A Farewell Letter from President Kim Phipps

June 16, 2025

Dear members of the Messiah University community,

In Philippians chapter 1, verse 3, the Apostle Paul wrote: “I thank my God every time I remember you.” These words are certainly true for me as I say farewell to the Messiah community. I cannot adequately articulate my gratitude for this community of students, employees, alumni, donors and community partners who have enriched my life and generously given of their time, talents, energy and resources to advance the educational mission of Messiah University.

I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to offer this farewell. No gesture seems sufficient for the magnitude of feelings I have about my tenure at Messiah University and the graciousness of the many people who have supported the college and my presidency during the past 20 years. In this brief letter, I seek to express my gratitude and encourage you for the hopeful future of Messiah University.

The New Testament book of Philippians has always provided encouragement to me about the value of community. Philippians is Paul’s personal expression of gratitude to the church for their support and a call for them to remain steadfast in their faith. Just as Paul was with the Philippians, we, too, have been “partners in the gospel” (1:5). Together, we have advanced the Christ-centered educational mission of Messiah University, equipping students for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. Paul told the Philippians that he prayed for them “with joy” because of their partnership, and it has certainly been my privilege to pray with joy for Messiah University. Whether the economy was capsizing, the culture shifting or a global pandemic raging, I was always able to pray with joy for Messiah—a community of intellectual rigor, authentic relationships and gracious Christianity. Reciprocally, I have been humbled by your prayers and kind words during my presidency.

Your faithful investment in Messiah University has been inspiring. Giving of your time, energy, talents and financial resources has enabled and sustained student learning, provided student scholarships, expanded and improved campus facilities, and yielded opportunities for students to serve and lead in many contexts. Messiah has consistently met (and often exceeded) its fundraising goals and I believe that is because of the good, future-forward, heartfelt work of our students and the employees, educators, alumni and families supporting them. Thank you!

After Paul identifies himself as partners in the gospel with the Philippians, he goes on to exhort that he is “confident that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (1:6). We have accomplished good work together during my time at Messiah University, and I, like the apostle Paul, am confident that Christ will sustain and empower each one of you as you continue to support the mission of Messiah University under the leadership of Interim President Jon Stuckey. I have already witnessed your hopeful attitude about this time of transition and I know you are praying faithfully for the Board of Trustees and University leadership. Be assured of my prayers and support as well. This beloved community will never be far from the hearts and minds of the Phipps.’

In closing, I embrace the powerful words of Paul in Philippians 1:9-11—“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Amen.

With deep love and appreciation,