Before the clock struck midnight on Wednesday, April 2, LovEMU Giving Day 2025 achieved its fairy tale ending. A generous outpouring of support from all members of the EMU community—alumni, faculty, staff, current and prospective students, and friends—resulted in a record-breaking $365,313 raised by 360 unique donors during the ninth annual 24-hour extravaganza. That total surpasses the $350,000 goal set by LovEMU organizers and tops the $340,512 raised last year (a 7% increase).

Donors gave early and often, unlocking all $152,000 in challenge match funds for The University Fund, student scholarships, athletics, facilities, and intercultural programs. Because 27 prospective students who registered to attend LovEMU Giving Day paid their tuition deposits, donors matched their commitment by contributing $27,000 to student scholarships. That’s nearly double the $15,000 raised for that challenge last year!

The 2025 LovEMU leaderboard competition was fierce and fun-spirited, with the winners named below:

Academic program

• First place ($1,000 prize): Education
• Second place ($500 prize): Music
• Third place ($250 prize): Business and leadership

Student club/organization

• First place ($1,000 prize): SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Council)
• Second place ($500 prize): Earthkeepers
• Third place ($250 prize): Pickleball

Athletic team

• First place ($1,000 prize): Men’s soccer
• Second place ($500 prize): Women’s volleyball
• Third place ($250 prize): Men’s volleyball

Nicole Litwiller, annual giving and donor communication specialist, said that a highlight for her was seeing the whole EMU community come together to embrace their pride for EMU. “There were some moments yesterday where we were coming down to the wire to meet a challenge goal, but without fail, our community came through and helped us unlock every single one,” she said on Thursday. “Thanks to their support, LovEMU Giving Day was a huge success, and we once again beat last year’s record. I’m so grateful for everyone who showed their support.”

Seeing septuple?!

Four EMU staff members and two students channeled their inner Royal-in-chief for the first-ever President Huxman Lookalike Contest, held on Monday at the Student Union to kick off LovEMU week. The contest honored Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, who has served as EMU’s ninth president since 2017 and is retiring this summer. Tyler Goss, director for student engagement and leadership development, hosted the competition, dispensing with his typical flair for the dramatic. 

The half-dozen contestants modeled their blue outfits and recited their favorite Huxmanisms. Determined by raucous cheers and selected by Huxman herself as judge, the winners of the contest, students Mana Acosta and Leah Beachy—the latter of whom wore a bald cap to portray Huxman’s husband—received an offer of a fancy dinner at the president’s residence along with three guests of their choice. 

“It’s spooky because I use all of those words,” Huxman said, before announcing her pick. “You all used the correct enunciation and everything.” Following the contest, Litwiller announced that the LovEMU Early Challenge had been reached, which unlocked $10,000 toward The University Fund. for more photos from the event.

Getting hyped at Herm’s House

By the time the second annual LovEMU pep rally began at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, donors had already contributed more than $54,000, or about 15%, of the day’s fundraising goal. The event, held at Yoder Arena, started with a screening of the official 2025 LovEMU video (watch it on YouTube) featuring some of your favorite campus characters. Frequent emcee duo Braydon Hoover and Deanna Reed hyped up the crowd. 

Naomi Kratzer, an EMU junior from Goshen, Indiana, majoring in music performance and history, shared her own “Royal Tale” leading her to EMU. For more Royal Tales of students and alumni, check out our series of stories here. As she decided on which college to attend, the Mennonite-raised Kratzer “began scouring” the five Mennonite colleges in the U.S. It was EMU’s campus that kept catching her eye, she said, due to its beautiful setting in the Shenandoah Valley, its strong music education program and its vibrant student community. “My story didn’t begin when I stepped onto campus, and neither did any of yours,” she said. “But EMU is known to be a home for all of our vastly diverse, chaotic, and ever-complicating plots. EMU’s resilience is in the people.”

In a dazzling display of musical mastery, Goss, dressed as the jester from the LovEMU video, pulled a flute from his sleeve and performed the theme to Sesame Street. He was joined by Makinto, an internationally known musician and seminary student, who challenged him to a flute battle. Watch the pep rally . The flute duel begins at the 38-minute mark.

Royal Tales 

A Royal Tales panel discussion hosted by Litwiller with EMU professors Dr. Gaurav Pathania, Dr. Benjamin Bergey ’11, and Dr. Kate Clark ’07 detailed their journeys to EMU, the challenges they’ve overcome, what excites them about the future, and what they love most about EMU. 

Clark graduated from EMU’s nursing program, worked as a nurse for several years, and then returned to teach at EMU in 2011. She gave a shout-out to the Graham Central Station ice cream flavor at the cafeteria—“I’ve never had it anywhere else,” she said—and added that her job at EMU is the best one she’s ever had. “I love that EMU has a point of view,” she said. “It’s a place that has a perspective. … I love working for a place that I feel stands for something, and it’s something that’s important and needed in the world.”

Sanctuary of sound

Music Professor Ben Guerrero led tours of the new recording studio inside the Astral Hall on top of the EMU hill. Built in 1955, the former lecture hall was once home to the astronomy society. Starting in the early ’70s, it housed the WEMC radio station run by EMU students and staff. Today, it’s a state-of-the-art studio with two isolation rooms and a Dolby Atmos control room for mixing immersive or 3D audio. The space can be used to produce full records, music videos, and informational and instructional videos. The studio officially opens this fall.

A ‘wheelie’ good time

EMU students, staff, and anyone daring enough to brave a gauntlet of projectiles and obstacles took part in a race around the indoor track, modeled after the popular Mario Kart video game. Participants rode scooters, dodging yoga balls and dodgeballs, grabbing prize boxes, and weaving their way around aerobics step platforms and hurdles laid out on the track, to fight their way to the finish line. Meanwhile, on the Yoder Arena courts down below, the EMU men’s volleyball team won a five-set thriller over Randolph College.

Challenges (all unlocked)

LovEMU Early Challenge: We received more than 120 gifts (100 gifts were needed) before the start of LovEMU Giving Day to unlock $10,000 for scholarships. 

Loyal Royal Challenge: EMU alumni gave more than 270 gifts (250 gifts were needed) over the 24-hour span to unlock $20,000 for The University Fund.

Friends of EMU Challenge: Non-alumni deepened their commitment to EMU by contributing more than 180 gifts (175 gifts were needed) throughout the day and unlocking $15,000 for scholarships.

Future Royal Challenge: Because 27 prospective students who registered to attend LovEMU Giving Day paid their tuition deposit, we unlocked $27,000 for scholarships.

Rise ’N Shine, Royals! Challenge: Early birds helped reach this challenge by giving more than 80 gifts (75 gifts were needed) between 6 and 9 a.m. to unlock $15,000 for The University Fund. 

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fund Our Facilities Challenge: Donors demonstrated giant-sized generosity by awarding at least 65 gifts (65 gifts were needed) between 10 a.m. and noon to unlock $15,000 for improvements to campus facilities.

What Magnificent Academics We Have! Challenge: To celebrate EMU’s stellar smarts, supporters donated at least 100 gifts (100 gifts were needed) between noon and 3 p.m. to unlock $15,000 for scholarships.

A Whole New World Challenge: EMU’s intercultural programs have impacted thousands of graduates, offering opportunities to engage in different cultures, build global relationships and experience a new perspective. Donors contributed 80 gifts (75 gifts were needed) between 5 and 7 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for intercultural programs. 

The Mighty Royals Challenge: Athletics supporters showed their love for EMU sports by pitching in 60 gifts (50 gifts were needed) between 7:30 and 9 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for EMU Athletics.

Before The Clock Struck Midnight Challenge: EMU’s night owls stayed up late to celebrate, giving at least 100 gifts (100 gifts were needed) between 9 p.m. and midnight to unlock $15,000 for The University Fund.

Thanks to everyone who donated, shared of their time to celebrate their love of all things EMU, and joined in the festivities on campus! Special thanks to the LovEMU planning team: Arelys Martinez Fabian, Genesis Figueroa, Tyler Goss, Cassie Guerrero, Liz Heilbronner, Steven Johnson, Luke Litwiller, Nicole Litwiller, and Arushi Sachan; Advancement; Marketing & Communications; Student Government Association; Undergraduate Admissions & Royal Ambassadors; EMU Facilities; Pioneer College Caterers; Athletics; Information Technology; and all other faculty, staff and students who provided support by creating decorations or volunteered their time to help with events.

For more photos from the day’s events, swipe through our gallery below:

This year’s LovEMU Giving Day was an out-of-the-park grand slam, and we’re not just talking about the one hit by a Royals slugger at Wednesday’s baseball game.

The eighth annual giving day extravaganza, held on Wednesday, April 10, was bigger than previous years — featuring a number of new events that amped up the LovEMU spirit — and raised more money than ever before. A total of $340,512 was raised throughout the 24-hour event, cruising past the $325,000 goal set by organizers and eclipsing the $300,915 raised last year (a 13% increase).  

“I am blown away by the support from this community,” said LovEMU organizer Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), annual giving and donor communication specialist. “Not only did we raise over $340,000, which is in itself a massive accomplishment, but we also saw the EMU community (from current students, to alumni, to faculty and staff) show up for this day to make each event special and full of joy.”

EMU students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends shared what they loved most about EMU online (using the #EMUGivingDay and #StrongerTogether hashtags) and on campus. They showed up and showed out at LovEMU Giving Day events held throughout the day. And, they gave like never before, unlocking all $125,000+ of challenge match funds for The University Fund, student scholarships, athletics, and Royal Women for EMU.

This year saw the return of the leaderboard competition. For every $10 donation they made, supporters could vote for an academic program, student club/organization and athletic team. The winners of those categories — Music (85 votes), The Weather Vane (37 votes), and Men’s Soccer (192 votes) — each won $1,000. View the second-place and third-place winners, which received $500 and $250, on the LovEMU website at .

Here’s a recap of the events and unlocked challenges that made LovEMU Giving Day 2024 a smashing success:

Events

Inspired by the ’80s theme in our leading up to the event, folks at EMU showed up to campus looking like they just left an aerobics workout class — think teased hair, neon blue eyeshadow and neon windbreakers, warm-up jackets, legwarmers and headbands — while rocking out to hits from the decade.

Those attending the morning’s pep rally got a sweet start to their day with doughnuts (each representing the cost of an EMU education that donors cover). The EMU pep band added electricity to the first-ever LovEMU pep rally, while emcees Braydon Hoover ‘11, MA ‘21 (organizational leadership) and Harrisonburg, Virginia, Mayor Deanna Reed pumped up the crowd. 

An alumna, a current student and an admitted student each shared what they love about EMU. Nora Osei ’15, an EMU basketball and soccer player who now works as director of growth and partnerships for Nike Sports Camps, shared her tips for finding success. “You don’t have to be a standout athlete or student at EMU to find success,” she told the crowd. EMU senior psychology major and multi-sport athlete Kate Landis talked about the highlights of her last four years at EMU. Admitted student Megan Smith said she had visited 10 other colleges and did not consider EMU as a possibility. But, after seeing the clean campus, enjoying the good food at the dining hall and learning about the strong nursing program, she said EMU felt like home. “My mom and I got back into our car and we looked at each other and said, ‘This is the right place,’” said Smith.

Then, for a memorable moment from the day as President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman donned safety glasses and a poncho in preparation for a pie to the face. Because we surpassed our goal set in the We’ve Got Spirit Challenge, we unlocked $10,000 to The University Fund and got the honor of watching Herm pie the president. As it turns out, Herm has great aim! Watch a of the pep rally on the EMU Facebook page. 

Following the pep rally, a team of faculty and staff faced off against students in ���DZ����ѱ�’s first-ever game of dodgeball. The faculty/staff team left the court victorious after one game. Yoder Arena’s courts then opened up for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and the climbing wall. 

Also new this year was the addition of Admitted Student Day to the LovEMU Day and SGA Day festivities. More than 20 admitted students visited the campus for the day, taking tours, learning about programs at the University Fair and panel discussions and participating in the spirited LovEMU events. It was, what President Huxman called, “a trifecta day.” When Herm was asked about how the day was going, he gave an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

About 475 people soaked in the spring sunshine and enjoyed food, fun and fellowship at the Lunch & Lawn Party held on Thomas Plaza. They played lawn games on the grass and competed in contests such as the egg toss.

As mentioned at the beginning of our recap, Wednesday’s baseball game featured a grand slam from utility player Alex Gulisano as the Royals defeated the Fighting Squirrels of Mary Baldwin in a 12-2 drubbing. Another highlight of the game was infielder Ethan Spraker’s inside-the-park home run. The game drew a large crowd, who enjoyed treats from the Ott Street Eats food truck courtesy of the SGA.

Hundreds of people from all ages and backgrounds celebrated the funds rolling in at a barbecue cookout held in the evening in front of the University Commons. Grillmaster Dennis Showalter ’73, president of the Alumni Council, served up fresh burgers and hot dogs. The Rain Pickers, a trio of strings musicians and EMU alumni, performed live music while hungry Royals chowed down. Pioneer College Caterers provided their services for lunch and dinner.

The LovEMU energy continued well into the night, fueled by a karaoke sing-off contest judged by Professor Daniel Showalter, Security Officer Elizabeth Jones, Mayor Reed and Herm. Each of the winning clubs received $100! International Students Organization (ISO) won Most Engaging/Best All-Around, Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA) won Most EMU Love, and Queer Student Alliance (QSA) and Latino Student Alliance (LSA) split the winnings from the Best Theme category. 

LovEMU Giving Day came to a close with a biscuits and jam bar and live music from talented musicians in the Student Union. Litwiller said a highlight of her day came when time was nearing midnight in the Student Union with several students who stuck it out. “When we surpassed $340,000, cheers erupted, Tyler Goss started playing ‘We Are the Champions’ over the speakers, and everyone sang along in celebration,” Litwiller said. “It was a beautiful moment to be a part of, and reminded me of why we do this work: To support these amazing students. I’m filled with gratitude today.”

Challenges

Early Challenge: Before the day even started, the gifts came rolling in. We received at least 100 gifts before the start of LovEMU Giving Day to unlock $10,000 to student scholarships. 120+ out of 100 gifts needed were given!

Loyal Royal Challenge: EMU alumni gave more than 250 gifts over the 24-hour span to best the goal set for this challenge and unlock $15,000 to The University Fund. 252 out of 250 gifts needed were given!

Stronger Together Challenge: Non-alumni deepened their commitment to EMU by making at least 175 gifts throughout the day and unlocking $15,000 to student scholarships. 202 out of 175 gifts needed were given!

Future Royal Challenge: Because 15 prospective students attending LovEMU Giving Day paid their tuition deposit, we unlocked $15,000 to The University Fund.

Wake Me Up Before You Give-Give Challenge: Early birds helped reach this challenge by giving 75 gifts between 6 and 9 a.m. to unlock $10,000 to The University Fund. 88 out of 75 gifts needed were given!

We’ve Got Spirit Challenge: The EMU faithful showed their Royal pride during the pep rally by giving 50 gifts between 10 and 11 a.m. and unlocking $10,000 to The University Fund (as well as a chance to watch Herm pie the president). 54 out of 50 gifts needed were given!

Rally with Royal Women Challenge: Royal Women for EMU, a new networking and philanthropy initiative, raises direct financial aid for students who want to attend EMU. President Huxman matched every dollar donated up to $9,000 in this challenge between noon and 3 p.m. A total of $21,632.70 was raised during this challenge! 

The Roar Heard ’Round the World Challenge: Donors joined Herm in letting their love for EMU be heard all around the world by awarding 75 gifts between 5 and 7 p.m. and unlocking $10,000 to The University Fund. 88 out of 75 gifts needed were given!

What’s Love Got to Do With It Challenge: Loving EMU is not a secondhand emotion. Because we received 50 gifts between 7:30 and 9 p.m., we unlocked $10,000 to student scholarships. 52 out of 50 gifts needed were given!

Carrie Us to Midnight Challenge: Athletics supporters showed their love for EMU sports and Athletics Director Carrie Bert by pitching in 100 donations between 9 p.m. and midnight to unlock $10,000 to the Athletics Annual Fund. 119 out of 100 gifts needed were given!

Thank you to everyone who donated, shared of their time to tell us how you LovEMU, and joined in the festivities on campus!

For more photos from the day’s events, swipe through our below:

It’s clear throughout history that we are all, and have always been, “Stronger Together” as a team. As our rallying cry for the eighth annual on Wednesday, April 10, we invite you to join us in supporting EMU to prove we are truly “Stronger Together.”

Participate in our 24-hour giving day extravaganza, in which alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends come together to support and celebrate the wonderful university we all love. Help us set a new record! Last year, we raised $300,915 from donors giving 844 gifts. With your help, we can all make a difference by contributing to even more scholarships and financial aid packages, direct faculty and staff support, DEI initiatives and more!

Plenty of events are scheduled to show off your Royal pride and unleash your LovEMU spirit. Follow our live interviews and coverage throughout the day on our EMU , hosted by Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), annual giving and donor communication specialist. Tag #LovEMU, #EMUGivingDay and #StrongerTogether in your social media posts and tell your friends and family about LovEMU Giving Day. 

Events

LovEMU Pep Rally
10:10-11 a.m. | Yoder Arena
Jump-start your morning with an hour of EMU spirit, storytelling and a chance to watch Herm pie President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman in the face. Doughnuts from Krispy Kreme will be provided beforehand. This event will be livestreamed.

Student vs. Faculty/Staff Dodgeball
11-11:30 a.m. | Yoder Arena
Students and faculty/staff face off in a friendly game of dodgeball. 

Choose Your Own Adventure Activities
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | University Commons
Add some activity to your afternoon. The climbing wall and pickleball and basketball courts will be open, with arts and crafts available and a university fair open to prospective students.

Lunch & Lawn Party
Noon-2 p.m. | Thomas Plaza
EMU leaders and administrators show their student appreciation by flipping burgers behind the grill. In addition to a lunch, free to all students and prospective students, attendees can play lawn games and win prizes.

LovEMU, LoveYourself
2-4 p.m. | UC Student Union
Stop by the LovEMU Hub at the Hall of Nations for various self-care activities, including snacks.

Baseball game
4 p.m. | EMU Baseball Field
Cheer on the Royals as they take on Mary Baldwin University.

LovEMU Cookout
5:30-7:30 p.m. | UC Parking Lot
Live music, free food and celebration — what’s not to love? This event is free and open to the public. Please so we’ll know how much food to prepare.

Karaoke Sing-Off
8-9:30 p.m. | UC Student Union
Show off your pipes while competing for a chance to win $100 for your favorite club at EMU. Both solo and group singers are welcome. Judges will crown their favorites in three categories: Best Theme, Most EMU Love, and Most Engaging/Best All-Around. Plus, everyone who performs gets a free small Common Grounds drink.

Late Night Jammin’
10:30-Midnight | UC Student Union
LovEMU Giving Day draws to a jazzy close with live music from EMU students and a biscuits and jam bar (hence the punny name).

Challenges

This year’s LovEMU Giving Day features more than $125,000 in challenge match funds from generous donors, split between full-day and timed challenges.

After a one-year hiatus, the leaderboard for athletic teams, academic programs and student organizations has returned. Donors who contribute a tax-deductible gift of $10 or more on LovEMU Giving Day can vote for a favorite team, program and organization. First, second and third place finishers from each category will receive between $250 and $1,000.

LovEMU Early Challenge (almost there!)
Help us reach our goal of receiving 100 gifts before LovEMU Giving Day to unlock an additional $10,000 toward the University Fund, our No. 1 student-centric fundraising priority.

Full-Day Challenges

Loyal Royal Challenge: If EMU alumni give 250 gifts, another $15,000 is unlocked to the University Fund. 

Stronger Together: Parents, students and all-around fans can show their love for all things EMU. If 175 non-alumni participate in LovEMU Giving Day, $15,000 will be unlocked for student scholarships.

Future Royal: For each prospective student who attends LovEMU Giving Day and pays their tuition deposit, another $1,000 is donated to the University Fund.

Timed Challenges

Wake Me Up Before You Give-Give
Time: 6-9 a.m.
Goal: 75 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the University Fund

We’ve Got Spirit
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Goal: 50 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the University Fund…and an opportunity to pie President Huxman!

Rally with Royal Women
Time: Noon-3 p.m.
Goal: $9,000
Royal Women for EMU, a new networking and philanthropy initiative, is determined to raise direct financial aid for students wanting to attend EMU. President Huxman has pledged to match every dollar donated in this challenge up to $9,000 to help Royal Women achieve its goal.

The Roar Heard ‘Round the World
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Goal: 75 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the University Fund

What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Goal: 50 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 toward student scholarships

Carrie Us to Midnight
Time: 9 p.m.-Midnight
Goal: 100 gifts
Unlocks: $10,000 to the Athletics Annual Fund

Other ways to get into the LovEMU spirit

Try “The Herm Sandwich”
From Monday, April 8, to Wednesday, April 10, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, is offering The Herm Sandwich, a ham sandwich with “a Royal twist.” The sandwich consists of double-smoked ham or smoked tofu with barbecue sauce and Swiss dill coleslaw on pumpernickel bread. Lola’s will contribute $1 from every Herm Sandwich sold to the University Fund. 

Watch our video
As you may have noticed in our rad ’80s-inspired workout videos, we’ve been getting “Pumped Up” about LovEMU Giving Day and we hope you are, too! Check out a teaser below for our full LovEMU Giving Day video, which releases on Monday, April 8.

Thank you to the many departments and people who have lent their valuable skills and insights to LovEMU Giving Day. For more information about LovEMU events and challenges, visit .

Total giving to EMU for the 2012-13 fiscal year was $6,277,000, a 24 percent increase from the $5,059,000 given to EMU in the previous year. The most recent fiscal year was the second-best year for overall fundraising in the past decade, behind $6,562,000 in total support in the 2005-06 fiscal year.

CASE recognized EMU as one of five “superior fundraising programs” in its peer group, after a blind review of fundraising data over the past three years. Also recognized in EMU’s category were Abilene Christian University, Gonzaga University, the Rochester Institute of Technology and Union University.

“EMU continues to benefit from a very loyal core of alumni donors and individual friends of the university,” said , vice president for advancement. “We are very pleased to report that our efforts to increase the giving participation of alumni and current parents continues to bear fruit.”

The university was supported by a total of 3,830 donors last year, up from 3,565 the previous year. The number of alumni donor households increased from 1,942 to 1,995 from 2012 to 2013. Gifts from parents of current students increased from 53 to 86 over the same period, while gifts from parents of former students increased from 231 to 236.

The also enjoyed its best year to date, receiving more than $1.5 million in gifts and commitments last year. Through the end of June, the campaign had raised $5.9 million. Shisler anticipates reaching the campaign goal of $7 million during the current 2013-14 fiscal year.

Gifts to the , EMU’s unrestricted annual fund, totaled $1,767,000, while $358,000 was received in new gifts to the university’s endowment funds. The endowment funds support student financial aid, facilities maintenance and various academic programs.

“EMU is especially fortunate to have a donor constituency of alumni and friends who support the institution in three significant ways,” says Shisler. “[This happens] through consistent annual giving, through periodic capital giving to support our capital projects, and, increasingly, through people incorporating EMU into estate plans to make a major gift to EMU at the end of their lives.”

Over the past year, 50 people included EMU in their estate plans, bringing the size of the to 547.

The alumni giving rate now stands at about 23 percent. That is well above the national average for all universities (13%), and compares favorably to EMU’s peer institutions in Virginia as well as other Mennonite colleges.

Total contributions were $5,627,312, up $744,555 from fiscal year 2010.

“We are pleased that giving to the University Fund has remained strong, even as donors have begun making significant capital commitments to our campaign for the new Suter Science Complex,” said Dr. Fred Kniss, provost and acting president of EMU. “We are also quite fortunate to have an especially loyal core group of alumni and donors who persisted with steadfast support amidst continuing softness in the economy,” Kniss added.

Contributions to the University Fund totaled $1,818,000, an increase of nearly two percent over last year. EMU’s University Fund provides annual operating support for the institution as well as merit and need-based financial aid to students.

According to Kirk Shisler, vice president for advancement, EMU received several substantial gifts that made the difference in total giving for the fiscal year. “We successfully completed a $2.5 million theater and fine arts campaign.  Over $520,000 of these funds were received during the year.  This includes naming gifts for a new studio theater, art gallery and advanced media lab,” said Shisler.

Several substantial contributions were also received in support of a campaign to raise funds for a new science facility at EMU. “We are in the early phases of fundraising, and anticipate that several years of intensive effort will be required to reach our goal for this major project,” said Shisler.

It was also a strong year for bequests at EMU.  Gifts from the estates of 19 donors  amounted to nearly $1.1 million, an increase of 57 percent over the previous year.

“We are very grateful for the continued strong support for EMU in the midst of difficult economic times.  We view this as an affirmation of the importance of our university’s mission,” said Kniss.

Total contributions to EMU, including restricted gifts and grants, totaled $4,857,757 compared with $6,194,442 in 2009.

"The decrease in total giving is largely due to a windfall bequest of $1 million EMU received last year," noted EMU President Loren Swartzendruber. noted.

"In recent years, total philanthropic support has hovered around $5 million per year, so this past year has been more typical in that regard. Overall, it was a good year for EMU, especially given the continued softness of the economy," the president said.

Over $3 million in restricted gifts and bequests was contributed in support of special projects in both the undergraduate and graduate programs as well as for endowment.

According to Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for advancement, EMU received several substantial gifts that made the difference in total giving for the fiscal year.

"We successfully completed a $2.4 million theater and fine arts campaign with nearly $500,000 of these funds received during the 2009-10 fiscal year. This includes $146,000 that was contributed to establish a studio theater in memory of EMU alumnus Lee Eshleman," Shisler reported.

EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) was the recipient of several large grants this past year, including $200,000 in special project support from the Kellogg Foundation for the ", a program focused on racial reconciliation among descendants of slaves and slave owners.

EMU’s endowment fund also received a boost in new contributions of $667,000 during the year. Scholarship support for business and science students were among several program areas that benefited from these new contributions to the endowment fund.

"We are extremely grateful for the widespread support EMU received in what has been a very challenging economic environment for fundraising," Swartzendruber said.

Godshall, of Elizabethtown, Pa., handed the gavel to her successor, Andrew (Andy) Dula of Lancaster, Pa., at the close of the two-day sessions.

Susan Godshall passes the gavel to her successor as EMU board chair, Andy Dula. Photo by Jim Bishop

Dula, a 1991 EMU graduate, is chief financial officer at EG Stoltzfus Construction, Lancaster, Pa. He will serve a three-year term as board chair.

Godshall, a 1965 EMU alumna, joined the board of trustees as a representative from Lancaster Mennonite Conference in November, 1998, and was elected board chair in 2004.

Alumni following Godly path

Godshall opened the meeting with a devotional based on Psalm 78. She told the board that she recently reviewed old trustee minutes and felt as though she was reading “a developing story” that began with the school’s founding in 1917.

“The vision behind the school’s beginning remains much the same today – training young people in the ways of God and of the Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective on Christian service…to live as God’s people in a society that would pulls us in other directions,” Godshall said.

“I am impressed, in reading EMU’s ‘Crossroads’ magazine, by seeing the difference that EMU alumni are making as their stories connect with God’s story,” she said.

Board adopts budget, reports funds

In board actions, the trustees adopted a preliminary operating budget with $30.1 million in total revenues for the 2010-11 fiscal year, a 6 percent percent increase over 2009-10.

The budget includes funding of $1.3 million for capital expenditures and debt reduction and $4 million in student scholarship funds and calls for $1.8 in contributions to the University Fund by June 30, 2011.

Gerry Horst, chair of the advancement and enrollment/marketing committee, reported that EMU’s University Fund (for annual unrestricted contributions) was running over 6% behind last year’s pace.

“Intensive year-end efforts continue to close the gap by June 30,” Horst said.

Outgoing trustees

Several other trustees concluded terms of service at the June board meeting. In addition to Susan Godshall, the board recognized:

• Steve Brenneman of Nappanee, Ind.
• Shirley Hochstetler of Kidron, Ohio
• Robert Hostetler of Erie, Pa.
• Joan King of Telford, Pa.
• Lillis Troyer of Walnut Creek, Ohio

“We are extremely grateful for the widespread support EMU received in what has been a very challenging economic environment for fundraising,” said EMU president Loren Swartzendruber.

Gifts to EMU’s annual fund – known as the University Fund – totaled $1.73 million compared with $1.85 million in 2008 for a decline of 6.9% in unrestricted support. “The shortfall in annual giving is cause for some concern,” said Dr. Swartzendruber. “However, given the larger picture it is very understandable. A number of our alumni and donor friends have experienced economic hardship, and so naturally some have felt compelled to reduce their support.”

In a show of support for EMU students, 126 faculty and staff made extra contributions during the year to help offset some of the losses in endowment revenue. Together with some 60 alumni and trustees, $128,000 was given and pledged to establish an Emergency Student Aid Fund. Proceeds from this fund will be awarded as financial aid to students during the 2009-10 academic year.

In the area of designated gifts and grants, EMU had one of its best years in the past decade. Nearly $3.4 million was contributed in support of special projects in both the undergraduate and graduate programs as well as for endowment.

According to Kirk Shisler, vice president for advancement, EMU received several substantial gifts that made the difference in total giving for the fiscal year. “A gift of $971,000 from the estate of Dr. Paul Hill of Virginia was the single largest gift to EMU this past year,” Shisler said, noting that the Hill gift will support EMU’s endowment fund as well as provide financial aid to pre-med students in EMU’s science program.

EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) received nearly $800,000 in special project support from a variety of sources, including Church World Service, Fetzer Institute, Kellogg Foundation, The Ploughshares Fund and Compton Foundation. Substantial grants were made to other EMU programs as well, including an award of $132,000 from The Virginia College Fund and $117,000 for EMU’s nursing program from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation.

Additional restricted gifts and grants in the $25,000 to $50,000 range benefited EMU’s music and scholarship programs as well as two new programs at Eastern Mennonite Seminary to provide online instruction and an Hispanic studies initiative.

“It is a special privilege to walk with our students as we prepare them to serve and lead in a global context,” Swartzendruber said. “Our mission simply could not be fulfilled without the involvement of those who are excited about what our graduates are doing all over the world.”

Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for , reported that contributions of $1,764,000 to the set a new record, surpassing the 2006 annual fund total of $1,733,000 by nearly two percent. The University Fund supports student financial aid, funds for and other program budgets as well as the (CJP), Shisler noted.

Support for EMU’s undergraduate and graduate programs included $751,000 in endowment contributions and $2,599,210 in restricted grants and contributions. Included in the above totals was $220,000 in bequests and deferred gifts, Shisler noted.

“With the exception of 2006 in which several rather large endowment gifts were received, this was one of our strongest years in terms of endowment giving,” Shisler added.

CJP and Seminary Generate Large Gifts

Several of the larger gifts EMU received in 2006-07 were designated for The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and for Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

The Fulbright Program and Church World Service provided grants of $357,000 and $251,000, respectively, for scholarships and special projects of CJP.

Meanwhile, EMU’s seminary benefited from a gift of $208,000 from an individual donor to provide scholarship support to seminary students.

Alumni Continue to Give

According to Shisler, an area of continued emphasis is alumni giving.

“For several years now, the average total giving of alumni to the University Fund has increased quite steadily,” he noted. “In 2006-07, for example, average giving rose from $413 to $473, an increase of 14.5.

“However, we continue to address overall alumni participation in giving, which is currently around 30%,” Shisler said, adding: “We believe that participation will increase as we engage alumni more actively in the life of the institution.”

Included in the giving totals are contributions of $121,000 from 165 EMU faculty and staff who supported the university’s annual fund and other programs during the year.

“EMU is blessed with the support of many alumni and friends who care deeply about our mission,” said President Loren Swartzendruber. “Our intent is to be good stewards of the investments donors make toward the education of our students. In addition to significant financial support, we value the prayers of God’s people on our behalf.”

The of ��ݮ���� heard campus updates and took action on finances during its quarterly meeting on campus, Nov. 10-11.

The 16-member governing body approved a revised, final operating budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year of $26.4 million, a 4.9 percent increase over last year. The budget includes capital budget funding of $826,900 and calls for $1.87 million to the by the close of the fiscal year on June 30, 2007.

Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for advancement, reported that gifts to the University Fund, which helps close the gap between tuition and actual operating costs of the school, “are more than 20 percent ahead of the same time last year.”

Shisler reported on new initiatives to increase the alumni giving rate above the current rate of 30 percent participation. The good news, he said, is that the average alumni gift for unrestricted purposes has more than doubled in the past five years to $415.

Campus Entryway Discussed

EMU President Loren Swartzendruber gave a progress report from Van Yahres Associates, a Charlottesville, Va., architectural firm, outlining the most recent ideas for developing clearly-marked campus perimeters as well as a more clearly defined entryway.

Dr. Swartzendruber noted that the university has talked with city officials on their plans for improving and widening Mt. Clinton Pike and how that may affect EMU’s plans to create a defined perimeter.

“The city has indicated their willingness to make their plans available so that any development of a campus perimeter can be done with city data in mind,” the president said.

Swartzendruber reported that a Crisis Management Preparedness Team (CMPT) has been meeting regularly to outline plans and procedures in the event of emergency situations ranging from fires and ethical breaches to natural disasters.

“The potential for such a serious disease outbreak as a flu pandemic creates the need for comprehensive planning for a variety of scenarios,” the president said.

Number of Undergraduates Increasing

Kenneth L. Nafziger, vice president for , told the board that the number of Virginia undergraduate students has increased from 339 in 1998 to 402 this year. The undergraduate ethnic/international population has also grown to about 20 percent of the total student body.

In addition, EMU attained a first-to-second-year retention rate of 81 percent in last year’s entering class, an improvement of five percentage points – approximately 10 students – over a ten-year average, Dr. Nafziger noted.

The board accepted a recommendation to appoint an associate trustee from the United Methodist Church, who is compatible with the vision of the seminary, to serve on the trustee seminary committee. Approximately 20 percent of the Eastern Mennonite Seminary student body is from that denomination.

The board grappled with requests coming to the university from church-related educational programs in other parts of the world, asking EMU to offer accredited courses for their students.

EMU President Loren Swartzendruber said that “hardly a month goes by that we don’t get impassioned pleas from legitimate, worthy sources – India, Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic being recent examples.

“We agonize over a desire to find ways to respond within the reality of limited resources,” the president said, acknowledging there is a “window of opportunity” to offer an Anabaptist theological presence for the next generation of church leaders worldwide.

Trustee Gilberto Flores of Newton, Kan., said “the Ethiopian Meserete Kristos Church has much to teach the North American church in the wake of a period of persecution. They provide a lesson in humility and perseverance in seeing how God is working around the world.”

��ݮ���� has received $6,585,205 in total contributions for the 2005-2006 fiscal year ending June 30, a 24 percent increase, or $1,293,843 more than last year.

Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for , reported that contributions of $1,730,000 to the set a new record, surpassing the 2005 annual fund total of $1,591,000 by more than eight percent. The University Fund supports student financial aid, funds for and other program budgets and the (CJP), Shisler noted.

Support for EMU’s undergraduate and graduate programs included endowment giving of $1,651,000 and bequests and restricted grants of $3,154,000, Shisler noted. The increase by more than $1 million in endowment support “was largely the result of three major gifts to establish endowments for undergraduate faculty release time, the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Eastern Mennonite Seminary,” he said.

Giving by EMU alumni continued to increase both in total giving – $2,981,878 compared to $1,995,475 in 2004-05 – and in the number of donors at the $1,000-plus level, Shisler said.

Included in the giving totals are gifts from 175 EMU faculty and staff who supported the university with contributions of more than $112,000.

“In a host of unique ways, EMU donors have responded with a resounding ‘Yes’! to our persistent, and hopefully gracious, invitations to join with the university in its transformative work,” Shisler said.

“EMU is blessed with the support of many alumni and friends who care deeply about our mission,” said President Loren Swartzendruber. “Our intent is to be good stewards of the investments donors make toward the education of our students. In addition to signficant financial support, we value the prayers of God’s people on our behalf.”

Approving several new academic programs and taking actions to strengthen the future of the university was the primary focus of the Mar. 24-25 meeting of the EMU .

The school’s governing body heard a summary report with recommendations that followed nearly two-years of comprehensive work by a "prioritization" steering committee.

Prioritization report

The 13-member group, chaired by University President , led a process of evaluating all university programs to ensure that they fit the university’s mission to serve the Mennonite Church and larger world.

Dr. Swartzendruber gave a Powerpoint presentation on the project. The goal of the campuswide effort, he said, is "to experience healthy organizational change that will make EMU a stronger,even higher quality program in the days ahead.

"This has been a transparent process all along, with findings and committee proceedings and recommendations posted on the web site for everyone to read," the president said.

The board took action to approve the prioritization report, with many of the recommendations to be carried out in a gradual, "evolutionary" fashion.

Merging departments

Among the changes, the board approved a recommendation to merge the art and communication departments to form the , effective fall 2006.

Marie S. Morris, undergraduate academic dean, pointed to the advantages to be realized by merging the two departments, noting that "the faculty are young and passionate about their discipline, with a positive effect on students.

"It is important to model a faith-based collaboration in the context of a liberal arts and Anabaptist faith context where students are equipped to engage in creative activity in a variety of media forms," Dr. Morris said. "Students will be enriched by the mixing in classes of students who are working in traditional studio arts and those working in digital applications. The critical analysis, combined with working side-by-side, will push each student to a greater level of excellence," she added.

The board also approved recommendations to add a major in digital media and a major in photography, effective fall 2006. Both programs are in response to student interest and will provide increased collaboration of students and faculty, improved advising and mentoring and more efficient budgeting and instructional space use.

New MBA track

Also approved was a new health services administration track within the program, starting fall of 2006. Allon Lefever, MBA director, said the courses will be offered on-line and will take two-and-a-half years to complete the certificate at one course a semester.

President Loren Swartzendruber gives a summary of the campuswide "prioritization" process to the EMU board of trustees.
Photo by Jim Bishop

"The courses will emphasize case studies and ethical considerations and will prepare potential managers of nursing homes, retirement communities and other health care systems," Lefever said.

The trustees also approved recommendations to discontinue several academic programs with low enrollment, effective fall 2006 – the German major and minor, the economic development major and minor and the marketing minor.

"We weren’t certain when this process started where we’d end up, and in fact, we’re far from done at this stage," Swartzendruber said. "This huge task will mean little if we don’t continue working on it on an annual basis."

Other business

The trustees also:

–Approved a preliminary operating budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year of $25.5 million, a 3.6% increase. The new budget includes $ 5.5 million in student scholarships, a one percent wage increase for faculty, staff and retirees and $1.4 million toward capital projects;

–Approved five-year contracts for 10 undergraduate faculty members and one seminary professor and promotions in rank, effective fall of 2006, for seven undergraduate faculty;

–Heard that revenues for 2006-06 are at $944,520, about $130,000 above the same time last year, with 17 contributions of $50,000 or more received so far the current fiscal year. The board also was told that first-year student applications and deposits are "substantially ahead of 2005."

The EMU board of trustees spent a portion of their fall meeting, Nov. 11-12, focusing on that perplexing question with the aid of Van Yahres Associates, a Charlottesville, Va., architectural firm.

Using a Powerpoint presentation on "the anatomy of a campus," Mike Van Yahres, colleague Syd Knight and Sam Jones of Troyer and Associates, designers of the campus master plan, identified the key planning components as: a recognizable entrance, identifiable centers, definite edges, organized circulation (parking), efficient maintenance and simplicity of design.

Architects Mike Van Yahres (standing) and Syd Knight introduce key considerations in designing a welcome entrance to the EMU campus. Designing entranceways to schools and other institutions is the firm’s speciality.
Photos by Jim Bishop

Although the board’s discussion centered around where to create a main entrance, the other components factor heavily into that planning.

A successful entrance provides an "ah-ha" moment to visitors, engages the center of campus, is welcoming – often including admissions’ interests – and anticipates long-term growth and change, the architects said.

Board members raised questions about the city’s plans for roads surrounding the campus, the university’s relationship to other campuses such as Eastern Mennonite High School and Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community EMHS and EMU’s long-term plan for purchasing surrounding buildings.

Suggestions from the board included the need for "ample and convenient parking" as well as "capitalizing on the beautiful view available from certain areas on campus."

The architects also noted that EMU has enough land area to grow "by more than a third of its current population" over the long term.

"This is a 50 to 100-year decision, and we want to proceed carefully but expeditiously," EMU said. "We will plan several meetings in late spring to engage faculty, staff and students in discussions about the options for an entranceway and welcome center."

In trustees’ actions, the board approved a revised final operating budget for the 2005-06 fiscal year of $24.6 million, a 4.5 percent increase over last year. The budget calls for contributions of $1.75 million to the by June 30, 2006 and includes $4,947,000 earmarked for student financial aid.

The board also gave the administration authority to increase tuition "not less than 5 percent and not more than 8 percent" for the 2006-07 year and approved a $600 increase in room and board. The room and board hike "will still place EMU in a lower category than many peer schools currently charge," a board member noted.

Susan Godshall, chair of the EMU board of trustees, confers with Carlos Romero of Mennonite Education Agency between sessions.
Photo by Jim Bishop

The board recessed to attend an EMU chapel service and heard Carlos Romero, executive secretary of the Mennonite Education Agency (MEA), speak on how small the world is becoming and the changing demographics that are transforming schools and communities.

"Different cultures come with different unwritten rules," Romero said. He gave this example: His mother always instructed her children to not clean their plate lest the host think that she was an unfit mother who didn’t feed her family. He then contrasted that with the family who thinks if you DON’T clean your plate you are wasting food when there is so much hunger in the world.

"The heart of understanding comes when we can make the unwritten rules and expectations of various cultures clear," Romero told the assembly. "Grace in understanding is our call when it comes to cross-cultural relationships and in becoming the church God wants us to be.

"Deep in my heart I do believe in the goodness of people," he said. "I do believe in the power of Christ in our relationships."

Margaret Martin Gehman may be retired from her long tenure on the ��ݮ���� faculty, but at age 83, she still exemplifies the moniker bestowed on her years ago – "Speedy."

Dr. Gehman’s continued work and support of the university was recognized at a donor appreciation banquet Friday, Oct. 14, with her being named the first recipient of the "Philanthropist of the Year" award.

EMU President Loren E. Swartzendruber presented Gehman with the award, citing her "long-time faithful, generous financial and other contributions to the university over the years."

"Margaret has supported the , many capital campaign projects and by establishing several gift annuities, supporting endowed scholarships, program endowments for indoor and outdoor athletics and the humanities and building endowments for Northlawn residence hall and Eastern Mennonite Seminary," Dr. Swartzendruber said.

The EMU professor emerita joined the faculty in 1944 and taught and courses until her retirement in 1987. She continues to serve regularly as a volunteer on campus, assisting with special mailings and preparation for special events. She also volunteers at Eastern Mennonite Mennonite High School, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Mennonite Media Ministries and other local organizations.

While Gehman is the first recipient of the philanthropic award, she won’t be the last.

Swartzendruber announced that EMU "will select one donor or donor couple each year from now on to receive what will be known as the ‘Margaret M. Gehman Philanthropist of the Year Award.’"

Gehman credits her late parents, J.D. Earl and Edna Martin from the Hagerstown, Md., area, for "teaching the value of a lifestyle of simplicity and generosity."

Gehman still drives the same blue 1967 Volkswagen Beatle. Her late husband, Dr. Ernest G. Gehman, taught German at EMU for 47 years.

��ݮ���� has received $5,151,962 in total contributions for the 2004-2005 fiscal year ending June 30, a 4.5 percent increase, or $226,000 more than last year.

Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for , reported that contributions of $1,484,655 to the set a new record, slightly surpassing the 2004 annual fund total of $1,480,491.

Support for EMU’s undergraduate and graduate programs included endowment giving of $631,949 and bequests and restricted grants of $3,035,358, Shisler noted. The largest restricted grant of $626,000 was received from Church World Service in support of EMU’s , now in its 11th year of operation. A grant of $125,000 from Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield was awarded to support the , named for a 1991 EMU nursing graduate from Lancaster, Pa., who died in 2003.

Giving by EMU alumni continued to increase both in total giving – $1,993,603 compared to $1,928,366 in 2004 – and in the number of donors at the $1,000-plus level. Two hundred seven alumni contributed $1,000 or more in 2005 compared with 194 who gave at that level in 2004, Shisler said.

Included in the giving totals are gifts from 184 EMU faculty and staff who supported the university with contributions of more than $128,000.

"We are extremely grateful to our alumni, friends, faculty/staff, and special partners whose generous contributions resulted in another record year of annual support for EMU," said Loren E. Swartzendruber, EMU president. "EMU benefits from an especially loyal group of donors whose passion for EMU and its mission is consistently reflected in generous giving to both undergraduate and graduate programs of the university."

According to Swartzendruber, the strong year in donations also bodes well for EMU’s future given significant staff changes that have occurred within the advancement division in recent months.

"We are pleased that Kirk Shisler has assumed the post of vice president for advancement as of April 1, and that we will continue to benefit from the excellent service of Phillip Helmuth as executive director of development," Swartzendruber said. Helmuth served as interim vice president of advancement the past year.

Shisler graduated from EMU in 1981 and spent more than 20 years in fund development leadership positions at Syracuse, N.Y-based ProLiteracy Worldwide prior to being recruited to his alma mater.

"I am excited to re-connect with EMU in this role and to be part of a very strong team in advancing EMU’s mission," Shisler said. "We have some compelling opportunities to move EMU forward in fulfilling its charter to prepare students to serve the global community as teachers, peacebuilders, pastors, medical professionals, business leaders, and in many other roles," he added.