Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
John 16:24 (NRSV)

News

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Heather Barto, assistant professor of counseling, to the position of director of the counseling program and Leah Clarke, assistant professor of counseling, to assistant director of the counseling program. Heather and Leah bring outstanding credentials as counselors and educators and have both been critical parts of the growing counseling program that now enrolls over 225 students in three program tracks. Their appointments are effective immediately. For questions about the programs, feel free to contact Heather, Leah or Holly Myers, administrative assistant for graduate programs in counseling. Please join me in congratulating Heather and Leah as their roles are expanded. Rob Pepper, interim assistant provost for graduate and non-traditional programs

Bradley Genevro, associate professor of music, recently served as recording producer for several schools over the past month. He worked on recording sessions at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas and Illinois State University in Normal, Ind. These recordings will be released on the GIA Publications Label and Naxos Label, respectively.

Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Erik Lindquist and research colleague, John Cossel, from Northwest Nazarene University have coauthored an article with students titled, “Pathogenic Fungus Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis in Marbled Water Frog Telmatobius Marmoratus: First Record From Lake Titicaca, Bolivia.” This work extended the known range of the disease-causing species well into high elevation zones in the Andes Mountains. See link for more information.

Led by faculty advisor Larry Mylin and student president Matthew Lauver, student members and friends of the Messiah College Beta Lambda Chapter of the Sigma Zeta National Science and Mathematics Honor Society recently supported middle school science fairs at the St. Margaret Mary (Harrisburg) and St. Joseph Catholic (Mechanicsburg) Schools by acting as judges to evaluate more than 150 individual projects. Evaluations provided by our student judges helped school science teachers identify projects appropriate for regional science fair competitions and/or to receive local honorable recognition.

Ray Norman, dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Health (SEH), will be stepping down from his position in February to become director for faith leadership in water, sanitation and hygiene for World Vision International. Ray came to Messiah in 2002 as dean of the School of Mathematics, Engineering and Business, and he assumed his current role after the school restructuring in 2009. We are grateful to Ray for his strong and tireless service to the College and his vision for the SEH. We are pleased that his new position with World Vision may allow for the possibility of continuing to serve as a scholar-in-residence. A search for Ray’s replacement will begin this summer. I am pleased to announce that Angela Hare, professor of mathematics and chair of the department of information and mathematical sciences, has agreed to serve as interim dean beginning on February 13 through the FY15-16 school year.

Senior Evan Shirey was awarded a first place prize for his poster presentation given Oct. 25 during the 17th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences hosted at the University of Maryland’s Baltimore County campus (UMBC). Poster presentations were also given by Messiah College students Matthew Lauver, Caitlin Mason and Katlyn Tyrpak as part of the conference which included presentations by more than 250 students. The students were accompanied by biological sciences faculty research advisors John Harms and Larry Mylin (who also served as a judge).

Messiah 411

Farewell reception for employee Dec. 12

Please join us in celebrating with Craig Dalen, director of sustainability, as he goes forth from Messiah College to pursue other interests. A farewell reception will be held on Friday, Dec. 12 from 3-5 p.m. in Boyer Hall’s Howe Atrium. Please come to wish Craig well.

The Susquehanna Chorale to be featured on WITF

The Susquehanna Chorale, ensemble-in-residence, will be featured in three holiday broadcasts by WITF radio. The program features Rutter’s “Gloria,” music and carols of the season accompanied by the Messiah College Faculty Brass Ensemble, Erik Forst, percussion, and Daniel Dorty, organ. The choir is conducted by Linda L. Tedford, artistic director and founder, Susquehanna Chorale, and director of choral activities. WITF will air The Susquehanna Chorale’s Christmas Concert from last year on the following dates.

Dec. 14 – Full concert airs at 8 p.m. on the Center Stage program
Dec. 24 and 25 – One-hour version of the concert will be broadcast at 9 a.m.

Reminders for students arriving to campus early

If you are having students return to campus before Monday, Jan. 5, we need a list of names from you and when they’ll be returning. The list must be submitted to housing@messiah.edu by Friday, Dec. 12. There is a $10 late fee for any requests received after Dec. 19. Any questions can be directed to Rhonda King at rkind@messiah.edu or ext. 7291.

Campus budget forum set for Jan. 8

The annual campus budget forum is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8 in Alexander Auditorium (Frey 110) from noon to 1:30 p.m. There will be a presentation by David Walker, vice president for finance and planning, and a Q&A session. Following feedback from governance groups, College Council is scheduled to vote on the FY16 parameters on Jan. 22.

The forum is open to all employees and attendance is encouraged. It is especially important that members of the personnel committees and other governance groups that review and recommend budget parameters attend. Please extend this appointment to the appropriate governance groups.

Winter recess purchasing card reminders

The purchasing card (P-Card) administrator would like to remind you that the deadline for allocating December transactions is Jan. 7 and the deadline for approving December transactions is Jan. 12. If you do not work during January, please make sure that your December transactions are allocated prior to your last work day before winter recess. If a transaction has not posted to your account prior to your last work day, please make arrangements with the P-Card administrator to have it allocated. If you do not work during January but typically approve transactions for someone who does, please arrange a delegate to handle the December approvals in your absence. Questions should be directed to the P-Card administrator at ext. 2211 or to pcard@messiah.edu.

Christmas tree safety reminders

Christmas is a wonderful time of year…a time to celebrate our Lord’s birth. But it can also bring with it unique safety hazards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers these tips on Christmas tree safety.

Reminder to RSVP for Employee Christmas Luncheon

To ensure that we prepare adequately, please send your RSVP for the Employee Christmas Luncheon to the office of human resources and compliance by Friday, Dec. 12. The RSVP card, located on your invitation, is also your entry into the raffle drawing. Please note that you must be present to win. We’re looking forward to a time of fellowship, fine food and festive entertainment! Please contact Kathy Castonguay, human resources, at KCastong@messiah.edu or ext. 7086 with questions.

Opportunity to donate school supplies at Employee Christmas Luncheon

“Thank you so much. The event was amazing. We are incredibly grateful for all the wonderful items we received. It is such a blessing to receive things our son needs for school and we are unable to afford. Again thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Attendee of Project Big Love’s summer 2014 event

We will be providing an opportunity to donate school supplies for Dillsburg-based Project Big Love at the Employee Christmas Luncheon on Friday, Dec. 19. All school supplies collected will go toward PBL’s summer 2015 event. To participate, please bring new items from the following categories, based on your last name:

A – H #2 pencils, pens, eight-pack colored pencils

I – Q two-pocket folders, glue sticks, rounded tip scissors

R – Z erasers, 24-pack crayons, highlighters

Please note that you can purchase supplies from a specially created display at the Campus Store. All donations are optional and no gift is too small.

Volunteers needed for Employee Christmas Luncheon

Each year, in the spirit of the season, employees volunteer to help with setup, serving and cleanup at the Employee Christmas Luncheon. This allows our colleagues in dining services and campus events to more fully participate in the event. If you haven’t participated before, or if you’ve had a great time volunteering in the past, we need you this year…and it’s fun! Please consider volunteering for one of the following time slots on Friday, Dec. 19.

Set-up: 9-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-noon

Serving: Two 45-minute shifts during lunch; meet at 11:40 a.m. for instructions

Cleanup: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Victoria Johnson, human resources, at VJohnson@messiah.edu by Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Employee Recognition Reception scheduled for May 6

Please save the date for the annual gathering to celebrate the commitment of those employees who have reached significant service milestones. The Employee Recognition Reception will be held on Reading Day, May 6, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium. Please note the change to a morning function. More details will be shared in the spring.

Classified

Positions available:

The Department of Dining Services has an immediate opening for the full-time position of Catering Lead. For more information and to apply, please visit: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/5223. Job-related questions may be directed to Mark Wirtz, director of dining services, at MWirtz@messiah.edu.

The Department of Conference and Event Services has an immediate opening for the full-time position of Ticket and Billing Coordinator. For more information and to apply, please visit: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/5164. Job-related questions may be directed to Heather Negley, director of conference and event services, at HNegley@messiah.edu.

The College Honors Program has an immediate opening for the part-time position of Administrative Assistant to the Director, College Honors Program. For more information and to apply, please visit: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/5265. Job-related questions may be directed to Dean Curry, Director of the College Honors Program, at DCurry@messiah.edu.

Free:

Black/gold table lamp—For more information and photos, see this link or contact Jason Long at jlong@messiah.edu.

For rent:

Townhouse in Mechanicsburg—Two bedroom, 1.5 bath townhouse unit in Allenview. Basement, garage, carport, washer/dryer hookup, all appliances, central air/heat pump. No pets, non-smoking. $830/month, plus electric and water. One-year lease, security deposit and credit check required, available mid-January. For more information, call 717-608-1262.

For sale:

Electric oil-filled radiant space heater—$50; Computer desk with hutch—$30; Electric lawn mower—$80. For more information and photos, see this link or contact Jason Long at jlong@messiah.edu.

1996 ¾ ton 4 × 4 Dodge XLS extended cab pickup truck—V-8, 5.9 liter engine, tow package, 86,000 miles. New inspection and emission good until December 2015. Truck is in excellent condition; new tires, new plugs and wires, new timing chain, new front rotors and bearings, new water pump and hoses, new breaks and break lines, new fuel line, painted two years ago, transmission has 34,000 miles on it. Asking $8,000. Contact bmarkley@messiah.edu if interested.

House—Tons of character on corner lot. Mechanicsburg home close to Messiah College. Like-new condition, built in 2010 but not the cookie cutter you may expect. The large kitchen is great for entertaining and family gatherings. Three large bedrooms on second floor, laundry on first floor, stainless appliances. Inviting wrap-around porch, basement is ready to be finished. Asking $239,900. For more information, contact Shirley Groff, at groff@messiah.edu.

KidStuff Coupon Books—We still have a few family-friendly KidStuff Coupon Books available through The Early Learning Center (ELC). KidStuff Coupon Books are only sold through schools and the ELC earns 50 percent or more profit on each book we sell. Use just a few coupons and save more than the $25 cost of the book. Family and friends will love saving with KidStuff…great as Christmas gifts! If you are interested or have any questions, please email Lily Schultz at lschultz@messiah.edu or call ext. 5043 by Tuesday, Dec. 23. Thank you for your kind support.