No matter what happens, always be thankful for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
AOTA 2025 Education Summit
Dr. Joanna Behm, associate professor of occupational therapy, presented at the recent American Occupational Therapy Association 2025 Education Summit in Salt Lake City, UT. Her session entitled “Cultivating Diversity: Understanding Student Motivations for Choosing OT & OTA Programs” was based on her research with alumni Aubrey Renner, Emily Downey, Brinda Timsina, and Jasper McCray. As a mentor in the AOTA Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Institute, she also co-presented a study entitled, “Enhancing Exam Readiness Through a Test-Taking Workshop.”
AROUND CAMPUS
Intercom break
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the Intercom will take a brief break next week. We will be back in your inbox on Dec. 3. Happy Thanksgiving.
Campus Christmas Gathering
All employees and students are warmly invited to welcome the holiday season with a Campus Christmas Gathering on Dec. 2 at 4:30 p.m. Join us near the Murray Library steps for Christmas music, Advent devotional from Dr. Rebecca Harris, Christmas cookies and hot drinks. Chapel credit will be offered.
Sensory-friendly Santa returns to Winding Hill
Messiah’s occupational therapy students host a sensory-friendly Santa night when local families can interact with Santa and enjoy festive activities in a judgement-free atmosphere. Santa has made a list and checked it twice, and he is hoping you can help to make this night nice. Shop his Amazon wish list at https://a.co/c4P2dq3. We are also seeking grocery store gift cards (Wegmans, Giant, Weis, etc.) to purchase cookies and icing and a meal to sustain Santa and his elves. We are also hoping to borrow artificial Christmas trees (4-6 feet tall) for the week of Dec. 1. Please contact Leanne Rutt at lrutt@messiah.edu if you are willing to lend out yours. Thank you for supporting this night of pure joy! Follow us at facebook.com/MessiahUniversityMOT to see photos.
Contribute to graduate student finals week snack bags
Messiah’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies is once again making finals week snack bags for our in-person graduate students to help our graduate students perform to the best of their ability during the week of final exams. Our goal is to fill 198 bags with study-break friendly items for our on-campus graduate students. We will also provide a note of prayer and encouragement to each recipient. Donations are being collected at Winding Hill and on main campus through Monday, Dec. 1. If you are able to contribute, please visit our sign-up link for details at https://www.timetosignup.com/sgpsstudentservices/sheet/1351252/.
Reach out to Lyndsay Grimm (lgrimm@messiah.edu) with any questions. Thank you in advance!
Welcome Erin Miller to enrollment management
We are pleased to announce that Erin Miller will join the university as assistant director of enrollment technology and communication, SGPS, effective Dec 1. Erin will be based on the Winding Hill campus, supporting the graduate enrollment team (replacing Leah Conner). Erin brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative thinking to this role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Penn State and completed coursework in graphic design and media arts at Southern New Hampshire University. She brings experience as a licensing technical writer and consultant, where she manages complex technical design packages and provides engineering support.
In this role, Erin will:
- Lead the administration and optimization of the Slate CRM for graduate programs, driving innovation and efficiency in enrollment processes.
- Manage and optimize Slate CRM workflows, events, forms, queries, and infrastructure for graduate enrollment.
- Collaborate with campus partners to ensure seamless integration of enrollment technology with university systems.
- Providing training, documentation and offering first-level support to graduate program users Erin impressed us with her understanding of iterative design, user testing, and continuous improvement so she will be instrumental in advancing our enrollment strategies and supporting student success.
Please join us in welcoming Erin to the Messiah Community!
Sarah Wade, Interim VP for Enrollment Management
Climenhaga Homestead yard sale was a success
Conference Services would like to thank Deanna Brickner for her excellent work organizing sale items for the recent yard sale. Thank you to all of you who came to support this event which benefited the Good Samaritan Student Fund. A total of $525 dollars was raised to help students in need.
Holiday events at the Oakes Museum
Join us at the Oakes Museum for our annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6! From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. there will be free admission, holiday craft and story time, cookies and a 20% discount in the gift shop! We will also be offering our “Night at the Oakes Museum” on Friday, Dec. 12, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This event is for K-5th grade and is designed to give parents a free evening to get some holiday shopping done! We will play games, complete a craft and wrap up the night by watching the movie “Klaus” (PG) with some snacks and hot chocolate. Cost is $25/child. To register, visit our website!
https://messiah.qualtrics.com/WRQualtricsSurveyEngine/File.php?F=F_1g7tkZZrIvWOZdv
Murray Minute: your Messiah ID = your library card
As an employee, your Messiah University ID gives you full borrowing privileges at Murray Library — no extra registration needed! You are all set up for check out and for using the online collections (MU username and password). Explore Primo, the catalog, to get started. This gives you access to 250k physical items and over 500k online resources! Spouses of current MU staff can also enjoy access to physical library resources with an ID from Falcon Exchange. It is a great way to extend learning and leisure opportunities to your whole household. Email library@messiah.edu with questions or for more information.
Save the Date for “The Living Library” at Messiah’s Murray Library – Wednesday April 15, 2026
The Living Library: Many Stories, One Community Step into a library unlike any other where the “books” are real people and their stories are waiting to be discovered. The Living Library offers a powerful opportunity to listen, learn, and connect through honest conversations that break down stereotypes and celebrate the richness of our community. Every story you “check out” opens a new chapter of understanding. Be part of an experience that inspires dialogue, bridges differences, and reminds us that every person has a story worth sharing. If you would like to be a “book” or nominate a colleague to be a book, please contact Liz Kielley, discovery and metadata librarian, at ekielley@messiah.edu Stay tuned, more details about the upcoming Living Library event are coming after the new year !
Slingshot Choice survey winner of $50 gift card
The Campus Store sent a Slingshot Choice survey to all faculty, admissions counselors and administrators and fifty-six unique responses were received. Congratulations to Dr. Paul Johns of HDFS who was randomly chosen as the winner of the $50 Campus Store gift card! Be on the lookout for another Slingshot Choice survey which will be sent out in Spring 2026. Another $50 Campus Store gift card will be given away then.
Nobel Prize seminar
Please plan to attend the 15th annual “Nobel Prize Seminar” on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. in Alexander Auditorium (Frey 110). The seminar includes Nobel prizes awarded in physics presented by Dr. Abaz Kryemadhi, chemistry presented by Dr. Richard Schaeffer, and medicine presented by Dr. Isis Rivera-Walsh. Light snacks provided.
CLASSIFIEDS
Job opportunities
The Office of the Provost has an opening for a full-time associate provost. 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/30515.
The Office of the Provost has an opening for a full-time vice provost for Student Success and Engagement. 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/30630.
The Office of Residence Life has an opening for a full-time interim residence life educator. Job related questions may be directed to Doug Wood at dwood@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30557.
The Admissions Office 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/30325.
Graduate Studies: Nursing has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Brenda Elliott at belliott@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30383.
The Engle Center has an opening for a part-time dietitian. Job related questions may be directed to Carrie Ent at cent@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30396.
The Engle Center has an opening for a full-time interim counselor. Job related questions may be directed to Aubrey Kleinfeld at AKleinfe@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30472.
Dining Services has an opening for a part-time PM cook. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Wirtz at mwirtz@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29703.
Dining Services has an opening for a full-time culinary assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Mark Wirtz at mwirtz@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30236.
The Office of Development has an opening for a full-time senior regional advancement representative. Job related questions may be directed John Zeigler at jzeigler@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29719.
Grounds Services has an opening for a full-time groundskeeper/crew leader. Job related questions may be directed to Artie Palese at palese@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29998.
The Department of Safety has an opening for a full-time first shift safety officer. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/29967.
The Department of Safety has an opening for a full-time second-shift safety officer. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30549.
The Department of Safety has an opening for a full-time event and traffic management coordinator. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30455.
For sale
Headphones for sale. Koss BT540i headphones for sale, $20 obo. These Bluetooth headphones have been used only a few times. Email bwatkins@messiah.edu if interested.
FREE
Free king bed frame. Wooden king bed frame is available for free. Requires pickup. If interested in donating to a local refugee family (the frame came from them), any payment will be given back to them. Contact Bryce: bwatkins@messiah.edu
OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
CWS-Harrisburg’s International Friendsgiving
Whether you missed the Agapé Center’s International Friendsgiving event, or you want to share the incredible meal and experience with friends and family, we invite you to support Church World Services-Harrisburg through purchasing a “Culturally Diverse Feast To-Go!” Messiah has been such an important part of Church World Service’s extended community of partners, helping refugee and immigrant families build stability and belonging here in the greater-Harrisburg area. International Friendsgiving is one of the main ways to support CWS-Harrisburg! Friendsgiving features meals prepared by refugee and immigrant chefs from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Venezuela, Somalia, and Syria- recipes that reflect the cultures our clients bring to Harrisburg. Community members can buy a meal for themselves or purchase one to donate directly to a newly arrived refugee family. Every order helps provide food, support, and connection. We would really appreciate your help in getting the word out- please share it with your team, clients, or network, and consider ordering meals for your office or family. You can find all the details and order online here: www.cwsharrisburg.org/friendsgiving
