore from Fairfax, Va.

Chris Parks, a first-year student from Philadelphia, Pa.

Morgan E. Porter, a senior from Richmond, Va.

Funded in part by Mennonite Church USA, the MIP gives students an opportunity to explore their gifts for ministry and to test their possible calling to longer term service work for the church.

“The opportunity for students to test their gifts and to be mentored by seasoned pastors is truly invaluable,” said , instructor in the and director of MIP at EMU.

“The insights that these students then bring back to the classrooms in the fall greatly enrich the learning environment on campus”

Participating students

• Erika Bollman, a second-year student in and a member of Emmaus Christian Fellowship in Boise, Id., will intern at in Philadelphia, Pa. Bollman will work with an inner city congregation that worships in three languages: English, Spanish and Indonesian.
• Jossimar Diaz-Castro, a junior major and a member of the Early Church in Harrisonburg, Va., will intern with Iglesia Discipular Anabaptista in Harrisonburg. Diaz-Castro has the opportunity to “go deeper into the areas of teaching, preaching and working with the youth,” said Schrock-Hurst.
• Rebekah Enns, a junior , and major and member of River East Mennonite-Brethern Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will intern at Fourth Street Community Church in Washington, D.C. Enns will be working with the homeless population, providing meals and legal counseling. In addition, Enns will host youth groups from suburban Korean congregations who come to the city for an immersion experience.
• Rose Jantzi, a sophomore major and member of Iglesia Discipular Anabautista and Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, will intern with Highland Retreat in Bergton, Va., serving as staff chaplain and Christian nurture coordinator. Jantzi will be involved with pastoral care, teaching and worship planning with both staff and campers.
• Joel Nofziger, a junior and major and member of Pilgrims Mennonite Church in Akron, Pa., will intern with the Washington Community Fellowship Center in Washington, D.C. Nofziger will be working with a multi-denominational evangelical congregation affiliated with the Virginia Conference of the Mennonite Church located near the Capitol.

Hands-on experience

At the completion of their 11-week placement, students in the MIP program receive stipends towards their continuing education at a Mennonite college. In addition to Mennonite Church USA, funds come from EMU, the host congregation and conference, and the student’s sending congregation and conference.

“The MIP program is a win-win for the denomination, local congregations, students, participating colleges and for the broader church,” said Schrock-Hurst.

This summer, Mennonite Church USA anticipates having over 20 students in the MIP program from five Mennonite colleges participating in the program.

For more information on the Ministry Inquiry Program visit .

Is leadership worth the risk? This was the primary question addressed at a conference for Mennonite youth held on the ��ݮ���� campus. Forty-six Mennonite young people gathered from around the country to explore leadership issues at , July 27-30.

Youth and sponsors explored various aspects of leadership in workshops and worship sessions. Speakers talked about leaders in the Bible who took risks.

Glen Guyton, youth minister at Calvary Community Church in Hampton, Va., spoke about Moses. Seventeen-year-old Daniel Lyman of Hartville, Ohio, said that “The example of Moses was good. He didn