Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31: 6
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dr. H. Scott Kieffer accompanied seven undergraduate students: Liliana Greer, Owen Walker, Chase Wilson, Ben Van Deusen, Grace Sagna, Sophia Gray-Baublitz and Bella Tozeau to the American Physiological Society conference on April 25 and 26. The students presented their ongoing research among hundreds of posters from other universities and were able to engage in productive professional development. This research was overseen by Scott Kieffer, Jennifer Thomson and Michael Shin.
Another thank you to Dr. Angela Hare for supporting these students by attending the conference.
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Initially established as the Barnabas Award, the S.R. Smith Servant-Leader Award is given annually by the Agapé Center to those who enrich our educational community, promoting the ideals of service that substantially benefit others.
This year’s employee recipient is Tina Keller, associate professor of TESOL and chair of the education department. Tina has exhibited a heart of Servant Leadership through her active participation and support of the refugee community in the Harrisburg area. Congratulations, Tina!
BID FAREWELL
Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Linda Gemberling after 16 years of dedicated service to the graduate program of counseling. Linda faithfully served as an adjunct faculty member and practicum supervisor for 13 years, and for the past three years, she brought her deep expertise in school counseling to her role as field placement assistant coordinator, where she skillfully supported and placed graduate students in distant internship sites. In 2022, Linda was honored with the Adjunct Teaching Award, a testament to her exceptional commitment to student learning and mentorship. A small gathering will be held within the department to recognize Linda’s many contributions and to wish her well in this next chapter—she will be deeply missed!
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Wanda Thuma-McDermond, PhD, RN, professor of nursing, is retiring after 23 years of service at Messiah. Wanda taught the community health and global health courses and initiated the senior clinical experience option at Macha Mission Hospital in Macha, Zambia, in 2007. Over the last 18 years, Wanda has taken hundreds of Messiah nursing students to Zambia for their senior clinical experience which has been life changing for many students. Wanda was passionate about the community-based Wellness Centers. She launched two community-based Wellness Centers, one in Mechanicsburg in 2007 and another Wellness Center in Dillsburg in 2009. Wanda’s sense of humor and creative pedagogy will be missed! Other faculty departing in May include Jeff Stroup, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, CEN, associate professor of nursing and Jessica Merkert, MSN, RN, CPN, assistant professor of Nnursing, clinical track. Dr. Stroup started as an adjunct in 2010 and joined full-time in 2014 to teach critical care and med-surg nursing. He will be starting as a nurse practitioner at UPMC Pinnacle Health FamilyCare Lower Paxton. Jessica started as an adjunct in 2021 and joined full-time in 2023. She plans to spend more time with her husband and growing family. We will miss them dearly and will always treasure their contributions to the Department of Nursing. We wish them all the best in the next phases of their lives!
Kristen Slabaugh, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, CNE
Assistant Dean of Nursing
AROUND CAMPUS
Employee recognition picnic – Monday, May 12
All employees are invited to come to Larsen Student Union anytime between 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. to enjoy lunch (food trucks), fellowship and games. This picnic is a time to recognize our celebrated colleagues and provide an opportunity for our employee community to say farewell to Kim Phipps!
Important undergraduate commencement information for employees
Schedule and details
Messiah University will be hosting Commencement weekend for the undergraduate Class of 2025 on May 9-10.
- To view schedule/details for the Candlelight Service of Worship and Celebration (formerly Baccalaureate) on Friday, May 9, visit https://www.messiah.edu/info/20302/events/384/baccalaureate.
- To view schedule/details for the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10, visit https://www.messiah.edu/info/20302/events/401/commencement_ceremony.
Members of the Community of Educators should have already received information from the Provost’s Office regarding their participation in Commencement weekend. Faculty, staff and administrators who are participating in the Commencement ceremony itself have received, or will soon receive, an email memo regarding their role in the ceremony from the Commencement Committee. If you have any questions regarding Commencement, please contact Carla Gross, co-chair of the Undergraduate Commencement Committee, at ext. 6940 or cgross@messiah.edu.
Important employee parking information for Baccalaureate (Friday, May 9)
- From 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., the VV (Visitor’s lot) will be closed to employees so families of our graduates have access to parking for Commencement-related activities.
For the Candlelight Service, Department of Safety personnel will direct guests to designated parking areas on campus. Guests will walk to Eisenhower Campus Center. There is no shuttle service provided that evening. Note: Messiah employees do not receive reserved parking for Baccalaureate. It is also important to note that Baccalaureate is a ticketed event; see the Commencement web site for details.
- If you have questions regarding parking for guests with a disability, visit https://www.messiah.edu/info/20305/visitor_resources/407/parking.
Important employee parking information for Commencement day (Saturday, May 10).
- Members of the Community of Educators and other employees who are marching in the processional or participating in the Commencement ceremony will receive a reserved parking pass via campus mail from the Provost’s Office (educators) or directly from their supervisor (staff/administrators). Drivers MUST show their parking pass to traffic control personnel upon entering campus to be directed to their designated reserved parking areas.
- All other employees who will be working the Commencement ceremony will receive parking instructions with their assignment.
- Due to the significantly increased volume of traffic on campus for Commencement, the Department of Safety strongly encourages all employees to arrive on campus no later than 8:15 a.m. in order to alleviate being delayed in traffic, and to assist in being directed to their reserved parking areas on campus.
- It is also extremely important to follow all parking directions and instructions from safety personnel while entering and leaving campus, as traffic conditions can change quickly and officers are not able to stop traffic flow to have conversation with individual drivers.
- An important reminder—employees are not permitted to schedule vendor visits, pick-ups or deliveries on the day of Commencement as it interferes with the increased and altered traffic flow on campus that day.
Retirement plan
Messiah University offers any employee regularly scheduled to work at least 1,000 hours each year the opportunity to participate in the University’s 403(b) retirement plan and receive a matching contribution from the University. Specifically, employees contributing at least 2.5% of their base pay receive matching contributions of at least 3.0% from the University and those matching contributions become fully vested after two years of employment. Our retirement plan’s financial education partners (Denny Browne and Andy Grace of Capital View Wealth Management) will be sending out an email next week inviting employees to learn more about participating in the University’s retirement plan. There is no charge for employees to meet individually with Denny and/or Andy. Their contact information is:
Capital View Wealth Management
650 North 12th Street, Suite 100
Lemoyne, PA 17043
Phone: 717-516-8334
Email: denny.browne@capitalviewwealth.com
Cybersecurity student presents at Cybersecurity Conference
Messiah senior cybersecurity student Carolina Hatch presented her honors research project at the recent Harrisburg BSides conference, held on April 25 at the PA Farm Show Complex. Her session was titled “Synthetic vs. Real-World Data: A Study in Data Poisoning and its Effects,” and focused on how the AI models can be susceptible to false information. Dr. Bibighaus (her research advisor) and a group of Messiah students attended the event to support Carolina and experience the regional conference for cybersecurity professionals, hackers and enthusiasts.
Congratulations to Carolina on an outstanding presentation!
Technology Support: Did you know?
- May Development Week and throughout the summer is a great time for a laptop tune-up! Please contact us at techsupport@messiah.edu, or call 717-796-4444 to make an appointment. On campus but no appointment? No problem! Unscheduled drop-offs are also an option and are completed on a first-come, first-served basis. We will run updates on your laptop and can address any issues that you have found yourself ‘living with’ all year. Tune-ups may take two or more hours to complete, and laptops can be dropped off and picked up at the Tech Support office in Old Main.
- As the end of the semester is approaching and we’re cleaning out, please remember the Office of Information Security provides shredding. Please bring all paper for shredding directly to our location in the basement of Old Main (High Center side) OM009 to be shredded. Someone will be available for drop-off from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. during the week. Special arrangements (e.g., shredding pick-up) can be made by calling Allen Snook, director of Information Security, at ext. 6790.
Harrisburg day trip
Friends of Murray Library is sponsoring a day trip to Harrisburg on June 18, with behind-the-scenes tours of recently renovated sites, including the PA State Library, Archives, and McCormick Riverfront Library. The trip will conclude with a visit to Midtown Scholar bookstore and café. Registration cost is $30, which includes transportation and catered lunch by Messiah’s Two Bridges Catering. Deadline to register is June 2. Contact Tracy at tsheaffer@messiah.edu with any questions.
CLASSIFIEDS
Job opportunities
The department of General Education is now hiring a full-time administrative assistant to the dean of General Education, Common Learning and Academic Support and director of Assessment. Job related questions may be directed to Kate Oswald Wilkins at koswaldwilkins@messiah.edu.
Development – Annual Giving has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant for Giving Programs. Job related questions may be directed to Tovah Wilson at twilson@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29311.
Office of the Provost has an opening for a full-time executive assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Christine Gardner at cgardner@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29315.
The Financial Aid Office has an opening for a part-time financial aid office assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Mike Strite at mstrite@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29291.
Admissions has an opening for a part-time admissions hospitality assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Kristin Thomas at kthomas@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29297.
Admissions has an opening for a temporary admissions traveling recruiter. Job related questions may be directed to Shayna Mark at smark@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29304.
The Department of Intellectual Disabilities Certificate has an opening for a full-time NEXT Steps resident life educator. Job related questions may be directed to Amber Brisbane at abrisbane@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29081.
Residence Life has an opening for a full-time residence life educator. Job related questions may be directed to Annastasia Bonczyk at abonczyk@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/28943.
The Office of Development has an opening for a full-time regional advancement representative. Job related questions may be directed to John Zeigler at jzeigler@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/28806.
Dining Services has an opening for a full-time cook II PM. Job related questions may be related to Mark Wirtz at mwirtz@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit:https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/28988.
Grounds Services has an opening for a part-time groundskeeper. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Graybill at mgraybill@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit:https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29118
Grounds Services has an opening for a part-time seasonal groundskeeper. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Graybill at mgraybill@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29281.
Grounds Services has an opening for a full-time athletic field spray applicator/ aeration coordinator. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Graybill at mgraybill@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29463.
The Department of Safety has an opening for a 1st shift safety officer. Job related questions may be directed to Daniel (Brad) Neuenschwander at dneuenschwander@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/28975.
The Department of Safety has an opening for 2nd shift safety officer/dispatcher. Job related questions may be directed to Daniel (Brad) Neuenschwander at dneuenschwander@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/28594.
For sale
Ice pop holders, great for kids. Kids love these ice pop holders, $6 each or 2 for $10, name included. Contact Stacy: sportko@messiah.edu
Two metal outdoor chairs with cushions. These are black metal patio chairs with a cream-colored cushion. The chairs are still in the box and need assembled, so they are BRAND NEW! Asking $80 for the set. Contact Heather Seaman: hseaman@messiah.edu
Free
FREE wood pallets are available for pickup. Take one or take them all! Several FREE skids are available at the bottom of the Campus Store/Mail Services delivery ramp (beyond TT lot around the back of Sollenberger Sports Center/ECC). Contact the Campus Store with any questions or if you need further directions.
Wanted
Housing needed for new faculty. We have a fairly pressing housing need for a new faculty member. Our new colleague in communication just defended her dissertation at Mizzou, and as a consequence she has to be out of student housing in about two weeks. She would like to find either temporary housing or even a long-term rental here for herself and her two children, a girl age 9 and a boy age 7.
If you have any ideas, could you contact me (ddixon@messiah.edu), and I’ll put you in touch with her directly (rather than putting her contact information on this more public forum).
Ink jet printer. Looking for a color ink jet printer, preferably not an HP. Please contact Stacy: sportko@messiah.edu
Car for sale. An international student at Messiah is looking for a car to get to their internship this summer. The student is willing to pay anywhere from $3000 – $5000. They are most interested in a Honda or Toyota with higher mileage, but willing to look at other cars as well. Please contact Amy Nicols Villeda (anicolsvilleda@messiah.edu or x2172) if you or anyone you know is selling a car. Thank you!
OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
Susquehanna Chorale to present its 2025 Spring Concert Series, My Spirit Sang All Day
The Susquehanna Chorale will present its spring concert series, My Spirit Sang All Day, on May 16, 17, and 18, under the direction of Linda L. Tedford.
The series begins on Friday, May 16 at Derry Presbyterian Church, Hershey, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 17 at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 18 at the Calvin and Janet High Center for Performing Arts, Messiah University, 4 p.m.
My Spirit Sang All Day features a varied and wonderful collection of pieces including sacred selections by Hubert Parry’s triumphant I Was Glad and Psalm 90 by Charles Ives, John Rutter’s God Be In My Head, and Shawn Kirchner’s energetic and uplifting Cornerstone. You’ll also hear Elaine Hagenberg’s The Music of Stillness, Eric Whitacre’s Sing Gently, and Randall Stroop’s Omnia Sol, followed by delightful songs including Short People, What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor, and Buffalo Gals. Let your spirit sing with us in a concert that reflects all the colors found in the kaleidoscope of our lives.
A pre-concert recital by Susquehanna Chorale accompanist, Daniel L. Dorty will be presented 15 minutes prior to each performance.
Visit www.susquehannachorale.org/performances or call the Messiah University Box Office at 717-691-6036, option 1, for tickets and information.
