Trusteees announce new Kim S. Phipps welcome center

For prospective students who have never visited Messiah College’s campus, finding the Admissions Office tucked away in Old Main can be confusing.

At the direction of the Board of Trustees, Messiah  has been exploring options for improving the admissions experience and have determined a new facility—the proposed Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center—is needed near the current Hoffman Building.

 Led by Chair George Parmer, the trustees agreed unanimously this new facility should be named in honor of President Phipps in celebration of the excellent leadership and welcoming spirit she has exhibited during her 13+ years as Messiah’s president.

Eunice Steinbrecher, current trustee and former board chair, said, “We couldn’t think of a more fitting tribute than to name this facility in her honor. She has been visionary in advancing critical new admissions strategies for our institution ... and strengthening Messiah’s national brand and visibility.”

The location, in the heart of campus, offers the opportunity to increase green space, creating a true “college quad” atmosphere.

“Regardless of the program of study, every prospective student comes through the admissions process,” said John Chopka, vice president for enrollment. “Each year, thousands of visitors grace our campus to determine whether Messiah is the place for them to further their education. The proposed Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center will help us extend the gracious hospitality for which we are known.”

The opportunity to build a new facility will help Messiah address its current admissions challenges and provide:

• An inviting, centrally located admissions and welcome center near the heart of campus to make a strong first impression on families.
• A window to the beauty of campus. Currently, Messiah’s admissions counselors meet with visiting families in small, windowless conference rooms. The proposed location on a hill overlooking campus will use glass and light to highlight the robust, vibrant campus life unfolding naturally in front of prospective students.
• A centralized enrollment “shop.” New spaces will bring Admissions, Financial Aid and the Registrar – key components of the enrollment process – into one location. Prospective students and their families can have all their admissions questions answered in one building and, in some cases, one office.
• Creating a campus quad. Messiah does not have a true campus quad. By focusing the center in the area near Hoffman, the College can orient the campus around the new building, Murray Library, Hostetter Chapel and Boyer Hall in a way that will provide green space, reduce traffic and promote a visually appealing center of campus.

“It is so important that every student, every family and every guest receive this same hospitable welcome when they visit and attend Messiah College,” said Rachel Shenk, associate director of admissions. “Through the building of the Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center, our campus will provide a welcoming place to recruit students from the time they step foot on campus, where they can learn about financial aid and make the decision to join the Messiah community.”

How alumni can help

Although $8.4 million has been raised already, the goal is to raise a total of $10 million by to fully cover construction costs. All donors at the $1,000 level and greater will be listed on the honor roll of gratitude to be displayed in the new facility.

A key part of the fundraising for the new Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center includes an emphasis on raising support for scholarship aid, thereby “opening doors” to the campus. In this way, gifts to support the hospitality that will be extended in the new center also will support scholarship aid, which helps keep a Messiah education affordable.

Student Kate Wentling ’21, who serves as an admissions ambassador said, “Being part of our admissions team, I have the privilege of welcoming prospective students to campus and watching them walk through the process of joining our campus community. As they transition into current students, the affordability of college becomes important. Being a student myself that has benefited from the generosity of others, I can’t stress enough how donations make a huge difference in our lives for affording and attending college.”