Hudson Acocella, a Political Science major

Ciela Acosta, a Peacebuilding & Development major

Peyton Alger, an English major

Muna Alsadun, a Social Work major

Johana Alvarenga, a Liberal Arts major

Ephrata Amare, a Biology major

Theo Andreas, a Nursing major

Meredith Atkinson, a Political Science and Psychology major

Wendy Avila Peralta, a Nursing major

Silas Bates, a Psychology major

Malia Bauman, a Social Work major

Leah Beachy, a Nursing major

Kayden Beidler, an English and Applied Mathematics major

Miranda Beidler, an English and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major

Renae Benner, an Engineering major

Terranie Bennett, a Writing Studies major

Leah Blough, an Accounting major

Karina Bondaruk, a Biochemistry major

Madison Bowyer, a Nursing major

Lincoln Brechbill, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jasmine Bruce, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major

Noah Buckwalter, a Biology and Environmental Science major

Daisy Buller, an Art major

Leah Cap, a Political Science major

Paulina C谩rcamo Nufio, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major

Mara Carlson, a Psychology major

Seungmin Cha, a Chemistry major

Joel Chamberlain, a Sociology and Environmental Science major

Camden Clapper, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Sebastian Clemente, a Psychology major

Jaydyn Clemmer, a Nursing major

Zoe Clymer, a Biology major

Cristina Col贸n Torres, a Psychology major

Chase Comer, a Political Science and History major

Rebekah Copeland, a Computer Science major

Ashley Cromer, a Nursing major

Kaitlyn Cunningham, a Psychology major

Logan Darrow, a Biology major

Ace Davis, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ruach Deng, a Computer Science major

Lexie Dingus, a Nursing major

Emily Donovan, a Biology major

Levi Dougherty, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jacob Dwyer, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major

Monica Ehrenfels, a Music major

Odesa Elezi, a Nursing major

Matt Elijah, a Recreation and Sport Management major

Benjamin Elliott, a Political Science and Peacebuilding major

Julia Fisher, an Art and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major

Abby Foltz, a Nursing major

Addison Fornadel, a Nursing major

Leah Frankenfield, a Psychology major

Benjamin Friesen Guhr, an Engineering major

Lily Gatesman, a Psychology major

Marta Gebretsadik, a Nursing major

Jassel Gomez Bonilla, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ellysa Gray, a Nursing major

Juliana Greaver, a Nursing major

Emma Greer, a Marketing major

Carter Griffin, a Business Administration and Recreation and Sport Management major

Emily Guin, a Nursing major

Sitara Hackney, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major

Madelynn Hamm, an Environmental Science major

Josh Haponski, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Glenn Harder, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Abbey Harper, a Nursing major

Keegan Harrison, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ryan Harrison, a Political Science major

Bridget Hay, a Psychology major

Willem Hedrick, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Justin Hochstedler, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Gabe Hollenbacher, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Elie Hoover, a Social Work and Music major

Mason Hunter, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Claire Hurst, a Biology major

Shawna Hurst, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major

Aspen Jones, a Psychology major

Braxten Jones, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major

Josh Joseph, a Recreation and Sport Management major

Zainab Kamran, a Computer Science major

Apekshya Karki, a Medical Lab Science major

Lauren Kauffman, a Psychology major

Sophia Kauffman, a Psychology major

Sara Kennel, a Global Development major

Esme King Martin, an Environmental Science and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major

Emae Klompenhouwer, a Social Work major

Jazi Knight, a Nursing major

Ani Koontz, a Biology major

Naomi Kratzer, a Music and History major

Gisele Kuate Mogouong, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Sophia Lacher, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6), and Special Education General Curriculum (K鈥�6) major

Maggie Ladd, a Social Work major

Ella Lambert, a Nursing major

Reina Landa, a Nursing major

Joy Lee, a Nursing major

Camryn Lohr, a Nursing major

Erin Loker, a Psychology major

Zeke Longacre, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Maria Longenecker, a Biology major

Brittany Love, a Psychology major

Caris Lucas, a Nursing major

Summer Lucas, a Nursing major

Reya Marron, a Nursing major

Brooke Martin, a Leadership and Organizational Management major

Olivia Martin, a Nursing major

Rosa Martin Fonseca, a Biology major

Micah Mast, an Engineering major

Kiyah Mata, a Psychology major

Caleb Metzler, a Political Science, Sociology, and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major

Eli Miller, an Environmental Science major

Hollyn Miller, a Psychology major

Isaac Miller, a Biology major

Sarah Miller, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Diego Morales Torres, a Computer Science major

Leilani Muniz, a Liberal Arts major

Samuel Myers, an Environmental Science major

Judith Nandikove, a Theology and Religion and Peacebuilding & Development major

Ethan Neufeld, a Biology and Biochemistry major

Sophia Nguyen, a Biology major

Ashutosh Niraula, a Computer Science major

Jenna Oostland, an Environmental Science major

Owen Osterberg, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Seth Ours, a Psychology major

Eden Owings, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Livy Pagano, a Psychology major

Leah Palmieri, a Nursing major

Katie Parks, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6), and Special Education General Curriculum (K鈥�6) major

Sarah Peak, a Psychology and Peacebuilding major

Zachary Perry, an Applied Mathematics major

Ezra Peters, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Sarah Poirot, a Nursing major

Bryce Poppe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Jocelyn Portillo-Romero, a Biology and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major

Sarah Prroj, a Business Administration major

Adam Rhodes, an Environmental Science and Peacebuilding major

Miriam Rhodes, a Music, Liberal Arts, and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major

Ella Richer, an Environmental Science major

Oliver Rivera, a Psychology major

Kyla Ross, a Psychology major

Jasmin Ruiz, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Gabriella Seal, a Nursing major

Roumany Sefin, a Business Administration and Medical Lab Science major

Addison Shanholtz, a Nursing major

Dulce Shenk Zeager, a Biology major

Emma Shepard, a Nursing major

Josiah Shimp, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Marianne Short, a Nursing major

Rose Short, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major

Ava Sitko, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Ari Smart, an Art and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major

Megan Smith, a Nursing major

Brooke Snyder, a Writing Studies major

Elijah Spicher, a Nursing major

April Stafford, a Nursing major

Keriana Stottlemyer, a Nursing major

Amelia Stuckey, a Biology and Environmental Science major

Simon Stuckey, an Engineering major

Joshua Stucky, a Nursing major

Kate Stutzman, a Biology major

Levi Stutzman, an Engineering major

Emily Suarez Nunez, a Nursing major

Kristina Suslaev, a Nursing major

Jazmyn Taylor, a Business Administration major

Kenzie Taylor, a Digital Media and Communication major

Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez, an Accounting and Business Administration major

Michelle Thompson, a Nursing major

Lauren Townsend, a Recreation and Sport Management and Organizational Leadership major

Collin Troutman, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Cassidy Turpen, a Psychology major

Christopher Varone, a Psychology major

Delaney Via, a Nursing major

Aniyah Walker, a Business Administration and Marketing major

Ava Walker, a Psychology major

Jadyn Weik, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Micah Wenger, a Music major

Reuben Wenger, a Biochemistry and Peacebuilding major

Yuji Wenger, a Biology major

Julia Williams, a Nursing major

Will Wolf, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Amanda Yoder, a Nursing major

Bryn Yoder, a Nursing major

Elliott Yoder, a Public Health major

Malia Yoder, a Biology major

Noah Yoder, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major

Sam Yoder, a Nursing major

Bethelhem Zelalem, a Nursing major

Matthew Zerbe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major

Lisa Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major

Mara Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major

91短视频 held its ninth annual Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival on Wednesday and Thursday. The campuswide event, hosted by the Provost鈥檚 Office and organized by its Intellectual Life Committee, offered students opportunities to learn and engage with one another and to showcase their research, creative projects and papers.

In her opening remarks before the festival’s keynote address on Wednesday, Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus described the ACE Festival as a 鈥渃elebration of student scholarship.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 where ideas take shape, not only in papers and research, but also in art, performance, and creative expression, and in the courage it takes to share one鈥檚 thinking with others,鈥� she said.

鈥淗ere, students learn from one another,鈥� she added. 鈥淲e engage perspectives across our fields and practice the kind of communication and collaboration that will shape our lives beyond today and this semester.鈥�

Career fair

Students connect with local employers at a career fair in the Hall of Nations on Thursday.

A new addition to this year鈥檚 ACE Festival was a career fair held Thursday inside the University Commons Hall of Nations. The event, hosted by the Alumni Engagement Office, gave students a chance to interact directly with employers, connect with alumni professionals, explore career options, and pursue internships or jobs.

Employers represented a range of industries, including Augusta Health, Merck, Park View Federal Credit Union, and Momentum Earthworks. 

One of those employers was Kirby Dean 鈥�92, director of parks and recreation for Rockingham County. He previously served as head coach of the 91短视频 men鈥檚 basketball team for 15 years, leading the 鈥淩unnin鈥� Royals鈥� to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Although his department didn鈥檛 have any full-time job openings, he said he鈥檚 always hiring part-time workers to staff the rec center desk, rake fields during baseball tournaments, or mow grass. He said the career fair was a great way to build relationships and connect with students.

鈥淚 feel like there are just good kids here,鈥� Dean said. 鈥淭hey were good when I went here from 1988 to 1992, they were good when I coached here from 2003 to 2018, and they鈥檙e good now. They鈥檙e the kind of people I鈥檓 generally looking for.鈥�

Another employer at the career fair represented the local school division. Jeron Baker, assistant director of human resources for Harrisonburg City Public Schools, said the division typically looks to fill between 50 and 60 jobs each year, mostly teaching positions in math, science, elementary education, and English Language Learner (ELL) classes.

The former associate director of 91短视频 admissions said 91短视频 graduates have a natural understanding of the diversity and complexity within Harrisonburg鈥檚 student community.

鈥淭hey sense the nuances of the human component and understand that education is not just about outcomes, but about process,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he process of knowing our students more deeply and understanding their systems more fully鈥攊t鈥檚 just something that comes naturally to 91短视频 students.鈥�

91短视频 60% of students in the city鈥檚 public schools speak Spanish at home, Baker said, and 50 to 60 languages are spoken by students across its two high schools. 

鈥�91短视频鈥檚 ability to create cross-cultural experiences for its students while also bringing in international populations helps students develop cultural competency in ways that are unique to 91短视频,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat supports our populations, our students, our families, and the broader vision HCPS has for its students.鈥�

In an last week, 91短视频 sophomore Francisco Rodriguez said the event offered him a chance to look at a lot of different career paths.

鈥淪ales is a big passion of mine,鈥� he told the newspaper, 鈥渂ut understanding there are other options available here, it鈥檚 really nice to be able to check it all out.鈥�

Presentations

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Senior nursing majors Emily Guin, Kristina Suslaev, and Reina Landa give a presentation on the effects of social media use on mental health in children and adolescents. | Senior engineering major Levi Stutzman discusses gentrification trends in Washington D.C. and Denver during a poster session at the Suter Science Center. | Chase Comer, a senior majoring in political science and history, presents research on shifting voting patterns in Virginia鈥檚 Buchanan and Rockingham counties. 

Students from a wide range of majors presented their academic research Thursday in oral presentations and poster sessions across campus. Topics included the concentration of antioxidants in cinnamon bark, the effect of data centers on surrounding infrastructure and resources, the relationship between trauma and homelessness, and the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities.

Senior Emily Guin, part of a group of nursing majors presenting at Martin Chapel early Thursday morning, said her favorite thing about the ACE Festival was attending other presentations and supporting her peers. 鈥淚 feel like I learn something new at every presentation,鈥� she said. For instance, she said that last year she learned childhood obesity rates in Harrisonburg were higher than the national average.

Guin will work at Inova Fairfax Hospital鈥檚 Emergency Department after graduation. Her group presented on the relationship between social media use among children and adolescents and their emotional well-being and mental health. She said they researched the topic because of how relevant and new it is. 

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 crazy how impactful social media is, both positive and negative,鈥� Guin said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine growing up in such a digital time now. It makes me feel so old to say that, but I can鈥檛 fathom having everything posted on social media.鈥�

Like many students on campus, engineering senior Levi Stutzman had a busy day of presentations. He was part of a cohort that tracked 91短视频鈥檚 carbon emissions and presented findings showing the university is not on track to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 (as outlined in its Climate Action Plan).

He also delivered a poster presentation analyzing census data from 2000 and 2020 for areas of Washington D.C. and Denver to chart gentrification in those cities. Later that afternoon, he and three other students gave an engineering capstone presentation on a 鈥渟ingle-axis shake table鈥� they designed to simulate sesmic movement and its impact on structures. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to show off your projects and see what everyone else is working on,鈥� Stutzman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a special time of the year.鈥�

Another engineering major, junior Micah Mast, presented a 3D printer he revived and upgraded. 91短视频 purchased the printer, a Makerbot Replicator+, in 2018. Because the machine鈥檚 parts and software were discontinued, it had largely been unused for several years. 

鈥淚t was always the printer nobody wanted to use because the prints were low quality,鈥� Mast said. 鈥淚t just kind of sat there.鈥�

For his project, he replaced the printer鈥檚 proprietary control system with modern open-source electronics, resulting in improved print quality, a faster workflow, and long-term serviceability, all for about $150. The upgraded MakerBot adds a fourth working printer to 91短视频鈥檚 collection. 

鈥淭his goes along with sustainability, using things that otherwise would鈥檝e essentially been thrown in the trash,鈥� he said. 

Mast said his favorite thing about the ACE Festival is showing the rest of the school what he spent an entire semester working toward.

鈥淭here were countless hours of trying to get it to do what it鈥檚 doing right now,鈥� he said, pointing to the machine, which was successfully printing tugboats known as the 鈥�3DBenchy鈥� test print.

Art exhibition

Senior art students Donovan Arnason, Daisy Buller, Hollyn Miller, Jasmin Ruiz, and Allie Watkins presented their capstone projects during an opening reception Thursday afternoon at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. The exhibition will remain on display through May 1.

Student recital

A student recital at Lehman Auditorium featured performances by vocalists Mac Rhodes-Lehman (bass) and Eli Stoll (baritone), pianists Rafael de Tablan and Micah Wenger, violinist Miriam Rhodes, violist Monica Ehrenfels, flautist Nina Dunsmore, and guitarist and vocalist Erin Yoder (alto). The musicians were accompanied by Harold Bailey and Dominic Baldoni on piano.

A wind ensemble concert was held that evening, followed by a university choir concert on Friday as part of the weeklong ACE Festival lineup. View recordings of those concerts on the .

Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation

The 17th annual Authors鈥� Reception and Award Presentation recognized and celebrated the winners of 91短视频鈥檚 Excellence in Teaching Awards. Faculty members Dr. Ryan Good, Dr. Kathryn Howard-Ligas, and Kevin Carini were announced as this year鈥檚 recipients. 

Click the post below for testimonials about each recipient, the winners of the student writing and academic awards, and the faculty and student authors recognized for their published scholarly works.

Keynote address

A keynote address by Dr. Deborah Lawrence, chief scientist at Calyx Global, opened the ACE Festival on Wednesday morning. Lawrence, who taught at the University of Virginia as an environmental sciences professor for more than 25 years, reflected on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, 91短视频鈥檚 Common Read this year, and spoke about her research on forests in Borneo, Mexico, and around the world. 

Read our recap of her address below:

The ACE Festival is hosted by the Provost鈥檚 Office and made possible by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the Center for Interfaith Engagement; and the Daniel B. Suter Endowment, which supports 91短视频鈥檚 commitment to fostering curiosity, discovery, and scientific learning. 

For a full schedule of ACE Festival events, visit .

Photos by Aric Berg and Jon Styer/At Ease Consulting

ACE Fest Keynote Address
Date: Wednesday, April 15
Time: 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Location: Lehman Auditorium
More info:

Dr. Deborah Lawrence, chief scientist and director of forest and land at Calyx Global, will open the 2026 Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival as keynote speaker at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, in Lehman Auditorium.

At Calyx Global, a Colorado-based carbon credit ratings agency, Lawrence ensures the scientific integrity of its greenhouse gas ratings. She spent 25 years as an environmental sciences professor at the University of Virginia, where she conducted global forest and climate research.

She also served as a science advisor to the U.S. Department of State and established SilvaCarbon, a U.S. federal program for forest carbon measurement and monitoring, according to a staff listing on . 

Lawrence holds a BA in anthropology from Harvard University and a PhD in botany from Duke University. 

Her keynote address will reflect on 鈥渙ur connections to nature and how they have changed over the course of my life,鈥� Lawrence said, 鈥渋nforming my scholarship, my work, and my daily life.鈥�

Jennifer Ulrich, chair of the Intellectual Life Committee, said Lawrence鈥檚 teaching experience, research, and international background were key factors in selecting her as keynote speaker. 

She said Lawrence readily embraced both the university鈥檚 annual theme of environmental sustainability and its Common Read, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, as she developed her address.

鈥淚 am grateful for her willingness to speak with us and look forward to her keynote address,鈥� Ulrich said.

91短视频 ACE Festival

91短视频鈥檚 Academic and Creative Excellence Festival provides an opportunity for students to learn from their peers and to showcase their own research, creative projects, and papers. It鈥檚 also an opportunity to continue conversations sparked by 91短视频鈥檚 Common Read for the year.

In addition to poster and oral presentations held throughout the day on Thursday, April 15, ACE Fest events include a music department student recital at noon in Lehman Auditorium, an art exhibition opening for senior capstone projects at 4:45 p.m. in the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery, and a wind ensemble concert at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium.

The 17th 91短视频 Authors’ Reception and Award Presentation will be held from 3:45-5 p.m. in Old Common Grounds (University Commons 177) on Thursday. The annual event, hosted by the Office of the Provost, recognizes and celebrates winners of the university鈥檚 Excellence in Teaching Awards and recipients of student writing awards, as well as 91短视频 faculty, staff, and students who have published scholarly work since Jan. 1, 2025. The awards presentation part of the program will begin at 4:30 p.m.

An 91短视频 Career Fair, hosted by the Alumni Engagement Office, will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday at the Hall of Nations. It will provide an opportunity for students to interact directly with employers, connect with alumni professionals, explore career options, and potentially secure internships or employment. 

The ACE Festival is hosted by the Provost鈥檚 Office and made possible by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Center for Interfaith Engagement, and the Daniel B. Suter Endowment, which supports 91短视频鈥檚 commitment to fostering curiosity, discovery, and scientific learning. 

For more information about the festival and a schedule of events, visit .

The Cords of Distinction Award honors the efforts of up to 10 graduating students each year who have made outstanding contributions to the university, community, or society. It was established in 2000 to recognize and honor graduates who have demonstrated creative learning and achievement, exemplary leadership and engagement across communities, and a commitment to the values of the university: academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith.

The cords are blue and gold. Blue honors the strength of conviction that one person can help restore hope across communities. Gold celebrates excellence and the courage to practice and pursue peace.

The 2026 Cords of Distinction recipients are:

鈥� Sophia Armato, with majors in Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK鈥�12) licensure from Manheim, Pennsylvania;

鈥� Leah Beachy, a nursing major from Salem, Oregon;

鈥� Arelys Martinez Fabian, with majors in Spanish language & Hispanic studies and education (PreK鈥�12) licensure from Winchester, Virginia;

鈥� Genesis Figueroa, with majors in political science and Spanish language & Hispanic studies from Millersburg, Ohio;

鈥� Leah Frankenfield, a psychology major from Moraga, California;

鈥� Dibora Mekonnen, with majors in political science and social work from Silver Spring, Maryland;

鈥� Emily Suarez Nunez, a nursing major from McGaheysville, Virginia;

鈥� Irais Barrera Pinzon, with majors in political science and Spanish language & Hispanic studies from Richmond, Virginia;

鈥� Sarah Prroj, a business administration major from Shkoder, Albania; and

鈥� Roumany Sefin, with majors in business administration and medical lab science from Port Said, Egypt.

Nominees are:

鈥� Miranda Beidler
鈥� Nia Boyd
鈥� Kylik Bradshaw
鈥� Chase Comer
鈥� Anne Marie Cornelius
鈥� Zazkia De la Vega
鈥� Benjamin Friesen Guhr
鈥� Madelynn Hamm
鈥� Jackie Jackson
鈥� Sara Kennel
鈥� Lydia Longacre
鈥� Maria Longenecker
鈥� Ethan Neufeld
鈥� Jenna Oostland
鈥� Royale Parker
鈥� Marianne Short
鈥� Eli Stoll
鈥� John Stover
鈥� Joshua Stucky
鈥� Levi Stutzman
鈥� Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez
鈥� Erik Wilkinson

鈥淚鈥檝e always been conscious of how much money I鈥檓 spending,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to have tons of debt I鈥檒l have to pay back later, especially at high interest rates.鈥�

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.

鈥淲ithout the NSF S-STEM Scholarship, I would鈥檝e struggled financially,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he scholarship really takes the pressure off my shoulders, because now I won鈥檛 have that debt looming over my head.鈥�

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短视频 last fall.聽

He is among an initial cohort of 91短视频 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短视频鈥檚 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 .

鈥楢 welcoming community鈥�

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短视频 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.

鈥淭hat first week showed me how friendly and approachable my professors are,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e done a great job creating a welcoming community.鈥�

Another S-STEM Scholarship recipient, Mara Carlson, is a first-year psychology major from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 鈥淢any of us have become close friends,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檒l see the other scholarship recipients around campus and we鈥檒l say hello to each other.鈥�

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短视频. 鈥淲e discussed a four-year plan, and I was really grateful for that,鈥� 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短视频, and that receiving the S-STEM Scholarship was 鈥渁 nice surprise.鈥�

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

鈥淚t’s 100% the reason I came,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I got that, it meant I could completely afford to go here, and it honestly made 91短视频 more affordable than any other college in my area. It鈥檚 my joy to share how grateful I am because this is truly just an amazing thing that 91短视频 has.鈥�

鈥淚 got to practice incisions and suturing, and we had some frogs that needed postoperative care,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was a really valuable experience, and I don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e gotten that at a lot of other schools.鈥�

These days, Prock doesn鈥檛 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 鈥�12鈥攖hey met at 91短视频鈥攁nd worked as a locum, filling in for understaffed hospitals that needed help.

鈥淭hink of it like substitute teaching, but for veterinarians,鈥� Prock said.

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

鈥淚t shocked me the amount of clients who would call in with sick pets and say, 鈥楳y dog is vomiting or has diarrhea or has an ear infection,鈥欌�� said Prock. 鈥淎nd the answer was, 鈥極ur first available appointment is in two weeks.鈥� That鈥檚 just how the system works. But it felt wrong to say no to so many sick pets.鈥�

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.

鈥淥ur core values are compassion and collaboration, and that鈥檚 been echoed in our reviews,鈥� Prock said. 鈥淧eople get what we鈥檙e doing and they appreciate it.鈥�

Seeking a balance

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

鈥淢y parents let us keep weird pets,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 had all sorts of reptiles growing up, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, and bunnies. You name it, we took care of it.鈥�

That taught him the responsibility of pet ownership and fostered in him a connection to animals. He added that he鈥檚 also always been fascinated with the subject of biology, the natural sciences, and the 鈥渉uge, complex system that makes all living things, living things.鈥� 

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. 鈥淚 got to see firsthand what having, essentially, a full-time job on top of college looked like,鈥� Prock said. 鈥淭hat helped steer me toward Division III and 91短视频.鈥�

鈥淔rom my visit to 91短视频, 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,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s 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.鈥�

鈥淚 think that balance made a huge impact on my ability to eventually get into vet school,鈥� he added.

At 91短视频, 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短视频.

Although no amount of work can truly prepare someone for the rigors and stressors of vet school, he said, 91短视频鈥檚 coursework and degree equipped him as best it could. 鈥淚t was absolutely difficult and was a new level of challenging, but as far as fundamentals go, I had everything I needed,鈥� he said.

It鈥檚 also incredibly difficult to get accepted into vet school, he added. After graduating from 91短视频 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鈥檚 volleyball team at 91短视频. At the same time, he applied to a flurry of veterinary schools across the country.

鈥淚 tell people I took one year off on purpose and one year off by accident, because I didn鈥檛 get into veterinary school,鈥� 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. 鈥淢y priorities looked different than most people鈥檚,鈥� Prock said, noting the hypercompetitive nature of vet school students. 鈥淚t was never my goal to become the world鈥檚 best veterinarian or the world鈥檚 best clinician. I always wanted to help people and I knew I could do that by helping pets and working with animals.鈥�

Keeping his passion going

One of his most meaningful experiences from his time at 91短视频 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.

鈥淭hat was wonderful preparation,鈥� Prock said. 鈥淚 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.鈥�

As Prock鈥檚 responsibilities at the clinic have shifted, he鈥檚 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 鈥渟pecific type of brain.鈥� 

鈥淚t鈥檚 common to find people who have a passion for animals,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 less common to find those who have a passion for helping people, solving problems, and working with teams.鈥�

Learn more about the clinic at .

Hudson Acocella, a Political Science major from Fairfax, VA

Ciela Acosta, a Peacebuilding & Development major from Salem, OR

Mitsilal Adhanom, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Cris Aguirre, a Nursing major from Fishersville, VA

Peyton Alger, an English major from McGaheysville, VA

Jocelyn Allanson, a Biology major from Manassas, VA

Theo Andreas, a Nursing major from Bluffton, OH

Sophia Armato, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major from Manheim, PA

Meredith Atkinson, a Political Science and Psychology major from Mechanicsville, VA

Silas Bates, a Psychology major from Leesburg, VA

Malia Bauman, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Mwamini Bayongwa, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Leah Beachy, a Nursing major from Salem, OR

Kay Beidler, an English and Applied Mathematics major from Akron, PA

Renae Benner, an Engineering major from Telford, PA

Joelle Blosser, a Health & Physical Education and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major from Harrisonburg, VA

Leah Blough, an Accounting major from Oklahoma City, OK

Karina Bondaruk, a Biochemistry major from Churchville, VA

Lisa Booth, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Catlett, VA

Madison Bowyer, a Nursing major from Staunton, VA

Nia Boyd, an Art and Writing Studies major from Richmond, VA

Jasmine Bruce, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major from Waynesboro, VA

Daisy Buller, an Art and Psychology major from Newton, KS

Mary Cain, a Social Work major from Advance, NC

Paulina Carcamo, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Mara Carlson, a Psychology major from Lititz, PA

Joe Carosella, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Lancaster, PA

Courtney Cave, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Maurertown, VA

Travis Cave, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Maurertown, VA

Joel Chamberlain, a Sociology and Environmental Science major from San Jose, Costa Rica

Camden Clapper, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Lancaster, PA

Mickayla Clay, a Criminology major from Woodbridge, VA

Sebastian Clemente, a Psychology major from Parrish, FL

Jaydyn Clemmer, a Nursing major from Fairfield, VA

Zoe Clymer, a Biology major from Collinsville, MS

Cristina Colon Torres, a Psychology major from Toa Alta, PR

Chase Comer, a Political Science and History major from Bridgewater, VA

Rebekah Compagnari, a Nursing major from Rockingham, VA

Rebekah Copeland, a Computer Science major from Harrisonburg, VA

Malachi Cornelius, a Business Administration and Psychology major from Evanston, IL

Kaitlyn Cunningham, a Psychology major from Toms Brook, VA

Kaitlyn Custis, a Nursing major from Chester, VA

Zach Danielczyk, a Business Administration major from Oakton, VA

Logan Darrow, a Biology major from Stafford, VA

Ace Davis, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Yoe, PA

Zazkia De la Vega, a Marketing and Business Administration major from Cusco, Peru

Rafael de Tablan, a Music major from Quezon City, Philippines

Abadit Desta, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Nashay Dickson, a Nursing major from Philadelphia, PA

Lexie Dingus, a Nursing major from Broadway, VA

Emily Donovan, a Biology major from Rileyville, VA

Levi Dougherty, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Wrightsville, PA

Jacob Dwyer, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major from Fairfax, VA

Monica Ehrenfels, a Music major from Cheshire, CT

Matt Elijah, a Recreation and Sport Management major from Fishersville, VA

Benjamin Elliott, a Political Science and Peacebuilding major from Broadway, VA

Genesis Figueroa, a Political Science and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major from Millersburg, OH

Julia Fisher, an Art and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major from Mount Joy, PA

Brock Fittery, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Manheim, PA

Dante Flowe, a Biochemistry major from Harrisonburg, VA

Kaicey Foltz, a Nursing major from Elkton, VA

Benjamin Friesen Guhr, an Engineering major from Newton, KS

Keenan Fulwood, a Psychology major from Stafford, VA

Kevin Garcia Gonzalez, a Biology and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major from Harrisonburg, VA

Lily Gatesman, a Psychology major from Timberville, VA

Marta Gebretsadik, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Lidiya Gizaw, a Nursing major from Murray, UT

Ellysa Gray, a Nursing major from Stanley, VA

Isaac Greenleaf, a Computer Science, Engineering, and Applied Mathematics major from Elizabethtown, PA

Carter Griffin, a Business Administration and Recreation and Sport Management major from Pitman, NJ

Liliana Guerrero, a Liberal Arts and Early Education Licensure (PreK鈥�3) major from Stafford, VA

Sitara Hackney, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major from Waynesboro, VA

Dylan Hall, a Health & Physical Education and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major from Chesapeake, VA

Madelynn Hamm, an Environmental Science major from Newton, KS

Josh Haponski, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Hummelstown, PA

Abbey Harper, a Nursing major from Elkton, VA

Keegan Harrison, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Oxford, PA

Bridget Hay, a Psychology major from Front Royal, VA

Willem Hedrick, a Digital Media and Communication major from Hinton, VA

Justin Hochstedler, an Accounting and Business Administration major from Goshen, IN

Justin Hodgin, a History & Social Science and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major from Harrisonburg, VA

Elie Hoover, a Social Work and Music major from New Carlisle, OH

Emma Ruth Hua, a Sociology major from Weyers Cave, VA

Jack Hughes, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Marietta, PA

Alyssa Hunter, a Biology major from Lexington, VA

Claire Hurst, a Public Health and Biology major from Conestoga, PA

Shawna Hurst, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major from Broadway, VA

Benjamin Huyard, an Engineering major from Harrisonburg, VA

Beck Jantzi, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major from Hesston, KS

Emma Johnson, a Recreation and Sport Management major from Burlington, NC

Jam Johnson, a Nursing major from Goode, VA

Aspen Jones, a Psychology major from Elkton, VA

Jayda Jones, a Social Work major from Goodview, VA

Aliza Judd, an Accounting major from Winchester, VA

Zainab Kamran, a Psychology major from Lahore, Pakistan

Ethan Kanagy, a Psychology major from Lancaster, PA

Lauren Kauffman, a Psychology major from Goshen, IN

Sophia Kauffman, a Psychology major from Goshen, IN

Sara Kennel, a Global Development major from Souderton, PA

Hannah Kepler, a Psychology major from Strasburg, VA

Emae Klompenhouwer, a Social Work major from Newport News, VA

Ani Koontz, a Biology major from North Newton, KS

Naomi Kratzer, a Music and History major from Goshen, IN

Gisele Kuate Mogouong, an Accounting and Business Administration major from Rockingham, VA

Sophia Lacher, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6), and Special Education General Curriculum (K鈥�6) major from Souderton, PA

Maggie Ladd, a Social Work major from Hesston, KS

Ella Lambert, a Nursing major from Lynchburg, VA

Lindsey Lantz, a Nursing major from Elkton, VA

Mac Lehman, a Music major from Dayton, VA

Erin Loker, a Psychology major from Rockingham, VA

Lydia Longacre, an English and Secondary Education Licensure (6鈥�12) major from Quakertown, PA

Maria Longenecker, a Biology major from Lancaster, PA

Jose Lopez Vasquez, a Computer Science major from Harrisonburg, VA

Brittany Love, a Psychology major from Harrisonburg, VA

Summer Lucas, a Nursing major from Elkton, VA

Sarah Lynch, a Recreation and Sport Management major from Williamsburg, VA

Taylor Mackrell, a Nursing major from Hagerstown, MD

Taylor Mallory, a Nursing major from Stanardsville, VA

Brooke Martin, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Telford, PA

Olivia Martin, a Nursing major from Palmyra, VA

Arelys Martinez Fabian, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major from Winchester, VA

Micah Mast, an Engineering major from Lansdale, PA

Kiyah Mata, a Psychology major from Harrisonburg, VA

Jacob Mathers, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Lititz, PA

Joey Merica, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Harrisonburg, VA

Caleb Metzler, a Political Science, Sociology, and Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major from Harrisonburg, VA

Eli Miller, an Environmental Science major from Newton, KS

Hollyn Miller, a Psychology major from Lancaster, PA

Nathan Miller, a Business Administration major from Sugarcreek, OH

Kimberly Mojarro Gamino, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Diego Morales Torres, a Computer Science major from Kissimmee, FL

Amy Morataya, a Social Work major from Woodbridge, VA

Samuel Myers, an Environmental Science major from Archbold, OH

Judith Nandikove, a Theology and Religion and Peacebuilding & Development major from Nairobi, Kenya

Zipola Nayituriki, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Ethan Neufeld, a Biology and Biochemistry major from Newton, KS

Sophia Nguyen, a Biology major from Rockingham, VA

Jenna Oostland, an Environmental Science major from Goshen, IN

Hector Ortiz, an Engineering major from Woodbridge, VA

Samuel Osterberg, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from York, PA

Seth Ours, a Psychology major from Kalona, IA

Eden Owings, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Mechanicsburg, PA

Leah Palmieri, a Nursing major from Swoope, VA

Kemon Papadimitriou, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Lancaster, PA

Noel Parakuo, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Malachi Peachey-Stoner, a Biology and Environmental Science major from Hesston, KS

Hizkia Permata, a Computer Science major from Hirata, Japan

Bryce Poppe, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Mechanicsburg, PA

Sarah Prroj, a Business Administration major from Harrisonburg, VA

Nick Rahe, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Lancaster, PA

Claire Reichenbach, a Chemistry major from Warsaw, IN

Conner Rhoades, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Mount Joy, PA

Adam Rhodes, an Environmental Science and Peacebuilding major from Rockingham, VA

Miriam Rhodes, a Music, Liberal Arts, and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major from Rockingham, VA

Ella Richer, an Environmental Science major from Archbold, OH

Key Ritchie, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design and Art major from Harrisonburg, VA

Andrew Rodes, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Mount Crawford, VA

Francisco Rodriguez, an International Business and Political Science major from Rockingham, VA

Kyla Ross, a Psychology major from Fredericksburg, VA

Joshua Rudd, a Business Administration major from Moseley, VA

Jasmin Ruiz, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major from Harrisonburg, VA

Emma Ryman, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Dee Sampson, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Shenandoah, VA

Chris Santisteban, a Business Administration major from Ashburn, VA

Roumany Sefin, a Business Administration and Medical Lab Science major from Harrisonburg, VA

Addison Shanholtz, a Nursing major from Broadway, VA

Dulce Shenk Zeager, a Biology major from Lancaster, PA

Emma Shepard, a Nursing major from Grottoes, VA

Josiah Shimp, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Strasburg, PA

Marianne Short, a Nursing major from Wadsworth, OH

Rose Short, a Liberal Arts and Elementary Education Licensure (PreK鈥�6) major from Wadsworth, OH

Ekram Siraj, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Kenley Smith, a Health & Physical Education and Education Licensure (PreK鈥�12) major from Strasburg, VA

Megan Smith, a Nursing major from Upper Tract, WV

Luke Snader, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Leola, PA

Brooke Snyder, a Writing Studies major from Phoenix, AZ

Elijah Spicher, a Nursing major from Rockingham, VA

April Stafford, a Nursing major from Spotsylvania, VA

Eli Stoll, a Peacebuilding & Development and Music major from Harrisonburg, VA

Keriana Stottlemyer, a Nursing major from Maurertown, VA

Will Stover, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Lititz, PA

Amelia Stuckey, a Biology and Environmental Science major from Middlebury, IN

Simon Stuckey, an Engineering major from Fairport, NY

Joshua Stucky, a Nursing major from Princeton, NJ

Kate Stutzman, a Biology major from Lakewood, CO

Levi Stutzman, an Engineering major from Centennial, CO

Kristina Suslaev, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Kenzie Taylor, a Digital Media and Communication major from Chesapeake, VA

Guadalupe Tenorio Ramirez, an Accounting and Business Administration major from Hopewell, VA

Michelle Thompson, a Nursing major from Culpeper, VA

Collin Troutman, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Sinking Spring, PA

Cassidy Turpen, a Psychology major from Woodbridge, VA

Tre Uzzle, a Business Administration major from South Chesterfield, VA

Christopher Varone, a Psychology major from Spotsylvania, VA

Delaney Via, a Nursing major from Charlottesville, VA

Aniyah Walker, a Business Administration and Marketing major from Hampton, VA

Ava Walker, a Psychology major from Glen Allen, VA

Jadyn Weik, a Leadership and Organizational Management (Aviation) major from Myerstown, PA

Micah Wenger, a Music major from Hutchinson, KS

Reuben Wenger, a Biochemistry and Peacebuilding major from Hutchinson, KS

Yuji Wenger, a Biology major from Lancaster, PA

Brendan White, a Business Administration major from Virginia Beach, VA

Amanda Yoder, a Nursing major from Mount Joy, PA

Bryn Yoder, a Nursing major from Millersburg, OH

Elliott Yoder, a Public Health major from Millersburg, OH

Malia Yoder, a Biology major from Kalona, IA

Noah Yoder, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major from Surprise, AZ

Sam Yoder, a Nursing major from Apple Creek, OH

Lisa Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major from Leola, PA

Mara Zimmerman, an Environmental Science and Biology major from Leola, PA

Nathan Derstine 鈥�10, a chemical ecologist and physiologist whose research focuses on insect pheromones, was recently recognized for his groundbreaking work on how bees, wasps, and other insects communicate. He received the Early Career Award from the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE) at its annual meeting held in New Zealand this past August. 

The award recognizes 鈥渃utting-edge research in any area of chemical ecology performed by the new generation of scientists鈥� and is open to researchers within 10 years of earning their PhD, according to . It honors Derstine for 鈥渉is outstanding achievements in advancing our understanding of the plasticity and regulation of chemical signals governing social behavior in insects.鈥�

What is chemical ecology?
Chemical ecology is the study integrating chemistry and biology to examine the chemical interactions among organisms and their environment. It includes signaling processes and communication between individuals, for instance in pheromone responses. ()

鈥淭here are so many remarkable and excellent researchers who are equally, if not more, deserving of this award, so I didn鈥檛 expect to get it,鈥� Derstine said. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the opportunity to work on a wide array of projects with a lot of great mentors, and it feels very affirming to be recognized for all the work I鈥檝e done and put in over the years.鈥�

Along with receiving the award, Derstine was invited to present a plenary lecture on his research at the conference, with all travel, accommodation, and conference fees fully covered. 鈥淚t was a great trip,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was cool to see New Zealand and connect with a different group of chemical ecologists. It鈥檚 always rewarding to put a face to the names of the papers you鈥檝e read.鈥�

He arrived back in the U.S. two days before fall classes started at the , where he teaches as a visiting assistant professor of biology. Since moving to the city this summer, he鈥檚 been approached by more than one solicitor who鈥檚 knocked on his door and offered to spray for bugs. 鈥淚 always have to tell them that they鈥檙e barking up the wrong tree,鈥� he said.

Planting the seeds

Derstine said he鈥檚 always been interested in biology, but had never thought of himself as an entomologist or 鈥渋nsect person.鈥� 鈥淚n retrospect, I realize I may have had a unique background compared to others,鈥� he said.

His parents were beekeepers for as long as he鈥檚 been alive鈥攈is father Kenton, professor emeritus at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, maintained a few bee hives on the 91短视频 Hill back in the day鈥斺�渟o I grew up doing it and never thought of it as anything other than normal,鈥� he said.

While at 91短视频, most of his student research was with Roman Miller, professor emeritus of biology, on how plant hormones affect the development of reproductive organs in mice. He got involved in Professor Matthew Siderhurst鈥檚 entomology research and spent two summers as a student at a U.S. Department of Agriculture lab in Hilo, Hawaii, where he worked to identify and develop strategies for managing invasive pests such as the little fire ant. 

鈥淭hat was the seed of where it all began, through my involvement with Matt,鈥� said Derstine, who remains in close communication with the professor.

He said that 91短视频鈥檚 small class sizes, as well as the biology program鈥檚 exclusive focus on undergraduate students, helped him form close connections with faculty and allowed him to gain hands-on experience working alongside professors as they conducted research projects. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a big benefit,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no doubt that there鈥檚 a very direct link between my experiences and the network of people I now know, who have helped me not only get a job but also continue to provide mentorship and guidance.鈥�

After graduating from 91短视频 with a biology degree in 2010, Derstine worked for two years as a research technician with Siderhurst at the lab in Hawaii before deciding to pursue graduate school. He earned a master of science from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada) in 2016. From 2017 to 2018, he conducted research on the spotted lanternfly at a USDA lab in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. He earned his PhD in entomology from Pennsylvania State University in 2023. 

He has also studied and contributed to research papers on yellowjackets and bumblebees, fruit-piercing moths, coffee berry borers, coconut rhinoceros beetles, and fruit flies.

Derstine fondly recalled spending long hours at Suter Science Center identifying specimens for an insect collection and late nights in the basement of Sadie Hartzler Library studying with friends. He returned to campus in March 2024 to lead a Suter Science Seminar talk on the 鈥淪ociality and Evolution of Reproductive Signals in Bees.鈥�

鈥淚 loved my time at 91短视频,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 imagine it any other way.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 all of those things,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about caring for the less fortunate, giving the marginalized a voice, and ensuring that nursing follows its scopes and standards and code of ethics. That鈥檚 a unique lens I see in myself and other 91短视频 grads: the idea of nursing as a service.鈥�

Furr, a full-time nurse at Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg, is deepening her education as an 91短视频 student enrolled in her third and final year of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, a consortium of 91短视频 and Goshen College. Last month, she was named the of the Eleanor C. Lambertsen Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year. The scholarship is awarded annually to a doctoral student in nursing education or administration through Nurses Educational Funds Inc. (NEF).

鈥淚 was honestly surprised to get the scholarship,鈥� Furr said. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 tell you how many people apply for it, but they describe it as very competitive. Many of the previous recipients were PhD students doing amazing research, and so it felt validating to be recognized for what I鈥檝e been able to do at a community hospital.鈥�

In her role as Magnet Program Manager at Sentara RMH, she primarily helps in 鈥渃aring for the caregivers,鈥� ensuring nurses at the hospital get the education, support, and professional development they need, as well as using聽data and quality metrics to improve the care they provide for their patients. 鈥淗aving a nurse who really cares makes such a difference,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or me, that鈥檚 how I care for my community鈥攂y improving what we do so that every patient gets better care.鈥�

Furr has worked at the Harrisonburg hospital for the past 23 years, starting as a new 91短视频 nursing grad, in various roles including registered nurse (pediatrics), patient care supervisor, and nursing professional development practitioner. She taught 91短视频 nursing students as an adjunct clinical instructor for three semesters in 2023-24. The scholarship will be used to cover the remaining tuition costs that aren鈥檛 reimbursed by Sentara, she said.

Furr graduated from 91短视频 with a BSN 聽in 2001. She earned her MSN in nursing education from Walden University in Minneapolis in 2022.

Driven by a commitment to improving the experience of nurses, her doctoral project will focus on enhancing organizational support for health care staff who have experienced workplace assaults and examine how that support affects staff retention. Research shows that the initial care that staff receive after an assault often determines how well they cope with the experience, Furr said. 

Workplace assaults, including those by patients against providers, are a 鈥渧ery real problem,鈥� said Michael Horst, dean of 91短视频鈥檚 Health, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences division. 鈥淚n every circle I鈥檝e been in, people talk about how difficult it is to recruit and retain nurses because it can be a very unsafe work environment,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his kind of doctoral work addresses that issue directly, and 91短视频 has been preparing Margaret to tackle it since her undergraduate studies.鈥�

Furr said her favorite part of the 91短视频-Goshen College DNP consortium is the small cohort size, which promotes relationships and community building, as well as the opportunity to learn from professors at both universities. The program鈥檚 values of stewardship, human flourishing, sacred covenant, and peacemaking also resonate with her, she added.

What can a DNP do?

DNP programs prepare nurse leaders at the highest level to improve patient outcomes and translate research into practice. Furr said she plans to use her DNP degree to manage projects and drive change, support staff growth through nursing excellence, help staff understand data and processes, and develop better educational programs.

91短视频 91短视频鈥檚 DNP program

The 33-credit, fully online and asynchronous program, accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), is for nurses who want to work in health care administration, teach, or be a change agent for their workplace. Students complete 10 online courses and at least one residency during the 24-month program. Eligible applicants must hold a master of science degree in nursing (MSN) degree from an accredited school with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.

The program combines the best aspects and shared values of both 91短视频 and Goshen College. 鈥淭he key advantage is access to faculty expertise from two universities,鈥� said 91短视频 Nursing Professor Melody Cash. 鈥淧lus, as a student, you鈥檙e learning alongside peers from both schools, which provides a wider range of perspectives.鈥�

The consortium launched in January 2018, with the first cohort graduating in May 2020.

In addition to its BSN and DNP programs, 91短视频 also offers an accredited MSN program and graduate certificates in nursing. Learn more about the university鈥檚 nursing programs at . 

The application period for the next NEF scholarship process opens Oct. 1 and closes on Feb. 2. To apply for a scholarship, visit .

The full-tuition scholarship is 91短视频鈥檚 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, 鈥淭here are three types of people in the world; which are you?鈥� through the medium of a blank 3鈥漻5鈥� 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短视频. 鈥淚 liked what I read about the school, but then I forgot all about it,鈥� she said.

When her older brother, who graduated from Pacific Lutheran University, mentioned that an economics professor of his (Ryan Swartzendruber 鈥�16) had graduated from 91短视频 and 鈥渓oved the experience,鈥� Kamran resumed her search. 鈥淚 started to dig deeper and was fascinated by 91短视频鈥檚 focus on community and service because those were things I was involved in,鈥� said Kamran. The school鈥檚 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鈥檚 Award for Community Building and the Director鈥檚 Award for Research and Publication.

Kamran said she鈥檚 excited to take part in service- and art-related activities and clubs on campus and that she鈥檚 found a welcoming home at 91短视频. 鈥淭he people here are so friendly,鈥� she said. 鈥�91短视频 has such a diverse international student population. I鈥檝e met students from Ethiopia, Kenya, India, and Afghanistan, and it鈥檚 been a lot of fun meeting them.鈥�

Kayden Beidler

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

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

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短视频 University Choir, was involved in all 12 of his high school鈥檚 theater productions during his four years at Lancaster Mennonite High School, and served as editor of the school鈥檚 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. 鈥�91短视频 checked all those boxes,鈥� he said. 鈥淰isiting those other schools only made me more certain that 91短视频 was the right fit for me.鈥�

One science-minded senior is showcasing 91短视频鈥檚 brand of academic excellence on the world stage.

Roumany Sefin, who is double majoring in medical laboratory science and business administration, with minors in biology and finance, represented 91短视频 at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Chicago. He presented his research, titled 鈥淎 Novel, Highly Sensitive, Rapid, and Cost-Effective Test for the Early Detection of Cancer,鈥� at the meeting鈥檚 undergraduate student caucus and poster competition on April 26, alongside students from top universities around the world.

Sefin鈥檚 project focuses on developing an innovative method to aid in the early detection of cancer. His approach targets a specific protein, commonly overexpressed across various cancer types. By binding antibodies targeting this protein to a specific nanomaterial, he designed a test that detects protein concentrations in whole blood samples with high sensitivity and accuracy.

鈥淚 wanted to build something meaningful, something that might one day help change how quickly, affordably, and accurately we can detect cancer,鈥� Sefin said.

His work, developed over five years, earned internal recognition through 91短视频鈥檚 Kauffman & Miller Research Award and drew support from professors and researchers at top institutions. Sefin is also a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, a distinction granted based on the strength of his work.

鈥淭his experience taught me that meaningful science doesn鈥檛 begin with perfection貙 it begins with persistence,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of what鈥檚 been built so far, and I鈥檓 even more excited about what comes next.鈥�

This article has been edited to accurately describe the project.

This quandary led Abraham Mekonnen, a rising senior at 91短视频 majoring in computer science, along with a team of three students from Queens College in New York City, to develop FootPrint Mayhem, a sustainability-focused platform that encourages and rewards users for minimizing their carbon footprint in creative ways through streaks, games, and points. Users can track their daily carbon footprint, take quizzes to learn eco-friendly habits, earn points and streaks for consistent actions, and compete with friends on a leaderboard. Although the platform is no longer active, it was available at .

鈥淭hink Duolingo, but for saving the planet,鈥� said Mekonnen, who is spending the summer in New York City as a software engineer intern at Morgan Stanley. 鈥淲e asked ourselves, 鈥楬ow can we help people learn while having fun at the same time?鈥欌��

Mekonnen and his team won the 鈥淏est Use of Defang鈥� prize for their creation, besting more than 500 undergraduate students from around the world at . Defang is a tool used to develop, deploy, and debug hackathon projects. The annual 36-hour coding competition was hosted by Harvard University students from Oct. 11-13, 2024, on their campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and brings students together to “collaborate, innovate, and build awesome projects in a short amount of time.” 鈥淲inning never crossed my mind,鈥� Mekonnen said. 鈥淚 was competing against people with vast knowledge from all these great and wonderful schools, so I thought there was no way I could win.鈥�

But win they did. Over an intense 36-hour period, Mekonnen and his team worked tirelessly to develop an idea for a project, design it, and present it to judges. 鈥淚 think we probably only slept for two to four hours during that time,鈥� he said.

鈥淭his recognition from HackHarvard is incredibly motivating,鈥� Mekonnen wrote in a post after the event. 鈥淚t validates our belief that technology can make sustainability accessible and enjoyable for everyone.鈥�

He said the win has already opened new doors for him, helping him land his current internship at Morgan Stanley. 鈥淭he computer science field right now is hectic,鈥� Mekonnen said. 鈥淓ven finding interviews is hard, so this has been a wonderful resume builder.鈥�

He was also invited to present on a panel at the Horizon Conference, held at James Madison University in November, which brings together changemakers, innovators, and leaders passionate about tackling global challenges and fostering inclusive growth.

Mekonnen, who moved to Harrisonburg from Ethiopia at 12 years old, serves as president of the Computer Science Career Club and is a member of the International Students Organization at 91短视频. He credits professors Dr. Daniel Showalter, Dr. Stefano Colafranceschi, and Charles Cooley with providing the foundational programming knowledge that helped him succeed. 

He said he hopes to inspire others at 91短视频 the same way he was inspired by recent alumna Hebron Mekuria 鈥�24, a computer science major who also won a hackathon鈥�Black Wings Hacks in 2023鈥攁nd interned at Morgan Stanley. 

鈥淧eople at 91短视频 might not think they can win and do great things,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 hope my story encourages other students to push themselves beyond what they thought was possible.鈥�

The next HackHarvard competition will be held from Oct. 3-5, 2025. For more information about the event, visit:

Ruth Abera, a Biochemistry major from Damascus, MD

Bethel Abiy, a Biochemistry major from Harrisonburg, VA

Ciela Acosta, a Peacebuilding & Development major from Salem, OR

Victor Acosta, a Nursing major from New Market, VA

Mitsilal Adhanom, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA’

Emerson Adkins, a Recreation and Sport Management major from Rockingham, VA

Peyton Alger, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major from McGaheysville, VA

Nataly Almendarez Funez, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Iris Anderson, a Psychology, Sociology major from Corvallis, OR

Theo Andreas, a Nursing major from Bluffton, OH

Brendan Apgar, a Recreation and Sport Management major from Staunton, VA

Maresa Arias C谩rdenas, a Biology major from Harrisonburg, VA

Matthew Arledge, a Recreation and Sport Management major from Fredericksburg, VA

Sophia Armato, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies, Education Licensure, PreK-12 major from Manheim, PA

Meredith Atkinson, a Political Science, Psychology major from Mechanicsville, VA

Bailey Baker, a Nursing major from McGaheysville, VA

William Bartel, a Chemistry major from Hesston, KS

Malia Bauman, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Mwamini Bayongwa, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Joyce Beachy, an English, Writing Studies major from Staunton, VA

Leah Beachy, a Nursing major from Salem, OR

Miranda Beidler, an English, Secondary Education Licensure, 6-12 major from Akron, PA

Laura Benner, an Engineering, Computer Science major from Telford, PA

Renae Benner, an Engineering major from Telford, PA

Jean Betancourt, a Business Administration major from Meridian, MS

Leah Blough, an Accounting major from Oklahoma City, OK

Mary Kate Bomberger, a Nursing major from Lititz, PA

Amber Bonds, a Liberal Arts major from Stafford, VA

Madison Bowyer, a Nursing major from Staunton, VA

Ella Brubaker, a History, Political Science major from Lancaster, PA

Jasmine Bruce, a Nursing major from Waynesboro, VA

Luke Buckwalter, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design major from Christiansburg, VA

Noah Buckwalter, an Environmental Science, Biology major from Christiansburg, VA

Daisy Buller, an Art, Psychology major from Newton, KS

Grace Burke, a Psychology, Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure, PreK-6 major from Stephens City, VA

Mild Butsridoung, a Nursing major from Culpeper, VA

Jadyn Carr, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Courtney Cave, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Maurertown, VA

Travis Cave, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Maurertown, VA

Seungmin Cha, a Chemistry major from Harrisonburg, VA

Joel Chamberlain, a Sociology, Environmental Science major from San Jose, Costa Rica

Taylor Chandler, a Nursing major from Gordonsville, VA

Liza Churchill, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Laney Cline, a Business Administration major from Radford, VA

Reah Clymer, a Music major from Collinsville, MS

Zoe Clymer, a Biology, Public Health major from Collinsville, MS

Gavin Comber, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from New Freedom, PA

Chase Comer, a Political Science, History major from Bridgewater, VA

Gracie Conner, a Sociology, Psychology major from Clifton Forge, VA

Hannah Cook, a Nursing major from Farmville, VA

Rebekah Copeland, a Computer Science major from Harrisonburg, VA

Ashley Cromer, a Nursing major from Staunton, VA

Logan Darrow, a Biology major from Stafford, VA

Zendy Darwish, a Nursing major from Rockingham, VA

Zazkia De la Vega, a Marketing, Business Administration major from Cusco, Peru

Rafael de Tablan, a Music major from Quezon City, Philippines

Meaghan Dean, a Recreation and Sport Management major from Reva, VA

Jael Delcid Andrade, an Accounting major from Springfield, VA

Ruach Deng, a Computer Science major from Doylestown, PA

Sarah Deputy, a Mathematics major from Rockingham, VA

Libbie Derstine, a Psychology major from Harleysville, PA

Abadit Desta, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Eve Detter, a Political Science major from Landisville, PA

Lexie Dingus, a Nursing major from Broadway, VA

Emily Donovan, a Biology major from Rileyville, VA

Jacob Dwyer, a History & Social Science, Secondary Education Licensure, 6-12 major from Fairfax, VA

Jason Dwyer, a Political Science, History major from Fairfax, VA

Odesa Elezi, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Daniela Espinoza, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Grace Eye, an Environmental Science major from Harrisonburg, VA

Julia Fisher, an Art major from Mount Joy, PA

Brock Fittery, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Manheim, PA

Dante Flowe, a Biochemistry major from Harrisonburg, VA

Abigail Forrest, a Biology major from Middletown, VA

Isabelle Fraher, a Psychology major from Staunton, VA

Leah Frankenfield, a Psychology major from Moraga, CA

Grace Fravel, a Business Administration major from Mount Jackson, VA

Benjamin Friesen Guhr, an Engineering major from Newton, KS

Noussaiba Garti, a Digital Media and Communication major from Orlando, FL

Hellena Gebremedhin, an Engineering major from Harrisonburg, VA

Isaac Greenleaf, a Computer Science, Engineering major from Elizabethtown, PA

Liliana Guerrero, a Liberal Arts, Early Education Licensure, PreK-3 major from Stafford, VA

Sitara Hackney, a History & Social Science, Secondary Education Licensure, 6-12 major from Waynesboro, VA

Tanner Haines, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Lititz, PA

Dylan Hall, a Health & Physical Education, Education Licensure, PreK-12 major from Chesapeake, VA

Madelynn Hamm, an Environmental Science major from Newton, KS

Jake Harbach, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Manheim, PA

Jadon Harley, a Music, Education Licensure, PreK-12 major from Bel Air, MD

Abbey Harper, a Nursing major from Elkton, VA

Declan Harrison, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Oxford, PA

Sayed Sulaiman Hashimi, an Accounting, Business Administration major from Kabul, Afghanistan

Willem Hedrick, a Digital Media and Communication major from Hinton, VA

Arlec Hernandez Paz, a Nursing major from Penn Laird, VA

Ella Hickey, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Dillsburg, PA

Justin Hochstedler, an Accounting, Business Administration major from Goshen, IN

Elie Hoover, a Social Work, Music major from New Carlisle, OH

Emma Ruth Hua, a Sociology major from Weyers Cave, VA

Claire Hurst, a Public Health, Biology major from Conestoga, PA

Shawna Hurst, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure, PreK-6 major from Broadway, VA

Benjamin Huyard, an Engineering major from Harrisonburg, VA

Ariel Jacob, a Psychology major from Front Royal, VA

Maryam Jaf, a Medical Lab Science major from Rockingham, VA

Alaiyis Jasper, a Business Analytics, Psychology major from Newport News, VA

Adesola Johnson, a Biology major from Dallas, TX

Aspen Jones, a Psychology major from Rockingham, VA

Vincent Kamoto, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Evan Kauffman, a Biology major from Leamington, Ontario

Lauren Kauffman, a Psychology major from Goshen, IN

Sophia Kauffman, a Psychology major from Goshen, IN

Sara Kennel, a Global Development major from Souderton, PA

Hannah Kepler, a Psychology major from Strasburg, VA

Jordan Kerr, a Nursing major from Inwood, WV

Esme King Martin, an Environmental Science, Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major from Lancaster, PA

Emae Klompenhouwer, a Social Work major from Newport News, VA

David Koval, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from York, PA

Kate Krabill, a Biochemistry major from Elkhart, IN

Naomi Kratzer, a Music, History major from Goshen, IN

Sophia Lacher, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure, PreK-6, Special Education General Curriculum K-6 major from Souderton, PA

Maggie Ladd, a Social Work major from Hesston, KS

Aja Laun, a Biology major from San Antonio, TX

Meredith Lehman, a Biology, Political Science major from Dover, OH

Nate Lehman, an Environmental Science major from Blacksburg, VA

Morgan Leslie, a Psychology major from Louisa, VA

Kaitlyn Lieske, a Nursing major from Emerald Isle, NC

Erin Loker, a Psychology, Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major from Rockingham, VA

Eli Longacher, a Biology major from Castle Rock, CO

Lydia Longacre, an English, Secondary Education Licensure, 6-12 major from Quakertown, PA

Maria Longenecker, a Biology major from Lancaster, PA

Brittany Love, a Psychology major from Harrisonburg, VA

Caleb Lower, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from East Berlin, PA

Taylor Mackrell, a Nursing major from Hagerstown, MD

Reya Marron, a Nursing major from Rockingham, VA

Arelys Martinez Fabian, a Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies, Education Licensure, PreK-12 major from Winchester, VA

Halie Mast, a Nursing major from Rockingham, VA

Kiyah Mata, a Psychology major from Harrisonburg, VA

Jacob Mathers, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Lititz, PA

Oslyn Mejia Gomez, a Digital Media and Communication major from Hyattsville, MD

Abraham Mekonnen, a Computer Science major from Harrisonburg, VA

Frey Mekonnen, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Floribella Mendoza, a Nursing major from Grottoes, VA

Joey Merica, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Harrisonburg, VA

Caleb Metzler, a Political Science, Sociology, Spanish Language & Hispanic Studies major from York, PA

Hollyn Miller, a Psychology major from Lancaster, PA

Elaine Miranda Perez, a Biology major from Bridgewater, VA

Kimberly Mojarro Gamino, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Zoey Mongold, a History & Social Science, Secondary Education Licensure, 6-12 major from Mathias, WV

Peri Moo, an Accounting, Business Administration major from Lancaster, PA

Lauryn Moore, a Political Science, Sociology major from Harrisonburg, VA

Diego Morales Torres, a Computer Science major from Kissimmee, FL

Leilani Muniz, an Undeclared major from Harrisonburg, VA

Levi Myers, a Business Analytics major from Archbold, OH

Samuel Myers, an Environmental Science major from Archbold, OH

Judith Nandikove, a Theology and Religion, Peacebuilding & Development major from Nairobi, Kenya

Ethan Neufeld, a Biology, Biochemistry major from Newton, KS

Sophia Nguyen, a Biology major from Rockingham, VA

Ashutosh Niraula, a Computer Science major from Kathmandu, Nepal

Emma Nord, a Mathematics, Secondary Education Licensure, 6-12 major from Greenville, IL

Rebecca Nordseth, a Psychology major from Rockingham, VA

Isaac North-Sandel, an Accounting, Business Administration major from Harrisonburg, VA

Garrett Nyce, a Business Analytics, Economics major from Souderton, PA

Jenna Oostland, an Environmental Science major from Goshen, IN

Eli Ours, a Marketing major from Kalona, IA

Eden Owings, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Mechanicsburg, PA

Kaylin Ozuna, a Nursing major from Locust Grove, VA

Yeana Park, a Nursing major from Seoul, South Korea

Arnayja Parker, a Health & Physical Education, Education Licensure, PreK-12 major from Portsmouth, VA

Malachi Peachey-Stoner, a Biology, Environmental Science major from Hesston, KS

Sarah Peak, a Psychology, Peacebuilding major from Sanford, NC

Angelita Perez, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Harrisburg, PA

Hizkia Permata, a Computer Science major from Okinawa, Japan

Sarah Poirot, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Bryce Poppe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Mechanicsburg, PA

Rose Powell, an English, Secondary Education Licensure, 6-12 major from Wilmington, NC

Rewan Pradhan, an Engineering major from Harrisonburg, VA

Trinity Price, a Nursing major from Chesterfield, VA

Sarah Prroj, a Business Administration major from Harrisonburg, VA

Nick Rahe, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Lancaster, PA

Claire Reichenbach, a Chemistry major from Warsaw, IN

Malissa Reyes, a Nursing major from Sun Tan Valley, AZ

Conner Rhoades, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Mount Joy, PA

Miriam Rhodes, a Music, Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure, PreK-6 major from Rockingham, VA

Ella Richer, an Environmental Science major from Archbold, OH

Key Ritchie, a Digital Media, Photography, and Design, Art major from Timberville, VA

Andrew Rodes, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Mount Crawford, VA

Francisco Rodriguez, an International Business, Political Science major from Locust Grove, VA

Shania Rostem, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Dee Sampson, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Shenandoah, VA

Chris Santisteban, a Business Administration major from Ashburn, VA

Kaden Schrock, a Biology major from Dalton, OH

Gabriella Seal, a Nursing major from Shenandoah, VA

Marciella Shallomita, a Biology, Mathematics major from Philadelphia, PA

Kailyn Shank, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Emma Shepard, a Nursing major from Grottoes, VA

Josiah Shimp, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Strasburg, PA

Marianne Short, a Nursing major from Wadsworth, OH

Rose Short, a Liberal Arts, Elementary Education Licensure, PreK-6 major from Dalton, OH

Ekram Siraj, a Social Work major from Harrisonburg, VA

Nathan Smeland, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Perkasie, PA

Megan Smith, a Nursing major from Upper Tract, WV

Summer Smith, a Nursing major from Elkton, VA

Luke Snader, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Leola, PA

Brooke Snyder, a Writing Studies major from Phoenix, AZ

Griffin Snyder, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Ephrata, PA

Elijah Spicher, a Nursing major from Rockingham, VA

Madison Stockner, a Biology, Environmental Science major from Fancy Gap, VA

Eli Stoll, a Peacebuilding & Development, Music major from Harrisonburg, VA

Adam Stoltzfus, an Engineering major from Harrisonburg, VA

Caleb Stoltzfus, a Biology major from Kansas City, MO

Will Stover, a Leadership and Organizational Management Aviation major from Lititz, PA

Amelia Stuckey, a Biology, Environmental Science major from Middlebury, IN

Joshua Stucky, a Nursing major from Princeton, NJ

Kate Stutzman, a Biology major from Lakewood, CO

Levi Stutzman, an Engineering major from Centennial, CO

Kristina Suslaev, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

David Thompson, a Leadership and Organizational Management major from Lititz, PA

Anna Tieszen, an Accounting major from Harrisonburg, VA

Gracie Twigg, a Nursing major from Winchester, VA

Christopher Varone, a Psychology major from Spotsylvania, VA

Ava Walker, a Psychology major from Glen Allen, VA

Cass Walker, an Art, Digital Media and Communication, Photography major from Mechanicsville, VA

Arianna Ward, a Psychology major from Chesapeake, VA

Jenna Weaver, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Allysen Welty Peachey, a Biology, Environmental Science major from South Hamilton, MA

Rachel Wheeler, a Nursing major from Hudson, MI

Cassidy Williams, a Music, Education Licensure, PreK-12, Music major from Green Lane, PA

Chloe Williamson, a Nursing major from Harrisonburg, VA

Hayden Winston, a Psychology major from Chester, VA

Fiker Yigzaw, a Global Studies major from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Amanda Yoder, a Nursing major from Mount Joy, PA

Elliott Yoder, a Public Health major from Millersburg, OH

Members of the Class of 2025 Micaiah Landis, Adam Stoltzfus, Laura Benner, Hellena Gebremedhin, Lleyton Stutzman, and Rebecca Tezazu, guided by faculty mentor Stefano Colafranceschi, spent hundreds of hours during the past school year restoring and improving the Spitz A-4 planetarium projector at 91短视频鈥檚 Suter Science Center. The projector, originally installed in 1968 when the science center was built, has spent most of its time in storage since the M.T. Brackbill Planetarium closed in 2007. 

On Tuesday, April 29, the engineering team unveiled the product of their hard work with a planetarium show鈥攖he first in more than 15 years, according to Stutzman鈥攁ttended by about two-dozen guests. Titled 鈥淪tars for a Night in Spring,鈥� the show was adapted from a program first performed by former planetarium director John Horst 鈥�60 and featured synthesizer music he composed. As the lights cut off inside the Discovery Room, the domed ceiling transformed into a sea of stars, while members of the team pointed out constellations and shared the legends behind them.

Guests included past and present STEM faculty, staff, and alumni with ties to the planetarium. Joan Horst 鈥�66, who recalled watching shows there as a student, said she hadn鈥檛 seen one since her late husband, Professor Emeritus John Horst, retired nearly 20 years ago. 鈥淚鈥檓 amazed they were able to convert it from electronic to computer controls,鈥� she said of the restoration project.

For Joe Mast 鈥�64, longtime professor and planetarium director from 1986-2005, watching the stars and galaxies drift across the dome brought back memories of leading Sunday afternoon programs and teaching astronomy classes at 91短视频. 鈥淚t was a very popular class,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e had 65 seats in here, and it ran every semester, with rarely more than four or five empty seats.鈥�

A trio of alumni at the show had spent a semester in an engineering design class disassembling the projector to understand how it worked. One of those alumni, Andrew Troyer 鈥�19, said, 鈥淚t was cool to see someone take something you鈥檝e done to the next level like this.鈥�

History of the planetarium

In 1968, the Suter Science Center at 91短视频 was completed, featuring the M.T. Brackbill Planetarium and a then-state-of-the-art Spitz A-4 star projector. At the time, the projector cost about $25,000, equivalent to roughly $230,000 today when adjusted for inflation.

The projector replaced the university鈥檚 Spitz A-1 model, which had been used at the Vesper Heights planetarium atop the 91短视频 Hill since 1946. The original A-1 model is still on display in the Discovery Room. Both planetariums are said to have attracted annual crowds of up to 4,000 visitors, from astronomy students to local residents to nearby grade school students

When John Horst retired in 2007, 91短视频 was left with no prospective astronomers on the faculty to continue the planetarium鈥檚 programming. And, the 40-year-old projector had mechanical problems that would have been costly to fix or replace. As a result, the planetarium closed and the projector was lowered into storage beneath the floor. The space was converted into a classroom for workshops and a display area for large specimens, such as the giant Kodiak brown bear that stood guard above the projector in the center of the room. After renovations to the science center, the projector was brought back out and placed on a pair of tables.

Resurrecting the projector

The six students on the team installed new motors, sensors, and a Raspberry Pi mini-computer to control the movement of the projector. The large panel of switches and dials that once operated the machine has been replaced with a web application that can be accessed wirelessly from any internet-connected device. Enter a location, date, and time into the app, and the projector can simulate the night sky as it would have appeared then and there. 鈥淲e had some friends in here who were checking out the sky at the time they were born,鈥� Benner said.

The students also designed, welded, and built a custom steel-and-wood base to support the projector and allow it to be stowed away when not in use. To darken the room, they sewed heavy-duty blackout curtains to cover the many surrounding windows.

During the restoration, the xenon bulb inside the projector鈥檚 star ball broke, and students scrambled to find a replacement, eventually swapping it out for an LED bulb. In total, the team spent about $2,400 on the project.

Members of the team said their goal for the project was not only to bring the projector back to life but also to make it more accessible and user-friendly. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very easy to use,鈥� Stutzman said during a presentation at 91短视频鈥檚 ACE Festival on April 17. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to know anything about astronomy.鈥�

By documenting their work, they said future students will have a clear understanding of the projector鈥檚 inner workings and will be able to perform additional upgrades. For instance, a future engineering capstone project could focus on restoring the planet orrery, which projects five planets, the sun and Earth鈥檚 moon but is currently inoperable.

Professor Daniel King, director of 91短视频鈥檚 engineering program, said he had long kept the idea of revitalizing the planetarium in the back of his mind. When he saw the team of engineering students searching for a project, he proposed they take it on. He said there鈥檚 potential for future planetarium shows, open to community members of all ages. 鈥淚 would love for that to happen,鈥� King said.

Read more about the history of the 91短视频 planetarium below:

That鈥檚 how Laura Benner ’25, an engineering and computer science double major, described cracking the . Joining her on the Kryptos team were her sister Renae Benner and her roommate Mana Acosta ’25, both engineering majors at 91短视频. On April 14, the team of three took first place in a contest featuring 151 students from colleges and universities across 16 states and Australia.聽

Since 2011, Central Washington University (CWU) has hosted this annual online competition for undergraduate students. The contest consists of three challenges that present brief scenarios along with some ciphertext. Contestants work individually or in teams to discover the original English plaintext message.

Students are permitted to use any resources available online to solve the puzzles. But the puzzles require a great deal of effort and critical thinking, far more than ChatGPT, for instance, can do. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really funny,鈥� Laura Benner said. 鈥淚f you give the entire puzzle to ChatGPT, it will spit back some nonsense solution to you.鈥�

Acosta and the two Benner sisters have all participated in the Kryptos challenge before and won first or second place. 

• 2025: First Place Team: Mana Acosta, Laura Benner, Renae Benner
• 2024: Second Place Team: Iris Anderson, Laura Benner, Renae Benner
• 2023: First Place Team: Mana Acosta, Laura Benner, Caleb Hostetler
• 2022: First Place Team: Mana Acosta, Caleb Hostetler, Hannah Leaman

Typically, an 91短视频 team gets together on Thursday night when the competition opens and works until they solve all three challenges. This year, though, the team was able to solve only one challenge on Thursday night. Since CWU does not provide updates on students鈥� progress, they assumed they had lost. But on Monday morning, the last day of the competition, the team received an email saying nobody had solved the three challenges yet. They were shocked and immediately got back together to work on the puzzles again.

鈥淭he fresh start was good,鈥� Acosta said. 鈥淲e should have gotten together on Friday, but we were so sure that other teams had already won.鈥� The three worked quickly and managed to find leads that let them solve the last two puzzles. 91短视频 20 minutes after they submitted their Google form describing how they had solved the last puzzle, CWU sent a confirmation email that the 91短视频 team had won first place.

91短视频 teams have historically performed well in this competition, and by now, they feel some pressure to win. While the 2025 team doesn鈥檛 know how other teams work, contestants at 91短视频 usually dedicate a large block of time to working together. The room is typically silent, with individuals working on their own until someone finds a lead or breakthrough. Then they all talk it over and work together. The most challenging part of the competition is not losing motivation.

The first year Laura Benner joined the team, she didn鈥檛 know much about breaking ciphers and let other members take the lead. But this year she took more agency in solving the puzzles, and for at least two of them, she had 鈥渢hat electric moment鈥� of discovering the plaintext.

While her classes haven鈥檛 directly applied to learning ciphers, she said, 鈥淏oth engineering and cryptanalysis are highly logical. You need to be able to identify patterns and know when the route you鈥檙e going down isn鈥檛 working.鈥�