How does EMU reconcile its need, on one hand, for generous donations from alumni to modernize our facilities and to offer financial aid with, on the other hand, its emphasis on producing graduates who lead lives of humble service?
I don’t think that wealth in and of itself is a bad thing. There are people who take that position; there are some people who would be more of the mind that if somebody has wealth it probably means they did something unethical to get it. I’ve met far too many people of wealth for whom that just doesn’t fit. Many of them started with an idea. They were creative, visionary. They started a business and it became successful. Many of them are incredibly generous, often without any hunger for recognition. They just love EMU and want to support it. I had donors ask me just two days ago, “Should we donate to Mennonite Central Committee or Eastern Mennonite University?” This is a couple of considerable wealth who have lived frugally all their lives. They invested in land years ago and it has become very valuable. They care about the whole church. The husband asked me, “Should I give it to feed the poor, or should I give it to EMU?” My answer was, first of all, I support Mennonite Central Commit
