Hepler will start in Harrisonburg early this summer, upon completion of his 14th season in a similar role at the University of Texas at Tyler.

After a very successful tenure at UT-Tyler, Hepler was excited to step into the recent era of growth at 91短视频.

“I am impressed with 91短视频’s commitment to cross country and track & field,” Hepler said. “I will get to put together a quality staff and see the development of first class facilities. On top of that, the leadership at 91短视频 have a strong desire to see me become an important part of the 91短视频 community. That means that I’ll have the opportunity to impact students away from the sport.聽That opens up so many unknown possibilities. That’s very exciting to me.聽I can’t wait to get started.”

Under Hepler, UT-Tyler cross country and track & field teams have won 22 conference titles, including the men’s cross country team taking 12 of the past 13 American Southwest Conference Championships. He started the Patriots’ track & field program in 2008, accounting for six of his ASC titles. Over the past four years, his program has produced All-Americans in 14 events, including four individual champions.

Director of Athletics聽Dave King聽said Eastern Mennonite is very fortunate to have found someone with the breadth of experience that Hepler brings with him.

“This is truly an exciting time for our cross country and track & field program,” explained King.聽“Bob is the perfect fit for 91短视频 and the right person to lead the growth of our running program.聽He understands 91短视频 and his values and philosophy align well with the university.”

Hepler said that seeing the potential of 91短视频’s cross country and track & field program, as well as the quality and philosophy of the university as a whole, was vital for him to even entertain leaving UT-Tyler.

“91短视频 would have to be truly amazing to take me away from a school and people I cherish,” he said. “After meeting with key staff and faculty, and especially after meeting with members of the cross country and track & field program, I recognized the unusually deep affection that the people have for 91短视频. I concluded that 91短视频 will challenge me and make me grow.”

The ability to focus solely on coaching drew in Hepler, who is also the director of UT-Tyler’s large recreational sports program and facility.

“I am so excited to see how good of a coach that I can become,” he explained. “At 91短视频, that means so much more than just winning and developing athletes. I get to play a key role in developing students’ desires to serve God and others. Working at 91短视频 will be fulfilling and fun. How could I possibly run away from an opportunity like that?”

With Hepler finishing out the track & field season with the D-III Patriots, 91短视频 has hired聽Ken L. Nafziger聽as the interim track and field coach.

As part of the interim hire, the five current assistant coaches will increase their responsibilities to cover the positional coaching of the student-athletes.

Jeremy Heizer聽is the most tenured of the five assistants, in his second season as the throwing coach.聽Joanna Friesen聽will focus on the distance runners after also assisting the cross country teams this fall.

Michael Allen聽will coach the jumpers,聽Richard Robinson聽the hurdles, and recent Broadway star聽Tim Miller聽the pole vaulters.

“While interim coaching arrangements are challenging, I can’t say enough about the assistant coaches who agreed to increase their time and Ken for his willingness to provide leadership this season and prepare for Bob coming this summer,” King said.聽“Ken’s past coaching experiences, his familiarity with 91短视频 and his passion for 91短视频 track & field make him a good fit to bridge the gap between changes of the past year and the stability of a new coaching staff.”

Nafziger, who had been 91短视频’s Vice President for Student Life for 14 years before leaving recently to pursue opportunities as a psychologist, has seven years of experience as a high school cross country and track & field coach, coaching at Broadway (Va.) High School as well as Mandera Government Boy’s Secondary School in Kenya.

“I appreciate this opportunity to coach track & field at 91短视频,” commented Nafziger. “Having met Bob, I can wholeheartedly prepare the current athletes and recruit new ones who will benefit from such an accomplished and caring coach.”

Heizer, a 2016 alum who went to Nationals in the shot put, was excited to take another step in his coaching career.

“It means a lot that I will get to connect to younger athletes and share experiences I’ve been through (as well as) what they go through,” he explained.

Hepler’s coaching philosophy fits well with 91短视频’s goal to do more than just produce good athletes.

“I always tell my athletes that they should put three things in front of their commitment to the sport: 1.聽Serving God and Others聽– because that’s why we are on this planet; 2.聽Love of Family聽– while you don’t get to miss a practice to go home for Aunt Betsy’s birthday, honoring your family through your actions and words reflects who you are at your core; 3.聽School聽– students are at 91短视频 to get an education. Additionally, students and their families聽are making financial sacrifices to pay for this education so study habits must be strong. School is always more important than the sport.”

Jim Smucker, Vice President for Enrollment & Student Life, thought Hepler’s commitment and success with the well-rounded NCAA D-III philosophy made him stand out among the pool of candidates.

“I believe Bob is an outstanding match not only for our cross country and track & field program but for the larger 91短视频 community,” said Smucker. “He resonates deeply with our mission and values. Bob brings a track record of holistic student development including player excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in community service.”

Before his time at UT-Tyler, Hepler served as the athletic director at the University of Maine at Machias. He also had a background in student life.

Eastern Mennonite will next turn their attention to the hiring of an associate track & field coach.

91短视频’s track & field teams pick up the indoor season in earnest at the Finn Pincus Invitational hosted by Roanoke College on Jan. 26 and 27.

Molly Kirby, who completed her nursing degree in 2.5 years instead of the standard four, was given the Academic Achievement Award. Presenting the honor was Professor Ann Schaeffer, who said Kirby has already accepted a position as a nurse in a cardio-surgical intensive care unit and plans to eventually pursue a doctorate as a nurse anesthetist.

Valerie Rodeffer earned the Servant Leadership Award. Schaeffer shared that Rodeffer鈥檚 greatest accomplishment 鈥渋s being role model for her children, showing them you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter how old you are.鈥� Rodeffer will work as a nurse in Winchester and plans to begin her master鈥檚 degree at 91短视频 next fall.

The Sacred Covenant Award, honoring the nursing student who most exemplifies the values of nursing as exemplified in the program’s , was given to Juni Schirch-Sanchez. Schirch-Sanchez says she values the relationships she builds with patients and the intimacy, vulnerability and openness that the profession calls for.

Vice President of Student Life Ken L. Nafziger kicked off the chapel by urging participants to join wholeheartedly into the celebration of the semester鈥檚 achievements. 鈥淲e often celebrate but in a muted fashion,鈥� he said, 鈥渟o let鈥檚 not be that way today.鈥�

Nafziger was joined on stage by representatives of several departments for the traditional event, held at the conclusion of each fall and spring semester. Many of the honorees were being recognized before departing for their cross-cultural during spring semester.

Academic Success Center

Director Linda Gnagey and Professor Vi Dutcher recognized three Academic Success Center tutors as 鈥済reat examples of dependable accessible support”: Lorraine Armstrong, political science tutor; Robert Propst, science; and Elisabeth Wilder, social work, sociology and writing.

Campus Ministries

Campus Undergraduate Pastor Lana Miller recognized ministry assistants who are departing on cross-culturals next semester: Shelby Alto, Taylor Martin, Elizabeth Witmer, Elizabeth Resto, Kieran O’Leary, Marina Baker, Esther Ghale, Lydia Musselman and Ethan Herman. Ministry assistants, known on campus as MAs, integrate faith into practice in their residence halls and volunteer their time to assist others. Miller thanked them for 鈥渏oining us as campus pastors.鈥�

Three pastoral assistants, known as PAs, were also recognized: Christina Hershey, Perry Blosser and Hannah Daley. PAs are students whose 鈥渄esire to serve God is integrated into life, work and relationships.鈥� Both Hershey and Blosser served on numerous committees. Hershey organized conversation groups, Election Day Communion and other communal events. Blosser 鈥減ulled together countless musicians and signing groups鈥� for chapel events, and he also leads the monthly hymn sings. Daley, who concluded her field hockey career this fall, leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes Speak and Athletes鈥� Bible Study.

Student Programs

Thirteen students received the Leadership Effectiveness and Development (LEAD) Series Certificate: Sammy Kauffman, Maddie Gish, Gillian Zehr, Hannah Daley, Tae Dews, Rachel Holderman, Ale Hartzler, Brittany Williams, Oksana Kittrell, Liana Hershey, Felix Kioko, Alicia Ygarza and Carlos Garcia.

The series focuses on leadership issues chosen by participants, said Director of Student Programs Rachel Roth Sawatsky, with this semester鈥檚 topics being communication, leadership dynamics, conflict, women in leadership and team-building. Students can choose to attend single events; regular attendance results in a certificate of completion.

Additionally, Gillian Zehr was recognized for her work as Common Grounds Coffeehouse products and marketing manager for the last two semester. She was responsible for taking care of product sales, trends and tracking; ordering and vendor relationships; and advertising. This semester, she also negotiated a new contract with a local coffee roaster, as well as negotiating for local suppliers of foods.

Theater Department

Actors Emma Roth and Belen Yoder were nominated from the fall production of 鈥淔ar Away鈥� by an independent respondent to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCATF) Irene Ryan Scholarship Audition. They will participate in the Region 2 festival Jan. 3-7 at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Professor Heidi Winters Vogel presented the award.

Student Life

Outgoing Student Government Association members include Elisabeth Wilder, Taylor Esau, Ella Spitler, Abigail Shumaker, Delight Tigoe, Maria Yoder, Jeremy Brenneman and Caleb Schrock-Hurst.

Co-presidents Elisabeth Wilder and Quinn Kathrineberg also recognized Ken L. Nafziger, who retires in December.

鈥淜en has been a valuable member of SGA through his thoughtful insights, care for students, and impeccable knowledge of the SGA Constitution,鈥� Wilder said. 鈥淭here are few people I know that love 91短视频 and its people more than Ken L. Nafziger.鈥�

鈥淜en is a deep listener, an energetic presence, and a steadfast leader,鈥� said Kathrineberg. 鈥淭hank you for your devotion to SGA, and thank you for the the consideration and respect you have for this 91短视频 community.

Athletics

James De Boer, sports information director, recognized the following athletes for their awards during the fall semester.

Men鈥檚 Cross Country: Abrham Amine: All-ODAC Second Team, ODAC Men鈥檚 Cross Country Rookie of the Year; Alec Thibodeaux: ODAC Runner of the Week, (Sept. 1-5), All-ODAC Second Team, Royals Athlete of the Week (Oct. 31-Nov. 6), All-South/Southeast Region Team.

Women鈥檚 Cross Country: Megan Good:聽 All-ODAC Second Team, Royals Athlete of the Week (Oct. 24-30); Kat Lehman: ODAC/Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Scholar-Athlete; Juni Schirch-Sanchez: Royals Athlete of the Week (Nov. 7-13)

Field Hockey: Emily Augsburger: All-ODAC First Team; Lorraine Armstrong: All-ODAC Second Team; Hannah Daley: Royals Athlete of the Week (Oct. 10-16), All-ODAC Third Team; Emily Price: Royals Athlete of the Week (Sept. 19-25), All-ODAC Third Team.

Men鈥檚 Soccer: Emmanuel Boamah: All-ODAC First Team; Parker Leap: Royals Athlete of the Week (Sept. 5-11); Juan Luna: ODAC Player of the Week (Sept. 12-18); Royals Athlete of the Week (Sept. 12-18); All-ODAC Second Team; Matthew Overacker: Royals Athlete of the Week (Oct. 3-9). Dylan Polley: All-ODAC Third Team; Ryan Thomas: CoSIDA Academic All-District.

Women鈥檚 Soccer: Laura Rittenhouse: All-ODAC Third Team; Hannah Walker: Royals Athlete of the Week (Oct. 17-23).

Women鈥檚 Volleyball: Becca Hardy: Royals Athlete of the Week (Sept. 1-5), CoSIDA Academic All-District; Maria Yoder: Royals Athlete of the Week (Sept. 26-Oct. 2).

Men鈥檚 Basketball: Maleke Jones: Royals Athlete of the Week (Nov. 14-20).

Women鈥檚 Basketball: Chloe Roach: Royals Athlete of the Week (Nov. 21-27).

“With this series, Campus Ministries is contributing to campus conversations with resources to reflect on these themes,鈥� says Brian Martin Burkholder, campus pastor. 鈥淗opefully this approach opens discussion and engagement. We’re eager to see if there is interest in continuing the series into spring semester.”

Adds , vice president for student life and dean of students, who is one of the speakers: 鈥淚n the midst of appropriately heightened concern about sexual assaults on college campuses, this sexuality series adds an important perspective and holistic emphasis that moves beyond safe sex towards an exploration of the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of truly knowing your partner.鈥�

The series opens Oct. 5 with Professor presenting a chapel talk on 鈥淪ex & Millennials: #NewScripts,鈥� a spiritual and relational framing for sexuality. Stauffer, who teaches in the and in the program, has spent much of her career listening to women on three continents tell of violence in their lives. Her three-year 鈥溾�� project researched the resilience of domestic abuse survivors from within communities of homeless women, undocumented Latinas and Mennonite women from Old Order or conservative church communities.

Author Debra Hirsch comes to campus on Oct. 7 for a chapel and two discussions with students. Hirsch has been in ministry in Australia and the United States for more than 20 years. A resident of an intentional community in Los Angeles, she is the author of Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations about Sexuality and Spirituality and coauthor of Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship. She also serves on the leadership team of the Forge Missions Training Network and on the board for Missio Alliance.

91短视频 storytellers share during an Oct. 19 chapel. SafeSpace is an on-campus organization that affirms 鈥減eople of all sexual orientations,鈥� and creates 鈥渁 space to engage respectfully with students, faculty and administrators as a presence in the 91短视频 community for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Questioning community, creating safe dialogue on the issue of homosexuality,鈥� according to their webpage.

Nafziger, a psychologist who both practiced and worked with doctoral students on research projects, will address 鈥淔aithful Sexuality in an Age of Porn.鈥� His Oct. 28 talk will provide examples from real clients and address such questions as: Is porn a form of safe sex, how does porn affect the brain and real sex, and is porn the norm for more exciting sex?

Father Tom Doyle, a Catholic priest who has worked with survivors of priest sex abuse for more than three decades, gives a 40-minute presentation Nov. 7 in Martin Chapel on 鈥淭he Spiritual Impact of Sexual Abuse in Religious Contexts.”

Professor , who explored sexual abuse and the culpability of the church during a 2015 , closes the fall series Nov. 9 with a service of lament for sexual abuse in religious contexts.

Schedule

Oct. 5 Chapel: Dr. Carolyn Stauffer presents 鈥淪ex & Millennials: #NewScripts,鈥� a spiritual and relational framing for sexuality.

Oct. 7: Join pastor and author Debra Hirsch for chapel reflections on “Sexuality and Spirituality: a longing to be known” at 10 a.m.; for聽“Naked Conversations about Sexuality and Spirituality” from 4-5 p.m. in Science Center 106; and for聽Questions After Dark [a space for students to anonymously ask questions] at 8 p.m. in Cedarwood’s second floor lounge.

Oct. 19 Chapel: 91短视频 Safe Space storytellers reflect on “Queer and Christian?”鈥� personal experiences of wrestling with God, faith and the church.

Oct. 28 Chapel: Dr. Ken L. Nafziger addresses “Faithful Sexuality in an Age of Porn.”

Nov. 2 Chapel: Take Back the Night committee.

Nov. 4 Chapel: Take Back the Night and Coalition on Sexual Violence Prevention.

Nov. 7: Father Tom Doyle speaks on “The Spiritual Impact of Sexual Abuse in Religious Contexts” from 7:30-9 p.m. at Martin Chapel in the seminary.

Nov. 9 Chapel: Professor Jerry Holsopple leads a “Service of Lament for Sexual Abuse in Religious Contexts.”

Hurst, a pastoral intern at 91短视频, was one of about 30 people who came to the school鈥檚 Campus Center on Thursday to hold a prayer and candlelight vigil for victims of a shooting last week in Hesston, Kan.

Three people were killed and 14 wounded during a shooting at an Excel Industries building by a former Excel employee on Feb. 25. The man was later killed by police.

Hurst, who graduated from Hesston College and whose wife is from the town, said he feels helpless when he hears about mass shootings.

鈥淚鈥檓 getting frustrated with this is not an unusual occurrence,鈥� Hurst said. 鈥淲e should be able to do something.鈥�

Ken L. Nafziger, vice president of student life at 91短视频, said a lot of the school鈥檚 students are from Hesston or transferred from Hesston College, which is near the Excel building in the Kansas town.

鈥淚t has a lot of impact on both our communities,鈥� Nafziger said. 鈥淸We] felt it would be a good opportunity to … support our students who are here from Hesston or have connections to Hesston.鈥�

Hesston College, a two-year Mennonite school, is a sister school of 91短视频, with many students transferring to the university to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Hesston College was locked down during the shooting. A choir from the school is set to perform in Harrisonburg over the weekend.

At Thursday鈥檚 vigil, Students sang hymns and prayed before lighting candles for the victims.

鈥淰iolence will not prevail in our communities,鈥� said Brian Martin Burkholder, 91短视频鈥檚 pastor. 鈥淎nd peace will endure.鈥�

Courtney Unruh, a senior at 91短视频, is from Hesston and said her sister goes to school across the street from the Excel building.

鈥淗esston is the place I鈥檝e called home my entire life,鈥� Unruh said. 鈥淚 found myself in a lot of fear on Thursday.鈥�

Nafziger said what happened in Hesston could happen anywhere, and people should be prepared.

鈥淲e can鈥檛 deny that it could potentially happen in Park View right next to 91短视频,鈥� Nafziger said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 say that it can鈥檛 happen here. We like to think it couldn鈥檛. We no longer can act as if it couldn鈥檛.鈥�

Reprinted with permission from the Mar. 6, 2016 issue of the Daily News-Record.聽

Witnessing a full-length performance, as 91短视频 professor did in 1981 for the center鈥檚 10-year anniversary, is 鈥渕ind-blowing.鈥�

鈥淭he complete work requires a marching band, rock band, symphonic orchestra, two choirs, a children鈥檚 choir, and a raft of soloists,鈥� explains Nafziger. 鈥淎nd as you can imagine, you can鈥檛 just do this anywhere. Oh, and a ballet. There鈥檚 also a ballet … and the Alvin Ailey dancers.鈥�

Lacking such an expansive stage, as well as a ballet and a marching band among other necessities, Nafziger and colleagues and are providing the next best opportunity. The works鈥� perennial themes of faith and doubt and the clash of tradition with modernity take center stage 鈥� albeit in an abridged version 鈥� at the university’s annual gala music concert Nov. 14, 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium.

Bernstein鈥檚 selections the highlight

Music lovers who regularly attend 91短视频鈥檚 annual gala concert, and those coming for the first time, will be delighted at this rare opportunity to hear 鈥淐oncert Selections from Leonard Bernstein鈥檚 MASS鈥� by , the only sanctioned, abridged version in the history of this major work.

鈥淢ASS鈥� features the experience of 鈥渁 celebrant observing a mass who finds himself in the midst of the noisy, discordant sounds of church culture,鈥� Nafziger says. 鈥淗is intention is to strip the noise away and find out what is at the core of the mass, which raises questions of faith and nonfaith, borrows all kinds of styles of music 鈥� and when it comes to that point in the mass when the wine and the bread are consecrated, he throws the chalice onto the floor, a most grievous sin in the Catholic religion. Out of that breakdown of his own faith, he finds a need to go on anyway and returns to the idea that to praise God properly, one needs to do it simply.鈥�

Vocal soloists include sophomore Sarah Sutter, juniors Sam Swartzendruber and Jon Bishop, and seniors Guilio Garner and Heather Evans.

A musical showcase

While the Bernstein piece will be the highlight, other works are also in the evening’s program. The annual concert brings together the Chamber Singers, men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 choirs, Emulate, Chamber Orchestra, and the Wind Ensemble.

鈥淭he annual gala concert is an opportunity for the music department to showcase most of our ensembles and the large number of students who participate in our programs,鈥� says Griffing, who conducts the orchestra. 鈥淲e welcome the community to come out and help us celebrate and support the hard work of many while enjoying a wide variety of repertoire.鈥�

The Wind Ensemble, directed by , will perform Gustav Holst鈥檚 鈥淪uite for Winds.鈥� The Chamber Orchestra will perform a portion of Ernest Bloch鈥檚 鈥淐oncerto Grosso鈥� for strings and piano. Professor , baritone, will be featured in an aria from the Bach cantata 鈥淚ch habe henug.鈥�

The concert is the primary fundraiser for the music scholarship fund. The suggested donation is $10 per person.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, 91短视频 will host the first-ever “Royal Challenge,” designed to promote holistic development across campus and the community, said Phil Tieszen, event leader and assistant director of student programs.

The challenge consists of four events: President’s Assistant 5K walk, Dean of Undergraduate Students 5K run, Vice President of Student Life 10K, and the Graduate Dean half marathon.

鈥淥ur goal is for the participants to gain a sound mind, body and spirit by working together to get in shape and reach their fitness goals,” said Tieszen.

Participants can sign up as individuals or as a group. Registration is free for 91短视频 students, $10 for ages 10-and-under, $15 for 91短视频 faculty and staff, and $20 for public. Check-in is at 7 a.m., and the races begin at 8 a.m., in front of 91短视频’s University Commons.

For more information or to register visit:

鈥淚n an effort to let the justice process come to fruition and to allow a聽person charged to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, we retained聽Gary Moore on staff under close supervision until the charges were聽resolved,鈥� said Ken L. Nafziger, who oversees athletics as 91短视频鈥檚 vice聽president for student life.

鈥淏y his plea, Gary has admitted that he is guilty of a misdemeanor charge聽of assault and battery against a male inmate while he was employed by the聽Virginia Department of Corrections prior to his employment at 91短视频,鈥� said聽Nafziger.

鈥淭he facts that emerged today at a hearing at the Circuit Court of the聽City of Chesapeake differed significantly from what we were previously led聽to believe.鈥�

The judge issued Moore a six-month suspended jail sentence, plus a $250聽fine and payment of court costs. He was placed on two years of聽unsupervised probation.

鈥淭his is an extremely sad day for both Gary and our men鈥檚 volleyball team,聽given the positive conversations and experience in volleyball that he and聽his players reported to me and the director of athletics,鈥� said Nafziger.

The charge apparently stemmed from an incident on June 20, 2012. Moore was聽charged Oct. 2, 2012, but was not arrested until Feb. 4, 2013, when he was聽booked and released from Rockingham County Jail.

Moore played one season of volleyball at 91短视频 in 1996 before transferring聽to George Mason University.

Director of Athletics Dave King said the search for a new head men鈥檚聽volleyball coach will begin immediately.

, vice president for student life who oversees athletics, reports that neither Moore nor 91短视频 were aware of any potential legal charges when Moore was hired. 91短视频 completed a criminal background check prior to the hire, which is standard for new 91短视频 employees.

“We are aware of the pending legal action and are waiting to hear the outcome of the legal proceedings,鈥� says Nafziger. 鈥淲hen the proceedings are complete, we will respond appropriately.”

April 30, 2013

He takes over for Interim Coach Derek King, who guided the Royals to an 11-14 record last spring, their first season in the new .

Moore, who himself played for Eastern Mennonite during the 1996 season before transferring to D-I George Mason, is excited about the 91短视频 program.

“91短视频 is in a unique position in that it is one of only two NCAA men’s volleyball programs in Virginia,” Moore explained. 聽“Also, 91短视频 has so many great attributes that you can’t discern by simply reading the website, such as the strong sense of community. 聽Everybody here is dedicated to an individual’s complete growth as a person, not just the athletic or academic side, but spiritual and communal as well.”

Director of Athletics feels that his new coach is the right man for the job.

“After a lengthy search process, I am not only pleased to have the position filled, but to be filled with someone like Gary who brings experience in both collegiate and club volleyball programs,” said King.聽 “His excitement for returning to 91短视频 to continue the growth of the men’s volleyball program is evident and should help him to make a quick transition to this position.”

Moore is currently the lead coach and owner of in Hampton Roads, VA.聽 Along with a widespread involvement on the club level and with USA Volleyball, he also has men’s and women’s coaching experience at Rutgers, Norfolk State and Christopher Newport.聽 With D-III institutions regularly re-evaluating their travel costs as well as desires for automatic qualifiers on the conference level, Moore’s background should prove vital for 91短视频.

“With the men’s volleyball landscape in the NCAA going through significant changes which could have a major impact on our program,” King said, “Gary’s experience in several educational institutions, being a business owner and heavily involved in the club volleyball scene make him well suited to give leadership to the emerging nature of men’s volleyball in Division III and 91短视频’s place in that picture.聽 His experiences should serve him well in navigating the unknowns of the future.聽 I look for Gary to provide leadership in charting a course for the future of 91短视频’s program but also at the conference level.”

Moore’s business background also aids 91短视频 in other ways, explains , Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.

“In addition to his volleyball coaching skills, Gary also brings extensive experience in supervising fitness center operations,” said Nafziger.聽 “His fitness background will benefit his players as well as faculty, staff, and the broader 91短视频 community as he takes on a quarter-time role in the 91短视频 fitness center.”

Having played both D-III and D-I volleyball, Moore will also have a unique perspective for his student-athletes.

“Coming back to 91短视频 to coach is very special for me,” he said. 聽“It’s my homecoming, and I am honored to be able to come back to make a bigger contribution to the men’s program and the school as a whole. There are so many people who are still here from when I played here, and I feel a deep sense of humility and obligation to make them proud.”

King echoed that perspective.

“He will be in a good position to help his players understand and benefit from all that 91短视频 has to offer and will use volleyball as a way to develop Christian character in the young men he coaches.”

Nafziger added thoughts on Moore’s work in the classroom as a student.

“Gary’s academic record, including graduating with honors from Norfolk State University聽while also serving as an assistant coach, provides a positive role model for his players to take their academics seriously in the midst of their athletic endeavors,” said Nafziger.

Moore’s wide-ranging connections should bolster his recruiting efforts.聽 Personally, he is ready to affect young men in a long-lasting manner.

“Winning matches and establishing ourselves as a legitimate force is of course important,” he explained, “but that’s not all. 聽I am just as interested in having our guys graduate and mature into men of excellence, character and integrity. 聽Ultimately, that’s what’s most important, and with it, the program is sure to excel.”

Moore will assume his duties at Eastern Mennonite on October 1.聽 The Royals open their 2013 season in late January, with the official schedule to be released later this year.

Both men and women will compete as sponsored Old Dominion Athletic Conference sports, with the conference also adding the women鈥檚 sport next fall.聽 The new programs bring the number of athletic offerings at 91短视频 to 17.聽 The school also offers baseball, field hockey and softball as well as men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field, soccer and volleyball.

Director of Athletics Dave King is excited about adding the two programs.

鈥淚t is very exciting to be able to provide additional opportunities for students to participate in intercollegiate sports,鈥� said King.聽 鈥淲hen you recognize the added value of playing collegiate sports to the educational experience, it is gratifying to know that up to 20 more students will have the opportunity to be impacted through being a member of the golf teams.聽聽 I believe the nature of practices and competitions in golf will allow us to attain and then retain full rosters.鈥�

King said he hopes to have a head coach hired as soon as possible to start the recruiting process.聽 He feels golf is a good fit for the institution.

鈥淭he interest and participation in high school golf is strong in some of the university鈥檚 key recruitment areas and we have had an increasing number of prospective students inquire about a golf team.聽 The proximity of a city owned golf course, the growth of women鈥檚 golf in the ODAC and our interest in expanding the athletic program to assist in reaching the enrollment goals of the university, were all factors in our decision to add the golf programs for next year.鈥�

Dr. Ken L. Nafziger, 91短视频鈥檚 Vice President for Student Life who oversees the Athletic Department, thought golf supported the mission of preparing students for the rest of their lives through an avenue the students were already utilizing.

鈥淪everal years ago students who had played competitively in high school initiated golf as a club team sport,鈥� said Nafziger.聽 鈥淥nce we saw sustained student interest and the opportunity to attract academically-oriented students, both men and women, to a sport offered by the ODAC and many of our feeder schools, we decided to implement it.聽 With good coaching and recruitment, we believe golf team members can achieve both academic and athletic success in a sport that they can play for a lifetime with friends and business colleagues.鈥�

The Royals will use Heritage Oaks Golf Course in Harrisonburg as their home course.

鈥淚 am very grateful to Heritage Oaks Golf Course and their head professional, David Johns, for their encouragement, support and cooperation,鈥� King said.聽 鈥淭he course is kept in great condition, it is conveniently located and the staff is very good to work with.聽 The Loyal Royals have also been a big help as they are providing funding that allows us to hire the coach this semester and support the golf club program this spring.鈥�

Brad Bankston, Commissioner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, said 91短视频鈥檚 decision comes at an interesting crossroads in the ODAC鈥檚 history.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always great to see member institutions working to improve their offerings,鈥� he said.聽 鈥淭he addition of golf at 91短视频 is a testament to the school鈥檚 focus on broadening its offerings to student-athletes in an effort to accommodate a need on campus.聽 Recent membership discussions led to inviting Shenandoah University to the conference, and internal championships and scheduling conversations have provided schools the opportunity to evaluate their own offerings.聽 91短视频 will bring our number to 11 teams in the men鈥檚 golf championship in 2012-13.鈥�

Besides the talented depth of the men鈥檚 field, Bankston explained that women鈥檚 golf is a growing area in the ODAC and will become its 23^rd sponsored sport.

鈥淚ts addition was not anticipated but happened at a time when 91短视频 was exploring adding golf,鈥� said Bankston.聽 鈥淲e will start the sport with five schools participating.聽 Seven sponsoring members are needed to secure an NCAA automatic qualifier in women鈥檚 golf.聽 The talk of adding the sport has other schools thinking about women鈥檚 golf which could help provide the NCAA automatic in a few short years.鈥�

While the ODAC Tournament and National Championships are in the spring, the golf season actually starts in the fall and takes a break during the winter months.聽 ODAC teams must compete in at least three ODAC-endorsed events, some of which are in the fall and some in the spring.聽 Although there are no specific criteria concerning length, most events are two days long.

Participating schools name a five-person team for each event, with the official team combined score being the four best scores of each round.聽 More than five golfers may participate in an event, although the extra athletes would play as individuals and not have a chance to affect the team score.

The ODAC Tournament, generally held in mid-April, is a three-round event which recently has been held at Bay Creek Resort in Cape Charles, VA.聽 The National Championships are held in mid-May.

King said that the 91短视频 golf teams will likely participate in three events in the fall of 2012 and three more in the spring of 2013 before the ODAC Tournament.

Information on the coaching position can be found at

Persons are invited to gather at the fountain in the center of campus. Following a period of silence, the chapel chimes on the roof of Lehman Auditorium will ring, followed by a circle of prayer.

At Virginia Tech, 32 bell tolls will sound in memory of each victim, timed with the release of 32 white balloons from the Drillfield. A release of 1,000 orange and maroon balloons signifying Hokie unity and spirit will immediately follow. Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday.

“This one-week anniversary is significant, especially since classes will resume at Tech,” said Ken L. Nafziger, vice president for student life. “The 91短视频 community wants to stand in solidarity with everyone there as well as continue to pray that the healing process can move forward,” Dr. Nafziger added.

The final exam period at 91短视频 begins Monday afternoon, Apr. 23 and runs through 12:40 p.m. Friday, Apr. 27.

He was transported by helicopter to University of Virginia Medical Center at approximately 6:25 a.m. Friday.

The first-year pre-engineering student from Elkhart, Ind., was moved Saturday from the trauma center onto the critical care unit.

He suffered a fractured hip, several cracked vertebrae and a concussion, but doctors have not detected any paralysis.

Wiebe-Johnson was injured while a group of students was attempting to place a stuffed American bison from the university’s Suter Science Center lobby on the dorm roof. The animal was a gift to the D. Ralph Hostetter Museum of Natural History from Ervin and Pat Yoder of Berlin, Ohio.

It weighs between 250 and 300 pounds.

"Michael is slowly regaining his memory of the events leading up to the fall," Ken L. Nafziger, vice president for student life, said Sunday afternoon.

"He’s been able to talk with his parents and friends from 91短视频, and his situation seems to be progressing nicely, adding: "A lot of prayers have been answered."

The student’s parents, Steve and Dorothy Wiebe-Johnson of Elkhart, Ind., arrived at U.Va. Medical Center around 10 p.m. Friday.

Based on Michael’s current condition, Dorothy Wiebe-Johnson planned to fly back to Elkhart Sunday afternoon, while Steve will remain in Charlottesville a while longer.

"We appreciate the outpouring of concern and ask that everyone keep Michael and his family in their thoughts and prayers for his recovery and ask for all concerned a sense of peace and calm that comes from knowing God’s presence is with us," Nafziger said.

A blog is available for people to post comments to Michael at emu.edu/news/wiebe-johnson/

Michael Wiebe-Johnson, 19, a first-year student from Elkhart, Ind., was injured while the group was attempting to place a stuffed American bison from the university’s Suter Science Center lobby on the dorm roof.

He was transported by helicopter to University of Virginia (UVa.) Medical Center approximately 6:25 a.m.

“This is an example where a non-malicious prank went awry,” said Ken L. Nafziger, vice president of student life. “We cannot comment now on the student’s condition, but we have been in touch with his parents, Steve and Dorothy Wiebe-Johnson.”

“Our immediate concern is to have the campus community in prayer for Michael

The of 91短视频 heard campus updates and took action on finances during its quarterly meeting on campus, Nov. 10-11.

The 16-member governing body approved a revised, final operating budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year of $26.4 million, a 4.9 percent increase over last year. The budget includes capital budget funding of $826,900 and calls for $1.87 million to the by the close of the fiscal year on June 30, 2007.

Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for advancement, reported that gifts to the University Fund, which helps close the gap between tuition and actual operating costs of the school, “are more than 20 percent ahead of the same time last year.”

Shisler reported on new initiatives to increase the alumni giving rate above the current rate of 30 percent participation. The good news, he said, is that the average alumni gift for unrestricted purposes has more than doubled in the past five years to $415.

Campus Entryway Discussed

91短视频 President Loren Swartzendruber gave a progress report from Van Yahres Associates, a Charlottesville, Va., architectural firm, outlining the most recent ideas for developing clearly-marked campus perimeters as well as a more clearly defined entryway.

Dr. Swartzendruber noted that the university has talked with city officials on their plans for improving and widening Mt. Clinton Pike and how that may affect 91短视频’s plans to create a defined perimeter.

“The city has indicated their willingness to make their plans available so that any development of a campus perimeter can be done with city data in mind,” the president said.

Swartzendruber reported that a Crisis Management Preparedness Team (CMPT) has been meeting regularly to outline plans and procedures in the event of emergency situations ranging from fires and ethical breaches to natural disasters.

“The potential for such a serious disease outbreak as a flu pandemic creates the need for comprehensive planning for a variety of scenarios,” the president said.

Number of Undergraduates Increasing

Kenneth L. Nafziger, vice president for , told the board that the number of Virginia undergraduate students has increased from 339 in 1998 to 402 this year. The undergraduate ethnic/international population has also grown to about 20 percent of the total student body.

In addition, 91短视频 attained a first-to-second-year retention rate of 81 percent in last year’s entering class, an improvement of five percentage points – approximately 10 students – over a ten-year average, Dr. Nafziger noted.

The board accepted a recommendation to appoint an associate trustee from the United Methodist Church, who is compatible with the vision of the seminary, to serve on the trustee seminary committee. Approximately 20 percent of the Eastern Mennonite Seminary student body is from that denomination.

The board grappled with requests coming to the university from church-related educational programs in other parts of the world, asking 91短视频 to offer accredited courses for their students.

91短视频 President Loren Swartzendruber said that “hardly a month goes by that we don’t get impassioned pleas from legitimate, worthy sources – India, Ethiopia and the Dominican Republic being recent examples.

“We agonize over a desire to find ways to respond within the reality of limited resources,” the president said, acknowledging there is a “window of opportunity” to offer an Anabaptist theological presence for the next generation of church leaders worldwide.

Trustee Gilberto Flores of Newton, Kan., said “the Ethiopian Meserete Kristos Church has much to teach the North American church in the wake of a period of persecution. They provide a lesson in humility and perseverance in seeing how God is working around the world.”