Messiah University's The Bridge magazine - Vol. 3 2022 by Messiah University

Irene Blouch

M THE MESSIAH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE VOLUME 3 2022

Daniel & Karisa Barlow

| Michael & Inger Blount | Justin & Rebekah Bollinger | John & Linda Bomberger | Michael & Dorothy Bontrager

INSIDE LOOK

Alumni and students pause to pose with Flex during Homecoming Weekend festivities Sept. 30-Oct. 1. The classes of ’82, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’12 and ’22 all celebrated their milestone reunions.

FRED SCHMITT ’88 PHOTOGRAPHY

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Office of Marketing and Communications

One University Avenue, Suite 3020 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717.691.6027 | www.messiah.edu

PRESIDENT Kim S. Phipps VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT

Barry Goodling ’79

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Carla E. Gross

EDITOR

Anna Seip

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Becca Powell ’03

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Curt Rohrer

Matt Logan M.A. ’17

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI & PARENT RELATIONS

Jay McClymont ’92

CONTRIBUTORS

Molly McKim ’23

The Bridge (ISSN-0279-3938) is published three times a year by the Messiah University Office of Marketing and Communications for alumni and friends of the University, free of charge. Please contact us at aseip@messiah.edu or 717-691-6027. Items for the alumni news section should be identified by class year and sent to the Messiah University Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, One University Avenue Suite 3023, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. You may email them to alumni@messiah.edu or fax them to 717-796-5371.

As its name suggests, The Bridge connects alumni, parents and donors with Messiah University. It also serves to build the University’s image with these audiences. It does this by publishing accurate news about the University and about alumni and by offering interesting feature articles that are issue- or University-related for readers’ continued education. Messiah University accepts news submissions from alumni and the broader community but reserves the right to edit or decline to print materials at its discretion.

Messiah University is a Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. The University is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church. 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.

Messiah University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, disability and national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other Universityadministered programs.

FEATURES

COVER: We thank our many donors who contributed to the capital campaign.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION

With $81.1 million and counting raised, we celebrated with a dinner and two Michael W. Smith concerts.

LEAVING CORPORATE WORLD FOR ACADEMIA

Many of Messiah’s professors started in the corporate world and are bringing that real-world expertise to campus, benefiting students.

THE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VOL. 114, NO. 3 The Bridge is printed on recyclable paper: 50/25 PCW EFC 2 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

ONLINE EXTRAS

MESSIAH.EDU/THE_BRIDGE

FROM THE EDITOR

HAVE YOU EVER SENT AN EMAIL AND THEN TRIED TO UNSEND IT? IN MAY, I FOUND OUT THAT MESSIAH WAS PUTTING ON A NOVEMBER PRODUCTION OF “STEEL MAGNOLIAS,” ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLAYS. WITHOUT THINKING, I EMAILED THE DIRECTOR ELIZABETH ANGELOZZI AND ASKED, “DO YOU NEED A DIALECT COACH FOR THIS SHOW?” THEN I INSTANTLY DOUBTED MYSELF.

After all, I’m from Georgia and the play is set in Louisiana, separate geographical regions with very different accents. Also, do I have any experience as a dialect coach? Nope. Elizabeth responded that, yes, she wanted my help.

So, I attended some rehearsals and emailed lists of phonetic spellings of words such as pecan, foyer, diabetic—all in a dialect I hoped was helpful. During the cast’s first run-through off book, I sat in the audience amazed at how good they’d become. And their pronunciations were spot on. Sometimes, it’s enough to just show up and help, even if you don’t feel 100% ready. You can read about the production and theatre at Messiah on p. 32.

Speaking of showing up, Messiah’s capital campaign raised $81.1 million and, to celebrate that milestone, the University hosted a dinner and concert with Christian artist Michael W. Smith in October. This is a historic amount of money and evidence that so many of you simply showed up to give to future generations of Messiah stu dents. You can read about the campaign coverage on p. 10.

We hope you enjoy this issue of The Bridge.

ANNA SEIP , EDITOR

DEPARTMENTS 4 FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 OUR CAMPUS 5 Heard Around Campus 6 Campus News 8 Faces and Places 9 Brainwaves 24 OUR ALUMNI 24 Alumni News 28 Alumni Profiles 30 Obituary, Class Notes 32 From the Archives

To give to a Warmer Welcome, visit messiah.edu/warmerwelcome

To buy Paul Rego’s book, visit messiah.edu/regobook

To learn more about the Engle Center expansion, visit messiah.edu/engleappeal

10 24

To watch the campaign recap video, visit messiah.edu/capitalcampaign

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 3

Mileposts guide our educational journey

It is my pleasure to address the employees of Messiah University at the start of each academic year in what is known as my State of the University. Below is an excerpt of my address; I invite you to read it in its entirety at messiah.edu/president.

This summer, 40 students and music educators Joy Meade and Timothy Dixon along with Dean Peter Powers, celebrated their arrival at the Santiago de Compostela cathedral after walking 65 miles along the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

We, too, are pilgrims on a journey, committed to educating our students toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation. Before we consider the mileposts guiding our path, we must review the context for our journey.

In an article for The Atlantic, social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt parallels today’s contentious society to the Biblical account of Babel. Noah’s descendants— despite receiving God’s command to spread out and fill the land (Gen. 9:1, 7)—settled, constructed a city and built a massive tower to make a name for themselves. Displeased, God confused their language so they could not understand each other and “scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth” (Gen. 11:7-9). Like the people at Babel, we are “disoriented, unable to speak the same language or recognize the same truth … cut off from one another and from the past,” wrote Haidt.

So, how can we live and fulfill Messiah’s mission today? Haidt said, “It is a time of confusion and loss. But it is also a time to reflect, listen and build.” In this Babellike moment, Messiah can counter societal divides by maintaining gracious Christianity, rooted in intellectual and spiritual humility, and model servant leadership and responsible citizenship. Our journey is not easy, but we move toward a meaningful destination—to incarnate an educational community that nurtures critical thinking, honest dialogue and true belonging for all students and employees. We understand the distinctive value of offering a Christian paradigm for how to think and act in a complex, multicultural and pluralistic world.

Milepost 1: Biblical reconciliation

An essential element of our journey is toward a communal vision of biblical reconciliation. Last year, we

sponsored events and pursued many conversations around a campus theme of “Reconciliation: God’s Language to Heal a Broken World.” This year, we look forward to courageous dialogue and thoughtful action: fulfilling the goals of the 2023 Diversity Strategic Plan, listening to guest lecturers address timely topics such as interfaith conversation and cooperation, participating in Martin Luther King Jr. Week, supporting student and employee service efforts and engaging difficult topics in and outside our classrooms.

Milepost 2: Promoting the common good

Messiah’s commitment to promoting the common good is an essential element of our Christian witness. From the early decades of Messiah’s founding, the expectation of “love thy neighbor” has included tangible actions by the University as evidenced in the care for refugees and others who are displaced, including the recent resettling of a refugee family in a university house on the edge of campus.

Milepost 3: Learning for life

We are committed to learning for life and the program and partnership development required to fulfill the educational and professional needs of learners of all ages. We have redefined the term “Messiah students” to include individuals at different ages and stages of life. This commitment helps strengthen our financial profile and is consistent with our mission to provide holistic educational experiences for myriad deserving audiences.

Progress in this area includes developments for Messiah’s non-credit-bearing workforce development and continuing education effort; a partnership between Messiah and NAIOMT to provide continuing education for health care professionals; continuing education training program for house parents and early childhood education staff at the Milton Hershey School; development of new undergraduate and graduate academic programs; and certificates that respond to societal needs and equip students to lead and serve.

Our ongoing journey requires each of us to persist as we educate our students to lead and serve and love our churches, our communities, our nation, our world. That is our destination! May there be joy as we journey together, occasionally stumbling but always moving forward, confident in God’s faithfulness to Messiah University!

KIM S. PHIPPS, PRESIDENT

THE PRESIDENT

FROM

PHOTO: NICK GOULD

PHOTOGRAPHY

4 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS?

“Put yourself out there and get involved because it’s super hard to make friends if you’re sticking to yourself and not willing to be open with other people.”

– Brianna Leight ’25, finance major

“Don’t be afraid to reach out for help or resources this first semester! Upper-class students are typically happy to offer advice. Your professors want to hear from you if you feel like you’re struggling or need support in a class. There are also great resources available on campus that are free. I especially recommend academic coaching where you can get help with time management, etc.”

– Sarah Myers, assistant professor of history

“Don’t worry if

don’t have everything figured out yet. It’s OK to be undecided, it’s OK to switch your major and it’s OK to not know what you want to pursue. There’s no set timeline, so relax and breathe.”

– Judith Kyei-Poku ’23, social work major

“Reach out to the financial aid office, especially if you’re an international student. They are very helpful.”

– Cheng Eu ’25, nursing major

“Prioritize taking care of yourself. You are a human before you are a student.”

– Annabelle Dionisio ’23, English with teaching certification major

– Rosie Schiano ’25, broadcasting and journalism major

“Go to the Career Center. They are there to help you, and they will stretch you to get internships and jobs, meet new people and make friends.”

– Alli Cassel ’23, public relations major

“Change is scary, but also necessary. It’s OK to not be certain about everything. It’s how we grow. Lean into it, even if it’s uncomfortable.”

– Brooke Wimberly ’23, social work major

“Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make those connections.”

– Lucas Burkhart ’23, social work major

“Remember that everything doesn’t last forever. A bad grade isn’t the end of the world. The people you’re close to now won’t be your best friends forever. You have control over how your life turns out, so make the most of every day.”

– Alex Bohm ’26, elementary and special education major

– Abigail Soerens ’24, biology with teaching certification major

“Get involved in something that feeds your soul.”

– David Dixon, professor of communication

“It’s OK to feel overwhelmed because it’s a new environment with new people. So, take everything day by day, and it will all work out in the end.”

you

HEARD AROUND CAMPUS

“Don’t take things too seriously, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

OUR MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 5

A WARMER WELCOME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

HONORING MESSIAH’S LEGACY OF COMMITMENT AND SUCCESS

At Homecoming weekend, Messiah University announced A Warmer Welcome campaign to enhance the outdoor athletic facilities at the Starry Athletic Complex. The $5.5 million campaign is set to include a new concession and hospitality facility that will serve Messiah’s entire outdoor athletic complex, expanded and enhanced new seating for lacrosse and softball fans, and improved dugout areas for the baseball field.

The project will break ground in the fall of 2023, with an anticipated completion date in the spring or summer of 2024.

At the center of the project is the Stadium East Building that will be located between Anderson and Shoemaker Fields at the site where the flag court

currently stands. The two-story build will feature a concession area, restrooms, a community space for indoor tailgating events and much-needed locker rooms for home and visiting teams. Dedicated spaces for game officials and athletic training staff will also be included. The building will be accessible on both levels, with entrances on the Anderson Field side as well as the field-level of Shoemaker Field.

At the lacrosse turf, additional seating and a press box will replace the current movable bleachers on the west side of the field. These permanent bleachers will be just a short walk down the path from the Stadium East Building with restrooms, concessions and tailgating space.

Also included in the project will be additional seating for the softball field and improved dugouts at the baseball field.

“In addition to Messiah cultivating a desire of lifelong learning, as an institution it also strives to set an example of hospitality and generosity of spirit. We so appreciate this mentality and how it has been done through various projects that are now completed. This new initiative will take this spirit to the other side of the covered bridge where all teams, both Messiah’s and visiting teams, and their families as well our students and fans will be able to experience Messiah’s warmer welcome,” said Bonnie ’90 and David Millary ’88, campaign co-chairs.

WHY NOW?

As a University with 35 NCAA Division III championships, the caliber of our current facilities does not reflect the caliber of the remarkable accomplishments and success of Messiah Athletics and falls short of Messiah’s commitment to outstanding campus hospitality. Addressing this challenge and enhancing our athletic facilities and hospitality will greatly complement our ongoing efforts to promote institutional pride and spirit within our entire Falcon community—and to recruit student athletes to Messiah University during campus tours, summer camps and individual athlete visits.

“Messiah Athletics have been a significant part of our lives for over 20 years, as former student-athletes, mentors and parents of young athletes who love attending summer camps and cheering teams on. We feel these improvements will enhance Messiah’s continual commitment to excellence,” said campaign co-chairs Brent ’05 and Mindy Smith ’04, campaign co-chairs.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Be a part of the Messiah team of alumni, parents and friends who are providing support for a welcoming atmosphere for our athletes, students, fans and campus visitors. Please consider helping us reach our $5.5 million goal to fund this much-needed project, which will ensure the continuation of the Messiah Athletics legacy of pursuing athletic excellence and developing Christian character.

TO LEARN MORE OR TO GIVE ONLINE, VISIT MESSIAH.EDU/ WARMERWELCOME

CAMPUS NEWS OUR

RENDERINGS COURTESY OF DERCK & EDSON, PHOTOS BY NICK GOULD

6 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

A Warmer Welcome is a $5.5 million campaign that will include a new concession and hospitality facility to serve Messiah’s outdoor athletic complex, expanded and enhanced new seating for lacrosse and softball fans, and improved dugout areas for the baseball field.

Partnerships abound

LOCAL PARTNERS JOIN MESSIAH IN SHARED EDUCATIONAL MISSION

Forming education partnerships is a critical part of Messiah University’s strategic plan, and there are many ways the University is working with organizations that share our mission.

THE BRIDGE CENTER

The University is expanding its offerings for adult learners—including customized workforce development; continuing education; reskilling and upskilling programming; and other non-credit learning opportunities—through the launch of the Bridge Center for Continuing Education.

The format of the Bridge Center’s courses and seminars vary and may include face-toface, online, webinars, hybrid, one-time or weekend formats.

“One of Messiah’s goals as an institution is to instill a passion for learning at every stage of life,” said Kim Phipps, president of Messiah University. “The Bridge Center allows us to provide these lifelong learning opportunities that meet the needs of both adult learners and employers in our region.”

PATHWAY PARTNERS

A new K-12 educational partnership, the Pathway Partners Program is designed to create lifelong learning opportunities between Messiah and partner schools. While Messiah develops each partnership to address the unique needs of the partner school, agreements typically include a tuition discount, dual enrollment opportunities, continuing education and graduate programming for partner employees, traditional undergraduate enrollment scholarships, special

campus events and facility access, and summer camp programming for partner students.

The first collaboration is with the Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg (CSAGH), a private Christian school district serving more than 850 students in grades K-12.

“We are intentionally seeking new ways to work together with other organizations that share Messiah’s commitment to helping mentor students toward deeper intellect, professional competence, personal integrity and mature faith expressed in love of God and neighbor,” said Rob Pepper, associate provost for graduate and professional studies and university partnerships at Messiah.

PT CONTINUING EDUCATION WITH NAIOMT

The School of Graduate and Professional Studies recently announced a partnership with NAIOMT, a private physical therapist-owned organization that will bring physical therapy continuing education events, an orthopedic clinical residency and a Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in physical therapy to Messiah.

The physical therapy (PT) continuing education program is a series of courses focused on orthopedic manual therapy to earn post-professional certification. The courses, open to licensed physical therapists and third-year PT students, provide pre-approved contact hours through the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy that can be applied to licensing requirements.

Also, Messiah and NAIOMT are developing an orthopedic clinical residency program and a D.Sc. in physical therapy degree, a terminal degree that provides educational experience for clinicians who want to work in higher education as an educator in health sciences of for clinical professors interested in additional

training and development to transition to a tenure-track, research-focused role.

The residency program will prepare licensed physical therapists for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS) exam following completion of the program. The program is seeking accreditation by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), and Messiah expects to enroll students for a January 2023 start.

PHOENIX PT CLINIC AT WINDING HILL

Phoenix Physical Therapy and Messiah will partner to provide a new outpatient clinic at Messiah’s Winding Hill location by the end of this year. The clinic will be open to the public and in the same facility as Messiah’s accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Occupational Therapy programs. It will provide comprehensive PT, occupational therapy (OT) and athletic training (AT) services to the community.

The clinic combined with Messiah’s accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) makes the University a great option for students exploring DPT programs. Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited program is required for eligibility to take the licensing exam.

The clinic will be led by Kelly Thomas Clancy ’06, a former Messiah soccer player, with more than 13 years of PT experience.

“I am excited to return to Messiah University and look forward to developing individualized therapy plans for my patients,” said Clancy.

The clinic is scheduled to open in mid-December and will be accepting new patients.

— Staff reports

DEPT. OF

NURSING HAS

100% PASS RATE

The Department of Nursing is proud to announce a 100% firsttime pass rate for the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) for the BSN graduates of 2022, exceeding the national pass rate of 84.8%. All nursing students take the NCLEX test at the end of their degree to be licensed as a registered nurse.

Known for clinical decision-making, compassion and an ethical approach, Messiah’s nurses are sought out for jobs by local clinical partners such as Penn State Health, UPMC and WellSpan Health.

Kim Fenstermacher, assistant dean of nursing said, “We connect nursing theory to practice through creatively planned simulations both with our high-fidelity simulators and standardized patient actors. Our students complete clinical hours across multiple clinical locations where they are exposed to the impact of social determinants of health as they care for patients across the lifespan. We teach our students about nursing through a Christian lens, stressing to them that as nurses, we are the hands and feet of Christ.”

— Staff report

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 7

RYAN SMITH

Student becomes the teacher

NICK WEAVER ’17 RETURNS TO MESSIAH AS MATH LECTURER

Nick Weaver ’17, deep down, always knew he loved teaching mathematics. When he was in middle school, he spent a portion of a family Christmas event teaching his younger cousin how to do multiplication with her toys. Later, as a student at Messiah, he would find himself trying to teach his parents about his studies.

Weaver, senior lecturer of mathematics, is the newest edition to Messiah’s department of mathematics. One of his favorite

impressed by the curiosity, sincerity, and generally positive attitudes of the students taking my courses. I get to interact with students from different departments and mathematical backgrounds, so it is really cool to see them push themselves to work hard and try new things in a discipline that is often seen as challenging,” he said.

Before starting a career within the Messiah community, he spent the last five years working and attending school in downtown Denver, Colorado. After graduating from Messiah in 2017, he landed at the University of Colorado Denver, joining the applied mathematics Ph.D. program, and worked several positions within the department.

As a teaching assistant (TA), he taught classes like calculus 1, intro to statistics, and college algebra. Later as a TA coach, he helped train first- and second-year TAs. He credits this job as a pivotal experience in finding his career in teaching.

“I fell in love with teaching and thinking of different ways to make my lessons engaging and accessible to a broad audience,” he said.

Moving to a research assistant position, he served as the lead statistician of a few collaborative projects with the university’s medical center.

Weaver also has made intentional steps toward understanding the importance of inclusive excellence practices in STEM. One way that he implements inclusive practices in his classrooms is through math

Nick Weaver, senior lecturer of mathematics

autobiographies. In the first two weeks of the semester, he has each student write about their past experiences with math— identifying examples where they struggled and succeeded.

“The activity is designed to let students share who they are so that I can mold the course in a way that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone in the class,” he said. “After including the autobiographies into my courses, I’ve found that I know my students a lot better, and they have a better understanding of who I am. Most importantly, I gain a much better understanding of how I can serve students who often feel dejected when trying to engage mathematics.”

Weaver hopes to bring this type of environment to his classrooms at Messiah. “I want to create a classroom environment where all students feel like they can belong and be themselves. Mathematics classrooms are notorious for being the opposite of that, so one of my goals is to help change student perspectives on mathematics,” he said.

Similarly, very few students want to talk about math all the time inside and outside of class. So, Weaver has also tried to be intentional about having nonmath related conversations with his students to help build a better sense of community. He said, “I’m fortunate to be in a department with faculty

members who demonstrate how to create and maintain meaningful connections with their students that I can mimic with my own students. Sports, board games, niche hobbies, and faith are all topics I love to talk about with my students to make them feel at home in our class.”

His Messiah education not only prepared him for his graduate studies, he says, but also his ability to reconcile science with his understanding of faith. “I was pushed to develop my whole self while at Messiah, and that has helped me to better engage the communities I’ve been a part of since graduating,” he said.

He says that while he enjoyed Colorado, there’s something soothing about returning to what feels like home at Messiah. “Although I am still getting used to that sense of nostalgia I feel any time I walk into a building or classroom,” he said.

FACES AND PLACES OUR

— Molly McKim ’23

“I want to create a classroom environment where all students feel like they can belong and be themselves. Mathematics classrooms are notorious for being the opposite of that, so one of my goals is to help change student perspectives on mathematics.”

GARLINGER 8 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

KAREN

A FOUNDING FATHER YOU NEVER KNEW

NEW BOOK BY POLITICS PROFESSOR SHEDS LIGHT ON LYMAN TRUMBULL

About a decade in the making, Paul Rego, professor of politics, has published his second book, “Lyman Trumbull and the Second Founding of the United States” with University of Press Kansas.

WHO IS LYMAN TRUMBULL?

The book follows Lyman Trumbull’s life, especially his time as a chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and 18 years in the U.S. Senate, along with Rego’s analysis of Trumbull’s thoughts and debates.

Rego initially set out to write a book that focused on several people that he considered to be “Re-Framers” of the Constitution. Trumbull was one of the first people he focused on writing about. After finding himself writing more and more about Trumbull, it was growing to monstrous size—easily becoming a book-length manuscript.

“I think that these people had been forgotten to history. A lot of the attention is given to the original framers of the Constitution, but after the Civil War we saw the adoption of all of these Reconstruction amendments that were instrumental in

fundamentally changing the document and also our constitutional republic,” he said.

THE WRITING PROCESS

There were only a few books written about Trumbull when Rego officially started to put the research together. Rego wanted Trumbull’s legacy to be known to more people.

“People don’t know him but should know him. Scholars are aware of him, but the average lay person to whom the book is primarily directed, do not,” he said. “That was the case for most of these guys I had in mind. No stat ues, no honors, no schools named after them. They just wound up being lost to history, although I would argue they’re every bit as important as Madison or Hamilton or the original founders.”

His favorite part of the researching and writing process was spending time at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, in Springfield, Illinois, during his Sabbatical, doing archival work. There, Rego spent time reading about Trumbull and letters he wrote to family members, including his first wife.

One day, Rego was sitting at a table in the library looking at letters, and a lock of hair from one of Trumbull’s children fell out. “I really felt more of a connection to him that I ever had before. Walking around Springfield, taking in the sites and feeling the presence of

made it seem less isolating. There’s a personal and direct connection to history when you’re literally holding the hair of someone who was born 150 years ago,” he said. “It’s kind of awesome.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Rego is currently starting a project to learn more about and understand the purpose of the 14th Amendment.

— Molly McKim ’23

BRAINWAVES

THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON AMAZON HERE: MESSIAH.EDU/REGOBOOK Paul Rego, professor of politics at Messiah, recently published ‘Lyman Trumbull and the Second Founding of the United States.’

WOULD

“THEY

JUST WOUND UP BEING LOST TO HISTORY, ALTHOUGH I

ARGUE THEY’RE EVERY BIT AS IMPORTANT AS MADISON OR HAMILTON OR THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS.”

Paul Rego, professor of politics

COVER COURTESY OF PAUL REGO MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 9

KAREN GARLINGER

$81.1 MILLION AND COUNTING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

We did it! The Messiah community gave generously by exceeding our $75 million goal and raising a historic amount of support that will impact future generations of students. This milestone was celebrated with a dinner and two concerts by Christian music artist Michael W. Smith. We deeply believe the world needs Messiah graduates now more than ever. By raising additional funds, we will be able to continue assisting students with scholarship aid and other significant resources as they prepare to transform the world in the service of God’s Kingdom.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE OUR

10 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

Donor guests (photos 1, 5) enjoy the campaign celebration dinner in a tent (photo 6) constructed for the evening in front of the High Center. Campaign co-chairs pose with President Kim Phipps (photo 2). Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith (photo 3) performs two concerts in Parmer Hall. Craig Sider, BOT chair, (photo 4) gives remarks during dinner.

“We are honored that you are here with us this evening as we thank our donors for their support and honor our Lord for His faithful provision over our 113-year history. On behalf of my colleagues on the board and the leadership of Messiah University, thank you. We would not be able to celebrate this evening without your generosity.”

5 6

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 11

— Craig Sider, chair, Board of Trustees of Messiah University

“We are so grateful to you for the success of this important effort. Christ-centered education that prepares student leaders is needed now than ever. The world needs Messiah graduates who have learned to bring together complex and diverse ideas, concepts and people. A Messiah education challenges and stretches our students be faith-filled Christians and critical thinkers who learn to see the world in a deeper way as they develop a discerning spirit in all that they do. Thank you for your role in fulfilling our institutional mission. May God continue to be glorified in all we do!”

— President Kim S. Phipps

IMPACTING THE LIVES

Completed campaign projects

DONOR PROFILE

Joe and Nancy Huerter

Co-chairs, Engle Center expansion

Joe and Nancy Huerter are parents of graduate Michael Huerter ’14. In addition to Joe serving as a Trustee, the Huerters have many Messiah connections through their active

Campaign

involvement in the Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church. Joe is a retired radiologist and Nancy is a former child psychiatrist. We are grateful to the Leshers and the Huerters for their willingness to lend their expertise in both the medical and mental health professions to co-lead our fundraising efforts to complete the needed and timely expansion to the Engle Health and Counseling Center.

FEATURE STORY

for Wellness Falcon Fitness Center, Sawyer Gymnasium, Jordan Court Campaign co-chairs: Richard Jordan ’70 and D. Kelly Phipps Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center

COMMUNICATION

Campaign co-chairs: George Parmer and Eunice SteinBrecher ’58

OFFICE OF MARKETING AND

BLEN AMARE ASRES ’18 MATTHEW TENNISON GLENN IBBERSON ’17

12 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

The co-chairs of our Engle Health and Counseling Center expansion project, Emerson and Ruth Lesher, and Joe and Nancy Heurter, have multiple connections to Messiah University.

OF STUDENTS:

What’s next for Messiah?

Sharing the success of the Campaign for Messiah University Oct. 15 was so gratifying. Knowing we exceeded the $75 million goal was a highlight of my 22-year tenure at Messiah. Our team remains focused on three key priorities:

The Messiah Fund provides support for the University’s annual budget by giving scholarship aid to all students as well as funding for campus improvements, student-faculty research, and service and missions trips.

Scholarship Endowment provides additional resources for families to ensure a Christ-centered Messiah education remains affordable. Over the course of the campaign, we generated an additional $10 million in scholarship endowment support, providing $500,000 in new annual scholarships. We seek to continue this trajectory to help even more students through expanded scholarship support.

Facilities

• Warmer Welcome Campaign for Athletics –You can read all about this on p. 6.

• Engle Health and Counseling Center

Expansion – Named for Messiah Trustee and his wife, “Doc” Harold and Mary Elizabeth Engle, the Engle Center provides physical and mental health care to our

community. In the last three years, there has been a 200-300% increase in student clinic visits, necessitating this expansion. Co-chairs are Drs. Joe and Nancy Huerter along with Drs. Emerson ’74 and Ruth Lesher, whom you can read about below. We seek to reach a $750,000 fundraising goal in time to break ground in the spring and open by fall 2023. Read more at messiah.edu/engleappeal.

• Resurface of Indoor Track – A key part of training for the track and field teams is the indoor track on the upper level of the Hitchcock Arena in the Sollenberger Sports Center. Installed in 1985, the track is worn and compressed after 37 years of use. It is also damaging to the athletes’ bodies. A new surface ensures fewer injuries. For information, email jstuckey@messiah.edu. Sustained acts of generosity have nurtured and supported our mission for our 113-year history. Our institution was founded by an act of generosity. S.R. Smith donated the land that launched what would become Messiah University. Beyond our gratitude for those who have invested, we remain thankful for the Lord’s faithful provision and for a bright future for Messiah University.

— Jon C. Stuckey, VP for development, campaign director

DONOR PROFILE

Emerson and Ruth Lesher

Co-chairs, Engle Center expansion

In addition to being an alum himself and former Trustee, Emerson ’74 Lesher and his wife Ruth are parents-in-law of Rachel Moffett Lesher ’09. Perhaps most interesting

is that as a child, Emerson lived in what is now the Engle Health and Counseling Center when his father, James Lesher ’58, returned to Messiah to finish his degree! Emerson has had a distinguished career in gerontology and the aging field, including serving as CEO of Messiah (Village) Lifeways. Ruth has spent her career as a counselor and mental health advocate.

Ralph S. Larsen Finance Lab TO WATCH THE CAMPAIGN RECAP VIDEO, VISIT MESSIAH.EDU/CAPITALCAMPAIGN. Martin Dining Commons Campaign co-chairs: Tony Schiano and Scott Heintzelman ’89

ANDREA FAUS ’16 MATTHEW TENNISON MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 13

FEATURE STORY 14 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD

BY ANNA SEIP

Associate Professor of Finance Dwayne Safer worked on Wall Street before creating the finance major at Messiah University.

How Messiah professors bring real-world expertise to academia and to our students

TO THE CLASSROOM

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 15

Don’t worry. Associate Professor of Finance Dwayne Safer has a plan.

“I look at the world as a mission field. When I was working on Wall Street, that’s an environment where I was often the only believer at my firm. My goal in coming to Messiah was, how do I get more Christian men and women into this mission field called Wall Street? The impact that will have is going to be profound,” said Safer.

Messiah professors who have left the corporate world for academia bring vast real-world experience to their teaching. They enrich our students’ educational experience in a way that textbooks and term papers cannot. They also embody how to live out one’s faith in the workplace.

SHARPENING INTELLECT

After working in investment banking for many years, Safer continually thought of an influential finance professor he’d had as a student at Taylor University, a Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) school like Messiah.

“He was gregarious and loved the Lord. The example he set for me was extremely influential. He passed away suddenly my senior year,” said Safer. “I saw the influence and the impact he had. I thought if someday I could have 1/10 of 1 percent of the impact that he had on students, I would be fortunate.”

Living in northern New Jersey, married with three children, he says everything was going great with his career. But, through

devotion and meditation, he wanted something more. He searched for a finance job on the CCCU website–for a couple of years–until he found the job at Messiah.

“I was encouraged that they were willing to give me an opportunity to create and build a finance major,” he said.

He notes that Messiah is only 1 of 4 Christian institutions that offers concentrations in both financial analysis and financial planning, that are accredited by the CFA and CFP boards, respectively.

“Penn State doesn’t have that,” he said. “I want to demonstrate to students that by coming here, they will accelerate their career path. I don’t want them to feel like they’re sacrificing any bit of their academic or career trajectory by coming to Messiah.”

He says the most eye-opening part of being a professor is the willingness of students to get to know him as a person.

“I will clear my schedule any day, any time for students. It’s what I left my entire career for,” he said. “We have high-character students who have the intellect and the drive and the willingness to put in the time to be excellent in their field.”

Echoing a similar path from the high-pressure corporate world to the academic world, Associate Professor of Accounting Kathleen Johnston worked as a tax accountant at KPMG–a Big Four accounting firm–and as a tax liaison for the Hershey Company.

She then reevaluated her career when she had triplets. Deciding against putting three infants in daycare at the time, she decided to leave Hershey and began her own certified public accounting firm. Over the years, she also taught as an adjunct at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).

Years later, with three tuition bills on the horizon, she deftly adjusted her career again.

The timing was just right, since Messiah was looking for a practicing CPA to teach accounting and tax classes.

“I seemed like a perfect fit,” she said. “I truly felt it was God’s calling.”

She balances both worlds—teaching more classes in the fall to accommodate tax season in the spring. In her work, she’s showing

FEATURE STORY

Imagine working on Wall Street and feeling very, very lonely. The money is good, sure. But, where are all the Christians?

16 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

Associate Professor of Accounting Kathleen Johnston, who runs a tax firm, discusses real-world tax situations with her students.

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 17

FEATURE STORY 18 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

what it’s like to have a career in the field she’s teaching.

“I enjoy bringing my tax clients’ stories into my class lectures. So many of our business faculty bring their real-world experience into the classroom. It enriches the class. When you bring these situations into the classroom, students see what’s going on in the business world. It’s so much more than making things up or using the textbook,” she said.

DEEPENING CHRISTIAN FAITH

After 15 years of working for the state and federal government, including the Department of Health and Human Services during a global pandemic, Erin WillfordSkipworth left to work on her Ph.D., focus on preaching ministry and align her work with her calling to teach faith-based leadership.

“I got to a point during COVID where I was overwhelmed,” she said. “I’d been an adjunct before, so I thought I’d work on my Ph.D. and adjunct a bit,” she said.

Working as a pastor of congregational care at Bethlehem Baptist Church in York, Pennsylvania, she focused on ministry and teaching while pursuing her Ph.D. in church and ministry leadership at Lancaster Bible College’s Capital Seminary and Graduate School. Working on her dissertation, she began in August as the associate professor of business and leadership at Messiah, which puts her in a unique position to foster ethical business leadership in the graduate program in business.

“Our faith should transform how we view and practice every discipline, including business. For profit and non-profit organizational leaders, faith should guide how we profit and provide purpose for how we use those profits,” she said. “I am so glad to be a part of a community that views faith as the transformational and purposeful tool to be integrated through every aspect of the Messiah business and leadership programs.”

Messiah also represents a full-circle moment for her family. Her father, the Rev. Dr. Aaron Willford Jr., attended Messiah for a couple years before pursuing his graduate degrees at Philadelphia Bible College. Many years later, he returned to campus.

“[Vice President for Diversity Affairs] Todd Allen reached out to him and got him to talk in chapel in 2019,” she said. “My dad was so happy.”

Through that positive interaction, her father suggested that she teach at Messiah. “He said, ‘If you’re thinking about teaching, I suggest you look at Messiah. It has changed a lot since I was there,’” she said.

— Erin Willford-Skipworth, associate professor of business and leadership

Then a position opened up.

“Once I saw the position posted, it was perfect timing, perfect fit,” she said. “As an African-American woman coming to Messiah, the warmth, the hospitality, even in my first semester, I feel I belong and have a sense of ownership in adding to the culture, which is very unique. I get to focus on what I’m called to do. The mission for reconciliation that Messiah has implemented into the culture is an honest representation of who Messiah wants to be and who they are. It’s a great place for students to come learn. We hold just as strongly to our faith as our academics. My work and faith are the perfect combination,” she said.

As she completes her dissertation, Erin Willford-Skipworth works as an associate professor of business and leadership.

“I got to a point during COVID where I was overwhelmed,” she said. “I’d been an adjunct before, so I thought I’d work on my Ph.D. and adjunct a bit.”

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 19

INSPIRING ACTION

Ryan Farris, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, applies engineering principles to address health-related challenges. He is named on more than 20 patents associated with design and control methodologies for medical robotic devices.

As a mechanical engineering Ph.D. student at Vanderbilt University, he worked as a graduate research engineer in orthotics. Then the Parker Hannifin Corporation, a global leader in motion and control technology, reached out to the university about partnering on some medical robotics. Soon, Farris was working for them as a technology lead of their newly formed human motion control business.

“It was an engineer’s dream job, the opportunity to build a medical device business,” he said. “I supervised a high-performing team of scientists but also a small enough endeavor to participate in design. You help someone in a wheelchair stand up and give their loved one a hug. You can’t put a price tag on that.” Why would someone leave all of that for a classroom? Academic and religious freedom.

“In a secular workplace, I found few opportunities to share my faith or even talk about spiritual matters. At Messiah, I am not only

I get the privilege of thinking through these things with students. Students need to see that not all scientists are atheists,” he said.

To teach his students the lessons he has learned in the medical device industry, he started Messiah Medco, a simulated med tech company with standard operating procedures and employees (aka students).

“On the first day of ENGR 432 (Design of Medical Devices), I welcome students to Messiah Medco and inform them that they will be forming teams to develop the next line of Class II medical products at Messiah Medco, under formal FDA design controls,” he said. “By the end of the semester, teams have performed market research, intellectual property analysis, concept generation, risk assessment, engineering design, fabrication, and verification and validation activities.

This work results in a functional prototype and an FDA-compliant design history file that could be used to support FDA approval of the product.

At Messiah, he also works on projects in the Collaboratory that he couldn’t work on in industry because they wouldn’t be considered lucrative from a business standpoint, despite their potential impact for good in the world.

“The Collaboratory is a magical place where engineering students, professors, external engineers and clinical professionals work together to address worthy causes with technology. For students, there could be no more valuable way to gain real engineering experience before graduation. For me, it has become an opportunity for continuing research while offering students the opportunity to engage in ways that often become available only to graduate students at other universities,” he said.

allowed but encouraged to bring my faith to work. As an engineer, I need to know that logic and science support what I believe, and this this is all real, historically factual, and something worth betting my whole life on.

Through these amazing professors, students have the opportunity to learn from corporate experts living out their faith. It’s a win-win for all involved.

–Anna Seip

more than 20 patents to his name, Ryan Farris works as an assistant professor of biomedical engineering.

FEATURE STORY

With

“It was an engineer’s dream job, the opportunity to build a medical device business.”

20 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

— Ryan Farris, assistant professor of biomedical engineering

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 21

Students gain real-world experience at Messiah’s Cyber Center, working as cybersecurity analysts, providing security monitoring, digital forenslcs and more.

SIDEBAR

22 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

KAREN GARLINGER

CYBERSECURITY CENTER OPENS

STUDENTS WORK AS CYBERSECURITY ANALYSTS, GAINING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

Messiah University’s Cyber Center, which offers real-world training for cybersecurity majors, opened this fall.

Vinny Sakore, who had worked in information technology (IT) and cybersecurity for more than 20 years, was a natural fit for the role as the director of cybersecurity education at Messiah. He says Randy Basinger, the former provost of Messiah, approached him a few years ago about forming developing the cybersecurity program.

“I said, ‘Randy, you need a business guy to launch this program. This is like starting a company. You need brand development, marketing and recruiting,’” said Sakore.

Soon, the center became a reality, and the first cohort of seven cybersecurity students graduated in May. Currently, 46 students are pursuing this major. There was a learning curve for the students and Sakore.

“I’ve been working with the top people in the field for 20+ years. In the business world. You train people, then you turn them loose. They can figure the rest out,” he said. “To have a first-year student, the knowledge gap was huge. I had to reset my expectations and turn on my nurture gene. It’s not training. It’s teaching, which I love. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the student interaction. Because of the small class size at Messiah, the classes feel almost like a small group.”

THE CYBER CENTER

Messiah University is going through the application requirements to become a National Security Agency Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-ED), a

distinctive hallmark of excellence for cybersecurity education.

The Cyber Center, a key component of the program, is made up of two rooms. One room is an educational classroom, which is holds 50 people and is designed for teaching, educational events, etc. The second room is a security operations center for juniors and seniors, where they work on real data on live systems.

“We have students monitoring systems for threats almost every day of the week,” he said. “We have been able to increase our coverage and strengthen the University’s security posture.”

They also learn ethical business practices. “Businesses are mini congregations,” said Sakore. “All of the same gifts that show up in church show up in business. Because [co-workers] get to witness you day in and day out, their testimony is stronger than when you see them only from time to time.”

Sakore says everyone benefits in the company culture if it incorporates the culture of Christ. He also teaches students to lead laterally, creating opportunities for students to lead each other.

“It’s all about the relationship combination of being kind and helping somebody. The Biblical version is sowing and reaping. If you’re kind and helpful, the person will probably be kind and helpful back,” he said.

Through the center, Messiah is preparing students for working in the real world. They gain hands-on job experience as cybersecurity analysts, providing security monitoring, digital forensics and other services to local and regional businesses.

“When they graduate, they graduate with a four-year degree and two years of solid work experience,” said Sakore. “We’ve have a high degree of success with our students getting internships and jobs.”

–Anna Seip

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 23

MATHEW TENNISON

OUR ALUMNI NEWS

1,200 2022Homecoming&FamilyWeekend 24 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

Homecoming total attendance: an estimated

2022 run participants: 85 Live Color Run attendees: 65 Falcon Fun Run Attendees: 20 RE-OCCURRING EVENTS Live Color Run and Falcon Fun Run 5 Lifelong Learning Sessions Li'l Falcon Zone Various Open Houses Craft Time at the Oakes Museum Reunion Row Whiteout March Total homecoming events: 60+* *This number includes Gold Grad and athletic events. MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 25

Survivor details journey

IN 2016, DAN NICEWONGER ’90 WAS GIVEN LESS THAN TWO YEARS TO LIVE.

Originally a series of blog posts, the book “The Journey Continues” follows his journey with stage IV colon cancer. He writes about learning to live with cancer, the effect of his diagnosis on his caregivers and the changes to his family and career.

“Over time, I began to see my cancer as a gift. I started looking for the graces that showed up each day. Brief moments of joy,

the support of a stranger or friend, the very fact that I was living. Gift and grace, when you start to think about life in those terms, instead of what you deserve or are owed … it changes things,” he said.

He says he wrote the book for several reasons. He wanted to capture a piece of who he was for his grandchildren. He also wrote it for caregivers, including his wife Nancy (Parnell) ’90.

“A diagnosis like this can turn your world upside down. It is my prayer that in some way they may find strength knowing that there is hope and joy to be found while on the journey,” he said.

Since graduating with a degree in Christian education at Messiah and later attending GordonConwell Theological Seminary, Nicewonger has held various

roles within churches across the East Coast. He has recently stepped away from pastoring at First Baptist of Kennett Square to focus on his health.

“My cancer has challenged, strengthened and deepened my faith. I like the person I am today much more than I liked the pre-cancer Dan. It took the struggle to make me who I am. While I would gladly give up my cancer, I am thankful for how it has shaped me into the person I am today,” he said.

— Molly McKim ’23

ALUMNI PROFILES OUR

DAN NICEWONGER ’90

Refer a Falcon! Introduce great students to Messiah University! messiah.edu/refer As someone with strong ties to Messiah University, no one knows better than you what type of student would benefit from Messiah’s academically rigorous, faith-centered education. Support our campus community by introducing us to a prospective student (or several!) with the potential to succeed and grow at Messiah. We’ll also send some Messiah swag your way as a thank you!

NICEWONGER 26 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

COVER AND PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN

PODCASTER, DRAMA TEACHER THRIVES IN SC

What can you do with a theatre major and journalism minor? How about being a teacher? Podcast host? An author? Leah Stuhler ’02 does all three.

Stuhler is the middle school drama teacher at Dent Middle School in Columbia, South Carolina, teaching sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. In addition to teaching students about theatre, she is in charge of every aspect of the school’s productions—directing, production, rehearsal schedules, lights, sound, designing the programs, making the cast T-shirts, marketing and more.

For this school year, she is directing “Peter Pan: The Musical,” which opens in the spring.

PODCASTING AND PARENTING

She also is the creator and host of “YA Book Chat,” a podcast she began three years ago about young adult books. In each episode, she chats with a guest— sometimes an author—about a different book.

“I started the podcast just for fun. I love reading, and I love talking about the books I’ve read with other people who’ve also read them,” she said.

She also has written and published two books of her own: “Mystery Trip,” that celebrates grandparents, and “The Cupcake Bullies,” a tale inspired by her son, who has a life-threatening food allergy.

“Food allergies are greatly misunderstood and not taken seriously enough. So, I wanted to write this book for him and other children like him who deal with food allergies on a daily basis, especially those who are bullied due to their allergies,” she said.

REFLECTING ON MESSIAH

Stuhler says her time at Messiah fueled her love for theatre and allowed her to use her craft in many ways, not just as an actor.

“My theatre professors at Messiah were very encouraging and, one of them in particular, made such an impact on me that I aspire to be the kind of teacher to my students that she was for me. My journalism minor has helped me as well in so many ways. I am an editor for the Columbia Mom Blog and use my journalism skills for my podcast, especially when I am interviewing authors,” she said.

— Molly McKim ’23

So you want to start a podcast?

LEAH STUHLER ’02, CREATOR AND HOST OF THE PODCAST “YA BOOK CHAT,” HAS SOME ADVICE IF YOU WANT TO START A PODCAST:

1. Choose a topic. Most podcasts focus on a particular niche. Find a topic you can discuss for 100+ episodes but not one so broad that you’ll lose your audience.

2. Buy a microphone. There are many options, but a basic one will do.

3. Find audio recording and editing software, such as Audacity, Adobe Audition or Garageband.

4. Record your first episode. Find a template and write an outline that works for you. Remember to keep the rambling to a minimum.

5. Find a podcast hosting service. Companies such as Buzzsprout, Captivate, Podbean and Transistor charge a small fee, depending on monthly episode output and your podcast needs.

6. Promote. Create social media accounts to market your podcast.

— Molly McKim ’23

’02

LEAH STUHLER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEAH STUHLER MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 27

STEVEN

JUNGKEIT ’96

DESCENDANT OF MESSIAH’S FOUNDER

CARES FOR

LOST VOICES

Four generations after his great-great-grandfather S.R. Smith founded Messiah Bible School, Steven Jungkeit ’96 came to Grantham as a student at what by then had been renamed Messiah College. Now a senior minister at the First Congressional Church of Old Lyme in Connecticut, he’s forging his own path of reconciliation.

A few years ago, his church became a sanctuary for a Pakistani family faced with deportation. The family, including a daughter who was a U.S. citizen, lived for eight months in the church basement while they appealed their case.

So, for most of a year, the church came together to make sure the family had food, shelter and care. Fortunately, the case got appealed.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that goes down as one of the most important moments of my vocational life and life,” Jungkeit said. “It was an extraordinary thing to see our faith community come together, shelter and support this family.”

The church also has engaged in inter-faith partnership work

with Israel, Palestine, Haiti, South Africa and a Native American community in North Dakota. Over the years, they have also hosted refugees from Syria and The Congo, along with climate refugees from Puerto Rico.

APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE

Smith, Messiah’s first president, founded the school on the principle that all Christians should be admitted regardless of race, sex or creed.

Today, Jungkeit’s church is working on a project called “Stories from the Deep North,” focusing on unearthing the history of Old Lyme—actually analyzing the dirt underneath. Part of the project is telling the stories of 200+ enslaved people in the area, some of whom were enslaved by the first leaders of their church community, and placing markers throughout the town.

In doing this work, Jungkeit and his church are trying to begin to undo the effects of colonialism and slavery, by building

relationships, friendships and eventually reconciliation. “The work that I think we need to do now is tell those stories, be faithful in voicing our own truths and past history—and, to some degree, our current complicity—to try to construct a different narrative that we can live into that can be inhabitable for all people and not the chosen few,” he said. Jungkeit’s theology motivates how he lives and works within his church—a theology that he foundationally formed while at Messiah. He pulls inspiration from several parts of the Bible, particularly, The Law and the Prophets, the Book of Hebrews and Matthew 25. He said that Matthew 25 is “a passage that allows us to say that when we’re looking at the face of suffering, we are seeing the face of Christ. So, if we wish to see religion work in the world, if we wish to see God alive in the world, then

we’re going to have to look in those places. And to take care of those needs as best as we can.”

LOOKING BACK

His time at Messiah influenced his years after graduation, specifically while he was earning his Ph.D. of religious studies at Yale, and later as he taught as a lecturer of ethics at Harvard Divinity School.

“I have enormous goodwill toward Messiah. My own life and faith have shifted over the years, but Messiah remains a kind of grounding for me. It really felt like a decision that charted a course for myself that I still feel like I’m on,” he said.

— Molly McKim ’23

ALUMNI PROFILES OUR

Steven Jungkeit ’96 (above), a pastor in Connecticut, also happens to be the great-great-grandson of Messiah’s founder, S.R. Smith (left).

28 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN JUNGKEIT COURTESY

OF THE MESSIAH UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Meet our new director of annual giving

This fall, Tovah Wilson ’15, M.A. ’20 began working as Messiah’s director of annual giving and donor communications. Here’s a little bit about her:

WHERE IS HOME FOR YOU?

I’m originally from Philadelphia, so in the literal sense, that is home. I would also say home for me was always where my mom was. Since her passing, I would have to say it is wherever I feel most supported and cared for.

GIVE US A GLIMPSE OF YOUR CAREER JOURNEY.

I taught in Honduras for three years, have been a residence director at Messiah, have experience in human resources and now work in the world of development!

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN DEVELOPMENT. WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?

No day is typical, but I oversee the Messiah Fund and write communications to our gracious donors. As I have entered the world of development, I have been so grateful to be a part of a wonderful team that understands the importance of making sure our students are supported and have the resources that they need.

WHERE HAVE YOU TRAVELED MOST RECENTLY?

Most recently, I was at a CASE conference in Denver. It was my first time there, and it was absolutely beautiful. I was grateful for the opportunity to learn so much about the practical applications of annual giving. Prior to that, I was able to go on the Civil Rights Bus Tour along with many dear colleagues, including President Phipps! What an incredible way to learn about our nation’s complex history and the strides that we have yet to make. I am grateful to be at an institution that is committed to learning and growing in reconciliation.

AS A DOUBLE ALUM, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER ALUMS ABOUT GIVING BACK TO THEIR ALMA MATER?

I have been in your position before and wondered, why should I give back to a place that I am paying or have paid so much to already? The answer I found was that giving back to Messiah helps students first and foremost and allows the institution to continue to improve upon practices that shaped my four years as a student. As a former Martin Scholar, I have experienced firsthand the power of donor contributions, and that there is no amount too small or insignificant to improve the lives of students.

ANYTHING ELSE?

One of the benefits of this role is being able to meet so many new people, which I love! I also love to bake and hangout with my cat, Pancake. On the weekends, you can probably find me in a museum or coffee shop.

TOVAH WILSON ’15, M.A. ’20 Fun fact: Tovah Wilson ’15, M.A. ’20 spent three years teaching in Honduras.

“I AM GRATEFUL TO BE AT AN INSTITUTION THAT IS COMMITTED TO LEARNING AND GROWING IN RECONCILIATION.”

— Tovah Wilson ’15, M.A. ’20

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 29

PHOTO BY NICK GOULD

Vernon M. Martin Jr. 1944-2022

Accounting professor Vernon (Vern) Martin died in September after a long journey with Parkinson’s disease. The Ohio native came to Messiah as a student in the 1960s and majored in sacred music. After a career in public education in Pennsylvania and California, he returned to his alma mater to teach accounting and taxes for 25 years (19812006). Preparing his own tax return led him to a business of preparing taxes for clients, many from the Messiah community. He served as minister of music in numerous Brethren in Christ congregations, including locally in Carlisle and Dillsburg, Upland in California and Fairview in Ohio. Messiah mourns his loss alongside his family, many of whom are alumni, including wife BJ (McCulloh) Martin ’66; daughter Melissa von Keyserling ’92; granddaughters Mikaela Byrd ’20 and Kara Lawley; son Matthew Martin’97; and granddaughters Morgan and Anna Martin.

The family has kindly directed memorial gifts to the Martin Family Accounting Scholarship Endowment Fund at Messiah University.

1980s

Jeffrey Kramer ’85 recently published a book about Christian apologetics, “God, Jesus, and Other Foolishness. Why Biblical Christianity Makes Sense.”

1990s

Juliana Lesher ’92 recently published the book “A Heart That Sings for Jesus.”

Sheri Peifer ’95 works as the president of Eskaton, a large senior living nonprofit in northern California. She serves as vice chair of the LeadingAge California board of directors and chairs its planning committee. She is also a graduate of the national LeadingAge Leadership Fellow program based in Washington, D.C. In addition to her B.A. from Messiah, she has an M.S. in gerontology and education from California State University, Sacramento.

Drew Samuelsen ’99 recently published “Restart: Book I,” a book about four teenagers trying to survive after a computer virus destroys most of the world’s population.

2000s

Jeremiah Schofield ’00 works as a deputy associate commissioner for the Office of Central Operations in Baltimore, Md. He also served as town councilman for Sykesville, Md. from 2019-2023.

Angela Lykins Yeh ’03 has been appointed as the coordinator for the fine and performing arts program at Charles J. Colgan Senior High School in Prince William County, Virginia.

Melanie Howard ’07 works as the associate professor of biblical and theological studies at Fresno Pacific University. She is also chair of the biblical and religious studies division.

Laura (Hansen) McNear ’07 and husband Logan announce

Jeff Reczek ’07 works as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Washington Office.

2010s

Alex Lovelace ’11 published a book, “The Media Offensive: How the Press and Public Opinion Shaped Allied Strategy during World War II.”

Amy Colpo ’13 works at the CEEDAR Center, training special educators and special education administrators. She also has presented at the international convention of the Council for Exceptional Children.

Rachel Nelson ’12 and Chris Morrison married July 23, 2022.

Matthew Musselman ’14 and Rebekah Smith ’15 married May 21, 2014. She works as a software engineer at Avxtel.

Lance Jones ’15, director of bands at West Branch High School in Morrisdale, Pa., has started a podcast, “The Backwoods Bandroom,” for rural band directors that is streaming on all major platforms.

Sally Graham Bethmann ’18 teaches music classes through The Little Music Corner, a platform dedicated to providing high-quality music education to children.

Britney Yauger ’19 joined Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Fine Arts as the program coordinator for diversity, equity and inclusion.

2020s

Marisa Harris ’19 and Matthew Sechrist married Oct. 2, 2021. He works as an investment analyst for Pennsylvania State Employees Retirement System in Harrisburg, Pa.

Christina Muchmore ’21 works as a solution analyst at Deloitte in Harrisburg, Pa.

Christian Valen ’21 works as an audit and accounting advisory services associate at KPMG in New York City.

Matthew Collman ’22 works as an asset management analyst at PFM Asset Management in Harrisburg, Pa.

Chloe Kauffman ’22 recently started a funded Ph.D. program at the University at Maryland.

CLASS NOTES OUR IN MEMORIAM

30 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

2022 Alumni Award winners named in November

Young Alumna Achievement Award: Amber Jackson ’09

This award recognizes an alumna who has attended Messiah University within the past 15 years for significant contributions to church, vocation, community and/or the University. Jackson works as the assistant general counsel for the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority.

Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award: Jeffrey Morris ’93, mathematics education)

This award recognizes a lifetime of vocational achievement in a manner that embodies the mission

of the University. Morris works for the University of Pennsylvania as a professor of biostatistics and as the division director of biostatistics at the Perelman School of Medicine. He is also a professor of statistics and data science at the Wharton School of Business.

Alumni Christian Service Award: Daniel ’99 and Jessica Cotton ’99

This award recognizes outstanding lifelong service or long-term effort in fulfilling the mandates of the Christian gospel to serve and sacrifice for the needs of humanity. The Cottons are the founders

and directors of the Rio Collective in Panama. Rio is a team of missionaries, local partners and international partners who together to glorify God by growing his local church.

Alumni Appreciation Award: Sharon and Richard “Rick” Jordan II ’70

This award recognizes faithful and exemplary contributions to advancing the mission of Messiah University. Rick has served on the Board of Trustees for 22 years. The Jordans have been faithful ambassadors, prayer partners and significant benefactors for many years.

We just added 4,000 new reasons!* *Students entering Messiah University in the 2023-24 academic year will receive a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four years, just for visiting campus! messiah.edu/visitscholarship

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • THE BRIDGE • VOLUME 3 2022 | 31

From left: Amber Jackson ’20, Daniel ’99 and Jessica Cotton ’99 and Jeffrey Morris ’93. Not pictured are Sharon and Rick Jordan ’70.

Back to the ’80s: from Shakespeare to ‘Magnolias’

HOW THEATRE AT MESSIAH HAS GROWN

What was going on in the ’80s for theatre majors at Messiah? For one, students spent their first two years on the Grantham campus and their last two at the former Philadelphia location that operated in partnership with Temple University. They also performed a series theatrical classics.

In 1986, Richard Roberson, who served as dean of what was previously known as the School of the Arts, was busy conducting the spring production of “West Side Story” at Messiah. For this production and several after, the department had Marianne Flynn Krahulec, a former Rockette, in charge of the choreography. Additional plays during the decade included Messiah’s productions of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” and Norman Jewison’s “Fiddler on the Roof.” Times have changed since then, but the ‘80s are back with the current production of “Steel Magnolias,” a play written by Robert Harling in 1987 that has become a classic of its own over the decades. Set in a hair salon, the

story follows the ups and downs of several women in a small Louisiana town. Being immersed in ’80s culture gave the Gen Z students—many of whom didn’t know the plot of the play—a chance to learn about such things such as hot rollers and call waiting.

“Being able to look through and listen to a bunch of ’80s music to find what will fit this show’s vibe has been so fun! There are a lot of exciting moments and, of course, a lot of sad ones and having music to reflect that is amazing,” said Lauren Forlow ’25, a film major who worked as the sound designer and sound board operator on the November production.

Theatre major Maddy Oliver ’24, who played the cantankerous but lovable Ouiser Boudreaux in the show, said, “The community in the cast of ‘Steel Magnolias’ has made this show an invaluable experience.”

The show also served as an opportunity to for the larger Messiah community to gather for live performances.

“Working on ‘Steel Magnolias’ has been like stepping into a warm hug after years of social distancing,” said Elizabeth Angelozzi, who directed the show. “It has restored our sense of community.”

— Molly McKim ’23

Top, left and right: Theatre majors in the ’80s performed such classics as ‘Twelfth Night.’ Above and far left: This year, a November production of ‘Steel Magnolias’ brought the ’80s back for current students.

THE ARCHIVES

FROM

“Working on ‘Steel Magnolias has been like stepping into a warm hug after years of social distancing. It has restored our sense of community.”

OUR

Elizabeth Angelozzi, director

32 | VOLUME 3 2022 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

COURTESTY OF MESSIAH UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE DANIEL SMUTEK ’23

FRI. DEC. 16

Susquehanna Chorale Concert

7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall

Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

JAN. 9 - MARCH 3

Collection Spotlight: Florence Portfolio 7 a.m. daily

Climenhaga and High Center Galleries

FEB. 3-26

“Dreams and Fears” Evan Summer

Reception: Feb 3, 4:30 7 a.m. daily Climenhaga and High Center Galleries

FEB. 4-5

“Shoeless Joe” Musical Theatre Cabaret 8 p.m., Grace Pollock Dance Studio Climenhaga Building

SAT. FEB. 11

VOCES8

7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

FEB. 16-18

“Crimes of the Heart” 8 p.m., Poorman Black Box Theatre Climenhaga Building

FRI. FEB. 17

Messiah University Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Winds

7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall

Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

THURS. FEB. 23

Thomas Alexander Aleinikoff Humanities Keynote Speaker 7 p.m., Parmer Hall Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

SAT. FEB. 25

Humanities Symposium Dance Concert 8 p.m., Poorman Black Box Theatre Climenhaga Building

SAT. MARCH 19

Messiah University Concert Choir 4 p.m. Parmer Hall

TUES. APRIL 11

Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

MARCH 23-25 Little Women the Broadway Musical 8 p.m., Miller Theater Climenhaga Building

Evening with Jane Pauley 7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts SAT. APRIL 15 A Night of Opera Scenes Program 7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

Pop Up Student Art Show 9 a.m., Climenhaga and High

Galleries

Handel’s

4 p.m., Parmer Hall Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts MAY 5-6 Undergraduate Commencement Weekend Time TBD, Starry Athletic Complex and Shoemaker Field SAT.

13 School of Graduate and Professional Studies Commencement Time TBD, Starry Athletic Complex and Shoemaker Field FOR A FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS, VISIT MESSIAH.EDU/EVENTS.

OF EVENTS

MARTI AIKEN HWANG PHOTOGRAPHY This year, Undergraduate Commencement Weekend will be held May 5-6.

FRI. APRIL 28 Messiah University Jazz Ensembles 7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts

Center

SUN. APRIL 30

“Messiah”

MAY

CALENDAR

DEC. 2022–MAY 2023

Donnah

Office of Marketing and Communications One University Ave. Mechanicsburg

17055

Messiah University's The Bridge magazine - Vol. 3 2022

INSIDE LOOK

FEATURES

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CELEBRATION

LEAVING CORPORATE WORLD FOR ACADEMIA

ONLINE EXTRAS

MESSIAH.EDU/THE_BRIDGE

FROM THE EDITOR

Mileposts guide our educational journey

Milepost 1: Biblical reconciliation

Milepost 3: Learning for life

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS?

A WARMER WELCOME CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

HONORING MESSIAH’S LEGACY OF COMMITMENT AND SUCCESS

WHY NOW?

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Partnerships abound

LOCAL PARTNERS JOIN MESSIAH IN SHARED EDUCATIONAL MISSION

THE BRIDGE CENTER

PATHWAY PARTNERS

PT CONTINUING EDUCATION WITH NAIOMT

PHOENIX PT CLINIC AT WINDING HILL

DEPT. OF

NURSING HAS

100% PASS RATE

Student becomes the teacher

A FOUNDING FATHER YOU NEVER KNEW

WHO IS LYMAN TRUMBULL?

THE WRITING PROCESS

WHAT’S NEXT?

$81.1 MILLION AND COUNTING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

IMPACTING THE LIVES

Completed campaign projects

DONOR PROFILE

Joe and Nancy Huerter

Campaign

OF STUDENTS:

What’s next for Messiah?

Facilities

DONOR PROFILE

Emerson and Ruth Lesher

Co-chairs, Engle Center expansion

FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD

SHARPENING INTELLECT

DEEPENING CHRISTIAN FAITH

INSPIRING ACTION

CYBERSECURITY CENTER OPENS

STUDENTS WORK AS CYBERSECURITY ANALYSTS, GAINING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

THE CYBER CENTER

Survivor details journey

PODCASTER, DRAMA TEACHER THRIVES IN SC

PODCASTING AND PARENTING

REFLECTING ON MESSIAH

So you want to start a podcast?

STEVEN

DESCENDANT OF MESSIAH’S FOUNDER

CARES FOR

LOST VOICES

APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE

LOOKING BACK

Meet our new director of annual giving

WHERE HAVE YOU TRAVELED MOST RECENTLY?

ANYTHING ELSE?

Vernon M. Martin Jr. 1944-2022

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

2022 Alumni Award winners named in November

Back to the ’80s: from Shakespeare to ‘Magnolias’

Articles inside

Campus News

Faces and Places

Obituary, Class Notes

Alumni Profiles