����Vlog announced on Thursday it has named Nathan K. Leopard as its new vice president for advancement. Leopard, who most recently served as director of development for Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, starts in the role on June 1.

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus announced the appointment in an email to faculty, staff, alumni, and friends on Thursday morning. The hire concludes a nationwide search that began in January.

Leopard succeeds Kirk Shisler ’81, ����Vlog’s vice president for advancement since 2005, who is transitioning to a new role as senior advisor for gift planning. Shisler has said the transition will allow him to focus exclusively on securing major gifts to sustain ����Vlog’s mission.

Leopard will continue a comprehensive advancement operation encompassing fundraising, alumni and constituent engagement, communications, and advancement services. He will also expand connections among alumni, donors, faith communities, foundations, and regional partners in support of the university’s mission.

“As vice president for advancement, I look forward to strengthening our culture of generosity, expanding our philanthropic reach, and helping secure the resources necessary to sustain and grow this mission,” Leopard said.

Dr. Dycus remarked on Leopard’s “genuine alignment” with ����Vlog’s mission and community. “What stands out most about Nathan is his values-driven, relational approach to advancement,” she said. “He views fundraising not as a series of transactions, but as a meaningful partnership that invites alumni and friends into a shared vision for impact.”

Two decades of experience

Leopard brings two decades of fundraising and advancement experience leading alumni relations, annual giving, event-based fundraising, and interdisciplinary major gifts.

At Virginia Tech, he led fundraising and stewardship operations for the Pamplin College of Business, where he personally secured more than $17 million in gifts since August 2022 and helped direct development efforts that generated nearly $50 million in support for the school. He also co-led the college’s Giving Day strategy, which saw substantial growth in donor participation.

Prior to that, Leopard served as senior director of major gifts at Penn State University’s Smeal College of Business, where he played a key role in the college’s success during the six-year A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence fundraising campaign. The $2.2 billion campaign generated more than $116 million in gifts and commitments for the college, exceeding its goal by more than 22%.

He also served as associate director of development for Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College, where he led the development and launch of an initiative that significantly boosted parent giving.

Leopard’s nonprofit experience includes serving as the first distinguished giving director for the American Cancer Society.

He holds an MS in college student personnel from Miami University (Ohio) and a bachelor’s of science in public relations from Northwest Missouri State University. The Show Me State native, who began his career in student affairs and whose wife, Dr. Jennifer Grossman Leopard, is the director of student life at James Madison University, described himself as a “big believer” in the holistic experience.

“The people I’ve met at ����Vlog have been genuine, thoughtful, and caring,” he said. “Having the opportunity to be at a place like ����Vlog, where I can embrace the whole person and support others in embracing their full selves, is truly meaningful.”

����Vlog’s focus on preparing graduates who make the world a better place aligns with his personal mission, Leopard said. “They’re not just going out and leading companies, reforming laws, treating illnesses, or educating people, but they’re changing the world,” he said. “I want to help people change the world.”

Building on positive momentum

Leopard joins the university at an exciting time. ����Vlog is three years into its first-ever, five-year Forward Together comprehensive campaign, which has raised more than $32 million, or 80% of its $40 million goal. Enrollment is also on the upswing. The university announced this week it received 3,000 undergraduate applications for the first time in its history.

In addition to building on that positive momentum, Leopard said he looks forward to getting to know each of the members of the advancement team and working with Dr. Dycus and the board of trustees to shape their vision for the future of ����Vlog while connecting with donors.

Leopard lives in the Harrisonburg area with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children, Caroline and Jack. Their daughter has participated in ����Vlog’s Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir and in several camps held on campus.

Quoting the soccer coach from the comedy series Ted Lasso, Leopard said he aims to “be curious” as he steps into his new role.

“I’m going to be a sponge and learn as much as I can about ����Vlog, including about our students, our alumni, our stakeholders, and our events and culture,” he said.

HARRISONBURG, Va. — ����Vlog and Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community announced Monday, May 11, a strategic partnership that strengthens and expands their long-standing relationship, allowing VMRC to plan for future growth while providing ����Vlog with the resources to advance its educational mission.

As part of the agreement, VMRC will acquire Park Woods, a 13-acre oak-hickory forest it shares with ����Vlog, with a commitment to continue stewarding and preserving the urban green space as an enduring asset to the community. The partnership also includes a five-year plan for VMRC’s potential expansion through its purchase of the land upon which the ����Vlog baseball field now sits, along with the construction of a new ballfield at another location on the university campus.

The partnership, which has been approved by each institution’s board of trustees, supports their long-term strategic goals by strengthening financial sustainability, expanding opportunities for intergenerational engagement, and reinforcing their shared presence as mission-driven organizations serving the public good.

Leaders of the neighboring Harrisonburg institutions describe the partnership as a “win-win,” supporting both VMRC’s capacity to serve current and future residents and ����Vlog’s ability to invest in academic excellence, student access, and community engagement.

“This partnership honors our history while giving us the flexibility and capacity to plan for long-term vitality,” VMRC President and CEO Jake Bell said. “It allows us to continue providing high-quality care and community while strengthening our connection to ����Vlog and the region we both serve.”

“This partnership reflects who we are and how we want to lead,” ����Vlog Interim President Shannon W. Dycus said. “It builds on decades of relationship, shared geography, and common values, while positioning both institutions to respond thoughtfully and responsibly to the future.”

����Vlog and VMRC share a foundation of Anabaptist-Mennonite values and a commitment to community, service, and care for the whole person. The two institutions have long been neighbors and partners, and this agreement positions them to collaborate more intentionally on academic, cultural, and community initiatives that benefit students, residents, employees, and the greater Harrisonburg region.

Media Contact:
Ryan Cornell
Senior Writer & Communications Manager
ryan.cornell@emu.edu
(540) 432-4059

In our series of student and alumni stories, social media posts, and letters and emails, we invited you to become part of Lov����Vlog history by making this year’s Giving Day the best one yet. You answered the call, giving $402,722 to scholarships and financial aid, direct support for faculty and staff, ����Vlog’s life-changing intercultural programs, and, for the first time, resources for first-generation college students.

Together, we surpassed the $400,000 goal set by Lov����Vlog organizers and topped our previous record of $365,512, raised last year, by an impressive 10%.

In an email sent Thursday, Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), annual giving and donor communications specialist, expressed gratitude for the generosity shown by ����Vlog alumni, friends, and fans.

“It is inspiring and humbling to witness the outpouring of support our community showed—with every gift, text to a family member or friend, or post to social media, you helped us meet our goal. We are incredibly grateful.” she said.

Among the highlights from this year’s Lov����Vlog Giving Day, she shared, were:

• Unlocking every challenge of the day;
• watching hundreds of alumni, employees, donors, and students connect and celebrate during the Lov����Vlog Community Meal; and
• welcoming 19 future Royals who visited for the day into the ����Vlog community.

“Thank you again for showing up for ����Vlog,” Litwiller said. “Your support has a direct impact on current students, future students, and the entire ����Vlog community.”

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni fill Yoder Arena for Wednesday morning’s Lov����Vlog Pep Rally.

The day kicked off with the third annual Lov����Vlog Pep Rally at Yoder Arena. The rally had it all: a dramatic entrance by Herm on an e-bike, the return of the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon, and performances by the top three athletic teams from the previous night’s Lip-Sync Battle.

Read a recap of the pep rally below!

Sights and sounds from the University Festival: Past, present, and future Royals meet with Herm (top photo), snap pics at the Lov����Vlog photo booth (left), and bob for apples (right) at one of the Student Union club booths.

Following the pep rally, the University Festival in the Hall of Nations connected faculty members with prospective students and featured games and activities hosted by student clubs. 

Mathematics Professor Dr. Daniel Showalter brought his two daughters and his dad, Dennis Showalter ’73, to the event. He said he gives to scholarships such as the HDH and Flora Showalter Endowed Scholarship, which supports math and computer science students, on Lov����Vlog Giving Day.

“This is my dream job,” he said. “I want to do whatever I can to keep the atmosphere vibrant and living. I feel really grateful that I get to wake up every morning and go to a job that is meaningful and enjoyable.”

Jacob Horsley ’22, MBA ’25, associate director of undergraduate admissions, said he chooses to give back to the university on Lov����Vlog Giving Day because he’s a “repeat Royal.”

“I’m a double-alumnus,” he said. “I have experienced the impact of this supportive community, and I want to make sure that it continues.”

The Lunch & Lawn Party returned to Thomas Plaza with a free student lunch and various lawn games.

The campus community enjoyed Wednesday’s warm weather at the Lunch & Lawn Party on Thomas Plaza, where they savored Korean beef bowls and competed in lawn games. The annual student appreciation lunch, free for all students and hosted in partnership between Pioneer College Caterers and the Campus Activities Council, included the traditional egg toss and a Bubble Bus that filled the Front Lawn with giant bubbles.

From 2 to 4 p.m., members of ����Vlog’s MA in Counseling program led self-care activities at the Student Union.

As ����Vlog’s night owls kept the energy alive, Lov����Vlog participants had plenty more activities to enjoy. Back by popular demand and hosted by the Student Government Association, the Real Life Mario Kart Race returned to the University Commons indoor track, where teams of three raced on scooters, dodged obstacles, and collected prizes. Later, from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, the Art After Dark craft event featured live music from ����Vlog’s jazz trio.

View the full schedule of events at .

Leaderboard competition

The winners of the 2026 Lov����Vlog leaderboard competition are:

Academic program

• First place ($1,000 prize): Nursing
• Second place ($500 prize): Natural Sciences
• Third place ($250 prize): Education

Student club/org

• First place ($1,000 prize): Muslim Student Alliance (a new org formed this year!)
• Second place ($500 prize): Black Student Alliance
• Third place ($250 prize): ����Vlog Outdoor

Athletic team

• First place ($1,000 prize): Women’s Volleyball
• Second place ($500 prize): Women’s Basketball
• Third place ($250 prize): Men’s volleyball

Challenges (all unlocked)

Donors unlocked all $170,000 in challenge match funds for the University Fund, student scholarships, intercultural programs, athletics, and, new to Lov����Vlog this year, support for first-generation college students.

Lov����Vlog Early Challenge: We received more than 120 gifts before the start of Lov����Vlog Giving Day to unlock $15,000 for the University Fund.

All-day challenges

Loyal Royal Challenge: More than 250 alumni made gifts to ����Vlog during Lov����Vlog Giving Day to unlock $20,000 for student scholarships.

Friends of ����Vlog Challenge: More than 175 non-alumni made gifts to unlock $15,000 for the University Fund.

Future Royal Challenge: Because 19 prospective students who were in attendance on Lov����Vlog Giving Day paid their tuition deposit, either on the day or beforehand, we unlocked $19,000 in scholarship funds.

Timed challenges

Early Herm Gets the Worm: We received 75 gifts before 9 a.m. on Wednesday to unlock $15,000 for student scholarships.

First-Gen Match of 10: In a first-ever Lov����Vlog challenge of its kind, a “match of the match” through a NetVUE grant, we raised $10,052 to support first-generation students.

Lov����Vlog at First Sight: We received 110 gifts between noon and 3 p.m. to unlock a whopping $30,000 for the University Fund.

What a Wonderful World: We received 80 gifts from 5-7 p.m. to unlock $20,000 to ensure all students are able to access ����Vlog’s impactful intercultural experiences.

The Generosity Marathon: We received 55 gifts from 7:30-9 p.m. to unlock $10,000 for ����Vlog Athletics.

Late-night Leadership: We received 100 gifts from 9 p.m. to midnight to unlock $20,000 for the University Fund.

Thanks to everyone who donated, shared their time to celebrate their love of all things ����Vlog, and joined in the festivities on campus! Special thanks to the 2026 Lov����Vlog planning team: Nicole Litwiller, Arelys Martinez Fabian, Cassandra Guerrero, Kyle Dickinson, Leah Frankenfield, Luke Litwiller, Maria Longenecker, Omar Hoyos, Steve Johnson, and Tyler Goss.

Swipe through our photo album from the day below!

Herm was missing. The crowd of faculty, staff, students, and alumni at Yoder Arena for Wednesday morning’s Lov����Vlog Pep Rally called out his name. They searched high and low. But he was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, the roar of a motorcycle engine filled the gymnasium. Moments later, everyone’s favorite friendly blue lion glided onto the hardwood on a sleek new e-bike.

The e-bike, announced Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), Lov����Vlog organizer and pep rally emcee, was a new addition to the Sadie Hartzler Library, thanks to a generous donation from an ����Vlog alum, the diligent work of senior Joshua Stucky, and a partnership between library staff and the Shenandoah Bicycle Company. 

Starting Monday, students can check out the bike from the library at any time and “easily bike all over campus and Harrisonburg,” she said.

Herm’s dramatic entrance was just one of many memorable moments that energized the crowd with the Lov����Vlog Giving Day spirit. Wednesday’s pep rally had it all: a current student exclaiming her love for ����Vlog, a future student officially declaring ����Vlog as his school for next year, and performances by the previous night’s Lip-Sync Battle champions. 

“It’s sure to be the best Lip-Sync Battle this side of the Shenandoah,” promised fellow pep rally organizer and emcee Tyler Goss, director for student engagement and leadership development.

Scroll down to the bottom of this article to watch a video recording of the pep rally.

Students snagged free Lov����Vlog shirts shot into the crowd by the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon.

Throughout the event, engineering lab tech Henry Bowser and engineering student Max Fritts fired shirts into the stands using the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon. The launcher, which debuted at last year’s pep rally, was funded by 2019 alumni Ben, an engineering graduate, and Kayla Zook.

Lov����Vlog Giving Day is an opportunity to pause and celebrate all the incredible things about ����Vlog, which include “our amazing academic programs, our incredible athletic teams, our impactful clubs and orgs, and our supportive community as a whole,” Litwiller said. “Part of how we can express that celebration is through generosity.”

Funds from Lov����Vlog Giving Day benefit current and future students, faculty, and staff by making education more affordable and providing them with the facilities and resources they need to access an outstanding education. Since the first Lov����Vlog Giving Day in 2017, the university has raised more than $2 million on annual giving days. 

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, this year’s Lov����Vlog Giving Day was the best one yet, with over $402,000 raised, according to the .

The pep rally began with the premiere of the official Lov����Vlog Giving Day video. It celebrates the past nine giving days and sets sights on the future, featuring voiceovers from Litwiller and Marketing and Communications Project Manager Aric Berg, along with cameos from faculty, staff, students, athletes, and alumni. The video was produced by Macson McGuigan ’17.

Watch the official hype video below!

Sophomore Ari Smart speaks about finding her fit at ����Vlog (left) and future student Brady Crisp (right) rings the cowbell.

Ari Smart, a sophomore majoring in art education, shared her experiences at ����Vlog. The Stafford, Virginia, native, who serves as a Royal Ambassador and plays on the field hockey and lacrosse teams, spoke about finding her place in a community that made her feel seen, supported, and valued. “This is a place that pushes me to grow,” she said. 

Through classes that challenge her to think differently, clubs that let her explore new interests, and experiences that prepare her for the future, she has gained confidence, independence, and the ability to take initiative.

“This university has given me more than an education; it has given me a sense of belonging, a community that feels like family, and experiences I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

“It has helped me grow into a stronger, more confident version of myself, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.”

The pep rally crowd also welcomed a future Royal to the ����Vlog family. Brady Crisp, a senior from Fluvanna County High School who will join the men’s soccer team this fall, took part in the cherished tradition of ringing the cowbell to celebrate his commitment. 

Each time a prospective student who was in attendance on Lov����Vlog Giving Day paid their tuition deposit—as Crisp did—either on the day or beforehand, the university unlocked an additional $1,000 in scholarship funds. The Future Royal Challenge, funded by two graduates from the Class of 1958, raised $19,000 in scholarships on Wednesday.

The women’s volleyball (left) and lacrosse teams (right) perform lip-sync routines at the Lov����Vlog Pep Rally on Wednesday.

The third annual Lov����Vlog Pep Rally showcased performances by the top three athletic teams from the previous night’s annual Lip-Sync Battle, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The women’s basketball and lacrosse teams competed for second place, with the basketball team prevailing after a crowd vote. The women’s volleyball team, this year’s champions, combined lip-syncing with a carefully choreographed routine to a medley of songs from High School Musical.

Senior Admissions Counselor Lexi Fotis-Brown MA ’25 (organizational leadership) led this portion of the pep rally, hyping up the teams and the crowd. “Absolutely electric,” she told the teams. “Just remember, you’re all winners in my heart.”

Earlier in the event, emcees Litwiller and Goss exchanged some lighthearted banter. 

Goss said, “Wait, so you’re telling me we do all this to make the student experience at ����Vlog the best it can be? What are you going to tell me next? That the generosity of donors helps fund student scholarships, improve campus facilities, and even keeps the lights on?”

“I mean, yeah, you said it,” Litwiller replied.

Watch a recording of the pep rally below!

The world has changed in many ways since the inaugural Lov����Vlog Giving Day was held on April 4, 2017.

One thing that’s remained constant through the years, says Nicole Litwiller ’19, MA ’20 (conflict transformation), is the outpouring of donor support during the annual Lov����Vlog Giving Day.

“This year is our 10th annual giving day, so it feels very significant,” said Litwiller, annual giving and donor communication specialist. “Having been a student when Lov����Vlog Giving Day began, I experienced the impact of donor support directly through financial aid to ensure I could access my education at ����Vlog. Now, I work in the Advancement office and get to see the ways our donors channel their passion through giving to support ����Vlog and our students. We’re so grateful for all of the support our community has shown and continues to show.”

Participate in our 24-hour giving day extravaganza, in which alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and friends come together to support and celebrate the wonderful university we all love. Help us set a new record! Last year, we raised $365,313 from 360 unique donors. With your help, we can all make a difference by contributing to scholarships and financial aid, direct support for faculty and staff, life-changing intercultural programs, and, for the first time ever, resources for first-generation college students.

Lov����Vlog Day Events

Clockwise from top left: Adam Stoltzfus ’25 fires shirts into the crowd during last year’s giving day pep rally. | Students play lawn games on the Front Lawn during the Lov����Vlog 2025 Lunch & Lawn Party. | Tyler Goss zooms down the indoor track during the Real Life Mario Kart Race. | The ����Vlog community gathers inside the Hall of Nations to celebrate during an evening meal together. (Photos by Macson McGuigan ’17)

Plenty of events will be held throughout the day to demonstrate your Royal pride and unleash your Lov����Vlog spirit. Tag #Lov����Vlog and #ForTheRecord in your social media posts and tell your friends and family about Lov����Vlog Giving Day.

Tuesday, March 31

Lip Sync Battle
8 p.m. | Yoder Arena
����Vlog’s athletic teams will compete in their annual Lip Sync Battle, hosted by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Come out to cheer on your favorite teams.

Wednesday, April 1

Throughout the day, the ����Vlog merch store, staffed by representatives from the University Outpost, will sell apparel and other ����Vlog-branded merchandise at the Student Union from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Lov����Vlog participants and guests can also stop by the Lov����Vlog hub inside the Hall of Nations at any time during the day to win prizes, collect a free T-shirt while supplies last, and make a gift in-person.

Lov����Vlog Pep Rally
10:15 a.m. | Yoder Arena
The 10th annual Lov����Vlog Giving Day kicks off with a high-energy pep rally to get everyone in the giving mood. Come early for the doughnuts, but stay for the performances featuring the previous night’s Lip Sync Battle winners.

Lunch & Lawn Party
Noon-1:30 p.m. | Thomas Plaza
The annual student appreciation lunch, free for all students and hosted in partnership between Pioneer College Caterers and Campus Activities Council, returns to Thomas Plaza. A description of the event promises “good food, lawn games, and prizes.”

Lov����Vlog Community Meal
5:30-7:30 p.m. | Hall of Nations
Join the campus community for an evening of live music, food, and a celebration of all things ����Vlog. Dinner is free and open to all students, prospective students, faculty and staff, alumni, donors, and families. .

For a full list of events, including the first-ever Lov����Vlog dating show, the return of the popular Real Life Mario Kart Race, and an Art After Dark craft night, visit .

Lov����Vlog Day Challenges

This year’s Lov����Vlog Giving Day features $170,000 in challenge match funds from generous donors, split between full-day and timed challenges. It’s the most challenge match funds ever, Litwiller said.

“That’s huge,” she said. “We’re really counting on our community to come together and unlock all those funds throughout the day.”

The day also marks the return of the popular leaderboard competition. Each gift of $10 or more is eligible to cast a vote for your favorite academic program, student club or organization, and athletic team. First place in each category will receive $1,000, second place receives $500, and third place receives $250.

Lov����Vlog Early Challenge (almost there!)

Help us reach our goal of receiving 120 gifts before Lov����Vlog Giving Day to unlock an additional $15,000 toward the University Fund, our top fundraising priority.

All-Day Challenges

Loyal Royal Challenge
If 250 alumni make a gift to ����Vlog before midnight, $20,000 to student scholarships will be unlocked.

Friends of ����Vlog Challenge
If 175 non-alumni participate in Lov����Vlog Day, $15,000 to the University Fund will be unlocked.

Future Royal Challenge
Admissions is once again teaming up with Lov����Vlog Day. For each prospective student who attends Lov����Vlog Day AND pays their tuition deposit (either on the day or prior to it), we’ll unlock $1,000 for ����Vlog’s scholarship funds. This challenge is funded by two graduates from the class of 1958.

Timed Challenges

Give early and often to help us unlock over $150,000 in matching funds.

Early Herm Gets the Worm
6-9 a.m.
If we receive 75 gifts before 9 a.m., we’ll unlock $15,000 for student scholarships.

First-Gen Match of 10
10 a.m.-noon
In this first-ever challenge of its kind, each gift made for first-generation student support will be matched up to $10,000. Plus, a NetVUE grant will match the match—all money raised through the end of next year will be matched up to $60,000. These gifts provide programming for first-gen students to explore vocation in a way that celebrates discovery, fulfillment, and calling. Give from 10 a.m.-noon and have 4x the impact.

Lov����Vlog at First Sight
Noon-3 p.m.
On our first Lov����Vlog Giving Day, we had a total of $30,000 to unlock throughout the entire day. Now, in celebration of our 10th giving day, a generous donor has committed that much for just one massive challenge. With 110 gifts between noon and 3 p.m., we’ll unlock a whopping $30,000 for the University Fund.

What a Wonderful World
5-7 p.m.
In honor of his late wife Christine Good Shenk ’83, Ed Shenk ’83 has put forward a $20,000 match for Intercultural Programs. Christine’s cross-cultural to the Middle East during her time at ����Vlog was incredibly transformative for her. With 80 gifts from 5-7 p.m., we will unlock $20,000 to ensure all students are able to access ����Vlog’s impactful intercultural experiences.

The Generosity Marathon
7:30-9 p.m.
If we receive 55 gifts from 7:30-9 p.m., we’ll unlock $10,000 for ����Vlog Athletics thanks to an alumni couple from the class of 2020 and an anonymous donor couple.

Late-night Leadership
9 p.m.-midnight
In celebration of Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus‘ first year in office, two generous donors have put up $20,000 in this final challenge of the day. One-hundred gifts from 9 p.m. to midnight will earn us a final boost for the University Fund to close out the day.

Other ways to show your ����Vlog love

From March 25 to April 1, stop by Common Grounds Coffeehouse and enjoy “The Blue Monarch,” a naturally blue tea steeped from butterfly pea flower petals, swirled with milk, white chocolate, and blueberry, and topped with cold foam—all to celebrate Royal pride. Feeling extra regal? Add boba! Plus, with any order during that week, you can choose to add a small donation that will support student scholarships.

You can also show your ����Vlog love by supporting a couple ����Vlog alumni-owned businesses.

The is partnering with ����Vlog again this year. From now through April 1, enjoy a “Blue & Gold” Blueberry Mango Trifle, and profits will support ����Vlog’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund. This fund directly supports ����Vlog’s commitment to creating a community of learners where everyone feels connected, accepted, valued, and respected.

In honor of Lov����Vlog Giving Day, the owners of AJ’s Gentlemen’s Barbershop are giving back to their alma mater. When you stop by and mention Lov����Vlog, 10% of your service will go directly to support ����Vlog’s Intensive English Program. Book online at or stop by, and don’t forget to say Lov����Vlog.

How to give

You can give online via credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay at , by calling 800-368-3383, written check or check by mail, donor-advised gifts, IRA gifts or establishing recurring giving. All gifts are tax-deductible. You can also stop by the Lov����Vlog hub on April 1 and make your gift in person.

For more information about Lov����Vlog events and challenges, visit .

A fall 1981 intercultural to Jerusalem left a lasting impression on the late Christine Good Shenk ’83. 

The accounting grad, who passed away in July 2024, formed friendships that semester that endured long after she graduated from ����Vlog. Nine of her fellow students on the intercultural became part of a close-knit circle of friends known as “The Gang,” which has continued to gather regularly for decades.

Her widower, Ed Shenk ’83, was not part of the intercultural. At the time, the international agricultural development and biology education major was studying at Pennsylvania State University. Over the years, though, as the Lancaster, Pennsylvania, couple attended biannual reunions in major cities, members’ homes, beach houses, and even aboard a Caribbean cruise, he deepened his friendships with members of The Gang.

In her memory, he donated $90,000 to establish ����Vlog’s new Intercultural Programs Alumni Grant Fund and intends to make additional gifts going forward. The fund provides financial support for students who want to participate in intercultural programs but may not have the means to afford them. 

����Vlog’s intercultural programs have impacted thousands of graduates, offering opportunities to engage in different cultures, build global relationships, and experience a new perspective.

“When I began to think about the impact of intercultural programs, it was the friends, the experiences, and the exposure to other cultures that really lasted for her,” Ed Shenk said. “This is something she would’ve supported.”

His donation marks the largest-ever gift from an alum specifically for intercultural programs, according to Tim Swartzendruber ’95, senior regional advancement director for ����Vlog. 

“This is the first fund, in the 53 years of excellence in crosscultural learning at ����Vlog, that will go 100% to undergraduates who need financial support to seize this life-changing opportunity, and stipends for our adventuresome professors who lead interculturals!” he wrote in a recent Facebook post.

Christina Harrison, director of ����Vlog intercultural programs, called the grant fund a “game changer” for students. “This alumni-funded support will eliminate financial barriers for so many students who may be unable to consider an intercultural travel program due to lack of resources,” she said. ����Vlog leaders said they hope the fund will reach $500,000.

For more information about ����Vlog’s unique experiential intercultural learning opportunities, including future programs, visit .

Note “IPAGF” when you and you will join alumni like Ed Shenk who are paying it forward in a meaningful way for today’s students. 

Kirk Shisler ’81 wants to make one thing very clear: He’s not retiring. At least not anytime soon. After 21 years of faithfully serving his alma mater as its vice president for advancement, he’s simply switching gears. 

This summer, Shisler will transition from his lofty perch as VP to a new position specially carved out for him that utilizes his unique qualities and strengths in a way that benefits ����Vlog best. He said his new role as senior gift planning advisor will allow him to focus exclusively on securing major gifts to sustain ����Vlog’s mission.

“We recently crossed the halfway point of ����Vlog’s five-year, $40 million Forward Together campaign, and I am pleased to report that we have already raised $29 million, or 72% of the goal, which puts us ahead of schedule,” Shisler said. “I look forward to increasing our fundraising momentum even more as I assume my new role.”

Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus will formally announce the news of Shisler’s transition via email on Thursday, Jan. 22. With the announcement, ����Vlog officially enters into a national search for its next vice president for advancement.

For several years now, Shisler said, he’s anticipated a transition like this one. By passing his administrative responsibilities on to a successor, he can directly focus his energies toward the aspects of advancement he enjoys most and where he will have the greatest impact. And, despite the various headwinds straining higher education, Shisler said he believes ����Vlog is poised to transcend those challenges.

“We have a strong leadership team in place under Interim President Dycus, and a tremendous faculty and staff,” Shisler said. “����Vlog’s value proposition includes a proven track record for the employability of its graduates, who also benefit from an education that blends rigorous academics with soft skills in leadership, conflict resolution, and other skills needed to succeed in today’s work environment.”

‘An enduring imprint’

����Vlog’s presidents, past and present, commended Shisler for his effective fundraising, steadfast leadership, and deep commitment to the university over the past two decades. 

Dycus, interim president of ����Vlog since July 1, credited Shisler with “shaping a culture of generosity rooted in mission” and strengthening alumni and donor relationships. “Kirk’s steady, values-driven leadership will leave an enduring imprint on this institution and the countless students whose lives have been changed through his work,” she said.

Dr. Loren Swartzendruber ’76, MDiv ’79, president of ����Vlog from 2003 to 2016, noted that he had recruited Shisler twice to ����Vlog: first as an admissions counselor when Shisler was a high school senior, and later as president when Shisler was hired to lead the advancement division. “No university president can be successful without a person of Kirk’s caliber in that office,” said Swartzendruber. “His continuing efforts to attract leadership gifts will pay dividends for years to come.”

And President Emerita Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman, who led the university from 2016 to 2025, expressed gratitude for the “enormous positive impact” Shisler had “year after year for 20 years without fail,” advancing ����Vlog’s mission, supporting its students, contributing to its financial health, and ensuring its donors felt special and important. 

“Without ‘Captain’ Kirk’s can-do spirit, relational genius, and organizational prowess, there is no first-ever ����Vlog comprehensive campaign for people, programs, and facilities,” said Huxman, referencing the Forward Together (2023-28) campaign. “There is no audacious $40 million five-year goal, half of which we raised in just the first two years. This bold and successful campaign has been the crowning achievement of his great legacy in executive administration at ����Vlog.”

Indeed, there have been many crowning achievements for Shisler over the years. Whether it’s the completion of ����Vlog’s state-of-the-art track and field complex—regarded among the finest athletic facilities in the conference—the transformation of laboratories and classrooms in the Suter Science Center through a $12 million campaign (2007-15), or renovations to the south section of University Commons, he’s always kept his eyes squarely on the prize: ensuring ����Vlog not only survives but also thrives long into the future.

Less visible, but just as impactful as those capital improvement projects, is the membership growth of ����Vlog’s throughout his tenure. The group of alumni and donors name ����Vlog in their estate plans, supporting the future financial stability and security of the school. “We have grown the society from roughly 150 members, when I arrived in 2005, to over 600 today,” Shisler said. “We often refer to these future gifts as ����Vlog’s Book of Futures. The approximate future value of these estate commitments currently exceeds $35 million.”

Clockwise from top: Kirk Shisler, vice president for advancement, with Phil Helmuth and Graham Stauffer, during Lov����Vlog Giving Day 2023. | The longtime advancement VP speaks during a gathering celebration at Homecoming and Family Weekend 2021. | Shisler accepts a hard hat from Braydon Hoover ’11, MA ’21, then-associate vice president for advancement at ����Vlog, during a groundbreaking ceremony for the track in 2023.

Focus, patience, and tenacity

One key ingredient to Shisler’s success is the length of his tenure, which has allowed him to build close connections and enduring relationships with alumni and donors.

According to a from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, fundraising administrators have a median of five years of service in their position, slightly below the median for all higher ed administrative positions (5.5 years). Those figures are well below the 21-year span that Shisler has served at ����Vlog.

During those 21 years, he estimated, working with advancement teams and the three aforementioned presidents, he helped raise about $120 million for ����Vlog. Last year, thanks to a combination of generous donors and several large bequests, the university achieved its second-highest fundraising total on record.

“Those who have been involved in higher ed and nonprofit fundraising for as long as I have know that it takes significant focus, patience and tenacity to secure gifts of significance for our organizations,” Shisler said. 

Doug Mason, an advancement consultant who has advised ����Vlog’s team for 15 years as well as many other schools, said his most successful clients have leaders who “stick with it and really invest in the mission of their institution.”  

“Donors really appreciate continuity,” Mason said. “Having somebody like Kirk, who’s been there for over two decades, is quite unusual, and it’s been extraordinarily beneficial to ����Vlog.”

So why exactly has Shisler stayed for so long? He said the societal impact of ����Vlog’s alumni around the world continues to motivate him and sustain his commitment to the university’s mission. He added that, through the years, he’s been blessed to be part of “highly motivated and supportive teams of advancement professionals,” and that he’s continually inspired by the dedication and high-quality work of ����Vlog’s faculty and staff.

A seasoned fundraiser

Growing up in Telford, Pennsylvania, Shisler said his parents taught him at a young age the importance of giving generously and of tithing to the church. But it wasn’t until later, after entering the workforce, that he realized his skills in storytelling and communications could be used to fundraise for causes he cared about. The Dock Mennonite Academy alum graduated from ����Vlog with a bachelor of arts in English in 1981. He then began a quarter-century career at Laubach Literacy International, a nonprofit now known as ProLiteracy.

In 2004, Swartzendruber called Shisler to ask whether he would be interested in the VP position, succeeding Richard L. Gunden. After an interview that summer, Shisler accepted the offer (he started in the position in April 2005). “Loren said to me, ‘Well, Kirk, you will have served Laubach for 23 years. I’m really hoping that you’ll give the same amount of time, or more, to ����Vlog,’” Shisler recalled. “And here we are. With my transition to a different role, I may end up serving 23 years.”

As a result of his change, the avid fly fisherman said he’ll spend less time on the road and more time with his family—he and his wife, Mary Ann, have two sons, Ben and Andy. He’ll also spend less time in meetings as he devotes his focus entirely on working with major donors to design “charitable gifts of significance” for ����Vlog.

Back when he was first hired at the university, Shisler told the late Jim Bishop, former public information officer for ����Vlog, in a 2005 news article: “����Vlog is at a very exciting juncture in its history. I believe the school is truly a vehicle for healing and hope in our troubled world, and I look forward to joining the ����Vlog community as, together, we advance its mission.”

Twenty-one years later, those words still ring true.