A letter from President Phipps

All four of my grandparents emigrated from Germany in the 1920s. My maternal grandparents found work as a housemaid and painter and settled in New York City. My parents never graduated from high school but always supported their daughter who loved reading and learning. I enrolled in college at 16 with dreams of becoming a professor. I loved the dynamics of a classroom — still do. School has always been a “home” for me. To be given the privilege of fulfilling my vocational calling at Messiah where I embrace the mission has been a gift.

I came to Messiah in 1998 to serve as the academic dean and became the provost in 2000. Truthfully, I always thought I’d be promoted back to full-time classroom teaching! However, the abrupt and tragic loss of my dear colleague and friend, President Rodney J. Sawatsky, altered my vocational plans. Serving as acting president, I had many individuals encourage me to seek Messiah’s presidency. Since my appointment as president in December of 2004, I have sought to be faithful and use my gifts — however limited they may be — to help Messiah thrive even in the midst of difficult times.

To my administrative, staff and faculty colleagues—who have been patient with my limitations, who have softened and sharpened my edges, who work unselfishly and tenaciously to fulfill Messiah’s mission every day — thank you for your partnership! To Messiah students, I love you! Daily interactions with you provide me with unfailing hope for the future. Your intelligence, compassion and commitment to use your gifts in service to God and neighbor is an unending source of delight and inspiration. To faithful alumni, donors and friends, you make a difference in this world by financially and prayerfully supporting Messiah University and our students.

To the Board of Trustees, you exemplify Messiah’s mission and unselfishly share your time, wisdom, expertise and financial resources. You are a board who balances graciously supporting and appropriately challenging your president. May your efforts continue to move Messiah into a positive and meaningful future.

Finally, I must acknowledge the two most important individuals in my life — my daughter Brooke and husband Kelly. Brooke, thank you for your constant love, for never making me feel guilty about the time I devoted to Messiah and for being a woman who thinks critically, works diligently and cares deeply for others. I am very proud of you as you begin your career as an assistant professor!

Kelly, you have been my rock, my partner, my advisor and, oftentimes, the only one who could help me gain perspective in the midst of my overwhelming fear of not being enough. You surrendered your personal dreams to fully support my vocational call as Messiah’s president. Thank you for the privilege of serving Messiah University together!

So, back to my grandparents: They did not have the privilege of a secondary education but knew the importance of extending hospitality and fostering true belonging. My childhood home and my grandparents’ home were places of welcome for neighbors, relatives and folks who were “almost like relatives.” From my earliest days, they modeled the value of hospitality. There are no strangers. Every person is of value and worthy of a welcoming embrace. As a Christ follower, I have tried to model this lesson in my leadership and in my interactions with our campus and extended community.

Dutch theologian Henri Nouwen wrote, “Hospitality is to offer people the space where change can take place.” In our current cultural context of deep division and disturbing polarization, Messiah University seeks to transform students’ lives and prepare them to serve the church and society.