Messiah University's The Bridge - Vol. 1 2024

MESSIAH

INSIDE LOOK

Hosted by the Agapé Center for Local and Global Engagement, Service Day was held April 4. Students, faculty and staff served on campus and in the greater Harrisburg community.

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

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

PRESIDENT

Kim S. Phipps

VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT

Jon C. Stuckey

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Carla E. Gross

EDITOR

Anna Seip, MBA ’24

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Becca Powell ’03

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Curt Rohrer

Matt Logan, M.A. ’17

DIRECTOR OF

ALUMNI & PARENT RELATIONS

Jay McClymont ’92

CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Garlinger, Molly McKim ’23, Samantha Neal ’24

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

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

Messiah University is a Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. The University is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society.

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

© 2024 Messiah University

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

COVER:

History major Kelan Amme ’24 explores Messiah’s archives. NICK GOULD PHOTOGRAPHY

Messiah’s new exercise program launches to serve the community.

More and more students opt for a gap year between high school and college. Find out what they’re doing during this in-between era.

FROM THE EDITOR

MESSIAH.EDU/THE_BRIDGE

Learn more about PREP and watch the

Check out Katie Craven’s company Chainyana Bracelets

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WELCOME TO THE WELLNESS ISSUE OF THE BRIDGE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH LISTS EIGHT DIFFERENT KINDS OF WELLNESS — PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, VOCATIONAL, FINANCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL — SO WE KNEW WE HAD OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US AS WE TRIED TO COVER ALL OF THEM

As you read through the magazine, think about the different types of wellness within the articles. On p. 12, we highlight the new PREP program, which covers physical, emotional and spiritual wellness, just to name a few.

In our gap year feature (p. 20), students discuss taking a year off in between high school and college to work (vocational, financial), travel (environmental, social) or to simply rest

Last summer, history major Kelan Amme ’24 was one of 10 students in the U.S. to take part in a research project mapping the letters of the Civil War, particularly the United States Colored Troops (p. 8). Although he probably didn’t know it, he was in the midst of vocational and intellectual wellness and probably had time for social wellness, too.

Two of my favorite articles in this issue involve feel-good, full-circle moments (emotional wellness, for sure). Check out the alumna who completed her bachelor’s degree after a 20-year career journey (p. 26) and the odyssey of a lost class ring (p. 32). Both stories will take you across the globe.

As you can see, there are many ways to view wellness, and they overlap as we make our way through our lives. We hope this issue of The Bridge finds you eight types of well.

ANNA SEIP , EDITOR

Messiah offers wellness to the surrounding community

In this issue of The Bridge, we’re excited to share new programs and facilities that allow us to care for the wellness of our students and community. The Falcon Fitness Center has become a hub for those who seek to improve their health—through fitness classes, laps in the pool or partnering with a student for a specialized fitness plan based on individual goals and, perhaps, physical limitations. We are especially excited about offering PREP options—Preventative and Rehabilitative Exercise Programs—that are personalized for one’s health history and goals. Utilizing the outstanding Falcon Center facility, this partnership enables Messiah to serve community needs while simultaneously providing experiential learning opportunities for students.

Of course, wellness extends beyond physical health. As a Christian institution, Messiah University views wellness holistically and considers physical, spiritual, emotional and mental health as fundamental components of a person’s overall well-being.

During the last decade, caring for students’ increased mental health needs has become a priority at our nation’s universities, including Messiah. When U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy labeled youth mental health “the defining public health issue of our time” during a Senate committee hearing in 2022, I was sobered but not surprised. Murthy was voicing a reality we were already experiencing at Messiah University as students’ requests for mental health and counseling services steadily ticked upward each year.

Our on-campus Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services lacked

“Messiah University views wellness holistically and considers physical, spiritual, emotional and mental health as fundamental components of a person’s overall well-being.”

enough space and staff to meet the increased need, so we successfully underwent a fundraising campaign allowing us to add square feet to the existing building and additional staffing. Construction was completed in time for the start of the fall 2023 semester. This enhanced space and staffing are now more effectively meeting students’ needs. In 2023, the Engle Center managed 2,200 individual health and 1,600 counseling appointments.

Additionally, counseling staff collaborated with campus partners to reach out to students on subjects such as stress and anxiety management, resiliency and healthy relationships, just to name a few.

While I’ve highlighted several formal and programmatic ways we serve students in the area of wellness, I am also encouraged every day when I observe Messiah faculty and staff mentoring, encouraging and caring for students. With compassion, care and expertise, our campus community is well equipped to provide excellent care for our students and extended community.

As the spring semester wraps up, I hope you have a happy and healthy summer.

KIM S. PHIPPS, PRESIDENT

WHAT DOES WELLNESS MEAN TO YOU?

“Wellness is about physical health, like diet, exercise and sleep. It’s also about having loving and sustaining relationships, as well as mental health, though I wouldn’t call it a spiritual term.”

Timothy Schoettle, professor of philosophy

“Optimizing mind, body and spirit to work maximally together.”

Kelly Anderson ’25, nursing major

“Wellness

is holistic and a positive indicator of overall health.”

—Chris

Hon ’25, biopsychology and digital media major

“Taking care of your mind.”

Donte Hibbert ’24, international business major

“Through wellness, we can keep our bodies in good condition. God gave us these bodies, and we should do our best to take care of them.”

Mason Powers ’24, philosophy major “Making sure you’re taking care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually as much as possible.”

Michael Saunders ’27, film and media arts major

“Being in a sustainable state of physical, mental and emotional health.”

Amy Sacks ’24, film and media arts major

“Feeling comfortable physically and mentally, as well as with my own identity.”

Liz Meyer ’26, international relations and Chinese studies major

“Eudaimonia, bro. Wellness is all about fulfillment and equipping oneself for the journey toward it.”

RJ Collins ’24, economic development major

“Education: Being happy with who you are.”

Benjamin Belga ’25, education major

MESSIAH

RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS

DESIGNATION AS NATIONAL CENTER OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN CYBER DEFENSE

Messiah University’s cybersecurity education program announced its recent designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD). This designation is awarded to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity-related degrees including majors, minors and/ or certificates at the associate, bachelor’s and graduate degree levels. To qualify for this designation, Messiah met high academic standards for cybersecurity curriculum; demonstrated significant community outreach and integration of cybersecurity practice across academic disciplines; established a dedicated center for cybersecurity; and actively engaged in finding solutions to current cybersecurity challenges.

“This designation signifies Messiah’s excellence in cybersecurity education,” said Lynn Bigelow, director of cybersecurity education at Messiah. “It opens doors for our students and faculty, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of safeguarding digital infrastructure and information.”

This achievement provides the program with increased opportunities such as participation and contribution to the broader CAE community; collaboration with other institutions in pedagogy and technical expertise; student scholarships; and full-time employment for students with various agencies across the Department of Defense. This designation can draw in an influx of students who want a top-quality education in cybersecurity.

Staff report

University adds accelerated business administration program leading to MBA

Undergraduate students at Messiah University can now pursue an accelerated business administration degree. In this program, students will earn both a bachelor’s degree (in their choice of undergraduate major) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Messiah University in just five years.

This accelerated program provides a seamless pathway by allowing students to complete 12 credits toward their MBA while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. After graduating with a

bachelor’s degree, students then take one graduate course in each part of the term (while working full-time) to graduate with the MBA. This approach provides an expedited path to the MBA, along with the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience in the fifth year of the program.

For those with an undergraduate major outside the Department of Business, they must also take a business foundations minor to gain the necessary prerequisites to complete the accelerated 4+1 MBA program.

Staff report

SATELLITE PROJECT HELPS STUDENT STRENGTHEN SKILLS FOR ENGINEERING

JOHNATHON LACAYO ’24 INTERNS IN COLORADO, NAMED

TOP 5 FINALIST FOR CUBESAT PROJECT

Senior mechanical engineering major Johnathon Lacayo ’24 found in Messiah a school that met his needs.

“I originally came to Messiah because I planned on being part of the university’s swim team, but I also wanted to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering,” he said. “More than being a student-athlete, it was important for me to find a good engineering school and Messiah was the best option for me.”

Lacayo wanted to pursue his interests in design and learning how things work. Mechanical engineering allowed him to engage with and develop these skills.

“I have always had a curiosity to see how things work internally and what makes pieces move, but throughout the years I have developed a passion for design. Not only does mechanical engineering teach a lot about these things, but it also is a great major to become a versatile engineer which I very much want to be. I like knowing a little bit about everything,” he said.

As a first-generation student, Lacayo never felt particularly different from his peers; rather, it was teaching himself how to get through college that was a point of growth.

“The first experience was that I had to figure out all the financial aspects of going to a higher education institution. From FAFSA to understanding financial aid, and even applying for loans. I did not have many people to really help me or teach me about these things so I just had to learn on my own,” he said. “Another thing I had to understand was the importance of a good GPA. I never really had to worry about my GPA until I was receiving scholarships and it was then that I learned the hard way about the importance of maintaining a good GPA.”

Lacayo also took on an engineering internship in Colorado during his time at Messiah.

“During my internship in Colorado, I was part of a team of interns and we developed a radio frequency testbed to establish remote communication between our own ground station and a small satellite also known as a CubeSat. We also designed and manufactured our own three-axis structure for the CubeSat allowing it to have better rotation,” he said. “My team and I were able to be part of the top 5 finalists for our Summer Games Internship. This internship was very important for me because it allowed me to gain experience which has now allowed me to be more confident in my skills and knowledge as an engineer.”

After graduation, Lacayo wishes to continue his career in mechanical engineering, particularly in the aerospace and naval/ maritime fields.

“I wish to be part of a team that is responsible for the design and testing of these structures,” he said.

Samantha Neal ’24

“IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO FIND A GOOD ENGINEERING SCHOOL, AND MESSIAH WAS THE BEST OPTION FOR ME.”

Johnathon Lacayo ’24

HISTORY MAJOR

MAPS THE FORGOTTEN VOICES

OF THE CIVIL WAR

Imagine researching a group of soldiers. Lots of historic letters exist about these soldiers, much of it disparaging. What’s a historian to do? Kelan Amme ’24, a history major with a public history concentration, went to the source the soldiers themselves.

Who were the USCT?

Last summer, he spent several weeks on the University of Southern Mississippi campus sifting through letters many of them disparaging about the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War. One of 10 students in the country selected for the Mapping Freedom NSF-REU (National Science Foundation - Research Experience for Undergrads), Amme was part of the first cohort of the project. The group used a database of letters sent to and from Mississippi governors during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras, combining

“The United States Colored Troops first became widely introduced into the Union in 1862 after the Emancipation Proclamation, with enlistment and conscription efforts popping up nationwide, even in the Southern states. One instance that caught my eye occurred in New Orleans with the formation of the Louisiana Native Guards. Gen. Order No. 63, issued by General Benjamin Butler in August 1862, created this opportunity. These soldiers, made up of African American militia veterans, became some of the first regiments allocated into the Union Army. As time passed, these soldiers were sent to guard Ship Island, Mississippi, a barrier island previously occupied by the Confederacy during the beginning of the war. While on the island, the soldiers guarded the fortifications and conducted raids on the Mississippi coastline, earning praise from their superiors for the effort shown in battle.”

Excerpted from Kelan Amme’s paper, “Visualizing the Myth and Folklore of the USCT”

them with geographical information systems (GIS) to visualize the data as maps. That’s when Amme became interested specifically in the cultural attitudes about the USCT.

“Traditionally, historians, especially public historians now, look at the past through a different lens, where, instead of focusing on one narrative, we try to find as many points of view and how we can reflect on and reconstruct that narrative to better include different groups and different opinions,” explained Amme. “By using different sources and different opinions,

we can match the accounts of the United States Colored Troops’ letters and the accounts written in the Mississippians’ letters and how the accounts of that impact the Civil War at large and what it means for opportunities for African Americans at this time.”

The culmination of Amme’s project includes an interactive map with points that, when clicked, take the reader to primary sources, such as letters and newspapers, providing an accessible snapshot of the attitudes of local Mississippians toward the presence of the USCT. The letters provide a deeper understanding

into how people in states such as Mississippi reacted to the Union Army and the USCT.

“I was able to get a better understanding of how the United States Colored Troops worked within the Union Army and what it was like for the USCT to travel during the war. After all the [white] Southerners had fled, having only enslaved individuals in the town and seeing them run outside in celebration as the African American soldiers march in their blue uniforms, providing a sense of hope and freedom for the future,” said Amme.

“When he was two or three, he was taken from [his mother] into enslavement, and he was actually able to reconnect with his mother as an adult, which was such a fascinating story,” he said.

really interesting voices that have never been published in this way before. Using mapping technology and seeing where they were geographically and what it was like for an African American soldier to write a letter saying, ‘We are now in a trench going to

sue a Master of Information, concentrating in archives and preservation to ultimately work as an archivist. He says that Messiah’s education and programs have set him up well for success in what he wants to do. The field of digital humanities opens up new

ble?’” he said. “How can we break boundaries socially, culturally and historically?”

Samantha Neal ’24

A LENS TO THE PAST

Kelan Amme ’24 credits two professors in particular for guiding his Messiah journey SARAH MYERS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY

“She has been influential in supporting my various ventures into public history and guiding my academic and professional career throughout my time at Messiah University. Dr. Myers has always been available to assist with the various projects I’ve worked on, including helping me outline the interview questions for my documentary with the Dauphin County Library System and providing me with the opportunity to apply for the Mapping Freedom REU at the University of Southern Mississippi,” said Amme.

DAVID PETTEGREW, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

“Without Dr. Pettegrew, I would not have been able to be involved with any of the community-based projects centered around the historic African American community in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I am appreciative of Dr. Pettegrew’s continued commitment to creating and supporting new avenues for learning and academic exploration that have ultimately allowed me to pursue unique historical topics centered around racial reconciliation and social justice,” said Amme. At Messiah, Amme found professors who helped him to look the past. As he pursues a career as an archivist, his Messiah education and his professors have already helped him map out his future.

PREP(PING) FOR WELLNESS

Messiah launched the Preventative and Rehabilitative Exercise Program (PREP) on campus to serve the community’s wellness needs

By Anna Seip

You’re scrolling on your phone looking for a way to exercise and get fit, but TikTok is offering up a lot of conflicting info. You want to take control of your health, but it’s overwhelming and confusing. Once a year at your annual physical, your doctor tells you to exercise. Sure, there’s a gym on every corner, but — after you finally walk in and sign up — what machines are you supposed to use? And who’s going to help you figure it out?

Through Messiah’s recently launched Preventative and Rehabilitative Exercise Program (PREP), there’s a more holistic way to think of wellness: a personalized journey crafted by exercise physiologists and certified strength and conditioning specialists in a culture that feels a lot different than a typical box gym.

HISTORY

With the rebuild of Messiah’s Fitness Center in 2017, the original commitment was to serve internal stakeholders such as students and employees. After tracking the center’s usage data, the administration realized the facility had the bandwidth to allow external use without impeding its internal stakeholders. In 2021, Kevin Ogden ’14, MBA ’21 pitched the idea of PREP as his MBA capstone project. In keeping with the University plan of creating partnerships, non-tuition revenue and experiential learning for students, PREP became a reality.

GETTING STARTED AND GOING FORWARD

PREP’s fitness program prioritizes the well-being of the whole person, crafting personalized holistic programs. It begins with Getting Started, which is where individuals can visit Messiah’s state-ofthe-art Human Performance Lab for a

comprehensive wellness assessment by certified exercise physiologists.

“They get an extensive physiology work-up. We’ve got some of the most top-grade equipment you can put in a performance lab,” said Scott Kieffer, professor of exercise physiology. “We have students help with the testing, so they get a lot of clinical experience.”

In the Human Performance Lab, Messiah’s experts assess MaxV02; muscular strength and power; body composition; balance; and mobility. This data can be important for maximizing athletic performance as well as assessing health.

In addition to what the science of the assessment shows, clients are asked about their lives whether the person is taking care of aging parents, juggling work-life balance, etc.

After the holistic assessment, the client then can by Going Forward and purchasing a PREP membership have unrestricted access to Messiah’s Fitness Center, join unlimited group exercise sessions, use an individualized app that refreshes with a new exercise program with guided orientation every 8-10 weeks, a comprehensive assessment every six months and scheduled supervised sessions for added support.

“There’s a particular area of the fitness center reserved for [PREP members] to help that intimidation factor of going to a gym,” explained Kris Hansen-Kieffer, executive director of community wellness, who will have interns helping with the programming.

“They’re really just coming into a space that has been created for them. So if they really hate the gym scene, they could come to those times during the week and not have to deal with that.”

This kind of holistic care is ideal for bridging the gap between a typical box gym vs. insurance-based occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT) or cardiac care. PREP attempts to help those who have “graduated” from insurance-covered care but still need to continue exercising in a holistic way.

“When Messiah built the facility, they did it right. It’s really inviting. You’re not walking past all the weight machines. You’re exposed

PREP’s fitness program prioritizes the well-being of the whole person, crafting personalized holistic programs.

This kind of holistic care is ideal for bridging the gap between a typical box gym vs. insurance-based occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT) or cardiac care.

to a multifunctional environment that invites people to come in. They can see it’s different right off the bat,” said Kieffer. “Everybody feels welcome. The community members don’t feel intimated there are college students working with them. It’s very hospitable to everyone coming in.”

Memberships are also available for those who simply want to come in and use the gym without assistance or assessment.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, SERVING THE COMMUNITY

PREP also offers clinical and specialized classes for those who would like to continue the comprehensive medical care they recently received, as well as those who have received encouragement from their health providers to incorporate more physical activity and wellness habits into their lives.

Krystal Robinson-Bert, associate professor of occupational therapy, says she was used to partnering with other facilities such as Mechanicsburg Senior Center and Messiah Lifeways as part of the experiential learning for Messiah’s OT curriculum. When PREP was in its infancy, Robinson-Bert saw the potential for a partnership that could keep students on campus.

Last summer, she launched an eight-week class called PWR! Moves, which targets bradykinesia, rigidity and dyskinesia through targeted functional movements that address the four core movement difficulties weight shift, reactive step, sitting and standing up, and the ability to twist the trunk of the body of people with Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to overtrain the brain and the nervous system.

The clinical class included 14 students who worked with 14 clients with various forms of Parkinson’s most of them in their 70s. Some had walkers and canes. Others had cognitive issues on top of Parkinson’s. The students conducted a needs assessment, learning to focus on the whole person and considering cognitive and motor factors.

“The exciting part about it is, I love OT and I love doing the work I do, but my favorite part is when we can do that with students and see them learn with real people and not just a textbook while we’re also serving people well.”

Krystal Robinson-Bert, associate professor of occupational therapy

“We ask them, ‘What do you want to keep doing? And what are things that you don’t feel like you can do since you have Parkinson’s but we might be able to work on?” asked Robinson-Bert.

Focusing on the clients’ habits and routines, Robinson-Bert and the students helped tailor “power moves” to help one person continue riding a bike and another continue gardening.

“The exciting part about it is, I love OT and I love doing the work I do, but my favorite part is when we can do that with students and see them learn with real people and not just a textbook while we’re also serving people well,” said Robinson-Bert.

PWR! Moves is not the only Parkinson’srelated class that is offered. Functional Life Exercise (FLEX) class focuses on gait training, cognitive training and cardiovascular exercise. Robinson-Bert says she also hopes to start an Adaptango class as a summer pilot program.

Through PREP at Messiah, wellness is not pass-fail. By changing the culture around what it means to have a healthy life and sharing Messiah’s mission with the greater community, the University is helping to break down barriers.

So, what’s it really like to join PREP?

A COMMUNITY MEMBER WALKS US THROUGH THE PROGRAM

Prior to signing up for PREP, Scott Edwards had no affiliation with Messiah University other than enjoying the campus fitness nature trails with his dog, Phineas. Then, his friend who is a doctor told him about the program.

“He heard about the program and thought I could benefit from the structure,” Edwards said. “I struggle with chronic back pain due to a previous back surgery but try to stay ahead of my back issues by remaining physically active.”

While he had remained active over the years even during the COVID-19 years he says he felt his workout regimen could benefit from qualified personnel who could show him ways to avoid injuring his back. In December of 2023, he signed up.

“The plan built for me includes three workouts in Messiah’s Fitness Center per week,” he explained. “I requested a workout regimen that ensures I work out all muscle groups each week, with a fair amount of core work built in due to my physical vulnerabilities.”

Through the program, Edwards receives: Strategy: The PREP Team creates a long-term strategy based on his fitness goals, providing 6- to 8-week workout programs.

Structure: He accesses his workout plans through the PREP app.

Guidance: He has access to trained professionals who know how to craft workout plans to help him achieve his goals, while also avoiding moves that could put him at risk.

“I feel stronger, healthier, and have been able to stay ahead of my back pain for the most part. I also find myself having a more positive outlook since having started the PREP program due to increased movement, following the game plan and pushing myself to live a healthier lifestyle,” he said.

He says each session gets easier.

“I am definitely not someone who loves going to the gym. In fact, I usually do not want to go. However, I can say that there has never been a time where I have regretted going. Instead, I feel a sense of accomplishment, more energetic and more positive after my workout,” said Edwards. “At 45, I also realize I need to remain physically active, including strength training, if I want to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.”

New director = great fit for the fitness center

ATHLETIC TRAINING ALUMNUS JOINS PREP STAFF

Nate Nester ’14 is no stranger to athletic training or Messiah University. Although he began working as the director of the fitness center in March, the new job was merely a hop, skip and a jump from his previous one on campus.

MESSIAH JOURNEY

After majoring in athletic training at Messiah, he continued his education by earning a master’s in exercise science at California University of Pennsylvania. He worked in athletic training at Dickinson College for several years then returned to Messiah in 2022 to help with sports ministry AROMA in strength and conditioning of Messiah’s athletes.

When the fitness center director position opened up, he realized he could have a broader influence on wellness in the community at large while still helping Messiah’s athletes. He manages programming for 18 of Messiah’s varsity sports, working with two to three teams at a time, depending on the season. Whereas his impact was limited to working with student athletes before, now he can impact a breadth of people of varying abilities and ages, all with different goals.

“I decided this was something I very much wanted to pursue,” Nester said.

While 75 percent of his new position involves the day-to-day operations as “gym owner” of the fitness center, 25 percent of his role includes PREP and its three pillars of care: Individualized wellness This is PREP’s flagship service. Our certified strength and conditioning coaches and certified exercise physiologists use their expertise combined

with the results of your holistic wellness assessment to design an individualized program for you.

Human Performance Lab Filled with state-of-the-art equipment, the lab measures and analyzes a range of physiological metrics, removing any guesswork and generic predictive algorithms.

Clinical and specialized classes A significant benefit can be found when individuals with similar goals or diagnosed medical conditions train together under expert care and supervision. PREP classes are designed and facilitated by licensed therapists, registered dietitians and certified exercise physiologists.

“My specific expertise is orthopedics and high performance,” Nester said. “As an athletic trainer, I’ve worked with athletes from the day they get out of surgery up through competition. You’re in a knee brace and can’t bend anything. What does it take to get back on the field and compete at a high level?”

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY

Nester says the clients, students, faculty and staff at Messiah are overwhelmingly positive and go out of their way to help each other.

“It’s what drew me back to Messiah and made me make the switch to the fitness center, so I could have a slightly larger reach across campus,” he said. “Seeing the greater community and building those relationships with PT clinics and doctors’ offices, we have a great focus on wellness across the health span. I truly enjoy working at Messiah.” B

A VIDEO ABOUT THE PROGRAM, SCAN HERE:

ILLUSTRATIONS: ELIA BARBIERI

EXPLORING THE WORLD OF GAP YEARS

MORE AND MORE, STUDENTS ARE TAKING A YEAR OFF BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TO EXPLORE CAREERS, TO TRAVEL, TO WORK OR TO JUST BE

By Molly McKim ’23

Gap years offer various advantages for today’s students, and there are few rules to approaching what has been a popular European practice for many years. For some, the time is used to take a break to rest and recharge after a stressful final semester and graduation. It could also be a time to work and save money for future studies, spend time with family or build a professional portfolio.

A SELF-DISCOVERY JOURNEY

Economics major Jessica Chan ’26 says she needed to pause between high school and college to figure out what she wanted to do with her life.

“During my gap year, I got a grasp on adulthood,” she said. “I didn’t travel much. Instead, I worked two part-time jobs and did a few personal projects. My favorite part of my gap year was that I got a feel of what life was going to be like after college. I met a lot of different people at my jobs, and it allowed me to see how different everyone’s life is, and allowed me to ask myself how I imagine my life to be afterward.”

In learning more about oneself during a gap year, a student can recharge and refocus.

Politics and international relations major Cody Ford ’23 spent his gap year at the Camp Cho-Yeh Compass Gap Year program in Livingston, Texas. The nine-month adventure experience offers hiking, skiing, time at the beach and an international mission trip.

“I believe taking a gap year program is what drove me to pursue many of the leadership positions I held during my time at Messiah, and provided me with personal, spiritual, academic and professional development that benefited me tremendously as I started my academic journey at Messiah,” said Ford.

MAKING MESSIAH YOUR DESTINATION

According to John Chopka, vice president of enrollment management, students who choose to take a gap year before coming to Messiah do so in a couple different ways.

“In most cases, a student will take a gap year prior to starting at Messiah,” said Chopka. “Sometimes, they let us know during their senior year of high school that they will take a gap year. In other cases, we will hear from them while they are participating in a gap year experience as they inquire about enrolling at Messiah upon completion of a program.”

To encourage students to pursue a degree after their gap year, in 2022 Messiah began partnering with OneLife Institute, a ninemonth Christian gap year program. The program allows OneLife alums to receive a $2,500 yearly scholarship and up to 30 credits to contribute to their college careers. Soon after, the University began a similar partnership with Cho-Yeh, which offers a $2,500 annual scholarship and the transfer of 12 credits.

“Many of the students participating in gapyear programs do, indeed, wish to eventually pursue a college degree,” said Chopka. “Messiah is making this investment with hopes of attracting more OneLife and Cho-Yeh participants as degree-seeking students.”

This type of gap year spoke to Abi Entwistle ’26, sociology and anthology major. She participated in a OneLife program based in Morris, Pennsylvania, during the 202122 academic year and is now a sophomore at Messiah.

“Ultimately, I decided to take a gap year because I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and I felt a calling to take the time to learn and grow,” she said.

Entwistle lived and served on a horse farm in addition to her traveling and studying in the southwest U.S., Israel and Palestine.

“OneLife is a forming and stretching opportunity I would recommend to people, but I would also recommend they research and pray on their own to see if it is something they may want to pursue,” she said. “I would recommend gap years to students who have not yet gone to college and are unsure if they would like to. I think it gives students valuable time to learn who they are and get some job experience.”

POTENTIAL BLACK HOLES

While the benefits can outweigh the negatives of taking a gap year, some drawbacks may leave students falling into black holes of their own making. After taking a gap year, students may find it harder to return to academic

“It gives students valuable time to learn who they are and get some job experience.”

Abi Entwistle ’26

Planning the gap year is an essential component of taking one.

habits, feeling left out by watching their peers in college or losing excitement for pursuing a career. Also, gap years are not in everyone’s budget, especially if it involves travel or specialized programming. One of the biggest concerns regarding gap years is the possibility of seeing students abandoning their college careers altogether.

“It is possible to take time off and then return to the pursuit of attaining an undergraduate degree…but for a variety of reasons, it can be challenging to return to college/ university once a student leaves,” said Matt Reitnour, director of enrollment partnerships. ”If a student is considering this option, my recommendation would be for the student to have conversations with their academic advisor, parents/guardians and other persons of significance … to discern the reason behind stepping out. Then, come up with a plan for both what the time off will entail and the process/timeline for returning to college.”

CREATING THE ROADMAP

Planning the gap year is an essential component of taking one. Creating a roadmap for a gap year makes it exponentially easier to carry out and transition from one way of life to another.

For Chan, a gap year was always a part of her life plan to give her a smoother transition between academics. “I ultimately decided on pursuing a gap year not because of financial struggle, not knowing my major or not knowing where to go, but because I personally didn’t want to rush the transition. I knew going from high school to college would be a large jump, and I didn’t want to make an irrational jump,” she said.

Once a student has determined to take the gap year, how does one fill it? A whole year previously occupied with a courseload, extracurriculars, social obligations and part-time work can seem daunting. To plan, students and parents must consider programs and budgets, stay focused and remain flexible. Many organizations like GO Overseas, Global Citizen Year and Youth With a Mission specialize in planning gap years. Some programs are volunteer-based, academic in nature, centered on travel--or a combination of all three. However, taking a gap year was a last-minute decision that worked out for Ford. “I ultimately decided to take the gap year because I had no idea what I wanted to study in college or what career I wanted to pursue after college. I had already been accepted, paid my deposit and found a roommate for another Christian university in Texas before deciding to pull out two months before freshman orientation to enroll instead in Compass,” he said. Without the gap year, he might have never found Messiah.

TAKING THE LEAP

Despite his unconventional approach, Ford recommends taking gap years if the student thinks the benefits will extend past their time in the program. “It allows you to really hone in on what you want to do with your future,

and go into college confident in your decision with your major, and thus give you the time to dive into other amazing parts of university life, from club involvement to student leadership,” he said.

Chan suggests that a break from academia after high school can, ultimately, make one a better college student. “We have been in school for the past 10+ years and our bodies are on a routine schedule, but when you’re outside of school, that schedule is completely different,” she said. “It allows students to realize they need to be responsible for their time and teaches them how to balance their personal and work life. My gap year allowed me to understand the importance of time management, family and balance.”

No matter how they do a gap year, students have reaped the benefits of taking a year off from academics and exploring the world at their own pace. B

Alumna’s many journeys lead to one degree

FROM HONDURAS TO GRANTHAM, ONE STUDENT COMES FULL CIRCLE

When Karla Madrid-Davidson ’23 came to the U.S. from Honduras as a little girl, she dreamed of attending college. In the years that followed, she served in the U.S. military and worked for the federal government. By any measure, she had led a full life. But she still wanted to fulfill the dream of completing her bachelor’s degree. So she began applying to universities, and Messiah University stood out.

“At first, it was very intimidating because I’m an older person,” she said. “I don’t know if I’m going to fit in with the culture. I know the education will be aligned with my Christian principles and values, but I don’t know if I’m going to enjoy being almost the same age as a professor. But I have to do this. The worst obstacles that you can encounter are the ones that you put in front of yourself. I’m just gonna jump in.”

Madrid-Davidson said. “After I graduated from high school, my mom wanted me to get a faster degree that put me in college for two years and that’s it. In my culture, the oldest one has a lot of weight on their shoulders. You have to support the family. I had to be able to help my mom to pay the bills and help my sisters and brother.”

She worked as an accountant in an accounts-receivable office but then joined the military. After 11.5 years of military service in the Army and Air Force, she worked for the federal government for 13 years, which transferred her and her husband from Florida to Pennsylvania. Her job then took her to Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. After spending the pandemic in Saudi Arabia, she returned to the States.

She enrolled in the spring semester of 2021. Since she lives in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, she commuted.

A COMMITMENT TO FAMILY

This wasn’t her first college experience. In the ’90s, she had completed an associate degree in accounting at Keiser University in Florida. Since she and her family came to Miami from Honduras when she was 13, she felt a responsibility support her mother and younger siblings.

“My family moved to the States mainly because of economical reasons, so I don’t come from a family with a lot of money,”

“When I came back from Saudi, I tried to go back to work at my old agency, but I needed a break. So I resigned from my job. I started applying at universities. Messiah University stood out ... because their admissions department, staff and professors displayed a genuine understanding and appreciation for potential and abilities,” she said.

She says Messiah provided financial assistance, while also supporting her dreams and personal growth.

HER TIME

She started in the occupational therapy program then switched to business administration.

“It’s okay to change your mind. Sometimes, we think that we can master anything. If you put your mind to doing something, you can do it. But then how long is it gonna take? Do you have the time? I love science, but I haven’t

taken a lot of courses in science. So for somebody like me, it would take a long time to learn this and to master it. So I said, my dream is to have my degree. And you know what, get your degree in what is known to you. And that’s what I did,” she said.

In coming back to school later in life, Madrid-Davidson brought lived experience and a unique perspective to her classmates. She also faced some challenges. She had been out of school for decades. Also, she spoke English as a second language, which made writing papers more difficult. She says she considers the whole Messiah journey to be a learning experience.

“I tend to be an overachiever, and my goal was to graduate with honors. But my brother says, ‘You know, all that you need is your degree,’” Madrid-Davidson said.

She says she views life as a journey, a journey that we should embrace.

“We all make mistakes. We all have something to regret,” Madrid-Davidson said. “But don’t let that regret punish you because at the end of the day, you’re human. And if you don’t make mistakes, then how are you gonna learn? So we’ve all been there. And all that you can say is just embrace the journey.”

With her bachelor’s degree in hand, she recently accepted a po-

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent, or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”

Ella Wheeler Wilcox, poet

“Sometimes I hear people my age saying, ‘There’s not much to learn from this current generation.’ However, I have found that individuals of all ages and background can offer valuable insights, regardless of generational differences,” Madrid-Davidson said. “My experience at Messiah has shown me the importance of listening to diverse perspectives to expand my knowledge and understanding.”

A NEW COMMITMENT TO FAMILY

Her greatest challenge, however, was balancing academics with raising her newborn child. For this reason, she delayed her graduation date from May 2023 to December 2023.

sition as a financial management analyst with the Department of the Navy in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, in April. She also is looking at options for graduate school and says Messiah is at the top of her list.

Throughout her undergraduate journey, she kept a line of poetry by Ella Wheeler Wilcox close: “There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent, or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”

“God is on your side. And I see it. I saw it with me. It took me 20 years. It’s okay. But there was no chance, no circumstances, no nothing that could deter me from that,” she said.

Samantha Neal ’24

KATIE CRAVEN

’13

COORDINATING BRACELETS + MENTAL HEALTH

ALUMNA’S JEWELRY BUSINESS CONNECTS EACH CUSTOMER

Health and physical education alumna Katie Craven ’13 connects people across the U.S. with jewelry. She does this through her brand, Chainyana Jewelry.

About a year ago, she was diagnosed with OCD. (See sidebar.)

“OCD is often used as an adjective to describe someone who’s really organized or a germaphobe or something like that, which is not what OCD is at all,” she said.

Craven primarily works as a resident engagement director at a retirement community, but she wanted a creative outlet. She joined a support group for those with OCD, which is where the idea for Chainyana first took root.

“A common word acronym that was used was YANA, which stands for you are not alone. People can feel very alone in whatever struggles they’re going through, whether it’s mental health, or a sickness or a breakup, really anything. I wanted to create a way to make people feel more connected to each other. The concept of Chainyana came out of that,” she said.

Chainyana bracelet has the geographical coordinates of the person who purchased the bracelet before them. If you purchase

a bracelet, then the next person who purchases one will have your coordinates on their bracelet, creating a “chain” of people with bracelets. Customers also can choose a colored bead in the bracelet design to repre sent what a person is struggling with--teal for anxiety, purple for Alzheimer’s, etc.

“It’s nice to know that when you look down at your wrist, you’re supporting or send ing good vibes or thinking about somebody else while also knowing you’re a part of a chain of something bigger than yourself,” she said.

Craven didn’t plan on becom ing an entrepreneur.

“It really does feel like a God thing because I didn’t sit down and think ‘okay, let me create a business out of this.’ Every part of it just unfolded. I designed a bracelet, and thought ‘let me try to improve this bracelet and make it better,’ and every time I tried to improve it I liked the initial idea more. I never planned on creating a business, but once I thought of the idea I thought it would be a really good way to connect people.”

So much of her life has been about connections, including her Messiah experience. Her time on the track team led her to form close connections with her teammates.

“I’m still friends with people on the track team. I was just back at Messiah for Homecoming, and I met up with some of my track friends at the alumni row class reunion. Continuing to have those friends and that support from college is nice. It’s comforting to

group, ‘My bracelet came today!’ and other people see it and go, ‘That’s really cool!’ It’s really nice because it’s a concept that, from my research, hasn’t really been done before, not exactly the way I’m doing it. I’ve had people in Washington and Virginia and North Dakota and all across the country purchase a Chainyana bracelet. It’s a chain, and it’s fun to see where the chain connects.”

Samantha Neal ’24

CHAINYANA BRACELETS ARE AVAILABLE AT CHAINYANAJEWELRY.COM , THEIR FACEBOOK IS @CHAINYANAJEWELRY AND THEIR INSTAGRAM IS @CHAINYANA

“I WANTED TO CREATE A WAY TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER. THE CONCEPT OF CHAINYANA CAME OUT OF THAT.”

Katie Craven ’13

lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both. People with OCD have time-consuming symptoms that can cause significant distress or interfere with daily life. However, treatment is available to help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

National Institute of Mental Health

CALEB RICHERT ’23

Engineer found faith and skiing at Messiah

CALEB RICHERT ’24 STARTED A SKI CLUB ON CAMPUS AND WON THE ALLEGHENY CONFERENCE

Caleb Richert ’24, an environmental science major minoring in environmental engineering and pre-law, wanted to attend a university where he could pursue his passion for nature. At Messiah, he found a school that could meet his needs. In the environmental science program, he had the opportunity to study in multiple locations off-campus, including the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

“Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. My class took a weekend-long field trip to the southern Blue Ridge

Mountains in Virginia, which has some of the highest salamander diversity in the world,” he said.

He also studied at the Au Sable Institute, a Christian environmental science institute formed by a group of colleges such as Messiah, in northern Michigan.

“I took two classes, Lake Ecology and Fish Ecology, and my labs regularly involved taking water samples on pontoon boats and traveling to sample stream diversity. I also got to camp in the upper peninsula near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore with other students,” he said.

Richert chose Messiah for its environmental science program, but also to pursue his passion for skiing.

“I grew up skiing competitively in Connecticut and Massachusetts in the disciplines of slalom and giant slalom as part of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and got USSA coaching certified,” he said. “I came to Messiah because I wanted to join a community of faith and had the opportunity to start a ski team through the U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA).”

“I came to Messiah because I wanted to join a community of faith and had the opportunity to start a ski team.”

Caleb Richert ’24

He, his sister Faith and brother Noah represent Messiah’s ski team at competitions.

“Last year for the Messiah club ski team, I won the Allegheny Conference (2023), and the year before I qualified for USCSA Nationals (2022), where I medaled bronze in the individual class for the dual slalom event,” Richert said.

This year, he and Noah and placed 2nd and 5th, respectively, at regionals.

“My brother declined his spot, so I could compete at USCSA nationals in Lake Placid, New York.

Richert placed 22nd overall. “I took bronze in the individual class for dual slalom. This was my best result of my career and my last official competition of my career,” he said.

He has accepted a full-time environmental scientist position with engineering firm Burns and McDonnell in Connecticut. In the future, he is considering getting a master’s in an environmental field, or even going to law school for environmental law.

Samantha Neal ’24

1970s

M. Lucinda Layman ’73 and Dennis Grannan married in Williamsburg, Virginia, April 24, 2016.

1980s

Zoltan Kiraly ’89 was elected councilman for the borough of Ringwood in New Jersey for the 2024–2027 term.

1990s

Brian Beatty ’91 works as the director of marketing at Upper House in Madison, Wisconsin.

Denise Layman ’92 works as a family engagement coordinator at Stride K12.

2000s

Dr. Timothy Brearly ’04 works as a neuropsychologist at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Erin Odgers-Chew ’04 and spouse Jacob celebrated the birth of their child Micah John Chew on March 4, 2022.

Melissa (Yee) Lynott ’08 and husband Paul celebrated the birth of Cooper John on March 29, 2023.

2010s

Kendall Berry ’12 and spouse David celebrated the birth of their twins Isaac and Samuel on September 16, 2022.

Mary Kate Kelly ’12 and spouse Matthew celebrated the birth of their child Benjamin David on January 12, 2022.

Laura ’12 and Andrew Wismer ’12 celebrated the birth of their child Ava Grace on August 2, 2023.

Rachel Selby ’14 and spouse Joshua celebrated

the birth of their child Leah Margaret on January 25, 2024.

John Snyder ’15 and Christiana Martin ’20 married Oct. 21, 2023.

Anna Love ’16 and Ryan Kozlowski married Oct. 10, 2021. She is a postdoctoral fellow at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California in San Diego.

Jennifer Gould ’17 is the owner and primary therapist at Chairville Counseling in Medford, New Jersey.

Jessica Lawson ’19 works as the director of residence life at CarsonNewman University.

Christina ’19 and Jared Newcomb ’20 announce the birth of Charlotte Joy on February 28, 2024.

Submit a class note

Did you get married? Have a baby? Start a new job? Finish up your degree? Do you volunteer? Let us know! We’d love to share your good news in The Bridge. Send your updates to: messiah.edu/classnotes

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Are you interesting in pursuing a career as an athletic trainer?

Whether you are just starting your educational journey or have already earned a bachelor’s degree, Messiah University’s Master of Science in athletic training (MSAT) program offers degree paths that will prepare you to sit for the Board of Certification and to practice in the field of athletic training.

• 5-year accelerated degree path (B.S. and MSAT)

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Experience the academic distinction of a nationally ranked Christian university.

We cannot begin to quantify how investing in Messiah students is making such an incredible difference in the world.

Robin Folkerts ’98, senior area director, philanthropy, World Vision

Read Robin’s full story

messiah.edu/MSAT

Why I give

Investing in Messiah students makes a lasting difference

The generosity of Messiah University donors helped Robin Folkerts ’98 to finish her degree while she was a student here. Now, she supports the next generation of Messiah students through the Bucks-Montgomery Area Student Scholarship and by being a member of the Heritage Society.

Join this circle of giving that has impacted Robin’s life—and the lives of other Messiah graduates who are serving and leading around the globe.

learn more about student scholarships or joining the heritage society messiah.edu/give

Class ring, lost for decades, ends up at alumni office — then Spain

1987 YEARBOOK HELD THE CLUE TO THE OWNER

When Jay McClymont from the Office of Alumni Relations received a lost Messiah class ring in the mail, he took it upon himself to track down its owner. The ring had arrived from Rochester, Minnesota, from a woman who found it while cleaning out a movie theater’s lost and found box that her uncle had taken home.

Set with a blue stone, the ring was engraved with the date ’87, the letters B.S. (for Bachelor of Science) and the initials K.A.H. With these clues, McClymont attempted to track down its owner. So, he did a little sleuthing. He consulted the 1987 yearbook and found five seniors with the initials K.H. three men and two women. Since it was a woman’s ring, he had narrowed it down to two alumnae.

“One was a Karen, and then the other one was Kyle Kyle Hostetler. And I looked them both up in our database. Only Kyle Hostetler had ‘A’ as her middle initial, graduated in ’87 and had a Bachelor of Science in Nursing,” said McClymont.

Confident that Kyle Hostetler who was now married and went by Kyle

Eid was the owner of the ring, McClymont sent her an email. Soon, she replied that, yes, she was missing a ring that fit that description.

Having found the identity of the ring’s owner, the next task would be to return the ring to her. This would be easier said than done, as Eid and her husband live in Spain. Fortunately, many possible resolutions existed:

Option 1: Eid’s daughter was graduating from Messiah, so the family would be in Grantham for Undergraduate Commencement May 11. The ring could be easily picked up on campus.

Option 2: McClymont’s coworker Abby Book was traveling to Spain in February to visit her daughter who was studying abroad. Once she was in Spain, Book could just mail the ring to Eid.

Option 3: The city of Málaga where Eid lives just so happened to be on Book’s itinerary. The ring could be delivered in person.

“When I found out that Kyle lives in Málaga and that is

the same city that Abby planned to visit while seeing her daughter Anna, I thought, that would be a perfect way to get the ring back to Kyle and make for a fun story,” said McClymont.

So, they picked Option 3 and to recap the ring traveled from Rochester, Minnesota, to Grantham, Pennsylvania, to Málaga, Spain. It’s not so unusual when you think about so many of Messiah’s alumni traveling the globe to make a difference.

“Here’s an alum who is a nursing major working and living in Spain. When Messiah alumni leave here, they go all over the world. The fact that she’ll be back in May for her daughter’s graduation points to legacy,” said McClymont.

The effort involved in returning one class ring shows the community and the caring nature of Messiah’s alumni and the alumni office.

Samantha Neal ’24 and Anna Seip

“Here’s an alum who is a nursing major working and living in Spain. When Messiah alumni leave here, they go all over the world.”

Jay McClymont, director of alumni and parent relations

With more than $5 million contributed so far by Messiah’s generous alumni, parents and friends, the University needs to raise an additional $2 million to complete all phases of the Warmer Welcome campaign including baseball and softball facility renovations and a new welcome plaza for all athletes and fans.

“Messiah athletics continues to build upon a rich history of pursuing excellence on and off the field. It is exciting to see the Warmer Welcome project underway and we are grateful to those who have contributed.”

— Brent ’05 and Mindy Smith ’04

To learn more or give online, visit messiah.edu/warmerwelcome, or scan this QR code. DID YOU KNOW?

Messiah offers matching gift monies and on-site donor recognition opportunities for gifts/pledges at or above $15,000.