Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone.
Titus 3:1-2 (NRSV)
News
Dawn Gearhart, adjunct instructor in human development and family science, was elected to serve as vice president for external relations on the PA Family and Consumer Sciences (PAFCS) board of directors. Dawn will serve in directing the vision for FCS in Pennsylvania, offering key ideas for PAFCS programs, policies and events. PAFCS is an affiliate member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, with a mission to provide leadership and support for professionals whose work assists individuals, families and communities in making informed decisions about their well-being, relationships and resources to achieve optimal quality of life.
Brad Genevro, associate professor of music and director of bands, served as guest conductor for the International Schools of China Band and Choir Festival in Tianjin, China. Genevro spent two days in rehearsals with 80 students culminating in an evening concert that was attended by President Kim Phipps and Sarah Wade, director of international and transfer student recruitment.
Ryan Gladwin, assistant professor of theology and ethics and program director of the Messiah College Philadelphia Campus, presented the paper “Towards a Transformative Latin American Pentecostal-Charismatic Social Ethics” at the Renewal Across the Americas conference at Regent University in Va. on March 1. The conference brought together scholars in religious studies and social sciences from Europe and North, Central and South America. The paper has been accepted as a chapter in a volume that will be published by Palgrave MacMillan.
Don Opitz has accepted our offer to become Messiah College’s next college pastor. Don Opitz is currently a professor of higher education and sociology at Geneva College and frequently preaches for a local church. He previously directed Geneva’s Lilly-funded program The Call and served as campus minister and director of training for the Coalition for Christian Outreach. Don has presented at numerous conferences and is not a stranger to Messiah College. Don helped start the MAHE program at Geneva College in 1994 as a cooperative venture with the Coalition for Christian Outreach, where he was serving as the director of training at the time (along with teaching part-time at Geneva.) He also served as director of the MAHE program for seven years. Don is excited to move into a role that combines his love for pastoring, ministry and lived theology with his love for colleges, mentoring students and teaching. Don will be joining our community beginning July 1 and we look forward to extending a warm welcome.
Professors Anne Reeve, Rick Schaeffer and Roseann Sachs recently took a group of five students to the 247th American Chemical Society National Meeting in Dallas, Texas March 16-20. Julie Fenton, Lauren Martin, Seth Sharber, Nicholas Tay and Caleb Wehrmann each presented the research they have done with faculty mentors at Messiah College, as well as additional research done this past summer through the National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduate Programs.
Sam Wilcock served as a judge for the Moody Mega Math Challenge over spring break. The challenge is an annual math modeling contest for high school students, sponsored by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), in which participants use mathematically-founded insights to address concerns posed by government officials, school districts and students. More than 5,000 students across the country spent a weekend tackling the problem of funding nutritious school lunches that are tasty enough for kids to want to eat. Judges read and score student solutions via an online system and through several rounds.
Messiah 411
Farewell reception for employee Amy VanDerWerf March 28
Amy VanDerWerf, director of residence life, will be leaving Messiah College to become the dean of student engagement at her alma mater, University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minn. Amy began her time at Messiah College as the director of community life at the Philly Campus and after one year was promoted to the director of residence life where she has served for the past eight years. As a dedicated employee with a heart for Messiah College and our students, we are grateful for her service to our community. As Amy’s colleagues and friends know, Amy can always be counted on to bring the fun to any occasion. She will be greatly missed across the campus! To celebrate Amy’s time here and to wish her well as she begins the next chapter of her journey, there will be an Open House for friends and colleagues in the Larsen Student Union Fireside Alcove on Friday, March 28 from 2–4 p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Back by popular demand “Girl Rising” returns to Parmer Cinema March 31
There is a second opportunity to view the film “Girl Rising.” It will be shown on Monday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in Parmer Cinema. Developed by 10 ×10, a social organization seeking educational equality for underprivileged girls across the globe, “Girl Rising” tells the moving stories of several of these girls, with help from some of the most recognizable female voices of today. The film spotlights unforgettable girls like Sokha, an orphan who rises from the dumps of Cambodia to become a star student and an accomplished dancer; Suma, who composes music to help her endure forced servitude in Nepal and today crusades to free others; and Ruksana, an Indian “pavement-dweller” whose father sacrifices his own basic needs for his daughter’s dreams. Each girl is paired with a renowned writer from her native country. These girls are each unique, but the obstacles they face are ubiquitous. Like the 66 million girls around the world who dream of going to school, what Sokha, Suma, Ruksana and the rest want most is to be students, to learn. Directed by Academy Award-nominee Richard Robbins, “Girl Rising” received an 88 percent “Rotten Tomatoes” rating. For more information, view the trailer here or contact Kathy Castonguay, human resources and compliance, at kcastong@messiah.edu.
Please note: Loung Ung, Cambodian author and human rights activist, will be on campus on April 30. She authored the first segment in “Girl Rising.”
Educational Technology Day is April 2
The Educational Technology Committee is pleased to announce the third annual Educational Technology Day on Wednesday, April 2 from 1-5 p.m. The theme for the day is “Enhancing Learning, Organization and Productivity through Technology.” The emphasis for the day is learning from students and from each other.
Student keynote panel 1-1:30 p.m. in Parmer Cinema
A student panel will discuss how they use technology on a daily basis, how they use technology to enhance learning and productivity and ways they like to see technology used in education.
Demonstration expo from 2-4 p.m. in the Library Learning Commons
Students, faculty and staff will demonstrate various technology tools that they use to enhance learning, organization and productivity. Come for a single session or enjoy the entire event. Also taking place at the expo will be an Educational Technology Think Tank discussion that will focus on creating a think tank of local high school and college educators around the topic of educational technology.
2-2:30 p.m.
Maude Yacapsin, “Symbaloo,” Library Athenaeum
Mitch McClure, “Film Production,” Library Computer Lab
Cindi Tomes, “Learning Technology Drop-in Time,” Library Group Study Room 118
Lin Taylor, “Assessment in Canvas,” Library Group Study Room 119
2:30-3 p.m.
Gene Rorhbaugh, “Publishing Lecture Notes Through Canvas Pages,” Library Athenaeum
David Owen, “Annotating PDFs, Using API to Create PDFs,” Library Computer Lab
Cindi Tomes, “Creating a Course in Canvas,” Library Group Study Room 118
Liz Kielley, “Streaming Video from the Library,” Library Group Study Room 119
3-3:30 p.m.
Victoria Hemp and Laura Stafford, “BoardMaker,” Library Athenaeum
Christina Thomas, “Telling a Family Story,” Library Computer Lab
Cindi Tomes, “Using Video Clips in Canvas,” Library Group Study Room 118
Michael Rice and Beth Transue, “Library Ebooks,” Library Group Study Room 119
3:30-4 p.m.
Educational Technology Think Tank Discussion with Local Partners, Athenaeum.
Cynthia Lehman, “Prezi,” Library Computer Lab
Amy Ginck and Gladys Robalino, “VoiceThread,” Library Group Study Room 118
Beth Transue, “Confessions of an iPad Addict,” Library Group Study Room 119
4:15-4:45 p.m., Faculty Keynote Panel in Parmer Cinema
Faculty from the School of Humanities will discuss how they have used technology to enrich classroom experiences and connect with the larger community.
Additional information can be found on the Educational Technology Day website. We hope that you and your students can join us for all or some of the day’s events. We invite you to follow and contribute to discussions during day through the Twitter hashtag #mcedtechday.
Dr. Chris Christensen to present lecture “The Shifting Sands of Personhood” April 3
The question of when life begins has been at the center of abortion politics for over 40 years. How we treat the unborn also impacts how we treat the aged and infirmed. Philadelphia physician and medical educator Dr. Chris Christensen will examine the scientific, legal and ethical dimensions of personhood in the context of a Christian worldview Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Frey 110. This event is free and open to the public; no ticket required. Sponsored by the College Honors Program.
Accounts payable office to adjust hours April 4 and 10-11
Accounts payable office will be closed on April 4, April 10 for Service Day and April 11. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, April 14.
President to host Open Door Day April 7
President Kim Phipps will host an Open Door Day Monday, April 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to meet individually with students and employees on topics that are important to them. Open Door is an opportunity for you to speak with the president in her office on the second floor of Old Main. The president’s conference room adjacent to her office is used as a waiting room. A schedule for these dates and times may be found on the president’s webpage. Please call the president’s office at ext. 5220 if you have any questions.
Thesis presentation set for April 7
The Master of Arts in Higher Education is pleased to invite members of the campus community to hear a thesis presentation of Dan Custer, who will receive his M.A. in higher education this May. Dan’s thesis draws on institutional research data related to student-faculty interaction and student success at Messiah College. (See his thesis abstract here.) The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 from 12–1:00 p.m. in the Library Athenaeum. Please feel free to bring your lunch. Dessert and coffee will be provided. RSVP to Tina Keul at tkeul@messiah.edu by April 7.
Young Writers Workshop registration open
The Young Writers workshop is a unique summer writing program held on the scenic, suburban campus of Messiah College. Designed to foster a community of young writers through an enriching, summer writing camp environment, the workshop provides college-level writing skills development for students in grades 9-12 and offers three different tracks.
Workshop Dates: Sunday, July 20 through Thursday, July 24
Registration Deadline: July 11
• Courses taught by published Messiah faculty
• Readings and interaction with published writers
• Residential writing camp experience
• Opportunity to help create and publish an e-book that will be made available to the public
• Unique and practical session about how to write a college admissions essay
• Field trip to Harrisburg’s Midtown Scholar Bookstore for public reading and workshop with local writers
• Personalized attention — class sizes limited to 15 students
For more information, contact Joanna Hadley-Evans, assistant to the dean of the School of the Humanities, at ext. 5073 or visit youngwritersworkshop@messiah.edu. For complete information see attachment.
Messiah launches new business and leadership graduate program
As a Messiah employee, you know that we have a strong tradition of developing and mentoring leaders who are a faithful and ethical presence in business, church and society. We are excited to introduce four new graduate programs in business and leadership: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), master’s in strategic leadership, and certificates in leadership or management.
Messiah’s Graduate Programs in Business and Leadership have been designed to advance the careers of busy professionals and deepen the understanding of leadership from a Christian faith perspective. All four programs are fully online. The website went live on Monday, March 17 and online classes start in August.
Messiah College alumni get their first course tuition-free during the 2014-15 academic year when they pursue a business and leadership graduate degree or certificate. Details
To learn more about the programs for yourself or for someone you know who may be interested in earning a graduate-level degree or certificate in business and leadership, visit messiah.edu/leadership.
“Live and learn” this summer with Messiah’s summer online undergraduate courses
You can make the most of your summer and still earn the college credits you need with the flexibility of Messiah’s online summer courses. Messiah’s eight-week online summer session, which runs June 9 to Aug. 1, provides a personal, interactive experience that works around your summer schedule. Messiah’s summer courses are completed in nearly half the time, and are discounted more than 50 percent as the same courses that are offered during the fall and spring semesters.
Courses are open to current students (college-level and qualified home-schooled and high school students), employees, alumni, parents, community friends and anyone who would like to further their education. All courses are taught by Messiah professors, offering an online educational experience that reflects Messiah’s commitment to academic excellence. Registration for summer session begins April 14 and runs until June 2. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in registering or learning more, visit messiah.edu/online.
Campus Ministries connection
Chapel this week continues to focus on the “Polarities of Worship.” Jack Hayford reminds us that “Worship is God’s gift to us.” Clearly God does not need our worship to be complete, rather we need worship. It benefits us. A worship team of alums from over the past 11 years led us in worship that resonated with that theme. (It was very fun and helpful to have them in chapel after a spring break.) Evie Telfer’s message based on Zacchaeus encouraged us to lay aside comfort and position and, like Zacchaeus, to overcome obstacles to engage Jesus. Lent is an opportunity to select facets of life that when denied or embraced lead us to focus on the Jesus we follow. It is an act of worship.
Classified
Available position:
Financial Aid has an immediate opening for the full time position of Financial Aid Technical Coordinator. For additional information and to apply, please see http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/3285. Job-related questions may be directed to Greg Gearhart, director of financial aid, at Gearhart@messiah.edu.
Free:
Items —Toilet, sink and treadmill (broken base, but works, a more “handy and motivated” person might be able to fix it.) Call Helena Cicero at ext. 2431 or email hcicero@messiah.edu.
For rent:
Log cabin—Located in speculator N.Y. (Adirondack Region) available to rent. Weeks available are June 7-14, June 14-21, Aug. 2-9 and Aug. 23-30. Cabin has living room, kitchen, bath, 3.5 bedrooms, use of canoe, two kayaks, four bicycles and fire pit/wood. Good cell coverage. No cable TV. Walking distance to community beach on Lake Pleasant, restaurants, tennis courts, basketball courts, grocery store and Camp of the Woods. Rent is $800 per week. No pets. Cabin is set on one-acre wooded lot. Great fishing, hiking and bike trails in the area. Photos available. Contact Barb at bsyverts@messiah.edu.
For sale:
Two canoes—15.5 ft. Colman three-seat canoe, $200; 12 ft., Sears two-seat canoe, $150. Contact Brad Markley at ext. 3500 or bmarkley@messiah.edu.
Truck—1998 green Ford F150, three-door, auto, 4 × 4, has a green cap that goes with it, 192,000 miles, asking $5,000. For more information or photos, contact spaddock@messiah.edu.
