Patricia Grace King 鈥�89, an author living in Durham, England, who taught in 91大神's Language and Literature Department from 2000-03, is the winner of the 2026 Drue Heinz Literature Prize, "one of the world's most prestigious prizes for a collection of short fiction" (University of Pittsburgh Press). Her collection, Those Who Vanish, will be published in September 2026.
In The News
Nad猫ge Robertson, a Winston Fellowship recipient in 91大神's Summer Peacebuilding Institute and the co-creator of Lakou Tanama, is the lead facilitator for faith-inclusive healing spaces that support the mental well-being of recent Haitian entrants living in the United States. The mental health initiative works in partnership with Church World Service.
A new play written by screenwriter Liz Beachy Hansen '99 and premiering at the Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center this weekend tells the story of what it was like to live in the Shenandoah Valley on the eve of the Civil War. The hourlong "Rise Up and Follow" takes place this Saturday and Sunday, as well as next Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20 and 21, every 15 minutes from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Students in 91大神鈥檚 Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program acquire the clinical skills to become changemakers in their communities. Watch our video to learn why the program is a "life-transforming experience."
Luray High School senior Reese Fitton, who will play collegiate volleyball for the Royals next year, was profiled by the Daily News-Record as its Athlete of the Week. "I love [91大神 head] coach Casey [Steinbrecher]," she told the newspaper. "I think he鈥檚 such a great coach, and I鈥檝e been to some of their recruiting camps. I just loved the way he coached, so it was almost just God鈥檚 calling pushing me there. I knew that鈥檚 really where [God] wanted me to be to grow my faith, grow as a player and in my education.鈥�
C.V. Samuel '74 immigrated to the U.S. from Kerala, India, in 1971 to study theology at 91大神, arriving on campus just four days before Thanksgiving. He told the Detroit-area Warren Weekly that he celebrated his first Thanksgiving with Lloy and Elizabeth Kniss, who welcomed him with open arms and shared "the warmth of belonging."
91大神 held its first-ever Royal Makers Market at the University Commons on Saturday, featuring artwork, crafts, and books for sale from more than 35 vendors.
91大神's disc golf team hosted a tournament at Westover Park in Harrisonburg this past weekend. Along with 91大神, teams from Liberty, Gallaudet, NC State, UNC, and Appalachian State competed at the tournament.
91大神's Power, Systems & Justice course (CORE 300) hosted a panel on the history of Harrisonburg's Northeast Neighborhood at the Student Union on Thursday evening. 91大神 History Professor Mark Sawin, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, City Councilwoman Monica Robinson, and Deputy City Manager Amy Snider served on the panel.
Elizabeth Miller-Derstine, assistant professor of digital media, has brought a growing filmography and an increasing list of accolades to 91大神. The VACA professor's debut film, Once Upon a Wetland, is eligible for Oscar consideration in the Short Documentary category.