“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
John 4:4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award and PA Academy Annual Conference
On Friday April 16, Kaitlin Gill, MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics, received the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award – DPD Program at the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference in State College, PA. This award recognizes the exceptional teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs. She is currently serving as the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Past-President and the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Liaison. Messiah University was well represented at the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference, with 7 undergraduate nutrition and dietetics students and 5 MS/DI students in attendance. Three Messiah University MS/DI students presented their research: “Follow-Up Phone Calls for Patients Discharged with a Severe Malnutrition Diagnosis: A Feasibility Study” presented by Jackson Doughty, “Identification of Overly Restrictive Heart Healthy Diet Orders in Connection to Inpatient Malnutrition” presented by Grace Foltz, and “Assessing Food Insecurity Rates in Patients Referred to Outpatient Nutrition Services for Implementation of a Program Incorporating Supplemental Nutrition Packages” presented by Mia Eckels.
Guest lecture
Associate Professor of Finance Dwayne Safer served as a guest lecturer at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business on April 17. The lecture involved working with MBA students on Excel financial modeling in the age of AI.
LLW faculty and students attend Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University
Language, Literature, and Writing department faculty members Matt Roth, Ryan Rickrode, and Oksana Moroz, along with six students — Evelyn Kelly, John Bajwa, Ethan Reisler, Naomi Parson, Julia Hartman, and Corban Licitra — participated in the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University on April 16–18, 2026. The Festival of Faith and Writing is a nationally recognized biennial gathering that brings together authors, poets, scholars, editors, and publishers to explore the intersections of faith and the literary arts. This year’s event drew hundreds of attendees from across the country for three days of readings, panels, and conversations. Students and faculty attended a range of sessions throughout the conference, engaging with prominent voices in contemporary literature and faith-informed writing. In addition to the programming, attendees connected with publishers and editors, gaining valuable insight into the publishing industry and building professional relationships that can support their development as writers and scholars.
Celebrating excellence: Aleisha Wildon named Slingshot Store Manager of the Year
We are thrilled to share some exciting news and extend a HUGE congratulations to our very own general manager of the Campus Store, Aleisha Wildon! At this year’s Slingshot Managers Conference, Aleisha was honored with the prestigious Slingshot Store Manager of the Year award, a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding leadership, dedication, and impact. Aleisha brings an incredible sense of light, positivity and energy to the Campus Store every single day. Her enthusiasm is contagious, inspiring everyone around her to strive for excellence and continuously improve. Under her leadership, the store has become more than just a workplace, it is a supportive, driven, and uplifting environment where both team members and customers thrive. This achievement reflects Aleisha’s hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud to have her leading our team and representing us at such a high level. Here’s to celebrating Aleisha’s success, and to another amazing year ahead! 🎉 Congratulations, Aleisha!
Savarino performs at Carnegie Hall… for the 12th time
Dr. Damian Savarino, bass, (professor of music) performed the bass solos in Mozart’s CORONATION MASS with Manhattan Concert Productions/New York City Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on April 20. Over the years, Savarino has performed at several NYC venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (NYU) with several organizations such as Teatro Grattacielo, Distinguished Concerts International New York, Musica Sacra, and Manhattan Concert Productions. This latest appearance at Carnegie Hall was Dr. Savarino’s 12th time.
BID FAREWELL
Retirement
Debra Danielson has provided wise discernment and compassionate care to Messiah students as a counselor since August of 1994 and will retire after 32 years of service to the University in June. She has joyfully mentored graduate counseling interns through clinical supervision toward licensure and careers as professional counselors. During her career, she has served thousands of students and employees at all hours of the night and day in times of great need. Please feel free to email her or send her a note of gratitude and well-wishes before her departure!
Blessings to Alissa Ford
Alissa Ford, part-time counselor will leave her position at the Engle Center in May to attend to the needs of her growing private practice full-time. We are truly grateful for her service to Messiah University, and she will be deeply missed by her students and her colleagues.
AROUND CAMPUS
Employee Worship Service – Tuesday, April 28
Please join us on Tuesday, April 28, at 9:30 a.m. in Hostetter Chapel for an employee worship service including congregational singing and an employee choir anthem. Stephen Gallaher, community pastor, will be sharing the message.
Items needed for library’s bicentennial exhibit
As the nation prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Murray Library is creating a special summer display featuring Bicentennial (200th anniversary) memorabilia from 1976 and we’d love your help! If you have photos, souvenirs, decorations, apparel or other items from the 1976 Bicentennial celebration, please consider lending them for our exhibit. Items will be returned in late August. Drop-off anytime before Friday, May 1 to Murray Library Circulation Desk. Thank you for helping us bring this nostalgic display to life! Questions? Email smyers@messiah.edu
Oakes Museum Summer Camp registration is open!
The Oakes Museum of Natural History has several exciting summer camp opportunities this year for students entering grades 3 through 12.
Field Biology Camp: June 8-12, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.+
This field-based class will introduce students to field biology using live traps, electrofishing, and other investigative equipment to study a variety of animal communities. This camp is only open to students entering grades 9 – 12 in Fall 2026.
Plant Biology Camp: July 8-10, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.+
This camp will cover a wide range of topics from plant cells and structures to growing methods and environmental adaptations. This camp is only open to students entering grades 9 – 12 in Fall 2026.
Forensic Science Camp: July 21-24, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.+
Over the course of several days, students will practice various methods of evidence collection and evaluation. Students will observe both macroscopic and microscopic evidence, building their skillset to examine a mock crime scene at the end of the week. This camp is only open to students entering grades 9 – 12 in Fall 2026.
Ecology Camp: June 22-26, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.*+
The world is complex! Learn about the interactions between different life forms and their environments with hands on observations and experiments in the museum and the living laboratory of campus. This camp is open to students entering grades 6 – 8 in Fall 2026.
Survive It: June 15-19, 9 a.m. – noon*
Dig deep into how a variety of animals survive a challenging world. Topics will include habitats, senses, locomotion, digestion and coloration! This camp is open to students entering grades 3 – 5 in Fall 2026.
Animals Camp: July 13-17, 9 a.m. – noon*
Animals Camp: July 20-24, 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.*+
Using the museum and the surrounding natural world, each day campers will learn about a different animal group (invertebrates, fish, reptiles/amphibians, birds and mammals). This camp is open to students entering grades 3 – 5 in Fall 2026.
* Before camp care is available on these weeks from 8 a.m. to the start of camp for an additional fee.
+ Camp tuition includes lunch at Lottie Nelson Dining Hall.
For more information, pricing and to register, please visit:
https://www.messiah.edu/oakes-museum/summer-camps/
Department of Theatre and Dance presents “The Student Directed One-Act Play Festival and Shoeless Joe: A Musical Cabaret”
Messiah University’s Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present The Student Directed One-Act Play Festival & Shoeless Joe: A Musical Cabaret on April 23-26! We hope you will join us for a festival of student-directed one act plays and two performances of the musical cabaret Shoeless Joe: A new cabaret every time, uniquely built for each new cast! Each performance date will include a selection of productions on a rotating basis. Please see full schedule for details. Join us for fresh, inventive, and innovative story telling!
The Student Directed One-Act Play Festival
A festival of student-directed and fully produced one act plays
AND
Shoeless Joe: A Musical Cabaret
A new cabaret every time! Uniquely built for each new cast
April 23-25 at 8 p.m.
April 26 at 3 p.m.
Poorman Black Box Theater, Climenhaga Building
Please note that some performances may contain mature content and may not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
Tickets: $10—Adults; $7—MU students (w/ID), MU employees (w/ID), youth (under 18), and seniors (60+) 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.
Performance Schedule – Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 at 8 p.m.
Words Words Words
By David Ives
Directed by Ashley Sheffe
WORDS, WORDS, WORDS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service.
The Open Window
By James Fuller
Directed by Garty Bowersox
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of
Woodstock, Illinois
Linda Her
By Harry Kondoleon
Directed by Adahlee Schroeder
LINDA HER is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service.
The Sleep Seeker
By Staci Swedeen
Directed by Eleanor Mund
THE SLEEP SEEKER is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC
www.broadwayplaypublishing.com
Performance Schedule – Friday, April 24 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 26 at 3 p.m.
Shoeless Joe: Musical Cabaret
Situationships
Directed by Susan Hurley
The Shape of Goodbye
By John Mabey
Directed by Ben Vanderlin
Copycat
By Charles Dennison
Directed by Rebecca Methven
By arrangement with Lazy Bee Scripts.
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Louis Armstrong’s “Hot Five” Recordings
April 22 at 7:30 p.m., Parmer Hall
Sponsored by the Performing Arts Series
In a collaboration with the Messiah University Jazz Ensembles and Symphony Orchestra, Byron Stripling, a world-class trumpeter known for his work with Count Basie, expertise on Louis Armstrong and leadership of the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops, will perform an exciting evening of the music of Louis Armstrong.
$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 or online at messiah.edu/tickets.
Murray Library receives $20,000 grant
Murray Library has been selected as one of 300 libraries, of which 8 are academic libraries, to participate in round four of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. Only fifty libraries were awarded the maximum $20,000 award.
The competitive grant will help Murray Library improve its quiet study and testing spaces through the addition of doors in the hallway just beyond the display case on the first floor (to the left when you enter and past the hallway to OAA). The accessible doors will reduce the amount of noise that carries to this area where testing and quiet study often occur.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Office of Academic Accessibility offered individualized testing for students with disabilities 3,422 times, a 40% increase over the 2021-2022 academic year. Additionally, a library survey in spring 2025 offered students the opportunity to share feedback about library study spaces. Students requested additional quiet study space. Offering doors to reduce noise transmission will improve our students’ experience and allow us to continue offering multiple types of spaces within the library.
The grant requires community conversations prior to construction so that students from our target audience can provide input into the project and the library’s services. If you work with students with disabilities or students who identify as neurodiverse, please encourage them to participate in no-pressure conversations on Friday, May 1 in the Library Athenaeum at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, and participants may bring their lunch. Note that students do not have to have a documented disability to participate, although we will be partnering with OAA to support our students! We also welcome input from employees; please email your interest in participating in a conversation to Janet Vogel (jvogel@messiah.edu).
Exploring Careers in Healthcare Summer Camp
The School of Science, Engineering, and Health is pleased to offer Exploring Careers once again in Healthcare summer day camp, June 8-10, for students entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades this fall. Our camp is designed for students to explore some of the most dynamic healthcare professions, including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, applied health science, nutrition and dietetics and lab sciences, from a faith-based perspective. Patient case studies will provide context for engaging, hands-on activities, demonstrations and panel discussions in state-of-the-art facilities on our main campus and at Winding Hill, led by Messiah’s expert faculty and professional practitioners. If you or someone you know is interested, we invite you to learn more and register at https://www.messiah.edu/healthcareerscamp before May 19. A 10% discount is available to children of Messiah employees. Scholarships are also available. Email healthcareerscamp@messiah.edu for discount codes and with any questions.
SPLICE Film Festival-2026!
SPLICE Film Festival! Please join the Communication Department as we celebrate our student filmmakers at the 2026 SPLICE Film Festival! Sunday, May 3, 2 – 4 p.m., at Parmer Cinema, Boyer Hall. Reception to follow in Howe Atrium.
School of Arts, Culture and Society Undergraduate Research Symposium
Monday April 27, Hostetter Chapel 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
You are cordially invited to attend the School of Arts, Culture and Society Undergraduate Research Symposium on Monday, April 27. Students will be presenting the results of their research projects in both poster format and oral presentations throughout the day. Stop by anytime! Poster presentations begin at 9 a.m. and continue through 7 p.m. in Hostetter Chapel. Oral presentations will be held in Hostetter Room 113. The schedule and information about all of the presenters and presentations can be found on the symposium website: https://sites.google.com/messiah.edu/sacssymposium2026/home We look forward to having you join us in celebrating all the great work our students have been doing this year! Questions can be directed to Dr. Jennifer Thomson at jthomson@messiah.edu
School of Science, Engineering and Health symposium
The 23rd Annual Symposium of the School of Science, Engineering and Health will be held on Friday, May 1 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. in Frey, Jordan and Kline academic buildings. The work of more than 300 co-authors (students from within the school, off campus collaborators and Messiah University faculty mentors) will be represented in 105 presentations. Oral and poster presentations will be given in multiple venues throughout the afternoon. A detailed schedule and program is available at: https://www.messiah.edu/sehsymposium Join us and celebrate the accomplishments of our students – the work, creativity and innovation reflected in the rich variety of oral and poster presentations.
Technology support – Please see below for helpful tips and updates!
Contact us by emailing techsupport@messiah.edu regarding any of this information or if you have any questions in general.
- May Development Week and throughout the summer is a great time for laptop tune-ups! Please contact us at techsupport@messiah.edu, call 717-796-4444, or drop by the first floor of Old Main if you have any issue that you have found yourself “living with” all year that you’d like addressed. Tune-ups may take 2 or more hours to complete, and are completed on a first come, first served basis.
- Tech Support purchases extended warranties for our Lenovo computers. This is to extend their life and usability for as long as possible as we often repurpose these computers throughout campus after individual employees may have used them. If there are any issues with the computer assigned to you, it is important to report it immediately so we can have it repaired without incurring a cost.
- Remote users should connect to Messiah’s VPN at least once a week and work for several hours. This will allow updates to be installed, along with having your computer “check-in” with the licensing servers on campus.
- After a student graduates and their status is changed to “graduated,” the student will no longer have access to their files stored through their Messiah accounts (unless they are transitioning to a Messiah graduate program). If graduate students would like to keep their email account, they will need to complete the Alumnus Email Request Form. This only gives the student access to email. It does NOT provide access to their files that are outside of email.
- Access to Copilot Chat in Microsoft 365 apps – As of April, Microsoft has removed Copilot Chat from Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel. It can still be accessed through the Copilot Chat desktop application, M365 Online on the web and Outlook.
CLASSIFIEDS
Job opportunities
Athletics is now hiring a full-time assistant coach, men’s basketball/admin coordinator and recruiter/game day administrator. Job related questions may be directed to Jacob Fleegle jfleegle@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: Assistant Coach, Men’s Basketball/Admin Coordinator & Recruiter/Game Day Administrator link.
Athletics is now hiring a full-time associate head coach, women’s soccer/ admin coord and recruiter/ assistant director for Compliance and Internal Operations. Job related questions may be directed to Scott Frey sfrey@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: Associate Head Coach, Women’s Soccer/Admin Coord & Recruiter/Assistant Director for Compliance & Internal Operations link.
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.
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.
For sale
House For Sale. House for sale in the Borough of Mechanicsburg, just a short drive from campus. Please contact khawkins@messiah.edu for more information or the listing agent, David Hawkins (717) 649-9865 or email davidh@homesale.com.
FREE
Free desks. Murray Library has two desks available for free. Dimensions are 60 x 29 ½ x 27 ½. Contact Tracy at tsheaffer@messiah.edu if interested in one or both.
OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
Menkis Works Pottery – Spring Pottery Sale and Open Studio
May 2 and May 9 – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2401 Arcona Rd., Mechanicsburg
Visit Menkis Works Pottery for their annual Spring Pottery Sale and Open Studio on May 2 and 9! (Only about 3 miles from campus!) You will find hundreds of beautiful pots, guest artisans, a kid’s clay table, pottery making demonstrations, refreshments and more! find out more at: www.menkisworks.com Menkis Works Pottery is a family business run by husband-and-wife team and Messiah Alumni Naomi and Brian Menkis. We love to make beautiful and functional pots for daily use in your kitchen, home and garden – from humble mugs, bowls and plates to elegant teapots, pitchers and vases.
We hope to see you this spring!
Brian and Naomi
