April 2005 eBulletin

MESSIAH COLLEGE
ALUMNI & PARENTS E-BULLETIN
SPECIAL COMBINED EDITION
APRIL 2005

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

"Joy is the keynote of all the (spiritual) Disciplines. The
purpose of the Disciplines is liberation from the stifling
slavery to self-interest and fear."
- Richard J. Foster
"Celebration of Discipline"

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


* FINAL CALL TO REGISTER
FOR 4TH ANNUAL SPRING REUNION DAY
All alumni are welcome to attend the 4rd Annual Spring
Reunion Day on Saturday, April 16, featuring Brunch with our
new President, Dr. Kim S. Phipps, class reunions (1945,
1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, and 1975), faculty and alumni
seminars, and more. For a complete program schedule, visit
http://www.messiah.edu/alumni/events/srd/schedule.shtml


* MESSIAH GROUP RESCUES HIKERS;
GARNERS NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION
While hiking in the Smokey Mountains during spring break,
six Messiah men, encountered four hikers stranded by a
winter storm. Their emergency aid saved the life of least
one person and led to the rescue of the entire party. The
dramatic incident attracted national media attention
including CNN and USA Today. Watch for the full story in
the forthcoming issue of "The Bridge" magazine.


* LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ???
The Messiah College Friends of the Library will hold its
10th annual book sale beginning this Saturday, April 9.
Prices range from $.50 to $2.00. For all of the details,
visit http://www.messiah.edu/news/2005/MC-047-05.html .


* DR. RANDY BASINGER
SELECTED AS NEW PROVOST
Acting upon overwhelmingly positive feedback from the
Community of Educators, President Phipps appointed Dr. Randy
Basinger as Messiah's new chief academic officer effective
April 1. Dr. Basinger was serving as interim provost during
this past year. For credential information on Dr. Basinger,
see http://www.messiah.edu/news/2005/MC-050-05.html .


* UPDATE ON SEARCHES
& ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
President Phipps continues to give careful consideration to
her plans and ideas for the College's administrative
structure. She is preparing a recommendation to share with
the Board of Trustees at their meeting in May.

Updates on several key searches include:
- V.P. for Operations (Identify finalists by April 15)
- College Pastor (Decision expected by end of April)
- Dir. of Human Resources (Decision made; details to be
announced on May 2)


* PRESIDENT PHIPPS INAUGURATION
SCHEDULED FOR HOMECOMING WEEKEND
The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October
14. President Phipps will also be on-hand to meet alumni
and parents at various venues throughout Homecoming
Saturday, October 15. The theme for the inauguration is
"Created and Called for Community" highlighting the
significance of Messiah's new core course and the College's
commitment to building and nurturing a Christian academic
community.


* FALL 2005 ENROLLMENT UPDATE
The Enrollment Management team is reporting good news for
student recruitment. Some of the numbers to-date include:
- 2,700 applications (600 more than last year)
- 1,950 acceptances (225 more than last year)
- 73% acceptance rate (10 per cent lower than last year)
- 1198 average SAT score for 507 deposited students


* MANY THANKS FOR
THE STUDENT REFERRALS YOU SEND
Hundreds of prospective student names have been referred to
the College by alumni and parents since launching the
"Recommend Messiah" program last fall. If you know someone
who would thrive at Messiah College, please take a moment
now to tell us about that special student via -
www.messiah.edu/alumni/support_messiah/student_referral.shtm
l

* ON OUR WAY:
A CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Messiah's comprehensive campaign, "To Serve & To Lead,"
recently passed the $45 million mark - or 90% of its goal.
Some recent gift highlights include:
- $1 million for student scholarships
- $500,000 grant for The Center for Public Humanities
- $150,000 for the Harrisburg Institute
- $100,000 gift for The School of Health & Natural Sciences
- $50,000 to support the Gender Studies Program
- $50,000 for the Oakes Museum
- $25,000 for athletic fields
- $15,000 for chemistry equipment


* ALUMNI & PARENT
PARTICIPATION IS CRITICAL
While significant gifts help underwrite facilities and
programs at the College, it is the many, many combined gifts
from faithful alumni and parents toward scholarship funds
that directly help transform the lives of current students.
To make a convenient online gift, go to www.messiah.edu .


* TWO COACHES RECEIVE
NATIONAL HONORS FROM PEERS
Brian Brunk, head wrestling coach, was the only Division III
coach to receive the "Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award"
recognizing "coaches who demonstrate a focus on character
and academic ability, while serving as a mentor to student
athletes."

Dave Brandt, head men's soccer coach, was selected NCAA
Division III Coach of the year, the third time in five years
Dave has earned that honor.


* CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR
ADDED TO MESSIAH CURRICULUM
The School of Health and Natural Sciences launched a new
criminal justice major this semester. Messiah's program
will integrate a Christian world view and restorative
justice perspective with this important area of study.


* NATIONAL ACCREDITATION
GRANTED TO EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Messiah's Early Learning Center received accreditation on
its first application attempt to the National Association
for the Education Of Young Children (NAEYC). Now Messiah's
ELC is one of only 7% of the early childhood education
centers in Pennsylvania to have achieved this status.


* ENGAGING POPULAR
CULTURE AT MESSIAH
The College has created a new web site to help build
awareness and understanding about its educational approach
to help students responsibly engage popular culture as
Christians. If interested in this topic, please go to:
http://www.messiah.edu/offices/student_affairs/pop_culture/

Messiah is one of several Christian colleges cited in an
online article posted by "Christianity Today" at
www.christianitytoday.com/music/news/2005/christiancolleges-
0305.html .


* END-OF-THE ACADEMIC YEAR
BRINGS CULMINATING PERFORMANCES
Faculty and students are working hard and practicing
diligently for final performances. For a full slate of
year-end cultural, athletic and social events, please check
http://www.messiah.edu/campus_events/ . Some upcoming
highlights include:

- Theatre Messiah's
"Nickled & Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America"
Premieres April 7, continues through April 16

- United Voices of Praise Concert
April 15, 7 p.m.

- Jazz Singers & JazzOne Concert
April 22, 8 p.m.

- Choral Arts Society Concert
April 24, 3 p.m.


* LIKE TO GOLF?
MARK YOUR CALENDAR...
...for Friday, July 22, the date of the 23rd annual Messiah
College Golf Outing at popular Dauphin Highlands Golf
Course, Harrisburg. All alumni, parents and friends are
invited. More details are forthcoming. If you wish to
receive more information, send your name and email address
to alumni@messiah.edu .


* PLEASE BE
PATIENT WITH US...
The College is preparing to switch from its current data
management system to a new one, a process that began August
2004 and will continue into 2006. Many administrative
offices are undergoing extensive training and preparations
for "migrating" to the new system in addition to their
regular work loads. At times, this may affect response time
and level of service to you. Thanks for bearing with us!


* PRAYER REQUESTS

- Remember the family of Jason Norris, a first year student
killed in an automobile accident near campus in February.

- Pray for the Phipps family as they adjust to their new
role as "first family."

- Pray for God's wisdom and guidance to several search
committees as they seek new individuals to join in the
Messiah community.

- Lift up students and faculty as they "run the good race"
toward the end of the spring semester and the 2004-05
academic year.

- Pray for assurance and comfort as seniors face life after
Messiah.

- Praise God for the many blessings the College has
experienced this year!



ALUMNI, WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR NEWS!
*****************************************************
Please share any information about what is new in your life
including personal, professional, church, community
accomplishments or experiences via this convenient link -
http://www.messiah.edu/alumni/communications/sendnews.shtml

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 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 e-bulletins from the College, 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 & PARENT RELATIONS OFFICE MISSION STATEMENT
*****************************************************
We will advance the connections with alumni & parents
striving to involve them as partners in advancing the
mission of the College.

ALUMNI & PARENT RELATIONS STAFF *********************
Randy Ness '77, director
Paula Bongiorno '93, assistant director
Renee (Butler '04) Thomas, office assistant
David Mininger '05, student assistant
Kristin Nealy '07, student assistant