EMU held its ninth annual Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival on Wednesday and Thursday. The campuswide event, hosted by the Provost’s Office and organized by its Intellectual Life Committee, offered students opportunities to learn and engage with one another and to showcase their research, creative projects and papers.

In her opening remarks before the festival’s keynote address on Wednesday, Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus described the ACE Festival as a “celebration of student scholarship.”

“It’s where ideas take shape, not only in papers and research, but also in art, performance, and creative expression, and in the courage it takes to share one’s thinking with others,” she said.

“Here, students learn from one another,” she added. “We engage perspectives across our fields and practice the kind of communication and collaboration that will shape our lives beyond today and this semester.”

Career fair

Students connect with local employers at a career fair in the Hall of Nations on Thursday.

A new addition to this year’s ACE Festival was a career fair held Thursday inside the University Commons Hall of Nations. The event, hosted by the Alumni Engagement Office, gave students a chance to interact directly with employers, connect with alumni professionals, explore career options, and pursue internships or jobs.

Employers represented a range of industries, including Augusta Health, Merck, Park View Federal Credit Union, and Momentum Earthworks. 

One of those employers was Kirby Dean ’92, director of parks and recreation for Rockingham County. He previously served as head coach of the EMU men’s basketball team for 15 years, leading the “Runnin’ Royals” to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Although his department didn’t have any full-time job openings, he said he’s always hiring part-time workers to staff the rec center desk, rake fields during baseball tournaments, or mow grass. He said the career fair was a great way to build relationships and connect with students.

“I feel like there are just good kids here,” Dean said. “They were good when I went here from 1988 to 1992, they were good when I coached here from 2003 to 2018, and they’re good now. They’re the kind of people I’m generally looking for.”

Another employer at the career fair represented the local school division. Jeron Baker, assistant director of human resources for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, said the division typically looks to fill between 50 and 60 jobs each year, mostly teaching positions in math, science, elementary education, and English Language Learner (ELL) classes.

The former associate director of EMU admissions said EMU graduates have a natural understanding of the diversity and complexity within Harrisonburg’s student community.

“They sense the nuances of the human component and understand that education is not just about outcomes, but about process,” he said. “The process of knowing our students more deeply and understanding their systems more fully—it’s just something that comes naturally to EMU students.”

About 60% of students in the city’s public schools speak Spanish at home, Baker said, and 50 to 60 languages are spoken by students across its two high schools. 

“EMU’s ability to create cross-cultural experiences for its students while also bringing in international populations helps students develop cultural competency in ways that are unique to EMU,” he said. “That supports our populations, our students, our families, and the broader vision HCPS has for its students.”

In an last week, EMU sophomore Francisco Rodriguez said the event offered him a chance to look at a lot of different career paths.

“Sales is a big passion of mine,” he told the newspaper, “but understanding there are other options available here, it’s really nice to be able to check it all out.”

Presentations

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Senior nursing majors Emily Guin, Kristina Suslaev, and Reina Landa give a presentation on the effects of social media use on mental health in children and adolescents. | Senior engineering major Levi Stutzman discusses gentrification trends in Washington D.C. and Denver during a poster session at the Suter Science Center. | Chase Comer, a senior majoring in political science and history, presents research on shifting voting patterns in Virginia’s Buchanan and Rockingham counties. 

Students from a wide range of majors presented their academic research Thursday in oral presentations and poster sessions across campus. Topics included the concentration of antioxidants in cinnamon bark, the effect of data centers on surrounding infrastructure and resources, the relationship between trauma and homelessness, and the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.

Senior Emily Guin, part of a group of nursing majors presenting at Martin Chapel early Thursday morning, said her favorite thing about the ACE Festival was attending other presentations and supporting her peers. “I feel like I learn something new at every presentation,” she said. For instance, she said that last year she learned childhood obesity rates in Harrisonburg were higher than the national average.

Guin will work at Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Emergency Department after graduation. Her group presented on the relationship between social media use among children and adolescents and their emotional well-being and mental health. She said they researched the topic because of how relevant and new it is. 

“I think it’s crazy how impactful social media is, both positive and negative,” Guin said. “I can’t imagine growing up in such a digital time now. It makes me feel so old to say that, but I can’t fathom having everything posted on social media.”

Like many students on campus, engineering senior Levi Stutzman had a busy day of presentations. He was part of a cohort that tracked EMU’s carbon emissions and presented findings showing the university is not on track to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 (as outlined in its Climate Action Plan).

He also delivered a poster presentation analyzing census data from 2000 and 2020 for areas of Washington D.C. and Denver to chart gentrification in those cities. Later that afternoon, he and three other students gave an engineering capstone presentation on a “single-axis shake table” they designed to simulate sesmic movement and its impact on structures. 

“It’s exciting to show off your projects and see what everyone else is working on,” Stutzman said. “It’s a special time of the year.”

Another engineering major, junior Micah Mast, presented a 3D printer he revived and upgraded. EMU purchased the printer, a Makerbot Replicator+, in 2018. Because the machine’s parts and software were discontinued, it had largely been unused for several years. 

“It was always the printer nobody wanted to use because the prints were low quality,” Mast said. “It just kind of sat there.”

For his project, he replaced the printer’s proprietary control system with modern open-source electronics, resulting in improved print quality, a faster workflow, and long-term serviceability, all for about $150. The upgraded MakerBot adds a fourth working printer to EMU’s collection. 

“This goes along with sustainability, using things that otherwise would’ve essentially been thrown in the trash,” he said. 

Mast said his favorite thing about the ACE Festival is showing the rest of the school what he spent an entire semester working toward.

“There were countless hours of trying to get it to do what it’s doing right now,” he said, pointing to the machine, which was successfully printing tugboats known as the “3DBenchy” test print.

Art exhibition

Senior art students Donovan Arnason, Daisy Buller, Hollyn Miller, Jasmin Ruiz, and Allie Watkins presented their capstone projects during an opening reception Thursday afternoon at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. The exhibition will remain on display through May 1.

Student recital

A student recital at Lehman Auditorium featured performances by vocalists Mac Rhodes-Lehman (bass) and Eli Stoll (baritone), pianists Rafael de Tablan and Micah Wenger, violinist Miriam Rhodes, violist Monica Ehrenfels, flautist Nina Dunsmore, and guitarist and vocalist Erin Yoder (alto). The musicians were accompanied by Harold Bailey and Dominic Baldoni on piano.

A wind ensemble concert was held that evening, followed by a university choir concert on Friday as part of the weeklong ACE Festival lineup. View recordings of those concerts on the .

Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation

The 17th annual Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation recognized and celebrated the winners of EMU’s Excellence in Teaching Awards. Faculty members Dr. Ryan Good, Dr. Kathryn Howard-Ligas, and Kevin Carini were announced as this year’s recipients. 

Click the post below for testimonials about each recipient, the winners of the student writing and academic awards, and the faculty and student authors recognized for their published scholarly works.

Keynote address

A keynote address by Dr. Deborah Lawrence, chief scientist at Calyx Global, opened the ACE Festival on Wednesday morning. Lawrence, who taught at the University of Virginia as an environmental sciences professor for more than 25 years, reflected on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, EMU’s Common Read this year, and spoke about her research on forests in Borneo, Mexico, and around the world. 

Read our recap of her address below:

The ACE Festival is hosted by the Provost’s Office and made possible by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Center for Interfaith Engagement; and the Daniel B. Suter Endowment, which supports EMU’s commitment to fostering curiosity, discovery, and scientific learning. 

For a full schedule of ACE Festival events, visit .

Photos by Aric Berg and Jon Styer/At Ease Consulting

Johnson’s photography of the pond and its bountiful wildlife—think butterflies, hummingbirds, and frogs—are beautifully captured on the magazine’s cover and its glossy pages, as well as online.

Read his story and view the photos .

As a result of the project, Johnson wrote, “we went from seeing an occasional wandering toad to now having a fully functioning ecosystem.”

“For me, this is a story of hope,” he said. “Tackling the extinction crisis can seem overwhelming, but everyday folks can transform their backyards into an oasis for wildlife.”

EMU News often publishes event previews. Visit  to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive Tuesday morning weekly updates.

January

Jan. 12 — Exploring Research Showcase. Come hear EMU STEM faculty and students share highlights from a range of opportunities, including research projects, internships, and other applied STEM experiences. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center (SSC) 106.

Jan. 14 — Campus Worship: Hymn Sing for Hope. Students and faculty from EMU’s Music and Peacebuilding major lead a hymn sing. Learn more about campus worship and other worship services on campus here. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel, Seminary Building.

Jan. 16 — Winter Unconference session: Divisional Structure Update. Divisional Deans Sarah Bixler and Michael Horst will provide an overview of the most recent phase of work, which includes the creation of the department structure, program leadership, and describe the collaborative process of configuring departments. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Strite Conference Room (Campus Center 105).

Jan. 16 — Opening reception for exhibition by landscape oil painting artist . 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Jan. 19 — MLK Jr. Celebration 2026. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Beyond the Dream: Social Justice and Ecological Consciousness.” Events include a convocation with featured speaker Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò (10:15-11:30 a.m., Lehman Auditorium), soapmaking and fire cider sessions (registration required), and a world climate simulation. Times and locations available at .

Jan. 26 — Concerto/Aria Competition. The student-musicians who win this competition will earn coveted spots to perform as soloists with the EMU Orchestra during its spring Concerto/Aria Orchestra Concert in April. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 27 Rescheduled for April 21 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jim Yoder, professor of biology at EMU. “Tracking the Untrackable: Animal Movement and Behavior at the Smallest Scales.” Dr. Yoder will briefly share his own journey of studying animal movement from birds and mammals at large spatial scales to tephritid fruit flies using harmonic radar in Australia. He will also focus on his newest research project studying tick movement and behavior, also utilizing harmonic radar. 12:10-1:10 p.m., West Dining Room.

February

Feb. 4 — Celebrate Black History Month with EMU’s Black Student Alliance during Convocation. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Feb. 6 — Suter Science Seminar with Lee Brown, assistant professor of biology at James Madison University. “Things We Miss When We Take for Granted What We [Don’t] Know – Lessons From a Few Years of Monarch Butterfly Research.” Dr. Brown presents research from her lab since 2023 investigating the use of radio telemetry for tracking monarch movements, and the conservation-relevant discoveries that have emerged. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.

Feb. 6 — International Food Festival. The beloved annual event provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community to share the great wonders of their respective cultures through food. 5:30 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations.

Feb. 20 — Suter Science Seminar with Paula Skye Tallman, assistant professor of anthropology at Loyola University Chicago. “Action Research: Water Insecurity, Women’s Health, and Socio-Environmental Justice.” Dr. Tallman will review the ways that water insecurity influences women’s health on a global scale. She will then discuss how her team has used an “action research” framework to connect scientific research to on-the-ground action to promote gender equality and environmental conservation in Peru and Indonesia. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.

Feb. 24 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Ji Eun Kim, associate professor of political science at EMU. “A Year of Surprise, Unexpected Turns, and Resilience.” 12:10-1 p.m., West Dining Room.

Feb. 26 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Feb. 27 — Opening reception for exhibition by Charlottesville-based mixed media artist . 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Feb. 28-March 5 — Chamber Singers Spring Break Tour. Locations and times of performances to be announced.

March

Spring Break for students is between Feb. 28 and March 8. Classes resume on Monday, March 9.

March 11 — Campus Worship: Fasting and Feasting. This campus worship service, co-sponsored by the Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE), will explore the practices of Fasting and Feasting for religious observances including Ramadan (Islam), Lent (Western Christianity), and The Great Lent (Eastern Orthodox Christianity). 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.

March 13 — Suter Science Seminar with Grayson Mast ’18, general surgery resident at Old Dominion University. “Checking In: Updates from a Surgeon in Training.” Dr. Mast’s presentation will focus on the pathway to becoming a surgeon, describing his day-to-day experience, and an overview of his clinical research. He will also discuss the importance that his time at EMU had in shaping his worldview, practice of medicine, and approach to patient care. 10:15-11:15 a.m., SSC 106.

March 13 — Film screening for VACA Professor Elizabeth Miller Derstine‘s The Weight of Armor. Feast your eyes upon the first edit of Miller-Derstine’s newest film and give her notes by filling out a form following the show. Synopsis: “Tucked inside a Nashville strip mall is Nashville Armored Combat (NAC), the nation’s only gender-inclusive medieval armored combat gym. This film covers three raw, urgent, intertwined stories about carving out space and fighting to keep it.” 8 p.m., SSC 106.

March 24 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jeffrey Copeland, professor of biology at EMU. “Sleep, Fat, and Aging: Investigating the Role of Serotonin and Glutamate in Biological Behaviors.” Dr. Copeland uses the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the activity of the neurotransmitter serotonin in sleep and circadian rhythms, as well as glutamate in aging. 12:10-1 p.m., West Dining Room.

March 27 — Mornings with the Mayor, featuring Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed. University Commons Student Union, 10:15-11:05 a.m. Read about last year’s inaugural event here.

March 27 — Royal Women dedication of the Inclusivity Science Mural. Pınar Ateş Sinopoulos-Lloyd is an Indigenous eco-philosopher, artist, and wildlife tracker and is one of the scientists featured in the Inclusivity Science Mural located in the Suter Science Center. After a guest appearance at Mornings with the Mayor, they will be participating in the mural dedication. 4 p.m. at Suter Science Center.

March 27 — Senior Show Art Opening #1. Come see the final projects of the first group of senior VACA students. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

April

EMU observes an Easter Recess for Good Friday on April 3.

April 1 — LovEMU Pep Rally. This fun-filled celebration kicks off the 10th annual LovEMU Giving Day. 10:15-11:05 a.m., University Commons Yoder Arena.

April 8 — Campus Worship: Celebrating Easter! This campus worship service, co-sponsored by Eastern Mennonite Seminary, is dedicated to celebrating Easter with readings, reflections, and music on the significance of Easter. 10:15-11:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.

April 9-12 — EMU Theatre presents “The Winter’s Tale: A Musical Adaptation.” Written by William Shakespeare and musically adapted by EMU Theatre, this heartwarming tale for the ages follows the journeys of two kingdoms, a rift between kings, a lost queen, and the love that brings them back to one another. 7:30 p.m., April 9-12. All shows in EMU Lee Eshleman Studio Theater. Tickets available Feb. 1.

April 13 — Film screening for VACA Professor Elizabeth Miller Derstine‘s . 8-9:30 p.m., SSC 106.

April 15 — ACE Festival Keynote with Dr. Deborah Lawrence, the director of research and analytics for nature-based solutions and engineered carbon dioxide removals. “Our Connection to Nature: Gift, Joy, Grief and a Life’s Work.” 10:15-11:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 16 — EMU’s Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival 2026 continues with a full day of scholarly presentations, poster sessions, a music department student recital (12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium), and an authors’ reception and award presentation (3:45-5 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations and Student Union). View a full schedule of ACE Festival events at .

April 16 — Senior Show Art Opening #2 (during ACE Festival). Come see the final art projects of the second group of senior VACA students. 4:45-5:30 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

April 16 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 17 — University Choir Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 18 — Senior recital featuring Naomi Kratzer. 3 p.m., Martin Chapel.

April 19 — Chamber Singers Spring Concert. 7 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church (1600 College Ave., Harrisonburg).

April 21 — Sabbatical Spotlight with Jim Yoder, professor of biology at EMU. “Tracking the Untrackable: Animal Movement and Behavior at the Smallest Scales.” Dr. Yoder will briefly share his own journey of studying animal movement from birds and mammals at large spatial scales to tephritid fruit flies using harmonic radar in Australia. He will also focus on his newest research project studying tick movement and behavior, also utilizing harmonic radar. 12:10-1:10 p.m., West Dining Room.

April 23 — Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 24 — Cords of Distinction ceremony. Ten graduating seniors will be honored with the Cords of Distinction award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community, and society over the course of their college careers. 10:10 a.m., Martin Chapel.

April 24 — Orchestra Spring Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

May

The 108th University Commencement is from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Commencement for the EMU Lancaster campus is Friday, May 8, 2026.

May 2 — Graduate Celebration and Sending. The ceremony includes presidential and faculty addresses, senior class salutations, and the presentation of the senior class gift, as well as moments of prayer, music, and poetry from graduates. 7-8:30 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

More information

Arts at EMU — To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at EMU, visit emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement — The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at ��ݮ���� promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

 — Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit EMU’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel — A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.

Lynch remembers receiving his own handwritten card during the holidays back when he was a high school senior in King William, Virginia, a dot on the map about 30 miles east of Richmond. And he remembers feeling appreciative that a student at EMU, recent biology and mathematics grad Marciella Shallomita ’25, wrote to him.

“I was a student chaplain last semester and I got to meet her, and it was nice to say to her, ‘You’re one of the reasons I came here,’” shared Lynch, adding that another big draw pulling him to EMU was receiving the four-year, full-tuition Yoder/Webb Scholarship. “I thought it was nice that someone had taken the time to write me something and tell me how much they enjoyed EMU.”

As a way of paying it forward, Lynch stopped by the main lobby of University Commons in between classes on Friday to participate in the 15th annual note-writing event sponsored by the admissions office. He, along with more than 90 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of EMU, hand-wrote hundreds of cards (over 700 cards and counting, as tallied on Monday morning) that will be mailed to admitted students all across the country.

Lynch said he wrote to students who, like him, were interested in studying political science and digital media. “The majority of my cards were about how good the professors are in the VACA (Visual And Communication Arts) department and how I’ve never once regretted choosing digital media as my major,” he said. “I wanted to reach out to incoming students and tell them, ‘Hey, if you need any help or if you ever want to talk about your major or about any classes, come find me.’ I think I’m the only River on campus, so it shouldn’t be hard.”

The annual note-writing event provides an opportunity for members of the campus community to form connections with admitted students and tell them about what makes EMU special. Students have said that receiving these cards makes an enormous impact on their college choice. 

Fortunata Chipeta, a junior public health major, didn’t realize this impact until a current first-year student she wrote a card to last year told her it helped convince him to attend EMU. “This event is like me giving them a nudge toward the EMU experience,” she said. “We want them to experience the welcoming and fun adventure here.”

Another student participating in the event, Ava Walker, a sophomore psychology major from Richmond, wrote cards to prospective psychology students. “I’ve been telling them about how the school makes me feel welcome and has given me so much since I’ve been here,” said Walker, who is a Royal Ambassador, tour guide, and member of the lacrosse team. 

Luke Litwiller, director of undergraduate admissions, said the goal of the event is to ensure every admitted student receives a handwritten, personalized card from a member of the EMU community and “experiences a little bit of the relational care that we offer here.”

“This is also a community-building event and gets people all across campus involved in enrollment efforts,” he said.

Friday’s blanket of snow caused a slight hitch in plans, pushing the start of the event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., but the dedicated volunteers pressed on, powering through wrist cramps as they wrote.

“Given how many admitted students we had this year, we needed a pretty solid push,” said organizer Liz Heilbronner, assistant director of transfer admissions and event planner. “Even if someone only wrote one note card, it still made a big difference.”

According to an artist’s statement:
“Salt & Fury” is an evocative body of work that delves into the profound connection between environmental forces and psychological states, utilizing the dynamic coastline as a powerful metaphor for internal experiences of anger, grief, and transformation. This collection comprises oil paintings of fractured shorelines, envisioned not as traditional landscapes but as “impact zones” where human emotion confronts the boundaries of language, alongside abstract color works that surrender to pure sensation, embodying affect in raw, visceral form.

Gusler presented on her artwork at a sabbatical spotlight and opening reception on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

View a photo gallery of the reception below.

Gusler holds an MFA in painting and drawing. At EMU, she shares her love of immersion into these practices with her students.

To see more of her art, visit or follow her on Instagram at .

The professor and photographer, whose colorful images of the seasonal ponds—and the aquatic life that inhabit them—have earned him 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year honors and graced the cover of Nature Conservancy Magazine, has been named an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP).��

was one of 16 accomplished photographers and filmmakers selected to join the iLCP’s associate fellow program for 2025, the nonprofit recently announced in a release.��“Each of them brings exceptional skill in visual storytelling, a deep engagement with conservation initiatives and a strong dedication to advancing environmental awareness through their work,” the .��

Established in 2005, iLCP supports environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography and filmmaking. Its fellows are a group of professional wildlife, nature, and cultural visual storytellers who, “in addition to displaying remarkable photographic and filmmaking skills, have each demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation efforts around the globe,” according to its . These 120+ fellows, based in 26 countries and working in 190 countries, “shine a light on issues ranging from endangered flora and fauna to climate change to ocean health.”

For Johnson, conservation photography allows him to share the same sense of wonder he feels when encountering other creatures in the natural world. “Millions of animal and plant species coexist on Earth, but very few of these species enter our consciousness; that invisibility is a big problem when it comes to conservation,” he said. “Even in the midst of an extinction crisis, most of our news and political discourse is very human-centered. Using visual communication to advocate for the natural world is a way to challenge that narrative and look for ways to share the planet with the ‘more-than-human’ world.”

The EMU professor had been an affiliate for iLCP for a number of years where he served as a technical consultant and also connected EMU students to its photographers and staff. As a fellow, he will attend the organization’s signature event, , in mid-November, which brings together conservation photographers, filmmakers, scientists, advocates, and communicators from around the globe as they share powerful stories and solutions for a sustainable future.

“It’s definitely affirming to be a part of a fellowship of passionate and committed peers in the conservation photography world,” Johnson said.

Michael Horst, dean of Behavioral, Health and Natural Sciences at EMU, said Johnson’s work brings viewers face to face with the miraculous elements of the natural world that might otherwise be overlooked, creating an emotional connection that heightens the importance of protecting and conserving it.

“At EMU, we know the importance of deeply cultivating sustainable practices,” Horst said. “For those who need encouragement, Steve’s work can make a big difference.”

About the professor

Johnson came to EMU in 2005 and started one of the few full-semester conservation photography courses offered to undergraduates in the U.S.

He holds an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design and serves on the advisory board of the Virginia Wildlife Committee and Girls Who Click. At EMU’s VACA department, he teaches digital media classes and a specialized course on conservation photography. When he’s not in his office, he can often be found crouched next to a vernal pool or kayaking the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

His images of the natural world have appeared in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Wildlife Magazine, Nature Conservancy Magazine, Ranger Rick, Virginia Wildlife, bioGraphic, Orion, National Science Teaching Association Press books, and numerous conservation publications and journals. His long-term project exploring vernal pools was highlighted by the Southern Environmental Law Center in “The wonder of wetlands and 5 Southerners working to protect them” ().

Johnson said one of his favorite things about teaching is that EMU and VACA allow for so much innovative, interdisciplinary practice. For example, in his conservation photography class, he teaches a mix of photography, digital media, and science students. 

“In some places, the sciences and arts barely mix,” he said. “Here, I can talk to science students about making compelling images and teach visual arts students about vernal pools.”

Johnson will teach the class in conservation photography again during the fall 2026 semester.

View more of his photography at .

That’s when the former Durham, North Carolina, resident stumbled onto the annual Beaver Queen Pageant, “a wildly campy, dam-important celebration of queer joy, eco-love, and over-the-top critter cosplay” held in the city for the past two decades. The raucous, homegrown drag competition, with its blend of high drama and low stakes, proved to be the perfect subject for the filmmaker, who joined EMU’s Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) Department this year as assistant professor of digital media.

Her latest film, the heartwarming and quirky Once Upon a Wetland (2025), won “Best Documentary Short” at BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival (North Carolina) in mid-September, where it competed against short films from around the world. The 15-minute documentary follows first-time contestants Madam Bitey White, a charismatic performer and trivia host, and 16-year-old Ginger Bite-Dis, the youngest competitor, as they prepare for and compete in the 2023 Beaver Queen Pageant. The film offers a playful and poignant look at how local traditions provide space for defiance, connection, and collective care during a time of looming anti-LGBTQ legislation and tightening drag restrictions.

“This is a film that highlights joy,” said Miller-Derstine. “It’s about the hope we find when we gather together.”

The pageant’s castorine contestants take on beaver personalities, introduce themselves in their handcrafted “wetlands-ready wear,” showcase unique talents, and participate in interviews in their finest evening wear. The website notes that Beav Aldrin, the 2015 Queen, performed an aerial routine on silks, while the 2012 Queen, Furrah Gnawsett-Major, played the Star Wars theme on clarinet while hula-hooping.

The documentary was shown during a weeklong theatrical run at New York City’s Firehouse Cinema in May as part of DCTV’s “Road to the Oscars” Academy-qualifying initiative, which makes it eligible for consideration and potential nomination in the Academy Awards’ “Best Documentary Short Film” category.

It will be screened at the in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the weekend of Nov. 7, and the in Wilmington, North Carolina, the weekend of Nov. 21. Although the film isn’t currently available to watch outside of film festivals, Miller-Derstine said she’s seeking an online distributor to stream the film.

Once Upon a Wetland was directed by Miller-Derstine, produced by her and Ian Robertson Kibbe, and edited by Ace McColl.

About the professor

Miller-Derstine grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and moved to Lancaster at age nine. She graduated from Goshen College in 2016 with a BA in communication (film concentration) and English writing, and earned an MFA in documentary film from Wake Forest University in 2023.

She served as multimedia producer for Mennonite Central Committee from 2016 to 2021, and spent the past year as an adjunct professor in filmmaking at Davidson College. The Mennonite-raised filmmaker said she had “heard through the grapevine” that longtime VACA Professor Jerry Holsopple would retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year and jumped at the opportunity when the job opened. Now in her second month on EMU’s faculty, she said she’s found a welcoming community to call home. 

“I love EMU,” she said. “I fully appreciate that we have a Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and that the university’s priorities are rooted in values of community, peace, and the greater social good.”

Miller-Derstine approaches all her work with a deep commitment to ethical storytelling and an awareness of the extractive history of the documentary field. She has won multiple awards for her films, including Best Director for her documentary short Welcome to the Dollhouse (2020) at both the Atlanta DocuFest and Hoosier Films Festival, and Best Documentary at the LongLeaf Film Festival for her feature documentary Bloom (2024).

This listing includes events for the fall semester at EMU. To see most current details, additional events and further information, please visit the events calendar at: 

EMU News often publishes event previews. Visit  to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive Tuesday morning weekly updates.

September

Sept. 5 — Convocation: Unlocking the Brain. John Almarode, professor of education at James Madison University, will help students and faculty learn studying hacks to improve academic performance. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Sept. 5 — Bonfire and movie night. The Latinx Student Alliance hosts a bonfire movie night, featuring a screening of Selena with s’mores and Jarritos. 8 p.m., Discipleship Center/EMU Hill.

Sept. 12 — Student internship symposium. Computer science and engineering students will share about their internship experiences over the past spring and summer. 10:15-11:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 001.

Sept. 12 — Opening reception for Fleeting, a photography exhibition from Macson McGuigan ’17, visual media manager for EMU marketing & communications. The exhibition will remain on display until Oct. 3. 4 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Sept. 17 — Convocation: How to College. Participants will learn essential insights in how to succeed in college. 10:15 a.m., University Commons Student Union.

Sept. 18 — BSA Movie Night. The Black Student Alliance and EMU Gospel Choir present a showing of the movie, “Let It Shine.” 8 p.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170). 

Sept. 19 — Suter Science Seminar: “Harnessing a One Health approach to investigate triatomine bugs, vectors of Chagas disease.” Jennifer K. Peterson, assistant professor of medical entomology at the University of Delaware, will share her research into the Chagas disease. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Sept 22 — Tertulia. The EMU Language & Literature Department hosts a sing-along celebration with storytelling. Guests are encouraged to wear a jersey or traditional clothing that represents a Hispanic country to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. 6:30 p.m., Old Common Grounds (University Commons 177).

Sept. 23 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Mary S. Sprunger. “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide: The Omnipresence of (Mennonite) History.” Sprunger, professor of history at EMU, presents on her sabbatical year, which was themed around the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism and included popular lectures and publications, scholarly articles and conferences, and a unique EMU Alumni and Friends Anabaptist heritage tour on gender and class. 12:10-1 p.m., Northlawn West Dining Room.

Sept. 23 — “The 1910 ‘Legal Lynching’ of Pink Barbour in Harrisonburg, Virginia.” Gianluca DeFazio, associate professor of justice studies at James Madison University, and Mark Metzler Sawin, professor of history at EMU, present on how Pink Barbour, a local Black man, was “legal lynched” via the court system, which allowed the state to legitimize violence against Black people. 5 p.m., Strite Conference Room (Campus Center 105).

Sept. 26 — Wind & Jazz Ensemble Concert. Join the musical ensembles for the first concert of the year! 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

October

Fall Break for students is between Thursday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 19. Classes resume on Oct. 20.

Oct. 1 — Peña Folklórica. The EMU Spanish Department invites guests to explore the music of the band Raymi, which will share traditional and modern Andean music and culture. 6:30 p.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.

Oct. 2 — David Berry Faculty Recital. Join Dr. David Berry, associate professor of music at EMU, for an evening of beloved piano tunes spanning the classical and jazz genres. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.

Oct. 3 — Suter Science Seminar: “From Plant Genes to Retinal Neurons: A Genomic Journey in Research and Teaching.” Ray Enke, professor of biology at James Madison University, provides a behind-the-scenes look at his winding path through the world of epigenetics. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Oct. 8 — Campus Worship: What is a Mennonite? In this 500th year of Anabaptism, some are pondering the question, “What is a Mennonite?” Join Troy Osborne, dean and associate professor of history and theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario, for updated perspectives on this theme drawn from his book, Radicals and Reformer: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.

Oct. 8 — Keim History Lecture. Troy Osborne, dean and associate professor of history at Conrad Grebel University, will highlight key themes that appear in his recent Mennonite history text. The lecture will begin at 5 p.m., following a reception held in the upper level of Suter Science Center. 4:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106. 

Oct. 10-12 — Homecoming 2025. Visit for a full listing of events. Various locations and times.

Oct. 10 — A Capella Celebration. Enjoy an evening of music with a special collaboration of local a capella groups. 7:30 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. Tickets are $10. Register in advance .

Oct. 11 — EMU TenTalks. EMU’s three alumni award winners—visionary artist and futurist Fabrice Guerrier MA ’15 (conflict transformation), organizer Brittany Caine-Conley ’14, and leader Jess King ’96—will share their stories for 10 minutes each with a Q&A at the end. 1:30 p.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.

Oct. 12 — The EMU Chamber Singers performs at a Homecoming Worship Service. 10 a.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.

Oct. 21 — Queer History Month keynote presentation: Chad Sager (aka Jayda Knight, Rhinestone Productions) and Chad Walters (IN2GR8ION). Join the co-creators behind two of the Valley’s most vibrant expressions of queer creativity and performance as they explore themes of identity, artistry, and community, as well as how drag and design can be powerful tools for storytelling, self-expression, and connection. 7:30 p.m., University Commons Student Union. 

Oct. 27 — Augsburger Lecture by Rev. Dr. Almeda Wright, associate professor of religious education at Yale Divinity School and author of Teaching to Live: Black Religion, Activist-Educators, and Radical Social Change (Oxford University Press, 2024). 7 p.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170). 

Oct. 28 — Sabbatical Spotlight and opening reception for Salt & Fury, a collection of paintings by Cyndi Gusler, professor of visual and communication arts at EMU. 4 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery (University Commons 179).

Oct. 29 — Disability Awareness Month Convocation. Guest speaker Bailey Vincent, a deaf choreographer, dancer, director, and journalist whose art and advocacy invites us to reimagine access, storytelling, and belonging, serves as keynote speaker. 10:15 a.m., MainStage Theater (University Commons 170)

Oct. 30 — Student Recital I. The program includes a variety of pieces that music students have been working on in their private lessons. Bring a lunch and show your support. Halloween-themed reception to follow! 12:10-1 p.m., Lehman Auditorium. This event has been canceled.

November

Thanksgiving Break is between Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 30. Classes resume on Monday, Dec. 1. 

Nov. 7 — Gala Concert. The EMU Music Department hosts its annual, ever-popular Gala Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Nov. 14 — Suter Science Seminar: “Life after Ice: Wildlife and Ecosystem Responses to Recent Glacier Loss in the High Tropical Andes.” Kelsey Reider, assistant professor of biology at James Madison University, will explore how tropical, high-elevation plant, microbe, and animal communities are responding to glacier loss, and the cascading effects of ice loss on downstream water resources. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Nov. 23 — Joint Choir Concert. 8 p.m., University Commons Student Union.

December

Final exams are from Tuesday, Dec. 9, to Friday, Dec. 12. Residence halls close for winter break at noon on Saturday, Dec. 13, and reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. 

Dec. 3 — Christmas Stories & Song. Come celebrate and share the stories and songs of Christmas with the Faith and Spiritual Life team, student readers, and Benjamin Bergey leading singing. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel, EMU Seminary Building.

Dec. 4 — Student Recital II. Support EMU music students as they perform in the second student recital of the semester. 12:10-1 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Dec. 5 — Christmas Concert. Come celebrate the holidays with the Music Department! Featuring performances by the EMU Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, University Choir, and Chamber Singers, it’s sure to be an evening of joy and celebration. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Dec. 9 — Convocation: Intercultural Sharing. Students who spent the fall in the EMU Washington Semester program will share their experiences. 10:15 a.m., University Commons Student Union.

Dec. 10 — Convocation: Student Recognition Ceremony. The campus community gathers to celebrate students for their accomplishments and achievements. 10:15 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

More information

Arts at EMU To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at EMU, visit www.emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at ��ݮ���� promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

 Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit EMU’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.

“How do you mark the ending of one part of your life journey, while anticipating the next,” he wrote in a journal entry from that day. 

Roughly an hour after seeing his students off, he was on his bicycle pedaling toward a ferry that would begin an 1,800-kilometer (1,118-mile) journey across three countries in 22 days. Photographs from his ride along the EuroVelo 10/13 bike route, which follows the coast of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, as well as journal entries he logged during the trek, are the featured exhibition on display at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. An opening reception for Holsopple and his collection of photos, paintings and writings was held at the gallery on Friday, Feb. 21. The exhibition will remain on display through March 21.

Holsopple, who joined the EMU faculty in 2000 (he taught the school’s first digital media classes as a part-time instructor starting in 1998), is retiring this year. His contributions to EMU throughout the past 25 years are too numerous to name, but include the creation of the communication major within the Language and Literature Department in 2000. 

“He actually built the communications department,” VACA Professor Steven Johnson said in introductory remarks at the reception. “It eventually merged with the art department to become the present-day Visual and Communication Arts department that you all know and love. … VACA majors look to Jerry for honest feedback and wise mentoring.”

Holsopple spent the 2009-2010 academic year as a Fulbright scholar at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania. His Into the Window exhibition, featuring icons he painted during his year there, was the first exhibition held at the Gehman Gallery when it opened in 2010.

The title of his latest exhibition, Finding Water, relates to the route he and his biking partner, Glyn Jones, took along the Baltic Sea coastline. “Every day we would see the water, from sandy windswept beaches to large rock boulders left by the glacier centuries ago,” a journal entry states. But, it also relates to how the metaphorical river of life carries us along our journeys. “I wanted this to be a show that’s not about remembering what I’ve done for 30 years or whatever, but about embracing the mystery of what is yet to come,” he shared at the reception. “And, what each day on a bike trip brings you that you don’t know is going to come your way.”

“Why did I take this bike trip?” Holsopple asked the crowd gathered at Friday’s reception. “Because I was looking for a way to process what it meant to say goodbye to these people. I stopped to visit people along the way that I had known all these years. It was like giving all three countries a big hug.”

The exhibition features several grids of photographs, each related to a theme. One grid shows Holocaust sites in the capital city of Riga, Latvia. Another is a collection of photos of churches that he passed by on his route. A grid of coffee shops includes his favorite cafe in Estonia, Kehrweider, “with its underground feel, good coffee and snacks, and an attitude,” he wrote in his journal. “In the early days of bringing students on these trips, you couldn’t get a carry-out coffee anywhere. Now, coffee shops are everywhere and people carry their paper cups down the sidewalks in hordes.”

Referencing a large photograph of trees along a shore, Holsopple recounted his experience capturing the moment. “It was about 6 a.m. when we went down the hill and I saw this reflection and I jammed on my brakes,” Holsopple said. “I was not going to pass up that reflection. I’m always fascinated by reflections because I think it plays with this idea of reality and what we imagine and what we see if we really pay attention to what’s happening in life.”

Finding Water also includes a pair of icons that Holsopple painted. One of them is inspired by an icon that Maria Skobtsova, a Russian poet, nun, and member of the French Resistance during World War II, was working on before she died at the Ravensbrück concentration camp in Germany. Holsopple and EMU Theater Director Justin Poole created a musical theater production based on her life that opens at the MainStage Theater in March. The other icon is a stylized self-portrait that he created in 2016.��

Cassidy Walker, an EMU senior majoring in art, photography, and digital media, attends every gallery opening through her work for the VACA department, but said Holsopple’s was special to her. 

“Jerry’s the reason I ended up coming to EMU in the first place,” she said. “I had gotten into some big art schools, and he convinced me that I would get a great education here and that I’d get to be one of the Lithuania kids.” 

Walker was part of Holsopple’s final intercultural trip to Lithuania in 2023. She spoke about his guidance in helping her figure out her goals for the future. “I was nervous about becoming a triple-major and he’s been this person I’ve been able to lean on,” she said. “He’s always been there for me.”

Rachel Holderman ’18, who graduated from EMU’s VACA department with degrees in Photography and Art, now works as a photographer for James Madison University. She took several classes taught by Holsopple and said she likes staying connected with those who helped develop her skills. At the opening reception, she said she was drawn to Holsopple’s use of reflections and unique angles. “It’s mirrored so perfectly that it’s hard to tell where the surface is, like where reality meets reflection,” she said about the photo of trees on a glassy lake.

Holsopple is an artist, photographer and renowned videographer who teaches photography and digital media-related courses in EMU’s VACA department. He has a BS degree in Bible from EMU, an MDiv from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and a PhD in Media & Communication from European Graduate School. He led undergraduate intercultural trips to the Baltics in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023.��

A 2013 trip to the country resulted in the photography exhibit and book, Traces of a Social Movement: The Baltic Way, about people who participated in a 630-kilometer-long human chain, formed in August 1989 across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

As a native of Waterloo, Ontario, EMU sophomore Willem Hedrick ’27 often hears the same question: “Why would you choose to attend a university in the U.S. when tuition is so much cheaper in Canada?” people ask him. 

The answer is that EMU isn’t just any university. Its unparalleled emphasis on academic excellence, peace & justice, and active faith was the unique blend of values that Hedrick was looking for in a school. EMU’s robust Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) department, its small class sizes and personalized approach to hands-on learning, its strong sense of community—not to mention its top-flight disc golf team—made EMU more than just a place for him to continue his learning; it was the only place.

“EMU was the only school I applied to,” said Hedrick, who is majoring in digital media with a minor in marketing. “I didn’t look anywhere else.”

From a young age, Hedrick discovered a way to combine his love of video games with a passion for making videos. The 11-year-old would record himself playing Minecraft on his computer and upload the videos to YouTube. He still does that, but now on a much grander scale. Today, his channel boasts more than eight million subscribers (for reference, the YouTube channel for the Red Hot Chili Peppers has 8.1 million subscribers), which is part of the 15 million followers who watch his content across various platforms. 

Hedrick said his digital media classes at EMU have taught him new skills, including how to shoot documentary films, record better audio, and use proper lighting techniques. Last semester, through a weekend workshop at EMU, he became a certified commercial drone pilot. It’s something, he said, he’s wanted to do “for the longest time.”

“Being in a classroom, having a professor there to give me feedback, and having projects to hold me accountable has been so helpful,” he said.

Outside of the classroom, Hedrick found a sense of belonging on the disc golf course. He was a member of last year’s squad that competed at nationals and will return with the team to Rock Hill, South Carolina, this year as it competes at the 2025 College Disc Golf National Championship in April.

Hedrick, who was raised Mennonite, had considered taking a gap year after graduating from high school (Rockway Mennonite Collegiate) to devote more time to his video projects. It wasn’t until his parents, EMU grads Tim and Janice ’94, suggested he take a look at their alma mater that he thought seriously about higher education. EMU awarded him the President’s Scholarship, which has significantly helped bring his college costs down. It’s not quite to the same level as the cost of college in Canada, but it’s close enough.

“It definitely made my decision to come here much easier,” Hedrick said about his scholarships. (He is also a VACA scholarship recipient.)

Your generous support helps students like Hedrick pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Join us for the 9th annual LovEMU Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future EMU students. Together, we can help write EMU’s next chapter. 

Heim’s work focuses on the ways human-influenced environmental change impacts wildlife. Her series of photographs capturing the struggle between two rival owl species earned her last fall. She was named a this year.

She will present at a Suter Science Seminar on Friday from 10:15-11:15 a.m. in Suter Science Center 106. Her presentation, “Wild Heart: Bringing Empathy and Grace to Environmental Storytelling,” will teach audience members how to tap into their curiosity and creative processes and unlock new ways of seeing the world.

Later that day, at 4 p.m., Heim will host an opening reception for an exhibition featuring her photography at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. The exhibition will run through Friday, Oct. 4.

Both events are free to attend and open to the public. Please see the campus map for parking information.

Heim used infrared techniques to photograph at night and limit disturbing the nocturnal owls. Her evocative images capture the last-ditch efforts being made by conservationists to try to save the northern spotted owl from extinction. One of those efforts includes the , which are outcompeting the spotted owl for habitat and resources. 

“This story poses a question with no easy answer: When is it acceptable to kill one wild species to try to save another?” Heim asks in her portfolio, “An Owl for an Owl.”

This won’t be the first time that students in EMU’s Visual And Communication Arts (VACA) program have seen Heim’s photography.

VACA Professor Steven Johnson has known Heim for nearly a decade and frequently showcases her work as an example of powerful environmental storytelling.

“Morgan’s photography is authentic, compassionate and engaging,” Johnson said. “She’s really at the top of her game, and her work aligns perfectly with EMU’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.”

Heim, who lives in Astoria, Oregon, is the founder of , a storytelling and strategy platform for conservation. In 2020, she co-launched , which is aimed at raising the voices of diverse women in the craft of conservation visual storytelling. She is a Senior Fellow with the , and her work has appeared in National Geographic, Audubon, Smithsonian and The New York Times. She has been recognized in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Siena International Photo Awards and the Big Picture Natural World Photo Competitions.

A black mass appears to swallow up one corner of the gallery, surrounded by a galaxy of orbs the color of coal. Each of these orbs is covered in a unique texture. Some of them resemble cells in the midst of splitting apart. A few look like sunflower heads, pieces of coral or jellyfish. Others take on the appearance of an alien lifeform, covered in lumps and bumps or dimples and craters.

The orbs snake their way along the walls of the gallery and stretch out across its floor, inviting visitors to step through the installation and examine it from every angle. An array of lights bathes the ceramic art pieces in red, orange, yellow and green hues.

The mixed-media installation, titled In Entropy, is the work of Anna Westfall, associate professor of visual and communication arts (VaCA) at EMU. She created the pieces mostly from clay and bicycle tires to “provide the viewer with a multisensory experience through an altered space,” an artist statement reads.

Westfall hosted an opening reception for her exhibition at the gallery at 4 p.m. on Friday. About 50 people braved that morning’s snowfall to attend the reception, which included an introduction from her about the installation and the process in creating it.

She said she was inspired by looking at images of cells. As the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and cast the world into uncertainty, she wanted to explore the feelings of disorder and distress that many people felt.

Her statement reads: “The instinct to find order and stability in chaos, as an attempt to gain a sense of peace and control, often brings conflicting outcomes of serenity and anxiety. This installation explores how these experiences influence perceptions of life and challenges found in the mutable nature of existence.”  

In Entropy will be available to view at the Margaret Martin Gehman gallery until Friday, Feb. 16. Westfall will present a university colloquium about her installation and the process in creating it on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in Suter Science Center 106.

Westfall received her bachelor’s of fine arts from James Madison University and her master’s of fine arts from the University of New Mexico, both of which were in ceramic and sculpture.

In early October, the conservation photographer traveled to London for an awards ceremony honoring him among The annual competition, hosted by the Natural History Museum, selected his photo “Pool of Wonder” and 99 others for inclusion in the exhibition. A jury of nature photography experts picked the 100 winning images out of 49,957 entries from photographers in 95 countries.

That means Johnson’s photo was part of only 0.2 percent of submissions to receive the coveted award. It’s not hard to see why the contest has been described as “one of the most prestigious in world photography” ().

Johnson networked with skilled photographers from around the world, including some up-and-coming talents in the youth category, at the ceremony. He and his wife, Anna Maria, explored the museum and admired the other winning photos.

When he returned home from the trip, he searched online to see which news outlets had covered the event. It was then he saw that among their 13 favorites from the competition. 

‘Something a little special’

“Pool of Wonder” captures a cluster of spotted salamander eggs nestled on a bed of sphagnum moss just under the surface of a vernal pool in Augusta County, Virginia. 

Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that form from seasonal rains and snowmelt, Johnson writes on his . In late winter and early spring, the pools host breeding events for amphibians and macroinvertebrates. The pools are ideal nurseries for salamanders because they’re safe from predators such as fish.

“As a conservation photographer, I’m drawn to the intricate dance of underwater life in Appalachian Mountain forests and nearby lowlands,” he states on his website.

Johnson, professor and program director for the visual and communication arts (VaCA) department, created the photo in March 2020 during a sabbatical. Taking good pictures of vernal pools requires being there at the right time and a lot of searching, he said. The vernal pool featured in “Pool of Wonder” is on land owned by a friend who serves with him on the Virginia Wilderness Committee.

Johnson used a camera rig capable of being submerged underwater to capture the split between the sparse brush seen above the surface and the lush vegetation below. 

“The light was beautiful, and it’s really just a few inches of water, so I’m just kind of crouched by the side slowly lowering my camera in to try to not disturb the sediment around it,” he said, recalling the moment he took the photo. 

“Pool of Wonder” graced the cover of the summer 2021 issue of Nature Conservancy magazine. Johnson has previously likened the sunlight filtering through the eggs in the picture, and the delicate shades of blue and green, to “an aquatic Vermeer painting” (EMU News). 

He entered the wildlife photography contest for his first time this year after some encouragement from friends in the field.

“This one always felt like it had something a little special to it,” he said. “I think the sort of symmetry, the color, it all felt like something had come together in that image.”

Johnson, who authored an with featured essays by vernal pools expert Michael Hayslett, said part of his mission as a conservation photographer is to highlight the threat that development and climate change pose to the underwater worlds.

Less predictable spring rains are causing pools to dry up before the young salamanders can fully develop and live on land. 

“[Hayslett] has told me that living here for decades, there used to be one big night where you could predict all the spotted salamanders would come out and migrate, and now that’s become very fragmented to much smaller events,” he said. 

Where art meets science 

When he’s not crouching by the side of a vernal pool in his waders, Johnson is teaching the next generation of photographers and visual artists.

In addition to conservation photography, his courses include advanced Photoshop, web design and social media. Johnson said the VaCA program teaches students about different forms of storytelling, from web and video production to animation and photography, and even painted murals.

“Students really get that full scope,” he said. “I think that is what makes them so marketable. They know how to do a whole bunch of things and do them well.”

’19 is putting the skills he learned from those classes to good use as media producer at Gravity Group, a Harrisonburg-based brand and marketing consultancy. He said the class in conservation photography instilled in him a love for nature photography. It not only taught him technical skills, but also how to be more intentional with the stories he tells.

Swartzendruber described “Pool of Wonder” as visually stunning.

“It truly brings me to an entirely different world just looking at it,” he said.

“He’s doing something that I’ve genuinely never seen before with the knowledge he has.”

Johnson is now in his 19th year at EMU. He said one unique strength for the VaCA program is the wealth of places to photograph nature near campus, such as the 1.6 million acre . The cameras they use in their courses, even at the introductory level, are the same ones he uses professionally, he added.

He welcomes students approaching his visual and communication arts classes from a background in environmental science and biology.

“If they love the world of nature, the environment and also want to communicate about that, we have two dedicated courses right now they can develop those skills and find faculty who are passionate about that intersection,” Johnson said.

One new class he’ll be co-teaching in the spring with Professor Steve Cessna is Communication and the Environment. The class will teach students how scientists and advocacy nonprofits communicate about science and the environment, what kinds of strategies they use and will give students a chance to try it themselves.

Professor Tara Kishbaugh, dean of EMU’s School of Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Nursing, said Johnson exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education in reflecting the importance of communication skills and multidisciplinary work.

“Steven’s focus on communication of conservation needs aligns well with our science programs, particularly those in environmental science, and is one of many reasons why I am happy to have the arts within my school,” Kishbaugh said. “EMU students, both within and outside the arts programs, can benefit from Steven’s expertise and his thoughtful way of living out his values in his teaching and his art.”