“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”
Matthew 28:6
Happy Easter to all!
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Professor Michael Zigarelli recently published Evidence for Heaven: Near-Death Experiences and the Mounting Case for the Afterlife (Baker Books). The book examines the question “What happens after we die?” based on thousands of worldwide reports of consciousness beyond bodily death. In all, his research identifies seven lines of evidence for an afterlife. The book is also available in audio format, with a Spanish version releasing later this year.
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Leah Clarke will be transitioning from her role as director of teaching and learning. after five years of dedicated service. During her service in the Office of Faculty Development, Leah has played an instrumental role in shaping and strengthening the program into what it is today. Her commitment to excellence and passion for teaching and learning have created countless opportunities for our educators, leaving a lasting impact across our community.
Beyond her many professional contributions, Leah has been a trusted colleague, a generous collaborator, and a consistent source of insight. Her presence has made a genuine difference. While we will miss her in the Office of Faculty Development, we are excited for her next chapter as she continues to develop the Graduate Program in Counseling.
The Office of Faculty Development will host a drop-in reception in appreciation of Leah’s five years of service. Please join us in the Howe Atrium on April 16, between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., as we express our gratitude. Light refreshments will be served.
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The Office of Faculty Development is pleased to announce our Faculty Fellows for the 2026–2027 academic year.
David Owen, professor of computer science, and Philip Tan, associate professor of engineering, will serve as Faculty Development Fellows for Teaching and Learning. In this role, they will work closely with Krystal Robinson-Bert, incoming director of teaching and learning, to support faculty in fulfilling Messiah University’s expectations for quality teaching.
Following his sabbatical in 2025–2026, Jason Renn will return as a faculty development fellow, providing leadership for the Faculty of Color Thriving and Networking group, the Inclusive Excellence in Teaching Academy, and other faculty development initiatives that support an inclusive and thriving educational community.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to Sarah Jones, associate professor of nursing, who graciously served as Faculty Development Fellow during Jason Renn’s sabbatical in 2025–2026. Her contributions have been deeply valued.
Please join us in congratulating these faculty colleagues as they begin new or renewed terms as Faculty Development Fellows.
Cynthia A. Wells
Dean for Faculty Development
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Moroz presents research at international conference
Oksana Moroz, assistant professor of English, presented her research titled “Gen Z Students’ Identities in the Age of AI: Authenticity, Agency, and Academic Integrity” at the American Association for Applied Linguistics Conference in Chicago on March 21st. She also participated in a conference mentoring program as a mentor to a doctoral student from Hong Kong.
AROUND CAMPUS
Budget Forum on April 7
An employee FY27 budget forum will be presented on Tuesday, April 7 in Hostetter Chapel at 3:30 p.m. A recording will be made available after the forum. All employees are encouraged to attend. The presentation will be led by Gary Nowicki, vice president for finance and planning, who will share the University’s FY27 budget parameters.
Unreasonable Hospitality continues
In support of the Division of Operations annual theme of Unreasonable Hospitality the Falcon Fitness Center and PREP hosted an Amputee Running and Intro to Mobility Clinic at Messiah University on Sunday, March 8 presented by Ability Ottobock.care Prosthetics and Orthotics. This welcoming, hands-on clinic was designed for individuals with limb loss who are curious about running, building confidence in the gym and improving everyday mobility. The clinic was led by Sam Schaefer, an amputee himself, fitness professional and trail runner, who brought both lived experience and professional expertise. Participants had the opportunity to explore new prosthetic and adaptive technology, learn the fundamentals of amputee running gait, and gain practical strategies for navigating the gym and modifying exercises to meet their needs. A HUGE thanks to the Messiah men’s and women’s track team who assisted with the clinic. This event is an extension of our Unified 5K initiative, which will take place on May 17 at Messiah.
Messiah University Giving Day is Tuesday, April 7!
Did you know that when 75 employees make a gift of at least $5, generous donors will give $14,500 to the Messiah Fund? 100% of students receive a tuition supplement from the Messiah Fund, and that is made possible through the support of employees, parents and alumni like you! Visit www.messiahgives.com to make a gift early or on Giving Day. Thank you for the ways you make a difference in student lives and in the success of Messiah on a daily basis!
Sign up to “read” at The Living Library: Many Stories, One Community
Please join the Office of Diversity Affairs and the Murray Library as they co-host the “Living Library: Many Stories, One Community” on Wednesday, April 15 between noon – 4 p.m. This event is held in the library and you, as a “reader” have the opportunity to hear stories from colleagues and students as they are the “books.” Each book is on loan for 30 minutes. Come hear these personal narratives and reserve the “books” of your choice online at: https://libguides.messiah.edu/livinglibrary
Check out this year’s “featured” book. Sidon, Lebanon to Pittsburgh, PA by Saleem Ghubril A 14-year-old flees civil war, makes a bunch of dumb choices and a couple of good ones, and ends up serving kids in Pittsburgh for more than 40 years. Saleem Ghubril is a passionate advocate for children and for the City of Pittsburgh. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he has devoted his life to serving the people of his community through outreach and education programs. In 1985, Saleem founded The Pittsburgh Project, a community development organization that provided free home renovations to hundreds of vulnerable seniors each year. It also mentored, educated, and deployed thousands of youth in meaningful volunteer community service. Saleem led The Project for 23 years. In 2008, Saleem became the founding executive director of The Pittsburgh Promise. The Promise promotes high educational aspirations among Pittsburgh’s youth, funds scholarships for post-secondary access and fuels a prepared and diverse regional workforce. The Pittsburgh Promise has supported the post-secondary education of more than 13,000 graduates of the Pittsburgh Public Schools and provided them with more than $187 million in scholarships. Saleem is the pastor emeritus of Mosaic Community Church in Pittsburgh. He also serves on the boards of The Hear Foundation, Pittsburgh Scholar House, and UPMC. If you are new to the concept of the Living Library, and have any questions, please contact Liz Kielley, discovery and metadata librarian, at ekielley@messiah.edu.
Young Writers’ and Young Filmmakers’ summer academic camps
This summer, the Young Writers’ and Young Filmmakers’ will hold their academic camps with commuter and resident options. The Young Filmmakers’ Workshop provides college-level film-making skills for students in rising grades 10-12. Students will leave with an understanding of how to be a writer, director, actor, cinematographer and editor. This camp is being held on June 21 – 26. To learn more about this camp, visit the website at http://www.messiah.edu/filmmakersworkshop
The Young Writers’ Workshop provides college-level writing skills development for students in rising grades 9 – 12. The workshop offers intensive courses in creative writing taught by published faculty and writers, poetry readings and a variety of activities. This camp will be held on June 21– 26. To learn more about our Young Writers’ Workshop, visit the website at http://www.messiah.edu/writersworkshop. A 25% discount off the tuition for either workshop is offered to the dependents of Messiah employees. Use the code MessiahChild when registering to receive the discount.
April library newsletter
What’s new at the library?
See our linked newsletter. Highlights include:
- 2026 Library Student Research Grant Award
- Giving Day
- ACL Award for Excellence in Innovation
- America 250: Upcoming Spring Events
- Living Library
- National Library Week
- Seed Library Newsletter
Commencement helpers needed
On Saturday, May 9, Messiah University will host the 2026 undergraduate commencement. This is an exciting day for campus and particularly for the new alums and their families. Messiah University’s commitment to hospitality shines on this day and we need your help to make the day successful. The Division of Operations is looking for employees, not already participating in the commencement ceremony, to work. We need bus hosts, field ushers, assistance in traffic control and other duties. The day starts somewhere between 7-8:30 a.m. (depending on role) and is expected to end no later than 2 p.m. (depending on role). Hourly employees who work commencement will be paid at their current wage rate, and where appropriate, overtime will be applied. All hours worked are to be recorded on the regular department time sheet. All members of the COE and President’s Cabinet are expected, as part of their regular assignment, to march at commencement and/or provide support for commencement activities. Are you interested in working and helping us celebrate the class of 2026? If so, please email Cindy Sterling at csterling@messiah.edu
Does God Constantly Act in the World? Some Philosophical Puzzles and Debates from the Middle Ages” Lecture by Nicholas Westberg
Tuesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m., Boyer 235
Christians are faced with an important puzzle about God’s role in the universe. On the one hand, we affirm that all things exist through God’s creative activity. But on the other hand, we have reason to think that creatures like human beings have casual input in bringing about changes in the natural world, including such things as conceiving babies. So how are we to understand these claims? Who or what is responsible for bringing new things into being: God or creatures?
Dr. Westberg, visiting assistant professor of philosophy at Bucknell University, will unpack three different answers given to this question in medieval philosophy. His talk will appeal to those interested in philosophy and theology, as well to all Christians who are interested in thinking through the role that God plays and they play in this world. This event is sponsored by the Honors Program. All are welcome!
Anticipated international travel 2026-2027
The Agapé Center (Off-Campus Programs) is requesting that all educators planning international travel or leading students abroad during the 2026–2027 academic year complete a brief survey by May 1. Completing the survey helps ensure proper insurance coverage and required travel approvals. Cross-cultural courses and study abroad programs are exempt. Please submit the survey using the following link: https://messiah.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJ92jjNKiGkpzCu.
Connecting Communities Convening
Register now and join us on Thursday, April 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hostetter Chapel for the Connecting Communities Convening. This event brings together a diverse cross-sector group of community partners from the Greater Capital Region to share important initiatives happening in our neighboring communities. Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to engage with community leaders in conversations about housing, neighboring practices, policy, philanthropy and the ideas shaping our region. For a program itinerary and/or to register as a member of the Messiah community, visit https://www.messiahconnection.com/. You can register at https://na.eventscloud.com/871137. The Convening is a program of the School of Arts, Culture and Society, and co-sponsored by Hershey and Mary Ann Bare. Contact Chad Frey at connectingcommunities@messiah.edu if you have any questions.
Read the latest issue of The Bridge magazine!
The spring 2026 issue of The Bridge, Messiah University’s magazine, is here!
Many thanks to the 60+ faculty members, students, alumni, and others from across the Messiah community who generously contributed to this issue and its stories, which include:
💫 New research on dark matter led by Abaz Kryemadhi and a student team, with funding from a prestigious NSA grant
🗨️ Helpful tools and perspectives on navigating life’s unknowns from Erin Boyd-Soisson, Tim Captain, Leah Clarke, Kimberly Forry ’00, artist-in-residence Emily Fussner, Matthew Lewis, and Bonnie Lin
🔍How David Pettegrew and a team of students helped uncover a lost ancient colony in modern-day Greece
🦿Ryan Farris and two students seeking a patent for a novel leg brace they’ve designed
📑Teresa Nzau’s award-winning book filling a gap in scholarship
PLUS: Words on mission and identity from President Jon Stuckey, inspiring alumni stories (including an illustrator on the set of The Chosen!), warm memories from Homecoming 2025, the 25th anniversary of Messiah’s first NCAA wins, favorite and new campus spots, and news of births, weddings, and passings of beloved members of the Messiah community.
Copies of The Bridge are popping up around campus, or you can check out the digital or flipbook versions online.
If you or your office/department would like hard copies of the issue, stop by the Office of Marketing and Communications on the third floor of Old Main and we’d be glad to provide you with some.
We hope you enjoy this issue—and feel free to be in touch with Managing Editor Kristine Frey at bridge-editor@messiah.edu with story ideas, questions or input.
CLASSIFIEDS
Job opportunities
Messiah Press is now hiring a full-time bulk mailroom technician and mass email administrator. Job related questions may be directed to Dwayne Magee dmagee@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: Bulk Mailroom Technician and Mass Email Administrator link.
The Registrar’s Office is now hiring a transfer records assistant. This is a temporary, one – two-year position with a sunset clause. Job related questions may be directed to Kathee Clark at kclark@messsiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: Transfer Records Assistant link.
Dining Services has an opening for a full-time dining room supervisor. Job related questions may be directed to Todd Christopher tchristopher@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: Dining Room Supervisor link.
The School of Graduate and Professional Studies has an opening for a full-time Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Job related questions may be directed to Ruth Nutt at rnutt@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies link.
Dining Services has an opening for a full-time cook II-PM. Job related questions may be directed to Shannon Bivens sbivens@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: cook II PM link.
The Office of Residence Life has an opening for a full-time Director of Residence Life. Job related questions may be directed to Doug Wood at dwood@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: Director of Residence Life posting link.
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: 2nd shift safety officer link.
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: 1st shift safety officer link.
Campus & Building Services has an opening for a part-time 1st shift worker. Job related questions may be directed to Laura Price at lprice@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: cbs pt first shift link.
Campus & Building Services has an opening for a full-time 3rd shift worker. Job related questions may be directed to Laura Price at lprice@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: cbs ft 3rd shift link.
Grounds Services has an opening for a part-time seasonal groundskeeper. Job related questions may be directed to Artie Palese at palese@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: seasonal grounds keeper link.
Job applications are now being accepted for the full-time position of director of dining services. Job related questions may be directed Kathie Shafer at kshafer@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: director of dining services link.
Job applications are now being accepted for the full-time position of manager, natural sciences laboratory program. Job related questions may be directed Anne Reeve at areeve@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: manager, natural sciences laboratory program link.
The Office of Residence Life has an opening for a full-time residence life educator. Job related questions may be directed to Doug Wood at dwood@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: RLE posting link.
OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
Financial education from Everence
Money can feel complicated. “Made Clear: Financial topics, simplified” is the Everence webinar series designed to cut through the noise – covering everything from investing basics to retirement planning to teaching your kids about money – with space for your questions and the values that matter to you. Join us live, or watch on your own time. Every session is free, practical, and built around real life. Find the entire slate of webinars (participants can join live, or watch on their own) here: www.everence.com/made-clear. First monthly webinar is April 15. Everence is Messiah University’s partner in education regarding healthcare in retirement.
