A letter from President Phipps
We made it—“together at Messiah!” Words cannot sufficiently express my gratitude for the resilient, positive spirit that carried our students, faculty, staff and administrators through this most unusual academic year. After months of vigilant COVID-19 testing; quarantines; enhanced health and safety protocols; and a hybrid blend of in-person and remote instruction, we celebrated four commencement ceremonies in the span of two weeks. To the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2020, thank you for your patience and for returning home to Messiah to celebrate your significant achievement. To the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2021, you persevered through an extraordinary time in history. Congratulations!
I was delighted that Christina H. Edmondson, a noted educator, public speaker and writer, agreed to present both of the graduate commencement addresses May 15. In addition to recently serving as dean for intercultural student development at Calvin University, Edmondson is often sought after by churches to consult about leadership development, anti-racism and mental health issues. She brought a challenging message about the importance of learning for love. Edmondson encouraged our newest graduates to recommit to the deeper purpose of learning—“It is not good enough to just be educated ... learning just to know.” Rather, we must use our education in the pursuit of love, in the pursuit of what matters to God and what will make a difference to our neighbors. She said:
“In the midst of deep political polarization, social unrest, well-fed biases and so-called truth to fit our anxiety—which is no truth at all—use learning for the sake of love. Use what you have learned to be of assistance. Use what you have learned to shine light. Use what you have learned to unite around what is redemptive and not propaganda. Use what you have learned to tell stories hidden and demeaned. Use what you have learned to love.”
Edmondson’s timely message also resonates with Messiah’s commitment to embrace and implement programs that facilitate learning for life. Our expansion of dual enrollment; undergraduate, graduate and adult degree programs; licensures; and certificates seeks to broaden how we live out our mission of educating men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. The world needs Messiah graduates, and as Edmondson said, “Since we never need to stop loving, we never need to stop learning.”
The recently adopted University Rising strategic plan for 2021-2024 reflects courage, confidence and creativity as Messiah moves forward to provide quality academic offerings to different populations of students across the life span—students who will use knowledge for the common good, students who will never stop learning. Our region, nation and world need Messiah students and graduates to lead and serve in the midst of challenging times.