November 2004 eBulletin

MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI E-BULLETIN
NOVEMBER 2004 EDITION

*******************************************************

"O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who
take refuge in him."
Psalm 34:8

*******************************************************


TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE:

* 3 MESSIAH TEAMS IN MAC CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS WEEKEND

* MESSIAH ATHLETE SETS SCORING RECORD

* ALUMNI GROUP TO DISCUSS 2004 ELECTION

* HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS

* SEARCH BEGINS FOR ALUMNI RELATIONS ASSISTANT

* CAMPUS NEWS UPDATE FROM INTERIM PRESIDENT

* STUDENT ENROLLMENT UPDATE

* SHARE YOUR NEWS

* 2005 ALUMNI AWARD NOMINEES WANTED

* UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS



**********************************************************


* MESSIAH TEAMS TO VIE
FOR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Three of Messiah's fall athletic teams, all with undefeated
conference records, are scheduled to compete for Middle
Atlantic Conference championships this Saturday, November 6
on Messiah's campus. Winners get automatic bids to NCAA
Division III National Championship playoffs. Championship
Saturday's schedule is:
- Field Hockey vs. Lebanon Valley (1 p.m.)
- Women's Soccer vs. Susquehanna (4 p.m.)
- Men's Soccer vs. Elizabethtown (7 p.m.)

Come on out and support Falcon athletes. If you can't
attend, WVMM (Campus Radio) will be web-casting the women's
and men's soccer games via www.messiah.edu/athletics/ .


* CHAMBERS BREAKS
CAREER SCORING RECORD
Danae Chambers, a senior from Elkton, Md., has broken the
all-time Division III field hockey career scoring record of
261 points. She currently stands at 282 (105 career goals;
72 assists) heading into Saturday's championship. Danae is
a two-time All-American.


* LAW & POLITICS NETWORK
TO DEBRIEF 2004 ELECTION RESULTS
Alumni and friends who work in law and politics will be
meeting with current students and faculty to discuss the
implications of the 2004 election during a special on-campus
reception to be held on Monday, November 8 at 6 p.m. in the
Hollinger Atrium, Jordan Science Center. If you would like
to attend, please notify Alumni@messiah.edu .


* HOMECOMING HIGHLIGHTS
Many thanks to the more than 1,500 alumni, their families
and guests who braved uncertain weather and returned for
Homecoming 2004 with its "Celebrating Worship and the Arts"
theme. Several highlights this year include:

- Powerhouse drew approximately 1,000 students and alumni to
its 15th anniversary worship celebration.

- The first-ever Worship and the Arts Symposium was so
successful that organizers intend to make it an annual
event.

- Scores of art, theatre and music alumni returned and
participated or performed in various activities and venues.

- Class of 2004 reunion sets record for the number returning
after one year out.

- Golden Grads registered its highest attendance in years
with nearly 70 persons attending its hymn sing.

- The new Larsen Student Union was filled to capacity with
alumni and students for the post-game coffeehouse.

Mark your calendar now:
Next year's Homecoming - October 15, 2005


* SEARCH BEGINS FOR
ALUMNI & PARENT RELATIONS ASSISTANT
Dixie Koser has resigned her position effective November 2,
2004. Our appreciation and well wishes go to Dixie and our
search for a replacement begins. The assistant to the
Alumni and Parent Relations Office supports the activities
of the professional staff, serves as office receptionist,
and oversees alumni records management. It is a full-time,
12 month position. For a position description and
application info, visit www.messiah.edu/offices/hr/ .


* CAMPUS UPDATE
FROM INTERIM PRESIDENT
Dr. Kim Phipps recently shared the following news in a
communique to the campus community:


- UPDATE
ON THE SAWATSKYS
"Kelly and I visited with the Sawatskys (in late October).
President Sawatsky continues to communicate love to family
and friends through his smile and the tender looks in his
eyes. He is definitely weaker and less communicative, but
does not appear to be experiencing pain. He remains
surrounded by a continuous outpouring of love and care from
Lorna, his daughters and many, many friends. Please continue
to uphold them in prayer."


- AUTHOR OF
COMMON TEXT VISITS CAMPUS
James McBride, the author of "The Color of Water: A Black
Man's Tribute to His White Mother," which was the
cornerstone book for the College's inaugural "common
reading" program visited campus in mid-September. More than
1,500 tickets were distributed for the event and the
student, employee and community reaction to Mr. McBride and
his jazz quintet was extremely positive. Mr. McBride stayed
until midnight at the post-reception in the Larsen Student
Union, where he signed more than 400 books and spoke
individually with each student who waited in line.


- LARSEN STUDENT UNION DEDICATED
During Family Weekend, Messiah officially dedicated the
Larsen Student Union. More than 200 Messiah students,
parents, employees, trustees and friends, came out to thank
Ralph and Dorothy Larsen, who provided financial leadership
to the project, along with several other generous
benefactors and the architects and builders who constructed
the new facility. You may view photos of the dedication
ceremony, ribbon cutting and the reception, at
www.messiah.edu/toserveandtolead/events/index_events.html .


- MESSIAH HOSTS
FAITH IN THE ACADEMY CONFERENCE
This national conference, based on the book, "Scholarship
and Christian Faith," brought together educators from across
the country who represent a broad cross-section of Christian
and other faith-based traditions. Numerous leaders in
American higher education shared that they believe Messiah
College is taking a leadership role in defining and
enlarging this national conversation, and that Messiah is
"doing it right" with our unique educational approach that
integrates a high quality academic experience with an
intentional Christian commitment.


- FILM STUDIES
PROGRAM RECOGNIZED
Messiah's film program and faculty were featured in the
October issue of "Harrisburg" magazine, with two pages of
interviews and photographs of our film students and faculty,
including Chris Simmons, Joonhee Park and Annie Frisbie
(congratulations to Annie, whose independent film "SPEAK"
won the Audience Award at the Woodstock Film Festival a few
weeks ago!).


- COLLEGE NURSE HONORED
Congratulations to Judy Groop, coordinator of health
services at the Engle Center, who has been chosen as the
"2004 Best Nurse Leader" by "ADVANCE for Nurses" magazine.
Judy was nominated and selected for this award based on an
essay submitted by one of her nursing colleagues, Lisa
Baker. Judy and the staff of the Engle Center are featured
in the magazine's October issue.


* STUDENT ENROLLMENT UPDATE
The Admissions Office has been hard at work recruiting next
year's first-year student class. The numbers to date are
encouraging; applications are ahead of last year at this
time by approximately 100. Many of the young women and men
who apply to Messiah do so because they learned of the
College from a current student, employee or alumnus/a.

If you know prospective students who you think would do well
at Messiah, please forward their names to the Admissions
Office via the "Refer a Student" link found on the front
page of the College's web site at www.messiah.edu .


* SHARE YOUR NEWS!
Changed jobs? Got married? Had a baby? Received an award?
Whatever your news is, please share with other alumni and
our office by going to the online alumni community link
found at www.messiah.edu/alumni/ and submitting it in the
news section.


* NOMINEES REQUESTED
FOR 2005 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
1-2 paragraph narrative 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
1995-2005 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


* UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS
Make sure you check the fall schedule for public events at
Messiah at http://www.messiah.edu/campusevents/ . A sampler
of upcoming events includes:

- ART: Michael Smith & Paula Chamlee Photographs - Dec. 3 -
Feb. 8

- CONCERTS: Messiah College Christmas Concert - Dec. 5

- THEATRE: "The Civil War" - Nov. 11-13; 18-20

- THEATRE: "Amahl and the Night Visitors" - Dec. 10-12

For ticket information, contact the Messiah College Ticket
Office at 717-691-6036.



ALUMNI & PARENT RELATIONS STAFF ***************************
Randy Ness '77, director
Paula Bongiorno '93, assistant director
Linn (Beers '01) Worrall, temporary assistant
David Mininger '05, student assistant
Kristin Nealy '07, 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 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
*****************************************************
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.