MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI eBULLETIN
March/April 2002

"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations"
Luke 24:46

THE ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFF REJOICES WITH YOU ON THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST. HALLELUJAH!

TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE:
  • ALUMNI COUNCIL "CUTS" AFFINITY CREDIT CARD
  • SPRING REUNION WEEKEND INFORMATION
    • List of Activities For ALL Alumni
    • Academy Class of 1942 Reunion Added
    • Class Reunion Dinner Locations
    • Discount Deadline is March 27
    • Grantham Heights Open House
  • ALUMNI GOLF OUTINGS INFO
    • Spring Reunion Weekend Outing: April 5
    • 20th Annual Alumni & Friends Outing: July 12
  • FREE WORKSHOPS ON BIOETHICS & ISLAM
  • ALUMNI DIRECTORY UPDATE
  • ALUMNI INVITED TO CHAPEL & LUNCHEON FOR DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA
  • HOMECOMING 2002 GOES INTERNATIONAL
  • CONSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR ACADEMIC BUILDING
  • NEW COLLEGE ICON APPROVED
  • PROVOST ANNOUNCES HIRING OF TWO DEANS
  • LIBRARY BOOK SALE
  • CHRISTIAN FOREIGN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
  • 2002 SCHRAG LECTURES
  • BLOOD BANK ISSUES COLLEGE CHALLENGE
  • EMPLOYER RECRUITERS COMING TO CAMPUS
  • SNEAK PREVIEW: 2002-2003 SEASON FOR CULTURAL SERIES & LYCEUM EVENTS
  • ALUMNI E-BULLETIN REACHES MILESTONE

ALUMNI RELATIONS NEWS

ALUMNI COUNCIL VOTES ‘NO' TO AFFINITY CREDIT CARD PROGRAM
After considerable discussion at its March 9 meeting, the Alumni Council voted unanimously to approve a recommendation to the College that it should not implement an affinity credit card program for alumni. Reasons cited include:
  • The college should not affiliate with an enterprise that seeks to encourage consumer and personal debt
  • Concerns about credit card marketing
  • Concerns about saddling the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations with handling customer service issues
Although the Council acknowledged that many alumni already use credit cards and may appreciate an opportunity to have a portion of their proceeds go to a worthy cause (i.e. student scholarships), the Council felt that overall, the negatives outweighed the benefits for the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations and Messiah College.
Spearheading research on the issue for the Alumni Council were Tim Engle '92, financial advisor for Legg Mason, and Jeff Horst '95, tax manager for Arthur Andersen. Tim and Jeff contacted alumni officers at eight other colleges who currently have affinity card programs and also considered the input of over 100 Messiah alumni who responded via e-mail and the Alumni Web site.

SPRING REUNION WEEKEND OFFERS ACTIVITIES FOR ALL ALUMNI
Our upcoming Spring Reunion Weekend to be held April 5-7 offers the following activities for ALL alumni:
  • Golf Outing
  • Breakfast With the President
  • Oakes Museum Open House
  • Faculty Workshop: The Genesis Solar Car Project
  • Faculty Workshop: Learning From the Amish
  • Faculty Workshop: Images of Old Testament Women
  • Faculty Workshop: Contemporary Islam
  • Climenhaga Homestead & McBeth Alumni Center Open House
  • Concert Choir Concert
For a complete schedule, visit www.messiah.edu/alumni.

ACADEMY CLASS OF 1942 ADDED TO SPRING REUNION WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Dr. Robert Smith is convening a reunion for all classmates from the Messiah Academy class of 1942 as part of the April 6 Spring Reunion Weekend festivities. For more information, please contact Marty Willard, assistant director of alumni relations, by calling (717) 796-5252.

CHANGES IN LOCATIONS FOR CLASS REUNION DINNERS
Based upon early registration figures, the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations announces a few changes in the locations for some of those classes having a reunion dinner as follows:
  • MJ/MC Class of 1952: Grantham Church
  • Upland Class of 1952: Private Dining Room, Eisenhower (no change)
  • Academy Class of 1952: Grantham Church
  • Academy Class of 1957: Boardroom, Eisenhower
  • Class of 1967: Conference Room, McBeth Alumni Center
  • Class of 1972: Grantham Church (no change)

DISCOUNT DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR SPRING REUNION WEEKEND
To receive a 10% discount on Spring Reunion Weekend activities, you must register by Wednesday, March 27, 2002. Please contact the Alumni Office by phone at (717) 796-5252.

ALUMNI ARE INVITED TO LEARN ABOUT PLANS FOR GRANTHAM HEIGHTS RETIREMENT VILLAGE
Grantham Heights, a new retirement community sponsored by Messiah Village, is planned for future construction along Lisburn Road near the entrance to Messiah's campus. Messiah College alumni are invited to an Open House at the new Grantham Heights Information Center on Saturday, April 6, from 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM.
Displays, models of the spacious villa homes and new community, and virtual tours of furnished homes illustrate the Grantham Height's lifestyle including educational, cultural, athletic, and other opportunities at Messiah College's campus. The Grantham Heights Information Center is located at 2 Kacey Court, along Bumblebee Hollow Road (near the McDonald's Restaurant off Route 114). For more details, call (717) 591-5555 or visit www.granthamheights.com.

ALUMNI GOLF OUTINGS
Alumni and friends are invited to participate in the following two Alumni Office sponsored golf outings:
  • THE SPRING REUNION WEEKEND OUTING
    Friday, April 5
    Range End Golf Club
    Tee Times begin at Noon
    This is a casual straight play format with maybe a few twists offered. Limited to 32 players, you must register with the Alumni Office by Thursday, March 28 to reserve your spot. Cost: $28 to walk; $35 to ride.
  • THE 20TH ANNUAL MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI & FRIENDS OUTING
    Friday, July 12
    Dauphin Highlands Golf Club
    Registration begins at 12:30.
    Our popular annual golf outing is moving to a new venue, but will continue to feature a four-person scramble format and prizes. A chicken and ribs barbeque to follow the golf outing. More information is forthcoming. If you have an interest in being a corporate or individual sponsor, please contact Randy Ness at (717) 796-5252 or e-mail RNess@messiah.edu.

ALUMNI ACADEMY OFFERS TWO FREE CURRENT ISSUES WORKSHOPS
  • Bioethics & Human Dignity:
    What Should We Do With These New Technologies?
    Thursday, April 18 (7:00 p.m.)
    Presented by Dr. Dennis Hollinger
    Location: Manor Brethren in Christ Church
  • Contemporary Islam:
    War & Peace; Intolerance & Democracy
    Thursday, April 25 (7:00 p.m.)
    Presented by Dr. Christian van Gorder
    Location: Manor Brethren in Christ Church
    (This workshop also being offered on April 6 on campus as part of Spring Reunion Weekend.)

2002 ALUMNI DIRECTORY TO BE RELEASED IN JUNE
The Alumni Relations Office is nearing the completion of entering data from more than 7,000 returned alumni questionnaires. Thank you to all who responded! Production and publishing of the print directory is scheduled for April through May. If you wish to order a print directory please contact the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations by calling (717) 796-5252. Cost is $20.

ALUMNI ARE INVITED TO CHAPEL AND LUNCHEON HONORING AMY SHERMAN
Dr. Amy Sherman '83 will receive the Messiah College Distinguished Alumnus Award on Tuesday, April 16, during College chapel. Amy is being recognized for her public policy advocacy of faith-based programs and participation in urban ministries. Her expertise has been recognized nationally including advise and counsel to the White House.
After the award presentation, Amy will address the chapel audience. Alumni are welcome to attend the chapel, which begins at 9:45 a.m. A celebratory luncheon with Sherman will be sponsored by the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations following chapel. Alumni are invited, but due to limited space, reservations are required. Please contact the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations at Alumni@messiah.edu or call (717) 796-5252.

HOMECOMING 2002 TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL THEME
Using Psalm 94:3 as a foundation, the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations has set the theme "Celebrating Nations, Peoples and Cultures" for our 2002 Homecoming, scheduled for Saturday October 19. We are busy planning activities that will celebrate the breadth of cultural and international experiences represented in our campus and alumni community.
We intend to offer receptions for international students and alumni and for cross-cultural and study-abroad groups. Brennan Swain '93, an alumni celebrity, who won CBS-TV's inaugural "Amazing Race" will be on hand to talk about his experiences racing around the globe. We invite alumni who are living abroad to consider the possibility of returning to campus (please notify us in advance if you do plan to return). If you have other ideas for our consideration or want to get involved, please send an e-mail to Alumni@messiah.edu.

GENERAL NEWS

MESSIAH BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW ACADEMIC BUILDING
Contractors arrived last week and began breaking ground for construction of a new academic building on campus. The new academic building will serve as a "home" for the School of Education and Social Sciences and for the School of the Humanities. It will face center campus and be located adjacent to the College Chapel.

Due to a pressing need for classroom and academic space and with a tremendous response to the early stages of its comprehensive fund-raising campaign, "To Serve and To Lead: The Campaign for Student Enrichment," the Board of Trustees decided to begin construction on this facility now. Completion is targeted for Fall of 2003.

A public kick-off celebration for the campaign is scheduled for this fall. Another part of the campaign includes construction of a new student union. The Board of Trustees will decide on a construction schedule for that facility at its upcoming May meeting.

This is an exciting time for Messiah and we realize there will be many questions from those interested in learning more about these facilities, the campaign, and how they may be involved. To provide more details and illustrations, please visit the following web sites:

www.messiah.edu/toserveandtolead (overview of campaign)

www.messiah.edu/academicbuilding (overview of the new academic building)

www.messiah.edu/studentunion (overview of the new student union)

NEW ICON APPROVED FOR MESSIAH COLLEGE
On March 19, the College Council gave final approval to a series of recommendations from the Visual Identity Team. These recommendations pertain to Messiah's graphic standards including College seal, a new icon design, and stationery package.
The Visual Identity Team has been active for more than a year considering graphic standards issues and gathering input from employees, students and alumni. The team extends its gratitude to alumni who participated in focus groups, campus forums, and online surveys throughout this process.
Official implementation of the new icon in a public venue will begin with the 2002 Commencement. If you would like to see Messiah's new icon and read about the other approved recommendations, visit www.messiah.edu/visualidentity.

PROVOST ANNOUNCES HIRING OF TWO NEW DEANS
Last week, Provost Kim Phipps announced that Dr. Ray Norman has accepted the appointment as Dean of the School of Mathematics, Engineering and Business and also that Dr. Joseph Huffman has accepted the appointment as Dean of the School of the Humanities.
Dr. Norman currently serves as an administrator for World Vision in Mauritania and will move to the United States in July 2002. Dr. Huffman currently serves as Chair of the Department of History and is Associate Professor of European History at Messiah College.
More biographical information will be forthcoming in future alumni communications. In the meanwhile, Provost Phipps requests prayers for The Norman family during this time of significant transition and moving and for Dr. Huffman as he assumes new duties on campus.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY 7TH ANNUAL BOOK SALE BEGINS APRIL 13
Approximately 10,000 used books, LP records, compact discs, videos, music scores and home schooling materials will go on sale at bargain prices (most items run anywhere from $.50 to $2; old, rare, and special books priced as marked). The sale begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 13 and continues through Friday, April 19 in the Murray Library. Proceeds will be used to supplement the library's annual budget. Book donations accepted until Friday, April 12.

MESSIAH TO HOST NORTH AMERICAN CHRISTIAN FOREIGN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
NACFLA will hold its 12th annual conference entitled "Christian Perspectives on Foreign Language and Literature: Creating Space in the Foreign Language Classroom" on campus, April 4-6. The conference is open to all interested persons and the registration cost is $90. For more information contact John Beaney at (717) 766-2511, ext. 3610.

ANNUAL SCHRAG LECTURES EXAMINE ANABAPTISM
The 2002 Schrag Lectures will be held on campus on Tuesday, April 9. These lectures are free and open to the public. This year's lectures will feature Tom Yoder Neufield, associate professor of religious studies and director of graduate theological studies at Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, Ontario. For more information, contact David Weaver-Zercher at (717) 766-2511, ext. 7379.

THE CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BLOOD BANK IS SPONSORING THE 2002 COLLEGE CHALLENGE
Messiah is one of twelve central Pennsylvania colleges participating in the 2002 College Challenge from January 15 through April 15. Institutions will be competing to see who garners the highest percentage participation of blood donations. Students, alumni, and staff donors count.
Messiah's next scheduled on-campus blood drive is Friday, April 12 in Hostetter Chapel. Persons may also donate blood at any CPBB member hospital and give credit to their College of choice. Questions may be directed to the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank by calling (717) 566-6161.

EMPLOYERS TO RECRUIT ON CAMPUS DURING CAREER FEST 2002
Employment representatives will be on campus in the Eisenhower Commons on April 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to talk with students and alumni about employment and internship opportunities. This is an excellent opportunity if you are considering changing careers. To attend, please come with your updated resume.
A list of attending organizations may be viewed at www.messiah.edu/acdept/career/center by clicking on "job fairs." If you are an alumnus involved in hiring for your organization and wish to attend as a recruiter, please contact the Career Center by calling (717) 691-6043.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF CULTURAL SERIES & LYCEUM EVENTS FOR 2002-2003 SEASON
The Messiah College Public Relations Office announces the following artists and speakers for 2002-2003:

  • Cultural Series
    • Carolina Brass (September 20, 2002)
    • American Boychoir (October 25, 2002)
    • The Baltimore Consort (February 21, 2003)
    • New York Voices (March 28, 2003)
  • Susquehanna Valley Lyceum
    • Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (November 1, 2002)
    • Hadasseh Lieberman (March 6, 2003)
    For more information, or to order your subscription(s) by credit card, call the Messiah College Ticket Office at (717) 691-6036.

ALUMNI SUBSCRIBERS TO E-BULLETIN SURPASSES 6,000!
Our February edition went to 6,346 alumni subscribers or nearly a 40% increase from a year ago! The Alumni Relations staff thanks you for your interest in Messiah College and alumni relations programming by subscribing to the Alumni e-Bulletin. If you are aware of alumni friends, who aren't subscribers, please encourage them forward their e-mail addresses to Alumni@messiah.edu .

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO eBULLETIN TRIVIA CONTESTS?
Due to the huge work load from processing questionnaires for the Alumni Directory project, we have decided to relieve our support staff from the added workload of processing hundreds of e-mail trivia responses by taking a hiatus from the trivia contests for a few months. We look forward to offering the trivia contests in the future. Thanks for your understanding and bearing with us.

ALUMNI RELATIONS STAFF

Randy Ness '77, director
Marty Willard '75, assistant director
Dixie Koser, administrative assistant
Renee Butler '04, student assistant
Andrew Heller '03, student assistant

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR NEWS!
Please share any information about what is new in your life, personal accomplishments or experiences, and what you are doing in your profession, church, community, etc. Information will be considered for inclusion in the Alumni Notes section of "The Bridge." Your information may also be shared with the Admissions Office and College faculty and staff who may share your success stories with current and prospective students and their parents who are eager to hear about our alumni -- the proof of Messiah's quality education.
If you have any comments, suggestions, or you wish to be excluded from receiving the "Messiah Alumni eBulletin," please contact the Office of Alumni & Parent Relations, Messiah College, One College Avenue, Grantham, PA 17027, (717) 796-5252, or via e-mail at alumni@messiah.edu.

MESSIAH COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT
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.

ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE MISSION STATEMENT
We will advance the connections with alumni striving to involve them as partners in advancing the mission of the College.