photo by jon Styer
mileposts Kacie Ruark, a junior who plays Royals soccer
Faculty and Staff
James R. Engle, professor of Old Testament, is one of three professors from EMU/S who have recently taught at Meserete Kristos College (MK College), Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. The other two persons are n. Gerald Shenk ’75, professor of church and society, who also teaches peacebuilding and conflict transformation, and Lawrence M. Yoder, professor of missiology. This is a program created several years ago after MK College asked EMS to create a seminary program for pastors of Meserete Kristos Church (MKC), (meaning Christ is the Foundation) the Mennonite body in Ethiopia. MKC has grown at an annual rate of 10% or more for a number of years. Last year, the church added 16,000 new members. Current membership is 172,000 with a faith community of 377,000. This summer, these three professors taught graduate level courses to 29 students at the college. This arrangement will potentially enable students from the college to obtain a degree from the United States or from a seminary in Africa. All three of the professors have taught in overseas settings: Engle returned in January after a semester of teaching at MK College; Shenk spent eight years studying and teaching in Yugoslavia; Yoder taught in Indonesia for nine years prior to coming to EMS. Cynthia (Cyndi) Detweiler ’93 Gusler, professor and chairwoman of the Visual
Arts and Communication Department, has provided leadership in organizing her senior arts seminar class to collect shoes for the Well of Shoes project. New and used shoes in good condition, from area residents, are being prepared for shipment to Kenya. The project is being coordinated with Well of Hope, a nongovernmental agency based in Kenya whose goal is to help the many impoverished women and children in the nation. Hundreds of shoes, ranging from heels to tennis shoes, have already been deposited in the storefront display of the former Jack Collins shoe store in downtown Harrisonburg, Va. nancy R. Heisey, MDiv ’94, professor of biblical studies and church history and chair of EMU’s Bible and religion department, became president-elect of Mennonite World Conference in 2000. The conference consists of delegates from 96 world-wide Mennonite churches. As president, Nancy moderated the world conference in 2003 in Zimbabwe. She served as moderator for the final time at the conference in Asuncion, Paraguay, July 11-17, concluding her term as president of Mennonite World Conference. Lindsey Roeschley Kolb ’07 works in EMU Marketing and Communications and recently produced a short video about EMU's cross-cultural program. See it at www.emu.edu/crosscultural. Gloria ileen Rhodes ’88, associate professor of conflict analysis and peacebuilding, received her PhD in conflict analysis from George Mason University in January 2009 Her dissertation was titled, “Conflict Resolu-
tion and Conflict Transformation Practice: Is there a Difference?” In August Gloria became chair of EMU’s department of applied social sciences. Samuel (Sam) Weaver ’66, associate director of development, is featured in the August 2009 issue of Connections, jointly published by Virginia Mennonite Missions and Virginia Mennonite Conference (VMC), upon his retirement as a bishop/overseer in the Northern District of the conference from 1996-2009. As a young man, Sam worked for Colony Dairy, rising to the director of the wholesale division, an on-the-job introduction to finances and marketing, which has served him well in his church-related administrative roles over the years. Sam served as youth minister for VMC, 1966-68, and principal of Eastern Mennonite High School, 1968-81. He was the first full time VMC executive secretary and director of Virginia Mennonite Conference Center, 1981-99.
1920-49
Harold D. Lehman, HS ’36, GT ’39, Harrisonburg, Va., a retired professor at EMU and JMU, was featured in the May 30 Daily News Record for his 4-year role and work as a conscientious objector to military service in WWII. Harold first went to a Civilian Public Service camp No. 39 in Galax, Va., to work along the Blue Ridge Parkway. When it was determined the work did not qualify as work of “national importance,” Harold was transferred to Vineland Training School, Vineland, N.J., an institution for mentally handicapped children. His task was to teach the children rudimentary reading, writing and mathematical skills.
Paul G. Kniss ’49, Harrisonburg, Va., a former missionary in India and Trinidad, and his new bride, Naomi Mast Hostetler Kniss, together participated in a long-standing tradition of the Mennonite churches of Trinidad and Tobago to hold a joint worship service in the fifth Sunday morning worship. More than a hundred persons gathered in the Sangre Grande Mennonite Church on Sunday morning, May 31, for the ordination of Ramesh Jaimani. Ramesh had chosen to serve as a licensed minister for over eight years. Paul brought the ordination message entitled, “The Divine Call.” Paul L. Kratz ’61 Sem ’93, bishop/overseer, officiated in the ordination of Ramesh.
1950-59
James R. Brunk ’50, Harrisonburg, Va., a retired physician, was featured in the May 30 Daily News Record for his two-year (1944-46) service in the Civilian Public Service as a conscientious objector to participation in WWII. Jim served as smokejumper in Montana for six months, making 14 jumps, seven of them for training purposes. On two occasions, he assisted colleagues to transport severely wounded fellow jumpers for many hours over difficult mountainous terrain. On his 13th jump, Jim suffered a sprained ankle, resulting in the need to ride 18 miles in a mule convoy back to his camp. After James completed his role as a smokejumper, he was transferred to Maryland, clearing swamp and working as a merchant mariner before receiving his discharge papers in 1946. Arthur (Art) Kennel ’53 and his wife, Lois Ruth ’53 Kennel, Rochester, Minn., have
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