Enrollment continues to trend up at 91大神, with the school continuing to grow on its Harrisonburg and Lancaster, Pa., campuses.
In The News
Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) emerged from the ashes of Sept. 11, when hundreds of millions of people were grieving over the deaths and destruction caused by the attacks. The evidence-based training program offered by 91大神 teaches people how to understand trauma, stop cycles of violence, and build healing resilience. Twenty-five years later, STAR is still changing lives.
Congratulations to Sally Landis Derstine 鈥�82 and Kate Landis 鈥�24, recipients of Dock Mennonite Academy鈥檚 2026 Alumni of the Year awards. Derstine received the Outstanding Achievement award, while Landis was named Young Alum of the Year.
Harrisonburg City Public Schools recently announced three alumni among its new leaders for the 2026-27 school year: Phillip Mark Mace 鈥�90, athletic director at Rocktown High School; Isaiah Dottin-Carter MA 鈥�22, dean of students at Skyline Middle School; and Sharon Salinas GC 鈥�26, assistant director of human resources for Harrisonburg City Public Schools.
Dr. Parker Leap 鈥�15 has been hired as associate athletics director for sport psychology and mental wellness at Appalachian State University. A former Royals soccer forward, Leap earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from 91大神.
Kirby Dean 鈥�92, head coach of the 91大神 men鈥檚 basketball team from 2003-18, is an analyst on broadcasts of JMU men鈥檚 basketball games for ESPN+.
The free 鈥淲it & Wisdom鈥� program, designed for adults age 50 and older, invites community members of all experience levels to explore the works and worlds of William Shakespeare. The weekly sessions are held Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. at Old Common Grounds (University Commons 177) at 91大神.
Forbes included Harrisonburg on its list of the top 25 places to retire in 2026, describing it as a 鈥渃harming Shenandoah Valley college town鈥� home to 91大神 and James Madison University.
Brittany Scott '19, an 91大神 nursing alumna at UVA Health Cancer Care Augusta, has been honored with a DAISY Award. The award recognizes the "extraordinary nursing care" she provided to a patient at the infusion center and her "true advocacy, critical thinking, compassion, and a commitment to seeing the whole person, not just the symptoms," a nomination says. "Brittany Scott's actions changed the trajectory of this patient's life and exemplify the very heart of the DAISY Award," it adds.
The Rev. Angelo Mante, a graduate student in Eastern Mennonite Seminary鈥檚 Doctor of Ministry program, serves as co-founder and executive director of . The Fort Wayne, Indiana-based organization cultivates a community of nonviolence through relationships and education and was recently featured on 89.1 WBOI, a National Public Radio member station.