“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
Peter 1:3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Messiah University’s capstone marketing class, Marketing Management and Strategy, taught by Professor of Marketing David Hagenbuch, recently won first place in the annual Collegiate Marketing Plan Competition sponsored by the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA). It’s the third time in four years that Messiah’s marketing program has taken the top spot.
Pittsburgh-area marketing professionals judge teams’ presentations and plans, which this year focused on the marketing needs of Butler Technologies Inc., a manufacturer of user interface and printed electronics products located in Butler, PA. Lindsey Bernd, Clayton Holmes, and Angela Tozzi presented Messiah’s plan.
The semester-long competition draws teams from the greater Pittsburgh region. Over the last several years, schools competing have included the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Chatham University, Point Part University, Robert Morris University, Slippery Rock University, and West Virginia University.
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Scott Kieffer, professor of exercise physiology, and two students, Rhianna Gonzales and Melissa McCoy recently attended the Experimental Biology (EB) conference in Philadelphia. EB attracts over 12,000 attendees from six different professional scientific societies and the Messiah trio attended through the American Physiological Society (APS). Both students presented their research during poster sessions in the main venues during topic specific sessions as well as representing Messiah University in the APS Undergraduate Poster Session and Research Awards Ceremony. The research projects were:
- Rhianna Gonzales (Sophomore) – “The Effects of Meditation on Heart Rate Variability” (Faculty sponsor: Scott Kieffer)
- Melissa McCoy (Senior) – “The Influence of Caffeine Consumption and the Polymorphisms of DRD2 and ADORA2 Genes on Motor Task Performance” (Faculty sponsors: Scott Kieffer and Michael Shin)
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Given the upcoming provost transition this summer, I am pleased to share the following information regarding leadership for the areas that currently report to the provost through the associate provost. Those areas generally fall into one of two categories. The first is comprised of the registrar’s office, curriculum, and assessment; together, these areas are responsible for generating and sustaining our academic offerings. The second is comprised of the library, educational technology, and academic advising; these areas focus on supporting, equipping, and empowering educators to effectively deliver programming within the mission and identity of the university.
As of July 1, leadership for these areas will be provided by two half-time administrative roles within the Office of the Provost. Angela Hare will assume the role of associate provost and dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Health, with responsibility for curriculum, assessment, and the Office of the Registrar, along with projects related to curricular and systems efficiency. David Weaver-Zercher has agreed to serve as half-time assistant provost, giving leadership to the Murray Library, Sider Institute and Archives, academic advising, and Educational Technology Services.
Angela has been at Messiah since 1996-97 and has extensive leadership experience. She has served on the TTP Committee, Teacher Education Committee, Curriculum Committee, and the Scholarship and Development Committee. In addition, she provided leadership first as a department chair, then interim dean of the School of Science Engineering and Health (SSEH), and, for the last six years, the dean of SSEH. She is an excellent educator and published scholar, having continued to lend her gifts to the classroom during her tenure as dean and through the pandemic years. Her notable accomplishments during this time include working collaboratively in the development of new accelerated programs, revising our room assignment processes during COVID, and extensive contributions to global service through her work with the Collaboratory. Angela led the Collaboratory Education group from 2007 to 2015 developing and publishing curriculum and leading in-person training for educators in mathematics literacy for Burkinabè children who are blind, who have other physical and learning disabilities, and for children preparing for national mathematics examinations to enter middle school. In addition, she spent two years as an investigator for the externally funded Africa Water and Disabilities Study, a Collaboratory partnership with World Vision aimed to empower persons with disabilities in targeted regions of West Africa. I am very pleased that she will be bringing her experience and acumen to this key role in the provost’s office, as well as continuing her leadership of the School of Science Engineering, and Health. She will have support in her role as dean and will be in communication with educators in SSEH in the coming weeks.
Weaver-Zercher came to Messiah in 1997 and has consistently and skillfully served the university in areas of governance and administration. He has chaired the ranked faculty meeting and the community of educators and has served on the term-tenure and promotion committee, scholarship and development committee, curriculum committee, and academic council. In addition, David led the task force that developed the new term-tenure and promotion policies and served for nine years as the department chair for the (then) biblical and religious studies department. His teaching and scholarship is exemplary. The author or editor of seven books (most recently, Martyrs Mirror: A Social History, published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2016) and dozens of articles in the field of religious history, he was named distinguished professor of American religious history in 2016. Weaver-Zercher will provide strong leadership for the Library, ETS, Sider Institute and Archives, and Academic Advising as well as support the provost in working with academic and educational governance.
Please join me in supporting and congratulating Angela and David as they assume these new roles in service to the university.
-Alison Noble, associate provost and incoming interim provost
AROUND CAMPUS
Exploring Careers in Healthcare Day Camp
Exploring Careers in Healthcare is the name and focus of Messiah’s new summer day camp being offered June 20-22, 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 and applied health 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 main campus and at Winding Hill with Messiah’s expert faculty, students 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 June 1. Please contact Holly Myers at hmyers@messiah.edu for more information.
Make the most of your summer with Messiah University’s undergraduate online courses.
This year, choose from nearly 60 courses in two different sessions—all at a discounted price. Messiah’s online summer undergraduate courses cost 60 percent less than the same classes offered during the academic year. Visit our course list to find the online class you, or someone you know, may want to take this summer.
Messiah’s online summer sessions are convenient, interactive experiences that work around busy summer schedules. All courses are taught by Messiah faculty, drawn from Messiah’s curriculum, and designed specifically for an online learning experience that reflects Messiah’s reputation for academic excellence. Summer courses are open to college-level students, qualified homeschooled and high school students, employees, alumni, parents, and anyone who would like to further their education. The majority of Messiah’s online summer courses meet general education requirements and are transfer friendly—and high school students will find a variety of options for pursuing dual enrolled credit.
Messiah is now enrolling for all summer online sessions. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in registering or learning more, visit messiah.edu/online. To learn more about our dual enrollment program for qualified homeschooled and high school students, visit messiah.edu/dual.
Help Needed to Celebrate the Class of 2022!
On Saturday, May 7, Messiah University will host the 2022 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 to work who are not already participating in the commencement ceremony. We are in need of:
• Bus hosts
• Field ushers
• Assistance with traffic control
• Help with other duties as assigned
The day starts between 7-8:30 a.m. (depending on role) and is finished 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 2022? If so, please email Randy Heintzelman at rheintze@messiah.edu.
Thank you!
Kathrynne Shafer
VP of Operations
Connecting Communities Convening
In conjunction with the Kline Foundation, Messiah is hosting the Connecting Communities Convening. This hybrid in-person and virtual event will continue last year’s goal of impacting local, affordable housing and being a good neighbor. Last year, this event virtually brought together over 100 community leaders to lay the foundation for a policy white paper that encourages and ensures those seeking public funding for housing initiatives demonstrate their commitment to becoming a good neighbor in the community they intend to serve.
We welcome our plenary guest speaker, Mark Martin, founder and CEO of Build UP Birmingham. The mission of Build UP is to empower young people with education and credit bearing experiences, providing opportunities for them to become homeowners in the future. Registration for the Convening is NOW OPEN! We invite you to visit the website for additional details and registration info: https://www.messiahconnection.com/
SACS Research Symposium
The School of Arts, Culture and Society is hosting their Research Symposium on Friday, April 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Hostetter Chapel. This respected event, which showcases a variety of student research, provides a visual representation of the hard work and dedication of many students within SACS. Featuring engaging posters and several oral presentations, this symposium displays relevant and interesting student research. Join us to support and learn more about our students’ projects! Please direct any questions or students interested in presenting to Jennifer Thomson (jthomson@messiah.edu).
Teacher Education Program scholarships
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 22-23 Teacher Education Program Scholarship Awards:
September Nguyen – Ethel Brandt Bigham, endowed education award
Melissa Johnson – Ernest L. Boyer, sr. teacher scholarship
Micah Wagner – Suzanne Joy Johnson, endowed scholarship award
Maria Cushing-Daniels – Terry L. Stoudnour, endowed education award
Sidney Stutzman – Murk-Hayes, endowed education award
Join us in congratulation these students.
Student Employee of the Year
The Student Employment Office is pleased to announce that Remy Murray has been selected as Messiah’s Student Employee of the Year. Remy works as a student trainer in the Dining Services Department and was nominated by Todd Christopher and Heather Wisner.
In addition to being selected as Messiah’s Student Employee of the Year, Remy’s nomination was forwarded for consideration at the state and regional levels and Remy was selected by NEASEA (Northeast Association of Student Employment Administrators) as Pennsylvania’s Student Employee of the Year. Additionally, she was chosen as one of the top 4 nominees from the Northeast region to move on to be recognized at the national level! Remy was presented with a monetary award from NSEA (National Student Employment Association) and will be featured in a flipbook honoring the top student employees from across the nation.
Please congratulate Remy and all of our Student Employee of the Year nominees:
Runner-up: Laura Phelps, residence life
Honorable Mention: Samuel Cable, athletic communications and Tjia-Yi Lau, multicultural and international student programs office
Nominees: Marianne Fitzkee, Chloe Hall, Grace Hogue, Kynza Learmont-Rawls, Chad Long, Griffin McVay, and Phalika Oum
You can read more about each nominee here: https://www.messiah.edu/info/21149/news_and_events/4141/student_eoty_winners.
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination!
Messiah University Department of Theatre and Dance presents: Culmination ’22
Messiah University’s Department of Theatre and Dance is proud to present the spring dance concert Culmination ’22 on April 22 and 23! Please join us as GiViM, the premier dance ensemble for Messiah University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, presents an eclectic evening of dance featuring faculty and adjudicated student work.
Culmination ’22
Spring Dance Concert
Directed by: Gregg Hurley
April 22 at 8 p.m. and April 23 at 2 p.m.
Miller Theater, Climenhaga Building
Estimated run time: 115 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
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.
CLASSIFIEDS
Job opportunities
For sale
Electric dryer. Less than one year old Whirlpool 7.0-cu ft. vented electric dryer, model number WED4815EW. Needs power cord. Purchased at Lowes for $599. Asking $400 OBO. Can provide pictures upon request. Pick up from Lewisberry. If interested, please contact Tom at trhoads@messiah.edu. Thank you.
