°Őłó±đĚý award honors the efforts of graduating students who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community or society.

The Blue cord represents strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution; also willingness and openness to share thoughts and ideas.

The Gold cord represents love of spirit and yearning towards creating a better university community in which all can take part; gold is also the color of achievement.

This years recipients of the Cords of Distinction are:

• Emily Clatterbuck
• Drew Diaz
• Harrison Horst
• Maleke Jones
• Keyri Lopez-Godoy
• Michaela Mast
• Katrina Poplett
• Caleb Schrock-Hurst
• Brittany Williams
• Elizabeth Witmer

Gather with students and staff from the Spring Break Civil Rights Tour and the Gospel Choir to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the legacy of his life.

Hear portions of student-prepared speeches highlighting many forms of peace as part of the . The full speeches can be heard TONIGHT – Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in Martin Chapel (Seminary Building).

Fabiana Espinal
“Creativity as a Path to Healing and Connection”

Kyle Good
“Food as Conscientious Objection”

Winifred Gray-Johnson
“Finding Forgiveness: A Path toward Healthy Relationships”

Lydia Haggard
“Is it Black or White?: Exploring Race and the Mennonite Church”

Katrina Poplett
“When Silence is Betrayal: Climbing the Hill”

Caleb Schrock-Hurst
“Is This a Bonhoeffer Moment?: Asking the Right Questions in Trump’s America”

Amanda Williams
“Mother Earth’s Plea for Her Prodigal Children to Return”

Hear reflections from Elizabeth Witmer, Maddie List, and Caleb Schrock-Hurst, about exploring ministry this past summer with the . What might exploring ministry look like for you?

Elizabeth Witmer, a junior social work major, was at Faith Mennonite Church in Minneapolis. In addition to leading worship, visiting a terminally ill church member, preaching, planning and attending actions and workshops with a local immigrant-led organization, attending protests, and various other activities, Witmer said that she enjoyed being within walking distance of “anything I want do” and being “well connected to causes and actions I’m passionate about.”

Maddie List, a senior Bible and religion major from Arlington, Virginia, was in a summer service program called Ocean City Beach Project run by the Coalition for Christian Outreach for students who want to develop further as campus leaders. List and 30 other participants lived together,  attended classes, participated in Bible studies, led worship, and engaged in faith-based discussions in small groups. They each also had jobs in Ocean City, where they practiced discussing faith with coworkers.

Caleb Schrock-Hurst, a senior English major, was at New Hope Fellowship/Nueva Esperanza of Alexandria (Virginia). In addition to making pastoral visits, playing guitar in the church’s worship band, preaching, attending a young adult Bible study, “reading a lot more scripture and theology than I do on a regular basis,” and working on a variety of projects, Schrock-Hurst traveled with pastor and supervisor Kirk Hanger to visit member congregations from Mexico to Philadelphia.