Messiah University
Former names | Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home (1909–1921) Messiah Bible School (1921–1951) Messiah College (1951–2020) Falcons |
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Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division III, the Middle Atlantic Conferences |
Mascot | Flex the Falcon |
Website | www |
Messiah University is a
History
The school was founded as Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home in 1909 by the
By the 1950s, the school offered four-year college programs and accordingly in 1951 it changed its name to Messiah College.[5] Messiah discontinued its high school program in 1959 and added liberal arts programs during this period. It was accredited as a four-year college in 1963, and continued to expand its liberal arts programs.
In 1964, Messiah College took over the operations of Upland College in Upland, California, a Brethren in Christ Church college that had been operating since the 1920s. The Upland campus was closed and all operations were consolidated to Pennsylvania. Four years later, Messiah College opened its Philadelphia Campus in a partnership with Temple University. This campus closed at the end of the Spring 2014 semester.[6]
In 2002, Messiah College's Harrisburg Institute was founded in downtown Harrisburg. Its purpose was to serve as an academic and research center and connect students with the unique needs of an urban environment. The institute also provided housing for up to 25 students.[7]
Following the US Justice Department Scandal involving alumna Monica Goodling in 2007, several members of the media ridiculed Messiah College. Jon Stewart on The Daily Show referred to Messiah as a school "where people have faith that they'll receive a quality education, and yet somehow it never arrives,"[8] and "that everyone in the God business knows (Messiah) is a 'savior school'."[9] Bill Maher also mocked Messiah, calling it "the home of the Fighting Christies."[10]
Even though it is no longer owned by the Brethren in Christ Church, Messiah continues to be influenced by its traditions, primarily in the
In July 2020, Messiah College became Messiah University.[13]
2008 Compassion Forum
The
Academics
Messiah University offers more than 150 undergraduate majors, minors, concentrations, teaching certificates and pre-professional advising options
Messiah University awards Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Specialized programs include extensive off-campus study, individualized majors, independent study, service-learning, internships, allied health programs in partnership with other institutions[17] and a College Honors Program.[12] Some majors allow students to graduate one or two semesters early, depending on their particular field of study.[18]
In 2009, Messiah University launched its first graduate programs, and currently offers master's programs. It also offers certificate programs along with an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program.[19]
Messiah University students have earned academic honors and fellowships such as
Messiah University's academic year is divided into Fall and Spring Terms. The January Term, or J-Term, was a three-and-a-half-week period where students could choose to take one course intensively, participate in a cross cultural study program or simply stay home for an extended vacation. J-Term was discontinued in 2021.
The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.[22] Academic programs in engineering, dietetics, nursing, athletic training, music, social work, education, theater, business, art and design, counseling and occupational therapy are each accredited by professional associations.
International programs
In 2015, the institution was ranked 25th among all undergraduate institutions in the country that send students to study abroad by the Institute for International Education's Open Doors Report. In 2014–2015, more than 500 Messiah students earned academic credit by studying abroad in more than 40 different countries.[23]
Cross-cultural courses are offered during May term. These trips are led by faculty members, and students earn credits by participating in an intense three-week study of a particular geographic region or culture. Messiah University students can also participate in the International Business Institute (IBI),[24] an overseas program in international economics and business designed to give students an opportunity to integrate academic study with international field experience. Students who travel with IBI during the summer visit corporate headquarters, manufacturing plants, and government and international agencies across Europe and Asia. Students can also work in a variety of fields through an international internship.[25]
Athletics
The Messiah University Falcons compete in NCAA Division III athletics with 22 different intercollegiate athletic teams. Messiah is a member of the Middle Atlantic Conferences.[26] The Messiah University mascot is the Falcon, which was given the name Fandango in 2006.[27] Through the Senior Class Gift from the Class of 2017, the mascot changed his look and was renamed to Flex. Their local rival is Elizabethtown College.
Messiah's men's and women's
The women's softball team won their first NCAA Division III national championship in 2009.[31]
The women's field hockey team won their first NCAA Division III National Championship in 2016.[32]
The men's wrestling team has won five individual NCAA Division III National Championships. The team finished as the national runner-up in 2016.
In 2017 Tim Moses became the first-ever NCAA Division III men's pole vaulter to earn All-American honors in every indoor and outdoor season (eight total).
Spiritual life
Community Covenant
Students at Messiah University are required to sign a Community Covenant[33] upon entering. The document states that every person is created in the image of God, and that there are certain responsibilities of living in community that must also be assumed in relation to God, others, and his creation.
The Community Covenant affirms belief in God and the Bible. The Covenant requires commitment to academic integrity, responsible decision making in light of Christian values, and balancing personal freedom with concern for others. The Covenant bans both on- and off-campus the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco as well as gambling, profanity, "occult practices", sexual intercourse outside of marriage, and homosexual behavior. It also prescribes the avoidance of drunkenness, stealing, and dishonesty. The covenant also prohibits certain attitudes, such as greed, lust, and jealousy, but allows that these attributes are typically expressed less outwardly.
LGBT prohibition
Messiah's student handbook prohibits "same-sex sexual expression" including identifying as a couple or expressing physical intimacy, although heterosexual couples are specifically allowed to do these things by the handbook. Unlike many religious schools with a similar policy, Messiah has never requested a Title IX exemption for permission to discriminate against LGBT students.[34]
The university's stance on homosexuality, as stated in the Community Covenant, has been a source of contention and controversy amongst the student body, administration, and alumni. A number of articles have been published concerning the issue in the university's student newspaper, the Swinging Bridge, as well as in local media.[35]
An alumni group, Inclusive Alumni, was formed in support of Isaiah Thomas and aimed at changing the institution's policy. Isaiah Thomas was a student who decided to transfer out of Messiah in May 2011, after claims of harassment by students and also a professor. He also claims he received a death threat via Facebook. He claims that the institution said that they followed up on his claims but refused to change the policy.[36]
Chapel
Undergraduate students at Messiah University are required to attend 14 chapel services each semester.[37]
In addition to chapel services, Messiah University provides discipleship groups, ministry outreach teams, community service, mission trips and other special programs such as "Powerhouse," a weekly student-led contemporary worship service.[citation needed]
Student activities
Students at Messiah University can spend their free time playing in
Messiah University's Student Activities Board (SAB) is an executive organization that attempts to help students engage with
Traditions
- White-Out March during homecoming
- Midnight Scream during Finals week[38]
- Candlelight service for new students and their parents before the start of the Fall semester[39]
- "Creeking": This tradition started out as a way of congratulating male students who had recently gotten engaged. The student would be taken to the nearby Yellow Breeches Creek by his friends and thrown in. It is also common for people to be "creeked" on their birthdays.[40] The tradition has been extended to the female population.
- Pancake night in Lottie Nelson Dining Hall
- Service Day: In April, the University sponsors a day of service in which faculty, staff, administration, and students serve in campus and local community service projects.[39]
- Tubing in the Yellow Breeches Creek
Notable people
Alumni
- Vanessa Alfano (1999), founder of healthystyleny.com and former American weather anchor for WWOR-TV in New York City
- Ernest Boyer (did not graduate; transferred out), Chancellor of the State University of New York, U.S. Commissioner of Education, and President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
- decathlete
- Dave Brandt (1985), professional soccer coach
- Lynn H. Cohick (1984), New Testament scholar and provost at Northern Seminary
- Ray Crist (1916), chemist who participated in the Manhattan Project
- Brian Duffield (2008), screenwriter
- Peter Enns (1982), Biblical scholar, theologian, and writer
- George W. Bush administrationpolitical appointee
- Peter Greer (1997), anti-poverty advocate, author, and president and CEO of Hope International (Christian microfinance)
- Chris Heisey (attended 2003–2006, did not graduate), Major League Baseball player
- Derreck Kayongo (1995), CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Levi Landis (2003), curator, musician, festival producer, and CEO of GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.
- Brian Sell (did not graduate; transferred out), long-distance runner
- Jay Smith, Christian apologist
- David J. Steinberg (1986), late actor
- The King's College
- Steve Thurston (1998), journalist, entrepreneur, and CEO of Integrity Ministries (Integridad Network, Inc.)
Faculty
- Robin Collins, American philosopher
- Douglas Jacobsen, religious studies scholar and author, professor emeritus
- Donald Kraybill, former Provost of Messiah College and former professor at Elizabethtown College
- Ron Sider, theologian and social activist, professor emeritus
Demographics
Messiah College CDP, Pennsylvania | ||
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FIPS code 42-48868 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 2633703[41] |
Messiah College CDP is a
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | 2,215 | — | |
2020 | 2,841 | 28.3% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[44] 2010[45] 2020[46] |
2020 census
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[45] | Pop 2020[46] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH)
|
2,015 | 1,962 | 90.97% | 69.06% |
Black or African American alone (NH)
|
49 | 168 | 2.21% | 5.91% |
Alaska Native alone (NH)
|
2 | 1 | 0.09% | 0.04% |
Asian alone (NH) | 56 | 355 | 2.53% | 12.50% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 2 | 1 | 0.09% | 0.04% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 27 | 133 | 1.22% | 4.68% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 64 | 221 | 2.89% | 7.78% |
Total | 2,215 | 2,841 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
References
- ^ "A brief Messiah University history". messiah.edu. Messiah University. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
- ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Sider, E. Morris. Messiah College: A History. Evangel Press (Nappanee, IN: 1984).
- ^ "Messiah College: Centennial Celebration". Messiah.edu. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 448
- ^ "Important Philly Transition Announcement". Messiah.edu. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- ^ Messiah College (August 27, 2015). "Residence Life at Messiah College | Messiah, a private Christian College in PA". Messiah.edu. Archived from the original on January 24, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah". Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah". Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ "Quotes About Monica Goodling (1 quote)". Goodreads.com. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ISBN 9781421408804.
- ^ a b "Messiah College: Distinctives 2010-2011" (PDF). messiah.de. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 14, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
- ^ Marroni, Steve (July 1, 2020). "Messiah College receives university status, changing name to Messiah University". pennlive.com.
- ^ "CNN.com - Transcripts". CNN.
- ^ "The Compassion Forum at Messiah College". Retrieved September 9, 2016.
- ^ Messiah College (August 27, 2015). "Majors, minors, and programs | Messiah College". Messiah.edu. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "3+ Allied Programs | Messiah College | Grantham PA". Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
- ^ "Three Ways to Three Years @ Messiah College". Archived from the original on August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
- ^ "Messiah College: Graduate Programs". Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
- ^ Messiah College (August 27, 2015). "National Scholarship Competition | Messiah, a private Christian College in PA". Messiah.edu. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "2 Main Line Residents Are Rhodes Scholars Joy Yu-ho Wang And Julie Levison Are Among 32 Americans Who Will Attend Oxford University. - philly-archives". Articles.philly.com. November 26, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ Info724 Ltd. "Middle States Commission on Higher Education". Msche.org. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Messiah College (August 27, 2015). "Messiah distinctives | Messiah, a private Christian University in PA". Messiah.edu. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ Messiah College (August 27, 2015). "Department of Business | Messiah College". Messiah.edu. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ Messiah College (August 27, 2015). "Off-Campus Programs | Messiah, a private Christian College in PA". Messiah.edu. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "Middle Atlantic Conference". Gomacsports.com. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "Messiah College: The Bridge - Mascot". Archived from the original on September 29, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
- ^ "Messiah College Athletics". GoMessiah.com. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
- ^ "Messiah College Athletics". GoMessiah.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
- ^ "9 Top Colleges for Soccer Fans | Education". US News. June 21, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "Messiah College Athletics". GoMessiah.com. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "WOMEN'S SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Washington University Outlasts Messiah in Penalty Kicks". UAA. December 3, 2016.
- ^ "Community Covenant: All of Life Under the Lordship of Christ" (PDF). messiah.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- ^ Hoopes, Zach (August 17, 2021). "Title IX complaints said to be filed against schools including Messiah University as part of religious exemption suit". The Sentinel. Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ "Blurred Lines: Staying vague on gay penalties impacts Messiah student community". PennLive.com. August 27, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ DeJesus, Ivey (May 24, 2011). "Messiah alumni group supports gay students". The Christian Century. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ "Messiah College: College Ministries". Archived from the original on October 10, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- ^ Messiah College (August 27, 2015). "Traditions | Messiah, a private Christian College in PA". Messiah.edu. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
- ^ a b "Messiah University Student Handbook" (PDF). www.messiah.edu. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
- ^ "The Bridge - Yellow Breeches". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Messiah College Census Designated Place". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ "By Decade".
- ^ "Messiah College CDP, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- US Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Messiah College CDP, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Messiah College CDP, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau.