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)

An 91短视频 graduating senior has received the first “Grant Stoltzfus Peace Award.”

The honor went to Julia R. Gingrich, an major with minors in , political science and from Goshen, Ind. She received a $500 gift.

The award was devised by Dale R. Long, a 1974 91短视频 graduate from Lancaster, Pa., in memory of Grant M. Stoltzfus, who taught church history at the school for 17 years. Dr. Stoltzfus was an authority on church-state relations and war-peace issues and was writing a book on the origins and development of alternative services for conscientious objectors when he died suddenly in July 1974.

Long said that the late 91短视频 professor “was an important influence” on his life as a student, who “not only talked about peace and justice issues but reflected a true Anabaptist vision of peace and non-resistance as a way of life.”

“I am hoping that this annual recognition in Professor Stoltzfus’ memory will help inspire young adults to live out this kind of lifestyle in whatever career path they choose,” he said. The family of the late professor has established an endowment to fund the peace award annually.

To qualify for the award, a candidate must be a current 91短视频 student in good academic standing, pursue a peaceable lifestyle that includes a commitment to peace and reconciliation in personal relationships and has publicly demonstrated a commitment to peace through involvement in peaceful or nonviolent action, working for peaceful transformation of conflicts or being active in or supportive of peacemaking-peacebuilding organizations and manifests a spiritual vitality. 91短视频 faculty and students submitted 15 names for consideration.

“My commitment to peace is fundamentally shaped by a belief in the centrality of relationships,” Ms. Gingrich said. “I believe that Christians are called to be a reconciling and transforming presence in this world by building relationships with people across social divides.”

Gingerich was co-president of 91短视频 Peace Fellowship this year as well as fall semester last year. She was a founding member of “RAIN” (Raising Awareness in Iraq Now), a student-led initiative on campus.

She will be a staff member of 91短视频’s to be held May 7-June 17 before starting a one-year assignment with the SALT (Serving and Learning Together) program at a Coptic-Orthodox retreat center in Egypt under the auspices of Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pa. She is a member of Waterford Mennonite Church, Goshen.