The life of Ernest L. Boyer ‘48, a man whose career in public service has had a profound effect on quality education in America at every level, is now honored in his wife’s memoir, “Many Mansions: Lessons of Faith, Family, and Public Service.” Kathyrn Boyer’s memoir was released May 29 at a private reception attended by the Boyer family and hosted at Messiah College by President Kim Phipps and the Ernest L. Boyer Center.

“Ernie’s dedication and accomplishments on behalf of the education of our world’s children was enriched by Kay’s significant influence and imprint,” said President Phipps. (more…)

Sometimes, it takes a natural disaster to find one’s calling. After Haiti’s devastating earthquake in 2010, Ian Gallo ’14 traveled to the ravaged country on a medical mission trip. “That was my first time out of the country,” said Gallo, “and it was a little bit of a shock from my white, suburban upbringing. After seeing the great disparity between the life I was accustomed to and what I saw in Haiti, I began to question many of the systems that enabled my life to be different from those in Haiti.”

Messiah College provided the environment in which he could explore exactly those questions he brought back from Haiti. As a sustainability studies major with a minor in peace and conflict studies, he signed up for the first-year seminar course, “In the Pursuit of Green,” an examination of issues that result from an insatiable consumerist culture and how Christians are called to respond to them. “The class was a wonderful and entirely overwhelming critique of the state of creation care,” said Gallo. “The social and environmental destruction that came about as a result of the exploitation of our neighbors around the world deeply inspired me to change part of the systems that enabled these crimes against God and humanity.” (more…)

More than 5,000 people gathered May 17 to celebrate the 72 graduate students and 662 undergraduate students receiving their diplomas at Messiah College’s 105^th annual Commencement ceremony. In his Commencement address, Richard Mouw, former president of Fuller Theological Seminary, challenged the graduates, “When it’s all said and done, it’s all about Jesus. So my charge to you is simply this: Be faithful to Jesus.”

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Donald and Anna Zook Alumni Merit Award to senior Hope Johnson. Johnson, an English major and Messiah’s first non-verbal, non-ambulatory graduate, was nominated for her “diligence, perseverance, fortitude and sheer determination” as an excellent writer and scholar. Johnson was lauded by English department chair Matthew Roth for her “hardworking big toe,” which, because of her cerebral palsy, she used to type her drama, memoir, fiction and literary analysis assignments.

Other recognitions included the presentation of the Dr. Robert and Marilyn Smith Awards for Outstanding Teaching and the Class of 2014 Senior Gift.

Provost Randy Basinger recognized Sharon Baker Putt, assistant professor of theology, and Richard Schaeffer ’83, professor of chemistry, as this year’s outstanding teachers, a recognition based on the nominations of senior students.

Julie Fenton, senior class president, presented President Kim Phipps with a $6,421 check for the expansion of the Grantham Community Garden to an acre-lot across the railroad tracks.

Congratulations, Class of 2014!

UPDATE 5/19: Enjoy this brief video recap of today’s ceremony. Watch the full-length video.

UPDATE 5/19: Baccalaureate photo gallery and Commencement photo gallery

UPDATE 5/21: Harrisburg Patriot-News photo gallery

See an album of photos on our Facebook page or peruse the fun content on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #mcgrad14.

They ride by night. They are lightning fast and throw caution to the wind with every 1 a.m. trip to Sheetz they brave. They are selflessly using their new-found passion to raise money for an incredible organization. They are the Night Razors.

The Night Razors is a group of 25 first-year students who turned a moment of childhood nostalgia at Walmart into a successful fundraising cause for a worthy organization close to their hearts. (more…)

Many people think Frisbee is only a leisurely game to be played outside among friends but for some, Frisbee is a lifelong passion. In the case of Messiah alumnus Chris Schulze ’07, that passion netted him a position as a professional Ultimate Frisbee player for the Philadelphia Phoenix.

Schulze grew up near Amherst, Mass. a place where Ultimate Frisbee is beloved by many people.  Ultimate is fast-paced and dynamic.  The disc can float, providing players with opportunities for diving plays. For Schulze, “Ultimate gives me a chance to fly. There’s nothing quite like chasing down a disc, laying out completely and grabbing it just before it hits the grass.” Another feature which drew Schulze to Ultimate was something called “spirit of the game,” meaning that the game is self-officiated and requires players to be of the highest integrity. (more…)