Even though Eastern Mennonite University was founded by the Mennonite Church, its current Mennonite student body population is declining.
Eastern Mennonite University began in 1917 as a Bible academy of the Mennonite Church. EMU received regional accreditation in 1959, followed by a name change from “college and seminary” to “university” in August 1994. Even though EMU was started by the Mennonite Church and has been funded by Mennonite individuals and groups, according to EMU’s factbook, of all the students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year, only 12.22% identify as Mennonite.
EMU’s academic requirements are rooted in Mennonite values. At EMU, students are required to get six Engage credits throughout their years at the university. To get an Engage credit, students must get 10 Engage points throughout a semester, which can be gained by attending various events offered throughout the week. While there are some events geared towards community engagement, many of the events aim to strengthen religious relationships. Beyond Engage requirements, students are also required to take a Theology and Religion course as a part of the CORE program, EMU’s equivalent to general education courses. For example, CORE 103 is a required class for all first-year students and includes sections that teach students about Mennonite identity and Anabaptism. These requirements attempt to keep ties to the Mennonite values in which EMU is based.
Tynisha Willingham, the Provost at EMU, said that EMU is always centering its education and curriculum around three core values: academic excellence, peace and justice, and active faith. She also explained how these values are exhibited in the intercultural programs by choosing countries with learning experiences that reflect Mennonite values and teachings. “We’re not just sending students [to] go study abroad in Cork, Ireland, for 15 weeks [and tell them to] have a good time partying,” said Willingham.
EMU has undergone great change in the years since its establishment, such as moves towards diversity, a sensitive topic for the Mennonite church. Through this, however, alumni exhibit many values that can still be seen across campus today, from open-mindedness to inclusivity.
Micah Shristi, Director of International Student Services, graduated from EMU in 2000. According to the 1999-2000 Factbook for Eastern Mennonite University, during the time in which Shristi was a student, the percentage of undergraduates who identified as Mennonite was 56.5%. He explained that his appreciation for Mennonite values exceeds the title. He believes the Mennonite term is widely misunderstood in the broader culture. “While I value Mennoniteism, I kind of wish that Mennonite weren’t part of the name of our school,” said Shristi.
But what are current students saying?
Junior Psychology major from Lancaster, PA., Ethan Kanagy comes from a Mennonite and Amish background, and grew up with both of his parents being Mennonite pastors for many years. Even as a Mennonite himself, Kanagy believes having the Mennonite name in EMU is not necessary, and is okay with not having required religion classes. “I would be more than happy attending a non-Mennonite school,” said Kanagy. Many of Kanagy’s views are echoed by the non-Mennonite students as well. Sophomore Nursing student Megan Smith, from Upper Tract, WV., stated, “I’m not Mennonite. I never grew up Mennonite.” Smith explained that she came to EMU for the nursing program, not for the religious component. She states that the Mennonite name in EMU is not very important to her because she simply is not Mennonite.
The number of Mennonite-identifying students is rapidly declining at EMU, from 29% during the 2013-2014 academic year to 12.22% during the 2025-2026 academic year. Though the root of the decline may be harder to track than one might expect.
Braydon Hoover, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, stated that there is no clear cause for this decline. He believes decreasing numbers can be attributed to disagreements within the Mennonite Church and a shift in priorities in Mennonite families. Many parents want to send their students to more prestigious schools, given the opportunity. Colleges are also beginning to welcome fewer students as the 2008 economic recession caused a 2% birth decline.
While the expansion of the Mennonite population in Latin American countries and the Global South is seemingly on the rise, the United States experienced a 30%-40% decline in international college students due to complications with obtaining visas, leaving these students unable to come to the U.S., according to Hoover.
Due to low Mennonite demographics, discussion around a name change has buzzed around campus for a number of years. The last serious consideration was in 2017. Shristi explained that the last move to rebrand EMU occurred before COVID, where the EMU logo was changed from spelling out the acronym to simply keeping it at “EMU.” “Personally, I would be fine with that. I don’t think it would fundamentally change anything about EMU,” said Shristi.
While current students from both sides of the Mennonite aisle and some alumni seem to be most on board with a name change, some faculty, staff, and administrators do not agree.
Hoover believes that the Mennonite name extends beyond the borders of religion, and demonstrates EMU’s commitment to peace, justice, and community. “As we continue clarifying and communicating that meaning, and as awareness of our brand grows, the name can actually become a strength, not a limitation,” said Hoover in an email. He thinks changing the name would cause a great stir of emotions from alumni who greatly identify with it, as well as current and prospective students. Willingham agreed, stating that a name change comes with more than one might expect. Not only are alumni left holding EMU’s former identity, but all the technicalities that a rebrand comes with may be more challenging than what it’s worth. “It’s a huge undertaking,” said Willingham.
To many, “Mennonite” is simply a religion. Though the values of ideas such as peacemaking and justice aren’t explicitly outlined through EMU’s name, a push towards a name change could strengthen the values EMU has fostered through its Anabaptist roots while welcoming other backgrounds. Whether Eastern Mennonite University changes its name or stays the same, two things will remain: EMU will continue to diversify, yet the school will never lose its roots. “Diversity of background and belief is part of what makes [the EMU] community so special,” said Hoover.
