ALUMNI e-Bulletin . . . .

October 2005 Edition

Highlights in this issue:

• Alumni invited to Inauguration
• Inauguration Chapel features Rev. Dr. Nathan Baxter
• Preview of 2005 Homecoming
• Messiah to host “Building Strong Families” Conference
• Faith & Popular Culture Conference coming to Messiah
• President’s Reception scheduled for D.C. Area
• Human Resources seeks alumni applicants
• Alumni Phonathon begins fall campaign
• Bryan Engle ’03 hired by Athletics Department
• Fall Enrollment update
• 2006 & 2007 Commencement speakers named

Kim S. Phipps to be Inaugurated as 8th President

You are invited to attend the Inauguration Ceremony on Friday, October 14, at 10 a.m. in Brubaker Auditorium, followed by a buffet luncheon in Hitchcock Arena that is open to all employees, students and guests.  In addition to celebrating the installation of a new President, the inauguration provides wonderful opportunity to retell and celebrate the mission of Messiah College.  For a complete Inauguration Week schedule, biographical information about President Phipps, and an opportunity to submit your personal congratulations, please visit http://www.messiah.edu/offices/president/inauguration/ .

Lancaster minister to speak at Inauguration Chapel

As part of inauguration week activities, the Rev. Dr. Nathan Baxter of St. James Episcopal Church, Lancaster, will give the inauguration chapel address at Messiah College on Oct. 13. Baxter will speak on the inaugural theme “Created and Called for Community,” which President Phipps selected to honor Messiah’s commitment to building and nurturing community, and to highlight the significance of the college’s new core course of the same title – a course that serves as a critical introduction for all first-year students to the college’s unique heritage, mission and identity.

Previously, Baxter was dean of the Washington National Cathedral for 12 years (1991-2003).  Baxter has led many national worship events including President George W. Bush’s first Presidential inaugural services and, at the request of President William J. Clinton, he delivered the White House Millennium Prayer, which was encapsulated for the next millennium. Most notably, he led the internationally televised Presidential National Day of Prayer and Remembrance Service held at Washington National Cathedral following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Homecoming 2005 Offers More Than Ever!

Saturday, October 15

With the advent of cool breezes and the brilliant leaves of fall….Messiah invites you to come back to Grantham and take in the sights and sounds you loved as a student.  Some special program highlights include:

• The first-ever Alumni Powder-Puff football teams competition will be held.

• Past theatre performers will gather at the Messiah College Players Reunion.

• Health & Sciences alumni will gather with former classmates and learn what’s new during the School of Health & Natural Sciences reception.

• Retiring professor Mary Ann Mihok will be honored at Nutrition Reception.

• A special luncheon will be held to celebrate the Nursing Department’s 20th anniversary.

• The following academic departments host receptions for their alumni - Engineering, Health & Human Performance, Human Development & Family Studies, and Psychology.

• 2005 Alumni Awards go to alumni whose work and service are having a global impact - Robert D. Snyder ’72, Peter Greer ’97, and David ’46 & Florence (Sisco’46)  Carlson.

• Professor Paul Nisly, whose beloved wife, Laura, recently passed away, will receive the 2005 Alumni Appreciation Award.

• Nancy Busch, who is retiring, hosts a reunion for her former work-study students.

• Alumni, who traveled on Northern Ireland Service Trips, are invited for a special reunion.

• Meet Messiah’s “first family” and tour their home at the President’s Residence Open House.

• Enjoy meeting current Messiah students and learn about their activities at the Club & Organizations Fair.

For an up-to-date schedule with times and locations and registration information, please go to http://www.messiah.edu/alumni/ .

Messiah to Host 15th Annual Building Strong Families conference

October 20, 2005

The Department of Human Development and Family Science at Messiah College and the Mid-Atlantic Council on Family Relations will sponsor the 15th annual Building Strong Families conference. With the theme “Families in Transition,” the conference will be held on Oct. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Boyer Hall, located on the college’s Grantham campus. The conference is open to the public. On-site registration is $55. For more information, visit www.messiah.edu/departments/family/resources/BSF2005/ or call (717) 766-2511, ext. 7050.

Messiah to Host Faith and Popular Culture Conference

November 11-12, 2005

The Faith and Popular Culture conference is a forum for discussing a thoughtful, critical, and discerning approach to engaging popular culture.  The keynote sessions will be delivered by Steve Turner, who will lay a philosophic and Biblical framework for why Christians should care about the popular arts. A journalist, poet and biographer, Turner is author of the book Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts and has written biographies of Johnny Cash, Marvin Gaye, Eric Clapton, U2, and Jack Kerouac. 

The conference will also feature concert performances given by Glenn Kotche, Jeff Tweedy, Sam Ashworth, Matt Slocum, and Sarah Masen.  For complete schedule and registration information, visit www.messiah.edu/popular_culture . 

D.C. Area Alumni Invited to “Meet the President”

November 17, 2005

As part of her inaugural year tour to meet Messiah alumni and friends, President Kim Phipps will be coming to the D.C. area on Thursday, November 17.   A dessert reception featuring musical entertainment and remarks by President Phipps will be held at The Tower Club at Tysons Corner, which is located in Vienna, Virginia.  The reception begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.  For more information or to reserve your place, contact Michelle Blackford, coordinator for regional leadership programs at MBlackfo@messiah.edu or call (717) 796-1800, ext. 2494. 

College Seeks Alumni Applicants for Positions

The Office of Human Resources wishes to notify alumni of two recently posted positions available for immediate hiring:

• Director of the Agapé Center for Service and Learning - Responsibilities for this position include strategic planning, conceptual development, staff supervision, budget administration, maintaining partnerships with off-campus agencies & programs, and opportunity to teach on campus.  M.A. degree is required; PhD. Preferred.  Relevant experience required. 

• Accounting Analyst - Primarily responsible for accurate recording and reporting of financial information, performing detailed-level analyses; effective interpretation of financial outcomes. Requires a strong understanding of GAAP and automated financial accounting systems and spreadsheet applications. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a closely related field, and two years of progressively responsible financial accounting experience required. 

For additional information about these positions, please see the Office of Human Resources web-site at http://www.messiah.edu/offices/hr/ .

Show your Support!

If your phone rings between now and early December, smile! The caller might just be an enthusiastic Messiah College student asking you to invest in our mission with a gift to the Student Impact Fund.  Messiah College students depend upon alumni donors to give back and help bridge the gap between what tuition covers and what a Messiah education really costs. Every gift, regardless of size, is important and will help today's Messiah students create and cherish great memories just as the ones you still hold dear.  To contribute a safe and convenient gift online, visit https://www2.messiah.edu/gifts/.  If you prefer to make a credit card gift by phone, dial 1-800-215-5344.  Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Messiah Athletics Announces Hiring of Bryan Engle ’03

Bryan Engle has been hired as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach and Aquatics Director. Engle returns to campus after obtaining his Master’s Degree in Sports Management at the University of Kentucky.  Men’s basketball coach Rick Van Pelt ’91 states that, “Bryan will help us continue to develop a basketball program that carries out our mission to develop Christian character in our players, while striving to excel both on and off the court.”  Engle’s duties will include recruiting and administration, in addition to individual on-court player development sessions. Engle will also serve as the Aquatics Director where he will direct and oversee all operations of the Frederickson Natatorium.

Fall Enrollment Snapshot

• 809 new students (707 full-time first year; 84 transfer students)
• 2,916 total full and part-time students
• 73 students at Philadelphia Campus
• 119 students in off-campus study and study-abroad programs
• 92% retention rate for students eligible to return from last spring

(If you know current high school students who should consider Messiah College, please take a moment now to send their names and contact information to the College via http://www.messiah.edu/offices/alumni/support_messiah/student_referral.html .

Commencement News

President Kim Phipps recently announced that Dr. Charles Marsh, professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia, director of the Project on Lived Theology, and author of numerous books on the themes of theology, civil rights, and social justice will deliver the College’s 2006 Commencement Address.

President Phipps is also delighted to announce that author Philip Yancey has accepted the College’s invitation to deliver the 2007 Commencement Address.  He has more than 13 million books in print that explore issues central to the Christian faith. 

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/offices/alumni/news/send_news.html.

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.

Alumni & Parent Relations Staff

Randy Ness ’77, director

Paula Bongiorno Hunsberger ’93, assistant director

Michelle Blackford, coordinator for regional leadership programs

Renee Thomas ’04, administrative assistant

Kristin Nealy ’07, student office assistant

Erica Smittle ’06, student communications assistant

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.