A letter from President Phipps
One’s identity makes itself known from an early age. My husband Kelly and I recall the ways the personality of our daughter Brooke asserted itself during her toddler years. She always dove right into things. She never wanted to miss out. In a similar way, colleges trace the roots of identity through time—finding early foundational tenets that remain constant, while also witnessing how the community’s identity has developed and matured over time.
In Messiah College’s shared story, reconciliation emerges as a foundational theme. From our beginning, early College leaders promoted “peaceableness” as a way of restoring right relationships. During the College’s first decade, there were attempts to reach across racial, cultural and other dividing lines. In this issue, we celebrate the gift of Messiah College’s Archives and the stories expressed through its artifacts, letters and photos. They are reminders of our identity and continuing journey.
One of my favorite photos from Messiah’s archives is of the Sakimura family standing in front of the Climenhaga Homestead (above right). In the aftermath of World War II, then-College President C.N. Hostetter Jr. invited the Sakimuras to live at the Grantham campus, where the father, Harvey, served as groundskeeper. After enduring forced relocation to an internment camp, the Sakimuras arrived on campus just after the war ended, when anti-Japanese sentiment still festered in the U.S. Despite receiving threatening calls and letters, President Hostetter affirmed Harvey Sakimura’s employment and continued to care for the family’s well-being and education. In 1987, the family received a restitution grant from the U.S. government, which they used to endow a Messiah scholarship as an expression of their gratitude.
Central to the Sakimuras’ story are the virtues of compassion, generosity, respect and deep listening. We must exemplify these virtues in our nation today. Krista Tippett, winner of the National Humanities Medal, described the merits of deep listening in a recent TED Talk. “Listening is a hugely powerful form of attention. It’s presence,” said Tippett, suggesting compassion is fed by listening. “Compassion is not necessarily about agreeing with somebody else. It’s not even necessarily about liking them. It is about making a choice to honor their humanity.”
The divisive and often vitriolic rhetoric employed by powerful political leaders and media spokespersons has intensified my conviction that our nation needs Messiah College graduates. Their education not only provides them with exceptional intellectual preparation, but also encourages them to model compassionate listening that truly honors the humanity of others. Messiah students are taught to be confident in their Christian beliefs and values while learning to live and work alongside those who differ.
At Messiah, we articulate our commitment to right relationships with God and others in a document titled “Educational Commitment to Reconciliation,” which includes the following statement: “Central to the Gospel is the work of reconciling individuals with God, with each other, and with all of creation. God has called us to be active agents in this work as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Together we have the privilege of educating servant leaders who are prepared to make a positive difference in their workplaces, communities and churches. Thank you for believing in Messiah’s mission and identity as we continue to create our shared story.
- Kim S. Phipps, president