EASTERN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY

'Eastern Mennonite University' is a private Christian liberal arts college in Harrisonburg, Virginia affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. The 93-acre campus is located in the Shenandoah Valley, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. 'Eastern Mennonite Seminary' (EMS) is the graduate theological division of EMU.^[1] EMU is also home to the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP).^[2]

Contents

History

Academics

Student life

References

External links

History

Eastern Mennonite College was founded in 1917 as a Bible academy to "provide a setting for young men and women of the Mennonite Church to deepen their biblical faith, study the liberal arts and gain specific skills in a variety of professions."^[3] In 1947, the baccalaureate degree program was approved by the state of Virginia. Regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools was achieved in 1959. In 1965, a seminary was added, "established with its formal name and an acting dean."^[4] In 1994, however, Eastern Mennonite College and Seminary were renamed Eastern Mennonite University.^[3]

Academics

EMU's current undergraduate programs include 39 majors and 35 minors. Students are required to participate in cross-cultural study. 85 percent of EMU graduates who applied in the past five years were accepted (compared to national average of 39 percent). Acceptance rate for all health sciences — veterinary school, dental, etc. — is 89 percent.^[6]
Eastern Mennonite Seminary is a graduate division of Eastern Mennonite University. The seminary has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools since 1986.^[7] In addition to the Mennonite Church, it is approved as an institution for the training of candidates for ordination in the United Methodist Church.^[8] In addition to its graduate theological division, EMU offers graduate programs in counseling, conflict transformation, education, and business administration.
The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding hosts the Summer Peacebuilding Institute each summer. Each year about 200 people from some 45 countries come to learn about building networks of peace.

Student life

Students "do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8). Close to half are non-Mennonite and some from other faiths, such as Islam and Hinduism. Like many intentionally-Christian colleges, EMU expects a community lifestyle commitment.^[9]
"EMU emphasizes a balance between academic achievement and athletic accomplishment."^[10] EMU's sports teams are known as the Royals, and EMU competes as NCAA Division III, a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Sports include basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and tennis.

References

1. Eastern Mennonite Seminary at EMU
2. Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at EMU
3. EMU History webpage
4. EMS History
5. EMU History webpage
6. EMU About webpage
7. History of EMS
8. The Methodist Connection
9. EMU Lifestyle Commitment Online
10. EMU Athletics Philosophy Online

External links

★ Official website