Distinguished Alumnus Award
Honors excellence in vocation.

2006 Recipient

Mark Garis '60

In college, Mark Garis majored in History and held several leadership positions, including chair of the Social Committee, President of the Choral Society and Vice President of the Student Senate. 

Upon graduation, Mark began a thirty-eight year journey in public education.  He became an elementary school principal before the age of thirty.  He earned a masters degree from Temple University and a doctorate from Lehigh University.  He diligently served the Souderton Area School District located midway between Philadelphia and Allentown for more than thirty years retiring as its Superintendent in 1998. 

Mark promoted excellence in public education.  He helped develop the evaluation instrument for elementary schools used by the Middle States Accreditation Association and served on many of its review teams.  For his advocacy of teacher development, The Souderton District named its new staff development center in his honor.

Upon retirement, Mark went to work elsewhere.  He helped found a Mennonite high school in inner-city Philadelphia.  He directed an international school for missionary children in Venezuela.  For three years, he served as regional administrator in South America for Brethren-in-Christ World Missions.

Mark has always had an interest in people of many cultures.  He and his wife, Nan, have been a host family for international students from ten different countries.

Throughout his life, Mark was active in his home church and denomination.  For the past eight years he has served as Chair of the General Conference Board, the highest lay position in the Brethren-in-Christ denomination.  And for the past 20 years he has faithfully served on the Messiah College Board of Trustees.