Angie Nash
Major: Congregational and Youth Ministries
Why EMU: I chose EMU because it offered a major that was of interest to me and I love the Shenandoah Valley area. After visiting the campus, it seemed like “home” and I knew this is where God wanted me.
Interesting/challenging/helpful in major: The variety of classes within my major has helped me to discern the particular area of ministry that I am being invited to and given me a better understanding of diverse Christian tradition.
Advice: Explore your interests … you never know where they may lead.

Rob Nash
Major: Congregational and Youth Ministries
Why EMU: Upon my first visit to the EMU campus I felt like I was home, and I knew God was calling me to be a part of the EMU community.
Interesting/challenging/helpful in major: The challenge has been in approaching subjects such as philosophy, theology and ethics not so much to learn the professor’s way of thinking. The classes are structured in such a way that the information and subject matter presented allows students to think for themselves. Faculty have been very helpful with questions and giving me encouragement with my interests.
Advice: Allow God to lead you in spiritual and theological growth. The environment fosters individual growth with the best staff who is more than willing to help students.

John Tyson
Major: Biblical Studies
Why EMU: Campus atmosphere, Cross-cultural requirement, Mentor recommendation.
Interesting/challenging/helpful in major: Un-ending quest for answers, practicing theory, practicing Jesus
Advice: Expose yourself to whatever. Question your assumptions. Keep reading.

Addie Leaman
Major: Congregational and Youth Ministries
Why EMU: I felt it would be the best place to finish my schooling after Hesston College.
Interesting/challenging/helpful in major: I have greatly enjoyed my youth ministry practicum and find the classses challenging me to grow in my faith.
Advice: The core Bible classes are very insightful and interesting.

Derrick R. Charles
Major: Biblical Studies, Spanish
Why EMU: I chose EMU as a small liberal arts college with an Anabaptist approach to faith and vocation. Beginning without a declared major, it was a good place to experiment with some different classes to find a department where I felt like I could really feel at home.
Impression: I have been impressed by the dedication of my professors, who care deeply about their material and their students. Education is seen as a process of becoming aware and engaged with the reality around us. Their approach asks how we might live in right relationship with God and our neighbors, and not just how to gain a degree for a well-paying job.

So Hyun Kim
Major: Philosophy and Theology, Psychology
Why EMU: EMU has new ways of looking at and dealing with the world’s problems, such as that of conflict transformation, and views ethnic diversification in a genuinely positive light. I believed EMU’s out-of-the-box way of thinking might compliment my struggle to integrate philosophy, theology, and psychology in wrestling with global and personal issues as well as seeming inconsistencies within my own understanding of Christian faith.
Impression: I had not expected to find the wealth of cultural diversity – in quality, not necessarily quantitatively – and respect for other cultures that I did on this small campus. Additionally, I was inspired by the ideological diversity and the necessary respect for different opinions, which fosters growth. Most of all, I have been impacted by the community’s empowering of ethnic females in a traditionally white and male dominated society. I urge others to remember that evolution and change does not have to be an obvious or ostentatious process but can instead take place by giving persons the chance to live out their potential one person at a time.

Andrea Kniss
Major: Culture, Religion, and Mission, TESL minor
Why EMU: The honors program was a big part of my decision; this is the Mennonite college that gave me the most financial aid. Besides that, I liked what I saw when I looked at the academic offerings, and the fact that there were clear opportunities for personal and spiritual growth if I wanted to get involved.
Impression: While my relationships with my peers and professors in the Bible and Religion department have been some of the most meaningful, my focus on liberal arts and extracurricular involvements have helped me make broader connections across campus. There’s an intriguing mixture of people here if you pay attention…it’s not the Mennonite monoculture you might first expect.

Nick Meyer
Major: Culture, Religion, and Mission
Why EMU: Attending a Mennonite university is important to me, because I want an education consistant with my Anabaptist beliefs. EMU offers Bible classes that really interest me, but more importantly, I feel like I can trust the professors’ view points.
Impression: It seems like there is a real emphasis on community, and I appreciate the fact that the faculty have made an effort to get to know me outside of class.