A new $11,905 grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) will expand capacity at the 91短视频 Free Food Room to meet sharply rising demand. 

Funding will also provide enhanced outreach, better data tracking and reporting methods, and other improvements to the access and security of the campus food pantry.

Rising demand

Data collected from a door counter at the Free Food Room indicates that demand has risen sharply over the past two years. Average monthly usage (August through May) was 256 visits in 2023-24 and 318 visits in 2024-25, and is projected to reach 630 visits in 2025-26.

The cost of purchasing food has risen significantly to keep pace, increasing from $189 per month in 2023-24 to $263 in 2024-25, and is projected to reach $371 in 2025-26.

Based on utilization trends and observations, an estimated 25% of 91短视频 undergraduates experience some level of food insecurity each year, wrote Jonathan Swartz, dean of students, in a grant application. 鈥淕iven this data, our best estimate is that approximately 183 undergraduate students use the food pantry each year, most of them regularly,鈥� he wrote.

Partnerships and priorities

The Free Food Room has relied on the dedication of the Food Insecurity Task Force, a group led by 91短视频 staff members Brian Martin Burkholder, Celeste Thomas, and Trina Trotter Nussbaum, as well as donations and community partnerships with the local food bank and area farms.

Current funding sources are no longer sufficient to meet demand, underscoring the importance of grant support, Swartz wrote in the application.

Swartz said members of the task force submitted the application in mid-December, expecting to receive between $2,000 and $3,000 in funding. A month later, they learned they had been awarded $11,905.

鈥淭he Free Food Room has sustained itself but has had no significant budget, so any amount of money would鈥檝e helped us,鈥� Swartz said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e surprised and grateful to receive almost $12,000, which will help us more strategically increase the food supply.鈥�

Keeping students ‘on track’

91短视频鈥檚 grant is among a total $500,000 awarded to 48 colleges and universities throughout Virginia. 

According to a , Shenandoah Valley neighbors received the following funding: Mary Baldwin University, $14,882; Blue Ridge Community College, $11,905; Bridgewater College, $8,928; and James Madison University, $5,952.

The grants allow institutions to establish on-campus food pantries or partner with local food banks to provide food at no charge to students, the release states. In addition, grant funds can be used to increase partnerships and build more sustainable solutions for campus hunger. Funding amounts are based on the percentage of in-state Federal Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled at the institution.

鈥淢ore than 40% of college students experience food insecurity at some point, which can lead to several adverse outcomes, including dropping out of school. Virginia鈥檚 investment in campus food pantries will help keep our students on track to reach their educational goals,鈥� said Scott Fleming, SCHEV鈥檚 executive director, in the release.

The grants are funded by the enacted by the General Assembly in 2025. SCHEV published a on campus food insecurity in November 2024 that made several recommendations and offered resources for institutions.

91短视频 hosted its ninth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19, featuring a series of events honoring the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader.

The theme of this year鈥檚 celebration was 鈥淏eyond the Dream: Social Justice and Ecological Consciousness,鈥� and it focused on the message of Dr. King鈥檚 1967 Christmas sermon, in which he preached about all life on Earth being interconnected. 鈥淲hatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly,鈥� he said.

Monday鈥檚 events began at 9:45 a.m. with a unity march inside the University Commons. 91短视频 two dozen students, faculty, and staff members held signs calling for peace and justice as they completed three laps around the indoor track. Each year, the unity march pays tribute to the many nonviolent marches led by Dr. King and others during the civil rights movement. 

The group of marchers proceeded to Lehman Auditorium, where members of the Black Student Alliance (BSA) and other students shared quotes from Dr. King and reflected on his legacy during Speak Out. One quote that resonated deeply was: 鈥淚njustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.鈥�

Celeste Thomas, director of Multicultural Student Services at 91短视频 and chair of the committee planning the MLK Jr. celebration, said Dr. King imagined a world with community instead of chaos, love instead of hate, and no one going hungry. He imagined a world where families are not separated, where there are no food deserts and everyone has clean water, and where countries don鈥檛 bully one another for resources, she added. 鈥淏eloved community is sustainability for all mankind,鈥� she said.

Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections at 91短视频, spoke about the theme of the day. 鈥淕oing beyond the dream means understanding justice is not passive,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t requires participation, it requires responsibility, and that鈥檚 where you come in, 91短视频 students. You鈥檙e not on the sidelines of this work. You are already shaping the future of communities like Harrisonburg through the choices you make, the careers you pursue, the voices you raise, and the values you carry forward. Don鈥檛 just remember him, carry his dream forward.鈥�

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus spoke about Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old who was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parks did the same. Dycus, who noted that Colvin passed away on Jan. 13, 2026, said the young activist had inspired her for many years. 鈥淏oth King and Colvin teach us what justice and power look like in necessary ways,鈥� Dycus said. 鈥淲e gather not out of tradition, not because the calendar tells us to, but because we are committed to taking seriously the work of building equitable, compassionate, and just communities. This is who we are, not just what we do.鈥�

Ol煤f岷固乵i O. T谩铆w貌, an associate professor of philosophy at Georgetown University and a fellow at the Climate and Community Institute, served as the featured speaker for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Convocation. He is the author of Elite Capture and Reconsidering Reparations, a contributor to Greta Thunberg鈥檚 The Climate Book, and a past recipient of a Marguerite Casey Freedom Scholar fellowship. His presentation was titled 鈥淏ecoming Firefighters: Climate Justice and the Fight for a Free World.鈥�

He examined recent actions taken by the federal administration to seize oil assets in Venezuela and spoke about the political and economic power of fossil fuel companies. 鈥淭he control those people and their allies have over our entire lives depends on the political power they wield and defend with the money they get destroying our air and water,鈥� he said. 

Following the convocation, a ceremony on Thomas Plaza rededicated the 91短视频 Peace Pole with a vision for peace, justice, and shalom on Earth, including all living things (represented by a new plaque featuring animal prints). The Peace Pole was recently resealed and painted and has newly installed 鈥淢ay Peace Prevail on Earth鈥� plaques. 

Throughout the day, the conference room inside the Student Life Suite transformed into an aromatherapy space, filled with the scents of soap and essential oils. Simone McKelvey, owner of the Simone & Tuesday skincare brand, led two interactive demonstrations, teaching students, faculty, and staff how to create their own soap from scratch using natural ingredients. 鈥淵our skin is your largest organ,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd a lot of the time, we don鈥檛 pay attention to what we put on it.鈥�

Participants worked in pairs at eight slow cookers, melting coconut, sunflower, and castor oils, adding lye to distilled water, and mixing the concoction with a stick blender and essential oils to create bars of soap. 鈥淲hen you go to the store and visit the soap aisle, some of them are soap, but some of them aren鈥檛,鈥� McKelvey said. 鈥淪ome are detergents made with synthetic chemicals. True soap is what you鈥檙e making today.鈥�

The sound of knives chopping onions, horseradish, garlic, hot peppers, ginger, and other vegetables reverberated through the Old Common Grounds space on Monday as participants in two interactive workshops sliced and diced fresh, locally sourced, organic ingredients to create their own jars of fire cider. The apple cider vinegar-based tonic supports immunity and digestion and is packed with  antioxidants, antibacterials, and antimicrobials, making it an ideal remedy for the colder months. In about four weeks, the jars can be strained and used to enhance everything from seltzer water and salad dressing to collard greens, pickles, and hot toddies.

The demonstrations were led by the sister-owners of Kinfolk Farm, a Black women-led farm in rural West Virginia dedicated to nourishing the brilliance, creativity, and legacy of Black and Indigenous people of the Global Majority.

Scroll through a photo album of the day below!

Thanks to Multicultural Student Services, Student Life, and the office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for planning the series of meaningful and educational events to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Offered at 91短视频 since 2010, the program offers one-on-one personalized coaching and mentoring to help undergraduate students adjust to life away from home. CoachLink can help support students struggling with time management, stress, anxiety, depression, attention issues, and general problems with their moods or concentration. The program is available to 91短视频 students at no cost.

CoachLink has been completely rebooted this year, with three new coaches joining the program. We talked to one of those coaches, Karissa Sanford, to learn all about the program and how it supports students on campus.

What is CoachLink?
We walk alongside students and meet them where they鈥檙e at. Some students might struggle academically, with time management, organization, or just adjusting to college life in general, so we mentor them in that we listen to them, talk with them, and come up with goals and ideas to iron out their problems so they can be more successful here on campus. We always say that success looks different for everyone. Some people don鈥檛 want to be A+ students and that鈥檚 fine. We鈥檒l help you become the best B+ student on campus if that鈥檚 your goal. We want to help you get there, but overall, we want you to graduate.

Who is it for?
CoachLink is for anybody. You don鈥檛 have to be in a bad spot or struggling. We鈥檙e here for students in whatever way they need to get connected to talk, so we鈥檙e always a resource that鈥檚 available to them.

Has there been a lot of interest from students?
We鈥檙e starting to pick up because we鈥檙e at the point in the semester where students start to identify that what they鈥檙e doing might not be working and that they might need some extra support. All my meetings have been positive. Sometimes they already know what to do; they just need a little extra encouragement. With other students, what they鈥檙e doing might not necessarily be wrong. It鈥檚 just not working for them, and so it鈥檚 all about trying different techniques.

Where were you before coming to 91短视频?
I鈥檓 originally from a very small town in Ohio (Saint Paris) and then went to college at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for three years (graduating with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education). My mom and I just moved here in May, so I鈥檓 new to Harrisonburg, new to 91短视频, and new to this role.

In addition to Sanford, Valarie Ghant and Celeste Thomas serve as the other two CoachLink coaches. Learn more about the coaches here.

What鈥檚 your favorite part of the job?
I love meeting with students and seeing their eyes light up. Some students come in and they can be pretty defeated. They鈥檝e been struggling for a while and they feel like it鈥檚 snowballed and that they鈥檙e never going to get out of it. I love when we talk about techniques and they realize, This might actually work for me. I love seeing that look on their face. When they come back and it鈥檚 working and they鈥檙e doing a lot better, it just makes me so happy because I loved my college experience. It was some of the best years of my life and I want other people to feel that, too. I want everyone to leave college feeling like they were successful and accomplished and proud of what they did and happy with their time here. I like to help students find that.

Where do you meet with students?
We can meet here (in Room 275D of the Visual and Communication Arts/VACA department), but we leave it up to students where they feel most comfortable. I meet a lot of students at Common Grounds because it鈥檚 a fun area. We can take a walk around campus, go to Campus Center or the library, wherever works best for them.

How often do you meet with each student?
It鈥檚 up to the student. I have students who meet with me once鈥攖hey just need a little bit of advice鈥攁nd then they鈥檙e like, OK, cool, I don鈥檛 need to meet with you anymore. And that鈥檚 totally fine. Other students want to meet every week and keep this as a part of their routine.

How can students sign up for the program?
To meet with one of our coaches, they can email us at coachlink@emu.edu.

Learn more about the CoachLink program at .

Check out the November drop-in hours below!

There鈥檚 a new morning talk show host in town, and she鈥檚 here to celebrate.

As a special Mornings with the Mayor edition of Convocation on Wednesday, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections at 91短视频, stepped into the role of host as she interviewed several trailblazing women leaders making their mark on campus. The one-of-a-kind program, held at the Student Union, celebrated Women鈥檚 History Month and paid tribute to departing 91短视频 President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman.

Reed steered the show with her trademark candor and panache, holding court over the 鈥渓ive studio audience鈥濃�攐ne student could be seen regularly holding up an 鈥淎pplause鈥� sign鈥攚hile she posed fascinating questions to 91短视频 students, staff, and alumnae. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the show where we bring you big energy, great conversations, and way too much coffee,鈥� quipped Reed.

The first guests to grace the stage were a pair of 91短视频 students, Arelys Martinez Fabian and Meredith Lehman, and a recent alumna, Ray Ray Taylor MS 鈥�24. Fabian, co-president of Student Government Association, highlighted the increased representation of women in campus leadership roles. Taylor, a lab instructor who was a track and field team, called for erasing negative stereotypes and for supporting women in sports. When asked about which woman in history she would share a meal with, Lehman, a Rhodes Scholar studying at Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center, answered that she had recently heard about Zheng Yi Sao, a pirate leader active in the South China Sea from 1801 to 1810. 鈥淪he was one of the most successful pirates in a time where you don’t really hear about female pirates,鈥� Lehman said. 鈥淚 would ask her where she pulls from to gain confidence and belief in herself鈥�

Another panel discussion featured three powerhouse administrative leaders who are 鈥渃hanging the game in education and beyond鈥�: Carrie Bert, Dr. Shannon Dycus, and Dr. Tynisha Willingham. Asked to provide her younger self advice, Bert, 91短视频 athletic director, said she would鈥檝e told her to pause and breathe to appreciate the moment. Dycus, vice president for Student Affairs, Equity and Belonging, shared some tough conversations she had when starting in her role about fighting hard to be heard. Willingham spoke about unique challenges she鈥檚 faced as a woman provost. “I think we often still see that even when women are in leadership roles, they are expected to be nurturing and can’t be as direct,鈥� she said.

Clad in her signature royal blue pantsuit, Huxman, the featured headliner for Reed鈥檚 morning show, bounded down the aisle and shined in the spotlight. Huxman is 91短视频鈥檚 ninth president, the first woman to lead in the role, and is retiring this summer after nine years of service. She joked about some unexpected lessons learned over those years. 鈥淚 started with a closet that had five blue outfits,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t’s half my closet now, skirts and outfits like this, and even shoes.鈥�

She also spoke about forming closer connections between the university and city, colloquially known as the 鈥渢own and gown relationship,鈥� during her time at 91短视频. Early on, she said, she had visited with elected officials, educators and business leaders who told her they had never stepped foot on 91短视频鈥檚 campus. 鈥淚 tried to work, especially in that first year, to get folks to campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 brought the delegates and our elected representatives up to my office. And, again, they said, 鈥榃ell, I’ve been an elected representative for 12, 15 years, and I’ve never been in the president’s office.鈥欌��

At a time when many colleges across the nation are shuttering their DEI programs, 91短视频 is doubling down on its commitment to the initiatives that bolster diversity, equity and inclusion and make all students on campus feel welcome. Huxman spoke about initiatives she鈥檚 witnessed over her two terms, including the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration started by Celeste Thomas during her second year as president, the Black Lives Matter mural鈥攖he only city in Virginia with a BLM street mural, Reed said鈥攖he establishment of the Office of DEI, the start of the Lavender Graduation, and the institutional statement on land acknowledgement. 鈥淚t is 91短视频’s time to lean into DEI,鈥� Huxman said. 鈥淚t’s wrapped into our mission, it’s wrapped into our vision and values, it’s wrapped into the Sermon on the Mount. And this is who we are as a faith-based institution.鈥�

Asked about which woman she would share a meal with, Huxman answered Ida B. Wells, a journalist and co-founder of the NAACP. 鈥淓very time I reread her biography, I just think, how did somebody walk the earth of this magnitude?鈥� said Huxman, regaling the crowd with tales of Wells鈥� accomplishments. 鈥溾� always think that, in a very real sense, the graduates from our university at 91短视频 are well-prepared to be peace and justice advocates like Ida B. Wells.鈥�

A special treat honoring the president was free for those attending the event. Baristas at Common Grounds Coffeehouse whipped up mugs of the 鈥淗ux Deluxe,鈥� a vanilla latte with a little cinnamon sugar on top. 鈥淚 love that it鈥檚 a latte and it has cinnamon on it,鈥� Huxman said. 鈥淪omebody knows I like that.鈥� 

The interviews were interspersed with video segments documenting powerful 91短视频 alumnae who are shaping the world. These included Khadija O. Ali MA 鈥�01, who became the first female state minister of the Somalian government and serves as an ambassador for the country, and Najla El Mangoush MA 鈥�15, who was the first female foreign minister of Libya. Another video showcased the legacy of the late Sadie Hartzler, 91短视频鈥檚 first full-time librarian whose name graces the library today.

Mukarabe, a student at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding who fled genocide in Burundi in 1993, read from a poem and led the crowd in a moment of silence for women persecuted around the world. She was joined by her husband Makinto, a student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, as they performed music to cap off the event. Together, they shared 鈥淎mahoro,鈥� a Kirundi cultural expression conveying peace and God鈥檚 blessings, through song.

Braydon Hoover, vice president for enrollment, served as sidekick/announcer for 鈥淢ornings with the Mayor.鈥�

This bold statement appears on that students from the Latinx Student Alliance (LSA) have been handing out to citizens and noncitizens alike. The cards also state a refusal to let officers enter a person鈥檚 home without a warrant or to search any of their belongings. Should Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers approach someone they wish to question, the cards remind everyone involved that the United States Constitution provides these rights to anyone living in the U.S. 

LSA has printed hundreds of red cards in languages such as Spanish, Arabic, and Russian and distributed them around campus and other places. One recent event where LSA members distributed these cards was during the on Feb. 8. On this Saturday afternoon, several hundred people gathered to march in protest of recently enacted immigration policies. They started from the parking deck near Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and marched to the Grace + Main Cafe at the Hotel Madison and then back again. Members of the LSA not only passed out red cards but also marched and carried signs.

What inspired the LSA to get involved? Yajaira Acuapa, co-president of LSA, said she saw the idea of handing out red cards on TikTok. She wanted the LSA to join other advocates in showing support for the immigrant community and ensuring they know their constitutional rights.听

Cristal Narciso, co-president of LSA, agreed. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to know that, regardless of your status, you do have rights,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd no matter what others may tell you, those rights still exist.鈥�

Speaking up for immigrant rights during a time of anti-immigrant rhetoric aligns with 91短视频鈥檚 mission to 鈥渃ross divides, seek peace and justice, and shape communities and a world where all can thrive.鈥� 

One of 91短视频鈥檚 staff members who supports the LSA in this initiative is Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services. She said receiving the cards 鈥済ives some empowerment to people who, right now, are feeling very disempowered and afraid.鈥� She applauds the LSA鈥檚 proactive gesture, especially because she knows that ICE agents have been working in Harrisonburg. 

Allies of immigrants also find these cards useful, especially if they are with someone who is pulled over, stopped on the streets, or visited at home. Thomas voiced the need for support from allies within the 91短视频 and Harrisonburg communities. 鈥淭his is a difficult time for immigrants to put their bodies on the line,鈥� she said.

Anyone wanting red cards can request them from cecilia.rafaelcastelan@emu.edu.

The morning kicked off with a unity march around the indoor track in University Commons. Students, faculty, staff and other community members held signs with messages of peace and justice.

During an open forum event called Speak Out, students and staff shared quotes from Dr. King that resonated with them and spoke to the theme of the day, 鈥淩adical Truth-telling.鈥� Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and chair of the committee planning the day鈥檚 events, said: 鈥淪ilence is not always golden, and if the narrative is wrong, we need to correct it.鈥�

The life of Dr. King is a special model for 91短视频, explained President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman in her remarks at Convocation, as the university aspires to fulfill its vision.

鈥淎s we honor King鈥檚 legacy today, we underscore the ways our educational core values of academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith intersect at 91短视频 as we form a discerning community of learners,鈥� she said.

Huxman, who is retiring at the end of the 2024-25 academic year after having served nine years as 91短视频鈥檚 ninth president and first woman president, was instrumental in working with Thomas to create a day of events at 91短视频 to commemorate Dr. King. During only her second year at 91短视频, the inaugural MLK Jr. Celebration was approved as a 鈥渄ay on鈥� for learning, education, and service. 

鈥淎t 91短视频, we take the full day to commemorate, reflect, serve, and take inspiration from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,鈥� Huxman said in her remarks. 鈥淲e take the day off so we can take the day on. So, while there are no classes, there is lots of engaged learning going on. So, seize the day, 91短视频 Royals!鈥�

“We take the day off so we can take the day on.”

91短视频 President Susan Schultz Huxman

The 91短视频 Gospel Choir, led by senior music major Kay Pettus and accompanied by Music Program Director Dr. David Berry on piano, performed 鈥淟ift Every Voice and Sing,鈥� 鈥淓very Praise鈥� and Stevie Wonder鈥檚 鈥淗appy Birthday,鈥� a song that celebrates King鈥檚 Jan. 15 birthday.

Jodie Geddes MA 鈥�16, an international speaker on restorative justice, author, and advocate of racial healing and justice, served as keynote speaker for Convocation. She spoke about her work on a truth-telling project shining light on the 1919 massacre in Elaine, Arkansas, as well as her experiences at a reconciliation village in Rwanda that seeks to unite survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. A video recording of Convocation is available to watch on the 91短视频 Facebook page .

In the MainStage Theater, 91短视频 History Professor Dr. Mark Sawin delivered a riveting presentation on the history of the family who lived in and operated the at  252 N. Mason St. in Harrisonburg. The five-bedroom, one-bathroom house was listed in several editions of The Green Book, a guide featuring businesses across the nation that welcomed Black travelers during Jim Crow, until the early 1960s. The professor, who serves as the consulting historian for the house, used old photos found inside the home, interviews with neighbors, and clippings of archived Daily News-Record articles to weave together stories of the people who lived and stayed there. These days, the family of Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, director of alumni engagement and community connections at 91短视频, own the property and are in the process of transitioning the ownership to a 501c3 nonprofit.

On Monday afternoon, conversation circles facilitated by the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) encouraged open dialogue and guided discussion about radical truth-telling. Geddes was on hand at the Studio Theater for a workshop (pictured above) that engaged in journaling, meditation, and therapeutic processes.

In the evening, students gathered at University Commons for a special event where they could make their own hair care products.

Coverage of the day from local media

• WHSV-TV:

• Daily News-Record:

The Free Food Room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to 91短视频 students and employees in need. It is also an unsupervised space so that people can take what they need anonymously and with dignity. 

But times are tough, demand is high, and funding is scant. The organizers behind the Free Food Room initiative, which relies on donations to continue operating, say that it stays afloat 鈥渙n a wing and a prayer.鈥� And, they say that without more financial support, it won鈥檛 have enough funding to operate after this semester. 

With your help, you can contribute to keeping this invaluable resource alive. Make a gift to the Free Food Room fund, and ensure it will continue serving those in our campus community who experience food insecurity.

Donations of nonperishable food can be left inside the Free Food Room. People can also donate gift cards that will be used at grocery stores. 

The Free Food Room is a joint initiative of the Food Insecurity Task Force鈥攁 group comprising 91短视频 staff members Brian Martin Burkholder, Celeste Thomas and Trina Trotter Nussbaum鈥攁nd the Sustainable Food Initiative (SFI). Members of the task force collect donations, write grant requests, order monthly deliveries through their partnership with the (at discounted pricing), pay bills, and send emails about fresh fruits and vegetables when they arrive. 

The resource is a collaborative effort between various groups on campus. Work-study students through the Black Student Alliance and the Office of Faith and Spiritual Life sweep the floor, unload deliveries, restock shelves and check inventory. Students from SFI stock the freezer with meals from the dining hall and supply the room with fresh fruits and vegetables sourced from 91短视频 gardens. A list of the items grown on campus, dated from August, noted: Roma and Big Beef tomatoes, Swiss chard, figs, jalapenos, and bell and banana peppers.

Last year an agreement with Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community鈥檚 , just down the road on Harmony Drive, provided the Free Food Room with any produce that didn鈥檛 sell at its farm stand. Members of the task force anticipate partnering with VMRC鈥檚 USDA organic-certified farm again if possible.

The Free Food Room could use all the help it can get. According to data shared by task force organizers, its busiest month over the last school year, February 2024, saw 346 visitors (a sensor inside the room keeps a tally). Organizers spent $535 to order 1,110 pounds of food from the food bank that month.

Identifying a need

Food insecurity is an epidemic afflicting college campuses nationwide and 91短视频 is no exception. A federal analysis released in July estimated that 23% of college students in 2020, or about 3.8 million students, experienced food insecurity.

From a Sept. 9 article on :

鈥淭he report again shed light on what previous analysis of federal data have shown鈥攖hat a large share of students struggle to put food on the table. The study reported that about 2.2 million of those 3.8 million students had low food security, or ate less than they should or skipped meals altogether.鈥�

Prior to having its own space on campus, food assistance was funded through the Faith and Spiritual Life Compassion Fund, which helps students with emergency needs, and supported by Y-Serve food drives held twice a year. But the grassroots initiative was often disjointed and lacked a central system in place.

In 2018, after reading an in The Washington Post about the widespread hunger problem on campuses, a group at 91短视频 was spurred to action. The group identified food insecurity as a major need to address and began putting together the pieces that would eventually become the Free Food Room. In 2022, after years of talks and meetings, the Free Food Room began operating out of its current space in the Heatwole House. Organizers were approved for membership at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank near the end of that year. The task force pays a yearly $50 membership fee, which is covered by Y-Serve.

The Free Food Room aligns with 91短视频鈥檚 2023-28 strategic plan, Pathways of Promise: Preparing Tomorrow鈥檚 Unifying Leaders, and its vision to open new pathways of access and achievement. As 91短视频 continues to live into its commitment to belonging鈥攖his year marked the most diverse incoming class in school history鈥攁nd provide access to more students in financial need, the task force aims to take a proactive approach to securing funding to sustain its services.

The Free Food Room experiences higher periods of need during school breaks when the dining hall is closed and cannot supply the pantry with frozen meals. Nussbaum said graduate and international students are among those most susceptible to food insecurity in the 91短视频 community. Many of them are far from home, have families to feed, and lack their own transportation.

鈥淧eople don鈥檛 often think about college students as being needy, whether in terms of food or shelter,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think we鈥檙e attending to a need that might not be universally known.鈥�

A more welcoming space

This summer the Free Food Room received some much-needed updates. A grant from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank was used to purchase a new two-door freezer, three-door cooler and shelving. The new appliances and shelves help create a more welcoming space, drawing in more visitors, and can store much more food than before.  

鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful for this grant,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l now be able to accommodate larger orders from the food bank.鈥�

鈥淚t makes a huge difference,鈥� Nussbaum said.

The organizers say they have some ideas for future grant requests, which might include funding for hygiene products and signage.

For more information about the Free Food Room and ways to help out, contact: brian.burkholder@emu.edu, celeste.thomas@emu.edu, or trina.nussbaum@emu.edu

Last weekend, the 91短视频 community honored approximately 30 students at the sixth annual Donning of the Kente Ceremony.

The ceremony, always the first of the, recognizes and rewards achievement; honors those who contributed to the grad’s success; connects grads to their heritage; and encourages them to continue striving for excellence.

The ceremony was live in Martin Chapel, but limited to participants and their honorary donors. The new livestream format enabled friends and family, and a few honored donneers, from around the world to share in the joy of the moment, sending messages of love and support through the chat. [View the recording of the ceremony on .]

The ceremony, which is voluntary and open to all, celebrates the achievements of graduating seniors who recognize their international roots. Each graduate receives a stole of kente cloth, a symbol of prestige in many African societies, handwoven for each graduate, or a satin sash with flags from the countries they feel a connection with.

Each student selects an individual to place the stole or sash around his or her neck. Many seniors choose to wear the stole at commencement as an important component o f their academic regalia.

Hosts of the ceremony were Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and special advisor to the president on diversity, equity and inclusion, and Micah Shristi, director of international student services. David Berry, professor of music, contributed musical selections, and Brian Martin Burkholder, campus pastor, gave the blessing.

Participants 

Nana Akyaa Okyere Acheampong, a nursing major from Harrisonburg, Va., donned by Kennedy Akwo 

Justice Allen, a recreation sports management major from Waynesboro, Va., donned by Bob Hepler, cross country and track coach

Josephine Awotoye, from Brooklyn Park, Minn., graduating with an MS in biomedicine and donned by Laura Otieno

Akiel Baker, a social work major from Bowie, Md., donned by Celeste Thomas

Luz Contreras, from McGaheysville, Va., graduating with an MS in biomedicine, donned by Professor Beth Good (nursing)

Maya Dula, a biology major from Lancaster, Pa., donned by Celeste Thomas

Brandon Higgins, a psychology major from Culpepper,Va., donned by Lindy Magness, assistant director for housing and residence life  

Amanda Jasper, a social work major from Madion, Va., donned by Celeste Thomas

Terry Jones Jr, a computer science major from Palmyra, Va., donned by Professor David Berry (music)

Brenda Kasongo, an accounting major from Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of Congo, donned by her father Louis Kasongo Olenga

Yonas Ketsala, a nursing major from Alexandria, Va., donned by Brian Martin Burkholder, campus pastor and Yonas鈥檚 spiritual mentor

Philia Lienardy, a photography major from Semarang, Indonesia, donned by her best friend Kayla Segner

Anisa Leonard, a social work major from Nairobi, Kenya, and Harrisonburg, Va., donned by Shannon Dycus, dean of students

Rodrigo Makelele, earning an MA in conflict transformation, from The Democratic Republic of Congo and Harrisonburg, Va., donned by Jayne Docherty, executive director and professor, Center for Justice and Peacebuilding

Mariana Martinez-Hernandez, a peacebuilding major from Tegucigulpa, Honduras, donned by her roommate and cousin Alexa Lorenzana

Maha Mehanna, earning a graduate certificate in business administration (2021), and an MA in organizational leadership and a graduate certificate in restorative justice (2020), from Gaza, Palestine, donned by David Brubaker, dean and professor of the School of Social Sciences and Professions

Valerie Meza-Cooper, earning an MA in Counseling from Woodstock, Va., donned by Celeste Thomas

Aminata Wallet Mohamed, earning an MA in conflict transformation from Bamako, Mali, donned by Micah Shristi

Helen Momoh, earning an MA in conflict transformation from Harrisonburg, Va., donned by her spouse Charles Kwuelum

Sidney Morgan, earning an MA Transformational Leadership from Vancouver, Wa., donned by her three children

Edith Ortega-Sanchez, a peacebuilding and development major from Torreon, Mexico, donned by her mother Maria de Ortega

Jakiran Richardson, a biology major from Virginia Beach, Va., donned by Celeste Thomas

Gene St. Val, earning an MS in biomedicine from Eden, Md., donned by Tara Kishbaugh, professor and dean of the School of Sciences, Engineering, Art and Nursing

Shakeerah Sykes, earning an MA in Counseling from Harrisonburg, Va., donned by Professor Jennifer Cline standing in for Rita Dunston, Shakeerah鈥檚 aunt.

Angela Walker, earning an MA in conflict transformation, from Amity, Ore., donned by her nephew and nieces Asia, Andrew and Aaliyah Smith

Tessa Waidelich, a computer science major from Pettisville, Ohio, donned by Charles Cooley, instructor (computer science)

Rebecca Yugga, major in Spanish language and Hispanic studies from Rockingham, Va., donned by Celeste Thomas.

*Two students’ names have been redacted for security purposes.

Stan Maclin GC ’01 (ministry studies), the community organizer, pastor, educator, and tireless advocate for racial and social justice in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and beyond, died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2021, at age 67.听

Today [Sunday] and Monday, 91短视频 honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day, an that Maclin played an influential role in helping to create and sustain.

鈥淗e was one of the giants whose shoulders we stand upon in this struggle for Justice and Truth,鈥� said planning committee chair Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and senior advisor to the president on diversity and inclusion, who worked with Maclin on several events over the years. 鈥�To loosely quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he was definitely 鈥榓 drum major for change.鈥� He will be sorely missed especially during this time of the year. He would be with us on Monday if he were still among us.鈥�

Maclin鈥檚 many achievements include , creating the People’s Equality Commission of the Shenandoah Valley, and leading the charge to . He was dedicated to preserving . This summer, he organized , and to facilitate dialogue between local residents and authorities in the criminal justice system. Just last month, he spoke of in Harrisonburg.

Maclin was a well-known and respected community leader: His passing has been covered in the and .

He was also a great friend to 91短视频. To local media, he mentioned moving to the area to attend the seminary. Professor Lonnie Yoder recalls that shortly after his arrival, Maclin requested a tour to help him get to know the community. The two men spent some hours driving around Harrisonburg, with Yoder 鈥渢elling stories, pointing out key institutions and landmarks, sharing my take on the historical, cultural, and religious dynamics of this community.鈥�

Yoder calls the experience a 鈥渉oly moment鈥� for him, and it鈥檚 a story that is particularly poignant because it captures a moment of deep witness of who Stan Maclin was, how he valued learning and knowing a community, seeing with clear eyes and an open heart, and moved toward change with a deep devotion to involving and sharing with others in that radical work.

In the years since, Maclin helped to provide the same experience to 91短视频 students. He helped to start the first Martin Luther King Day Celebration on campus in 2013, and continued to open the minds of students and other 91短视频 community members in attendance at  MLK Day talks and tours each year. 

In 2018 and 2019, Maclin worked with second-year graduate students at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding on their 鈥淐ommunity Grounding Day鈥� orientation for new students. He hosted a day-long tour that explored the social, historical, economic, cultural and environmental realities of the city from a social justice perspective, said Amy Knorr, practice director at CJP.

He invited many graduate students to connect to and join organizations, movements and gatherings for social justice. In his leadership positions with Faith in Action and Virginia Organizing, particularly, Knorr says Maclin encouraged and opened doors to CJP student engagement and collaboration.

“A hero for justice has fallen,” said Professor Carl Stauffer, who first met Maclin in 1991 when they pastored and worked together in Richmond. Stauffer later worked with Maclin in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way Coalition and spoke at a number of local peace rallies Maclin organized. 

“As I often say, it was Stan who raised me up in the ministry of the Church, and the work of racial justice, reconciliation, and community development,” Stauffer said. “He was a brother, mentor and friend. He will be sorely missed by so many people around the world, in the Church nationally, and right here in the City of Harrisonburg. Stan was always focused on the local — he was a man of action, committed to social justice and community organizing wherever he found himself. Stan was determined to work for, and live into a better world. He made Harrisonburg a better place. He has left us an important legacy of justice, reconciliation, and bridge-building across all divisions in our society. May we carry on his mantle with grace and integrity.”

Below, we’ve collected a few memories from other 91短视频 faculty and staff who worked with Maclin over the years. 

I first got to know Stan when he invited me to contribute to the advocacy for the street renaming effort and I served gladly under his leadership. He invited my contributions toward this effort out of his deep respect for what he experienced at 91短视频. I, in turn, invited his involvement with planning and facilitating MLK Day of Service and Learning at 91短视频. It was a good partnership for many years. 

鈥� Brian Martin Burkholder, campus pastor

Stan was not only a community activist but I would count him as a friend. He was a member of the MLK Jr. Committee and unselfishly gave of his time and talent to the students, myself and 91短视频. He conducted tours of the Harriet Tubman museum and co-lead the Barbershop Talks during the MLK Jr. Celebration. He was dedicated to and passionate about making sure that the next generation was aware of the activists from slavery through civil rights and present day that paved the way for us to have the liberties that we have in this country. He was one of the giants whose shoulders we stand upon in this struggle for Justice and Truth. To loosely quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “He was definitely a drum major for change.” He will be sorely missed especially during this time of the year. He would be with us on Monday if he were still among us.

鈥� Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services and senior adviser to the president for diversity and inclusion

When he moved to Harrisonburg many years ago, he expressed a need to be introduced to the Harrisonburg community. I remember taking an entire afternoon to literally drive Stan around the city of Harrisonburg telling stories, pointing out key institutions and landmarks, sharing my take on the historical, cultural, and religious dynamics of this community, etc. It was a holy moment for me and I hope it was as well for Stan.

鈥� Professor Lonnie Yoder, Eastern Mennonite Seminary

Stan was committed to and especially active in being a bridge builder between the so-called campus and community, more broadly. He not only engaged students, but has also invited faculty and staff in various community events and initiatives as well – including the King street renaming taskforce, annual celebrations of Dr. King, and other community events. I benefited from his outreach, hospitality and bridge building within six months of my move to Harrisonburg, and know that there are others of us for whom he served as a mentor in many respects, and who have connections that predate their time in/at Harrrisonburg, 91短视频 and CJP.

鈥� Professor Johonna Turner, co-director of the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice

More MLK Day media coverage

—.

—

Forever.

That鈥檚 how long senior Johnny Gabriel Prioleau III hopes the newest art at 91短视频 will last.

Prioleau, along with fellow members of 91短视频鈥檚 Black Student Alliance, and honored guests Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, Harrisonburg Interim Police Chief Gabriel Camacho and 91短视频 President Susan Schultz Huxman, unveiled and dedicated an anti-racism mural on Monday evening in front of University Commons. The ceremony was hosted by Celeste R. Thomas, director of multicultural student services and senior adviser to the president for diversity and inclusion.

The massive street art, stretching 114 feet long, features the words 鈥淏lack Lives Matter鈥� in bold yellow against a black background. The design echoes similar artwork that has appeared on city streets in New York, Seattle, Oakland, and Tulsa. 

鈥淥ne of the main goals,鈥� said BSA co-president Jakiran Richardson, 鈥渋蝉 that the mural serve as a reminder that there鈥檚 still work to be done to make 鈥楤lack Lives Matter鈥� a true statement.鈥� He stated that BSA had two other goals with the artwork: 鈥渢o dispel misconceptions behind the movement鈥� and 鈥渢o represent a promise that 91短视频 will do their part toward the struggle of our people.鈥�

Huxman thanked BSA and its members 鈥渇or leading the ways creatively and courageously on so many diverse initiatives at 91短视频.鈥�

鈥淲hat a beautiful day to rededicate ourselves to peace and justice, the values that are at the core of our community of learners,鈥� she said, quoting the Bible verse of Micah 6:8. 鈥淲hat a beautiful day to stand in support and solidarity of 91短视频鈥檚 BSA and Black Lives Matter, a movement that began seven years ago for non-violent civil disobedience in protest of racially motivated violence against black people…As we reflect on the message of this mural, may we be instructed to live more faithfully as a beloved community embracing the grand diversity of God鈥檚 people.鈥�

With the police chief by her side, Reed, also a member of 91短视频鈥檚 Board of Trustees, expressed pride at being a part of the event and said she wasn鈥檛 surprised when she first heard that 91短视频 students were at work on the mural. 鈥淲e are so proud of our BSA students who had the courage to work on this,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e know that 91短视频 students are leaders and we know that you are our moral compass for the city…you lead the way鈥 want you to know that you are standing on our ancestor鈥檚 shoulders, that by you doing this, it is speaking for them, so always know that and honor that.鈥�

The brief ceremony, limited in size by the city鈥檚 ordinance and physically distanced throughout the parking lot under university health protocols, included a processional of BSA members and supporters of BSA who assisted in the painting of the mural. 

They moved to the side of the veiled artwork as Thomas read selected names of Black Americans killed unjustly. As the last notes of a sounded, BSA members drew tarps back to reveal the artwork.

The mural has been in the works since the summer, but the actual creation began on Thursday and stretched through the weekend, with contributions from BSA鈥檚 40 members, the art and theater departments and affiliated students, and even attracting 鈥減eople just coming by, seeing what we were doing, and lending a hand if they wanted to,鈥� said co-president Merry Yirga. 鈥淚t was really special.鈥�

Yirga said the location of the mural, in a fire lane in front of University Commons, was significant. The building is a focal point, Yirga said, whether for visitors coming to campus for the first time or for students.听

鈥淵ou are not going to miss this,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his does make a statement … This location says that not only does 91短视频 stand with us but they鈥檙e going to make sure people see it.鈥�

Yirga called the mural 鈥渁 huge step for 91短视频.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 making this huge statement but years down the line, so many things will change. More Black students will come to 91短视频…I think it鈥檚 difficult for a predominantly white institution like 91短视频 to make it feel like home to Black students and I think that鈥檚 what this does,鈥� she said.

91短视频 still has work to do, both BSA co-presidents said. The mural project came as a reaction to the loss of the Royal Treatment Barbershop, a lounge and hair salon on campus managed by BSA. 

This summer, Dean of Students Shannon Dycus shared with BSA members that the Barbershop鈥檚 small size only allowed for a one-person occupancy, based on physical distancing requirements. 

The students were upset at the prospect of losing 鈥渙ur space, a popular place and a fan favorite, not just for black students,鈥� Yirga said, but ultimately agreed to offer the space as an on-campus COVID-19 testing site.

This decision sparked further discussion about the lack of space, said Dycus. 鈥淲e talked about other ways students could show up around campus, celebrating their identity and voice.鈥�  

鈥淲e wanted to use the opportunity to make some changes and implement a more inclusive culture here at 91短视频,鈥� Yirga said. 鈥淎nd that brings us to where we are today.鈥�

The Donning of the Kente ceremony is traditionally the first event of 91短视频鈥檚 Commencement ceremonies.  This spring鈥檚 event, along with other graduation events, has been postponed until fall 2020.

Multicultural Student Services Director Celeste Thomas started the first ceremony four  years ago to recognize the achievements of the university鈥檚 students of color. Participation has grown and the ceremony includes many international students, and more graduate students as well. Micah Shristi, director of International Student Services and advisor to the International Student Organization, is a co-host of the event.

Graduates can opt for a stole of kente cloth or a satin sash with a flag representing a country of cultural connection. At the ceremony, the stoles are placed around the graduate by a mentor selected by the student. 

鈥淎nyone would agree that completing a university degree takes a lot of hard work and dedication,鈥� said Shristi. 鈥淭he donning ceremony honors the fact that completing a degree while navigating cultural and language barriers, perhaps in a foreign country far from family and friends,  is an even greater accomplishment.鈥�

The fall event will be announced in conjunction with plans for the fall commencement ceremony. Visit for updates.

Here are the 2020 graduates, with some information about their academic and extracurricular accomplishments, as well as the name of their honorary donner.

Ariel Barbosa is a Bible, religion, and theology and sociology double-major with minors in  honors and interfaith studies. She is a Cords of Distinction honoree. She held leadership positions in Latino Student Alliance, Student Government Association, the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. She was a four-year member of the soccer team. She plans to work in Washington D.C. with long-term plans of moving to Brazil, where she has family. Professor Jenni Holsinger is her honorary donner.

Tala Bautista, a graduate student in the MA in conflict transformation program at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, was involved with On the Road Collaborative, Virginia Organizing, and FUEGO. Among her contributions to 91短视频 and CJP was the initiation of a relationship with the indigenous Monacan Nation. She will return to the Philippines and continue work with Coffee For Peace, an organization which she co- leads as vice president. Her honorary donners are Professor Johonna Turner and Katie Mansfield, lead trainer of the STAR program. 

Kirby Broadnax, a graduate student in the MA in conflict transformation program at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, was an orientation graduate assistant, and served on the CJP 25th Anniversary Planning Committee and the 2019 Community Grounding Day Committee. She was also involved in the 2018 Indigenous People鈥檚 Day Celebration. Kirby will return to Cleveland, Ohio, to reconnect with her network and explore the potential and interest around restorative and healing-centered ways of addressing conflict. Her honorary donner is Professor Johonna Turner.

Kiana Childress graduates with degrees in communications and photography. She was involved with the Black Student Alliance, Destiny鈥檚 Daughters, and the Weathervane newspaper. Kiana also was a member of the track and field team. She plans to stay in the Harrisonburg area, pursue work in her field and earn a master鈥檚 degree. Celeste Thomas, director of multicultural student services,  is her honorary donner.

Diana Crespin-Gomez is a Spanish and Hispanic Studies major who was involved in Latino Student Alliance. She will intern in Washington D.C. this summer through Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center. Her honorary donner is Ranene Ropp, Diana鈥檚 supervisor at the 91短视频 post office.  

Emilio R. Fajardo, a Spanish and Biology double-major, honored Professor Kris Schmidt as his honorary donner.

Sako Haji, a computer science major and Spanish minor, played two years of soccer. She also served as tutor with Church World Service and was a member of ACM and Latino Student Alliance. Her mother Sarah Salem is her honorary donner.

Sophia Hartman is a psychology major with a neuroscience minor. She is senior class president. I work at a residential mental health facility for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board and interned with the Psychiatric Emergency Team at Sentara RMH. She plans to move to Richmond, Virginia, and explore options to enter a graduate research program. Michelle Hensley, director of financial assistance, and Zach Yoder, director of retention, were her honorary donners.

Alexus Holbert is a graduate student in the MS in biomedicine program. She plans to become a nurse practitioner, with a long-term career goal of working with genetic counselors and oncologists. Her honorary donner is Celeste Thomas,  director of multicultural student services.

Paul Kayembe is a peacebuilding and sociology major with minors in pre-law, political studies and English. His various leadership roles include president of the 91短视频 Rotaract, co-president of the International Student Organization, chairman of the College Republicans, and program coordinator for Black Student Alliance. He is donning himself.

Earnest Kiah, a music performance major, led the gospel choir and was active in the Black Student Union. Earnest plans to move to Atlanta, Georgia, and pursue a career in real estate. Professor David Berry is the honored donner of the stole.

Kiara Kiah, a music performance and social work double-major, was a member of the Gospel Choir and Black Student Union, secretary for Destiny鈥檚 Daughters. Kiara will move to Atlanta, Geogia, to pursue a career in social work. Her honoree donner is Melody Panell, with Destiny鈥檚 Daughters.

Donaldo Lleshi, a biology and pre-med major, is a Cords of Distinction honoree. He served as a community assistant in the residence halls for two years, and held leadership positions in the International Student Organization, Latino Student Alliance, Student Government Association, Pre-professional Health Sciences Club and Rotoract. Donaldo also worked in multiple sectors of the campus, including custodial, facilities management, residence life, the  library, cafeteria, and Common Grounds. Daniel Zimmerman, the resident assistant while Donaldo was a CA in North Lawn, will be his honorary donner.

Rodrigue Makelele earns an MA in conflict transformation. He was a community organizer at Church World Service and plans to continue organizing work after graduation. His wife, Monique Tshibola, is his honorary donner.

Juan Becerra Martinez is graduating with degrees in organizational leadership, human resource management and marketing. At 91短视频, he was involved with the cycling club, while also working at Best Buy. His honorary donner is his fiance, Samatha Holly Reed.

Maha Mehanna is completing her second master鈥檚 degree at 91短视频. She previously earned an MA in conflict transformation and is completing an MA in organizational leadership. Dean David Brubaker will be her honorary donner.

Justin Odom is a political science and Biblical studies major with a minor in music performance. He also earned 91短视频鈥檚 highest honor, the Cords of Distinction. Justin was involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Campus Ministry Council and Creation Care Council, Gospel Choir and Celebration. He was a senator in the Student Government Association, a ministry assistant, a pastoral assistant, community advisor in the residence halls, and a member of the track and field team. Justin will intern in Washington D.C. this summer. His honorary donner is Professor Ji Eun Kim.

Kiontay Reynolds is a computer science major. She will work as a software engineer after graduation. Her honorary donner is Celeste Thomas,  director of multicultural student services.

Phoebe Swe, a psychology major with an Honors minor, was involved with student life, Common Grounds, the Summer Peacebuilding Institute, the library, and summer conferences and events. She volunteered or interned at Gemeinschaft Home and the Kids Club at Park View Mennonite Church. She will do a year of service with PULSE in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her honorary donner is Micah Shristi, director of international student services.

Juan Vazquez is a computer engineering major and a member of the soccer team. His mother, Sofia Gomez, is his honorary donner.

It took a few years of persistence and many phone calls on the part of 91短视频鈥檚 Director of Multicultural Services Celeste Thomas to bring The Rev. Dr. Cornell William Brooks to campus. The former president and CEO of the NAACP from from 2014-17, he has been a visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School for the last two years and serves this academic year as professor of the practice of public leadership and social justice, and director of The William Monroe Trotter Collaborative for Social Justice at Harvard Kennedy School鈥檚 Center for Public Leadership. 

And it was relationship that eventually made all the difference. Brooks, a fourth-generation ordained minister of the African Methodist Episcopal church, has preached locally several times.

鈥淚 had met Sister Celeste years ago on one of my visits to Bethel AME here in Harrisonburg and once you meet someone, it鈥檚 hard to say no,鈥� he said to Bethel parishioners, including senior pastor The Rev. Dr. Chinita Richardson, and 91短视频 campus community members at a Sunday worship service in Mainstage Theater.

“It was quite a blessing to have the former CEO and president of the National NAACP, reverend and civil rights attorney here on campus,” Thomas said. “He is the epitome of what it looks like to live into Micah.  So, if you are asking what can I do to promote a social justice way of life, he talks the talk and walks the walk. He is genuine in word and deed.”

Brooks spoke twice during his visit to commemorate Black History Month on the theme of Sankofa, a Ghanese metaphor about

鈥淚n his Sunday message, he emphasized that we can鈥檛 do social justice well without letting our God lead us,鈥� said Maya Dula, co-president of 91短视频鈥檚 Black Student Alliance. 鈥淗e reiterated over and over that without prayer, work for racial justice would not be where it is today. We won鈥檛 get where we want to get without God at the forefront, and I think he may be right.鈥� 

Brooks took his Sunday text from 2 Kings 4 of the widow and the miraculous supply of oil. 鈥淲hat do you do when you鈥檙e doing without?鈥� he asked. 鈥淚 lift up three lessons for spiritual contemplation. Take your problem to the Lord. Take stock, assess what you have. Take to your closet.鈥�

In Brooks鈥� sermon, the Biblical story reflects the depth and richness of God鈥檚 presence in Black history, then and now, and becomes a spiritual guide to lift listeners who are 鈥渕orally depressed, empty of hope, aspiration, love, faith for the future.鈥�

In response to the prophet鈥檚 question, the widow says at first she has nothing.

鈥淭hen She considers what she has. Because she says in answer to the prophet鈥檚 question, nothing except a little oil. What鈥檚 our little oil? Our little oil looks like a little history, a little history. A little oil called Rosa Parks, MLK…Richard Allen, AME, our history of resistance.鈥�

Black History Month 鈥渂rings us to the Intersection of history and hope,鈥� he said. 鈥淎ll of our history bears witness to God鈥檚 movement among us.鈥�

Monday鈥檚 convocation included readings by members of the Black Student Alliance and music by the Gospel Choir. Brooks鈥� theme was 鈥淗istory and Hope on the Slave (Auction) Block.鈥�

The history of Black people in this land, beginning with 16 Africans in 1619 and continuing through the horrors of oppression and suppression, is 鈥渢he kind of history that calls into our morality, our sense of civichood as a nation,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t calls into question the consistency of the Constitution and the hypocracy of those who say they believe in the Bible 鈥� What do we do with this history?鈥�

Yet this history, whether read in books or heard in stories from relatives or even activism and narratives shared on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, is 鈥渢estimony 鈥� Black history, surviving and thriving in spite of what they came up against. Those are stories you cherish 鈥� Black history is about this moment. It is not only about what is being recorded but about what is made and done.鈥�

Through it all is God鈥檚 work, he said, and it is the story of all of us.

鈥�…if you believe in God, if you believe in Jesus, if you believe God the Father, if you believe in the Holy Spirit, if you believe in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, then you gotta believe in the history of black people. You鈥檝e got to believe in God鈥檚 power and presence and movement in the history of Black people and if you believe in that, you鈥檝e got to claim it, you got to read it, you have to love it.鈥� 

Brooks鈥� visit was sponsored by 91短视频鈥檚 Multicultural Student Services, the Black Student Alliance, the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and the Bible, Religion and Theology Department.

Several other events, including the BSA鈥檚 annual Town Hall on Race, also commemorated the month.

91短视频’s MLK Day celebrations included service projects, lectures and workshops, a convocation, film showings and much more. Enjoy photos of highlighted events by Macson McGuigan, Kiana Childress and Jamie Reich.

A co-hosted by Northeast Neighborhood Association, 91短视频 and Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church, brought state senator Jennifer McClellan, Harrisonburg mayor and 91短视频 trustee Deanna Reed, and other speakers to commemorate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Students and Black Student Alliance officers Maya Dula and Jakiran Richardson at the morning’s solidarity march.

Students from 91短视频’s main campus, including (from left) KC Argueta-Rivas, Morgan Bradley and Dulce Shenk Zeager, traveled to Washington D.C. to participate with the nonprofit Community of Hope in Anacostia’s MLK Day Peace Parade. The visit to DC was hosted by Kimberly Schmidt and Jamie Reich, of The Washington Community Scholars’ Center, and students in residence there for the semester. Residence director Scott Eyre and his son Nolan also made the trip from Harrisonburg.

91短视频 staff and students met neighbors along the route through the heart of D.C.’s historic Anacostia neighborhood and handed out stress balls, chapstick and pamphlets about Community of Hope’s services. “The parade is a big event with African American Civil War re-enactors on horseback, lots of clowns, marching bands from as far away as Tallahassee, and a number of local organizations, non-profits represented in the parade,” said Schmidt. Prior to the parade, the group visited the MLK Memorial for a ceremony and gospel music. On Sunday, students at WCSC also traveled to Anacostia to a special worship service at Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, the first of its kind built east of the Anacostia River and known as the “mother church” for African American Catholics.

Drummers on stage in Lehman Auditorium, including Jonas Masiya (shown here), Victor Parker and Rodrigue Makelele, began the convocation festivities.

Convocation speaker Dr. Jalane Schmidt, from the University of Virginia, shares about her involvement as an activist and organizer before, during and after the events surrounding the white supremacy rally in Charlottesville.

Members of 91短视频’s Gospel Choir, joined by community musicians, perform at convocation with drummer Terry Jones and pianist Earnest Kiah. From left: David Chun, Natalie Brown, Amanda Jasper, Kiara Kiah, Rebecca Yugga, Jami Miles, Ariel Barbosa, Patricia Dunn, Carolyn Jackson, Sonja Myers and Janelle Birkey.

Rap artist and 91短视频 alumnus Meechy Jay takes the stage.

Tyrone Sprague gives a haircut in the Royal Treatment student lounge, which opened last year in University Commons. A longtime contributor to 91短视频’s MLK Day celebrations, Sprague had hosted his annual barbershop talk in his business downtown until the new lounge space opened.

Professor Mark Sawin lectures on 鈥淩emembering the Confederacy: A Monumental Debate鈥� in Common Grounds.

Student Tone Parker (right) leads a community drumming circle, joined by (from left) Emerson Brubaker, Andy King, Ariel Barbosa, Avery Trinh and Zavion Taylor.

View all events on the 91短视频 website.

This is the second year that classes have been cancelled and participation encouraged in a variety of activities, including a long-standing tradition of joining a Sunday worship service in one of the Northeast Neighborhood churches with state senator Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) at the Lucy Simms Community Center, a luncheon at John Wesley United Methodist Church, as well as a barbershop talk in The Royal Treatment student lounge hosted by local barber Tyrone Sprague.听

Many students participate in a day trip to Washington D.C. led by Kimberly Schmidt, co-director of the Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center. The tour includes participation in the MLK Day parade with Community of Hope nonprofit in the African American community of Anacostia and  a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument.

Several trainings highlight themes of inclusivity, including diversity awareness with Marvin Worthy of Worthy Consulting & Training and SafeZone trainings for LGBTQIA+ students, committed allies, faculty and staff.

Professor Mark Sawin also offers a lecture on 鈥淩emembering the Confederacy: A Monumental Debate鈥� at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Common Grounds.

Keynote and workshops with U.Va. professor Jalane Schmidt

Among other highlights on campus, Professor Jalane Schmidt provides a keynote address at the Monday convocation and later that day, leads a two-part training on campus activism. A professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia and an organizer with the Charlottesville chapter of Black Lives Matter, she helped to organize counter protests against white supremacy groups during the in August 2017. 

Schmidt leads walking tours of Charlottesville鈥檚 downtown Confederate monuments, and helped plan and lead the city鈥檚 first Liberation and Freedom Day in 2019, which commemorated the 14,000 enslaved residents of Charlottesville and Albemarle County who were emancipated on March 3, 1865, when Union troops arrived. Last year, Schmidt assisted in memorializing Charlottesville resident John Henry James, who was lynched in 1898. 

鈥淗istory belongs to everyone, not just scholars,鈥� Schmidt wrote in a (ACLU). The ACLU represented Schmidt when she was by one of the plaintiffs who had originally sued to prevent the removal of Charlottesville鈥檚 Confederate monuments. 

鈥淢arginalized narratives of vulnerable groups of our community must be included in our collective story in order to inform our efforts to make changes in the present and to promote a more just and equitable future.鈥�

A brief ceremony before the ribbon-cutting included speeches from Student Government Association representative Hannah Nichols, 91短视频 President Susan Schultz Huxman, senior advisor to the president for diversity and inclusion and Multicultural Student Services director Celeste Thomas, facilities management director Ed Lehman, Black Student Union co-president Jakiran Richardson and 鈥渞esident barber鈥� Mark Loving III.

Scott Eyre, lead residence director, was also recognized for his contributions and leadership.

The speakers then conducted a unity ceremony during which various colors of sand were poured together into a glass container.

鈥淭he colors of sand represent the connection between 91短视频 and our multicultural faculty, staff, students, alumni and community,鈥� said Nichols. 鈥淭hey also represent the Kente, a traditional woven cloth worn as a symbol of ethnic pride. The colors chosen are also connected to Kwanza (black for the people, red for the bloodshed and green for greener pastures) and the Olympic rings, a gathering of all nations.鈥�

Also present for the ceremony were Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed;听Stan Maclin, 91短视频 alumnus and founder of the local Harriet Tubman Museum; and local barber Tyrone Sprague, who owns Sprague’s Barbershop in downtown Harrisonburg and has been a supporter of 91短视频 students for many years.