Messiah College Media Mentions

Douglas, distinguished professor of church history, and Rhonda, director of faculty development, Jacobsen are authors of the new book, “No Longer Invisible: Religion in University Education.” The United Methodist News Service recently interviewed the authors and captured their thoughts about why religion is increasingly important on college campuses as well as examples of how some institutions are successfully meeting students’ spiritual needs.

Read “Religious life thriving on campuses.”

Customers are missing some of their favorite channels on their tv’s lineup due to a feud between providers Viacom and DirecTV. A July 12 Christian Science Monitor story examines what’s behind the disagreement and how customers are being impacted. Ed Arke, associate professor of communication, is quoted.

Read “Biggest loser in DirecTV-Viacom feud? Both.”

An alum who grew up in the Mennonite Church surprises his family and church community by choosing to pursue higher education. His politics studies at Messiah and an innate adventurous spirit motivated him to take several trip to Romania. Now, as a graduate student at Indiana University at Bloomington, Leonard Leid ’08 is studying Romanian and Hungarian at the Transilvania University in Brasov, Romania on a prestigious Boren Fellowship. The Shippensburg News-Chronicle interviewed Leid for a July 6 article.

Read “Mennonite life sowed seeds that helped cultivate an ‘outside’ life.”

Alumna Liz Laribee `07 is feeling right at home in Harrisburg: she is repurposing all kinds of materials–including cardboard and used doors and windown–into art as she connects with the broader art community. Laribee is featured in the April issue of Harrisburg magazine.

Read “Recovering/uncovering: The art of Liz Laribee.”

According to an April 29 Harrisburg Patriot-News article, “The number of lawmakers ousted or barely surviving close calls in Tuesday’s primary might suggest that Pennsylvanians don’t cotton to moderates.” Robin Lauermann, Messiah College professor of politics, adds, “The vast proportion of the public still sits in the middle of the bell curve, but they’re not out there voting.”

Read “Analysis: Is it the end of moderates in Pennsylvania politics?”

Christine Perrin, lecturer of English, joins a chorus of readers praising the contributions of author J.R.R. Tolkien in an April 13 Investor’s Business Daily article. “His writings can be read over and over and not be exhausted,” she responded.

Read “J.R.R. Tolkein pioneered modern fantasy novels with ‘The Lord of the Rings.'”

Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is doing a stint on NBC’s morning show and raising questions about whether her well known political bias will affect her ability to be an impartial host. Ed Arke, professor of communication, commented in the April 2 Christian Science Monitor article.

Read “Sarah Palin a news show ‘co host?'”

Professor David Weaver-Zercher is one of several scholars featured in a new PBS documentary, “The Amish.” On March 8, the Carlisle Sentinel wrote about the film and Weaver-Zercher’s role.

Read “PBS documentary takes a look at the Amish.”

The famous Crystal Cathedral church once pastored by Rev. Robert Schuller is experiencing difficult changes based somewhat, according to professor Douglas Jacobsen, distinguished professor of church history at Messiah College, on the fallout many mega churches experience when the founding pastor retires or steps down. The Christian Science Monitor covered this on March 14.

Read “Tumult at Crystal Cathedral megachurch rooted in perils of succession.”

A billboard depicting an African American slave is stirring up controversy in Harrisburg. The sign, designed and placed by a local atheist group, attempts to mock the Bible, but, instead is angering local African Americans. Douglas Jacobsen, distinguished professor of church history, talks in a March 7 Harrisburg Patriot-News story about how the Bible can be misintrepreted.

Read “Atheist group’s slave billboard in Allison Hill neighborhood called racist, ineffective.”