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Volume X, No. 3 April 2006 Parents Progress Archives Planning to Visit?
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Parents of graduating seniors share highlights of Messiah experience The college years are an exciting season of life for students as they launch a serious pursuit toward independence. The season is filled with new discoveries, opportunities, and laughter along with some challenges and perhaps a few tears. The years fly by and soon graduation day is just around the corner, marking the end of one season and the beginning of yet another. Recently, parents of three graduating seniors reflected on their families’ experiences during their children’s time at Messiah. One of the earliest memories parents have of Messiah College is the worship service and candlelight ceremony held at the conclusion of Welcome Weekend. The ceremony is designed to welcome first year students into the college community while offering a meaningful opportunity for students and parents to express their love and support for one another during the transition into college life.
“It boded well for the type of care our daughters would get during their tenures at Messiah College, and we have not been disappointed,” Rohan said. For Peggy Slota, the candlelight ceremony affirmed that she and her husband, George, were leaving their son, Stephen ’06, in a place where he would be supported during challenging times. When Stephen started college, the Slota family had recently faced the deaths of several immediate family members and his grandmother was critically ill. From the very beginning of her experience with Messiah, Peggy saw firsthand the support the Messiah community offers students. “When students face difficulties, Messiah is the place for them to be,” she said. “If things don’t go as planned, they will have the support to keep going.” Gene Spencer and his daughter, Kelsey ’06, also experienced that support and commitment throughout Kelsey’s years at Messiah. “The people at Messiah are not just there for jobs; they are passionate about the school’s mission,” Gene said. “I felt that passionate commitment in every interaction and communication from the College. Whatever concerns I had, I could find someone at the College who would listen with a genuine interest and so could Kelsey,” he added. “Messiah is a caring community praying for the success of all students and offering a high level of support.”
transition into adulthood, learn to be independent and make good choices, and develop decision-making skills before facing the challenges that come with life after college. “Kelsey was my daughter until the day she left for Messiah. Then she became a young adult who happened to be my daughter,” said Gene Spencer. “We’ve seen our daughters grow as servant leaders,” added Rohan Hepkins. “They’re poised to enter adulthood with the right spiritual and academic balance.” Messiah understands the critical importance of helping students achieve that balance. The College’s mission is to help students grow in maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society. Messiah offers students many opportunities for growth that prepare them to both serve and lead in the world. Peggy said her son Stephen, an English major, wanted to experience urban living coupled with a service component. He is currently participating in the Harrisburg Institute, where junior and senior students from Messiah reside in inner-city Harrisburg and experience the culture of urban living.
Gene Spencer’s daughter Kelsey, a history education major, honed her leadership skills and desire for service through her role as a resident assistant (R.A.). “Kelsey was an authority figure, responsible for an entire hall of women,” Gene said. “The experience of being an R.A. helped affirm her desire to be a teacher and help shape lives.” As students become immersed in college life and parents are often far away, most families grapple with finding a mutually comfortable level of communication. Parents meet this challenge in different ways, but agree that accepting their sons’ and daughters’ growth and maturity is an important component of this season in their lives. “Even though they are away at college, be their counselor, guide, and sounding board,” Rohan and Joy Hepkins encouraged other parents. “Communicate often and partner with them as they make their important life decisions.” “Be supportive and ask your child what they need from you,” Gene Spencer offered. “Give your child a chance to tell you what you may not want to hear—it can do wonders for your relationship.” Peggy Slota laughingly said that sometimes she and her husband George would hear more from Messiah than they would from their son. “Kids are busy and sometimes you don’t get the information you need,” she said. “Communications from Messiah gave us a good sense of what was going on, and the frequency of communication makes the College stand out from other schools.” Staying connected with Messiah College has been an important way for these parents to enhance their connections with their children and to enjoy the college experience together. Gene Spencer, Peggy and George Slota, and Rohan and Joy Hepkins all serve on the Messiah College Parents Council. The Council is designed to keep parents informed about Messiah, encouraging them to actively partner with the College in support of its mission. Through the Parents Council, the Hepkins have enjoyed sharing experiences, encouraging other parents, and seeing parents get excited about Messiah College. “We feel like we have been part of our daughters’ education from the very beginning,” they said. And the relationship these parents have cultivated with Messiah College during this season will last far beyond graduation day and the beginning of another season in life. “I’ve enjoyed watching Messiah grow,” Peggy Slota said. “We’ve made connections with the school that I don’t think will ever go away.” |
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