Dear colleagues,

I remain deeply grateful for the privilege of leading Messiah University for the past three months. It has been challenging in many ways, most significantly with the tragic death and painful loss of our student, Brendan Heisey, as well as the difficult issues facing our nation and Christian higher education. Yet, God has remained so faithful. As I have previously shared, I am not sure how the Lord’s faithfulness will be revealed in any given day, but His faithfulness has been revealed – every single day. At each difficult moment, the Messiah community, including all of you, rose to the challenge, implementing student care and care for each other. So while the days have been full, there have also been joys in welcoming such a large incoming class, in seeing new friendships form, in celebrating Homecoming and Family Weekend with our incredible alumni and parents, in dedicating the new Samuel R. Lenhert ’58 Athletics Plaza, and in working with wonderful talented colleagues in providing an outstanding educational experience for our students.

I also recognize that this is a bit of an unknown time with the continuation of the search for Messiah’s permanent next president. Shari and I have been so encouraged by the words of affirmation, the kind notes and the faithful prayers of the Messiah community that have been extended on our behalf. I am also thankful for the generous support of me by the Board of Trustees during this interim period. I know you join me in lifting the search process in prayer as we move closer to naming Messiah’s next president. I have every confidence that the Lord will continue to be faithful in this process. Moreover, as you will read in the update below, we have much to celebrate at Messiah. We continue to move forward the Christ-centered educational mission of Messiah University. Thank you for the pivotal role you play, each and every day, in support of this high and holy calling.

As we head deeper into the fall semester, I’d like to share with you highlights of the October board of trustees meeting, along with updates on enrollment, giving and other related campus news.

Highlights from the October board meeting

On Thursday, Oct. 16, and Friday, Oct. 17, Messiah’s board of trustees held their annual fall meeting on campus. Thursday morning, the board held its general session in Sawyer Pavilion to enjoy the spectacular view of our athletic fields and to engage in meaningful educational sessions.

The meetings opened with a devotional by Baseball Head Coach Phill Shallenberger reflecting on the team’s incredible season culminating with being national runners up in the D-III college world series. Coach Phill emphasized their commitment to “Jesus over everything,” noting the importance of their faith regardless of wins or losses. The board also heard a presentation outlining the University’s work in providing guiding policies regarding the use of artificial intelligence and also leveraging its use in educational programming and institutional processes. As part of my update, I was pleased to share the priorities and collective work of campus for the year ahead through Messiah’s 2025-26 annual plan, See Gracious Christianity Anew. As I mentioned during my Community Day presentation, this annual plan will be a vital tool as we continue to move our mission forward.

Also during my Community Day speech, I mentioned the importance of our mission and identity statements and that, during this interim period, it was an ideal time to reaffirm our commitment to these critical expressions of our unique charge in Christian higher education. It was a special coincidence that this month marked the 30th anniversary of the creation of our current mission and identity statements. Provost Christy Gardner and I opened the conversation and then showed an outstanding video produced by the Office of Faculty Development. Devin Manzullo-Thomas, Cynthia Wells and David Weaver-Zercher then led an excellent educational session on the historical origins and significance of the Messiah story that led to Messiah’s distinct mission and identity. We concluded the session with a panel speaking to the impact of our mission and identity both at Messiah and in our community. Panel members were Shayna Mark from Admissions, Jocelyn Chavous from Student Success and Engagement, Brent Good from the Department of Art and Design, and Andrew Bitz, superintendent of the Mechanicsburg Area School District. We are planning to host a campus inservice event to share a similar mission and identity presentation with all employees during the upcoming spring semester.

It was truly a highlight of my tenure at Messiah to see the entire board of trustees – rather than in a voice vote – unanimously stand in affirmation of our mission and identity statements during the Friday morning session. What a lovely sight. I am so thankful for the excellent service of our board and for their affirmation of our Christian mission and identity. Christ is, indeed, preeminent at Messiah. After the vote, Trustee Steve Myers ’87 and I concurred that our mission and identity statements are not so much an anchor as a ballast. They do not anchor us in a way that prevents us from moving forward; rather, they provide stability and balance that allow us to move forward in a clear, strategic direction. Following the general session, the board participated in the luncheon and dedication ceremony for the new Samuel R. Lenhert ’58 Athletics Plaza, which beautifully extends our athletic gathering spaces at Starry Athletic Complex.

Friday’s business session included an extended reflection from Doneen Dourte ’79, following her time on the most recent “Return to the Roots of the Civil Rights” bus tour, I was personally moved, not only for the privilege of reliving some of the moments from when Shari and I were on the tour a few years ago, but also to re-experience the tour from Doneen’s insightful impressions and reflections. We then concluded with reports and action items from the board’s various committees, which are summarized below. Messiah is indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated board of trustees who are sincerely committed to Christ-centered educational and spiritual outcomes in the lives of our students!

From the Committee on Assurance: The board approved the University’s FY25 audited financial statements and approved the 403(b) Benefits Audit 2024.

From the Committee on Finance:

  • FY26 financial plan: Trustees approved the University’s FY26 financial plan as presented and as approved previously by campus governance groups.
  • Approval of FY27 tuition, fees, housing and food: Trustees also approved Messiah’s tuition, fees and housing and food rates for FY27 as presented and recently approved by campus governance groups. Per Messiah’s usual practice, the approved FY27 tuition and fee schedule will be publicly announced to students and their families in early 2026.
  • Approval of an adjustment to policies and guidelines for endowment investments: Trustees approved the annual Higher Education Price Index (HEPI) adjustment from 3.36% to 3.44% in the Policies and Guidelines for Endowment Investments as presented by the Committee.
  • Approval of Pennsylvania Minimum Protective Endowment Policy: Trustees approved and adopted the Pennsylvania Minimum Protective Endowment Policy as presented by the Committee.

From the Executive Committee: The board approved the Committee’s recommendation to reaffirm Messiah University’s current mission and identity statements:

The mission of Messiah University 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.

Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. The University is committed to an embracing evangelical spirit rooted in the Anabaptist, Pietist and Wesleyan traditions of the Christian Church.

Enrollment snapshot

Fall 2026 undergraduate enrollment: As we continue to navigate the challenges of changing demographics, early indicators for the fall 2026 first-year class offer encouraging signs. Applications and acceptances are ahead of last year and exceed the three-year average across all key metrics, marking a six-year high dating back to fall 2021. Notably, applications and acceptances from domestic students of color (SURECP) are up nearly 15%, and we’re seeing a five-year high in applications and acceptances from women. Male applicants are down slightly from last cycle, but they remain above previous years. With three more weeks of active recruitment travel and two more large events ahead of the Nov. 15 application deadline, Open House on Saturday, Nov. 1, and Spotlight Day on Friday, Nov. 14, we’re energized by the momentum. Transfer numbers are currently steady compared with last year, though it’s still early in the cycle for meaningful interpretation.

Oct. 23, 2025
Fall 2026 % to goal Goal Fall 2025 3-year average

First-year Students
Applications 921 38% 2,415 870 848
Acceptances 582 30% 1,950 550 494
Active deposits 85 15% 585 80 72

FY26 graduate enrollment: The 2025-2026 fiscal year budgeted credit hour goal is 15,913. Currently, we have reached 7,421 registered credit hours (47 percent to goal). Comparing where we are this year to where we were last year on Sept. 9:

  • 183 new students (52 % to goal) this year compared to 191 (58 % to goal) last year
  • 751 unduplicated students (83 % to goal) this year compared to 774 (84 % to goal) last year
  • 7,421 credit hours (47 %to goal) this year compared to 7,283.0 (47 % to goal) last year

Giving update

FY26 giving: We are grateful that following last year’s strong giving year, we continue to see positive donor engagement at Messiah. When looking at both total giving and new pledges, we are keeping pace with last year as we move into the busiest time of the year for charitable giving.

FY26 as of Oct. 21, 2025:

  • Total giving: $ 1,703,785.81 (28% of June 30 goal)
  • Messiah Fund/operating: $ 261,493.81 (26% of June 30 goal)
  • Total giving plus new pledges: $ 3,052,811.90 (34% of June 30 goal)

Warmer Welcome Campaign: We are nearing the finish line for the Warmer Welcome Campaign with less than $30,000 to go for an overall $7.3 million goal (99.7% completed)! Phase 1 was completed prior to fall semester 2024, which included construction of Sawyer Pavilion and the Witmer Family Lacrosse Stadium. Phase 2 includes the construction of Lehnert Athletics Plaza, and enhancements to our softball and baseball facilities, with construction on these fields to take place over the summer of 2026. We are so grateful to our campaign co-chairs, David and Bonnie Millary and Brent and Mindy Smith, for shepherding this project over the past several years. We are delighted to be so close to completion of the fundraising for these wonderful new resources focused on improving the entire Messiah community outdoor athletic facility experience.

40th Anniversary of Nursing Campaign: We are also approaching completion of the 40th Anniversary of Nursing Campaign.  This campaign provides much-needed simulation equipment upgrades and enhancements for both Messiah’s undergraduate nursing students, as well as scholarship assistance to encourage our nursing graduates to return and obtain the necessary experience required to teach nursing, a critical need for the profession. A third component of the campaign already provided $100,000 in funding to Macha Mission in Zambia for expansion of their neo-natal unit, an integral partner to the Messiah nursing educational program for decades. Messiah supporters have donated almost $350,000 towards our $500,000 goal.

NEXT Steps Program successfully launched this fall

Five NEXT Steps students moved onto campus on Aug. 22 and immersed themselves in Welcome Weekend activities. Supported by 16 peer mentors, two men and three women students are currently enrolled in both inclusive and program-specific Messiah undergraduate courses while also engaging in Becoming U, Campus Ministries’ 4×4 sessions, and a variety of extracurriculars such as Women’s Ensemble, lacrosse team support, Messiah Games Association, Youth Mental Health First Aid training, and service at New Hope Ministries. The NEXT Steps team continues to partner with campus departments to help students fully engage in campus life and is excited about growing the program. Recruitment for 2025-26 is already underway! For more information, visit www.messiah.edu/nextsteps.

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 and Messiah’s official Facebook page (the source sites for many of the below news items).

  • Messiah University has been awarded a three-year, $177,249 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, the first NSF research award at the institution in at least 40 years—to support frontier work in the search for dark matter and new physics. Led by Physics Professor Abaz Kryemadhi, the project partners with California State East Bay, Oberlin College, Bucknell University, and additional international collaborators, to build some of the most sensitive sensors designed to detect exotic signals from the universe. A key focus of the grant is student engagement. Over the next three years, six Messiah undergraduates will each receive a summer stipend of about $7,000, along with support to travel to national conferences. These students will take part in building advanced sensors, analyzing data, and publishing results as co-authors in peer-reviewed journals. The experience will provide them with essential training for graduate study and industry careers, while showcasing Messiah’s commitment to high-level student research. Through this grant, Messiah students will gain hands-on experience at the frontiers of physics while contributing to discoveries that place the University’s academic reputation on the national and international stage.
  • In August, Messiah University announced it received a $17,000 Community Grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation to support Stepping Forward: A Year of Holistic Programming for People with Parkinson’s Disease. This interdisciplinary, yearlong wellness initiative is designed to support individuals living with Parkinson’s disease through creative, evidence-based programming. Thanks to this generous grant, it will be offered at no cost to participants. The Parkinson’s Foundation Community Grant program supports local health, wellness and educational initiatives that enhance the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. The funding will enable Messiah University PREP (Preventative and Rehabilitative Exercise Programs) to expand access to integrated, whole-person wellness services throughout central Pennsylvania. Read the full story.
  • An archaeological team led by Professor of History and Archaeology David Pettegrew has rediscovered Washingtonia—a forgotten 19th-century refugee colony in Greece. Founded in 1829 by physician and humanitarian Samuel Gridley Howe, Washingtonia housed Greek families displaced after the Greek War of Independence. Once home to farms, homes, a school, and even a hospital, the settlement mysteriously vanished within just a few years. Nearly 200 years later, Messiah faculty, students, and alumni helped bring Washingtonia’s story back to life. Partnering with a multi-university team (including Harrisburg University and Franklin & Marshall College), they drew on journals, maps and drone technology to locate the site for the first time. The project uncovers a powerful story of humanitarian aid and global connection. Read more in Archaeology Magazine, a popular magazine that has 500K subscribers and reaches a million via social media, and at ekathimerini.com.
  • Congratulations to Messiah University’s BSN Class of 2025 for achieving a 97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate! For comparison, the 2025 national year-to-date pass rate for all exam takers is 71.4%. We’re so proud of these future nurses and the impact they’re already making!
  •  Earlier this semester, Vice President for Diversity Affairs Todd Allen was featured on a public affairs and interview program hosted by former White House aide, news analyst and pastor, Joe Watkins. You can watch the episode here, titled, “Road Trips through History,” that details Dr. Allen’s founding and leadership of the Returning to the Roots of Civil Rights Bus Tour .

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.

  • Messiah Women’s Soccer ranks in the Top 10 in the country with a 13-2 record. The Falcons are 3-0 in MAC Commonwealth play and look to win their seventh-straight Conference Championship in November.
  • Women’s Cross Country won the first three races of the season and are expected to finish in the top three in the MAC Championships on Nov. 1.
  • Men’s Cross Country has finished in the top five in four of the first five races. The men also expect to finish near the top in the MAC Championships on Nov. 1.
  • Messiah Field Hockey ranks 24th in the NPI rankings. The Falcons navigated a tough schedule to start the season and have found their stride winning four-straight games.
  • Messiah Men’s Soccer also navigated a tough schedule to start the season and has a 2-0-1 record in the first three conference games.
  • Messiah Swimming opened the 2025-26 season against York. Messiah Women’s Swimming defeated York, 143-100.
  • Messiah Basketball opens their seasons the first week of November. Men’s basketball opens their season on the road and have their home opener on Nov. 11. Women’s basketball opens their season hosting their annual Tip-Off Tournament on Nov. 7-8.
  • Messiah Wrestling opens the 2025-26 season on Nov. 1 hosting the Messiah Invitational.

In closing

At our recent Homecoming and Family Weekend, I had the opportunity to speak with numerous alumni and parents who expressed gratitude for the way that Messiah University has shaped their own lives and is currently shaping the lives of their sons and daughters. And speaking of family, Shari and I were so grateful to welcome Emma Opal to our lives on Monday, Oct. 20. Emma is our first grandchild and belongs to our daughter Taylor and her husband, Justin – both 2017 grads of Messiah. We are thrilled!

In closing, let me again thank you for the work you do every day that advances the impact of Messiah’s mission for so many.

In gratitude,

Jon C. Stuckey

Interim president