A last-minute road trip led Hannah Chappell-Dick ’16 to 91΄σΙρ, where she became one of the most accomplished distance runners in program history.

A biology major with minors in exercise science and honors, Chappell-Dick wasn’t initially focused on Mennonite colleges. She joined a friend traveling to Honors Weekend and quickly found herself drawn to 91΄σΙρ.

β€œI absolutely loved it,” she said. β€œI stayed overnight in the dorms, and we stayed up really late talking about ideas. It just felt like the people were really invested in intellectual curiosity.”

The Bluffton, Ohio, native made an immediate mark on 91΄σΙρ athletics. In cross-country, she earned First Team All-ODAC honors four times, was a two-time All-South/Southeast Region selection, qualified twice for the NCAA National Championships, and earned All-American honors in 2015.

Her track and field career was even more decorated. Chappell-Dick won 11 ODAC championships, earned 12 First Team All-ODAC honors, and qualified for five NCAA National Championships. She became a four-time All-American in the indoor mile and outdoor 1500 meters, received two Co-91΄σΙρ Female Athlete of the Year awards and the Co-91΄σΙρ Female President’s Award, and was named a top-30 honoree for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award after winning the ODAC’s Marjorie Berkley Award in 2016.

While she graduated holding 10 school records, Chappell-Dick says 91΄σΙρ’s greatest influence was its emphasis on global citizenship.

β€œ91΄σΙρ gave me the tools to see people who are different from me as people first.”

She is now head cross-country coach and assistant men’s and women’s track and field coach at Amherst College in Massachusetts.

Chappell-Dick will be honored at a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, during Homecoming 2026. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit . 

Jess Rheinheimer Bishop ’16 chose 91΄σΙρ because of its people. The Manheim, Pennsylvania, native appreciated head women’s basketball coach Kevin Griffin’s persistence in recruiting her, but it was 91΄σΙρ’s diverse community that ultimately set it apart.

β€œI wanted something a little different,” she said. β€œI appreciated all the different backgrounds and the people I knew I was going to be playing with.”

A nursing major, Bishop became one of the most decorated women’s basketball players in program history. She helped lead the Royals to an 84-26 record and two ODAC Tournament championship game appearances during her four-year career.

After earning All-ODAC Second Team honors as a sophomore, Bishop exploded onto the national stage in 2014-15. She was named ODAC Player of the Year, VaSID State Player of the Year, a D3hoops.com First Team All-American, and the recipient of the Jostens Trophy, awarded annually to the top NCAA Division III basketball player for excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. She also earned Co-91΄σΙρ Female Athlete of the Year honors.

As a senior, Bishop repeated as ODAC Player of the Year, was named D3hoops.com South Region Player of the Year, and earned another D3hoops.com All-American selection. She also received the Co-91΄σΙρ Female Athlete of the Year and Co-91΄σΙρ Female President’s Award. She finished her career with 1,567 points, the third-most in program history.

Today, Bishop has spent a decade as an oncology nurse at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She credits Coach Griffin with teaching her that effective leadership requires more than setting an example.

β€œNot just leading by example, but offering encouraging words … and being a mentor.”

She and her husband, Jonny ’17, have two children, Turner and Aven.

Bishop will be honored at a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, during Homecoming 2026. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit . 

Sarah Roth Shank ’10 faced a difficult college choice: follow her siblings to Goshen College to play soccer or attend 91΄σΙρ to continue her field hockey career. She chose 91΄σΙρ, a decision that launched an outstanding athletic career and opened the door to countless opportunities beyond the field.

A history major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with minors in pre-law, political studies, and peacebuilding, Roth Shank was a four-year midfielder for Royals field hockey, helping lead the team to four consecutive ODAC championship game appearances. She earned All-ODAC honors three times, including First Team recognition in 2007 and 2009, was twice named to the VaSID All-State Second Team, and earned a spot on the 2009 All-ODAC Tournament Team. In 2010, she received the 91΄σΙρ President’s Award, recognizing excellence in academics, athletics, faith, leadership, campus involvement, and community service.

Beyond athletics, Roth Shank embraced campus life.

β€œI was highly driven and wanted to be involved,” she said. β€œI didn’t need to just hyperfocus on playing my sport. I was able to do that, go on a cross-cultural, and be involved in student leadership.”

After spending the past nine years in New Zealand, while she earned a PhD in public policy and restorative justice, Roth Shank is returning to the United States with her husband, Benjamin ’10, and their two children. The family is settling in Columbus, Ohio, where she will continue her consulting work while teaching university courses at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Roth Shank will be honored at a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, during Homecoming 2026. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit . 

For Ryan Eshleman-Robles ’13, choosing 91΄σΙρ was an easy decision. A Harrisonburg native and third-generation Royal, he followed his father, Rodney Eshleman ’88, and grandfather, D. Rohrer Eshleman ’45, to 91΄σΙρ after playing soccer at Eastern Mennonite School.

β€œI knew where I was and why,” he said. β€œI loved it. It was an easy choice for me.”

A biology and philosophy & theology double major with an English minor, Eshleman-Robles anchored the Royals’ defense for four seasons, appearing in 77 matches as a center back. Though defenders rarely receive the spotlight, he embraced the role, saying he gave up β€œindividual glory to get some wins.”

His play earned him two First Team All-ODAC selections, two VaSID All-State First Team honors, and a spot on the 2011 ODAC All-Tournament Team. In 2012, he was named the ODAC/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

His career culminated with the 2012-13 91΄σΙρ President’s Award, recognizing excellence in academics, athletics, faith, leadership, campus involvement, and community service.

Having recently completed a PhD at Texas Tech University, Eshleman-Robles, who lives in Rockingham County with his wife, Valeria, and their two children, is returning to where his journey began. This fall, he will teach English at Eastern Mennonite School while serving as head varsity boys soccer coach.

Eshleman-Robles will be honored at a ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, during Homecoming 2026. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit . 

Fans wearing 91΄σΙρ gear received free admission and could win 91΄σΙρ-branded T-shirts, noisemakers, and maracas tossed into the crowd throughout the game.

More than 300 people attended the high-scoring Valley Baseball League game at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, including plenty of 91΄σΙρ alumni, faculty, staff, students, and their families and friends who gathered to cheer on the Harrisonburg Turks.

Herm takes the mound for his first pitch at 91΄σΙρ Night with the Turks on Thursday evening.

Herm, outfitted in his finest Royals baseball jersey, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the game. The sapphire-hued southpaw lofted a looping pitch that sailed through the air and bounced off home plate.

“When you’re the king of the beasts, you get the pitch you want to throw,” the announcer joked over the loudspeaker.

After stepping off the mound, Herm hyped up the crowd of 91΄σΙρ fans braving the 86-degree heat.

The Turks are part of the 12-team Valley Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league that features players from across the country.

The evening featured a divisional matchup between the Turks and the Waynesboro Generals. Waynesboro took an early lead with two runs in the top of the second inning and pulled further ahead with four more runs in the sixth.

The final score was a 9-3 win for the Generals.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Aric Berg, project manager for 91΄σΙρ marketing and communications, tosses free clappers and maracas to fans. | Adam Wirdzek, web content and strategy manager, hands out the 91΄σΙρ-branded giveaways. | Henry Bowser, with support from his wife, Bonnie, wields the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon.

91΄σΙρ’s marketing and communications team handed out free giveaways, while Henry Bowser, technician for 91΄σΙρ’s engineering lab, fired shirts into the stands. The T-shirt cannon he used was designed by engineering alumnus Adam Stoltzfus ’25 and named the BaZOOKa after 2019 alumni donors Ben and Kayla Zook, who funded the project.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Nathan Leopard, vice president for advancement, brought his family to the ballpark. | Paul Yoder, associate professor of teacher education, and his family show off some of the gear they won. | Jacob Sankara MA ’26 (conflict transformation) watches the game.

91΄σΙρ Night with the Turks is a popular event for baseball fans and 91΄σΙρ Royals of all ages to enjoy a summer evening at the ballpark, cheer on the home team, and show their Royal pride.

Thanks to everyone who showed up and hope to see you next season!

Join us for an evening of baseball, giveaways, and community when 91΄σΙρ Night with the Turks returns on Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m. The event will be held at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park (395 S. High Street) in Harrisonburg.

Fans wearing 91΄σΙρ apparel will receive free admission. Cheer on the Harrisonburg Turks as they take on the Waynesboro Generals, and catch 91΄σΙρ T-shirts, maracas, and clappers tossed into the crowd between innings.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that 91΄σΙρ and the Turks have partnered to host this event.

91΄σΙρ the Turks

Established in 1915, the Harrisonburg Turks collegiate summer baseball team plays more than 40 regular-season games from May through July in the 12-team Valley Baseball League. League playoffs follow the regular season. Many Turks players have gone on to compete in Major League Baseball and to coach at the collegiate and professional levels. Follow the Turks’ season at .

When Nate McGhee ’24, MBA ’26, arrived at 91΄σΙρ 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΄σΙρ 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.

β€œI 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.

β€œI was stuck,” McGhee said. β€œI was like, β€˜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΄σΙρ’s head men’s volleyball coach at the time.

After hearing how his volleyball career had stalled, Lickey invited him to visit campus. β€œWe 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. β€œThis is my second chance,” he remembered thinking. β€œI have to take it.”

That fall, he transferred to 91΄σΙρ 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.

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

Nate McGhee ranks 11th all-time in career kills over his four seasons with the 91΄σΙρ 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΄σΙρ’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.

β€œI probably wouldn’t have graduated without him,” McGhee said. β€œHe 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. 

β€œFor a while, I felt like I was letting them down and failing at life,” he said. β€œBut 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΄σΙρ 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.

β€œThat’s really what I have a passion for,” he said. β€œEventually, 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. β€œI like seeing player growth,” he said. β€œI 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΄σΙρ. β€œI’ve definitely developed a lot of confidence in my craft,” he said. β€œI didn’t have a lot of confidence before I came here in anything I did, and at 91΄σΙρ 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.

β€œThat was unreal,” McGhee said. β€œWhenever 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΄σΙρ.

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

Royals Freshman Athlete of the Year

Female Freshman of the Year:Β Μύ(²υ΄Η΄Ϊ³Ω²ϊ²Ή±τ±τ)

Judd had an outstanding season for the Royals softball team and was one of just four players to start all 34 games. She hit .304, third-best on the team, while totaling 35 hits, second-most on the roster. In 115 at-bats, she struck out only nine times. Defensively, Judd posted a .985 fielding percentage with just two errors in 132 chances while playing first base, catcher, and the outfield.

β€œAliza Judd … great attitude, and she brings it every day,” said head softball coach JD McCurdy. β€œShe was our leadoff hitter and an immediate impact player. If you ever come to see her play, you’ll never know whether she’s 0-for-5 or 5-for-5; she’s ice cold. She checks all the boxes as a great player and a great leader.” 

Male Freshman of the Year:Β Β (men’s track and field)

Rucker burst onto the scene for 91΄σΙρ, placing ninth in the shot put and 12th in the weight throw at his first collegiate meet, the Liberty Kickoff, which featured many Division I and II programs. The following weekend, he won the shot put and finished second in the weight throw, beginning a dominant indoor season in which he consistently won events while climbing the 91΄σΙρ track and field record books. He set the program record in the indoor weight throw, ranks second in the indoor shot put, set the outdoor discus record, and ranks second in the outdoor hammer throw.

At the indoor ODAC Championships, Rucker earned Second Team All-ODAC honors in the shot put, and at season’s end he was named USTFCCCA All-South Region in both the shot put and weight throw. He followed with a stellar outdoor season, winning ODAC titles in the hammer throw and discus while finishing second in the shot put. He currently ranks 29th in Division III in the hammer throw and 50th in the shot put.

β€œI think one of the most impressive things about Koran is that, for the last couple of months, the throwers have had to pretty much coach themselves,” said Director of Cross Country, Track & Field and Triathlon Bob Hepler. β€œHe’s shown a lot of character through his work ethic, and we are very blessed to have him.

Royals Athlete of the Year

Female Athlete of the Year:Β  ’26Β (women’s soccer)

Beachy was named Female Athlete of the Year following arguably her best season as a Royal. She scored 10 goals in her senior campaign, including a two-goal performance in a 4–1 home win over Hollins on Senior Day. Beachy finished the season ranked seventh in the ODAC in goals, third in game-winning goals (5), and 11th in points (20), earning Third Team All-ODAC honorsβ€”the first All-ODAC selection for 91΄σΙρ women’s soccer since 2017.

Her on-field production and leadership helped guide 91΄σΙρ Women’s Soccer to one of its strongest seasons in recent years. The Royals finished 6–11–1 in 2025, recording their highest win total since 2019 and qualifying for the ODAC Women’s Soccer Tournament for the first time since that same year.

β€œIt’s an honor to recognize Leah,” said Royals head coach Leo Alcoreza. β€œHer impact on our program goes far beyond stats. Come game day, Leah consistently delivered in the biggest moments, stepping up time and time again when we needed her most. As a team captain, she led by example every day. She’s not just an incredible athlete, she’s an even better teammate, person, and leader, and 91΄σΙρ is better because of her.”

Male Athlete of the Year:Β  ’26Μύ(²ϊ²Ή²υ±π²ϊ²Ή±τ±τ)

A four-year starter for the Royals, Miller played in and started 38 games this season and delivered one of the best individual campaigns in 91΄σΙρ baseball history. He led the team with a .427 batting average, which ranked third in the ODAC for the 2026 season. Miller also paced the Royals and ranked second in the ODAC with 61 hits, the sixth-most in a single season in program history. On the bases, he stole 25 bags, leading the ODAC and tying the 91΄σΙρ single-season record.

He helped guide 91΄σΙρ to 14 regular-season wins, the program’s highest total since the 2019 season.

β€œAidan should be getting his second All-Conference award later this month, and he’ll finish in the top 10 in multiple categories in our record book, but that stuff is really irrelevant to what he’s meant to our program,” said Royals head coach Adam Posey. β€œIf you guys listen, his nickname right now is β€˜Skip,’ as in skipper of the team. He’s very passionate about what he does and very loyal, and we’ll miss all of those things next year.”

President’s Award

Female President’s Award:Β  ’26Β (women’s soccer)

Beachy is from Grants Pass, Oregon, and is a nursing graduate who achieved a 4.00 GPA during her time at 91΄σΙρ. She plans to work as a nurse on a medical-surgical floor and join an adult soccer league.

A four-year member of the women’s soccer team, Beachy was named Third Team All-ODAC in 2025. During her career at 91΄σΙρ, she played 5,391 minutes across 72 games. She led or co-led the team in scoring for three seasons, totaling 21 goals and eight assists. Beachy is the co-record holder for most single-game assists and points and ranks fifth all-time in career points (50) and sixth in career goals (21).

She was a four-year member of the Dean’s List and the All-ODAC Academic Team, a two-time VaSID Academic All-State selection, and a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. She was also a member of the Honors Program. Off the field, Beachy served as a Royal Ambassador, tour guide, peer tutor, and member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing and the Nursing Student Association. She also served as a student-faculty representative for the nursing program and as an Honors Program facilitator.

β€œ91΄σΙρ Athletics gave me the rare opportunity to play soccer while receiving a phenomenal nursing education, providing an outlet to exist purely as a competitor amid the demands of college,” Beachy said. β€œThe joys and challenges of athletics expanded my capacity to serve and lead not only as a teammate, but also as a nurse, friend, and community member. I leave 91΄σΙρ Athletics with precious relationships, lasting memories, and a deeper love for the game. It has been a true privilege.” 

Male President’s Award:Β  ’26 (baseball)

Hall is from Chesapeake, Virginia, and is a health and physical education graduate with minors in kinesiology, exercise science, and coaching. He achieved a 3.74 GPA during his time at 91΄σΙρ and plans to pursue a career in physical education.

A four-year member of the baseball program, Hall played in 103 games for the Royals. He holds a career batting average of .278 with 87 hits, 17 doubles, and 46 RBI. In 2024, he was hit by a pitch 25 times, and he has been hit 47 times in his career, both 91΄σΙρ baseball records.

Academically, he was named to the Dean’s List five times, the All-ODAC Academic Team four times, and is a CSC Academic All-District honoree. Off the field, he was a member of Every Nation Campus.

β€œ91΄σΙρ Athletics is more than a season, more than a game, more than a practice, more than a result, and more than a feeling,” Hall said. β€œIt is an outlet, it is a community, it is cherished moments and friendships that will last a lifetime. I felt at one point that I was defined by results. Coach Posey has helped me find my identityβ€”not in results, not in statistics, but in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 91΄σΙρ Athletics has been a place where myself and others can grow in our faith and develop our foundation on a Kingdom that is everlasting.”

Stay up to date with 91΄σΙρ Athletics through itsΒ Μύ²Ή²Τ»ε Β accounts or visit itsΒ .

HARRISONBURG, Va. β€” 91΄σΙρ and Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community announced Monday, May 11, a strategic partnership that strengthens and expands their long-standing relationship, allowing VMRC to plan for future growth while providing 91΄σΙρ with the resources to advance its educational mission.

As part of the agreement, VMRC will acquire Park Woods, a 13-acre oak-hickory forest it shares with 91΄σΙρ, with a commitment to continue stewarding and preserving the urban green space as an enduring asset to the community. The partnership also includes a five-year plan for VMRC’s potential expansion through its purchase of the land upon which the 91΄σΙρ baseball field now sits, along with the construction of a new ballfield at another location on the university campus.

The partnership, which has been approved by each institution’s board of trustees, supports their long-term strategic goals by strengthening financial sustainability, expanding opportunities for intergenerational engagement, and reinforcing their shared presence as mission-driven organizations serving the public good.

Leaders of the neighboring Harrisonburg institutions describe the partnership as a β€œwin-win,” supporting both VMRC’s capacity to serve current and future residents and 91΄σΙρ’s ability to invest in academic excellence, student access, and community engagement.

β€œThis partnership honors our history while giving us the flexibility and capacity to plan for long-term vitality,” VMRC President and CEO Jake Bell said. β€œIt allows us to continue providing high-quality care and community while strengthening our connection to 91΄σΙρ and the region we both serve.”

β€œThis partnership reflects who we are and how we want to lead,” 91΄σΙρ Interim President Shannon W. Dycus said. β€œIt builds on decades of relationship, shared geography, and common values, while positioning both institutions to respond thoughtfully and responsibly to the future.”

91΄σΙρ and VMRC share a foundation of Anabaptist-Mennonite values and a commitment to community, service, and care for the whole person. The two institutions have long been neighbors and partners, and this agreement positions them to collaborate more intentionally on academic, cultural, and community initiatives that benefit students, residents, employees, and the greater Harrisonburg region.

Media Contact:
Ryan Cornell
Senior Writer & Communications Manager
ryan.cornell@emu.edu
(540) 432-4059

91΄σΙρ welcomed hundreds of student-athletes, coaches, and spectators from schools across the Old Dominion Athletic Conference on Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, for the 2026 ODAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

As part of the university’s two-year agreement to host the annual event, this marked the second consecutive year the championships have been held at 91΄σΙρ. Last year was the first time 91΄σΙρ had hosted them since 2005.

The two-day event provided an exciting opportunity for 91΄σΙρ to showcase its campus and state-of-the-art track and field complex, which opened in October 2024. The facility is one of only a few in the ODAC that meets NCAA certification standards and can be configured to allow athletes to run, jump, and throw with the tailwind.

More than 120 volunteers assisted with events in rain, wind, sun, and changing temperatures. 91΄σΙρ faculty and staff from across departments, along with students, alumni, community members, and the athletics department, all contributed to making the meet a success.

Filipo Toelau competes in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2026 ODAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Ahsan Abul-Qasim (left) placed third in the men’s long jump, while Josh Joseph (right) earned All-ODAC honors.

Two 91΄σΙρ student-athletes won medals at the championships.

Koran Rucker, 91΄σΙρ Athletics Male Freshman of the Year, was named ODAC champion in the men’s discus throw and hammer throw and placed second in the shot put. He became the first men’s track and field athlete to win multiple events in the same ODAC outdoor championship meet since Michael Allen ’13 claimed both the long jump and triple jump in 2011.

Ahsan Abul-Qasim placed third in both the men’s 200-meter dash and the men’s long jump.

They were two of five Royals to earn All-ODAC honors in at least one event, along with Nick Arnold, Josh Joseph, and Da’Shawn Winters.

Three women student-athletes contributed point-scoring performances at the championships: Elili Asefa in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Lauren Kauffman in the 10,000 meters, and Faith Schultz in the high jump.

Read recaps of the championships from 91΄σΙρ Athletics below:

Friday

• Koran Rucker wins hammer throw to lead Royal men on Day 1 of ODAC Championships ()
• Three athletes score points for women’s track and field on Day 1 of ODAC Championships ()

Saturday

• Men’s track and field finishes fifth at ODAC Outdoor Championships ()

In our series of student and alumni stories, social media posts, and letters and emails, we invited you to become part of Lov91΄σΙρ history by making this year’s Giving Day the best one yet. You answered the call, giving $402,722 to scholarships and financial aid, direct support for faculty and staff, 91΄σΙρ’s life-changing intercultural programs, and, for the first time, resources for first-generation college students.

Together, we surpassed the $400,000 goal set by Lov91΄σΙρ organizers and topped our previous record of $365,512, raised last year, by an impressive 10%.

In an email sent Thursday, Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), annual giving and donor communications specialist, expressed gratitude for the generosity shown by 91΄σΙρ alumni, friends, and fans.

β€œIt is inspiring and humbling to witness the outpouring of support our community showedβ€”with every gift, text to a family member or friend, or post to social media, you helped us meet our goal. We are incredibly grateful.” she said.

Among the highlights from this year’s Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day, she shared, were:

• Unlocking every challenge of the day;
• watching hundreds of alumni, employees, donors, and students connect and celebrate during the Lov91΄σΙρ Community Meal; and
• welcoming 19 future Royals who visited for the day into the 91΄σΙρ community.

β€œThank you again for showing up for 91΄σΙρ,” Litwiller said. β€œYour support has a direct impact on current students, future students, and the entire 91΄σΙρ community.”

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni fill Yoder Arena for Wednesday morning’s Lov91΄σΙρ Pep Rally.

The day kicked off with the third annual Lov91΄σΙρ Pep Rally at Yoder Arena. The rally had it all: a dramatic entrance by Herm on an e-bike, the return of the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon, and performances by the top three athletic teams from the previous night’s Lip-Sync Battle.

Read a recap of the pep rally below!

Sights and sounds from the University Festival: Past, present, and future Royals meet with Herm (top photo), snap pics at the Lov91΄σΙρ photo booth (left), and bob for apples (right) at one of the Student Union club booths.

Following the pep rally, the University Festival in the Hall of Nations connected faculty members with prospective students and featured games and activities hosted by student clubs. 

Mathematics Professor Dr. Daniel Showalter brought his two daughters and his dad, Dennis Showalter ’73, to the event. He said he gives to scholarships such as the HDH and Flora Showalter Endowed Scholarship, which supports math and computer science students, on Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day.

β€œThis is my dream job,” he said. β€œI want to do whatever I can to keep the atmosphere vibrant and living. I feel really grateful that I get to wake up every morning and go to a job that is meaningful and enjoyable.”

Jacob Horsley ’22, MBA ’25, associate director of undergraduate admissions, said he chooses to give back to the university on Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day because he’s a β€œrepeat Royal.”

β€œI’m a double-alumnus,” he said. β€œI have experienced the impact of this supportive community, and I want to make sure that it continues.”

The Lunch & Lawn Party returned to Thomas Plaza with a free student lunch and various lawn games.

The campus community enjoyed Wednesday’s warm weather at the Lunch & Lawn Party on Thomas Plaza, where they savored Korean beef bowls and competed in lawn games. The annual student appreciation lunch, free for all students and hosted in partnership between Pioneer College Caterers and the Campus Activities Council, included the traditional egg toss and a Bubble Bus that filled the Front Lawn with giant bubbles.

From 2 to 4 p.m., members of 91΄σΙρ’s MA in Counseling program led self-care activities at the Student Union.

As 91΄σΙρ’s night owls kept the energy alive, Lov91΄σΙρ participants had plenty more activities to enjoy. Back by popular demand and hosted by the Student Government Association, the Real Life Mario Kart Race returned to the University Commons indoor track, where teams of three raced on scooters, dodged obstacles, and collected prizes. Later, from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, the Art After Dark craft event featured live music from 91΄σΙρ’s jazz trio.

View the full schedule of events at .

Leaderboard competition

The winners of the 2026 Lov91΄σΙρ leaderboard competition are:

Academic program

• First place ($1,000 prize): Nursing
• Second place ($500 prize): Natural Sciences
• Third place ($250 prize): Education

Student club/org

• First place ($1,000 prize): Muslim Student Alliance (a new org formed this year!)
• Second place ($500 prize): Black Student Alliance
• Third place ($250 prize): 91΄σΙρ Outdoor

Athletic team

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

Challenges (all unlocked)

Donors unlocked all $170,000 in challenge match funds for the University Fund, student scholarships, intercultural programs, athletics, and, new to Lov91΄σΙρ this year, support for first-generation college students.

Lov91΄σΙρ Early Challenge: We received more than 120 gifts before the start of Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day to unlock $15,000 for the University Fund.

All-day challenges

Loyal Royal Challenge: More than 250 alumni made gifts to 91΄σΙρ during Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day to unlock $20,000 for student scholarships.

Friends of 91΄σΙρ Challenge: More than 175 non-alumni made gifts to unlock $15,000 for the University Fund.

Future Royal Challenge: Because 19 prospective students who were in attendance on Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day paid their tuition deposit, either on the day or beforehand, we unlocked $19,000 in scholarship funds.

Timed challenges

Early Herm Gets the Worm: We received 75 gifts before 9 a.m. on Wednesday to unlock $15,000 for student scholarships.

First-Gen Match of 10: In a first-ever Lov91΄σΙρ challenge of its kind, a β€œmatch of the match” through a NetVUE grant, we raised $10,052 to support first-generation students.

Lov91΄σΙρ at First Sight: We received 110 gifts between noon and 3 p.m. to unlock a whopping $30,000 for the University Fund.

What a Wonderful World: We received 80 gifts from 5-7 p.m. to unlock $20,000 to ensure all students are able to access 91΄σΙρ’s impactful intercultural experiences.

The Generosity Marathon: We received 55 gifts from 7:30-9 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for 91΄σΙρ Athletics.

Late-night Leadership: We received 100 gifts from 9 p.m. to midnight to unlock $20,000 for the University Fund.

Thanks to everyone who donated, shared their time to celebrate their love of all things 91΄σΙρ, and joined in the festivities on campus! Special thanks to the 2026 Lov91΄σΙρ planning team: Nicole Litwiller, Arelys Martinez Fabian, Cassandra Guerrero, Kyle Dickinson, Leah Frankenfield, Luke Litwiller, Maria Longenecker, Omar Hoyos, Steve Johnson, and Tyler Goss.

Swipe through our photo album from the day below!

Herm was missing. The crowd of faculty, staff, students, and alumni at Yoder Arena for Wednesday morning’s Lov91΄σΙρ Pep Rally called out his name. They searched high and low. But he was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, the roar of a motorcycle engine filled the gymnasium. Moments later, everyone’s favorite friendly blue lion glided onto the hardwood on a sleek new e-bike.

The e-bike, announced Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), Lov91΄σΙρ organizer and pep rally emcee, was a new addition to the Sadie Hartzler Library, thanks to a generous donation from an 91΄σΙρ alum, the diligent work of senior Joshua Stucky, and a partnership between library staff and the Shenandoah Bicycle Company.Β 

Starting Monday, students can check out the bike from the library at any time and β€œeasily bike all over campus and Harrisonburg,” she said.

Herm’s dramatic entrance was just one of many memorable moments that energized the crowd with the Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day spirit. Wednesday’s pep rally had it all: a current student exclaiming her love for 91΄σΙρ, a future student officially declaring 91΄σΙρ as his school for next year, and performances by the previous night’s Lip-Sync Battle champions. 

β€œIt’s sure to be the best Lip-Sync Battle this side of the Shenandoah,” promised fellow pep rally organizer and emcee Tyler Goss, director for student engagement and leadership development.

Scroll down to the bottom of this article to watch a video recording of the pep rally.

Students snagged free Lov91΄σΙρ shirts shot into the crowd by the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon.

Throughout the event, engineering lab tech Henry Bowser and engineering student Max Fritts fired shirts into the stands using the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon. The launcher, which debuted at last year’s pep rally, was funded by 2019 alumni Ben, an engineering graduate, and Kayla Zook.

Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day is an opportunity to pause and celebrate all the incredible things about 91΄σΙρ, which include β€œour amazing academic programs, our incredible athletic teams, our impactful clubs and orgs, and our supportive community as a whole,” Litwiller said. β€œPart of how we can express that celebration is through generosity.”

Funds from Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day benefit current and future students, faculty, and staff by making education more affordable and providing them with the facilities and resources they need to access an outstanding education. Since the first Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day in 2017, the university has raised more than $2 million on annual giving days. 

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, this year’s Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day was the best one yet, with over $402,000 raised, according to the .

The pep rally began with the premiere of the official Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day video. It celebrates the past nine giving days and sets sights on the future, featuring voiceovers from Litwiller and Marketing and Communications Project Manager Aric Berg, along with cameos from faculty, staff, students, athletes, and alumni. The video was produced by Macson McGuigan ’17.

Watch the official hype video below!

Sophomore Ari Smart speaks about finding her fit at 91΄σΙρ (left) and future student Brady Crisp (right) rings the cowbell.

Ari Smart, a sophomore majoring in art education, shared her experiences at 91΄σΙρ. The Stafford, Virginia, native, who serves as a Royal Ambassador and plays on the field hockey and lacrosse teams, spoke about finding her place in a community that made her feel seen, supported, and valued. β€œThis is a place that pushes me to grow,” she said. 

Through classes that challenge her to think differently, clubs that let her explore new interests, and experiences that prepare her for the future, she has gained confidence, independence, and the ability to take initiative.

β€œThis university has given me more than an education; it has given me a sense of belonging, a community that feels like family, and experiences I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

β€œIt has helped me grow into a stronger, more confident version of myself, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.”

The pep rally crowd also welcomed a future Royal to the 91΄σΙρ family. Brady Crisp, a senior from Fluvanna County High School who will join the men’s soccer team this fall, took part in the cherished tradition of ringing the cowbell to celebrate his commitment. 

Each time a prospective student who was in attendance on Lov91΄σΙρ Giving Day paid their tuition depositβ€”as Crisp didβ€”either on the day or beforehand, the university unlocked an additional $1,000 in scholarship funds. The Future Royal Challenge, funded by two graduates from the Class of 1958, raised $19,000 in scholarships on Wednesday.

The women’s volleyball (left) and lacrosse teams (right) perform lip-sync routines at the Lov91΄σΙρ Pep Rally on Wednesday.

The third annual Lov91΄σΙρ Pep Rally showcased performances by the top three athletic teams from the previous night’s annual Lip-Sync Battle, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The women’s basketball and lacrosse teams competed for second place, with the basketball team prevailing after a crowd vote. The women’s volleyball team, this year’s champions, combined lip-syncing with a carefully choreographed routine to a medley of songs from High School Musical.

Senior Admissions Counselor Lexi Fotis-Brown MA ’25 (organizational leadership) led this portion of the pep rally, hyping up the teams and the crowd. β€œAbsolutely electric,” she told the teams. β€œJust remember, you’re all winners in my heart.”

Earlier in the event, emcees Litwiller and Goss exchanged some lighthearted banter. 

Goss said, β€œWait, so you’re telling me we do all this to make the student experience at 91΄σΙρ the best it can be? What are you going to tell me next? That the generosity of donors helps fund student scholarships, improve campus facilities, and even keeps the lights on?”

β€œI mean, yeah, you said it,” Litwiller replied.

Watch a recording of the pep rally below!