“I got to practice incisions and suturing, and we had some frogs that needed postoperative care,” he said. “That was a really valuable experience, and I don’t think I would’ve gotten that at a lot of other schools.”

These days, Prock doesn’t operate on frogs. His patients are mostly dogs and cats. The vet is the co-founder of Furgent Care, a veterinary urgent care in Virginia Beach that offers evening and weekend services for pet owners when their primary care veterinarian is unavailable.

Identifying a need

In 2018, following four tough years at veterinary school (Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech), Prock earned his doctor of veterinary medicine degree. After working as a general practice vet at a clinic in South Florida for three years, he returned to his hometown of Virginia Beach with his wife, Katie (Landis) Prock ’12—they met at 91����Ƶ—and worked as a locum, filling in for understaffed hospitals that needed help.

“Think of it like substitute teaching, but for veterinarians,” Prock said.

That experience opened his eyes to the growing need for after-hours veterinary services.

“It shocked me the amount of clients who would call in with sick pets and say, ‘My dog is vomiting or has diarrhea or has an ear infection,’” said Prock. “And the answer was, ‘Our first available appointment is in two weeks.’ That’s just how the system works. But it felt wrong to say no to so many sick pets.”

That motivated him to reach out to his roommate from vet school, Jonah Williams, and together they opened Furgent Care in 2024. The clinic is staffed by 16 total employees, including four doctors. It has 164 reviews and a 4.9-out-of-5 rating.

“Our core values are compassion and collaboration, and that’s been echoed in our reviews,” Prock said. “People get what we’re doing and they appreciate it.”

Seeking a balance

From a young age, Prock had a love for animals. He said he’s always known he wanted to become a veterinarian.

“My parents let us keep weird pets,” he said. “I had all sorts of reptiles growing up, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and bunnies. You name it, we took care of it.”

That taught him the responsibility of pet ownership and fostered in him a connection to animals. He added that he’s also always been fascinated with the subject of biology, the natural sciences, and the “huge, complex system that makes all living things, living things.” 

Those interests coincided with a passion for volleyball. A skilled player in high school, he started attracting attention from college recruiters across the country.

His older sister played volleyball at a Division I school, and he saw the commitment required to compete at that level. “I got to see firsthand what having, essentially, a full-time job on top of college looked like,” Prock said. “That helped steer me toward Division III and 91����Ƶ.”

“From my visit to 91����Ƶ, I felt like I could achieve a balance: smaller class sizes and professors who were involved and cared for their students more than they could in a thousand-student lecture hall,” he said. “As an athlete, I was given some flexibility with my assignments. They understood I had more than just school going on and helped me outside of class when I missed it.”

“I think that balance made a huge impact on my ability to eventually get into vet school,” he added.

At 91����Ƶ, Prock excelled as a student-athlete. He was named to the first-ever Continental Volleyball Conference All-East Division Team during the inaugural season of the conference. His name still ranks No. 2 on the all-time digs list for 91����Ƶ.

Although no amount of work can truly prepare someone for the rigors and stressors of vet school, he said, 91����Ƶ’s coursework and degree equipped him as best it could. “It was absolutely difficult and was a new level of challenging, but as far as fundamentals go, I had everything I needed,” he said.

It’s also incredibly difficult to get accepted into vet school, he added. After graduating from 91����Ƶ with a biology degree, he stayed in Harrisonburg for a couple years, working as an assistant at Heartland Veterinary Clinic and serving as an assistant coach for the men’s volleyball team at 91����Ƶ. At the same time, he applied to a flurry of veterinary schools across the country.

“I tell people I took one year off on purpose and one year off by accident, because I didn’t get into veterinary school,” said Prock. He was eventually accepted during a second round of applications. 

When he started vet school, he had three goals. One was to graduate. Another was to stay married. And a third goal was to get as much sleep as he could. “My priorities looked different than most people’s,” Prock said, noting the hypercompetitive nature of vet school students. “It was never my goal to become the world’s best veterinarian or the world’s best clinician. I always wanted to help people and I knew I could do that by helping pets and working with animals.”

Keeping his passion going

One of his most meaningful experiences from his time at 91����Ƶ occurred during a senior seminar class taught by Professor Emeritus Roman Miller. Prock recalled an assignment to shadow a large-animal veterinarian at cattle farms around Harrisonburg for several weeks. They performed everything from routine pregnancy checks to emergency calls and surgery.

“That was wonderful preparation,” Prock said. “I gained an immense amount of respect for farmers and for large-animal vets who work incredibly long and hard hours. To have that kind of foresight in making me do that was really wise and paid off in keeping my passion going.”

As Prock’s responsibilities at the clinic have shifted, he’s spent more time on the business side, building teams and systems, and less time on the floor seeing patients.

For those like him, seeking a career in veterinary medicine, he said the role requires a “specific type of brain.” 

“It’s common to find people who have a passion for animals,” he said. “It’s less common to find those who have a passion for helping people, solving problems, and working with teams.”

Learn more about the clinic at .

A reader reached out to us with this fun story of 91����Ƶ connections. We’d love to share other accounts of how relationships at 91����Ƶ or encounters with 91����Ƶ-connected people are a part of your life. We’ll work with you to tell the story on 91����Ƶ News and in our Crossroads alumni magazine. Email crossroads@emu.edu to reach out.

Stashia Davis Nolt ‘02 cherishes the friends she made at 91����Ƶ. Her husband, Dr. Geoff Nolt ’02, found similar connections at both 91����Ƶ and Lancaster Mennonite High School, where two of their sons attend, and one has graduated from. Whether friends they still vacation with or people who can help when difficult situations arise, Stashia wants her children to see the value of these lifelong connections.

“I am a big community fan, and I think that that’s something that LMH and 91����Ƶ do extremely well,” she said. “You never know what kind of connection you’ll have because you went to school there.” 

One such connection arose when Stashia and Geoff returned to 91����Ƶ for their 15-year reunion and met Mark Mast ’15. When Stashia was a student, she would often pick up Mark and his brother, sons of then 91����Ƶ soccer coach Roger Mast, from the school bus in the afternoon. 

After catching up, they made another surprising connection: at the time, Mark was in dental school at Temple University, the same place Geoff had earned his medical degree.

Stashia and Geoff both work at the family business, Nolt Dental Associates in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Geoff’s parents, Dr. Marvin and Delores Nolt in 1978. Geoff and Stashia first contributed to the practice as a young couple after their marriage in 2002, using the transition period to help the business modernize and digitalize. In 2006, Geoff joined the practice full-time and Stashia began as office manager. Marvin Nolt is now retired and the younger Nolts have taken over full ownership. 

“You need to come work with me when you are ready to move to Lancaster,” Geoff told Mark. 

Mark’s wife, Rachel Kennel Mast ‘14, is also from the Lancaster area (she attended LMH), which made the couple’s move to Pennsylvania more likely. Stashia kept in touch, reaching out when Marvin was retiring and the practice was hiring another dentist. At the time Mark was practicing at another Pennsylvania clinic, and in February 2022, he was hired at Nolt Dental Associates. His first day seeing patients was September 1.

The practice is unique and special, Stashia said, because of these family connections and other close relationships among employees.

Even Stashia’s family is represented. Her mother, Carol Davis ‘78, now retired, worked for the practice for 14 years.

One of the Nolts’ teenage sons, Adam, is assisting and helping with design work this summer to see if he wants to be a dentist. 

At one point, Stashia said, one of her front desk workers had two daughters working as hygienists at the practice. 

“I know what it’s like to work and have to juggle when you want to be at that kid’s parent-teacher conference, or the class party. We work very hard here in the office to let our employees have that flexibility to go to those events and come back,” Stashia said. 

The Nolt family helped a Slavic family that immigrated many years ago, and ended up employing several family members. The practice has several Russian and Ukrainian employees.

“Things that our employees are interested in and their families are a part of, we try to help out with. One of those things was the Ukraine fundraiser,” Stashia said.

In April, a team of current and past employees and family members put together 144 relief kits for Mennonite Central Committee to send to Ukraine. They took donations from area churches, organizations and individuals for weeks prior in preparation.

Nolt Dental has a culture of celebrating one another and getting involved both in the community and in doing good in the world. The practice’s often posts staff introductions, information on the practice, and encouragement of local sports teams and other organizations. They often fundraise for their employee’s children’s sports teams. One of their employees just started a school called Crossroads, a hybrid homeschool, which they helped promote. 

Additionally, they serve MCC and International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) participants that are in the area needing dental work, even hosting an IVEP participant once.  

All of this makes for a family-focused and supportive environment that both employees and patients appreciate. 

One of the only drawbacks, Stashia reported with a laugh, is when an employee wants to take a family vacation. 

Do you have an interesting story of 91����Ƶ connections? Share it with us. Email crossroads@emu.edu. 

After spending last summer interning at a health clinic in Washington DC, nursing major Ashlyn Eby returned to her senior year studies at 91����Ƶ with some valuable field experience and a more realistic picture of the healthcare world.

Eby says getting out of the classroom and into the real world to interact with patients of all ages and backgrounds, including marginalized populations, has led her to a better understanding of the many factors involved in providing quality care.

To gain this experience, Eby enrolled in 91����Ƶ’s Washington Community Scholars’ Center, a program that offers professional internships and a community living experience located in the nation’s capital. She interned with Community of Hope, a community health clinic that provides quality healthcare and housing to families. Eby was on two interdisciplinary teams with goals of reducing uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension in the population they serve.

“WCSC’s program has enabled our nursing students to gain experience in the health care field that significantly broadens their perspective and prepares them for the workforce,” said Professor Melody Cash, undergraduate nursing program director. “Our students return with increased confidence, increased skills, and practical knowledge gleaned from interacting with colleagues in the field.”

Internships such as those offered through WCSC also provide nursing students with valuable professional references when they begin job hunting, Cash added. “These experiences always provide opportunities to not only show capacity for but also grow in professional communication, teamwork, collaboration and organizational skills.”

Nursing, pre-med and other pre-professional health sciences majors have great opportunities in Washington D.C. to find rewarding and challenging internships, says program director Professor Ryan Good. 

WCSC programs run in the fall and spring semesters. Participation fulfills 91����Ƶ’s intercultural requirement. Typically a semester experience fits best in the spring of sophomore year prior to beginning the clinical level of the program, Cash said. 

Other options for nursing students include participating in the summer between junior and senior year. The program has a strong reputation for placing students in internships that often lead to full-time job offers after graduation.

Read more about successful students who were offered full-time employment after graduation (two computer science grads were just the latest: Tessa Waidelich ’21 and Terry Jones ’21).

Learn more about summer 2022 internship placements here.

Below Eby shares more about her summer at WCSC with , a nonprofit organization dedicated towards improving health and ending family homelessness to make Washington, DC more equitable.

What is a highlight of your internship? 

The highlight of my internship was being on interdisciplinary CARE teams at Community of Hope. Because of the explosion of medical TV shows in the past ten years, there is a picture of how medicine works that is broadcasted by these shows. A clear hierarchy where doctors are on top of the rest of the staff is included in the show, they are seen as less than or as if they must take the doctor’s word as gospel. In this CARE team I saw a nurse taking the role of leadership, medical assistants not only being valued for the work they did, but given support with their work. Providers were willing to do non-traditional tasks to help the group and balance the workload, and everyone was truly appreciated for the contributions they make to the healthcare process beyond typical diagnosing and treating. 

What skills will you take with you? 

I was able to grow my critical thinking skills and grasp of the nursing process in the context of long-term care and care over a lifetime, in comparison to the nursing process of short-term acute care we develop during clinical experiences. I was able to use the nursing lens and truly appreciate all of the factors of daily life that impact a person’s health and how socioeconomic status and healthcare infrastructures can create significant barriers to health. 

What have you learned about yourself? 

I learned I am very passionate about equal healthcare access and the ways in which our system needs to be changed to catch up with the rest of the world.

How does this build on your nursing coursework and experiences? 

I was able to see a different side of nursing than we learn about at school. In nursing school, you get to learn the “cool” side of nursing (NG placement, venipuncture, medication administration) but at Community of Hope, I was able to learn about how nurses take leadership and managerial roles in the primary care setting. Nurses at Community of Hope are responsible for providing education and higher-level nursing care to the entire population of the site, from newborns to elder populations. I also learned about government and private funding and grants and how nurses can be responsible for making sure their clinics are funded.

If you could change something about healthcare, what would you change?

I would change the businesslike model of hospitals and the influence insurance companies are allowed to have over healthcare providers and their patients. 

What do you think other nursing students or future medical professionals could learn from working in a community health center? 

I think all healthcare students should volunteer in the community health setting for one semester. Working in this setting allows you to understand what these populations are fighting against to improve their health and all of the cards stacked against them in our current system. The populations you are working with are also typically stigmatized in the media for their health struggles and working in a community health setting allows you to see how these individuals ended up in these situations.

Jamie Reich, WCSC associate director of communications and recruitment, contributed to this article.

Whether collaborating with graduate students in a university medical center’s research lab or shadowing doctors in hospitals in Peru, several 91����Ƶ undergraduate students heading into careers in medicine and the health sciences came away from summer 2022 with memorable experiences and insights into their future.

Aden Weybright spent nine weeks at Baylor University working in a lab through the Baylor College of Medicine’s undergraduate research SMART program. He applied to about 20 programs offering similar opportunities and was accepted to five. Baylor’s program matched his research interests. He hopes to return there after graduation to a lab environment and then pursue a career in surgical oncology.

Cindi Boyer and Belen Hernandez Rosario, with several 91����Ƶ s, traveled to Peru with Professor Kristopher Schmidt. They were recipients of CT Assist’s annual Experiential Learning Grant for students in 91����Ƶ’s pre-professional health sciences program. Boyer hopes to become a physician’s assistant. Rosario is considering earning an MS in biomedicine before moving on to medical school and a specialty in cardiology.

Learn more about studying pre-professional health sciences at 91����Ƶ.

Read on as they share more about their experiences.

‘Hands-on experience’ and ‘valuable advice’ 

Aden Weybright: I worked in the lab of Dr. Joshua Wythe in the Department of Integrative Physiology, specifically investigating the blood vessels that feed specific brain tumors and developing treatments that would target these blood vessels. I worked with a team of graduate students and laboratory technicians on mice models to determine how the blood vessels feeding these brain tumors could be treated resulting in a more specific and targeted treatment for these devastating tumors.

This summer experience was extremely valuable in providing more hands-on experience in medical research. I also met many other students also considering academic medicine with amazing stories about how they had become interested in science and medicine. Being able to talk to other people, especially graduate and medical students, was insightful and helped me to confirm that this was a community I want to be a part of. They all were very friendly and offered valuable advice about what things I should be considering if I want to start a career in academic medicine.

In Peru

Boyer and Rosario spent five weeks in Peru. While living with host families in the capital city of Lima, they went each day to Hospital Nacional Docente Madre y Nino San Bartolome to shadow two different pediatric surgeons.

With a group of 91����Ƶ biomedicine graduate students, they attended seminars on Peruvian history, culture, and the healthcare system.

Rosario also spent a week with two graduate students in the rural town of Cieneguilla, working seven-hour days providing physical exams for about 150 residents, including seniors and children from three nearby orphanages.��

“There are almost no healthcare facilities in this area,” Rosario said, “ so the population had none to little access to annual check-ups and providers. We provided a quick physical exam which included blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen, temperature, height, weight, glucose, covid test if needed, and one of the grad students provided free dental cleanings.”

Boyer found the opportunity to compare healthcare systems and explore cultural differences “invaluable” to her future plans.

Rosario said she gained important skills and was inspired by the “passion, determination, and humility of all of the providers I met. “The experience made me even more sure that I want to go into medicine.”

This semester’s Suter Science Seminar lineup at 91����Ƶ include professionals working in disease ecology, behavioral health and crisis services, animal health, and biology.

The events will be held in Swartzendruber Hall of the Suter Science Center, and will be livestreamed for the off-campus community on the . [You do not need to be a member of Facebook to view the livestream.]

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 4 p.m. “Emerging Vector-borne Disease in the Commonwealth” with Dr. Gillian Eastwood, assistant professor of vector-borne disease ecology in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech.

Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. “Building-up the Behavioral Health System in a Time of Crisis: Opportunities and Challenges” with Dr. Rolando L. Santiago, chief of behavioral health and crisis services for the Department of Health and Human Services in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 4 p.m. “Count Up: My Reflections on Science, Industry, and Life…” with Raul E. Diaz Lugo, global quality lead for Merck, Animal Health North America.

Wednesday, Nov. 30, 4 p.m. “Characterization of Sensory Driven Intrinsic Iris Constriction in Mammals” Dr. Marquis Walker, assistant professor of biology at James Madison University.

The lectures are made possible by the sponsorship of the Daniel B. Suter Endowment in Biology and the co-sponsorship of supporting programs. 

Named in honor of long-time 91����Ƶ biology professor, Daniel B. Suter (1920-2006), the Endowment in Biology was established in 1986 through the generous donations of alumni and friends and currently consists of over $1 million of invested funds. 91����Ƶ hopes to double the Suter Endowment in order to more adequately support distinguished faculty and to increase scholarship aid to deserving students.

91����Ƶ’s 2022 alumni awards will be presented at the Oct. 7-9 Homecoming and Family Weekend celebration.

Recipients include Amy Rosenberger ’86 and Camila Pandolfi ’12.

Dr. Joseph Gascho ‘68 – cardiologist, poet, author, photographer and professor – is the recipient of 91����Ƶ’s 2022 Distinguished Service Award.

Gascho was a professor at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University and director of the Penn State Cardiology Fellowship Program for 25 years. His research has been funded by the National Institute of Health and has been documented in approximately 60 peer-reviewed and published papers. Gascho began exploring themes of medicine and his profession through the media of photography and poetry about 20 years ago. 

“Penn State Hershey was the first medical school in the US to have a humanities department,” he said. “I didn’t realize that humanities emphasis when I came there, but it was there and changed my life.”

That same university honored his unique healing capacities and relationships with patients, families, and healthcare colleagues with the 2018 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. 

Now recently retired, Gascho has by no means stopped working. “I have a lot of projects in the works,” he said. His collected works include five books of poetry, photography and memoir; his latest is Heart & Soul: A Cardiologist’s Life in Verse. (Learn more about Gascho’s arts and collected works at .)

Throughout his life, Gascho has been guided by his Anabaptist heritage. Psalm 16:6 —  The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; Surely I have had a good inheritance — speaks to “how fortunate I’ve been,” he said.

Support from others

How did a Mennonite farm boy from Nebraska, educated in a one-room school, carve out an impressive medical career and his award-winning arts? There is no doubt Gascho worked hard for his success, but he acknowledges  many people have made a tremendous contribution towards his accomplishments… beginning with his parents.

Gascho’s father moved the family from Nebraska to Virginia when his son was 13 so he could attend Eastern Mennonite High School. “He left behind a life as a respected pastor. He left behind precious family,” Gascho said. His father worked at EMC as a watchman and maintenance person for 75 cents an hour. (Years later, he would honor his father with a featuring Hershey Medical Center support staff, including a maintenance worker, a painter, a shuttle bus driver and others.)

His mother also influenced Gascho with her interest in photography and writing and being “ambitious for me,” he said. “I’d probably not have gone into medicine without her.”  Gascho earned his MD from the University of Virginia and completed postdoctoral training there  as well as at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

He also credits his wife, Barbara Sue Brunk, a registered nurse and chaplain, as “someone without whom I’d have never made it,” Gascho said. “She’s the person who has held our family together through the hassles of a physician’s sometimes wild life.” The couple have two adult children — Joseph Gascho ‘95, a harpsichordist and music professor at University of Michigan, and Susan Gascho-Cooke ‘97, a musician and pastor at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster — and four grandchildren.

Roots and influences

Gascho cites significant events that pointed towards a career in science and supported his interest in photography and poetry.

His time as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War is an example. He describes his experience as being a “human guinea pig…probably not the wisest thing I did.” In a NASA-sponsored project, Gascho endured two cardiac catheterizations, rides on a human centrifuge, 19 complete days of bed rest (which included bedpans and urinals), numerous blood draws and stringent diets. He was so hungry he remembers sneaking into the kitchen and eating “mustard off of a knife.” However, it showed him what medicine was like from the point of view of a patient. “Overall, a defining experience in my life… I knew despite it that I wanted to be a doctor, I could empathize with my patients, tell them I’ve had a heart cath myself.”

Gascho also counts his mentors as part of his good fortune. One significant influence guided him in “the decision to go into academic medicine rather than private practice.” His time as a professor at Penn State Hershey Medical Center exposed him to the strong humanities program. Another mentor with a degree in literature recognized Gascho’s talents as a poet and took the time to “encourage me, push me, critique me in a way that was helpful.”

Changes

Gashco’s intersecting work in medicine and the arts continued to evolve. Mid-career, he changed from specializing in cardiac catheterizations to reading echocardiograms. Learning a new skill set later in life was an “onerous process,” he said. “But the concept of echo … the seeing of heart structures and its broader concept… for me, looking at the image that I will photograph or write a poem about and then bringing that image to life as a photograph or a poem has been very important to me.”

A poignant example is the poem “To Myself” from his book Heart & Soul: A Cardiologist’s Life.

TO MYSELF

You gaze upon the image on the monitor

Made up of bits of sound that bounce from probe

Through skin to heart then back again

And think it shows what broke your heart.

I only wish there was a tool

I could use on me not you

To look inside not heart but soul

so I could know for what it yearns

so I could learn to make it whole.

Integrating photography

Gascho describes several experiences in 2003 as “one of those serendipitous, unbelievable kind of ‘the-constellations-coming-together-in-a-wonderful-way.’” The gift of a Nikon digital camera inspired participation in  a workshop on expressing spirituality through digital photography At the same time, he was studying the contemplative writings of Trappist monk Thomas Merton. He came to understand that the creative side of his brain “was good and it pushed me in the direction of using my interest in photography and budding interest in poetry with fervor and without apology,” Gascho said. His initial project of his patients’ portraits came to fruition because of that workshop. “I worried the flame would die, but it has sustained me now for 19 years.”

Gascho’s 2022 essay “” encapsulates his seamless weaving of science and photography into a congruent whole, telling a more complete story of human life. Penn State houses — patients enjoying their favorite pastimes, doctors in settings outside the hospital context, and ancillary staff dressed to the nines with their tools, such as a mop, wrench, or clipboard. Such employees “are indispensable to a hospital’s functioning,” Gascho wrote in the exhibit abstract. “These unique displays of portrait photographs decrease stress and distress in a hospital environment and humanize both patients and health care workers.”

An epiphany

Growing up in a conservative church, Gascho was taught that God was a redeemer God. “That impacted me greatly, even into mid-career and church work.” Acting as an agent of God to “redeem” and extend God’s holistic peace was his highest priority. 

“My epiphany,”he says,”was that God is also sustainer and creator.” The whole of his work, in medicine, poetry, and photography, then, “is doing God’s work,” he said. “My epiphany about God has been very important and crucial to me.”

Gascho’s devotion to his faith, and dedication to bring that to his work as a cardiologist, photographer and poet is reflected in the words of Albert Einstein, “The most beautiful experience we can have is the mystical. It is the fundamental experience which stands at the cradle of true art and true science.”

Lauren Jefferson contributed to this article. First published 8/15/22.

Ten graduating seniors were honored as Cords of Distinction recipients in a ceremony Saturday afternoon, April 30, 2022, at 91����Ƶ.

Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated the recipients, who were cited for their “significant and verifiable impact” on the university and on student life; for their contributions to developing the institution’s positive image; for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond; for their high academic and social standing; and their embodiment of 91����Ƶ’s shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.

Rodrigo Barahona

An environmental science and economics from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Rodrigo was honored by Micah Shristi, director of International Student Services.

Rodrigo Pablo Felipe Sebastian Barahona Barahona, or – to his friends–”Rodri”. Since the moment he first set foot on campus Rodrigo has consistently and constantly demonstrated welcoming, connecting, and generously serving others as his highest priorities. This is exemplified by the chill relaxed friendly creative presence that Rodrigo brings to any interaction and by the many and wide-ranging community building activities on his 91����Ƶ resume:

1. International Student Organization (“ISO”). Unfailing participation, planning, and leadership of the club throughout his 4 years at 91����Ƶ including 2 years as treasurer. Let me give you an example: Even this semester with an evening class at the same time as our weekly club gathering, Rodrigo still comes to the gathering as soon as his class is over even if it’s just for 5 minutes at the tail end of the gathering. Connecting with and supporting ISO members is so important to him. Rodrigo has also been an active member of the Latino Student Alliance.

2. Creative expression. Through participation in formal and informal music ensembles Rodrigo has (literally) helped to set the rhythm of campus life with his skills as a drummer with the 91����Ƶ Jazz Ensemble and many other musical collaborations. I would be remiss if I failed to mention creative video collaborations with Jay Cho. 

3. He’s brainy. One major was not enough for this man. He needed two, so he’s graduating with a double major: economics and environmental science.  And surprise, surprise, Rodrigo uses his braininess to help other students by serving as an economics tutor in the Academic Success Center and an English language tutor in the Intensive English Program. 

4. Community service: Gardens, solar panels, field trips, vines, figs… Oh, my! 

All this and more… and always friendly, welcoming, unassuming, and non-judgmental. Rodrigo models creativity, compassion, and hard work to his peers. There will be a Rodri-shaped hole in 91����Ƶ’s community fabric next semester. Thank you for everything, Rodrigo. These Cords of Distinction are well deserved.  

Asha Beck

A digital media and communications major and Spanish minor from Linville, Virginia, Asha was honored by Professor Kathy Evans, education.

It has been an immense pleasure to work and learn alongside Asha Beck this year. Asha has a heart for people; she possesses natural leadership qualities; and she holds a deep passion for justice. 

Whether she is planning an event or working on an art project, Asha centers relationships with others as an essential part of all that she does. She cares for people and it shows in the way she listens empathetically and in the way she works to include people who have often been left out. She sees people, truly sees them, regardless of their status or of their ability to provide something in exchange – she simply sees them and includes them in the most genuine of ways. In thoughtful and compassionate ways, Asha embodies the tagline, “Belong Together,” and has helped to make 91����Ƶ a place where people indeed do belong. 

Asha is also a natural leader. She has been a member of Safe Space since her first year at 91����Ƶ; as one of the Leadership Council members this past year, she has worked to build community and support fellow students. In addition, she has held leadership in the Art Club and served as a senator with SGA. With her commitment to a relational ethic, her leadership takes on a quality of collaboration and invitation. I remember being at a Safe Space meeting where students were discussing the roles of president, vice-president, etc. and in part because of Asha’s leadership, they ended up settling on a leadership team model, where they all worked together to make decisions and plan events. I think they even rewrote the club constitution to reflect this commitment to a non-hierarchical leadership structure. 

Lastly, one of the things that I have appreciated so much has been Asha’s fierce commitment to justice and equity. Again, from a completely relational place, she is willing to have difficult and authentic conversations that demonstrate a willingness to learn from others’ perspectives. From caring for chickens to hosting conversations about healthy emotional boundaries, Asha has spoken out about important issues and has supported initiatives that create opportunities for education, advocacy, and a better 91����Ƶ. 

Asha’s care for the earth, her love for people, and her concern for all of life have led her to be one of those quiet champions for a more just world. I look forward to seeing where Asha’s path continues to take her. 

Alcinda Brubaker 

A marketing major from Keezletown, Virginia, Alcinda was honored by Celeste Thomas, Director of Multicultural Services.

I am humbled to stand before you today to share the accomplishments of this wonderful young woman, Alcinda Brubaker. It was my pleasure to serve as her adviser for the Black Student Alliance as well as mentor. I have come to not only know Alcinda as a talented young woman but I have been blessed to have the honor to get to know her heart. 

Alcinda began her journey at 91����Ƶ in 2010 and in the words of Langston Hughes, “Life ain’t been no crystal stair. It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare.” Despite all of your challenges you have kept climbin’ and reachin’ landin’s, and turnin’ corners, and sometimes goin’ in the dark, but you have followed your own advice and have never given up! 

You have given so authentically and unselfishly of yourself to the 91����Ƶ community, the greater Harrisonburg community, and to the well-being of the numerous students you have mentored. Your impact will be felt for years to come. You have impacted not only the BIPOC community but you have left your footprint on the entire campus. On campus you have served the following: Royal Society Ambassadors, Art Club, Black Student Alliance, The Weather Vane, Student Life, and the Department of Business and Leadership to name a few. Additionally, you have served Gift and Thrift, Harrisonburg Renaissance, International Festival, Beats for Mozambique, and Divine Unity Community Church. Your reach has been broad. 

You are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who are marginalized. You recognize the privilege that you hold and work hard to make the playing field equitable for everyone. You live your favorite quote by Ghandi, which is, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” You have worked hard to overcome adversity and you are resilient beyond words. 

I leave you with these words from Amanda Gorman: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” You are BRAVE! Look what a war orphan from Mozambique has accomplished when given the opportunity!

Tahj’ae Coleman

A psychology major from Willingboro, New Jersey, Tahj’ae was honored by Celeste Thomas, Director of Multicultural Services.

I am well pleased to have had the opportunity to walk alongside Tahj’ae during her journey at 91����Ƶ. In the words of Maya Angelou,“Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room.”

Tahj’ae is a deep thinker. She is one who sits back and observes situations before contributing. She takes it all in and comes to the table informed. She does her research. She has a heart and genuine concern for people and creates opportunities for those who are less fortunate than herself.  

Tahj’ae is a true advocate for social justice. She not only assisted with the creation and painting of the Black Lives Matter Mural but has on numerous occasions raised her voice and spoke truth to power in the 91����Ƶ Weather Vane newspaper. She unapologetically shared her passion about the inequities happening in the world and on campus. She stood up with confidence, bravery, self determination and empowerment while serving her people.

She carries that same passion in her service with the Black Student Union, the Student Government, Psychology Club and Royal Ambassadors. It wasn’t enough to just be a part of these organizations, she held leadership roles in all of them. She always shows up in spaces as her authentic self and this is a unique gift.

Additionally, she has worked at Covenant House where she was able to counsel homeless youth and guided them in the direction of working toward a positive and productive future. In an effort to assist students in having a better college experience, she is conducting research on how childhood verbal abuse can create low self-esteem in college students and can ultimately create a lack of sense of belonging in college.  

Tahj’ae has taken being a young woman of color on campus very seriously. It is not lost on her the importance of representation to underclassmen of color and that regardless of one’s ethnicity, your hard work will pay off! To paraphrase Maya Angelou: Tahj’ae, Bringing the gifts that Your ancestors gave, You are the dream and the hope of the slave. You Rise, You Rise, You Rise!

Elizabeth Eby

A major in peacebuilding and development and Bible, religion and theology from Goshen, Indiana, Elizabeth was honored by Professor Justin Poole, theater program director.

Throughout her four years at 91����Ƶ, Elizabeth Eby has been a standout student, always dedicated, hardworking, fearless, and passionate. She has juggled multiple activities with patience and a smile on her face, contributing greatly to group dynamics in diverse settings.

Elizabeth has served as Pastoral Assistant (then Student Chaplain) for two years, as a hymn sing student leader, as planner and leader of campus worship services and the Sunday Night Worship service during the pandemic shut down period. 

In theater Elizabeth’s contributions onstage and behind the scenes have helped launch and sustain a significant growth period for the theater program. From her first leading role, playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast during her freshman year to her unforgettable portrayal of doomed rockstar Mercutio in U2 Romeo and Juliet and the featured dancer in the opera Noye’s Fludde Elizabeth has demonstrated remarkable skills as a performer. Elizabeth has been the recipient of multiple Irene Ryan Acting nominations from the Kennedy American College Theater Festival. She was even one of the select few to make it to the finals round in this year’s regional competition, beating out theater majors from much larger programs. Elizabeth has also been a community teacher for the after-school program On the Road Collaborative at Thomas Harrison Middle School, demonstrating her commitment to nurture another generation of artists. 

Elizabeth Eby’s presence at 91����Ƶ has made this a better place, and I look forward to seeing where she goes from here!

Skylar Hedgepeth

An elementary education major from Smithfield, Virginia, Skylar was honored by Ashley “Stick” Kishorn, head field hockey coach.

Skylar Hedgepeth has connected with a tremendous amount of people during her time at 91����Ƶ. I realize there are so many individuals who could speak on behalf of Skylar tonight. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to present Skylar Hedgepeth for this recognition of Cords of Distinction Award. 

Skylar has taken opportunities to be a leader in a wide variety of roles on campus and throughout our community by participating as an active member with Eastern Mennonite Student Women’s Association and the Committee of Diversity & Inclusion.  As Celebration co-president and a Student Chaplain Assistant, Skylar exemplifies her passion to serve others through 91����Ƶ’s student-led worship service. She dedicates her summers to Fuge Camps, where she works as a bible study leader to create change in the lives of students. Skylar’s compassion and selfless contribution to others will continue to guide her as she pursues her future as an educator. In addition to her activities, Skylar’s dedication to academic excellence has allowed her to maintain a 4.0 Cumulative GPA and hold a spot on the 91����Ƶ Deans List each semester. She has been recognized as a member of the NFHCA All – Academic Squad and a Scholar of Distinction. 

In the recruiting process four years ago, I could tell that 91����Ƶ and the field hockey program would be a good choice for Skylar and for our program, but more importantly Skylar was a perfect fit for the 91����Ƶ community as a whole. Skylar already possessed many of the values and characteristics, and of course the field hockey skills to make a prominent contribution to 91����Ƶ Athletics. Skylar made an immediate impact on the field hockey program starting her career leading the team in goals as a freshman and earning the 91����Ƶ Rookie Athlete of the Year Award. Sklyar also earned All-ODAC recognition during her freshman and junior seasons. As she finishes her field hockey career, she leaves her mark on the program and her name in the record book, finishing 17th all time in scoring. Additionally, Skylar’s work ethic and determination allowed her to participate as a dual-sport athlete and also played softball and lacrosse.

Beyond the statistics and her capabilities as an athlete, Skylar exemplifies what you hope each and every athlete who comes through the program will aspire to be. You hope that they will get involved and be active participants in the community, you hope that they will be able to grow their faith, and you hope that they will grow as leaders and be able to advocate for themselves and for others. She has taken full advantage of the Division III athletic experience and submerged herself into the 91����Ƶ community. She cares deeply about women’s representation, she is vocal about the rights of underrepresented groups, and steps up to share her faith with others. I am grateful for the opportunity to have coached Skylar. I could not be more proud of her and the impact that she will have on future students as an elementary teacher.  

Hannah Leaman

A mathematics major with secondary education licensure and a minor in Honors from Bakersfield, California, Hannah was honored by Professor Daniel Showalter, mathematics.

During her first three years at 91����Ƶ, Hannah quickly established herself as a disciplined student, talented writer, and a master of mysteries. For example, did you realize that Hannah shares the title of reigning world champion of the Kryptos Codebreaking Competition held by the University of Central Washington? But rather than selfishly limiting her sharp wits to her own academic pursuits, she invests them in helping others. As one nominator said, “Hannah has so courageously spoken out on important issues on campus and done so with grace, thoughtfulness, and compassion. She has been a quiet and fierce advocate for a better 91����Ƶ.” 

Still, it wasn’t until our cross-cultural to Thailand together that I truly began to see Hannah’s poetic soul and transformative presence. Although I may not have earned the same 15 credits as the students on the trip, I learned just as much, and a large portion of my growth took place from reading Hannah’s journal. She taught me how an event can be interpreted quite differently by people with different backgrounds and how our past experiences color our present perceptions. She introduced me to inspirational leaders like Glennon Doyle. And her unique way of articulating social dynamics and personal tensions changed the way I organize my thoughts. Yet, Hannah is not only an eloquent writer; she backs her words up with her actions. When a member of our cross-cultural broke her ankle, I took care of the basic needs, but Hannah quickly perceived that the student’s emotional needs and feelings of inclusion were just as important. Without any prompting, she organized a daily rotation of support for the member – a task that required numerous hours and lasted the entire trip. And this is just one peer; everyone respected Hannah. At one point, when Hannah was wrestling with some personal issues, she asked my 9-year-old daughter Ellie if she had an extra stuffed animal to share; this was a breakthrough moment in Ellie feeling connected with Hannah. As Ellie said, “Anyone who understands the power of bonding with a stuffie can be trusted.” Here are some other comments written by her cross-cultural peers: “Hannah’s curiosity shines and is a huge asset.” “Hannah, you balance strength of character and genuine thoughtfulness, peppered with giddy enthusiasm for the beautiful things in life” “Hannah, you make things happen. You are very intelligent in the way you care for others.” “Hannah, I always enjoy conversations with you. They never stay as small talk for long.” And, my personal favorite, “Hannah is badass but also so kind and loving. The combo makes her even more badass.”

This spring, I’ve been supervising Hannah’s semester of student teaching. In terms of content and pedagogy, she was a star, which was no surprise. Behavior management, however, can be much trickier even for experienced teachers. On Hannah’s first day of middle school instruction, she took a stand when she heard some culturally inappropriate comments. That day would have gone so much more smoothly for Hannah had she chosen to ignore the comments, but she has never been one to opt for the easy way out. Another incident occurred a couple weeks later when the cooperating teacher was absent – this one had the potential to emotionally endanger other students and was personally directed at Hannah when she tried to intervene. Rather than hold a grudge against the students who were responsible, Hannah regrouped that night, and then entered into a mediated restorative process in the following days. This process not only helped heal her relationship with the students but also helped the students sincerely and willingly change their speech and behavior as a result. 

Hannah, may you continue to sustain your balance as a dancing daffodil and a badass advocate for this world. 

Faith Manickam 

A biology, pre-med major and chemistry minor from Hesston, Kansas, Faith was honored by Rachel Roth Sawatzky, director of Student Programs, Student Life.

Cords of Distinction are presented to 91����Ƶ students who make positive contributions to student life and the institution at large, while maintaining good academic standing. It is my distinct honor to present this award to Faith Manickam who has both met and exceeded these criteria in her academic and community engagement endeavors throughout her time at 91����Ƶ. Biology professor Jeff Copeland indicates that Faith distinguished herself in the classroom and in preparation for medical school, but that she is not just a great student, she is also a great classmate. Professor Deanna Durham also reflected on Faith’s academic giftedness, adding that Faith also offers “a presence that encourages others to share; she pauses before speaking and you can see her wondering about how to put her questions into words. She is sensitive and mindful of others, giving space and a kind smile. I’ve enjoyed hearing her process in class, reflecting about identity and faith, aware of the larger world yet fully immersed where she is.” Deanna also noted with appreciation, “Faith shows up again and again: for SGA; campus events; poetry readings; speakers; convocation; and so on. And she not only shows up but she engages deeply in discussions and conversations, lingering to talk…she doesn’t want to miss an opportunity to learn more.”

In my own experience of Faith I have found that she embodies the words of musician and philosopher, Jimi Hendrix: “knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” I have yet to meet another student who can hold space with such compassion and confidence. Dean of Students Shannon Dycus reflects, “Faith has both natural and learned leadership skills. Watching her in leadership means getting to witness the ways she is actively attentive to the needs of people around her – you see her eyes moving with care. Faith’s leadership is centered in possibility – always asking the questions of how we can show up. The spirit that drives this in her motivates others to the generative care she holds.” 

Not only is she wise and thoughtful, Faith is also a great conversationalist. I value the many conversations that have spilled over from a scheduled meeting into an extended personal conversation. Over the course of those conversations, Faith and I have discovered numerous shared experiences and deep connections. If Faith and I had gone to college together, I hope that we would have been friends; and in any case, I am very glad we are friends now.

Faith, as you set your eyes toward the next phase, I want to offer you this advice for life, in the words of Indian writer and political activist Arundhati Roy: 

To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.

Faith – good luck and on behalf of 91����Ƶ, thank you for your leadership and the spirit in which you offered it.

Misrahim (Mizz) Nyagwegwe

A recreation and sports management major from Norristown, Pennsylvania, Mizz was honored by Brian Martin Burkholder, University Chaplain, and Carlin Kreider, Campus Missionary, Every Nation Campus.

Well, what does one say to honor Misrahim (Mizz) Nyagwegwe upon his recognition as a recipient of the 91����Ƶ Cords of Distinction? He is a beloved son, thoughtful brother, dedicated uncle, friend to many, basketball player and valued teammate, mentee, and mentor to peers. What stands out most clearly is the loyalty Mizz extends to the people for whom he cares. Mizz is always willing to go the extra mile to care for and benefit others, sometimes setting aside his own preferences, motivated by a desire to see those around him grow and improve.

When observing Mizz in action, it is his steadfast presence that stands out. When Mizz is there, he is there. His contributions to the well-being of others, or toward meeting the goals of the team, or advancing a shared purpose are steady and consistent. He shows up and offers what he has to offer with an unassuming yet confident presence and he brings joy by sharing his warm smile and friendly personality.

It seems that Mizz finds great joy in serving others. He is a four year member of the men’s basketball team – elevated to co-captain his senior year, a ministry assistant and student chaplain assistant contributing to the intentions of campus ministries and the Office of Faith and Spiritual Life, a community advisor with residence life, a rec sports intern helping to organize and run events, and a dedicated student leader with Every Nation Campus as they moved from having affiliate status to being an official 91����Ƶ student club.

In addition to his on campus involvements, Mizz has been active at his church serving on the parking team and as an Armor Bearer and he participated in a spring break mission trip to Myrtle Beach. He also contributed to the Royals Read program with the men’s basketball team reading to area children.

Our hope for Mizz is that he continues to pursue God and grow in his own understandings of his purpose – his vocation. May God bless Mizz with a deep knowledge and experience of the love God has for him, and may Mizz continue to find ways of reflecting this love outward so it in turn blesses others who cross his path.

Mizz, congratulations on being honored with the 91����Ƶ Cords of Distinction.

Allison Shelly

A political science major with minors in Honors, journalism, community organizing and development, and history from Collinsville, Mississippi, Allison was honored by Professor Ji Eun Kim, political science.

Salt and light. Allison Shelly is the person who recalls what Jesus said to his followers: To be salt and light of this world, affecting and influencing the people, community, and the world around us. As shared by multiple enthusiastic nominations, Allison made a “significant and verifiable impact” on all of us during her four years at 91����Ƶ. 

As her colleagues appreciated her presence and active work in every corner of our campus and beyond, succinctly reviewing Allison’s list of countless positions and accomplishments is highly challenging. She was the SGA co-president during COVID and polarized election year, a position in which she helped the campus organize “Race Matters,” “LGBTQ+ Matters” orientations, hosted town halls, co-hosted a convocation event reflecting on political polarization on campus. Her peers also called her a great leader of 91����Ƶ’s Cross Country, Track & Fields, and 91����Ƶ Triathlon teams. Allison served as a Community Advisor for first years as well as the 91����Ƶ Honors mentor. She also worked in the Visual Arts in Worship Documentary team, a collaborative work between 91����Ƶ and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Except for the semesters when she was off -campus, either for her Middle East Cross-Cultural or to work as a Community Organizing intern at Congregation Action Network in DC, her name always appeared on the Weathervane, where she served as the writer and photographer. You may have also come across her bright, friendly smile at Common Grounds as she was our barista for four semesters. Allison’s active campus engagement was also accompanied by her excellent academic standing. As a major in political science with four minors (in history, community organizing, journalism, and honors), she has been an all-A Dean’s list student with a perfect GPA. 

Now while Allison’s resume certainly shines with numerous accolades, it is who she is and how she does the work that really makes her deserving of this award. Allison is a person who tirelessly holds on to the values of justice and equity in all aspects of her life. She is empathetic and genuinely cares about others, especially those whose voice has been silenced and or marginalized. It is no surprise that her research topics have always centered around the issues of unjust political systems that suppress others and perpetuate injustices (e.g., examining the mistreatment of Kurds, assessing the international human rights regimes that are inherently limited in addressing ongoing violence). Allison is passionate about the ways in which we can create real change, yet she approaches others with great nuance and humility, hoping to communicate and understand the complex emotions that others or herself may experience in this arduous journey for justice. Her attentive listening skills and thoughtful presence invite and challenge us to become more loving and caring people. Last year, Allison shared three values that she wishes to engrain in the foundation of her being and purpose: First was “initiative” (with the wisdom that her actions may not create immediate social change). Second, a mindset of “abundance.”  And lastly, “creativity” which often blooms the most when we are limited. I feel blessed to have been able to work with Allison these past four years, who truly inspires us with such a desire to improve herself and the world around her. I look forward to seeing her continue to walk this journey guided by her values.

More than 100 91����Ƶ students were recognized for accomplishments and achievements during the 2021-22 academic year during a special recognition ceremony Tuesday.

Academics

Academic Success Center

Seniors who worked as tutors were recognized: Rodrigo Barahona, Jonas Beachy, Ben Bontrager-Singer, Garrett Cash, Tarynn Clark, Erin Clayton, Elizabeth Eby, Ike Esh, Ben Greenleaf, Mary Harnish, Tasia Hoover, Caleb Hostetler, Brenda Kasongo, Nicole Miller, Sara Beth Mumbauer, Jake Myers, Andrea Troyer, Laura Troyer, Jason Wong, Eli Wright, Teo Yoder, Janessa Zimmerman, and Verda Zook.

Bible and Religion

The annual Haverim* writing awards are given to students whose essays demonstrate robust scholarship related in one way or another to biblical studies, religion, philosophy, and/or Anabaptist/Mennonite thought and practice. Cash awards of $300, $200, and $100 for first, second and third place, respectively, come with the prize. 

• First place: Elizabeth Eby for “”Beyond Cancel Culture: Uniting around Difference in the Book of Acts,” highlighting how the “cancel culture” phenomenon can too often cause precisely the exclusion that it seeks to address and articulating how the Apostolic Decree encouraged radical inclusion while still challenging and de-centering the voices that perpetuate injustice.

• Second place: Isaac Alderfer for his exploration of the industrialization of food production and his argument that a turn toward agroecology could offer a form of food production that pays attention to both social and environmental justice.
• Third place: Jake Myers for his history of monasticism in Ireland and effects on surrounding communities.

*Haverim, the Hebrew word for friends, is a group of Bible, religion, and theology and seminary alumni which supports 91����Ƶ and EMS.

Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sustainability

• Nicole Miller: Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student
• Faith Manickam: Outstanding Senior Biology Student
• Isaac Alderfer and Jacob Myers: Outstanding Environmental Sustainability Student
• Evan Kauffman and Meredith Lehman: Outstanding First-Year Chemistry Student Award
• Megan Miller and Isaac Spicher: Outstanding Second-Year Biology Student Awards
• Jessie Landis: Award for Excellence in Research, 
• Andrew Troyer: Award for Exceptional Service.

Business and Leadership

• Rodrigo Barahona: Outstanding Economics Senior
• Alcinda Brubaker: Exceptional Service Award
• Max Driver: Outstanding Business Administration Senior��
• Max Driver: Outstanding Research Award
• Jaylon Lee: Outstanding Recreation and Sports Management Senior
• Isaac Longacher: Outstanding Marketing Senior
• Verda Zook: Outstanding Accounting Senior.

Center for Justice and Peacebuilding

Graduate student Conner Suddick was selected for recognition for “exceptionally artful and inclusive leadership,” according to his advisor Katie Mansfield, lead trainer with the Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience. “Conner, thank you for imagining an inclusive experience for every body at 91����Ƶ and working creatively to address historical and present wounds and weave a more loving future that includes queer bodies, engaging research, writing, participatory arts-based research and circle processes.”

Education

Five education students were named as 2022 Teachers of Promise, among 100 of the best and brightest pre-service teachers in Virginia:��

• Mary Harnish, from Lancaster, Pa.; Elementary Education, PreK-6 & Special Education
• Hannah Leaman, from Bakersfield, Ca.; Mathematics, Secondary Education, 6-12
• Rachel Lute, from New Market, Va.; Early Elementary Education, PreK-3
• Bethany Shultz, from Harrisonburg, Va.; Elementary Education, PreK-6 
• Anna Smith, from Edinburg, Va.;  Elementary Education, PreK-6.

Gage Riddick was selected by department faculty for the annual Courage to Teach Award, modeled after principles in Parker Palmer’s book of the same name. Department faculty selected Gage for his  dedication and success in teaching, her genuine caring for students, reflective practice, highly principled behaviors, and her courage to navigate challenging experiences. He was presented with a copy of Palmer’s book.

91����Ƶ faculty selected Skylar Hedgepeth for the Virginia Woman’s Scholar Award from the Virginia State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. The award is for an outstanding graduate with the promise of being a key woman educator.

Language and Literature

The following students earned awards and scholarships, many of which are in memory of valued professors who provided powerful examples of mentorship, scholarship and teaching.

• Sarah Bascom is the winner of the Carroll Yoder Award for Teaching Excellence, which honors an 91����Ƶ senior or junior who has demonstrated academic excellence in both literary studies and education courses and has shown a clear call to the teaching profession.��
• Claire Whetzel earned the Ray Elvin Horst Award for excellence in Spanish.��
• Jessamine Domingo earned the Ervie L. Glick Award for excellence in world language study.
• Claire Whetzel is awarded the Omar Eby Writing Award. This award is presented to a senior majoring or minoring in writing studies who demonstrates excellence in the craft of creative writing and who provides insightful critique and support for other writers in creative workshops.
• Neo Carter was awarded the Omar and Anna Kathryn Eby Scholarship.
• Sarah Bascom and Tiffany Carey were awarded the Hubert R. and Mildred Pellman Scholarship.
• Karla Hostetter was awarded the Leroy Pellman/Elizabeth Lauver Scholarship.
• Jessica Chisolm and Joseph Whetzel were awarded the Esther Eby Glass Scholarship.
• Hannah Landis, Maria Menjivar, and Lucy Unzicker were awarded the Ernest G. Gehman Scholarship.��

Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science

• Jonas Beachy and Laura Troyer: Outstanding Seniors in Engineering Award, awarded by the faculty as the highest honor for the graduate/s demonstrating academic excellence, service, and contributions to community and culture at 91����Ƶ.
• Ike Esh and Hannah Leaman: Outstanding Seniors in Mathematics Award, awarded by the faculty as the highest honor for the graduate demonstrating academic excellence, service, and contributions to community and culture at 91����Ƶ.
• Isaac Andreas and Trajon Brown: Outstanding Seniors in Computer Science Award, awarded by the faculty as the highest honor for the graduate demonstrating academic excellence, service, and contributions to community and culture at 91����Ƶ.
• Ike Esh won 91����Ƶ’s annual math competition.
• Winners of the Kryptos international codebreaking competition, out of 77 teams, were Hannah Leaman, Caleb Hostetler and Mana Acosta. Look for news coverage soon!

Music

Two students were honored with the Outstanding Student in Music Award for leadership, service, music performance and music scholarship.

• Eve Yavny has served as concertmaster of the 91����Ƶ Chamber Orchestra, is a two-time winner of the 91����Ƶ concerto competition, and gave an excellent senior recital performance. She has distinguished herself as a teacher and assistant in the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Program as well as performed in countless university and department events. ��
• Isaac Longacre distinguished himself throughout his career at 91����Ƶ with exceptional performances in four 91����Ƶ musical theater productions, playing iconic roles from a villain to a hero in “Shrek,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “U2 Romeo and Juliet,” and “Noye’s Fludde.”

Political Science

Paige Hurley was named the History and Political Science Outstanding Student. She was recognized for exemplary service, as the student assistant for the program, and scholarship, with�� research published in New Errands, the online publication of the Eastern American Studies Association.

Psychology

• Avery Trinh and Katie Zuercher were both awarded the Galen R. Lehman Outstanding Achievement in Research Award. Both had exceptional designs, data collection and interpretation of results. Katie’s research was on the survival processing paradigm for first person shooter video games and Avery worked with 91����Ƶ Institutional Research on a survey about belonging.
• Joshua Wenger and Lindsay Green received the Judy H. Mullet Award for Internship Excellence, for their outstanding and consistent performance in psychology internship with exceptional independent work in establishing a unique field placement experience with Sentara Behavioral Health and Outpatient Center and the Community Care and Learning Center, respectively.

Campus Life

Campus Activities Council

Natallie Brown, Isaac Andreas, Thomas Erickson, Aliyyah Haggard, Ashley Schoenhardt and Jeremiah Yoder for the CAC All-Star Award. Criteria includes volunteering over 200 hours or working more than 350 hours.

Office of Faith and Spiritual Life

The following students were recognized for leadership as student chaplains, nurturing faith and spiritual life in various ways: Micah Buckwalter, sustainability; Alyssa Breidigan, worship; Natallie Brown, discipleship; Elizabeth Eby, engagement; Kate Landis, worship; Emma Nord, community; Reah Clymer, community; and Halie Mast, service.

Center for Interfaith Engagement

Philip Krabill and Leah Walker were recognized for offering opportunities in fall and spring, respectively, helping to create spaces on campus for engagement around issues of religious diversity and justice. They co-planned events such as SoulStories and interfaith leadership convocation breakout groups, student dinners, and celebrations of sacred holidays on campus, according to Trina Trotter Nussbaum, associate director of the Center for Interfaith Engagement, who offered the appreciation.

Multicultural Student Services

Director of Multicultural Student Services Celeste Thomas recognized the leaders the Latinx Student Alliance, many of them first-year students who stepped in to revive and continue the club after several seniors involved in leadership graduated: co-presidents Ashley Iscoa, Mayra Cruz and Cristal Narciso; co-secretaries Diego Tijerina Saucedo and KC Argueta-Rivas; marketing director David Flores Cano; historians Emily Diaz and Ariel Morales Bonilla; and treasurers Margarita Hernandez-Perez and Tony Cortes.

Residence Life

Sarah Grossen was recognized with the Outstanding CA Award, for her three-year commitment to serving as a community advisor in 91����Ƶ residence halls. “She continuously creates safe, fun, and inviting spaces for all of her residents,” said Tyler Goss, assistant director of student programs.

Student Government Association

Co-presidents of the Student Government Association Philip Krabill, Faith Manickam, and Aman Seyoum, were recognized for outstanding leadership by Dean of Students Shannon Dycus.

The co-presidents passed the gavel to the incoming leadership team of Meredith Lehman, Ella Brubaker, and Hannah Beck.

Athletics (includes winter and spring seasons)

Athletic Department Awards

Freshman of the Year – Brii Redfearn: Women’s Basketball and Damon Morgan: Men’s Track & Field

Athlete of the Years – Paris Hutchinson: Women’s Volleyball and Alijah Johnson: Men’s Track & Field

President’s Award – Allison Shelly: Women’s Triathlon, XC and Track & Field and Isaac Alderfer: Men’s XC and Track & Field

Field Hockey

Skylar Hedgepeth, Maggie Groetsch, Kate Landis and Libbie Derstine were named Scholars of Distinction as well as to the National Academic Squad. Joining them on the National Academic Squad were Rachel Breslin, Keely Mitchell, Cassidy Armstrong and Morgan Leslie.��

Women’s Volleyball

Paris Hutchinson: VaSID All-State Second Team

Men’s Basketball��

Tim Jones: Royals Athlete of the Week; D3 National Team of the Week; ODAC MBB Player of the Week; 1,000 Career Points; All-VaSID Second Team; All-ODAC Second Team.

Mizz Nyagwegwe and Mark Burkholder were each named to a Royals Athlete of the Week honor.

Women’s Basketball�� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� ��

Claiborne Poston: Royals Athlete of the Week

Men’s Indoor Track and Field

Distance Medley Relay – Set 91����Ƶ indoor T&F record – 10:22.26 

Alijah Johnson: Set 91����Ƶ indoor T&F record in the 60m – 6.96; Set 91����Ƶ indoor T&F record in the 200m – 21.96; All-ODAC Second Team in the 200m; All ODAC Third Team in the 60m;�� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� All-VaSID First Team – Sprints; Qualified for NCAA Indoor National Championships.

Justice Allen: Royals Athlete of the Week

Eli Roeschley: Royals Athlete of the Week; All-ODAC Second Team in Triple Jump

Isaac Alderfer: Royals Athlete of the Week;��All-ODAC Second Team in the Mile; All-ODAC Second Team in the 800m; All-VaSID Second Team – Mid Distance;��Qualified for NCAA Indoor National Championships; DMR-All-VaSID Second Team

Women’s Indoor Track and Field

Jenna Weaver:�� Royals Athlete of the Week��

Men’s Volleyball

Nate McGhee: Royals Athlete of the Week

Baseball

Jon Sawyers: D3 Team of the Week��

Brett Lindsay: ODAC Player of the Week��

Ray Tricarico, Ethan Spraker, and Natty Solomon were each named to a Royals Athlete of the Week honor.��

Women’s Lacrosse

KC Argueta-Rivas and Skylar Hedgepeth were each named to a Royals Athlete of the Week Honor.

Softball

Grace Fravel, Bri Allen, Emily Campbell and Sierra Lantz were each named to a Royals Athlete of the Week Honor.�� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� ��

Men’s Outdoor Track & Field

Alijah Johnson: Men’s ODAC Track Athlete of the Week and Royals Athlete of the Week.

Women’s Outdoor Track & Field

Kendra Oguamena: Royals Athlete of the Week

READ the tributes for 91����Ƶ’s Class of ’22 Cords recipients.

Ten graduating seniors are the 2022 Cords of Distinction recipients. They will wear blue and gold cords signifying their achievement during the 2022 Commencement.

Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated the recipients, who were cited for their “significant and verifiable impact” on the university and on student life; for their contributions to developing the institution’s positive image; for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond; for their high academic and social standing; and their embodiment of 91����Ƶ’s shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.

The cords are blue and gold. Blue represents strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community. Gold represents the love of spirit and yearning toward creating a better university environment or community.

The 2022 Cords of Distinction recipients are:

—Rodrigo Barahona, majoring in environmental science and economics from Tegucigalpa, Honduras;

—Asha Beck, with a major in digital media and communications major and a minor in Spanish from Linville, Virginia; 

—Alcinda Brubaker, a marketing major from Keezletown, Virginia;

—Tahj’ae Coleman, a psychology major from Willingboro, New Jersey;

—Elizabeth Eby, majoring in peacebuilding and development and Bible, religion and theology from Goshen, Indiana;

—Skylar Hedgepeth, an elementary education major from Smithfield, Virginia;

—Hannah Leaman, a mathematics major with secondary education licensure and a minor in Honors from Bakersfield, California;

—Faith Manickam, a biology, pre-med major and chemistry minor from Hesston, Kansas;

—Mishram Nyagwegwe, a recreation and sports management major from Norristown, Pennsylvania;  

—Allison Shelly, a political science major with minors in Honors, journalism, community organizing and development, and history from Collinsville, Mississippi.

Nominees are:

• Isaac Andreas
• Garrett Cash
• Emma Cordell
• Jacob Durren 
• Hailey Edmonds
• Ike Esh
• Sarah Grossen
• Jareya Harder 
• Addison Hawpe
• Alyssa Himsey 
• Tristin Hogge 
• Alijah Johnson
• Jessie Landis
• Isaac Longacre
• Nikki Mumaw 
• Sara Mumbauer 
• Jonathan Murch
• Anna Paetkau
• Partha Roy 
• Katherine Szambecki  
• Andrea Troyer
• Laura Troyer
• Navy Widyani 

Every Tuesday for four hours, Julie Weaver gets a glimpse of her future. She’s shadowing physical therapists at Sentara RMH Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center. The setting is exactly where the 91����Ƶ student hopes to be in the future.

Her experience is part of a Life Sciences Practicum open to all students who are considering a career in health sciences. This spring semester, six 91����Ƶ students are participating – they are future doctors, physical therapists, and physician’s assistants.

“The goal of the practicum is to provide clinical exposure and dialogue with health care practitioners,” said Professor Jeff Copeland, director of the pre-professional health sciences program. “91����Ƶ has offered this course for years and it has been invaluable to students entering medical or physical therapy school. The clinical experience lifts a curtain to show 91����Ƶ students what it is like to interact with patients and to understand health plans.  For many, it is the first taste of what it is like to work in the profession.”

Weaver says she highly recommends the experience. “It gets you into the real world instead of reading or hearing about it. I’m seeing exactly what a physical therapist does in a day, which often includes lots of documentation, patient interaction, and hands-on care and this is helping me solidify that this is actually what I want to do.”

Observing communication styles with patients, hearing the pros and cons of different specialties, learning about different treatment methods — these are common ways in which 91����Ƶ students have gained knowledge and valuable hours as they explored their future.

Shadowing is a great way to interact directly with a potential career field and ask professionals any question that you may have about the field,” said Hannah Giagnocavo, another pre-physical therapy major who spends her Tuesdays at Wampler Rehab in Harrisonburg. “Shadowing can help you grow in confidence and certainty about your future and whether you find the career you’re interested in enjoyable or not. Exposure is key.” 

Giagnocavo observes interactions, evaluations and approaches to treatment plans. That exposure has given her not only a lot of ideas about how to approach scenarios but also the confidence to know there’s different ways to help patients. She learned a lot about how each therapist brings “their own approach to a similar problem.” She’s also learned more about her own interest in rehabilitation research and new treatment methods, and is considering how that interest might guide her next steps. 

Jessie Landis is a pre-med major spending time in a pediatrics practice. She has shadowed before this semester and urges students to get started on this unique learning experience early. 

“Don’t wait to do it,” she said. Shadowing is a requirement on medical school applications, but “also an incredible opportunity to learn and see what the life of a doctor really looks like.” Her various experiences have given her insight into different approaches and a comfort level in interacting with medical staff and in different facilities. 

Shadowing has confirmed her future profession, though she’s not sure what her preferred speciality will be. “I can see myself in that role and it gives me so much joy to think about caring for people in the way I’ve watched physicians at work,” Landis said.

Similarly, Cindi Boyer isn’t sure what her speciality will be, but she’s excited to continue exploring a career as a physician’s assistant. She’s worked alongside a PA at a local dermatology practice, who is “great at educating me about and explaining different nuances of common skin conditions.”

One of the reasons she has enjoyed spending time in a medical practice: “These experiences can show you a glimpse into your own possible future.”

Susannah Moore ’08, assistant professor of psychology at 91����Ƶ, will give the spring semester’s third Suter Science Seminar, “From Fitness Training to Health Psychology: My Journey Back to 91����Ƶ,” on Wednesday, March 2, at 4 p.m. 

The sessions are free to the public, and made possible by the sponsorship of the Daniel B. Suter Endowment in Biology and the co-sponsorship of supporting programs. They will be live streamed on the . The campus community is invited to attend the seminars in person in room 106 of the Suter Science Center. 

Moore’s research explores the “long-term health risks associated with childhood maltreatment and health behaviors that may help to reduce these risks,” Moore says. “Currently in my lab, we are interested in discovering early health markers that may be due to exposure from childhood stress, and how various behaviors, such as physical activity, can improve overall health.”

The path of Moore’s research has diverged from physical fitness itself to the importance of “mind and body connection in relation to being physically active and healthy: in particular, how early stressful life experiences shape our pathways of health,” Moore says. “The more we understand, the more we can create opportunities for prevention and intervention.”

Moore completed her undergraduate degree from 91����Ƶ and her masters and PhD from the University of Northern Colorado.

Named in honor of long-time 91����Ƶ biology professor, Daniel B. Suter (1920-2006), the Endowment in Biology was established in 1986 through the generous donations of alumni and friends and currently consists of over $1 million of invested funds. 91����Ƶ hopes to double the Suter Endowment in order to more adequately support distinguished faculty and to increase scholarship aid to deserving students.

Students in Professor Gaurav Pathania’s “Sociology of Health” class at 91����Ƶ recently learned about research into discrimination related to COVID-19 targeted at Asian Americans.

Professor Wei Li, an urban geographer from Arizona State University, delivered the guest lecture with doctoral students, Siquiao Xie and Yining Tan. They shared the findings from their latest study: “Vulnerability, Infection, and Anti- Discrimination among  Asian Americans and COVID-19: Explorations into Race and Health Intersections in California.” 

The study highlights how, in the past year, hate crimes against Asians and Asian-Americans have risen exponentially, in part because of widely used harmful and inaccurate rhetoric blaming Asians for the spread of COVID-19. The data shows that m in the U.S. were reported between March 2020 and February 2021. Phoenix alone reported that .

The research team interviewed and surveyed Asian and Asian-Americans in three key constituent groups: minority nurses, college students and metro Phoenix community leaders, to better understand how individuals have been impacted by COVID-19 while simultaneously fighting stereotypes and negative stigmas within their daily lives. The study questions the existing Social Vulnerability Index of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and offers suggestions to revise the index.

Li concluded her talk with optimism that the future offers ways to better understand each other’s experiences to bring about more awareness to all ethnic identities and their social vulnerabilities.

Li is associated with the School of Social Transformation, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and her research centers on urban ethnicity and ethnic geography and highly-skilled international migration and transnational connections, focusing on Chinese and other Asian groups in the Pacific Rim. In her major study on suburban Asian settlements, she coined the term, “ethnoburb,“ and her book, Ethnoburb: The New Ethnic Community in Urban America won the 2009 Book Award in Social Sciences by the Association for Asian American Studies.

Li was appointed to three terms as a member of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Race and Ethnic Advisory Committees (REAC) on the Asian Population by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, served as its elected chair (2010-12) and vice chair annually (2004-09), and was one the inaugural members of the Bureau’s new National Advisory Committee of Race, Ethnic, and Other Populations. She serves as the Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Ethnicity and Multicultural Citizenship in Queen’s University, Canada (2006-07) and a Senior Fulbright Scholar to India (2016-2017); a member of the inaugural class of the National Asia Research Associates with the National Bureau of Asian Research and Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (2010-11); and the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Writing Residency (2014). She is a member of the International Steering Committee of the International Metropolis Project, and the North American director for the International Society of Studying Chinese Overseas.

In her seminar, Johnson will present on the most recent research in her laboratory, where she uses “molecular genetics, biochemistry, and mathematical biology to understand the basic mechanism by which cells produce RNA,” Johnson says.

The sessions are free to the public, and made possible by the sponsorship of the Daniel B. Suter Endowment in Biology and the co-sponsorship of supporting programs. They will be live streamed on the . The campus community is invited to attend the seminars in person in room 106 of the Suter Science Center.��

Prior to working at JMU, Johnson served as a program director in the Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Division at the NSF, and as an associate professor at Georgia State University. Her interest in pursuing genetics stemmed from transmission of deafness and hearing loss in her family. Johnson has also created and led workshops for middle- and high-school teachers interested in incorporating genetics laboratories into their classes.

Named in honor of long-time 91����Ƶ biology professor, Daniel B. Suter (1920-2006), the Endowment in Biology was established in 1986 through the generous donations of alumni and friends and currently consists of over $1 million of invested funds. 91����Ƶ hopes to double the Suter Endowment in order to more adequately support distinguished faculty and to increase scholarship aid to deserving students.

This fall, students are working in schools, theaters, research labs and medical clinics as part of the Washington Community Scholars’ Center (WCSC). The center, located in D.C. since 1976, is a program of 91����Ƶ (91����Ƶ) and welcomes students from all universities to apply.

The following 10 students, nine from 91����Ƶ and one from Goshen College, are living together this fall in the Nelson Good House in the Brookland neighborhood. From there, they’ll learn how their academic fields can be applied to the workforce, and explore some of Washington’s cultural and historic attractions.

Andrea Acevedo, a nursing major from Harrisonburg, Va., is with . She assists doctors with medical interpretation, accompanies doctors in diagnosing patients and exams. She has enjoyed spending one-on-one time with patients, which will be a continuing part of her work as a nurse, as well as “helping [her] patients engage with their doctors and identifying the best treatment programs for them.”

Sarah Grossen, a biochemistry major with minors in neuroscience and coaching, is in the at Georgetown University, where mouse models are being used to study Parkinson’s disease. She is learning lab procedures while collecting and analyzing behavioral data. 

Olivia Hazelton, a peacebuilding and development major from Philomath, Oregon, is with . She has researched available resources for incoming Afghan refugees and country conditions for clients filing for asylum in the U.S. She’s also contacted legal experts to help out with cases. “I have also had the opportunity to attend different seminars and trainings centering around immigration issues and learned a lot about the process of immigrating to the United States, especially how long and difficult it can be,” she reflected.

Adam Jacob, a history major and political science minor, is with , an organization which “offers rising generations opportunities for networking, mentoring, leadership and community engagement through our national network and extensive array of programming.”

Stephanie Kniss, of Chambersburg, Pa., assists with the aftercare program at . She is a sociology and writing double major. But she is not just limited to that: “Sitar is an organization where everyone wears many hats,” she says. “So some days I find myself helping to set up an art gallery or decorating the lobby for the holidays. Working at Sitar has already pushed me to be more comfortable in a leadership position. I’m finding it easier to say yes to things I would’ve been afraid of doing in the past. It’s an open and caring environment that allows me to feel safe, to fail, and be supported in any new ideas.”

Rachel Loyer, from York, Pa., is helping with ’s Pathway to Citizenship campaign. This is a series of public actions and rallies happening in response to the current budget reconciliation bill that is moving through Congress. Loyer, a sociology major with a minor in Spanish, is helping to track the status of the bill, hold response meetings, and organize events that will increase the pressure on the Democratic senators and Vice President Kamala Harris. “Following the latest administration, this is a critical time for immigration reform,” Loyer says. “Engaging in work that I am passionate about, feeling more connected to my culture, and supporting immigrant communities are some of my greatest takeaways thus far.”

Kylie Smith, of Yuma, Arizona, is working in the Office of Student Services at . The school employs a learning model called “two-generation learning,” in which children and parents learn together. “We believe, and research shows, that children’s school achievement is linked to their parents’ literacy and education levels,” according to the website. “At Briya, families ensure lasting outcomes by learning together.” Smith, a psychology major, is assisting a teacher with child development presentations, and providing updates to the school’s website lists for access to resources. She is also planning an event for students “to talk about their experiences as immigrants and how to make a new place feel like home.”

Rachelle Swe, from Harrisonburg, Va., is working in the . She is a double major in political science and peacebuilding and development. The organization partners with other church-affiliated organizations to work on various issues such the resettlement of Afghan refugees, climate change, and demilitarization. Swe is helping organize a series of webinars on the topic of US-China policy; she’ll be doing webinar promotion, speaking/discussing with the wider ecumenical working group, and reaching out to potential speakers and moderators for the webinars.

Avery Trinh, a psychology major with minors in neuroscience, math, and theater, is teaching peace in schools and at a homeless shelter for men with . The organization equips people with tools that create peace within oneself and various techniques to foster an environment of peace. “We do this by going into communities and facilitating peace circles and teaching essential social/emotional skills to answer conflict and violence,” Trinh said. “I think my most important learning experience will be having to work through and discuss the mental health of many individuals, particularly young children, and find creative ways to mediate conflict.” He is exploring the field of counseling as a future profession. 

Benji Wall, from Goshen, Indiana, is  a general communications major with minors in art and theater from Goshen College. He is set-building and assistant stage managing the show N at , in its 25th anniversary season. 

Jamie Reich, WCSC associate director of communications and recruitment, contributed to this article.