Messiah College Media Mentions

Anita Voelker, professor of education at Messiah College, takes issue with a Canadian publisher’s updates to the classic poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” In the revised version, references to Santa’s pipe are ommitted. Voelker’s defends the historical relevance of this reference in a Dec. 25 op-ed to the Harrisburg Patriot News. The piece was also published in the December 12 Education Weekly.

Read “Children do not need us to artifically sanitize the world.”

 John Fea, professor of American history and chair of Messiah’s history department, penned an essay for Inside Higher Ed with tips for educators interviewing at faith-based colleges and univeresities. The essay appeared in the Dec. 19 issue.

Read “Essay on interviews  with church-related colleges.”

David Weaver-Zercher, professor of American religious history, is quoted in a Nov. 30 Christian Science Monitor article about the significant growth of the Amish population.

Read “For Amish, fastest-growing faith group in US, life is changing. “

History professor Jim LaGrand commented in a Dec. 8 story about an area man who was among the first to give warning of a Japanese attack on Dec. 7, 1941. LaGrand spoke to the young radar operator’s significant responsibility during a time of world war.

“American spirit: A ‘footnote on his life'” is not available online.

A new television show called “Amish Mafia” is “far-fetched,” according to David Weaver-Zercher, professor of American religious history. The show depicts a small Amish gang who “protect” the Amish community in Lancaster County, Pa. Weaver-Zercher was quoted in a Dec. 10 Harrisburg Patriot-News story about the show.

Read “Discovery show portrays exploits of ‘Amish Mafia.'”

Some Pennsylvania lawmakers will have the added challenge of learning a new geographical area and constituency base in their next term, thanks to redrawn districts across the Commonwealth. Robin Lauermann, associate professor of  politics, discusses these new challenges in a Nov. 23 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article.

Read “Learning curve for lawmakers, constituents.”

Kathy Hettinga, professor of art, has been photographing the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado for more than a dozen years. Her photographs and a bit of her story were featured in a Nov. 8 Huffington Post blog.

Read “Grave Images: San Luis Valley.”

Robin Lauermann, professor of politics and assistant dean of general education and common learning, penned an opinion piece for the Nov. 6 Philadelphia Inquirer in which she challenges voters to be faithful fact-checkers who carefully read the stances of both their candidate and the opposing candidate. The op-ed also ran at FoxNews.com

Read “Partisans make poor citizens.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Read “Now it’s up to you. Your vote comes with much responsibility.” (FoxNews.com)

With so many moral issues on the ballot, election season can pose a difficult risk for many churches, according to an Oct. 31 York Daily Record article. Douglas Jacobsen, distinguished professor of church history, views the social issues often debated during election season as especially important to people of faith.

Read “Churches walk fine line between faith and politics in election year.”

John Fea, professor of American history, penned an op-ed for the Nov. 1 Patriot-News about Bruce Springsteen’s scheduled concert in State College and the rocker’s ability to write lyrics rooted in faith, patriotism and hope.

Read “How Springsteen sees America.”