Messiah College News Archive

 Members of the Class of 2011 set a goal of raising $7,002 (which is the reverse of the year they started at Messiah College: 2007) to fund a restoration project on the Yellow Breeches Creek. More than 68% of seniors gave a total of $7,065.18 to the cause. This makes them the most generous class in College history in both categories of dollar amount and participation! 

The senior gift will be used to build a deflector downstream of Messiah’s beloved covered bridge. The deflector will function as a deterrent for erosion but also as a put-in and take-out spot for water recreation. These efforts are a part of a larger Yellow Breeches Restoration Project directed by David Foster, associate professor of biology and environmental science, and will begin this summer. 

Though erosion of the Breeches’ banks has been an issue for years, this gift couldn’t come at a more convenient time. A record setting rainfall this spring has caused the Breeches to flood more than usual. The overall restoration efforts intend to counteract flooding and other causes of erosion to preserve the Breeches for years to come.

 This is the third year that Messiah’s senior class has raised funds to further a sustainability project either locally or abroad.

You can read more about Foster’s overall plans for the restoration project as described in a recent Swinging Bridge article.