Distinguished Alumnus Award
Honors excellence in vocation.

2003 Recipient
Dr. Nancy R. Heisey '73

Growing up on a Navajo mission in New Mexico both grounded Nancy Heisey in her Brethren in Christ background and gave her a deep respect for people of other cultural backgrounds. These themes continue to weave throughout her vocation as a teacher, scholar, administrator, and global church leader.

After graduating from Messiah College, she served as a teacher with Mennonite Central Committee in the Democratic Republic of Congo, later co-directing the Africa Department as the organization?s first woman senior program administrator.

Several years later, Heisey, who speaks fluent French, and her husband, Paul, embarked on a two year study tour of 45 countries, during which they listened to the unique opportunities and challenges of Mennonite churches around the world, then reported their findings in the Gospel Herald magazine.

Heisey's extensive involvement in global missions, as well as her passion for education eventually led her to earn a Ph.D. in religion from Temple University. She currently is associate professor of biblical studies and church history and chair of the Bible and Religion Department at Eastern Mennonite University. She also serves as the first woman president of the Mennonite World Conference.