Oct. 25, 2023

Dear Colleagues:

We have enjoyed several months of robust campus life together since my early August update. Thank you for providing such a smooth and positive start to the academic year! It has been rewarding to witness student and employee engagement at chapels, events, prayer times and learning opportunities back to pre-pandemic numbers. Earlier this month we welcomed more than 1,500 alumni and their families who traveled from 25 states and three different countries to enjoy Homecoming Weekend. Watching former classmates reconnect and reminisce throughout the weekend, I was reminded of the lasting impact that a Messiah education has in the lives of our alumni, and on the lifelong relationships they establish. As employees, you contribute to creating that same legacy for our current and future students, and I appreciate the many ways that you serve and lead in our community.  

Highlights from the October board meeting

On Thursday, Oct. 12 and Friday, Oct, 13, Messiah’s board of trustees held their annual fall meeting on campus. Our trustees are an incredibly committed group of individuals who serve Messiah University by faithfully contributing their leadership experience and resources. This year the board was pleased to welcome three new trustees: Chuck Hoober ’86, Lisa Wagman Glezer, and Tiffany Stuckey ’02.

The board’s Thursday morning session featured presentations about the work of the Office of Diversity Affairs and legal issues confronting higher education. On Thursday afternoon, the board dedicated the newly remodeled and expanded Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services with a ribbon-cutting ceremony recognizing the support of our friends and donors. We are deeply grateful to campaign co-chairs Drs. Emerson Lesher and Ruth Detweiler Lesher and Drs. Joe and Nancy Huerter for their generous leadership gifts to this important project. The day became even more memorable when we learned prior to the ceremony that we had reached the Engle Center fundraising goal! Our Friday evening board dinner provided further opportunity to celebrate the work and the team of the Engle Center and the essential ways that they contribute to the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of our students.

Friday’s final board session concluded with reports and action items from the board’s various committees, which are summarized below.

From the Committee on Assurance: The board approved the University’s FY23 audited financial statements and approved the 403(b) Benefits Audit 2022.

From the Committee on Education: The board reviewed and approved term tenure renewal and emeritus status of COE members as presented based on the recommendation of the Term-Tenure and Promotion Committee, the provost and the president.

From the Committee on Finance:

  • FY23 surplus designation: The University experienced an FY23 year-end operating cash flow surplus of $1,109,000 as a result of savings in operating expenditures. The board approved the entirety of this $1.1 million surplus be retained as institutional surplus/contingency reserves.
  • FY24 financial plan: Trustees approved the University’s FY24 financial plan as presented and as approved previously by campus governance groups.
    • As announced in the employee budget forum earlier this spring—the FY24 financial plan includes a faculty salary pool increase that will fund a 1.5% base increase and step and promotion increases for faculty. The plan also includes a staff/administrator pool increase that will fund a 2% across-the-board increase for staff and administrative employees. With the board’s official approval of the financial plan, these increases will now become effective Nov. 1, 2023.
  • Approval of FY25 tuition, fees, housing and food: Trustees also approved Messiah’s tuition, fees and housing and food rates for FY25 as presented and recently approved by campus governance groups. Per Messiah’s usual practice, the approved FY25 tuition and fee schedule will be publicly announced to students and their families in early 2024.
  • Revised debt policy: The board also approved an update to the key indicators within the University’s debt policy.
  • Endowment investment policy: The board approved the modification to the University’s endowment investment policy to broaden the asset allocation ranges for both public equity and fixed income.

From the Committee on Operations:

  • Warmer Welcome construction: The board authorized the University to proceed with the construction of the first phase of the Warmer Welcome project at Starry Athletic Complex, including the Stadium East Building ($4.3 million) and lacrosse seating ($1 million), with a budget not to exceed $5.3 million, pending full fundraising goals are met. Construction on the Stadium East Building will begin late winter 2024, the lacrosse stands in summer 2024, with completion by Aug. 30, 2024.
  • Naugle Residence renovations: The board authorized the University to proceed with renovations of Naugle Residence (in summer 2024 and summer 2025) with a budget not to exceed $8.1 million. The funding plan for this project received the approval of borrowing from the Committee on Finance and the transfer of RCAP funds (Rider Musser) along with deferred maintenance funds.

Enrollment snapshot

Undergraduate enrollment: Fall 2024 enrollment efforts continue to show promise as our first-year student applications, admits and deposits are even with last year across all stages of the enrollment funnel and notably surpassing the three-year average. While securing transfer students remains a persistent challenge, a collaborative campus effort is underway. During fall break, a dedicated group of faculty and staff met to examine historical and current data pertaining to transfer student enrollment. Our collective brainstorming session yielded strategic ideas aimed at enhancing both the appeal and accessibility of Messiah University for transfers. We look forward to implementing new approaches in the months ahead.

Fall individual visits and open house events are going well, with attendance similar to last year. We have observed a substantial increase in the number of group visits to our campus from schools and various other organizations. The next fall open house is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28; this event will be ideal for prospective students who are just starting their college search.

In November, we have two identical Spotlight Days planned for Nov. 10 and Nov. 17. These events offer a deeper academic immersion and are tailored for students who have a clear idea of their area of interest. The first Spotlight Day will coincide with Engineer’s Weekend, which has already reached its capacity, and the second will include an Education overnight experience the evening prior to the event.

Below is a look at our undergraduate recruitment numbers to date:

Oct. 18, 2023 
 

Fall 2024

% to goal

Goal

Fall 2023

3-year average

First-year Students

Applications

754

31%

2,400

748

702

Acceptances

408

21%

1,900

405

370

Active Deposits

65

11%

580

64

49

Transfer Students

Applications

25

9%

270

22

24

Acceptances

10

6%

169

12

14

Active Deposits

1

1%

80

1

5

International undergraduate recruitment: Dr. John Chopka, vice president for enrollment management, traveled to Malaysia in early October to meet with several partners. In addition to meeting Dr. Chua Ping Yong, the new CEO of Methodist College of Kuala Lumpur (MCKL), he signed an official memorandum of understanding with several other partner institutions and hosted alumni and parents from the region. Sierra Kinslow, associate director of admissions for multicultural recruitment, met with John for several days in Kuala Lumpur as part a broader recruiting trip throughout Southeast Asia. In addition to Malaysia, Sierra attended recruitment fairs in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. After a brief reprieve in October, she will attend the NACCAP International Recruiting Tour, visiting schools in Mexico, Central and South America. This opportunity will offer Messiah direct recruiting access to international students and third-culture young adults interested in Christian higher education.

Graduate enrollment: Graduate enrollment is tracking closely to last year. The 2023-2024 fiscal year budgeted credit hour goal is 15,320. Currently, we have reached 7,323 registered credit hours (48% to goal). Please see below for comparing where we are this year to last year on Sept. 7, 2022:

  • 190 new students (54% to goal) this year compared to 185 (54% to goal) last year
  • 771 unduplicated students (84% to goal) this year compared to 752 (82% to goal) last year
  • 7,323 credit hours (48% to goal) this year compared to 6,910.5 (47% to goal) last year

New graduate program: We have completed the first stage of hiring for the Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree program, with both a program director and a field director onboarded. These two positions must be filled prior to our submitting the first set of materials for accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Dr. Stacey Barker, formerly the MSW program director at Alliance University and a faculty member at Eastern Nazarene University, is our new program director. Dr. Chris Maith was hired as field director. Dr. Ling Dinse (coming to Messiah from Lancaster Bible College), has joined the undergraduate social work program to serve as the department chair.

Giving update

 FY24 giving: I am pleased to report that, with the completion of the first quarter of FY24, our giving numbers below are on target. We remain deeply grateful for alumni, parents and friends who invest in the Christian educational mission of Messiah University.

  • Total giving: $2,109,832 (35% of FY24 goal)
  • Messiah Fund/operating: $300,936 (25% of FY24 goal)
  • Total giving and new pledges: $3,008,832 (25% of FY24 goal)

Current projects: In addition to our ongoing priorities of The Messiah Fund, scholarship aid and scholarship endowment, we continue to focus on various facilities projects, including:

  • Warmer Welcome Campaign for Messiah Athletics: With more than $4.7 million raised (65% of goal full $7.3 million goal), we continue to move forward with the construction of the Stadium East Building and lacrosse stadium seating later this fall. The University will launch softball/baseball enhancements (dugouts, softball stands and press boxes) and a plaza as a second phase of the overall project when the remaining dollars are raised. As noted in the previous update, Mowery Construction was hired to be the contractor for the first phase of the Warmer Welcome campaign (for the construction of the Stadium East Building and lacrosse stadium). The plans have been initially approved by the township, and construction is expected to start later this year, with expected completion by the start of the fall 2024 athletic season.
  • Resurface of indoor track: Fundraising progress to resurface the indoor track located on the upper level of the Hitchcock Arena is now at $220,000, which is 88% of the goal. The resurfacing will occur over Christmas break so that the new track will be ready for the winter and spring athletic seasons.
  • Science equipment and space: As noted previously, we continue to explore needs in both science equipment and space. Specific fundraising goals have not yet been established, but we believe there is an opportunity to engage donors in the fields of science, health and allied health that require important upgrades.

Good news about Messiah

Here are some of the recent achievements and good news stories of members of the Messiah community. For more details visit messiah.edu/news, Messiah’s official Facebook page and the Bridge magazine (the source sites for many of the below news items).

  • Messiah University and Lancaster Mennonite School recently signed a multi-year agreement, as part of the University’s Pathway Partners Program to support both organizations’ goal to support quality, Christ-centered education in central Pennsylvania. Learn more.
  • In early October, Messiah announced a formal partnership with Paxton Ministries, a nonprofit organization in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that cares for adults challenged with poverty, mental illness and intellectual disabilities. This partnership will provide continuing education opportunities for Paxton employees through our undergraduate and graduate coursework and The Bridge Center for Continuing Education. Read more.  
  • Messiah University is excited to announce a collaboration with the Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports and Empowerment (RISE) program to design and provide training to address/support the spirituality needs of employees in long- term care facilities in the South-Central PA region. RISE is a Pennsylvania Department of Health grant being delivered across the state by regional teams to provide long-term care communities free support by experts in professional development, infection control and emergency preparedness to advance quality improvement. The Bridge Center for Continuing Education at Messiah will host eight educational courses for long-term care leaders, each focusing on a unique aspect of spirituality. Learn more.
  • Congratulations to Professor of Graphic Design David Kasparek for winning first place in the category of “Painting” in the State Museum of Pennsylvania’s Art of the State 2023 awards! Read more.
  • Messiah has entered a new partnership with The Pittsburgh Promise, a collaborative, innovative program that provides scholarships to graduates from Pittsburgh Public Schools! Messiah is privileged to support this organization’s mission by providing additional financial aid and robust support services. Learn more at https://www.messiah.edu/pghpromise.

Messiah Athletics highlights

Below are highlights of recent success and accomplishments of Messiah student athletes and the Division of Athletics. For more details, and to view schedules to come out to cheer on the Falcons at future athletic events, visit www.gomessiah.com. 

  • Men’s soccer is currently ranked as the No. 1 team in the country, holding an overall record of 15-0-1. The Falcons defeated then No. 1 Mary Washington on Sept. 23, 1-0 on Shoemaker Field. Messiah’s defense has allowed just five goals on the season, propelling them to the top of the national rankings.
  • Field hockey holds a 13-1 overall record this season and is ranked as the No. 4 team in the country. The Falcons’ lone blemish was a 2-1 overtime loss against No. 3 Johns Hopkins. Messiah has toppled numerous nationally ranked teams including No. 5 Salisbury in overtime at home.
  • Women’s soccer is ranked No. 5 in the country with a 13-2 overall record. The Falcons have rattled off nine-straight victories since the middle of September. It’s been a balanced offensive attack for the Falcons with eight different players scoring at least three goals on the year.
  • Women’s volleyball is right in the thick of the conference postseason race. The Falcons are 18-6 overall and hold a 3-2 mark in the MAC Commonwealth. Mackenzie Feight became the seventh player in program history to reach the 1,000 kill plateau earlier this season against Shenandoah on Oct. 6.
  • Men’s and women’s cross country competes at the MAC Championships on Saturday (Oct. 28) in Dallas, Pa. The men are looking to claim their third-straight conference title while the women are looking for another top-five finish.
  • Men’s and women’s tennis competed in their fall season with the women’s team highlighting the effort with a 5-4 victory over Penn State Harrisburg on Sept. 16.
  • Winter sports are already getting underway. The men’s and women’s swimming teams kicked off the 2023-24 season this past weekend by hosting a double-dual in Fredricksen Natatorium while basketball and wrestling will start competitions in the coming weeks.

In closing

During our recent orientation of new trustees, Messiah’s board chair, Dr. Craig Sider, asked me why I had applied to be Messiah’s president. As I paused to reflect on that season of discernment 19 years ago, I remembered once again that for me it was not responding to God’s call to be a college president but a specific call to be Messiah’s president–to have the honor and privilege of leading and serving a community committed to the preeminence of Christ in all things, inspired by a breadth of Christian traditions, but united in providing wonderful, deserving students with an excellent education (not indoctrination) designed to prepare them to live, learn and love our God and bring healing to a broken and hurting world.

Thank you for your continued service to Messiah’s distinctive institutional mission,

 Kim S. Phipps, president