Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Psalm 37:5-6

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Office of Faculty Development is pleased to announce our Faculty Development Fellows for academic years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Faculty Development Fellows are members of the Ranked Faculty who have demonstrated excellence in their roles and displayed commitment to their professional growth and development.

Jason Renn, associate professor of politics and international relations, will serve as Faculty Development Fellow focusing on giving leadership to the Faculty of Color Thriving and Networking group, co-directing the Inclusive Excellence in Teaching Academy, and developing programmatic support for faculty scholarship.

Jenell Paris, professor of sociology and anthropology, will continue as a Faculty Development Fellow for Christian Faith and the Academic Vocation (CFAV). She will support faculty in exploring, understanding, and articulating connections between the Christian faith and their vocations as teacher-scholars. Her focus includes facilitating the CFAV dialogue sessions for faculty preparing for initial review and planning Christian Scholarship Colloquies.

David Owen, professor of computer science, and Krystal Robinson-Bert, associate professor of occupational therapy, will serve as Faculty Development Fellows for Teaching and Learning. In this capacity, they will work closely with Leah Clarke, director of teaching and learning, to support faculty in fulfilling the expectations for quality teaching at Messiah University.

Please join us in congratulating these faculty colleagues as they take on new or renewed terms as Faculty Development Fellows. We’d also like to express our deep gratitude for the good work of Devin Manzullo-Thomas, assistant professor of American religious history and interdisciplinary studies, and Erin Boyd-Soisson, professor of human development and family science, who will each conclude their service this spring after having served for two consecutive terms as Faculty Development Fellows for Teaching and Learning.

We are grateful for the many contributions of our Faculty Development Fellows to the work of the Office of Faculty Development and to Messiah University.

–Cynthia Wells, associate dean for faculty development

BID FAREWELL

Information Technology Services invites you to honor Chris Culbert as we celebrate his retirement after nearly three decades of service.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 29
Time: 3 – 5 p.m.
Location: PAWC 310

Chris’s journey at the university began in 1992 and over the years he has played a key role in modernizing Messiah’s communications infrastructure as the institution moved from islands of isolated buildings to an interconnected campus providing solid data communications everywhere. He leaves the institution in great shape for the future having installed innovative air blown fiber optics, introduced in-building cellular, assisted with door access and video security, and found ways to save many budget dollars as well as bringing additional funds.

________

 

Murray Library bids farewell to Kimberly Steiner, interlibrary loan specialist, as she embarks on an exciting new chapter of her career journey. Since 2015, Kimberly has been an invaluable member of our Murray Library family, bringing forth innovations and efficiencies to our interlibrary loan process. Her dedication and expertise have not only facilitated access to rare and foreign language materials but have also elevated ILL services to new heights.

Kimberly’s impact extends far beyond the realms of interlibrary loan. She has been a true champion of campus partnerships and student-focused programming, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to enhancing the student experience. Her original events such as Clue, CrafTea, and Mini Golf have become beloved traditions at our library, showcasing her boundless creativity and passion for engaging students. Kimberly’s involvement in significant initiatives like MLK Day planning and Living Library programming embodied her dedication to fostering inclusivity and dialogue. She has also served as a leader on Agape Center service trips. The library is a better and more beautiful place thanks to her attention to displays and details.

As Kimberly sets sail for new horizons at Dickinson College as the associate director of campus life for orientation and campus activities, we will undoubtedly miss her infectious energy and innovative spirit. Her final day is Friday, March 22. You are invited to submit sendoff messages to Liz Kielley (ekielley@messiah.edu) by March 8 to compile into a book of well wishes, as we express our gratitude and best wishes for Kimberly’s future endeavors.

AROUND CAMPUS

Messiah University Department of Theatre and Dance presents: “The Spitfire Grill”

The Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present our spring musical production of “The Spitfire Grill” opening on Feb. 29! Tickets are on sale now and are buy one, get one free for opening night!

“The Spitfire Grill”
Music and book by James Valcq
Lyrics and book by Fred Alley
Based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff
Directed by Ed Cohn
Music direction by Eric Dundore

Feb. 29, March 1-2, 5-7 at 8 p.m.
March 2-3 at 3 p.m.
*March 5 at 10 a.m. school series performance for junior high and high school students

Miller Theater, Climenhaga Building

Based on the hit film, “The Spitfire Grill” is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption, perseverance, and family. A torn page from an old travel book sparks parolee Percy Talbot to journey to a small town in Wisconsin. There she finds a new life working at the Spitfire Grill. The folks in this depressed town have more to worry about than Percy’s past, but fear and hesitancy turn to friendship when Percy schemes to revive the old grill by raffling it off. The entry fee is one hundred dollars, and the best essay on why you want the grill wins. Soon mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow full, and things are definitely cookin’ at the Spitfire Grill.

Estimated run time: 2 hours, including one 10-minute intermission

Tickets: $15—Adults; $12—MU students and employees (w/ID), Youth (under 18) and Seniors (60+)
*Tickets are buy one, get one free for opening night!* Tickets can be purchased online at messiah.edu/tickets, by phone at 717-691-6036, or at the door as available. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more.

THE SPITFIRE GRILL is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

An Evening with Michael Beschloss, “Presidential Courage”

Wednesday, March 6, 7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall

Michael Beschloss is an award-winning historian, scholar of leadership and bestselling author of 10 books, most recently the acclaimed New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller “Presidents of War.”

Beschloss appears regularly on television as the “NBC News” presidential historian and contributor to “PBS NewsHour.” He has also been a contributing columnist to the New York Times. He has won an Emmy for his television work and received six honorary degrees and numerous other awards. He has the largest Twitter following of any American historian, in the neighborhood of 400,000. His Twitter account appears on Time Magazine’s list of the world’s top Twitter feeds. He has served as a historian at the Smithsonian, a scholar at the University of Oxford and a senior fellow of the Annenberg Foundation. Among his earlier books are two volumes on Lyndon Johnson’s secret tapes; “The Conquerors” about Franklin Roosevelt, Nazi Germany and the Holocaust; and “Presidential Courage.” He was also co-author (with Caroline Kennedy) of the No. 1 global bestseller “Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations about Life with John F. Kennedy.”

Ticket prices are $25 for adults; $10 for Messiah University students (with ID) and youth (18 and under). To purchase tickets, contact the Messiah University Box Office at 717-691-6036 or online at www.messiah.edu/tickets.

St. John Passion

March 1, 7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall

Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series

Celebrate the 300th anniversary of J.S. Bach’s stunning “St. John Passion” with Messiah’s Chamber Singers, the Schola Sancti Gregorii from St. Lawrence Church, and orchestra. This emotive setting of the passion story il – luminates Jesus’ humanity and divinity through Bach’s genius writing and devout theological convictions. Compositional symmetry, symbol – ism, complex harmonies, poignant chorale settings and passionate performers narrate the most profound story ever told.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults; $5 for Messiah University students (with ID) and youth (18 and under). To purchase, please contact the Messiah University Box Office at 717-691-6036 option #1 or online at messiah.edu/tickets.

Visit arts.messiah.edu for more information.

Tech Support – Did you know?

• Emailing techsupport@messiah.edu generates a support ticket, which will be assigned to an available technician. This ensures your issue receives attention, even if someone is out of the office. Be as specific as possible in your email, such as including a screenshot of the issue you are experiencing, when applicable.
• Software costs are a significant expense to the University, and there are many options for similar software that Messiah already subscribes to or is free to use. Before looking at “new” software, please check the University Software List for a comparable item. The list is located at https://blogs.messiah.edu/ETS/kb/software-software-list/
• Aventri charges $5 per response regardless of whether it is for a paid event. So while creating and sending events is free, the responses incur costs.
• Qualtrics is now a pay-per-response software. Messiah does have a set response allowance from Qualtrics, but Microsoft Forms may be an easier option for basic sign-in/sign-out processes and surveys. If you need assistance in determining the best option, please contact techsupport@messiah.edu.

Update from Falcon Fitness Center

We are pleased to announce that Nate Nester will be joining the Community Wellness Staff as the director of the Falcon Fitness Center on Monday, March 11. Nate will be giving leadership to the day-to-day operations of the fitness center ensuring excellent facilities and services for both our internal and external community members and supporting the PREP initiative. After working as a licensed athletic trainer for the last 10 years, the past two with Messiah athletics, Nate is excited about the opportunity to broaden his passion for helping individuals attain their health and wellness goals.

Term tenure and promotion presentation

We invite all faculty to attend Don Zhao’s term tenure presentation: Genome Editing and the Christian Worldview: The Ethical Challenge Faced by Biomedical Professionals. The presentation is a requirement for his Christian Faith and Academic Vocation (CFAV) review and will be held on March 19 (noon – 1 p.m.) at Winding Hill 140. If you are interested in his presentation but cannot attend in person, you may join the following zoom link for a live-stream: https://messiah.zoom.us/j/95932200947?from=addon

CLASSIFIEDS

Job opportunities

Murray Library has an opening for a part-time library evening circulation supervisor. Job related questions may be directed to Sarah Myers at smyers@messiah.edu (librarian). For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/26159.

The Department of Engineering has an opening for a part-time, temporary administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Philip Tan at ptan@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/26328.

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/26174.

The Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Paula Holtzinger at pholtzinger@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/26176.

The Registrar’s Office has an opening for a part-time records and registration assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Kathee Clark at kclark@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/25904.

Dining Services has an opening for a full-time dining room supervisor. Job related questions may be directed to Todd Christopher at tchristopher@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: jobs.messiah.edu/postings/26390.

Murray Library has an opening for a full-time director of the Murray Library. Job related questions may be directed to David Weaver-Zercher at dzercher@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/25707.

The Department of Network Services has an opening for a full-time system administrator/analyst. Job-related questions may be directed to Tony Wyland at wyland@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: jobs.messiah.edu/postings/23892.

Campus and Building services have a variety of full and part-time openings. Job related questions can be directed to Laura Price at lprice@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: jobs.messiah.edu

The Department of Education has an opening for a full-time faculty in education. Job related questions may be directed to Beverly Pitcher Johnson at bjohnson@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: jobs.messiah.edu/postings/25934.

Dining services is now accepting applications for summer Lottie workers. Job related questions may be directed to Todd Christopher at tchristopher@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: jobs.messiah.edu/postings/26530.

For sale

Sofa for sale. Craftmaster striped sofa in great condition. 89″ L, 35″H, 35″D. Mechanicsburg pick up. $75. Contact Tina Keul tkeul@messiah.edu