Sizemore will read from his work Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. in Common Grounds Coffeehouse on the 黑料正能量 campus.

Sizemore himself was raised in the home of a fundamentalist Baptist preacher, where the King James Bible was he says in one interview. He graduated from Liberty Baptist Theological School, and earned an MFA聽from Seattle Pacific University in 2009. He teaches at Central Virginia Community College.

His short fiction has been published or is forthcoming in StoryQuarterly, Southern Humanities Review, Connecticut Review, Blue Mesa Review, 厂辞耻鈥檞别蝉迟别谤, and elsewhere.聽 Excerpts from his novel The Calling are published or forthcoming in Connecticut Review, Portland Review, Prick of the Spindle, Burrow Press Review, Relief, Rock & Sling, and Pithead Chapel.

Sizemore brings to his writing a 鈥渟harp sense of observation, of being able to see right into something to make it close,鈥� says assistant professor of English Chad Gusler, who got to know Sizemore when both were at a summer MFA residency in New Mexico. 鈥淗is characters are thrust into action immediately, and the places where his characters live out their lives are palpable and real. There鈥檚 a persistent pulse in his stories, a sneaky beat that sinks into a reader鈥檚 subconscious lingers there for quite some time.鈥�

Sizemore’s fiction has won the New Millennium Writings Award. In recognition of the edginess of his writing and its appeal to today鈥檚 youth, Sizemore鈥檚 work was nominated to 鈥淏est American Nonrequired Reading,鈥� an annual anthology of fiction and nonfiction works selected by a panel of high school readers.

His work has also been nominated for the prestigious .聽Nominations are聽limited to six entries per year from little magazine and small press editors, or from contributing editors to Pushcart Press, according to the prize鈥檚 website.

Sizemore has been a frequent contributor to on the evangelical channel of Patheos.com, where he has blogged about a myriad of topics, as related to Christian faith: food deserts, the World Cup, the movie 鈥淣oah,鈥� the Ken Ham-Bill Nye debate at nearby Liberty University, and parenting three children.

Epp is a political scientist in the University of Kansas’s School of Public Affairs and Administration, whose bibliography includes The Rights Revolution: Lawyers, Activists, and Supreme Courts in Comparative Perspective, the second most-cited work in its field written since 1990. At 黑料正能量, he will be presenting 鈥淭he Police and Racial Discrimination in Amercia鈥� as part of the Albert N. Keim Lecture Series.

Pulled Over will formally receive the American Society for Public Administration’s 鈥�2015 Best Book Award from the Section on Public Administration Research鈥� award at the organization’s conference in March this year. In the context of post-Ferguson America, academia had become increasingly interested in the discourse on modern, systemic racism, thus bringing attention to the work of Epp and his colleagues. Epp both relates the individual stories of police discrimination and decries the widespread effect of policies that allow this conduct.

鈥淧ervasive, ongoing suspicious inquiry sends the unmistakable message that the targets of this inquiry look like criminals: they are second-class citizens,鈥� states the Washington Monthly article. 鈥淲hile investigatory stops do enable police to find some lawbreakers and get them off the streets, they also undermine the minority community’s trust in law enforcement and thereby its willingness to share information vital to good police work.鈥�

A talkback will follow the lecture at 6 p.m. in Common Grounds. Epp will be joined by Officer Chris Monahan of the Harrisonburg City Police Department in answering questions and facilitating discussion. The talk-back, co-sponsored by the Black Student Union, invites the community to come hear, share, and process stories of being pulled over, as well as their societal implications.

Then, again, this is a Christian university that says it is 鈥渓ike no other.鈥�

The week was intended to encourage both interfaith dialogue and intercultural awareness, said , 黑料正能量鈥檚 director of and .

Events included a lecture on Muslim prayer practices, a 叠补丑谩鈥櫭� devotional, worship services conducted in the Orthodox, Mennonite, and Methodist traditions, a lecture on Jewish faith practices on death and dying, an interactive faith talkback, and an international food festival.

The week opened Friday, Sept. 12, with the Islam-themed talk, sponsored by . 鈥淩eligions are the most important part of our cultures,鈥� said , at the beginning of his hour-long lecture about the history of Islam, basic Islamic beliefs, and what the ritual Islamic prayer practice (Salat) looks and sounds like.

Lectures, prayers, incense, music

Monday morning, a mostly different group of 黑料正能量 community members gathered into a tight circle in the 黑料正能量 Discipleship Center. The facilitator, senior Julie Huffer, welcomed the group and briefly explained how the 叠补丑谩鈥櫭� devotional would run. Several participants were given yellow strips of paper containing portions of a single scriptural passage. Like Akrami, Huffer took time to explain the basic history and beliefs of 叠补丑谩鈥櫭璼 before moving into the main part of her program, which included hearing the words on the yellow strips, experiencing silence and prayer, and listening to music from a 叠补丑谩鈥櫭� artist, before breaking for refreshments.

Rabbi Joe Blair鈥檚 explanation of Jewish practices on death and dying was both interesting and educational on Monday afternoon. 鈥淚 learned that the Jewish tradition has a specific process of honoring the souls that have passed and honoring the family that has lost them,鈥� said Huffer. 鈥淚t was interesting because I didn鈥檛 know that in Judaism they have such a specific process.鈥�

Held in Martin Chapel, both the Mennonite and Methodist worship services 鈥� Tuesday and Thursday, respectively 鈥� were sponsored by the , which is accredited by both denominations. They both included hymns, a short message on church history, and what a typical service looks like.

The thurible emitted a faint waft of incense as the priest swung it back and forth in front of the makeshift altar he was blessing in Lehman Auditorium on Wednesday. Although he later explained that his church, , was affiliated with a 鈥渟imple鈥� branch of Orthodox Christianity, the beautiful icons, heavy, ornately embroidered priest-robes, and formal blessing ceremony seemed mysterious and involved to eyes used to 鈥減lain鈥� Mennonite worship practices.

Eye-opening for students

鈥淚t was eye-opening and refreshing to participate and experience another faith tradition,鈥� said senior Philip Yoder, raised Mennonite. 鈥淚 never realized they codified their faith tradition in the 10th century, and they have been worshiping the same way ever since. Even though the practices were old, they infused the service with heartfelt prayers for the students and professors at 黑料正能量, and that was pretty cool.鈥�

On Thursday evening, around 50 people gathered in to view the Faces of 黑料正能量 Exhibit and participate in an 鈥渋nteractive faith talk-back.鈥� The evening included playing get-acquainted games, circulating through the exhibit, chatting, writing impressions on a large sheet of newsprint, and watching a short movie about the two largest minority groups on campus, Hindus and Muslims (from the series on the YouTube channel SoulPancake).

Senior Jordan Luther said 鈥渋t was neat鈥� to move beyond the Christian majority on campus and have his eyes opened to the religious minorities in the 黑料正能量 community.

Popular food festival

By far, the most-attended event of the week was Friday鈥檚 International Food Fest and Games. This is perhaps to be expected since the time of the event did not conflict with classes or most work-study schedules, and the email reminder sent out by Lepley encouraged people to 鈥渂ring your taste buds鈥� to partake of enticingly described international foods.

Over 30 vendors prepared food that represented cultures in Saudi Arabia, Korea, Nepal, Kenya and Italy, among others. Students, faculty, staff and other community members intermingled together over what could be described as 鈥渁 diverse fellowship of believers鈥� or 鈥渋nterfaith communion.鈥� With the Food Fest, the organizers of International Education Week showcased the different faith traditions present at 黑料正能量 in a common space where everyone could laugh, break bread and celebrate their diversity.

The week was organized in conjunction with 黑料正能量鈥檚 International Student Organization, led by junior聽聽of Somali origin and senior Sun Ju Lee of South Korea; the , led by Carmen Witmer; the , represented by ; Cross Cultural Programs, represented by , and , led by

I鈥檓 big on reading books (no TV at home when growing up) and consider myself decently informed about the university that I鈥檒l be getting a degree from in December, but I had never heard of the Common Read until I was asked to write an 黑料正能量 news blog about it. Along with the assignment came the 2014-15 Common Read book, The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains.

The book proved to be fascinating and sobering 鈥� ironically, it聽 explains why people of my 18-22 age group and younger would be highly unlikely to actually read all 228 pages of The Shallows. Not unless it was assigned, tested, and graded for credit, or otherwise read under some form of duress.

The idea behind the Common Read 鈥� as gathered from national collegiate news accounts and interviews at 黑料正能量 鈥� is a good one. 鈥淐ampus common reading programs rest on a simple idea: that reading the same book brings people closer together as a community by creating common ground for discussion,鈥� at the in 2006.

Breaking out of our narrow circles

Put another way, 黑料正能量 hopes an interesting book, read by all, can help us to break out of departmental or athletic or musical social circles and meet others. In 2012-13, 309 colleges and universities had common reading programs, with 190 book titles selected, usually centering on themes of social justice, sustainability, diversity, and economic justice, according to .

Here at 黑料正能量, for two years in a row, a Common Read book has been selected by our Intellectual Life Committee, consisting of six faculty members from different departments, a couple of student leaders, the campus pastor, a librarian, the provost and the provost鈥檚 assistant.

The inaugural book selection for 2013-14 was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. (I somehow missed this announcement, perhaps because I was on a cross-cultural that fall and at the in the spring.) 黑料正能量 provided all incoming first-year students a free copy of this book, but members of the Intellectual Life Committee interviewed for this article seemed unsure how many students actually read the book.

Several events related to the book were held throughout the year, including Tuesday lunch discussions and sessions, but by all accounts these were not well attended by students.

Students reading books for pleasure?

This may be par for today鈥檚 course. A by the National Endowment for the Arts found that 74% to 80% of college freshmen and seniors read 0鈥�4 books on their own during the school year.

鈥淲e were trying to get people to talk to each other,鈥� said professor , who is on the Intellectual Life Committee. 鈥淲e wanted to encourage people to connect with the mission outside of their classes.鈥�

Ashley Thorne, one of the Common Read researchers at the National Association of Scholars, : 鈥淎cross the campuses, they aren鈥檛 doing the same courses, they鈥檙e not reading the same books. So colleges want to give them something common intellectually鈥�. This is a chance to do that.鈥�

Ironically, this year鈥檚 Common Read book may offer insights for the poor student participation in the program. In The Shallows, Carr argues that the Internet is rewiring our brains to be efficient in filtering through the vast stores of information available at click of a mouse. But being efficient at filtering information quickly is inhibiting our ability to engage in 鈥渄eep reading.鈥�

It鈥檚 not that people aren鈥檛 reading, Carr explains, it is that they are not reading books anymore. People read blogs, online social networks, use newspaper 鈥渁pps鈥� that give highlights or headlines, and visit Wikipedia for research papers. The nature of information cultivation is changing.

Seven events planned for 2014-15

With the advent of the Internet age, and perhaps demise of the reading one, university scholarship will change dramatically. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 book is far more about what the nature of the university is going to be,鈥� Kishbaugh told me, while last year鈥檚 was more about cross-cultural understanding.

Perhaps as the nature of university scholarship shifts, so will the nature of the Common Read until it is a Common Blog or a Common Video Series. If so, I will be among the dinosaur-types who will long for a return to a book, where you can immerse yourself in a well-developed stream of thought and ponder its implications, as I have with The Shallows.

Seven events are planned at 黑料正能量 for 2014-15 on the themes raised by The Shallows, beginning with a 鈥渇aculty response鈥� over lunch on Oct. 28 featuring Jerry Holsopple, Walt Surratt, and Dee Weikle in the West Dining Room. The other events and more information about the program can be found .

Penner released her debut novel-in-stories, Shaken in the Water (Foxhead Books), in April 2013.

鈥淭he reality of the world Jessica Penner creates in Shaken in the Water is never quite what it appears to be: love can so swiftly shift-shape into hatred, rage into compassion, understanding into rejection and longing,” said Rudy Wiebe, a Canadian Mennonite author. “But for the reader there is always the voice calling, 鈥楬erein!鈥� 鈥� 鈥楥ome in!鈥�”

Penner has been published in Bellevue Literary Review, Center for Mennonite Writing, Rhubarb and the anthology Tongue Screws and Testimonies. She won an honorable mention for the short story 鈥淗omebody鈥� in Open City鈥檚 RRofihe Trophy contest and an honorable mention for the essay 鈥淢ustard Seed鈥� in Bellevue Literary Review鈥檚 Burns Archive Prize for nonfiction.

“Mustard Seed” was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

“In both story and memoir forms, Jessica’s voice is unflinchingly confessional,” said Kirsten Beachy, assistant professor of English at 黑料正能量. “As she reveals the hidden moments of her character’s lives at her reading, you may begin to wonder whether she knows your secrets, too.”

Penner earned a BA in theater and English at 黑料正能量 and a MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. She previously taught English to international students at James Madison University and currently resides in New York City.

For more information on Penner visit the .

More information

Sign-language interpretation is available upon request. Admission is free but a donation is encouraged.

A husband-and-wife team from Tehran, Iran, Amir Akrami and Sheida Shakouri Rad are splitting a faculty position at the CIE, supported by a grant from the . Akrami, who holds a PhD in the philosophy of religion, will teach an 鈥渋ntroduction to Islam鈥� course this fall. Shakouri Rad will teach a course this fall on 鈥渨omen and Islam,鈥� the topic of her doctoral dissertation.

Next spring, Akrami will teach a course called 鈥淚slamic spirituality鈥� and co-teach a 鈥渃omparative monotheisms鈥� course, while Shakouri Rad will teach Farsi and a course on 鈥渨omen, politics and Islam in Iran.鈥� The classes are open to both undergraduate and graduate students at 黑料正能量, as well as members of the public who want to audit a course.

鈥淭hey are both tremendous resources for our center and the university,鈥� says CIE Director Ed Martin, who spent years working in the Middle East with , first meeting Akrami about a decade ago.

In 2010, when Akrami came to Indiana for a conference at Notre Dame University, Martin helped arrange several events for him on the East Coast, including a program at 黑料正能量. Several years later, after the CIE had secured funding to hire a visiting scholar, Akrami was one of more than a dozen Islamic scholars to apply for the job. He arrived in Harrisonburg last fall and was joined by Shakouri Rad in December. (During the hiring process, Martin wasn鈥檛 aware that she was also an academic of religion, making the whole affair a surprise two-for-one deal of sorts).

Coffeehouse-style conversations on Iranian culture

In addition to their teaching, Akrami and Shakouri Rad will lead a series of monthly, informal coffeehouse-style programs on campus about Iranian life and culture, topics unfamiliar to most Americans. The first one, about the recent presidential elections in Iran, will be held at at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12.

The couple has a son in college in Montreal and a daughter studying clinical psychology at the University of Tehran, where Akrami and Shakouri Rad both earned their undergraduate and master鈥檚 degrees. Shakouri Rad says the transition from Tehran, a city with more than 8 million residents, to Harrisonburg has had it ups 鈥� plenty of peace and quiet 鈥� and downs 鈥� sort of isolated-seeming.

Since their arrival, both have enjoyed getting to know new colleagues and neighbors at 黑料正能量, as well as getting firsthand experience with Mennonite culture and faith.

Values in Valley feel similar to heart of Islam

Shakouri Rad said the commitment to simplicity, open-heartedness and compassion she鈥檚 seen since coming to Harrisonburg feels very similar to the values that lie at the heart of her Islamic faith, despite different theological and cultural expressions they鈥檙e given.

Akrami agrees, noting that the two of them have been struck by the warm welcome they鈥檝e received at and around 黑料正能量. Exploring and understanding the core similarities between different faiths, when external ritual and tradition are pared away (e.g., how profound belief in and worship of God is reflected in daily life), Akrami says, is one of the valuable aspects of interfaith exchange.

鈥淭he specific way in which I worship God may not occur within a Christian church,鈥� says Akrami, who has led and participated in interreligious dialogue in Iran and elsewhere for years. 鈥淏ut those differences don鈥檛 mean that the other traditions are deviant or out-of-line.鈥�

He and his wife hope they are the first in a long line of visiting scholars at the Center for Interfaith Engagement.

This is just the beginning

鈥淚 hope this doesn鈥檛 end here. There should always be people from other religions here, teaching and engaging with the community,鈥� says Shakouri Rad.

According to Martin, that is precisely the plan. The CIE is now searching for a Jewish scholar to join the faculty, and intends to keep bringing academics from different religious backgrounds to teach classes at the university.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important these days to have knowledge, understanding and be comfortable interacting with people of other faiths,鈥� says Martin.

Below is a of orientation activities and opportunities to meet professors, staff and other students at 黑料正能量.

First-year students

First-year students should check in at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, on the upper level of .

Transfer students

Transfer students should arrive for residence hall move-in at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, then check-in for orientation activities at 2:30 p.m., in Common Grounds coffeehouse, located on the lower level of .

Parents

Parent activities are scheduled through 1 p.m. Sunday, August 26. Throughout orientation you鈥檒l be meeting with your child鈥檚 professors, learning about campus, and helping to define what this time will be like for your son or daughter.

Information is also available for and .

At a Jan. 12, 8:30 p.m., , Guyton鈥檚 topic will be 鈥淐ontentiously Mennonite: My Journeys in Anabaptism.鈥� At a on Jan. 16, at 10 a.m., Guyton will speak on attaining dreams by squarely facing old fears and putting hope in Christ, even when it seems risky, as King did.

Guyton also knows about taking risks. He started his adult life on a proven path to success by first earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree at the prestigious United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and then serving as a U.S. Air Force officer stationed in Norfolk, Va.

Somewhere in his journey, however, he began to feel that Jesus was calling him to be 鈥渟ubversive and radical鈥� in his witnessing of the Gospel and to question America鈥檚 glorification of power, wealth and violence.

Influenced by his future wife Cyndi, Guyton became deeply involved in a Mennonite church in Hampton, Va., Calvary Community Church. He became a conscientious objector and withdrew from the military in 1998. For 17 years Guyton held various ministry roles in Calvary, including youth pastor. By 2006, Calvary had the largest membership of any Mennonite church in the United States. Calvary is led and largely populated by African Americans.

In 2009, Guyton joined the staff of . He now works from San Antonio, Texas, as the church鈥檚 national director of constituent resources.

Part of Guyton鈥檚 responsibilities is giving leadership to anti-racism work within the Mennonite Church. 鈥淎s our church seeks to become anti-racist, the dominant group must have accountability to the racial/ethnic constituency in the decision making process,鈥� says Guyton.

A dynamic personality, Guyton has spoken to thousands of youth and adults in the United States, Jamaica, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana. He holds a master鈥檚 degree in education from Regent University. The Guytons are the parents of a 14-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son.

Tribute Weekend

In addition to Guyton, 黑料正能量 will hold an ongoing multimedia presentation from Friday, Jan. 13 – Monday, Jan. 16., in front of the student life suite on the second floor of University Commons.

All events are open to the public.

Sept. 11 brought devastating loss to thousands of people in New York City, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and around the world. It changed our worldview from “before 9/11” to “after 9/11.”

“As a community of learning committed to walking boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace, 黑料正能量’s thoughts on this anniversary turn聽towards peace and the ongoing hope that聽people of聽varied faiths and traditions can unite聽around common values and aspirations,” said Fred Kniss, PhD, provost of 黑料正能量. “From our various disciplinary and faith perspectives, we want to explore the important and complex questions that the events of 9/11 and afterwards pose for our global well-being.”

What have we learned? How have we changed? 黑料正能量 is offering resources and events to provide a perspective on those questions.

“We hope they will help our students and community to gain a richer understanding of the challenges that face us today,” said Kniss.

贰惫别苍迟蝉听

Planned events provide opportunity for corporate and individual lament, prayer and聽processing as a local and campus community.

Saturday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m., interfaith gathering, 鈥淭urning toward Peace,鈥� Court Square, downtown Harrisonburg, co-sponsored by 黑料正能量鈥檚 Center for Interfaith Engagement and others.

The time will include reflections, poetry, singing, inspiration and artistic expression for peace.聽 This gathering welcomesChristians, Muslims, Jews, persons in faith or no faith traditions, students and families. The event is open to persons of all ages.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 1 p.m., National Moment of Remembrance. 黑料正能量 will toll the bells at Lehman Auditorium for one minute.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., outdoor gathering for reflection, singing, prayer and thoughts on turning toward hope for reconciliation and peace in our world.聽 Sponsored by 黑料正能量 Campus Ministries. Located on the hill behind the 黑料正能量 Campus Center.

Sunday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m., faculty and staff forum on how their work has been shaped and changed by the events of Sept. 11. Panelists will include , PhD, director of and professor in the ; Carolyn Yoder, PhD, founder and trainer with 黑料正能量鈥檚 program; and and t from 黑料正能量’s . The forum will be held in Common Grounds Coffee House in the lower level of University Commons. The event is free and open to the public.

Resources

Publication of an e-book, “STAR, The Unfolding Story, 2001-2011, a 9/11 commemorative edition,”聽 celebrates the birth and phenomenal growth of 黑料正能量’s trauma healing and training program, STAR, which grew out of 9/11 and has gone on to touch thousands of lives all over the world.

黑料正能量’s thoughts on this anniversary point聽towards peace and the ongoing hope that聽people of聽varied faiths and traditions can unite聽around common values and aspirations.

黑料正能量 hopes these events and resources will generate energy to聽“walk boldly in the way of nonviolence and peace,” a stated goal from .

On Saturday, Mar. 26, 2011, facilities that comprise “Phase II” of the $2.5 million University Commons project will be dedicated in ceremonies starting at 1 p.m. in the renovated Mainstage Theater on ground floor of the Commons.

The brief ceremonies will include comments from 黑料正能量 President Loren Swartzendruber, remarks by undergraduate academic dean Nancy Heisey and a litany written by Jay B. Landis, professor emeritus of English.

SGA co-presidents, Benjamin Bergey and Michael Spory, and 黑料正能量 Board Chair, Andy Dula, will participate in the litany.

Following the program, persons will have opportunity to view the Phase II facilities:

• Mainstage Theater
• Lee Eshleman Studio Theater
• Kenneth A. Longacre, Sr. Advanced Media Lab
• enlarged Common Grounds Coffeehouse
• Margaret Martin Gehman Art Gallery

黑料正能量 personnel will lead tours on a rotating basis between 1:45 and 3:30 p.m. Each presentation will last around 15 minutes.

The new or upgraded facilities will serve students and the larger community in significant ways:

• The renovated Main Stage Theater seats 200, nearly 10 percent more than the previous space. Renovations immediately apparent include a more gracious entry, new seating and curtains and better audience lighting and aisle lights. With all that, the intimacy and semi-thrust form of the previous configuration has been retained. New technology includes new stage lighting and sound reinforcement equipment, a high-intensity LCD projector and automated rigging systems for accessing the over-stage equipment. The best part: completely new dressing rooms, adjacent to the stage house, including shower and changing rooms for men and women, 12 makeup stations, laundry facilities, and a “green room” lounge area.
• The relocated Studio Theater, named for the late Lee Eshleman, a 1986 黑料正能量 art graduate, provides the theater community with a flexible space for producing plays in an infinitely variable setting. Called a “black box” because of its neutral color and shape, it is capable of becoming any form of stage with the addition of portable seating risers and stage scenery. Included in the new space are a permanent balcony ready for actors, crew, or even audience members, new stage lights and lighting control system, and an all-over automated lighting grid for ease of access and maximum flexibility. Of particular advantage is the new location’s close access to Common Grounds for intermission or after-show refreshments and conversation.
• The new Margaret Martin Gehman art gallery will provide a beautifully designed and illuminated space for 黑料正能量 students and guest artists to exhibit their work. The 31′ by 21′ gallery is a tribute to the energy andpassion of Dr. Margaret Martin Gehman, professor emeriti of art, who taught and inspired decades of art students at 黑料正能量.
• The new advanced media Lab, named in memory of the late Kenneth A. Longacre, Sr., will allow classes to expand from nine to 15 students in each class. The computer pods are set up to encourage collaborative work and enable the critique process. The projection system – the old lab didn’t have one – offers high-definition projection for video and near color-accurate images for photography. The open space allows camera and lighting demos to be carried out within the lab along with tables to do alternative processes. Proximity to faculty offices encourages increased student faculty interaction and feedback.
• The Phase II renovation gives Common Grounds Coffeehouse an overall seating area increase, allowing students to have more space to study, meet and socialize. The most noticeable change is a sound/light booth and a stage for performances and events. The stage is made from maple floor removed from the old gymnasium. For the first time, Common Grounds has a window to the outside world, bringing in natural light from the south. Other aesthetic improvements include: exposing the original brick walls, polishing the original concrete, painting the ceiling and updating the light fixtures. Not to be overlooked is the first real climate-control system, giving the space both air conditioning and heat. The student manager’s office was moved to join the space, giving the whole student staff much more opportunity to collaborate and interact on the job.

A presentation of the spring 黑料正能量 Theater production, “The Bus Stop” by Gao Xingjian, will take place 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Main Stage Theater.

Activities will conclude with a concert of original acoustic music from Denay and Friends at 9 p.m. in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse.

“The dedication of the Commons Phase II renovation project marks the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams of many people,” says Kirk L. Shisler, vice president for advancement.

“It is gratifying to see the completion of this project after years of planning and then, more recently, a breakthrough of several large contributions that fueled it to fruition. A strong sense of collaboration among faculty, physical plant and administration also enhanced the project,” Shisler added.

For more information on the day’s events, contact Laura Daily in the advancement division office at laura.daily@emu.edu; phone: 540-432-4203.

Three traveling minstrels from Mennofolk, an international Mennonite folk music festival, will perform in at 黑料正能量 Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 9 p.m. at Common Grounds coffeehouse.

, of Chicago, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and local talent Alex Albright of Harrisonburg will present a song-swapping format, showcasing their unique mix of folk, Appalachian blues and newly-written, funky vintage sounds.

Rachel Ries hails from a Mennonite community in the vast expanses of South Dakota, where she first began raising her melodious and lilting voice while learning to appreciate country living. She currently resides in Chicago’s west side.

Singer Rachel Ries

Ms. Ries is classically trained in voice, piano, violin and viola, but her music has long since evolved into her own, less classifiable, sound – a bit country, a bit lullaby, and maybe a bit siren song. With an adventurous ear for melody and a voice flexible enough to accomplish it, she delivers sweet and often sad, intelligent songs.

Ries has also worked with members of the Goldmine Pickers, an Indiana band that recently played at the Little Grill in Harrisonburg, and together they played well-received shows in Ireland/N. Ireland in November 2003. She will be performing this time with friend Louis Ledford, also from Chicago.

Andru Bemis, another Mennonite performer, has played violin for 22 years, guitar for eight and banjo for two. His self-taught fingerstyle guitar and banjo method and his high plaintive voice immediately set his music apart from that of most contemporary singer-songwriters. Wendy Chappell-Dick, organizer of the Mennofolk festival, describes Bemis as "a young man who sings like a 30