“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
PSALM: 91:11
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Congratulations, Anna!
In 2024, FNP track coordinator Dr. Anna Gale was accepted into the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties 2024-2025 Faculty Leadership Mentoring Program cohort, which provides development in leadership knowledge and skills, especially those associated with the nurse practitioner (NP) educator role. Anna completed the program in the Fall of 2025. We are excited to announce that she was just selected to participate in the 2026 Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Mentoring Program. This 18-month program pairs faculty with seasoned NP mentors and leaders to support other NPs in meaningful professional growth, networking, and scholarly work
Two new books by Ryan Rickrode
Ryan Rickrode, senior lecturer in English, has published his first two books. Accidents Will Happen: Essays & Photos (Matinee Press, 2025) came out in December. Both a memoir and a meditation on risk, work and family, this book moves from the beestings of childhood to the roofing work Rickrode did with his father as a young adult to the swirly ultrasound images of a child not yet born. The Mountains May Depart (Unsolicited Press, 2026) will be released on April 7. This debut novel is an exploration of grief, forgiveness, prayer, and reconciliation set in Missoula, Montana. Novelist Bret Lott says, “This is a beautiful book. Short, sweet, tough, brave, tender, resilient, heartbreaking, true. All that. Ryan Rickrode has written a terse and beguiling and remarkably beautiful novel.”
https://messiah.qualtrics.com/WRQualtricsSurveyEngine/File.php?F=F_1LvtkJ6LpxWxFoR
BID FAREWELL
Farewell, Sally Keefer
After many years of faithful and dedicated service to Messiah University, Sally Keefer will retire following her longstanding role as administrative assistant to the dean of the School of Arts, Culture, and Society. Throughout her tenure, Sally served with grace, professionalism, and care, providing steady support to SACS leadership and offered wise guidance that helped sustain and strengthen the work of the school. Her commitment to the mission of the University and her attentive service to faculty, staff and students alike will leave a lasting impact, and she will be deeply missed. Please join the School of Arts, Culture and Society in expressing sincere gratitude to Sally for her many years of service and in wishing her the best in this next chapter.
We are also pleased to welcome Denise Waiters as the new administrative assistant to the dean of the School of Arts, Culture and Society.
Farewell to Orlando Williams
After seven years of dedicated service to the Messiah University community, Orlando Williams will be leaving his role within Multicultural and International Student Programs as he and his wife Saba prepare to welcome a new member to their family. The Office of Diversity Affairs wishes Orlando well as he heads into this new chapter of life. We are grateful for the ways in which he has shaped the lives and experiences of so many students over his tenure at Messiah. Students often comment on the meaningful conversations and impact that Orlando has had on their time at Messiah University. He will be dearly missed by colleagues and students, both past and present. Orlando’s last day as assistant director of Multicultural Student Programs will be Friday, Feb. 20. Please join us in praying for him and his family during this exciting new season of life.
AROUND CAMPUS
The Campus Store continues offering Unreasonable Hospitality
This fall, the Campus Store successfully kicked off our Operations Unreasonable Hospitality goal to increase understanding among faculty, academic administrators and admissions counselors of how our automatic textbook fulfillment service–Slingshot Choice–works and benefits them, their students and the university. In October, we deployed a short informative Qualtrics survey to these select colleagues to help us assess their existing Slingshot Choice knowledge and received 60 unique responses. Aleisha Wildon presented Slingshot Choice at three department meetings in the fall (UG nursing, grad social work, and biblical and religious studies) with several more department visits slated for spring. If your department can spare 15 minutes during a spring meeting, please reach out to Aleisha at awildon@messiah.edu. She will gladly share the ins and outs of the Slingshot Choice program, explain why it is a value-added service to our campus community and answer any questions you may have.
Alumni Awards 2026 – Your input is needed!
The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations seek nominations for the following awards:
Distinguished alumnus/a Achievement Award Recognizes a lifetime of vocational achievement in a manner that embodies the mission of the University.
Young Alumnus/a achievement recognizes an alumnus/a who has attended Messiah University within the past 15 years for significant contribution to church, vocation, community and/or Messiah University.
Alumni Christian Service Award recognizes outstanding lifelong service or long-term effort in fulfilling the mandates of the Christian gospel to both serve and sacrifice for the needs of humanity.
Alumni Appreciation Award recognizes an individual(s) who has/have contributed to the University in an extraordinary manner (long-term professional service; significant volunteer service and/or financial contribution). Note: in this category, the nominee is not required to be an alumnus of Messiah.
Please submit all nominations by March 6. The nomination form can be found at: https://www.messiah.edu/alumni-relations/alumni-awards/ Contact Abby Book with any questions at abook@messiah.edu Thank you for your help in nominating individuals for these prestigious annual awards!
Employee Worship Service – Tuesday, Feb. 17
All employees are invited to join together in praise, prayer and worship at 9:30 a.m. in Hostetter Chapel.
Join us in Baltimore in February!
Are you interested in exploring research, internships, and transformational learning opportunities with one of Messiah’s off-campus study-away partners in an urban context? Join us in February for a special visit to the Living and Learning East Coast program at the Baltimore Urban Studies Center! This will be a meaningful opportunity to learn more about the program, engage in community, and explore wholistic wellness. Living and Learning East Coast has four primary tracks available: interdisciplinary and ministry, social work, public policy, and health science. If you are passionate about living in intentional community, learning how to respond to the challenges of our world with a Christ-centered lens, and making a difference this program is for you!
Two registration options are available for our visit to Baltimore:
Overnight trip: Feb. 20-21 Includes transportation, meals, an overnight stay at the Baltimore Urban Studies Center, opportunities to connect with students and staff from Living and Learning East Coast, and attendance at the Wholistic Wellness Summit. Participation cost applies.
Day trip: Feb. 21 Includes transportation, lunch, and attendance at the Wholistic Wellness Summit. Participation cost applies. Both options offer a valuable opportunity centered on learning, reflection, and engagement with wholistic wellness in an urban context.
For additional details, including registration link and cost, please reach out to the Agapé Center at agapecenter@messiah.edu. Space is limited and first-come-first serve, so we ask that you register as soon as possible. We hope you will join us for this exciting opportunity in Baltimore! The Agapé Center – Department of Off-Campus Programs
Hiring Summer Student Employees
In order to assist students with obtaining summer on-campus employment and to facilitate placement of students, the Student Employment Office will be holding a summer job fair on Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Eisenhower Commons. Departments hiring summer student workers should plan to have a representative available at the Job Fair unless all summer workers are already actively working for the department during the academic year or are being rehired from the prior summer.
Please keep the following dates in mind as you plan your summer student hiring:
- February 12: RSVP for Job Fair due and summer job requisitions due
- February 24: Summer Job Fair
- April 2: Summer hiring is due. A hiring request must be submitted via Oracle for each student who will be working this summer.
If your department plans to hire student employees for the summer of 2026, please read the summer hiring information prior to proceeding with the summer hiring process or making employment offers.
If you have any questions about summer student employment, please contact Belinda Conrad, student employment coordinator, at ext. 2900 or studentemployment@messiah.edu.
Summary Annual Report available
The following link provides the required communication of the Summary Annual Report for the Messiah University Employee Welfare Benefit Plan for the plan year period beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. Please contact the Office of Human Resources & Compliance at ext. 5300 if you have any questions. https://www.messiah.edu/human-resources/_secure/sar_welfare_benefit_plan.pdf
CLASSIFIEDS
Job opportunities
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 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 ft 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.
The Department of Safety has an opening for a safety officer, 2nd Shift, Noon – 10 pm. Job related questions may be directed to Maranda Hogue at mhogue@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, visit: 2nd shift safety officer.
Campus Ministries has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant/chapel coordinator. Job related questions may be directed to Emily Bingham at ebingham@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30709.
Facility Services has an opening for a full-time administrative assistant. Job related questions may be directed to Brian Miller at bemiller@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.messiah.edu/postings/30665.
The Engle Center has an opening for a part-time dietitian. Job related questions may be directed to Carrie Ent at cent@messiah.edu. For more information and to apply, please visit: posting link for dietitian.
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.
For sale
Red velvet cake rolls for sale!
I (Olivia Swarner) have started selling homemade baked goods! My specialties are sourdough bread, yeast breads, cookies, cinnamon rolls and cake rolls! This month, my special is red velvet cake rolls with cream cheese icing – they are $18 a roll. If you are interested in seeing my complete menu or placing an order, please reach out to me directly at oswarner@messiah.edu. You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram at Olivia’s Bread & Breakfast to keep up to date with monthly specials.
Wanted
Donations wanted: Clothes, books and kitchen supplies
The Office of Sustainability is looking for donations for our upcoming book, kitchen, and clothing swaps. All items should be things you no longer need, but of good condition. All items will be offered for free to any students who stop by our events, and any leftover will go into storage for future events or be donated to a local thrift store. In particular, we are in need of men’s clothes, business casual items (men and women), and larger sized items, but all are welcome. Donations can be brought to the Office of Sustainability (near the Falcon and Bookstore) or directly to one of our events. Here is the list with dates and times: – Feb. 27 from 3-5 p.m. in the Fishbowl (common area between Miller, Hess, and Grantham residence halls) – March 20 from 3-5 p.m. in the Fishbowl – March 27 from 2-5 p.m. in the Fishbowl If you have any questions, please contact Katelyn Galyen (kgalyen@messiah.edu)
OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
Beginner Sourdough Workshop
with Sheryl Sanders
Email: ssanders@messiah.edu
Saturday, March 7
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Dillsburg, PA
Click this link to sign up: https://www.hotplate.com/sherylsandersdesigns
Learn how to make healthy, homemade sourdough bread in a simple way that is fun and cost effective that fits perfectly into a busy lifestyle. You will come away with the confidence to successfully bake beautiful artisan loaves for your friends and family. Get ready to learn everything from mixing, stretching & folding, proofing, shaping, scoring and baking in our 2 hour hands on beginner class.
BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO CLASS:
👉 4 quart or larger glass or porcelain mixing bowl
👉 Wooden Spoon
👉 Apron
👉 Kitchen Scale
*It is recommended that each participant have a Dutch oven at home since everyone will bring home dough to bake later that night/weekend.
Should you decide to continue baking sourdough, my Sourdough Essential Shopping List provides you with a list of items that are helpful for sourdough baking. These are not items you need to bring to class.
