THE
5D OUBLE ALUM HOLDS DUAL ROLES
Arkel Brown ’19, M.A. ’21 works as R.D., coach
24 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Messiah launches $75M initiative
Historic Commencements
12
4 ceremonies over 2 weekends
MESSIAH UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE VOLUME 2 2021
JPL
INSIDE LOOK
This aerial photo of Messiah University shows the configuration of new walkways, the campus green and the Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center, with the steeple of Hostetter Chapel serving as a point of reference for those who haven’t visited Grantham recently.
VO L . 1 1 3 , N O . 2
MESSIAH UNIVERSIT Y A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
THE
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Office of Marketing and Communications One University Avenue, Suite 3020 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717.691.6027 | www.messiah.edu PRESIDENT
Kim S. Phipps V I C E P R E S I D E N T F O R A DVA N C E M E N T
Barry Goodling ’79 A S S O C I AT E V I C E P R E S I D E N T O F M A R K E T I N G & C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
Carla E. Gross EDITOR
Anna Seip C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R
Nancy Soulliard GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Deb Hartranft Matt Logan M.A. ’17 DIRECTOR OF A L U M N I & PA R E N T R E L AT I O N S
Jay McClymont ’92 CONTRIBUTORS
Molly McKim ’23
10
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.
F E AT U R E S
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.
10 24
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.
4 HISTORIC COMMENCEMENTS
Messiah University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, disability and national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other Universityadministered programs.
Across two weekends, we celebrated the Messiah College Classes of 2020 and the Messiah University Classes of 2021.
© 2021 Messiah University
COVE R:
Arkel Brown ’19, M.A. ’21 attended Commencement in May for his graduate degree. The Bridge is printed on recyclable paper: 50/25 PCW EFC
NICK GOULD PHOTOGRAPHY
2 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
PUBLIC PHASE OF CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED Learning for Life, Transforming the World, a $75 million campaign, announced the launch of its public phase Sept. 16, 2021.
F R O M T H E E D I TO R IN THIS ISSUE, I PROFILED FOUR COMMENCEMENT CLASSES: UNDERGRADS AND GRADS FROM THE CLASSES OF 2020 AND 2021, DEFINITELY A FIRST IN MY TIME WORKING AT MESSIAH. THESE CEREMONIES MARK SO MANY MILESTONES—THE LAST CLASS TO GRADUATE FROM MESSIAH COLLEGE, THE FIRST TO GRADUATE FROM MESSIAH UNIVERSITY, THE FIRST DNP COHORT FROM 2020 GETTING A CHANCE TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE A YEAR AFTER THEY EXPECTED. THESE NEW ALUMNI PERSEVERED IN A PANDEMIC, WHICH IS STILL GOING ON.
As I interviewed them, a common thread emerged: giving back. On p. 19, you’ll meet Brandon Booth, M.M. ’20, who works at his dream job as a teacher at the school of the arts in Baltimore. He pursued a master’s in choral conducting—not to leave the school and get a better job with an advanced degree, but instead to serve his existing students as a better teacher.
24
32
D E PAR TM E NT S
ONLINE EXTRAS
4 FROM THE PRESIDENT
MESSIAH.EDU/THE_BRIDGE
5 OUR CAMPUS 5
Faces and Places
6
Heard Around Campus
7
Brain Waves
8
Campus News
27
OUR ALUMNI
27
Alumni News
28
Alumni Profiles
30
Class Notes
32
From the Archives
33
Obituary
Donate to the Learning for Life, Transforming the World capital campaign. Learn more about the Digital Harrisburg Initiative. Visit our Year of Reconciliation website.
Nathan Conklin ’15, MBA ’21 onboards U.S. mission teams through the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Taiwan. As borders closed, he switched gears and provided business mission consulting. Pursuing an MBA seemed like the next logical step. As these alumni give back to their communities, Messiah asks all of its alums to follow suit as we launch The Campaign for Messiah University: Learning for Life, Transforming the World, a $75 million fundraising campaign that supports our vision to educate students for a lifetime of learning opportunities. For more information, read our interview with Associate Vice President for Development Jon Stuckey on p. 24.
A N N A S E I P, E D I T O R
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 3
FROM THE PRESIDENT
A year of reconciliation and recommitting to learning
4 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
and reconciliation in church and society. The world needs Messiah graduates, and as Edmondson said, “Since we never need to stop loving, we never need to stop learning.” The recently adopted University Rising strategic plan for 2021-2024 reflects courage, confidence and creativity as Messiah moves forward to provide quality academic offerings to different populations of students across the life span—students who will use knowledge for the common good, students who will never stop learning. Our region, nation and world need Messiah students and graduates to lead and serve in the midst of challenging times.
K I M S. PH I PPS, PRESIDENT
A Year of Reconciliation To kick off the 2021-2022 academic year, President Kim Phipps began a conversation about the year ahead – a Year of Reconciliation, which is a key aspect of Messiah’s mission. “Reconciliation is a journey of listening, truth-telling, lamenting and allowing our hearts and minds to connect with people’s stories of pain, marginalization and injustice as we pursue transformation that repairs and restores broken relationships and systems. As outlined in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, we are urged to see the world anew, our actions rising forth from a new understanding. Reconciliation causes us to look outwardly toward Christ, instead of within oneself. When we are reconciled to God, we are prepared to do as Jesus instructed and to truly love our neighbors, regardless of what seemingly separates us,” said Phipps.
Reconciliation logo The icon in the logo is similar to the Mpatapo symbol for reconciliation. The bond or knot signified in the icon reminds us that opposing parties can discover a peaceful, harmonious reconciliation to conflict if they engage a process of listening to one another, apologizing, offering forgiveness and seeking healing. The circular elements of the icon represent the connections to all people. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: MESSIAH.EDU/RECONCILIATION
PHOTO: RYAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY
We made it—“together at Messiah!” Words cannot sufficiently express my gratitude for the resilient, positive spirit that carried our students, faculty, staff and administrators through this most unusual academic year. After months of vigilant COVID-19 testing; quarantines; enhanced health and safety protocols; and a hybrid blend of in-person and remote instruction, we celebrated four commencement ceremonies in the span of two weeks. To the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2020, thank you for your patience and for returning home to Messiah to celebrate your significant achievement. To the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2021, you persevered through an extraordinary time in history. Congratulations! I was delighted that Christina H. Edmondson, a noted educator, public speaker and writer, agreed to present both of the graduate commencement addresses May 15. In addition to recently serving as dean for intercultural student development at Calvin University, Edmondson is often sought after by churches to consult about leadership development, anti-racism and mental health issues. She brought a challenging message about the importance of learning for love. Edmondson encouraged our newest graduates to recommit to the deeper purpose of learning—“It is not good enough to just be educated ... learning just to know.” Rather, we must use our education in the pursuit of love, in the pursuit of what matters to God and what will make a difference to our neighbors. She said: “In the midst of deep political polarization, social unrest, well-fed biases and so-called truth to fit our anxiety—which is no truth at all—use learning for the sake of love. Use what you have learned to be of assistance. Use what you have learned to shine light. Use what you have learned to unite around what is redemptive and not propaganda. Use what you have learned to tell stories hidden and demeaned. Use what you have learned to love.” Edmondson’s timely message also resonates with Messiah’s commitment to embrace and implement programs that facilitate learning for life. Our expansion of dual enrollment; undergraduate, graduate and adult degree programs; licensures; and certificates seeks to broaden how we live out our mission of educating men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership
OUR
DEB HARTRANFT (LEFT)
FAC E S A N D P L AC E S
Looking for more Arkel Brown? He’s also on our cover. Working as a residence director for Grantham and Miller residences, Arkel Brown ’19, M.A. ‘21 also helps coach the women’s basketball team.
Double alumnus cultivates sense of belonging for students ARKEL BROWN ’19, M.A. ’21 MANAGES IT ALL When you’re an R.D. (residence director) at a university, there’s no typical day. Overall, though, you supervise R.A.s (resident assistants), make sure the building isn’t falling apart and try to give each student a sense of belonging. “You make sure the students feel comfortable, because you never know what a student is going through,” said Arkel Brown ’19, M.A. ’21, the R.D. for Grantham and Miller residences. “The R.D.s are like the parents of the dorm.” When he was an undergrad majoring in communications, he lived on campus all four years, so he knows the drill when it comes
to residences halls. But, he hadn’t planned on the role basketball would play in his Messiah experience—women’s basketball, that is. Arriving as a first-generation college student from Washington, D.C., he’d planned to walk on the basketball team, but they didn’t have room for him. So, he became the manager of the women’s team, working as a student assistant coach all four years of his undergraduate experience. “My intentions were to play for our men’s team, but, obviously, the Lord had something different for my life,” he said. “I come
from a huge basketball family. My aunt, Jeri Porter, coaches women’s hoops [at Francis Marion University]. Whether I was sitting in her practices, working her camps or going to her games, I have always been around the women’s game.” He then became the first—and, so far, only—graduate assistant coach for the team as he pursued his M.A. in intercollegiate athletic leadership, which he completed in May. He’s now the assistant women’s basketball coach. “It’s the best feeling knowing that Coach [Mike] Miller trusts me and loves me enough to keep me here for two years as a grad assistant and then offer me another spot as an assistant coach. I am blessed,” he said. While Brown works to champion acceptance and belonging
in the residence halls, he also realizes the challenge for student-athletes of color at a predominantly white university. To help, he recently helped launch the Messiah Student-Athletes of Color Council, a club where he serves as an advisor. “For me, this is a huge milestone for Messiah athletics,” he said. “The club means that our student-athletes of color have another safe space for them to come and be themselves.” With his recent graduate degree and new positions as R.D. and assistant coach, Brown remains fully immersed in the Messiah experience, helping students find their way. — Anna Seip
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 5
OUR
HEARD AROUND CAMPUS
WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR MESSIAH GRADUATION CEREMONY?
“ I remember that I did not have to work an event that I planned, getting my diploma and a hug from President Phipps and my teenaged sons actually wanting to have their picture taken with me that day.”
“ Reflecting over Messiah’s graduate and undergraduate ceremonies, a most prominent memory was my community of support. What an immense gift to have multiple Messiah faculty and staff members rally around me—not only at Commencement, but throughout the journey.”
“ As we laughed and took photos, processing the last 4 years, I knew we were leaving a really special place that I learned to call home.”
— Lauren C. Allen ’07, M.A ’18, executive assistant for diversity affairs and program coordinator for the office of faculty development
— Heather Negley, MBA ’17, project coordinator and executive assistant
— Virgil Angeles ’18, admissions counselor
“Wow. Talk about constant goosebumps. From the time I dressed in my cap and gown to the processional over the covered bridge to receiving my diploma from President Phipps, those goosebumps never went away. I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment and success to see all my hard work (after 25+ years!) fulfilled. I’m very proud to finally be a Messiah alum!” — Yonette Schneider, M.A. ’16, executive coordinator for advancement events
“What was most memorable “ I most remember celebrating for me about my graduation graduation day with my loved ceremony was the speech ones. I was so happy to share given by Dr. Christina the day with family members, Edmondson. I greatly some of whom are no longer appreciated how she so with us. And I remember the beautifully acknowledged excitement of sharing the day the challenges and pain that the year 2020 presented with fellow graduates, many to many while sharing of whom are still close friends important truths that to this day. We all somehow encouraged us to embrace fit into Hitchcock, which the future with hope and joy.” — Orlando Q. Williams, M.A. ’17, coordinator of internships and multicultural programs
would be impossible now!” — Beth Transue ’93, information literacy librarian
6 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
“ Beyond the unseasonable cold and hard rain, I remember feelings of hopefulness and deep gratitude. There was also a sense of pride in being the first in my family to graduate from college.”
— Christy Hanson ’03, dean of experiential learning
For a very special Commencement memory from the Class of 1992, please turn to our From the Archives article on p. 32.
B R A I N WAV E S
ADOBE STOCK
Going on a cross-cultural via Zoom? MESSIAH SERVES ECUADOR VIA ONLINE PILOT PROGRAM Weeks away from traveling to their three-week cross-cultural trips all over the world, Messiah students were at a loss when COVID-19 restricted global travel in May. Since many of them were seniors who needed to meet the cross-cultural requirement to graduate, they had to regroup. Enter Robin Lauermann, professor of politics at Messiah, who quickly developed a virtual class called Culture and Civil Society in Ecuador. In addition to lectures and learning activities, the students worked on shortterm group service projects with community partners in Quito, the country’s capital. “That was an innovation for me and an innovation for them,” said Lauermann. The students worked in groups, helping four organizations. They developed a fundraising campaign to help Casa Mis Sueños, an organization for youth and women at risk, to be able to buy a truck. Others helped an Ecuador chapter of the ministry Open Air Campaigners, creating a website from scratch. A third group worked with Revolution, which helps indigenous populations in extreme poverty, with
MECHANICSBURG, PA
QUITO, ECUADOR
fundraising and paperwork to become an official nonprofit. Students exceeded partner expectations with their deliverables, bringing some partners to tears, according to Lauermann. Morgan Orndorff ’21, a nutrition and dietetics major, worked with The Highlands, a ministry
“I have some students who have reached out and said they still want to volunteer. They realized there’s value in what they do. They don’t have to go somewhere to work with folks.” — Robin Lauermann, professor of politics
that shares the Gospel with those living in the Andes Mountains, to develop a new website. She originally had planned to go to Greece and Turkey for her cross-cultural. “At first, I was very disappointed ... I was not going to be able to travel to Turkey and Greece,” she said. “However, I shifted my perspective. My virtual connections with the community of Ecuador helped me to better understand the importance of building a strong community.” Working via Zoom proved beneficial in many ways. The class, which is usually limited to 12 students, now could accommodate 26. Students also could balance a full-time job in a different
time zone while also completing the cross-cultural. This virtual experience also offers a potential model for students who can’t attend a cross-cultural, even in a non-pandemic world. Students also have the option of continuing virtual volunteering long after the class is over. “I have some students who have reached out and said they still want to volunteer. They realized there’s value in what they do. They don’t have to go somewhere to work with folks,” said Lauermann. “We were able to be the hands and the feet in this truly unexpected way.” — Anna Seip
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 7
OUR
CAMPUS NEWS
DEB MARTIN HARTRANFT
Human Library event—in which participants “check out” a person, who, in turn, provides personal story—was held via Zoom for the first time. “We are adding bingo,” said Poston, “which proved to be a success during the pandemic.” BUILDING BRIDGES
Above: As Murray Library shifts to a more digital catalog, students can benefit from 600,000+ ebooks and other resources. Above right: Depending on pandemic protocols, events such as mini golf may return to the library’s schedule.
WHAT’S NEW AT THE LIBRARY? This summer, Murray Library migrated to a new system called Primo. The system adds a “discovery” layer to the search experience for users who are looking for library print books, ebooks, online journal articles and streaming. All it takes is one search on a topic, and the results will integrate to include everything—a timesaving alternative to searching in individual databases. “Our system previously was a 20-year-old system, which was more print-based,” said Linda Poston, director of the library. In the next six months, the library also will roll out a new online tool called CloudSource OA,
available on the library website for students and faculty to quickly search open-access resources. The research content can be used or adapted freely. Faculty then can use these resources for course textbooks—saving students on textbook costs. “Open access is a big wave for libraries,” said Poston. “The purpose is for faculty to benefit from what other faculty have written. It’s online. It’s digital. This is the coming thing. This is to help the students.” WHAT ELSE HAS CHANGED? The biggest shift in libraries everywhere involves going from print and physical items to online and digital. For Messiah, that means offering 600,000+ ebooks and other digital resources
8 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
along with developing online library instruction modules for emerging programs. The way librarians help users has changed, too. Poston encourages students to familiarize themselves with the library and its website. “Make a friend of the librarian assigned to your area,” she said. “We have chat, which is different than it used to be years ago. Students can get research assistance online, which is much different than having librarians staff a research desk next to the circulation desk.” UPCOMING EVENTS Pandemic protocols pending, the library is tentatively planning popular events such as Live Clue and mini golf. This spring’s
Poston says she oversees staffing, the library’s budget, strategic planning of resources and stays abreast of the user experience, among many other things in her role. Most of all, though, she says she tries to connect with others and serve as a bridge builder. “I advocate for the library to students, faculty and administration and connect the library staff with the big picture and strategic plan of the University as a whole,” she said. —Anna Seip
FUN FACT From cubicles to study rooms to booth seating to chairs placed throughout the building, there’s no shortage of seats in the library. “ We have over 500 seats in the library. I went around and counted,” said Poston.
Digital Harrisburg wins award PUBLIC HUMANITIES PROJECTS RECOGNIZED FOR LEADERSHIP
with historians, humanists and computer science professors at Messiah; community organizations; state librarians and archivists; and many university students in the humanities and geospatial studies. “On a simple level, we’re trying to build a more inclusive narrative of the region’s significant but often forgotten past through digital storytelling and public humanities activities,” said Pettegrew. “We want local residents to discover value in the history of the region.” —Staff report FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: DIGITALHARRISBURG.COM
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID PETTEGREW
The Digital Harrisburg Initiative (DHI), a collaborative project of Messiah University, Harrisburg University and community partners, recently won a Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). The application for the award centered especially on Messiah’s work with the Commonwealth Monument Project but also included the Pennsylvania History special issue and the wide range of public humanities projects that University students and faculty carried out in collaboration with local organizations. The AASLH awards recognize achievement in the preservation
and interpretation of state and local history. “It is always inspiring to see the amazing work of individuals and organizations across the nation through the Leadership in History Awards program,” said Christy Crisp, national awards chair, “but the challenges we have all faced over the past 18 months make the incredible work displayed through this year’s award-winning projects all the more extraordinary.” DHI is marketed to audiences in our region via public programming, social media and a dedicated website that functions as a portal to various projects. Professors David Pettegrew, Jean Corey, and Bernardo Michael at Messiah University spearheaded the initiative, framing the historical questions through programming of the institution’s Center for Public Humanities, while Professor Albert Sarvis at Harrisburg University directs all geospatial elements. Their work builds on partnerships
Digital Harrisburg recently received an award for its work with the Commonwealth Monument Project.
FINANCE CLUB HITS $500,000 Despite challenges of COVID-19 in the 2020-2021 academic year, the Investment Club at Messiah adapted and continued its biweekly meetings via Zoom. Virtual meetings allowed for alumni speakers, such as Matt Meads ’15 from Hershey Trust and Jesse Weidemann ’11 from Wells Fargo Investment Banking to join as guest speakers. For the club’s portfolio, a select group of students—working as portfolio analysts—met weekly in the Ralph S. Larsen Finance Lab to perform in-depth research using Bloomberg terminals. The performance of the portfolio proved exceptional, generating a one-year return of 56 percent. As a result, the club’s portfolio value exceeded $500,000. The appreciation in the portfolio allowed the club to donate to charities, such as Helping Hands Ministries, Caitlin’s Smiles, Bethesda Mission and Accounting Beyond Borders. —Staff report M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 9
Q4 A
COMMENCEMENTS
How many Commencements does it take to get through a pandemic? The short answer is
By Anna Seip
In May, Messiah University made history by hosting 4 Commencement ceremonies over 2 weekends in May, conferring degrees on 1,699 students. How is that possible?
May 8, double undergraduate Commencement weekend
May 15, double graduate Commencement weekend
We took a look back—honoring the undergraduate Class of 2020, which was unable to have an in-person ceremony in May 2020 because of the pandemic. Then, getting back on schedule, we also held the Class of 2021 undergraduate ceremony a few hours later.
One week after the undergrads received their degrees, the School of Graduate Studies honored the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 in separate ceremonies. To make it easy on you, we’ve numbered and labeled each ceremony on the following pages.
1 0 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
1 May 8, 2021
UNDERGRADUATE
Class of 2020 A long-awaited time of celebration, the Class of 2020—the last class of Messiah College—returned to campus for their official ceremony, many flying in from far-flung states and countries where, for the past year, they’d been busy attending graduate school or starting their careers.
Teaching awards Dr. Robert and Marilyn Smith Awards for Outstanding Teaching: Michael Dolislager, associate professor of economics and economic development
H. David Brandt
Isabel Gonzalez ’20
academic dean and academic vice president from 1977-1988
English, biblical and religious studies, double major
Commencement speaker and honorary doctorate recipient
Donald and Anna Zook Alumni Merit Award
Outstanding Cocurricular Educator Award: Amy Nicols, director of interna-
tional student programs (received the award when working as an R.D.)
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 1 1
NICK GOULD PHOTOGRAPHY
John Harms, professor of biology
“I am so proud of this community, including each and every one of you, for how you bore witness to our namesake, the Messiah, during such challenging times.” — President Kim S. Phipps
1 2 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
1
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
UNDERGRADUATE
Class of 2020
Rebekah Forshey ’20 Engineering with a concentration in biomedical engineering, with a minor in youth ministry
D
espite a global pandemic disrupting commencement ceremonies everywhere in May 2020, Rebekah Forshey ’20 moved forward. The week after virtual Commencement, she moved to Dallas, Texas, to pursue a Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Through her studies, she works with the Scottish Rite for Children Hospital in Dallas. “As part of my graduate program, I am researching the biomechanics of running prostheses in unilateral pediatric amputees,” she said. “My favorite part of my education, however, is getting to meet our patient models. These are patients of our instructors who come into our classes to allow us to make prosthetic and orthotic devices for their use. It is great experience for both our technical skills and patient interactions.” As a Messiah student, Forshey received the 2020 Scroggin Award, an annual honor from the engineering department given to one graduating senior—which she “received” remotely. “This award is typically given at our annual engineering senior dinner … but, because of COVID, the engineering faculty put together
a celebration video for all the seniors,” she said. “I was already in Dallas, so I was watching the video in my apartment. I
project team. Outside of class, she pursued leadership opportunities, such as serving as a resident assistant and the president of Messiah’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. “As someone who is passionate about women in science, it was a complete blessing to represent the women engineers of Messiah and provide a space to develop friendships and professionalism in our field,” she said. “And most importantly, my experience as a resident assistant and senior resident assistant gave me friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I learned about having hard conversations, being present in both good and bad moments, and how to build community from the ground up.” After she completes her final semester in Dallas, she must complete two residencies— one in prosthetics and one in orthotics, which will take approximately two years—then pass five board exams to become a certified prosthetist orthotist. “My experiences in and out of the classroom at Messiah confirmed that patient care in prosthetics and orthotics is my true calling, since it allows me to use my technical knowl-
“MY EXPERIENCES IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AT MESSIAH CONFIRMED THAT PATIENT CARE IN PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS IS MY TRUE CALLING” — Rebekah Forshey ’20
was incredibly excited and humbled to receive the award.” Through the Collaboratory at Messiah, she worked on the Cunningham Clubfoot Brace team, traveling to the CURE International Hospital in Kijabe, Kenya, twice with the
edge and love for people simultaneously,” she said. “I would not have been successful in my transition to graduate school without the mentors and friends that I gained from Messiah.”
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 1 3
2 May 8, 2021
UNDERGRADUATE
Class of 2021 Hours after the Class of 2020 graduated, the Class of 2021 took their place on Shoemaker Field as the first class to graduate from Messiah University.
Teaching awards Dr. Robert and Marilyn Smith Awards for Outstanding Teaching: Dwayne Safer, associate professor of finance
Erin Boyd-Soisson, professor
Soong-Chan Rah
Lydia Pebly ’21
author and a Robert Munger professor of evangelism at Fuller Theological Seminary
English with teaching certification, TESOL minor
Commencement speaker 1 4 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
Donald and Anna Zook Alumni Merit Award
of human development and family science
Outstanding Cocurricular Educator Award: Josiah Hatfield,
Bittner residence director
NICK GOULD PHOTOGRAPHY
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 1 5
2 J
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
UNDERGRADUATE
Class of 2021
ust when he’d finished up his homework and graduated in May, Joshua Reid ’21 hit the books all over again in August. Working at a Christian afterschool program called The Mix, he’s working with children as part of a yearlong service placement through the Shalom Project in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
“I didn’t so much choose this service placement,” he said. “It was impressed on my heart. It’s a program for kids in the Lancaster area where they can not only do their homework but also have a place for community. The kids are in an environment where they can learn about the Gospel.” The Shalom Project serves as an intentional community of young adults who effect social change through lives of service. Participants live together in a house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, serving full-time in professional internships and participating in weekly seminars aimed at personal growth and Christian formation. Shalom covers living costs, including room and board, in addition to a small stipend. “The reason why I decided to do a service placement in lieu of rushing to find a job is because I felt that I wasn’t ready to find a job yet,” said Reid. “Sure, COVID-19 and other factors proved job finding difficult, but another reason I decided to do a service placement after college was because I’ve always wanted to do something like this. I enjoy helping the community and so, when I found the opportunity in the form of The Mix to help the community and the kids within it, I jumped at the chance. For the moment, I’m going to
enjoy working with the community.” The sense of community at Shalom is a continuation of what he felt as a student at Messiah University. He says his history professors helped him see history—and his place within it—in a new way. “They forced me outside of my comfort zone when it came to understanding history and the scholarship surrounding it. They also forced me to see myself in a different light, particularly when it came to public speaking and presenting at conferences like the 2019 and 2020 Humanities Symposiums and the National Undergraduate Research Conference,” he said. “Additionally, several friends I made through my time at Messiah from the history students to faculty and staff also helped me see my faith in a different way.” What advice does he have for prospective Messiah students? Tour campus, visit during on open house day, see what piques your interest. In the meantime, he’s busy mentoring future Falcons at The Mix. “The ability to work with kids and encourage, equip, empower, educate and engage with them in a way that empowers them long after I’m done with the placement would be a blessing,” he said.
Joshua Reid ’21 History major with a minor biblical and religious studies Joshua Reid ’21 (center) met a Tuskeegee Airman (left) with Professor of History Bernardo Michael (right). 1 6 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
Brooke (Breinich) Bury ’21 Accounting major
In
only three years, Brooke (Breinich) Bury ’21 graduated as an accounting major. How’d she do it? “It helps if you come in with credits,” she said, “but Messiah will give you a plan to work from if you want to graduate early. They’ll make that happen.” In those three years, she also found time to play on the women’s basketball team. Time management proved to be key to her success. “I remember going to a Sweet 16 game and taking an accounting final proctored by one of my coaches on the bus,” she said. “It comes down to personality. If you want to be diligent, you can.” When she was searching for college, she was searching for three things: academics, a faith-based institution and athletics. She found all of those—along with a fourth. “It’s a word that gets thrown around at Messiah all the time, but that’s community,” she said. “You find your people here, and it’s something you can’t find anywhere else. The people make the experience. The people here are fantastic.” This month, she starts working as an audit associate at RKL, an accounting and business consulting firm in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, her hometown.
“You, the Class of 2021, exhibited grace, setting the example for others as we worked diligently to define the new normal of this most unusual year.” — President Kim S. Phipps
If
you’re looking for a man with a plan—a financial plan— look no further than Ryan Althoff ’21.Among 200 entrants, this finance major won the CFA Society Pittsburgh’s annual Collegiate Personal Financial Plan Competition for students attending schools in Pennsylvania during the 2020-21 school year.
Ryan Althoff ’21 Mathematics with double minors in finances and statistics
“I submitted a plan as part of an assignment for a finance course that I completed at Messiah this past spring,” he explained. “The goal was to construct one-year, three-year and five-year projections of future income and expenses, tax liabilities and retirement contributions, among other financial considerations.” In April, well after the competition, he found out that he’d won. He was stunned. “I am just grateful to have had the opportunity to participate and have been humbled by the encouragement I have received from peers and Messiah faculty members in response to the results,” he said. He gives thanks specifically to Dwayne Safer, Messiah’s assistant professor of finance, who had a significant impact on Althoff’s academic journey. “He regularly recommends internships and research opportunities to his students and consistently demonstrates a vested interest in their success. I certainly would not be where I am today without him,” said Althoff.
In addition to Messiah’s academics and its community, Althoff acknowledges his faith transformation during the past four years. “My Messiah education has given me the gift of time and space to grow in my understanding of identity in light of the redemptive work of Christ,” he said. “I have been fortunate to meet numerous brothers and sisters in the Lord who have challenged me in my faith walk and have modeled trust and accountability in authentic relationships.” He now works as a financial analyst with LifeGuide Financial Advisors in Mechanicsburg. “Regardless of where my career may take me, I have come to see the call upon my life as a daily act of worship and surrender that transcends the office that I enter in the morning. I think this is consistent with the essence of the Great Commission — making Jesus known regardless of where He leads. Sometimes, simply being in His presence and listening for His voice is more important than having all the answers,” said Althoff.
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 1 7
May 15, 2021
GRADUATE
Class of 2020 At Hitchcock Arena, the School of Graduate Studies honored the Class of 2020, who had waited an entire year for an in-person ceremony in light of the pandemic. This milestone included the first cohort of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
Christina Edmondson Dean for Intercultural Student Development at Calvin University Graduate Commencement speaker 1 8 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
GRADUATE
Class of 2020
At
Connexions, a community-based arts school in Baltimore, Maryland, Brandon Booth, M.M. ’20 works as the arts director, vocal music teacher and department chair. Baltimore is where he grew up, and he’s giving back by teaching the arts to future generations. “We should be able to take anyone from any walk of life and turn them into an artist by the time they leave,” he said. Music has always been a part of his life. For his undergraduate degree, he earned a B.S. in music engineering technology at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. He traveled with the university’s concert choir and played the Tin Man in “The Wiz.” “I was a piano major, learning everything in the studio—sound waves, math, physics. There’s so much that’s involved,” he said. He has worked at Connexions for six years. He’s already doing the work he loves. Why get a graduate degree at Messiah? “I wanted to dive deeper into what I already knew, to give my students my best. I felt there was something I was missing that I had to have for my students,” he explained.
“[At Messiah], you’re studying French, Italian, German and Latin and how to correctly pronounce these things. In that journey is an entire wealth of experiences you engage in. This is different from the choir classroom. Let’s work on these syllables. Let’s work on these vowels.” He says the program is also ideal for the classroom teacher, with the intensives scheduled in the summertime. The accessibility of Messiah professors—especially Rachel Cornacchio, professor of music—proved invaluable to his graduate school experience. “Dr. C, she’s a phenomenon. The entire music staff was a family, so embracing. Maybe it’s just a Messiah thing,” he said. “They would say, ‘Hey, call me on my phone. Can I help you?’ They pulled me so far out of my comfort zone. I needed that to make me a
Brandon Booth ’20 Master of Music, choral conducting better educator.” So, the teacher became the student for a period of time in order to become a better teacher. As the Connexions kids enter Room #209 and meet Mr. Booth, a wealth of knowledge and expertise awaits them.
T
he Class of 2020 made history for many reasons—one of which involved a global pandemic. But, the graduates of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program achieved another milestone: They’re the first cohort to graduate with a Messiah University doctoral degree. For Jaime Klomps, DNP ’20, the four years spent earning a terminal degree were anything but dull.
Jaime Klomps ’20 Doctor of Nursing Practice
“I came into the program as a full-time RN and also working two other positions in nursing at other facilities,” she said. “I quickly learned that the program truly means that it is a full-time job of its own. I found a way to balance three kids, which became five, by the end of the program—and still managed to float several jobs at a time during the program. So, if I can do it, anyone can do it.” She says she researched a lot of different schools to find the right DNP program. What made her choose Messiah? The people made the difference. “No one else had professors who were approachable. The nursing faculty made me feel connected and an important member of the Messiah community,” she said. “They never
failed to be available or to offer advice—or to even just let us vent. The classes are small and intimate. It allows for everyone to connect with each other and the faculty.” She now works as a certified nurse practitioner as a surgical oncology outpatient center at Penn State Health. “When you become an NP, you go from the person taking all the orders, to ordering meds and becoming a patient’s pre-op and post-op person,” she said. “Messiah pushed us to strive for better and drilling the thought of ‘Messiah rigor’ into our work ethics. I was able to learn how to critically think and use a more in-depth knowledge base to protect and help patients in an advanced role.”
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 1 9
4 May 15, 2021
GRADUATE
Class of 2021
2 0 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
4
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
GRADUATE
Class of 2021
said Michael. “They had to begin learning English virtually, and many of them had never used a computer before. The first few weeks in August were tough for all of us, but my students were resilient and they pushed through and learned a lot this year. We didn’t get through as much content as previous years, but my students know how to navigate a computer much better now than my students in the past and took great strides in their language learning despite the majority of their school year being virtual.” BECOMING THE EXPERTS
Kelly Pallavaram ’21 and Kaitlin Michael ’21 Master of Education, teaching language and content
S
ome students use the buddy system when attending Messiah’s School of Graduate Studies. Kelly Pallavaram, M.Ed. ’21 and Kaitlin Michael, M.Ed. ’21 both pursued the teaching language and content track of the Master of Education degree.
Both English as a second language (ESL) teachers at Chambersburg Area School District in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, they first met Jan Dormer, Messiah’s associate professor of TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) at a seminar in 2018 for their district. “Through her, we learned about the teaching language and content graduate program at Messiah,” said Pallavaram. “We enrolled together and took most of our classes together with Dr. Dormer’s steadfast guidance along the way as our advisor. Kaitlin and I shared resources, gave each other feedback and, most importantly, encouraged one another to keep going.” PANDEMIC LEARNING CURVE
The pandemic coincided with the teachers’ studies, giving them valuable—and unparalleled—experience they never would’ve received otherwise.
Pallavaram adapted her capstone to incorporate the COVID-driven shift to compulsory online learning for all children into her project. “Rather than abandoning my passion for in-person classroom contexts, I was able to view language learning through the lens of the pandemic and examine the ways virtual learning affects young ELs (English learners), their second language acquisition and their ability to access grade-level academic content. The end result was a capstone project that was more relevant and useful than I had initially imagined,” she said. For Michael, the pandemic hit in the middle of her field experience semester, so she had to get creative. Thankfully, she had a handful of students willing to record online Zoom lessons with her, which prepared her for a full year of virtual and hybrid teaching the following year. “I teach middle school to ELs in our district, and the pandemic was hard on them,”
When their supervisor found out about Pallavaram’s capstone project and Michael’s thesis, she asked them to share their findings with their school district through a professional development flex day at the end of the school year. “We were able to share our research with 50 teachers and support staff from the district,” said Michael. “Kelly shared about how to support our returning ESL students after a year of hybrid and virtual learning as well as teaching our colleagues how to read a WIDA [World- Class Instructional Design and Assessment] report and understand areas of strength and need for individual students. I took my research, interviewing my own newcomer students about virtual learning, and was able to share what students want from their teachers in the classroom and how best to support them, in person and virtually.” After completing their degrees, both women say the collaboration and their friendship have made them better teachers. “Messiah educated me in the most current and relevant best practices for TESOL. I now truly feel like an expert in my field,” said Pallavaram. “I am better prepared to serve my ESL pupils and their families as they navigate American school experiences. Messiah has made me a stronger and more qualified educator.” B
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 2 1
2 0 2 1 G R A D U AT E C O M M E N C E M E N T
! May
Oh, happy
2 2 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
2021 EVENTS “Unity in Variety: Musical Path to Reconciliation”
invites you to the
Mendelssohn Piano Trio October 31, 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series
“Much Ado About Nothing” by William Shakespeare
Calvin and Janet HIGH CENTER for WORSHIP and PERFORMING ARTS
November 11-13; 19-20 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 14 & 21 at 3 p.m. Sponsored by the Department of Theatre and Dance
Messiah University Symphony Orchestra featuring Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series
Messiah University Christmas Concert
December 5, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Department of Music
Christmas with Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass December 8, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series
2022 EVENTS “Reconciliation of Rivals” Mendelssohn Piano Trio with Stuart Malina and Sara Cyrus January 30, 4 p.m.
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series
“The Adventures of Civility: A Conversation with Krista Tippet” 2022 Humanities Symposium Keynote Lecture February 24, 7:30 p.m.
Azaguno
“Nukp kp ”: An evening of traditional and contemporary African music and dance April 2, 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series
2021-2022 SEASON For more information, visit
messiah.edu /highcenterseason.
“An Evening with Mae Jemison” April 13, 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Office of the President
Susquehanna Chorale Spring Concert
May 15, 4 p.m. Linda Tedford, artistic director, founder, conductor; professor emeritus, Messiah University
F E AT U R E S T O R Y
WHAT WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR
Ch
Fa
ar le
on
s
F. F
lc
Jo
rd a
re
yC o m m u te r Lo u n
Fit
ge
ness
Ce nte r
n C ou r t
Kim S.
Ph
Ra
lp
h
S.
La
rse
2 4 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
a n Fi n a n ce L
b
Ad
e
r
ip
ps
mi
ssi
ons a n d We
e eC m o c l
nt
MESSIAH ANNOUNCES PUBLIC PHASE OF $75M CAMPAIGN
WHY NOW?
Messiah College changed its name to Messiah University July 1, 2020, ushering in a new era, while remaining faithful to the mission it has always held. “We view this campaign as a catalyst from Messiah College to Messiah University— which has become more of a comprehensive institution of higher education,” said Jon Stuckey, associate vice president for development. “President Kim Phipps has outlined a vision where Messiah no longer offers only traditional undergraduate degrees, but also graduate programs (including doctoral programs), programs for adult learners, degree completion, certifications and continuing education.” REMAINING FAITHFUL
What makes Messiah University unique is a rich blend of Christian faith and academic rigor, qualities that have remained steadfast during the institution’s history. This campaign extends that tradition, transforming Messiah of the past to Messiah of the future, while keeping Christ preeminent and remaining rooted in Christian faith. “Christ Preeminent remains our motto. We honor Christ in all we do. It goes back to how we educate students to become more gracious
LISA TROBAUGH
The Campaign for Messiah University: Learning for Life, Transforming the World launched its public phase Sept. 16, 2021. This $75 million campaign seeks to propel Messiah toward its next stage of growth with a renewed emphasis on a high-quality, Christ-centered undergraduate education and an expanded focus on graduate and adult learning programs. and kind citizens who can work as reconcilers in the world,” said Stuckey. “We’re also fostering people of hope who leave here hopeful and not fearful about the future, not afraid of who their neighbor is or at least willing to have conversation with each other. We create an atmosphere of hospitality and conversation so you can have a debate with somebody. Those are learned skills we value here at Messiah. You can have difficult yet deeply meaningful conversations with those whose views and opinions differ from your own.” HOW THE CAMPAIGN BENEFITS STUDENTS
To have those important conversations, students need a nurturing academic environment where they can thrive, which requires top-notch facilities. The campaign already has reached several milestone accomplishments, including the construction of the Ralph S. Larsen Finance Lab, the Charles F. Frey Commuter Lounge, Martin Dining Commons, the Falcon Fitness Center, Sawyer Gymnasium, Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena, a new lacrosse field, the resurfacing of Anderson Field and, most recently, the new Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center.
Jon Stuckey, associate vice president for development, encourages alumni to give back to their alma mater through the campaign.
“ Your money goes right to the students. All students benefit from the Messiah Fund; it is vital to our ongoing efforts to keep Messiah affordable.” –Jon Stuckey
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 2 5
F E AT U R E S T O R Y
“ We fulfill our institutional mission with every graduating class, as witnessed by the documented outcomes of our alumni as thought leaders, successful professionals and Christ-centered servant leaders across the globe. Our alumni are the proof of the value of a Messiah education!” –Kim S. Phipps, president
HOW MESSIAH ALUMNI IMPACT THE WORLD
Messiah also has increased scholarship endowment and direct aid resources for our students, paving the way for a Christian education that might not be attainable without financial help. “You are not able to impact the world positively if you do not have access to the type of education Messiah offers,” said Stuckey, emphasizing the importance of Messiah graduates in today’s fractured world. “How our graduates are viewed in society is what affirms a Messiah University education. We hear from employers and community members how kind, ethical and thoughtful our students are. It’s how God has called us to be peacemakers in this world, reconciling, no matter what vocation the student has chosen.” WHERE YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT
The campaign encompasses several areas that support our vision for Messiah’s future, including The Messiah Fund and Scholarship Aid; Scholarship and Program Endowments; New Facilities; and Estate Planning Gifts.
At this stage of the campaign, we are particularly inviting alumni and friends to contribute to The Messiah Fund. This fund benefits all students—encompassing scholarship support, service/learning trips through the Agape Center, the Collaboratory, experiential learning opportunities and more. It’s where you can have the biggest impact regardless of the amount you are able to contribute. “Your money goes right to the students. All students benefit from the Messiah Fund; it is vital to our ongoing efforts to keep Messiah affordable,” said Stuckey. “We need all alumni to participate in whatever level they can so that current students are able to experience the transformational experience that our alumni recall from their own time at Messiah. Our goal is to demonstrate again and again that investment in a Messiah education is worth it. Alumni can keep that within reach for anyone who feels called to come here.” B Our plan is to reach—or exceed—our goal by December 31, 2022. To give to the campaign, visit messiah.edu/SupportStudents.
TESTIMONIALS
David Millary ’88 Messiah University Trustee “The world needs Messiah graduates more than ever, and the world needs our students to have the courage to do great things. Faith is a foundational component to go and do, and Messiah is the perfect place for students to receive that foundation.”
Gigie Gilles ’24 Double major in political science and international relations “I’ve talked to many incoming students about how at Messiah, they will find a big community. It will become home.”
2 6 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
Matt Jenkins ’22 Student body president “I am deeply humbled by the many alums who choose to donate to Messiah. I wouldn’t have the range of opportunities if it weren’t for them. Donors have enabled me to come to Messiah and receive the education that I have loved.”
OUR
ALUMNI NEWS J O C E LY N C L I P P I N G E R ’ 1 7
Making a plan for success
Picture your dream job. It’s January 2020. You’re hired as the director of student success— providing holistic support for college students. Two months later, the pandemic hits. Now you’re helping students with a new set of problems no one anticipated. That’s what happened to Jocelyn Clippinger ’17, equipped with a bachelor’s in communication along with sociology and anthropology, as she began working at her alma mater. “There was an increase of students’ needs and struggle,” she said. “The pandemic was a process. We all process through trauma differently. Some students experienced a semester when they didn’t do their best. So I tried to normalize that and provide empathy and understanding.” TRIAGE
While Messiah always has championed supporting students, the Office of Student Success officially formed in January 2020. “Student success as a model in higher ed has been around for a while now,” said Clippinger, “but there are continued efforts in supporting student populations.” She describes the office as a triage of sorts for students. The first person to fill the director of student success role at
KAREN GARLINGER
ALUM HELPS STUDENTS FIND SUPPORT DURING COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
Jocelyn Clippinger ’17, director of student success, collaborates with many campus offices to help students thrive.
Messiah, she continues to work to make the job her own. With a master’s degree in counseling with a specialization in college counseling from Shippensburg University, she says she has tapped into her strength as an “arranger”—someone who helps students put the pieces of their college puzzle together. “We look at students holistically, cognitively, emotionally, socially. All of those things affect a student’s ability to thrive here,” she explained. “We look at a student’s sense of belonging. We would hope everyone is having a great time here, but there are external, internal and interpersonal factors at play.” To work through those things,
Clippinger said, “It does take work, and it does take the student asking for help.” TRENDS
Clippinger typically sees students through a referral process, but there’s an uptick in appointments during midterms and finals. “I think students nowadays are very hard on themselves,” she said. “When things don’t go well, there’s shame and disappointment. That can spiral to other things.” She said she tries to remind students, “They can continue to change and grow, and mistakes are part of that process.”
She collaborates with many campus offices—the Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services, the Office of Academic Accessibility, the financial aid, the registrar’s office, just to name a few—who are just as committed to the student experience. “There are so many offices that do student success. We are all in a consistent amount of communication. We are all so committed to helping students, by providing well-rounded, universal support,” she said. “When students have multiple people in their corner, they feel they can do well.” — Anna Seip
“We look at students holistically, cognitively, emotionally, socially.” — Jocelyn Clippinger ’17, director of student success
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 2 7
OUR
ALUMNI NEWS
N AT H A N C O N K L I N ’ 1 5 , M B A ’ 2 1
ALUM FINDS CALLING IN TAIWAN TAIPEI SERVES AS SETTING FOR MINISTRY, MBA concentration in social entrepreneurship, which he completed online from Taipei in May. The majority of his classmates lived in the U.S. “They’d say, ‘Let’s do a Zoom call,’ and I say, well, that’s 3 a.m. my time,” he laughed. “Let’s pick another time.” Even with the time difference, the pacing and structure of the online program suited his fulltime ministry work. He was able to access Messiah’s writing help and library resources. “All of those things were very accessible as an off-campus student from another country. Those things made it much easier than it could have been,” he said. He says he loves the big-city experience of Taipei and plans to stay. The mass transit system makes getting around without a car easy. Also, living there gives him access to the rest of Asia. “Speaking a different language challenges your sense of pride and your humility,” he said. He hopes to teach online in a university setting, possibly through CM&A’s Crown College in Minnesota from Taiwan. “Servant leadership is not given to us for our own ego,” he explained. “These are tools that God has entrusted in me to use for others’ benefits, not for my own.” — Anna Seip
“Servant leadership is not given to us for our own ego. These are tools that God has entrusted in me to use for others’ benefits, not for my own.” — Nathan Conklin ’15, MBA ’21 2 8 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
Working for CM&A, Nathan Conklin ’15, MBA ’21 completed his graduate degree online while living in Taiwan, where he’s now a permanent resident.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATHAN CONKLIN ’15, MBA ’21
What if you moved 8,000 miles from Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, to Taipei, Taiwan, one month after Commencement? That’s what Nathan Conklin ’15, MBA ’21 did in 2015. He’s been there since, now a permanent resident and working as an associate with the Christian Missionary & Alliance (CM&A) in their Envision department. For his undergraduate degree from Messiah, he majored in international business and traveled the world with the International Business Institute. Moving to Taipei seemed natural. In his role with CM&A, he helps onboard U.S. mission teams and interns, some who have never traveled overseas. He spends a lot of time helping them acclimate to Asian culture. “I tell them, it’s not wrong, it’s not weird, it’s just different,” he said. “That’s something we say over and over again with our interns.” He’s passionate about business as ministry, but his role changed when Taiwan closed its borders to nonresidents in March 2020. Now, he concentrates more on development and discipleship with Taiwanese interns while also doing some business mission consulting. Wanting to continue teaching business as ministry but in an academic setting, he pursued a Messiah MBA with a
Get a head start on your college career with
Dual Enrollment @Messiah Dual enrollment provides motivated high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college courses that may satisfy both high school and college credit requirements—in a learning environment where you can integrate your Christian faith with challenging academic inquiry.
Save on future college expenses
At Messiah University, we significantly discount (90 percent!) our cost per credit for dual-enrolled students— only $150 per credit!
Strengthen your potential to graduate from college early
Start your career or graduate school ahead of schedule while significantly lowering the expense of a traditional four-year degree. Messiah University is a regionally accredited university, so course credit transfers to other institutions.
Find out more at messiah.edu/dual CONTACT US Matt Reitnour mreitnour@messiah.edu 717-691-6000
Experience college life—online or on campus
Through dual enrollment, you will experience the same curriculum and learning environment as Messiah’s undergraduate students. Choose from our online and on-campus course options.
Create a more flexible schedule
Earning college credits in high school can free up more time in college for a job, athletics or other activities.
M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 2 9
OUR
ALUMNI NEWS
1970s E.J. Charles ’73 completed her nursing degree at Columbia University in 1974 and retired in July of 2019. She spent most of her nursing career working on the Zuni Indian Reservation in rural New Mexico. She spent 10 years with the Indian Health Service as a public health nurse and 24 years as the lead school nurse with the Zuni Public School District. Upon retirement, she received the School Nurse Administrator of the 2018-19 School Year
award from the New Mexico School Nurse Association. When COVID-19 hit the reservation hard, she came out of retirement to assist the Indian Health Service public health nurses with contact tracing.
Bruce Harlan ’82 works as the executive director of Women’s Services, Inc. in Meadville, Pa.
1980s
Laura S. Meitzner Yoder ’93, author of “Living Radical Discipleship,” recently published a new book, “John Stott on Creation Care.” A professor of human needs and global resources and environmental science, she also works as the John Stott chair and director at Wheaton College.
David DiRaddo ’80 graduated from Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity with a Doctor of Ministry, with an emphasis in biblical studies.
1990s
Philip Koitelel ’94 works as the chief executive consultant at Aztramade Consulting Ltd. In Kiserian, Kenya.
Andrew Vogel ’03 works as the head wrestling coach and director of wrestling operations at Hiram College.
Jason Page ’98 works as a senior manager, global ITSM process lead at PwC in Denver, Colo. He also serves on the board of directors at Ben Franklin Academy, a public charter school.
Janet (Kraft) Vogel ’03 works as the library director at Hiram College.
2000s
Akirah Wyatt ’07 and Jonathan Desmarais ’07 announce the birth of August “Auggie” Jonathan Lewis Wyatt-Desmarais, Feb. 5, 2021.
Bryan Engle ’03 works as the associate director of athletics at Lipscomb University.
SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS
PARTNER
HELP
SUPPORT students by including Messiah in your will.
a student afford a Messiah education through gift annuities and charitable trusts.
REDUCE student loan debt with an endowed scholarship.
with Messiah’s mission by naming Messiah as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, pension plan or IRA.
WITH THOUGHT-FILLED GIFTS LIKE THESE. Learn more at MESSIAH.EDU/CREATEALEGACY or email HERITAGESOCIETY@MESSIAH.EDU
3 0 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
2010s Lindsay (Acornley) Keet ’10 and husband Brian announce the birth of Hattie Fisher, Sept. 19, 2020. Jessica (Gould) Dye ’11 and husband Ashton announce the birth of Hayes Bond, April 16, 2021. Jessica also graduated from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education in May 2020 with an M.Ed. in administration and supervision PK-12.
Starleisha Gingrich ’11 founded the Disrupt Theatre Company, which focuses on the stories of Black, Indigenous and People of Color, in Lancaster, Pa. Cody ’12 and Morgan (Lister) Powis ’12 announce the birth of Miles Aiden, May 8, 2021. Cody was recently promoted to advancement and accounting administrative assistant at Dock Mennonite Academy in Lansdale, Pa.
Angela (Klaczak) Horst ’13 and husband Logan announce the birth of Levi Robert, May 12, 2021.
Rachel (Shearer) Selby ’14 and husband Joshua announce the birth of Aaron Joshua, March 17, 2021.
Brittany (Peashey) Lentz ’13 and husband Kyle announce the birth of Julia, Oct. 25, 2020.
Arianna Bailey ’15 received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Fairfield University in May.
Jordan Miller ’14 works as a resident doctor at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pa. He graduated from Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine with honors in 2020.
Hannah (Boyanowski) Andino ’17 and husband Jordan announce the birth of Jericho James, April 15, 2021.
Kaitlyn Coleman ’17 works as a marketing and sales associate at PRP Real Estate Investment Management in Washington, D.C. Frederic ’17 and Mackenzie (Murray) Warden’18 announce the birth of Ezra, April, 16, 2021. Kiersten Smeal ’19 announces the birth of Margaret Ann, May 11, 2021.
Earn your master’s degree in
Music Conducting or Music Education Messiah University’s Graduate Program in Music is designed for busy music educators who would like to advance their career and education. Whether you are a public or private school educator, a community or church ensemble director, or a recent music major graduate, our program can help you develop your skills as a music educator or deepen your expertise in music conducting.
L CO
E CONSEN LEG SU
25 S
top
Best Online Christian Colleges
• Online, accredited program
IN TH U.S. E
• 1-week, on-campus summer intensive course (optional for MME) • Faculty are experienced music educators and conductors • Coursework is immediately applicable to your everyday work setting • Conducting degree tracks: choral, orchestral, wind • Post-master’s certificate of advanced graduate studies in music conducting (CAGS) available
Experience the academic distinction of a nationally ranked Christian university.
Find out more at messiah.edu/gradmusic
APPLY TODAY 717-796-5061 Online | Flexible | Affordable M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y • T H E B R I D G E • VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 | 3 1
OUR
The day Philly campus stopped everything to pray for student ROB BADDORF ’92 STRUCK BY VEHICLE WEEKS BEFORE GRADUATION CEREMONY As a radio, television and film major in April of 1992, Rob Baddorf was finishing up his degree at the Philly campus. In his accountability prayer group, he talked to his friends about how much he was worried about all the details of graduation, which was only a couple weeks away. “I am so freaked out about graduation,” he’d told them. “I don’t know how to get my gown, what forms to fill out.” They prayed for him. Baddorf says he felt a peace that passes understanding, as if he just knew God was taking care of everything. “Then, two days later, I stepped in front of a car,” he said. From there, he has no memory of what happened to him. What he has learned about the
accident are bits and pieces of information from others, including his classmate and friend Jay McClymont ’92, who now works as Messiah’s director of alumni and parent relations. “[Former Philly campus pastor] Freeman Miller was on the street minutes after Rob was struck, and he didn’t think that Rob was going to live. Freeman contacted the main campus and asked for prayer and headed to the hospital to meet the Baddorf family who rushed out to Philly from Dillsburg,” said McClymont, who drove to the Philly campus that night with two fellow students. THE ACCIDENT
Baddorf, who had been attending a seminar at Temple, was crossing Broad Street as he and
MESSIAH UNIVERSITY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Messiah’s Philly campus, now closed, was located near Temple University.
a friend made their way back to the Philly campus to grab a snack. His friend stopped to tie his shoe and Baddorf ran ahead, crossing the street. “We were technically jaywalking. The center lane was empty. It was never used except as parking for a funeral home. I walked in front of a truck that was parked. All the traffic was still at the red light. And then I think he honked because he saw me running into the center lane. And I would’ve been looking to my right. And, sure enough, a police car was coming from the left, driving on the center median. And we met each other,” said Baddorf. As he was struck, he went through the windshield and then ricocheted out, landing in the road. The car smashed his tibia and fibula. They shut down Broad Street. The ambulance crew tried to stabilize him at the scene. They didn’t rush to the hospital. They didn’t think he was going to make it. That’s when the Philly campus paused—they stopped holding classes, stopped making dinner— and held one big prayer meeting. At first, the campus prayed, simply, for him to live. Then the ambulance crew said his left foot was pointing backward, which was indicative of brain trauma. “As news came in, the group added to the prayers. Let him not be brain dead. Let him not be paralyzed. The Messiah crew kept praying,” said Baddorf. “The doctors said it was amazing. I was completely intact, no internal organ problems.”
MESSIAH UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES
FROM THE ARCHIVES
This photo of Rob Baddorf, attending Commencement in a wheelchair shortly after the accident, ran in The Bridge in 1992.
He spent two weeks in the hospital and attended Commencement in a wheelchair. During the ceremony, President D. Ray Hostetter walked off the stage and over to Baddorf to present his diploma. “He got a standing ovation, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the all of Hitchcock Arena,” said McClymont. Baddorf says he doesn’t remember much about the ceremony. He was in pain and spent the next several months convalescing on his parents’ couch. “I got bitter at God after that. I was mad I didn’t get to go to whatever beach town people went to after graduation. I felt like I had zero closure. I felt angry,” he said. “In the end, it ended up being absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me. God was speaking and leading.”
“In the end, it ended up being absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me. God was speaking and leading.” — Rob Baddorf ’92 3 2 | VO L U M E 2 2 0 2 1 • T H E B R I D G E • M E S S I A H U N I V E R S I T Y
OBITUARY
— Anna Seip
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROB BADDORF ’92
Rob Baddorf today
ANGELA C. FUNK 1975-2021 After a battle with ovarian cancer, Angela C. Funk ’97 died in May. Her friend Courtney Reimann ’97 says they became friends in elementary school and then both attended Messiah University. “We attended the same church, youth group and Christian school,” said Reimann. “We were close friends before we came to Messiah, and our friendship continued after college. I fondly remember an overall sense of connection that just isn’t the same after you graduate and set up your own household and enter the work world.” A dietetics major, Funk worked in quality assurance documentation with Bayer Pharmaceuticals in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. She also volunteered for the Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts for several years, finding her niche painting, primarily in watercolors. The council honored her with a monthlong exhibit, The Angela C. Funk Legacy Exhibit, in August. “In preparation for the display, I sat down with two of Angie’s sisters, Lauren and Tiffany Funk, to go through a collection of mostly unframed and, probably to Angie, not-quite-finished work,” said Reimann. “It was a poignant reminder that no matter how or when we pass away, we always leave behind unfinished business.”
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE FUNK FAMILY
IN MEMORIAM
ERIK SOULLIARD
He realized God really had handled the details of graduation for him. “I didn’t know You were going to do it that way,” he laughed, “but I didn’t have to take a single final. Everyone took care of graduation for me. Everything was completely and utterly taken care of for me.” Six months after the accident, he finally went to his first job interview. Then, he and two friends started an academic publishing company, which lasted for 20 years. He recently sold his ownership in the company and is stepping out on his own, figuring out what is next. He says he’s still astonished that an entire campus closed to pray for him. “I’m so thrilled and pleased 80+ kids and faculty prayed, and they called their home churches and asked them to pray. They said people all across America were praying for me. I wish I’d been able to be a part of it, but I was the beneficiary of it.”
Office of Marketing and Communications One University Ave. Suite 3020 Mechanicsburg PA 17055
We are excited to share the news that Messiah University is announcing the public phase of The Campaign for Messiah University: Learning for Life, Transforming the World, a $75 million campaign that supports our vision to educate students for a lifetime of learning opportunities, including engaging our students and alumni beyond the undergraduate and graduate programs to include certificates and enhanced learning courses.
“At this stage of our campaign, I invite you to consider participating through a financial gift to The Messiah Fund and Scholarship Aid. Your gift will have an immediate and direct impact on the life of a student who deeply desires a Christian education and needs financial assistance to fulfill that dream.” —Kim S. Phipps, president of Messiah University
Our campaign already has reached several milestone accomplishments, and we have received $70 million toward our $75 million goal. Our plan is to reach this goal by December 31, 2022. We encourage you to give and to read more at messiah.edu/SupportStudents.