The art therapy minor replaces a pre-art therapy concentration that was offered from 2019-22. Anna Westfall, associate professor of art and director of the VACA program, and Dr. Michael Horst, dean of Health, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences and director of the undergraduate psychology program, submitted their proposal for the minor last fall. It was approved by the Academic Council in November.

Through psychology courses, students will explore the science of human behavior and the mind, while VACA courses will engage them in the creative process and the conceptual and expressive outlets of art making, according to the proposal. “By providing this minor, prospective students can explore both interests while seeing a clear path of study to a career that is not available at many institutions,” it states. “Furthermore, it will give current students the tools to succeed when applying to graduate programs in art therapy.”

What is art therapy?

Art therapy, as defined by the , is a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.

“Especially when people are struggling, facing a challenge, or even a health crisis—their own words or language fails them,” the AATA says. “During these times, an art therapist can help clients express themselves in ways beyond words or language. Art therapists are trained in art and psychological theory and can help clients integrate nonverbal cues and metaphors that are often expressed through the creative process.”

Art therapists work with people of all ages, including children experiencing behavioral challenges or those with autism spectrum disorder, the AATA says. These therapists assist people and caregivers in health crises; victims of violence or other trauma, including military service members and student survivors of mass shootings; older adults with dementia; and anyone who needs help coping with life’s challenges. 

Meeting student interest

Westfall, who helped start the pre-art therapy concentration several years ago, led efforts to develop the minor. She said she heard from so many students interested in art therapy over the years that faculty felt a need to offer it.

One of those students, Rachel Tusing ’25, graduated with dual majors in art and psychology and is currently enrolled in 91´óÉń’s graduate counseling program.

“Art is like a second language for me,” said Tusing, who has been interested in expressive arts and art therapy since high school.

“However, when I began researching art therapy as a career, the path to licensure and practice was not clear,” she said. “Much of that is because art therapy is still a very new modality of therapy, and the foundation for education, licensure and practice is still being laid.”

She said 91´óÉń’s addition of an art therapy minor will help students like herself who are looking to harness the healing power of art in the therapy room.

“This minor declares 91´óÉń’s continuing commitment and support for the arts in all kinds of spaces, especially for those who are in need,” she said. “Art is grounding, tender and empowering, and it belongs in mental health care. I only hope that 91´óÉń will continue to expand and enrich this program. I am extremely proud and grateful for the work that has happened to get here.”

What the minor can do

Horst, former director of 91´óÉń’s graduate counseling program, said students with an art therapy minor, paired with a major in studio art, art education, or psychology, would be well-positioned for graduate study in art therapy or clinical mental health counseling. While 91´óÉń does not currently offer a master’s degree in art therapy, students can pursue the university’s accredited master’s program in clinical mental health counseling, which includes a focus on expressive arts therapy.

A master’s degree in art therapy can lead to Art Therapist Registered (ATR) credentialing. Registered art therapists serve diverse communities in settings such as hospitals, cancer treatment centers, psychiatric facilities, retirement communities, schools, and independent practices.

The art therapy minor offers : for psychology majors (18 VACA credits required), studio art majors (16 psychology credits required), art education majors (nine psychology credits required), and a pre-art therapy concentration for students majoring outside those fields (16 psychology credits and 16 VACA credits required).

Students can declare minors at any time by submitting a minor declaration form to the university registrar. They have until the first week of classes in September to add courses for the fall semester.

For more information about the minor, email Westfall at anna.westfall@emu.edu.

When Nate McGhee ’24, MBA ’26, arrived at 91´óÉń in the fall of 2020, it wasn’t his first time giving college the old college try. The marketing and business administration major, a key contributor to the Royals men’s volleyball team during his four seasons on the squad, had enrolled at Randolph-Macon College a couple years prior. But a string of personal hardships, combined with a lack of preparation and a limited support system, led him to flunk out after his first year.

He said the private liberal arts school, which competes with 91´óÉń in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), might have been a good fit had he applied himself more. But he hadn’t yet developed strong study habits and, as he struggled with self-doubt, he didn’t know how or where to ask for help.

“I was keeping it all to myself, which was probably the worst thing to do,” he said.

When he returned home to Newport News after being dismissed from the school, he felt lost.

“I was stuck,” McGhee said. “I was like, ‘OK, everything you worked for isn’t coming to fruition, so what are you going to do?’”

He took his first full-time job, bussing tables and working the raw bar at a seafood and oyster restaurant near his home, while attending night classes at Thomas Nelson Community College (now known as Virginia Peninsula Community College). Though he continued playing recreational volleyball to stay sharp, the former high school standout had all but given up on competing at the collegiate level.

During a trip to Richmond to cheer on his friends and former coaches at a volleyball tournament in early 2020, opportunity came knocking. Less than 10 minutes after arriving, McGhee felt a tap on his shoulder. When he turned around, he saw Danielle Lickey, 91´óÉń’s head men’s volleyball coach at the time.

After hearing how his volleyball career had stalled, Lickey invited him to visit campus. “We could use someone like you,” he recalled her saying.

McGhee toured campus over spring break and quickly fell in love with its picturesque mountain setting and close-knit feel. “This is my second chance,” he remembered thinking. “I have to take it.”

That fall, he transferred to 91´óÉń as a sophomore. Over his (2021-24), he ranks 11th all-time in career kills and earned Third-Team All-CVC honors in 2023. In the summer of 2023, he represented the United States on a team in Italy.

“I thought volleyball was over for me, but that’s how I got back into it,” he said. “If she hadn’t tapped me on the shoulder that one day, I probably wouldn’t be here [at 91´óÉń] right now.”

Nate McGhee ranks 11th all-time in career kills over his four seasons with the 91´óÉń men’s volleyball team (2021-24). He earned Third-Team All-CVC honors in 2023 and represented the United States on a team in Italy that summer.

Learning to lead

Off the volleyball court, McGhee found a firm footing in 91´óÉń’s classrooms and campus community. He earned a spot on the Dean’s List, an honor given to students with a semester GPA of at least 3.75. He grew more comfortable opening up to others on campus and seeking help when needed. He credited his advisor, Dr. Jim Leaman, associate professor of business, with helping keep him on track.

“I probably wouldn’t have graduated without him,” McGhee said. “He became a mentor to me and was with me every step of the way.”

He said his parents’ love and support also helped him persevere when times were tough. 

“For a while, I felt like I was letting them down and failing at life,” he said. “But they told me it’s what you do after failing that makes it a failure. If you stay down and give up, then you’ve failed. But if you get up and learn from your mistakes, then the mistake is history.”

After graduating with a degree in business administration and marketing in spring 2024, McGhee stayed at 91´óÉń as a graduate assistant coach for head men’s volleyball coach Omar Hoyos Aliff while pursuing his MBA, which he completed this past spring.

McGhee plans to use his degrees to build a career in sports marketing. He’s applied for positions with professional athletic organizations such as League One Volleyball.

“That’s really what I have a passion for,” he said. “Eventually, maybe five years down the line, I would love to open my own business sponsoring athletes and getting them more exposure.”

While coaching was never a career path he considered as a player, his experience as a graduate assistant has shown him that he has a knack for it and genuinely enjoys it. “I like seeing player growth,” he said. “I look at volleyball as an art. You can always build on it and learn something new.”

McGhee said that multitasking, time management, and resilience are all skills he learned while at 91´óÉń. “I’ve definitely developed a lot of confidence in my craft,” he said. “I didn’t have a lot of confidence before I came here in anything I did, and at 91´óÉń I’ve learned how to lead with confidence.”

When the Royals men’s volleyball team traveled to Ashland in April for the 2026 ODAC Championship match against Randolph-Macon, it was a full-circle moment for McGhee. The Yellow Jackets ultimately prevailed in the , but the match reminded him of the many times he had faced his former team, including a conference quarterfinal at Randolph-Macon during his senior year when the Royals swept the Yellow Jackets.

“That was unreal,” McGhee said. “Whenever I played games there, I always did poorly because I felt there was something hanging over me. But that game, and this last game we played, really showed me how much I’ve grown.”

Watch Nate talk about the close-knit community and support he found at 91´óÉń.

This story appears in the summer 2026 issue of Crossroads magazine.

For her, that moment came during the traumatic birth of her youngest child two years ago. Perez, a graduate of 91´óÉń at Lancaster’s Leadership and Organizational Management (LOM) program, shared that she failed out of her studies during that experience. But rather than quit, she pushed forward and kept fighting. She came back stronger, enrolling in the next cohort and earning Dean’s List honors throughout her time in the program. The road didn’t become easier, she said, but her resilience grew stronger.

That same resilience, she told the Class of 2026 graduates, lies in every single one of them. Many of them, who are nontraditional adult learners, balanced their coursework with jobs, families, and other responsibilities. “We showed up tired, we showed up overwhelmed and stretched thin, and sometimes we showed up broken,” she said. “Regardless, we still showed up.”

When her mother was hospitalized and passed away in January, Perez said her classmates, who had become a support system, showed up for her. “In one of my hardest seasons,” she said, “it was this community that reminded me I wasn’t alone.”

Graduates recess following the Commencement ceremony.

Angelita Perez (left) was one of three graduates who shared their perspectives at Commencement. Dr. Jamie Mak (right), assistant vice president of academic and program growth for 91´óÉń at Lancaster, opens the ceremony. 

Perez was one of 21 graduates of 91´óÉń at Lancaster’s degree and graduate certificate programs who walked across the stage and were joyfully sent off into the world during the annual Commencement ceremony at Forest Hills Mennonite Church on Friday, May 8. This year, 91´óÉń at Lancaster awarded 21 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 13 graduate certificates.

Dr. Jamie Mak, assistant vice president of academic and program growth for 91´óÉń at Lancaster, welcomed the family members, friends, and guests gathered in celebration and commended the courage and commitment shown by the graduates.

“As you leave today, you carry more than just credentials,” she said. “You carry the values that define this community: peacebuilding, social justice, service, and compassion. You are entering a world that needs those values more than ever.”

91´óÉń at Lancaster awarded 21 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 13 graduate certificates.

Graduates Will Stover (left) and Alejandro Ulloa (right) share their perspectives.

In addition to Perez, graduates Will Stover and Alejandro Ulloa shared their reflections.

Stover, a graduate of the aviation program, highlighted his cohort’s accomplishments—accumulating over 7,000 hours of flight time in their four years together—and shared some of the lessons they learned in the program. He encouraged graduates to “take the first step” when presented with challenges and opportunities, continue supporting one another and “keep ’em flying,” and find the positive in times of adversity. Echoing the mantra of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight squadron, he called on graduates to embrace being “glad to be here.”

“There are days that are difficult, when we feel defeated, lost, and unsure of what’s next,” he said. “There are also days that feel easy, motivating, and full of hope. The phrase ‘Glad to be here’ is a reminder that, regardless of the day, resiliency ultimately wins.”

When Ulloa was growing up, he often heard his mother say, “cada cabeza un mundo entero.” That phrase, he said, translates to “each head is a whole world.”

“My mom’s words are a consistent reminder that God created each of us with uniqueness and complexity and finds each of us worthy of love,” said Ulloa, who graduated with an MA in education with a concentration in Trauma and Resilience in Educational Environments (TREE).

After teaching at Lancaster Mennonite High School for 11 years, he said God called him to a different setting about four years ago. That’s when he applied to the program at 91´óÉń at Lancaster to “stay in touch with these faith-infused tenets of education and daily practice.”

“I’m so thankful for this program and its professors, who encouraged us to view our students in their entirety, to approach them with care and empathy first and foremost, and to remember that there’s an entire world in their heads,” he said. Ulloa added that he leaves the program “more committed than ever” to meet his students where they are, get to know them, and support them however he can.

91´óÉń at Lancaster’s Class of 2026 graduates celebrate after walking across the stage.

Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo (left) delivers the Commencement address. Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus (right) offers welcome remarks during the ceremony.

Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo delivered the Commencement address. A first-generation college graduate and avid runner who became the first Latino mayor in the city’s history, he spoke about the process of training for a marathon and connected it to broader lessons in life.

Preparation, he told the graduates, is both a choice and an ongoing process. “Sometimes that means taking a step back and readjusting your training plan,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just a check-in with yourself that brings you back to the basics. It’s about questioning your choices and making sure you’re on the right path.”

“Think deeply about your choices, find a way to quiet the noise, listen to what truly matters, and make sure the commitments you make are for the greater good,” Arroyo added.

In her remarks to the graduates, Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus expressed appreciation for the ways they have shown up for one another and for the 91´óÉń community. “You’ve wrestled with hard questions, you’ve listened across differences, and you’ve continued to pursue rigorous learning in a way that reflects both care and conviction,” she said.

Kirk Shisler ’81, vice president for advancement, welcomed the graduates as new members of the 91´óÉń Alumni Association. “You join some 21,000 fellow alumni who distinguish themselves as people who serve and lead with distinction locally, regionally, nationally, and around the world,” he said.

Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs, presented and commissioned the graduates. Dr. Dycus conferred the degrees and offered the closing blessing. Jess King ’96, an 91´óÉń parent and member of the 91´óÉń Board of Trustees, led the opening invocation. Derek Kline, director of the aviation program, and Dr. Mak recognized the graduates.

In addition to King, board members Janet Lind, Gloria Diener ’76, and Jane Hoober Peifer ’74, MDiv ’97, attended the ceremony.

Hudson Acocella, a Political Science major

Ciela Acosta, a Peacebuilding & Development major

Peyton Alger, an English major

Muna Alsadun, a Social Work major

Johana Alvarenga, a Liberal Arts major

Ephrata Amare, a Biology major

Theo Andreas, a Nursing major

Meredith Atkinson, a Political Science and Psychology major

Wendy Avila Peralta, a Nursing major

Silas Bates, a Psychology major

Malia Bauman, a Social Work major

Leah Beachy, a Nursing major

Kayden Beidler, an English and Applied Mathematics major

Miranda Beidler, an English and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Renae Benner, an Engineering major

Terranie Bennett, a Writing Studies major

Leah Blough, an Accounting major

Karina Bondaruk, a Biochemistry major

Madison Bowyer, a Nursing major

Lincoln Brechbill, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jasmine Bruce, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Noah Buckwalter, a Biology and Environmental Science major

Daisy Buller, an Art major

Leah Cap, a Political Science major

Paulina Cárcamo Nufio, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies and Education Licensure (PreK–12) major

Mara Carlson, a Psychology major

Seungmin Cha, a Chemistry major

Joel Chamberlain, a Sociology and Environmental Science major

Camden Clapper, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Sebastian Clemente, a Psychology major

Jaydyn Clemmer, a Nursing major

Zoe Clymer, a Biology major

Cristina ColĂłn Torres, a Psychology major

Chase Comer, a Political Science and History major

Rebekah Copeland, a Computer Science major

Ashley Cromer, a Nursing major

Kaitlyn Cunningham, a Psychology major

Logan Darrow, a Biology major

Ace Davis, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ruach Deng, a Computer Science major

Lexie Dingus, a Nursing major

Emily Donovan, a Biology major

Levi Dougherty, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jacob Dwyer, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Monica Ehrenfels, a Music major

Odesa Elezi, a Nursing major

Matt Elijah, a Recreation and Sport Management major

Benjamin Elliott, a Political Science and Peacebuilding major

Julia Fisher, an Art and Education Licensure (PreK–12) major

Abby Foltz, a Nursing major

Addison Fornadel, a Nursing major

Leah Frankenfield, a Psychology major

Benjamin Friesen Guhr, an Engineering major

Lily Gatesman, a Psychology major

Marta Gebretsadik, a Nursing major

Jassel Gomez Bonilla, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ellysa Gray, a Nursing major

Juliana Greaver, a Nursing major

Emma Greer, a Marketing major

Carter Griffin, a Business Administration and Recreation and Sport Management major

Emily Guin, a Nursing major

Sitara Hackney, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Madelynn Hamm, an Environmental Science major

Josh Haponski, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Glenn Harder, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Abbey Harper, a Nursing major

Keegan Harrison, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ryan Harrison, a Political Science major

Bridget Hay, a Psychology major

Willem Hedrick, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Justin Hochstedler, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Gabe Hollenbacher, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Elie Hoover, a Social Work and Music major

Mason Hunter, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Claire Hurst, a Biology major

Shawna Hurst, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Aspen Jones, a Psychology major

Braxten Jones, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Josh Joseph, a Recreation and Sport Management major

Zainab Kamran, a Computer Science major

Apekshya Karki, a Medical Lab Science major

Lauren Kauffman, a Psychology major

Sophia Kauffman, a Psychology major

Sara Kennel, a Global Development major

Esme King Martin, an Environmental Science and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major

Emae Klompenhouwer, a Social Work major

Jazi Knight, a Nursing major

Ani Koontz, a Biology major

Naomi Kratzer, a Music and History major

Gisele Kuate Mogouong, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Sophia Lacher, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6), and Special Education General Curriculum (K–6) major

Maggie Ladd, a Social Work major

Ella Lambert, a Nursing major

Reina Landa, a Nursing major

Joy Lee, a Nursing major

Camryn Lohr, a Nursing major

Erin Loker, a Psychology major

Zeke Longacre, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Maria Longenecker, a Biology major

Brittany Love, a Psychology major

Caris Lucas, a Nursing major

Summer Lucas, a Nursing major

Reya Marron, a Nursing major

Brooke Martin, a Leadership and Organizational Management major

Olivia Martin, a Nursing major

Rosa Martin Fonseca, a Biology major

Micah Mast, an Engineering major

Kiyah Mata, a Psychology major

Caleb Metzler, a Political Science, Sociology, and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major

Eli Miller, an Environmental Science major

Hollyn Miller, a Psychology major

Isaac Miller, a Biology major

Sarah Miller, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Diego Morales Torres, a Computer Science major

Leilani Muniz, a Liberal Arts major

Samuel Myers, an Environmental Science major

Judith Nandikove, a Theology and Religion and Peacebuilding & Development major

Ethan Neufeld, a Biology and Biochemistry major

Sophia Nguyen, a Biology major

Ashutosh Niraula, a Computer Science major

Jenna Oostland, an Environmental Science major

Owen Osterberg, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Seth Ours, a Psychology major

Eden Owings, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Livy Pagano, a Psychology major

Leah Palmieri, a Nursing major

Katie Parks, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6), and Special Education General Curriculum (K–6) major

Sarah Peak, a Psychology and Peacebuilding major

Zachary Perry, an Applied Mathematics major

Ezra Peters, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Sarah Poirot, a Nursing major

Bryce Poppe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jocelyn Portillo-Romero, a Biology and Secondary Education Licensure (6–12) major

Sarah Prroj, a Business Administration major

Adam Rhodes, an Environmental Science and Peacebuilding major

Miriam Rhodes, a Music, Liberal Arts, and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Ella Richer, an Environmental Science major

Oliver Rivera, a Psychology major

Kyla Ross, a Psychology major

Jasmin Ruiz, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Gabriella Seal, a Nursing major

Roumany Sefin, a Business Administration and Medical Lab Science major

Addison Shanholtz, a Nursing major

Dulce Shenk Zeager, a Biology major

Emma Shepard, a Nursing major

Josiah Shimp, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Marianne Short, a Nursing major

Rose Short, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK–6) major

Ava Sitko, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ari Smart, an Art and Education Licensure (PreK–12) major

Megan Smith, a Nursing major

Brooke Snyder, a Writing Studies major

Elijah Spicher, a Nursing major

April Stafford, a Nursing major

Keriana Stottlemyer, a Nursing major

Amelia Stuckey, a Biology and Environmental Science major

Simon Stuckey, an Engineering major

Joshua Stucky, a Nursing major

Kate Stutzman, a Biology major

Levi Stutzman, an Engineering major

Emily Suarez Nunez, a Nursing major

Kristina Suslaev, a Nursing major

Jazmyn Taylor, a Business Administration major

Kenzie Taylor, a Digital Media and Communication major

Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Michelle Thompson, a Nursing major

Lauren Townsend, a Recreation and Sport Management and Organizational Leadership major

Collin Troutman, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Cassidy Turpen, a Psychology major

Christopher Varone, a Psychology major

Delaney Via, a Nursing major

Aniyah Walker, a Business Administration and Marketing major

Ava Walker, a Psychology major

Jadyn Weik, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Micah Wenger, a Music major

Reuben Wenger, a Biochemistry and Peacebuilding major

Yuji Wenger, a Biology major

Julia Williams, a Nursing major

Will Wolf, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Amanda Yoder, a Nursing major

Bryn Yoder, a Nursing major

Elliott Yoder, a Public Health major

Malia Yoder, a Biology major

Noah Yoder, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Sam Yoder, a Nursing major

Bethelhem Zelalem, a Nursing major

Matthew Zerbe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Lisa Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major

Mara Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major

The conference, “Thriving in Ministry: Family Systems Theory as a Resource for Faith Communities,” was hosted by the seminary in partnership with The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family and supported by the Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Joe Carolin Memorial Fund.

Throughout the conference, participants explored family systems theory as a resource for understanding and strengthening relationships and congregational life. Ordained and lay leaders, along with others interested in family systems thinking, considered how Bowen theory and differentiation of self, along with their faith traditions, could guide reflection and cultivate thriving in ministry.

Keynote speakers Rev. Dr. Robert Creech and Dr. Dan Papero presented from their expertise in the fields of practical theology and psychotherapy, respectively. Over the two days of the conference, Dr. Creech shared keynote addresses about the intersection of language between systems thinking and Christian theology, as well as how the practice of differentiation of self enhances pastoral care. Dr. Papero spoke about the most recent neuroscientific research regarding the impact of stress on brain functioning. Both contributed to panel discussions with other presenters.  

Conference keynote speaker Dr. Dan Papero (left) has been a faculty member of The Bowen Center since 1982. He has written numerous articles and book chapters on various aspects of family systems theory and family psychotherapy. The Rev. Dr. Robert Creech (right), a former pastor and faculty member of Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, is the author of “Family Systems and Congregational Life” (2019) and co-author of “The Leader’s Journey” (2020), both with Baker Academic.  

Workshops and presentations included discussions on preaching, biblical studies, parenting, and tools to help participants thrive in ministry and daily life.

Among the goals of the Thriving in Ministry conference were to help participants:

• grow in their capacity to differentiate self through an increased understanding of the science of human relationships in families and congregations
• apply family systems theory to the work of faith leaders in pastoral care, preaching, youth work, religious education, and other ministry settings
• explore practical applications, including family diagrams, triangles, and other ways of shifting from an individual to a systems perspective

Other guest presenters included Chaplain Penny Driediger, the Rev. Melanie Lewis, Pastor Lana Miller, Janis Norton, the Rev. Dr. Emlyn A. Ott, the Rev. William Pyle, and the Rev. Chet Yoder. Faculty presenters included Dr. Kenton T. Derstine, Kathleen Cotter Cauley, the Rev. Randall Frost, Dr. Barbara Laymon, the Rev. Jennifer Long, and Amie Post.

For more information about the conference, visit .

Commencement address

Dr. Angela J. Lederach, assistant professor of peace and justice studies at Chapman University, delivered the Commencement address in Yoder Arena.

The author and anthropologist, whose father, John Paul Lederach, co-founded the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, spoke about the lessons she’s learned from peacebuilders and CJP alumni around the world.

Undergraduates Dylan Hall and Arelys Martinez Fabian, along with MA in Counseling graduate Yenifer Dottin-Carter ’23, presented the graduate perspectives.

This was Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus’ first Commencement as interim president.

Celebration of Blessings

The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding sent 17 graduates into the world with words of tribute during its annual Celebration of Blessings on Sunday afternoon, following Commencement. This year marks the 30th anniversary celebration of the CJP. 

Graduates LaToya Fernandez, Jamila Gaskins, Hannah Gilman, and Jacob Sankara offered their perspectives.  

Graduate Celebration and Sending

91´óÉń honored members of the Class of 2026 at its Graduate Celebration and Sending service on Saturday evening in Lehman Auditorium.

The event featured a faculty address by Dr. Tara Kishbaugh, senior class salutations from co-presidents Genesis Figueroa and Arelys Martinez Fabian, and the presentation of the senior class gift, along with prayer, music, and poetry from graduates.

Donning of the Kente

Family, friends, faculty, and other supporters gathered in the MainStage Theater on Saturday to honor the perseverance, compassion, and determination of this year’s graduates at 91´óÉń’s 11th annual Donning of the Kente Ceremony.

The event recognized 49 graduates celebrating their African and international heritage.

Nurse Pinning

Sixteen 91´óÉń nursing graduates marked a major milestone Saturday morning during a pinning and commissioning ceremony in Lehman Auditorium.

Dr. David Rosie, an emergency medicine physician at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg, delivered the keynote address.

Lavender Graduation

91´óÉń recognized 11 graduates at its fifth annual Lavender Graduation on Friday evening in the Old Common Grounds space. The ceremony honors LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni while celebrating their unique experiences, achievements, and contributions to the university.

Sarah Peak and Jamila Gaskins delivered the keynote addresses.

91´óÉń at Lancaster will award 21 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 13 graduate certificates at its Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo will deliver the address.

Stay tuned for a recap of the Lancaster ceremony.

“When you see them pouring themselves into the work of justice and peace, and you see them giving and giving, remind them to pause, please,” Schaeffer, director of programs at CJP, said. “Remind them to rest. Remind them to seek out something joyful because this work needs them, but it needs them whole.”

The ceremony honored graduates of CJP’s master’s degree and graduate certificate programs and was held Sunday afternoon in Martin Chapel following 91´óÉń’s 108th annual Commencement.

This year marks the 30th anniversary celebration of the CJP, which was co-founded and led by John Paul Lederach. His daughter, Dr. Angela Lederach, delivered the Commencement address earlier Sunday.

Graduates from 91´óÉń’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding are embraced and recognized by CJP faculty and staff during the annual Celebration of Blessings in Martin Chapel on Sunday.

In the heartfelt ceremony, CJP faculty and staff members Dr. Gloria Rhodes, Amy Knorr, Dr. Paula Ditzel Facci, and Dr. Joe Cole provided words of tribute for each graduate. The following CJP graduates were recognized:

Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation

Diego Crespo Guido of Mexico City, Mexico

Jamila Gaskins of Los Angeles

Hannah Gilman of Salt Lake City

Chelsea Griffin of Flagstaff, Arizona

Leslie Meja of Nairobi, Kenya

Jacob Sankara of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

CatiAdele Slater of Upperville, Virginia

Tamera Vaughan-Drozd of Vienna, Virginia

Graduate Certificate in Conflict Transformation

Spike Coleman of Charleston, South Carolina

Devin Withrow of Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Master of Arts in Restorative Justice

Maria Arias of Viedma, Argentina

LaToya Fernandez of West Hartford, Connecticut

SofĂ­a Garcia Pini of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice

RĂŠka BordĂĄs-Simon of NyĂ­regyhĂĄza, Hungary

Mallery McShine of Fredericksburg, Virginia

Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership

Josiah Ludwick of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Tyler Stanley of Harrisonburg, Virginia

Dr. Gloria Rhodes ’88 (left) and Kory Schaeffer MA ’24 (right), co-directors of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, offer their welcome remarks.

As the graduates go out to create a more just and peaceful world, they also weave a web of connections and build an extended community of learning, Professor Dr. Gloria Rhodes ’88, academic director of CJP, said in her remarks.

“We’re a small community, and 91´óÉń is a very small university,” Rhodes said. “But together, we are enormous.”

She said there are more than 23,000 91´óÉń graduates around the world, including more than 800 who have earned degrees from CJP’s master’s programs.

As a CJP alumnus, Schaeffer said he shared the graduates’ joy and quiet solidarity, as well as their sense of how much they had cared, questioned, and transformed throughout their time at CJP.

“This work was never just the books you read or the papers you wrote,” he said. “It was also the gray hairs, the tears, the tightness in your body, and the moments you questioned everything. It was the weight, literal or metaphorical, that comes with doing work that is both deeply personal and profoundly collective.”

LaToya Fernandez, an MA in restorative justice graduate, shares the journey that led her to CJP.

Conflict transformation graduates Hannah Gilman (left) and Jamila Gaskins (right) reflect on their experiences in the program.

Graduates LaToya Fernandez, Jamila Gaskins, Hannah Gilman, and Jacob Sankara shared their perspectives.  

Fernandez recalled visiting Ghana a couple of years ago and experiencing something there that changed her life. “I grieved there, I left my burdens there, I cried for my ancestors,” she said. “I learned things about myself that I didn’t know.”

She left Africa with a mission to bring that sense of healing to her communities and to the United States. She had applied to another school’s restorative justice program, which offered her a full scholarship, when a friend encouraged her to learn more about CJP. “You want to go to a place that’s going to value you and all your decolonizing institution ways,” Fernandez recalled her friend telling her. “That’s exactly what happened. I came to 91´óÉń and I fell in love.”

Gaskins, who spoke at 91´óÉń’s Lavender Graduation two days prior, asked the crowd when they last breathed. “Not a shallow breath, the kind most of us live on, tight chest, shoulders up near our ears, but a full breath. One that goes all the way down, opens up the belly, and reminds you that you are here, present, alive.”

“So many of us are chest breathers, and I say this with love and a little humor, because chest breathing is a perfectly functional way to stay alive, but it cuts us off,” she said. “It blocks access to the richness of our emotional experience, the very experience this work demands we stay connected to. We cannot feel our way into someone else’s suffering if we are numb to our own.”

Gilman said their past two years in the program have involved real sacrifice, balancing work, family, stressful logistics, and a dream. There have been many hard moments and even some tears, but also triumphs, laughter, and joy. There were moments of fear, and they showed up anyway.

“What a unique experience it has been to do this in a place like CJP,” she said. “With faculty and staff who knew us, challenged us, believed in us, and who, bless them, gave us extensions. I’m so grateful to share this era of growth with you, this particular season of becoming, of stretching, of learning what we are made of and made for.”

Mukarabe Inandava-Makinto (right), a CJP student, her husband, Makinto GC ’26 (left), and their son, Joël Friebe-Makinto, perform the musical prelude

CJP students Virginia Maina and Kensly Cassy offer student blessings (left). Amy Knorr (right), CJP’s peacebuilding practice director, provides the graduate sending. “This is actually my favorite day of the entire year, even more than Christmas,” Knorr said. “And it’s not because summer break begins tomorrow, but because we are sending forth so many graduates who will go on to change and transform the world.”

Sankara shared that he felt two emotions when he received his acceptance to the CJP program: excitement and intimidation. “Some of my colleagues at [Mennonite Central Committee], when I was working there, had gone through the program, and they spoke about it with a kind of reverence,” he said.

Along with those emotions came real anxiety. How would Sankara, an international student from Burkina Faso, find the money to fund his studies? He said his family’s visa situation was also uncertain. “I had to make a decision to trust God and move forward, even without having all the answers, and slowly things began to unfold,” he said.

He received a helpful scholarship from CJP and support from friends and family. Eventually, his family was able to come to the United States and was there to celebrate with him on Sunday. Sankara described CJP as more than a program, calling it a community.

“When I say community, I don’t mean a group of people who simply agree with each other,” Sankara said. “I mean a space where we celebrate, laugh together, and step on each other’s feet, not once but repeatedly. But the difference is that we acknowledge it, address it, and grow through it.”

Gabriella Seal, a 2026 bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduate, opened the ceremony by recognizing the graduates’ supporters—faculty, staff, families, friends, partners, and children—who carried them through moments when the journey felt overwhelming.

“If there’s one thing that defines this class, it’s that no two of us took the same path to get here,” she said. “Some of us dreamed of becoming nurses for years, while others found our way through entirely different experiences and chapters of our lives. Regardless of the path, we all made the same choice: to step into something difficult, meaningful, and deeply demanding.”

She recalled times of exhaustion and uncertainty, when the weight of their training felt especially real.

“Through it all, we continued to show up for our patients, for our future, and for each other,” she said. “Somewhere along the way, this stopped being just about passing exams or mastering skills. It became about learning how to stand beside people in some of the hardest moments of their lives.”

91´óÉń nursing graduates recite “The Nurse’s Pledge,” led by Dr. Laura Yoder during Saturday’s pinning ceremony.

Gabriella Seal ’26 (left) delivers opening remarks during the ceremony. Dr. David Rosie (right) served as keynote speaker.

Dr. David Rosie, an emergency medicine physician at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg who has worked in medicine for 26 years, delivered the keynote address. He said he is continually impressed by how 91´óÉń’s “fantastic nurses” rise to the occasion.

He encouraged the graduates to question orders from doctors and physician assistants that do not seem to make sense, think outside the box, seek unconventional solutions, and trust their instincts.

“If you have a sense that something isn’t right, then you should listen to that,” he said. “Sometimes the treatment isn’t right. Sometimes it’s someone being trafficked or abused. Those things don’t announce themselves.”

91´óÉń’s nursing graduates received pins and stethoscopes from those who supported them throughout their nursing coursework.

The ceremony recognized the following BSN graduates, each of whom was pinned by a special person in their lives. Samantha Johnston, instructor of nursing, read their dedications and shared their future plans.

Class of 2026 graduates

Leah Beachy will work in the emergency department at Augusta Health.

Madison Bowyer will work on the organ transplant floor at the University of Virginia Health.

Odesa Elezi will work in geriatric nursing at Bridgewater Retirement Community.

Abigail Foltz will work in medical oncology at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Emily Guin will work in the emergency department at Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Jacqueline Jackson is exploring her future plans.

Meygan Kyger will work as a registered nurse at the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Reina Landa will work in the emergency department at Virginia Commonwealth University Health.

Caris Lucas will work in medical oncology at Sentara RMH Medical Center. 

Gabriella Seal will work in the emergency department at Augusta Health.

Marianne Short will work in the progressive care unit at Augusta Health.

Elijah Spicher will work in correctional nursing at Middle River Regional Jail.

April Stafford will work in the progressive care unit at Augusta Health.

Joshua Stucky will work in the intensive care unit at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

Emily Suarez Nunez is exploring her future plans.

Kristina Suslaev will work in the emergency department at Sentara RMH Medical Center.

In her closing remarks, Seal told her fellow graduates they will care for people in some of their most vulnerable and meaningful moments. Nurses will be present in times of fear, healing, grief, hope, and heartbreak, she said, and how they show up will matter more than they may ever fully realize.

“Long after people forget the details of their hospital stay, they will remember how they were treated,” she said. “They will remember who made them feel seen, heard, safe, and cared for. That is the kind of nurse each of us now has the opportunity to become.”

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

As one of the university’s most valued, cherished, and meaningful awards given each year, the Cords of Distinction honor recognizes those who have positively influenced on-campus communities, actively pursued 91´óÉń values, engaged in and valued social and community involvement, and reflected academic excellence and social accountability. Recipients of the award are nominated by faculty, staff, administrators, and students and are chosen by the Cords of Distinction selection committee.

“These students participate in high levels of engagement outside of classes and recognize the importance of the social and civic aspects of engaging in the local community,” said Celeste Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services, CoachLink coach, and co-chair of the Cords of Distinction committee. “They embody ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’ They have chosen to make the community better than when they entered it, and we thank you all for that.”

The 10 recipients were presented with blue and gold cords to wear at Commencement, which will be held Sunday, May 3, 2026.

They are:

• Sophia Armato
• Irais Barrera Pinzon
• Leah Beachy
• Leah Frankenfield
• Genesis Figueroa
• Arelys Martinez Fabian
• Dibora Mekonnen
• Sarah Prroj
• Roumany Sefin
• Emily Suarez Nunez

Click each recipient’s name above to jump to their section.

Sophia Armato

A Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK-12) licensure major from Manheim, Pennsylvania, she was honored by Sydney Metz, head field hockey coach.

Armato embodies what it means to be a Royal, choosing excellence in the classroom, dedicating hours of service to others, and living out her faith by loving like Jesus, her coach said. She has also raised the standard of integrity within 91´óÉń’s athletic community, Metz said, recalling a conversation they shared about the culture they hoped to build for the field hockey program.

“Our program was in a fragile place, and even one wrong move could set us back further,” Metz said. “But in that conversation, we also talked about what it means to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. … You showed a willingness to lean into this challenge, to start a standard, and to grow in every area of your college experience.”

Metz said that Armato has made the most of her 91´óÉń experience. “You could find ‘Soph’ coming to practice after a long day of student teaching, then leaving practice to help others understand a Spanish conversation,” she said. “She would end her evening working at home on projects for her small business, continuing her homework, only to wake up early to serve coffee at Common Grounds. And through it all, she was living out her faith daily.”

Irais Barrera Pinzon

A political science and Spanish language & Hispanic studies major from Richmond, Virginia, she was honored by Celeste Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services.

The first time Thomas met Pinzon, she knew immediately the student would change the tapestry of 91´óÉń.

Pinzon, with her infectious smile, high energy, and “urgency to get down to business,” motivates those around her to “get on board and, not just say something, but do something,” Thomas said. “You exude kindness toward everyone and have a genuine concern for the well-being of others. You are always seeking ways to make the world a better place, and when you set out to do something, you do not stop until you reach the goal.”

That was especially evident in the menstrual hygiene project she led, securing a $1,200 grant and installing 10 dispensers across campus, Thomas said. Pinzon also served on the board of the Latinx Student Alliance (LSA), fed the unhoused, and participated in the International Food Festival, the Latino student banquet, and Hispanic Heritage Month events.

“Being a first-generation immigrant college student with your own challenges, you were able to look beyond your own needs and assist others who may be less fortunate,” Thomas said. “You shared that your goal was to inspire other first-generation Latino students to keep dreaming by showing them that no goal is too big.”

Leah Beachy

A nursing major from Salem, Oregon, she was honored by Dr. Kate Clark, associate professor of nursing.

Beachy represents the very best of what it means to be both a nurse and a servant leader. She demonstrates keen intellect, discipline, perseverance, and a deep sense of purpose. “But what makes Leah truly exceptional goes beyond academics,” Clark said.

During her four years on the women’s soccer team, Beachy exemplified courageous leadership, advocating for change, gathering teammate feedback, engaging administrators, and pursuing solutions grounded in accountability, Clark said. As senior captain, she helped rebuild trust and integrity within the program, contributing to one of its strongest seasons both competitively and culturally.

Through 91´óÉń’s nursing program, Beachy learned to unite clinical excellence with justice-oriented patient care, seeing health care not just as treatment, but as a pursuit of dignity, equity, and compassion. Shaped by her intercultural experiences in Guatemala and Mexico, she helped facilitate a trauma-informed support group at Our Community Place for individuals recently rehoused after homelessness.

“And yet, even with all these accomplishments, Leah is most known for her warmth, her authenticity, and her limitless joy,” Clark said. “Whether serving as a tour guide, an ambassador for 91´óÉń, or simply showing up for others, she builds community wherever she goes and has a lot of fun doing it.”

Leah Frankenfield

A psychology major from Moraga, California, she was honored by Annalise Livingston, project coordinator for Royal RISE.

Frankenfield has been involved in just about every part of campus, always making an effort to connect with and support others, Livingston said.

“You are one of the most compassionate, driven, and engaged people I know, and your persistent dedication to caring for and including those around you is wildly inspiring,” she said. “Your determination to ensure that everyone feels they belong and have a safe space to be themselves, drawn from your own experience and vulnerability, shines through in your many involvements across campus.”

Through her leadership across various clubs and organizations, including Asian-Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA), University Women’s Empowerment Network (UWEN), Student Government Association, and Royal RISE, the senior psychology major—who will join 91´óÉń’s graduate counseling program this fall—planned programs and events to create welcoming environments and encourage connection. 

Frankenfield also served as a TA and peer tutor, ensuring students felt seen and supported. She’s provided students with a warm, friendly presence through her work at Common Grounds, the dining hall, the advancement and admissions offices, the library, and beyond. “You embody authenticity and humility,” Livingston said, “managing your hectic schedule in a semi-baffling way that leaves everyone around you wondering how on earth you do it all.”

Genesis Figueroa

A political science and Spanish language & Hispanic studies major from Millersburg, Ohio, she was honored by Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus.

From her first day on campus, Figueroa has shown up consistently and with care, Dycus said.

As a conversation partner with the Spanish community and through her leadership roles—first as a senator, then secretary, and eventually co-president—Figueroa has shaped 91´óÉń in ways both visible and deeply felt, building connection and belonging across campus. Those roles require navigating complexity, listening deeply, and representing others with integrity, Dycus said, and Figueroa has carried them with a steady, grounded presence.

“What stands out most is not just what you’ve done, but how you’ve done it,” she said. “Again and again, people describe you as someone who listens deeply, brings warmth, and helps others feel seen. That kind of leadership shapes culture. That’s what you’ve done for 91´óÉń.”

Figueroa carried that spirit into the Latinx Student Alliance, as president of Young Democrats, and as a senior class officer, helping others learn together.

“One nominator said it best: ‘Genesis rises to any occasion, leading with initiative, creativity, awareness, and a deep commitment to collective learning and action,’” Dycus said. “Alongside it all, you remain committed to your academic work, bringing discipline, focus, and purpose as a political science and Spanish major, as well as engagement with immigrant communities in Harrisonburg.”

Arelys Martinez Fabian

A Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK-12) licensure major from Winchester, Virginia, she was honored by M. Esther Showalter, instructor of Spanish language and Hispanic studies.

In a fast-paced world, Martinez Fabian knows when to pause and be fully present with others, actively listening and walking alongside those in need, Showalter said.

During Martinez Fabian’s first year at 91´óÉń, Showalter’s childhood best friend unexpectedly passed away. In the midst of that loss, the student came to her office to offer support. She brought a small houseplant to honor her friend, and over the years, it has grown from a foot tall to four feet high. “It is by far my healthiest plant,” Showalter said. “Many people comment on how great it looks, and I tell them the story of my friend and how you, Arelys, have comforted me in my time of need, as you have for so many others.”

Along with Figueroa, Martinez Fabian served as co-president of the Student Government Association, becoming the first Latinx women in that role. She led with heart and humanity, Showalter said, strengthening communication between students and administrators and ensuring student voices shaped key campus decisions. Her leadership also increased involvement from underrepresented students, contributing to a more inclusive and engaged campus culture.

“Arelys has lived the 91´óÉń experience to its fullest,” Showalter said. “She is an inspiring leader, a curious learner, and an empathetic friend.”

Dibora Mekonnen

A political science and social work major from Silver Spring, Maryland, she was honored by Deanna Durham, associate professor of social work and sociology.

Whether leading the social work student organization, the Young Democrats, or the University Women’s Empowerment Network (UWEN), or serving as a Community Advisor, hall director, dialogue facilitator, student chaplain, or development office assistant, Mekonnen has consistently worked toward a vision of 91´óÉń at its best. She has also been involved with the Campus Activities Council, Student Government Association, and the 91´óÉń Washington Semester. “Over the past four years,” Durham said, “is there anything you did not say ‘yes’ to?”

Mekonnen’s leadership and deep commitment to building a more inclusive and welcoming university have touched every corner, building, and space on campus, Durham said. This past semester, that impact extended into the local community through her senior social work practicum, where she worked with Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed. “You are a multitasker extraordinaire,” Durham told Mekonnen. “Your ability not only to generate ideas but also to bring others along with you is impressive. You have embodied the belief that we are always better together.”

As hall director of Elmwood, Mekonnen fostered a community grounded in inclusion, social awareness, and belonging, Durham said. “You have pushed for change on campus and have never remained silent when there was potential for harm to another student.”

Sarah Prroj

A business administration major from Shkoder, Albania, she was honored by Tyler Goss, director of student engagement and leadership development. 

Goss remembers his first interaction with Prroj. The International Student Organization (ISO) was preparing for its popular International Food Festival. Dozens of cooks would soon gather on Thomas Plaza, and he and other volunteers were setting up decorations, including more than 50 flagpoles. Each flag came with its own challenge, Goss said, noting the political significance of their placement. 

“In the midst of all that chaos and decision-making, there was Sarah, a first-year student, stepping up, directing, delegating, and leading with confidence and ease,” Goss said. “That moment was just the beginning.”

The Albanian international student dedicated her four years at 91´óÉń to the ISO, but her impact extends beyond that community. She served as a Community Advisor and Royal Ambassador and led the Good Business Gathering Club. At Common Grounds, she began as a barista and became its financial manager. She also served as student government treasurer. Away from campus, she volunteered at Young Life camp and shared her story at the Perspectives of World Missions Conference.

“From ISO president to community volunteer to SGA treasurer, and all the hours of Common Grounds’ financial tasks in between, Sarah leads every space with dependability, vision, and a deep desire to help each community flourish,” Goss said.

Roumany Sefin

A business administration and medical lab science major from Port Said, Egypt, he was honored by Dr. Jim Leaman, associate professor of business.

It’s the rare undergraduate student who publishes original research and presents it at a prestigious academic conference, Leaman said, yet Sefin did so halfway through his undergraduate career. “Then, he leveraged that innovation to launch an entrepreneurial venture to serve the needs of others,” the professor said.

Sefin combines world-class science with a true heart for service. As a dedicated researcher and founder of ROUMATICS, he’s already made a mark in the medical field, Leaman said. “His cancer research at 91´óÉń and Harvard was chosen for an American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting, a huge honor for any scientist.”

One of his nominators wrote: “In my many years as an instructor and mentor, I have seldom seen a student with more commitment to academic and moral excellence.”

Sefin supports his peers on campus by tutoring across three academic disciplines and guiding international students as they navigate English and adjust to life in the United States. He is also an active volunteer at a local nonprofit and serves as a deacon at his church.

“Whether he’s leading Bible study or teaching DNA workshops locally, Roumany leads with kindness and excellence,” Leaman said. “He truly represents the best of this community.”

Emily Suarez Nunez

A nursing major from McGaheysville, Virginia, she was honored by Allen Clay Jr., associate dean for campus life. 

From student chaplain to hall director, Suarez Nunez’s time at 91´óÉń has reflected her deep commitment to the well-being of the campus community, Clay said.

As hall director, she led first-year students with poise and compassion. She approached difficult conversations with empathy and clear boundaries, and worked through conflict in ways that built both accountability and belonging.

“Her supervisors speak of her as a trusted leader who embodies 91´óÉń’s values of academic excellence, peace, justice, and social responsibility,” Clay said. 

Suarez Nunez’s impact reaches well beyond residence life through her involvement in the Student Government Association, student chaplains, and Y-Serve. She has spent countless hours in service, led spring break trips to Atlanta and Puerto Rico, and helped coordinate volunteer opportunities that connect 91´óÉń students with communities in need.

Her coworkers describe her as someone who can brighten a room, even while balancing the rigorous demands of a nursing degree. “Her patients will encounter not just medical expertise but a caregiver who knows how to listen, honor difficult moments, and help people feel seen,” Clay said. “That is a gift that Emily will carry forward in the next steps of her life.”

In his closing remarks at the ceremony, Jonathan Swartz, dean of students and co-chair of the Cords of Distinction committee, noted the many things the recipients will carry with them after graduating from 91´óÉń: their cords, degrees, relationships, and memories.

“You also carry responsibility, because the world you are entering does not need more impressive resumes nearly as much as it needs people who are willing to live with clarity, compassion, and courage,” Swartz said. “[It needs] people who will ask not just what can I achieve, but what can I repair; not just where can I succeed, but where am I needed? If these cords mean anything beyond today, it’s this: you’ve already begun to answer those questions with your lives, and we trust you will keep answering them.”

The 2026 Cords of Distinction committee members: Jonathan Swartz, Celeste Thomas, Kate Clark, Deanna Durham, Justin McIlwee, Dawn Neil, and Aundrea Smiley. Special thanks to Jennifer North Bauman for her help and to Thaddeus Jackson ’25, who performed music for the event.

Watch a video recording of the ceremony below!

“Brittany Scott’s actions changed the trajectory of this patient’s life and exemplify the very heart of the DAISY Award,” it adds.

Commencement is fast approaching, bringing a full weekend of events and ceremonies honoring this year’s graduating class. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help guide you through the weekend.

When is Commencement and where will it be held?

91´óÉń’s 108th annual Commencement ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Yoder Arena. View the map below.

How long will it last?

The ceremony lasts about two hours.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

A live video feed of the Commencement ceremony will be available on .

Where should I park?

Please see the campus map for parking information. The south portion of the University Commons parking lot will be reserved for handicapped and mobility-restricted parking. Guests may notify a parking attendant if assistance is needed in getting from the parking area to the commencement seating.

Where should I sit?

Seating is first come, first served and opens at 11 a.m. on Sunday. A remote viewing location will be available in University Commons Room 177.

How many students will be graduating?

91´óÉń will award 313 degrees at Commencement. The total includes 171 undergraduate degrees, 129 graduate degrees, 10 Eastern Mennonite Seminary degrees, and three doctoral degrees, as of April 23.

Who will deliver the commencement address?

Dr. Angela J. Lederach, an anthropologist and assistant professor of peace and justice studies at Chapman University, will deliver the address. Learn more about her below.

Who else is speaking?

Graduating seniors Dylan Hall and Arelys Martinez Fabian, and Yenifer Dottin-Carter from the MA in Counseling program, will offer graduates’ perspectives.

Who are the class officers?

The 2026 undergraduate class officers are:

• Co-presidents: Genesis Figueroa and Arelys Martinez Fabian
• Business manager: Ethan Neufeld
• Secretary: Maria Longenecker

Is the event free? Is there a limit to how many guests can attend?

Commencement is free to attend, with no ticket required and no limit on the number of guests.

What other events can I attend?

Ten graduating seniors will be honored as 2026 Cords of Distinction recipients in a special ceremony on Friday, April 24, at 10:10 a.m. in Martin Chapel. 91´óÉń will host its fifth annual Lavender Graduation on Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds) to honor LGBTQ+ graduates and alumni. 91´óÉń’s 11th annual Donning of the Kente ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 3 p.m. in the MainStage Theater to recognize graduating students of color and international students. On Sunday, May 3, after Commencement, the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding will host a graduation celebration at 4 p.m. in Martin Chapel. All events are listed online here.

When is Graduate Celebration and Sending?

Graduate Celebration and Sending will take place on Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium. Dr. Tara L. S. Kishbaugh, dean of faculty and student success, is the featured speaker for this year’s event, which is for all graduating students. The event will include performances of music and poetry from students, as well as the presentation of the class gift.

Will the dining halls be open?

Here’s the dining hall schedule for commencement weekend:

Saturday

• Continental breakfast: 8:15-9 a.m. 
• Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Dinner: 5-6 p.m. 

Sunday

• Continental breakfast: 8:15-9 a.m. 
• Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 

What are some other places to eat and things to do in Harrisonburg?

Check out  to celebrating graduation weekend in Harrisonburg from the city’s tourism office, packed with recommendations for dining, graduation gifts, and things to do while you’re in town.

When will the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, campus hold its graduation?

91´óÉń at Lancaster will hold its commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Lancaster Mayor Jaime Arroyo will deliver the address. 91´óÉń at Lancaster will award 21 undergraduate degrees, 13 graduate degrees, and 13 graduate certificates at the ceremony.

Where can I find more information?

Visit or email questions to commencement@emu.edu.

More than a series of classes, SPI is a place to learn in community. Participants live on campus, share meals, attend lectures, and build connections that last long after the program ends.

This year’s sessions will be held May 18-26, May 28-June 5, and June 8-12.

The application deadline for U.S. participants is May 8. Learn more and apply at .

Junior vocalist Elie Hoover (soprano) and senior saxophonist Jadon Harley will perform as student soloists with the 91´óÉń Orchestra at its spring Concerto/Aria Concert at 7 p.m. this Friday in Lehman Auditorium.

We caught up with Hoover, a social work and music interdisciplinary studies major from New Carlisle, Ohio, ahead of the event.

What piece will you perform at the concert?

I will be performing “Una donna quindici anni” from Mozart’s Così fan tutte. My voice teacher helped me choose a piece that fits my voice well. It’s a lively selection that I have a lot of fun singing.

Is there a specific teacher you’ve been training with?

Shannon Kiser has been working with me to make this piece the best it can be. He encourages me in many ways and always offers insightful guidance to help me improve. [Music Professor] Benjamin Bergey has also worked hard to prepare the orchestra and integrate me into the process.

What excites you most about this concert?

I’m especially excited to sing in this concert because it’s a unique opportunity to perform as a soloist with such a large and talented group of musicians as an undergraduate student. It’s truly an honor to share the stage with my peers as well as musicians from the community. I hope they have as much fun performing with me as I do with them.

What’s your favorite thing about 91´óÉń Music?

The 91´óÉń Music Department has been a home for me over the past couple of years. The ensembles and classes vary in size and level, allowing them to meet students where they are. I always know I have people who will help me improve and classmates I can grow closer to and share this journey with.

Livestream the concert on the .