Alumni
Alumni Spotlight
“Alumni Spotlight” is a column that celebrates achievements and interest-
ing experiences among our alumni. If you, or someone you know, should be
considered for future issues, please submit the person’s name and a brief nar-
rative explaining why he or she should be spotlighted to the Office of Alumni
and Parent Relations, Box 3023, Messiah College, Grantham, PA 17027, or
e-mail alumni@messiah.edu.
Chi Ly ’89
Palm Beach, Fla.
Coaching
As the head coach of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s
tennis teams, Chi Ly was recently honored as one of
seven regional winners of the Community Outreach
Award from the United States Tennis Association/
Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Ly and his student
athletes volunteer at First Serve, a tennis-based youth empowerment pro-
gram that teaches children about responsibility, honesty, integrity, and other
life skills. “It is a great opportunity for the team to share the Gospel to the
children through the development of relationships and mentoring,” says Ly.
Matthew Martin ’97
Indian Head, Maryland
Accounting
Matthew Martin recently became the chief financial
officer (CFO) of American Community Properties
Trust (ACPT) in Waldorf, Maryland. After graduating
from Messiah in 1997 with an accounting degree,
Martin worked in the fields of auditing and forensic
accounting. He then became the chief accounting officer at ACPT and, less
than three years later, was promoted to CFO. “My education at Messiah was
instrumental in providing me with the academic and ethical foundation
necessary to be successful in such a competitive field,” says Martin.
Kristine Steakley ’92
Columbia, SC
Publication
Kristine Steakley recently published her first book,
Child of Divorce, Child of God: A Journey of Hope and
Healing. The book details the story of her childhood
along with the experiences of others who endured
their parents’ divorces. She says her goal is to help
readers realize that they are not alone in their struggles and that “God can
turn their pain and suffering into something beautiful.”
Stephen McPherson ’95
Deland, FL
Education
Stephen McPherson, a world history instructor with
the Florida Virtual School, was chosen out of 800
teachers to be one of six educators supervising the
first-ever virtual classroom internship. McPherson is
coaching six students from the University of Central
Florida as they acquire experience teaching in a virtual classroom. “Virtual
education is cutting-edge learning,” says McPherson. “It allows students in
the ‘net generation’ the opportunity to customize their own learning experi-
ence, receive instant feedback, and have fun while learning.”
22 The Messiah College Bridge I Spring 2009
Messiah College gears up
for summer programs
College may not be in session over the summer months,
but learning at Messiah doesn’t come to a standstill from
mid-May to late August. During the months when many
students and educators get a much-welcomed break from
the demands of the academic semesters, there’s no hiatus
in Messiah’s community engagement and quality edu-
cational programs. Among this year’s summer learning
opportunities offered by the College are:
Summer Academy
At Messiah’s Summer Academy, local students who have
completed grades 6–11 can learn in a collegiate-level,
fun-filled environment through hands-on activities. “My
goal for each student is to become inspired by some new
opportunity or perspective that broadens their perception
of a topic, talent, or viewpoint,” says academy director
Beckie Lacey, the gifted support teacher at Mechanicsburg
Middle School. Classes, which are held on campus and
are taught by Messiah faculty, include topics such as Field
School in Archaeology, Engineering Design: Rockets, and
We Are What We Eat: Food in Literature and Film.
Sports
Messiah’s athletic camps provide a positive environment
for young athletes at all levels to improve their skills and
to learn principles of sportsmanship through personalized
instruction in individual and team settings. Twelve dif-
ferent sports camps will be offered on Messiah’s campus
this summer. “Throughout our camp, we instill many of
the same principles and values that (former head coach)
Dave Brandt created to provide a meaningful foundation
for our Messiah men’s soccer team,” says boys’ soccer
academy director and head men’s soccer coach Brad
McCarty. “These values range from ‘team over individual’
to ‘we choose to be positive’ to ‘we finish strong.’”
Music
The intensive chamber music program and composition
workshop is designed to provide an environment for
musically gifted students age 16 and older to enhance
their performance and composition abilities through
personal coaching, master classes, and a public recital at
the conclusion of the camp. Students participating in the
composition workshop will write, critique, and supervise
rehearsals for their own works, with at least one work
selected to be performed by the Mendelssohn Piano Trio.
Online Classes
Also returning this year is the online summer session,
where students can earn academic credit by interacting
with classmates and faculty through online classes that
take nearly half the time of a traditional semester course.
Online summer classes allow students to “plug in” any-
where, at their own pace while still receiving personalized
instruction from Messiah faculty.
For more information on summer programs at
Messiah, please visit the following websites:
www.messiah.edu/academics/summer_academy
www.messiah.edu/athletics/pages/camps
www.messiah.edu/academics/online
 c l a s s n ot e s

From the Archives

All aboard to Grantham!
On June 9, 1911, an eager group of students
caught their first glimpse of the new home
of Messiah College (which was then called

BiC Historical Library and Archives

Messiah Bible School and Missionary Train-
ing Home). The students rode the train
from the former campus in Harrisburg to
visit the tiny village of Grantham. At the
time, Grantham included little more than a
mill, the Smith and Co. noodle factory, and
the Grantham National Bank.
After touring the site of the future
campus, the students laid a few bricks to
build what is now Old Main and ended George Haagan captured the Thou hast been wooing us we know it so well
their day with dinner at the home of Samuel College’s move in this excerpt from his Thou hast been calling we did hear the tell
and Elizabeth Smith, the couple who poem “Grantham” that ran in the school Of nice broad meadows with hedges and tree;
donated the Grantham land to the school. newspaper: And a laughing brook e’er singing with glee.

1970s
Kathleen Schettig
’77 is a third grade teacher
in the North Penn School
District in Lansdale, Pa.
Eugene Good ’78 is
a math teacher at Abraxas
South Mountain Restoration
Center in South Mountain,
Pa.
1980s
John Prescott ’80 is
assistant varsity squash
coach at Lancaster County
Day School in Lancaster, Pa.
Nancy (States)
Althouse ’82 is a captain
in the U.S. Air Force Nurse
Corp stationed in Misawa,
Japan.
Kathy (Davis) ’83 and
Edward Gillikin announce
the birth of Alexa Marie,
October 28, 2008.
Susan (Lias) ’85 and
Charlie Manges announce
the birth of Lydia Joy, April
28, 2008.
Rebecca Ann (Miller)
’85 and Kelvin Smith
announce the birth of
Nathan Bradley, January 26,
2008.
Helene (Hunt) ’86 and
Thomas Pinner announce
the birth of Lyra Gael, April
25, 2008.
Cynthia (Moomaw)
Smith ’86 married Michael
Adams on May 1, 2008.
Cynthia is the Lead Financial
Management Analyst in
the Position Management
Department at NAVICP in
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Ralph Eckardt ’87 has
recently published a new
book, The Invisibile Edge:
Taking Your Strategy to the
Next Level Property.
Linda (Fletcher)
’88 and Brett Pelham
announce the birth of
Brooklyn Espera, September
4, 2008. Linda received
her Juris Doctor degree
from American University
in May 2008 and was
admitted to the Maryland
Bar December 2008. They
currently live in Rockville,
Md.
Kimberly (Butler) ’88
and Brian Steinbruegge
announce the birth of
Samuel Wayne, May 2, 2008.
Danielle (Sandbo)
’88 and Robb Stewart
announce the birth of
Connor James, June 29,
2008.
Sharon (Weaver) ’88 and
Chris White announce the
birth of Angela Grace, July
9, 2008.
John Quintilian ’89
received a M.Div. Degree
from Evangelical Theological
Seminary in Myerstown, Pa.,
in May 2008.
1990s
Kristine (Powell) ’90
and David Conde an-
nounce the birth of Chelsea
Summer, March 21, 2007.
David ’90 and Lois
Kreider announce the
birth of Nicholas Donovan,
April 28, 2008.
Paul ’92 and Linda
(Ward) ’94 Adams are
owners of Adams Eden
Camp, an all-year camping
center in Lafayette, N.Y.
Michele (Wastler)’92
Dombach is the director
of financial development for
Schreiber Pediatric Rehab
Center in Lancaster, Pa.
Don ’92 and Noelle
(Henderson) ’93
Glickert announce the
birth of Brady Clayton,
Dec 7, 2007. They live in
Sugarloaf, Pa.
Heidi (Gruber) ’92 and
Michael Holko announce
the birth of Autumn Sky,
August 29, 2008.
James Martin ’92 is
senior software consultant
with Stambaugh Ness
Busi-ness Solutions in
York, Pa.
Sarah (Winkleblech)
’92 and Robert Ord
announce the adoption of
Elijah Robert, from Ethiopia,
March 2, 2006.
Stephen ’92 and Julia
Shetler announce the birth
of Isabell Marie, August 13,
2007.
Michael ’93 and
Rebecca (Clendaniel)
’93 Brown announce
the birth of Wyatt James,
July 7, 2008.
Laura (Carlson) ’93
and Matthew Dalton
announce the birth of
Rachel Hope, January 30,
2009. The Daltons live in
Athens, Ohio.
Timothy Dawson ’93
is director of admissions
and enrollment at
Harrisburg University of
Science and Technology in
Harrisburg, Pa.
Andrea (Nutter) ’93 and
Stephen Hawley announce
the adoption of sisters
Jasmine Lynn-Ann and
Marissa Ruth, November
15, 2005.
Hope (Steck)
Laubach ’93 received an
associate’s degree in nursing
from Luzerne Community
College in May 2008.
Michael Dellosso ’94
is a novelist whose second
book, Scream, was published
in March 2009.
 Kathleen (Pickel)
Gamblin ’94 was named
as one of 10 Nurses of
Excellence in Atlanta by the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
of Atlanta Ga. for her work
as an Oncology Nurse
Navigator for WellStar
Health System.
Juli Griffin ’94 married
Randy Gross on June 27,
2008. Juli became a licensed
clinical professional coun-
selor in Maryland in 2007
and achieved Nation Board
certification from the Nat-
ional Board for Professional
Teaching Standards in
November 2008.
Steven ’95 and Deena
(Wenger) ’95 Brown

The Messiah College Bridge I Spring 2009 23

 profile
Leading man plays the role of a public servant
Artistic director discovers commonalities among players in the world’s human drama
“Theatre, at its heart, is an act of giving,” says Jesse Baxter ’02 Messiah theatre grad (pictured
here, left). In 2006, he started Dramatic Adventure Theatre (DAT), a theatre company that
focuses on giving a voice to those who are typically not heard.
Working in Zimbabwe in the summer of 2007, Baxter and his colleagues collaborated
with local theatre professionals to lead playwriting and acting workshops for different
villages and cities. Ultimately, they produced a play written mostly by the children in the
country’s ravaged by poverty and AIDS. When the cast of DAT returned to the States and
performed the show in New York, audiences expected to see African dancing and drumming.
“What they saw,” says Baxter, “were reflections of themselves.” The stories the children of
Zimbabwe told were the same kinds of things that American kids experience — a first crush,
the day a parent died. “It was the same story with a very different backdrop,” Baxter says.
courtesy of Jesse Baxter ’02

At DAT, actors break out of the self-centered world of theater and film in the U.S. and
employ the theatrical arts as a way to empower disenfranchised communities around the
world. —Susan K. Getty ’84
To learn more about Dramatic Adventure Theatre and their upcoming project in Ecuador, visit
The Bridge Online at www. Messiah.edu/the_bridge.

announce the birth of Adam
Parker, October 11, 2008.
Evan ’95 and Denise
Gehman announce the
birth of Alyssa Renee,
May 24, 2008.
John ’95 and Daralynn
(Costello) ’95 Krekoska
announce the birth of
Juliette Diann, December
5, 2007.
Jessica (Garrett) ’95
and Lee Martin announce
the birth of Garrett Martin,
October 15, 2008.   Michelle (Cutright)
Stephen ’95 and Stacey
McPherson announce the
birth of Alexander Michael,
July 6, 2008.
Tia (Gripp) Unthank
’95 is director of
Admissions at Providence
School of Jacksonville in
Jacksonville, Fla.
David ’96 and Christie
(Drabble) ’97 Hubner
announce the birth of Jonas
David, October 9, 2008
Tracy (Hout) ’96 and
Matthew Moore announce
the birth of Joseph David,
May 1, 2008.
Deborah (Dymond)
’96 and Jeremy Nelson
announce the birth of
Joseph Jeremy, March 23,
2007.
Kevin ’96 and Bree
(Arbogast) Solomon ’96
announce the birth of
Olivia Grace, December
29, 2008. They live in
Middleburg, Pa.
Brady Candell ’97 is a
glaze technician and pottery
teacher at La Mano Pottery
in Manhattan, N.Y.
Davene (Huffman) ’97
and Jeff Fisher announce
the birth of Tobin Ezra,
January 12, 2008.
’97 and Thomas Gill
announce the birth
of Donovan Thomas,
November 7, 2007.
Michelle (McClure)
Magnotta ’97 is a teacher
at Emmanuel Baptist
Preschool in Monroe, N.C.
Adam Mancus ’97
married Suzie Ferrigren on
December 13, 2008. They
live in Bremerton, Wash.
Janelle (Riekert)
’97 and Andrew Barnes
announce the birth of
Joshua Andrew, January
2, 2006, and Caleb Edwin,
January 8, 2008.
Ruth (Reitz) ’97 and
Dean Brewer announce
the birth of Lincoln
Andrews, February 13, 2009.
Timothy ’97 and
Kristin (Clemensen)
Sayegh ’00 announce the
birth of Leon-Powe Sayegh,
March 4, 2009.
Bradley ’98 and Kirsten
Bowman announce the
birth of Austin Jeremiah,
October 6, 2008.
Kimberly (Brown)
’98 and Robert Cook
announce the birth of
Riley Evan, April 4, 2008.
Nicole (Gordon)
’98 and Linton Fraser
announce the birth of Omar
Barack, August 29, 2005.
Melissa (Hanson)
’98 and Andre Gorgenyi
announce the birth of
Lewis Michael, March 31,
2009.
Erica (Dayton) ’98 and
John Haubrich announce
the birth of Lucy Grace,
June 16, 2008.
Nadene Hershey ’98
married Bob Creighton on
June 14, 2008.
Elizabeth (Clem) ’98
and Eric Master announce
the birth of Micah Rae,
January 17, 2009.
Gregory ’98 and
Krista Reiff announce the
adoption of Brianna Celeste,
January 31, 2009.
Jennifer (Truluck) ’98
and Daren ’96 Statler
announce the birth of Micah
James, December 20, 2008.
Chris ’98 and Heather
Zirke announce the birth
of Chapman Graham,
January 16, 2009.
Lisa (Welsh) ’99 and
Scott Byrom announce the
birth of Emma Grace, April
17, 2008.
Stefanie (Schultheis)
’99 and Brad Campbell
announce the birth of
William Bradley, December
9, 2008.
Christina (Ficarra) ’99
and Adam Curry announce
the birth of Grace Lorraine,
September 29, 2008.
Kristin (Capozzi)
’99 and Tom Detamore
announce the birth of Tyler
Nelson, October 9, 2008.
Nicole (Rossbach)
’99 and Cory Grewell
announce the birth of
Tristan Nathaniel, January
28, 2009.   Nicole is as an
adjunct professor of biology
at Grove City College in
Pennsylvania.  She and her
husband live in Greenville,
Pa.
Matthew ’99 and
Maria (Hackman) ’99
Franchina announce the
birth of Lucas Settimo,
February 18, 2007
Philip ’99 and Rebecca
(Moorhead) ’99 Geiser
announce the birth of
Stewart Philip, May 14, 2008.
Stephan ’99 and Julie
(Small) ’00 Hodge an-
nounce the birth of Joshua
David, December 10, 2007.
Wesley ’99 and Jaime
(McMillan) ’01 Horst
announce the birth of
Elizabeth Shalom, December
5, 2008.
Elizabeth (Messimer)
’99 and Shane ’01
Kingsley announce the
birth of Isaac Conner,
September 20, 2008.
Lisa (Sprinkle) ’99 and
Greg Martin announce the
birth of Kelli Beth, February
13, 2009.
Jill (Troxell) ’99 and
Alan Miller announce
the birth of Jackson Paul,
September 2, 2008.
Bradley ’99 and
Jennifer Thompson
announce the adoption of
Jayson, Brian, and Jasmine,
July 17, 2007.
Marcus ’99 and Emily
(Graybill) ’98 Yeatts
announce the birth of Alyssa

24 The Messiah College Bridge I Spring 2009

Christine, September 28,
2007.
2000s
Elizabeth (Anchindia)
’00 and Stephen Castel-
lano announce the birth of
Joshua Elias, August 19, 2008.
James ’00 and
Kimberly (Staffaroni)
’00 Clifford announce the
birth of Kamela Mariah,
November 2, 2007.
Whitney (Abbott)
’00 and Joshua Florkey
announce the birth of
Greyson Joshua, April 17,
2008.
Nichole (Schroll)
’00 and Alexander Lewis
announce the births of Isaac
Richard and Jonah Alan,
September 25, 2008.
Noelle (Mitchell) ’00
and John Scuderi announce
the birth of Clara Faith,
October 2, 2007.
Amy (Hixon) ’00 and
Josh Wagner announce the
birth of Nolan David, June
4, 2008.
Christine (Buckley)
’00 and Jeremy Zapp
announce the birth of Jonah
Craig Daniel, October 13,
2008.
Hillary (Smart) ’01
and Nicholas ’00 Amici
announce the birth of Ethan
Nicholas, October 28, 2008.
Rebecca (Nobles)
’01 and Nathan Ashley
announce the birth of
Jonathan Patrick, November
21, 2007. Rebecca earned a
master’s in library science
in December 2008 from
North Carolina Central
University. She is currently
working part time as an
elementary school library
media coordinator in the
Wake County Public
School System.
Michael ’01 and
Melissa (Evans) ’02 Bell
announce the birth of
Maeryn Jayne, May 2, 2008.
Seth Custer ’01 is
a supervisory contract
specialist with the
Department of Veterans
Affairs in Lebanon, Pa.
James ’01 and
Courtney (DeBoer) ’00
Fackler announce the birth
of Cody James, January 5,
2008.
Kathlynn (Watson)
’01 and Joseph Farley
announce the birth of
Savanna Joy, December 11,
2007.
Melinda (Stephens)
’01 and Christopher Kent
announce the birth of
Brianna Rose, August 22,
2008.
Jill (Newswanger)
’01 and Nathan Kletzing
announce the birth of
Thomas Elliot, September
27, 2008.
Kathleen (Sherwood)
’01 and Jeremy Van Horne
announce the birth of Luca
Alexander, September 10,
2008.
Jeffrey Davis ’02
married Christine Matticola
on ????, 2005. They live in
Chalfont, Pa.
Melissa Duncan ’02
married Jason Richard
Herr on September 9,
2007. They reside in
Bareville, Pa.
Tara (Seabolt) ’02 and
Scott Jacobs announce
the birth of Hannah Nicole,
February 9, 2009.
Neil ’02 and Kristin
(Garrett) ’03 Messick
announce the birth of
Garett Ryan, January 25,
2009.
Janey (Gro) ’02 and
Aaron Meyers announce
the birth of Andrew Lane,
June 11, 2008.
T. Peter Ramsey
’02 recently accepted a
position as Reference and
Instruction Librarian at
Penn State Great Valley
School of Graduate and
Professional Studies, near
Valley Forge, Pa.
Sean Titus ‘02 married
Jill Ogline on December
28, 2008 in Carlisle, Pa.
They currently live in
Chestertown, Md.
Eric ’02 and Connie
Weaver announce the
birth of Joshua Caden,
March 7, 2008.
April (Timmons)
’02 and Jared Wenger
announce the birth of Jacob
Lee, July 15, 2008.
Mark ’03 and Karen
(Sollenberger) ’03
Ackley announce the birth
of Hayden Alexander, August
19, 2008.
Elizabeth (Cramer)
’03 and William Casey
announce the birth of Aidan
James, April 11, 2008. They
live in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Jill (Heerema) ’03
and Paul Darminio ’03
announce the birth of Josiah
Paul, January 4, 2009.
Derek ’03 and Leah
(Ver Steeg) Frey ’03
announce the birth of Julia
Marijn, October 7, 2008.
Stephanie (Peachey)
’03 and Michael Hartzler
announce the birth of
Joshua Franklin, March 31,
2008.
Kate (Falloretta) ’03
and James Hurne announce
the birth of Lucinda Grace,
June 6, 2008.
Erin (Williams)
’03 and Donald Kessel
announce the birth of
Landon Patrick, September
2, 2008.
James ’03 and
Liza (Schrauger) ’01
Reynolds announce the
birth of Connor James, July
2, 2008.
Denise Wengert ’03
married Stephen Vernecker
on June 21, 2008. They
reside in Chambersburg, Pa.
Heidi (Sharp) ’03 and
Jacob Wilde announce the
birth of Logan Jacob, June
9, 2008.
Amelia Findiesen ’04
earned an M.S. in counseling
with specialization in higher
education/student affairs
from West Chester Univer-
sity of PA in December
2008. She graduated with
high honors.

A secure income
that you cant’ outlive
A Messiah College Gift Annuity
• Fixed income for life
• Partially tax-free income
• Charitable income-tax deduction
• Support for Christian higher education

Annual payouts ranging from 5.3%–9.5%

(single life annuity rates based on ages 65 years or older)

For more information, contact:

Robert Brown ’82, CFP, senior advisor for development and principal gifts
Messiah College • One College Ave. • P.O. Box 3013 • Grantham, PA 17027
(717) 796-5051 • 1-800-215-5344 • (717) 796-5385 (fax)
bbrown@messiah.edu • www.messiah.edu/development

The Messiah College Bridge I Spring 2009 25

 profile
Alumnae bring cultures together in the classroom
Elementary teachers help create a bilingual environment for students
A passion for language and learning became a vocation for two Messiah graduates. Both
Spanish major Sally Lopez ’05 and elementary education major Sarah Holland ’07 (pic-
tured here, L to R, respectively) were drawn to the Latino community and to children.
For them, teaching classes in the elementary bilingual programs at two Harrisburg
elementary schools is a perfect fit. The teachers work with both Spanish- and English-
speaking children in their individual classrooms, fostering relationships and bridging
a cultural gap. Along with regular curriculum work in English, they teach an hour of
Spanish and incorporate the language during class throughout the day. Though teaching
bilingually is a challenge, the rewards from the program keep Lopez and Holland moti-
vated. “It’s just so cool to have both my passions in one job,” says Holland, who minored
in Spanish. For Lopez, her students’ progress drives her. “It’s amazing!” she says. “They
courtesy of Sally Lopez ’05

learned something because of my efforts.” Wanting more than just academic excellence
for their students, Holland says, “We want Spanish to be an exciting thing and for people to
be proud of speaking Spanish.” The teachers say they encourage their students to cel-
ebrate both languages and to share what they know with others. Lopez says that same
philosophy was modeled at Messiah for her. “You were encouraged to use your educa-
tion,” she says, “to help other people, to serve others.” Muy bien! — Abigail Long ’12

Andrew Hart ’04
married Renee Rodgers on
August 23, 2008.
Vince ’04 and Crystal
(Bailey) ’05 Hoover
announce the birth of
Camryn Mae, September
14, 2007.
Michael James ’04
married Nona Bitner ’07
on June 7, 2008. They live in
Baltimore, Md.
Benjamin ’04 and
Tamika (Pinkney) ’04
Jancewicz announce the
births of Nya Imani Jade,
October 14, 2007, and
Arion Joseph Iyutin, January
7, 2009.
Amy Martin ’04
received a master’s degree
in mental health counseling
from Shippensburg
University in May 2008.
Catharina Joy (Kentie)
’04 and Matthew McEwen
announce the birth of
Naomi Hazel, April 18, 2007.
Steven ’04 and
Bethany (Klein) ’05
Schwendy announce the
birth of Audra Elaine, May
2, 2008.
Matthew Armes ’05
married Kelly Shannon
’04 on June 14, 2008.
Matthew is an English
instructor at Penn Foster
Career School. Kelly is
working as the Education,
Liaison and Outreach
Services Director at the
Army Depot in Tobyhana,
Pa., as an Army civilian.
She is also the assistant
coach for the women’s
volleyball team at the
University of Scranton.
They currently live in
Scranton, Pa.
Jamie Davies ’05
married Michael O’Leary
’04 on August 8, 2007. They
live in Princetown, N.J.
Lisa Nuss ’05 received
a master’s degree in library
science from Kutztown
University in May 2008.
Lindsey Walker ’05
received a J.D. in law from
Michigan State University
College of Law in May 2008.
She lives in Milford, Pa.
Lisa Barker ’06
received a master’s degree
in international disaster
psychology from Denver
University in June 2008.
Tiffany Bloom ’06 is
the director of admissions
at Park Pleasant Nursing
Home in Philadelphia, Pa.
Kathryn Bodnar
’07 married Francisco
Fernandez on June 30,
2007. They live in Mebane,
N.C.
Aaron Carmichael ’06
married Rachel Sweigard on
June 22, 3008. They live in
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Claire Fleeger ’06
received a master’s degree
in chemistry from Penn
State University in August
2008. She lives in State
College, Pa.
Michael Grenier ’06
married Emily Culp ’07
on March 17, 2007. They live
in Harrisburg, Pa.
Nathan Robinson ’06
married Anne Wonsettler
on September 13, 2008.
They currently live in
Washington, D.C.
Christopher Tierney
’06 married Lisa Coss ’06
on October 13, 2007. They
currently live in Wellesley,
Mass.
Laura Witter ’06
married Chad Stoltzfus on
August 9, 2008. They live in
Nottingham, Pa.
Joshua ’07 and Nikki
Bull announce the birth
of Keatyn Thomas, July 16,
2008.
Zach Eyster ’07
married Britney Hagen
’08 on October 11, 2008.
They live in Narbeth, Pa.
John Hendershot ’07
married Bethany Stotts
’07 on August 16, 2008.
They live in Rockville, Md.
Jill Jezorski ’07
married Adam Kullman on
September 29, 2007. They
live in Ephrata, Pa.
Seth Meacham ’07
married Shenifa Baldwin
’07 on July 14, 2007. They
live in Bowie, Md.
Jacqueline Miller ’07
is program coordinator at
Best Companies Group in
Harrisburg, Pa.
Vaughn Moser ’07
married April Roggie on
October 4, 2008.
Brian ’07 and Alicia
(Asper) ’07 Ramos
announce the birth of
Daphne Belle, February 5,
2008.
Gregory Snader
’07 married Mackenzie
Martin ’08 on January 17,
2009. They live in Lancaster,
Pa.
Kelly Sherman ’07
married Kyle Nardella on
June 16, 2007. They live in
Lancaster, Pa.
Beth Sporey ’07
married Chris Whitney on
July 27, 2007. They live in
Strasburg,Va.
Joel Travis ’07 is energy
engineer at Andelnan and
Lelek Engineering in Boston,
Mass.
Marci (Walton)
’07 and Bryan Walter
announce the birth of Sadie
Elizabeth, May 7, 2008.
Justin Watkins ’07
married Jenna Stumpf ’07
on December 9, 2007. They
live in Lancaster, Pa.
Megan Comrey ’08
is a snowboard instructor
and photographer at Big Sky
Resort in ???, Mo.
Jesse McBride ’08
married Esther Cervin
’08 on June 15, 2008. They
live in Reading, Pa.
Travis Pierce ’08 is
orchestra director for
Palmyra Area School
District in Palmyra, Pa.
James Yutzy ’08
married Rebecca Snyder
’06 on July 12, 2008. They
live in Carlisle, Pa.
In Memoriam
Jesse Melton III ’00
died while on active duty in
Afghanistan on September
9, 2008. He was serving as a
captain in the U.S. Marines.

26 The Messiah College Bridge I Spring 2009

27th annual
Messiah College
Golf Outing
Blue Ridge Country Club, Harrisburg
Monday, June 1, 2009
Homecoming
Friday and Saturday, October 16–17
For more information, visit
www.messiah.edu/alumni
or call (717) 796-5252.
Registration closes on May 25
to come
The Bridge Online at
www.messiah.edu/
the_bridge
2009
Centennial
Weekend
Messiah College is celebrating its 100th
anniversary! Please join us during this year’s
Centennial Homecoming event. The
Centennial Homecomingschedule will
include several new and improved events
including newly designed academic reunions,
a special reception for all alumni athletes,
and an outdoor main stage entertainment
venue that will be fun for the whole family.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Congratulations to all of our classes
with an upcoming reunion!
Class of 2004 — 5 year reunion
Class of 1999 — 10 year reunion
Class of 1994 —15 year reunion
Class of 1989 — 20 year reunion
Class of 1984 — 25 year reunion
Class of 1979 — 30 year reunion
Class of 1969 — 40 year reunion
Class of 1959 — 50 year reunions for Academy
and College classes
Class of 1949 — 60 year reunion for the
Academy
Watch for future announcements
regarding specific dates and times
The Messiah College Bridge I Spring 2009 27
fr o m t h e pr e s i d e n t
Even during a recession, students seize opportunity—
to work and to serve
by President Kim S. Phipps
erica lepley ’09
During a recent dinner meeting at our home, a Messiah College
alumnus and community leader transformed the oft-used adage,
“Never waste a crisis” into encouragement for our present moment:
“Never waste a recession.” During a discussion of the difficult
challenges this economic downturn poses for many families and
for Messiah College, we reminded each other of other significant
obstacles the College has faced during the past century. Rather than
leading to stagnation or despair, adversity has often summoned our
most creative and innovative thinking rooted in a passionate com-
mitment to the College’s mission.
As I talk with our graduating seniors, I notice a similar theme
of resilience emerging. These young men and women are certainly
concerned about finding employment in a difficult economic
environment, but their words also reflect other, more encouraging
themes. First, they affirm that commitment to their life’s work en-
compasses far more than just seeking employment. They demon-
strate a rich understanding of vocation. Our seniors are dedicated
to serving God and others, and they have expressed enthusiasm
about seizing opportunities to fulfill that calling. They also express
sincere gratitude for their Messiah College education, especially for
the excellent preparation that they have received under the guid-
ance of their professors and other educators.
These students’ optimism has inspired me to consider the
positive outcomes that can emerge from turbulent times. While
we may be tempted to focus on the risks and perils of the recent
economic upheaval, I want to suggest that we embrace four op-
portunities:
When our sense of security is shaken, the first opportunity
we have is to focus on what is truly important in our lives — our
relationship with God, family, friends, and neighbors. Recent
28 The Messiah College Bridge I Spring 2009
events clearly indicate that many in our nation have been focused
on greed, materialism, and hyper consumerism. Rejecting rampant
self-absorption, we can invest our personal gifts and abilities in
humble service to God and others. The core mission of a Messiah
College education has always been to prepare students for more
than employment and financial success. Our mission is to educate
men and women toward maturity of intellect, character, and Christian
faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in
church and society.
Our second opportunity when facing adversity is to be
resourceful in meeting our challenges. Working within limitations
often yields our very best thinking. Many inventions stem from
creativity sharpened by limitations. We can trace the history of
even the most common article of clothing back to the resource-
fulness of Levi Strauss. During the California Gold Rush when
supplies were scarce, Strauss had the idea to stitch tarp material
into overalls, which eventually evolved into a cotton twill garment
that many of us wear today: blue jeans. In recent weeks, I have met
with colleagues who are drawing on similar untapped resources
within themselves as we dream of new ways to extend Messiah
College’s mission to new audiences in new contexts. While many
of these ideas are still in the formative stages, my colleagues are re-
imagining how to utilize resources, time, and facilities.
During trying times, we also have the opportunity to build
trust by being honest and transparent. As Christians, we often find
it easier to express gratitude during the good times than to be open
about the struggles (and even our doubts) during difficult times. As
president, I seek to foster open dialogue by welcoming community
feedback and by hosting “open door days” on campus when stu-
dents, faculty, and staff can drop by without an appointment to talk
with me about their ideas, concerns, and hopes for the College. We
must pursue opportunities for open, constructive dialogue.
Finally, we have an opportunity to truly celebrate God’s gifts
in the midst of difficulties. As we approach the College’s 100-year
anniversary, we will acknowledge all that God has accomplished
through the people of Messiah College who selflessly dedicated
their lives to serving the institution. Our Centennial reminds us
that as Christians we are called to be people of authentic hope. We
can acknowledge challenges while holding possibilities together in
creative tension. We can nurture our core values and focus on what
is most important in life. During our Centennial, we can rejoice
in our shared past and the enduring promise of the future. I invite
you to participate in this celebration by visiting our Web site www.
messiah.edu/centennial and joining us on campus for these once-
in-a-century events!
In the midst of our challenges, we have much to be grateful
for, and we look forward to sharing our Centennial celebration and
our unfolding history with you.