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.

Say you鈥檙e at a restaurant when you notice two women sitting at the bar. They look uncomfortable 鈥� an apparent stranger has been talking to them for about 10 minutes, slowly getting physically closer all the while. What do you do? Should you do anything?

One 91短视频 student who recently witnessed this scenario went up to the women, asked if they had met before, and chatted with them briefly until the stranger left. The two women expressed gratitude for this simple intervention.

That鈥檚 the type of action taught in 鈥淕reen Dot鈥� proactive bystander trainings 鈥� ways that anyone can help de-escalate or prevent situations of power-based personal violence. The trainings are tailored so that attendees can come up with a solution that鈥檚 within their comfort zones, such as starting a conversation with those two at the bar.

The next Green Dot trainings for students are Tues., Feb. 25 from 6-10 p.m. in the library鈥檚 JAMAR classroom and Sun., April 5 from 1-5 p.m. in University Commons 211/212. They鈥檙e led by Leda Werner, grant coordinator for student life; Jon Swartz, director of student accountability and restorative justice; and Jess Balac of the Collins Center.

鈥淥ftentimes we see situations where we know we should step in, but we’re not sure how or what to do,鈥� Werner said. 鈥淕reen Dot gives folks tangible skills and tools to intervene in those instances and make a real difference for someone.鈥�

This semester marks the full rollout of the trainings, which were first held last semester at 91短视频 for community advisors and pastoral assistants. Werner said they hope to expand the training to incoming students this fall.

Student Gabby McMillon said the training added to her 鈥渢oolbox of skills.鈥�

鈥淚 found the intervention framework to be very useful and accessible, and soon found myself practicing things I learned from the training,鈥� McMillon said.

鈥淚t takes courage to try to address harms at the systemic level, such as the land theft that is at the foundation of the service; at the institutional level, like culture and climate issues faced by employees throughout the service; and the individual level, things like interpersonal bullying and harassment. None of our organizations is a shining example of doing this well, so it鈥檚 a gift to be part of the process of struggle toward change.鈥�

STAR Lead Trainer Katie Mansfield

The National Park Service is focusing on improvement of its workplace culture and climate 鈥� and calling in the help of restorative justice and conflict transformation professionals from 91短视频鈥檚 Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) program.

Most recently, STAR trainers conducted a training and facilitated discussion over four days in Philadelphia for 20 federal workers, including five park service superintendents. Its goal? To engage with trauma and resilience experts to help shift workplace culture and build employee satisfaction throughout park service offices in the Northeast.

The event was the second time STAR has worked with the park service and more trainings are being planned, according to STAR Program Director Hannah Kelley.

The inclusion of STAR programming has provided a way into addressing systemic issues within the park service鈥檚 unique context, said Rebecca Stanfield McCown, director of the host agency, the National Park Service . 鈥淚鈥檓 still amazed at the impact of the December workshop, which not only connected each of us to the personal and human side of trauma awareness and restorative practices, but helped us begin to develop a common language around these principles.鈥澨�

NPS explores the potential of RJ

The Stewardship Institute is dedicated to helping NPS leaders 鈥渕ove the organization in new directions鈥� through collaboration and dialogue. It began exploring the potential of restorative justice for 鈥渆mployee wellness in the face of harassment and hostility鈥� about two years ago, McCown said.  

At about the same time, Grand Canyon National Park hosted a STAR training. Park administrators were connected with STAR by Sigal Shoham, a 2013 alumna of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and an organizational omsbudsman with the U.S. Department of the Interior鈥檚 Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution (CADR).听

Administrators at The Stewardship Institute were especially interested in the beneficial outcomes of the training in Arizona. 鈥淲hen we were looking to understand what role restorative practices could have in addressing harassment and hostility, we reached out to STAR because of the good things we had heard from the staff at Grand Canyon,鈥� McCown said.

She added: 鈥淚t had been challenging to communicate the potential alignment and benefits restorative practices could bring to the NPS because most of us lacked the language and strong understanding of how it might be applied to our workplaces.鈥�

With STAR programming shaped to that educational goal and outside experts brought in for the facilitated discussion, the Philadelphia training helped the Stewardship Institute shine light on the way forward. 

Positive outcomes

The training was facilitated by STAR Lead Trainer Katie Mansfield and Jonathan Swartz, a restorative justice practitioner and Center for Justice and Peacebuilding alumnus. The participants, including Shoham and other CADR employees, spent 2.5 days learning about the personal and organizational impacts of trauma, concepts and applications of restorative justice, self care, and secondary traumatic stress.听

The remainder of the third and fourth days focused on a facilitated dialogue, during which participants could ask questions of experts in restorative justice, trauma awareness and resilience, truth and reconciliation, and organizational anthropology, including the STAR trainers themselves. 91短视频 professors Johonna Turner and Carolyn Stauffer, who bring expertise in trauma awareness, resilience and restorative justice, contributed to this discussion, which also included cultural anthropologists and other specialists.

One outcome of the final session was strategies and action items to create awareness, implement practices, and build a new culture. 

鈥淚 could feel the combination of struggle and inspiration and care among the participants,鈥� said Mansfield 鈥淚t takes courage to try to address harms at the systemic level, such as the land theft that is at the foundation of the service; as well as at the institutional level, like culture and climate issues faced by employees throughout the service; and the individual level, things like interpersonal bullying and harassment. None of our organizations is a shining example of doing this well, so it鈥檚 a gift to be part of the process of struggle toward change.鈥�

The December workshop, McCown said, equipped park service staff to begin 鈥渢o implement trauma-aware and restorative practices in our individual parks or program culture,鈥� such as developing workshops for more staff. The participants are also working to 鈥渋dentify ways that park leadership can foster workplaces that include restorative practices and trauma-aware leadership.鈥�

During their week-long orientation, 34 community advisors and pastoral assistants participated in the training. This was the first student bystander training on campus; 68 faculty and staff received overview training in spring 2019. The Green Dot rollout will continue with additional sessions offered each semester, and all incoming students will receive training at the beginning of next school year in fall 2020.

With its tagline 鈥淣o one has to do everything, but everyone has to do something,鈥� the initiative 鈥渨ill be an incredible asset to the 91短视频 community as we stand together so that fewer people are hurt by power-based personal violence,鈥� said Jonathan Swartz, director of residence life, student accountability and restorative justice and Green Dot training facilitator. The Green Dot facilitator team include other leaders in the Student Life team led by grant coordinator Leda Werner and Jess Balac of the Collins Center.

The program trains community members to act so that red dots 鈥� marks on a map indicating instances of power-based personal violence such as controlling behavior, threats or sexual assault 鈥� are far outnumbered by green dots. Including both reactive and proactive bystander interventions, green dots indicate actions such as defusing a situation through distraction, showing concern for someone who is being harmed, or asking someone who is causing harm to move away.

Barriers to intervening can be 鈥渁nything from feeling unsafe to not knowing the full context to being concerned about damaging a friendship,鈥� said Werner. 鈥淭hinking ahead of time about the ways in which we do feel comfortable intervening helps us to feel more confident to take action when we witness a situation unfolding in front of us.鈥�

In the training, a majority of community advisors (CAs) and pastoral assistants shared that they personally experienced or knew someone who had experienced power-based personal violence, said Addison Hawpe. As a CA, she lives in a residence hall and provides support and leadership to other students, and helps build community.

鈥淲e all have times in our past where we wish we would have stood up, and wish we would have done more,鈥� she said. 鈥淎fter this training, I have some more tactics 鈥� 鈥榙irect, distract and delegate鈥� 鈥� and ways to be an active bystander. I can definitely pass these on to the residents on my hall as ways that they can be active bystanders, too.鈥�

The training further challenged CAs to create 鈥済reen areas where red dots don鈥檛 even have a chance to come,鈥� said Hawpe.

鈥淥ne of the main goals of a CA is to create that green zone in our spaces,鈥� said CA Theo Yoder. Green Dot t-shirts, stickers and conversation points will cultivate awareness and help 鈥渕ake it clear that domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking are just unacceptable,鈥� he said.  

鈥淚t takes a collective effort by all of us to ensure that our campus is safe,鈥� said Werner, who manages a multi-year grant 91短视频 received through the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to combat sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus. 

Launched in 2006 at the University of Kentucky, 鈥檚 Green Dot curriculum has been used at nearly 800 schools (), entities such as the U.S. Department of Justice, Oregon Tradeswomen and Bangor Savings Bank, as well as internationally, according to its website.

She began planning for a campus-wide training at 91短视频 as part of her capstone project to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in peacebuilding and development, and then, as a graduate student in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding鈥檚 MA in restorative justice program, applied for and was awarded a CJP Creative Initiatives Community Engagement grant.

That grant enabled her vision to come to fruition in October 2018, when Poplett joined with campus restorative justice practitioners and other graduate students to host 24 participants for a day-long training.

鈥淲e had several goals, but mainly we wanted to increase knowledge across campus about restorative practices and empower students, faculty and staff from different parts of campus to use these practices to address conflicts in a more restorative way that encourages communal accountability and relationship-building,鈥� Poplett said. 鈥淲e also wanted to start conversations about how restorative justice can be used every single day by everyone.鈥�

The two training facilitators were Professor Johonna Turner and Associate Dean of Students Jonathan Swartz. Turner arrived at 91短视频 as a faculty member for CJP鈥檚 new MA in restorative justice program in 2015. Now a co-director of the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice, she also teaches undergraduate and graduate classes on restorative practices, among other topics.

Since 2015, Swartz has filled several roles, reflecting increased attention and resources to restorative justice practices in the campus community. He was named 91短视频鈥檚 first restorative justice coordinator in 2015, the responsibilities of which were folded, two years later, into a new position called director of residence life, student accountability and restorative justice. His current title as associate dean still includes accountability and restorative justice.

Poplett served as a coach during the training, with fellow graduate students Mikayla Waters-Crittenton and Fabiana Espinal. She came away from the learning opportunity 鈥済rateful鈥� for participants who were 鈥渆ngaged and critically thinking about how restorative justice could be used in their own life,鈥� she said, adding that her own understandings were deepened as well. 鈥�Every time that I hear Johonna and Jon speak about RJ, I learn something new and am able to delve deeper into my own thought process that surrounds restorative justice.鈥�

Poplett hopes the enthusiasm for educating the campus community grows after this first endeavor. The 24 participants, a critical mass of new advocates, is a key indicator that the campus community is interested and willing to engage, she says. 听鈥淚 think getting people excited and educated is the first step towards a more comprehensive implementation of RJ here on campus. 鈥�

As part of her graduate practicum in spring semester 2018, Waters-Crittenton is working with Swartz on plans for more trainings and activities to engage the 91短视频 campus community.

Creative Initiatives grants

CJP鈥檚 annual Creative Initiatives grant competition, open to all CJP graduate students, encourages collaboration and innovation around community engagement and arts in peacebuilding. Poplett鈥檚 project won the community engagement category of the 2018 contest, while a team of students planning a playback theater and arts day for area high school students who are immigrants and refugees won the arts in peacebuilding category. This event hasn鈥檛 yet occurred because of weather-related rescheduling.

The phased roll-out will begin with faculty and staff in spring 2019, while students 鈥渨ill begin to see signs of the program on campus in fall 2019,鈥� said Leda Werner.

She manages a multi-year grant 91短视频 received through the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to combat sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking on campus. The first year of the grant, 2017-18, was devoted to needs assessment and planning.

The bystander training is one of several initiatives to be implemented in the next two years.

Empowerment to act

The imagery of the Green Dot program is simple: If a red dot on a map represents an individual act of sexual violence, a green dot can represent any individual choice that builds community safety and cultivates intolerance for sexual violence. That could mean actions such as defusing a situation through distraction, showing concern for someone who is being harmed, or asking someone who is causing harm to move away.

A key difference from other programs is that it goes beyond typical awareness-raising measures. The training empowers participants with 鈥渘ew actions and new ways of seeing and engaging that can enhance a community鈥檚 capacity for response and change,鈥� said associate dean of students Jonathan Swartz.

鈥淭o keep people safe, it is necessary to widen the circle of responsibility,鈥� Swartz said. 鈥淭o me, that鈥檚 basically a call to all of us for active involvement in the safety and well-being of all of us.鈥�

Equipping members of the campus community to step up in harmful situations is key, as 鈥渁 lot of the time, the reason people don鈥檛 intervene to prevent or deescalate a situation of sexual harm is because they鈥檙e not sure what to do or say,鈥� said Werner. 鈥淭hrough Green Dot trainings, confidence to step up in these situations will increase.鈥�

Launched in 2006 at the University of Kentucky, the Green Dot curriculum has been used in more than 300 colleges (including James Madison University), 50 middle and high schools, 50 communities and across other entities on four continents.

Initiative begins with faculty and staff

The five staff attending the training include counseling services director Tempest Anderson, housing and residence life assistant director Matt Hunsberger, applied social sciences associate professor Carolyn Stauffer, Swartz and Werner.

The group will help to anchor further efforts on campus with faculty and staff in spring 2019. These discussions will include strategizing about听 ways to bring Green Dot to life on campus through, for example, course content, awareness campaigns and programming.

Later in the semester, bystander trainings will be extended to all faculty and staff. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs, identify barriers to action, and reinforce social norms that are intolerant of sexual violence and foster 鈥渁 community of safety and respect,鈥� Werner said.

Beginning in fall 2019, the process will start over with students. By fall 2020, all incoming students will receive Green Dot鈥檚 bystander training.

鈥淥ur overarching goal is to shift the campus culture around response to and prevention of sexual violence,鈥� said Werner. 鈥淲e look forward to working with faculty and staff this spring on creating a strong foundation for that goal.”

For more information or to find out how to get involved, contact Leda Werner at leda.werner@emu.edu.

Since the 1960s, TBTN events have been held in more than 36 countries and 800 communities, first in Belgium and England and then the 鈥�70s in Florida and, following the murder there of a woman walking home after work, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to the Take Back the Night Foundation鈥檚 website. The foundation seeks 鈥渢o end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence鈥� and 鈥渢o create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives.鈥�

TBTN events have been held at 91短视频 for about two decades.

This year, Hunter-Nickels said, event organizers had three goals: to engage the campus community in discussions about sexualized violence, consent, and the complexities of relationships, to engage male-identified persons on campus as a way to make room 鈥渇or growth and change,鈥� and to empower people to 鈥渕ake the change they want to see.鈥�

鈥淲e have to become more accountable as a community,鈥� she said, 鈥渁ccountable for holding spaces for conversations, accountable for having available resources for all, accountable for educating all ages, defining consent, and so much more.鈥�

Events opened with a chapel service that began with the lighting of a candle and time of centering. After a short video about self-accountability, a panel of 11 students, faculty and staff offered reflections about why sexualized violence matters to them. The program concluded with a time for attendees to write #IWill statements related to preventing sexualized violence.

The campus community was also invited to an evening film showing and discussion.

Co-organizer Jasmine Wilson said the chapel and coffee house events 鈥渞eminded us that we are not alone if we are experiencing violence,鈥� she said 鈥� and 鈥渢hat no matter what experiences we have or haven鈥檛 had, someone in our community needs us.鈥�

As panelist and associate dean of students Jonathan Swartz said, 鈥淲e all know someone who has been harmed. Listen to them, ask the next gentle question, and bear witness to their strength.鈥�

Three luncheons provided space for people to reflect on their own experiences and share stories, and a closing event for writing notes of encouragement to survivors, to be delivered to a local shelter.

鈥淚 clearly felt a sense of intentionality, understanding, and deep empathy,鈥� Hunter-Nickels said. 鈥淗aving these intentional spaces where people could speak openly felt meaningful. They were places where students, faculty, staff and community members could feel connected, heard, believed and supported.鈥�

TBTN events this spring will focus on further education and prevention, Wilson said.

Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated the recipients, who were cited for their 鈥渟ignificant and verifiable impact鈥� on the university and on student life; for their contributions to developing the institution鈥檚 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短视频鈥檚 shared values of Christian discipleship, community, service and peacebuilding.

Emily Clatterbuck: presented by Paul J. Yoder, PhD, assistant professor of teacher education听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听

Emily Clatterbuck has confidently declared that 鈥淭eachers are leaders,鈥� contending that 鈥淭eachers work to create positive change through their leadership. They set examples for their students and colleagues, and they help one another: students and colleagues. Teachers teach because they have been called to lead.鈥� In her sense of conviction鈥攁nd more importantly through her actions in both classrooms here on 91短视频鈥檚 campus and in local public schools鈥擡mily Clatterbuck exemplifies the 91短视频 Teacher Education mission of 鈥渢eaching boldly in a changing world through an ethic of care and critical reflection.鈥�

Emily has put her commitment to the 91短视频 community and the teaching profession into practice through many leadership and service engagements. As the secretary and then president of the Student Education Association, Emily planned a book drive and canned food drive aimed at giving back to the local community. She contributed to the professional development of current education students through planning a panel for first-year teachers. Emily also contributed to the life of the university through organizing childcare during 91短视频 Homecoming and planning a Language & Literature Department chapel with professors Kirsten Beachy and Carol Snell-Feikema.

Emily has helped to communicate 91短视频鈥檚 mission to those beyond the campus community. She contributed to recruiting local prospective education students through her work in Admissions and volunteered her time to assist in the Education Department during Scholarship Day. Emily has also intentionally sought opportunities to extend her learnings from her cross-cultural semester in Guatemala and Colombia through utilizing her Spanish fluency in the classroom and attending events that support local immigrant communities.

A native of Rockingham County, Emily has continued to invest in the local community. She volunteers with fundraising events at the Grottoes Volunteer Fire Department. Emily also seeks opportunities to work with children such as reading to young people at Second Home Childcare and doing crafts with participants of Ridgeway Mennonite Church鈥檚 Kids Club.

Finally, Emily has excelled in the classroom. She is an engaged and conscientious student. More importantly, however, is the balance Emily strikes, being quick to speak up in class, yet making room for multiple voices during class discussion. Emily is the recipient of the Carroll Yoder Award for Teaching Excellence in recognition of her academic excellence in both literary studies and education courses. Emily was also one of five Teachers of Promise awardees. We applaud Emily for all she has achieved already and for answering the call to be a teacher who authentically cares for students of all backgrounds and thus leads by example.

听顿rew Diaz: presented by Maria Esther Showalter, MA, multicultural student advisor

We are living in times when people seek power or a position of leadership to benefit themselves. However, a few leaders shine even brighter because their leadership style is so different. In 1970, Robert K. Greenleaf published his first essay, entitled “The Servant As Leader,” which introduced the term “servant leadership.” Of his philosophy, Robert Greenleaf wrote, “The servant-leader is servant first… Becoming a servant-leader begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.鈥�

Drew Diaz has impacted our campus with his gentleness and genuine care and service for others. A popular saying describes Drew very well, 鈥淎ctions speak louder than words.鈥� His ability to listen empathetically is unique and a gift to those who surround him. His professors say that he is great at building community in his classes, encouraging and willing to work hard, helping others is part of who he is. Drew makes people special simply by listening to them and walking with them. He accepts people for who they are. His friends and classmates think highly of Drew and feel comfortable around him because he treats people with respect and he is always ready to lend a hand at all times. From the very first time that Drew joined the Latino Student Alliance, he was ready to roll up his sleeves and do any kind of work. He always asked, 鈥淗ow can I help?鈥� It is evident that he enjoys serving people and gladly goes the extra mile. One of my favorite memories about Drew was when his peers nominated him to lead the new student orientation mixer. He said it was out of his comfort zone and he had never done anything like that before. He did an incredible job and a natural leader was born before our eyes.

Drew has been consistently committed and responsible to his studies while being an active member of the Latino Student Alliance. He was always dedicated and faithful to the many events organized throughout the year. He was also a support for the Multicultural and International Student Services. Drew volunteered with On the Road Collaborative that empowers young people at Skyline Middle School. He also volunteered with Medical Ministry International in Honduras. This experience made a huge impact in his life. He actively tried to incorporate these experiences within his daily interactions at 91短视频.

Drew, we want to thank you for servant heart and your willingness to help at all times. We know that you will continue caring for others. Just as Maya Angelou once said, 鈥淚鈥檝e learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.鈥�

Harrison Horst: presented by Jenni Holsinger, PhD, associate professor of sociology

There’s a theme that underlies Harrison’s extensive involvement across 91短视频鈥檚 campus. It is important to understand this theme if you want to understand the connection between solar panels and saxophones.听What many people recognize about Harrison, including those who nominated him for this award, is his collaborative energy and his attention to building community.

Read more about Harrison Horst’s many involvements at 91短视频.

Indeed, Harrison is motivated by a radical vision for a more nuanced form of community.听His understanding of community is not limited to some narrow, superficial conceptualization.听I suggest that Harrison has added three dimensions to the idea of community that are desperately needed.

First, Harrison exemplifies a broad sense of community that is inclusive of all life around us.听Harrison鈥檚 community includes the natural environment that connects all of our lives. We see this in his dedication to Earthkeepers, the first student club he joined upon arriving at 91短视频 from Pennsylvania.听His advocacy for the environment remained strong through his four years at 91短视频. It included a research position with the new Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions, and culminated in the form of a well-received podcast entitled “Shifting Climates” which he developed, in partnership, for his capstone project in the honors program.

Second, Harrison understands community-building to be key in solving our social and environmental problems.听An example of this is the work he was involved in connecting low-income homeowners in Harrisonburg with free energy auditing service.听He has served his local urban community by volunteering with groups like Renew Rocktown and Harrisonburg Renaissance, and he has served local communities elsewhere by leading service trips over school breaks.

Lastly, Harrison demonstrates the power and responsibility that comes from being an individual who is part of a larger institution.听Harrison has given tirelessly for four years from the gifts he has been given and as a multi-talented individual he has many gifts.听As a skilled musician he helped to revitalize the 91短视频 jazz band. As an expert wordsmith he served as staff and editor for 91短视频鈥檚 newspaper.听Even his strong academic skills he looked to share through formal and informal tutoring for his peers.

Harrison has been an inspiration to me.听Not only does he exhibit an extraordinary sociological imagination but he has shown that students can leave a legacy.听He has asked 91短视频 to challenge itself.听And he has provided a model for us to follow.听Harrison has made the most out of every moment here, even up to the last week of his senior year by way of his second semester-long cross cultural trip.听And I suspect he will continue to be involved in the student solar project even after he walks across the stage.

Harrison, we honor you today with the Cords of Distinction and we encourage you to continue building communities. You will be missed in the capacities you have served here but I trust that you will continue to influence our lives in new ways.听Blessings as you 鈥渓eap forward in faith of a greater plan.鈥�

Maleke Jones: Presented by Kirby Dean, MS, head men鈥檚 basketball coach

Maleke Jones represents everything that administration, faculty, staff and alumni want to define 91短视频 graduates. Of all the young men I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work with at 91短视频 over the last 15 years, in none have I witnessed so much growth as I have seen in Maleke 鈥� in the classroom, on the basketball floor, concerning social issues, and in all facets of life. Four years ago I encountered a teenager in Charles Town, West Virginia, who had unlimited potential but was blind to the great things he was capable of accomplishing. Today a mature man stands before me who has found himself while here at 91短视频 and yet still has only scratched the surface of the positive influence he can have on this world moving forward.

听

The thing that separates Maleke from his peers is the sacrifices he has been willing to make to find success here at 91短视频. Few have been privy to these sacrifices as I. I often wonder how many student athletes would be willing to work through school breaks for facilities management, including spring break as well as all summer long, instead of going home and hanging with friends or heading to the beach, in order to be able to afford school?听 I鈥檓 often curious as to how many student athletes would go through the re-habilitation of tearing every ligament in their ankle and return as ?

I鈥檇 love to know how many student athletes had to go through an appeals process just to get admitted to a college and yet carry a high GPA during their senior year at that same college. We live in an environment of statistics, probabilities, and projections; I wonder what the probability of Maleke Jones graduating from 91短视频 was back when he committed to 91短视频 in the spring of 2014?听 I鈥檇 say the probability was less than 5 percent and yet here we stand today to celebrate his graduation, present him with Cords of Distinction, and relish all the positive things he has brought to the 91短视频 community.

Maleke鈥檚 list of involvements is stellar: Whether working with Campus Activity Council or the Black Student Union, doing volunteer work with the Special Olympics or Unified Games, speaking his faith at Aletheia Church, playing basketball or singing his rhymes of racial equality and social justice, Maleke always seems to be involved in activities that benefit others in some way. The measure of a great basketball player is the ability to make those around him more successful, I鈥檇 say Maleke does this on the basketball floor as well as in life. It has been an honor to recruit Maleke, coach Maleke, and present him with his Cords of Distinction.听 Thank you Maleke, and I can鈥檛 wait to see all the great things you are going to do with the rest of your life!

Keyri Lopez-Godoy: Presented by Ron Schultz, MEd, instructor in teacher education, PK-6 program coordinator

There was something notably special about Keyri from the moment she arrived at 91短视频 three short years ago. Her inquisitive nature, passion for life, gracious and humble spirit, and her care and concern for others are qualities that have endeared her to many at 91短视频 and the local community. The scope of Keyri鈥檚 influence is evidenced in the comments of those across campus who nominated her for this special recognition, ranging from peers to professors and staff personnel from various departments. The adjectives used to describe Keyri included: conscientious, caring, dedicated, sincere, compassionate, brave, articulate and inspiring!

Read more about Keyri’s journey to 91短视频 and her calling to teach.

Keyri views service as a calling, and as a way to pass on the blessings that she has received from many others. She says,

I am an instrument of God (who has the opportunity) to make a difference in somebody else鈥檚 life, even if it is just with a smile. When I am in service I enter into relationship, I walk the path with others, I enter into an endless world of possibilities and the chance to spread the most powerful tool any human has: love.

Her motivation to serve is also rooted in the modeling of her family, beginning with the influence of her grandparents during those early childhood years in El Salvador, and the determination, work ethic and unwavering faith as exemplified by her parents during the process of relocating to the United States when Keyri was in third grade. Throughout her educational journey, many teachers, mentors and peers have inspired her to set high expectations and give her best effort in everything she does. Those early experiences of learning English as a second language have also served as a motivation to teach young students during such an influential time in their lives.

After just her first semester at 91短视频, Keyri accepted the role of ministry assistant as an opportunity to encourage others in their faith journey. During the last two years, she has served as a community advisor while also filling the role of secretary for the Student Government Association for a semester. Other on-campus involvements have included participation in 91短视频鈥檚 Rotaract Club, the Latino Student Alliance Club, and as a conversation partner for international students in the Intensive English Program.

Keyri鈥檚 acts of service have extended beyond campus through her involvement in other local initiatives and organizations. She engaged with the Alterna Community in Georgia during a Y-Serve trip; she has used her bilingual skills to translate documents for local schools; and she has helped to inspire local high school students who have the opportunity to become first-generation college students. Perhaps one of the more courageous forms of service in the last year has been her advocacy work in raising social awareness to immigration and Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)-related issues. She helped to coordinate events on and off campus by sharing her own story, including an 91短视频 chapel service, Q&A sessions, and a march in downtown Harrisonburg in an effort to gain support for those impacted by DACA legislation and the Dream Act.

Service has clearly characterized Keyri鈥檚 contributions to the 91短视频 community; and although current legislation makes the future somewhat uncertain, Keyri鈥檚 faith and compassion for others will continue to motivate her efforts wherever she goes. Thank you, Keyri, for the many ways you have blessed our community at 91短视频.

Michaela Mast: Presented by Judy Mullet, PhD, professor of psychology

Imagine a world where

• we only invest financially in corporations that support climate and social justice;
• education prioritizes relationships as the flag ship for living;
• it鈥檚 an everyday matter to grow and market food for the local community;
• there are ample tutors, counselors, community advisors, kids club leaders and mentors for everyone to feel valued and supported;
• we welcome visitors beyond nation borders and learn each other鈥檚 languages and share perspectives not possible with in-groups;
• we run the hills just for sake of running;
• where we raise our voices in three-part harmony to connect hearts, minds and souls;
• And finally, imagine a world where Jesus shines so brightly as 鈥渓ove in practice.鈥�

Michaela writes, 鈥淟ove in practice transforms a contentious, destructive world into a reconciled world 鈥� and a Mennonite church into light for community, reconciliation and the way of Jesus.鈥�

We can imagine such a world because of someone like Michaela who lives into this vision as if the second coming is already here. Integrity. Grace. Humility. Kindness. Wisdom. And a holy spirit of connection.

At 91短视频, she lived the seven dreams painted above as both advocate and mediator. She camped out with Divest91短视频 to encourage investments in renewable energy companies, worked in campus gardens and coordinated the distribution of garden produce. She joined the leadership team of the Coalition for Climate Justice, walked with kindred spirits in the historical Women鈥檚 March in D.C., and shared vigils for Standing Rock.

As well-rounded as any student can be, Michaela leads from any chair. She at the ODAC cross-country championship meet in her first cross-country season. She sang in Emulate, served as an Honors Council member, senior class officer, Intensive English Program tutor and Summer Peacebuilding Institute assistant.听 In her backyard she welcomed children as a camp counselor, helped start a Kid鈥檚 Club at Park View Mennonite Church, and led Friendship Camps that extended that yard into Romania. Rich in mind and soul, she remains a stellar scholar, earning the G.R. Lehman Award for Outstanding Research in Psychology, and a poster session entry at the Virginia Association for Psychological Science.

Next year she embarks on a journey that she describes as 鈥渢he apex of my education, bringing together many areas of thought while also elucidating the connection between the Anabaptist tradition I identify with, my belief in holistic, radical love, and a topic that has threaded its way through my time here.鈥� This , sponsored jointly by 91短视频, Goshen College and Mennonite Central Committee鈥檚 Center for Sustainable Climate Solutions, will send Michaela across the U.S. in co-creating climate change literacy podcasts for youth.

We can only imagine where 鈥渓ove in practice鈥� will lead her in the future. May the dream continue, for the sake of our shared future.

Katrina Poplett: Presented by Jonathan Swartz, MA, MDiv., director of residence life, student accountability and restorative justice

鈥淲e have to change ourselves in order to change the world,鈥� said author, activist, philosopher, and feminist Grace Lee Boggs. Interpreting this quote further, Adrienne Maree Brown writes that 鈥渢his doesn鈥檛 mean to get lost in the self, but rather to see our own lives and work and relationships as a front line, a first place we can practice justice, liberation and alignment with each other and the planet.鈥� This work of changing ourselves is the work of learning. It is the work of paying attention, of being awake to our lives and the lives of those around us. It is also the work of action. It is the work of taking risks in order to build trust, create change, support relationships, and show up for each other.

Katrina Poplett鈥檚 four years as an undergraduate student at 91短视频 have been packed full of showing up. From her engagements as a community advisor in her sophomore year, to various involvements in Team Accord, the Weathervane, Divest 91短视频, Peace Fellowship, RJ Steering Committee, Take Back the Night, Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and peer restorative justice facilitation; Katrina has made and continues to make an indelible mark on the 91短视频 campus and beyond. Interviewing restorative justice scholar and activist Fania Davis during chapel at the end of the ACE Festival seemed to be a fitting capstone to Katrina鈥檚 nearly endless (undergraduate) engagement with the 91短视频 campus.

Katrina鈥檚 resilience came through in new ways in this past year as she spent most of the year managing the aftereffects of a broken leg. She experienced what it was like to receive the care and concern that she has so often given to others.

Not only has Katrina impacted the 91短视频 campus, she has also offered her gifts to the Harrisonburg community as a co-facilitator of restorative conferences and circles in conjunction with the Fairfield Center and the Harrisonburg Restorative Justice Coalition. Katrina is Shalom Mennonite Congregation鈥檚 representative to the local Faith in Action Initiative, and she has worked with Gemeinschaft Home as a restorative justice educator. In her 鈥渄own time鈥� during the summers in Minnesota, Katrina has worked as a case coordinator for Restorative Justice Community Action and been involved in social action with Black Lives Matter and Standing Up for Racial Justice.

Katrina, you have left an enduring legacy at 91短视频. Your impact has spread from 91短视频 to Harrisonburg and even to Minnesota. You have also learned that changing the world is hard work 鈥� perhaps impossible work 鈥� but it is work that cannot be done alone. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to witness your years here. Keep showing up.

Caleb Schrock-Hurst: Presented by Brian Martin Burkholder, MDiv, campus pastor and director of campus ministries

Caleb Schrock-Hurst: hard-working, involved, active and vibrant, present, a blessing. These are descriptors used by faculty and students who nominated Caleb for the Cords of Distinction. Indeed, with only two years on campus, Caleb has made a substantial contribution to the life of the 91短视频 campus and broader community after having done the same at Hesston College for the first two years of his college experience.

Among other things, Caleb has been engaged as a pastoral assistant, chapel planner, musician and speaker for chapel, preacher for the Seminary School for Leadership Training and Park View Mennonite Church, staff writer and copy editor for the Weathervane, a member of Peace Fellowship, youth sponsor at his church, participant in the Ministry Inquiry Program, and a Student Government Association senator and co-president. One person noted that 鈥渉e does a good job of furthering 91短视频鈥檚 core values of peacemaking, community involvement, discussion and sustainability.鈥�

When asked, 鈥淲hy do you choose to do service or volunteer work?鈥� Caleb responds, 鈥淯nderstanding my talents as not only talents but as products of racial and economic privilege has always driven me to participate in as many and as wide a variety of events as possible to support whatever community I am a part of at a given time. I鈥檝e been able to do this through various church and school communities through music, academic and athletic ability, and whatever else needs to be done. Nothing exists without a dedicated community, and members willing to sacrifice their own time and effort for the good of the whole is what creates and sustains that community. I love making the most of whatever opportunities come my way.鈥�

And plenty has come his way. The good news is that Caleb pays attention and responds to needs. When it seemed prudent to energize the 91短视频 campus community around engaging dynamics and timely opportunities, Caleb was instrumental in implementing the Podcast Like No Other. He lined up interviews with faculty, staff and students, served as the interviewer and recorder, and posted the podcasts. In short, he got the job done. He also responded favorably to offering a farewell reception for beloved faculty who were finishing their teaching at 91短视频. He helped host spaces for students to engage the challenges around budget reductions and a changing academic schedule.听 He demonstrated care and concern enough to bring people together. He also stepped in to complete the spring semester series of Friday Announcements at the close of Friday chapels.

As a gifted and skilled writer, Caleb also contributes to community engagement and well-being through this medium. I expect we will hear more from him through the years as he offers perspectives and insights in the form of blogposts, articles, commentary and editorials. Surely he will keep us connected, thinking, and engaged in ways that benefit all and for this we are grateful.

Brittany Williams: Presented by Joohyun Lee, PhD, assistant professor of recreational leadership

听鈥淎s each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God鈥檚 varied grace鈥� 鈥� 1 Peter 4:10.

God says we all live to serve, that by helping others we fulfill our own mission. Ever since she started her studies at 91短视频, Brittany Williams has participated in a broad swath of organizations, clubs and volunteer activities. She relished every opportunity she could find to work with people and to help others. She reveled in the joy that comes with feeling that she makes a difference in their lives. In every one of her altruistic endeavors, she obtained a sense of fulfillment, happiness and a surge of energy. Serving others became her mission and passion. She exemplifies the core attributes of a servant leader.

Brittany was one of the most outstanding students I have encountered in my first year at 91短视频. In my course, she always sat in the front row and engaged intensely with the lecture materials. However, her serious academic pursuit is not what captured my attention. It was her willingness to help others. When classmates were struggling in a problem set that required a budget calculation, she immediately volunteered to guide and assist them. When I needed a student research assistant to help with data collection and coding of my research, she stepped up and pitched in. Throughout all these activities, and whenever serving others, she was consistently passionate and pleasant. Overall, she was the most dedicated and involved student I have known.

Brittany has been engaged in leadership roles with numerous organizations on campus. She was a vital member of Black Student Union and organized a variety of social activities. She was a pastoral assistant for Campus Ministries and did a lot of behind-the-scenes work to prepare for various campus ministries event. She also made a significant contribution as . She walked with the team in a strong and supportive leadership role, providing a steadfast, calming and mature presence during transitional periods. She greatly assisted the new interim head coach in communicating key information to team members while serving as a role model in focusing on academic and athletic pursuits. She was also elected as the President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In addition to taking leadership roles in many capacities on campus, Brittany also served on an array of important committees. She was a member of the student planning committee for President Huxman鈥檚 inauguration. She served a student member of the track and field/cross country head coach search committee. She also served on the planning committee for 91短视频鈥檚 first Academic and Creative Excellence festival guest speaker. She was always thoroughly engaged, demonstrated active listening, and creatively contributing to the activities with which she was involved.

Brittany also volunteered with a plethora of local community organizations, including the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Center, Harrisonburg International Festival Research, Community Mennonite Church Food Pantry, Martin Luther King Community Service Events, and Sister Care-Mennonite Women USA.

If I may quote Brittany鈥檚 comments about her desire to serve others, she says,

God has given us all different gifts and interests. When I serve others, I do it because it is a passion. I genuinely enjoy working with people and experiencing the feeling when completing a task. As I continue to do service with others, I learn more about myself, my community, and other people around me. It allows me to have an insight for the environment I am working. Service for me isn鈥檛 just about going in and making changes for others, but also learning to live a better lifestyle for myself.

Brittany, you have been a blessing to all of us. You have inspired us with your faith, your action, your service, your leadership and your compassion. Thank you for walking with us and I wish you great successes in the next chapter of your life.

Elizabeth Kate Witmer: Presented by Kathleen Roth, MS, director of the Intensive English Program

I first met Elizabeth Witmer听in early August 2015.听We met at Red Robin Restaurant in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for an interview for a work-study position in the Intensive English Program (IEP) that would begin in the fall of Elizabeth鈥檚 freshman year at 91短视频.听I was impressed with Elizabeth鈥檚 humility and her obvious joy in life.听This was the beginning of a four-year involvement for Elizabeth at the IEP.听Over these years we鈥檝e learned that Elizabeth, along with the humility and joy that she takes into her relationships and involvements, has a keen intellect, dedication to detail, a passion for justice, and the commitment to do things RIGHT.

In her time at 91短视频, Elizabeth has used her passion, personality and skills to be active in a number of involvements.听In the summer 2017, Elizabeth took part in the Ministry Inquiry Program to help her determine if her call to service might involve the pastorate. During this time, she worked at a community-organizing project that helped to hone her interest in working to alleviate injustice and suffering in the world.

The list of projects, activities and commitments that Elizabeth has been involved with while a student is long and totally consistent with her desire to be a faithful follower of Christ.听At IEP, her dedication to the students led her to become a conversation partner and a student tutor in addition to her work hours.听Her work has exposed her to the plights of the immigrant and refugee students and the cultural adjustments of the international students, so that she has become an advocate for these students and become universally appreciated by them.

Elizabeth鈥檚 involvements haven鈥檛 been limited to the classroom or the international student areas of university life. She has also been a member and co-president of the Coalition for Climate Justice which has helped her to be aware of the environmental perils we face and the opportunities we have to be activists in its protection. She has been a member and co-president of the Third Culture Kid Student Fellowship where she has been involved in dialogue and program development. Elizabeth has been a member of the Peace Fellowship through which she has been active in campus/community events such as protests, vigils, workshops, and conferences that have included the Mennonite Central Committee United Nations and Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship.

Other involvements have included the International Student Organization, Take Back the Night, DACA Dialogue Committee, Latino Student Association, Social Work is People, Mennonite Central Committee East Coast Board as the student representative from 91短视频, Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, Patchwork Pantry, New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center, and the nursing home and prison worship team. These many involvements are rounded out and motivated by her faith and her ongoing relationship with her family and home congregation and have helped her to stay grounded and kept her desire to be like Christ foremost in her thinking.

Elizabeth says, 鈥淚 want to work at root causes of issues, and travel the world my passions include immigration, women鈥檚 rights, creation care, and prison abolition. One day I may run for public office, although I see myself as more of a grassroots organizer.鈥� With Elizabeth鈥檚 passions, Spanish fluency, skills, and energy, she is well placed to make an impact for good wherever she will find herself in the future.

The grant is for $300,000 over three years.

91短视频 was among 53 colleges and universities 听around the United States to be selected for funding. The Department of Justice (DOJ) administers authorized by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and subsequent legislation. This particular program 鈥� 鈥淕rants to Reduce Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking on Campus鈥� 鈥� was allocated a total of more than $5.7 million.

Werner was previously director of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Peacebuilding Leadership Program. Since its founding, 50 women from Africa and the South Pacific have earned a graduate certificate in peacebuilding leadership.

鈥淎long with her work with peacebuilding leaders, many of whom were working on issues of sexual and domestic violence, Leda brings considerable experience in grant implementation, collaboration with partners and monitoring and evaluation,鈥� said 91短视频鈥檚 Title IX Coordinator and primary grant writer .

91短视频鈥檚 long-standing relationships with the Harrisonburg Police Department and the Collins Center may have contributed to the university鈥檚 successful bid, Kniss said. , a nonprofit sexual assault crisis center, has provided trainings to 91短视频 students for the past five years.

鈥淭he grant requires that campuses create and support external partnerships with at least one criminal justice system and one sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking victim service provider within the community,鈥� Kniss said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a partnership we already had in place and we鈥檇 like to see grow, for the benefit of the 91短视频 community but also of the Shenandoah Valley community at large.鈥�

The representatives from HPD and the Collins Center will be part of a core group, called the Community Coordinated Response Team (CCRT), which will meet monthly.

During the first year of strategic planning, this team will attend three DOJ-mandated workshops, followed by two more in 2020 as initiatives continue to be implemented.

The CCRT team will work with a coalition of internal partners including, among others, representatives of student life, residence life, faculty, human resources, Multicultural Student Services, International Student Services, student clubs and athletics. Undergraduate and graduate student representatives will also be included.

The collaborations will serve to strengthen current programming and develop new initiatives, Werner said.

Some of those programs are conducted by the 91短视频 Counseling program, which has been undergoing an expansion of services under Director of Counseling .

鈥淭his grant will enable us to review and develop our prevention education trainings for new students, student-athletes and coaches, as well as our men鈥檚 program focused on healthy masculinity,鈥� said Anderson, also a member of the CCRT.

Other program requirements include training for campus security; services such as a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling services, medical attention and legal assistance; and campus bystander training, offered through a globally known prevention program, Alteristic-Green Dot.

The symposium and public lecture were organized and facilitated by Professor as part of her multi-year 鈥淪ilent Violence鈥� project. Her research, which with a grant from , has focused on how abused individuals in marginalized communities employ resilient strategies to survive, endure and sometimes escape their situations.

While the first year of the project focused on surfacing individual stories and the second year on community services, the third year has emphasized the role of institutions. In March 2016, Stauffer organized a with both preventative goals and healing through arts-based approaches. One of Stauffer鈥檚 research questions, which widened the investigative scope to communities and institutions, was 鈥淗ow are our ideologies or institutions complicit?鈥�

鈥淚nstitutions frequently perpetuate injury to survivors by means of denial and silence,鈥� says Stauffer.听 鈥淢y hope is that institutions such as 91短视频 can become models of accountability and support in instances of sexual harms. This would substantiate our commitment to non-violence in the most core parts of our life as a community.鈥�

Other campus events in October and November included the chapel and Take Back the Night events (coverage forthcoming). The campus-wide collaborative effort, said Interim President Lee Snyder, was prepared to 鈥渉elp us as a community and as individuals 鈥榞row our capacity to respond to sexual violence in just and transformative ways鈥欌�� [as articulated by the planners].

‘Learn from our mistakes’

In both presentations, Doyle urged listeners 鈥渢o learn from the horrific mistakes other denominations have made, especially the ones the Catholic Church has made.鈥� He has been involved in the issue since it first surfaced to the public in 1984. While a diplomatic officer at the Vatican Embassy in Washington D.C., he was assigned administrative duties to handle the case involving a Louisiana priest.

His experience of meeting a young victim began a 32-year journey of victim advocacy that has called his religious beliefs into question at times and caused him to reinvent his own spirituality. Because of his experiences, Doyle prefers not to use a priestly title or wear clerical clothing. He has been a frequent speaker at Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) functions, and in his lecture, referenced the Anabaptist-Mennonite chapter, .

The biggest mistake of the leadership of the Catholic Church, Doyle said, was the attempt to cover up and contain the issue, and to 鈥渞efuse to treat the victims as Christ would have treated them,鈥� Doyle said. The church is not a building or a faceless entity, but rather, 鈥渢he people, the people of God,鈥� and because of this importance, leaders must prioritize the welfare of the victims over the image and preservation of the institution. 鈥淭ake the risk. We鈥檙e Christians. Do what you think Christ might do.鈥�

Panel addresses aspects of institutional involvement

In the three-hour morning session for faculty and staff, Doyle鈥檚 keynote address was followed by a panel presentation facilitated by Stauffer and Professor and including:

• Abigail Bush, alumna and former co-president of 91短视频鈥檚 student-led ;
• Jackie Hieber, prevention coordinator at in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which provides crisis, treatment and prevention services as well as annual training to 91短视频 students;
• , 91短视频 restorative justice coordinator and a member of the international Campus PRISM Project, which focuses on restorative initiatives for sexual misconduct on college campuses;
• , professor at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, and a member of Mennonite Church USA鈥檚 Sexual Abuse Prevention Panel;
• , research professor at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and advocate for just and healthy responses to sexual violence in Mennonite institutions who helped facilitate Doyle鈥檚 presence on campus;
• , professor in applied social sciences at 91短视频, race and diversity facilitator and founder of Destiny鈥檚 Daughters Empowerment Ministry.

Panel members addressed various issues around institutional involvement in cases of sexual abuse: victims鈥� needs, walking with survivors, increasing accountability and transparency, institutional responses to offenders and others affected, issues of race and identity, and best practices. Following the panel, participants were invited to reflect in table groups and write suggestions for how 91短视频 can continue to improve response to sexual harms.

Doyle鈥檚 evening lecture, which drew community members and also faculty and staff who had participated in the earlier event, was followed by similar opportunities to reflect, process and provide recommendations to improve processes and responses.

The 鈥渆xpression stations鈥濃�攚hich included facilitated discussion, a reflection corner, candle lighting and a prayer vigil, and a word mural鈥� were coordinated by two student-run groups, the Coalition on Sexual Violence Prevention and Take Back the Night. Participants were also encouraged to express themselves through letters, which would be delivered to leadership for review and processing.

Sonya Shaver contributed to this article.

鈥淪he鈥檚 lots of things to lots of people,鈥� as 91短视频 (91短视频) instructor and Restorative Justice Coordinator said, introducing Millsaps to his 鈥淓thics in the Way of Jesus鈥� class this past week.

Millsaps brought those varied experiences and gifts to 91短视频 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Sept. 19-23, serving as visiting pastor and leading important conversations around the topics of racism and unjust structures. Venues included chapel services, classes, meetings with administrators and student groups, and a late-evening 鈥淨uestions After Dark鈥� residence hall discussion.

During “Questions After Dark,” students were encouraged to write questions on slips of paper, which were then answered by Millsaps. 鈥淭he first question drawn during our time asked her to tell a story that was dear to her heart,鈥� said Scott Eyre, residence director. 鈥淭he story was raw and personal and I think it created an intimacy and honesty right away 鈥� students were captivated by her personality and honesty.鈥�

Reflecting on her time on campus, Millsaps said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 been more than interesting to be in this space, to see the love and commitment of a university that is stretching itself, pushing itself, farther and farther.鈥�

Millsaps, an alumna of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, continued to push 91短视频, too. In a chapel address Friday morning, Millsaps challenged the very title: 鈥淕rounded in Christ Amid Systemic Racism.鈥�

鈥淐hristianity amid systemic racism is an oxymoron,鈥� Millsaps told a large crowd in Lehman Auditorium. She recounted some of the acts of racism that have occurred in the nation鈥檚 history and then observed, 鈥淎ll the history of things that have happened in the U.S. happened under the watch of Christianity.鈥�

In her presentation to Swartz鈥檚 class, she told more personal stories of ways that racism had affected family members and others close to her. In one incident, her son was arrested after being involved in a bank robbery, during which another young man she knew well was killed.

鈥淚t was the hardest thing I ever had to go through,鈥� Millsaps said. 鈥淚t changed my entire life. Who I believed God to be was challenged.鈥�

She criticized a justice system 鈥渄esigned to grab them all and wrap them all up in one little package鈥� and one that only works if 鈥測ou鈥檙e white and have money.鈥� A good attorney was able to provide fair representation for her son, she said, but many others go through the system without that advantage. She encouraged students to consider entering the field of law and providing counsel for those who can鈥檛 afford it.

Millsaps also noted issues such as unfair jury selection practices, the number of children in Black communities who grow up without fathers, the punitive nature of justice in the United States and other factors.

鈥淚t is amazing, the things that happen and why they happen,鈥� she said. 鈥淯ntil you are on the margins, you don鈥檛 really understand what I鈥檓 speaking about.鈥�

In another class, 鈥檚 鈥淐ovenant and Community: Introduction to the Bible,鈥� Millsaps touched on Anabaptist values and spoke about the role the Bible plays in her life, and about people of faith who have made a difference in her life.

鈥淚 sensed that students appreciated her honesty and strong convictions,鈥� Schrock-Hurst said. 鈥淎t a university that lacks diverse faculty, it was a gift to have Cyneatha in the classroom.鈥�

At the Friday chapel, Campus Pastor praised Millsaps鈥� 鈥渨ealth of experience鈥� and thanked her 鈥渇or being present and listening and receiving and giving鈥� during the week.

鈥淲e will be sending you with our prayers,鈥� he said.

Created using PowToon — Free sign up at http://www.powtoon.com/youtube/ — Create animated videos and animated presentations for free. PowToon is a free tool that allows you to develop cool animated clips and animated presentations for your website, office meeting, sales pitch, nonprofit fundraiser, product launch, video resume, or anything else you could use an animated explainer video. PowToon’s animation templates help you create animated presentations and animated explainer videos from scratch. Anyone can produce awesome animations quickly with PowToon, without the cost or hassle other professional animation services require.

These graduates have big plans for ministry. Some expect to be pastors in the United Methodist Church. Some expect to be chaplains or work in pastoral counseling settings. Some are planning for church planting or ministry combined with work in another field. Others are still waiting to see where God calls. The 11 graduates and 6 certificate students are United Methodist, Mennonite, Episcopalian, and 鈥渘one of the above.鈥�

The diversity of their calls to ministry can be seen in the capstone presentations of the 10 master of divinity graduates. The topics ranged from 鈥溾�� by Brittany Conley, who is now leading a small church plant in Staunton, Virginia, to 鈥溾�� by Melanie Lewis, a chaplain at the .

The capstone presentations were part of the final coursework for , a required course for all MDiv students. Other topics included: finding hope in the midst of conflict; how to perform Christian funerals; and how the shepherd metaphor is dangerous to church leaders. Each student chooses a topic that he or she thinks will be relevant to ministry in the future.

In these projects students have already begun the work that Elizabeth Soto Albrecht, the seminary commencement speaker, encouraged them to do.

鈥淵ou are asking how to be church differently,鈥� Soto Albrecht said. 鈥淓xamine the container that we call church and examine what we put in the container. Sometimes the church becomes a holy bubble that no one can touch. Sometimes we need to burst that bubble.鈥�

Soto Albrecht is the first Hispanic woman to be moderator of . She is also coordinator of field education at Lancaster (Pa.) Theological Seminary.

鈥淟ike trees in a forest, the roots of all our denominations are interconnected. We are not individuals doing our own thing.听鈥淭he church is in the middle of major changes. Lift up your prophetic voices, but always stay within the church, because once you are outside you can鈥檛 change it. Be the change you wish to see.鈥�

Class president Clayton Payne spoke of students鈥� unexpected changes during their seminary journeys and noted that this would undoubtedly continue: 鈥淲e need to water our souls with the transformational narrative of Jesus.鈥�

Ten students received master of divinity degrees this year. One student received a master of arts in church leadership degree, and six students received certificates in ministry studies. This was a small class by recent standards, but vice-president and seminary dean noted that class sizes typically vary year to year and the graduating class of 2015 is expected to be larger than usual.

More from commencement weekend:

听(video)

Cords of Distinction ceremony听(podcast)

Seminary commencement ceremony听(podcast)

“” – WHSV/TV3 (video)

Nurses’ pinning ceremony听(podcast)

Seminary Baccalaureate听(podcast)

A unique twist to the documentary, Concrete, Steel and Paint, is that the painters include men incarcerated in a maximum-security prison as well as crime victims.

The filmmakers, Cindy Burstein and Tony Heriza, consulted with , distinguished professor of at , as they prepared to distribute the film. It covers the journey of these artists toward profound insights on the nature of crime 鈥� and reconciliation 鈥� during their collaboration, and explores how the criminal justice system affects everyone involved in the project.

After its 2009 release, Concrete, Steel and Paint found a wide audience within restorative justice circles. In 2012, Burstein and Heriza began working with CJP to use the film as a starting point for dialogue about using restorative practices to effect change on the wider social level that their film explores.

鈥淓mbedding our restorative justice work in peacebuilding is one of our unique niches,鈥� said CJP professor , co-director of .

While is often conceptualized on the personal level between individual victims and offenders, Stauffer said that CJP is equally interested in broader use of restorative practices to address violence caused by large structures like the criminal justice system.

Sarah Roth Shank and Jonathan Swartz, both , and two other classmates have led dialogues at several events where the film was shown, including the 2013 National Conference on Restorative Justice in Toledo, Ohio. Future students will have opportunity to continue leading similar dialogues around the film, both for practical facilitation experience and to explore the use of restorative practices to confront systemic injustice, Stauffer said.

The filmmakers鈥� enthusiasm for these dialogues began after they worked with Zehr to lead one at the Concrete, Steel and Paint premiere in Philadelphia. After seeing hundreds of strangers erupt into conversation with one another after the screening, they were inspired to continue exploring how their film could continue to spark conversation among and between crime victims, criminal justice reform advocates and other stakeholders, as well as motivate them into action.

CJP has incorporated the role of media and social change through dialogue into its curriculum. At its annual in 2014, two courses co-taught by 91短视频 professors and graduates of CJP will relate directly to these themes.

• 听鈥淢edia for Societal Transformation,鈥� co-led by a veteran filmmaker on faculty, , and Danielle Taylor, MA 鈥�13, will be held during SPI鈥檚 first session, May 5-13, 2014.
• 鈥淭he Impact of Social Issues of Restorative Justice鈥� will be co-led by Stauffer and Jacqueline Roebuck Sakho, MA 鈥�09, during the second SPI session, May 15-23, 2014. (Read more about Sakho鈥檚 restorative justice work .)

In 2015, SPI will hold an intensive, three-week media camp for more advanced training in using film and social media for .

鈥淒eveloping media and advocacy skills is important, because we know that documenting structural problems is key to changing the system,鈥� said , CJP program director.

Stauffer said that CJP encourages people to think systemically, asking the key question, 鈥淲hat would it be like to make a whole system more aligned to restorative values and process?鈥�

More information on these and other courses at SPI can be found on its .

and , co-directors of the , delivered the plenary address, entitled 鈥淧utting a Face on the 鈥極ther.鈥欌��

Four days later, Zehr was one of two recipients of the 2013 鈥�,鈥� conferred by the in a ceremony hosted by JMU President Jonathan R. Alger. The other recipient, Vida S. Huber, was a 1961 graduate of 91短视频 who chaired from 1967 to 1984 and then held leadership roles at JMU until her sudden death in 2005. The awards were given in recognition of the duo鈥檚 鈥渧isionary leadership and enduring commitment to the creation of a more compassionate, equitable and caring community.鈥� Huber’s surviving husband, Harold, accepted her posthumous award.

Evoking empathetic responses

At the state-wide mediation conference, Zehr and Stauffer, who is a CJP professor, spoke of how a process of 鈥渙thering鈥� 鈥� or increasing the social distance between people or groups 鈥� makes it easier for them to harm each other. They then contrasted the ways in which the traditional criminal justice system increases 鈥渙thering鈥� with the ways that restorative justice processes can reduce social distance and evoke empathic responses between victims and offenders.

Their presentation garnered an enthusiastic response from the audience of mediators, many of whom were hearing specifics about restorative justice鈥檚 objectives and techniques for the first time.

鈥淚t made a 鈥� light bulb go off in my head,鈥� said Doreene Thomas, who wants to start a restorative justice program in Chesapeake, Va., where she mediates cases referred from local courts. 鈥淚 see a huge need for it.鈥�

Jennifer Phillips, a mediator from Richmond and the VMN president-elect, said the plenary session鈥檚 focus on restorative justice opened up a 鈥渘ew world鈥� to her. 鈥淚鈥檇 heard of restorative justice, but this was the first time I鈥檇 been exposed to it like this.

“Hidden treasure”

鈥淚 had no idea that [so much] was available here,鈥� Phillips continued, calling 91短视频 鈥渁 hidden treasure.鈥�

Zehr and Stauffer also discussed the arts as a good peacebuilding tool for putting faces on 鈥渙thers.鈥� Zehr shared photographs and stories from several of his books intended to humanize prisoners, crime victims and children with incarcerated parents. Stauffer told the audience about a project he worked on in South Africa, where two opposing factions in a violent conflict created films about their experiences. Once the two videos were completed, the two sides combined them into one film exploring the conflict鈥檚 roots, which was eventually screened before a mixed audience of people who had previously been unwilling to meet and discuss their differences.

鈥淲e think the arts have the power to engage people emotionally and intuitively [in ways] that other things don鈥檛,鈥� said Zehr. “They allow us to engage the ambiguity and complexity of the world.鈥�

Nine CJP-linked presenters

Using the arts as a peacebuilding and conflict resolution tool was the subject of a separate session led by three CJP students 鈥� Sarah Roth Shank, Corie Custer and Jonathan Swartz.

Judith Tolleson Clarke, with a 2011 MA from CJP, was one of four panelists who discussed their experiences using 鈥渄ialogue circles鈥� as part of restorative justice processes within Virginia鈥檚 correctional facilities. Clarke, from Richmond, Va., is the executive director and founder of the Virginia Center for Restorative Justice.

Other CJP-affiliated presenters at the conference included professor emeritus Vernon Janzti, who co-led a session on trauma awareness for mediators, Barbie Fischer, a 2012 MA graduate of CJP, who spoke about family group conferencing, and Brenda Waugh, a lawyer from Winchester, Va., who graduated from CJP in 2009. Waugh was co-leader of a session on how the architecture and layout of a room can help or hinder a mediation process.

VMN President Paula Young said one of the reasons she wanted to hold the conference on the 91短视频 campus was to give mediators from the region exposure to the expertise in conflict resolution and peacebuilding resources present at 91短视频.

鈥淸CJP has] a particularly strong program with particularly strong scholars who can introduce our members to a lot of conflict theory that they might not otherwise get,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e heard nothing but positive things [from attendees] about being here.鈥�

Shared desire to reduce violence, increase justice

Members of the VMN attended the conference to receive continuing education credits to maintain their certification as mediators, as well as for more informal professional development and networking.

鈥淭he sessions have been wonderful,鈥� said Ron Williams, a retired attorney and a relatively new mediator who said the opportunity to learn from more experienced mediators was valuable.

Young said that because some VMN members have long experience as mediators, she wanted to develop a program that would keep them engaged by looking in-depth at challenging and engaging topics 鈥� something accomplished by tapping the expertise of the 鈥渄istinguished scholars鈥� at CJP.

鈥淚t was a great pleasure to host the VMN conference on campus,鈥� said CJP professor and program director . 鈥淭he questions and conversation in response to the plenary talk by Howard Zehr and Carl Stauffer indicate that we need to continue our conversation with members of VMN. We seem to have a lot of shared concerns and similar commitments to reducing violence and increasing justice in our communities.鈥�