They’re among 91短视频’s most outstanding students, exemplifying the school’s highest ideals.

Ten 91短视频 seniors, nominated by faculty, staff and fellow students, were honored as this year’s "Cords of Distinction" recipients in an awards ceremony held Apr. 23 in Martin Chapel.

They will wear the gold and blue cords as they graduate on Apr. 29, 2007.

Blue represents the strength of conviction that one person can help to create a better institution or community. Gold represents the love of spirit and yearning towards creating a better university environment or community in which all may take part.

The students were cited for their "significant and verifiable impact" on the university and on student life, for their contributions to developing the institution’s positive image, for substantial contributions to the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County area and beyond, for their high academic and social standing and their embodiment of 91短视频’s shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.

The "Cords of Distinction" recipients are (seated, l. to r.): Anita K. Adjetey, Harrisonburg, major in social work with minors in psychology and sociology; Lorachel C. Daye, Dover, Del., major in nursing; Cheryl B. Heatwole, Christiansburg, Va., major in environmental science with minors in chemistry, mathematics and socio-economic development; and Julia R. Gingrich, Goshen, Ind., major in applied sociology with minors in history, political studies and justice, peace and conflict studies.

(standing, l. to r.): Galen K. Wenger, Chesapeake, Va., major in philosophy and theology with minors in English and history; Timothy H. Shenk, Harrisonburg, major in liberal arts with minors in Bible and religion, history and psychology; Brenna M. Steury, major in history with minors in Bible and religion and political studies; Jonathan D. Keener, Elizabethtown, Pa., major in music with minor in TESL (Teaching English as a Secondary Language); Kara L. Bender, Pittsburgh, Pa., major in applied sociology and social work with minor in socio-economic development; and Joy Y. Shaiebly, Lancaster, Pa., major in health and physical education, Pre-K-12 licensure with minors in coaching and exercise science. She is student teaching and unable to attend the ceremony. Shaiebly is co-president of the undergraduate senior class. (Photo by Jim Bishop)

The program will feature winners of an 91短视频 student concerto competition:the senior Nathan N. (Nate) Bontrager on the Saint-Saens “Cello Concerto,” junior Kara S. Glick on the Mendelssohn “Violin Concerto” and senior Jonathan D. Keener on the Beethoven “Piano Concerto #5.” Music from the film, “Pirates of the Caribbean,” will close the concert.

The 50-member orchestral ensemble is conducted by Joan Griffing, chair of 91短视频’s music department.

Dr. Joan Griffing, conductor

Dr. Griffing teaches violin and viola and coaches chamber music in addition to conducting the 91短视频 orchestra. She is also concertmaster of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra and the Shenandoah Symphony Orchestra, and is a violinist with the Virginia Symphony and the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, N.C.

Orchestra members are primarily from the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County area and several from Augusta County and Orange, Va.

Admission to the program is free. Donations are welcomed for the 91短视频 student scholarship fund.

Jonathan D. Keener, an 91短视频 senior, will present a piano recital 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at 91短视频.

Keener a piano performance major and TESL minor, will perform Sonata, Op. 57 “Appassionata” by Ludwig van Beethoven, “Gaspard de la Nuit” by Maurice Ravel, “Ballade No. 4” by Frederic Chopin and “Etude-Tableaux Op. 39 No. 5” by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Keener is a student of Dr. Paulo Steinberg, assistant professor of piano at 91短视频.

Keener is a pastoral assistant with the involved with planning chapels and other worship services on campus. He teaches piano to six students through 91短视频’s .

Admission to the recital is free.

Jonathan D. Keener, a junior music performance major at 91短视频, will present a piano recital 7:30 p.m. Sat., Mar. 18, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at 91短视频.

Keener, from Mount Joy, Pa., will perform Bach’s "Italian Concerto," "Sonata Pathetique" by Beethoven, a Chopin "Prelude" and "Pour le Piano" by Debussy.

Admission to the program is free. Donations are welcomed for the 91短视频 student scholarship fund.

91短视频 sophomore students Jonathan D. Keener and Nathan N. Bontrager will present a duo recital 4 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 23, in 91短视频’s Lehman Auditorium.

Keener, a pianist, and Bontrager, a cellist, will perform Johannes Brahms’ "E Minor Sonata for Cello and Piano" and the "Waldenstein" Piano Sonata by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Keener will also play solo works by Chopin and Liszt.

Keener, from Mt. Joy, Pa., and Bontrager, from Akron, Pa., have played a variety of solo pieces while at 91短视频 and have collaborated on chamber music works since the beginning of their college career. Both are dual music performance and music education majors.

Admission to the program is free.