A letter from President Phipps
In this issue of The Bridge, we’re excited to share new programs and facilities that allow us to care for the wellness of our students and community. The Falcon Fitness Center has become a hub for those who seek to improve their health—through fitness classes, laps in the pool or partnering with a student for a specialized fitness plan based on individual goals and, perhaps, physical limitations. We are especially excited about offering PREP options—Preventative and Rehabilitative Exercise Programs—that are personalized for one’s health history and goals. Utilizing the outstanding Falcon Center facility, this partnership enables Messiah to serve community needs while simultaneously providing experiential learning opportunities for students.
Of course, wellness extends beyond physical health. As a Christian institution, Messiah University views wellness holistically and considers physical, spiritual, emotional and mental health as fundamental components of a person’s overall well-being.
During the last decade, caring for students’ increased mental health needs has become a priority at our nation’s universities, including Messiah. When U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy labeled youth mental health “the defining public health issue of our time” during a Senate committee hearing in 2022, I was sobered but not surprised. Murthy was voicing a reality we were already experiencing at Messiah University as students’ requests for mental health and counseling services steadily ticked upward each year.
Our on-campus Engle Center for Health and Counseling Services lacked enough space and staff to meet the increased need, so we successfully underwent a fundraising campaign allowing us to add square feet to the existing building and additional staffing. Construction was completed in time for the start of the fall 2023 semester. This enhanced space and staffing are now more effectively meeting students’ needs. In 2023, the Engle Center managed 2,200 individual health and 1,600 counseling appointments.
Additionally, counseling staff collaborated with campus partners to reach out to students on subjects such as stress and anxiety management, resiliency and healthy relationships, just to name a few.
While I’ve highlighted several formal and programmatic ways we serve students in the area of wellness, I am also encouraged every day when I observe Messiah faculty and staff mentoring, encouraging and caring for students. With compassion, care and expertise, our campus community is well equipped to provide excellent care for our students and extended community.
As the spring semester wraps up, I hope you have a happy and healthy summer.