John Horst, professor emeritus of EMU, whose passion for the Eastern Mennonite community showed in not only his math and physics lectures, died on September 16. He leaves behind a legacy of contributions to the classroom, Mennonite music, and Astral Society club.
In his 37 years at the helm of the classroom, Horst let his passion for holistic education and process-focused learning direct his teachings. Professor Daniel Showalter described Horst as, “one of those professors who cared deeply about the subjects that he taught. He had an awe for the subject that inspired his students to also see the beauty and wonder in the physics of God’s Creation.”
As a champion of a true liberal arts education, Horst encouraged students to, “[take] classes in more than one building.” Though primarily operating out of the Science Center, Horst used his classes to inform other things outside of the department’s focus. One recurring class ,“The Physics of Music,” using science to explain the mechanics behind acoustics and melody.
Some of Horst’s most notable contributions outside the classroom were to the campus’ observatory and planetarium. During his involvement in the Astral Society club, Horst helped manage the different planetariums on campus, both the Vesper Heights observatory, the domed building on the hill, and the Brackbill planetarium which used to function within Suter Science Center. He devoted much time and energy into creating different educational events where the campus and community could learn about the cosmos, including teaching an astronomy class
During his three separate stints as the planetarium and observatory director, 1960-’62, , ‘79-’86 , and ‘05 to its close in ‘07, Horst shared his love of space and music. As people trickled in before the start of a planetarium show, Horst was known to play original synthesizer compositions, which he referred to as “meditative cosmic space music”. Horst also would play piano as a prelude to his classes, welcoming students as they wandered into class.
Horst has over 100 original compositions, the most notable of which can be found within the Hymnal mennonite worship book. Horst arranged the music to the hymn “From Time Beyond My Memory,” found on page 484.
He was the host of “Mostly Mennonite, Mostly Acapella,” one of the last programs remaining on the WEMC bandwidth, which WMRA took over in 2007. On the show, Horst played carefully selected hymns and, as the title says, Mennonite arrangements, primarily featuring vocals.
Horst infused his love of the cosmos into his radio program. Matt Bingay, WMRA and WEMC director, noted his specially curated programs for each solstice and equinox. Bingay referred to the show as, “the most popular program on WEMC. It’s the ‘Car Talk’ of WEMC.” During his time with the station, he recorded 100 programs, each 90 minutes long. The station will continue to play recordings of the show through October on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights.
Through his broad involvement within the Eastern Mennonite and Harrisonburg community, John Horst has, in many ways, shaped and influenced the school which stands today. From Vesper Heights to the Suter Science Center, the memories and legacy of Horst remain.
