FACULTY & STAFF
Beryl Brubaker, class of ’64, has received the 2012 Alumna of the Year award from Belleville Mennonite School. The award is given to alumni who demonstrate the mission of “changing the world through Christlike service, peacemaking, and leadership.” Hired at 91短视频 as a nursing instructor, she was instrumental in establishing 91短视频鈥檚 tradition of excellence in nursing in the 1970s and 1980s. She completed a doctorate in nursing at the University of Alabama in 1984 and chaired 91短视频鈥檚 nursing department for 10 years. In 1994, Beryl became 91短视频’s vice president for enrollment, where she led the school to achieve record enrollment. In 2000, she became the university’s first provost, a position she held until she officially retired in the summer of 2008. This included an eight-month period when she was interim university president until Loren Swartzendruber filled the position permanently in 2004. In 2009, she was asked to emerge from retirement to direct 91短视频鈥檚 library on a half-time basis. She continues in this role to this day while also doing volunteer work. Beryl is active in her church, Park View Mennonite, and has been named chair of the board of the Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center, beginning in 2013. Previously she chaired the board of Mennonite Mutual Aid (now Everence).
Gary Moore , class of ’98, is the new men鈥檚 volleyball coach. He brings experience coaching both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 volleyball at Rutgers University, Norfolk State University and Christopher Newport University, as well as widespread involvement on the club level with USA Volleyball. Gary also is lead coach and owner of Dominion Volleyball Club in Hampton Roads, Va. Moore played for Eastern Mennonite during the 1996 season before transferring to D-I George Mason University.
Lisa Schirch, research professor at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) at 91短视频, is the founding director of 3P Human Security 鈥 Partners for Peacebuilding Policy (previously 3D Security Iniative). 3P connects policymakers with global civil society networks, facilitates civil-military dialogue, and provides a confilict prevention and peacebuilding lens on current policy issues. As policy advisor for the Alliance for Peacebuilding, Lisa has been successful in engaging Washington in conversations about conflict prevention through 3P. She seeks to open channels of communication between U.S. policymakers and local civil society organizations working to build human security from the ground up. 3P is a collaboration between CJP at 91短视频, the Alliance for Peacebuilding, the Kroc Institue at Notre Dame University, and the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, working to change the U.S. approach to peace.
Benjamin (Ben) Spotts is the new head baseball coach at 91短视频. Previously, he was the assistant baseball coach at Bridgewater College and filled other various roles, such as recruiting coordinator and director of the academic tracking program for 14 years. In addition to coaching, Ben has been a resident director, director of housing and judicial affairs, and National Collegiate Athletic Association compliance coordinator. Ben brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help bolster and redefine 91短视频鈥檚 baseball program.
1950-59
J. David Eshleman 鈥58, SEM 鈥61, Dover, Ohio, has published his third book, titled Power Scriptures for Successful Living, 366 Timely Devotionals with Masthof Press. His previous two works include Living with Godly Passion, 366 daily readings for those with a passion to share Jesus (Masthof Press 2010) and Now Go Forward, Reaching out to Grow Your Congregation (Herald Press 2009).
Laura Kurtz 鈥58, Lititz, Pa., is the secretary for the East Africa Missionary Group (EAMG). The group meets once a month for updates and prayer times and sends their minutes by email to over 100 addresses. Laura has the unique task of making the minutes concise in order to explain enough to the constituency, and yet keep them to one or two pages for easier filing. This is particularly challenging, as history has not flowed as written. She has had to sort through submissions of material and decipher particular individual pastors that are referred to by various names. Yet God provided passage for her to travel to Kenya and Tanzania in January 2012 to meet with representatives, students, teachers, and other church leaders that make up the EAMG. Now at age 82, she is planning a return trip.
Richard 鈥59 and Elaine Hunter (SEM 鈥62) Stoltzfus, Dayton, Va., have retired from their long-time service work in Harlan County, Ky., and resettled in Dayton, Va., where they continue to stay active by working as volunteers at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic. Richard obtained his Virginia medical license so he could continue to contribute all he could to the community.
1960-69
Richard Keeler 鈥60, Couva, Trinidad, received the Award for Christian Excellence from the National Academy of Performing Arts in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, on March 11, 2012. The Trinidad & Tobago Council of Evangelical Churches, in collaboration with the Full Gospel Business Men鈥檚 Fellowship International, Trinidad Chapter, commemorated Trinidad & Tobago鈥檚 50th anniversary of independence by recognizing leaders in various Christian endeavors.
Raul Tadeo 鈥62, Dalton, Ohio, and his wife, Vanita, have been bridging Wayne and Holmes counties to Mexico for years by meeting the spiritual and physical needs of the people who live in both. Fluent in Spanish, they have overcome the communication barrier by providing important literature, translating during doctor鈥檚 visits and making connections for employment. Together they provide food, shelter, transportation and listening ears. Their example has been instrumental in the establishment of the Open Arms Ministry, a non-profit organization focused not only on financial help, but also helping to find employment, provide English lessons, and solve other pertinent needs in a Christ-like fashion.
Stanley 鈥63 and Marlene Nice 鈥65 Kropf, Port Townsend, Wash., have returned to the Pacific Northwest upon retirement from their work in northern Indiana. Stanley retired from administration at Great Lakes Mennonite Central Committee and Marlene from teaching at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and from Mennonite Church USA. They now reside in Port Townsend, Wash., a historic Victorian seaport village on the Olympic Peninsula.
Carl L. Good 鈥64, Lititz, Pa., has dedicated his life to serving the Mennonite Church, as well as to many individuals suffering from mental illness. He graduated from New York Theological Seminary in 1969 and from the University of Tennessee in 1974 with a PhD in psychology. In 1982, Carl became the executive director of what is now Mennonite Health Services (MHS), leading the organization to new levels of relationship with the Mennonite Church and other non-profit organizations. When his tenure with MHS ended, he began providing psychological services to the elderly community at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, Pa., until his retirement in 2009. He now resides at Landis Homes with his loving wife, Lois Zimmerman Good, class of 鈥65.
Joyce Bontrager 鈥65 Lehman, Keene, N.H., retired from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where she worked as program officer of financial services for the poor. Her work looked at a range of formal financial services such as savings, insurance, payment systems and money transfers needed by poor individuals all over the world. Prior to the Gates Foundation, Joyce sold her private accounting practice to pursue a career of teaching in the business department of Goshen College. While there, she joined the staff of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) as a microfinance consultant and was sent to Kabul, Afghanistan, to prepare a business plan to start a microcredit program. Currently, Joyce is doing some consulting work and hopes to write a book. As the keynote speaker at 91短视频鈥檚 2012 鈥渄onor appreciation banquet,鈥 Joyce credited 91短视频 for offering her a bridge from her insular Amish background to caring about the well-being of people throughout the world and urged her audience to continue supporting the mission, vision and values embodied in 91短视频.
James (Jim) L. Rosenberger 鈥68, State College, Pa., a professor of statistics at Penn State University, was elected to the position of Vice President of the American Statistical Association (ASA). The ASA is the world鈥檚 largest community of statisticians, supporting 鈥渆xcellence in the development, application, and dissemination of statistical science through meetings, publications, membership services, education accrediation, and advocacy.鈥 Jim joins the ASA with an already sterling career, including editorship of periodicals such as Statistical Science and Computational Statistics and Data Analysis; fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and consulting statistician for the Strategic Highway Research Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and for private companies. He has mentored over 40 master鈥檚 and doctoral degree graduate students and currently serves as director of outreach and online programs at Penn State.
1970-79
Rev. Ken Fellenbaum 鈥71, Milford, Conn., was appointed to Head Pastor at Wildermere Beach Congregational Church.
Wayne Lawton 鈥71, SEM 鈥75, Elizabethtown, Pa., accompanied grandson Matt Nissley to 鈥淚slam and the Gospel in Dynamic Engagement,鈥 a class taught by David Shenk.
Linda Alderfer, class of 鈥71, Martin, Harleysville, Pa., early childhood consultant, participated in a meeting of Anabaptist-Mennonite educational leaders held in Switzerland from May 26-30, 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to establish the goals and agenda for an education summit to be held in conjunction with Mennonite World Conference Assembly, scheduled for July 2015 in Harrisburg, Pa. Linda is a council member of the Mennonite Early Childhood Network. She works with Tracy Hough, assistant professor of teacher education at 91短视频 and MECN council member.
Bruce A. Yoder 鈥72, Richmond, Va., is the vice president for philanthropy of the Young Men鈥檚 Christian Association (YMCA) of Greater Richmond. Bruce oversees the 鈥渟trengthening communities fund鈥 of the YMCA that raises more than $2.5 million to ensure the facility remains open to all.
Kenneth Miller ’75, Sarasota, Fla., was surprised to see his father, Clayton W. Miller, in a group photo of WWII Civilian Public Service workers at Norristown State Hospital published in the “mental health” issue of Crossroads last spring. Miller, a nursing major at EMC, himself is working in mental health as clinical manager of behavioral health at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Fla.
James H. Bergey 鈥76, Chesapeake, Va., began making ice cream in 1978, two years after graduating from EMC, a tradition that continues today. His family鈥檚 business, Bergey鈥檚 Breadbasket, has striven to provide a quality product from cow to customer, which requires careful ingredient choice, emulsification, and constant vigilance over the entire freezing process. James sells six flavors at any given time.
Gloria Yoder 鈥76 Diener, Harrisonburg, Va., delivered the commencement address entitled 鈥淐atch the Light鈥 at the 94th annual graduation ceremony of Eastern Mennonite High School (EMHS) in Lehman Auditorium on June 3, 2012. Gloria taught English for 23 years 鈥 20 at EMHS and three in Honduras. She is a member of the EMHS board of directors and a freelance writer.
Arland Esch, class of 鈥77, Lebanon, Ohio, is continuing his career teaching medical residents in family medicine at Bethesda Family Medicine Program in Cincinatti. Additonally, he is involved in teaching medical students at the University of Cincinnati Medical School. Prior to moving to Lebanon, Arland practiced with several 91短视频 grads including Randall Longenecker 鈥75, Roger Kauffman 鈥73, Dave Eubanks 鈥75, Chuck Kratz 鈥88, and John Wenger 鈥85 in West Liberty, Ohio, for 17 years.
Anita Rheinheimer 鈥78 Yoder, Goshen Ind., is in her third year of a three-year role with Career Development Professionals of Indiana (CDPI) as past president. CDPI is a group of over 180 career services offices throughout Indiana whose missions are similar 鈥 helping to prepare students for professional employment after college. Some of Anita鈥檚 responsibilites have included being the board liaison for conference chairs, leading board meetings and membership business meetings at conferences, and overseeing implementation of the board鈥檚 goals. Her specific accomplishments of the past year have included creating a board policy manual, writing job descriptions for board members, and the implementing of a website designed for small nonprofits. Anita hopes that when her term ends, CDPI will have 鈥渁 clearer vision of their mission and potential to serve the state.鈥
Helen Stoltzfus, class of 鈥78, Oakland, Calif., along with the other three co-artistic directors of The Jewish Theatre (TJT), announced that 2011-12 marks the company鈥檚 final season, closing a run of 34 years. Founded in 1978, TJT mined Jewish identity and experience in all its historical, folkloric, mystical, and contemporary dimensions, reinventing the Jewish storytelling tradition. They created shows as a community, an approach rare to the American theater, which uniquely brought a richness and complexity to their plays that was palpable for their audiences.
Sylvia Clymer 鈥79 Helmuth, MA 鈥03 (education), Harrisonburg, Va., was one of 24 teachers in the Rockingham County School system who received the Rockingham County Teacher of the Year Award. Sylvia is a reading specialist, working with primary grades K – 2 at Peak View Elementary School.
1980-89
Kevin King ’81, Lititz, Pa., is executive director of Mennonite Disaster Service, for which he began working in February 2004. King personally checked on the 20 MDS volunteers who were dispatched after Hurricane Sandy hit the town of Midland Beach on Staten Island, killing 25 and devasting a 10-mile-long strip. A Nov. 10 feature on King in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, described the disaster-related work King did after graduating from 91短视频 with a degree in agricultural development. He helped Brazilians respond to drought by digging wells. He responded to Hurricane Gilbert while teaching in Jamaica. And he worked on relief projects from Mennononite Central Committee’s U.S. headquarters in Akron, Pa., a role which took him to North Korea, Bosnia and countries in Africa. King also holds an MBA from Eastern University.
Michael Miller 鈥82, Boonsboro, Md., started a private music studio called 鈥淢iller鈥檚 Music Instruction鈥 in both Fredericks and Boonsboro, Md. He provides a wide range of band and orchestral instruction, specializing in piano and guitar.
Doug Phillips 鈥82, Keezletown, Va., associate district executive for Outdoor Ministries, Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren, has been employed at Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center since 1983. This summer will mark his 30th year there.
Kristie (Kris) Visserman 鈥82 Douglas, Rome, Ga., was recently hired as one of four new faculty members at the School of Nursing of Shorter University. She is passionate about integrating faith into practice to help nursing students fulfill their God-given potential and develop into caring and competent nurse leaders. Kris brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, as she was chair of the MUSC Nurse Alliance, was awarded the DAISY Award for extraordinary nurses, and is experienced in psychiatric, school, and camp nursing. In addition, Kris is currently completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Gardner-Webb University.
Nathan Barge 鈥84, MA 鈥99 (conflict transformation), Harrisonburg, Va., works as a restorative justice consultant based in Harrisonburg, Va. He recently returned from three weeks of training with the Mennonite churches in Paraguay. He has edited a Spanish manual PREVIO for training restorative justice facilitators in victim-offender conferencing. Nathan is fluent in Spanish, having spent 14 years working in Latin America with Mennonite Central Committee. He also volunteers with the Fairfield Center in Harrisonburg with their restorative justice programs.
Leslie (Les) S. Horning 鈥86, MDiv 鈥98, Christiansburg, Va., became associate director of seminary development, admissions, and university church relations at 91短视频 on August 15, 2012. Les previously served as pastor of the Christianburg Mennonite Church in Christiansburg, Va. He received a master鈥檚 degree from Virginia Polytechnical Institute in 1990 and did doctoral-level studies at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond. Les is also serving as a representative of 91短视频 to constituent conference assemblies.
Barbara Burkhart 鈥87 Freed, Lancaster, Pa., and her family of five have been working in Guatemala for the last four-and-a-half years. They just recently changed the agency with which they work to Friends of Children Everywhere and are currently running an orphanage of about 160 children at Casa Bernabe. Her husband Dennis, a nurse practitioner, runs the clinic, while Barb and her daughters teach a preschool for the younger children of the home.
Jewel Lehman 鈥87, Goshen, Ind., was promoted to professor of physical education and granted tenure at Goshen College.
Todd Miller, class of 鈥89, Richmond, Va., was recently asked to fill the executive pastor role at Vineyard Community Church of Richmond.
Jan Dean 鈥89 Liskey, Harrisonburg, Va., recently began as director of financial services for Virginia Mennonite Missions. She previously worked in financial services both at 91短视频 and Harman Construction.
1990-99
Valerie Merfa 鈥90 Kumalo, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, along with her husband, Kglotsa Sonnyboy Kumalo, volunteer with Worldwide Evangelization for Christ International as house parents for the Gateway Boarding Home in South Africa. They both are in the midst of their first year at Kwa Zulu Natal Missionary Bible College.
Jeffrey (Jeff) Gingerich 鈥90, Norristown, Pa., dean for academic affairs at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa., has been selected to participate in a national leadership development program sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges and the American Academic Leadership Institute. The year-long senior leadership academy is designed to prepare 26 prospective leaders to assume positions as chief officers in any division of higher education.
Kimberly (Kim) Golden-Myers 鈥91, Harrisonburg, Va., was one of 24 teachers in the Rockingham County School system who received the Rockingham County Teacher of the Year Award. She teaches third grade at Ottobine Elemetary School.
Jeffrey (Jeff) Hoover 鈥92, Leola, Pa., is associate vice president of academic affairs and registrar at Lancaster Bible College. He is currently enrolled at Capella University, pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in their enrollment management program. The program is affiliated with Noel-Levitz, an industry leader in enrollment management consulting.
John Spidaliere 鈥92, Lancaster, Pa., is academic and communications specialist at Project GRAD USA, a nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of public education for economically disadvantaged children in 12 targeted school districts across the nation.
Matthew Gene Tschetter 鈥92, Freeman, S.D., entered a three-year service term with MCC Nicaragua as the Connecting Persons coordinator.
Karen Harlow 鈥93, Penn Laird, Va., has continued her education through Cleveland State University鈥檚 online patient advocacy program. She continues to use her nursing skills as an as-needed RN volunteer at Augusta Regional Free Clinic in Fishersville, Va. Her health has greatly improved, and she wishes to thank both the alumni constituency and the university for their support since 2008.
Jacqueline Wiens 鈥93 Gauthier, Denver, Colo., along with her husband, Christopher, and co-worker, Lauren Kerstein, presented 鈥淏uilding Relationships, Marriage, and Family in the Context of Autism鈥 at the US Autism & Asperger Association 2012 World Conference on September 6-9. The Gauthiers have two children diagnosed with autism and one them is also affected by Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome. They have developed a language to understand one another based on Asperger鈥檚 identity and sensory issues.
Kirby King 鈥93, Souderton, Pa., was licensed in October 2011 as minister of adult formation at Souderton Mennonite Church. He currently is a Bible and social studies instructor at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School.
Gilberto P茅rez Jr. 鈥94, Goshen, Ind., has joined the faculty team at Goshen College as associate professor of social work.
Karen Parker 鈥94 Komara, Harrisonburg, Va., was one of 24 teachers in the Rockingham County School system who received the Rockingham County Teacher of the Year Award. She teaches fifth grade at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. Additonally, Karen, an 18-year Rockingham County Schools veteran, was selected as one of two teachers to receive the Lucy F. Simms Educators of the Year award at a reception on June 7, 2012.
Joseph Day 鈥95, Fife, Wash., was one of three selected to be Teacher of the Month for October by the Rotary Club of Renton. This marks his 13th year of teaching math at Nelsen Middle School in Renton, Wash.
Michael Shank 鈥96, MA 鈥05 (conflict transformation), Washington D.C., former vice president for the Institute for Economics and Peace, was featured in a news conference on the findings of the 2012 Global Peace Index and Positive Peace Index at the Center for Strategic and International Studies headquarters in Washington D.C. on June 12, 2012. He explained how these tools, which measure negative and positive peace, respectively, can be used to assess nation-state resilience and risk, as well as monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of foreign aid, development projects and U.S. interventions. Michael has since left the Institute for Economics and Peace in order to rejoin U.S. Congressman Michael Honda on Capitol Hill. Michael is Honda鈥檚 communications director and senior policy advisor.
Philip (Phil) Zapanta 鈥96, Lorton, Va., was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and continues to be an assistant professor of surgery, associate otolaryngology residency program director, and co-director of the Medical Education Fellowship at the George Washington University School of Medicine. He is married to Anne Charbeneau 鈥97 (see her entry below).
Rebecca H. Kauffman 鈥96, Goshen Ind., graduated on May 26, 2012 with a master of divinity degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. She began as co-pastor of Paoli Mennonite Fellowship this past summer.
Andrew Dyck, MA 鈥96 (church leadership), Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, is writing a PhD dissertation about Mennonite Brethren (MB) spirituality and contemplative influences. For the past five years, he has worked part time in pastoral ministry, teaching, and as the executive secretary for the MB historical commission.
Anne Charbeneau 鈥97 Zapanta, has sung back up for several musical artists, including Bruce Springsteen during the 2008 Presidential Inauguration. She also sang with Kid Rock and Garth Brooks at an event celebrating George H.W. Bush鈥檚 Points of Light Institute at which Presidents Carter, Clinton, and Bush were in attendance. She is married to Phil Zapanta 鈥96 (see his entry above).
Amanda Shipe 鈥97, Washington, D.C., founder and CEO of Mind Your Body Oasis, a certified Pilates instructer, and a registered yoga teacher, announced the opening of her new business, Mind Your Body Oasis, in Crystal City, Va.
Landon Miller 鈥97 and Jennifer Linder 鈥98, Manheim, Pa., returned from a three-year MCC stint in Tanta, Egypt, in June. While there, Jen served as an English teacher and support person who trained Egyptian teachers at a school run by the Coptic Evangelical Church. Landon taught English to adults at the Orthodox church. Since their return, Jen has found employment as the director of Children鈥檚 Ministries at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church in Lancaster and Landon as a foster care caseworker for COBYS Family Services.
Elizabeth Beachy 鈥99 Hansen, Marietta, Ga., a professional playwright and screenwriter, attended the opening weekend of Jordan鈥檚 Stormy Banks at 91短视频鈥檚 MainStage Theater. Her script, the story of Anabaptists in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War, was produced by CrossRoads Valley Brethren Mennonite Heritage Center and 91短视频 on June 1-17, 2012.
2000-09
Reuben Miller 鈥00, Charlottesville, Va., works in maintenance and groundskeeping at Walnut Creek Park in North Garden, Va. He plays the violin in the University of Virginia Klezmer Ensemble, performing European and American Yiddish music. Reuben also is the fiddler in Ragged Mountain String Band, which recently released their first album of old-time Appalachian music through ShakeALegRecords. His wife, Holly Scott 鈥02, is finishing her PhD in history from American University.
David Stutzman 鈥00, Bammental, Germany, along with his wife, Rebekka, and son, Immanuel, will be serving a three-year term in Germany with tranSend through a partnership with the Bammental Mennonite Church and the South German Mennonite Conference. They will provide part-time pastoral leadership at Bammental and work to promote mission, vision and young adult leadership in the conference.
Christopher Clymer Kurtz 鈥00, Linville, Va., along with Maria Clymer Kurtz 鈥00 and Craig Zook, have released a new album titled 鈥淎rms Uncrossed鈥 by the Clymer Kurtz Band. The album traces vulnerability, love, regret, and the bittersweet best of times that make up the ever after.
Moses Ole Sakuda, MA 鈥00 (education), MDiv 鈥00, Ngong Hills, Kenya, was elected Member of Parliament for Kajiado North Constituency in Kenya on the National Alliance ticket in a by-election in September 2012. The seat fell vacant following the death of former Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, who had held the seat for 24 years.
Matthew Lowen 鈥01, Tucson, Ariz., program coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee was the featured speaker at a dialogue hosted by David鈥檚 Hope, a Phoenix-based group dedicated to bringing humane treatement to Arizona鈥檚 inmate population. He shared highlights of a recently released report 鈥淟ifetime Lockdown,鈥 which focused on issues of solitary confinement and mass incarceration.
Erica Petersheim 鈥01 Lewis, Harrisonburg, Va., assistant professor of nursing at 91短视频, successfully defended her PhD dissertation on the topic of nurse experience of medical error. She evaluated patient safety culture in an academic medical center and surveyed 289 nurses from two hospitals, examining the relationships among nurse involvement in medical error, individual, and systems factors with the nurse outcomes of burnout, moral distress, and intention to leave the nursing profession.
Megan Kennel 鈥02, San Francisco, Calif., began a career serving the homeless and underprivileged several years ago as an offshoot of the Mennonite Voluntary Service program in San Francisco. Through a series of life-changing and passion-forming events, including becoming a full-time case worker and receiving her master鈥檚 in nursing, she now works for the Sobering Center, a harm-reduction program that serves the homeless population and strives to provide care and put them on the track to sobriety and health. Her brother, Patrick (Pat) Kennel 鈥06, says this about Megan: 鈥淢egan received the message that 91短视频 trys to instill in its students of a sense of care and love for those in need, and [she has] poetically implemented it to her life in a way that would make her professors and alma mater very proud.鈥
Marcus Almarode 鈥03, Harrisonburg, Va., joined Rockingham Memorial Hospital as director of emergency services. He is bringing 22 years of experience as a health care professional, the last 14 years as a registered nurse. Prior to accepting the position, Marcus was a nurse leader in the Adult and Children鈥檚 Emergency Trauma Center with the Greenville Health System in Greenville, S.C. Additionally, he has served as president-elect and president for the Foothills Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.
Emily Hahn 鈥03, Timberville, Va., was one of 24 teachers in the Rockingham County School system who received the Rockingham County Teacher of the Year Award. Emily teaches third grade at Fulks Run Elementary School.
Cindy Evick Moyers, MA 鈥03 (education), Bridgewater, Va., was one of 24 teachers in the Rockingham County School system who received the Rockingham County Teacher of the Year Award. Cindy teaches second grade at John Wayland Elementary School.
Angela Swartzendruber 鈥03 Hackman, Harleysville, Pa., has been promoted to director of integrated health services at the Penn Foundation. In this role, she is spending more time on special projects related to promoting integrated healthcare.
Susan Peacock, MA 鈥04 (conflict transformation), Minneapolis, Minn., is the liasion for sponsors coordinating travel seminars in Bolivia, Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico with the Center for Global Education. Previously, she worked at The National Academies鈥 Committee on Human Rights, the Washington Office on Latin America, the National Security Archive at George Washington University, and the Guatemala Human Rights Commission.
Lauren Hartzler Arbogast 鈥04, Harrisonburg, Va., was one of nine teachers in the Harrisonburg City Schools system to be named Educator of the Year. Lauren is an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher of preschoolers at Keister Elementary School.
Jay A. Wittmeyer, MA 鈥04 (conflict transformation), Elgin, Ill., executive director for Global Mission and Service for the Church of the Brethren, has been appointed as the church鈥檚 representative to the Board of Directors of Heifer International. Jay represents the founding denomination of Heifer International, which began as the Church of the Brethren鈥檚 Heifer Project.
Ashok Gladston Xavier, MA 鈥04 (conflict transformation), was appointed dean of the faculty of arts at Loyola College, Chennai, India. As dean, Ashok will be able to facilitate joint research along with promoting student and faculty exchange.
Andrea Opel 鈥06, Elkhart, Ind., graduated on May 26, 2012, with a master of divinity degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Andrea is continuing her education at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., to complete a master of social work degree. 91短视频 her experience, Andrea said, 鈥淚 have appreciated being able to study both pastoral ministry and social work through the dual-degree program. [It] has allowed me to explore many questions about my sense of call and to integrate the two fields into one vocation.鈥
Stephen (Steve) Horst 鈥06, Harrisonburg, Va., along with his wife, Bethany, and daughter, Anjali, will be serving a three-year term with tranSend in Thailand in conjuction with the Bangkok Refugee Center and the Life Enrichment Church.The vision is to establish a team that will minister in practical ways to the refugees at the center and form a missional community in which both refugees and young adults from the Life Enrichment Church might grow in discipleship.
Gregory (Greg) Lamb 鈥06, Albuquerque, N.M., is currently in his second year of emergency medicine residency at the University of New Mexico. As an upper-level resident, he is responsible for taking care of patients who present a critical illness and/or severe trauma. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Va., but attributes the liberal arts education he received at 91短视频 for helping him give humanistic care in the sometimes hectic and chaotic setting of the emergency department.
Joshua (Josh) Brubaker 鈥06, Washington D.C., received a master鈥檚 degree in international economic development in 2012 from American University.
Joel Lehman 鈥06, Lancaster, Pa., won an honorable mention award for the online special project, 鈥淔amily strives to perfect its pick of apples,鈥 which appeared in Lancaster Farming. Joel has worked for Lancaster Newspapers since 2007.
Kathy Hostetter 鈥06 Bradley, Lexington, Va., joined Westminster Canterbury, a retirement community associated with the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches, as director of human resources. Kathy went to Westminster from American Healthcare, a for-profit operator of nursing facilities in Virginia. She graduated with a BS in organizational management and development from 91短视频, has done graduate work in senior living leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University, is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, and holds the designation of Professional in Human Resources.
Rebekah Good 鈥07 Charles, Harrisonburg, Va., finished her master鈥檚 of science in nursing degree with a focus on public health nursing leadership from the University of Virginia in August 2012.
Jodi Beller 鈥07, Bridgewater, Va., was one of 24 teachers in the Rockingham County Schools system who received the Rockingham County Teacher of the Year Award. Jodi teaches second and third grades at Cub Run Elementary School.
Rebecca Drooger 鈥07, Seattle, Wash., graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine on May 20, 2012. She received the distinction of being a member of the national medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Rebecca will begin her residency program in pediatrics at Seattle Children鈥檚 Hospital this summer.
Maria Hoover 鈥07, Harrisonburg, Va., resigned from her position as office coordinator for CJP in order to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in public relations and corporate communications at Georgetown University. She began the program in the fall of 2012.
Ethan Horst 鈥07, West Salem, Ohio, is in his final year of veterinary school at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and is completing his senior clinical year at Ohio State University. He anticipates graduating with a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in May 2013.
Nate Koser 鈥07, Harrisonburg, Va., was chosen as the 2012 Rollo May scholarship winner by Saybrook University with his 25-page essay on the relationship between therapist and client. Koser stated that he wants to subvert the presumption that psychoanalysis belongs only to the white, upper-class community by making it available to those who are under-served by the health-care field.
Eric Trinka 鈥07, Harrisonburg, Va., is one of 24 teachers in the Rockingham County Schools system who received the Rockingham County Teacher of the Year Award. He taught eighth grade world geography at Montevideo Middle School. This was Eric鈥檚 fifth year teaching. He has since moved from the classroom to pursue a master of religion degree at 91短视频鈥檚 seminary.
Rachel Schlegel 鈥07, Hesston, Kan., is Hesston College鈥檚 new phonathon coordinator. She has also served as public information officer for the last two years and will continue in that role.
Thaddeus (Thad) Hicks, MA 鈥08 (conflict transformation), Marysville, Ohio, a faculty member at Ohio Christian University (OCU), was instrumental in developing and launching a new law enforcement program oriented more toward a more restorative approach to criminal justice. He attributed his accomplishments to CJP and thanked professor Howard Zehr for introducing him to 鈥渢his way of doing justice work!鈥
Kelly Smucker 鈥09, Columbus, Ohio, is currently a research assistant at the James Comprehensive Cancer Center at Ohio State University. She studies chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), particularly a new therapy for CLL that has recently entered phase three of clinical trials. After graduation from 91短视频, she worked for two years as a research assistant in the department of microbiology at the University of Virginia and then moved to Ohio when husband, David Showalter 鈥09, started a PhD program at Ohio State University. In her 鈥渟pare鈥 time, she is applying to medical school and hopes to start in the fall of 2013.
Jackson Maust 鈥09, Columbus, Ohio, is in his final year of graduate school at Ohio State University鈥檚 School of Health and Rehabilitation Services and will earn his doctorate in physical therapy in May 2013. His wife, Katie Lehman 鈥09 Maust, works in the Heart and Vascular Intermediate Unit at Grant Hospital as a registered nurse. Amidst their varied activities, both volunteer as EMTs for a small fire department in Columbus.
Jennie Preto Carr, MA 鈥09 (education), Harrisonburg, Va., completed her PhD in curriculum and teaching in July 2012 from Northcentral University. She will be starting a new position as a professor at her undergrad alma mater, Bridgewater College. In addition, Jennie recently received first place in the James Madison University Economics Education Program elementary division.
Conrad Gross 鈥09, Washington D.C., works for Standard Solar as the operations and maintenance coordinator for solar panel installations.
2010-
Jeffrey (Jeff) Swarzendruber 鈥10, Kalona, Iowa, is now in his third year of physical therapy school and performing his clinical internships at an outpatient orthopedic PT clinic in Iowa City, Iowa.
Heidi Muller 鈥10, Winston Salem, N.C., after a two-year stint as project and office coordinator in the marketing/communications department at 91短视频, began her first year at Wake Forest School of Law, a top-tier law school nestled in the Piedmont Triad.
Tamara Joan Gill, MDiv 鈥10, Wayland, Iowa, was ordained on October 7, 2012, at Wayland Mennonite Church in Wayland, Iowa.
Vanessa Landis 鈥10 Troyer, Quakertown, Pa., is a full-time student in Desales University鈥檚 master of physician assistant studies program and expects to graduate in August 2013.
Michael Spory 鈥11, Harrisonburg, Va., was one of 16 students nationwide accepted into the Lilly Graduate Fellows Program through Christ College, an interdisciplinary honors college at Valparaiso University. He began a dual degree master of architecture and community and regional planning program at the College of Design at Iowa State University in the fall of 2012. As a Lilly Fellow, Michael will attend four conferences over the next three years to collaborate with other fellows, senior scholars, and luminaries who integrate research, teaching, vocation, and an interest in church-related higher education.
Mitchell Stutzman 鈥11, Hesston, Kan., is the Kauffman Court resident director at Hesston College.
Kaitlin Hershberger Heatwole 鈥11 and Nathan Hershberger 鈥12, Harrisonburg, Va., tied for first place in the Anabaptist Research Paper Contest sponsored by the Sider Institue of Messiah College in Grantham, Pa. Unaware the two were married, the judges sent the couple a letter that read, 鈥淲e decided to do something that we think has never been done before and may never be done again 鈥 award two first place prizes to two individuals for two very fine papers.鈥
Sarah Schoenhals 鈥12, Archbold, Ohio, is serving and connecting with youth and young adults in the Life Enrichment Church and involved in the AIDS ministry in Det Udom, Thailand, with tranSend, organized by Virginia Mennonite Missions.
Brandon Habron, class of 鈥12, Harrisonburg, Va., is a desk supervisor in the Rose Library at James Madison University. He helps to manage student workers and provide customer service to library patrons, providing technical, research, circulation and general library support.
MARRIAGES
Douglas (Doug) Graham, class of Sem 鈥81, to Barbara Maguire Menk, May 5, 2012.
Cheryl Zook 鈥91 to Randall Justice, May 5, 2012.
Melissa Green 鈥94 to Seth Hinshaw, Forestville, Va., July 28, 2012.
Rebecca (Becky) Hooley 鈥99 to Timothy Z. Martin, Terre Hill, Pa., Sept. 10, 2011.
Debora Good 鈥02 to Russell Pyle 鈥03, May 26, 2012.
Emily Mullet 鈥03 to Andrew Parker, Sept. 22, 2012.
Laura Rosenberger 鈥03 to David Mauro, May 19, 2012.
Conrad Gross 鈥09 to Morgan Kraybill, Oct. 6, 2012.
Joel Landis 鈥10 to Mikaela Handrich Bender 鈥08, Aug. 11, 2012.
Amy Histand 鈥10 to Giles Eanes 鈥11, July 16, 2011.
BIRTHS & ADOPTIONS
Steve 鈥91 and Laura Moyers 鈥97 Campbell, Broadway, Va., Esther Lynn, March 25, 2012.
Kristen Hoober 鈥94 and Mark Leichty, Ames, Iowa, Micah, November 23, 2011.
Steve Schumm 鈥95 and Joni Sancken, Harrisonburg, Va., Magdalena (Maggie) Grace Sancken-Schumm, October 3, 2012.
Marcelo 鈥95 and Melissa Allebach Mast, Lansdale, Pa., Mikayden Michael, July 5, 2011.
Kendall 鈥96 and Lisa Ruth, Lititz, Pa., Logan David, July 7, 2011.
Ben Rutt 鈥96 and Diane Yu, Long Island City, N.Y., Jason, August 4, 2011.
Hannah Miller 鈥97 and Anson Miedel, Wooster, Ohio, Mary, January 27, 2011.
Shannon Kratz 鈥97 and Jim Frederick, Telford, Pa., Rose Danica, August 22, 2011.
Reggie 鈥97 and April King 鈥97 Beck, Wauseon, Ohio, Jamison King, March 9, 2011.
Joanna Yoder 鈥98 and Chad Heatwole, Pittsford, N.Y., twins David Samuel and Maria Irene, June 3, 2011.
Karla Alderfer 鈥98 and Brian Tierney, Bridgewater, Va., Lilah Grace, May 8, 2012.
Megan Horst 鈥98 and Paul McLaughlin, Portland, Ore., Kinley Reese, July 20, 2011.
Alan 鈥98 and Etsuko Schroeder, Tokyo, Japan, Owen Abram, May 2, 2012.
Darrick 鈥99 and Sheri Hummel, Berlin, Ohio, Emma, March 29, 2011.
Travis 鈥99 and Gina Shew 鈥01 Trotter, Harrisonburg, Va., Nola Jean, July 7, 2012.
Doug 鈥99 and Kristina Blosser 鈥98 Blyer, Harrisonburg, Va., Austin Carl, August 13, 2012.
Kendra Snyder 鈥00 and Kyle Miller 鈥00, Salem, Ore., Anya Ruth, January 2, 2012.
Mark 鈥00 and Sarah Hawkins 鈥02 Schoenhals, Det Udam, Thailand, Hannah Lynn, October 7, 2011.
Amy Sauder 鈥00 and Ted Lehman, Alexandria, Va., EmmaClaire, March 25, 2012.
Zac 鈥01 and Stephanie Reynolds 鈥09 Nafziger, Weyers Cave, Va., Madelyn Joley, February 8, 2012.
Mark 鈥01 and Wendy Wenger 鈥01 Hochstedler, Waynesboro, Va., Cyrus Turner, February 20, 2011.
Emma Stutzman 鈥01 and Matt Dawson, class of 鈥01, Iowa City, Iowa, Felix Tobias, October 27, 2012.
Jason 鈥01 and Wendy Houser 鈥02 Gerlach, Harrisonburg, Va., Willa Avery, April 23, 2012.
Todd 鈥01 and Julie Stoltzfus 鈥00 Lehman, Hesston, Kan., Eliya Marie, May 30, 2012.
Heather Good 鈥01 and Joel Nyce, Schwenksville, Pa., Mark Dalton, March 29, 2012.
Aaron 鈥01 and Kristen Weatherlow 鈥01 Buckwalter, Lancaster, Pa., Izak Nicholas Aaron, November 1, 2011.
Chip 鈥01 and Martha Kratzer 鈥02 Coleman, Apple Creek, Ohio, Jesse Robert, May 14, 2012.
Brad 鈥02 and Kristen Hoffman, Denver, Colo., Adelyn Suzanne, April 2, 2011.
Erik 鈥02 and Sarah Troyer 鈥01 Kratz, Harrisonburg, Va., Avery Grace, October 4, 2012.
Daniel 鈥02 and Lynley Culbertson 鈥02 Lapp, Hershey, Pa., Bront毛 Victoria, April 22, 2012.
Nathan 鈥02 and Kristen Savanick, Scottdale, Pa., Julia Ann, September 19, 2010.
Kristy King 鈥02 and Adam Hamilton, Olympia, Wash., Kadyn Warren Hamilton-King, August 19, 2012.
Brian 鈥02 and Kari Yoder 鈥02 Miller, Coralville, Iowa, Sean James, July 26, 2011.
Jeremy 鈥02 and Laura Schwartz, class of 鈥02, Goshen, Ind., Josiah Tucker Damien, August 7, 2011.
Jonathan 鈥02 and Christine Mellinger 鈥02 Coddington, Bridgewater, Va., Emily, April 24, 2012.
Christopher 鈥02 and Melissa Onyango-Robshaw, Minneapolis, Minn., August Patrick, May 12, 2012.
Sally Gardner 鈥02 and Andrew Vogan, Dayton, Va., Rachel Anne, April 25, 2012.
Theodore (Welby) 鈥03 and Lisa Bergey 鈥03 Lehman, Harrisonburg, Va., Grant Dean, October 10, 2011.
Trinda Schlabach 鈥05 and Troy Burkhalter, Broadway, Va., Eva Marie, March 19, 2012.
Jason 鈥05 and Bryn Mullet 鈥06 Good, Harrisonburg, Va., James Nelson, July 13, 2012.
Mike 鈥05 and Stephanie Roth 鈥05 Zucconi, Harrisonburg, Va., Lillian Rae, July 15, 2012.
Derrick 鈥06 and Rebekah Good 鈥07 Charles, Harrisonburg, Va., Silas Good, September 1, 2012.
Elizabeth (Beth) Risser 鈥06 and Jason Barthlow, Greencastle, Pa., Lilian Amanda, April 24, 2012.
Jennifer (Jenny) Horst 鈥07 and Craig Strasbaugh, Orrville, Ohio, Marita, May 19, 2012.
Timothy 鈥07 and Cheryl Heatwole 鈥07 Shenk, Camden, N.J., Matteo Justus, October 24, 2011.
Kendal 鈥07 and Kelsey Wyse 鈥07 Swartzentruber, Harrisonburg, Va., Karcyn, January 5, 2012.
Katie Moyer 鈥07 and Wendell Gehman, Coopersburg, Pa., Luella Sharon, February 20, 2012.
Joy Zimmerman 鈥07 and Tom Haller, Denver, Pa., David Roy, July 23, 2012.
Anna Katherine (Kate) Cockley 鈥07 and Nate Clark, Harrisonburg, Va., Emelia Deitra, September 18, 2012.
Curtis 鈥07 and Amanda Lanette Yoder 鈥09, McVeytown, Pa., Dalton Alan, February 14, 2012.
Ethan 鈥10 and Melissa Fletcher 鈥08 Zook, Harrisonburg, Va., Elijah James, May 31, 2012.
Raad, MA 鈥11 (conflict transformation), and Lauren Amer, Harrisonburg, Va., Jenna Lee, May 9, 2012.
Matthew (recycling crew leader) and Rachel Freed, Harrisonburg, Va., Sonya Jpusa, July 10, 2012.
James (sports information director) and Sarah De Boer, Bridgewater, Va., twins Isaac James and Harper, June 7, 2012.
Wendy (instructor of nursing) and Jeff Carr, Bridgewater, Va., Nathaniel Campbell, Sept. 14, 2012.
ANNIVERSARIES
Harold 鈥61 and Esther Kraybill 鈥60, Lebanon, Pa., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 28, 2012.
Abner 鈥62 and Virginia 鈥62 (Glass) Schlabach, South Royalton, Vt., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 16 and August 4, 2012.
DEATHS
A. Grace Wenger, Lititz, Pa., a former member of the 91短视频 Board of Trustees, died on September 5, 2012, at age 93. Known to many as a beloved 鈥渁unt,鈥 friend, teacher, historian, and strong woman of faith, she was an active member of Groffdale Mennonite Church and authored several histories, including those of Landis Homes Retirement Community and Eastern Mennonite Missions. Furthering her love of service, Grace founded Tabor Community Services in 1968 to engage with the housing and financial problems faced by Lancaster County residents and, in the summer of 1981, taught at what is now the Northeastern University in Shenyang, China. She retired from Millersville University in 1979, a teacher of 39 years. Her vast educational experience includes a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Elizabethtown College, a master鈥檚 degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and additional graduate work at Temple University and the University of Delaware.
Grace Metzler 鈥38 Stauffer, Lititz, Pa., a former Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM) worker in Tanzania, died March 22, 2012, at age 97. In 1946, Grace responded to a call from EMM to serve and lead in Tanganyika, present-day Tanzania. While there, she founded the Hilltop School for missionary children and became affectionately known to all her students as 鈥淎unt Grace.鈥 Upon retirement, Grace worked in a varitey of roles, including wife, mother and bookshop manager. After the death of her husband, Elam Stauffer, in 1981, she remained the strong, supportive center and matriarch to her family. She moved to Landis Homes in 1983, where she lived until her death.
Richard L. Pellman 鈥39, Lititz, Pa., died May 29, 2012, at age 90. Richard spent more than 50 years at Turkey Hill Dairy where he was sales manager. Among the first retail route drivers, beginning in 1950, he took on increasing leadership responsibiliites as the company grew. After retiring in 1994, Richard continued part time with the business, serving as liaison between the dairy and markets. He was an active member of Rossmere Mennonite Church in Lancaster, where he served as a beloved Sunday School teacher and churchwide leader. He served on the boards of Eastern Mennonite Missions and Choice Books.
Christian D. Kennel, class of 鈥40, Lititz, Pa., died Aug. 1, 2012, at age 92. A contractor by trade, Christian owned C. D. Kennel Builder of Parkesburg, later known as LanChester Contruction, for 42 years. Additionally, he worked at Paul Risk Associates in Quarryville, Pa. Christian was an active member of the Parkesburg Mennonite Church, where he served both as a Sunday School teacher and the Sunday School superintendent.
Irene Gingerich 鈥46 Moshier, Lowville, N.Y., died Aug. 4, 2012, at age 93. She married Norman Moshier in 1945, who owned and operated a dairy farm in New Bremen, N.Y., until his death in 1954. Afterward, Irene was employed with Lowville Academy, working both in the cafeteria and as a bus driver for 14 years. Irene worked at Kraft Foods in Lowville for 10 years before retiring in 1982. She was a member of Lowville Mennonite Church and participated in a number of activities, including the sewing circle, traveling, and gardening.
Dorcas Swartzentruber (class of 鈥47) Miller, Greenwood, Del., died Aug. 7, 2012, at age 86. A gifted writer and homemaker, she was the editor of the Sisters鈥 Page of the Brotherhood Beacon and operated the Bible Book and Gift Nook out of her home for many years. Dorcas touched a multitude of lives and will forever be missed. She is survived by her nine children, 26 grandchildren, 22 great-grand children, and one great-great-grand child.
Richard O. Martin, class of 鈥52, Harrisonburg, Va., died Jan. 16, 2012, at age 81. Living in West Liberty, Ohio, for many years, he was employed as district manager for DeKalb Seed Corn. Additonally, he served as head of the school board at West Liberty Salem School, Little League Baseball Commissioner, and head coach for the local men鈥檚 fast pitch team. In Harrisonburg, he was an active member of Park View Mennonite Church.
Sara M. Garber, class of 鈥56, died at Lancaster General Hospital on April 22, 2011, at age 79. Sara worked for the former Farmers First Bank in Elizabethtown, Pa., retiring in 1991, after more than 25 years of service. She was a member of Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, where she sang in the choir.
Daniel Miller Jr. 鈥59, Boerne, Tex., passed away unexpectedly June 9, 2012, at age 77. A beloved husband, father, friend, and spiritual mentor, Daniel let no one lack for anything. He provided his famous barbeque for those in need of food, drink for those who were thirsty, and an understanding ear for those in need of counsel. He was a teacher by calling as well as profession 鈥 modeling how to live a life of compassion 鈥 teaching a cumulative 33 years. Dan was buried near his childhood home in Kalona, Iowa, at Upper Deer Creek Cemetery.
Beula M. Peele 鈥65, Broadway, Va., died from Parkinson鈥檚 on Sept. 25, 2012, at age 73. She obtained a master of science degree in education from Old Dominion College in Norfolk, Va., and a master of social work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Throughout her lifetime, she spanned both fields, teaching children and adults alike, serving as a counselor in several mental health settings, and adopting both healthy infants and special needs children. During the later part of her life, Beula dedicated herself to Parkinson鈥檚 research at the University of Virginia as a subject for deep brain stimulation. She appreciated the value of research and wanted to help improve the quality of life for future Parkinson鈥檚 patients.
Sarah Alderfer Weaver, died Oct. 10, 2012, at age 78, after a short illness. She was a faithful member of Lindale Mennonite Church, where she had been WMSC secretary, Sunday School teacher, and Bible School teacher. For 25 years, Sarah worked as the receptionist in the information office at 91短视频 and teamed with her husband, Samuel (Sam) Weaver 鈥66, as the 鈥済race side of their ministry鈥 with Eastern Mennonite High School, Virginia Mennonite Conference, 91短视频, and Northern District Mennonite Churches. She was deeply committed to living her faith at home, in her community, and at church, a trait that radiated from her in everything she did.
Dorcas Steffen 鈥67 Hanbury, Chesapeake, Va., died on Oct. 25, 2012, at age 68 after a long fight with cancer. She taught home economics and culinary arts at Great Bridge High School for many years, receiving the Teacher of the Year award in 2000. An avid quilter, Dorcas loved quilting for family and friends and actively particpated in the Mt. Pleasant Mennonite Church sewing circle and Tidewater Quilters鈥 Guild. In the years before her death, she prepared and delivered meals to cancer patients at Cancer Specialists each month.
Javier Mario Garcia 鈥02, Albuquerque, N.M., died in an accident on Oct. 8, 2012, at age 32. He had been riding his bicycle just before 10 p.m., when he struck an inconspicuously-parked vehicle hard enough that he could not be saved by several people nearby. Javier was a registered nurse and spent the last four years working at the Heart Hospital ICU. He had recently accepted a position at the University of New Mexico Hospital Trauma Surgical Burn Unit. He was known as a compassionate man who loved cycling and made friends feel like family. Described by people who knew him best as facing the world with a fearless vision and a pure and utter joy of life, Javier inspired everyone with whom he came in contact. Family and friends scattered his ashes along the Coyote Trail in the East Mountains, where he often biked.
Correction:
In two references to Albert Keim ’63 in the summer 2012 issue of Crossroads, he was mis-identified as “dean of students” from 1977 to 1984. He was the “dean,” in charge of faculty and academics.
Degree Key
CLASS OF – attended as part of the class of a given graduation year.
HS – high school degree from era when high school and college were one
MA – master of arts
MDiv – master of divinity
SEM – attended the seminary
Mileposts is compiled by Braydon Hoover ’11, who may be reached at braydon.hoover@emu.edu or at 540-432-4294. send news directly to braydon or to alumni@emu.edu.
