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March 2010
Catching up with Tony Schiano: Advice (and a Challenge) for Messiah Alumni
Question: Why do you feel the Alumni Centennial Challenge is important? Tony’s answer: The Centennial Challenge is important for several reasons. First, it highlights that Messiah has been serving Christian students for 100 years, and continues to build on that foundation and heritage. Second, it shows the commitment of the Board of Trustees to the College, its students, and its mission. And third, it serves as a challenge and reminder to our alums of how important their emotional and financial support are to the College. Question: Why should alumni support Messiah College? Tony’s answer: A person’s college experience shapes their life in so many ways, and because Messiah is a Christian college, I believe this to be even more true. While some of our students who attend pay full tuition, most receive some form of financial assistance. And even the full tuition doesn't cover the total cost of a student’s education. Messiah, as with all private institutions, counts on the generosity and financial support of many constituencies. But I believe the most important group of supporters, and the one that speaks most to the value and quality of the college experience, is the financial support of alumni. Strong support in this area confirms the mission of the College to other people and persuades them to support Messiah as well.
Question: Even though you are not an alum, you support Messiah College. What inspired you to become involved with Messiah? Tony’s answer: Over the years, through my church, community, and job, I interacted with numerous students, faculty, and administrators of Messiah. I was always impressed with their character, Christian witness, and commitment to service. That inspired me to become more involved with Messiah. I believe Messiah is a real asset to our community. Question: If you had one thing to say to every Messiah alum, what would it be? Tony’s answer: Stay engaged! As students, you took advantage of everything Messiah has to offer—great profs, study abroad opportunities, service projects, and more. There are so many ways to stay connected as alumni. Come back to speak in a class. Reconnect with friends at Homecoming. Network with fellow alumni. Go on a service trip with the Agape Center. Give back to ensure that current students have the same opportunities you had. Above all, remember that your mission field is wherever you are! Question: We know that many Messiah alumni are still making student loan payments. What would you say to alumni who are reluctant to give because of their student loans? Tony’s answer: I know it is tough. I can remember writing my last loan payment check in 1983, 10 years after I graduated. What a feeling of freedom! But despite the loans, I always gave to my alma mater. At first it was very modest, but it was something, and that got me into the habit of supporting my school. I would encourage all Messiah alums to do the same. Every little bit helps.
To date, we are halfway toward our $100,000 goal. To participate in the Alumni Centennial Challenge, visit www.messiah.edu/gifts or contact Rachel Pease, director of annual giving at 717-796-5066 or RPease@messiah.edu. You have until June 30th for your new or increased gift to be matched by the Trustees, so act now!
Live and learn this summer with Messiah’s summer undergraduate courses This summer Messiah is offering a variety of online courses as an affordable, convenient way to earn course credit—without ever setting foot in a classroom! Messiah’s summer undergraduate courses ne provide a personal and interactive online course experience that works around your summer schedule. The 2010 summer online session is eight weeks in length and runs from May 24 through July 16. Messiah’s summer courses are completed in nearly half the time, and are discounted more than 50 percent, as the same courses that are offered during the fall and spring semesters. Messiah summer online courses are open to current students (college-level, and qualified homeschooled and high school students), employees, alumni, parents, community friends, and anyone who would like to further their undergraduate education. Messiah’s summer online courses are drawn from the Messiah’s traditional high-quality curriculum, with no shortcuts or sacrifices. And all summer courses are taught by Messiah professors, offering an online educational experience that reflects Messiah’s commitment to, and reputation for, academic excellence. Registration for summer session begins April 12 and runs through May 18, 2010. If you or someone you know would be interested in registering or learning more about Messiah Online, including complete course offerings for Summer 2010, please visit www.messiah.edu/online.
Messiah Business Alumni Association hosts Networking Breakfast
Joshua Benton, Partner, from andCulture will present "Social Media 201: Beyond the Basics" on Wednesday, April 21 at Willow Valley Resort in Lancaster. Learn how to structure a social media campaign and how to deploy it effectively, understand the level of effort needed to sustain it, and know how to measure its success. For more information and to register visit the MBA Web site.
2nd Annual Messiah College Team Triathlon The Bridge Online The Bridge magazine is available online. This new format is a digital reproduction of the print version that also includes several pages of exclusive content only available in the online version. Check out The Bridge Online now!
Making a World of Difference The new development newsletter is available online. This issue includes making a world of difference through the annual fund, scholarship and endowment, estate and planned gifts, and as students and alumni; plus read how founder S. R. Smith begins Messiah's legacy of philanthropy.
Messiah now has an official Facebook page. Visit us now or register to stay connected.
Messiah’s Men’s Basketball team closed out their season with a 67-73 loss to Albright College in the Commonwealth Semi-Finals. Their final overall record was 16-9, and a 9-5 record in the MAC. Seniors Jamie Yoder and Kyle Snyder were both named Second Team All-Commonwealth. The women’s basketball team, with an overall record of 24-5 and 11-3 in the conference, hosted the opening round of the NCAA tournament, where Messiah advanced into the Second Round with a 64-55 win against Neumann University. The women then concluded their season in a 62-61 overtime loss to Mount Union College. Congratulations on their post-season success! Messiah’s swim teams had great success at MACs this year. The women placed seventh and the men took fourth. Freshman Drew Wissler was named MAC Men’s Rookie of the Year, and two other men received specialized awards. Both the men and the women broke school records in various swimming events. The men's wrestling team ended their season with a 10-9 record, sending Senior Trent Zempel to the NCAA Championships in Iowa. The track and field team had a successful indoor season, as the women took the MAC title for the third year in a row. Coach Dale Fogelsanger received the honors of MAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year for the third year in a row, and senior Kristen Bates was named MAC Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year. The team will be competing at the National Championships on March 12-13. Best wishes to our Spring teams as they start their season: Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Golf, Men’s Tennis, and Men’s & Women’s Track and Field. For more athletic information and updates visit www.gomessiah.com.
Alumni - Join FalconNet The new online alumni community is here! Stay connected with friends, reconnect with classmates, post photos, network for your career, and join alumni chapters. These are just a few of the features on FalconNet. If you have not yet registered, take time to set up your profile today using the Logon to FalconNet icon.
StoryLink is a collection of student, faculty, and alumni profiles that highlight the unique distinctives of a Messiah College academic experience. Click here to connect, read and share.
Upcoming Campus Events Visit Messiah's Web site to find a complete listing of spring events and athletic events.
Centennial Events Messiah College turns 100 and we would like you to join our celebration throughout the upcoming year. Find out more by visiting the Centennial Web site.
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In November, the Messiah College Board of Trustees announced a $100,000 Alumni Centennial Challenge that will match new and increased gifts from alumni, up to $1,000 per alum. This month, we caught up with Tony Schiano, Messiah Trustee, Chair of the Enrollment Management Committee, and retired CEO of Giant Foods, to ask him why he is personally supporting the Alumni Centennial Challenge. This is what he told us.
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