Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1 

NEWS:

In 2014, the Class of 1964 reunion planning committee created a new student award in recognition of Dr. Carlton O. Wittlinger, their class advisor, as part of their 50th Class Reunion celebration. A graduate of Messiah Junior College in 1935, Dr. Wittlinger returned to Messiah and served over 35 years as a teacher and visionary administrator. We are pleased to announce the inaugural Class of 1964 Wittlinger Award has been awarded to Dayren Soto, a junior education major. The award seeks to honor students who demonstrate Dr. Wittlinger’s broad academic accomplishments, including his qualities of persistence and unselfish dedication, as they pursue and develop their own academic leadership skills. The selection committee was deeply impressed by Dayren’s commitment to service and reconciliation. She clearly demonstrates similar traits that led to Dr. Wittlinger having such a profound impact on Messiah College. We are grateful to the Class of 1964 reunion planning committee for their vision to establish this new fund. The committee was comprised of Darrel Bigham, P. Allen Sollenberger and Marilyn Heisey Byer. We also recognize and thank Melinda Burchard for nominating Dayren. Finally, we thank the selection committee, including Devin Manzullo-Thomas, Ashley Sheaffer and Dean Curry, for their significant and meaningful contributions during the selection process.

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Please join the Office of Development in congratulating Lauren Seneca ’11, on her promotion from assistant to associate director of annual giving. Lauren has developed strong student philanthropy and reunion giving programs and established significant relationships with our recent alumni. In her new role, she will focus on inviting our recent alumni to support their alma mater through gifts to The Messiah Fund. Congratulations, Lauren, and thank you for your commitment to helping make a Messiah College education more affordable for our students.

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Tara Bowers Savarino, adjunct instructor in music, recently presented a vocal pedagogy clinic on the changing voice at the District 4 Choral Festival in Clearfield, a. Her presentation focused on the hormonal changes and affects for both the adolescent and aging voice. Savarino was hosted by Messiah College MM in conducting alumnus Andrew Rothrock, choral director at Clearfield High School.

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If you like Ted Talks, then you will like Q Commons. Q Commons is a live learning experience that challenges attendees to stay curious, think well and advance good in their communities. Dr. David Brandt, former dean and vice president for academic affairs at Messiah College, will be giving a talk entitled, “Community in an Environment of Pluralism.” By its very nature, community requires commonality. Dr. Brandt will attempt to ask questions about how to address common issues when our geographical communities are increasingly diverse. Q Commons is a bi-annual event. The next Q Commons gatherings will be held Thursday, March 3 from 7–9 p.m. at The Meeting House in Dillsburg. Q Commons brings the Q National event experience to your community. Join thousands of participants in cities around the world as we gather to learn and consider how to advance good in our local communities. Since launching in 2014, more than 15,000 individuals have participated in 180 Q Commons city events on five continents. Gather alongside friends, neighbors and community leaders to become unified, informed and inspired to cultivate good works.

MESSIAH 411:

Employees invited to submit nominations for Team Falcon Award

Employees are invited to submit nominations for the Team Falcon Award. The Team Falcon Award is an opportunity to recognize a group or team that collaborated successfully on a significant project or initiative to advance departmental or college-wide goals. We are opening up nominations to all employees this year. Eligible groups or teams include units, departments, task forces and committees or other cross-departmental work groups. The team may be comprised of part-time or full-time staff, administrative and/or faculty employees. Team members recognized must have had significant involvement in the accomplishment of the project, process or initiative. Generally, teams will consist of three to 10 individuals. One team will be recognized each year.

The Team Falcon Award is used to recognize a work group based on the following criteria:

• The team made a significant contribution towards achievement of a strategic goal
• The team exhibited innovation, creativity and excellence
• The group fostered a team environment that promoted communication, trust, cooperation and respect for differences

Each member of the team recognized will receive a distinctive commemorative gift and the team will be hosted for lunch by the division vice president or provost. Any employee can nominate a deserving team. The recommendation must be submitted to the division vice president or provost by Monday, Feb. 29. The division vice president/provost is encouraged to solicit recommendations that cross functional boundaries. Each division vice president/provost will review all submissions for his/her division and select those teams that he/she feels best meet the criteria for the award. President’s Cabinet will vote to select the team to receive the award. Your recommendation will be confidential; only the employees selected as award recipients will know that their names were offered for consideration. Teams are not eligible to receive a subsequent award for three years. See the list of prior recipients at here. Nominations must be submitted using the Team Falcon Award nomination form found here. Further information on performance awards, can be viewed here. The recipients will be announced at the Employee Recognition Reception in May. All questions regarding nominations should be directed to Kathy Castonguay in Human Resources.

Employees asked to submit nominations for Pride in Performance award

Have you been impressed or inspired by the contributions made by a fellow employee during the last year? Do any of the statements below describe a colleague? If so, please consider nominating that colleague for a Pride in Performance award. The Pride in Performance award is used to recognize an employee based on the following criteria:

• The employee has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and remarkable proficiency in his/her assigned duties
• The employee has demonstrated hospitality, customer focus and has been active in promoting a pleasant working environment
• The employee has demonstrated dependability and innovative ways to manage work and effective problem-solving
• The employee has been committed to professional development and enhancing his/her skill set

Your recommendation will be confidential; only the employees selected as award recipients will know that their names were offered for consideration. Prior recipients are not eligible to receive a subsequent award for three years. See the list of prior recipients here. Nominations must be submitted, using the Pride in Performance nomination form found at http://www.messiah.edu/info/20588/employees/972/employee_forms by Wednesday, March 2. Further information on performance awards can be viewed at http://www.messiah.edu/info/20733/employee_recognition. The recipients will be announced at the Employee Recognition Reception in May. All questions regarding nominations should be directed to Kathy Castonguay in Human Resources.

Fire extinguisher training offered to all employees and students

Fire extinguisher training will be conducted the week of Feb. 28-March 4 in Kelly A002. This training consists of a demonstration of the use of the extinguisher and then the opportunity for each participant to experience “hands-on” practice in extinguishing the “fire.” Training on the types of fires and extinguishers as well as initial instruction on the P.A.S.S. system for using extinguishers is provided via an online course which must be completed prior to the actual hands-on session. There are several sessions offered each day.

To sign up for a time that fits your schedule, go to: MC-Square>the Employee Tab>Employee Training Session. (Students should go to the Student Tab>Student Training.) Click on the session (date/time) that you wish to attend and follow the instructions for registering. If you have any questions regarding this training, please contact Donna Fink at ext. 5038 or Valerian Curd at ext. 6747. Employees, please inform your supervision of the session for which you register.

Need $50 to update your spring wardrobe?

It’s not too late to enter the safety contest for February. All entries must be received by Feb. 26 to be included in the prize drawing during the workplace safety committee meeting on March 1. Submit your answer for February’s question to dfink@messiah.edu or Donna Fink, Suite 3015.

Need a passport?

NEED A PASSPORT? Representatives from the Cumberland County Courthouse will be visiting campus Thursday, Feb. 25 to process passport applications. If you are interested in applying you need to bring your:

1. Photo (photographer will be available; photos $10)
2. Documents – birth certificate, driver’s license PLUS A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE (Non-PA residents also need to bring their Messiah ID, along with a copy of their ID)
3. Completed application
4. Fees

When: Thursday, Feb. 25 Where: Eisenhower Commons Time: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Applications can be downloaded at messiah.edu/passport Contact the Intercultural Office intercultural@messiah.edu for more information.

CLASSIFIEDS:

For sale:

House for sale. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Cape Cod in borough of Dillsburg. Very well maintained. For pictures see http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/110-Gettysburg-St-Dillsburg-PA/568d416faff839736a8b4567 or contact lclarke@messiah.edu.

Job Openings:

The Department of Facility Services is accepting applications for the position of groundskeeper, seasonal part-time. For additional information and to apply, please see: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/7848. Job-related questions may be directed to Pete Ramsey, grounds manager, at pramsey@messiah.edu.

Residence life currently has an opening for the position of residence director. For additional information and to apply, please see: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/8134. Job-related questions may be directed to David Downey, director of residence life, at ddowney@messiah.edu.