December 2003 eBulletin

MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI E-BULLETIN
DECEMBER 2003 EDITION

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During this holiday season may we all be reminded anew of God's gifts of creation, of abounding grace through Jesus, and of the ever-present companionship of the Holy Spirit to us. Glad tidings & Happy Holidays to you!

- Randy, Paula & Dixie
Alumni & Parent Relations Staff

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TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE:

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS

* HOMECOMING 2003 RECAP; YOUR FEEDBACK INVITED

* ALUMNA BECOMES 2,000TH REGISTRANT TO ONLINE COMMUNITY

* FREE ALUMNI PRINT DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE

* SIX NEW MEMBERS NAMED TO ALUMNI COUNCIL

* ALUMNI/STUDENT MISSIONS TRIP OFFERED

* ANNUAL GYM & POOL NIGHT

* CALL FOR ALUMNI AWARD NOMINEES

* ALUMNI GIVING SCOREBOARD

* REUNION COORDINATORS LISTED FOR SPRING REUNION DAY


CAMPUS UPDATE

* CLASS OF 2007 PROFILE

* TEACHER CERTIFICATION FOR FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE

* A CALL FOR ALL SCIENCE ALUMNI

* IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS OCCURRING ON CAMPUS

* HALL OF HONOR TO INDUCT FIVE ALUMNI/AE ATHLETES

* PA. CAMPUS COMPACT MOVES TO CAMPUS

* CHRISTIAN VOCATION PROJECT IMPACTS STUDENTS

* BOOKSTORE OFFERS MESSIAH ORNAMENTS

* CAMPUS EVENTS

* TRIVIA CONTEST


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* HOMECOMING 2003
SHOWS INCREASED ATTENDANCE
A HUGE "thank you" to all who attended Homecoming 2003! General registration totaled 1398 persons (up 19% over last year) including 866 alumni/ae (up 25% over last year). These figures mark a three year trend of increasing attendance.

Photos from the weekend including class reunions, alumni awards luncheon, Falcon Fun Run, Falconfest picnic and other activities are available online at www.messiah.edu .

If you have any feedback about your Homecoming experience or ideas for future Homecoming programming, please e-mail Paula Bongiorno, at Pbongior@messiah.edu .


* ONLINE ALUMNI COMMUNITY
REACHES MILESTONE
Nearly 2,200 alumni have now registered for the alumni online community. Our 2,000th registrant is Christine (Brown) Conrades '00 of Ellicott City, MD. Christine wins the Messiah sweatshirt as a prize for being our 2000th registered user.

If you haven't registered yet, what are you waiting for? The online alumni community allows you to update your information, search for other alumni, reconnect with classmates, post news and photos, and register for alumni events. To get started, go to www.messiah.edu/alumni and click on the red link.


* ALUMNI INPUT WANTED ON
FUTURE FEATURES FOR ONLINE COMMUNITY
What new features and/or enhancements would you like to see on the online alumni community? What would make the site even more attractive and useful to you? Please send your comments to Randy Ness at Rness@messiah.edu .


* ALUMNI PRINT DIRECTORIES
AVAILABLE FOR FREE UPON REQUEST
Now that the online alumni community is available, we are offering leftover copies of the 2002 Alumni Directory (print version) to alumni for FREE (add $5 for postage and handling for mailed copies). Contact Dixie Koser in the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at (717) 796-5252 to request a copy.


* SIX NEW MEMBERS
JOIN THE ALUMNI COUNCIL
The alumni/ae listed below along with their region or affinity group representation recently joined the Alumni Council:

Tara (Weyand) Carter '94,
Annville, Pa. (HRM Network) tcarter@hersheys.com

Don Glickert '91
Peekskill, NY (North Jersey/NYC Area) evodoug@aol.com

Meg Jones '01
Haymarket, VA. (Young Alumni) megjones211@yhoo.com

Ryan Keith '02
Mechanicsburg, PA. (Young Alumni) rkeith@hbgrc.com

Audrey (McDonald) Long '77
Allentown, Pa. (Lehigh Valley Region) bigredajl@aol.com

Carl Lundblad '93
Camp Hill, Pa. (Law & Politics Network) clundblad@rhoads-sinon.com

For a full listing of Alumni Council members, visit www.messiah.edu/alumni .


* STUDENT/ALUMNI MISSIONS TRIP
TO BE OFFERED DURING SPRING BREAK
An opportunity has arisen for the Office of Alumni Relations to partner with the Agape Center for Service and Learning to lead Messiah College students and alumni on a missions trip to La Libertad, El Salvador. The Messiah student-alumni team will be serving under the auspices of Bridge Builders, Inc. missionary organization.

This team will fellowship and serve with the Tabernaculo Biblico Bautista (Baptist Biblical Tabernacle) and local children associated with Compassion International. This church, planted in 1997, has grown to a congregation of 800 adults and 150 children. Due to this growth, the church seeks help in building an addition to accommodate their needs.

The trip is scheduled for March 13-20, 2004. Cost is $1,600. (Alumni may raise support for the trip and tax deductible contributions can be made through Messiah College.) If you have any interest and/or want more information, please contact Paula Bongiorno at Pbongior@messiah.edu or call (717) 796-5252 immediately. Application deadline is December 12.


* UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS

- ANNUAL GYM & POOL NIGHT
Friday, January 30, 2004
7 - 9 p.m.
Sollenberger Sports Center
Messiah's gym and pool facilities are available free-of-charge to alumni and their immediate families throughout the evening. Ice cream social also provided.


* NOMINEES REQUESTED
FOR 2004 ALUMNI AWARDS
The Messiah College Alumni Association recognizes four persons annually who are exemplary representatives of Messiah's mission of "service, leadership & reconciliation in church and society." If you would like to nominate any persons for award consideration, please send names and brief 2-3 paragraph narratives on why to Randy Ness at Rness@messiah.edu . The four awards and their criteria are:

- Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award:
Recognizes an alumnus/a for a lifetime of outstanding achievement and contribution to vocation, church, and/or community.

- Young Alumni Achievement Award:
Recognizes an alumnus/a who has graduated during the years 1989-2003 for outstanding achievement and contribution to vocation, church, and/or community.

- Alumni Christian Service/Barnabus Service Award:
Recognizes an alumnus/a for a lifetime of sacrificial service and ministry to humanity

- Alumni Appreciation Award:
Recognizes an alumnus/a or friend of the College for significant personal contribution and service to Messiah College


* UPDATE ON 2003-2004
ALUMNI GIVING PROGRESS
The Development Office reports that the fall phonathon raised $161,000 for the Student Impact Fund. A sincere thanks to everyone who has made a gift or pledge thus far to this year's campaign!

Percentage of Alumni Participation
- End of November 2003: 16.7%
- End of November 2002: 15.3%

Total Alumni Giving
- End of November 2003: $229,703
- End of November 2002: $190,250

To make a difference in the lives of Messiah students during this academic year, visit www.messiah.edu/giving and make a secure credit card gift online.


* SPRING REUNION DAY
COORDINATORS NAMED
The third annual Spring Reunion Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2004. More details about the day's activities will be forthcoming. We are pleased to announce the anniversary year reunion coordinators (listed below). Please feel free to contact them with your interest and ideas.

Class: 1944 (60 years)

- Messiah Academy & Junior College:
Graybill & Ethel (Stern) Brubaker - (717) 691-8505
Avis (Saltzman) Brumbaugh - (717) 697-1794
Bob Worman (Out of country until January)

Class: 1954 (50 years)

- Messiah Academy
Erma (Lehman) Hoover - elkbhoover@juno.com

- Messiah Junior College & College:
Harold Kauffman - hlkauffi@aol.com
Paul Hostetler - paulela@juno.com
George Bundy - gebundy@pa.net

Class: 1959 (45 years)

- Messiah Academy
Janet (Hoover) Stoner - jkstoner@ptd.net
Jack Wolgemuth - jmwolgemuth@mac.com
Lois (Knepper) Wolgemuth - lwolgemuth@att.net

- Messiah Junior College & College
Roger Witter - rogerwitter@yahoo.com
Loine (Engle) Bert - loinebert@juno.com
Ron Miller - rmiller@messiah.edu
Nelson Wingert - nwingert@anchorfinancialgroup.com
Sharon Weisser - weisser@innernet.net

Class: 1964 (40 years)

Audrey (Deardorff) Brubaker - abrubake@ycp.edu
Marilyn Heisey - mmheisey@pa.net
Allen Sollenberger - acsoll@dejazzd.com
Class: 1969 (35 years)
Phyllis (Dourte) Wissler - jaywiss@aol.com

Class: 1974 (30 years)
Carl Campbell - Carlpam_Campbell@sil.org
Libby (Marcinko) Coldsmith - lcoldsmith@pinnaclehealth.org

Upland College:
Curt Nissly - cnissly@usaid.gov
Hubert Stern -(717) 766-3304

CAMPUS UPDATE *******************************************


* CLASS OF 2007 PROFILE
736 - Total number of first year students
463 - Women (63%)
273 - Men (37%)
1201 - Average SAT Score (602 verbal; 599 math)
42 - Valedictorians
244 - (41%) Rank in Top 10% of high school class

After "Undeclared" (104 students), the majors with largest number of 1st year students enrolled are:
Nursing - 60
Elementary Education - 44
Engineering - 39
Biology - 38
Psychology - 34

The top five denominational affiliations declared are:
Nondenominational/Interdenominational - 126
Baptist - 97
United Methodist - 60
Presbyterian - 54
Mennonite - 41

Total College Enrollment: 2,952 students (2,913 FTE)


* FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE
TEACHER CERTIFICATION RENEWED
The Department of Human Development & Family Science (formerly Family Studies) is pleased to announce that Messiah has recently gained Pennsylvania Department of Education approval to offer Family & Consumer Science Teacher Certification. Alumni/ae who currently teach in this or related areas, are invited to contact Dr. Raeann Hamon, chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Science, at rhamon@messiah.edu for more information and to update the department on your professional activities.


* AN IMPORTANT REQUEST TO ALL
ALL ALUMNI WITH SCIENCE DEGREES
The Department of Natural Sciences has reorganized into three departments as follows:
- Biological Sciences (Jerry Hess, Chair)
- Chemistry & Biochemistry (Roseann Sachs, Chair)
- Nutrition & Dietetics (Kay Witt, Chair)

All three departments are evaluating their performance and as part of the process to assess outcomes, they request up-to-date graduate school and occupational information from all alumni who have graduated from Messiah with majors in the natural sciences. To conveniently review and update your information, please use the online alumni community at www.messiah.edu/alumni .


* FYI: SEVERAL IMPORTANT
CONVERSATIONS OCCURRING ON CAMPUS
This year, the Messiah community has been engaged in several important conversations regarding campus life. To help keep alumni informed, a summary of two of those discussions is included below, along with web addresses where alumni can get current, accurate information.

- BALANCING THE BUDGET
Messiah College is currently preparing its annual financial operating plan. Through this process, the College is conducting financial reviews to determine whether or not outsourcing selective functions and/or work units could be financially advantageous to the College without negatively effecting the fulfillment of its mission.

The Board of Trustees has affirmed that reviews should be undertaken in selective work units immediately and more generally across the College program in future years, to identify approaches to cost savings. This does NOT indicate, however, that a decision has been made to out source these functions. Decisions regarding individual functions will be based on the information gathered in the respective review and consequently will be made after the review is completed.

To read more about the campus discussion on this issue, including Q&A and a copy of the memo campus employees received, please visit www.messiah.edu/budgetdiscussion .

- SGA PROPOSAL ON ALCOHOL POLICY
In the spring of 2003, the Messiah College Student Government Association (SGA) submitted a proposal to the College's senior administration recommending clarification of and changes to Messiah's current student alcohol policy.

SGA's proposed policy continues to affirm current commitments (listed below); however, it does request that students who are of legal drinking age be allowed to drink responsibly at off-campus venues.
- Messiah College will remain an alcohol-free campus;
- Illegal drinking will not be tolerated under any circumstances;
- Drunkenness will not be tolerated;
- All students would abide by the law of the land;
- Sanctions for violation of alcohol policy will continue to be consistently enforced; and,
- Messiah will continue to actively educate students about alcohol-related issues and decisions.

In response, the administration is currently coordinating a campus-wide conversation and decision-making process, facilitated by Kris Hansen-Kieffer, Vice Provost and Dean of Students, regarding SGA's proposed changes. The College has created a website that outlines anticipated questions and interest that the broader campus community may have in the current dialogue and process related to this issue. For more information, visit www.messiah.edu/alcoholpolicy .

(Editor's Note: Issues like these are significant, complex and potentially divisive. Persons of faith will hold differing opinions on these matters. Please pray that the process will be seasoned with much wisdom, maturity, grace and civility. - Randy Ness, director of Alumni & Parent Relations.)


* HALL OF HONOR TO
INDUCT FIVE ALUMNI ATHLETES
The Department of Athletics announces this year's selections to the Hall of Honor and invites alumni to participate in upcoming induction celebrations. Selection criteria includes outstanding athletic achievement combined with demonstration of character exemplary to the College's mission. This year's inductees are:

- Jennifer (Lapp) Ballmer '91 - Field Hockey
- Louis Engle '75 - Men's Basketball
- Michael Herb '90 - Track & Field
- Kelly (Kegarise) Suessmuth '89 - Track & Field
- Todd Suessmuth '90 - Men's Soccer

Induction ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, February 7. The public is invited to attend a reception at 2:00 p.m. including introductions and remarks by the inductees (scheduled for 3 p.m.). Inductees will also be honored during halftime of the men's basketball game (tipoff at 8 p.m.). For more information, contact the Athletics Office at athletics@messiah.edu or call (717) 691-6018.


* PA CAMPUS COMPACT
RELOCATES TO MESSIAH'S CAMPUS
The College recently entered into an agreement to relocate the offices of the Pennsylvania Campus Compact from Harrisburg to the Grantham campus. This important organization supports service-learning activities at colleges and universities across the state. Employees will be moving into several offices on the third floor of Hoffman Hall in January 2004.


* CHRISTIAN VOCATION PROJECT
LAUNCHES THREE NEW INITIATIVES
Messiah's Christian Vocation Project is just completing its second full year under a five year grant funded by the Lilly Endowment. The three-fold goal of the project is to help students gain a fuller understanding of 1.) a Love of God and Neighbor, 2.) their Distinctive Calling to Ministry, and
3.) their Gifts and Guidance in Preparation for Life's Work.

Three new initiatives include:

- Hostetter Fellows Program
The C. N. Hostetter, Jr. Fellows Program is designed to recruit gifted men and women who have an interest in exploring their gifts and abilities in relationship to ministry vocations.

- Women In Ministry Resource Room
This initiative is designed to foster a campus climate that supports God's call to women in leadership roles in the Church. The opening of a resource room with materials supporting this initiative opened this fall.

- Civic Engagement in Harrisburg
This fall, Messiah launched a course entitled "Topics in Urban Studies: Civic Engagement in Harrisburg." The nine month course involves a unique partnership between Messiah College and Leadership Harrisburg and seeks to develop a diverse group of leaders for community service in Harrisburg.

For more information on Christian Vocation Project activities, visit www.messiah.edu/lilly .


* MESSIAH ORNAMENTS
AVAILABLE AT BOOKSTORE
Need something new to decorate your home or tree for Christmas this year? Check out our Messiah College crystal ornaments for that special sparkle during the holiday season. You will find ornaments, and a whole lot more, on our bookstore web site. There are gifts for the young, gifts for the old, and gifts for that special Messiah College alumnus/a on your Christmas list. Please point your mouse to www.messiah.edu/bookstore and you are just click away! Shop early for best selection.


* CAMPUS EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS

DECEMBER

7 - Messiah College Christmas Concert, 3 p.m.

9 - Women's BB vs. York, 7:30 p.m.

9 - Jazz Two & Percussion Concert, 8 p.m.

10 - Men's BB vs. Penn State Altoona, 7 p.m.

12 - Last Day of Classes

13 - SAB Concert: Pedro the Lion, 8 p.m.

JANUARY

6 - Women's BB vs. Scranton, 7 p.m.

7 - Classes begin

10 - Men's BB vs. Philadelphia Biblical, 8 p.m.

20 - Women's BB vs. E-Town, 8 p.m.

21 - Men's BB vs. E-Town, 8 p.m.

22 - Women's BB vs. Alvernia, 8 p.m.

27 - Men's BB vs. Widener, 7:30 p.m.

28 - Women's BB vs. Widener, 7:30 p.m.

30 - Alumni Gym & Pool Night, 7:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets for events, please call the Messiah College Ticket Office at (717) 691-6036.

For more information and a complete schedule of Messiah College athletic, cultural and other events, please visit www.messiah.edu .



TRIVIA CONTEST ********************************************

In the last issue of the Alumni e-Bulletin, the trivia question was:

Dr. Ernest Boyer '48, served as U.S. Commissioner of Education under President Jimmy Carter (1977-79). Boyer was also appointed to federal commissions under three other Presidents. Which of the following administrations did he NOT serve in an official capacity:

A. Ronald Reagan
B. Gerald Ford
C. Richard Nixon
D. John Kennedy

The Correct answer is: D). John Kennedy.

Congratulations to our trivia award winners:
- Virginia (Dietrich) Standford '95, Walkersville, MD
- Christine (Heidel) Valentine,'98, Porterville, CA
- Dennis Sherick '76, Middletown, PA

This issue's trivia question is:

Messiah is making modest progress in increasing the number of ethnic minority students in its campus community. Currently, what percentage of Messiah's student enrollment is considered ethnic minority?

A.) 5% B. 7% C. 10% D. 14%

Send your answer, name, class year, and mailing address to Alumni@messiah.edu . Three winners will be randomly selected from all correct responses to receive $10 gift certificates to the Messiah College Bookstore.



ALUMNI & PARENT RELATIONS STAFF ***************************
Randy Ness '77, director
Paula Bongiorno '93, assistant director
Dixie Koser, administrative assistant
Kimberly Kaufman '04, student assistant
David Mininger '05, student assistant


WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR NEWS!
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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 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, Box 3023, Grantham, PA 17027, (717) 796-5252, or via e-mail at alumni@messiah.edu.


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