In our series of student and alumni stories, social media posts, and letters and emails, we invited you to become part of Lov91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ’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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ alumni, friends, and fans.

“It is inspiring and humbling to witness the outpouring of support our community showed—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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ Community Meal; and
• welcoming 19 future Royals who visited for the day into the 91����Ƶ community.

“Thank you again for showing up for 91����Ƶ,” Litwiller said. “Your support has a direct impact on current students, future students, and the entire 91����Ƶ community.”

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

The day kicked off with the third annual Lov91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ Giving Day.

“This is my dream job,” he said. “I 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����Ƶ Giving Day because he’s a “repeat Royal.”

“I’m a double-alumnus,” he said. “I 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����Ƶ’s MA in Counseling program led self-care activities at the Student Union.

As 91����Ƶ’s night owls kept the energy alive, Lov91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ’s jazz trio.

View the full schedule of events at .

Leaderboard competition

The winners of the 2026 Lov91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ this year, support for first-generation college students.

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

All-day challenges

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

Friends of 91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ challenge of its kind, a “match of the match” through a NetVUE grant, we raised $10,052 to support first-generation students.

Lov91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ’s impactful intercultural experiences.

The Generosity Marathon: We received 55 gifts from 7:30-9 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for 91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ, and joined in the festivities on campus! Special thanks to the 2026 Lov91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ organizer and pep rally emcee, was a new addition to the Sadie Hartzler Library, thanks to a generous donation from an 91����Ƶ alum, the diligent work of senior Joshua Stucky, and a partnership between library staff and the Shenandoah Bicycle Company.��

Starting Monday, students can check out the bike from the library at any time and “easily 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����Ƶ Giving Day spirit. Wednesday’s pep rally had it all: a current student exclaiming her love for 91����Ƶ, a future student officially declaring 91����Ƶ as his school for next year, and performances by the previous night’s Lip-Sync Battle champions. 

“It’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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ Giving Day is an opportunity to pause and celebrate all the incredible things about 91����Ƶ, which include “our amazing academic programs, our incredible athletic teams, our impactful clubs and orgs, and our supportive community as a whole,” Litwiller said. “Part of how we can express that celebration is through generosity.”

Funds from Lov91����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ (left) and future student Brady Crisp (right) rings the cowbell.

Ari Smart, a sophomore majoring in art education, shared her experiences at 91����Ƶ. 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. “This 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.

“This 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.

“It 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����Ƶ 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����Ƶ Giving Day paid their tuition deposit—as Crisp did—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����Ƶ Pep Rally on Wednesday.

The third annual Lov91����Ƶ 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. “Absolutely electric,” she told the teams. “Just remember, you’re all winners in my heart.”

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

Goss said, “Wait, so you’re telling me we do all this to make the student experience at 91����Ƶ 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?”

“I mean, yeah, you said it,” Litwiller replied.

Watch a recording of the pep rally below!

91����Ƶ’s financial aid notification packet has a new look, and people are starting to notice.

The packet of information, mailed to every admitted undergraduate student with a FAFSA on file at 91����Ƶ, simplifies the often complicated financial aid process by outlining the total aid offered and the costs students will be expected to cover. It includes information on grants, scholarships, and loans, as well as direct and indirect costs of an education at 91����Ƶ.

Once a drab bundle of letters and forms, the financial aid notification packet has been delightfully redesigned through a collaboration between 91����Ƶ’s marketing and communications department and Farmville, Virginia-based marketing agency .

The new-and-improved “FAN packet” features the design of a sunrise over the familiar Massanutten Mountain ridgeline and bright, attention-grabbing colors. It also uses friendly, approachable typefaces with bold, easy-to-read text. Each packet comes with a set of 91����Ƶ-branded stickers, perfect for laptops, phone cases, water bottles, and notebooks.

It’s anything but ordinary, reflecting 91����Ƶ’s unique and diverse campus, its commitment to providing a transformative and accessible education, and the care it puts into supporting students and families through the financial aid process.

“This project was all about transparency, organization, and user-focused design: helping students and families navigate an important decision with confidence,” reads a Facebook post from Letterpress Communications.

91����Ƶ’s marketing and communications department teamed up with Farmville-based Letterpress Communications to design its reimagined financial aid notification packet.

Best of Show

Representatives from the marketing agency attended the Southwest Virginia American Advertising Awards in Abingdon, Virginia, on Feb. 28. There, 91����Ƶ’s FAN packet won a Gold ADDY, a top honor in the advertising industry, as well as the Best of Show award, recognizing it as the best overall piece in the competition.

It will now compete at the district level against Gold ADDY winners from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. If the FAN packet wins gold at the district level (winners are announced in April), it will advance to the national competition in June.

“This is truly terrific news,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MAOL ’21, vice president of enrollment and marketing. “For the nearly 1,000 students and families who have already received the FAN packet, this award demonstrates just how special the financial aid process is here at 91����Ƶ.”

“We are committed to doing everything we can to make the financial aid process as simple and understandable as possible,” said Troy Martin, director of financial aid for 91����Ƶ. “The next step, if you’ve received a FAN packet and haven’t done so already, is to review it with your family and your admissions counselor.”

For more information about your financial aid notification, visit .

As players from the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks football teams cleared the field at halftime and fans eagerly awaited Bad Bunny’s performance, a 30-second ad for 91����Ƶ aired on Charlottesville-based WVIR-TV (NBC-29). The commercial featured aerial shots of the 91����Ƶ campus along with students engaged in academics, athletics, and community events.

“What will you find when you get an 91����Ƶ education?” the voiceover asks at the start of the commercial. 

�Ԩ�dz�’l�� Find Your ROAR and so much more,” the voiceover concludes. “Tour 91����Ƶ for a grant of up to $4,000 upon enrollment.”

According to a November 2018 , the TV station’s all-day ratings made it the ninth-highest-rated NBC affiliate in the country. The station’s designated market area has a total population of 99,260 TV households, as of the 2024-25 season ().

91����Ƶ Visual Media Manager Macson McGuigan ’17, who produced the commercial, said the ad represented countless hours of filming 91����Ƶ events—from move-in day to Commencement—and that watching it air was a “very gratifying experience.”

“My overarching objective has always been to inspire people through photography and videos, and to inform them of the beauty of our campus, the richness of our community, and the impact an 91����Ƶ education provides in the lives of our students,” McGuigan said. “Knowing that this commercial was on screen in so many households regionally brought me great joy, because it means that many more people have now had a glimpse into what an awesome place 91����Ƶ is.”

One viewer who watched the Super Bowl ad and wrote in with praise was Judy Mullet, professor emerita of psychology at 91����Ƶ, who said her “mouth dropped open” when she saw the commercial start. “Our family party watched it several times and was so impressed with the professionalism, and you packed a lot of 91����Ƶ’s best into a short time,” she wrote in an email to the Marketing and Communications team. “Thank you for representing a place that still has my heart—I taught there for over 30 years, and our three children graduated from 91����Ƶ as well.”

Watch the ad below!

“I’ve always been conscious of how much money I’m spending,” he said. “I don’t want to have tons of debt I’ll have to pay back later, especially at high interest rates.”

And so for Vasquez, who works a part-time job at The Home Depot, financial aid from the Montgomery GI Bill, the Virginia Tuition Grant (VTAG), and a new National Science Foundation (NSF) S-STEM Scholarship has been a godsend in covering the full cost of his college education.

“Without the NSF S-STEM Scholarship, I would’ve struggled financially,” he said. “The scholarship really takes the pressure off my shoulders, because now I won’t have that debt looming over my head.”

Born and raised in Harrisonburg, Vasquez graduated from high school in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and attended Blue Ridge Community College while enlisting in the military. After completing recruit training, taking time to reassess his academic goals, and changing majors from business to computer science, he transferred to 91����Ƶ last fall.��

He is among an initial cohort of 91����Ƶ students receiving the NSF S-STEM Scholarship, which provides:

• Up to $15,000 in unmet financial need annually for the length of the degree
• A paid one-week Bridge to College program
• A STEM mentorship program
• An eight-week paid internship
• Free conference attendance
• Forest restoration opportunities in Park Woods (91����Ƶ’s on-campus woodland)

The scholarship is open to high-achieving, income-eligible students who are majoring in Biochemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Math, or Psychology (research/STEM track).

Applications for the S-STEM Scholarship
are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

For more information, visit .

‘A welcoming community’

Forming friendships at a new school can have its challenges.

Along with other initiatives provided by the scholarship, a Bridge to College program helps new 91����Ƶ students adjust to life on campus by moving them in a week early, introducing them to STEM faculty and staff members, and engaging them in activities to build camaraderie and form connections with one another. Students participating in the weeklong program receive a generous stipend for their time.

Ani Koontz, a first-year biology and secondary education double major from Newton, Kansas, is a recipient of the S-STEM Scholarship. She recalled traveling to Shenandoah National Park with students and faculty the week before classes, surveying salamanders and hiking trails, before bicycling around Downtown Harrisonburg on a tour led by city officials.

“That first week showed me how friendly and approachable my professors are,” she said. “They’ve done a great job creating a welcoming community.”

Another S-STEM Scholarship recipient, Mara Carlson, is a first-year psychology major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “Many of us have become close friends,” she said. “I’ll see the other scholarship recipients around campus and we’ll say hello to each other.”

Through the scholarship, each student is paired with an academic advisor specific to their major, who can answer questions and help guide them forward. Carlson said she meets with Kathryn Howard-Ligas, assistant professor of psychology at 91����Ƶ. “We discussed a four-year plan, and I was really grateful for that,” she said. Part of that plan includes gaining invaluable experience through internships and conferences, additional perks of the S-STEM Scholarship.

Carlson said she already knew she wanted to attend 91����Ƶ, and that receiving the S-STEM Scholarship was “a nice surprise.”

For the Kansas-born Koontz, 91����Ƶ had always been on her radar, but she also considered attending in-state schools that normally would’ve been cheaper. When she learned she had been offered the S-STEM Scholarship and that it would lower her college costs to “a very affordable amount,” her choice to attend 91����Ƶ became an easy one.

“It’s 100% the reason I came,” she said. “When I got that, it meant I could completely afford to go here, and it honestly made 91����Ƶ more affordable than any other college in my area. It’s my joy to share how grateful I am because this is truly just an amazing thing that 91����Ƶ has.”

Lynch remembers receiving his own handwritten card during the holidays back when he was a high school senior in King William, Virginia, a dot on the map about 30 miles east of Richmond. And he remembers feeling appreciative that a student at 91����Ƶ, recent biology and mathematics grad Marciella Shallomita ’25, wrote to him.

“I was a student chaplain last semester and I got to meet her, and it was nice to say to her, ‘You’re one of the reasons I came here,’” shared Lynch, adding that another big draw pulling him to 91����Ƶ was receiving the four-year, full-tuition Yoder/Webb Scholarship. “I thought it was nice that someone had taken the time to write me something and tell me how much they enjoyed 91����Ƶ.”

As a way of paying it forward, Lynch stopped by the main lobby of University Commons in between classes on Friday to participate in the 15th annual note-writing event sponsored by the admissions office. He, along with more than 90 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of 91����Ƶ, hand-wrote hundreds of cards (over 700 cards and counting, as tallied on Monday morning) that will be mailed to admitted students all across the country.

Lynch said he wrote to students who, like him, were interested in studying political science and digital media. “The majority of my cards were about how good the professors are in the VACA (Visual And Communication Arts) department and how I’ve never once regretted choosing digital media as my major,” he said. “I wanted to reach out to incoming students and tell them, ‘Hey, if you need any help or if you ever want to talk about your major or about any classes, come find me.’ I think I’m the only River on campus, so it shouldn’t be hard.”

The annual note-writing event provides an opportunity for members of the campus community to form connections with admitted students and tell them about what makes 91����Ƶ special. Students have said that receiving these cards makes an enormous impact on their college choice. 

Fortunata Chipeta, a junior public health major, didn’t realize this impact until a current first-year student she wrote a card to last year told her it helped convince him to attend 91����Ƶ. “This event is like me giving them a nudge toward the 91����Ƶ experience,” she said. “We want them to experience the welcoming and fun adventure here.”

Another student participating in the event, Ava Walker, a sophomore psychology major from Richmond, wrote cards to prospective psychology students. “I’ve been telling them about how the school makes me feel welcome and has given me so much since I’ve been here,” said Walker, who is a Royal Ambassador, tour guide, and member of the lacrosse team. 

Luke Litwiller, director of undergraduate admissions, said the goal of the event is to ensure every admitted student receives a handwritten, personalized card from a member of the 91����Ƶ community and “experiences a little bit of the relational care that we offer here.”

“This is also a community-building event and gets people all across campus involved in enrollment efforts,” he said.

Friday’s blanket of snow caused a slight hitch in plans, pushing the start of the event from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., but the dedicated volunteers pressed on, powering through wrist cramps as they wrote.

“Given how many admitted students we had this year, we needed a pretty solid push,” said organizer Liz Heilbronner, assistant director of transfer admissions and event planner. “Even if someone only wrote one note card, it still made a big difference.”

After a full day of classes at 91����Ƶ, Kevin Garcia clocks in at 5 p.m. for his eight-hour shift at George’s Inc., a poultry plant in Harrisonburg. By the time he gets home, it’s 1:30 a.m. and he’s eager to get some much-needed sleep. In less than seven hours, he’ll be back on campus bright and early for his 8 a.m. class.

The hardworking, indefatigable first-year student emigrated from Cuba three years ago to join his family in Harrisonburg. He graduated from 91����Ƶ’s renowned Intensive English Program (IEP) this spring. When he learned he could transfer 15 credits from his IEP classes to his college degree and that he would receive the 91����Ƶ Promise Grant, which fully covers the tuition costs for eligible students, he knew his future belonged at 91����Ƶ.

The biology and Spanish double major, whose full-time job helps support his family with their expenses, said his parents both graduated from college in Cuba. “They had an expectation that I needed to go to college, as well,” said Garcia, who is interested in the emerging and rapidly expanding field of epigenetics. “Without the Promise Grant, that wouldn’t be possible.”

Garcia is one of 76 first- and second-year students at 91����Ƶ who have access to an exceptional, tuition-free college education thanks to the 91����Ƶ Promise Grant. The initiative is open to Virginia residents whose adjusted gross family incomes are below $75,000. It is for first-time, full-time undergraduate students. See checklist below for more eligibility criteria.��

The 91����Ƶ Promise Grant covers 100 percent of all remaining tuition costs after state, federal, and institutional grants or scholarships have been awarded. It does not cover any fees or living expenses.

Now in its second year, the tuition-free initiative continues to tackle systemic barriers by offering more financial aid, in alignment with 91����Ƶ’s 2023-28 strategic plan, Pathways of Promise: Preparing Tomorrow’s Unifying Leaders.

Troy Martin, director of financial aid for 91����Ƶ, said that raising the income threshold for Promise Grant eligibility (it was previously set at $65,000) ensures that a college education at 91����Ƶ is accessible to more students in Virginia than ever before. “We don’t want money to stand in the way of a student choosing to attend 91����Ƶ,” he said. 

“We have lots of prospective students who show promise, and our promise is to help them fulfill their promise,” Martin added. “We offer a transformative education for these students and allow them to achieve their educational goals and dreams in a setting that will support them every step of the way.”

While there is no deadline to apply for the 91����Ƶ Promise Grant, the deadline for submitting a VTAG application is Sept. 15, 2026.

For more information about the 91����Ƶ Promise Grant, visit .

Let Braydon Hoover, vice president of enrollment & marketing, walk you through the 91����Ƶ Promise Grant in the video below.

Hear why some of them chose 91����Ƶ as their new home!

Jose Lopez Vasquez

Hometown: Harrisonburg, Virginia
College/University you transferred from: Blue Ridge Community College (Weyers Cave, Virginia)
Major: Computer science

Why 91����Ƶ?
The primary reason I chose to transfer to 91����Ƶ was because it felt like home. When I was searching for where I would go to finish my degree, 91����Ƶ welcomed me and showed me there was a genuine spirit of connection and support. Even though it’s close to home and I was awarded a STEM scholarship, the ultimate deciding factor was that 91����Ƶ made me feel like I belonged here.

What was transferring like for you?
Transferring to 91����Ƶ was a smooth and welcoming experience. From the beginning, they guided me through each step and made sure I had everything I needed. Not once did I feel at a loss during the process.

Any advice for students starting their college transfer search?
My advice to other transfer students is to look for a school where you truly feel a connection. Choose a place that makes you feel comfortable and supported, but also challenges you to grow and push yourself.

What extracurricular activities are you enjoying at 91����Ƶ?
I’m a tutor for other students majoring in computer science. I’m also part of the NSF-STEM Scholarship Program, which has given me opportunities to connect with other students in STEM fields. I’m an active member of Latinx Student Alliance (LSA) and enjoy taking part in their events.

Benjamin Elliott

Hometown: Broadway, Virginia
College/University you transferred from: Blue Ridge Community College (Weyers Cave, Virginia)
Majors: Political science and peacebuilding & development, with sociology minor

Why 91����Ƶ?
My father has been a PA announcer for basketball and volleyball at 91����Ƶ since 2009, and this school has been a part of my life since then. I love 91����Ƶ’s commitment to radical justice and change.

What was transferring like for you?
It’s been easy. Shout-out to Liz (Heilbronner) and the wonderful admissions team. Dayton and the staff at BRCC helped as well.

Any advice for students starting their college transfer search?
Find what you’re passionate about and what program best fits that interest. The more passionate you are about the subject, the better your experience will be.

What extracurricular activities are you enjoying at 91����Ƶ?
Peace Fellowship, Mennonite Action, and writing opinion pieces for The Weather Vane. I’ve met a ton of great people in these groups who all share the same commitment to justice that I do.

Hezekiah Brown

Hometown: Stafford, Virginia
College/University you transferred from: Lesley University (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
Major: Business administration

Why 91����Ƶ?
I chose to transfer to 91����Ƶ because my old coach was let go, and this school had a really solid and sound campus environment. My parents actually mentioned the nice little coffee shop in the Commons (Common Grounds Coffeehouse!) as they were visiting for a JMU football game. I also chose this school because of the facilities it has to offer. My last school didn’t even have its own gymnasium, which makes a world of difference. 

What was transferring like for you?
Transferring was an easy transition because everyone here is so welcoming.

Any advice for students starting their college transfer search?
My advice to other transfer students would be to put yourself out there and socialize as much as possible in your first few weeks to find out who your people might be. And to look for a school that has strong and helpful resources like 91����Ƶ. I actually got registered to come here the week before school started, and I have people from the admissions team like Lexi, Liz, and a few others to thank for all their help in such a short amount of time.

What extracurricular activities are you enjoying at 91����Ƶ?
Before my basketball season started, I enjoyed pickleball, gospel choir, the outdoors club, and biking around town with friends, along with being a part of Student Government Association (SGA) and working at Royals’ Den. They have so much to offer at this school!

Micah Wenger

Hometown: Hutchinson, Kansas
College/University you transferred from: Bethel College (North Newton, Kansas)
Major: Music and peacebuilding

Why 91����Ƶ?
I felt unfulfilled at Bethel, socially. I had expected to meet other young Mennonites with similar interests and felt as though there weren’t a lot of those people at Bethel. At 91����Ƶ, there’s more of those people. I worked for two summers at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, where there’s a pretty big Mennonite contingent from 91����Ƶ, so I met a lot of people from 91����Ƶ there, thought about transferring, and decided 91����Ƶ might be the place for me.

What was transferring like for you?
People I knew from camp were quick to include me in social things, so I felt included and secure since day one, which is abnormal, I think, for a lot of transfers. 

Any advice for students starting their college transfer search?
Similar to being a freshman in college, just being willing to go out and do things and chat with people makes a big difference. People here tend to be pretty friendly. I found they’re usually happy to chat.

What extracurricular activities are you enjoying at 91����Ƶ?
A lot of music: I take piano lessons, I’m in the orchestra, and on the choir. I’m also part of the group that’s working to put on a theater show next semester.

Interested in 91����Ƶ? Start the conversation by , scheduling a campus visit, talking with a professor or coach, or meeting your admissions counselor. Learn more about transferring to 91����Ƶ at .

The demographic cliff—a drop-off in the number of high school seniors—is resulting in fewer applicants and lower enrollments. Rising costs, coupled with shrinking revenues from those lower enrollments and modest endowment sizes, are forcing many schools to close their doors. And a growing skepticism about the return on investment of a private college education is leading more prospective students to turn elsewhere. 

Some of those students are flocking to alternatives to the traditional four-year college degree, opting instead for trade schools—where enrollment has surged since the pandemic—or on-the-job training programs right out of high school. Others are taking advantage of the flexibility and accessibility offered through online programs and earning a degree without stepping foot on a campus. Still, many prospective students are forgoing higher education altogether, and in droves. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the proportion of high school graduates going straight to college has fallen from a peak of 70% in 2016 to 62% in 2022 (the most recent year on file). 

For students still planning to go to college, the larger and more popular schools offer a sense of security—a promise that their investment will pay off. In a crowded and hypercompetitive market, it’s often the name on the diploma that speaks the loudest. “As a result, every private college needs to adapt, not just to survive, but to better serve the needs of its students and society,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MAOL ’21, vice president for enrollment. 

In response to these looming existential threats, 91����Ƶ is taking bold steps to ensure its mission and community thrive for generations to come. University leaders have spent the past year strategically planning a path forward, known as Reimagining 91����Ƶ, that directly addresses these challenges and sets a vision for the future. That plan includes steps to optimize the school’s resources, reconfigure its academic structure, increase brand awareness, and invest in innovative solutions that differentiate the university and its students. 

A curriculum that counts 

One of the most exciting developments to emerge from the Reimagining 91����Ƶ process is the new pathways curriculum projected to roll out beginning in the Fall 2026 semester. This innovative, interdisciplinary framework repackages 91����Ƶ’s general education/core curriculum into four focused pathways, each aligned with university values. These pathways are both transcriptable and translatable, designed to clearly communicate relevant skills to employers. 

The pathways curriculum promotes the university’s strengths and values while helping students develop in-demand soft skills that enhance their career readiness in a competitive job market. Students will likely select a pathway in the second semester of their first year, with guidance provided to help them choose the option that best fits their goals. 

“This new model can be tailored to each student’s unique abilities and interests, adapts to a variety of careers, and ensures their general education credits truly count, all at no additional time or cost to them,” said Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

Divisions and deans 

Another way that 91����Ƶ is positioning itself to better serve its students and fulfill its mission is by reconfiguring its academic structure from three schools to two divisions. The new leadership structure will help the university work more efficiently and encourage greater integration and collaboration across academic programs. 

Two deans with extensive leadership and grant management experience have been appointed to lead the academic divisions, with both officially beginning their roles on July 1, 2025. The Rev. Dr. Sarah Ann Bixler ’02, former associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, serves as dean for the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences division. Dr. Michael Horst ’12, MAC ’14, former interim associate dean, former director of 91����Ƶ’s counseling program, and current director of its psychology program, serves as dean for the Health, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences division. The two divisional deans work closely with Dr. Tara Kishbaugh, inaugural dean of faculty and student success, and Jonathan Swartz MA ’14 (conflict transformation and MDiv), dean of students, while reporting to the provost. 

“These appointments mark an important step in 91����Ƶ’s reorganization and will help the university better serve students and live out its mission,” said Willingham. “We feel invigorated by having leaders of this caliber stepping into these roles. Each brings a deep commitment to student success, faculty development, and collaborative leadership as we fully embrace and live into this new structure.” 

Streamlined for students 

As part of the reimagining process, 91����Ƶ is focusing on what it does best while adapting to the changing needs of today’s students. Over the past year, faculty and staff worked together to streamline course offerings, making them easier to navigate and more clearly connected to career outcomes, without losing the unique character of the 91����Ƶ experience. 

That includes phasing out programs with little to no current enrollment, few graduates in recent years, and limited interest from prospective students. Beginning in fall 2025, the university will no longer offer chemistry, economics, history, health and physical education, or writing studies as standalone majors. Students will still be able to engage with the values and ideas of these disciplines through minors and as part of the new pathways curriculum. Additionally, 91����Ƶ is introducing a criminology major (designed around the principles of restorative justice) and a finance minor to better align with student interest and career opportunities. 

“These majors reflect growing interest from prospective students and respond to workforce needs both locally and nationally, while staying rooted in our mission as a peace and justice university,” Willingham said. 

Turning the corner 

Hope is already shining brightly at 91����Ƶ. Alumni, friends, and donors are showing their strong support for 91����Ƶ, giving at record levels. This year’s Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day brought in a record-breaking $365,313, helping make the most recent fiscal year the university’s second-highest fundraising year in the past three decades. The university has already raised more than 60% of its $40 million goal for Forward Together: Preparing Tomorrow’s Unifying Leaders (2023-2028), the largest fundraising campaign in 91����Ƶ’s history. 

Another source of optimism on campus comes from 91����Ƶ’s dedicated admissions team and the enrollment numbers for the incoming Class of 2029. As of the 2025 Census, following the close of the 10th day of classes, this year’s incoming class is up 10% over last year and almost 2% higher than the year before.    

“This encouraging momentum is a testament not only to the hard work and heart of our enrollment team, but also to the collective efforts of faculty, staff, and the entire 91����Ƶ community,” Hoover said. “Their dedication to building relationships, telling 91����Ƶ’s story with integrity, and walking alongside students in their discernment is making a difference. We’re seeing stronger engagement and deeper alignment between who we are and who we’re meant to serve, and that gives me great hope for 91����Ƶ’s future.” 

New leadership 

As the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus settles into her role as interim president, she is focused on continuing the reimagining process to guide the university toward sustained success. Dycus, who took office on July 1, 2025, succeeds President Emerita Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, who announced last fall she would be retiring after nine years as 91����Ƶ’s ninth president. Dycus has led student affairs at 91����Ƶ since 2019 and brings a deep passion for the campus community and its students. “We will continue to reimagine what 91����Ƶ looks like and who it serves, in ways that are both surprising and exciting,” she said. 

This story appears in the Summer 2025 issue of Crossroads magazine.

91����Ƶ is proud to announce the results of its annual fall census, which was conducted on Sept. 8 following the 10th day of classes. The census numbers reflect undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree and non-credit enrollment on the Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, campuses for the Fall 2025 semester.

Among the main takeaways from the census data:

• A 10% increase in the size of the incoming undergraduate class, which includes first-year, transfer, readmitted, and aviation students, from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025 (from 218 to 239 students). 
• An 11% increase in the number of new first-year undergraduate students since last fall (from 160 to 178 students).
• A historically high percentage (48%) of first-year undergraduate students identify as first-generation college students (up from 35% last year).
• Another record high, nearly half (49%) of the incoming class is made up of student-athletes (up from 46%).

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated enrollment teams, and the unwavering support from faculty, staff, and the entire 91����Ƶ community, we are seeing an increase in our incoming undergraduate enrollment numbers for the first time since the pandemic in 2020,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MA ’21, vice president for enrollment and marketing at 91����Ƶ. “Amid the headwinds that continue to buffet higher education today, we celebrate that more students are choosing 91����Ƶ to help them fulfill their educational and professional goals, beginning their journeys as unifying leaders with us.”

Among the incoming Class of 2029:

• 43% identify as students of color (among the most diverse in 91����Ƶ history);
• 73% hail from Virginia, with more than 20% from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County;
• 15 states, Puerto Rico, and four countries are represented; and 
• the average GPA is 3.49 (unchanged from last year), with nearly one-fourth of students entering 91����Ƶ with at least 10 college credits.

The top three majors of the incoming class, starting from the most popular, are nursing, biology, and business administration. 

While a total 730 students make up the undergraduate student body, 358 graduate students are enrolled at 91����Ƶ, including 126 new grad students joining the university this semester. Graduate programs that saw the largest gains since last year are Biomedicine (up 45% to 16 new students), Seminary (up 41% to 17 new students, boosted by its new Doctor of Ministry program), and Graduate Teacher Education (up 4% to 43 new students). Students in 91����Ƶ’s graduate programs represent 20 states and five countries.

Thirty-five educators are renewing their licensure this year (compared to 22 last year) through 91����Ƶ’s Graduate Teacher Education program. 

91����Ƶ’s four-year and six-year graduation rates are 55% and 60%, respectively. Fall 2025 marks the seventh consecutive year that the university’s retention rate, which is generally used as a gauge of student satisfaction, has measured 74% or higher.

“Now more than ever before, the world needs 91����Ƶ graduates—leaders specially trained to serve as bridge builders and peacemakers,” said Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham. “It’s gratifying to see our students continue to answer that call and equip the skills needed to make positive change in our world.”

The full-tuition scholarship is 91����Ƶ’s highest academic award. Recipients are selected based on academic performance, community and extracurricular involvement, creativity, clarity of thought, and leadership potential. 

The Yoder Scholars program was founded by Carol and Paul R. Yoder Jr., both graduates of 1963, with a significant leadership gift to endow the scholarship. Read more about their long legacy of philanthropy here.

The Webb Scholars program honors Ada Webb, one of the first African-American students to attend the university, and Margaret (Peggy) Webb, the first African-American graduate in 1954.

Applicants were tasked with creating a 400-word conceptual response to the prompt, “There are three types of people in the world; which are you?” through the medium of a blank 3”x5” card in whichever way they chose.

Read about the 2025 Yoder/Webb Scholars below:

Zainab Kamran

During her senior year of high school, Zainab Kamran, a psychology major from Lahore, Pakistan, had spent two to three months researching different universities in the U.S. She had come across the Wikipedia pages for James Madison University and the city of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Those pages naturally led her right to 91����Ƶ. “I liked what I read about the school, but then I forgot all about it,” she said.

When her older brother, who graduated from Pacific Lutheran University, mentioned that an economics professor of his (Ryan Swartzendruber ’16) had graduated from 91����Ƶ and “loved the experience,” Kamran resumed her search. “I started to dig deeper and was fascinated by 91����Ƶ’s focus on community and service because those were things I was involved in,” said Kamran. The school’s small size, which allows for closer connections and meaningful one-on-one interactions with professors, was also a major draw, she added.

While at International School Lahore, Kamran was president of the Community Building Society club and organized volunteers to serve free meals to those in need. On Christmas, she helped pack and distribute more than 60 gifts for Christian orphans in Lahore. She was also involved as a publication director of events on campus and collaborated with a professor on a research paper. She received the Director’s Award for Community Building and the Director’s Award for Research and Publication.

Kamran said she’s excited to take part in service- and art-related activities and clubs on campus and that she’s found a welcoming home at 91����Ƶ. “The people here are so friendly,” she said. “91����Ƶ has such a diverse international student population. I’ve met students from Ethiopia, Kenya, India, and Afghanistan, and it’s been a lot of fun meeting them.”

Kayden Beidler

Kayden Beidler, a nursing major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the latest in a long line of family members to attend 91����Ƶ. His older sister, Miranda Beidler, is a senior; his parents, Lyle Beidler, class of ’98, and Melissa Spory Beidler ’98, met and began dating while 91����Ƶ students; and his aunt, Marcy Spory Weaver ’08, graduated from the university’s top-tier nursing program.

With so many personal connections at 91����Ƶ, the school automatically made his list of colleges to consider. But, he still had to decide for himself. When Beidler visited 91����Ƶ during an Admitted Student Day and spoke with a nursing professor, he came away thoroughly impressed with the quality of the program. “The way she described how 91����Ƶ teaches nursing really resonated with me,” he said. “Seeing those values of caring for others reflected not just in the major I want to study, but also across the college, made me think, ‘This is where I want to be.’”

A National Merit Scholarship finalist this year, Beidler received National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for his story submissions in 2022 (Honorable Mention) and 2023 (Gold Key Award, American Voices nominee). He was also selected to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Regional Chorus Festival. Beidler, who has joined the 91����Ƶ University Choir, was involved in all 12 of his high school’s theater productions during his four years at Lancaster Mennonite High School, and served as editor of the school’s literary arts magazine.

Beidler said he wanted to attend a college that aligned with his values of community, living intentionally, caring for others, and caring for the world. “91����Ƶ checked all those boxes,” he said. “Visiting those other schools only made me more certain that 91����Ƶ was the right fit for me.”

The personal finance site selected about 700 schools from more than 2,400 four-year colleges and universities nationwide and assessed each of them on the quality of their education, affordability, and student outcomes. 

“Money’s annual Best Colleges list showcases the country’s top values, based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries and more,” according to the site. “There isn’t one ‘best’ college for every student, but our star ratings on more than 700 colleges can help you build a list of standout schools that fit your budget.”

earned a 3.5-star rating (out of five stars) on the list, outperforming schools such as Longwood University, University of Lynchburg, Mary Baldwin University, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, all of which received 3-star ratings. Bridgewater College, 91����Ƶ’s neighboring ODAC school, was not included on the list. 

“This recognition from Money affirms what we already know to be true: our students graduate with more than just a degree. They’re launched from this wonderful place with a deep sense of purpose, equipped with the soft skills employers are seeking today, and fully prepared to make meaningful contributions in a complex world,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MAOL ’21, vice president for enrollment. “Being named one of America’s Best Colleges reinforces that a small, mission-driven university like 91����Ƶ delivers exceptional outcomes, personalized student support, and a lasting return on investment.”

Royal rankings

91����Ƶ has appeared on Money’s Best Colleges list for the past several years. In 2022, when schools on the list were ranked, 91����Ƶ placed third among private four-year colleges in Virginia.

The university also earned high marks in U.S. News & World Report’s , placing #48 among the Best Regional Universities in the South for 2025. The publication ranked 91����Ƶ at #95 nationwide among Top Performers on Social Mobility, which assesses how well schools graduate economically disadvantaged students.

In Niche.com’s , 91����Ƶ was named #3 out of 13 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia, #4 out of 21 Best Colleges for Nursing in Virginia, and #8 out of 26 Best Small Colleges in Virginia. 

91����Ƶ’s Collaborative MBA program has been recognized by OnlineU as one of the top online MBA programs in Virginia.

Money’s methodology

To be included on its list of best colleges, Money.com required schools to meet the following criteria:

• Schools must have at least 500 undergraduate students or 150 first-year students;
• Have sufficient, reliable data to be analyzed;
• Not be in financial distress; and 
• Have a graduation rate that was at or above the median for its institutional category (public, private or historically black college or university), or have a high “value-added” graduation rate (in other words: score in the top 25% of graduation rates after accounting for the student body).

The 732 qualifying schools were then evaluated using 25 factors across three categories: quality, affordability, and outcomes.

• Quality measures focus on graduation rates.
• Affordability weighs the net price of a degree, student and parent borrowing, and loan repayment rates.
• Outcomes considers median earnings, the share of alumni working, and the share of alumni earning more than a high school graduate. 

Come see for yourself

Visit 91����Ƶ in person during the state’s annual Virginia Private College Week from July 21-26. All week, 91����Ƶ hosts special summer visit sessions including a campus tour and an information session covering academics, financial aid, the admissions process, and more.

In-person tours and info sessions will be offered the following days and times:

• From Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.��
• On Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m.��and 11:30 a.m.

91����Ƶ is among the 24 schools participating in the , sponsored by the Virginia College Savings Plan. Participating institutions are members of the .

To register for Virginia Private College Week at 91����Ƶ, go to or contact the Admissions Office at 540-432-4118 or admiss@emu.edu.

Before the clock struck midnight on Wednesday, April 2, Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day 2025 achieved its fairy tale ending. A generous outpouring of support from all members of the 91����Ƶ community—alumni, faculty, staff, current and prospective students, and friends—resulted in a record-breaking $365,313 raised by 360 unique donors during the ninth annual 24-hour extravaganza. That total surpasses the $350,000 goal set by Lov91����Ƶ organizers and tops the $340,512 raised last year (a 7% increase).

Donors gave early and often, unlocking all $152,000 in challenge match funds for The University Fund, student scholarships, athletics, facilities, and intercultural programs. Because 27 prospective students who registered to attend Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day paid their tuition deposits, donors matched their commitment by contributing $27,000 to student scholarships. That’s nearly double the $15,000 raised for that challenge last year!

The 2025 Lov91����Ƶ leaderboard competition was fierce and fun-spirited, with the winners named below:

Academic program

• First place ($1,000 prize): Education
• Second place ($500 prize): Music
• Third place ($250 prize): Business and leadership

Student club/organization

• First place ($1,000 prize): SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Council)
• Second place ($500 prize): Earthkeepers
• Third place ($250 prize): Pickleball

Athletic team

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

Nicole Litwiller, annual giving and donor communication specialist, said that a highlight for her was seeing the whole 91����Ƶ community come together to embrace their pride for 91����Ƶ. “There were some moments yesterday where we were coming down to the wire to meet a challenge goal, but without fail, our community came through and helped us unlock every single one,” she said on Thursday. “Thanks to their support, Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day was a huge success, and we once again beat last year’s record. I’m so grateful for everyone who showed their support.”

Seeing septuple?!

Four 91����Ƶ staff members and two students channeled their inner Royal-in-chief for the first-ever President Huxman Lookalike Contest, held on Monday at the Student Union to kick off Lov91����Ƶ week. The contest honored Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, who has served as 91����Ƶ’s ninth president since 2017 and is retiring this summer. Tyler Goss, director for student engagement and leadership development, hosted the competition, dispensing with his typical flair for the dramatic. 

The half-dozen contestants modeled their blue outfits and recited their favorite Huxmanisms. Determined by raucous cheers and selected by Huxman herself as judge, the winners of the contest, students Mana Acosta and Leah Beachy—the latter of whom wore a bald cap to portray Huxman’s husband—received an offer of a fancy dinner at the president’s residence along with three guests of their choice. 

“It’s spooky because I use all of those words,” Huxman said, before announcing her pick. “You all used the correct enunciation and everything.” Following the contest, Litwiller announced that the Lov91����Ƶ Early Challenge had been reached, which unlocked $10,000 toward The University Fund. for more photos from the event.

Getting hyped at Herm’s House

By the time the second annual Lov91����Ƶ pep rally began at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, donors had already contributed more than $54,000, or about 15%, of the day’s fundraising goal. The event, held at Yoder Arena, started with a screening of the official 2025 Lov91����Ƶ video (watch it on YouTube) featuring some of your favorite campus characters. Frequent emcee duo Braydon Hoover and Deanna Reed hyped up the crowd. 

Naomi Kratzer, an 91����Ƶ junior from Goshen, Indiana, majoring in music performance and history, shared her own “Royal Tale” leading her to 91����Ƶ. For more Royal Tales of students and alumni, check out our series of stories here. As she decided on which college to attend, the Mennonite-raised Kratzer “began scouring” the five Mennonite colleges in the U.S. It was 91����Ƶ’s campus that kept catching her eye, she said, due to its beautiful setting in the Shenandoah Valley, its strong music education program and its vibrant student community. “My story didn’t begin when I stepped onto campus, and neither did any of yours,” she said. “But 91����Ƶ is known to be a home for all of our vastly diverse, chaotic, and ever-complicating plots. 91����Ƶ’s resilience is in the people.”

In a dazzling display of musical mastery, Goss, dressed as the jester from the Lov91����Ƶ video, pulled a flute from his sleeve and performed the theme to Sesame Street. He was joined by Makinto, an internationally known musician and seminary student, who challenged him to a flute battle. Watch the pep rally . The flute duel begins at the 38-minute mark.

Royal Tales 

A Royal Tales panel discussion hosted by Litwiller with 91����Ƶ professors Dr. Gaurav Pathania, Dr. Benjamin Bergey ’11, and Dr. Kate Clark ’07 detailed their journeys to 91����Ƶ, the challenges they’ve overcome, what excites them about the future, and what they love most about 91����Ƶ. 

Clark graduated from 91����Ƶ’s nursing program, worked as a nurse for several years, and then returned to teach at 91����Ƶ in 2011. She gave a shout-out to the Graham Central Station ice cream flavor at the cafeteria—“I’ve never had it anywhere else,” she said—and added that her job at 91����Ƶ is the best one she’s ever had. “I love that 91����Ƶ has a point of view,” she said. “It’s a place that has a perspective. … I love working for a place that I feel stands for something, and it’s something that’s important and needed in the world.”

Sanctuary of sound

Music Professor Ben Guerrero led tours of the new recording studio inside the Astral Hall on top of the 91����Ƶ hill. Built in 1955, the former lecture hall was once home to the astronomy society. Starting in the early ’70s, it housed the WEMC radio station run by 91����Ƶ students and staff. Today, it’s a state-of-the-art studio with two isolation rooms and a Dolby Atmos control room for mixing immersive or 3D audio. The space can be used to produce full records, music videos, and informational and instructional videos. The studio officially opens this fall.

A ‘wheelie’ good time

91����Ƶ students, staff, and anyone daring enough to brave a gauntlet of projectiles and obstacles took part in a race around the indoor track, modeled after the popular Mario Kart video game. Participants rode scooters, dodging yoga balls and dodgeballs, grabbing prize boxes, and weaving their way around aerobics step platforms and hurdles laid out on the track, to fight their way to the finish line. Meanwhile, on the Yoder Arena courts down below, the 91����Ƶ men’s volleyball team won a five-set thriller over Randolph College.

Challenges (all unlocked)

Lov91����Ƶ Early Challenge: We received more than 120 gifts (100 gifts were needed) before the start of Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day to unlock $10,000 for scholarships. 

Loyal Royal Challenge: 91����Ƶ alumni gave more than 270 gifts (250 gifts were needed) over the 24-hour span to unlock $20,000 for The University Fund.

Friends of 91����Ƶ Challenge: Non-alumni deepened their commitment to 91����Ƶ by contributing more than 180 gifts (175 gifts were needed) throughout the day and unlocking $15,000 for scholarships.

Future Royal Challenge: Because 27 prospective students who registered to attend Lov91����Ƶ Giving Day paid their tuition deposit, we unlocked $27,000 for scholarships.

Rise ’N Shine, Royals! Challenge: Early birds helped reach this challenge by giving more than 80 gifts (75 gifts were needed) between 6 and 9 a.m. to unlock $15,000 for The University Fund. 

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fund Our Facilities Challenge: Donors demonstrated giant-sized generosity by awarding at least 65 gifts (65 gifts were needed) between 10 a.m. and noon to unlock $15,000 for improvements to campus facilities.

What Magnificent Academics We Have! Challenge: To celebrate 91����Ƶ’s stellar smarts, supporters donated at least 100 gifts (100 gifts were needed) between noon and 3 p.m. to unlock $15,000 for scholarships.

A Whole New World Challenge: 91����Ƶ’s intercultural programs have impacted thousands of graduates, offering opportunities to engage in different cultures, build global relationships and experience a new perspective. Donors contributed 80 gifts (75 gifts were needed) between 5 and 7 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for intercultural programs. 

The Mighty Royals Challenge: Athletics supporters showed their love for 91����Ƶ sports by pitching in 60 gifts (50 gifts were needed) between 7:30 and 9 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for 91����Ƶ Athletics.

Before The Clock Struck Midnight Challenge: 91����Ƶ’s night owls stayed up late to celebrate, giving at least 100 gifts (100 gifts were needed) between 9 p.m. and midnight to unlock $15,000 for The University Fund.

Thanks to everyone who donated, shared of their time to celebrate their love of all things 91����Ƶ, and joined in the festivities on campus! Special thanks to the Lov91����Ƶ planning team: Arelys Martinez Fabian, Genesis Figueroa, Tyler Goss, Cassie Guerrero, Liz Heilbronner, Steven Johnson, Luke Litwiller, Nicole Litwiller, and Arushi Sachan; Advancement; Marketing & Communications; Student Government Association; Undergraduate Admissions & Royal Ambassadors; 91����Ƶ Facilities; Pioneer College Caterers; Athletics; Information Technology; and all other faculty, staff and students who provided support by creating decorations or volunteered their time to help with events.

For more photos from the day’s events, swipe through our gallery below:

91����Ƶ (91����Ƶ) is pleased to announce that senior Meredith Lehman, from Dover, Ohio, has been named a recipient of the prestigious . 

Lehman was one of only 32 students in the US—from a pool of nearly 3,000 applicants—selected to become a Rhodes Scholar for 2025. The program provides scholarships covering all expenses for student-scholars to study at Oxford University.

The award, considered to be the most prized international scholarship for American college graduates, was established in 1903 through the final will and bequest of Cecil John Rhodes. Award criteria includes the highest level of academic excellence, integrity of character, interest in and respect for fellow beings, and a student’s ability to lead. 

Lehman is excited about the opportunities that the Rhodes scholarship will provide, intending to pursue a Master of Philosophy in International Relations while at Oxford. “I hope to someday work as a bridge builder between science and policy, particularly in international spaces,” she says.

A double major in Biology and Political Science with a Chemistry minor, Lehman is an accomplished tutor, recipient of several top academic awards, and has already compiled an impressive research portfolio with several publications under review. Her research on drug delivery systems for anticancer drugs has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). 

During the summer of 2023, Lehman was part of a six-student undergraduate research team in North Queensland, Australia. Dr. Jim Yoder, Professor of Biology; Director of Biology, Chemistry, & Environmental Science Programs; and trip co-leader describes Lehman as “level headed, dependable, and meticulous in her work in both laboratory and field settings,” calling her research and publication record “extraordinary.”

Dr. Ji Eun Kim, Associate Professor of Political Science, adds: “Any person who meets Meredith will instantly recognize her sharp intellect and outstanding leadership which stems from her deep commitment to working for the common good and serving others.” 

During her time as President of both 91����Ƶ’s Student Government Association and award-winning Young Democrats Club, Lehman has been a persistent and passionate leader in the diversity, equity and inclusion space at 91����Ƶ, including around issues of human rights and climate justice. She was chosen to join the President’s Cabinet in 2022-23 as “the student voice” for the creation of the university strategic plan. 

President Susan Huxman affirms: “From working with advancement to raise money for diversity, equity and inclusion grants, partnering with faculty and designers to create a sustainable fashion design course, to assisting as a legal intern for asylum seekers and elementary students for whom English is a second language, Meredith has been a voice for equity, peace and justice in Harrisonburg, VA; Washington, DC; and her hometown in Ohio.”

91����Ƶ her time at 91����Ƶ, Lehman says, “This amazing opportunity is truly a product of the 91����Ƶ community and all of its incredible people … faculty and staff have empowered me to pursue knowledge and critical thinking and to also exercise empathy and compassion.”

Lehman will become part of a legacy of changemaking alumni, including Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee MA ’07, renowned peace activist, trained social worker and women’s rights advocate who graduated from 91����Ƶ’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP). 

A leader among faith-based universities, 91����Ƶ emphasizes academic excellence, peace and justice, and an active faith. Founded in 1917 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, 91����Ƶ is an educational institution of Mennonite Church USA serving undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Learn more on the 91����Ƶ admissions website or by visiting our Harrisonburg campus.

Read emerging national news coverage on Lehman and the Rhodes scholarship from and .

The census numbers, collected on Sept. 9, represent undergraduate, graduate, non-degree and non-credit enrollment on the main Harrisonburg, Virginia, campus and the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, site for fall 2024.

“Amidst a challenging higher education environment, I am delighted that 91����Ƶ is seeing growth in areas that reflect our shared values and ongoing commitment to belonging,” said Braydon Hoover ’11, MA ’21, vice president for enrollment. “It is important to note that while we are reporting our fall enrollment in aggregate, each number represents an individual student who has chosen 91����Ƶ to be the catalyst of their bright futures. It is a choice we celebrate and a responsibility we take seriously. We will continue to deliver an exceptional education experience that is accessible for them and for all students interested in becoming unifying leaders.”

Explore more data 
in the 91����Ƶ Fact Book.

The number of incoming students in the aviation program at 91����Ƶ at Lancaster surged from 9 to 23 (a 155% increase from last year), contributing to a total undergraduate enrollment of 755 students and an incoming class enrollment of 183 students. The Class of 2028 represents 15 states/territories and 10 countries and includes 34% of students who identify as first-generation and 53% who identify as people of color (a roughly 10% increase from last year). Of the incoming class, 43% are athletes.

Top areas of study, starting from most popular, include nursing, business and leadership, STEM, aviation, and education. The Intensive English Program realized an 18% enrollment increase from 84 to 99 students.

This year at least 32 teachers from the Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County public school divisions are renewing their licensure through the Graduate Teacher Education program, further demonstrating 91����Ƶ’s commitment to community partnerships.

91����Ƶ’s retention rate, which is generally used as a gauge of student satisfaction, remains high. According to census data, 76% of the first-year undergraduate students who entered in fall 2023 continued their studies at 91����Ƶ this semester. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the rate has measured 75% or higher.

“Our retention rate continues to soar above the national average,” said Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham. “Achieving this for six consecutive years is a feat. 91����Ƶ’s collaborative approach, involving various departments working in synergy, ensures that students receive comprehensive support and have the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.”

91����Ƶ’s eight graduate programs, which include Eastern Mennonite Seminary and the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, continue to draw exceptional candidates with total full-time equivalent enrollment at 225 students. The number of new graduate students, including part-time and full-time students, is up by 30%. Those 108 degree-seeking students in the incoming graduate class represent 17 states and 16 countries.