The 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:

–Nels Å�������Dz�, major in Biology, from Harrisonburg, VA

–Michael Allen, major in Liberal Arts, from Fork Union, VA

–Jossimar Diaz-Castro, major in Philosophy & Theology, from Harrisonburg, VA

–Ryan Eshleman, majors in Philosophy & Theology and Biology, from Harrisonburg, Va.

–Darian Harnish, majors in Accounting and Economics, from Lancaster, PA

–Josh Kanagy, major in Psychology, from Harrisonburg, VA.

–Julia Schmidt, major in History, from Pandora, Oh.

–Hannah Schrock, major in Biology, from Iowa City, IA.

–Kelley Schroder, major in Music, Education Licensure, from Leesburg, Va.

–James Souder, major in Environmental Sustainability, from Harrisonburg, VA

Undergraduate seniors share reflections on their spiritual journeys in light of the EMU mission, vision and shared values related to faith and discipleship.

Worship Leaders: Julia Schmidt, Darian Harnish Speakers: Emily Harnish, Kiersten Rossetto, Nels Akerson, Bekah Enns, Taylor Weidman Saxphone: James Souder

Eight students participated in the 2013  on March 22. Each speaker applied the Christian peace position to a contemporary concern in a short speech (8-10 min):

3:32—Taylor Waidelich, Restoring Justice to Educational Discipline,  Junior Elementary Education major from Stryker, OH

13:00–Jossimar ��í����-�䲹���ٰ���, A Christian, Democratic Immigrant Witness & Participation Today, Senior Philosophy and Theology major from Harrisonburg, VA

26:00–Emily Harnish, Lessons from the hymnal in an election season” Senior Biochemistry major from Strasburg, PA

35:55–James Souder, Redistributing Food, An Opportunity for Peace, Senior Environmental and Social Sustainability major from Harrisonburg, VA

46:07–Josh Kanagy, Molding Peace Within: Reflections of a Recovering Workaholic, Senior Psychology major from Timberville, VA

54:41–Corben Boshart, Seeking Unity in the Mennonite Church, Senior Biblical Studies and Peacebuilding & Develoment major from Wellman, IA

1:04:10–Mariah Elliott, Are You Who You Say You Are?, Junior Social Work and Peacebuilding & Development major from Rockville, VA

1:13:31–Bekah Enns, Language as Lived Reality: Developing a Discourse of Peace, Senior History major from Winnipeg, Manitoba