Archive for 2015

February 5, 2015

Thursday, February 5th, 2015

And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:40 (NRSV)

News

Bradley Genevro, associate professor of music and director of bands, recently served as recording producer for several institutions on various recording projects. He worked with the wind symphonies from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., Concordia University in River Forest, Ill. and Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Associate Professor of Marketing David Hagenbuch recently had an article titled “Why Uber, Like Any Business, Should Not Act First and Ask for Forgiveness Later” published on Forbes.com.

With the retirement of Charlotte Knudsen, we have made some changes in positions. Abby Love, current ticket office coordinator, is being promoted to Charlotte’s position of conference and event coordinator. The position of ticket office coordinator has been restructured to include more duties related to billing and supporting the summer conference program. We are currently interviewing for this position—now titled ticket office and billing coordinator. Randy Heintzelman has been promoted to the position of office coordinator. He will now be supervising the reception and ticket office areas. Please congratulate Abby and Randy on their new roles. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Negley at hnegley@messiah.edu.

Robert Reyes, professor of human development and family science, recently had his article titled “Ethnic Identity Development Theory and its Use in Navigating Issues of Race and Power in Teaching Family Science” published in “Family Science Review” 19 (2), 50-63, a special issue to teaching diversity in family science.

William Stowman, professor of music, served as guest conductor for the annual Cumberland County Honors Band, held at East Pennsboro High School. The festival took place from Jan. 29-31 and involved approximately 100 students from high schools in Cumberland County. The festival culminated in a concert on Saturday with a program that included “Uplifted” (an original composition for band by Benjamen Blasko ‘13), “Benediction” by John Stevens, “Danzon No. 2” by Arturo Marquez, “Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre and “His Honor” by Henry Fillmore. Serving as guest conductor for the middle school portion of the festival will be Messiah College Wind Conducting graduate student Robert Matchett who is director of bands at Seneca Valley High School north of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Messiah 411

Retirement Open House for conference and event services employee Feb. 6

After 27 years of service to Messiah College, Charlotte Knudsen is retiring. She has worked in the business office and conference and event services. Charlotte has always been passionate about the students and is known for her energy and enthusiasm. Please join us in celebrating Charlotte at an Open House on Friday, Feb. 6 from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Howe Atrium, Boyer Hall.

Open House set for Feb. 10 to view Frey Hall expansion

The departments of visual arts and engineering are co-hosting an Open House in the expansion of Frey Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 3-5 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. The first floor features new teaching and studio space for the visual arts and the basement level expands the engineering department’s capabilities with new project work space.

Farewell reception for employee Feb. 10

It is with mixed emotions that I share the news that Brittany Claridge, assistant director of alumni relations, will be leaving Messiah. Please join us for a goodbye Open House on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 2-4 p.m. in the Alumni Office, ECC166.
Jay McClymont, director of alumni and parent relations

Farewell reception for dean Feb. 12

Please join us for a farewell reception to honor Ray Norman, dean of the School of Science, Engineering, and Health (SEH). Ray will be stepping down from his current position in mid-February to become director for faith leadership in water, sanitation, and hygiene for World Vision International. We are grateful to Ray for his strong and tireless service to the College and his vision for the SEH. Feel free to stop by Jordan Atrium on Thursday, Feb. 12 from 3-5 p.m. to wish Ray a fond Messiah farewell.

Invite someone you know to Messiah’s Feb. 16 open house

Do you know a student who is in the college search process and may be a good fit for Messiah College? Consider inviting them personally to visit our Open House on Monday, Feb. 16. Students can take a closer look at our 80+ majors, tour campus, enjoy a special lunch in the dining hall and spend time interacting with Messiah students, professors and staff. Students and their family members can register to attend at www.messiah.edu/openhouse. We invite you to share this link with prospective students and their family members, along with the reasons you love being a part of the Messiah College community! We would love to have them visit and extend them a warm welcome for the day.

Cultural Series presents Stringfever Feb. 20

The final Cultural Series performance of this season to feature Stringfever on Friday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. in Parmer Hall. General admission is $25; student tickets are $10 (with Messiah College student ID). Contact the ticket office at ext. 6036.

If you’re looking for an amazing evening’s entertainment like you’ve never seen before, then meet Giles, Ralph, Graham and Neal Broadbent, aka Stringfever. With their electric instruments and unique sound, the world’s first genetically modified string quartet combine exceptional musical skill with a real talent for involving and engaging audiences to provide you with a night you’ll never forget.

February Wellness Workshop

A February wellness workshop will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 12:45-1:30 p.m. in Parmer Cinema. The title of the presentation will be “Can Exercise Make You Smarter? The Emerging Science on Exercise and the Brain” and will be presented by Jodie Haak, chair of the health and human performance department. Plan now to attend this important workshop.

Applications for grants due March 24

Thanks to all who stopped by the office of teaching and learning open house event in Boyer 101D over J-term where we announced our new internal grants for the 2015-16 academic year. As a reminder, here are brief descriptions of each grant. The first provides funds for small groups of educators to develop their own professional learning communities to study a teaching and learning related topic. The second provides support for teaching interns to work with faculty members on delivering and improving a particular course. The third is co-sponsored by the Ernest L. Boyer Center and provides support for faculty engaged in a scholarship of teaching and learning project. Contact Jennifer Fisler, director of teaching and learning, with any questions about these opportunities. Applications are due March 24.

Spring teaching and learning development opportunities

The department of education announces three professional learning communities (PLCs) for spring 2015. PLCs are small groups of educators who meet regularly to study, discuss, implement and evaluate approaches to teaching. Brian Swartz will be facilitating a PLC to study the book “How Learning Works.” The group will meet 12:30-1:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Lunch will often be included. Please contact Brian at bswartz@messiah.edu if you are interested in joining. Jennifer Fisler will be facilitating two PLCs. The first will meet monthly on Thursdays at lunch. This PLC will focus on student engagement and will include opportunities to visit participants’ classrooms. The second will meet on Tuesdays at lunch and focus on issues of diversity in teaching and learning. Please contact Jennifer at jfisler@messiah.edu if you are interested in joining either of these PLCs. Groups are starting soon!

Ways to complete 100 wellness points outlined

There are numerous ways employees can collect wellness points during the spring semester. These include attending a wellness workshop, attending the wellness fair on April 1, completing the online health assessment, participating in a local fitness event (5K, etc.), getting a preventive physical exam and more. All of these are detailed in the wellness brochure distributed to employees in September. This brochure can also be accessed online here. Employees completing their 100 wellness points can also find the online completion form through that link. The form can only be submitted once and cannot be saved. Employees are encouraged to keep their own record as they accumulate wellness points, then submit the online completion form only after all 100 points have been completed.

Fall Wellness Workshops available for viewing

If you were unable to attend a wellness workshop you can now view it online. Seven workshops are now available for viewing. Just go to MCSquare, “Employee Quicklinks,” “Wellness Workshops.” Employees get 15 wellness points for either attending a workshop in person or viewing one online. A maximum of 45 points are available from attending or viewing three workshops.

Save the date for Wellness Day

Wellness Day will be on Wednesday, April 1. Save the date and plan now to participate in the activities being planned. Some of these include a Wellness Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with a break from 12-12:30 p.m. for a wellness lecture presented by dietician Nicole Benner, Zumba on the lawn, a free introductory Pilates session and a 12:30 p.m. organized one-mile walk. More details to come.

Reminders for delay or cancellation of classes

In the event classes are delayed or canceled, those students and/or employees who have signed up for text alerts will receive a text notice regarding such a delay or closure. A delay or closure notification will also be placed on the home page of the College’s website, as well as being available by calling the emergency information line at 691-6084 (a recording will provide you with a date and time of the most recent message). This information is not provided to the local media. Morning announcements are made no later than 6:30 a.m. If in doubt, please check the website or call the information line if you are not signed up for text alerts.

Please note, any notice of a delay and/or cancelation of an EVENT hosted at the college will only be available on the emergency line and not through the text alert system or website.

Employees involved in snow removal, facilities, campus events and dining should follow the instructions given by their respective supervisory staff during a delay or closure.
Kathie Shafer, vice president for operations

Reminder from facility services 

Facility services would like to remind employees that when there is a delay or closure due to snow/ice, it is important that vehicles remain off campus until the time indicated in the communication for the campus to re-open. This allows the crew to have unobstructed access to the parking lots and sidewalks and permits more efficient snow removal and treatment of these areas. It also helps to prevent accidents between the snow removal equipment and vehicles. 

Safety Data Sheets available for new Polycom phones

If you received a new telephone recently and it doesn’t display a sticker with the emergency phone number for obtaining Safety Data Sheets (in the event our online system would be down), please contact Donna Fink at ext. 5038 or dfink@messiah.edu. She will be happy to send you a new sticker for your phone.

Shoveling snow safety reminders

It’s pretty obvious that winter is going to be here for a while…and we haven’t seen the last of snow. So whether you shovel a few steps, a sidewalk, or an entire driveway, the state has put together some tips on how to shovel safely and prevent injuries. Please take the time to read this accident prevention tip sheet.

Classified

Position available:

Campus Events has an immediate opening for the full-time position of Campus Events Worker II, Old Main. For more information and to apply, please visit http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/5442. Job-related questions may be directed to Scott Zeigler, campus events manager, at SZeigler@messiah.edu.

College Ministries has an immediate opening for the full-time position of College Ministries Coordinator. For more information and to apply, please visit http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/5502. Job-related questions may be directed to Don Opitz, college pastor, at DOpitz@messiah.edu.