Messiah College's The Bridge magazine - Summer 2015

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7P RESIDENT PHIPPS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS After a decade at the helm of Messiah, what’s next?

18 2 015 COMMENCEMENT

MESSIAH COLLEGE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2015

‘Continue to be brave.

The future is yours!’

Science & Faith

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How do you quantify a calling?

INSIDE LOOK

MIRANDA FUCHS

Messiah students studying abroad in Orvieto, Italy, join the Good Friday candlelight processional through the city. The semesterlong program is just one of Messiah’s many experiences that can count toward the new Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) requirement for graduation. To read more about ELI’s launch, please turn to the article on p. 10. Looking for more candlelight photos? Take a look at our baccalaureate celebration on p. 21.

S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 , VO L . 1 07, N O . 1

THE

office of Marketing and COMMUNICATIONS

One College Avenue Suite 3020

M E S SMechanicsburg I A H C O L L EPA G E17055 M AG A Z I N E

717.691.6027

Office of Marketing and Communications www.messiah.edu One College Avenue, Suite 3020 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717.691.6027 | www.messiah.edu

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 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Carrie Barlup, 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

Erin (Kriner) Bray ’10, Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA

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. Postmaster: Address corrections should be sent to the Office of Development, One College Avenue, Suite 3013, Mechanicsburg PA 17055.

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.

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.

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 College-administered programs. © 2015 Messiah College

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F E AT U R E S

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SCIENCE & FAITH: QUANTIFYING A CALLING While science and faith may appear as separate entities, Messiah’s students and professors see them as a cohesive whole.

COVE R:

Does faith inform science?

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

ILLUSTRATION: OLI WINWARD

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18

2015 COMMENCEMENT Check out the highlights as 99 graduate students and 635 undergraduates celebrate Commencement under some blue skies in May.

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2015 GRADUATES From working at a Nashville record label to interning for a federal senator, six outstanding Messiah seniors tell their stories.

F R O M T H E E D I TO R AT A FAMILY WEDDING IN AUGUST, I SAT IN A PEW WITH TWO OF MY FAVORITE COUSINS— BROTHERS TOM AND PAT, BOTH RECENT COLLEGE GRADS. THE COUSIN RELATIONSHIP IS A GREAT ONE: YOU’RE RELATED, BUT WITH SOME DISTANCE. YOU’RE FAMILY, BUT THERE’S NO SIBLING RIVALRY.

At their day jobs, Tom is a welder and Pat is a chemist. They’re also musicians, performing at various venues in their hometown of San Antonio.

The church, nestled in the Catskills, had no air conditioning. As we neared the second hour of the ceremony, the guests started to wilt. We used the programs as fans.

Sighed quietly. Just before the priest presented the bride and groom, there was one last hymn, “On Eagles’ Wings.” Tom and Pat came alive, singing the chorus from memory: He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of his hand

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D E PAR TM E NT S

ONLINE EXTRAS

4 FROM THE PRESIDENT

MESSIAH.EDU/THE_BRIDGE

5 OUR CAMPUS 5 Faces and Places 6

Heard Around Campus

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Brain Waves

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Campus News

Watch the 2015 Commencement video Listen to a music recording by Luke Forshey ’15

Take a look at the textile designs by Joy (Gallucci) Laforme ’09

11 Athletics

Learn more about the Campaign for Wellness

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Nominate an alum for an award

OUR ALUMNI

27 Alumni News 28

Alumni Profile

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Class Notes

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From the Archives

As I watched them with pride and heard their gifted voices, it hit me: They have many roles but are first and foremost men of faith, raised in the church. As they tapped their cowboy boots in time, agreeing that “Sister Betsy can really play,” I nudged my husband and said, “Those are my cousins.”

In keeping with the family theme, grad assistant Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA wrote the feature “Science and Faith: Can You Quantify the Two?” on p. 12. It’s a subject with which he’s familiar, as his sister Julie Fenton ’14 is pursuing her Ph.D. in chemistry at Penn State. The siblings weigh in on this interesting dynamic of science and faith, which is illustrated with the double helix of DNA combined with the Christian fish. We hope you enjoy this summer issue of The Bridge.

Attend the High Center organ recital Connect with President Phipps on Twitter Read an excerpt from “The Messiah Method”

A N N A S E I P, E D I T O R

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 3

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Now is the best time to be a Christian college MESSIAH’S EDUCATIONAL MISSION FOR COMMON GOOD BENEFITS CHURCH, SOCIETY The following is excerpted from President Phipps’ Community Day speech: As I consider the beginning of a new academic year, I’m filled with gratitude for the Messiah College community and for your partnership in working to fulfill our educational mission for the common good of Church and society. Even as we face complex challenges and higher education’s changing landscape, we can make this the best of times for Messiah College: • To incarnate our Christian educational mission and to demonstrate all we have to offer church and society, • To celebrate our accomplishments as a Christian college dedicated to educational excellence and • To aspire and plan toward a hopeful future as we prepare our students to serve, lead and reconcile in an increasingly pluralistic and technologically charged world.

In recent months, I have been inspired by the claim of Mark Labberton, president of Fuller Theological Seminary that “This Is the Best of Times for Following Jesus,” the title of his recent interview in Christianity Today. In the article, he said:

These words are a beautiful variation of Messiah College’s core mission and vision, as well. We offer an academically rigorous education that empowers students to practice their Christian faith with discernment and to acquire knowledge to use in service for the common good of others.

Our institutional vitality (strong enrollment, solid finances, global engagement, etc.) enables us to plan for a hopeful future in an increasingly pluralistic, fragmented and rapidly changing world. An overarching issue that influences our aspirational planning is the need for Messiah College to live out our mission and be faithful to our Christian convictions in challenging times as we continue to educate our students in an environment characterized by academic rigor, spiritual vitality and compassionate care.

As a Christ-centered educational community, we see the world and even time itself with renewed vision. We have a hope that’s secure, a joy that’s not tethered to circumstances, and an assurance that surpasses the boundaries of time, no matter what may come. Seeing anew, in this way, can transform our lives so that we might transform our students. With joyful and expectant hearts, may we be open to the best of God’s time in this present moment as we work together to educate our students to a deeper understanding of the wonder of creation and the majesty of God.

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RYAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

K I M S . PH I PPS, PRESIDENT

“IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEW TESTAMENT AND ASK, ‘WHAT IS THE CHURCH?’ . . . [IT’S] PEOPLE LIVING THEIR LIVES AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP AND RESPONSE TO JESUS CHRIST AND SEEKING TO LIVE AS DAILY DISCIPLES IN COMMUNITY AND FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR WORLD.”

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FAC E S A N D P L AC E S

Pipe dreams come true

Writing history is no small task.

For history major and music minor Rachel Carey ’16, though, the task is a welcome one.

Combining her love of history and music, Carey is compiling the background of the College’s 1950s Reuter opus 1148 pipe organ that magnificently welcomes visitors to Parmer Hall in the High Center for Worship and Performing Arts.

The organ, purchased from Millersville University for $5 at a public auction during the High Center’s construction, was updated and restored to fit Messiah’s space. The Mid-Century organ was built during what was known as the American Organ Revival. As part of her senior honors project, Carey is examining the cultural influences of this revival, focusing on Messiah’s prime example in Parmer.

Carey began the project last summer by meeting with S.D.G. Organs, the Millersville, Pa., company that originally sold the organ. That’s where she began to learn about the pipe organ’s past—specifically looking at where it came from, what the installation process was like and other important details.

From there, Carey collected additional oral histories from various individuals involved, including organ professors at both Messiah College and Millersville University, faculty in the music department and operations employees. Each one has helped her piece together the timeframe and details of how this organ came to be and how it got to Messiah.

MATTHEW TENNISON

RACHEL CAREY ’16 COMPOSES HISTORY OF HIGH CENTER ORGAN

The history of the High Center’s pipe organ is in the hands of history major Rachel Carey ’16 as part of her senior honors project.

The oral histories, Carey says, have been her favorite part of the project so far. “Talking to people who are so passionate about…what the organ means for the school is incredible,” said Carey. “It’s been really helpful to hear how they have each been involved in part of the organ’s history.”

For the graded part of her project, Carey completed a literary review during the spring 2015 semester, which included reading and analyzing 25+ books on organs and cultural history. The second part of the project (which Carey will complete this fall) includes a senior

thesis—a 30-page paper on the topic of the effects of post-World War II American culture on the organ revival.

Carey’s project will culminate with a public presentation and Q-and-A session in Parmer Hall at 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Following her presentation, Messiah’s Adjunct Organ Instructor Shawn Gingrich and his students will give a 30-minute pipe organ recital, featuring some of the original repertoire played during the organ’s original installation in 1956.

— Erin Bray ’10

OTHER UPCOMING PERFORMANCES Oct. 4, 3 p.m.

Rhonda Sider Edgington, organ (guest artist) co-sponsored by the American Guild of Organists Parmer Hall, The Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT UPCOMING ART EXHIBITIONS AND MUSIC, THEATRE AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, VISIT ARTS.MESSIAH.EDU.

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HEARD AROUND CAMPUS

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB? AND WHY? “ I would love to be a college track coach because I really enjoy helping athletes become a better version of themselves, physically and mentally.”

— Aaron Gray ’18

“ A National Geographic photographer or a ski instructor in Vail, Colorado.

I’ll take either.”

— Devin Esch ’17

“Accounting work for non-profit and missions organizations either in the U.S. or around the world. I am really passionate about serving and ministry, and would love to be able to serve using my gifts in accounting and my love for Christ. ” — Courtney Allen ’16

“ Running my own bakery and coffee shop. I love to bake and make people smile, and a coffee shop could combine both.”

— Alex Morgan ’16

“ My dream job would be to be in charge of making compilations of music for TV shows and movie soundtracks. Music really adds to such productions.”

— Jillian Harvey ’18

“ To find an occupation where I can use the talents that God has given me to glorify him. I think that someday I will own my own company.”

— Josh Good ’16

“ To become a physical therapist and eventually be a medical missionary.

This job would allow me to use the gifts and talents God has given me in order to further his kingdom.”

— Maria Rumberger ’16

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“ A seventh-grade science teacher at an underprivileged school that is walking distance from the beach.

City schools need teachers who want to be there, and who doesn’t love the beach?”

— Kenedy Kieffer ’18

“ I have no idea what my dream job is. I feel that God has called me to ministry, and I can’t wait to see what happens.”

— Seth Daisey ’18

“ A nurse in an underdeveloped country somewhere overseas. I would love to work with and learn from people who are completely different from me while providing Christ’s love in a tangible way.”

— Marisa Weaver ’17

“ My dream job would be one that I would wake up every day knowing that God is using my gifts to impact others’ lives in a positive way.”

— Benji Kennel ’16

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B R A I N WAV E S

President Phipps looks back on 10 years at the helm of Messiah PROVIDING LEADERSHIP TO MOVE THE COLLEGE FORWARD WHILE REMAINING TRUE TO ITS ROOTS

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A COLLEGE PRESIDENT?

I had no idea I would become provost at Messiah and certainly not the president. I love to teach, but while I was at Malone I also discovered a love for administration—particularly program development and faculty development.

The decision to come to Messiah was to use my administrative gifts in a full-time capacity while still teaching when possible.

I waited until the last day to officially apply for the presidency, because I needed to go through a comprehensive discernment process. I love Messiah College.

I believe passionately in the mission, and I needed to determine whether I had the skill set for the type of leadership Messiah needed. And that’s a part of my reflection process every summer.

Am I serving the College well?

Am I bringing to the institution what it needs to maintain its vitality to move forward?

FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF MESSIAH COLLEGE AND THE FIRST FEMALE CCCU PRESIDENT?

I frequently have conversations, especially with female students, because they have observed me or other women in leadership and want to learn more. I strongly encourage other young women to pursue leadership. Occasionally when faculty or staff children come to the president’s house for an event, I have had young girls exclaim, “Oh, you’re a lady president!” I take that responsibility seriously and find a lot of joy in setting an example.

WHAT’S ON YOUR CURRENT PROFESSIONAL TO-DO LIST?

I want to successfully complete our Campaign for Wellness. I am very committed to providing fitness, wellness and indoor athletic facilities for all Messiah students, which is an important element of their educational experience.

I’m also very excited for the launch of our first doctoral program. We need to maintain our commitment to undergraduate excellence, while also providing Christ-centered, quality graduate programs that meet societal needs. We’re also launching occupational and physical therapy graduate programs at a new

WALTER CALAHAN

A New York City/Long Island native, Messiah College President Kim Phipps completed her doctoral work at Kent State University and served as an academic administrator at Malone College before coming to Grantham as academic dean in 1998. After becoming provost two years later, she served as acting president when President Rodney Sawatsky became ill with cancer, retired and passed away shortly thereafter. After going through the formal vetting process of a national search, she was selected as Messiah’s first female president in December of 2004. In this Q-and-A, she reminisces about her first decade as president—and what she still hopes to achieve.

“I LOVE MESSIAH COLLEGE. I BELIEVE PASSIONATELY IN THE MISSION, AND I NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAD THE SKILL SET FOR THE TYPE OF LEADERSHIP MESSIAH NEEDED. — President Kim Phipps

off-campus site that has great visibility in the region.

I’d also like to be successful in helping Messiah secure funding for endowed chairs. When a donor is willing to offer a financial gift to fund a faculty position and research in perpetuity, it’s a wonderful asset to the academic program.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS SERVED AS A MENTOR TO SO MANY, WHO WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN A MENTOR TO YOU?

The two college presidents whose cabinets I served on—Ron Johnson, former president of Malone College, and [former] President Rod Sawatsky of Messiah were probably the most influential mentors I had in terms of leadership.

Ron was the first person to appoint me to administrative positions as department chair, associate dean of faculty development and acting academic dean.

He encouraged me and sponsored my participation at leadership

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B R A I N WAV E S

development workshops, some of the same opportunities I support colleagues participating in now.

With Rod, I shared his vision for what should define an academically excellent Christian college. During his illness, I learned a lot of spiritual lessons from him, and I learned a great deal about leading with optimism and hope even in trying times. I went to visit him at his home almost every day while he was sick.

I wanted to keep him informed about what was happening at the college, but I also delighted in talking with him. He retired in June and passed away in November of the same year. After he retired and moved to Canada, I was able to visit with him and his wonderful wife Lorna on three occasions. We had some unforgettable conversations.

WHAT ARE SOME TRADITIONS YOU ESTABLISHED THAT ARE UNIQUE TO YOUR PRESIDENCY?

Rod had initiated President’s Day to begin the academic year.

When I became president, I reshaped the event to Community Day, including the addition of a retrospective video of the community’s accomplishments and a more traditional State of the College address.

I also established the tradition of sponsoring Open Door Days as a way of remaining accessible to students and employees in the midst of a president’s schedule that involves a lot of travel and off-campus responsibilities.

Open Door Days enable me to meet periodically with a variety of students, staff and faculty. I also started Pizza with the Prez gatherings where I visit each residence hall to enjoy conversation with students.

I’m very relational and student-centered, so it’s wonderful to have lots of interaction with them. Students inspire me and knowing them helps me tell the Messiah story more effectively.

AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES ACROSS THE STREET FROM CAMPUS AND WHOSE HOME IS USED TO HOST COLLEGE

“THE WORLD NEEDS MESSIAH GRADUATES—MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE WELL PREPARED TO LEAD LIVES OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND RECONCILIATION. I BELIEVE THAT WHOLEHEARTEDLY.” — President Kim Phipps

EVENTS, HOW DO YOU SEPARATE YOUR WORK LIFE FROM YOUR PRIVATE LIFE?

Our former College Pastor Eldon Fry challenged me to visualize taking off the backpack of work and leaving it at the stop sign just prior to entering the driveway of Orchard Hill [the president’s house]. That’s a word picture I try to focus on, but honestly I’m not very good at it. One thing I appreciate about Orchard Hill is that it is a wonderful venue for entertaining, and it also includes lovely private family quarters. There’s a screened-in porch off the family room that’s my special place where I enjoy quiet moments and times of reflection.

AS MESSIAH’S PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A MESSAGE ACROSS TO A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. WHAT DO YOU WANT THAT MESSAGE TO BE?

The world needs Messiah graduates—men and women who are well prepared to lead lives of service, leadership and reconciliation. I believe that wholeheartedly. I’m always inspired when I’m with students and alumni as I listen to them describe what they’re doing and how they’re serving. Sharing our mission and telling the story of Messiah College—which is a compilation of individual stories—is a

WALTER CALAHAN

SCOTT MARKLEY ‘12

From left: President Kim Phipps meets students for ‘Pizza with the Prez’ days. She and her husband Kelly (far right) regularly host events in their home and on campus.

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marvelous opportunity and a great privilege.

DESCRIBE THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OF YOUR LIFE.

Our vision is that by 2020 Messiah College will be the first choice for graduate and undergraduate students for an excellent Christian education in our region. The next five years of my life are dedicated to helping lead the College to fulfill that vision.

Feeling as if the work is never done. There’s always another person to visit, another note to write, another book to read, another event to host. You have to set some realistic boundaries for yourself while fulfilling this important role with all the excellence it deserves.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO RECHARGE?

I’ve always been an extrovert.

I love being with people. What really restores me is having the opportunity to spend time with [my husband] Kelly and [daughter] Brooke. Or with long-term friends who knew me before I became president and who will be my dear friends long after I finish serving in the role. That kind of interaction energizes me the most.

WHAT DREAM WOULD YOU LIKE TO FULFILL ON A PERSONAL LEVEL?

I find new places and people fascinating. There are some places to travel I haven’t been to that are on my bucket list, including the Greek isles and Vietnam, and I want to return to Italy and France. I’ve traveled to Malaysia and want to explore more of that region of the world.

At some point, I would like to take Thai cooking classes. I

DONOVAN ROBERTS WITMER ’99

WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF YOUR JOB? At her 2005 inauguration, President Phipps became Messiah’s first female president.

always see these courses advertised and think that would be so much fun to do. But, I’m not there yet as far as having a lot of free time in my schedule. There are seasons in life. That activity will be for another season.

WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU’VE READ FOR FUN?

When I travel on an airline flight, I always do work en route to my conference or event. But my reward is to read fiction on the flight home.

I love the Louise Penny mystery series. She writes about Canadian culture and history and depicts quirky, intelligent characters. One of my dearest friends is a former librarian, and she routinely sends me excellent novels and mysteries. She thinks I’m always reading too much about leadership and strategic planning.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE OTHERS TO EVALUATE YOUR EFFECTIVENESS AS PRESIDENT OF MESSIAH COLLEGE?

Did you achieve fundraising goals? What was enrollment like?

Did the College move forward in strategic directions? Those are all important questions. But I hope I will also be evaluated on whether I led the College with humility and hospitality. Did I help the College fulfill its mission and ensure that the College achieved long-term vitality and vibrancy?

Did I care for the community and empower its numbers? You lead for a season of time, but you’re always preparing the institution for the future.

I want to prepare students to graduate from Messiah College equipped to be a faithful presence in society—to share Messiah’s values and outcomes in ways that are positive, winsome and hospitable. Our students can be that kind of witness in a cultural milieu that isn’t as positive toward Christianity as it was in the past.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Don’t spend so much time worrying. In the last 10 years,

our institution has experienced challenges. When you’re caught up in those moments, you can’t always see that it’s actually less overwhelming or threatening than you are imagining it to be.

All of your traits have a dark side and light side. If I’m honest with myself, I’m not optimistic.

I work to overcome that trait in order to be an effective president. The flip side of optimism is pessimism or, I like to say it is realism. Sometimes, the trait of realism helps me be a very good problem solver, but it also leads to worrying.

Messiah College has been in existence for more than 100 years. God’s been faithful to Messiah. God’s going to continue to be faithful to this community and work through its people. I’m one of those people—but just one.

OLLOW THE PRESIDENT ON F SOCIAL MEDIA. WITTER: @MESSIAHPREZ T INSTAGRAM: @MESSIAHPREZ FACEBOOK: KIM PHIPPS

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MATTHEW TENNISON

CAMPUS NEWS

Christy Hanson (right), the director of the Career and Professional Development Center, co-chaired the ELI leadership team.

New experiential learning initiative begins this fall OBJECTIVE PROMOTES STUDENT REFLECTION Beginning this fall, new Messiah College students will have to complete an added prerequisite to graduate. The Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) requires students to participate in myriad opportunities available on and off campus in preparation for meaningful careers and community engagement.

“The ELI is intended to meet two very specific outcomes of career development and community engagement,” said Christy Hanson, the director of the Career and Professional Development Center who cochaired the ELI leadership team.

“We want this to be more than just students checking off a box.

We want students to connect the dots from their experience to how it strengthens skills that can be applied to various personal and professional contexts.”

Students can choose from five experiences to fulfill their ELI

requirement: internships/practica, service learning, off-campus programs, leadership opportunities and research.

A unique aspect of the ELI is the personal reflection that students must put in before, during and after the experience.

“We developed a list of common reflection questions, so regardless of a student’s experience at the beginning, they will be setting objectives that prompt them to think about how they want to grow personally, professionally and academically,” said Hanson of the ELI’s reflective aspect.

Vice Provost/ Dean of Students Kris Hansen-Kieffer served in an advisory role through the process and says she is excited about

the opportunities that students will have through the program.

“By design, the ELI at Messiah College prepares our students to make meaning of their experiences in a way that is translatable and relevant, in specific ways, to their intended audience,” said Hansen-Kieffer.

Signature elements of the ELI are common reflection questions and a “deliverable”—a resume, portfolio, LinkedIn profile or personal video—that prompts students to translate their learning into a piece that is relevant to a future audience, such as an employer or graduate program.

The goal is for students to walk away with something tangible to help them on their career paths.

“We did a pilot program in the fall with approximately 50 students and a lot of what we hoped would happen, did,” said Hanson.

“We feel good about where the program is now.”

In the pilot program last year, Lauren Clune ’15 worked on a research project that studied the effects of caffeine on aerobic cycling performance. “The program promotes independent thinking and intellectual curiosity. It stretches students to apply the foundation set in the classroom to practical situations within their professional areas of interest,” said Clune of her ELI experience.

Clune, who is pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Pittsburgh, said, “It gives students a way to extend themselves outside of the walls of the classroom and gain unique experiences that will guide their future endeavors.”

— Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA

“ We want this to be more than just students checking off a box.”

— Christy Hanson, director of the Career and Professional Development Center

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DNP PROGRAM MAKES HISTORY NURSING DOCTORATE OFFERED AT MESSIAH History is being made as Messiah launches its first doctoral program. Approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and launching in the fall of 2016, the PostBaccalaureate to Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner program (PostBSN to DNP-FNP) will prepare future nurses for the role of family nurse practitioner at the doctoral level.

A unique feature of the program includes its online format.

Director of Graduate Nursing Programs Louann Zinsmeister said, “Students will come from not only South Central Pennsylvania, but also from across the country.”

Students who complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may progress directly to the DNP degree, if they choose.

The program also fits the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation to prepare all advanced practice nurses to be educated at the doctoral level.

The role of family nurse practitioner is one of the most versatile in serving the needs of patients, families and communities in a wide variety of healthcare settings. Educating nurses in this field meshes with the College’s mission in preparing servants, leaders and agents of reconciliation in meeting the primary healthcare needs of people of all ages, social backgrounds and healthcare settings.

— Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA

AT H L E T I C S

FALCONS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN CLASSROOM

The Messiah College Falcons strive for strong performances on the playing field and in the classroom. In the 2014-15 academic year, many Messiah student athletes won academic awards at the conference, regional and national levels.

Last spring, the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) named 20 Messiah students to the 2015 Spring Academic All-MAC team, the most ever by a school in a single season. The Academic All-MAC award gives equal weight to academic and athletic success and honors to those from the 17-member MAC institutions. Since the award’s inception in the fall of 2013, the Falcons have claimed 72 honors, the most of any

school in the conference.

“Historically, Messiah College has been blessed with outstanding student athletes,” said Director of Athletics Jack Cole. “The accolades they achieve away from the field of play, specifically in the classroom, are celebrated within the College community.”

In addition to the Academic All-MAC awards, the conference recognizes players who carry a grade point average of 3.2 or higher on the MAC honor roll. In the 2014-15 seasons, 242 were named to the honor roll, accounting for more than half of Messiah’s total students involved in athletics.

Outside the conference, the Falcons earned eight CoSIDA

Chick-fil-A reps visit campus for ‘Messiah Method’ SOCCER PROGRAM SUCCESS WORKS FOR BIG BUSINESS Inspired after reading “The Messiah Method,” a book by Professor of Leadership and Strategy Michael Zigarelli, 10 representatives from the Atlanta headquarters of Chickfil-A visited the campus to learn more April 29.

The book details the Messiah soccer program from 2000-2010, in which the men’s and women’s

teams held the combined best record in NCAA soccer: 472 wins, 31 losses and 11 National Championships. The teams now have 15 titles.

The reps met with Scott Frey and Brad McCarty, head coaches of the women’s and men’s soccer teams, respectively, for a Q-and-A in the president’s dining room in Eisenhower. They also met

MESSIAH COLLEGE ATHLETICS

STUDENT ATHLETES EARN CONFERENCE, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS

Courtney Allen ’16 earns honors for her accomplishments on and off the field.

Academic All-District awards this past year for students’ play on the field and their accomplishments in the classroom.

In addition to their Academic All-District recognitions, Joseph Saufley ’16 (baseball), Courtney Allen ’16 (softball) and Kayla Deckert ’17 (women’s soccer) also were named Academic All-Americans. During the past three years, the Falcons

have earned 13 Academic AllAmerican selections to match their total from the previous 25 years. The Falcons now have a total of 26 in their history.

with Messiah soccer players in Hitchcock Arena to go through some practice drills and then have lunch. Throughout the day, the group had a chance to talk to the coaches about the seven disciplines for success outlined in the book.

Frey explained one of the disciplines—recruiting “both-and” players—which is the practice of obtaining quality players who fit within the Messiah culture and then making them great. “You’ve got to find that kid who fits within in your niche,” said Frey.

“She needs to be a good player—if she’s great that’s even better—but a good player who fits who you are. I start to get these players who all are similar-minded, who

want to be at Messiah because of what Messiah is, who we are as a culture, as a team and as a program. We get a lot of good players who become better when they’re here.”

Closed on Sundays as part of its “recipe for success,” the $6 billion fast-food giant has the motto: We’re not in the chicken business, we’re in the people business. As Zigarelli’s book outlines, Messiah’s soccer motto is similarly counter-intuitive: It’s a soccer program that’s not necessarily about soccer.

— Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MESSIAH ATHLETICS, VISIT GOMESSIAH.COM

—Anna Seip TO READ AN EXCERPT FROM “THE MESSIAH METHOD,” VISIT THEMESSIAHMETHOD.COM

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 11

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

SCIENCE HOW DO YOU QUANTIFY A CALLING?

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FAITH

ILLUSTRATIONS BY OLI WINWARD

n iceberg floats on the surface of the ocean. Frozen peaks jut from its base.

At first glance, these peaks appear separate, unique. If you dive under and take another look, however, you see the mountains are merely part of a larger whole.

BY MATTHEW FENTON ’13, ’16 MA

The relationship between faith and science can mirror this iceberg – on the surface, separate.

Underneath, a cohesive whole.

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S C I E N C E A N D FA IT H

The two peaks above the water reflect the day-to-day practices of scientists who are Christians. With faith on one peak and science on another, there is little overlap between the two in one’s everyday work in the lab or out in the field.

SEPARATE PEAKS: SCIENCE AND FAITH

Ted Davis, distinguished professor of the history of science at Messiah College, uses this analogy to describe the relationship between faith and science. “If you look at them above the water, you don’t see much,” he said. “You see them as two separate icebergs. But if you look underneath and dig down, you see some continuities.”

According to Davis, the two peaks above the water reflect the day-to-day practices of scientists who are Christians. With faith on one peak and science on another, there is little overlap between the two in one’s everyday work in the lab or out in the field.

After all, science involves precise numbers, measurements and calculations.

“The Bible’s not going to tell you how many milliliters of solution to use, and no theological belief is going to tell you how

many you need in a given situation,” said Davis. “That’s an empirical question.”

MOTIVATED BY A MINISTRY

While faith may not change the way a scientist conducts an experiment or dictates what one discovers under a microscope, it does alter the motivation for why scientists do the work that they do. Messiah chemistry professors Rick Schaeffer and Alison Noble view their research and teaching as a way to glorify God. “For me, doing science is ultimately an act of worship, ascribing worth to what God has made,” said Schaeffer. “When I run a chemical reacation to rearrange a small part of the materials of the universe, I’m acting as a sub-creator to reflect the image of God.” Noble views her research as using her God-given gifts. “When I’m working in the

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lab, am I sitting at the microscope thinking, yeah, I’m worshiping God? No, I’m not, but I am focusing my attention on the problem at hand and using my gifts in order to answer the question before me. That is our calling in terms of worshiping God with our gifts, I want to do my work in an excellent way,” said Noble.

STEADFAST AND SCIENTIFIC

From a Christian perspective, many in the church view science as trying to prove or disprove religion. Messiah’s College Pastor Don Opitz says Christians should look at all of the information in front of them and then see how science and faith can benefit each other.

“Just because the church has affirmed a theology, a perspective and a worldview doesn’t mean that the sciences can’t challenge and reshape the structure and content of

belief. My picture isn’t that we’ve always got our theology straight and square, and it’s science that needs to adapt,” said Opitz.

Christians must accommodate new findings in science while stilling holding true to principles of their Christian faith.

“Sometimes, there are also things that we learn in the sciences that are going to trouble our theology a bit. But, because I believe in the integration of all knowledge, I have to wrestle with that,” said Opitz.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Messiah is the place to integrate all of that knowledge Opitz talks about. Faith is woven into everything the College does, with the sciences being no exception. Science classes at Messiah allow professors to raise questions—the tough questions—about theology and philosophy that might not get asked at

“ My professors could teach us and credit God for all that we were learning. The capstone class at Messiah brought science and faith together, teaching us how to go into the world as Christian scientists.”

— Lauren Martin ’15, chemistry graduate

other schools.

Noble, who taught at a public school before arriving at Messiah, says she feels more comfortable raising those kinds of questions here. “In a public school, I have to be careful about raising and engaging those kinds of questions,” said Noble, “so typically I just don’t. There’s actually a freedom [at Messiah] to have more educational depth.”

Lauren Martin ’15, a graduate of the chemistry department, says she appreciates the opportunities she had as a student to talk about the integration of faith and science. “I loved being a student at Messiah, because my professors could teach us and credit God for all that we were learning. The capstone class at Messiah brought science and faith together, teaching us how to go into the world as Christian scientists,” said Martin.

The capstone course, required of Messiah seniors in the natural sciences, is designed

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S C I E N C E A N D FA IT H

to be an integration and discussion of the historical, philosophical and ethical aspects of science as related to faith.

Schaeffer says his goal is to create an environment for students to learn about Christianity and science, but is cautious to avoid pushing his ideas onto his students.

“In my courses, I strive to educate not indoctrinate,” said Schaeffer. “I’m intentional about not telling students my stance on the issues until the end of that capstone course. I genuinely don’t see my vocation as an avenue to make clones of myself.”

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA—ER, ICEBERG

The goal of Messiah College is to integrate

intellect, character and Christian faith to prepare students for impactful lives in their communities. Timothy Swartz ’15, a graduate of the biology department, says the integration in his science classes with his faith was paramount to his spiritual transformation. “Central to this period of growth were professors and friends that encouraged me to seek out the truth,” said Swartz, “regardless of the sometimes unsettling nature of what I discovered.”

For chemistry department graduate Michael Song ’15, faith and science went hand in hand at Messiah. “All the professors had a deep, Christian faith and a strong scientific commitment, so the two were inseparable,” said Song. “Classes were routinely started off

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with prayer and devotions, which reminded us that the reason we do science is ultimately to explore God’s world that He gave us.”

Christians who work in the natural sciences use their gifts to glorify God. At first glance, science and faith look like separate peaks, but the two can interact and complement each other. Classes at Messiah provide an excellent platform—in the form of an ocean of conversation—for this interaction to take place.

“Part of my calling is to introduce students to the rich conversation at the intersection of science and faith so that they’re equipped to ask good questions, think clearly and articulate informed views,” said Schaeffer. B

MATTHEW TENNISON

COURTESY OF MATTHEW FENTON

Feature author Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA interviews his sister Julie Fenton ’14, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry.

FROM THE AUTHOR MY SISTER JULIE ’14 AND I, BORN A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR APART, DID A LOT TOGETHER. WE PARTICIPATED IN THE SAME ACTIVITIES, WENT TO THE SAME HIGH SCHOOL AND EVEN ATTENDED MESSIAH TOGETHER. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS IN COMMON. OUR VOCATIONS, HOWEVER, ARE NOT ONE OF THOSE SIMILARITIES.

I

am currently enrolled in the master’s of higher education program at Messiah working toward a career in athletic communications while Julie is pursuing her Ph.D. in chemistry at Penn State. For the past five years, Julie has told me all about research projects that are focused on developing synthetic strategies for novel inorganic materials. (Whatever that means.)

We’ve also had conversations about her experience as a Christian in a scientific field. She says she gets questions from colleagues about her faith.

“I view my place in science and my place in the church as a bit of a bridge between two communities that, due to a lack of understanding, don’t communicate very well,” said Julie.

“It’s one of my main goals. It’s something that I’m passionate about.”

We talked about science and faith as I prepared to write this feature. Much like the iceberg analogy from the article, my career path and Julie’s may appear separate. However, if you look a little deeper, you can see that we

both are utilizing the gifts that God has given us to work in areas that we each are very passionate about.

God has blessed each and every one of us with a special set of gifts. On the surface, those

“ I view my place in science and my place in the church as a bit of a bridge between two communities that, due to a lack of understanding, don’t communicate very well.”

— Julie Fenton ’14

gifts can look very different from one another, but—whether your gifts are in business, nursing, engineering, athletic communications, chemistry or anything else—you can glorify God by using those gifts to the fullest.

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F E AT U R E S T O R Y

2015 COMM

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ENCEMENT More than 6,000 friends, family members and guests gathered the sunny morning of May 16 to celebrate the 99 graduate students and 635 undergraduate students who received their diplomas at Messiah College’s 106th annual Commencement ceremony. In her Commencement address, Harvard professor Marla Frederick reminded the graduates, “Continue to be brave, Class of 2015. The future is yours!”

Honors presented during the ceremony included the Donald and Anna Zook Alumni Merit Award to Evan Shirey ’15. Selected by the faculty for his academic record, faith and commitment to service, Shirey was a member of the College Honors program, a recipient of the President’s Scholarship and a teaching assistant. Despite the demands of his academic pursuits, service to others remained a top priority. Through high school and college, he volunteered at the Paxton Street House, Bethesda Mobile Mission, Catholic Worker House and Remote Area Medical clinics in rural Virginia. He also served as the health and special needs outreach coordinator for the Agapé Center. Integrating faith into all of his endeavors, he will continue his studies at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Other recognitions included the presentation of the two Dr. Robert and

Marilyn Smith Awards for Outstanding Teaching, in which senior students nominate faculty members. Valerie Lemmon, associate professor of psychology, received the award in the category of Lecturers, Instructors, Assistant Professors and Associate Professors. In their nominations, students noted that Lemmon “provides marvelous insights and uses past experiences to show her students how class material is truly applicable to our future careers.” In the Full Professors category, Ann Reeve, professor of chemistry, received the second Smith Award of the day. Her students describe her as someone who “genuinely loves the course material, and it shows in her teaching.”

“To the graduating Class of 2015, you have enriched our community by your presence.

Our world needs you,” President Kim Phipps said. “Our world needs graduates of Messiah College.”

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2015 COMMENCEMENT

THROUGHOUT THE CEREMONY WHILE STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR DEGREES, THE MESSIAH COLLEGE TWITTER PAGE ROLLED INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL GRADUATES:

Editor-in-chief of The Swinging Bridge Joel Hoover helped convert it from newspaper to sharp and professional magazine. #MessiahGrad15 Sarah Goldy-Brown in Bridge feature story: “I think every action you do should speak to your character.” Great advice! #MessiahGrad15 Rachel Ballasy is first to graduate from Messiah with musical theatre degree! #MessiahGrad15 Adrienne Monroy (criminal justice) interned @ U.S. Marshal Service in Hbg., which affirmed her choice in major and vocation! #MessiahGrad15 During his four years at Messiah, Jeremy Payne was named Player of the Year—twice—in #NCAA #DIII soccer. #MessiahGrad15 Nursing graduate Faith Eisenberg has lived on 3 continents—Africa, N. America and S. America—with her missionary parents. #MessiahGrad15

FOLLOW MESSIAH COLLEGE ON TWITTER @MESSIAHCOLLEGE. TO VIEW THE COMMENCEMENT VIDEO, VISIT MESSIAH.EDU/2015COMMENCEMENT. PHOTOS PREVIOUS PAGE AND THIS PAGE: WALTER CALAHAN AND JOANNA BENNER ’17

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MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 21

2015

2015 COMMENCEMENT

GRADUATES Daughters, sons making their way in the world

Prepared for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation, these six graduates—along with the rest of the Class of 2015—have completed the journey from students to alumni. But in every other way, the journey has just begun. They now must share with the world what they have learned.

Already, they are making their way, following their calling while being a faithful presence in society. Whether they’re bearing witness locally or traveling thousands of miles from campus, the Messiah experience rests in the hearts of these steadfast sons and daughters of God.

LAUREN ATHALIA

During her prayer of gratitude to open and bless the Commencement ceremony, President Kim Phipps said, “On this magnificent spring morning, we proclaim that you are our sovereign God and we are your daughters and sons.

As we begin this celebration, we thank you for the shared intellectual and spiritual journey that has deepened our capacity to see anew and to discern what is truly timeless.”

After three internships, Hayley Cowoski ’15 landed a job at Reviver Records in Nashville, Tenn.

P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S

HAYLEY COWOSKI ’15 MECHANICSBURG, PA. Hayley Cowoski ’15 owns six pairs of cowboy boots, a necessity for a promotions coordinator at Reviver Records, an independent country music label in Nashville, Tenn.

“Hayley is destined to be a superstar in this business,” said Gator Michaels, Reviver’s senior vice president.

While Reviver is her first paying gig, she honed her skills through several internships.

Only days after graduation, she moved to

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Music City to complete a three-month stint with Warner Brothers Records.

“I love country music,” said Cowoski. “I ended up getting this job and never looked back. It’s amazing, and I’m learning so much!”

With two additional internships under her belt, she no doubt was prepared. She spent last summer working for PLA Media, a publicity and marketing company in Nashville.

Before that, she interned at Gettysburg country music station WGTY. To graduate early, she completed 22 credit hours (three during J-term). That’s just the sort of challenge she was looking for when she applied to Messiah.

“I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC. I ENDED UP GETTING THIS JOB AND NEVER LOOKED BACK. IT’S AMAZING, AND I’M LEARNING SO MUCH!” — Hayley Cowoski ’15

“I wanted to go to a school where the academics were strong, someplace that integrated faith, athletics and academics well,” explained Cowoski, who also played volleyball as a student. “Messiah was really the only choice.”

Although she came to Messiah as a psychology major, that quickly changed. “I took Intro to Comm and fell in love with it. Then I took Intro to PR and fell in love with that.

[Associate Professor of Communication] Nance McCown is one of the most amazing people I ever met. She was so supportive of me wanting to graduate early.”

Now she’s in charge of getting songs played on the radio and tracking spin counts. And her parents couldn’t be prouder.

“They’re so supportive. They just want me to chase my dreams,” said Cowoski. ”

CHRISTOPHER SHEARER

E N G L I S H W/ H D F S M I N O R

ALLEN FERNANDEZ ’15 NORTH BERGEN, N.J.

M U S I C E D U C AT I O N W/ H I S TO R Y M I N O R

LUKE FORSHEY ’15 HARRISBURG, PA. WALTER CALAHAN

When Allen Fernandez ’15 told his family he wanted to attend Messiah College, they were supportive. But skeptical. Was it the right place for their son? Would they be able to afford it?

“I had to fill out the financial aid forms myself,” he said. “I thought if God wants me to go to this school, let’s think creatively on ways we can get this to happen.”

Other family members were skeptical for reasons that had nothing to do with money. His cousins showed concern about his attending a religious institution, thinking it would limit his choices for a major.

“They thought I was going to be a pastor or something,” said Fernandez. “That quickly went away when I discussed what I was learning. They said, ‘We respect you in being so certain in what you believe, in being transparent.’”

He says many of his relatives made sacrifices, so he could be the first one in his family to graduate with a college degree. “My older brother, Chris, was one of the members of my family to sacrifice the most—financially, with his time, in every facet,” said Fernandez. “He’s very proud of me for taking advantage of an opportunity and seeing where it takes me.”

Coming from a close-knit family, he says he was surprised at the disparity of wealth he saw in the city when he spent a semester at the Philadelphia campus. As he worked with Helping Hands tutoring and mentoring at-risk youth, he saw first-hand the importance of being salt and light in a poverty-stricken setting.

“You get a really good look at what it’s like for students at a school with limited

After working in the admissions office at Messiah, Allen Fernandez ’15 plans to pursue a career in higher ed while also organizing music concerts.

resources,” he said. “One district is flourishing and then you walk a few blocks down the road, and they have nothing. You’ve got to be someone who will sit with these students.”

During his time at Messiah, Fernandez worked with the Student Activities Board booking concerts. He also provided hospitality to prospective students in the admissions office, giving tours and promoting the College at festivals in the summer. He says he hopes to have a career in higher education while still organizing concerts.

“I love working with people ages 19-22 at such a big moment in their lives,” he said.

As Fernandez walked across the stage during Commencement to receive his degree, a voice in the crowd called out, “Allen! Allen!

Look over here.” It was his brother Chris, with a camera, capturing one of those big moments.

Where can a Messiah education take you? If you’re willing, all the way to the Pacific Rim. During J-term of his junior year, music education major Luke Forshey ’15 traveled with a group of fellow Messiah students to Indonesia on a TESOL trip.

“We taught in 12 different schools—K through college, Christian to Muslim, national to international. There were wide levels of communication ability, but music helped bridge language barriers. People knowing the same praise and worship songs was a really powerful moment. ‘Mighty To Save’ became a theme song for the whole group. We learned many Hillsong Church worship songs because of the proximity to Australia.”

The commonality of music and how it brings together people of different faiths, cultures and countries is the core of Forshey’s personal ministry. At Messiah, the College Honors student played trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and the Grantham Brass Project. He was also the student director of Jazz Fusion and the choir director at Grantham Church. For his honors project, he recorded a CD of piano arrangements of hymns.

His last semester at Messiah was spent teaching at a middle school near campus. “I was not anticipating how much work teaching is,” said Forshey. “I was exhausted every

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 23

“DIFFERENCES ARE NOT AN OBSTACLE FOR FRIENDSHIPS. THERE’S ALWAYS A COMMONALITY. OURS IS MESSIAH.”

2015 COMMENCEMENT

day when I got home. I was not expecting how rewarding it would be, either. The other day, a student said, “Mr. Forshey, thank you for making band fun for us.’”

He currently lives on an island in the South Pacific—location undisclosed for security reasons—for a yearlong assignment to teach music, Bible and U.S. history while also overseeing chapel services and leading worship at an international school.

As life takes him around the world, he sings Messiah’s praises.

“You won’t find a better place that educates you but also that focuses on moral development and growing as a person,” said Forshey. “Messiah will challenge you and stretch you, but in the end you’ll come out such a stronger person. I feel extremely prepared to do anything God would call me to do.”

LISTEN TO RECORDINGS OF LUKE’S MUSIC AT HIS WEBSITE: LUKEFORSHEYMUSIC.COM READ MORE ABOUT LUKE’S TRAVEL EXPERIENCES ON HIS BLOG: LUKEINSOUTHPACIFIC. BLOGSPOT.COM

“ I WAS NOT ANTICIPATING HOW MUCH WORK TEACHING IS. I WAS EXHAUSTED EVERY DAY WHEN I GOT HOME. I WAS NOT EXPECTING HOW REWARDING IT WOULD BE, EITHER. THE OTHER DAY, A STUDENT SAID, ‘MR. FORSHEY, THANK YOU FOR MAKING BAND FUN FOR US.’” — Luke Forshey ’15

COREY LAQUAY ’18

— Luisa Garcia Vega ’15

Luisa Garcia Vega’s parents, who live in Guatemala, saw Messiah’s campus for the first time at Commencement.

M A R K E T I N G W/ S T U D I O A R T M I N O R

LUISA GARCIA VEGA ’15 GUATEMALA CITY, GUATEMALA At her Christian high school in Guatemala City, Guatemala, marketing major Luisa Garcia Vega ’15 had heard plenty of good things about Messiah College 3,000 miles away. In fact, when she arrived on the Grantham campus in the fall of 2011 as a firstyear student, five of her Guatemalan classmates were already enrolled here. Attending school in the U.S. was a dream come true for her and her family.

“Both of my parents went to school in Guatemala,” she said. “They were super encouraging but unclear of how all of this was going to happen. God was really faithful and always provided what I needed to make [attending Messiah a reality]. Looking back now, Messiah is just like home.”

When she first arrived, however, the Intercultural Office helped her shop for the clothes necessary to survive a Central Pennsylvania winter.

“I had no coat, no proper shoes,” she said.

“The seasons—I love to see such quick changes. It was a lot more than I expected it to be.

I was scared about the cultural difference, the language. I was used to having a TV with a soccer game on in Guatemala City. It was

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cool to come to a school where everyone was willing to go to a soccer game.”

She says her first year involved getting up to speed with college life. In her sophomore year, she took on small leadership positions that led to larger ones, such as the chair of Eyas and the director of the World Christian Fellowship (WCF) student organization through the Agapé Center. WCF hosts chapel programs and raises funds for international mission trips.

During a semester abroad in Rome, she studied art history, photography, Italian and literature and—tangentially—architecture.

“You could stand in one corner of the city and see medieval, baroque and renaissance buildings on one block. I learned so much about history and people.”

Although she might stay in the U.S. to work in event planning, Garcia says her dream job would be to return to Guatemala to promote the beauty of her home country.

“Volun-tourism—marketing the country—is a way that people can engage with the culture and feel a personal connection instead of just going to the beach.”

She says she will miss the daily connections with her friends on campus. “Even if you stay in the area, you won’t see everyone every day walking to class. Differences are not an obstacle for friendships. There’s always a commonality. Ours is Messiah.”

“DON’T BE AFRAID OF NEW THINGS. DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR A LITTLE WHILE.” — Tim Sensenig ’15

CORA HINES ’15 COLUMBIA, MD. What did it take for Cora Hines ’15 to come to Messiah? Six acceptance letters, seven visits and one embarrassing poem written by her mother. In high school, she applied to six colleges and was accepted to all of them. She visited the Messiah campus seven times—for self-guided tours, overnight stays and accepted student preview day.

“I did everything,” she said. “My mother was very persistent. She said, ‘I’m not going to worry about you here.’”

For the English department’s accepted student preview day, Hines and her mother sat in a room with other parents and prospective students. Everyone was instructed to write a poem. Everyone. Including parents.

“My mother wrote a poem called ‘Beautiful Cora.’ When she shared it, all the parents were dabbing their eyes,” said Hines, still a little embarrassed at the memory four years later.

Hines turned to another student who had been accepted, and they both talked about how much they didn’t want to be here on campus, in that room, listening to parents’ poetry.

“And then I saw how easy it was to talk to

people here,” said Hines. “This is where I was supposed to be. I’ve never regretted coming here.”

She jumped right in and became an Amigo mentor, a student ambassador, chair of the Multicultural Council, a student worker in the Multicultural Programs Office and more.

She also found Professor of English Crystal Downing, who challenged her academically.

“She’s so passionate,” said Hines. “I was never bored in her class. She has high standards and she doesn’t lower them, which I appreciated.”

Now teaching eighth-grade English at Shady Grove Middle School in her hometown of Columbia, Md., Hines knows the importance of education—in the classroom and throughout life. “The content may change,” said Hines, “but we are always educating people, whether it’s to talk, walk or cook.

It’s something we’ve always been doing.”

She says that while there are many great colleges to choose from, Messiah offers something other schools don’t have: relationships.

“That makes it different,” said Hines.

“You’re struggling with your grade and want to talk to your professor. You need someone to pray with. Or, you want to have lunch with someone. The people make Messiah a great place.”

Cora Hines ’15 works as an eighth-grade teacher.

“THE CONTENT MAY CHANGE, BUT WE ARE ALWAYS EDUCATING PEOPLE, WHETHER IT’S TO TALK, WALK OR COOK. IT’S SOMETHING WE’VE ALWAYS BEEN DOING.”

MELISSA HESS ’05

— Cora Hines ’15

MELISSA HESS ’05

E N G L I S H W/ T E AC H I N G C E R T I F I C AT I O N / T E S O L M I N O R

ENGLISH AND GERMAN

TIM SENSENIG ’15 LANCASTER, PA. Student body president. Honors student.

Admissions ambassador. Together for Tomorrow tutor. Tim Sensenig ’15 filled multiple roles as a student at Messiah.

“It’s a huge honor to represent the students,” said Sensenig of his presidential role.

“You join the president and her cabinet to provide advice and feedback. You get to ask, ‘Well, how does this affect students?’’

Post-graduate life has brought several new roles and adventures. During the summer, he interned for a U.S. senator in Harrisburg.

(In true diplomatic fashion, Sensenig didn’t want to mention names, so as not to alienate any constituents.) He also returned to Messiah to complete teaching certificates in English and German. This fall, he is student teaching at Camp Hill Middle School in Camp Hill, Pa. Working with Messiah Professor of Politics John Harles, he also is completing an application for a Fulbright Scholarship, with hopes to teach English in Germany for the 2016 academic year.

Oh, and there are plans to be a lawyer. “I want to go to law school in the next five years or so. I love education, and I love teaching,” said Sensenig, “but I’ve developed a love of policy-making and law-making. It’s interfaced well with English. Shaping people’s lives through language is a powerful thing.”

As his career begins, he looks back on his undergraduate experience fondly. From the first day of move-in at Witmer to walking across the stage at Starry Field to receive his degree, he says he felt cared for. His advice to incoming students? Take a deep breath and look for as many opportunities as possible.

“Don’t be afraid of new things,” he said.

“Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable for a little while.”

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 25

Messiah College invites you to the

Nicholas Kristof Monday, Oct. 5, 2015

Calvin and Janet HIGH CENTER for WORSHIP and PERFORMING ARTS

Bob Woodward Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015 Count Basie Orchestra Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 The Mendelssohn Piano Trio Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 Messiah College Christmas Concert Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015

20 15 -20 16 S

EA

SO

N

Susquehanna Chorale Holiday Concert Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 Music for Piano Times Two Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 Mark Samels Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 Azaguno Friday, March 18, 2016 The Tender Land Thursday, Apr. 7- Saturday, Apr. 9, 2016, Sunday, Apr. 10, 2016 Messiah College Symphonic Winds Messiah College Wind Ensemble Saturday, April 23, 2016 An Evening of Jazz Saturday, April 30, 2016 Susquehanna Chorale Spring Concert Saturday, May 7, 2016

For more information: Additional details on the 2015-2016 season of the Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts may be found at messiah.edu/highcenterseason.

OUR

ALUMNI NEWS

Alum named president at community college in N.Y. STEADY MOONO ’85 ADVANCES CAREER OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SCHENECTADY With a continued passion for working in higher education, Steady Moono ’85 began a new job in July as the president of Schenectady County Community College in Schenectady, N.Y. “I was extremely selective,” said Moono of his job search. “I wasn’t just looking for a presidency, I was looking for the right opportunity. Schenectady is a really vibrant and strong community college. They have the right

1980s Howard Kauffman ’80 was named as the administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration temporarily located in Valparaiso, Ind.

1990s Elizabeth Barry ’90 works as the pastoral care coordinator at Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, Pa. She is working toward a doctorate in pastoral care from Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pa. Paul Fusallah ’92 works as a document imaging specialist at Lancaster General Health in Lancaster, Pa.

focus relative to student access and success.”

His experience at community colleges stretches back to 1998.

Since then, he has worked in Pennsylvania at Bucks County Community College and Montgomery County Community College in student affairs, student development and multicultural student services. For the last five years, he was the chief administrative officer at Montgomery County.

“The mission of the community college really strikes a chord with me,” said Moono.

“Community colleges are open access. We work with all people

Jonathan ’99 and Amanda (Myers) Culbertson ’00 announce the birth of Maxwell Ezra, Dec. 3, 2014.

Stephanie (Cain) McFarland ’99 and her husband Jackson announce the birth of Kylie Anne, March 27, 2014.

2000s Cynthia (Grosvenor) Wagner ’00 and her husband Nate announce the birth of Natalie Marie Wagner, April 29, 2015.

Luann (Engel) Foster ’02 received a doctorate in psychology from George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. Michael McKinniss ’02 and Kathryn Perlis married

who to come to us. It’s where my heart is, to work with everyone.”

Moono also has a heart for service. In 2002, he and his wife Kelly (Gaugler) ’85 formed African-American International Ministries for Christ, Inc., an organization that provides a sustainable source of food, education and support to ministry efforts in his home country of Zambia.

As a result of his work with the Zambian ministry, he was named Messiah’s 2010 Alumni Christian Service Award winner.

“We have a really strong team of workers both here and in

Zambia that will continue the ministry,” Moono said of his continued involvement with the organization. “Whether I am in Schenectady or elsewhere, the ministry is bigger than I am.”

As an international student, Moono says Messiah gave him a home away from home. “Messiah helped me navigate college, not only for the first week or the first year, but for all four years,” said Moono. “I have mentors at Messiah who I continue to call upon to this day.”

— Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA

“ COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE OPEN ACCESS. WE WORK WITH ALL PEOPLE WHO COME TO US. IT’S WHERE MY HEART IS, TO WORK WITH EVERYONE.” — Steady Moono ’85

on April 21, 2015 in Santa Barbara, Ca. Stacie (Swartzentruber) ’02 and Andre McLeod announce the birth of triplets Madelyn Grace, Bailey Marie and Davis Bishop, July 21, 2014.

Erin (Calpin) Bergen ’02 and her husband Ben announce the birth of Isabella Rosalie Bergen, Jan. 13, 2015.

Jennifer (Ellis) La Pietra ’02 and her husband John announce the birth of Serenity Rose, Nov. 5, 2014.

Regina (Landis) Martin ’02 and her husband Eric announce the birth of Noah Jude Martin, May 17, 2015.

Ryan ’03 and Andrea (Vansant) Stockton ’03 announce the birth of Eila Grace, Jan. 7, 2015.

Barrett Straub ’03 was recently promoted to the branch head of the air traffic control systems engineering branch of the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxant River, Md. Deanna (Ng) Robinson ’04 and her husband Daniel announce the birth of Dominic James, July 16, 2014.

Sarah Kulp ’05 and Matthew Webster married July 14, 2012. Sarah works as a certified nurse midwife at The Birth Center in Wilmington, Del.

Monica (Stevens) Stevens Smyth ’06 works as Collections Manager and Adjunct Instructor at Drexel University, The Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection in Philadelphia, Pa. Hilary Golden ’06 works as the director of children, youth and family ministries at Community United Methodist Church in Crofton, Md. Kelly (Sherman) Nardella ’07 and her husband Kyle announce the birth of Hailee Lynn, May 18, 2014. Kelly obtained a Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree from Immaculata University in Aug. 2013 and works as a licensed psychologist for Philhaven in Mt. Gretna, Pa.

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 27

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ALUMNI PROFILES

J OY L A F O R M E ’ 0 9

Former Lilly Pulitzer designer creates fabric arts of her own PHOTO COURTESY OF JOY LAFORME ’09

JOY (GALLUCCI) LAFORME ’09 LEAVES HIGH SOCIETY FASHION TO FORM TEXTILE COMPANY

Web design leads to textile design for Joy (Gallucci) Laforme ’09.

During her time at Messiah, Joy (Gallucci) Laforme ’09 chose to tap into her creative side for a living. Although she came to Messiah as a computer science major, she picked up classes in studio art and graphic design during her last two years as an upperclassman. Now, six years removed from Messiah, Laforme works for herself as a textile artist and illustrator. She designs prints and patterns used

on fabric for clothing and home interior items for clients such as American Girl, Target, Joss & Main and more. Her whimsical illustrations have been featured in magazines Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Weddings and more.

Much like her journey at Messiah, the career path—to her current role as owner/operator of Joy Laforme Design and Illustration—followed an arc, not

Continue

CHANGING

As a child in Peru, Renee loved animals and wanted to study biology.

the world

Thank you Heritage Society Members

for supporting Messiah College students with your Stewardship Plans. There are no limits to your impact.

What is the Heritage Society?

The Heritage Society embodies a group of special friends who have remembered Messiah College in their estate plans through wills, deferred gift arrangements or endowed funds.

renee altez-nunez ‘17 School of Science, Engineering and Health

Planning tip to make a lasting Impact:

Create a legacy for future Messiah students through a gift in your will. Simply add a “P.S.” to your will (called a codicil), which is typically more straightforward and economical than drafting a new will.

Contact: Bob Brown ’82, CFP, director of planned and leadership gifts, at bbrown@messiah.edu or Susan Mayernick ’98, Heritage Society advisor and regional officer, at smayernick@messiah.edu or call 717-796-5051.

Visit messiah.edu/createalegacy.

messiah.edu/createalegacy 28 | SUMMER 2015 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

717-796-5051

a straight line. After graduation, she worked as a graphic designer before taking a job as a Web designer at Lilly Pulitzer, Inc. “I got to interact a lot with the artists there,” said Laforme. “It was there that I could tell I was at the wrong vocation and I needed to be doing the art work. So I gave my notice at my job and left to pursue it on my own full time.”

She then attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and received a master’s in graphic and interactive design in 2013.

Laforme says she remained open to career changes along the way thanks to the education and experiences she received at Messiah. “So many amazing

professors and mentors told me that it’s okay if I don’t know what I wanted to do,” she said. “It really helped me be open to changing directions in my career based on God’s plan for me.”

What advice would she give to current Messiah students? “Be patient. It’s easier said than done, but patience is necessary when trying to be led by the spirit,” she said. “Also, view each opportunity you encounter, every professor you meet, every person you meet and every class you take as an opportunity to learn more about the world and God.” — Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA

Earn your

TOOTING OUR OWN HORN THE BRIDGE WINS TWO AWARDS

Messiah’s quarterly alumni magazine, The Bridge, recently received two honors.

Out of 1,091 entries, The Bridge won one of 143 awards of excellence given during the 2015 UCDA Design Competition.

In its 45th year, the competition recognizes the best of design work that promotes secondary, vocational and higher educational institutions.

The magazine also won a 2015 American Inhouse Design award from Graphic Design USA

(GDUSA) for the fall 2014 and the winter 2015 issues. A national design competition with more than 6,000 entrants, the GDUSA awards showcase outstanding work by inhouse designers within corporations, publishing houses, non-profits, universities and government agencies. Entrants are recognized for their creativity, the special challenges they face and the contributions they make to their businesses and institutions.

Congratulations to us!

as a

Designed for students who hold a BSN, Messiah’s DNPFNP will help you advance your career and prepare you to be a family nurse practitioner equipped to provide quality, holistic nursing care to patients across their lifespan.

Our program offers: • One of Pennsylvania’s only predominately online BSNDNP-FNP programs.

• A DNP-FNP pathway for those holding a BSN. • T he proven success of our nursing program—Messiah’s

nursing graduates are in demand by regional employers.

• F aculty who are experienced Christian educators, nursing professionals and accomplished scholars prepared to mentor you.

Discover if you qualify for a tuition discount at messiah.edu/graddiscounts

Experience the academic distinction of a nationally ranked Christian college.

NOW ENROLLING

see anew

717.796.5061 messiah.edu/dnp Online | Flexible | Affordable

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 29

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CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM

MESSIAH MOURNS PASSING OF FORMER TRUSTEE Melvin Engle Eyster, a graduate of the Jabbok School and Upland Academy – and member of the Messiah College Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1995 – died May 15, 2015. A member of the Brethren in Christ denomination and a resident of Thomas, Okla., he was a custom harvester for 50 years.

Eyster supported numerous projects on campus, including capital construction and scholarship aid through the Messiah Annual Fund. In addition, he donated a sacred

Russian Hebrew Sefer Torah Scroll, which is used by the students and faculty in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies. He also had a passion for supporting missions and was a model of Christian service and generosity.

He is survived by his wife Vivian of 58 years, one son, three daughters, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. One son predeceased him. We are deeply grateful for his support over the years and, on behalf of President Kim Phipps, offer the condolences of the Messiah College community to the entire Eyster family.

Anne-Marie RobinsonSiemen ’08 and her husband Jonathan Siemen ’08 announce the births of Julian Beck, Feb. 6, 2013, and Beatrix Greer, Jan, 24, 2015.

Katie Stewart ’08 and her husband Corey Leal announce the birth of Eliot Wayne Leal, May 13, 2015.

Katie currently works as a Site Supervisor for Social Advocates of Youth San Diego in San Diego, Ca. Alexandra (Steed) Van Kuiken ’09 graduated from The General Theological Seminary with a diploma in Anglican Studies. Alexandra now works as the Protestant Chaplain at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.

2010s Lindsay Acornley ’10 and Brian Keet married May 2, 2015 in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Miranda Hulsey ’11 and Jordan Ring ’11 married Aug. 18, 2012. Jordan works as a behavioral health rehabilitative services administrator at PA Counseling Services in Carlisle, Pa. He also created the website fiberguardian.com.

Kimberly Leininger ’11 and Jordan Beckler ’11 married July 21, 2012 in Granville, N.Y.

Megan Sullivan ’13 received a master’s in history from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Melanie Walters ’13 teaches at Northern Elementary School in Mount Joy, Pa.

Sarah Fleischman ’13 received a second-place award in environmental reporting in the non-daily division (circulation 10,00020,000) from the MDDC (Maryland, Delaware, D.C.) Press Association. She also received third-place honors

Isaac Witmer ’13 works as a mental health counselor for Pennsylvania Counseling Services in Dauphin County.

The categories are:

DO YOU KNOW ALUMNI WHO DESERVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION?

This award recognizes an alumnus/a who has attended Messiah College within the past 15 years for significant contributions to church, vocation, community and/or Messiah College.

30 | SUMMER 2015 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

Kyle Sproles ’13 works as a lieutenant for the U.S. Army in Harrisburg, Pa.

Aaron Lee ’11 and Kate Able ’12 married June 13, 2015 in Granby, Co. Kate works as a clinical dietitian at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Aaron works in the U.S. Army.

ALUMNI AWARDS

Every year, Messiah College recognizes four alumni who have made outstanding contributions to church, society and/or to the College.

If you know of a deserving alumnus or alumna, we want to hear from you! Please take a few moments to review the award criteria and make any nominations you wish online at messiah.edu/alumniawards.

This year’s alumni award recipients will be honored at the Messiah College Reunion Celebration Banquet on Oct. 16.

for in-depth reporting in the non-daily category (circulation up to 20,000) from the Local Media Association.

YOUNG ALUMNUS/A ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS/A ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award recognizes long-term vocational excellence in a manner supportive of the mission and standards of Messiah.

ALUMNI APPRECIATION AWARD

Alumni and friends are eligible for this award, which recognizes significant personal service and contribution to Messiah.

ALUMNI CHRISTIAN SERVICE AWARD

This award recognizes outstanding lifelong service or longterm effort in fulfilling the mandates of the Christian Gospel to both serve and sacrifice for the needs of humanity.

Daniel Wendt ’13 works as a CFO at Project Big Love in Dillsburg, Pa.

Jordan Grove ’14 works as an associate graphic designer for the American Bible Society in Philadelphia, Pa. Rachel Shearer ’14 and Joshua Selby married Nov. 22, 2014 in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Matthew Sider ’15 works as a sales associate for Clark Associates in Harrisburg, Pa

Service Notes James Snyder ’84 provided construction work for Maranatha Family Christian Organization and Puravida Missions in Peru and Costa Rica.

RENDERINGS COURTESY OF SPILLMAN FARMER ARCHITECTS

W E LLN E S S C A M PAI G N

The College will build a new 29,750-square-foot wellness center and will revamp Brubaker Auditorium, Hitchcock Arena and Fredricksen Natatorium.

Campaign for Wellness is on RENOVATIONS, EXPANSIONS TO COME At the April 2015 Legacy Dinner, Campaign Co-Chair and Messiah College Trustee Rick Jordan ’72, announced the Campaign for Wellness, a plan for new facility expansions on campus.

The campaign, budgeted at $20 million, will include a 29,750-square-foot wellness

center with weight lifting, cardio training and group fitness space; centralized locker rooms; a Fredricksen Natatorium renovation; expansion of the wrestling room; and a new faculty office suite for the Department of Health and Human Performance.

In addition to the new wellness center, Brubaker Auditorium and Hitchcock Arena will be revamped. For the last 40 years, Brubaker has been the home floor for Messiah sporting events.

With the new campaign, however, Hitchcock will receive new

and portable seating for 1,900 fans, making it the dedicated arena for Messiah basketball and volleyball. Renovations also will be made to the current racquetball court area to provide team locker spaces. In addition to the Hitchcock changes, Brubaker will add a 12,450-square-foot auxiliary gymnasium, with space large enough to hold two basketball courts for both team practice and recreational use.

The Messiah College Board of Trustees approved the campaign and set a fundraising goal of

$6 million in outright gifts to be raised by March 2016.

Campaign co-chairs Rick Jordan and D. Kelly Phipps report that as of summer 2015, more than $4.6 million in gifts and pledges have been committed toward the $6 million fundraising goal. We are grateful for our early progress and look forward to a successful completion of the Campaign for Wellness!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT MESSIAH.EDU/CFW.

The overlapping triangles in the Messiah College Campaign for Wellness logo represent the connection of the mind, body and spirit and how these elements nurture and empower one another toward wellness. The dark blue triangle represents a strong body; the green triangle, a sound mind; and the light blue triangle, a vibrant spirit. The triangle shape also points to our triune God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

MESSIAH COLLEGE • THE BRIDGE • SUMMER 2015 | 31

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

Marshmallow Bowl holds sweet memories for alumni COURTESY OF MESSIAHATHLETICSA

FALCONS STILL LOVE THIS SOCCER TRADITION

In 1999, the presidents of Messiah and Elizabethtown College added fuel to the rivalry between the Falcons and Blue Jays by introducing an “official” trophy to the winner of the annual Marshmallow Bowl men’s soccer game.

The Marshmallow Bowl is one of the more unique traditions in college athletics. For nearly three decades, fans from both sides have thrown thousands of marshmallows during the annual game between Messiah and Elizabethtown. well, the trophy fell by the wayside. The coaches on both sides worried little about a trophy for a regular season game. Also, the marshmallows stopped flying for a few years in the mid-2000s when both schools banned the throwing of objects of any kind.

However, after a couple years the marshmallows returned, and the tradition was renewed.

While the trophy has collected dust in a Messiah storage closet for many years, the Falcons continue to dominate the series.

Since the trophy was unveiled in 1999, the Falcons are 14-1 in Marshmallow Bowls (regular season matches) and 22-3 including postseason meetings with Elizabethtown.

While bad weather cut short the marshmallow tossing last year, they might make an appearance when Messiah travels to Elizabethtown for a non-conference match-up Sept. 30.

COURTESY OF MESSIAH ARCHIVES

“It’s something no one else around the country has,” said former Messiah goalkeeper Jake Berry ’13 of the fun rivalry.

How did the marshmallow fun begin? As the story goes, in 1987 the Messiah men’s soccer team found a scouting report in an Elizabethtown locker room that labeled the Falcons as soft. The next year, when the Falcons beat the Blue Jays 3-0 to earn a trip to the NCAA Final Four, Messiah fans began throwing marshmallows at E-town players and fans, chanting, “Who’s soft now?”

To this day, marshmallows still fly whenever Messiah plays the Blue Jays. Midfielder Benji Kennel ’16 played in three Marshmallow Bowls and loves the unique atmosphere.

“The fans bring a lot of energy, which makes it really fun as a player,” said Kennel. “The air is always full of tension, excitement and, of course, marshmallows!

It’s always eagerly anticipated.”

While the rivalry is alive and

Fans toss marshmallows on the field every time Messiah and Elizabethtown meet on the soccer field.

From left: Elizabethtown Provost Ronald J. McAllister and Messiah Provost Donald B. Kraybill wrestle for the Marshmallow Bowl trophy after it was unveiled in 1999.

“ The fans bring a lot of energy, which makes it really fun as a player. The air is always full of tension, excitement and, of course, marshmallows! It’s always eagerly anticipated.”

— Matthew Fenton ’13, ’16 MA

— Benji Kennel ’16, a midfielder who has played in three Marshmallow Bowls

MARSHMALLOW BOWL BY THE NUMBERS SINCE 1999 YEARS PLAYED

15

MESSIAH’S RECORD REGULAR SEASON

14-1

32 | SUMMER 2015 • THE BRIDGE • MESSIAH COLLEGE

MESSIAH’S RECORD POSTSEASON

8-2

’MALLOWS THROWN

GOALS SCORED

COUNTLESS

51 FOR MESSIAH 10 FOR E-TOWN

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2015 Homecoming Please join us for Homecoming Weekend. Below are just a few of the many events we have planned. Visit messiah.edu/homecoming for a complete schedule and registration.

Class of ’65 events Reception and luncheon Jordan Science Center 10 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Reunion Jordan Science Center 12:15–2 p.m.

Golden Grad Lecture Jordan Science Center 2:30–3:15 p.m.

Messiah College Reunion Celebration Banquet Eisenhower Campus Center, Brubaker Auditorium 6–9 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

Falcon Fun Run Check in/register at Eisenhower Campus Center. The race will begin from the outdoor track in Starry Athletic Complex.

9:30 a.m.

Class of ’85 (30th) Reunion Hostetter Chapel 10–11:30 a.m.

Class of ’95 (20th) Reunion High Center, lower lobby 10–11:30 a.m.

Oakes Museum Open House Jordan Science Center, Oakes Museum 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Alumni Baseball Classic Starry Athletic Fields, Baseball Field 11 a.m.

College Honors Program Reunion Boyer 131 11a.m.–2:30 p.m.

School of Science, Engineering and Health General Reception Frey Hall, lobby 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Alumni Women’s Lacrosse Game Lacrosse Turf 11:30 a.m.–1p.m.

School of the Humanities General Reception Boyer Atrium 12–2 p.m.

Li’l Falcon Zone Larsen Student Union, patio and lawn 12:30–4 p.m.

Departmental reunions 1-3 p.m.

Powderpuff: Championship Game Rec Fields 1:30 p.m Lacrosse Field Dedication and Tailgate Lacrosse Turf 2 p.m.

Cooking Class Jordan 063 3-4:30 p.m.

MESSIAH COLLEGE ARCHIVES

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

Admissions Team Reunion Jordan Science Center, Hollinger Lounge 3-5 p.m.

Alumni Softball Game Starry Athletic Fields, Softball Field 11 a.m.

Live Color Run 5K Check in at Eisenhower Campus Center 3:30–5 p.m.

Top to bottom: The ’05 alums play powderpuff football at Homecoming. First-year students from the Class of 2010 participate in Welcome Week. Members of the Class of 1990 peek from the covered bridge at Commencement.

Celebrating the Legacy Brunch High Center, Steinbrecher Atrium 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Alumni Men’s Lacrosse Game Lacrosse Turf 4:30-6 p.m.

Varsity Men’s Soccer vs. Arcadia University Shoemaker Field 6 p.m.

SAB Homecoming Coffeehouse Eisenhower Campus Center, Brubaker Auditorium 9 p.m.

office of Marketing and COMMUNICATIONS

One College Avenue Suite 3020 Mechanicsburg PA 17055 717.691.6027 www.messiah.edu

M E R L E ’ 5 2 A N D I L A ’ 5 2 (OA K E S ) B R U B A K E R

Brubakers remain faithful to Messiah, Upland colleges Merle ’52 and Ila ’52 (Oakes) Brubaker have a “cross-country” story of connections to Messiah Academy, Messiah Junior College and Upland College. After graduating from Messiah, they planned to attend Greenville College to complete their four-year degrees. However, H.G. Brubaker had other plans in mind for the talented couple.

He visited Merle at his home in Pennsylvania and then went to see Ila at her home in Ohio.

In 1950, H.G. convinced them to move to Upland rather than Greenville. That significant decision placed them on a journey of Christian service.

Merle pastored the Brethren in Christ Church in Chino, California, until he returned to Upland as dean of students. After Upland closed in 1965, the couple moved to Massillon, Ohio, to pastor the Amherst Church. Merle then completed his graduate

work in philosophy at Temple and returned to teach at Messiah.

He also served in pastoral capacities at the Grantham Church and on the Brethren in Christ Missions Board.

Ila also worked at Messiah and attended Myerstown Seminary to earn a master’s of religion with an emphasis in gerontology and hospital work. For many years, she provided pastoral care at Messiah Village, where she and Merle now live—and still volunteer. All four of their children—Jean, Joy, David and

JORDAN LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY

CLASS OF 1952 GRADS RETURNED TO GRANTHAM AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA

Darrel—attended Messiah.

John Z. Martin, former president of Upland College, impressed upon the couple the importance of giving back to their alma maters. They have been annual contributors to Messiah since they graduated.

Jon Stuckey, director of development, notes the Brubakers represent a key alumni constituency that is appreciated and valued.

“Annual support from our alumni, regardless of the amount, is vital as we reinvest those resources into the lives of our students. Not only do Merle and Ila reflect the positive impact that Messiah has had on their lives, but they also help support a new generation of Christian servants and leaders

who are making a world of difference across the globe.”

Their gifts have included support for the Central Pennsylvania Forum on Religion and Science.

Merle says he has always felt that there is wonderful harmony between religion and science. Ila says they have received many blessings from their colleges.

Certainly, Merle and Ila have been blessings themselves to so many. We are grateful they faithfully contribute to Messiah to help ensure fulfillment of our Christian educational mission.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MESSIAH COLLEGE, PLEASE CONTACT JON C. STUCKEY, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, AT 717-7965065 OR JSTUCKEY@MESSIAH.EDU.