Johnson’s photography of the pond and its bountiful wildlife鈥攖hink butterflies, hummingbirds, and frogs鈥攁re beautifully captured on the magazine’s cover and its glossy pages, as well as online.

Read his story and view the photos .

As a result of the project, Johnson wrote, “we went from seeing an occasional wandering toad to now having a fully functioning ecosystem.”

“For me, this is a story of hope,” he said. “Tackling the extinction crisis can seem overwhelming, but everyday folks can transform their backyards into an oasis for wildlife.”

The professor and photographer, whose colorful images of the seasonal ponds鈥攁nd the aquatic life that inhabit them鈥攈ave earned him 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year honors and graced the cover of Nature Conservancy Magazine, has been named an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP).听

was one of 16 accomplished photographers and filmmakers selected to join the iLCP鈥檚 associate fellow program for 2025, the nonprofit recently announced in a release.听鈥淓ach of them brings exceptional skill in visual storytelling, a deep engagement with conservation initiatives and a strong dedication to advancing environmental awareness through their work,鈥� the .听

Established in 2005, iLCP supports environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography and filmmaking. Its fellows are a group of professional wildlife, nature, and cultural visual storytellers who, 鈥渋n addition to displaying remarkable photographic and filmmaking skills, have each demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation efforts around the globe,鈥� according to its . These 120+ fellows, based in 26 countries and working in 190 countries, 鈥渟hine a light on issues ranging from endangered flora and fauna to climate change to ocean health.鈥�

For Johnson, conservation photography allows him to share the same sense of wonder he feels when encountering other creatures in the natural world. 鈥淢illions of animal and plant species coexist on Earth, but very few of these species enter our consciousness; that invisibility is a big problem when it comes to conservation,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ven in the midst of an extinction crisis, most of our news and political discourse is very human-centered. Using visual communication to advocate for the natural world is a way to challenge that narrative and look for ways to share the planet with the 鈥榤ore-than-human鈥� world.鈥�

The 91短视频 professor had been an affiliate for iLCP for a number of years where he served as a technical consultant and also connected 91短视频 students to its photographers and staff. As a fellow, he will attend the organization鈥檚 signature event, , in mid-November, which brings together conservation photographers, filmmakers, scientists, advocates, and communicators from around the globe as they share powerful stories and solutions for a sustainable future.

鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely affirming to be a part of a fellowship of passionate and committed peers in the conservation photography world,鈥� Johnson said.

Michael Horst, dean of Behavioral, Health and Natural Sciences at 91短视频, said Johnson鈥檚 work brings viewers face to face with the miraculous elements of the natural world that might otherwise be overlooked, creating an emotional connection that heightens the importance of protecting and conserving it.

鈥淎t 91短视频, we know the importance of deeply cultivating sustainable practices,鈥� Horst said. 鈥淔or those who need encouragement, Steve鈥檚 work can make a big difference.鈥�

91短视频 the professor

Johnson came to 91短视频 in 2005 and started one of the few full-semester conservation photography courses offered to undergraduates in the U.S.

He holds an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design and serves on the advisory board of the Virginia Wildlife Committee and Girls Who Click. At 91短视频鈥檚 VACA department, he teaches digital media classes and a specialized course on conservation photography. When he鈥檚 not in his office, he can often be found crouched next to a vernal pool or kayaking the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

His images of the natural world have appeared in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Wildlife Magazine, Nature Conservancy Magazine, Ranger Rick, Virginia Wildlife, bioGraphic, Orion, National Science Teaching Association Press books, and numerous conservation publications and journals. His long-term project exploring vernal pools was highlighted by the Southern Environmental Law Center in 鈥淭he wonder of wetlands and 5 Southerners working to protect them鈥� ().

Johnson said one of his favorite things about teaching is that 91短视频 and VACA allow for so much innovative, interdisciplinary practice. For example, in his conservation photography class, he teaches a mix of photography, digital media, and science students. 

鈥淚n some places, the sciences and arts barely mix,鈥� he said. 鈥淗ere, I can talk to science students about making compelling images and teach visual arts students about vernal pools.鈥�

Johnson will teach the class in conservation photography again during the fall 2026 semester.

View more of his photography at .

In early October, the conservation photographer traveled to London for an awards ceremony honoring him among The annual competition, hosted by the Natural History Museum, selected his photo 鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� and 99 others for inclusion in the exhibition. A jury of nature photography experts picked the 100 winning images out of 49,957 entries from photographers in 95 countries.

That means Johnson鈥檚 photo was part of only 0.2 percent of submissions to receive the coveted award. It鈥檚 not hard to see why the contest has been described as 鈥渙ne of the most prestigious in world photography鈥� ().

Johnson networked with skilled photographers from around the world, including some up-and-coming talents in the youth category, at the ceremony. He and his wife, Anna Maria, explored the museum and admired the other winning photos.

When he returned home from the trip, he searched online to see which news outlets had covered the event. It was then he saw that among their 13 favorites from the competition. 

鈥楽omething a little special鈥�

鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� captures a cluster of spotted salamander eggs nestled on a bed of sphagnum moss just under the surface of a vernal pool in Augusta County, Virginia. 

Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that form from seasonal rains and snowmelt, Johnson writes on his . In late winter and early spring, the pools host breeding events for amphibians and macroinvertebrates. The pools are ideal nurseries for salamanders because they鈥檙e safe from predators such as fish.

鈥淎s a conservation photographer, I鈥檓 drawn to the intricate dance of underwater life in Appalachian Mountain forests and nearby lowlands,鈥� he states on his website.

Johnson, professor and program director for the visual and communication arts (VaCA) department, created the photo in March 2020 during a sabbatical. Taking good pictures of vernal pools requires being there at the right time and a lot of searching, he said. The vernal pool featured in 鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� is on land owned by a friend who serves with him on the Virginia Wilderness Committee.

Johnson used a camera rig capable of being submerged underwater to capture the split between the sparse brush seen above the surface and the lush vegetation below. 

鈥淭he light was beautiful, and it鈥檚 really just a few inches of water, so I鈥檓 just kind of crouched by the side slowly lowering my camera in to try to not disturb the sediment around it,鈥� he said, recalling the moment he took the photo. 

鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� graced the cover of the summer 2021 issue of Nature Conservancy magazine. Johnson has previously likened the sunlight filtering through the eggs in the picture, and the delicate shades of blue and green, to 鈥渁n aquatic Vermeer painting鈥� (91短视频 News). 

He entered the wildlife photography contest for his first time this year after some encouragement from friends in the field.

鈥淭his one always felt like it had something a little special to it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think the sort of symmetry, the color, it all felt like something had come together in that image.鈥�

Johnson, who authored an with featured essays by vernal pools expert Michael Hayslett, said part of his mission as a conservation photographer is to highlight the threat that development and climate change pose to the underwater worlds.

Less predictable spring rains are causing pools to dry up before the young salamanders can fully develop and live on land. 

鈥淸Hayslett] has told me that living here for decades, there used to be one big night where you could predict all the spotted salamanders would come out and migrate, and now that鈥檚 become very fragmented to much smaller events,鈥� he said. 

Where art meets science 

When he鈥檚 not crouching by the side of a vernal pool in his waders, Johnson is teaching the next generation of photographers and visual artists.

In addition to conservation photography, his courses include advanced Photoshop, web design and social media. Johnson said the VaCA program teaches students about different forms of storytelling, from web and video production to animation and photography, and even painted murals.

鈥淪tudents really get that full scope,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think that is what makes them so marketable. They know how to do a whole bunch of things and do them well.鈥�

鈥�19 is putting the skills he learned from those classes to good use as media producer at Gravity Group, a Harrisonburg-based brand and marketing consultancy. He said the class in conservation photography instilled in him a love for nature photography. It not only taught him technical skills, but also how to be more intentional with the stories he tells.

Swartzendruber described 鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� as visually stunning.

鈥淚t truly brings me to an entirely different world just looking at it,鈥� he said.

鈥淗e鈥檚 doing something that I鈥檝e genuinely never seen before with the knowledge he has.鈥�

Johnson is now in his 19th year at 91短视频. He said one unique strength for the VaCA program is the wealth of places to photograph nature near campus, such as the 1.6 million acre . The cameras they use in their courses, even at the introductory level, are the same ones he uses professionally, he added.

He welcomes students approaching his visual and communication arts classes from a background in environmental science and biology.

鈥淚f they love the world of nature, the environment and also want to communicate about that, we have two dedicated courses right now they can develop those skills and find faculty who are passionate about that intersection,鈥� Johnson said.

One new class he鈥檒l be co-teaching in the spring with Professor Steve Cessna is Communication and the Environment. The class will teach students how scientists and advocacy nonprofits communicate about science and the environment, what kinds of strategies they use and will give students a chance to try it themselves.

Professor Tara Kishbaugh, dean of 91短视频鈥檚 School of Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Nursing, said Johnson exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education in reflecting the importance of communication skills and multidisciplinary work.

“Steven’s focus on communication of conservation needs aligns well with our science programs, particularly those in environmental science, and is one of many reasons why I am happy to have the arts within my school,” Kishbaugh said. “91短视频 students, both within and outside the arts programs, can benefit from Steven’s expertise and his thoughtful way of living out his values in his teaching and his art.”

Johnson devoted his most recent sabbatical to advance his multi-year project of photographing the ephemeral ecosystems of vernal pools, and the salamanders, copepods, and other critters that inhabit them. His work has already been featured in for the North American Nature Photography Association, the new published by the Department of Wildlife Resources, , and

The Nature Conservancy magazine is the print and online publication published by the world’s leading conservation organization. It seeks to celebrate nature and document conservation efforts around the world, and boasts a print circulation of 600,000 and a website with over 1.2 million page views per month, on average.

PetaPixel, which has been sponsored by such big names in the photography world as Canon, Zeiss, and Adobe, garners 7 million page views and 4.3 million unique visitors per month.

A colorful glitter makeover for Herm, 91短视频鈥檚 mascot, supplied by winning artist Violet Horst, took first place in this week鈥檚 Homecoming coloring contest. 

Approximately 50 entries were judged by Visual and Communication Arts professors Cyndi Gusler, Jerry Holsopple and Steven David Johnson.

Jennifer North Bauman, interim director of alumni and parent relations, was delighted with the turnout for the contest. 

鈥淗erm is usually wearing his coat of blue and white, but clearly he should be considering a trip to the store to pick out some other colors, or maybe he鈥檚 wearing them on the sly when we don鈥檛 see him, because these artists have given him many fresh new looks,鈥� Bauman said. 

Bauman said she planned to show all of the artwork to the new Herm when he appears for the Friday Opening Celebration. 鈥淚 think he鈥檒l be inspired and so pleased to see how our young fans have portrayed him.鈥�

This is likely just the first year of what will become a popular tradition, she said. 鈥淓specially this year, when we could not host our Lil鈥� Royals on campus for fun during the Fall Festival, Saturday afternoon of Homecoming and Family Weekend, the art contest was a great way to connect with kids.鈥�

The two designs for coloring were created by Rachel Holderman, media specialist in 91短视频 Marketing and Communications, and are still available on the Homecoming website for downloading if you want to have some fun. 

HERM COLORING CONTEST WINNERS

First Place: Violet Horst, age 7. Her proud parents are Mark Horst 鈥�05 and Debbie Boese 鈥�07.

Second Place:  Muhammad Babar, age 6. Proud parents: Nabeel Babar & Sharmila Afzal 

Third Place: Sydney Byler, age 8. Proud parents: Holden Byler 鈥�06 and Heidi Bowman Byler 鈥�04 

Fourth Place: Nora Sandberg, age 7. Proud parents: Daniel Sandberg 鈥�05 and Megan Yoder Sandberg 鈥�05 

Salamanders and rainbows over sublime landscapes were among the celebrated natural wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during a five-day photography program this summer, said 91短视频 Visual and Communication Arts Professor Steven David Johnson.

Johnson, who at 91短视频 started one of the few full-semester conservation photography courses offered to undergraduates in the United States, provided instruction in terrestrial and underwater macro photography during the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) High School Scholarship Program. The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Tennessee hosted the group.

In the program, 10 high school students practiced their skills while exploring the natural history of the park, which Johnson said is 鈥渙ne of the amphibian capitals of the world, particularly when it comes to salamander biodiversity,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was fantastic. I had a great time.鈥�

An affiliate member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Johnson has taught at 91短视频 since 2005. His nature photography has been featured by Orion, BBC Focus Magazine, National Geographic Kids Books, National Science Teachers Association Press books, and numerous conservation journals, among them the publications of Wild Virginia and Virginia Wilderness Committee.

This was the first time Johnson was involved in the . A member of the NANPA conservation committee, he presented at the 2015 and 2017 NANPA Summits and in a July webinar titled 鈥淛ust Below the Surface.鈥�

During the week Johnson and his co-instructors were joined on various days by additional NANPA professionals and resource people, including a bear expert. The group visited natural features such as the Cades Cove area, learned about regional biodiversity and biology from researchers, and received instruction and inspiration from professional photographers.

Some of the students had already traveled the world while others were more backyard based, but what impressed Johnson about all of them was their motivation, he said: 鈥淭hey were really passionate about photography.鈥�

Nature provided spontaneous opportunities to practice the craft, for example when a storm moved over the landscape with rainbows, lightning, 鈥渨ild mist鈥� and dark clouds.

鈥淚t was a sublime experience,鈥� Johnson said.

At the conclusion of the week, students presented a photo story based on the surrounding ecosystem. [View program output from years , and .]

Program alumni have gone on to win numerous awards including from National Geographic and the Smithsonian and to become professional photographers for the West Virginia Department of Commerce and the Seattle Times, among other positions.

Scholarship program sponsors included the Illinois-based NANPA Foundation, the conservationist fStop Foundation, Canon and Hunt鈥檚 Photo and Video.

In 2017 91短视频 senior Macson McGuigan was one of NANPA鈥檚 12 College Scholars. He joined other collegiate recipients in producing a film for the North Florida Land Trust.

Read more about Steven D. Johnson:

• Conservation photographer and 91短视频 professor Steven David Johnson opens 鈥榁ernal Pools鈥� exhibit
• Photography class photos helped efforts to block Atlantic Coast Pipeline on sensitive sections of national forestland
• Conservation photographer and professor Steven David Johnson advocates for environment
• Students鈥� dramatic photos help focus attention on wilderness conservation in Virginia
• Johnson鈥檚 colloquium highlights Oregon wildlife, land

Having access to the equipment in the (VACA) equipment room at 91短视频 didn鈥檛 just help Macson McGuigan with class assignments. It also helped him find his own style and jumpstart his career.

It鈥檚 one of the beauties of this small university: Whereas a large university might allow students to check out equipment for a few hours at a time, VACA students at 91短视频 can check it out for days on end 鈥� sometimes for longer projects, or even over breaks.

鈥淚 encourage students to shoot as much as they can,鈥� said professor , who has spent nearly two decades filling the 鈥渃loset鈥� shelves with DSLR,听 mirrorless and cinematic video cameras, underwater gear, tripods, lighting equipment, lenses 鈥� and more. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how you get good.鈥�

For McGuigan, who graduated in 2017 and now is a photographer and videographer for 91短视频 and other clients, the equipment was what he needed for meaningful skill-building experiences.

For a documentary photography class, he took portraits of food truck owners and chefs using 鈥渓ots of fast prime lenses.鈥� To capture the small, cramped interior spaces of the trucks, he used 鈥渟uper-wide-angle lenses.鈥� (And 鈥� can鈥檛 leave out this best part 鈥� he said that the food trucks set him up with some free food.)

But as a VACA student McGuigan was also welcome to use the equipment for his own projects, including professional ones. He used a Sony Fs5 to film up to 16X slow-motion shots of bees, streams and owls (and Sony mirrorless cameras, LED lighting and mics to conduct interviews) for a client advocating for the protection of Shenandoah Mountain as a National Scenic Area with an embedded Wilderness Area.

鈥淗aving access to the VACA closet allowed me to realize what my style is and what equipment I need to get the job done,鈥� McGuigan said. 鈥淚t really helps students find their niche as photographers or videographers.鈥�

Student works

Other student projects have included starting small businesses, creating documentaries, and making videos for small companies, all while at 91短视频, Holsopple said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what we want. It鈥檚 the way they build their portfolio of work. You don鈥檛 improve your skills just by doing the assignments only.鈥�

With VACA graduates entering a variety of career fields, Holsopple has a goal: 鈥淲hatever equipment they鈥檙e handed, they should be able to handle,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want students to have the full experience of just about everything they should know how to use. It鈥檚 always a balance of the cool, new, but also the basics of everything you need to produce at a high level.鈥�

The work of VACA program students and graduates has been recognized nationally:

• 听earned praise for her senior show, an exhibit of documentary photos related to the homeless and homelessness in Hawaii.
• Senior Adila Wahdat was selected for听the 2016 International Antarctic Expedition with the听
• interned for National Geographic Adventure in New York City, the D.C. United soccer team and Oregon鈥檚 Statesman Journal. He was the winner of an Associated Press Photo of the Month, and now is an events photographer.
• Michelle L. Mitchell is an award-winning photographer for the .
• is a promotion manager at听SNN听Local听News听6, the only locally owned and operated television station in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota market.
• interned at an advertising agency specializing in film trailers in Los Angeles. After graduation, he moved into a full-time role as video editor. He now creates film trailers for major motion pictures and is based on the West Coast.
• 听is a freelance photographer and videographer in Washington D.C. He was听Sierra Club’s outdoor youth ambassador for 2012, blogging from around the world.
• Advertising executive Rachel Wyse started her career with Facebook in New York City.
• has filmed Drew Holcomb, for Nike and Under Armour, and more. While at 91短视频, he submitted his class photography portfolio to the Festival of the Photograph and was awarded a scholarship to study with National Geographic photographer Bill Allard. Steven鈥檚 work was shown at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville to an international audience that included some of the best known photographers in the world.
• Katie Schmid runs the wedding photography business,听.

A scavenger鈥檚 portfolio

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want to know what the value of this room is,鈥� Holsopple said recently, standing in the equipment room. 鈥淚鈥檓 not sure I could tell you, off hand. It鈥檚 over a quarter million dollars.鈥�

In a way, the Sony FS5s, A7R IIs and A9s, the Canon EOS 5D Mark IVs, the new LED lights 鈥� all are part of his own portfolio.

鈥淚 am a scavenger,鈥� he said. Instead of ordering pre-assembled kits of equipment, he orders just necessary components, often used instead of new but still perfectly functional and in great shape.

鈥溾�楿sed鈥� doesn鈥檛 mean much for a tripod that will last 25 years,鈥� he said, pointing out a hefty one that new would have cost $3,000 but that he bought used 鈥� 16 years ago.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 how we have all this. I think, 鈥榃ell, we need this, and we can鈥檛 afford it, so I鈥檒l wait until somebody advertises it as an open box, and then I鈥檒l order it.鈥欌��

He picked up a 40-plus-years-old Leica lense, a personal favorite for 鈥渢he way it renders color, the way it falls off from in-focus to out-of-focus areas. It鈥檚 lovely. It鈥檚 superb.鈥� The lens is one of several he calls 鈥渕y babies.鈥�

That may not be an understatement:

鈥淧art of what students get here is just my personal obsessions,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not kidding.鈥�

Johnson鈥檚 鈥淰ernal Pools鈥� exhibit opened Friday, Feb. 2, in the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery and runs until Feb. 16. It features photographs from small seasonal ponds that act as hosts for amphibian and macroinvertebrate breeding events in George Washington National Forest in Virginia.

A soundscape composition of frog calls, created by music professor , will accompany the exhibit.

Read an Richmond Times-Dispatch article about Steve Johnson鈥檚 work.

In one series, a spotted salamander hovers, its legs and wing-like gills extended, its vivid yellow and black eyes curious, almost worried. Accompanying images show eggs, embryo and larva poised in the intimacy of fragile development.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a remarkable, intricate world of amphibian and macroinvertebrate biodiversity just below the surface of these temporary ponds,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淏ecause of surface reflections and the tiny scale of the creatures, it鈥檚 a world that is difficult to observe without specialized equipment. Using underwater photography and video, I want to help viewers to develop an understanding and appreciation of this hidden, ephemeral environment.鈥�

Johnson鈥檚 work has been featured by Orion, BBC Focus Magazine, National Geographic Kids Books, National Science Teachers Association Press books, and numerous conservation journals, among them the publications of Wild Virginia and Virginia Wilderness Committee.

Johnson, an affiliate member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, came to 91短视频 in 2005, and started one of two full-semester conservation photography courses offered to undergraduates in the United States (the other is offered at Stanford University).

In his courses, students not only learn and practice photography skills but also partner with nonprofit organizations that benefit from their work. In 2016, student-produced photography proved vital in documenting at-risk ecosystems in the path of the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

鈥淎fter the pipeline company dismissed scientific surveys of the salamander habitat as being outdated, one of our partners pulled out images my students had just made,鈥� Johnson said in an interview with FrogLog, a digital magazine published by the Amphibian Survival Alliance and Amphibian Specialist Group. 鈥淭his completely changed the tone of the conversation.鈥�

Read more about how 91短视频 student photography has influenced conservation conversations.

Two of Johnson鈥檚 students have been selected to the prestigious college scholars program at the North American Nature Photographers Summit. Johnson was a presenter there in 2015 and 2016.

For arts more broadly, until the late 20th century, many North American Mennonites limited the arts to purposes of functionality, as in hand-crafted quilts for beds or pottery to contain foodstuffs, or education, as in artistic creations with explicitly Christian themes.

As early as the 1920s some tentative steps were taken towards permitting visual and performing arts on campus, but that tension was not fully resolved until the 1970s. (This approximation is a venture based on this timeline, but perhaps alumni of that era may provide other evidence to the contrary.)

During mid-1960s through the 1970s 鈥� encompassing 15 years of great social change within Eastern Mennonite College and beyond 鈥� president and theologian Myron Augsburger BA 鈥�55, BTh 鈥�58, guided the institution from insularity into full acceptance of activities that undergird a liberal arts college, including art, instrumental music, drama and intercollegiate athletics.

Now at 91短视频, students learn to study and use art transform the world, discover purpose, deepen faith, reach across generations and enter into healing spaces.

This timeline of the arts at Eastern Mennonite was created by Randi B. Hagi ’15 and editor Lauren Jefferson. It was reviewed by professors Jerry Holsopple, John Fast, Joan Griffing, John Horst, Heidi Winters Vogel, Stephen Sachs and Barbra Graber, as well as by Gretchen Maust ’73.

We welcome additions or comments. Please use the comment box at the end of this article.

***

1913

The first constitution specifies that was to be taught, and no instruments were permitted.

1918

Noah D. Showalter joins the faculty as the first music teacher. He has a certificate from the American Normal School of Music in Harrisonburg, and had studied voice under renowned teacher J.D. Brunk.

1920

Students form music groups for entertainment: duets, quartets, choruses, trios, octets and double mixed quartets.

1921

Commencement includes music.

1922

The first president, J. B. Smith, resigns because he has a piano in his home, which his oldest daughter plays. (Instrumental music was officially banned from Mennonite churches.) The Smith family returns to Ohio. He was replaced by A.D. Wenger, whose wife Anna May Wenger then gave up her pump organ in support, although she was later chastised for subsequently playing at someone else鈥檚 home.

C.K. Lehman directs 鈥淭he Holy City鈥� at commencement, which becomes an annual performance until 1970.

1923

The first issue of the Eastern Mennonite School Journal is published, as well as the first annual.

1924

A faculty quartet is formed. Seniors were allowed individual photos in the school annual.

1927

Virginia Conference forbids bishops, ministers and deacons from possessing musical instruments and urges all members to do the same. (This is rescinded in 1947).

鈥淎ny instrument playing rag-time music had to be deposited with the business manager or sent home,鈥� says the student handbook.

The first visual art classes are taught at the high school level by a home economics teacher.

1930

The 鈥淴-Hall鈥� or 鈥淕uild,鈥� a small building behind Northlawn Residence Hall, is built as an exercise hall, but is eventually used as a . It is now a storage space.

More than 70 percent of the student body (148 at the time) belonged to one of three campus choruses, which sang only hymns and only a capella (without instrumental accompaniment).

1937

The Mixed Choir makes the first tour to Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

1939

Mark Stauffer 鈥�35, Juilliard-trained and a Madison College graduate, is the first full-time music instructor and first faculty member with a music degree. He expands offerings beyond the previously offered two courses, to appreciation, voice, introduction to music, history of music, church music, theory and choral conducting. Stauffer will lead choirs through the 鈥�60s.

The Christmas Cantata, first offered by faculty as a gift to students, becomes a tradition.

The Weather Vane newspaper begins as a one-page mimeograph, growing to a two-page pamphlet by its third issue.

1943

Lehman Chapel is built as an all-purpose space for chapel, music and theater, among other activities.

1944

becomes the first art professor. She also teaches physical education until her retirement in 1987, but then continued teaching a watercolor class until 1996.

Skits are allowed but must be 鈥減urposeful rather than merely entertaining.鈥� Costuming is not allowed, but draping (wearing of clothes over regular attire) is.

1945

The Shenandoah annual is established.

1947

A second touring choir is formed by 24 members of the mixed chorus. They visit Ontario churches.

The original farmer鈥檚 cottage, located near the current seminary building, is converted to EMC鈥檚 first art building.

1948

The faculty council expresses mixed concerns, but not consensus, about student attendance at opera and Shakespeare productions.

Guitars, phonographs and other instruments are allowed to be played in the recreation room in the basement of Northlawn Residence Hall.

Earl M. Maust joins the faculty. He teaches until his death in 1969.

1949

A faculty committee recommends allowing the use of motion pictures for teaching.

1952

The record player for instructional purposes is allowed.

1954

WEMC begins, with singing and spoken broadcasts. No instrumental music recordings are allowed. .

1955

The faculty adopt a statement about dramatics that limits productions to less than full performances, with costuming and props kept to a minimum.

1956

The merge, and the Weather Vane changes to a newspaper format, including halftone photographs.

1958

The Phoenix, 91短视频鈥檚 literary and visual arts journal, is founded by Professor听I.B. Horst ’39. Literature professor J. Herbert Martin ’59 serves as its first editor.

1959

Films are shown once a month for entertainment purposes in the assembly room.

1960

The first full-length theater production, sponsored by the Smithsonian literary society, is The Diary of Anne Frank.

A Festival of Fine Arts features plays, lectures on the arts, art displays and musical presentations.

1961

The Windsock, the Eastern Mennonite High School newspaper, separates from the Weather Vane. The first are run in the Weather Vane.

1962

A piano is permitted in the music department for 鈥渢echnical studies.鈥�

Instrumental music is no longer banned on college radio broadcasts.

A piano is accepted as an alumni gift for the student lounge.

1963

The Piranha, the first underground student newspaper, forms in the face of administration censorship of the Weather Vane. Censorship was dropped the following year, and the Piranha died with it.

1965

A small student instrumental group forms, which soon grows to an orchestra led by music professor Ira Zook.

1968

The new opens, and with that, the largest classroom on campus is used as a recital hall, theater, and general performance space.

Faye Garber Yoder graduates as EMC鈥檚 first piano concentration under the music major.

1970

“Rebirth,” a student group, releases their first album after first playing together during the 1969 Miracle Fund Drive for the new Hartzler Library. The group eventually went on two tours and in 2016, released a third and final album. Read more .

The Board of Trustees approves the commission of painted portraits of the five college presidents, to be placed in the new Hartzler Library. This building is dedicated in October 1971, with the portraits, painted by Oliver Schenk, hanging in the second floor “President’s Room.”

1972

graduates as the first art major, earning a degree in secondary art education. The current art building is named after her, and her sculptures can be found around campus, such as the Love Essence white figures by the seminary. She founds the EMHS arts program, which she runs until 1980.

1976

Lehman Chapel is for essentially the first time, becoming EMC鈥檚 first performing arts auditorium, with sound equipment, side stage exits, dressing rooms, and a rehearsal hall.

1981

Barbra R. Graber ’76 becomes the first theater professor (specifically, assistant instructor in drama)

1981

The 91短视频 JAZZ, a big band ensemble, and Swing Sisters, a female vocal ensemble, begin under the direction of Professor Stephen Sachs.

1983

鈥淏asileas鈥� forms, an eight-member traveling drama and music group which performs in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania church and schools.

Also in 1983, a cast of eight actors in “Storm: An Improvisation on the Theme of the Sexes” bring in poetry, monologues, sketches and skits, scenes from larger plays, even cartoons that are then woven together into an original show that introduces the larger culture’s discussion of feminist ideas through humor and improvisation. “It was quite an undertaking!” Barbra Graber remembers. “The audiences were enthusiastic. Sociology professor John Eby and his wife pulled me aside after the show to say, ‘We wish we had seen this show about 20 years ago!'”

1985

Bradley Swope graduates as the first organ major.

1986

The Weather Vane switches to desktop computer publishing.

1991

Working with Ted Swartz 鈥�89, M.Div 鈥�92, Professor Barbra Graber ’76 co-founds and directs AKIMBO, an award-winning community-based professional theater with Mennonite themes and participants. The group continues until 1998. Members included Lee Eshleman ’86, Suzanne Kiblinger ’91 Kratz, Jeremy Frey ’92, Pamela Frey ’92, Rose Stauffer ’85, Ingrid DeSanctis ’88, Duane Sider, Nancy Good and Joy McIlvaine ’88.

1992

The , a week-long summer music festival, begins.

AKIMBO is commissioned to create the 75th anniversary theater production. Barbra Graber, Ted Swartz and Duane Sider collaborate听 in the playwriting.

Also in 1992, “HomecomingHome,” a collaboration of Kenneth J. Nafziger and Barbra Graber, presents dramatic and musical segments “on the theme of coming home听to the Body, as sacred temple;听to the Earth, where all things are connected;听to the Family, with the tragedy of abuse and dysfunction as well as the joy of togetherness;听and to Death, our natural place of rest.”

1996

“Drippings of the Honeycomb” is a theatrical multi-media performance based on portions of the Psalms and Proverbs. Barbra Graber says of this production that she may have never experienced “a more profound creative experience. We would begin each rehearsal going into quiet prayer and guided meditation on the chosen Psalm or Proverb. Then we would get up and begin to embody what came to us during the quiet time. It was truly profound. I had the distinct feeling that the text was somehow infusing us with creativity.”

1998

The first digital media classes are taught by Jerry Holsopple, then a part-time instructor.

2000

A communication major is created within the Language and Literature Department, with an emphasis on digital media. (The first full-time faculty member, in 2001, is Jerry Holsopple).

2002

Previously housed under the expansive Language and Literature Department, communication and theater become autonomous departments, moving along with art into the newly renovated University Commons office suite.

2003

Professor Ken J. Nafziger leads the along with Ysaye Maria Barnwell, a member of the renowned gospel group Sweet Honey in the Rock. From 1999 to 2003, when President Bill Clinton opened the doors to Cuba through education-centered travel permits, Nafziger made 11 music-centered trips.

2004

The jazz band plays its final season.

2006

Digital media and photography majors are added. The Visual and Communication Arts Department, known popularly as VACA, is the result of a merger between the communication department and the art department.

2007

WMRA picks up the WEMC broadcast, retaining Mostly Mennonite, Mostly A Cappella, hosted by emeritus professor John Horst, from 8-9:30 a.m. Sundays (encore at 8 p.m. Wednesdays). Also retained is the Park View Mennonite Church worship services, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. 91.7 FM and online at.

2008

Theater professor Heidi Winters Vogel and student Pam Mandigo ’08 found , a summer high school theater workshop. This program is supported by Arts Council of the Valley and 91短视频 with students from area high schools.

2009

Professor Cyndi Gusler introduces to 91短视频. The biannual Mennonite Church convention begins featuring the show.

2009-2010

Renovations in the older part of the University Commons create two new theater spaces, a new digital media lab and the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

2010

Into the Window is the first exhibition in the new Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery, featuring icons painted by Jerry Holsopple during his year in Lithuania as a Fulbright Scholar.

Phase II construction of the University Commons is completed, including the renovated 200-seat MainStage Theater, the relocated Lee Eshleman Studio Theater, the new Margaret Martin Gehman Art Gallery and the new Kenneth A. Longacre Sr. Advanced Media Lab. The facility is in the spring of 2011.

2011

The Bus Stop by Chinese Nobel Laureate dramatist Gao Xingjian inaugurates the new . 听This production was directed by Heidi Winters Vogel and featured original music by Frances Miller.

The new Studio Theater space is to actor Lee Eshelman ’86, who also worked in the 91短视频 print shop and as a graphic designer.

2011

Theater professor Heidi Winters Vogel co-founds the 鈥淚nside Out Playback Theatre鈥� group, which employs a form of improvisational drama based on audience storytelling, after participating in informal Summer Peacebuilding Institute workshops led by .

2013

by playwright and immigration lawyer Kara Hartzler ’94, directed by Heidi Winters Vogel, is invited to the Mennonite National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona.

Visual and Communication Arts Department merges with the Theater Department.

2015

Emulate, a touring ensemble, forms under the direction of Professor Ryan Keebaugh.

Jonathan Drescher-Lehman ’15 is the first 91短视频 student to win entrance into the prestigious North American Nature Photography Association College Scholars program. He produces a , with other scholarship recipients and professionals, about the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

2016

Professor Justin Poole and his wife, Amanda, lead the first in Central Europe. The group of 22 students attended 35 plays, visited 38 theaters, and produced their own dramatic piece about the different stages of cultural integration.

Professor Steven David Johnson鈥檚 conservation photography course is one of two in the United States highlighted by ; the other is taught at Stanford University.

2017

Jazz band with the help of student saxophonist Harrison Horst ’17 and director Greg Curry.

Macson McGuigan ’17 is the to win entrance into the prestigious North American Nature Photography Association College Scholars program. He produces a film, with other scholarship recipients and professionals, about a proposed Florida wildlife corridor.

“,” a 400-ton sculpture by Esther Augsburger ’72 and son Michael ’80, is mounted at 91短视频 after years of display in Washington D.C.

During Homecoming and Family Weekend, Ingrid De Sanctis 鈥�88 and Ted Swartz 鈥�89, MACL 鈥�92, are joined by alumni actors to debut听What we bring. What we take. What we leave.

The 10 x 10 x 100 , curated by Ashley Sauder Miller ’03, features six prominent alumni artists and their 100 works measuring 10 inches x 10 inches. A percentage of the sales will be donated to the 91短视频 arts program.

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Applied Social Sciences Department

Rachel Crist, Sarah Boshart, Harrison Horst and Samantha Jacob received honor cords signifying their membership into the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society from Dr. Carolyn Stauffer and Dr. Jenni Holsinger. 91短视频鈥檚 new chapter joins 650 other college chapters.

Biology and Chemistry Department

Janaya M. Sachs was named Outstanding Senior Chemistry Student, the highest award given to a chemistry/biochemistry major who demonstrates high academic achievement, significant research experience and the potential to contribute to the field. She will be recognized with other outstanding senior chemistry majors by the Virginia Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and was given a Merck Index by the ACS and the Merck Company. Read more about one of听 .

Tyler D. Denlinger and Robert H. Propst earned recognition as the Outstanding Senior Biology students, the highest award to acknowledge exceptional academic, scholarly and service accomplishments throughout a student鈥檚 career at 91短视频. The award also recognizes characteristics of initiative, wisdom, diligence, collegiality and integrity.

Kaylee M. Ferguson was given the Outstanding Service Award. Consideration is given to scholarship across the entire 91短视频 career, including research outside of the 91短视频 context, as well as qualities of leadership, citizenship, compassion, a commitment to working with others and the ability to place their 91短视频 experience with the context of service.

Diego C. Barahona earned the Excellence in Research Award for his exceptional performance in independent research, demonstrating initiative, integrity, knowledge of subject and high technical aptitude. Read more about one of his .

Leah C. Lapp was recognized as outstanding first-year chemistry student. Mario J. Hernandez was named outstanding second-year biology student.

Winners of the STEM poster contest, upperclass division are: first, Samantha Kauffman and Marchelle Smucker; second, Eli Wenger; third, Diego Barahona; honorable mention, Tyler Brenneman; Kyle Johnson and David Nester; Aron Harder, Austin Engle, Dylan Grove, James Paetkau, Ben Zook, Andrew Troyer and Collin Longenecker.

Winners of the STEM poster contest, underclass division are: first, Leah Lapp and Melissa Kinkaid; second, Seth Weaver and Jared Bergman; third, Linda Ouedraogo and Caroline Lehman.

Bible and Religion Department

The winners of an essay contest in the field of Bible, theology, church history and philosophy, sponsored by Haverim, the alumni association of Bible and Religion Department, were recognized. Justine Nolt won $300 and first place for her analysis of Eucharistic theology. Christina Hershey won $200 and second place for her treatment of Lancaster Mennonite Conference鈥檚 decision to leave Mennonite Church USA.听Janaya Sachs was awarded $100 and third place for her exegesis of 1 Corinthians 5.

Center for Justice and Peacebuilding

听The following students were recognized by Executive Director Daryl Byler: Caitlin Morneau, for publication of an article on restorative justice; Kajungu Mturi, for his work with Harrisonburg High School鈥檚 Peer Leaders program; Matt Tibbles, for work with youth at Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Boys and Girls Club; Jennifer Chi Lee, for overall leadership to CJP; and Myriam Aziz, Sho Igawa, Christine Kindler, Agnes Chen and Isabel Castillo for their Arts and Peacebuilding film productions.

Education Department

Five students were selected as Teachers of Promise by Don Steiner, interim department chair: Dorothy Hershey, Rebekah Hertzler, Erick Luna, Miranda Lyle and Amy Nussbaum. Teachers of Promise is a statewide honor recognizing gifted pre-service teachers.

Paul Lankford was awarded the Courage to Teach award, which is modeled after the principles of Quaker educator Parker Palmer. 鈥淧aul was selected for his dedication and effectiveness in teaching, genuine caring for students, value-based and highly principled behaviors, reflective thought and practice and a passion for teaching,鈥� Steiner said. Lankford was awarded a copy of Palmer鈥檚 Courage to Teach book.

History Department

Robert Cook was awarded the Outstanding History Student for his essay on Rockbridge County schools integration. A future social studies educator, he was awarded a copy of A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor.

Language and Literature Department

The following awards were presented by department chair Mike Medley:

• The Ray Elvin Horst Award for Excellence in Spanish: Maddie Gish
• Jay B. Landis Award (Literary essay): Jasmine Miller
• The Ervie L. Glick Award for Excellence in World Language Study: Anna Messer
• James Bomberger Award (TESOL): Jasmine Miller
• Carroll Yoder Award (English teaching): Quinn Kathrineberg
• Omar Eby Award (Creative writing): Kaitlin Abrahams

Mathematical Sciences Department

Junior Aron Harder was the winner of the department鈥檚 mathematics contest. Harder also won this contest as a first-year student. His prize was what Professor Owen Byer described as a 鈥渕ath geek鈥� t-shirt. Second place went to first-year Austin Engle.

Seven members of the Engineers for a Sustainable World club won first place in the first- and second-year undergraduate design team division at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Zone 2 Conference early March in Puerto Rico. Ben Zook, Dylan Grove, James Paetkau, Collin Longenecker, Austin Engle, Ben Stutzman and Andrew Troyer were recognized for their work.

Music Department

Jon Bishop was recognized as the Outstanding Senior in Music Composition Award. Jacinda Stahly earned the Outstanding Senior in Music Performance award.

Nursing Department

Professors Audrey Myers and Ann Schaeffer, Nursing Student Association (NSA) sponsors, presented the department鈥檚 annual awards.

Nina Simmons was given the Leadership Award, for her work in the NSA to involve all levels of students. She will work after graduation in the intensive care unit at Augusta Health.

Abbie Luther was given the Sacred Covenant Award. The sacred covenant is a model of nursing that honors the relationship between the nurse and the patient. 鈥淣ursing has shaped me and continues to shape me into embodying Christ in my everyday life,鈥� said Luther. 鈥淥ne of the biggest reasons I decided to study nursing was because it allowed me to be the hands and feet of Jesus. As my future as a nurse unfolds, my hope is that I stay grounded in this simple truth. Kindness, presence, grace, love and compassion will be my guiding light.鈥�

Leona Good听earned the Academic Achievement Award. 鈥淣ursing school has challenged me to step up because I know that my knowledge and education impacts the care I am able to give others. I am driven by the desire to be the best nurse I can be for my patients. As my journey into nursing begins this next year, I am looking forward to how my career will allow me to offer myself and form relationships with people in their most vulnerable times.鈥�

Visual and Communication Arts and Theater Department

Lila Marks received the Matthew Alan Styer VaCA Scholarship Grant for excellence and dedication to photography. 鈥淟ila is a passionate and compassionate documentary photographer of human encounters,鈥� said Steven David Johnson, department chair. Johnson added that Marks is an excellent student, receptive to critique and already approaching photography with a critical and professional acumen and interest. She is pursuing a vocation in humanitarian documentary photography.

The cast of earned a Certificate of Merit for Ensemble Acting from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The cast includes Jeremiah Hines, Dylan Peachy, Collin Dutt, Abigail Greaser, Emma Roth, Clara Bush, Robert Weaver and Esther Ajayi.

Greaser and Bush earned nominations for the Irene Ryan Acting Competition. Roth is an alternate.

Ezrionna Prioleau was recognized for her outstanding work in stage management for The 39 Steps and recommended for the KCACTF national competition in stage management.

Academic Success Center and Writing Program

Janaya Sachs was honored as Tutor of the Year. 鈥淪he has been a chemistry, mathematics, Bible and general-whatever-I-can-help-you-with-I-will-help-you-with tutor,鈥� said Linda Gnagey, director of the Academic Success Center. 鈥淲e want to thank Janaya for three years of support for many different students at many different academic levels and departments.鈥�

Graduating tutors were also recognized: Kaylee Ferguson (biology), Leona Good (nursing), Jacob Hertzler (computer science), Andre Kalend (biology and history), Lamar Kiser (nursing), Timothy Martin (mathematics) and Sam Miller (biology). Quinn Kathrineberg and Luisa Miller were recognized by Professor Vi Dutcher, director of the Writing Program.

Common Grounds Coffeehouse

鈥淐ommon Grounds Coffeehouse is routinely blessed to be led by exceptional students who give boundless creative energy and passion to their shared work,鈥� said Rachel Roth Sawatzky, student programs director. She recognized three of the five managers who are seniors: Stephanie Anders, events manager; Maddie Gish, operations manager; and Ryan Thomas, finance manager.

Read more about their contributions .

Student Government Association

The spring 2017 executive council was recognized: Quinn Kathrineberg, president; Mario Valladares, vice president; Keyri Lopez- Godoy, secretary; Rachel Holderman, vice president of marketing; and Tyler Denlinger, treasurer.

Spring 2017 senators are Dera Nwankwo, Nicole Litwiller, Rebecca Cardwell, Val Hernandez, Seth Weaver, John Sanchez, Ali Zuercher, Carlos Garcia, Lamar Kiser, Leah Wenger, Luke Mullet, Caroline Lehman, and Victoria Barnes.

Campus Activities Council

Seniors Ali Hartzler and Jeremiah Robinson were recognized by Mike Yoder, assistant director of student programs and orientation for their commitment and dedication to providing creative and positive entertainment that engages the entire student body. Hartzler has been involved for two years with the tech department and as vice-president this year. Robinson joined CAC this year. Both have been instrumental in planning a variety of events, including the Color Run at Homecoming, the Presidents Ball, and Springfest.

Campus Ministries

Pastoral assistants were recognized: Rachel Breidigan, Maddie List, Grayson Mast, Janaya Sachs, Hannah Shultz, Alexa Weeks and Brittany Williams.

Ministry assistants were recognized: Sarah Regan, Bekah Mongold, Madalynn Payne, Nathaniel Nissley, Cameron White, Alex Wissler, Andrew Troyer, Dylan Grove, Austin Sachs, Jenna Lile, Maia Garber, Seth Weaver, Abigail Shelly, Ariel Barbosa, Justin Odom, Taylor Allen, Clarissa White, Lydia Haggard, Lindsay Acker, Kyra Lehman, Janet Spain, and Joseph Harder.

Residence Life

听Seniors and community assistants Eli Wenger and Becky Barrett were recognized for three years of service. Wenger鈥檚 鈥渒ind and welcoming鈥� personality was noted as well as his ability to create enthusiastic participants in community.

Barrett 鈥渆ffortlessly gets along with all of her residents,鈥� said Tyler Goss, resident director. 鈥淪he is driven, organized and not afraid to speak up. She is a strong, grounded and welcoming leader.鈥�

Goss also recognized Matthew Hunsberger, who has been promoted to assistant director of residence life after many years as a residence director.

Athletics

All second-semester athletics award-winners were honored. Their accomplishments can be viewed .