PRESIDENT’S REPORT
PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONTENTS
16 Foreward, Donor Profiles 17 Revenues, Expenditures 18
Meet Our New Trustees
19 Net Assets 20
Lifetime Societies
Financial Aid, Board of Trustees 24 Charitable Gift Allocation
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MATTHEW TENNISON
23 New Heritage Society, Scholarships,
FINANCIALS
A PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOREWARD FROM TRUSTEE CRAIG SIDER
PHOTO COURTESY OF MATT AND TIFFANY STUCKEY
A Messiah University education makes a difference in a student … and in the world. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. The ability of Messiah University to fulfill its mission is dependent, in part, on a solid financial foundation. The University is blessed to have significant groups of people involved in our solid financial position: alumni and friends who give generously and sacrificially; employees who steward their abilities and financial resources for maximum impact; and trustees who carefully oversee financial
DONOR PROFILE
Matt and Tiffany Stuckey When Matt ’01 and Tiffany (Bower) Stuckey ’02 were looking to attend college in the late 1990s, several factors were important to them. For him, it was a strong business major, and Messiah’s international business program seemed like a great fit. She was looking for a college that provided a great education with a Christian worldview. Both also have
affairs. It is this team effort that provides the opportunity for Messiah University to provide a world-class education to 3,276 undergraduate and graduate students. For the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021, Messiah was blessed to end with a $1,486,000 cash flow operating surplus. In this disruptive season of a global pandemic, a combination of generosity, sacrifice and careful management made this surplus possible. We are grateful to God for His favor and every person in the campus community for their contribution. Net assets grew by 2.9% from $234,413,012 to $241,183,997. Messiah’s endowment grew from $129,929,547 to $140,197,914, reflecting a net increase of 7.9%. This positive growth enables us to provide a transformational experience for our students anchored in our motto, “Christ Preeminent.” We have much to celebrate with the completion of the Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center. This beautiful building is
now a centerpiece for the “welcoming spirit” characterized by the Messiah community. The Board of Trustees initiated this project to honor our president, Kim S. Phipps, who so wonderfully reflects the spirit of hospitality for which Messiah University is known. This new building houses all campus teams designed to serve students as they arrive: the Registrar’s Office, Enrollment Management, Alumni and Parent Relations, Undergraduate Admissions, Student Financial Services and Financial Aid. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, please accept our gratitude for your contribution into the life of Messiah University. As we continue to look to the future, we are firmly committed to preparing students and alumni whose lives are characterized by service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.
multiple family connections to Messiah University. His two brothers and a cousin followed him to Messiah. And Tiff Stuckey is part of a legacy family, having both parents and several siblings attend Messiah. Matt Stuckey found that the professors at Messiah were exceptional. He felt they really invested in him. For Tiff Stuckey, both professors and coaches had an impact on her. She also values the lasting friendships formed on campus. The Stuckey family owns several car dealerships throughout the Laurel Highlands and central region of Pennsylvania. When asked why they support Messiah, they explained, “We are very excited to be able to offer a scholarship for students to attend Messiah from the communities in which we conduct business. We’re excited to see the outcomes for those students as they obtain their degrees and enter the workforce.” Because of a special matching opportunity available to all donors, the Stuckeys’ endowment gifts for the Stuckey Family Scholarship Endowment have been matched,
dollar-for-dollar, thus doubling the impact of their generosity. It is a true gift when alumni invest in current students through scholarship aid and endowment. We are so thankful for their commitment to their alma mater.
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— Craig Sider, Trustee chair
“ We are very excited to be able to offer a scholarship for students to attend Messiah from the communities in which we conduct business. We’re excited to see the outcomes for those students as they obtain their degrees and enter the workforce.” — Matt ’01 and Tiffany Stuckey ’02
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REVENUES (IN 000S)
Net tuition and fees Government grants and appropriations Gifts and grants Capital gifts Endowment return designated for operations Investment Income Other sources Auxiliary enterprises Total operating revenues
58,022 4,052 2,649 329 9,920 559 1,842 17,921 95,294
60,883 2,456 1,783 2,792 7,495 594 3,104 17,762 96,869
59,916 967 2,209 1,346 7,365 (9) 4,563 21,477 97,834
34,248 8,521 21,132 1,520 16,170 17,003 98,594 (3,300)
36,920 9,089 21,101 1,909 14,529 15,972 99,520 (2,651)
39,120 9,385 21,211 2,772 16,078 14,353 102,919 (5,085)
EXPENSES (IN 000S)
Instructional Academic support Student services Public service Auxiliary enterprises Supporting services, institutional support Total operating expenses Net operating income
1,278
2,040
(9,032) (86) - 348 (395)
(1,708) (21) 196 (198)
(7,887) 309 (10,538) (4,776) 244,951 249,727 234,413 244,951
MATTHEW TENNISON
N O N O P E R AT I N G R E V E N U E S , E X P E N S E S A N D OT H E R C H A N G E S ( I N 0 0 0 S )
Endowment and life income gifts 1,488 Endowment investment returns, net of amount designated for operations 7,301 Change in value of beneficial interest in perpetual trusts 826 Other nonoperating income/(expense) - Investment return on trusts and gift annuities 1,302 Change in value of split interest agreements (Trusts and CGA’s) (846) Gain (Loss) on disposal of fixed assets Total nonoperating revenues, expenses and other changes 10,071 Total changes in net assets 6,771 Net assets, beginning of year 234,413 Net assets, end of year 241,184
Tuition and fees is net of financial aid of $44.9 million, $41.9 million and $41.9 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
REVENUES
2020-2021 fiscal year 61% Net tuition and fees 19% Auxiliary expenses 10% Endowment return designated for operations 4% Government grants and appropriations 3% Gifts and grants 2% Other sources 1% Investment income
EXPENSES
2020-2021 fiscal year
35% Instructional 21% Student services 17% Supporting services, institutional support 16% Auxiliary enterprises 9% Academic support 2% Public service
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FINANCIALS
Rim HINCKLEY ’83 MEET OUR (NEW) TRUSTEES
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KAREN GARLINGER
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fter taking a year off after a 12-year term, Rim Hinckley returned to the Board of Trustees this year. Why? Because she believes in Christian education. “Reconciliation is even more important today. The whole education system has lost what the true meaning of education is. Institutions like Messiah need to stand out and stand firm in their truth,” she said. Education and faith have been intertwined in Hinckley’s life from the beginning. When her parents immigrated to Philadelphia from South Korea in the 1970s, the neighbors invited the family to church. Although her parents weren’t Christian at the time, they dropped her and her siblings off every Sunday in hopes the children would learn English by attending. At home, she learned four priorities: family, education, career and then religion. “Religion was fourth. Actually, that’s not the proper order,” she said. When it came time to attend college, she chose Messiah to deepen her faith. “I learned there are all different faith traditions, but they all love Jesus. Not everyone worships the same way. That was eye-opening,” she said. “I learned to depend on God alone, which I think is a great lesson at a Christian college,” she said. “Professors taught us how to think not what to think. Messiah teaches you how to live well, not just how to make a living.” She majored in mathematics with a certificate in secondary math and eventually opened her own school—The Geneva School of Manhattan—in 1996, which provides a classical Christian education from preschool through high school. “Serving on Messiah University’s board is an honor,” she said. “They are committed people who love God and love serving to help shape Messiah to where it is. I can play a small part.”
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NET ASSETS
S U M M A R Y S TAT E M E N T O F E N D OW M E N T F U N D S ( I N 0 0 0 S )
Donor endowment Board-designated endowment Total endowed funds Endowment percent change
47,253 92,945 140,198 7.90%
41,824 88,106 129,930 -5.81%
43,250 94,697 137,947 -0.10%
$ millions
250
ASSETS (IN 000S)
Cash and cash equivalents Notes and accounts receivable, net Promises to give, net Interest receivable Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Investments, gift annuities, and assets held in trust Loans receivable - students Deposits with trustee under debt agreements Beneficial interest in perpetual trusts Right-of-use assets Property and equipment, net Total assets
11,857 9,511 5,617 4,430 3,127 3,037 3,552 6,171 6,885 138 132 164 585 595 579 655 495 1,503 155,471 144,142 155,073 1,794 2,091 2,449 - - 232 4,697 3,871 3,957 5,486 148,480 152,206 151,264 337,145 322,341 330,760
200
150
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS (IN 000S)
Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses Student deposits Funds held in custody for others Deferred revenue Annuities payable Funds held in trust for others Lease liabilities Long-term debt U.S. government grants refundable Other liabilities Total liabilities
7,772 2,213 56 1,685 4,096 213 5,486 70,304 1,493 2,643 95,961
10,275 2,668 61 1,342 3,780 389 - 64,330 1,879 3,204 87,928
6,360 1,345 76 1,655 3,861 304 66,577 2,535 3,096 85,809
Net assets: Without donor restrictions 180,154 178,043 185,544 With donor restrictions Restricted, time and purpose 16,713 14,860 18,766 Restricted, in perpetuity 44,317 41,510 40,641 Total net assets with donor restrictions 61,030 56,370 59,407 Total net assets 241,184 234,413 244,951 Total liabilities and net assets 337,145 322,341 330,760 Total change in net assets 6,771 (10,538) (4,776)
100 Donor restricted, in perpetuity Donor restricted, time and purpose Without donor restrictions
50
0
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
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PHOTO COURTESY OF BRENT AND MINDY SMITH
FINANCIALS
DONOR PROFILE
Brent and Mindy Smith Brent ’05 and Mindy (Miller) Smith ’04 have deep connections to Messiah going back to before they were students. They both had
LIFETIME SOCIETIES M E S S I A H L E G AC Y
Lifetime cumulative giving totaling $10,000,000 or more Leonard Fry† Calvin G. & Janet C. High* Abe† & Gladys† Mellinger The Parmer Family Foundation George A. & Barbara Parmer* MESSIAH TRUST
Lifetime cumulative giving of $1,000,000 to $9,999,999 Vernon E. & Faye R. Anderson* Ernest L.† ’48 & Kathryn G. (Tyson) Boyer ’46 Brethren in Christ - Cooperative Ministries Covenant Fund Conestoga Wood Specialties Norman† & Elizabeth M. Hahn* Harold H.† ’37 & Mary Elizabeth† (Hoover) Engle ’40 Charles F.† & Ann E.† Frey* Emerson C.† ’57 & May† Frey* Larry E. & Lois A. Gladfelter* Harry R. Hitchcock† William M.† & Lucille M.† Hollinger Lawrence L. & Julia Z. Hoverter Charitable Foundation David G.† & Beatriz A.† Howe Richard† & Louise K.† Jordan*
relationships with people who were invested at Messiah as employees or students. Their positive experiences were influential in their decisions to later attend here. In addition, they appreciated the opportunity to blend strong academic programming with a foundation in faith and service. And in Mindy Smith’s case, a competitive women’s soccer team was a big plus! When asked what they value most about Messiah University, they responded, “We value the community of alumni, current students, faculty and staff. Messiah takes an intentional approach in supporting student growth, emphasizing collaboration and applying learning. We value Messiah’s commitment to reconciliation on campus, in our local communities and within a broader world context.” They graciously have agreed to co-lead the fundraising effort–along with David ’88 and
Bonnie (Rapp) Millary ’90–to support a greatly needed hospitality and concessions project near the Starry Field Complex. When asked why they are willing to co-lead this effort, they both commented on how Messiah provided them with transformative experiences. They have seen the positive impact that current students and alumni have in various areas of society. Further, they view Messiah Athletics as the embodiment of the pursuit of excellence, character development and fostering community. “We believe that the project on Starry is a great opportunity to support these areas, impacting both individual lives and community relationships,” they said. We are deeply grateful for the support of the Smiths and alumni like them who value their experiences at Messiah and seek to support our Christ-centered educational mission in a variety of ways.
Richard E. ’70, II & Sharon N. Jordan Josiah W. & Bessie H. Kline Foundation The Kresge Foundation Ralph S.† & Dorothy Larsen* Lilly Endowment Inc. Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe James A. & Donna F. Martin* McCormick Family Foundation W. Edwin† & Miriam† Naugle Galen M. ’48 & Boots L.† (Buckwalter) Oakes ’49* D.S.† & Helen† Poorman Preis Investment Company Harry W.† & Nancy R. Preis Sawyer Products Maurice† & Dorothea I.† Shaffer John E.† & Ida† Sollenberger The Stabler Foundation Donald B.† & Dorothy L.† Stabler LeRoy M.† ’55 & Eunice (Frey) Steinbrecher ’58* The Whitaker Foundation John L.† & C. Jeanette† Witmer World Vision Inc. Anonymous donors (2)
Quentin Berg Trust Quentin† & Frances H.† Berg Bingaman & Son Lumber Co. Max E. & Martha Bingaman* Chris C. ’79 & Heidi Jo (Grove) Bingaman ’80* Dean E. & Karen Heintzelman John A. Blessing Foundation Ernest S.† & Elsie L.† Burch Marion Barker Burr† David E.† ’61 & Jean Byer Charlie B. ’56 & Miriam N. (Nissly) Byers ’56* Clemens Family Corporation Asa W.† ’16 & Anna E.† (Kipe) Climenhaga ’16 Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority J. Harold ’58 & Ruth† (Eckert) Engle ’58* Melvin E.† ’48 & Vivian Eyster* Richard F. Fake ’37† C.J.† & Harriet† Fredricksen* S. Johannah Gearhart† General Electric Foundation Norma Gotwalt† HARSCO Corporation Donald C.† & Agnes R. Hayden Scott A. ’89 & Gaye Y. Heintzelman* The High Foundation Evert C.† & Mildred S.† Hokanson Charles B. & Sally Hoober* George C.† & Patricia† Hoopy Clyde W. & Barbara A. Horst* D. Ray † ’48 & Audrey (Fisher) Hostetter ’50* Clarence W. Hottel Sr.† Randall B. ’66 & Judy G. Inskip
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
Lifetime cumulative giving of $250,000 to $999,999 Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania M. Louise Aughinbaugh† Richard S. & Ann B. Barshinger Family Foundation
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Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies W. M. Keck Foundation W. Wayde† & Glenda Kelly Allen F. Knouse ’68 Leon E.† & Margaret M.† Kocher J. Gary & Deborah A. Langmuir Lebo & Reed Real Estate Partnership Quality Greenhouses & Perennial Farm Gary G.† & Gloria I. (Mann) Lebo ’75* Jeffrey F. ’74 & Leslie (Lustig) Lehman ’75* P. Galen† ’53 & Sara (Brubaker) Lenhert ’53 Wayne A. & Martha G. Marcho* Aaron J.† ’48 & Jean† Martin Stephen W. ’78 & Jana M. (Shultz) McBeth ’77 David H. ’88 & Bonnie L. (Rapp) Millary ’90* Jacob & Ada Miller Trust Kenneth V. & Renee A. Moreland* William L.† & Geraldine M.† Murray David A. & Joni J. Nicol Paul W. & Laura† Nisly*
Rocco & Nancy Ortenzio Foundation Jeannie Pascale PBS Coal Inc. Pew Memorial Charitable Trusts Marlin & Nancy† Riegsecker Andrew S. ’84 & Jane D. (Davis) Samuel ’83* Maynard† & Carolyn Sauder Oscar F.† & Pauline M.† Shafer The Joseph T. & Helen M. Simpson Foundation Jerry T.† & Hilary M. Simpson* L.B. Smith Educational Foundation Inc. Robert H.† ’42 & Marilyn L. (Byer) Smith ’51 John B.† & Mary V.† Sollenberger Ellis R.† & Louise P.† Speakman The John Frederick Steinman Foundation Stover Family Foundation J. Matthew & Debra Stover* Matthew J. ’01 & Tiffany L. (Bower) Stuckey ’02 John Templeton Foundation Kermit Thomas†
Turkey Hill Dairy Daniel Vollmer† The Franklin H. & Ruth L. Wells Foundation Paul A. ’63 & Elaine K. (Crider) Wengert ’57 Willow Valley Associates Marlin H. & Doris Ann Thomas* Amelia C. Winter† Witmer Foundation Leslie K. & Marion H. Witmer* Todd M. ’91 & Deborah J. Witmer* Kenneth E.† & Minta Wolfe Donald R.† ’55 & Anna Ruth (Kline) Zook ’78* Anonymous donors (2) *M essiah University thanks the parents of our current and former students who continue to generously support the University’s ongoing educational mission. † Messiah University gratefully acknowledges the generosity of donors who are deceased.
SUPPORTERS OF MESSIAH UNIVERSITY
32.6% Trustees 21.0% Foundations 14.8% Friends 13.5% Alumni 12.4% Parents 4.5% Business 0.9% Organizations 0.3% Church
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FINANCIALS
Jessica THOMAS ’08 MEET OUR NEW TRUSTEES
KAREN GARLINGER
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hat does community mean to you when you’re a third-culture student at Messiah? Ask Jessica Thomas ’08. “I grew up internationally, moved around a lot and graduated from a school in Dakar, Senegal,” she said. “Having gone to boarding school from sixth grade on, I was used to being away from family.” However, her sister was attending Messiah and had great stories to tell about the campus. “It was really great experience. My sister was a senior when I came in. She was part of the reason I had decided on Messiah,” said Thomas. “That first year was pivotal and meaningful to me. To be in a new context with other third-culture kids, we could relate to each other. I was able to build my group of friends and community.” After majoring in human development and family science with a minor in business, she completed a master’s in global affairs at New York University. She works as the director of strategic initiatives and as the diversity, equity and inclusion business partner at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City. “I don’t think I really got it consciously, the whole idea of servant leadership and reconciliation until I left Messiah,” she said. “Being in New York, it was a big culture shock. When you interact with people who are very different from you at first glance, the Messiah roots of hospitality and being gracious and civil then enabled me to build relationships with people I’d never had the opportunity to before. In my work and in my volunteering, I know I’ve made an impact on others’ lives, not by what I said but by how I treated people. That gets to the heart of what Jesus is all about.” She brings those skills as a servant leader as a new member of the Board of Trustees this year. “When I think of Messiah, I think of President Phipps, and serving alongside her on the board is an honor,” said Thomas. “Many of the things I gained professionally and spiritually, I gained at Messiah. To bring my background and experience in and help other students of color and those from around the world have the education I had, it’s a great starting point to make an impact.”
N E W H E R I TAG E S O C I E T Y M E M B E R S
Jeffrey S. & Sandra J. Eberts Austin N. ’52 & Rhoda M. (Sider) Heise ’48* J. Norman ’49 & A. Lois (Feather) Hostetter ’49 Nicholas & Kelly K. Johnson* Richard E. II ’70 & Sharon N. Jordan Dorothy Larsen* Garret W. ’00 & Kelly L. (Johansen) Larsen ’00, M.A. ’16 Steven & Michelle L. Lockwood* Randal E. & Nancy J. Moyer* Ann E. Olson ’86 David L. ’74 & Linda K. Parkyn* Alan & Sharon Robinson* Cory A. & Tina M. Shover* Jeffrey L. ’92 & Jane Y. Stoltzfus Michelle Summerson* Michael Webb & Shauna L. Nefos-Webb ’04 Anonymous (1) *former or current parent A LU M N I C O U N C I L | 2 0 2 1 -2 0 2 2
Barbara Bingham ’03 Charles Blachford ’06 George Book ’97 Paul Broomell ’14 Doris Crider ’60 Rudy Crider ’71 John Frey ’83 Elizabeth Gallo ’16 Judith Hamilton ’63 Robert Hamilton ’62
Moses Kavishe ’16 Jenna McClain ’17 Derek Mosley ’13 Jean Mosley ’13 Phil Naegely ’15 Jason Polansky ’19 Jacob Specht ’11 Kathleen Stuebing ’63 Gerald Wolgemuth ’58 Ruth Wolgemuth ’60
KAREN GARLINGER
Thank you to those who became members of the Heritage Society during the 20202021 fiscal year. The Heritage Society was established to appropriately thank those who have included Messiah University in their wills, created a deferred gift arrangement or established an endowed fund. Their dedication is greatly appreciated.
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Dr. Craig E. Sider, chair Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Heidi G. Bingaman, vice chair Kreamer, Pa. Mr. David Millary, secretary Dillsburg, Pa. Mr. Anthony Schiano, treasurer Duck, N.C. Mrs. Barbara Avery Safety Harbor, Fla. Hon. Sherrie Bailey Towson, Md. Mr. Larry Bashore, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Mrs. Wendy L. Cole Winfield, Pa. Mrs. Linda D. Eremita Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Richard L. Godshall Souderton, Pa. Mr. Anthony H. Hahn East Earl, Pa. Mr. Scott A. Heintzelman Mechanicsburg, Pa. Ms. Rim Hinckley New York, N.Y. Dr. Joachim J. Huerter Annville, Pa. Mr. Garret Larsen Spring, Texas
Dr. Emerson L. Lesher Mechanicsburg, Pa. Mr. James A. Martin Chambersburg, Pa. Mr. Kenneth V. Moreland West Friendship, Md. Mr. Rodney L. Musser Doylestown, Pa. Mr. Edward Nevin Finksburg, Md. Mr. George A. Parmer Harrisburg, Pa. Dr. Alan Robinson Dillsburg, Pa. Mr. Andrew Samuel Dillsburg, Pa.
SCHOLARSHIPS
• Ivan E. Beachy Memorial Scholarship • Dr. Gene B. Chase Memorial Scholarship • Class of 1970 Helping Hands Scholarship • Goodling Nursing Scholarship Fund • Austin & Rhoda Heise Endowed Scholarship • In His Hands Scholarship Direct Aid
• Johnson Family Endowment for Athletics • Rick & Sharon Jordan Scholarship Endowment • Lillian R. & Roderick H. Knecht Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund • Leckrone Family Endowed Scholarship • Lolus Endowed Scholarship Fund • Paul C. Morgan Memorial Scholarship • David L. & Linda K. Parkyn Endowed Scholarship Fund • The Shover Family Scholarship • Jonas K. Stoltzfus Scholarship Fund • Vega Scholarship Direct Aid
GROWTH OF FINANCIAL AID GRANTS AT MESSIAH 45 40 35 in thousands
THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIPS, ESTABLISHED DURING THE 2020-21 ACADEMIC YEAR, ARE AN INVESTMENT IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS THAT WILL YIELD FRUITFUL AND LASTING RETURNS.
Mrs. Eunice F. Steinbrecher Lancaster, Pa. Ms. Jessica Thomas New York, N.Y. Mrs. Kimberly C. Thornbury Vancouver, Wash. Mr. John C. Wagner, Jr. Raleigh, N.C. Mr. Todd Witmer Lancaster, Pa.
30 25 20 15 10 5 2006
2009
2012
2015
2018
2021
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FINANCIALS
ALLOCATION OF GIFTS
38.1% Building projects 24.6% Restricted gifts and grants 16.4% Endowments 6.9% Messiah Fund 6.7% Designated budget 5.9% Deferred gifts 1.3% Government grants 0.1% Budgeted restricted
DONOR PROFILE
James (Joonsu) Cho
COURTESY OF JAMES JOONSU CHO ’90
CEO Kia Australia James (Joonsu) Cho ’90 came to Messiah in the late 1980s and graduated in 1990. After leaving Messiah, he returned to Korea and eventually began working for the Hyundai Motor Company in 1992. Hyundai is the parent company of Kia, which sent him to Michigan State to earn his MBA. He would later spend two years as head of the Kia Western Europe support team, and before that he spent six years as chief executive coordinator for Kia United Kingdom. He became CEO of Kia Australia in 2018. 2 4 | VO L U M E 3 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
When reflecting on why he has supported Messiah, he said, “I have given to Messiah because Messiah already gave me so much. I met Jesus, formed the value standard for making decisions as a Christian and learned to live as a believer while I was in Messiah. I believe Messiah’s role in this world is crucial, for it prepares the servants of Christ and they make changes. I gave because I want to be a part of it.” In additional to financial support, Cho has invested in his alma mater by meeting with students over Zoom calls and is also serving on President Phipps’ Executive Leadership Roundtable. We are deeply grateful for alumni who are willing to support current students as a way to thank Messiah University for its impact on their lives.
Todd WITMER ’91 MEET OUR NEW TRUSTEES
A
KAREN GARLINGER
fter 12 years of Christian school, Todd Witmer ’91 says he’d planned to attend a secular college to change things up. His parents, however, encouraged him to visit just one Christian institution: Messiah College. During the campus visit, he found Messiah’s facilities, campus and classes just clicked for him. “God’s hand was in it,” said Witmer. “I feel that was divine intervention.” Messiah felt like home. He majored in business administration and found Messiah’s professors did an excellent job of speaking into his life, connecting with him as mentors. Living on the third floor of Miller Residence provided him with lifelong friends. “I think Messiah was a safe place to figure out who I was and what I believed in,” he said. “You learn that you’re not just getting an education but you’re also there to serve, to get involved.” With that passion to serve, he’s joining Messiah University’s Board of Trustees to give back to the institution that taught him so much. He has spent the past 30 years growing The Witmer Group, his family masonry contractor business, using the skills he learned at Messiah. “After I got my degree, I started using all I’d learned at Messiah—business law, marketing, branding, human resources,” he said. “It was the perfect environment to use everything I’d learned. Messiah really prepared me to build the business to employ more than 200 people.” His education and expertise will prove invaluable as he joins the board’s operations committee to help with strategic planning. More importantly, however, he wants to create a new Messiah Tradition, a “sculpture” made of scrap metal (including a basketball hoop) that mysteriously went missing after he graduated. “I’m proud of the fact that when I was a senior, we were the last class to have the Messiah Tradition on our Homecoming float. We turned it over to juniors, and I think they stored it in one of the buildings that got torn down,” said Witmer. “My goal as a board member is to see if we can get the Messiah Tradition resurrected and get it going again. As long as we can have ‘Class of 1991’ engraved on it.” M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 3 2 0 2 1 | 2 5