Swartzendruber anticipates inauguration
Loren Swartzendruber will be inaugurated Saturday, March 27.
When soon-to-be-inaugurated EMU President Loren Swartzendruber is asked if he's excited about the upcoming inauguration, his eyes begin to gleam and a smile rushes across his face.
"Yes, yes, I am excited! I'm looking forward to this week. But you know, these ceremonies are not about me-it's about showcasing the university, the campus and bringing guests to EMU; a perfect way to get EMU out there-into the community."
On Saturday afternoon, Swartzendruber will deliver the inaugural address, entitled "Sacred Conversations." The address will use stories as a means of communicating student experiences on the university level while highlighting the impact of mentors in students' lives.
Although his busy schedule makes it difficult for him to put finishing touches on the address, Swarzendruber seems to enjoy it. "Yes, I'm busy," he says. "I'm always working; but it's very exciting."
It's certain that Swartzendruber will be kept busy in his position as president. He has big plans for his first term in office, which will include updating the campus master plans and fundraising for campus development. He hopes to launch a "capital campaign" to raise money for University Commons Phase II (the renovation of the Old Gym into a permanent theater facility), possibly developing the Science Center and planetarium, and increasing space for the music department.
Swartzendruber was very successful with fundraising during his presidency at Hesston, and anticipates the same success at EMU. "Hopefully, Phase II will happen within the next two years, or less," he says.
President Swartzendruber is optimistic about more than his fundraising prospects. He anticipates that the years to come will be very fulfilling despite a demanding schedule. "I'm sure there will be days where I say, 'There must be an easier job somewhere else!' but I don't question that this is where I'm supposed to be."
His assurance comes from remembering the process of how he came to EMU. After several years at Hesston College, Swartzendruber decided he would be leaving within a few years. He received a few job offers he wasn't interested in, and then he was contacted by the search committee from EMU. After much prayer and conversation with his wife, Pat, Swartzendruber decided to keep his name in the selection process although he didn't officially apply for the position. He says that he figured, "Yeah, I'll let them consider me. If I'm selected, fine, if not, I can stay at Hesston a few more years, then move on to something different."
President Swartzendruber feels extremely confident that he made the right choice and is dedicated to Eastern Mennonite University one hundred percent. "I trust this because I was invited for the job. I wouldn't feel this way with any institution, though. It's because I am totally committed to the mission of this university and its relationship to the Mennonite church. It's for this reason I am willing to pour out my life, time, and energy into a place like this-a place where I believe in the mission and want to be part of it."
Swartzendruber goes on to say that EMU shaped his life in many ways. EMU influenced him as both an undergraduate student and a graduate student, and greatly impacted the lives of his children. Today, President Swartzendruber feels "honored and privileged to be part of an institution that has and will continue to impact the lives of thousands of students over the years."
The next four years will be a time of excitement at EMU-beginning next week. A few of the events on the inaugural week schedule are choir and orchestra concerts, the EMU Theater production of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, CPR (a comedy improv group), and a worship service in Lehman Auditorium.
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