Donor profile: Bernardo Michael

Bernardo Michael has held many titles at Messiah University during his distinguished tenure, including his current dual roles as professor of history and co-chair of the Department of History. In addition, he served as special assistant to the president and provost for diversity affairs from 2010-2017. In that role, he worked to foster diversity and inclusive excellence in all spheres of the institution.

“My vision for diversity equity and inclusion developed during my work at the Office of Diversity Affairs and draws inspiration from Matthew 20: 1-16.  The verses call for humans to acknowledge their entanglements with the exclusions and inequities of their past if they are to create a new vineyard of belonging that embraces diversity, fosters inclusion and pursues equity,” said Michael.

In recognition for his meaningful enduring advocacy for diversity, inclusion and reconciliation at Messiah, the 2017-2018 SGA Leadership Cabinet established the Dr. Bernardo Michael Grant, which is now a fully vested scholarship endowment. The grant will be awarded to disadvantaged and racially underrepresented students with significant financial need. These types of scholarships are valued resources to help us in our ongoing vision for promoting diversity and inclusive excellence at Messiah University.

We are grateful for a legacy of faculty and educators who inspire their students to not only emulate their examples of Christian lives committed to service and justice, but also to foster furthering the mission of Messiah through financial support.