Eastern Mennonite University - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

Page 18 text:

for S — a a) — i=) o = ma} . =| s a = eo) A AMONG VIRGINIAN LOCATED A COLLEGE

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When the city of Harrisonburg became the cen- ter of business life and trade, many Mennonites moved to Rockingham County, in the vicinity of Harrisonburg, and established a strong commu- nity. These hearty people, although few in number and somewhat removed from other Mennonite communities, contributed their share to the prog- ress of the church. The first English song book was printed by the hand press of Joseph Funk at Singers Glen. This inspired an interest in music which gave the church some of its most talented musicians. The service of pioneer evangelist John S. Coff- man, the establishment of missions in the Appa- lachian highlands, and the beginning of a church school also championed the growth of Mennonit- ism in America.

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Assembly Park, a 23-acre tract of timber-covered Jand near Harrison- burg, was bought in 1917 by a group of men who realized the pressing need for a Mennonite school in the East. An old hotel located in the Park eraciously lent its rooms for the first sessions of the new school. When the old frame structure was no longer adequate, construction was begun on a new stucco building. Sev- eral times classes were abandoned and the students enthusiastically worked on the pipeline and helped to clean and order the new building. This building, when completed, provided space for 68 students, a li- brary of 750 volumes, and the be- ginnings of a laboratory. HILLS That was EMS—-a weak baby kicking for survival. This is EMC— a strong college fully accredited and academically sound. The old stucco building has re- ceived two brick annexations, and the remainder of the 35-acre campus is dotted with an auditorium, observa- tory, gymnasium-student center, res- idences, and other academic build- ings. The 750 volumes have moved over to give room to a library of over 22,- 000 modern books and a host of magazines. The single Bible curriculum of 1917 has made way for five divi- sions and many departments of study, and the small laboratory has emerged into several fully equipped, well-lighted working areas.