Archive for 2016

September 22, 2016

Thursday, September 22nd, 2016

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

Jeremiah 31:3

MESSIAH 411

President’s “Open Door” Day has been postponed to Oct. 17

The “Open Door” Day scheduled for Friday, Sept. 30 has been postponed to Monday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. – noon, to meet individually with students and employees on topics that are important to them. “Open Door” is an opportunity for you to speak with the President in her office on the second floor of Old Main. Room 206 will have a sign-in sheet on Oct. 17. Please call the president’s office at ext. 2820 if you have any questions.

New change for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Have you heard about the new change for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? For the 2017-2018 school year, students can file the FAFSA as early as Oct. 1. They no longer have to wait until Jan. 1, 2017. As an employee of Messiah College, this may not directly impact you, but we want to let you know what is happening so that you will be aware of the changes if you have the opportunity to discuss this with your students or their parents. More information about this change and what it means for Messiah College students can be found on our Early FAFSA/Prior Year webpage. If you have any questions about this change, please don’t hesitate to contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@messiah.edu.

Advise a fall beak service trip

The Agapé Center would like to offer the opportunity for employees to participate in and advise a student service trip over fall break. Through service with diverse communities, we hope students will experience enriching and challenging growth which will help to foster learning of oneself, of the needs of others, and of the role that service plays in society through a lens of Christian faith. Advisors serve alongside students, assist student leaders in facilitation of reflection and devotions, and assist in any problem-solving that may arise. All costs are covered for advisors. Fall break service trips will take place Thursday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 23. Our partnering organizations include: Catholic Charities (Baltimore, Md.), Priority 1 Ministries (Bronx, N.Y.), AROMA Cumberland Pointe (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and the Children’s Bible Fellowship of New York (Carmel, N.Y.). We are currently looking for an advisor who may be interested in specifically serving with the Children’s Bible Fellowship of New York, which is described below. If you’re interested in serving as an advisor or have additional questions, please contact Shardé Hardy at shardy@messiah.edu by Friday, Sept. 23. Thank you for considering!

Children’s Bible Fellowship of New York (Carmel, N.Y.)—For nearly 75 years, CBFNY has worked with inner city at-risk youth and children with disabilities through summer camp programs consisting of a variety of activities. Our students will participate in discipleship ministries—similar to vacation Bible school—working with youth populations. Furthermore, students will receive an in-depth orientation that includes team-building and population-specific training. http://www.cbfny.org/

Ross Douthat, noted New York Times Columnist, to speak on campus

On Tuesday evening Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Ross Douthat, New York Times columnist and author, will speak in Parmer Hall on the topic, “Christian Citizens in a Post-Christian Republic.” This event, sponsored by the College Honors Program, College Ministries and the Messiah College Office of the President, is free and open to the public. No ticket required. Contact Dean Curry (dcurry@messiah.edu) with any questions.

What’s new in the library?

Click here to find out about events, new databases, and other news from the Library!

Policy for uncovered windows

College Council passed the following policy on Sept. 8, 2016. Based upon expressed concern from our insurance company, the Department of Safety and employees, the College is implementing a policy that requires all employees to avoid covering windows on doors.

Policy: For safety, security and professional liability purposes, all office and workspace door windows must be kept clear, fully accessible and free of any covering. The only offices that may have their door windows covered are the following confidential offices:

  1. Counseling offices in the Counseling Center, located in the Engle Health Center
  2. Health rooms in the Engle Health Center
  3. The College Pastor in the College Ministries Office
  4. The employee meeting space in the Office of Human Resources

Covering a door window may reduce or eliminate an employee’s access to professional liability coverage provided by the College’s insurance policy.

Practice: If the window on the door of the office or area to which you have been assigned is covered, and the covering was not installed nor approved by the College, please fully remove all covering and maintain the area accordingly. Department of Safety and Facility Maintenance staff will periodically check all office door windows. Any violations of this policy will be reported to the Office of Human Resources and Compliance and the window coverings will be removed. If you supervise students, please provide them with guidance on complying with this policy. Questions or concerns should be directed to the director of safety and administrative services (lmaynard@messiah.edu) and/or the vice president for human resources and compliance (acoffey@messiah.edu).

Rationale: Windows on doors have been identified as a safety best practice and prudent course of action for all professionals who meet individually with students. Likewise, in the event of a building evacuation, windows on doors allow the Department of Safety to more quickly assess occupancy. The College has been working steadily to install windows on doors throughout campus. Covering the window obviously negates the safety features of having a window. Our insurance broker has expressed concern that we do not have a policy prohibiting covered door windows and has noted that a significant number of employees do, in fact, cover the windows on their doors. The insurance company has clearly expressed that they reserve the right to limit professional liability coverage for employees who cover door windows. Please see the frequently asked questions here.

Ravi Scott Jain’s lecture “From Wonder to Wisdom” September 2

The picture of contemporary science is dominated by the imaginary of classical physics which envisions a law-governed universe in which passive particles bounce around impacting one another. But this picture of mechanistic atomism has two big problems.

  1. It is and always has been on a crash course with the humanities through its diminution of qualities to secondary status.
  2. Astonishingly modern physics no longer holds to this classical imaginary and so this collision between natural science and the humanities is not a necessary one. Surprisingly, recovering natural science as part of the traditional liberal arts curriculum offers a picture of reality which more easily comports both with contemporary scientific inquiry as well as theology and the humanities.

Ravi Scott Jain will explore how the traditional categories of natural philosophy and the common arts (think technology) better situate our natural scientific endeavors on the arc from wonder to wisdom, may culminate in worship, and do not sacrifice the ability to do work.

Here is his bio: Ravi Jain graduated from Davidson College with a BA and interests in physics, ancient Greek, and international political economy. He worked at various churches, received an M.A. from Reformed Theological Seminary, and later earned a Graduate Certificate in Mathematics from the University of Central Florida. He began teaching calculus and physics at the Geneva Classical Christian School in 2003 where he has developed an integrated double period class called “The Scientific Revolution.” In this class the students read primary sources like Galileo and Newton in order to recapitulate the narrative of discovery while preserving the mathematical and scientific rigor expected of a college level treatment. During his tenure there he coauthored “The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Philosophy of Christian Classical Education.” He has given over 50 talks and workshops throughout the country and overseas on topics related to education, mathematics, and science. He will give the talk and then we will discuss. Pizza will be served. (first come, first served for the pizza.) It is a regular meeting of the philosophy club. No tickets are needed. Anyone is welcome.

Veritas study abroad director to visit campus

On Oct. 12, Veritas Christian Study Abroad Director Charlie Harrisberger will be on campus to introduce students to opportunities to study with Veritas programs in Chile and France. If you are interested in meeting with him to learn more about the programs or in having him speak briefly to your class(es), please contact Wendy Lippert in the Intercultural Office at ext. 6089 or wlippert@messiah.edu. Also, please feel free to share with your students that the Charlie will host an information table in Eisenhower Commons on that day and will be hosting the following information sessions highlighting both programs:

  • Oct.12, 4 p.m., Larsen 237 (General Information Session)
  • Oct.12, 5 p.m., Larsen 237 (Orientation session for students applying to study with Veritas Spring 2017)

To learn more about these program visit

Pizza with Professionals

The Career and Professional Development Center is pleased to announce the schedule for the fall Pizza with Professionals sessions. During each session, the speaker (usually an alum) will talk with students about their organization, career path, and any professional advice they have. Free pizza is provided. All sessions will be held from noon-1 p.m. Educators are welcome to attend. To RSVP for sessions, please visit www.messiah.edu/info/21116/upcoming_events

  1. Health Professionals Panel –Sept. 29, Boyer 137
  2. Fiduciary Trust – Oct. 4, Larsen 237
  3. Accenture – Oct. 12, Hostetter 113
  4. Sight and Sound Theaters, Nov. 1, Hostetter 113
  5. GoCorps – Nov. 7, Boyer 131
  6. Mennonite Central Committee – Nov. 9, Hostetter 113

Movie on the Green

The Movie on the Green event is TOMORROW, Friday, Sept. 23 – Family Weekend! This event, hosted by the Office of Human Resources and Compliance, is open to all employees and their families as well as students and their families. Suggested donation: $2 per person or $10 per family. All donations and proceeds go to the Central PA Foodbank.

  • Movie: Zootopia
  • Sponsored by: The Standard
  • Location: Eisenhower Lawn
  • Rain location: Brubaker
  • Concession stand opens at 6:30 p.m.
  • Movie starts at 7:30 p.m.

Face painting, balloon animals and

A CHANCE TO WIN 4 TICKETS TO LAKE TOBIAS.

Visiting Alumni Update

Please join us in welcoming following alumni back to campus:

Date of Visit Name Grad Year Class/Event Sponsor
9/27/2016 Kelly Potteiger 1992 Senior Seminar Health and Exercise Science Doug Miller
9/29/2016 Nancy Frank 1997, MS 2016 Pizza with Professionals – Health Professions panel Career and Professional Development Center
9/29/2016 Ashley Moss 2007 Pizza with Professionals – Health Professions panel Career and Professional Development Center
9/29/2016 Dr. Minh Nguyen 1980 Pizza with Professionals – Health Professions panel Career and Professional Development Center
9/29/2016 Krystal Robinson 2010 Pizza with Professionals – Health Professions panel Career and Professional Development Center

Our visiting alumni program includes a small gift, parking pass, possible coupons for lunch or coffee and notification to the Messiah College campus via the intercom. Please help us recognize your department for bringing back alumni and welcoming them to campus. Please send an email to alumni@messiah.edu to begin the visiting alumni process and alert the office of returning alumni. 

CLASSIFIEDS

Job Opportunities

Campus Events currently has an opening for the position of campus events worker III – ECC shift 2 building coordinator. For additional information and to apply, please see: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/9449. Job-related questions may be directed to Scott Zeigler, campus events manager, at szeigler@messiah.edu.

The Sustainability Office at Messiah College currently has an opening for the position of sustainability program coordinator. For additional information and to apply, please see: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/9446. Job-related questions may be directed to Brandon Hoover, director of sustainability, at bhoover@messiah.edu.

Facility Maintenance at Messiah College currently has an opening for the position of general maintenance mechanic (preventative) – 2nd Shift. For additional information and to apply, please see: http://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/9487. Job-related questions may be directed to Dan Smith, facility maintenance service manager, at dsmith@messiah.edu

For sale

Items for sale. Keurig K65 Special Edition– with K-Cup Storage – $70. Excellent condition; well maintained and cleaned. A Keurig Rivo– with storage and decaf pods -$100 Cappuccino and latte maker uses special Lavazza Rivo pods. Like new. Kenmore infrared heater with remote -$85 (two available) great condition; basically new. Acer 23” monitor with original box and cables – $60. HP color printer/scanner/copier with disc and cables – $40: needs new ink, touchscreen and prints photos. Craftsman 18volt drill with battery, charger and case – $35; battery holds good charge. For pictures or information contact email khelm@messiah.edu .

Free

Outdoor Dining Table and Chairs. Dining table has aluminum frame with glass table top and measures 62″ x 40″. Center hole for umbrella option. Comes with 6 chairs. Taupe. Contact spatterson@messiah.edu for pictures.

Wanted:

Local Retreat Locations Wanted. The Residence Life staff is interested in adding to their bank of potential local retreat options. Each year the residence directors take their RAs on a weekend retreat for refreshment/renewal, team development and leadership development. As they work with a tight budget they have found the need to be more intentional in finding suitable, affordable and local (within a couple hours) retreat locations. If you or someone you know has a house, cabin, etc. that could be a good space for a residence life retreat of 7-10 people please pass along the information to David Downey (ddowney@messiah.edu).

OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS

Harvest happening at Grantham Church

The Arts Hub event series hosted by Grantham Church is having an outdoor fall festival called “Harvest Happening” on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m. Everyone is invited for dinner, games for kids and adults, and live musical entertainment. Featured guests this year are The Eric Byrd Trio, led by Messiah College adjunct music professor, Eric Byrd. The evening will start with dinner and musical performance followed by games, dessert and campfire songs. Join us for this free event! For more information contact Doug Curry at dcurry1@messiah.edu.