A meeting of 黑料正能量 and Harrisonburg city officials on Aug. 7 marked a milestone in representation, bringing together the city鈥檚 first refugee council member (Nasser Alsaadun MA 鈥�17 [education]), its first Black woman mayor (Deanna Reed), and 黑料正能量鈥檚 first Black woman president (Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus). 

The liaison committee meeting was also attended by Deputy City Manager Amy Snider, filling in for City Manager Ande Banks 鈥�97; Melissa Heatwole, director of continuing education and events at 黑料正能量; and Amy Springer Hartsell 鈥�92, executive advisor to the president at 黑料正能量. The committee aims to identify ways the city and university can partner together to better serve the needs of the community. James Madison University has a similar committee, and Mayor Reed said she felt it was important that both universities had a voice. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 no Harrisonburg without 黑料正能量 and there鈥檚 no 黑料正能量 without Harrisonburg,鈥� she said. 

Dr. Dycus, who began her role as 黑料正能量鈥檚 interim president on July 1, spoke about the importance that 黑料正能量 places on community. 鈥淲e want to grow leaders, whether that鈥檚 high schoolers coming straight into their undergraduate careers or whether that鈥檚 business leaders who want to get new skills,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e know we are part of making Harrisonburg stronger, our community stronger, and that we are all doing that together in different ways.鈥�

The university celebrated its second-best fundraising year on record in 2024-2025, Dycus shared, and enrollment figures have increased by a significant amount over last year. She also spoke about 黑料正能量鈥檚 new pickleball and tennis courts. 鈥淚f you drive down Park Road, it is abuzz,鈥� she said.

Committee members received an update on Royals Go Downtown. Now in its fourth year, the annual event brings together hundreds of students for a walking tour of restaurants and businesses, sampling foods and collecting giveaways, before gathering at a DJ-led dance party. This year鈥檚 event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Much of the discussion centered around the community鈥檚 need for interpreter services. Councilman Alsaadun wondered whether 黑料正能量鈥檚 Intensive English Program (IEP) might be able to help fill the gap in interpreter training. The program has a reputation among the local immigrant community as 鈥渢he best in the area,鈥� he said. 鈥淔rom Winchester to Charlottesville, you guys are the best there is.鈥�

The liaison committee will meet next in November. 

Jake Bell serves as president and CEO of Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC) in Harrisonburg. As a seasoned executive leader with more than 20 years of experience in faith-based senior living, his expertise is in leading strategic change, preserving organizational missions, and expanding service offerings. 

Prior to VMRC, Bell served as president and CEO of Christian Horizons, a faith-based senior living organization with eleven locations across four states. He also served as chief operating officer for Lutheran Senior Services and as president and CEO of Catholic Health East Trinity Health.

Jake holds bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in zoology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma State University, respectively. He also earned an MS in administration of long-term care and retirement facilities from the University of North Texas.

Jess King 鈥�96 has spent her career as a leader and social entrepreneur in the civic sector. She serves as the founding executive director of the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting local journalism and boosting the community鈥檚 relationship with news media.聽

Her prior experience includes serving as the chief of staff for the City of Lancaster; as executive director of ASSETS Lancaster, an organization that helps people achieve better lives through entrepreneurship; and leading economic development in Pittsburgh.

King earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in liberal arts from 黑料正能量 and an MBA from Bard College. She and her husband, Chad, have two daughters.

Bruce Thomas 鈥�85 is a CPA and shareholder at the accounting firm Detweiler, Hershey & Associates in Souderton, Pennsylvania. He has extensive experience in tax and financial statement compliance, quality control, and business consulting, serving individuals, family-owned businesses, and nonprofit organizations. 

Thomas earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting from 黑料正能量. He has held leadership and committee roles on several nonprofit boards, both church-related and community-based. 

He and his wife, Joy, are members of Blooming Glen Mennonite Church. They have two adult children, Ryan 鈥�17 and Anika 鈥�19.

A list of all board members is located at the President鈥檚 Office webpage.

President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman has announced her retirement from 黑料正能量 effective at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. Dr. Huxman is completing her second term and will retire after having served nine years as 黑料正能量鈥檚 ninth president and first woman president.

At a town hall on Friday for faculty and staff, Dr. Huxman said: 鈥淲hat a joy and privilege it is to serve 黑料正能量 every day, to run the good race and keep the faith, [but] I think it鈥檚 time for me to round the last lap and lean into the finish line.鈥� Dr. Huxman shared both for making the decision to retire.

During her tenure, Dr. Huxman advanced the university鈥檚 strategic direction; created a more welcoming and inclusive community; sharpened 黑料正能量鈥檚 mission, vision and values; and leaned into its Anabaptist heritage and core scriptural mandate to 鈥渄o justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.鈥� (Micah 6:8) Dr. Huxman led the university in setting a fundraising record during 黑料正能量鈥檚 Centennial year and is now steering 黑料正能量 through the second year of its first-ever comprehensive campaign for people, programs and facilities, Forward Together: Preparing Tomorrow鈥檚 Unifying Leaders 2023-2028. A new state-of-the-art track & field complex will be dedicated at Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024.

鈥淒r. Huxman has provided many years of dedicated leadership to 黑料正能量, including stability and guidance through the global pandemic. Her contributions will have a lasting impact on the university, and on behalf of the 黑料正能量 Board of Trustees, I am forever grateful for her extraordinary service,鈥� said board chair Manuel Nu帽ez.

Nu帽ez added that Dr. Huxman, who was elected 2025 chair of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, 鈥渉as engaged with and promoted the compelling stories of 黑料正能量鈥檚 finest ambassadors鈥� students, faculty, staff, board members, donors, alumni, and community members.鈥� This championing has resulted in an increased visibility and profile for 黑料正能量 in Harrisonburg, across Virginia, and beyond.

Dr. Huxman has served for more than 35 years in higher education in a variety of academic and leadership roles including as president of Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, from 2011-2016 and as director of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University from 2004-2011. She began her academic career at Wake Forest University. Dr. Huxman has been on the board of Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) and of Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Dr. Huxman holds a bachelor of arts in English from Bethel College (Kansas) and a master of arts and PhD in communication from the University of Kansas.

The board will immediately move to form a search committee for an interim president who is expected to start on July 1, 2025.

Rooted in the values of academic excellence, peace and justice, and an active faith shaped by Anabaptist-Mennonite beliefs and practices, 黑料正能量 offers undergraduate, graduate and seminary degrees that prepare students to serve and lead in a global context. A leader among faith-based universities, 黑料正能量 was founded in 1917 in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and has a site in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; students can study in person or online.

James Diller is a strategic advisor to investors, corporate and nonprofit boards, senior executives, and entrepreneurs. His 30-year career spans corporate finance, governance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, and workouts; it includes 12 years at a Fortune 500 company where he led corporate financial strategy teams and navigation of the global financial crisis. Diller founded Long View Capital Advisors, LLC in 2020.

His professional career began at an international economic development consulting firm where he provided financial guidance and managerial support to agri-business development projects in Africa and Asia. Diller also served with Eastern Mennonite Missions in France, Sweden, and Hong Kong. He grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, attending Mennonite and Church of the Brethren congregations.

A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder, Diller is a graduate of American University and Hesston College. He and his wife, Jolene Houser 鈥�81, live in Poolesville, Maryland.

Mathew Koshy is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite High School (鈥�74) and holds a PhD in applied mathematics (鈥�83) from Stony Brook University with an emphasis in numerical analysis. He taught mathematics at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the California State University system for five years. Since then, he has worked as a research mathematician, computer scientist and engineer specializing in imaging, statistical signal processing, and semiconductor design and analysis at the University of California San Francisco and at several companies in California鈥檚 Bay Area.

Koshy and his wife, Rebecca, live in San Mateo, California, and are active members of the Burlingame Presbyterian Church where he has served as a member of the Session and Board of Trustees. The couple has two adult sons, who live in California and Texas.

A list of all board members is located at the President鈥檚 Office webpage.

The statement was sent to all 黑料正能量 faculty, staff and students at the Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, campuses. The full text of the statement, titled 鈥淎 Path Forward: 黑料正能量鈥檚 Statement on Peace and Justice in Israel-Palestine,鈥� will be posted online at .

In the statement, 黑料正能量 President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, with support from the 黑料正能量 Board of Trustees, urges Congress and the Presidential Administration to:

• Call for a significant humanitarian pause 鈥� including a cease-fire in Gaza 鈥� to save lives.
• Prioritize and protect all civilians, securing humanitarian aid into Gaza and working to secure the release of all hostages; and
• Urge all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law. 

鈥淭he significant loss of life, as well as torture, abuse, and mass starvation occurring among innocents 鈥� mostly women and children 鈥� are war crimes,鈥� the statement reads. 鈥淭his is unconscionable. The United States cannot remain complicit in violating international law while, at the same time, calling itself the beacon of human rights and freedom.鈥�

It further states that excerpts from the statement will be sent to members of the U.S. Congress who represent Virginia, as well as the Biden Administration. 

黑料正能量鈥檚 commitments to peace and justice in Israel and Palestine were first outlined on Dec. 6, 2023, in a 鈥淩eaffirmation of 黑料正能量 as a Peace and Justice University鈥� message that followed its “Prayer for Peace in Israel and Palestine” in October. President Huxman鈥檚 recent statement serves as an updated response to the growing atrocities in Israel and Palestine.

This week, 黑料正能量 students, faculty and staff have organized peaceful actions to call on support for a cease-fire. Since Monday morning, students have been ringing the campus bell every four seconds for the more than 33,000 people killed in Palestine and Israel since Oct. 7. Prior to these actions, the 黑料正能量 Student Government Association had sent a letter to the administration and board of trustees asking for a statement in support of a cease-fire in Gaza.

Tuesday鈥檚 statement affirms that 黑料正能量 will continue providing a safe, supportive and inclusive teaching and learning environment for a diversity of views. It also clarifies that 黑料正能量鈥檚 investment portfolio does not hold any shares in companies doing business in Israel-Palestine or any other war-torn countries.

The statement cites 黑料正能量鈥檚 vision 鈥� 鈥渢o become 鈥榰nifying leaders equipped with intercultural competence, oriented to peace and justice, and rooted in an active faith modeled on the life and teachings of Jesus鈥欌�� 鈥� and credits students with leading the way in encouraging bold engagement.

鈥淥ur young people 鈥� are rising up and calling for peace and a stop to the killing,鈥� it reads. 鈥淲e stand in solidarity with them.鈥�

From its founding as Eastern Mennonite School in September 1917 up through today, 黑料正能量 has been led by nine presidents who have guided it through times of turbulence and periods of prosperity. 

In honor of Presidents鈥� Day, we bring you a brief summary of 黑料正能量鈥檚 eight presidents emeriti and some of their enduring accomplishments.

The information below is taken from the profiles at emu.edu/president/emeriti. Click on the link to read more in-depth histories of each president.

J.B. Smith
President from 1917 to 1922

When J.B. Smith, the first president 鈥� or principal, as it was called at the time 鈥� of Eastern Mennonite School, arrived in Harrisonburg, Virginia, by train on Oct. 9, 1917, he found that several students had been waiting almost two weeks to start their studies. The next morning, he directed the first registration; classes started on Oct. 15.

Smith worked tirelessly to develop the school鈥檚 curriculum, hire faculty, recruit students, solicit support from Mennonite churches and expand the campus. He taught a number of courses, and students loved and admired him.

Smith resigned in January 1922 in a dispute about Mennonite churches maintaining their a cappella singing tradition by banning musical instruments in the church as well as in the home. He did not agree that instruments should be banned in the home, and he and his wife had recently purchased a piano.

A.D. Wenger
President from 1922 to 1935

Raised on a farm near Harrisonburg, A.D. Wenger, a founder of EMS, had already twice declined to accept administrative positions at the school before being elected as the second principal of the school in February 1922. 

One of the first tasks that Wenger tackled as principal was what he called a 鈥渕ountain of debt鈥� that remained from the school鈥檚 start-up and construction of the Administration Bulding. In 1930, the junior college achieved state accreditation 鈥� probably the greatest accomplishment of the Wenger years.

Wenger, whose title was changed to 鈥減resident鈥� in 1926, presided over a school hard hit by the Great Depression for most of the 1930s. Enrollment declined, financial contributions decreased and faculty positions were cut. Salaries, which were already low, were reduced. Wenger died suddenly in his home on Oct. 5, 1935, at age 67.

John L. Stauffer
President from 1935 to 1948

Two days after Wenger鈥檚 death, the EMS board appointed John L. Stauffer, a charter member of the EMS board, professor and ordained minister, as acting president. He was elected president 13 months later.

During Stauffer鈥檚 13-year presidency, the student numbers increased from 159 to 442. He, along with longtime Dean C.K. Lehman and others, worked for years to achieve accreditation for EMS as a four-year college. This was finally accomplished in 1947. That fall, the school officially became Eastern Mennonite College.

In 1948, Stauffer asked for and received a sabbatical leave, feeling that he had served his time and that he should step aside for a younger person with more formal education. 

John R. Mumaw
President from 1948 to 1965

Taking office as acting president of the newly renamed Eastern Mennonite College in the fall of 1948, John R. Mumaw had spent more than half his 44 years on campus 鈥� as student, staff member, campus pastor and professor. He was the first alumnus to be chosen president.

Throughout the 1950s, Mumaw led EMC in pursuit of regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college achieved regional accreditation in 1959. Enrollment during Mumaw鈥檚 17 years as president increased 44 percent, from 475 to 843. EMC was one of the first colleges in Virginia, a racially segregated southern state, to integrate (in 1948).

In the early 1960s, Mumaw started talking about leaving the presidency, but he agreed to stay on until 1965. 

Myron S. Augsburger
President from 1965 to 1980

When he took office as president of EMC at the age of 35 鈥� the youngest president ever 鈥� Myron S. Augsburger was already a nationally recognized evangelical leader. 

He gave passion to the office. Drama, instrumental music, intercollegiate athletics and international study developed dramatically. The seminary program was strengthened, and EMC changed its official name to Eastern Mennonite College & Seminary. The two biggest building projects during the Augsburger years were the domed state-of-the-art facility later named Suter Science Center, which opened in 1968, and the building that later became Hartzler Library.

After 15 years of work to strengthen EMC&S, Augsburger decided to resign in 1980 to pursue other interests.

Richard C. Detweiler
President from 1980 to 1987

The EMC board recruited a respected 55-year-old churchman from eastern Pennsylvania, Richard C. Detweiler, to succeed Augsburger.

Under Detweiler, then-academic dean Albert Keim led a consultative process with the faculty that resulted in one of the cornerstones of undergraduate education to this day: a requirement, beginning in 1982, that students be exposed to cross-cultural matters through study and experience.

The biggest crisis of Detweiler鈥檚 tenure was the 1984 fire that destroyed the Administration Building during a major renovation. The building was unoccupied at the time, but the tragedy affected campus morale, and Detweiler faced the challenge of slumping enrollments and budget cuts that affected faculty and programs. By the time he left EMC&S, however, the student population was on the increase again and a striking new Campus Center stood on the side of the hill where the 鈥淎d鈥� Building had once stood. 

In 1987, Detweiler resigned from the presidency, saying his years at EMC&S were 鈥渢he most enjoyable and most difficult鈥� of his life.

Joseph L. Lapp
President from 1987 to 2003

Like his immediate predecessor, Joseph L. Lapp was a native of eastern Pennsylvania. But unlike all six of his predecessors, he was not an ordained minister. He was a lawyer by profession.

His biggest accomplishments were starting four graduate programs 鈥� counseling, conflict transformation, education and business 鈥� in the 1990s, and, as a result, ushering in the new name of 黑料正能量 in August 1994. Under Lapp鈥檚 leadership, 黑料正能量 expanded its innovative cross-cultural program. 黑料正能量 made numerous campus improvements that culminated in the University Commons complex that includes the Yoder Arena. The building opened in 2000.

After 16 years as president, Lapp departed in 2003 to join the staff of Mennonite Foundation (now part of Everence), directing its Harrisonburg office.

Loren E. Swartzendruber
President from 2003 to 2016

Although elected in 2003, Loren E. Swartzendruber did not actually take office until January 2004. He spent the intervening months in preparation for the presidency. Provost Beryl Brubaker was interim president from June to December.

Among Swartzendruber鈥檚 accomplishments were the successful re-accreditation process for another 10 years by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, filling key administrative positions with talented people, and leading the university through economic hard times while balancing the budget.

One of the biggest building projects during his administration was 鈥淧hase Two鈥� of the University Commons project (completed in 2011) in which the old Student Center was transformed into a main stage theater, studio theater, art gallery, classrooms, advanced media lab, and expanded coffee shop. Other accomplishments included 黑料正能量鈥檚 groundbreaking solar installation on the roof of the Hartzler Library and attendance with alumna Leymah Gbowee at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Swartzendruber retired in June 2016 after 13 years as president.

Current president

Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman has served as 黑料正能量鈥檚 ninth president since Jan. 1, 2017. During her leadership, 黑料正能量 has shattered records for donor giving 鈥� mark your calendars for this year鈥檚 Lov黑料正能量 Giving Day on Wednesday, April 10 鈥� and the university has garnered its share of the national spotlight with high rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Money Magazine.

Among the building projects completed while she’s been at the helm, renovations for Suter Science Center West were finished and dedicated in October 2021. Along with new seating, lighting and upgraded technology for S-106, Suter West renovations included modernized classrooms, new laboratory space for 黑料正能量鈥檚 engineering program, upgrading of the discovery room and expanded displays from the D. Ralph Hostetter Natural History Collection, upgraded climate-control system and an improved sprinkler system.

Another major project, which is nearing the finish line, is the new track-and-field complex being built. The $6-million complex, which is more than halfway funded, is scheduled to open this year. Donations are accepted online at:聽/campaign/track-and-field.

Huxman has served for more than 25 years in higher education in a variety of administrative and academic leadership roles. A graduate of Bethel College, Huxman holds an MA and PhD in communication studies from University of Kansas.

Interim presidents

Over the years, three interim presidents have kept the business of the university moving forward: Beryl Brubaker (May-December 2003), Fred Kniss (May-August 2013 for Swartzendruber鈥檚 sabbatical), and Lee Snyder (July-December 2016).

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to have the opportunity to serve another term as board chair and am particularly grateful for trustees like Glenna and Jim, who have also willingly accepted the call to serve another term alongside so many talented new trustees who have joined us over the past year,鈥� said Nu帽ez (pictured left). 鈥淭his continuity of service among trustees is indicative of the incredible momentum 黑料正能量 has as an institution. The five-year strategic visioning process and major comprehensive capital campaign points to a future that we鈥檙e all excited about.鈥�

President Susan Schultz Huxman shared the Board of Trustees updates with the 黑料正能量 community at her Town Hall in March. 鈥淲hat a gift Manny has been to us during these pandemic years and now in this quasi-post-pandemic year.鈥� Louise Otto Hostetter 鈥�79, assistant secretary of the board, added, 鈥淭he 黑料正能量 Board of Trustees is happy to invite Manny Nu帽ez to a second term as chair. We benefit from his experienced, knowledgeable leadership in academia and commitment to continuing academic excellence in training servant leaders.鈥�

Janet Lind works in information technology as director of integration services at the University of Pennsylvania, where she has held a number of positions in identity management, team management, project management, and systems analysis. She grew up in Eugene, Oregon. Lind graduated from Goshen College with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music and from Drexel University with a Master of Science in Information Studies.

Lind is a charter member of Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster where she has held several leadership positions including chair of congregational council. She currently lives in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, with her family. While she has never been an 黑料正能量 student, her son Isaac Esh 鈥�22, husband Calvin Esh MEd 鈥�05, parents, and numerous extended relatives are 黑料正能量 graduates.

Susan Taylor is a 23-year partner in Just Money Advisors, a financial planning and investment management firm that specializes in socially-responsible investment strategies and community development backing. She is serving her fifth year on the Mennonite Education Agency Investment Committee and also serves on the investment committee of Natural Investments, LLC. Taylor serves as board chair for Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries in Oak View, California. She is board vice-chair for Faith and Money Network in Washington, DC and is part of the ministry mission group to people experiencing homelessness, run by her small church community in Louisville, Kentucky. Her church, Jeff Street Baptist Community, is explicitly committed to peacebuilding and nonviolence; it is part of a local coalition of churches working for justice in Louisville and enjoys several Mennonite connections.

Prior to joining Just Money Advisors, Taylor was an economist in Corporate Treasury for Bank of America. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Western Kentucky University and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. Taylor writes and presents workshops on issues of money and faith, social investing, and intentional banking. She has been married 35 years to Andy Loving, who is the founder and her partner at Just Money Advisors. They have two adult children.

A list of all board members is located at the President鈥檚 Office webpage.

Not a week after beginning in her new role as 黑料正能量鈥檚 first executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Jacqueline N. Font-Guzm谩n made her first public appearance during a Facebook Live interview for Lov黑料正能量 Day. Her time slot coincided with the launching of a special DEI Initiative Fund. 

In that interview,  Font-Guzm谩n gave a hint of the vision she had for 黑料正能量 as 鈥渢he most welcoming university in the world.鈥� 

黑料正能量鈥檚 draw, she said,  was its 鈥渋nstitutional values and mission rooted in Christian faith, selflessness, compassion, empathy, solidarity, social justice, and community.鈥� She also noted the university鈥檚 strong commitment to advancing DEI initiatives and its missional focus on educating students in their development of 鈥渁 moral compass that is essential in today鈥檚 globalized world and the critical historical moment the nation faces.鈥�

Within the day, more than $82,750 had been raised in support of both her new leadership and the importance of this collective work at 黑料正能量. The ongoing total is $111,263 in current and pledged donor support. One of Font-Guzm谩n鈥檚 tasks in the coming weeks and months is to determine the best focus for this fund — and for the excitement and commitment symbolized in the investment.

In a March announcement, President Susan Schultz Huxman identified Font-Guzm谩n鈥檚 new role as providing 鈥済uidance to our campus community to live more fully into its identity as a faith-informed peace and justice university 鈥� [she will be ]a dynamic ambassador, catalyst and facilitator in mobilizing our campus community around DEI goals.鈥� 

Formerly professor of law and conflict studies and director of the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Program at Creighton University, Font-Guzm谩n came to the 黑料正能量 role with experience developing and implementing DEI and social justice curricula into graduate degree programs, as well as collaborating with a colleague on a  popular dialogue series that explored experiences and built relationships across diverse groups at the university.  

An accomplished teacher, scholar and administrator, she holds a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution from Nova Southeastern University; a law degree summa cum laude from the Interamericana University of Puerto Rico; a Masters in Health Care Administration degree from Saint Louis University; and a BA degree from Coe College.  An active practitioner in conflict studies, she has led trainings, workshops and seminars in mediation and facilitation in the United States and international settings. 

Since arriving at 黑料正能量 April 1, Font-Guzm谩n has met with various groups, including leaders of 14 student organizations and faculty, staff, and administrators across disciplines and campuses and within various centers. Listening to and gathering those perspectives, she says, has affirmed 鈥渢hat 黑料正能量 is an extraordinary student-centered community, wanting and willing to do the hard work to advance DEI.鈥�

Among the main themes, she has heard 鈥渁 passion for making 黑料正能量 a campus where everyone feels that they belong and can be their authentic selves; an unwavering commitment to bringing our vision to life and opening new pathways of access and achievement for all students; the challenges that many members of our community face, especially those belonging to a minoritized or underrepresented group; and some big ideas on how we can make changes to move forward together.鈥�

As she continues to gather information through the summer and fall, Font-Guzm谩n says relationship-building is the core action through which learning, healing, and growth can happen. 

鈥淲e must dream big and act small, and one way of doing this is by nurturing quality relationships with each other and expanding our networks within and beyond campus. Relationship building is at the core of my vision because it can disrupt unhealthy patterns of interactions, neutralize relationships of exploitation and exclusion, and create a healthier 黑料正能量 community that moves us all towards a welcoming campus.鈥�

This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2021 issue of Crossroads magazine.

Presidents from four of the Valley鈥檚 colleges gave an update Tuesday [Aug. 10] on how their institutions are handling COVID-19 and their plans for the fall semester during the annual Presidential Address breakfast hosted by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.

and watch .

Speakers included (from left) Susan Schultz Huxman of聽Eastern聽Mennonite聽University, Jonathan Alger of James Madison聽University, David Bushman of Bridgewater College, the chamber’s president and CEO Christopher Quinn, and John Downey of Blue Ridge Community College. (Photo courtesy of Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.)

Though 黑料正能量 classes were not yet in session last week, a range of communications appeared in inboxes and on social media feeds as university administrators and program leaders addressed the Jan. 6 riot and the aftermath.

In all, the collective message is an answer of hope 鈥� for the prevailing relevance of the university鈥檚 mission; our shared commitment to teach, learn, live and hold the values of peace and justice; and our continued honest dialogue and engagement with legacies of past and present for the common good of the future.

• President Susan Schultz Huxman and Provost Fred Kniss sent an all-campus email the morning of Thursday, Jan. 7.
• The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding convened its leadership team to publish a reflection with context, analysis, and resources. [Also see an 11/6/2020 post about the presidential election.]
• At the Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center, based just four miles from the Capitol in Washington D.C., the staff reached out to their incoming students, set to arrive for orientation in five days, with an email. Later social media posts [view and ] condemned the violence and pledged to stand with those most threatened by the white supremacy espoused by some involved.

鈥楨ngaging others unlike ourselves鈥�

In the email, Huxman and Kniss urged the 黑料正能量 community to view 鈥渢he deeply troubling signs of political and civic dysfunction, including racialized responses to violence鈥� as a call to continue the important work of contributing to a healthy democracy.

As educators, we have a noble responsibility to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to discover, analyze and evaluate 鈥渁 firehose of information鈥� for its accuracy, truth, usefulness and ethical ramifications…

As a 鈥渃ommunity of learners,鈥� we at 黑料正能量 commit to a Life Together that privileges love for God and each other. Our life together calls us to listen well, attend to our needs as a diverse community, and do the courageous work to recognize where we fall short and commit to repair.

As a faith-informed peace and justice university, our mission, vision and values call us to renounce violence and embrace the hard work of engaging with others unlike ourselves.

Significantly, 黑料正能量鈥檚 first day of the spring semester, Monday, Jan. 18, marks the nation-wide commemoration 鈥� and the traditional university celebration 鈥� of Martin Luther King Day. Visit for a full listing of virtual events. On Wednesday of the same week, during Inauguration Day, 黑料正能量 hosts an opening convocation on the theme of Bringing Healing and Hope Amidst Crisis.鈥�

鈥淢ay we all take these opportunities to renew our personal and institutional commitments to racial justice, continue building a beloved community, and move into the future with hope,鈥� the email concludes.

CJP: 鈥楬onesty鈥� is prevailing

Executive Director Jayne Docherty and members of the leadership team representing CJP鈥檚 programs, point out that the events of Jan. 6 occurred on the Feast of the Epiphany: “…many 鈥渆xperience[d] sudden insight into the true nature of where this country is and where we might end up if we don鈥檛 do something.鈥�

Read the post. 

The reflection, also shared on , names a new and public recognition of our current threats to democracy and the associated 鈥渃ultural tipping points鈥� related to racial disparities, law enforcement, domestic terrorism and Christian rhetoric. As a beginning step towards discussing the events, readers are urged to use precise, accurate words.

WCSC: A 鈥榣ab鈥� to examine privilege and power

With their students arriving in just five days to begin spring semester classes and internships at Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center in Washington D.C., co-directors Kimberly Schmidt and Ryan Good and communications and program administrator Jamie Reich first focused on assuring members of the new cohort that all programming was on schedule and that the neighborhood of Brookland, where the Nelson Good House is located, remained safe and quiet.

Since the 1970s, the center鈥檚 urban location and its strong local connections to residents and businesses has provided a uniquely challenging cross-cultural experience.

鈥淪pring 2021 promises to be a time where we can learn about the resilience of the people who have lived in D.C., analyze the power structures, and contemplate our role in it all,鈥� the WCSC team wrote. 鈥淲e’re excited to take part in a transformative semester with you.鈥�

WCSC messaging [view and posts] shared disapproval and condemnation of the ideologies and violence of the Jan. 6 attack and pledged continued attention to teaching about power, privilege, race and class — themes that learners engage with in coursework and in their professional experiences as interns in businesses, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of the federal government.

President Susan Schultz Huxman recorded this greeting to 黑料正能量 students, who begin classes today. Over the weekend, 黑料正能量 hosted a series of virtual events to welcome students and their parents and caregivers, and offer information about new move-in plans.

Read more about weekend welcome events in news coverage.

President Susan Schultz Huxman: Welcome 黑料正能量 students to the 2020 school year. This is not how we anticipated our start, but we are still glad you鈥檙e 鈥渉ere,” whether 鈥渉ere鈥� is Ohio, California,  Virginia or overseas!

 I鈥檓 here, in my office, where normally, at this time of year, I鈥檇 be watching the buzz of students and faculty, moving between classes, studying on the lawn, and playing ultimate Frisbee. I miss that. I miss you! I hope to see many of you in a few short weeks, in person.

We鈥檙e all getting tired of the word 鈥渦nprecedented.鈥� And so I won鈥檛 say that.  But, you have a unique opportunity to learn and lead in a world no one has experienced before. 

Last year, 黑料正能量 decided the best way to describe our unique place in the world was to say that we 鈥淟ead Together.鈥� Balancing leading and togetherness is how 黑料正能量 changes the world. It is how you will change the world. 

Together, we are poised to create a world where public health, racial justice, and economic crisis demand our best ideas. I know we will not shrink from these challenges!  

Together, we are ready to protect each other. We will  wash our hands, stay six feet apart, and most importantly鈥︹��.wear masks.

What will this year hold for you? What paths will you explore? What future will you create? We鈥檙e here together because your journey is a part of our journey. In teaching and learning, we grow together and we will lead together.

A virtual welcome, we all know, is not the same as smiles, hugs and the buzz of excitement around the start of the academic year. 

In the wake of a decision to delay move-in to residential halls because of several COVID-19 cases on campus, 黑料正能量 hosted a series of virtual events to welcome students and their parents and caregivers.

Members of the campus community, including administrators, contributed to two town halls, one for students and one for parents and caregivers, as well as a worship service, among other online orientation events already scheduled for the weekend. A workshop on racial justice, hosted by the Student Government Association and Black Student Alliance, capped the schedule.

Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 25, and faculty are busy reaching out to students with details on the shift. Residential students will move in Sept. 3-6.

A panel of administrators took a range of questions during the Student Town Hall about new move-in plans, how the household model would function, symptom tracking, commuter student health and safety, and more. President Susan Schultz Huxman, Provost Fred Kniss and Dean of Students Shannon Dycus took questions sent in by students, with Director of Student Programs and Orientation Rachel Roth Sawatzky acting as host.

A similar event later in the weekend for parents and caregivers offered the opportunity to hear from Huxman, Kniss and Dycus. Vice President of Student Recruitment and Innovation Jason Good was the host.

“The decision was difficult but right,” Huxman explained, a necessary move, even at such a late stage, to protect the health and safety of 黑料正能量’s campus community.

The affected student leaders and staff are important contributors to setting 黑料正能量’s campus culture and critical to the success and welfare of the community as new students arrive, she said.

Huxman reiterated that the Virginia Department of Health and Center for Disease Control guidelines for higher education institutions do not recommend in-home or entry testing of students, faculty or staff. 黑料正能量 has implemented a daily symptom check and included quarantine before arrival, masking and physical distancing measures in addition to other health and safety protocols, she said.

[Visit the FAQs at for more on health and safety protocols.]

Huxman acknowledged criticism for the delay, but also offered grateful thanks for 鈥渢he outpouring of support, grace and prayers.”

Campus Pastor Brian Martin Burkholder and Campus Ministries staff hosted a Sunday worship service on the theme of worship, welcome and blessing. Two pastoral assistants and a professor offered anecdotes of belonging.

鈥淗as there been a time when you felt included and someone showed hospitality when you least expected it? Or has there been a time when you did that for someone else?鈥� said pastoral assistant Naomi Davis, echoing the theme of the service. 鈥淚 pray that is something we can pass on…I do hope 黑料正能量 can be that place for you, that you find clubs and spaces and moments where you are welcome, unexpectedly or when you do expect it, but that you find home here.鈥�

The service was rich with music offerings from 黑料正能量鈥檚 Chamber Singers and the student-led group Celebration.

Even as transition can be overwhelming, and especially such a strange one as what we鈥檙e all experiencing, Burkholder reminded listeners of the power of faith.

鈥淲e know that our life experiences, our faith and nurture has brought us to this point and God is with us. God is with each one of us. God鈥檚 love shines through and surrounds us. As you go, go inspired even in the midst of change and loss and the dynamic of an unknown future, trusting that all will be well. All will be well, even if quite different than what you imagined.鈥�