Eastern Mennonite University
Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) is a private Mennonite university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The university also operates a satellite campus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which primarily caters to working adults.[4] EMU is known for its Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP), particularly its graduate program in conflict transformation.[5][6]
Former names
Eastern Mennonite School (1917–1947)
Eastern Mennonite College (1947–1994)[1]
"Preparing students to serve and lead globally." Guiding biblical verse: "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God." (Micah 6:8)
1917
$25.587 million (as of 2014)[2]
Susan Schultz Huxman
Tynisha D. Willingham
Approximately 100 full-time and 100 part-time faculty
892 (fall 2022)[3]
442 (fall 2022)
White, black and royal blue
Royals
HeRM (His Royal Majesty) the Lion
Campus life[edit]
Expectations for community members[edit]
Eastern Mennonite's 361-word "Community Lifestyle Commitment" was adopted by the board of trustees in 2001.[51] With this document as a guide, the institution expects its employees and students to commit themselves to a lifestyle based on "clearly stated expectations [to] promote orderly community life," coupled with "trust in and responsibility to one another".[51] It calls for "stewardship of mind, time, abilities and finances" and takes the unusual step of asking for "social responsibility in my standard of living and use of economic resources". EMU expects community members to "respect and abide by the university policy that prohibits the use of alcohol and tobacco on campus or at university functions and the misuse of alcohol off campus".[51]
The statement also asks community members to refrain from "sexual harassment and abuse, pornography, acts of violence, abusive or demeaning language and the use of illegal drugs" as well as "sexual relationships outside of marriage".[51] However, the school does permit homosexual activity within the confines of marriage.[21]
Campus ministries[edit]
Residential undergraduates, faculty, and staff gather for twice-weekly chapel services planned by the campus pastoral team. Voluntary Bible study and worship also occur in smaller settings during the week and on weekends.[52]
The Campus Ministries program sponsors activities such as campus-wide chapels on Wednesday and Friday mornings, a student-led praise-style service on Sunday evenings, monthly hymn sings and Taize worship services, annual "spiritual life week", and service experiences under the Young People's Christian Association.[53] Campus Ministries is led by the three trained pastors, assisted by students at various stages in their education including seminary students at EMU. Pastoral Assistants live in residence buildings and plan voluntary weekly activities.[54]