Messiah College's The Bridge magazine - Spring 2019

THE

12 L EADERSHIP

MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI MAGAZINE

How Messiah does it

SPRING 2019

31 F ROM THE ARCHIVES What happened to the bowling alley?

The fun issue!

20

Finding joy in careers, faith and more

INSIDE LOOK

ISAIAH SNYDER ’20

The Department of Theatre and Dance presented “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” in April.

Despite the Queen of Hearts calling for the removal of Alice’s head, Alice was not harmed.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 , VO L . 1 1 0 , N O . 4

MESSIAH COLLEGE A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E

THE

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

PRESIDENT

Kim S. Phipps V I C E P R E S I D E N T F O R A DVA N C E M E N T

Barry Goodling ’79

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C AT I O N S

Carla E. Gross EDITOR

Anna Seip C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R

Nancy Soulliard

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Cindy Agoncillo ’09

DIRECTOR OF A L U M N I & PA R E N T R E L AT I O N S

Jay McClymont ’92 CONTRIBUTORS

Matthew Fenton ’13 MA ’16, Emily Koontz ’20, Jake Miaczynski ’20, Robyn Passante

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Office of Marketing and Communications One College Avenue, Suite 3020 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717.691.6027 | www.messiah.edu

20 The Bridge (ISSN-0279-3938) is published quarterly by the Messiah College Office of Marketing and Communications for alumni and friends of the College, free of charge. Periodicals postage (USPS #342000) paid at Mechanicsburg PA 17055 and additional mailing offices. Please contact us at thebridge@messiah.edu or 717-691-6027. Items for the alumni news section should be identified by class year and sent to the Messiah College Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, One College Avenue Suite 3023, Mechanicsburg PA 17055.

You may email them to alumni@messiah.edu or fax them to 717-796-5371.

F E AT U R E S

12

As its name suggests, The Bridge connects alumni, parents and donors with Messiah College. It also serves to build the College’s image with these audiences. It does this by publishing accurate news about the College and about alumni and by offering interesting feature articles that are issue- or College-related for readers’ continued education.

Messiah College accepts news submissions from alumni and the broader community but reserves the right to edit or decline to print materials at its discretion.

DEPTH OF LEADERSHIP

Messiah College is a Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. The College 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.

Pouring into the next generation

Messiah College 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 Collegeadministered programs. © 2019 Messiah College

COVE R:

In this illustrated glimpse of Larsen Student Union, students practice the art of fun.

The Bridge is printed on recyclable paper: 50/25 PCW EFC

KATE HABERER ILLUSTRATION

2 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

20

THE FUN ISSUE At Messiah, having fun is no joke.

We take look at having fun on the job, fun in faith and more.

F R O M T H E E D I TO R A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THE BRIDGE STAFF DECIDED THE SPRING 2019 ISSUE WOULD BE OUR FUN ISSUE. THEN 24 MONTHS PASSED, AND IT WAS TIME TO BE FUN. AND, YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES. AS SOON AS YOU DEEM SOMETHING MUST BE FUN, IT CEASES TO BE FUN AT ALL. HOW COULD WE TELL FUN STORIES ABOUT MESSIAH THAT DIDN’T SEEM FORCED OR, WORSE, SILLY?

We thought more broadly about fun.

After all, any job might be fun with the right attitude. Also, what’s fun for one person may not be fun for another.

Soon, an avalanche of not-your-average fun stories came our way. For starters, did you know patients with Alzheimer’s can remember songs from their youth? They can. So, a Messiah professor conducts a Sing for the Moment Choir with patients and their caregivers. They make their own, if fleeting, fun.

12

28

D E PAR TM E NT S

ONLINE EXTRAS

4 FROM THE PRESIDENT

MESSIAH.EDU/THE_BRIDGE

5 OUR CAMPUS

Visit Messiah’s grad programs page to learn about leadership degrees.

5

Faces and Places

6

Heard Around Campus

Listen to the Sing in the Moment choir.

7

Brain Waves

8

Campus News

10 Athletics

28

Check out Kitty Town Coffee’s blends.

Influence future Falcons’ futures!

We also found an alumni couple who runs a business called Kitty Town Coffee. Sure, it’s a cute name, but they buy their beans using directtrade practices to make sure farmers in Brazil get paid in an ethical way.

You can read the rest of our fun profiles on p. 20.

For our leadership feature, we were stumped. Leadership is serious business, right? Maybe, we thought, that’s just the one part of the issue that won’t be fun—and that’s OK. Nope. We ran into Tonya Brown ’86, a parks and rec director, and she had access to water slides. You can see her fun photo shoot and read more about her leadership skills on p. 12.

We ended up having a lot of fun putting together the spring 2019 issue. We hope you enjoy it—but not in forced fun kind of way.

OUR ALUMNI

28

Alumni Profiles

29

Class Notes

31

From the Archives A N N A S E I P, E D I T O R

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

4 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

President Rod Sawatsky and President Kim Phipps attend 2004 Commencement.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

—R omans 15:4

Seminary, said in “The State of the Evangelical Mind,” “I was reminded of an observation that the late Rod Sawatsky was fond of making about evangelical higher education. We give much attention, he would say, about the relationship between faith and learning, but we hear almost nothing about the relationship of hope and love to learning.”

Just as Rod’s compassionate and gracious leadership style inspired me, my hope for the Messiah College community is that we will embody and demonstrate these Christian virtues as we lead in our professions, communities, homes and churches. As Paul wrote in Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

K I M S . PH I PPS, PRESIDENT

PHOTO: RYAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

The essential elements of a Messiah College education—as expressed in our mission statement—reflect the heart, vision and hope that past President Rodney Sawatsky had for Messiah, a place he led and loved for a decade (1994-2004). Serving as academic dean and then provost under his leadership, I witnessed and was inspired by the way Rod conceived of leadership from a position of love and hope, two of the most salient Christian virtues.

I am not a naturally hopeful person; I always see the merging problems and difficulties. But, as the national dialogue remains so divisive and the challenges facing higher education mount, I am reminded that hope is essential to lead in these turbulent times. I can listen to every podcast on leadership and read every best-seller about Generation Z, but if I don’t embrace decision-making with love, speak with hope and address every challenge with faith, I am nothing more than a clanging cymbal in our already noisy world.

Messiah is an educational institution where Christ is preeminent, a campus value that Rod frequently articulated and prioritized as he made decisions. During his tenure, the College’s beloved mission statement was finalized.

He understood that Messiah College was a community where students were transformed. As they mature in their intellect, character and Christian faith, students become agents of change and carriers of hope and love into the broader world.

To facilitate such opportunities, Rod formed the Agapé Center for Service and Learning, a hub for service learning whose very name translates from the Greek as “goodwill, love and benevolence.” The Agapé Center coordinates opportunities for students to connect their hearts, passions and gifts with needs in local, national and global communities. Students learn the importance of hopefilled and love-inspired leadership through the Center’s significant work.

Hope and love also have a place in the classroom. As we educate students, we do so knowing they can only be effective and respected leaders and reconcilers if they exercise their expertise from a foundation of hope and love.

Richard J. Mouw, president of Fuller Theological

STEVE HULBERT

The relationship of love and hope to leadership and learning

OUR

FAC E S A N D P L AC E S

TAYLOR FORBES’ TOP 5 1. “ I F BEALE STREET COULD TALK” The best film from an artistic standpoint, it covers the issues of systemic racism in America but reminds the viewer what unconditional love looks like through the devastation of unnecessary incarceration.

CINDY AGONCILLO ’09

2. “ S LUMDOG MILLIONAIRE” I love the use of flashbacks to tell this story. It shows how childhood trauma can impact the lens we look at life through and how it will impact our success as adults.

Taylor Forbes ’20, second from left, shares a bowl of popcorn with fellow students on one of her many movie nights.

365 Movies by 2020 R.A. PLAYS FILMS AS TIME OF FELLOWSHIP WITH STUDENTS On New Year’s Eve, Taylor Forbes ’20 set a goal for 2019: Watch 365 movies in 365 days.

A resident assistant in Fry Apartments, she invites friends and residents to her apartment for movie nights, which has stirred up good conversation and fellowship among students.

“Watching movies with others is so much better than watching them alone,” said Forbes, a human development and family sciences major. “I want to share my thoughts, hear what others have to say and have some good discussions on what we just saw.”

The idea of watching 365

movies came from her residence director, Caleb Miller ’14. In 2013, Miller took the course “From Script to Screen,” taught by Crystal Downing, distinguished professor of English and film studies. Downing has tasked students with reading plays before watching the film adaptations, which inspired Miller to watch more movies. So, why not 365?

Taking a cue from Miller, Forbes has watched all the Academy Award Best Picture winners from 1929 to present.

“Undoubtedly, social and political climates impact what we put on

the screen,” she said. “This serves as a reminder that movies reflect the values of our country, but they have the power to change those values, too.”

Not all movies she watches are Oscar nominees, though. She enjoys Disney movies and franchises such as “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars.”

“Movies allow us to dream,” she said. “They may provoke ethical dilemmas, but they have the power to bring people together, start a good conversation and influence others.”

— Jake Miaczynski ’20

“ THIS SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT MOVIES REFLECT THE VALUES OF OUR COUNTRY, BUT THEY HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THOSE VALUES, TOO.”

3. “ THE RABBIT-PROOF FENCE” The story of Aboriginal Australians mirrors a lot of political issues we are seeing in the world today, especially with immigration and incarceration. It reminds us that these issues are global, not just domestic.

4. “ MOONLIGHT” This film shows how an individual develops from childhood through adulthood, highlighting issues of race and sexuality. It is so important to understand that everyone’s life story is different, and all are worth being heard.

5. “ CRASH” Weaving several connected stories about family dynamics, classism, racism and sexism after 9/11, there isn’t a happy resolution to the movie. It serves as a reminder that we still aren’t anywhere near the reconciliation we need in society to truly love one another. The resolution has to come from within the viewer, and I loved that aspect of the film.

—Taylor Forbes ’20 MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 5

OUR

HEARD AROUND CAMPUS

WHAT’S YOUR IDEA OF FUN?

“ My idea of fun is simple.

I just like to socialize, have conversation and good discussions with people.”

— Jack Houser ’21, psychology major

“ I love spending time with my family.”

“ I love to try different restaurants in Harrisburg and go to art galleries.”

— Marisa Harris ’19, digital media major

— Joann Lerew, Falcon cashier

“ I like to draw. Drawing helps me de-stress.”

— Michaela Magners ’21, early childhood education major

“ I love hammocking with my friends by the Breeches on a spring day.”

— Sam Zenker ’21, criminal justice major

“ My idea of fun would be to go white-water rafting.”

— Aaron Bashore ’22, biomedical engineering major

“ My idea of fun is cooking and playing soccer.”

— Kyle Yeatman ’19, finance major

“ Going on Baker’s runs with my friends.”

— Tori Little ’20, studio art major

“ I like to go on day trips with my wife to Philadelphia.”

— Michael Rice, college librarian

“ My idea of fun is going hiking, snowboarding or biking. I love anything outdoors.”

— Will Lowenkamp ’19, psychology major

6 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

“ I love to play guitar, make music and have fun with friends.”

—D aniel Guevin ’22, biology major

“ I really just love making music with others and watching movies with friends.”

— Raad Khan ’19, business administration major

KAREN GARLINGER

B R A I N WAV E S

After Commencement, Caitlyn Fong ’19 plans to work as an apprentice in the field of art conservation before attending graduate school.

Meet a chem major who wants to work as an art conservator CAITLYN FONG ’19 EXPLAINS THE SCIENCE OF IT How do you preserve an art installation made of butter? That’s just one occupational hazard for an art conservator.

Pursuing a career in art conservation, Caitlyn Fong ’19—a chemistry major and studio art minor—mixed science and art for her honors senior research project. How do those seemingly separate majors go together?

“Science, predominantly chemistry, is involved in conservation,” said Fong. “It is used to investigate decay, to learn more about the process by which a piece was created and to analyze an object’s state.”

Her project explored the complexities of conserving

contemporary art, so she worked with Professor of Chemistry Rick Schaeffer and Associate Professor of Art Brent Good.

“Caitlyn’s honors project in art conservation is a wonderful illustration of a rich cross-disciplinary field engaging two broad areas that, at first glance, might not seem to have much in common,” said Schaeffer.

While preservation of centuries-old masterpieces involves removing ancient layers of veneer or grime, today’s art poses a different set of challenges.

“Current artists are using all sorts of unexpected materials that create even more headaches for the conservators on staff at

major institutions,” explained Good. “Art conservation is a perfect example of a discipline that requires an analytic understanding of chemicals and how they interact.”

Also, preserving current art can allow a conservator the opportunity to work directly with the artist. “Some of the artists are still living and can provide insight to their intent,” explained Fong.

Last summer, she completed a conservation internship at the State Capitol building

in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

After graduation, however, she is considering offers across the U.S., from Texas to Oregon.

“As the field of conservation is a less conventional one, most people start with internships and apprenticeships before going to graduate school,” said Fong, “as programs often have requirements for hands-on hours of work.”

With her Messiah degree in hand, she’ll preserve art for generations to come.

— Jake Miaczynski ’20 and Anna Seip

“ Art conservation is a perfect example of a discipline that requires an analytic understanding of chemicals and how they interact.”

— Brent Good, associate professor of art MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 7

OUR

CAMPUS NEWS

MALAYSIA IS NEXT FOR TODD ABBOTT ’19 Todd Abbott ’19, an international business and marketing double major with minors in politics and Spanish, has been awarded a Fulbright Grant to study in Malaysia for one year.

The president of the Student Government Association, he credits others with helping him succeed. “I am endlessly grateful to the faculty of the business and politics departments, to President Kim Phipps for her mentorship, to my friends at the Writing Center for the many application essay

drafts that we worked through, to my student government cabinet ... to the many other life-giving friends and role models walking with me on my journey,” he said.

With his assignment in Malaysia starting in January, he will teach English and integrate with the community to strengthen international relations.

Fulbright is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program, and the award is a reflection of Abbott’s leadership.

“As I am comforted and energized by the promise of Joshua 1:9 that ‘the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,’ ’’ said Abbott, “I am most excited by the vision of fully investing in the Malaysian community and serving through any and all available outreach opportunities.”

KAREN GARLINGER

STUDENT AWARDED FULBRIGHT

SARAH HENRY ’19

SARAH HENRY ’19

With a Fulbright Grant to study in Malaysia, Todd Abbott ’19 will focus on representing the U.S. and strengthening international relations.

Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, served as keynote speaker for the Humanities Symposium Feb. 21.

8 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

Many alumni returned to campus for the 2019 the Alumni Awards March 30. From left: The recipients include Rob Parker ’82, Distinguished Alumnus Achievement Award; J. Ron Byler ’74, Alumni Christian Service Award; Melissa Davis Stuebing ’06, Young Alumna Achievement Award; and Eldon Fry, Alumni Appreciation Award.

2019

1618

SERVICE DAY

NUM TOTAL VOL BER O U NT F EER S

34

mpus a c f f o on- and projects

8 6 4 employees and students at other projects

1151 employees volun teer and stu ed at

d Spec ents ial Ol ympic s

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 9

OUR

AT H L E T I C S

Elementary kids visit Falcons for game, homework help J-TERM OUTREACH TO LOCAL CHILDREN WRAPS UP WITH PIZZA DINNER, BASKETBALL GAME elementary students, who are part of a special basketball and cheerleading program, were on the court throughout the game with cheerleading routines and performances. At halftime of the women’s game, members of the Messiah men’s basketball team ran through shooting drills with a number of the students.

Postgame, the women’s team stuck around for poster signings and spent some time with the students.

The event was a culmination of the team regularly serving at Scott Elementary and providing homework help during the month of January.

– Matthew Fenton ’13, MA ’16, director of athletic communications

10 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

MESSIAH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

In partnership with Scott Elementary School, the Messiah women’s basketball team welcomed approximately 40 elementary school students to campus Feb. 6 for homework help and to attend a basketball game as guests of the team. Prior to the contest, the elementary school students came to campus and worked with a homework buddy that was a Messiah student-athlete in a one-on-one setting.

Messiah’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee supplied around 40 student-athletes for homework help and to spend time with the elementary students during a pregame pizza dinner.

Dressed in Messiah women’s basketball T-shirts, the

Children from Harrisburg’s Scott Elementary School eat pizza with Flex the Falcon and try out a cheer routine at a Messiah women’s basketball game in February.

TWO-SPORT STUDENT-ATHLETES LEAD FALCONS AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SEELAND ’22, WIEDERRECHT ’20 SHOW UP EVERYWHERE appearances this past fall. A forward on the Messiah field hockey team, Wiederrecht scored seven goals in 2018, helping the Falcons to their fourth-straight Elite Eight appearance.

On the pitch, Seeland is a defender for the women’s soccer team that allowed a nation-leading 0.23 goals against average, while advancing to the Sweet 16 for the 18th time in the last 19 seasons.

– Matthew Fenton ’13, MA ’16, director of athletic communications

MESSIAH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

In March, the Messiah women’s track and field team sent five team members, including a pair of two-sport student-athletes, to the Indoor Track and Field National Championships in Boston, Massachusetts. Taylor Wiederrecht ’20 and Esther Seeland ’22 headlined Messiah’s showing in the event, earning All-America honors in the high jump and 800-meter run, respectively. The Falcons also sent their distance medley relay team of Maddison Landis, Ellissa Slader, Leanne Weaver and Seeland, finishing in 11th place with a time of 12:02.99.

Wiederrecht and Seeland earned their first All-America honors with top-eight finishes at the national meet. Wiederrecht was making her second-straight appearance at nationals after qualifying for the heptathlon in 2018. This year, she finished in a tie for sixth place in the high jump, clearing 1.68 meters (5’ 6.14”) on her third attempt.

Seeland advanced to nationals for the first time in her career after a dominant first year with the program. She was named the Middle Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year and holds two individual program records in the 800 (2:11.70) and the mile (5:01.36). She also ran key legs in the distance medley relay, 4x400 meter relay and 4x800 meter relay that broke program records this season. Seeland ran the 800 and distance medley relay, taking fourth in the 800 with a time of 2:11.82.

Not only are Wiederrecht and Seeland national contenders in track and field, but both are dual-sport athletes and are coming off NCAA Tournament

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 11

MELISSA ENGLE PHOTOGRAPHY

12 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

DEPofT H POURI

NG INT O THE

NE X T G

ENERA TION

BY ROBYN PASSANTE

In 2006, when the decades-old Mechanicsburg Area Community Pool looked like it might close, Tonya Brown ’86 led the charge to save it. The Mechanicsburg Area Parks and Recreation director rallied support, wrote grant applications and organized a committee that, in six years’ time, helped raise the $1.1 million needed to save the beloved community resource.

She still remembers the day it reopened.

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 13

CINDY AGONCILLO ’09

LEADERSHIP

Rob Pepper ’92, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and assistant professor of leadership studies, helped create the College’s leadership development model.

“T

o stand there and watch the kids that day lining up outside the pool to get in, I cried,” said Brown, a community recreation major who played basketball for Messiah from 1982-1986.

“It was awesome.”

When asked if she took personal pride in that opening day, she gives an answer that speaks volumes about the philosophy and practical application of leadership she learned at her alma mater more than 30 years ago.

“It’s not about me at all. It’s about completing whatever the project may be,” she said.

“Everything I’ve ever done is with a committee or a team. You can’t win a game with just the point guard. You have to have all five players.”

Brown’s explanation of how leadership looks when executed well dovetails with the College’s definition of it: “a benevolent, mission-minded, purposeful influence.” A core tenet of the College’s overall mission involves developing students into leaders, and it has specific processes in place to do that. But true leadership is a nuanced collection of traits and behaviors that, when integrated into a life or a career, come to define a person more than any particular title or position ever could.

FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

Rob Pepper ’92, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and assistant professor of leadership studies, says the first and most famous example is one the College continually looks to for inspiration and direction.

“A big focus we have here is looking at the model of Christ,” said Pepper. “How did He lead? How did He treat His people? What did He do? Did He call people to a higher understanding? He would help people by putting the needs of them ahead of His own needs, but, at the same time, He would draw people to a higher vision.”

Pepper, who helped to create the College’s leadership development model, says showing people a higher vision than what they can currently see is a cornerstone of transformational leadership. “‘Come and follow me, I’ll make you fishers of men.’ That’s taking people from an understanding of what they thought it meant

14 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

to be a fisherman, to something greater,” he explained.

A contemporary example of such a leader, he says, is Martin Luther King Jr. “King described a vision of racial equality that was inspirational. He stayed true to his vision even in the face of danger,” said Pepper. “His unswerving commitment to that vision resulted in transforming society — but also the loss of his life.”

Similar to transformational leadership is the servant-leader ideal, which Messiah affirms, along with its key concepts of empathy, stewardship and self-awareness.

“Servant leadership argues that to lead, first the person must serve,” Pepper explained. It’s a philosophy of leadership that underscores the importance of serving others as a way to positively impact an organization, business or society.

“Think about a perfect isosceles triangle, with people at the bottom and the leader at the top. So people serve the leader,” he said.

“ SERVANT LEADERSHIP ARGUES THAT TO LEAD, FIRST THE PERSON MUST SERVE.” —Rob Pepper ’92

“In servant leadership, you turn that model upside down. The leader is at the bottom and they’re serving and upholding and helping the other people, lifting them up.”

RISING TO THE OCCASION

CINDY AGONCILLO ’09

Doug Flemmens, director of the Collaboratory on campus, describes a servant leadership instance from his earlier career in the business world. Just days into his new job as a production manager, the company closed the plant.

“In that moment, I was able to step in and be the calm, guiding hand, a little bit detached from the personal relationships,” recalled Flemmens. “I was able to, at an individual and corporate level, counsel people through that process.”

He set aside his own anxiety about his impending job loss to serve his charges.

“Having a solid faith foundation, knowing that God’s in control and that He’s got work for us to do, I was able to see the work that I was called to do in that moment,” said Flemmens, who now equips the next generation of leaders in Collaboratory applied research teams serving for the good of all. “I never aspired to leadership but now believe God calls us all to make a difference in different ways. We have a responsibility to rise to the occasions that God provides.”

IT’S NOT ABOUT A BIG TITLE

ANDRE FRUEH ’22

Along with their personal faith guiding them, proven leaders say they cultivate certain traits to lead effectively. Kevin Villegas ’98, director of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs, began honing those skills in the Marine Corps, where he also learned an impressively long acronym to help him remember them: JJDIDTIEBUCKLE. “The Marine Corps was good at giving acronyms,” said Villegas, rattling off from memory the 14 leadership traits identified by the military branch: justice, judgment, decisiveness, initiative, dependability, tact, integrity, enthusiasm, bearing, unselfishness, courage, knowledge, loyalty and endurance.

“I think if you looked in Scripture, you can Doug Flemmens (top), director of the Collaboratory, says God calls us to make a difference in different ways. Kevin Villegas (right), director of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs, says leadership involves purposeful influence.

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 15

BRIAN SCHNEIDER PHOTOGRAPHY

LEADERSHIP

Aaron Faro ’03, MS ’15, who works as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Messiah, says the soccer program promotes an ‘everyone can lead’ mentality.

16 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

find good evidence of why those traits matter in a leader,” he said. There is, however, a marked difference between military leadership and biblical leadership. “In the Marines, you lead by rank. You listen to someone who outranks you. Whereas, I think more of a biblical or Christian approach is that people follow you because of who you are — not what you can do for them or to them.”

Today, Villegas helps students find ways to strengthen these traits, as well as their faith, as they develop into leaders. Through the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI), students can gain experience in leadership positions on campus that help to prepare them for their chosen careers and to make a difference in their communities. Villegas says about 180 student leaders come together for special training before the start of each fall semester to learn the College’s leadership development model.

Through leadership education, character development and skills training, Messiah

guides students through the “head-hearthands” model of leadership development, which prepares them to be leaders in their careers, but is focused more on all the ways to lead outside a boardroom or executive suite.

“That’s why we like that definition of leadership, because it doesn’t necessarily mean you are in a primary leadership position.

Anybody could demonstrate benevolent, mission-minded, purposeful influence,” Villegas said. “Leadership isn’t about title or position.

People should want to follow you because of who you are — ideally, your Christlike-ness.

People see Christ in you and are attracted to that and want to follow you.”

education, he says the soccer program stresses the “everyone can lead” mentality from the get-go.

“We don’t even have captains anymore,” said Faro.

Instead, the team strives to embody eight biblical core values: We place the team over the individual.

We are relationally invested.

We seek excellence.

We choose to be positive.

We work hard.

We are mentally tough.

We are accountable to one another.

We seek to be men of character.

STANDARD BEARERS FOR SPORTS

The players with these traits become the “standard bearers” for the rest of the group.

“Everybody is trying to embody those values, but we would pinpoint one specific person to say, ‘That person embodies that value the best on our team. If you’re struggling with that, here’s somebody you could look to

Aaron Faro ’03, MS ’15 works as Messiah’s assistant men’s soccer coach and director of the AROMA sports ministry program. With an undergraduate degree in sport and exercise science along with a master’s in higher

CLASS OF 2015 GRAD WINS 82ND DISTRICT

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHNATHAN HERSHEY ’15

YOUNGEST LEADER TO SERVE THREE PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES On Jan. 1, 2019, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives swore in Johnathan Hershey ’15, to serve the 82nd district. He is the youngest GOP candidate to represent Franklin, Juniata and Mifflin counties.

As a Juniata County native, Hershey has focused his attention on agricultural issues, such as permit processes and environmental regulations for local farmers. As a member of the judiciary committee, he works to reform civil laws affecting local businesses and family farms.

As a double major in politics and economics, Hershey gives credit to Messiah College for igniting his political fire and teaching him

valuable critical thinking skills. “My politics professors taught me how to think, not what to think,” he explained.

While a student at Messiah, he participated in education abroad in England and Ireland, volunteered through the Agape Center and participated in the Collaboratory.

Hershey says he is thankful to serve the 82nd district. “It’s incredible the amount of trust my community has placed in me,” he said. “I’m thankful to represent my local neighbors and be a positive voice for rural Pennsylvania.”

—Emily Koontz ’20

MESSIAH STUDENT TO STATE REP IN NO TIME ✓ Interned with Speaker of the House John Boehner ✓ Managed Hiinga, an agricultural microfinance nonprofit ✓ Co-founded Bantu Coffee, a coffee company providing grants to nonprofits working to advance coffee operations ✓ Worked for Rep. Charlie Dent (Pa.) in Washington, D.C., helping to write federal agricultural insurance programs and reform crop-subsidizing laws ✓ Elected to 82nd district for Pennsylvania House of Representatives MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 17

PHOTO COURTESY OF PAULINE PEIFER ’66, BRETHREN IN CHRIST U.S.

LEADERSHIP

After leadership roles in nursing, Pauline Peifer ’66, speaking at the Brethren in Christ U.S. General Conference (above, right), now focuses on ministry leadership.

as a model for that,’” he explained.

Through AROMA, whose mission is to empower Messiah students to participate in God’s Kingdom through sports, opportunities for students include weekly small groups, chapel, local service, summer camps and domestic and international sports ministry trips.

By providing student athletes with opportunities to participate in these ministry-focused activities, there is a shift in paradigm of the true purpose of sports: aligning one’s purpose in sport with one’s purpose in life.

“Many student athletes are realizing, perhaps for the first time, that they can use their gifting in athletics to spread the Gospel,” said Faro. “Student athletes are no longer placing their identity in their performance on the field, but in their identity in Christ. We believe that students who know their true identity, are empowered to pursue athletic excellence and lead from their Christian character.”

POURING INTO THE NEXT GENERATION

Pauline Peifer ’66 has had a long and varied career, which has included leadership roles in nursing and in ministry. In both fields, she has had to fire employees and says it never gets easy. But, showing compassion for the individual while ultimately doing what’s best for the organization takes that equal measure of grace and truth.

“We need to all the time be looking at how we can serve. How do we help this person take the next step [in a personal journey] and show that we care?” she asked.

In the first half of her career as a nurse, she worked her way up to executive director and administrator at a nursing home and rehabilitation facility in Mifflintown. After switching to ministry several years ago, she became the first female bishop in the Atlantic Conference Brethren in Christ Church in 2012. She says

18 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

“ I THINK WE WOMEN NEED TO SEE THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER — AND NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.” —Pauline Peifer ’66

her success has been a combination of God’s calling and her own initiative.

“I am not one of those people who just kind of sits around waiting for something to happen,” said Peifer, who now serves as the volunteer director of the Awaken Network for Women in Ministry Leadership. “I think we

women need to see that we have something to offer — and not be afraid to take advantage of those opportunities.”

Being afraid — to try, to fail or even to succeed too much or too quickly — is a snag that can impede even the most experienced leader from time to time. A former boss told her how important it was for a leader to have personal courage, and Peifer has seen evidence of just how important that is throughout her life, including the courage it takes to know when it’s time to let go of a job or a career.

“I was told years ago that you should always be trying to work yourself out of a job,” she said. “You should always be looking for someone you can pour yourself into.”

In other words, teach what you’ve learned and, eventually, pass the baton.

Pepper couldn’t agree more.

“I oftentimes look at my success as a leader not so much by the things I’ve accomplished but by the people that I’ve influenced and what they’re now doing and the leadership that they now have. To me, that’s essential,” he said. “And I think that a big part of the Messiah College culture is, ‘Who are we pouring into, either professionally or our students, and how are we doing that so that they can go out and be change agents or influencers in the world?’” B

WANT TO MAJOR IN LEADERSHIP? MESSIAH OFFERS SEVERAL UNIQUE DEGREES, TRACKS Want to major in leadership? At Messiah, you can pursue a master’s in intercollegiate athletic leadership or a master’s in strategic leadership. The MBA program also offers a strategic leadership track.

“Leadership is multifaceted, much like light that reflects from a diamond’s surface,” explained Kris Cravey, director of graduate programs in business and leadership and assistant professor of business. “As prospective students examine our program against others, I often hear that they are drawn by the courses we offer that support this multifaceted leadership approach. The blend of theory and practice, where students can use what they’re learning immediately in their organizational context is a big draw for students.”

Some of these facets of Messiah’s leadership programs include: 1) personal formation, such as applying ethical frameworks in decision-making, overcoming unconscious biases and understanding the pros and cons of different leadership styles.

2) organizational implications of leadership that require the ability to lead change initiatives, develop a communication

strategy and optimize the effectiveness of an organization.

3) external development aspects of leadership, involving the ability to identify and develop future leaders and to build and empower high-functioning teams.

“Leadership in its most basic form is influence,” said Cravey. “Regardless of your title or position, we can all be persons of influence to achieve mutually beneficial results.”

And, as followers of God, a good leader knows there’s a time and a place to be a good follower, too.

“If I were to hold a workshop on how you can become an effective leader,” said Cravey, “there would likely be stronger interest in this topic than offering a workshop on how to become an effective follower. Yet all of us move throughout the day as leaders and followers in our various interactions and roles. So, while we need to examine how we can lead or create influence where we are, we also need to look at how to be better followers by assuming responsibility, serving, having the courage to challenge, participating in transformation and taking moral action.”

—Anna Seip

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 19

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

20 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

AT MESSIAH, HAVING FUN IS NO JOKE

H

ow do Messiah students, alums and faculty have fun? They do it with purpose — with a zest for life in their jobs, their families, their communities and their hearts.

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 21

FUN IN CAREERS

—Jake Miaczynski ’20 22 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

MELISSA ENGLE PHOTOGRAPHY

T

im Morgan ’04 gets paid to talk.

What does it take to build a voice acting career? Patience and perseverance.

In his senior year at Messiah, the communication major studied at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center in Los Angeles, California. He graduated and then married Deborah (Schultz) ’05. The couple moved to California in 2007 and spent the next decade on the West Coast.

Upon arrival, Morgan pursued a career in acting and comedy. After working as a substitute teacher and appearing on an episode of “Wipeout,” he found his niche, which combined his love for comedy, theatre and communication: voice acting.

Providing his voice to various projects, Morgan has played the role of an animated watermelon for Snapple and recorded more than 17,000 words for a text-to-speech system.

Currently, he’s writing a pilot for a TV series he hopes to pitch later this year.

“What I do lends itself to fun regardless.

I’m getting paid to talk, and that never gets old,” he said.

Voice acting is versatile, flexible and, if you have the right sound equipment, you can do it from anywhere in the world. So, after 10 years in L.A., the couple returned to their hometown in Camp Hill, near the Messiah campus, to raise their two children. They converted their basement into a home studio.

“Los Angeles will always be a part of my heart and my career, but we entered a season of life where family was most important,” said Morgan. “I give my wife so much credit for being the consistent income as a nurse. She provided our stability.”

In Pennsylvania, he’s now involved with the Harrisburg Improv Theatre and does on-camera work for Webpage FX, an internet-marketing service.

“I don’t think I’ll ever retire from voice acting,” said Morgan, “since I’m doing something I fundamentally love that will last.”

4 0 ’ N A G R O M M TI

I

magine wearing a press pass and watching your favorite NFL team from the sidelines — all season. You interview players, take photos, shoot video and interact with fans from all over the world.

It’s just another day at the office for Zach Specht ’13, the social media editor for the Buffalo Bills.

A Buffalo, New York, native, he’s passionate about the team and his city. After graduating from Messiah in 2013 with a communication degree, he began working for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. By 2015, he’d switched from hockey to football to begin his career with the Bills.

“Social media is the mouthpiece of an organization,” explained Specht. “I love the diversity of events that I cover with social media. I cover tent pole events such as the NFL Combine, NFL draft and Pro Bowl. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by extremely talented individuals who collaborate and execute these events at the highest level.”

The job is fast-paced. Going to work each

COURTESY OF THE BUFFALO BILLS

ZACH SPECHT ’13

day means planning, creating and executing all content posted on the Buffalo Bills’ social media platforms — including creating new hashtags and memes while monitoring analytics to make sure the audience is engaged.

Working closely with coaches and players, Specht is key to the team’s public and community relations.

And it’s fun, too. “The unpredictability of the NFL is one of the most challenging yet exciting elements of my position,” said Specht.

That unpredictability includes all the news generated from practices, wins and losses, roster changes and more. Everything that happens within the organization impacts what content Specht delivers to the fans.

Next time you watch a Bills game, keep an eye on the sidelines. You might just see a familiar face carrying an iPhone and a video camera. Then head over to Instagram and see how Specht reports on the game.

“ THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE NFL IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YET EXCITING ELEMENTS OF MY POSITION.” —Zach Specht ’13

—Jake Miaczynski ’20

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 23

ANDRE FRUEH ’22

FUN IN FITNESS

Luiza Cliver (center), assistant director of International Student Programs, teaches Spin classes at Messiah for faculty, staff and students.

F

or Messiah employees, group exercises at the Falcon Fitness Center provide a 45-minute energy boost during the workday. Taught by staff, alumni and even some students, the classes run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the schedule of the academic year, and change each semester.

You simply sign up through the IM Leagues application, and you’re ready to workout.

Although students can participate in the group exercise class, 25 percent of the participants are employees, according to Kevin Ogden ’14, director of the center.

“I have seen employees come to class exhausted and dragging. After completing a class, they walk out with more energy and excitement,” he said.

Queenax, a circuit-training class using suspension system equipment and battle

ropes, is just one of the offerings available for an afternoon pick-me-up.

“As a former Messiah College student-athlete, Queenax feeds my inner competitor and pushes my physical and mental limits,” said Brooke Good ’03, Messiah women’s field hockey coach. “It keeps me energetic for the remainder of the day.”

For those looking to start the work week in a healthy way, Will Franken ’15 teaches the early-bird Spin class on Monday mornings.

“Messiah employees and students, both grad and undergrad, who participate in my Spin class leave more energetic than when they arrived,” said Franken. “Together, we work hard, and we have fun.”

Fellow Spin instructor Luiza Cliver, assistant director of International Student Programs at Messiah, said, “I love teaching Spin class at Messiah, because it allows me

24 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

to meet new people who I might not otherwise get to know. I love creating a space for Messiah employees to escape the worries and stressors of their days and simply focus on themselves.”

These group exercise classes create a sense of accountability and camaraderie that might otherwise be missing from the usual 9-to-5 grind.

“Group exercise at Messiah offers a fun and engaging workout that gives Messiah employees a distraction from the fullness of life, while simultaneously developing new relationships with other employees,” said Ogden. “The Falcon Fitness group exercises classes are an incredible benefit to Messiah employees.”

—Emily Koontz ’20 and Anna Seip

FUN IN THE MOMENT

MELISSA ENGLE PHOTOGRAPHY

“M

RACHEL CORNACCHIO

“ WHEN PEOPLE HEAR A SONG WITH WHICH THEY HAVE FAMILIARITY, IT BRINGS WITH IT A SENSE OF CALM, BECAUSE IT IS JUST THAT: FAMILIAR.”

usic speaks. It resonates.

Particularly, it resonates with music that members sang in their late teens and early twenties,” said Professor of Conducting Rachel Cornacchio.

She conducts the Sing for the Moment choir, a group of patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia along with their caregivers.

The majority of choir members range in age from their 70s to their 80s. They meet each Wednesday at Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Alzheimer’s hits close to home for Cornacchio. Her grandmother suffered from the disease. Also, her mother worked as a nurse in a nursing home’s memory care unit. “[My grandmother] loved music and she loved to sing, even though she wasn’t terribly gifted in it,” recalled Cornacchio. “Until her last week of life, she was singing hymns, recalling every word to every verse.”

How could her grandmother suffer from memory loss yet remember hymns she sang in her teens?

“I could ramble off a good bit of data to help make scientific sense of what happens neurologically when members interact with music, but the nuts and bolts of it are actually quite simple,” said Cornacchio. “There is a part of the brain that stores musical memories.

Research tells us that memories stored there between the ages of 15 and 22 are unaffected

by Alzheimer’s disease.”

As a result, you’ll find this choir singing hits like “She Loves You” by the Beatles or the well-known standard, “Route 66.”

Not only does the music help with memory, but it boosts mood, too. “When people hear a song with which they have familiarity, it brings with it a sense of calm, because it is just that: familiar,” she explained.

Cornacchio says working with the choir has become the highlight of her week and invites volunteers to future rehearsals. “We’re always looking for folks to sing alongside members to help turn pages and get them from sitting to standing,” she said. “Singing experience is not a requirement.”

—Jake Miaczynski ’20

—Rachel Cornacchio, professor of conducting

TO WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT THE CHOIR, GO TO MESSIAH.EDU/SINGFORTHEMOMENT. MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 25

F U N I N FA IT H

W

EVAN LEBO ’17

26 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

CINDY AGONCILLO ’09

orking as a youth pastor means so much more than hanging out with kids for a few hours a week. For Christian ministries grads Evan Lebo ’17 and Cody Sherry ’12, it’s about intentionality, forming relationships, hanging out and pointing the younger generation toward Christ.

The two alums work at Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church as youth and young adult pastors. Lebo works with middle schoolers while Sherry takes charge of the high schoolers.

“Youth ministry has to come out of a deep passion for the next generation and a strong belief that these students are worth the time and energy it takes to get to know them,” said Sherry.

Supporting students comes in many different ways. It’s much more than playing a few

CINDY AGONCILLO ’09

fun games, singing some songs, listening to a Bible lesson and going home. On any given week, these pastors attend sporting events and theatrical performances of the youth from their church. Sherry also writes more than his share of college recommendations.

While they hope to leave a lasting impact on the children they’re in charge of, youth pastors might not see the results. Patience is key. Lebo said, “I’m realizing more and more that my job often looks like planting seeds in students that may not come to fruition for years down the road.”

And, let’s face it: Kids want to have fun.

“You can’t take yourself too seriously if you want to relate to middle school students,” said Lebo.

Youth group is a place where kids can burn energy and be goofy while also establishing meaningful relationships with others.

Sometimes, the path to conversation is as simple as a trip to Chick-Fil-A, where the value of breaking bread together forms solid relationships.

Realizing that the world has a monopoly of fun for students already, the two pastors work to offer something the world cannot: human connection. Sherry said, “When you demonstrate that your ministry is a place where students can talk, laugh, share and be safe, they connect.” B —Jake Miaczynski ’20

CODY S HERRY ’12

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 27

OUR

ALUMNI NEWS

Z A N E T TA KO K ’ 1 5 A N D K E N N Y KO K ’ 1 5

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KITTY TOWN COFFEE

Cat lovers make living roasting beans ALUM COUPLE FINDS SUCCESS WITH KITTY TOWN COFFEE Zanetta Kok ’15, a psychology major, has always been a coffee connoisseur — from crafting espressos in her Messiah College dorm room to roasting coffee beans in a popcorn popper. After graduation, she and her husband, Kenny ’15, an electrical engineering major, started a business: Kitty Town Coffee, a specialty coffee roasting company in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

Their cats — Sydney and Albert — inspired the company name. After Sydney died in 2016, Kok decided to name each roast after feline friends she knows and loves. In addition to Albert Blend and Original Sydney, customers can choose from Robust Roy, Delilah’s Decaf, Fezzik and Rafiki — each blend packaged with a picture of its namesake.

WHAT MAKES KITTY TOWN COFFEE DIFFERENT?

The company sources its beans through direct trade, receiving the coffee from farmers in countries such as Brazil and Costa Rica. Using this method, farmers get paid directly instead of through a co-op that absorbs some of the profit.

The roasting is also unique.

Through its roasting facility — in a former Bethlehem Steel building — the couple roasts the coffee a little lighter, ensuring that the beans’ natural flavors come through.

“Coffee comes from a fruit, and, depending on how it was

WANT TO TRY THEIR COFFEE? ORDER ONLINE AT KITTYTOWNCOFFEE.COM

This alumni couple runs a direct-trade coffee roasting business called Kitty Town Coffee in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

grown, you’ll be able to taste different notes from the bean,” explained Kok. “If it was grown in a mountainous rain forest, it will be sweeter and richer than coffee grown in the sun at sea level. If you roast coffee too dark, the natural flavors will be overpowered by the roast.”

The beans arrive green, unroasted and in sacks weighing 100-200 pounds. Once the coffee is placed in one of the two roasters, the magic happens. One drum roaster can roast 25 pounds of coffee beans every 15 minutes.

The other roasts 40 pounds in the same amount of time. It’s a much faster process than the 1970s popcorn poppers the couple used when they first started the business.

28 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

“In the popcorn poppers, we could only do up to 4 ounces every five minutes,” she explained.

Kok says she hopes to see Kitty Town Coffee expand and partner with cafes, local grocery stores and even a college campus or two.

“I would love to eventually see Kitty Town Coffee reach Messiah College,” she said, “maybe even served in Lottie Nelson!”

— Emily Koontz ’20

CLASS NOTES

1970s Heritage Society

Nevin Werron ’79 serves as an interim pastor at First Baptist Church of Haddonfield in Haddonfield, N.J.

1980s Anna (Korver) Krout ’86 works as a nurse manager for Cancer Care Associates of York in York, Pa. James Somerville ’86 married Kristine Stokes, Feb. 15, 2002. He serves as the owner of Hudson Manor Bed and Breakfast in Watkins Glen, N.Y. Brian Trostle ’89 serves as the associate pastor for senior adults and pastoral care at First Baptist Church in El Dorado, Ariz.

1990s Lynn Maynard ’94 completed an MBA from Messiah College in May 2018.

The Heritage Society of Messiah College is pleased to host multi-Dove Award-winning southern gospel group, The Martins.

SATURDAY, AUG. 17, 2019 5:30 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres reception 7 p.m. The Martins concert in Parmer Hall (High Center)

Kurt Werthmuller ’95 works as a policy analyst at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C.

Christina Fleisher ’02 and her husband, Brad, announce the birth of Isaac and Izzy, Nov. 18, 2016.

Kristen (Yost) ’06 and Andrew Orr ’07 announce the birth of Benjamin, Oct. 1, 2018.

Amanda Sheriff-Bollinger ’07 published “The Overstreet Price Guide to Star Wars Collectibles.”

Lindsay (DeVries) Herndon ’07 and her husband, Ivan, announce the birth of Carson John, May 13, 2018.

Brenda Smith ’07 and her husband, Nicholas, announce the birth of Vivian Nicole, Jan. 28, 2019.

Jonathan Stutzman ’09 published three picture books: “Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug,” “Llama Destroys the World” and “Don’t Feed the Coos.”

Coral Butler-Brooks ’98 works as the director of advancement at Kent Place School in Summit, N.J.

2000s All tickets are $25. To purchase, please contact the Messiah College Ticket Office at 717-691-6036 or online at messiah.edu/tickets.

Joe Polek ’01 works as a marketing manager at Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits in Charlotte, N.C.

Brian McCann ’00 published, “Music Theory,” a book about a percussionist who moves from Philadelphia to Kansas City to work as a church choir director.

2010s Quay ’10 and Hallie (Hubbell) Hoffman ’10 announce the birth of Simon Joseph, Oct. 19, 2018.

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 29

CLASS NOTES

Jesse Strangefeld ’11 and his wife, Becky, announce the birth of Evan Matthew, Dec. 17, 2018. Jesse works as an associate manager of web services for Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission in Philadelphia, Pa. Adam Nobile ’12 works as the high school director of bands and K-12 music department chair for the Big Spring School District in Newville, Pa. He was named the Grammy Music Educator

Award Quarterfinalist in 2017.

Cody ’12 and Morgan (Lister) Powis ’12 announce the birth of Isaac Mark, Aug. 7, 2018.

Adam ’10 and Sarah (Kelley) Barron ’13 announce the birth of Cedric Alan, Nov. 27, 2016.

Adam works as a campus events employee at Messiah College.

Amy Colpo ’13 works as a special education research associate at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. Sarah Mitchell ’13 works as a family advocate for Brethren Housing Association in Harrisburg, Pa.

Jenna (Raup) Siegrist ’13 and her husband, Cory, announce the birth of Eliza Joyce, May 28, 2018. Jenna works as a registered nurse at Geisinger Medical Center in Bloomsburg, Pa. Ariana Bailey ’15 received the DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses from Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Conn.

Taylor Borrello ’17 and Harrison Burch married June 1, 2018. They announce the birth of Michael William, May 7, 2019.

Z-Ean Chung ’17 works as a developer for Compassion International in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Heather Bashore ’15 and Daniel Kazanjian married Nov. 3, 2018.

Messiah College graduate programs make it possible.

Offering advanced degrees in • Business and leadership* (MBA, M.A.) • Counseling (M.A.)* • Education (M.Ed.)* • Higher education (M.A.) • Music conducting (M.M.)* • Nursing (DNP, MSN)* • Occupational therapy (MOT)** • Physical therapy (DPT) ** *Also offers graduate-level certificate programs **Full-time, traditional program

APPLY TODAY

Experience the academic distinction of a nationally ranked Christian college.

see anew 30 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

717-796-5061 messiah.edu/gradprograms Online | Flexible | Affordable

FROM THE ARCHIVES

How Messiah College rolled BOWLING ALLEY WAS STUDENT HUB

MESSIAH COLLEGE ARCHIVES

Do college students ever have time to spare? Back in the ’70s, Messiah College students sure did. That’s right, the Grantham campus used to have a bowling alley.

Top, from left: Dave Hershberger ’83 and Mike Strite ’83 get ‘bowled over’ by fun at the lanes. Above: This unidentified bowler no doubt rolled a strike.

Readers, can you help us out and tell us who this bowler is?

If you traveled back to 1972, the Eisenhower Campus Center looked different. What is now the Falcon was once a snack shop and a game room. To the right of that, you’d find a fourlane bowling alley.

Michael Strite ’83 serves as the associate director of financial aid at Messiah. As a student, he spent much of his time in the game room, snack shop and bowling alley — a hot spot on campus. Students could grab a milkshake, spend some time with friends or even go on a date with a special someone.

“I became very familiar with that part of campus,” said Strite,

who worked at the snack shop.

“I actually had my highest bowling score ever on the lanes at Messiah.”

For students looking for a good workout, the lanes were right up their alley (and the perfect way to burn off their milkshakes). The lanes also doubled as a classroom. Students could meet their general physical education credit by signing up for “Bowling and Recreational Games.”

As time rolled on, the bowling alley made way for what is now the Falcon. The former

game room is now the Textbook Express. However, Strite and many other students can always return with a trip down memory lane.

— Jake Miaczynski ’20 MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SPRING 2019 | 31

S AV E T H E D AT E S !

Oct. 18–20, 2019

g n i m o c e m o H Family & ekend e W

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE 2019–SEPTEMBER 2019

THROUGH SEPT. 6 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition Louise M. Aughinbaugh Gallery Climenhaga Building This exhibition features works from students who took classes in the Department of Art and Design during the 2018-2019 studio year.

The gallery is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

JUNE 12-15 Jazz Camp This camp is a collaboration with the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz (CPFJ) and serves music students ages 12-21. For information, contact Kelly Athey at kathey@messiah.edu.

JUNE 16-21 Dance Intensive

Memories take us back, dreams take us forward.

Mark your calendar now for OCT. 18-20, 2019 and get ready for an exciting Homecoming and Family Weekend at Messiah College!

On Friday, we look forward to celebrating with the Class of 1969 and our Golden Grads.

Join us on Saturday for a number of class reunions, family activities and opportunities to reconnect, remember and renew your love for the place you once called “home.”

We hope to see you there!

For more information, please visit messiah.edu/homecoming.

A full schedule of events will be posted early July 2019.

Questions? Email

Homecoming@messiah.edu 32 | SPRING 2019 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

Students entering grades 9-12 improve technique and collaborate with choreographers in a unique experience to study with faculty.

For information, contact Gregg Hurley at ghurley@messiah.edu.

JUNE 23-27 Psychology Camp Campers heading into grades 9-12 will explore the many facets of psychology. For more information, contact Stephanie Patterson at spatterson@messiah.edu.

JUNE 23-28 Young Filmmakers Workshop This camp, for students entering grades 9-12, is designed to introduce students to an exciting world of filmmaking through an enriching summer camp experience

JUNE 23-28 Young Writers Workshop This camp will help high school

students improve their writing skills and make friends with those who share their passion.

JUNE 24-28 Theatre Arts Academy Students entering grades 3-12 experience theatre through games, improv and scene work culminating in a short show for family and friends at the end of the week. If you have questions, contact Daniel Inouye at dinouye@messiah.edu.

JULY 14-20 FaithWorks In a weeklong summer institute, high school students can get serious about living their faith.

JULY 22-26 String Orchestra Camp Students in grades 7-12 work on their specific instruments in master classes, learning new techniques and polishing old ones.

They perform in a large ensemble concert at the end. For information, contact Kerry Harker-Roth at orchestracamp@messiah.edu

JULY 28-AUG. 3 Chamber Music in Grantham Camp Advanced students of violin, viola, cello, piano and composition participate in seminars, master classes, rehearsals and performances. The week ends with a public performance by the students. For information, contact Ya-Ting Chang at ychang@ messiah.edu.

JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST Athletic Sports Camps Messiah College hosts athletic camps in various sports. To learn more about athletics camps, go to gomessiah.com/camps.

YOU’RE THE

feather

TO OUR

falcon! flight.

AS AN ALUM, YOU GIVE US

YOU were amazing students, and now you are soaring alumni!

Would you continue the incredible legacy and give back to your alma mater for current students to follow your flight path?

When 400 new* alumni give by June 30, a generous group of donors will donate $20,000 to enhance student scholarship aid.

400

= $20,000

Visit messiah.edu/feather or call 717-796-5066 by June 30 to donate. * Refers to donors who have not yet made a gift since July 1, 2018

HIDDEN PICTURES ANSWER KEY Soccer ball

Messiah degree

Finals pancakes

Pizza with the Prez

Candle from Candlelight Service

Bible

Lanyard with ID

Laptop

Coffee cup

Water bottle

Find our hidden Messiah pictures!

Answers on the inside back cover!

YOU’RE THE

feather

TO OUR

falcon!

See inside for how you can influence our current Falcons’ futures! messiah.edu/feather