April 08 Presidential Update

This past weekend a number of EMU personnel participated in a 90th year celebration in the Tidewater area of eastern Virginia.  At a banquet for about 85 people Saturday evening professor of history emeritus Dr. Gerald Brunk told stories about the years leading up to the eventual location of EMU in Harrisonburg in 1917.  The first site projected for what became EMU was where the current Warwick River Christian School is located.  The first actions to establish a new school were taken in December 1912.  Several current faculty members (Nancy Heisey, Peter Dula, and Kevin Clark) and administrators were guest speakers in area congregations yesterday morning.  

The board of trustees held their spring meeting on campus 10 days ago.  In addition to regular agenda, the board heard a great presentation by students from the "Green Design Class" led by Drs. Doug Graber Neufeld and Jim Yoder this semester.  The students presented findings from research projects on various facets of designing environmentally sustainable facilities, with a particular focus on plans for a new science building annex.  The board also took action to support planning for new and renovated residence hall space as recommended by the Residential Living and Learning Task Force and the President's Cabinet.  Final approvals will be given by the board in the June meeting pending more specific recommendations for financing the projects.

The Provost Search Committee is meeting regularly and will release a separate update within a few days.  Please continue to hold us in your prayers as we consider options for next year and beyond.

As we wind down the 2008-09 academic year, the weeks ahead will be filled with theater and music productions, athletic and other awards banquets.  The guest speaker for the seminary commencement Saturday afternoon, April 26 is Dr. Marva Dawn, teaching fellow in spiritual theology, Regent College (Vancouver), and theologian/educator for Christians Equipped for Ministry.  Dr. Christian Early, associate professor of philosophy and theology was selected by the undergraduate seniors to speak at their baccalaureate service, Saturday evening.  

Dr. Beryl Brubaker, provost, retiring from full-time EMU faculty and administrative service after 38 years, will deliver the university commencement address on Sunday, April 27.  We are very fortunate that Dr. Brubaker will continue at EMU on a part-time basis for the 2008-09 year to lead us in preparing for reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  

Books I'm currently reading:  Leading Quietly by Joseph L. Badaracoo, Jr.; Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne; Myths America Lives By by Richard T. Hughes; The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier by Tony Jones.

Loren

Back to presidential updates list