The year is 1946. The U.S. is one year removed from World War II, Perry Como’s “Prisoner of Love” tops the Billboard charts, and the average price of gasoline is 21 cents per gallon. In Harrisonburg, Virginia, 91����Ƶ—then known as Eastern Mennonite College—hosts its inaugural Faculty Conference (the perennial event would add the “staff” part of its name in 1979) from Aug. 26-29.

Reading aloud from the program of that first conference, Amy Springer Hartsell, executive advisor to the president, shared that the scheduled events included Bible study and devotions, talks on vital school subjects and roundtable discussions, and action on a motion to “send a hearty welcome to newly appointed members of faculty and staff.”

“There are some similarities, I think, that span these nearly 80 years,” she said in her welcome remarks at the Fall 2025 Faculty Staff Conference on Tuesday morning. “Our Faculty Staff Conference purpose statement talks about energizing ourselves for a new academic year through worship, welcoming new employees, reconnecting with colleagues from across the university, and engaging in thought-provoking input, conversation, fun, and fellowship.”

“This is a time to gather, engage, reset, and start anew,” she added, “not only for ourselves, but certainly, and perhaps most importantly, for our students.”

Keep scrolling for photos and snippets from this year’s fall conference!

Faculty and staff members reconnected over get-to-know-you bingo cards. Mary Davis (Admissions) and Trina Trotter Nussbaum (Center for Interfaith Engagement) won 91����Ƶ-branded merch, while Jessica Hostetler (Enrollment) won a lunch with Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus.

Striking a tone of hope and resilience, 91����Ƶ Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, who began serving in her role on July 1, delivered the presidential address to those gathered at Martin Chapel and online on Tuesday. “We know that 91����Ƶ is not ordinary,” she said. “We know this is a learning community that is noble in its accomplishments and exceptional in its ability to infuse compassion.”

“We can overcome the challenges before us because we believe that 91����Ƶ is worth the investment,” she continued. “I also know that we want to sustain and grow 91����Ƶ for the importance it has in 2025, in 2035, and in 2075. We want the gift of academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith for our students and their grandchildren. There’s a legacy here that we see ourselves continuing and even as it evolves, even as it changes, even as it adapts, we see the vision of the future.”

Reflecting the 2025-2026 university theme of environmental sustainability, the theme of this year’s conference was “Sustain Together.” Gloria Rhodes, professor of peacebuilding and conflict studies at 91����Ƶ’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, led a plenary session on social sustainability.

Later on, Jonathan McRay MA ’13 (conflict transformation), sustainability advisor, moderated a panel discussion on environmental sustainability with 91����Ƶ professors Doug Graber Neufeld (Natural Sciences), Steven Johnson (Visual & Communication Arts), and Jim Leaman (Business & Leadership).

Leaman encouraged everyone to find one new way each month to care for the Earth and all its creatures—and to document it. “It’s amazing how that transforms you over time,” he said. “For me, it has given me hope for what’s possible and given me comfort in knowing that I have a choice, that I have agency, and that I can make a difference.”

Gathering together in the Northlawn Dining Hall for lunch, faculty and staff members piled their plates high at a taco bar and celebrated new employees who have joined the university over the past year. Ryan Good, director of the 91����Ƶ Washington Semester, gave an overview of the recently rebranded D.C. program and highlighted its student outcomes.

On Wednesday afternoon, following a series of faculty and staff learning sessions held throughout the morning, employees hit the dance floor in the Old Common Grounds space for line dancing lessons led by Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus. Participants learned the moves to the “Electric Slide,” “Cha Cha Slide” (pictured above), and “Wobble” dances.

“It’s really about moving together, making mistakes, learning from them, and trying again,” Dycus told those dancing. “There’s no judgment here.”

Members of the Fall 2025 Faculty Staff Conference planning team included the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, Dr. Tynisha Willingham, Jen Jones, Sara Wittig, and Amy Springer Hartsell.

Thanks to Everence for sponsoring the coffee break, Park View Federal Credit Union for sponsoring morning refreshments, Pioneer College Caterers for providing the lunches, facilities management for setting up room spaces, and everyone else who contributed to helping make the conference a success!