Mennonite Weekly Review

HARRISONBURG, Va. — A wreath placed on the entrance door read “R.I.P.,” but few tears were shed at the funeral for a nearly 40-year-old Eastern Mennonite University icon, Oakwood residence hall.

Kenton Derstine, who lived in Oakwood the year it opened (1969-70), and son Nathan Derstine, an Eastern Mennonite University junior and resident there the last two years, have fond memories of the residence hall. — Photo by EMU

Former residents of the fabled building, which housed about 2,800 men between 1969 and 2008, paid their respects to the hall and shared memories Sept. 1.

A 120-room residence hall will replace Oakwood at the same location on the quad facing Maplewood and Elmwood residence halls, completed in 1963.

About 75 alumni and current students toured the structure, among them Kenton T. Derstine, a 1972 graduate and now director of clinical pastoral education at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Derstine, who lived in Oakwood its inaugural year, remembers the “intense discussions” held on politics and peace and justice issues as the Vietnam War escalated.

“It really was a formative year for me in that dorm,” he said.

Nathan T. Derstine, Kenton Derstine’s son, was a resident of Oakwood last year.

“We had people willing to give up sleep to have amazing conversations at two in the morning,” he said.

The indelible date for Nathan Derstine was April 13, 2007, when six Oakwood students attempted to place a stuffed bison from the Suter Science Center on the roof of the three-story building. One student fell off the roof but miraculously escaped lasting major injuries.

C. Eldon Kurtz, director of physical plant, a 1976 graduate and an Oakwood residence director while a student, said old furniture from the building has been sold or donated to Gift and Thrift for auction later this fall to benefit Mennonite Central Committee.

Interior doors, mirrors, towel racks and other items have been shipped to Ethiopia for use at Meserete Kristos (Christ Is the Foundation) College of MK Church, the Ethiopian Mennonite World Conference member body.