Celebrating Alumni Stories

Why do we share alumni stories at EMS?

We celebrate alumni stories to hear each others' journeys since high school and to be inspired. EMS alumni encourage us through:

  • lives of service
  • professional contributions
  • embodiment of the love of Jesus
  • community engagement

Sharing stories can inspire others to lead meaningful lives that join God's work in the world.

Join us for the Saturday breakfast over homecoming when we celebrate these stories together. The nomination process is easy if you'd like to nominate a classmate, a teacher, or yourself!

Nominate an Alumni Story to Celebrate!

Submit a Nomination by March 31!

EMS welcomes suggestions for stories of alumni -- as well as former faculty and staff -- to celebrate. Submissions need not fit in a particular category. The deadline for nominations is March 31. The committee reviews nominations early each year and finalizes selections by May 1 for recognition the following fall. We especially seek nominees from class years ending in 5 and 0 for recognition in October 2025 at homecoming.

Complete the online form, email alumni@easternmennonite.org, or write a letter to the Alumni Office, 801 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, Va., 22801.

Alumni Recognized at Homecoming '24

click the picture to read the story

H. Michael Shenk '49
Ashley Sauder '99 Miller
James Souder '09

Stories We've Celebrated

Celebrating Alumni Stories
Lifetime Service awardees
2017 -- Dr. Robert Eshleman '52
2016 -- Miriam Mumaw '56
2015 -- Ron Brown '70
2013 -- Edward Stoltzfus '48
2012 -- Sam '52 &Sarah '52 Weaver
2011 -- Steve '66 and Elsie Weaver '66
2010 -- Eugene Diener '60
2009 -- Willard "Bill" Helmuth '58
2008 -- Milton '53 & Mary Ethel '55 Heatwole
2007 -- George R. Brunk III '52
2006 -- Willard Heatwole '51
2005 -- John Lederach '50
2004 -- Glendon L. Blosser '47
2003 -- Mary Katherine Deputy '32 Brubaker
2002 -- J. Alton Horst '42

Alumnus of the Year Recipients

2017 -- Beryl Jantzi '77
2016 -- Tim Brenneman '76
2015 -- Joseph Longacher '55
2014 -- Earl Burkholder '64
2013 -- Harry Kraus, Jr. '78
2012 -- Titus Peachey '67
2011 -- LuAnn Miller ’81 Bender
2010  -- Aletha Stahl '85
2009 -- Becky Stoltzfus '79
2008 -- Carol Schrock ’73 Jordan
2007 -- Lawrence E. Ressler ‘72
2006 -- Ken '56 and Kass Seitz ‘56
2005 -- John W. Miller ‘45
2004 -- Esther Kniss ’49 Augsburger
2003 -- Harry Kraus, Sr., MD  ‘43
2002 -- Paul D. ‘59 and Carol D. ‘59 Yoder
2001 -- D. Rohrer Eshleman ‘41 & Phillip Guengerich ‘66
2000 -- Don Jacobs ‘45 & Eugene Souder ‘45
1999 -- Dwight ’39 & Ellen ‘43 Hartman
1998 -- Eugene Stoltzfus ‘58
1997 -- John A. Lapp ‘50
1996 -- J. Lester Brubaker ‘42
1995 -- George ’30 & Margaret ‘29 Brunk
1994 -- Nate Miller ‘60
1993 -- Harold ‘29 & Arlene Heatwole  ‘26 Eshleman
1992 -- J. Daryl Byler ‘74
Community Engagement Award
Kirsten Nafziger '89 Moore, Community Engagement Award 2019
Kirsten Nafziger '89 Moore, Community Engagement Award 2019
Andrew Jenner '00, Community Engagement Award in 2020, with Rachel and their children.
Andrew Jenner '00, Community Engagement Award in 2020, with Rachel and their children.
Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir under the direction of Janet Hostetler (EMHS class of 1983).
Janet Hostetler '83, Alumnus of the Year 2018. Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir under the direction of Hostetler .

Young Alumnus awardees

2017 -- Matt Weaver '92
2016 -- Obe Hostetter '96
2015 -- Allison Yoder '00 Seabeck
2014 -- Laura Bomberger '04
2013 -- Rev. Alexander MacPhail '93
2012 -- Jan Emswiler '92
2011 -- Alicia Horst '96
2010 -- Amy Glick '90
2009 -- Emily Troyer Mellet '99
2008 -- Timothy Heatwole Shenk '03

 

Nathan Hershberger '08, Young Alum of the Year 2018, with his wife Katilin Heatwole and Leo on the roof of their house in Ankawa, Iraq. Photo by Joel Carillett.
Nathan Hershberger '08, Young Alum of the Year 2018, with his wife Katilin Heatwole and Leo on the roof of their house in Ankawa, Iraq. Photo by Joel Carillett.
Lori Snyder '74 Garrett with Esther Augsburger, her art teacher who set her on a path toward a career in architecture
Lori Snyder '74 Garrett with Esther Augsburger, her art teacher who set her on a path toward a career in architecture