The exhibit “A Length of Time: A Retrospective of Works by Donald and Christine Forsythe,” displayed in the Aughinbaugh Gallery Nov. 8–Dec. 15, 2024, explored the multidecade careers of the Messiah professors of art who left a lasting impact on campus.
LEFT: DONALD J. FORSYTHE, SANCTUARY TRIPTYCH, 1998, MIXED MEDIA BOX CONSTRUCTION
ABOVE: CHRISTINE A. FORSYTHE, WIRED, 2013, WOVEN BRASS WIRE
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
Matt Logan, M.A. ’17
Curt Rohrer
CONTRIBUTORS
Emily Groff ’26
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.
President Phipps reflects on her time at Messiah and looks ahead to what’s on the horizon
The
COVER:
President Kim S. and Kelly Phipps
FROM THE EDITOR
MESSIAH.EDU/THE_BRIDGE
To support the next generation of Messiah students and to give to the Phipps Family Scholarship, visit messiah.edu/phipps_scholarship
To learn more about Messiah’s presidential search, go to messiah.edu/nextpresident
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MONTHS AGO, WHEN WE PLANNED THIS ISSUE OF THE BRIDGE, WE KNEW THE PUBLICATION DATE WOULD FALL ON THE HEELS OF THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. WE ALSO KNEW THAT, NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION WAS, THE NATION WOULD CONTINUE TO BE DEEPLY DIVIDED. SO, WE REACHED OUT TO AN ALUM FOR SOME ANSWERS ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.
Dennis Hoover ’90, the editorin-chief at the Institute of Global Engagement, offers some insight into what it means to integrate faith and politics. Hint: It involves disagreement, discernment and mutual respect. That’s a tall order, but you can read all about it on p. 25.
Speaking of presidents, ours is retiring in June. So, I sat down with President Kim S. Phipps to discuss her 20-year presidency at Messiah. (I also interviewed her for her 10-year anniversary a decade ago, so this time we reminisced a bit more.) We talked. We laughed. She discussed how grateful she was that her husband Kelly had supported her career as his took a backseat to her presidency. Fun fact: Did you know they met at Bible college? Kelly told me that. Yes, I interviewed him, too. When I asked him how he wanted to be remembered as First Gentleman, he said, “This guy just did everything he could to help make his wife be a successful president.” When you read each of their stories (which start on p. 12), evidence of two lives well lived quickly emerges.
We hope you enjoy this very special presidential issue of The Bridge.
ANNA SEIP, MBA ’24 , EDITOR
Celebrating a career of hospitality, reconciliation
All four of my grandparents emigrated from Germany in the 1920s. My maternal grandparents found work as a housemaid and painter and settled in New York City. My parents never graduated from high school but always supported their daughter who loved reading and learning. I enrolled in college at 16 with dreams of becoming a professor. I loved the dynamics of a classroom still do. School has always been a “home” for me. To be given the privilege of fulfilling my vocational calling at Messiah where I embrace the mission has been a gift.
I came to Messiah in 1998 to serve as the academic dean and became the provost in 2000. Truthfully, I always thought I’d be promoted back to fulltime classroom teaching! However, the abrupt and tragic loss of my dear colleague and friend, President Rodney J. Sawatsky, altered my vocational plans. Serving as acting president, I had many individuals encourage me to seek Messiah’s presidency. Since my appointment as president in December of 2004, I have sought to be faithful
and use my gifts however limited they may be to help Messiah thrive even in the midst of difficult times.
To my administrative, staff and faculty colleagues who have been patient with my limitations, who have softened and sharpened my edges, who work unselfishly and tenaciously to fulfill Messiah’s mission every day thank you for your partnership!
To Messiah students, I love you! Daily interactions with you provide me with unfailing hope for the future. Your intelligence, compassion and commitment to use your gifts in service to God and neighbor is an unending source of delight and inspiration. To faithful alumni, donors and friends, you make a difference in this world by financially and prayerfully supporting Messiah University and our students.
To the Board of Trustees, you exemplify Messiah’s mission and unselfishly share your time, wisdom, expertise and financial resources. You are a board who balances graciously supporting and appropriately challenging your president. May your efforts continue to move Messiah into a positive and meaningful future.
Finally, I must acknowledge the two most important individuals in my life my daughter Brooke and husband Kelly. Brooke, thank you for your constant love, for never making me feel guilty about the time I devoted to Messiah and for being a woman who thinks critically, works diligently and cares deeply for others. I am very proud of you as you begin your career as an assistant professor!
Kelly, you have been my rock, my partner, my advisor and, oftentimes,
“Hospitality is to offer people the space where change can take place.”
Henri Nouwen, theologian
the only one who could help me gain perspective in the midst of my overwhelming fear of not being enough. You surrendered your personal dreams to fully support my vocational call as Messiah’s president. Thank you for the privilege of serving Messiah University together!
So, back to my grandparents: They did not have the privilege of a secondary education but knew the importance of extending hospitality and fostering true belonging. My childhood home and my grandparents’ home were places of welcome for neighbors, relatives and folks who were “almost like relatives.” From my earliest days, they modeled the value of hospitality. There are no strangers. Every person is of value and worthy of a welcoming embrace. As a Christ follower, I have tried to model this lesson in my leadership and in my interactions with our campus and extended community.
Dutch theologian Henri Nouwen wrote, “Hospitality is to offer people the space where change can take place.” In our current cultural context of deep division and disturbing polarization, Messiah University seeks to transform students’ lives and prepare them to serve the church and society.
KIM S. PHIPPS, PRESIDENT
HEARD AROUND CAMPUS
WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE IN YOUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW?
“The cost of living and rent has gone up so much that it has made it almost impossible to buy a house, car or groceries at a young age.”
“As a senior, an issue I see in my community is finding a job right after graduating. Job opportunities are limited as people are retiring later in life resulting in fewer jobs being available for fresh graduates.”
Tammy Tay ’25, human development and family science major
“Many people don’t bother listening to opposing opinions anymore. They just automatically assume the other side has nothing worth saying. I have seen this affect friendships and cause unnecessary conflict that could have been resolved with just a few respectful conversations.”
Aubrey Thomas ’27, marketing major
“Who am I? Finding identity is a challenge at this age in my community.”
—Todd Feil ’25, communication major
“At this age, finding your identity and figuring out who you are is a pressing issue in my community. Now is a time for self-exploration. Instead of looking inward, it is imperative to seek God and His plan through this new chapter of our lives!”
Makayla Yellets ’28, graphic design major
“As a student who is from the Dominican Republic, which is a third world country, I find the lack of education to be the most pressing issue. Teachers are paid by the state earning the minimum. This causes teachers to put in less effort when teaching then they are supposed to, causing ineffective teaching.”
Jatniel Arias ’28, undeclared major
“As someone with English as my second language, I am noticing a lack of attention in the ESL classes for people from foreign countries in our education department. It is important that English learners feel comfortable but not treated any differently. Not knowing the language doesn’t mean they don’t know materials.”
Amahirani Zavala ’27, education pre-K to 4 major with TESOL minor
“The most pressing issue in my community is willful ignorance. If more people cared about being informed, our world could become a better place.”
Ryan Silvis ’26, athletic training major
“People struggle with others who have opposing political views.”
Kara Boudman ’25, athletic training major
Kaitlyn Kubena ’27, applied health science major with a concentration in pre-physical therapy
During Homecoming and Family Weekend in October, Messiah hosted alumni and families with a full schedule of events. Here are just a few of the highlights:
3,000+ parents, students and alumni from
412 Lottie brunch tickets and
27 states attended
235 Sawyer Pavilion meal tickets sold
250+ watched Friday’s drive-in movie
456 played cornhole
725 kids played in the Li’l Falcon Zone
650 played minigolf
299 played pickleball
835 toured the Oakes Museum
MESSIAH HONORS ALUMNI AT AWARDS DINNER
FOUR LAUDED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND SERVICE TO FURTHER UNIVERSITY’S MISSION
YOUNG ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: NATHANIEL D.M. JENKINS ’11
This award recognizes one who has attended Messiah University within the past 15 years and has made a significant contribution to church, vocation, community and/ or the University.
The recipient, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins ’11, a health and exercise science major with a minor in athletic training, works for the University of Iowa as the associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Physiology along with the Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences. He mentors students as the director of the Integrative Laboratory of Applied Physiology and Lifestyle of Medicine.
“A significant personal driving factor for me is my family and family history. This includes psychological and physical health and is a primary reason that I study the things that I do in my scientific research program,” said Jenkins. “We were among the first enslaved in the Middle Atlantic region. This has driven my passion for equity and inclusion in the biomedical sciences and in clinical scientific research.”
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
JEFFREY F. LEHMAN ’74
This award recognizes a lifetime of vocational achievement in a manner that embodies the mission of the University.
The recipient, Jeffrey F. Lehman ’74, has served on the Messiah College Board, Lancaster General Health Board and regional local bank boards.
Lehman, now retired, used his degree in chemistry to work for his family company, Shanks Extracts, Inc. from 1978-2021.
“Messiah … provided me with an intimate, specialized education — only four chemistry majors — and friends that have been with me ever since,” he said. “Messiah has held true to its faith-based mission. Even today, as I meet many new people in my retirement era full of retired successful people who love golf, my proud proclamation of my years at Messiah — ‘a small Christian college near Harrisburg, PA,’ in my words — quickly tells of my Christian background and smalltown roots.”
ALUMNI CHRISTIAN SERVICE AWARD: MICHELE E. STRUSS ’94
This award honors outstanding lifelong service or long-term effort in fulfilling the mandates of the Christian gospel to serve and sacrifice for the needs of humanity.
This year’s recipient, Michele E. Struss, the owner of His PaintBrush, shares her experience as an artist — and Messiah art major who understands what it is like to worship God despite pain and hardships.
“Your encouragement to individuals with disabilities, their families and those who support them is a treasured gift, one that is grounded in the hope that only Jesus can provide,” President Kim Phipps wrote to Struss in the award notification letter. “Not only do you share your journey through your blog and artwork, but you also regularly speak about your experiences to students at Messiah University, thus giving back to your alma mater in valuable ways.”
ALUMNI APPRECIATION AWARD: BARRY G.
GOODLING ’79
The alumni appreciation award recognizes an individual who has contributed to the University in an extraordinary manner through long-term professional service, significant volunteer service or financial contribution.
The recipient, Barry G. Goodling ’79, retired vice president for advancement at Messiah, oversaw the university’s fundraising; alumni and parent relations; and marketing and communications initiatives.
“I am grateful to have spent most of my career working at Messiah surrounded by incredibly bright, hard-working and compassionate colleagues, a privilege to spend nearly 40 years in this environment,” said Goodling. “I am grateful for Messiah’s commitment to encouraging its students and staff to engage with the local community — i.e., to be beacons of God’s love and grace where they live and work.”
Staff report
From left: Honorees are Jeffrey F. Lehman ’74, Nathaniel D.M. Jenkins ’11, Michele E. Struss ’94 and Barry G. Goodling ’79.
Messiah professor composes symphony for Yale University
‘PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS’ FINDS NICHE ON CAMPUSES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
Q: How does a Messiah professor end up composing a “happy” symphony for Yale University?
A: By listening to a “happy” podcast.
For Jim Colonna, associate professor of music and director of bands, it was almost that simple. He composed his first symphony, “Pursuit of
Happiness,” after he noticed a lack of optimism in the published pieces of young composers.
“I looked around and said, yeah, I have bad days, too, but I focus on all the wonderful things that are in my life instead of all the things that aren’t,” he said.
After listening to “The Happiness Lab” podcast, hosted by Yale professor Laurie Santos, Colonna was inspired to contact Yale’s band director to discuss the symphony. Yale offered a commission for the piece.
“The Pursuit of Happiness” premiered at Yale in November and has been played at Penn State and Arkansas Tech, with plans for spring performances at San Diego State, University of Northern Colorado and the University of Las Vegas.
“I am 54 years old, and nothing that I’ve ever written has gone this crazy. It’s hard to keep up with because I have to figure out how to travel to these places, mail everything out and send out things through email. It’s a joy, it’s a task, but it’s a task I wouldn’t trade,” said Colonna.
Although he began composing music at the age of 13, Colonna says this is his first symphony, which took more than six months to write. Written in four movements, the symphony covers 1) the things he loves, such as cycling and heavy metal, 2) the people he loves, 3) play and finding joy and 4) to be eternally in the present. When Colonna experienced writer’s block in the third section of the first movement, Andrew Morgan, a composition
student, suggested moving a note down. After Colonna implemented this advice, the music flowed. After writing 85 pieces of music, he says this symphony is his favorite.
Colonna says he is grateful for the support of his Messiah colleagues.
“There are some places where faculty and music are very jealous of each other, but at Messiah, the faculty are saying, ‘Look at you. This is great. Soar. Do it.’”
Through his pieces, he says he wants his audience to feel the music from their seats and feel actively engaged or, in the case of his symphony, happy.
“Music to me is incredibly powerful, spiritual and aesthetic,” said Colonna.
Emily Groff ’26
“I am 54 years old, and nothing that I’ve ever written has gone this crazy.”
Jim Colonna, associate professor of music and director of bands
PLAYING IT FORWARD: A VIOLIN’S STORY
PARIS EMERIE ’25 PAYS TRIBUTE TO A STUDENT SHE NEVER MET
Six years after the tragic passing of Messiah music student Ethan Van Bochoven, his violin still holds a special place on campus: in the hands of Paris Emerie ’25, a double major in music and chemistry with a teaching certification.
Although Emerie never met Van Bochoven, when she auditioned for the music department in November 2020, artist-in-residence and adjunct instructor Peter Sirotin, suggested she invest in a quality instrument. During the same time that Emerie was looking for a new violin, Van Bochoven’s parents had reached out to Sirotin saying they were ready to part with their son’s violin.
“I have a very fond memory of Ethan as an enthusiastic and warm-hearted young man. He had a real passion for jazz and improvisation on violin and wanted to build on classical foundation to expand his abilities,” said Sirotin. “I was trying to help him with that and when he wanted to upgrade to a professional level instrument, I helped him choose the violin which is now in Paris’ hands.”
Emerie is carrying on Van Bochoven’s legacy, while building her own. In remembrance of him, she named her violin Itan, a variation of the name Ethan. She also wanted to honor him with a song at her senior recital. She contacted his parents, who recommended she play “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles. Since Van Bochoven had planned to perform a jazz version of the song
with jazz instructor Kirk Reese, she contacted Reese, who agreed to perform with her at the recital. She also invited Van Bochoven’s parents to the performance held September 29, 2024.
The night of the concert, Emerie and Reese played the Beatles song. While it is customary for musicians to bow after playing the piece, they chose not to.
“It was not mine to play,” Emerie explained, saying she cried after playing it.
She finished her recital with “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” finding out later that Van Bochoven used to play that song, too.
“I will never forget this night of an ambitious program with a tribute and a band and many emotions,” she said.
After the recital, Van Bochoven’s parents texted her: “Paris, we cannot thank you enough for inviting us to your senior recital. Candidly, it was very emotional and quite intense for us. Lots of memories came rushing back… it was a challenge for both of us to hold it together. Paris, it was so nice to hear that violin again. Ethan filled our home with music and it’s something we really miss these days. We count it a privilege to have heard ‘Eleanor Rigby’ played with the same violin, in
“I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS NIGHT OF AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAM WITH A TRIBUTE AND A BAND AND MANY EMOTIONS.”
Paris Emerie ’25
the same room, accompanied by Mr. Reese just like Ethan had planned. It is something we will never forget. One thing we know with absolute certainty — Ethan’s violin ended up in the right place!”
After graduation in the spring, Emerie plans to pursue a career teaching high school chemistry — and providing private violin lessons.
Emily Groff ’26
Paris Emerie ’25, above right, now plays the violin that was once used by the late Ethan Van Bochoven (above, left).
Meet SGA president Sam Ramos ’24
GAINING VALUABLE EXPERIENCE BY LISTENING TO THE STUDENT BODY AND EFFECTING CHANGE
An accounting major with a computer science minor, Sam Ramos ’24 began the academic year as student body president.
“I want to continue championing for our students, because I care a lot about students’ experiences at Messiah and about students advocating for themselves. I want to be that bridge for students and administrators to gain a common understanding that we all want to make the Messiah community a better place,” said Ramos.
His favorite part of the job is talking to students, hearing their concerns and then doing something about it.
“I love people,” he said. “I love sitting down, grabbing coffee and having conversations with people.”
In his past SGA positions, he worked on posting wage rates for on-campus jobs and reforming visitation hours. During his presidency, he plans to work on several projects: providing free feminine hygiene products in academic buildings, a campus-wide Sabbath and strengthening clubs. “Clubs make the community that
you so you can have everything you need to thrive as a community at Messiah,” he said.
The hardest part of his job is saying “no.” He assures the student body that he and SGA value the students and their concerns.
“SGA has a very important place at Messiah, because we are the heart of advocacy for students. We are the touchpoint for students with a lot of the administrators, and anything that students care about is what we care about and what we do. I love doing what I am doing because we create the culture that is on campus, and I think that we are all here for the sake of building a good Christian community that eventually goes and builds a better world,” he said.
With in-class experiences, internships and the connections he has made at Messiah, Ramos says he feels prepared for his future career in accounting.
Emily Groff ’26
“I love sitting down, grabbing coffee and having conversations with people.”
Sam Ramos ’24, accounting and computer science
As President Kim Phipps will retire in June, she reflects on her time at Messiah and looks ahead to what the University will accomplish under a new administration.
by Anna Seip, MBA '24
You’ve served as president for 20+ years. What do you remember from your first year as president?
It’s a little different for me to describe, because I didn’t just show up as a new person on the first day. I was here as the provost and eased into the new role. As President Sawatsky’s health was declining, the Board of Trustees asked me to serve as the acting chief administrative officer in January of 2004. Then in December, following a national search, they named me as president.
In the fall of 2005, I went through the inauguration. During that celebration, I thought, wow, these are my people. This is the campus community. This is the regional community. This is my family here with me.
When I think back about the biggest takeaways of the past 20 years, I loved the role more than I thought I would. I waited until very late in the search process to apply. I love the classroom, and I love teaching. I’m an educator at heart, so I thought I would do administrative work for a while, but then I would go back to the classroom. Of course, I had the privilege of being the provost and loved working with the faculty and working on ideas related to curriculum and shaping the student experience.
MESSIAH UNIVERSITY TIMELINE
July – December
Kim Phipps serves as interim president of Messiah College following the retirement of President Rodney Sawatsky.
Launch of the new first-year core curriculum and co-curriculum that is holistic, student-centered and focused on the College’s mission and identity including introducing the core course “Created and Called for Community” and a firstyear common reading experience
December 14, 2004
The Board of Trustees names Kim S. Phipps as the 8th president of Messiah College.
I didn’t know how much I would enjoy the presidency and really had to work through whether that was my calling. It’s a wonderful role, because it allowed me to embrace lots of different communities.
One gift has been getting to know staff. As provost, I knew the faculty and educators, but, because of events and marketing, I got to know other divisions and all kinds of employees. So that expands your world. Your life is really enriched that way.
Because [my husband] Kelly was involved in a development role at Messiah, I probably had more involvement in development or we did as a team than a provost might. That was enhanced, because there’s so much fundraising involved tied to the presidency to really get to know alumni more and donors, to know their stories. We have some remarkable Messiah people in terms of support their work, their resources, their stories about how they developed their businesses, their desire to give back lots of stories of courage that really inspired me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the variety that’s the presidency. You might be having coffee with some students and learning their stories and that’s great. The next thing I know, there’s some kind of crisis situation and we’re discussing what’s going to be our institutional response. And then I’m meeting with a donor.
October 14, 2005
Messiah celebrates the inauguration of President Phipps with a weeklong schedule of special events for students, employees, alumni, community members and friends culminating with the inauguration ceremony and festivities.
There are all different kinds of things happening in a day as president.
The presidency really stretched me and taught me a lot of lessons related to my personal development and my spiritual development. I’m not by my nature a hopeful person, but you can’t lead without some sense of hope to point people toward. We’ve had economic recessions, and we’ve had COVID. Nurturing a theology of hope that’s rooted in really understanding the providence of God has been important to learn and articulate.
I know some presidents start in the fall and are inaugurated in the spring of the same year. I’m really glad it was the following October [months after the death of Rod Sawatsky in December of 2005]. It gave us a chance to grieve and make mental, spiritual and physical space. His wife Lorna and his three daughters, who became cherished friends, attended my inauguration, and I think for them it was also a better space in terms of their own grief journey [to have the inauguration at a later date].
How does your background and training in communications inform your approach to leadership?
Any leader brings his or her own lens, expertise and experience, and you have to lead from who you are authentically. For me, the study
“ For me, the study of communication has been really central to my view of leadership, because my view of leadership is very relational.”
Messiah makes athletics history by becoming the first NCAA Division III soccer program to win the men’s and women’s championships in the same year.
CAMPAIGN RAISED $50.5 million
Completion of the To Serve and To Lead Campaign ($50.5 million) Messiah’s largest campaign to date including the construction of Boyer Hall, Larsen Student Union, and the expansion of Climenhaga Fine Arts Building
“That understanding of hospitality also helped me to not only embrace but also to wrestle with reconciliation and the work of reconciliation on campus.”
of communication has been really central to my view of leadership, because my view of leadership is very relational. It starts with the embrace of the Imago Dei and the fact that all individuals are created in God’s image, so they are worthy of respect. They are valued. I think about audience all the time as president, whether it’s a letter I’m writing to parents or a community speech to employees or meeting with student leaders. I naturally think about who they are, what they need to hear or what I need to say to them but also what they need to understand. I think it’s "both-and." I know the potential there is for miscommunication and being willing to respond to that, creating space for dialogue, for questions and answers. You work with multiple audiences, and your message has to be sent or shared with each of those audiences. Sometimes, that takes specific language or different approaches. I think about it all the time. My background in communication also then entered into my conceptualizing and articulating, “What does it mean to practice hospitality?”
I’ve talked before about growing up in New York City and Long Island as a grandchild of immigrants and how my grandparents and my mother created a space for people to come together. As I engaged in leadership and studied more about applied communication, I began to think more about as Christians and as an academic institution what does it
The Center for Public Humanities receives a competitive $200,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
18 COURSES 222 STUDENTS
Launch of Messiah’s first online undergraduate courses (Messiah Summer Online) with 18 courses enrolling 222 students
mean to be a hospitable place? To extend welcome to others, to create a sense of belonging for others, to create the kind of long-lasting relationships that really allow people to learn. That understanding of hospitality also helped me to not only embrace but also to wrestle with reconciliation and the work of reconciliation on campus. I’ve always enjoyed communication, studied communication, and I practice it all the time in my role as president. It was some of that study that naturally led me to themes of hospitality and reconciliation, which I hope are part of how people perceive my presidency or the way my presidency will be defined in the future.
What advice would you have for our community in navigating the challenging national and global issues facing our society?
In my lifetime having been involved in the study and practice of forensic communications since high school and student government, I’ve never experienced as much division and polarization in the Church, in the local community, in lots of contexts and associations as we’re in right now.
People are calling for and at Messiah we certainly want to be a model for what starts with fundamental respect of others, not labeling people as enemies in ways that denigrate
Messiah hosts the Compassion Forum, a nationally televised, unprecedented conversation with presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, on the integration of faith and public policy.
or dismiss them. Not “othering” people, but really trying to respect individuals and trying to understand, not persuade. That gets to be challenging. Somebody in some context might be representing a Christian perspective with statements that, at least from my humble understanding of Scripture, are just antithetical to what Jesus would say or teach. I have to kind of catch myself and as my daughter Brooke would say, “Mom, you present yourself as Miss Hospitality. I’m not sure that was so hospitable in your response.” How do we really listen to understand? This statement that is so troubling to me why is this person making it? What’s gone on in that person’s life their journey? What’s brought that person to this place? As a nation, if we’re going to be able to do anything to be more unified and to move forward, it requires respect for others and listening to understand. Listening requires humility, which I think we’re lacking in society. For the Church, our witness has really been hurt or diminished by a sense of being connected to politics in such extreme ways. I’m hoping that and this is always my hope when we send out Messiah students and graduates that they understand the importance of Micah 6:8 acting justly and walking humbly with our God, extending mercy. That’s a part of who they are and who they need to be. I’m hopeful that we can move forward as a nation in that way.
What do you say to the growing public sentiment that a college education has become cost prohibitive?
There’s certainly truth to the statement that college is too expensive. I don’t think we can deny that fact. There are different drivers for that reason technology, which we can’t function without, and its escalating costs and governmental expectations on compliance and reporting, which require human, structural and financial capital. Education is person-centered, and you have to take care of your employees who are delivering your core mission to students. There are always rising health insurance costs. Research continues to demonstrate that an individual’s ability to earn more is enhanced by having a college degree. Some students wait [to go to college] and get a job at Sheetz or Wawa for what seems to be good hourly rate, but they’re not looking 5, 10, 15 years down the road. Another factor that people forget is how hard colleges and universities are working at maintaining and cutting costs. I look at what we’ve done here at Messiah. We did a major prioritization process to reduce $6 million from our operating costs. We also have repeatedly examined our annual budget to look for ways to manage $1-2 million in reductions and insure that we still are
2009 – 2010 Celebration of Messiah’s Centennial Year with the theme of “Shared Faith. Bold Vision. Enduring Promise.”
Messiah launches its first graduate program an online Master of Arts in counseling.
“Education is person-centered, and you have to take care of your employees who are delivering your core mission to students.”
Messiah becomes the first school in NCAA Division III history to win three national championships in one year men’s soccer, women’s soccer and softball.
Messiah launches its “see anew” brand campaign.
competitive in caring for our employees and keeping tuition increases less than 3 percent.
The other piece people don’t realize with the U.S. government is how little has been added to student work-study and to student loans over the past two decades. While cost has been increasing, government and state support has been decreasing.
We also work at raising money to help support the student experience. It’s roughly 99% of students at Messiah who receive scholarships and financial aid. Anytime people with means who really love Messiah want to give back, I’m always humbled by that, their desire to invest in people that they think
“Our campus community has embraced values of hospitality and reconciliation.”
will be servants and leaders and reconcilers. I’m grateful we have a strong financial aid program that we can help students who want a Messiah education. We couldn’t do that without generous benefactors who make that happen.
Looking back over your decades at Messiah, what are some of the most significant changes or accomplishments you are most proud of during your time as President?
It’s always the accomplishment of teams. You could never do anything by yourself as a president, so you always need to acknowledge your administration, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, the team in your office. I have worked with really great people, and my successor is going to be very fortunate to work with a lot of those same people.
Our campus community has embraced values of hospitality and reconciliation. There are times we have hard conversations. We have to work through tough things. We’re not perfect, but we know we’re on that journey together.
There have been lots of physical transformations on campus. We’ve been able to raise about $180 million over time. A lot of that has been related to our physical facilities. I was just at a Mendelssohn Piano Trio concert in
CAMPAIGN RAISED $46.2 million
Parmer Hall in the High Center and got emotional remembering how much we wanted to see that building built. I’m so thankful for folks like the Highs and the Parmers who helped make that a reality for us. That’s been wonderful not only for our students but also our broader community. It really has made a statement in the region about how we want to be connected with the external community.
I love the renovation we did in the library, because it didn’t touch the stacks. I love the view that’s always been there of the stacks. It’s great to enjoy Martin Dining Commons or to go over to Boyer Hall. Go to a concert at the Union. Watch the swim team. What’s most important are the people in the buildings and I absolutely know that, but you do need certain kinds of capital projects and equipment to accomplish a purpose. The legacy and the transformation of the campus would be a big part of it. Adding the graduate school that was something there was some resistance to. But one of the roles of a president is to be looking out ahead. I was looking at the demographics and saying we have got to have another audience, another population. We found the psychology department had a desire to do a counseling program. So that was the first program we launched. We didn’t say we were going to have a graduate school, but we did say we’re going to have this. We have educated many wonderful men and women
2011 2012 2013 2014
Messiah establishes the Office of Diversity Affairs and launches its first campuswide Diversity Strategic Plan.
Messiah celebrates 50 years of NCAA intercollegiate athletics.
Completion of the $46.2 million Centennial Campaign culminating in the opening of the Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts
Messiah and the Methodist College of Kuala Lumpur partner to launch an American Degree Transfer Program, with Messiah as their Christian college anchor.
who are out there helping with the plethora of mental health needs in our society. And then we added a program after that. And people were more innovative on campus. When the music department came with their idea of a conducting program online, I thought that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. How will you do that? That’s continued to be such a wonderful program. It’s done with quality and excellence. And there’s our building at Winding Hill and seeing graduate students being present there. All of that happened with so many people working together. Part of what a president has to do is cast a vision and then work with people to help them find the resources and then support them to make things happen.
What has been the most unexpected aspect of being a university president?
An unexpected piece that was good was how much I’ve been able to connect with students. When I was serving as provost, I felt more disconnected from students than when I was a faculty member. I was afraid that as a president I would be even more removed. But not only have I sought lots of different connection points, students seek me out. I get the email, “KP, would you be willing to come to dinner at our apartment? We’d just like to host you.” I treasure that. Students are the reason we
Launch of Messiah’s first doctoral degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program
exist. I love spending time with students, and I think they help me tell the Messiah story better. I think of myself as chief storyteller. You have to know what’s happening in students’ lives to tell those stories.
The unexpected part of the presidency for me was how relentless the pace would be. As the president, you are thinking about everything every area of the university. In a time when there are more potential challenges and crises than ever before, it’s very difficult to shut off your mind. When I think about retirement, that’s one of the things I look forward to: not worrying or being so focused on enrollment numbers and giving numbers and have we filed the reports we need to, all those things that just come from leading. I felt like I had been a senior leader and I had been a provost but as the president you do think about all of it.
In what ways have students influenced your decisions or the direction of Messiah, and how important do you believe the student perspective is for the university’s future?
Students have really influenced me in two areas:
One is sustainability. Students challenged me about our practices on campus that made me realize it was really an aspect of
Messiah opens its Winding Hill facility to house its new Master of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.
“I love spending time with students, and I think they help me tell the Messiah story better.”
stewardship. If we talk about what it means to be a Christ-centered educational institution, loving and caring for God’s creation people and the physical world.
Also, it was a student who helped me understand that hospitality has to lead to belonging. The student said to me, “Hospitality is not enough” as they were understanding
CAMPAIGN RAISED $6.5 million
Completion of the $6.5 million Campaign for Wellness resulting in the opening of the Falcon Fitness Center and renovations to Sollenberger Sports Center (including Jordan Court, Sawyer Gymnasium and Fredricksen Natatorium)
the terminology “we want to belong. This is our place, too. You feel like you’re welcoming me? Well, I want to welcome you.” We had these interesting conversations. What does it mean for everyone here to experience a sense that this is my place? Now I’m much more conscious of talking about belonging because of students. Students have certainly been my teachers.
Where have you looked to find sources of support during your presidency?
The Board. I am very aware that I have an exceptional Board of Trustees. I have always experienced their support. I have always had
Opening of the Ralph S. Larsen Finance Lab
board chairs who I could call and say, “Here’s a situation that has come up. This is how I’m thinking of addressing it. What do you think?” They have been wonderful human beings who generously have provided advice; counsel; and financial and prayer support. My husband. Having a spouse who not only understood but really wanted to help me be the best president I could be, who cared deeply about Messiah, who had the kind of sense of humor that when I’m taking myself too seriously, he could help me put things into perspective. He put aside his own professional goals to fully support me and serve Messiah. My daughter, my brothers. I’ve had a close family network of support. Also, I have felt very supported by the Messiah community. A lot of people in their vocational lives may never receive expressions of thanks and affirmation. It’s something to treasure and not take for granted.
How has serving as Messiah’s president shaped you?
As president, there are lessons you learn about leadership, about making hard decisions, about how you communicate those decisions. I learned more about budget and finances than I ever wanted to, but it’s really important because you can’t fulfill the mission without the necessary resources.
Messiah begins its two-year response to the COVID-19 pandemic; keeping students and employees safe, remaining open for an in-person, on-campus educational experience and providing online learning options for those who need it.
I struggled early on in the presidency with imposter syndrome. I did not see myself as president. I saw myself as a teacher since I was 5 years old. I’d make my brothers sit, and I’d teach them. I didn’t necessarily see myself in this role [as president] and then worry, am I enough? Working through that to lead well and not to allow your doubts to overwhelm you so much is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. Look for signs of affirmation, such as being reviewed by the board or receiving community feedback. Trust evidence that you are being effective.
As you prepare to retire, what legacy do you hope to leave behind? What would you like to see continued or further developed by your successor?
Messiah’s mission as a Christ-centered institution is first and foremost. Our commitment to hospitality and reconciliation coming out of our faith commitment is part of my legacy. What I look forward to most with my successor is being a wonderful source of support to him/her. I see myself as someone who will make encouraging phone calls to my successor and be a sincere champion for how he or she attempts to lead the university. It will be exciting to see where and how Messiah fulfills its mission by a new leader.
Launch of Messiah’s first accelerated degree program (Master of Occupational Therapy 5-year program)
What challenges are ahead for the University and its next leader?
In a time when we’ve hit the undergraduate demographic cliff, we are continuing to work at enrollment while managing our financial resources well. We have a campus that’s cooperative and works together to accomplish goals. We have very good financial leadership at Messiah, but that challenge will continue to exist.
Another challenge is the current generation of high school students and some of their disaffection with the church not with Jesus but with the institutional church. It raises questions for Christian colleges and universities about how they will connect with those young people and how our requirements and guidelines are going to be received. A new president will quickly need to make a strong case for a college or university education but also for a Messiah education specifically.
And the new president will need to be prepared for any kind of disaster. When we prepared the pandemic plan, I remember thinking, well, we won’t use that. Well, in 2020, we did, and we have a much better pandemic plan now that we’ve gone through one. Lesson learned.
I always say there’s plenty to keep you awake at night, but there’s plenty to make you
want to get up in the morning. That will be true for my successor, too.
What will retirement look for you?
Kelly and I are going to live in Lancaster, and I look forward to being a part of that community. We both have identified volunteer assignments we want to be involved in. I’m going to be working with a nonprofit that hires college interns, just to be a mentor and to help with leadership development. I want to also help with refugee resettlement. (The Lancaster area resettles many refugees through Church World Service and Mennonite Central Committee.) Also, I recently joined the Board of Lancaster Mennonite Schools. Our daughter graduated from the high school, and I have a deep appreciation for the school.
I’m looking forward to being in a book club. I’ve always wanted to be in a book club.
Kelly and I look forward to a more relaxed schedule, to spend more time with family, cer tainly more time with our daughter who lives on the West Coast and is a professor. Life is meant to be lived with purpose and meaning, so it’s important for us to know we have identified how to engage in work that matters.
I’ve been grateful every day. It really has been an honor and a privilege. B
“ Messiah’ s mission as a Christ-centered institution is first and foremost. Our commitment to hospitality and reconciliation coming out of our faith commitment is part of my legacy.”
July 1, 2020
Messiah College officially becomes Messiah University!
Opening of the Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center
Opening of the Messiah University Cyber Center
An interview with Kelly Phipps, the first gentleman
FIRST GENTLEMAN
While most people on campus recognize President Kim Phipps, they might be less familiar with her husband, First Gentleman Kelly Phipps. Their love story began at Kentucky Christian University, where they were both undergraduates. More degrees for both of them soon followed.
“We decided to put Kim through her Ph.D. She wanted to go to Kent State and study under a certain professor. I got a job as a youth director of a church, which was going to be a temporary thing until I went to law school, and I ended up becoming the senior minister of the church,” he said.
Eventually, he attended the University of Akron to pursue a law degree and a master’s.
“It was the only school in the nation at the time that offered a master’s degree in campaign management. When I got into that
program, they wanted to know if I would think about going to law school, as well. I was trying to do a joint M.A.-J.D. I said sure. Then I got into law school and it got so overwhelming, I had to drop the M.A. program,” he said.
He still worked on political campaigns while practicing law, writing speeches and working for a state senator. Meanwhile, President Phipps who was then known as Dr. Phipps worked as dean of the faculty at Malone College.
“She always said she would move from Malone for only two colleges Eastern University or Messiah,” he said. “She came in one day and said, ‘They want to talk to me at Messiah.’”
They visited, and the first time wasn’t a charm. A couple years later, they visited again. She became academic dean at Messiah in 1998.
CAMPAIGN RAISED $83.4 million Phipps
“I didn’t come with her. I moved her and my daughter Brooke over here. We bought a home here, and I stayed in Ohio with my career. I was teaching. I was doing politics, and I had a job as a general counsel for a healthcare facility,” he explained.
Then Barry Goodling, Messiah vice president of advancement, visited and offered Mr. Phipps the opportunity to be the director of development in 1999.
“That was something new. That was challenging. I had been doing political
Creation of the Office of University Partnerships and the Bridge Center for Continuing Education
Completion of The Campaign for Messiah University: Learning for Life, Transforming the World ($83.4 million) the largest campaign in the university’s history funding The Messiah Fund and Scholarship Aid, Scholarship and Program Endowments, and new facilities including the Ralph S. Larsen Finance Lab, the Falcon Fitness Center, Sawyer Gymnasium, Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena, the Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center, an enhanced campus entrance, a renovated Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services, and hospitality and upgraded facilities at the Starry Athletic Complex
fundraising, so I said, 'Let’s give it a try.' The development department was small. President Sawatsky had a big campaign in mind. Messiah had never done anything like that before, I said, 'Mr. President, you don’t have the horses to draw this wagon. We’re going to have to build this department.’ We went from about six people to 23 people. And we raised $50 million.”
By the time the campaign ended, he stepped down as the director because it would have been a conflict of interest once Kim Phipps became president.
“I started my own law firm. I was able to practice law here in PA sponsored by Ron Katzman, a trustee of the college. I specialized in higher education law and worked with presidents of colleges that were in trouble,” he said. “I tried to be involved in the campus. I taught business law here for 10 years as an adjunct. I’ve chaired campaigns. I just tried to help wherever I could. The main goal was to help her in her presidency.”
Then another opportunity presented itself.
“The chair of the finance committee of the Board of Trustees came to me at my law office and said, ‘We have this big tract of land across from the university that we need to do something with, and we’ve been meeting in a committee for about 12 years trying to figure out what to do with it.’ He just handed me a big file and said, ‘Do something with it.’”
Completed expansion and renovation of the Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services
Since the project was so large, he gave up his law practice and formed the for-profit corporation, Rider-Musser Development, to build apartments and the roundabout at the entrance of campus. After spending several years on the project, he decided to retire in 2022 while volunteering in the pre-law advising program at Messiah.
When President Phipps retires this summer, they’ll make their home in Lancaster. After wearing many hats, he says he wants to be remembered in one way.
“This guy just did everything he could to help make his wife be a successful president. That’s what I did. It was not what I had envisioned for my life in terms of being a support role, but that’s fine. This has been a great place. The students every day remind you that this was a worthwhile place to spend your life,” he said.
Anna Seip
Phipps Family Scholarship
Kelly and Kim Phipps have spent their lives devoted to students and to Christian higher education. Kelly, when he served as the director of development, led one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the history of Messiah. After serving as provost, Kim was selected unanimously by the Board of Trustees to lead Messiah in a difficult time of transition. In the two decades since she became the president of Messiah, she and Kelly have had a transformative influence on Messiah. They also have demonstrated exemplary service to local, regional and national communities through their advocacy for Alzheimer’s awareness, the arts, higher education and community support services. Their impact on Messiah is profound and lasting. It seems only fitting that their daughter, Brooke, has chosen the vocation of teaching and scholarship. She will no doubt continue the Phipps’ legacy of commitment to students, to learning and to God’s world. They established the Phipps Family Endowed Scholarship to benefit students who demonstrate financial need and are in good academic standing.
TO SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF MESSIAH STUDENTS AND GIVE TO THE PHIPPS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP, VISIT: MESSIAH.EDU/PHIPPS_SCHOLARSHIP
Completion of Phase I of a Warmer Welcome Campaign (Sawyer
Phipps announces her plans to retire at the end of June 2025.
Pavilion and Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium)
President
JENNI HOWELL ’08
ALUM LANDS
SIX-FIGURE BOOK DEAL
GOTHIC BOARDING SCHOOL THRILLER DEBUTS IN APRIL
Although Jenni Howell ’08 says it was never a childhood dream to become an author, she recently signed a six-figure, two-book deal with Macmillan’s Roaring Brook Press. Her book “Boys With Sharp Teeth,” a gothic boarding school thriller, will debut in April. Although this is her first book to be published, she has been practicing her craft for years.
“It wasn’t a unicorn type thing. My first book was terrible. I don’t think anyone — even my best friends I shared it with — made it through the book, but I queried it anyway. Obviously, I didn’t get an agent with that book,” said Howell.
Then she wrote another book and queried more than 200 agents.
“There are not actually 200 agents worth querying,” she said
with a laugh. “They all said no. Every single one. Even though I got rejected by all of them, I was officially hooked.”
Then, she started a third book.
“The third book is the one that’s getting published. Twentyfive percent of agents said they
were interested in reading it. All of them rejected it in the end. I had figured out how to write a pitch, but not a book,” she said. You can learn so much from failing. Being surrounded by people telling me ‘no’ but also telling me ‘why.’”
As a history major, she knew how to objectively examine a text — including her own.
“My history degree is a huge part of my success. I’m able to edit fast and learn new skills. Let’s pull apart the pieces. Let’s see what makes this document tick. That all came from history classes,” she said. “All of those rejects I got, each time I had to pivot. It took breaking down the internal reactions of my story, being able to approach something without emotion.”
She sent the book back out and got a 100% request rate from agents wanting to read it.
“I had three agents offer to represent me. After three years of querying and rejection, everything’s exploding and I’m going to have a book in Barnes & Noble. God has always had his hand in it,” she said.
MESSIAH + DARK
ACADEMIA
“One reason they loved it is it’s a dark academia book at its heart. It’s full of philosophy, an homage to the one philosophy class I took at Messiah with Tim Schroeder. I remember vividly a discussion with him. He pointed at the open office door and asked, ‘Is that door open or closed? Where is that reality coming from in your head?’ Mental concepts of open
and closed and what is a door,” she said.
She also has a confession to make about a history capstone paper she wrote a couple decades ago for James LaGrand.
“I wrote a big 40-page paper in one night. I wasn’t procrastinating,” she said, laughing. “I’m almost 40. He’s allowed to know I wrote it in one night. That’s still how I am. I revised my book in a month.”
For those who are looking to get a book published, she offered this advice:
“You have to write a commercial pitch. Someone has to read your first sentence and go ‘ooh!’ They’re reading hundreds of pitches a day. Work on your book and your structure and your writing. Don’t neglect your ability to market it,” she said.
The book, geared toward ages 14-18, will go on sale April 8. Anna Seip
ALUMNI PROFILES
DENNIS HOOVER ’90
How to talk about politics
when we are tired of it
A MESSIAH ALUM DISCUSSES THE INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND POLITICS
As a political science major who works as the editor-in-chief at the Institute for Global Engagement, Dennis Hoover ’90 says politics is not a dirty word.
“Deep diversity and sincere disagreement about public issues is a part of life. Being a responsible citizen and neighbor sometimes means engaging in debate and difficult conversations with civility and constructive candor. We do need to be able to discuss politics and religion in ‘polite company’ that is, with discernment and mutual respect,” said Hoover.
After a contentious election year, the sentiment might be to stop talking about politics for a while. Hoover disagrees.
“Politics is not just about elections, campaign promises or donations, and jockeying for power. Rather, politics in its fullest sense is about the political community of which we are all a part. Healthy citizen participation and neighborly engagement means bringing one’s values into public
life values that for the Christian are naturally formed and shaped by faith,” said Hoover.
HOW MESSIAH SHAPED HIM
Hoover says he had wonderful professors and mentors who were caring, committed and intellectually gifted Christians who encouraged him to wrestle with spiritual, philosophical, theological and moral questions, including questions of peace and justice in a deeply divided world.
The Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
“The ‘if it is possible’ phrase injects a note of realism. In some cases, peace may be elusive, or perhaps only a more proximate peace may be reached agreeing to disagree, agreeably,” said Hoover.
Emily Groff ’26
Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers,” Jesus proclaims in the Beatitudes, “for they will be called children of God.”
FOR CHRIST
Out of all the writing he has done over the years, Hoover says his favorite piece is “Peanuts for Christ,” an essay he wrote for Religion in the News magazine. As a lifelong fan of the Charles Schulz comic strip, “Peanuts,” Hoover found something lacking in the memorials when the cartoonist died in 2000: Schulz’s faith.
In the piece, Hoover cited estimates that “10 percent of the 18,000 strips involved religion.” There was even a 1965 bestseller, written by Robert Short, “The Gospel According to Peanuts,” which used the strips as modern parables.
Hoover wrote that, while there was sweetness in “Peanuts,” there was also “a substructure of decidedly non-sugar-coated Christian theology God is sovereign, no matter how difficult things get; humanity is fallen, sustained only by the grace of God; there is an obligation of holy living, met not by ‘faith in ourselves’ but by reliance on the Holy Spirit.”
MEDICAL SCHOOL
MESSIAH MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS
LAND 100% ACCEPTANCE RATE
Six recent graduates from Messiah applied to medical school in 2024 — and all were accepted
BILLY JERDAN ’24, BIOLOGY
What’s it like to get accepted to your top choice for medical school? Ask Billy Jerdan ’24, who attends the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, his top choice for medical school. He says his biology and chemistry
classes at Messiah provided a base, upon which he can build his understanding of clinical cases.
“The hands-on experience provided by labs supported this understanding, and there were ample opportunities to participate in research projects with professors to further expand my knowledge and appreciation for the sciences in general,” he said.
He particularly recommends Messiah’s gross anatomy course at Messiah, which has proven extremely helpful in med school.
He says his Messiah professors David Foster, Larry Mylin and Anne Reeve, along with pre-med advisor Martha Smith, advocated for his success throughout his journey to med school.
IRA
MILLER ’21, CHEMISTRY
When Ira Miller ’21 started classes last fall at Ohio State College of Medicine, he says he was intimidated by the other medical school students.
“It seemed that they were all from highly ‘prestigious’ universities, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep up with them academically. After a few weeks, I realized I was just as capable as anyone else because of how hard the chemistry program [at Messiah] pushed me in my undergraduate studies,” said Miller. “The classes are tough for sure but it’s for your own benefit, and by the time you graduate you will know your stuff. You will be prepared to go to graduate school, to start a career as a scientist, to take the MCAT or whatever you choose.”
EVE MILLER ’23, BIOLOGY
Attending the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Eve Miller ’23 says Messiah gave her a foundation for success.
“I’m sitting there listening to a lecture on physiology and suddenly I hear Dr. Harm’s voice in my head going through the myosin-actin cross bridging cycle, and I use the concepts I learned in Dr. Klinegardner’s lectures every day,” she said.
A violinist, Miller says she appreciated that her chemistry professor provided endless support by showing up her concerts at Messiah. Now she’s a member of the Jefferson Chamber Orchestra.
She says she plans to specialize in ophthalmology, but her plans might change.
Fun fact: Eve and Ira Miller are siblings.
“ MEDICAL SCHOOLS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WELL-ROUNDED APPLICANTS, AND MESSIAH UNIVERSITY CERTAINLY PROVIDES A WELL-ROUNDED CURRICULUM TO HELP ME ACHIEVE MY CAREER GOAL.”
Wei-Jin (Michael) Lin ’24
WEI-JIN (MICHAEL) LIN ’24, BIOMEDICAL BIOLOGY
Although people told Wei-Jin (Michael) Lin ’24 that he was making the wrong choice by attending Messiah, he would argue otherwise.
“Since the first day of my freshman year, I began to realize how strong the academic curriculum is at Messiah University,” he said.
Now attending Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he wants to become a cardiologist/palliative care physician, providing medical and spiritual support to patients.
“Medical schools are always looking for well-rounded applicants, and Messiah University certainly provides a well-rounded curriculum to help me achieve my career goal. Attending Messiah University is one of the best choices I have ever made in my life,” said Lin.
He thanks Dr. Mylin, his research mentor, for his patience and guidance in teaching multiple research techniques, and Dr. Harms, who helped him find spiritual identity through the biology capstone and hours of in-person conversation.
JOSEPH VIDZICKI ’24, BIOCHEMISTRY
Attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine alongside his wife Abigail Casey ’24 (read all about her at right), Joseph Vidzicki ’24 says Messiah prepared him well academically and helped him grow in his faith. For any student who wants to attend medical school, he has some advice:
“Work hard now, because it will help in the future. Commit
yourself to the Lord, and He will guide your steps.”
“A significant portion of what we have covered so far had been covered well in the classes I’ve taken at Messiah. The faculty at Messiah are amazing! I would like to thank the whole chemistry and biology departments for their support throughout these past four years.”
ABIGAIL CASEY ’24, BIOCHEMISTRY
Abigail Casey ’24, who just finished her first semester at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, was part of the school’s early acceptance program as a high school senior.
“I was able to devote more time to my studies instead of interviews, the MCAT and other application stressors at the end of my college career. It also gave me more time to plan my wedding,” she said.
She and Joseph Vidzicki ’24 married in June of 2024 between graduation from Messiah and medical school.
“I was so grateful for my Messiah classes, especially biochemistry, gross anatomy and physiology, because they prepared me for the rigor of medical school. I’m undecided when it comes to specialty, but I am considering going into emergency medicine or endocrinology,” she said.
Emily Groff ’26
“I WAS SO GRATEFUL FOR MY MESSIAH CLASSES, ESPECIALLY BIOCHEMISTRY, GROSS ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, BECAUSE THEY PREPARED ME FOR THE RIGOR OF MEDICAL SCHOOL.”
Abigail Casey ’24
NATALIE BILBROUGH ’12
Meet Maryland’s assistant attorney general — a Messiah grad
NATALIE BILBROUGH ’12 SAYS HISTORY DEGREE PREPARED HER WELL
Natalie Bilbrough ’12 took her years of education from Messiah University and the University of Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law to become Maryland’s assistant attorney general in February 2024.
“We are the lawyers for the state, meaning we represent the state, the state agencies and the state public officials in legal matters, which ultimately means we are representing the Maryland public,” she said.
Work life consists of a lot of reading, writing, research and mulling over issues with colleagues. She works in the Office of the Counsel to the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland’s legislative body. The main part of
her job involves responding writing to requests for advice from members of the Maryland General Assembly regarding potential legislation. She and the rest of the Assembly also handle other legal issues that arise for the legislators, including repre sentation in court, if needed.
“Literally any problem could arise at any time,” she said.
A history major with a pre-law minor at Messiah, she says she chose to attend the University because she was looking for a smaller liberal arts college with a good reputation. During her tour as a prospective student, she found Messiah to be a good fit.
For her, Messiah reinforced the ideas of service to others, the importance of community and pursuing a life of learning from others. The analytical skills she learned as a history major in the Honors Program and through her study abroad at Oxford University prepared her to excel at law school.
“Do the best you can academi cally in undergrad. Push yourself to try new things that will hone your writing skills, your oral communication and just think ing on your feet. That could mean writing for the newspaper, working in the Writing Center or presenting a paper at a sympo sium,” said Bilbrough.
Since the Messiah campus is only minutes from the state cap ital of Harrisburg, she took the opportunity as a student to talk with local attorneys and learn about the inner workings of state government first-hand.
“My Messiah education shaped me at a high level by teaching me how to pursue a vocation, using my talents and interests in a way that meets the needs of the world,” she said.
Emily Groff ’26
OBITUARIES
IN MEMORIAM
ROBERT L. ERB
1951–2024
Robert L. Erb, known as “Bob” or “Mike” to family and friends, passed away in July. He was a dedicated employee of Campus and Building Services (formerly Campus Events), who worked part-time on night shift at Messiah for more than 30 years. For 25 of those years, he also worked full-time at United Methodist Children’s Home.
“Bob had a passion for the students here and worked closely with them in cleaning the Lottie kitchen. He felt it was important to instill good work habits in the student team. He loved working here and having fun with his coworkers. Bob was an important team member and will be dearly missed,” said Vice President for Operations Kathie Shafer.
We extend sincere condolences to his wife Sondra, family, friends and colleagues.
IN MEMORIAM
Ronald L. Miller, Ph.D.
1939–2024
Beloved music professor Ronald Miller passed away in August 2024 at Messiah Lifeways. He attended Messiah College and then completed a B.S. in music education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He taught instrumental music in the Susquehanna School District before studying musicology at Indiana University in Bloomington (Indiana), where he earned his doctorate.
Miller joined the Messiah faculty in 1968 and taught musicology, conducted choral ensembles and served as department chair for 22 years. He founded the Messiah College Singers, an 18-member touring choir that visited England three times. After retiring in 2003, he was named professor emeritus. Richard Roberson, former dean, said, “Ron studied with leading, internationally known musicologists and could have pursued research at the highest levels, but his focus was always on his teaching.”
Colleague Bill Higgins said, “Few universities the size of Messiah had the luxury of having a full time musicologist on staff. Literally all of our graduates who attended top graduate schools told me they passed the music history entrance exams with no deficiencies. Ron taught music history with great enthusiasm and very high standards. We all were blessed with his teaching and personality.”
Roberson added, “Music history can be deadly dull in the
wrong hands, but students loved his courses, and it delighted him to see them do well on the music history entrance exams. He was both deeply loved and respected by students, an outstanding model of a musician and a man of faith.”
We offer our deepest sympathies to his family, which includes many Messiah alumni: loving wife of 62 years, Joyce (Hilsher) Miller ’62; children Jeffrey S. Miller ’93 and wife Mindi ’93, Kathryn MillerJensen and husband Kyle Jensen,
and Suzanne McInroy ’99 and husband Mark; brothers James Miller ’54 and wife Eleanor ’57, and Leon Miller and wife Joan; and grandchildren Olivia ’25 and Eden Miller, Charlotte and Lucille Jensen, and Oliver, Fiona and Sidney McInroy.
We are deeply grateful that the Millers directed memorial gifts to the Ronald L. and Joyce H. Miller Scholarship Fund, in care of Messiah University, One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
IN MEMORIAM
VERNON ANDERSON
The Messiah community mourns the loss of friend, former employee and former trustee, Vernon E. Anderson, who passed away in October.
In addition to his work at Messiah, he owned Vernon Anderson Real Estate and co-owned Anderson-Stern
Construction Company. He was a longtime Rotarian, past president of the Mechanicsburg Rotary Club and former board member at Messiah Lifeways among other volunteer activities.
Generous supporters of various efforts at Messiah, he and his wife, Faye, established an endowed scholarship at the University in the late 1980s. Further, they were founding donors of the Friends of Messiah Sarasota winter dinner that evolved into the Sarasota Scholarship Endowment benefiting Floridian students who attend Messiah.
Bob Brown, director of charitable services at Messiah, said, “I had the privilege of knowing
Vernon in a variety of contexts and admired his many qualities. He certainly had an entrepreneur mindset – he was curious, had vision, was a risk taker, had a deep Christian faith and was a hard worker. He was genuine, cared about people and community and was generous. In my role at Messiah, I witnessed that
generosity. He was grateful and felt indebted to Messiah because of his time spent here as an employee and for the people he met. The impact of his ‘pay it forward’ mentality will benefit students for generations to come.”
We hold Faye and her family in prayer as they grieve their profound loss.
“He was genuine, cared about people and community and was generous. The impact of his ‘pay it forward’ mentality will benefit students for generations to come.”
Bob Brown, director of charitable services
Support Messiah’s next generation of world-changers
Lois Thuma ’62 exemplifies Messiah University’s legacy of Christ-centered service. Her impactful nursing career—including caring for patients at Zambia’s Macha Mission Hospital— embodies Messiah’s mission of service, leadership and reconciliation. Today, Lois continues to give back through the Heritage Society, ensuring future Messiah students gain the same transformative education.
learn more about how you can further messiah’s mission through your estate planning messiah.edu/give
Lois Thuma ’62 working at Macha Mission Hospital
1990s
Staci (Crawn) Zeman ’94 volunteers as a Girls Scouts unit manager and troop leader; a Boy Scouts troop officer; a junior varsity cheer coach; and junior wrestling coach.
Jennifer Grove ’97 works as the chief operating officer at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in Harrisburg, Pa.
Christopher Myrick ’99 and LaKeisha Colburn married at Asbury Park May 4, 2019. The Myricks announce
the adoption of Kinsley Morgan Myrick, born on Oct. 22, 2022. Myrick works as the director of strategic planning for Michael Kors in East Rutherford, N.J.
2000s
Deborah DeGeorge Harbin ’03 presented a one-woman show, “A Series of Wildfires,” at the New York City Fringe Festival in April of 2024.
Kelly (Keiper) Ilvento ’04 and spouse Peter announce the birth of Isaac Brian on Jan. 5, 2023.
Gabby Paolucci ’09 works as web platform manager at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, N.Y.
2010s
Adam Nobile ’12 completed a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University April 28, 2024.
Zachary Kantner ’14 and Laura Heffner married May 13, 2023.
Aaron Swarr ’15 and Victoria Mamola married Nov. 29, 2023, in Turks and Caicos.
Leah (Wagner) Conner ’17 and spouse Bradley announce the birth of Alora Hope on Nov. 21, 2023.
Catherine Springer-Sapp ’17 works as the college assistant professor of kinesiology and coordinator of health sciences at McDaniel College.
Allie (Sipes) Valdivia ’19 and husband Colby announce the birth of their child Elliot on Feb. 26, 2024.
2020s
Brooke Burton ’22 and Adrian Parker married Nov.
18, 2023, in Mocksville, N.C. She works as a venue hostess at the Morehead Inn in Charlotte, N.C.
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
Master of Social Work
Earn your online
If you have a passion for helping people and would like to be an advocate for change or a leader of programs who makes a difference in society, consider a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Messiah University. Messiah’s advanced generalist MSW will prepare you for professional licensure and a career in the growing field of social work. The program offers interdisciplinary focus areas in mental health, health or leadership in organizations
From one president to another
ROD SAWATSKY RECOMMENDS KIM PHIPPS
Looking back on President Phipps’ legacy of leadership,
June 14, 2004
Mrs. Eunice F. Steinbrecher Chair, Presidential Search Committee
Dear Eunice,
It is an honor and a privilege to be invited by Dr. Kim Phipps to write a letter of recommendation in support of her application to become my successor as the eighth president of Messiah College. Following much careful reflection, discernment and encouragement by many colleagues, she has decided to pursue this position even if earlier, perhaps in humble deference to me, she wasn’t convinced that she should become a candidate. However by now she is as it is sometimes said “hungry for the job” and will be disappointed, as will I, if someone else is chosen. She is at the same time realistic that other good candidates will surely apply and that giving leadership to Messiah College among all other Christian colleges is surely a choice position and a privilege which she cannot take for granted is hers for the asking. Yet I do wish to express my confidence to you as I have to her that she would (should!) be chosen on her own merits no matter what kind of competition she faces. Besides given all the leadership changes Messiah is currently experiencing, keeping Kim in the leadership role seems critical to the College’s stability and ongoing strength.
Kim came to Messiah as the academic dean when Don Kraybill served as provost. She quickly earned much respect from the faculty. When Kraybill resigned from his position I appointed Kim without a search but simply by polling the faculty who as I recall unanimously endorsed my proposal to have Kim serve as provost. Attaining such support so quickly was in itself a major feat. She has performed brilliantly as provost guiding the community of educators toward basic agreement on the details of the university structure, the selection of five deans of the five schools, increasing rigor in scholarship, the development of a new core curriculum, among many, many other major and more minor issues. In this process she has proven herself determined yet patient and prepared to compromise yet also to make difficult decisions. Her ability to make tough decisions is evidenced for example when she has dismissed several mid-career faculty members who were not meeting faculty defined standards of teaching, scholarship and service. She has challenged whole departments which she believed were not making the best decisions on matters such as the recruitment of faculty. Her vice president colleagues know well that she can be tough as well as very supportive and kind.
Kim in the leadership role seems critical to the College’s stability and ongoing strength. she can be tough as well as very supportive and kind.
Warmer Welcome dedications held in Oct.
LACROSSE STADIUM, PAVILION READY
During the fall Board of Trustees meeting, Messiah hosted dedication events for Sawyer Pavilion and the Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium as part of the Warmer Welcome Campaign for Messiah Athletics Oct. 17, 2024.
Executive Director of Development John Zeigler said, “Sawyer Pavilion, a state-of-the art hospitality center with locker rooms, officials’ rooms, a concession stand, community room, as
well as bathroom facilities, is a wonderful addition to our Starry Athletics Complex. The Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium creates greatly improved seating and an elevated press box within a fan supportive and visually appealing structure. We are so thankful for the generosity of Sawyer Products, the Witmer family and all who have contributed to help make what was once a dream now a reality.”
Messiah is grateful to campaign co-chairs David and Bonnie Millary and Brent and Mindy Smith along with all of the donors who contributed to the success of Phase I of the
campaign. As the University raises the remaining dollars necessary to provide improvements to baseball and softball in Phase 2, construction is scheduled to begin next summer on Lenhert Plaza named in honor of beloved mail carrier and No. 1 Falcon fan Sam Lenhert ’58 at the base of the Starry Athletics Complex. The overall cost of both phases is $7.3M and, at press time, the amount raised was $5.6M, which is 77 percent of the goal.
Impacting the world
Celebrating 40 years of educating nurses
As a part of this celebration, the nursing department is fundraising to support:
1. Equipment – Simulators are critical to expose students to a variety of clinical scenarios in the safety of the lab and under the guidance and coaching of the faculty.
2. Staffing – There is a nationwide nursing faculty shortage. Providing scholarship support via an endowment would attract nursing graduates to obtain their MSN and become future nursing educators.
3. The Macha connection – Messiah University has a long and rich history with the village of Macha, Zambia. There is an urgent and critical need for a well-equipped neonatal intensive care unit to be added to the hospital.
