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 named this year’s “Cords of Distinction” recipients in an awards ceremony held at the close of chapel Monday, Apr. 24.

They will wear the gold and blue cords as they graduate on Apr. 30, 2006.

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.

Recipients

The “Cords of Distinction” recipients are (standing, l. to r.):

• John Michael Stauffer, New Market, Va., major in applied sociology and English;
• Adam D. Shank, Harrisonburg, justice, peace and conflict studies and Spanish major;
• Sharon E. Kniss, Harrisonburg, justice, peace and conflict studies major with minors in Bible and religion and music;
• Michael L. Kniss, Chicago, Ill., history major with minors in political science and sociology;
• and Luella M. Kauffman, Lancaster, Pa., major in nursing with minor in psychology.

(Seated, l. to r.):

• Aerlande P. Wontamo, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, economic development major with minors in socio-economic development and sociology;
• Rachel A. Swartzendruber, Indianapolis, Ind., major in liberal arts and special education licensure with minors in Spanish and theater;
• Adrienne M. Hill, Madison, Va., history major with minor in biology;
• and Andile M. Dube, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, business administrator major with minors in communication and computer information systems.

Derrick R. Charles, Lancaster, Pa., a biblical studies and Spanish major, was honored in absentia. He is completing a cross-cultural studies program in Spain.

Sharon E. Kniss of Harrisonburg takes seriously the mission statement of 91短视频: "to experience Christ and follow His call to witness faithfully, serve compassionately and walk boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace."

Ms. Kniss, a rising senior major, lives out this aspiration at 91短视频 several ways.

In mid-March this year, she took first place in the held on campus with her address, "Engaging the Terrorists: A Discourse on Living with the Other." She received a cash award.

In her presentation, Kniss asked what needs to happen to purposely engage "the other" – to begin to communicate with those of differing persuasions and viewpoints, noting that applying handy labels like "conservative" or "liberal" aren’t helpful in that process.

She used Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 to support her points, arguing that "how we learn to live with each other forms the basis of peacebuilding in society."

Immediately after second semester, Kniss plunged into a whirl of responsibilities as lodging coordinator and community advisor (CA) in Parkwoods Apartments for the annual (SPI) held May 9-June 21. The event brought some 200 persons from more than 50 countries to campus for intensive training in peacebuilding skills, restorative justice and trauma healing.

"I loved doing it," she said of the SPI experience. "The staff was easy to work with, and I got to meet and interact with everyone who came through the program." She also took an SPI class, "Indigenous Peacemaking Processes."

No sooner did this assignment end than Kniss was off to Harlan, Ky., to spend the rest of the summer working with a Mennonite Central Committee program there. She served as site coordinator for groups coming to do home repair and rebuilding projects in that Appalachian community.

Being an honors student and a dean’s list regular hasn’t kept Kniss from a host of extracurricular pursuits. She’s a member of the 91短视频 Chamber Singers and the varsity and helped form a student lecture committee to bring noted speakers to campus.

She was co-president of the Young People’s Christian Association (YPCA) her freshman and sophomore years and presently coordinates the Y-church program, which she cites as "one of the highlights of my time at 91短视频." She is deeply involved at Crossroads Mennonite Church near Timberville, leading music and worship and playing piano there.

After 91短视频? Kniss isn’t sure yet, but she’s considering a service assignment – Colombia, South America is a first choice – or "some form of church work."

This article will appear in the August 2005 issue of "Connections," a publication of Virginia Mennonite Conference.

Sharon E. Kniss, a third-year Eastern Mennonite Student student from Harrisonburg, has won the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest held Mar. 18 on campus.

Ms. Kniss took first place in the annual competition with her address, "Engaging the Terrorists: A Discourse on Living with the Other." She received a cash award.

Runners-up were Elisa J. Wolf, a sophomore from Lititz, Pa., and Zachary T. Kurtz, a senior from Keyser, W.Va.

In her presentation, Kniss asked what needs to happen to purposely engage "the other" – to begin to communicate with those of differing persuasions and viewpoints, noting that applying handy labels like "conservative" or "liberal" aren’t helpful in that process.

She used Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 to support her points, arguing that "how we learn to live with each other forms the basis of peacebuilding in society."

A video and copy of Kniss’ presentation will be sent to Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pa., to be judged as part of a national competition among the winners of all participating Mennonite and Brethren-In-Christ colleges and universities.

Kniss, a major from Harrisonburg, is the daughter of Phil and Irene Kniss and a member of Park View Mennonite Church.

The Smith Oratorical Contest began in 1974 as a way to honor the late C. Henry Smith, Mennonite historian and professor at Goshen College in Indiana and Bluffton Unversity in Ohio. Smith had a deep interest in the Mennonite peace position. The contest encourages college students to present speeches that apply the Anabaptist peace position to contemporary concerns.