June 30, 2020
Dear Colleagues:
Tomorrow is the day we become Messiah University! In addition to readying your own office, department or program for university status—I invite you to engage with and share the news of our official university launch on July 1 at messiah.edu/university and on Messiah’s social media platforms. Of course, even as we celebrate this important next step in Messiah’s journey, we continue to navigate our institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic—and to reopen our campus for a safe and healthy fall semester launch. Thank you for your continued commitment and service to Messiah’s mission and to our students during these difficult times.
Congratulations to Dr. Todd Allen
Please join me in congratulating our colleague Todd Allen on his promotion to vice president for diversity affairs at Messiah University, effective Aug. 1, 2020. This promotion and title change is given in recognition of his stellar work and thoughtful leadership as a member of the President’s Cabinet. In addition, this change helps to emphasize the critical importance of our institutional commitment to pursuing inclusive excellence. I am grateful for his willingness to fulfill the demands of a 12-month senior administrative appointment reporting directly to the president. Todd’s office will now be located in the Boyer Center suite and Lauren Allen will serve as his administrative assistant.
The Bridge to Reopen Messiah
All aspects of the institution are now focused on our plans to reopen campus in August for an in-person start, and the launch of our fall semester for our undergraduate, graduate and adult degree students. On June 12, Messiah’s counties moved into Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 green phase–but, as Messiah’s reopening planning team announced earlier, there are still many important restrictions and precautions in place with which we need to comply.
Since April, I have been leading weekly meetings of President’s Cabinet and the leaders of three campus teams (finance/enrollment, education and operations) to research, develop and implement a fall 2020 plan that allows us to fulfill our unique mission while simultaneously caring for the health and safety of students and employees. In early June, I announced our plans to reopen for an in-person, on-campus start in August for undergraduate students, as well as our reopening plans for our School of Graduate Studies. The reopening teams continue to work tirelessly on the remarkable amount of logistics and planning need to launch our fall semester—focused on our commitments of health and safety; academic quality and flexibility; and student care and support.
In mid-July, the University will launch a website called, “The Bridge to Reopen Messiah,” that will communicate and summarize our key planning areas including: COVID testing, screening and safety protocols; care for our vulnerable populations; academic programs and options; residence hall and dining operations, cleaning and campus movement changes; cocurricular programs; campus travel; and visitor guidelines and expectations. Please continue to watch your campus email for the launch of this website, as well as any additional changing circumstances related to Messiah’s fall 2020 semester.
Travel policy through May 15, 2021
Messiah College leadership has thoughtfully reviewed institutional travel for the fall semester. Given the ongoing concerns related to growing cases of COVID-19 across the country, and in order to keep the health and safety of the campus as its top priority, along with managing the financial challenges of COVID-19, institutionally sponsored travel will occur on a very limited basis during FY21. All travel will require the approval of the president, provost or divisional vice president. A more detailed policy will be communicated prior to Aug. 1. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Changes to Commencement and Homecoming/Family Weekend
Commencement for the Class of 2020: On June 1, I announced that an adjusted fall calendar that eliminated fall break was a critical part of Messiah’s being able to reopen safely in keeping with state and CDC guidelines. However, that calendar change regrettably means that Messiah will no longer be able to host the Commencement ceremonies for the graduate and undergraduate Classes of 2020 during fall break as previously announced. We are deeply disappointed that our original plan to hold a rescheduled Commencement on Oct. 23 and 24 will no longer be possible. But Messiah remains committed to hosting an in-person celebration for the members of the Class of 2020. Our adjusted fall schedule would allow Messiah to host an in-person commencement in early December. However, it remains uncertain if large gatherings of that size will be permitted by the state governor’s directive prior to the end of the year. Both the undergraduate and graduate commencement committees are exploring variations of how we could still host a December 2020 celebration in a safe and compliant way for all. Earlier this month, both committees sent online surveys to the graduates to seek their input so that they may integrate that data into their planning in the months ahead.
Homecoming/Family Weekend: Homecoming and Family Weekend was scheduled to take place on Oct. 16-17, 2020. This two-day celebration was expected to bring over 4,000 people to our campus to participate in nearly 70 events. However, the President’s Cabinet recently approved a recommendation from the Advancement Division to cancel Homecoming and Family Weekend in an effort to ensure proactive health and safety measure for current students, as well as all of our guests who would return to campus. Our next Homecoming and Family Weekend will take place in the fall of 2021 (date to be determined), when we will celebrate our first homecoming with our alumni as Messiah University. If you have any questions about any of the planning or events that were to occur in Homecoming and Family Weekend 2020, please contact Jay McClymont, director of alumni and parent relations, at jmcclymont@messiah.edu .
Enrollment snapshot
Undergraduate admissions: We are pleased to report that our June admissions numbers are holding up well. We experienced a challenging spring with large gaps in deposits, but recent activity has been encouraging. Prospective students have responded positively to the Messiah Cares Initiative and the June 1 extended decision timeline. Here are the fall 2020 undergraduate admissions statistics against goals and previous years on June 23:
| June 29, 2020 | |||||
| Fall 2020 | % to goal | Goal | Fall 2019 | Previous three year average to date | |
| First Year Students | |||||
| Applications | 2,540 | 95.8% | 2,650 | 2,628 | 2,563 |
| Acceptances | 1,966 | 98.1% | 2,005 | 1,993 | 1,977 |
| Active Deposits | 626 | 99.5% | 629 | 627 | 655 |
| Transfer Students | |||||
| Applications | 259 | 89.3% | 290 | 280 | 278 |
| Acceptances | 150 | 72.5% | 207 | 172 | 174 |
| Active Deposits | 72 | 82.8% | 87 | 69 | 77 |
The admissions team will continue to utilize virtual visits and events to connect with prospective students and their families. We hosted our first virtual summer open house last week; 431 students registered for this three-day event, hosted June 17 -19. We offered 41 sessions, including many of the opportunities we promote for on-campus events: academic presentations, financial aid workshops, tours, etc. At least 307 prospective students attended one or more sessions. Presentations were recorded and will be used for ongoing virtual recruitment opportunities. We appreciate all who participated in launching this new visit model. Our next virtual summer open house takes place Aug. 5-7. The admissions office will host limited personal visits and tours starting July 6. With capabilities for a few daily visits from families each day, these options will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Adult degree programs: Earlier this spring, I announced that Messiah was partnering with Emerge, a national online program manager, to develop, market and recruit our new adult degree programs. These online undergraduate degrees and certificates are designed for busy working adults seeking to complete their bachelor’s degree or undergraduate-level certificate. Last month, Emerge launched its digital marketing campaigns for Messiah’s inaugural online ADP programs in business and nursing, and are currently working with prospective students towards a fall 2020 start. Emerge is also in process of launching a corporate outreach program, equipping recruiters to develop partnerships and memos of understanding with regional businesses and healthcare organizations for Messiah’s ADP and graduate programs in business and nursing.
Graduate enrollment FY20: We conclude FY20 with strong graduate student enrollment. As of June 23, Messiah has enrolled a total of 926 graduate students for the current fiscal year, and has reached 13,759 registered credit hours—which is 109 percent to our year-end goal!
Recognition of our Voluntary Separation Program colleagues
Last fall, as part of our strategic planning and prioritization initiative, the College announced a Voluntary Separation Program (VSP) for eligible employees. Messiah had a positive response to this initiative. Below are the names of our colleagues who are transitioning from Messiah as part of the VSP. I deeply appreciate these individuals’ service and contribution, and regret that the disruption of COVID-19 prevented us from celebrating and publicly recognizing them in person. It is our sincere hope that we will still be able to have a face-to-face gathering at some time in the future. Please join me in thanking and expressing appreciation for all these colleagues have done throughout their years of faithful service:
- Rachel Abdul Haqq
- Dwight Allshouse
- Creta Bieber
- George Blackburn
- Wes Bower
- Laurie Brantner
- Jack Cole
- Raymond Derk
- David Dzaka
- Julie Eby
- Robert Fegley
- Donna Fink
- Micah Fowler
- Nance Grubb
- Ricky Hammaker
- Ryan Hannigan
- Gene Heintzelman
- Elaine Henderson
- Paula Hoffman
- Mary Holloway
- Diane Hunsinger
- Steven Kennedy
- Robbie Luzier
- James Makowski
- Joanna Matlak
- Derek Mauldin
- Heidi May
- Melissa Mendez
- Lawrie Merz
- Douglas Miller
- Norma Miller
- Antoinette Minicuci
- Donald Murk
- Steven Musti
- Douglas Nealy
- Randy Ness
- Cathy Poiesz
- Eugene Rohrbaugh
- Coral Shambaugh
- G. Diane Shearer
- Susan Shultz
- Daniel Smith
- Daniel Soltis
- Elliott Sternbergh
- William Strausbaugh
- Bertha Thompson
- Diane Thornton
- Ashley Todd
- Truc Tran
- Sherri Wolgemuth
- Rebecca Woodruff
- Elick Yeadon
- Kim Yunez
Admissions and Welcome Center progress
While campus is quiet without our employees, students and summer conferences, the contractor working on the Admissions and Welcome Center continues to make progress on the building and new green space. The exterior of the building is taking shape as the brick and exterior finishes are installed, and by the end of June, windows are also scheduled to begin being installed. On the inside of the building, framing is almost complete, drywall is being hung, and doorframes should soon be installed. Utilities are extended to the building and the team is working on installing all the HVAC systems and wiring for lighting and data.
In the newly created green space, sidewalks are being poured and landscaping is being installed where possible. Tree planting has occurred, and the remaining trees will be planted in the fall. Updated entrances to Boyer Hall, Hostetter Chapel and Murray Library are in process, and will be completed for the beginning of the new academic year. I am pleased to share the much-anticipated news that when campus reopens in late August, the construction fence will be drastically reduced and access around campus will be much easier to navigate!
Giving update
Recently, the Chronicle of Philanthropy reported that giving declined 11 percent from a year ago this past spring. Given that reality, we remain deeply grateful for the sustained giving of Messiah’s donors. We are nearly at our target of $6 million of gifts in the door, with an imminently expected pledge payment that will put us well over our goal. When counting both gifts received and new pledges, we are nearing $11 million, which is 89 percent of our June 30 goal.
| Gifts Received | The Messiah Fund /Operating | Gifts Received & New Pledges |
| $ 5,869,215 | $ 1,032,051 | $ 10,686,021 |
| June 30 Goals: | ||
| $ 6,030,000 (97% of goal) | $ 1,000,000 (103% of revised goal) | $ 12,030,000 (89% of goal) |
As I noted in my previous update, it was part of our financial planning that, in order to finish the fiscal year with a balanced budget, we needed to raise at least $1 million for the Messiah Fund. To this end, I am pleased to report that we have raised $1,032,051 for the Messiah Fund (103 percent of revised goal). It is additionally significant that, not only are we ahead of last year at this time, when you remove unrestricted bequest giving, we are also over $50,000 ahead of last year’s final giving numbers for the Messiah Fund.
We are currently establishing our giving goals for FY21. This is a challenging exercise given that so many variables remain unknown. One thing that is known, however, is God’s faithfulness in all circumstances. Therefore, we plan with confidence in the Lord’s provision while we diligently work to achieve our fundraising goals for this year, next year and beyond.
In closing
I’m looking forward to sharing my first “State of the University” address with all of you on Aug. 27 at 9:30 a.m., which will also be notable since it will be my first live-streamed, virtual address (due to our campus COVID-19 protocols). It will certainly be a new and different start to our academic year—not how we envisioned our launch as Messiah University. But we are a resilient, caring and hopeful community—committed to the education of our students. That has been a constant in our past 111 years, and I am confident that it will continue to be so as we are blessed by God’s enduring grace and assurance.
Warm regards,
Kim S. Phipps, president