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Snow days

snow piled in front of Hoffman

Back-to-back winter storms walloped the Harrisburg area this past week, dumping a total of nearly three feet of snow on a region unaccustomed to such accumulations.  The second storm, which moved in during the evening on February 9 and brought blizzard conditions throughout the day on February 10, caused the cancelation of classes and closing of campus for two days.

Throughout the storm and in its aftermath, members of the College’s operations team, including facility services, grounds, campus events, safety, and dining services worked diligently with the residence life staff to meet the needs of students and ensure the safety of the physical campus during the snowstorm.

President Kim Phipps expressed appreciation to this team in a campuswide email saying, “Your commitment to staying Parking loton campus throughout the storm, working long hours, and providing for the physical and emotional needs of our residential students was exemplary! The Messiah College community is grateful to every employee who went the extra mile on our behalf.”

Students spent their snow days sledding on Cemetery Hill, building snowmen, and sleeping in!

A few students even added baking to their snow day itinerary. Mark Wirtz, director of dining services, writes, “At 11:30 last evening, eight students walked into my office offering three plates of cookies which they had just freshly baked in appreciation to those of us who remained on campus, away from our loved ones, so that they would be cared for. Several other students created handmade cards in Lottie thanking us for the sacrifices that we have made in order for them to have covered bridgewholesome, hot meals.”

Students and employees at the Philadelphia campus were also affected by the snow and worked equally hard to maintain operations at the Broad Street facility.

While campus truly looks like a picturesque winter wonderland, it’s likely that many people are tired of shoveling and are ready for spring!

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