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EMU Graduates Record Class

Members of the Eastern Mennonite University graduating class of 2004 were asked to remember one word from the commencement address - "disponibilité."

EMU moved its 86th annual graduation exercises Sunday, afternoon, Apr. 25, from the front lawn of campus into the University Commons due to inclement weather.

"If you already know the term, you either had a course in the philosophy of the French existentialist, Gabriel Marcel, or are a widely-read genius or someone who at least deserves to graduate summa cum laude," said graduation speaker Martin E. Marty.

Dr. Marty, a distinguished service professor emeritus at the University of Chicago where he taught 35 years, commended the term to the graduating class because "I picture it most useful as you receive your diplomas and make your next steps in your vocational walk.

Speaking in a whimsical manner, the long-time educator, voluminous writer and ordained Lutheran minister described "disponibilité" as "an untranslatable French word that means 'being available . . . putting myself at the disposal of' or 'making a fundamental engagement which bears not only what I have, but on what I am, giving credit to another while giving a gift to yourself.'"

He cited as examples "the roommate who could look up from books or computer and diagnose your situation when you were 'down', the coach who interpreted what you could or couldn't do on a day when, while others strove for excellence, you were physically or mentally 'down', the pastor or chaplain who knew that you needed extra time or a professional's listening ear. Or the professor whose study door was often open, or at least whose ears and heart were, when you knew you just had to knock."

Whether one becomes a teacher, a parent, a minister, a scientist, a public official or whatever the vocation, moving from "closedness" and self-centeredness to being available means "you will have to make some resolves, undertake some disciples, work to make your outlook and your habits coincide, and know the grace that lets you be open and available to others," Marty asserted.

"'Disponibilité' has nothing to do with grimness, sourness, unsmiling determination to be of service to others," he said. "It means being available to a God of grace who bids you to make yourself available as a player in the games of life," he added.

Presiding at his first commencement since his inauguration as EMU's eighth president on January 1 this year, Dr. Loren E. Swartzendruber conferred bachelor of arts, bachelor of science and masters degrees on a record 406 members of the class of 2004. Nearly 4,000 people filled the Commons arena.

John L. Horst, Jr., associate professor of physics, gave a "commencement blessing" to close the ceremonies. He plans to retire this summer after serving 40 years as a member of the science faculty. Horst and his wife, Joan Graybill Horst, saw their daughter, Grete J. Horst, graduate with honors with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Ms. Horst, the senior class co-president with Eric S. Kennel of Lancaster, Pa., gave the "senior salutation" at the baccalaureate service Saturday night (Apr. 24).

EMU's graduation also included a mother and son - Wonshe (one name only), from Boulder, Colo., who earned a master of arts in conflict transformation degree, and Kai W. Orenic, of Luray, Va., who received a bachelor of arts degree in communication and was a track standout.

The undergraduate class had 104 persons who graduated with honors, finishing with cumulative grade point averages between 3.6 and 4.0.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted April 26, 2004