SBM March by Messiah Pulse

THE

THE PULSE MAGAZINE

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

THE GREEN BOOK

GREEN THUMB GROWING A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS

GROUNDS CREW

DIGGING DEEP:

MARCH 2019

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THE

SWINGING B R I DG E VOLU M E 1 0 5

EDITION 11

LETTER FROM THE

MAR. 2019

STUDENT DIRECTOR

ASST. STUDENT DIRECTOR

DAKOTA VAUGHN

AMBER CLEMENS

EDITOR

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MEGAN BOMBA ART DIRECTOR AMELIA MARKEY AUDIO & VISUAL MANAGER KAI YUEN LEONG

Spring has sprung! ONLINE EDITOR

DESIGN ASSISTANTS

STUDENT LIFE EDITOR

MADDIE CONLEY

JUSTINE SANPHILLIPO

COSETTE SCHULTIES

MEGAN SPORY CULTURE EDITOR CHARMAINE LIM

ABIGAIL ZOEBISCH DESIGN VOLUNTEER

SPORTS & REC EDITOR LILLIAN KASHISHIAN

GRACE BUTSCHER WEB MANAGER KELLY WEBBER

AUDIO & VISUAL ASSISTANTS LAKE BENDER

BUSINESS MANAGER SARAH BLESSING

JOSH YODER RADIO MANAGER

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

MUSIC DIRECTOR

JOSHUA STANLEY

MARISA HARRIS

HANNAH MCGARVEY

I don’t know about you, but once a true sense of spring hits, it is difficult for me to think about anything but being outside. I love seeing hammocks take over every tree limb and blankets cover every lawn. At the same time, it makes me dream of summer and inspires a lack of responsibility for homework. As we come back from Spring Break looking for motivation to make it to Easter break and then to finals, let’s focus on the development and growth that happened during the semester. Maybe you switched majors, discovered your calling or found a new appreciation in your life. Just like we celebrate the blooming of flowers each spring, celebrate how you have bloomed this year. “Bloom where you are planted.” Cheesy, but relevant.

Monday - Friday | 1pm - 5pm 717-691-6081

Race me to the back cover,

1 COLLEGE AVENUE SUITE 3058 MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055

(Downstairs South Wing of the Larsen Student Union)

Megan Bomba Editor-In-Chief

The Swinging Bridge Magazine is published through The Pulse: Messiah College Media Hub, run by students. The Pulse consists of Pulse Radio, The Clarion yearbook, and The Swinging Bridge Magazine. The Swinging Bridge staff strives to publish quality student writing, photography, and design. To learn about job and volunteer opportunities, email thepulse@messiah.edu.

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

CONTENTS

TABLE

STUDENT LIFE

CULTURE

SPORTS & REC

CAMPUS CLOSET

BALANCE FOR A BETTER WORLD

DEVELOPING HER GAME ALECIA ROHRER

INTL WOMEN'S DAY 2019

FACES OF FOOD SERVICE

DIGGING DEEP

A LEGACY OF DISCRIMINATION

WITH THE MESSIAH GROUNDS CREW

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

GREEN THUMB

THE COMMON GOOD

SEASON OF SACRIFICE

KEEPING OUR CAMPUS SAFE

MY STORY

HUMANITIES SYMPOSIUM

THE GREEN BOOK

MARCH 2019

REFLECTIONS ON LENT

DESTANY MASON

POOLSIDE CONVERSATIONS WITH TYLER WILKINSON AND NANCIE ZIEGLER

STUDENT LIFE

BY MEGAN BOMBA

K AT I E K R A M ER & K E L LY H O LT

K at ie

Kel ly

“I used to really like patterns, but now [...] I like solids. I wear mostly neutrals with a pop of color or one patterned piece.”

“This is me figuring out my personal style, being experimental with what I like.”

Katie Kramer’s personal style shifts from extremely girly to simple and clean, all depending on her mood. Rocking the business-made-casual trend with a blazer, she pairs it with a pink turtleneck and black, distressed jeans. Kramer mentions that her go-to piece is black jeans as they go with everything.

Coming from a private school where uniforms were required, Kelly Holt has only just begun to find her own sense of style. She prefers to thrift her wardrobe, and she gets great satisfaction from the mystery that comes with the experience. Holt’s outfit is full of tiny details, from the mixed seams on her jeans to the art-deco earrings in her ears. She adds a touch of color with a bright red tank top, floral kimono and combat boots.

g r ow & m at u r e , we are A s we

able to de velop our ow n

unique s ens e of fashion.

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

STUDENT LIFE

FACES

Food OF

DAN CAMPBELL: Operations Manager on duty at the Falcon Cafe

250 student workers. 35 full-time employees. All behind one meal on your plate.

hether you’re grabbing a pre-chapel egg sandwich at the Falcon, late night fries at the Union or a Valentine’s Day feast from Lottie, there is no doubt that the food you consume is a valuable part of the college experience. It’s easy to swing by one of the various dining locations on campus and pick up a bite to eat without giving a second thought about where that food came from or who prepared it for your consumption. These necessary dining services would not be able to run without the hard-work and dedication of hundreds of employees. Todd Christopher, the Restaurant Operations Manager on campus, is in charge of daily operations for Lottie Nelson Dining Hall. In this position, Christopher oversees the 35 fulltime employees, five part-time employees and around 200 student employees who compose the Lottie workforce. Christopher and his expansive team ensure that Lottie runs smoothly and provides the student body with three meals each day.

P I CTURE D : TO DRestaurant D CHRIST OPHER TODD CHRISTOPHER: Manager

MARCH 2019

BY MADELINE SPIVEY

When asked about the amount of food served, he replied “Tons! [For example] we typically serve around 40,000 pounds of chicken per year.” Making sure all that chicken, as well as the sides to go with it are on hand and ready for preparation, is Doug Kirkland, the Purchasing and Production Manager. Kirkland is in charge of ordering food and processing shipments according to the weekly menus of Lottie and catering. He maintains relationships with the various vendors that supply Messiah with an assortment of foods. He started out at Messiah as a cook in the kitchen and then transitioned through various roles. “This job is kind of more of a job of experience…you have to know a little of everything,” Kirkland said. He attributes this experience to his time the food dining service industry. “Over the years, you learn a lot.”

STUDENT LIFE

“We love working with students,” Dan Campbell, the Retail Operations Manager, said. Campbell is in charge of making sure the Union, the Falcon and Café Diem all run without a hitch.

DEE YANICH: Union Cafe Mid-Shift Supervisor

Dee Yanich, the Mid-Shift Supervisor at the Union, also has plenty of experience in the restaurant business and has been involved in it for nearly 20 years. At the Union she makes sure that preparations have been made for opening and closing, and also that lunch and dinner rushes proceed as smoothly as possible.

“I am, as often as possible, stepping in every unit, every day,” Campbell said. “Touching base with staff because I need to make sure everything’s going well and there [are] no fires, usually figuratively, sometimes literally, that need to be dealt with.” These three locations alone employ nearly 225-250 student employees, along with 15 full-time and part-time employee supervisors.

In considering her experiences working with Messiah students, she recounts her earlier days on campus.

Considering the nature of college campus dining services, Campbell said, “With everything, there’s a trade-off with scarce resources. What that looks like in food services: I can do customization really well. I can do speed of service really well. Or I can do a lot of variety very well.”

“My first time opening on a Saturday, I was anxious about it,” Yanich said. “I just wanted to make sure I did a good job and I was blown away…I saw these kids, young adults running a line, dealing with the pressure of the tickets just spitting out, working together, no complaining, no grumbling, no growling, just getting it done. It blew me away.”

“We know that when you eat here all the time. It’s boring, we get it…We know variety is key cause it gets boring, we know you have a limited time between classes and we know that you like the ultimate club at the Union but you just don’t like onions,” Campbell said. “We’re doing our best to balance all three, knowing that there are trade-offs involved.”

Yanich knows the hard work that goes into dining services, for both supervisors and student employees alike. “Their fellow students arrive as early as 5:45 a.m. and start knocking our prep out, so that when students come in for lunch you’ve got sliced tomatoes and onions for your burger, you’ve got your grab-n-go.”

Amidst the demands of the job, however, Campbell remembers who he is there to serve: the students, those who work in food service and those who do not.

and cards from students, months and years after graduation who write me back and say their employment experience was meaningful,” Campbell said. “Those are what keep me going.” “I love working with students,” Katy Bechtold, an Operations Assistant for the Union, said. “That’s my favorite part of the job.” Bechtold has been a long-time member of the Messiah community, going back to when she and her husband were Resident Directors on campus in the early 90s. Whether she is working at the Union, checking in on Café Diem or working in the Falcon over the summer, Bechtold believes in the value of each duty she is assigned. “I believe all work we do is for God’s glory, and so I see that everything I do is working for Him,” Bechtold said. “Whether it’s washing dishes, or interacting with students, or whatever job it is, it’s all for God.” These are only a few of the stories of hard-working food service employees, individuals who clearly care about the service they are providing. There are countless other individuals dedicated to serving the student body, often without recognition. The next time you are filling up your plate, consider thanking one of the many employees who made your meal possible.

“The things that I have in my office, like where I can see them everyday, are letters, emails,

LEFT TO RIGHT: Katie Bechtold, Union Cafe Operations Assistant; Todd Christopher tong-battles with a student worker; Doug Kirk checks the stock in the food supply room

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

STUDENT LIFE

Everything You Need to Know About

NTERNSHIPS BY LEANNE TAN

ith the steady approach of the end of the semester, many of us have started or are starting to plan for the summer. Some of us have made travel plans, some have summer jobs nailed down, while others are in the process of applying for jobs and internships.

Students hoping to get an internship should get moving as early as possible because the process of finding an internship may take longer than expected.

the company is, you should come and talk to some of these people because they might have a position for you even if it doesn’t seem obvious.”

“Internships can really take time to develop into a real opportunity,” Fea said. “Companies don’t work as fast as students do.”

At Messiah, students are given the opportunity to participate in internships for college credit. Some majors require students to earn a certain number of internship credits as part of their academic program. However, all students, regardless of major, can use up to 16 credits toward experiential learning (internships specifically) during their time at Messiah and up to 12 credits in any one semester.

Some resources for internship seeking are Indeed.com, LinkedIn and company websites. Every student also has access to an entire database of jobs on Handshake, Messiah’s job and internship search tool. In addition to using these resources, students should make an effort to branch out beyond internet research for a wider range of internship opportunities.

Another way for students to make new contacts is by conducting informational interviews with people who are working in a field of interest to them. Informational interviews also allow students to receive advice and gain more knowledge about career paths they may be considering without having to spend too much time.

“Messiah believes in experiential learning so much that we are willing to offer a lot of credit for students to gain that,” Internship Program Coordinator and Career Coach Joy Fea said. “It’s actually a really good opportunity for students to gain real world experience and gain college credit.” To participate in an internship for credit, students must have obtained at least 24 college credits and a minimum 2.5 GPA. For every credit earned, students have to complete a minimum of 40 hours at their internship site. All internships are accompanied with weekly assignments to be completed on Canvas.

MARCH 2019

“A lot of companies don’t necessarily publicize that they have internships,” Fea said. “That’s why networking and talking with people is so important because companies don’t always list what they have to offer.” The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) organizes various career events throughout the school year for students to build connections and develop opportunities for internships and jobs. Events include but are not limited to Pizza with Professionals, Into the City Mini and Tailgating for Jobs. “I cannot emphasize enough that students come to [these events] because... these are actual people from the companies that you actually get facetime with,” Fea said. “Just because you don’t know what

Besides networking, students should work on building their LinkedIn profiles. According to Senior Associate Michael True, an increasing number of employers are using LinkedIn to seek out potential job candidates. The same goes for résumés and cover letters. Students should work on their résumés and cover letters ahead of time and have them reviewed by a staff at the CPDC before sending them out. “Oftentimes résumés and cover letters make up the first impression an employer will have of the student,” True said. “So the better it looks, content and formatting wise, the better that impression will be.” To assist students in the process applying to internships, the CPDC offers various services

STUDENT LIFE

"WE'RE STUDENTS, TOO!" Career and Professional Development Center work study Michelle Lo takes care of her duties. NEED A HAND? The Career Center's larger-than-life hand (in chair form) from Messiah's choice networking platform, HANDSHAKE. LOAN-ABLES You're free to borrow books from the Career Center to study for MCATS, LSATs, and more!

such as mock interviews and résumé and cover letter feedback sessions. Staff at the center also meet with students one-on-one to discuss internship opportunities. “Each staff person often helps students to develop a list of ideas and places they could intern,” Fea said. “And then we brainstorm who the student’s connections are.”

“Employers tell us all the time whether in person, at a job fair or when they come to visit us on campus that they want students who have experience outside of the classroom,” True said. “They want students who have applied the theories and principles that they have learned in class at their workplace.”

Additionally, the CPDC makes available handouts covering various topics such as résumé and cover letter writing, networking, job interviews, etc. These handouts provide students with various pointers and tips to assist them in the different stages of the internship application process. Copies of the handouts are available at the center and on their website.

Senior marketing major Olivia Crawford, through various internships, has come to realize the value of gaining real world experience in her field of study. Currently an internet marketing intern at WebFX, Crawford will have completed a total of 16 internship credits by the time she graduates.

Participating in an internship is beneficial for a number of reasons. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students who have done internships are 70 percent more likely to be hired as a full-time employee at any company.

“Curriculum is important. But I know as a marketing major, there’s not a whole lot you can learn [at school] that you can really apply to a real business world,” Crawford said. “You’d use your experience much more than you would use a theory.”

Internships are also a convenient way for students to try out a job without having to make a long-term commitment. “Don’t be afraid to try something because it’s just an internship; it’s not the rest of your life,” Fea said. Additionally, internships are a wonderful networking opportunity as students get to interact and establish relationships with practitioners who may be of great resource for personal development and future job opportunities. As you think about getting an internship, consider scheduling an appointment with the CPDC and making use of its resources. “We have some great people with lots of knowledge and understanding about employers and research process,” True said. “We hope students will take advantage of all we have to offer.”

Thinking about your future career? You won't want to miss these.

MARCH

Internship Info Session

Mock Interview Day*

12:00-12:30 P.M., Hostetter 113

12:00-12:30 P.M., Boyer 102

9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M., Career and Professional Development Center

APRIL

Into the City Mini: Careers in Politics*

Résumé Workshop 4:30-6:00 P.M., Boyer 131

7-9 17

2:30-5:30 P.M., Harrisburg

Into the City: Philadelphia* (applications due on March 14, 2019) Tailgaiting for Jobs Event 4:00-6:00 P.M., Visitors Parking Lot

*Requires sign-up at www.messiah.edu/career-events THE SWINGING BRIDGE

STUDENT LIFE

LESSONS FROM THIS YEAR'S HUMANITIES SYMPOSIUM BY ALLY HUFFORD

FEATURED PHOTO Humanities Student Fellow Tim Mahoney opens the culminating luncheon in Boyer Atrium, while his fellow Symposium

he common good is an idea that spans over many platforms and holds different meanings for each person. In this year’s Humanities Symposium, which ran from February 18 to 27, each presentation centered on that idea. With such a broad topic, many of the presenters chose to focus on the implications of common good in subcategories such as theology, race and gender.

"Fellows" prepare to present their research.

DR. BRIAN SMITH

Presentations and panel discussions from both students and faculty filled the week-long event. The week hit its climax on Thursday, February 21 when Marian Wright Edelman, the keynote speaker, delivered a presentation titled, “Towards the Common Good: Ending Child Poverty in the U.S.” The Humanities Symposium’s website shared that Edelman, a graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School, is the founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, and that she, “has been an advocate for disadvantaged Americans for her entire professional life.” Something this big doesn’t just come together over night. The Center for Public Humanities, as well as Humanities Student Fellows worked hard to bring together the week of thoughtful discussion. The theme, The Common Good, was chosen several years in advance. Dr. Brian Smith, the chair of the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies, said, “The [Humanities] Symposium is set up to be a full week of opportunities to think deeply, ask good questions and have good conversations on an important topic.”

NATHAN SIMMS

When students from Dr. James LaGrand’s First Year Seminar class, “What’s a Nation Good For?” met on their first day during the Fall semester, they didn’t anticipate being part of the Humanities Symposium.

MARCH 2019

First-year economics and philosophy double major Montana Lutz, said, “We realized that we had a lot of beneficial conversations during our class, so we thought that other people could benefit from hearing some of the things that we talked about.” Their panel discussion featured various readings that focused mostly on nationalism and cosmopolitanism. Matthew Jenkins, a first-year triple major in philosophy, digital media and English, presented on Abraham Lincoln’s Lyceum Address, “The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions”, and explained its relation to our society today, over 150 years later. Lutz, who presented on Appiah’s “Cosmopolitanism”, explained that the panel discussion was meant to help people think critically about their identity in society. In addition to the panel discussions, presentations and performances, the Center for Public Humanities put together a project, which was displayed in Howe Atrium. Nathan Simms, a Humanities student fellow, said, “The project tracks education in Pennsylvania from the 1600s to today.”

STUDENT LIFE

"There’s He also explained that there are five factors involved in this, which include, language, poverty, religion, housing and race. The Special Assistant to the President and Provost for Diversity Affairs, Dr. Todd Allen, along with two of his colleagues, held a panel discussion outlining the common good as it relates to race.

evil in the world, and

Fertsch’s research looked at how men and women communicate through the Genderlect Theory of communication.

there is a

“I think [my research] has huge implications for the common good,” Fertsch said. “Because I think that everyone can agree that, socially, men and women have existed on different planes. Women have been historically discriminated against throughout society, and as that’s getting better, society needs to take steps to see how we can communicate for reconciliation, and not for conflict.” She saw that people’s communication styles changed when they were interested in pursuing the common good.

solution to that.”

“At the heart of Messiah College is mission, a commitment to service leadership and reconciliation,” Allen said. “So what does it mean to be reconciled across our lines of difference that include race.” He believes that this topic is relevant in our society today, so it’s an important one to talk about. Senior Biblical and Religious Studies major, Danny Baker, spoke on this theme during the Symposium, focusing on freedom schools, which, “is an initiative that started in the 1960s, and that kind of transpired from a lot of things going on in the Civil Rights struggle,” Baker said. He also said that, “talking about these topics, and how they play a role in our society, makes a big difference.” Joshua Reid, junior history major, focused his presentation on the Grimke sisters and how their work towards abolishing slavery in the 18th century is an example of people striving for the common good. Reid acknowledges the difficulty of the common good in today’s society, saying, “It’s really hard to find the common good for everyone, because everyone has their own opinions on everything.” He does, however, find the topic to be extremely relevant due to the tension in race relations today. Gender implications are also present here, because women weren’t typically seen as advocates in the 18th century. Senior public relations and politics double major, Sarah Fertsch, looked more deeply into gender implications on the common good. Her presentation centered around her senior thesis, titled, “Men, Women, and Shalom: Asserting Power in Gendered Communication.” Fertsch says that the idea of the common good is fundamental, and that it is a subject that is often talked about in her courses here at Messiah. When looking at what the common good is at the core, Fertsch said, “how can we make our world better― not only for ourselves but for generations to come.”

In addition to race and gender, presentations at the Humanities Symposium focused on the theological implications of the common good. Smith co-presented with sophomore biblical and religious studies and business administration double major, Josh Gerber. Their session, “‘And God Saw That It Was Good’: Common Good and the Bible”, explored the idea of the common good in both the Old and New Testaments, focusing mainly on the good. “From a New Testament perspective,” Gerber said. “There is this idea of the Kingdom of God, and it sounds a whole lot like the common good.” However, Gerber argued that the world is not currently good. He expanded on that by saying, “The common good is something we’re seeking after, but we’re obviously not there yet. There’s evil in the world, and there is a solution to that.”

DR. TODD ALLEN

JOSHUA REID

Gerber also points to Romans 3:18 (NIV), which says, “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” When taking into account the idea of the common good and how it applies to us today, Baker said, “Jesus lived out feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping those who are disadvantaged, so I think the common good, especially here at Messiah, is important to talk about.”

SARAH FERTSCH

JOSH GERBER

POETRY IN MOTION Isaiah Washington captivates the symposium luncheon with his poem "I Have A Dream Today," a modern reflection of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech.

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

STUDENT LIFE

KEEPING OUR CAMPUS SAFE A

s students and staff here at Messiah carry on with the second semester, the Safety Department continues to work diligently to ensure that everyone on campus is safe. With a goal of providing a safe and secure learning environment, it is no surprise that the Safety Department can pride itself in providing a worry-free campus. Cindy Burger is the Director and Title IX Deputy Coordinator of the Safety Department. After being involved with the department for nearly 25 years, Burger feels that having a safety department on campus is vital when it comes to the well-being of the campus community. “Our main purpose here on campus is to provide a safe and secure campus for everybody,” Burger said.

Safety Officers are “first responders” that are already on campus and can respond to an emergency situation quickly. It is also helpful for the officers to be familiar with campus and their constituents, according to Burger. It helps students feel more relaxed and willing to share information with safety officers. Burger feels that building relationships with students and employees shows that the department cares about them.

MARCH 2019

BY ALEXIS SHEELY

Carl Meiss, Senior Safety Officer and Coordinator for Bikes and the Bike Patrol, loves getting to interact with students during his regular walk through in Mountain View.

He taught a bike class for the Safety Department back in the 90’s and then found his way into a Dispatch position. After 11 months, he came to the position he is in now.

“I love walking through the dorm,” Meiss said. “Getting the opportunity to talk to students, meet the students, talk to them on a one-on-one basis as a friend and learn more about them, to be able to help them, to be able to… encourage them on what they’re doing.”

“What I figure and what I feel was that it’s my calling to serve people and help people,” Meiss said. “So I started with the whole country and now I’m here with Messiah.”

Meiss began his career at Messiah after serving his country, 27 years on a police force and some time as Public Relations Director and President at the Pennsylvania State Grange. He had a time after where he fell deathly ill, only given 24-48 hours to live. “The good Lord and I had some discussions and He decided to keep me down here and let me continue to serve people the way I was,” Meiss said.

Having such good connections with staff and students was not always the case here on campus.“When I came here 25 years ago, the safety department and the students on campus clashed,” Burger said. “We put things in place to build that relationship. And we still continue to build that relationship.” She feels it is very important to have a positive relationship with those they are serving on campus.

STUDENT LIFE ALL DAY, EVERYDAY: Did you know there's a 24/7 Dispatch window

in Eisenhower (just past 1st-floor reception, by the printer)? SOME OF THE SQUAD (LEFT TO RIGHT):

#14

ELIZABETH WILLIAMS Event and Traffic Control

#18

One of the ways the Safety Department is helping to build a positive relationship with students is through a substation located in the Fry Residence building. Beginning in March, a safety officer will be working out of that office three days a week in the evening. "The office will be open, students can stop in, grab pamphlets and talk to the safety officer,” Burger said. There will also be some education sessions offered by the safety department in this location. One of the programs offered already is led by Officer Liz Williams. SAFE is a self-defense class offered to female staff and students on campus. A typical class is a two-hour session that begins with a 20-minute video on de-escalation. Participants are then taught how to do kicks and hits on kickboxing bags and mannequins. “The girl always feel more empowered,” Williams said. Anyone interested in signing up for a SAFE class can do so under the “All Training Classes” tab on FalconLink. Large groups can contact Officer Williams through her email, ewilliams@messiah.edu, so that a date and time can be worked out for a private session. In addition to her self-defense class, Officer Williams is the Certified Senior Officer Coordinator for Parking and Traffic for Events. She and her student traffic officers (STOs) help direct traffic for all of the events on campus such as soccer games, musicals, Commencement and Move-in Day to name a few. They also do crowd control at events like concerts and dances. “I get close with my STOs and I go to their concerts and plays and things that I know they’re putting on,” Williams said.

VALERIAN CURD Fire & Safety Systems Coordinator

CINDY BURGER Director of Safety

Williams has always been involved with Messiah’s extra-curriculars. Williams was the advisor for the Men’s Volleyball team for 7 or 8 years before they became a varsity sport. She likes to attend as many games as her schedule allows and has even driven to away games just to see the sports teams play. Having such a close bond with students allows the safety officers to continue providing a safe environment on campus while also showing a caring nature. Across the board at the Safety Department, student and staff safety are priority. Officer Valerian Curd, the Fire and Safety Systems Coordinator, feels that having a safety department on campus covers a lot of problems that could arise.

GERRY ZIEGLER First Shift Dispatcher

“There’s always somebody you can turn to and get in touch with,” Curd said. After graduating from Messiah, he decided to stick around and work with Campus Events. He then began working with Safety in 2010 and moved into his current position in 2013. “I handle all the fire and life safety system― a lot of compliance stuff,” said Curd. His job involves inspecting fire alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinklers to make sure they’re in working condition.

CARL MEISS Senior Community Safety Officer *recently retired

Curd advises students to pay more attention when cooking. A lot of the fire alarms usually are the result of cooking. Greasy stovetops and food build-up on oven burners can be dangerous in the living environment. “Those end up posing a fire hazard,” Curd said. “Usually they don’t get cleaned until you have something big happen."

The Safety Department advises students and staff to be aware of their surroundings in order to be proactive with their own safety.

#13

ANDREW VISNOFSKY Safety Officer

CALL CAMPUS SAFETY: 717-691-6005 (extension 6005 or 6565) EMERGENCY: use one of the 18 blue light phones around campus THE SWINGING BRIDGE

CULTURE

FOR A

BETTER WORLD CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2019

BY CELICA COOK arch 8 marks yet another year where we celebrate the accomplishments of women from all over the globe. As men and women alike rally together to recognize the achievements of women within our borders and beyond, it is truly a day to celebrate and remember the strong women who have – and still are – making their mark on the world every single day. The holiday initially began in the United States with the first National Women’s Day on February 28, 1909. It was originally recognized by The Socialist Party of America as a day to remember the 1908 shirtwaist strike in New York where women gathered together to protest their harsh working conditions. The rest of the world quickly caught onto the idea, and in 1910, The Socialist International established a day to honor the women who were participating in the international movements for women’s suffrage. Due to the decision to create an international holiday to celebrate the efforts of these brave women, an official date was set on March 8, 1911 marking the first ever International Women’s Day.

MARCH 2019

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Today, the movement continues with this year’s theme being #BalanceForBetter. The theme seeks to shed light on the gender imbalance found within the government, the media, in the workplace, and within communities as whole. The goal of this year’s theme is to help spread awareness about unequal representation occurring around the world today so that we can make step-by-step changes as we seek to create a more balanced world. It is important to recognize the accomplishments of the strong women who surround us with every day. In addition, we can find inspiration in the words and actions that come from the women who have helped to positively shape the world in which we live. Messiah College is lucky to have women role models such as these on campus. Dr. Kate Oswald-Wilkins’ roles include professor, co-chair of the Communication Department and Director of Assessment for Messiah College. Despite obstacles of workplace discrimination, she stood firm in her position and continues to be an example of a successful woman in the academic world. When Wilkins first came to Messiah as a young professor of 26 years of age, she was the only professor in her department who held a PhD at the time. “It wasn’t common for many professors to be that young,” says Wilkins. “I used to get asked by campus workers if I needed a work study job. I used to get asked by older, male faculty members if I taught intro classes or if I was part time because someone who looks like me couldn’t possibly have a full time position in the department and be teaching more advanced classes.” These experiences, Wilkins says, left her feeling that due to her age and her gender, she needed to make certain adjustments to her own appearance so that people would see her as the professional that she was.

“I cut my hair, and I started wearing suits whereas my male colleague in math, who was about the same age as me, never had that experience,” says Wilkins. This experience left Wilkins with a greater understanding of how women are often overlooked in the workplace. It gave her greater ability to empower the other women that she works with on campus to cultivate a healthy, open environment where all voices are able to be heard. Sharde Hardy, Assistant Director of the Agapé Center, found that becoming a mother came with challenges in the workplace as she struggled with trying to keep up with her full job.

“I have felt the weight of speaking to a room of undergraduates, the majority of them young women, as the only female voice they will hear on a panel of all male faculty,” says Hasler-Brooks. “I have been interrupted and interrupted by male colleagues, invoiced by deeper tenors in meetings and in conversation. I have been complimented on my shoes before my ideas. I have struggled with many long and busy 12 or 14 hour work days to pump for my still breastfeeding daughter.” Yet, despite the struggle, Hasler-Brooks, along with the rest of her female colleagues continue to stand firm in the leadership positions that they earned and are an inspiring example to all women who feel like their voices are lost in the noise of a man’s world.

“I absolutely love what I do and desired to continue to work full-time after having kids, but with the lack of paid maternity leave, outrageous child care expenses and the reality that women typically make significantly less than their male counter-parts, I’ve questioned whether or not juggling both motherhood and the working world is actually worth it,” Hardy says. In the end, Hardy did decide to stay on full time with her position here at Messiah College but continues to try and find the balance between work and motherhood. She is thankful to work under flexible supervisors who she says allow her to be both fulltime employee and mother, a right that many women in the world are still fighting for today. Dr. Kerry Hasler-Brooks, Assistant Professor of English says that she continues to face the challenges that come with being a female professional everyday as she sometimes finds her own voice stifled in a room full of men. Thanks to www.un.org and www.internationalwomensday.com for your resources.

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BY MADDIE CONLEY In November, a movie called “Green Book” hit theaters, telling the story of a black musician and a white driver traveling through the Deep South in the 1960s. While the movie is based on a true story of one man’s travels, the real Green Book provided help to thousands. From 1936-66, Victor Hugo Green published what was officially called, “The Negro Motorist Green Book” for many cities, including for northern cities such as Harrisburg. It served as a guide for traveling African Americans who needed a place to eat, sleep or refuel. These were hotels, tourist homes, service stations and barbershops that all had one thing in common—they would serve African Americans. Many of these businesses, in fact, were black-owned. The Harrisburg entry listed about 16 locations over various editions.

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Students from the Center for Public Humanities have been working to research these places, and how “spaces of fear” impacted Harrisburg residents. Through their project, Digital Harrisburg, students are exploring the history and culture of Harrisburg, while using it as a resource for others to learn from. “In the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and before, a black person could enter a white space and a couple things could happen,” said Arion Dominique, a senior involved in the Digital Harrisburg project. “Their wellbeing could be in danger, they may not be offered any service, or they may just feel extremely uncomfortable.” Although the Pennsylvania Equal Rights law was passed in 1935, discrimination was still omnipresent in Harrisburg. On one occasion, a group of six black schoolteachers attending a meeting at the Penn Harris Hotel across from the state Capitol building were refused service, according to a 1937 story in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Growing up in his father’s barbershop and hotel—two Green Book stops—Calobe Jackson of Harrisburg remembers the help that this guide provided for those visiting the city. “You definitely felt safer if you were in a place that was listed in the Green Book,” he said. “You didn’t have to worry about total discrimination.” Jack’s Hotel and the barbershop provided places for African Americans to stay the night or get a fresh cut. Jackson even remembers famous performers coming into town and making a stop at the barbershop. Many lodged at the nearby Jackson Hotel, including singer Nat King Cole, pianist Sugar Chile Robinson and boxer Joe Louis. Some of these celebrities are now featured on a mural that adorns the building’s exterior wall on the 1000-block of N. 6th Street. Jackson remembers the comfort that the Green Book offered, giving black travelers safe and welcoming places to go. But he also saw it as an aid for African Americans who may not have been protestors, who simply needed to live their lives on a daily basis.

“What hasn’t changed is the sentiment from the segregation era to now,” she said. “The sense that this is a post-racial society is laughable to me. That’s why I put it in the title. It’s very tongue-in-cheek.” Locally, Miles’s book cites an incident from Central Dauphin High School in 2016, where a student posted an image with a racist slur on Instagram. Rondel Holder, director of marketing at Essence magazine, has also published a fresh take on the Green Book concept. He’s the man behind SoulSociety101, a blog for young, black professionals that suggests hotels, restaurants and travel destinations. “I was traveling and looking up restaurants, bars and sites, and I just wasn’t getting that perspective of a young black professional or the view of what our experience is,” he said. He created a blog and podcast so that black travelers, especially millennials, would feel more confident and comfortable while traveling, again, similar to the Green Book.

“The Green Book was a tool that was used by the silent generation to venture out of their homes—but avoid confrontation,” he said. The buildings that once housed Jack’s Barbershop and the neighboring Jackson Hotel are the only survivors of Harrisburg’s 16 Green Book locations. All others have been torn down. Like those buildings, the Green Book is long gone. After the Civil Rights Act passed in 1964, the “Green Book” finished up its last few editions, migrating from gas station racks to boxes in basements. But is the Green Book just a historical relic now? Bernardo Michael, professor of history, doesn’t think so. “Hopefully the Green Book will help people realize the privilege they have had. White communities have had a lot of privilege.” While Michael recognized the hardship many white Americans have had to face, he pointed out there is still an aspect of privilege that they have based on their skin color. “White students will say to me, ‘my family struggled, but we worked hard and pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps.’ But, what if you don’t have bootstraps?” In a twist on the original Green Book, author and publisher Jan Miles wrote “The Post-Racial Negro Green Book,” published in 2017. It catalogues places in each state where racist events occurred.

“The Green Book made it a realistic idea that you can travel,” he said. “Soul Society and the ‘Green Book’ both are guides that helped people navigate and eliminate fear to a certain extent.” Or, as Green himself said in 1947, “Carry the Green Book with you…you may need it.”

To learn more about Digital Harrisburg, visit www.digitalharrisburg.com.

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---growing a sustainable

campus

The Messiah College Office of Sustainability follows a triple bottom line in their efforts to improve campus; sustainability initiatives must be ecologically viable, economically strong, and socially just. They demonstrate not only an interest in preserving the planet, but in the holistic wellbeing of communities. The Office of Sustainability, located in Eisenhower next to the Falcon, includes five different programs: food, biodiversity, waste, energy, and engagement. The economic facet of the triple bottom line guides the Office of Sustainability in being “good stewards of the money that we have, using it in a way that will benefit the whole campus,” said Engagement Coordinator and Messiah senior Kate Witte. Fiscal responsibility is tangibly demonstrated by reducing purchases or buying from fair trade organizations. As for social justice, Witte said, “we’re a Christian institution, we’re all created equal in the image of God.” Because of their commitment to seeing all people as in the image of God, the Ofice of Sustainability strives to make their resources accessible to everyone and work toward the common good of society.

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The office hosts several events every semester with the triple bottom line in mind. For instance, the Snap Challenge raises awareness about food security as well as reducing waste by challenging students to live on $4.50 per day (the personal budget allocated by food assistance programs). Messiah students participated in the program in September in an effort to understand and support marginalized communities. Another event is the Swap and Mend program. Every semester, students reduce new clothing purchasing by patching and mending clothes on campus and encouraging students to donate and swap clothing rather than throwing out old clothes and purchasing new outfits. At the end of every school year, students can donate items such as couches and microwaves to Mennonite Central Committee. These events not only reduce waste, but also raise awareness to global issues and support charitable organizations. Most recently, the Office of Sustainability participated in RecycleMania. For eight weeks from the February to March, American and Canadian universities report their recycling and trash in order to be ranked based on sustainable practices. During RecycleMania, the

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"All things made new..."

BY JOY HAMMOND a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Office of Sustainability hosts events to educate campus about sustainable practices, such as the homemade Valentine’s card stations in Eisenhower this past February.

projects implemented by students and staff on campus, community garden information, and opportunities for students and faculty to get involved. There are several ways students can get involved, from joining the Earthkeepers club to applying for a work study position in the Office of Sustainability.

anuary 1st may be the start of a new year, but spring brings new life into the world around us. If you follow the life of a seed, you might start to realize how its own cycle of life follows closely with our own. Seeds grow in spring, flourish in summer, are bountiful in fall and sleeps in the winter, then awakens in the spring. All though we go through our trials like the storms in winter, we can either choose to stay dormant or persevere and rise in the spring. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is

While every season is important, spring takes on the symbol of new life and new beginnings. Take some time to observe the sprouting plants and flowers or just enjoy the cold, crisp air of spring. God created nature for the purpose of displaying his presence to us, as well as giving us something to enjoy in our busy, weather-changing lives.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Spring is the chance to shed off the cold and hardships that were faced in winter and look to a brighter summer. It’s a chance to recognize your value after the many challenges that you’ve had to face and to know that Jesus is Lord.

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Program Coordinator Lori Chance said, “I want to encourage everyone, regardless of major, to think about how their actions might affect the lives of others and the environment, and how they might be thoughtful and mindful about leaving this place better than it was when they came.”

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If you don’t have time to take a class or join a club, other ways to get support sustainability on campus include purchasing fresh, local vegetables, eggs, and honey from the Community Garden stands or getting a com-

No matter what your major or involvement on campus, there are always opportunities to integrate the triple bottom line into your own life.

The Office of Sustainability’s website, messiah.edu/sustainability, provides information about sustainability efforts on campus. Resources include an interactive map showing

Students interested in pursuing sustainable lifestyle in an intentional community have the option to live in the Restoration House, a special interest housing options for students (both male and female). Residents work together to host events, care for the campus chickens, and foster sustainable communities. There’s also a sustainability major – which offers concentrations in Community Development and Conservation & Agriculture – and minor. As an interdisciplinary area of study, sustainability courses are offered from a variety of departments, from biology to sociology to economics.

Sustainability is not just a field of interest, but a way of life that is becoming crucial for the wellbeing of the planet. According to National Geographic, “glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, cloud forests are dying, and wildlife is scrambling to keep pace” due to greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere at higher rates than ever before. Sources of greenhouse gas emission include transportation, electricity, and heat, all of which burn fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). Scientists refer to such a phenomenon as global climate change. Composting, turning lights off, minimizing water usage, gardening, caring for animals and trees can all reduce your personal carbon footprint.

post bucket from the Office of Sustainability to reduce personal waste.

Your daily life can support the environment, economy, and social justice with the goal of a more sustainable lifestyle and a healthier planet. In the words of essayist and environmental activist Wendell Berry, “The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.”

Get connected with the

Facebook: Sustainability at Messiah College (facebook.com/MCSustainability) Instagram: @messiah.sustainability

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n the midst of the sacrificial season, participants of Lent settle into their newly formed habits and routines. Whether you temporarily delete your Instagram account, cut out certain food groups from your diet, or commit to educating yourself on a specific topic, this disruption allows committed individuals to reevaluate their lives and daily motivations. Ash Wednesday, which fell on March 6 this year, commences the beginning of Lent. For a total of 46 days, observers traditionally use this period of preparation to remember the life of Jesus through prayer. The fasting countdown excludes Sundays, which are considered days of celebration. However, cheat days are not usually not recommended nor promoted.

Sophomore Dylan Derstine reflects on his experiences with Lent. Raised in a Mennonite community, Derstine was introduced to the practice by his church and found support from his family and Christian high school. For the past three years, he has followed through on his commitments, and finds that the challenge gives him a renewed perspective. “When you give up that thing, you realize you don’t need it – for X amount of days, even if it’s just for 40 days – you don’t need that in your life to be able to function and function well,” Derstine says. Last year, Derstine – similar to many participants – gave up social media. At the end of Lent when he redownloaded the apps,

I S A I A H 5 8 : 6 -7 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

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Derstine says he recognized how “pointless” the time he spent on social media was and ultimately decided to delete the apps for an indefinite period of time. “It’s really allowed me to take that time that I would have spent using social media to then apply it to more important things in my life like my relationship with God, studies, family, and friendships,” Derstine says. In tune with creating more intentional time, this year Derstine plans on replacing group social time with one-on-one meals. He says he hopes to develop better connections with others, and stray from superficiality. From the perspective of Student Ministries Pastor Evie Telfer, the season of Lent invites the opportunity to slow down and reflect. Her sister who battled cancer for 15 years, and is now cancer-free, holds Telfer accountable to modify the sense of busyness out of her lifestyle.

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THOUGHTFUL FASTING AND WORSHIP IN THE SEASON OF LENT

BY COSETTE SCHULTIES

be self-reflecting and asking questions like: What is this unearthing in my life? What is it revealing about what needs to change? What is God showing me through this?

In addition to giving up hurrying, Telfer previously boycotted agribusinesses, such as Chiquita, that are not fair trade. The banana industry especially is known to oppress plantation laborers and expose them to harsh, dangerous chemicals as they work. By watching documentaries and reading different materials, Telfer educated herself on the topic and changed her purchasing practices. “That was one of the times that felt the most like Lent the way it should be done,” Telfer says. “It’s about changing our mindset toward the kingdom of God. And actually, changing practices to be more kingdom-aligning.” Through the simple task of only buying fair trade produce, Telfer intentionally made herself aware of oppressive actions and contributed her small, but important, share of resistance. Referring to Isaiah 58, Telfer says that this church-sanctioned time should challenge believers to practice true fasting.

“I think of Lent as a time when we take on a challenge that aligns us with the kingdom of God or moves us toward positions as for growth, to be more like Jesus,” Telfer says. During this allotted period, people voluntarily decide what they want to sacrifice. But Telfer encourages believers not to think of Lent in a simple manner nor miss an opportunity to strengthen one’s relationship with Christ. “There have been times when I’ve given up sugar,” Telfer says. “But I think it’s important not to just have sanctified dieting, or to put some kind of spiritual veneer over losing weight. Not that eating healthy is bad, but I think that’s a trap sometimes with any kind of fasting."

Questions such as these provide additional structure for those who hope to exercise more than self-control during this sacrificial season. Telfer says practicing Lent could be easier with an accomplice. “You both will support each other if it’s a discipline that’s hard but also be reflecting on it together,” Telfer says. “Talk about it, integrate it.” The conclusion of Lent varies between different Catholic and Christian denominations, but typically the days between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday are reserved for reflection. While remaining faithful to commitments, participants regain a sense of appreciation for their privileges. As Telfer says, this time can be utilized by everyone to realign our outlook with Christ’s.

Telfer adds, “[Fasting] is not just a veneer, it’s not just ‘I checked that off my list,’ as if some kind of accomplishment or spiritual calisthenic.” She says participants should

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efore we experience the “best” four years of our lives, we enter college with a quiet expectation of radical transformation. It is throughout this time at school that we develop a deeper understanding for who we are and refine our skills to influence the world. First year Destany Mason shares how her small acts of leadership embolden her to speak out against the issue of complacency within the church. With one semester under her belt and seven more to go, Mason acknowledges that her short time at Messiah already influenced great change within her. As a newly-declared Christian Ministry major, Mason’s involvement with Student Ministries allows her to step out of her comfort zone and into positions of leadership.

In addition to being a full-time student, Mason is a part of the prayer team, runs a bible study through Koinonia, and participates in Monday Night Worship. Her connection to such groups allows her to invest time in people and God simultaneously. “I’m thankful for the people I have met by getting involved in different areas, and the opportunity to grow much deeper in my relationship with God,” Mason says. “It’s beautiful to see the big family that [Student Ministries] is. As of now, I’m not super involved but the people that I have met are super sweet. You meet them and automatically you’re family.”

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Mason adds, “As followers of Christ we are called to be the church and the church is community, so I really value that. Being here I have seen community so evidently. It’s nice to have people who can pour into you and that you can go to. For me, something that’s really helped with my personal relationship is just learning from others.” The familial aspect encouraged Mason as she first adjusted to college life. Meaningful fellowship with others, coupled by intentional time spent in the Word, gave – and continues to give – Mason a renewed outlook on how God can use her on this campus to further His kingdom. She acknowledges that the life she expresses now was unimaginable for her this time last year. “Last year I would’ve never seen myself going into ministry,” Mason says. “I would’ve never seen myself as a leader or leading a bible study or opening my mouth to worship out loud and in public or going out and praying for whoever God is telling me to pray for. I wouldn’t be doing any of that last year – that’s not me at all. “I was lost in some ways,” Mason adds. “I’ve been saved since I was really little, but I didn’t know who I was in Christ. I wasn’t careful to follow all of Gods commands and internalize them. Now, I hold Scripture in such a high regard compared to then.”

In the process of learning more about herself, Mason is also able to appreciate upperclassmen who graciously mentor her as she navigates through her new major and the ups and downs of college life. “They help me to go forth in what God is commanding me to do and also speak to those things that I doubted in myself,” Mason says. “When I say I’m not something, they say ‘no you are.’ So, having that support is super powerful.” The maturity of Mason’s faith equipped her with confidence that enables her to stand out as a leader among the student body. Just as 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds believers that God’s power is perfected in weakness, Mason’s skills that developed during her first year are testaments to the work God does in our lives so He can then be glorified through us. “Now those things that I thought made me disqualified, God has used them to equip me. The same weaknesses I had then are my strengths now. There’s a big contrast,” Mason says. Mason credits this growth to her obedience to follow God’s calling. The Grove City native originally set her heart on Grove City College. Ultimately, she set her preferences aside and decided on Messiah. This choice helped her become the leader she never thought she could be.

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Destany Mason THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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Mason later adds, “If we’re “I’m seeing how, in positioning my heart in a place to saying yes, in a place of pureness, how the things I saw then as impossible – God says ‘no, no, no. I can take you to that point and that is possible,’” Mason says. Though her experiences in ministry helped her become more outspoken about her faith, Mason admits to feeling disappointed at the spiritual complacency found on campus when she initially arrived. “In some ways, it was hard for me at first because God’s place was very limited,” Mason says. “It was almost like shutting Him into a box and allowing Him to take charge only where we saw fit. Coming here, I said ‘Lord, I just want to see you wash over the entire campus, just pour out.’ I felt like no one here wanted the deeper things.” The matter of complacency is a problem Mason is passionate about confronting. Citing from Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 – she literally pulled out her Bible – Mason elaborated on the promise that Christians are awarded the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and what that should mean for the body of Christ today. God has given us authority as we are here on Earth, because we aren’t of this world but in it,” Mason says. “We’ve gotten so complacent and there are so many things we see as okay or we tolerate, but God wants to break those things. "Instead of saying ‘my God is bigger than the issue,’ it’s almost as if positioning yourself to see your problems as higher than God.”

called to do what Jesus did and greater – because he’s given us that power and his Spirit – we can’t get to that place of authority if we’re not identifying with what is happening around us.” Despite the frustration Mason may feel at times, she is grateful for the support of those who encourage her development. “Getting involved has really given me hope for what’s to come. There’s an on-fire group of people who are seeking God out and chasing after Him and wanting to see Him do greater things.” One of those ‘greater things’ includes the Carry the Love event that took place in February. In a partnership with Messiah’s Monday Night Worship team, Carry the Love came to campus for a night of ‘worship, revelation, and testimony’ as the last stop of their first leg of their 2019 tour. “Carry the Love is a ministry organization that is geared towards evangelizing on high school and college campuses,” Mason says. “It’s focused on finding and seeing who we are in Christ, fighting complacency and speaking against mental health in the church.”

PHOTOS Did you know Destany dabbles in photography, too? If you liked her images featured in this article, check out more of her work at @destanymasonphotography on Instagram!

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For a couple hours, students of Messiah had the opportunity to worship through dance, prayer, and song with the traveling team. Although a last-minute venue change to the Student Union posed minor complications, Mason was pleased with the turnout and responses from the student body. More than 15 people dedicated, or rededicated, their lives to God and got baptized in Messiah’s swimming pool. “There was a lot of prayer going into the event from both their team and our team of students going into it,” Mason says. “It was so powerful to just welcome the Holy Spirit into one of the places on campus that has the most traffic going through it! It really blessed my heart to see the heart change that this event started, I’m really excited to see what’s to come on this campus.” Amid the hustle and bustle of schedules crammed with classes, meetings, and social plans, taking time to appreciate our personal growth may seldomly happen. In a culture that glorifies busyness, we may even feel that self-reflection is a waste of time. However, that quiet space can help us to appreciate the progress of our journeys and give thanks to the One who carried us to where we are.

SPORTS & REC

DEVELOPING HER

GAME BY LILLIAN KASHISHIAN

A LECI A RO HR E R â&#x20AC;&#x2122;19 | SEN IOR SPOTLIGHT: Wo m e n's Basketball

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hile senior women’s basketball player Alecia Rohrer has broken several program records over her four years at Messiah, she has also broken a silent record of the growth she has shown. From her thirdgrade days on her local youth team to now, the Manheim, Pa., native has come far both and off the court.

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it’s

Prior to attending Messiah, Rohrer was torn between continuing her basketball or volleyball career. In the midst of getting recruited by different schools, she eventually visited Messiah.

about the

“When I visited Messiah, it just seemed like the right fit,” says Rohrer. “Walking around campus, I could kind of see myself walking around here.

TEAM.

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”

When I met the [basketball] team, that sold me and the program as a whole.” Adjusting to the new schedule proved to be challenging in her freshman and sophomore seasons as Rohrer had not been used to playing basketball all year round. “I was so used to high school going from basketball in the fall, then to volleyball and track, and basketball was only that four or five-month block,” explains Rohrer. “Occasionally there was some AAU basketball in the spring, but there was never just basketball.” Coming to college, Rohrer had high expectations for herself to compete and perform at an elite-level, both mentally and physically. “I know freshman and sophomore year, it really burnt me out towards the last two months of the season,” says Rohrer. “I was really struggling to even go to practice and asking, ‘Why am I doing this?’ But my teammates and coaches pushed me through. Looking back on it now, that’s when you have to be mentally tough to try to fight through [burnout]. It’s not easy, and it’s a struggle.”

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By holding herself to high performance standards, Rohrer placed her identity in and only in basketball. “Freshman year I was very critical of myself and a lot of it came back to an identity piece,” says Rohrer. “I put my identity in basketball, so when I wouldn’t have a good game, it didn’t matter if the team won. For me, if I didn’t have a good game, I would feel a personal failure and feel frustrated. “I wasn’t frustrated with the team, I was frustrated with myself. It was taking away from the team win. I made the worst out of a good situation for myself, which really put a pressure on that I didn’t need to be putting on myself.” Quitting the sport had crossed her mind, however the topic is not something that she has given complete thought. “I’m not someone who likes quitting, and I’ve been raised that if you start something you finish it,” says Rohrer. “At the end of the day I thought back about it and would pray about it. At the end of the day, God has given me a passion for basketball and blessed me with the ability to play it.”

Women’s basketball head coach Mike Miller agrees that the biggest way Rohrer has grown over the past four years is that she has more external focus. A criminal justice major, Rohrer is in a period of waiting. While her senior season comes to an end, and another chapter begins, Rohrer is not ruling out playing or coaching basketball again. This is attributed to “the work that she invested to become more spiritually mature,” says coach Miller. “I have a feeling somewhere along the lines I’ll get back involved with it whether that’s in a coaching aspect or whether that’s just recreationally; I’m not really sure yet,” says Rohrer. “It’s always been a passion of mine and will always be a passion of mine.”

CAMPUS CONNECTION Thought you recognized a face from earlier? After befriending her over the years, Carl Meiss from the Safety Department (pg 12) often comes to sup-

“We are losing someone with a great deal of integrity and work ethic,” says coach Miller. “She has always had that. We are losing a true leader that not only leads by example but also with encouraging words and a real heart for helping the younger players.”

port Alecia at her home games.

Then during her junior campaign, Rohrer’s outlook on her performance changed. “Junior year it improved, and now in senior year it’s even better,” says Rohrer. “Even if I didn’t have a good game here or there, if we win, that’s what matters. I have the understanding that it’s about the team. I’ll improve my game on my own time, but making sure I’m there for my teammates and I’m there for those around me that might be struggling, and taking that focus off myself and putting it into others.” Rohrer attributes this change in perspective to investing in her spiritual life and faith. By understanding that her identity is not just in basketball, she realized that no matter how she performs on the court, she’s still loved and valued.

Reflecting on her entire career, if Rohrer could change one thing, it would be telling her younger self to enjoy every moment. “Instead of being so hard on myself because I think, I know, that by me being so hard on myself, it took away from the moment,” says Rohrer. “It took away from some of the wins, it took away from some of the joy that comes with playing basketball, and it’s unfortunate that it had taken me until my junior year, and especially my senior year to realize how much fun and how much of a blessing it has been to play basketball here and at the college level in general.”

TITLE PHOTO (PG 25) The team join hands before the start of the conference final (Messiah vs Lycoming). RIGHT Shortly after title photo — cheering on each teammate before the game. Courtesy of the Messiah College Athletics Department.

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CREW 4°

BY LILLIAN KASHISHIAN

essiah College is well known for its stunning facilities, including those home to our athletic teams. From soccer to baseball, each field requires different attention and delicate care to ensure that it not only serves the athletes but as well as the aesthetics Messiah boasts. The person who oversees all of the athletic field maintenance? Mark Graybill. Graybill’s official title is Ground Services Manager. This means that he oversees the entire grounds department which includes the both the campus side and athletic fields. In addition to Graybill, the athletics side of the grounds department is comprised of two full-time workers: an individual who mows all of the athletic fields twice a week and a part-time individual who works on the off-the-field aesthetics. Prior to recently becoming the Ground Services Manager, Graybill was the athletic and sports turf crew leader. Originally, he was working on the campus side of grounds, but eventually made his way to the athletics side. Working at Messiah for the past 11 years, his previous experience and expertise with athletic fields helped him get to where he is now. “Before this [job], I did a lot of coaching,” says Graybill. “I played three sports growing up: baseball, soccer, and basketball. Athletics itself was something that I really enjoyed. I had a background in running machinery, so I

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was only on campus for three or four months, then the athletics job became available. With my experience of working on fields before, and I’ve even been a part of building three fields at a complex, so that’s what got me to athletics.” Working on the athletic fields for many years, Graybill attributes his growth mindset to continuing his job. “It’s having that growth mindset that you can constantly learn and grow from your job,” says Graybill. “Especially with our job, it changes a lot with the different chemicals you can use and different fields even. We are constantly asking how can we make it the best that we can make it. And part of that is learning and growing constantly.” The two keys to maintaining the athletic fields is putting in the time and having patience. The true season for the grounds crew begins March 1 and ends sometime in November, however once December hits, the crew is still working to maintain the fields. “People think oh well, you’re caught up now because it’s December,” explains Graybill. But a lot of that is going back over your turf program, doing all the things you weren’t able to do all year long, and some of that is if a fence got broken at some point, now you have time to actually go back and do it.”

HEAVY LIFTING Graybill and crew replace a shed behind Starry Softball Field.

SPORTS & REC

"We could rush through this stuff in two hours, but we don’t want to,” explains Graybill. “We want to take our time to make sure we

do it right."

During the peak season, the baseball, softball, and soccer fields take between 3-4 hours to prepare between watering, mowing, and painting each field on game days. By putting in the extra hour or two, the Grounds Crew is attempting to ensure what they view as their number one priority: student-athlete safety. “Obviously we love the aesthetics, but the safety of the field not only for our student-athletes, but any student-athlete that walks on the field is the number one priority,” says Graybill. Some student-athletes go to great lengths to show how much they appreciate the hard

work of the grounds crew. The baseball team even tries to make the grounds crew’s job a little easier.

Graybill’s favorite aspect of the job is just having one-on-one communication with the student-athletes.

“The student-athletes love to take ownership of their own fields,” says Graybill. “For example, the baseball team will have a field day on their field to cut edges. It’s gotten to the point where they like to do their own mound and home plate with putting the clay in, and that can be time consuming to do it right. So, they’re taking ownership for their field which they love.”

“Being out there with the players and knowing how much, especially here at Messiah, that they appreciate it,” says Graybill. “Every time we’re out there, there isn’t at least multiple players that haven’t said thank you for what you’re doing. That helps us know that we’re doing the right thing. We’re helping student athletes get an opportunity that a lot of people don’t get to do.”

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SPORTS & REC

Conversations

with freshmen Rookies-of-

BY CELICA COOK Balancing college courses, a social life and a varsity sport is no easy task for the average college student. This is especially difficult for the swimmer. With early morning pool sessions combined with the long day, and sometimes weekend long meets, it’s easy to burnout on such an exhausting schedule. For first-year students Tyler Wilkinson and Nancie Ziegler, the hustle and bustle of life as both student and athlete has strengthened them both inside and outside of the pool. Swimming has been a part of both Wilkinson and Ziegler's life for a long time, and their passion for the sport has only grown since swimming on the Messiah team. While they could have gone to any other college in the nation to show off their swimming skills, they chose to come to Messiah College because of the unique community they discovered that can only be found on a campus like this one. “For me, it was kind of about finding a community at college where I felt like everyone just connected,” says Wilkinson. As a nursing major outside the pool, Wilkinson was also attracted to the strength of Messiah’s nursing program. He quickly found that the combination of strong academics mixed with good community, as well as the opportunity to take part in one of his favorite sports made

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Messiah a good fit for him. After a semester of settling into his new life here, he found community within his teammates, floormates and fellow nursing majors. “I definitely have really good friendships on the team, but I also love the guys on my floor and the people within my major,” says Wilkinson. “I know there’s kind of a stigma, especially at this college with sports teams only doing things together and things like that. I’ve kind of tried to branch out, and I still love the swim team and all, but it’s nice to have another group of friends as well.”

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“I always swam, and I always really enjoyed it,” says Ziegler. “I always felt that mentally, and physically, I’m just in better shape when I’m in the pool. There was no question about whether I was going to swim or not.” The automatic friendships that she built with the other girls on her team added to the sense of comfort that Ziegler felt when first stepping onto Messiah’s campus. “Being on a sports team gives you an automatic family, and I really got that sense when I came on my recruiting trip here,” says Ziegler.

Ziegler stumbled across Messiah’s campus on a visit one day and decided right away that it was the place for her. “Messiah was the only school that I really looked at, and then we came here kind of on a whim, and just coming on campus made me feel like I was right at home,” says Ziegler. As an engineering major, Ziegler knew that swimming with the team would be a lot of work on top of her already busy class schedule and difficult courses, but that didn’t stop her from getting into the pool anyway.

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BOLD CHOICE: Ziegler's rainbow goggles help her stand out at crowded swim meets.

SPORTS & REC

Wilkinson has found he has grown spiritually through the support of other members of the team, and the relationships he has cultivated with them. “There’s a couple of guys that I’m really close with that are just really mature in their faith, says Wilkinson. “They call me upwards instead of dragging me down.” At one of his recent swim meets, Wilkinson recalls an event where he felt the support of his teammates.

“I think having that relationship with people who are older than you and come from different backgrounds causes you to think a lot, and think about your actions and beliefs and where they come from.” For both Wilkinson and Ziegler, faith played an important role on their decision to attend Messiah College, and both feel that swimming on the Messiah team has strengthened their relationship with God. For Ziegler, it was the countless hours of staring into the bottom of a pool that forced her to meditate on God’s word and listen to what He was saying to her. “It gives you a lot of space for your mind to just think,” says Ziegler. “You just see God work in amazing ways through swimming. I’ve had the opportunity to use the talent He’s given me in ways that I couldn't if I wasn't on the swim team.”

“There was this really cool moment when I was swimming, and as I came into one of my walls to turn, two of my really close friends from the team were just screaming and cheering me on,” says Wilkinson. “It was really cool because I realized in the middle of my race that they were there for me. They’ve got my back.” For both Wilkinson and Ziegler, being a part of the Messiah swim team has pushed their limits in more ways than one and given them plenty of room for growth and development in their physical, spiritual, and relational lives. For these two teammates, the journey has just begun. With three more years and six more semesters to go in their college career, things are looking up, and the relationships they cultivate today could turn out to be lifelong friendships tomorrow.

PRACTICING Wilkinson takes his mark, then launches into a backstroke start.

AWARD WINNERS: Head Coach Katie McComb joins Ziegler and Wilkinson as they accept their Rookie of the Year awards.

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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