Messiah College
Encyclopedia
Messiah College is a private
Christian
college of the liberal arts
and applied arts and sciences located in Grantham
, Pennsylvania
, near the capital city of Harrisburg. Messiah's mission is to "educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society."
Messiah College was founded in 1909 by the Brethren in Christ Church, and was originally called Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home. Originally located in Harrisburg, Pa., in the home of Messiah's first president, Samuel Rogers (S.R.) Smith, a local businessman and leader in the Brethren in Christ Church, the school was moved to the village of Grantham in 1911 following the construction of the campus' first building, Old Main. The building was constructed on land donated by S.R. Smith, who had moved his home and various business interests outside of the city to allow for growth in the farmlands surrounding Grantham. In the early years, the school offered a high school curriculum and several Bible programs. By 1921 it had also become a junior college, making it the second junior college in Pennsylvania, and changed its name to Messiah Bible School.
By the 1950s the school offered four-year college programs and accordingly in 1951 it changed its name to Messiah College. 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.
Even though it is no longer owned by the Brethren in Christ Church, Messiah continues to be influenced by its traditions primarily in the Anabaptist
, but also the Pietist and Wesleyan holiness movement
s. Today, Messiah College is a nondenominational Christian college, with a faith base that is broadly evangelical and includes students and employees from a variety of denominations and Christian faith traditions.
Other Key Points in Messiah's History
Messiah College 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 and a College Honors Program. Some majors allow students to graduate one or two semesters early, depending on their particular field of study.
In 2009, Messiah College launched its first graduate programs, and currently offers online master's programs in art education, conducting, counseling, education, higher education and youth and young adult ministries.
Messiah College is named by U.S. News and World Report as the #4 "Best Regional College" in the North and ranked in the top 10 in its region as a "Great School at a Great Price". Messiah College is also recognized by the Princeton Review as a "Best College in the Northeast."
Messiah College students have earned prestigious academic national and international post-graduate honors and fellowships such as Rhodes, Fulbright, Carnegie, Truman and Boren scholarships. Joy Wang became Messiah College's first Rhodes Scholar in 1997.
Messiah College uses the 4-1-3 academic calendar system where the academic year is divided into Fall, January, and Spring Terms. The January Term, or J-Term, is a three-and-a-half-week period where students can choose to take one or two courses intensively, participate in a cross cultural study program, sign up for the popular Skiing and Snowboarding class, or simply stay home for an extended vacation.
In 1963 the College was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Academic programs in engineering, dietetics, nursing, athletic training, music, social work, education, theatre and business are each accredited by professional associations.
Cross-cultural courses are offered during January and May terms. 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 College students can also participate in the International Business Institute (IBI), 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 in Europe, India, and China. Students can also work in a variety of fields--including the arts, politics, and health care--through an international internship partnership with Arcadia University. Students also have the opportunity to design their own international internship at the location of their choice in partnership with the College's Internship Center.http://www.messiah.edu/departments/globalization/world.html
and is sponsored by Nike, Inc.
Messiah's men's and women's soccer teams won the NCAA
Division III National Championship in 2005, 2008 and 2009. The Falcons men's soccer team are eight-time national champions, winning the NCAA Men's Division III Soccer Championship
in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Messiah College is the only college in the NCAA to win both the men's and women's soccer national championship in the same year with their wins in 2005, 2008, and 2009.
The women's field hockey team has appeared in the NCAA division III final four twelve times, making four of these appearances in the past five seasons.
The Messiah College mascot is the Falcon, which was given the name Fandango in 2006.
The Women's softball
team won their first NCAA Division III national championship
in 2009.
Messiah is ranked by US News & World Report as the third best school in the nation for soccer fans.
In October 2009, USA Today ran a national front-page sports feature profiling Messiah College's success in bringing together the two aspects of its mission statment, "Pursuing Athletic Excellence. Developing Christian Character."
First and foremost, the Community Covenant affirms belief in God and the Bible. Specifically, the Community Covenant requires commitment to academic integrity, responsible decision making in light of Christian values, and balancing personal freedom with concern for others. Practically, 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.
The text of the Covenant can be found on Messiah College's website.
An alumni group, Inclusive Alumni, has formed in support of Isaiah Thomas, aiming at changing the college'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. The college followed up on his claims, but has refused to change its policy.
Related to this issue, Messiah College President Kim Phipps sent a statement to college employees and alumni that read in part, "There has been much attention given to Messiah’s Community Covenant’s stance on homosexual behavior in recent media accounts, some of it more accurate and contextual than others. However, an equally important part of our Community Covenant emphatically states the importance of each person, that individuals are to be valued and respected because all human beings are created in God’s image. In its May 10 editorial, the “Patriot-News” called Messiah’s goal on this issue “admirable,” and notes that the College is “trying to be a bridge between two parts of society who rarely even talk to one another, let alone have a meaningful conversation.” My hope and prayer for the Messiah College community is that we will reflect the love of Christ to one another and to our neighbors even in the midst of difficult conversations and challenges.
Students are required to attend 24 chapel services each semester. Each student is required to have twelve common chapels, however the rest of the necessary 24 can be fulfilled through alternate chapels on a variety of different topics ranging from discussion forums to videos to special speakers.
in addition to chapel, Messiah College provides other opportunities for spiritual growth throughout students' college experience, including discipleship groups, ministry outreach teams, community service, mission trips and numerous other special programs such as "Powerhouse," a weekly student-led contemporary worship service.
Messiah's model of spiritual formation is based on faithful acts of knowing, being, and doing as Christians.
, participating in various clubs, watching on-campus movies, and hanging out at local diner
s, among other things. Underclassmen also participate in floor activities organized by their RAs. The Student Government Association funds 40+ organizations on campus that aim at providing for a co-curricular atmosphere conducive to a holistic education
and enjoyable experience while enrolled at both Grantham and Philadelphia campuses. The S.G.A. also provides students with unique access towards influencing governance and overall institutional prerogatives.
Messiah College's Student Activities Board (SAB) is an executive organization that attempts to help students engage with popular culture
by bringing different concert
s, film
s, and other forms of entertainment
to campus. In recent years, Messiah College has, through SAB, hosted such musicians and bands as Bob Dylan
, Counting Crows
, Katy Perry
, Chiddy Bang
, Jack's Mannequin
, Ingrid Michaelson
, Owl City
, Brand New
, Guster
, Janelle Monáe
, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
, Anberlin
, Nickel Creek
, White Rabbits
, The Decemberists
, Regina Spektor
, Iron & Wine
, M. Ward
, The Low Anthem
, Mates of State
, Exit Clov
, Feist, Wilco
, Rosie Thomas
, Copeland
, mewithoutYou
, Phantom Planet
, Erin McKeown
, Rilo Kiley
, 4th Avenue Jones
, Jason Mraz
as well as Christian artists Relient K
, Jeff Deyo
, Jars of Clay
, Cross Movement, Matt Wertz
and Out of Eden
, among others. They also plan dances, coffeehouses, and other special activities (like outings, Broadway trips, and festivals) for students. SAB hosts a free concert
series every Wednesday night, known as "B-sides", which is held in the Larsen Student Union building. Local, indie and up-and-coming bands and artists play every Wednesday night throughout the school year. These concerts are free not only to students, but to the public as well.
by his friends and thrown in. It is also common for people to be "creeked" on their birthdays. The tradition has been extended to the female population.
and Campbell Brown
as well as select members of the audience posed questions about Faith and Politics to Democratic political candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
. The Forum took place at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pennsylvania on April 13, 2008 and was given live national coverage by CNN
. The event was organized by the religious organization Faith in Public Life. John McCain
was offered an invitation to participate in the event, but declined the invitation, citing a schedule conflict.
in which Messiah College alumna Monica Goodling
was intimately involved, 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," and "that everyone in the God business knows is a 'savior school'. Bill Maher focused his satirical criticism on Goodling's legal education education at Regent University
, but also mocked Messiah, calling it "the home of the Fighting Christies."
Private university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
college of the liberal arts
Liberal arts college
A liberal arts college is one with a primary emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences.Students in the liberal arts generally major in a particular discipline while receiving exposure to a wide range of academic subjects, including sciences as well as the traditional...
and applied arts and sciences located in Grantham
Grantham, Pennsylvania
Grantham is an unincorporated community in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, best known today for the Christian liberal arts college, Messiah College, whose students make up most of its population....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, near the capital city of Harrisburg. Messiah's mission is to "educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership, and reconciliation in church and society."
History
By the 1950s the school offered four-year college programs and accordingly in 1951 it changed its name to Messiah College. 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.
Even though it is no longer owned by the Brethren in Christ Church, Messiah continues to be influenced by its traditions primarily in the Anabaptist
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
, but also the Pietist and Wesleyan holiness movement
Holiness movement
The holiness movement refers to a set of beliefs and practices emerging from the Methodist Christian church in the mid 19th century. The movement is distinguished by its emphasis on John Wesley's doctrine of "Christian perfection" - the belief that it is possible to live free of voluntary sin - and...
s. Today, Messiah College is a nondenominational Christian college, with a faith base that is broadly evangelical and includes students and employees from a variety of denominations and Christian faith traditions.
Other Key Points in Messiah's History
- In 1964 Messiah College took over the operations of Upland College in Upland, CaliforniaUpland, CaliforniaUpland is a city in San Bernardino County, California, located at an elevation of 1,242 feet . As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 73,732, up from 68,393 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on May 15, 1906, after previously being named North Ontario.-History and culture:Upland...
, 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.
- In 1968 Messiah College opened its Philadelphia Campus in a unique partnership with Temple University.
- In 2002, Messiah College's Harrisburg Institute was founded in downtown Harrisburg, PADowntown Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaDowntown Harrisburg, is the central core business and government center which surrounds the focal point of Market Square, and serves a the regional center for the greater metropolitan area of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA....
. Its purpose is to serve as an academic and research center and connect students with the unique needs of an urban environment. The Institute also provides housing for up to 25 students.
- Messiah College celebrated its 100th anniversary during the 2009-2010 academic year with a Centennial celebration centered on the theme, "Shared Faith. Bold Vision. Enduring Promise."
Academics
Messiah College offers more than 60 majors and pre-professional programs in four schools: the School of the Arts; the School of Business, Education and Social Sciences; the School of Science, Engineering and Health; and the School of the Humanities. In addition to major requirements, there is a general education curriculum, required for all students. General education requirements include but are not limited to theology courses, a philosophy, a literature, a social science, an art course, a world views class, physical education courses, first year and senior seminars, and a comprehensive first-year seminar course added in 2009 called Created and Called for Community.Messiah College 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 and a College Honors Program. Some majors allow students to graduate one or two semesters early, depending on their particular field of study.
In 2009, Messiah College launched its first graduate programs, and currently offers online master's programs in art education, conducting, counseling, education, higher education and youth and young adult ministries.
Messiah College is named by U.S. News and World Report as the #4 "Best Regional College" in the North and ranked in the top 10 in its region as a "Great School at a Great Price". Messiah College is also recognized by the Princeton Review as a "Best College in the Northeast."
Messiah College students have earned prestigious academic national and international post-graduate honors and fellowships such as Rhodes, Fulbright, Carnegie, Truman and Boren scholarships. Joy Wang became Messiah College's first Rhodes Scholar in 1997.
Messiah College uses the 4-1-3 academic calendar system where the academic year is divided into Fall, January, and Spring Terms. The January Term, or J-Term, is a three-and-a-half-week period where students can choose to take one or two courses intensively, participate in a cross cultural study program, sign up for the popular Skiing and Snowboarding class, or simply stay home for an extended vacation.
In 1963 the College was accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Academic programs in engineering, dietetics, nursing, athletic training, music, social work, education, theatre and business are each accredited by professional associations.
International Programs
Messiah College has a nationally recognized network of programs through which students can study abroad. In 2010, Messiah College was ranked 7th among all undergraduate institutions in the country that send students to study abroad by the Institute for International Education's Open Doors Report. In 2009-2010, more than 400 Messiah students earned academic credit by studying abroad in more than 40 different countries.Cross-cultural courses are offered during January and May terms. 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 College students can also participate in the International Business Institute (IBI), 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 in Europe, India, and China. Students can also work in a variety of fields--including the arts, politics, and health care--through an international internship partnership with Arcadia University. Students also have the opportunity to design their own international internship at the location of their choice in partnership with the College's Internship Center.http://www.messiah.edu/departments/globalization/world.html
Athletics
The Messiah College Falcons compete in NCAA Division III athletics with 22 different intercollegiate athletic teams. Messiah is a member of the Middle Atlantic CorporationMiddle Atlantic Corporation
Founded in 1912, the Middle Atlantic Conferences is an umbrella organization of three athletic conferences which competes in the NCAA's Division III. The 16-member teams are located in the Mid-Atlantic United States....
and is sponsored by Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
Messiah's men's and women's soccer teams won the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division III National Championship in 2005, 2008 and 2009. The Falcons men's soccer team are eight-time national champions, winning the NCAA Men's Division III Soccer Championship
NCAA Men's Division III Soccer Championship
The NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship is played since 1974.It is the largest of the three NCAA divisions' championships, with the most complicated selection process. The tournament is a 57-team, single-elimination tournament. Teams are divided into three pools. Pool A consists of the 36...
in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Messiah College is the only college in the NCAA to win both the men's and women's soccer national championship in the same year with their wins in 2005, 2008, and 2009.
The women's field hockey team has appeared in the NCAA division III final four twelve times, making four of these appearances in the past five seasons.
The Messiah College mascot is the Falcon, which was given the name Fandango in 2006.
The Women's softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
team won their first NCAA Division III national championship
Women's College World Series
The Women's College World Series is the final portion of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship for college softball in the United States. The tournament format consists of two four-team double-elimination brackets. The winners of each bracket then compete in a best-of-three title game series...
in 2009.
Messiah is ranked by US News & World Report as the third best school in the nation for soccer fans.
In October 2009, USA Today ran a national front-page sports feature profiling Messiah College's success in bringing together the two aspects of its mission statment, "Pursuing Athletic Excellence. Developing Christian Character."
The Community Covenant
Students at Messiah College are required to sign a Community Covenant 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.First and foremost, the Community Covenant affirms belief in God and the Bible. Specifically, the Community Covenant requires commitment to academic integrity, responsible decision making in light of Christian values, and balancing personal freedom with concern for others. Practically, 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.
The text of the Covenant can be found on Messiah College's website.
Homosexuality Policy Controversy
The college'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 college's student newspaper, the Swinging Bridge.An alumni group, Inclusive Alumni, has formed in support of Isaiah Thomas, aiming at changing the college'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. The college followed up on his claims, but has refused to change its policy.
Related to this issue, Messiah College President Kim Phipps sent a statement to college employees and alumni that read in part, "There has been much attention given to Messiah’s Community Covenant’s stance on homosexual behavior in recent media accounts, some of it more accurate and contextual than others. However, an equally important part of our Community Covenant emphatically states the importance of each person, that individuals are to be valued and respected because all human beings are created in God’s image. In its May 10 editorial, the “Patriot-News” called Messiah’s goal on this issue “admirable,” and notes that the College is “trying to be a bridge between two parts of society who rarely even talk to one another, let alone have a meaningful conversation.” My hope and prayer for the Messiah College community is that we will reflect the love of Christ to one another and to our neighbors even in the midst of difficult conversations and challenges.
Chapel
The mission of Chapel reads:- "Chapel at Messiah College is a central expression of our identity as a community of Christians with a deep commitment to spiritual growth and academic excellence.
- In chapel we seek to nurture holistic Christian faith through:
- worship that expresses our faith with a full range of contemporary and traditional form
- teaching that connects God's Word and our world
- community building that affirms our common identity in Christ and celebrates our diversity"
Students are required to attend 24 chapel services each semester. Each student is required to have twelve common chapels, however the rest of the necessary 24 can be fulfilled through alternate chapels on a variety of different topics ranging from discussion forums to videos to special speakers.
in addition to chapel, Messiah College provides other opportunities for spiritual growth throughout students' college experience, including discipleship groups, ministry outreach teams, community service, mission trips and numerous other special programs such as "Powerhouse," a weekly student-led contemporary worship service.
Messiah's model of spiritual formation is based on faithful acts of knowing, being, and doing as Christians.
Student activities
Students at Messiah College can spend their free time playing in intramural sports leaguesIntramural sports
Intramural sports or intramurals are recreational sports organized within a set geographic area. The term derives from the Latin words intra muros meaning "within walls", and was used to indicate sports matches and contests that took place among teams from "within the walls" of an ancient city...
, participating in various clubs, watching on-campus movies, and hanging out at local diner
Diner
A diner, also spelled dinor in western Pennsylvania is a prefabricated restaurant building characteristic of North America, especially in the Midwest, in New York City, in Pennsylvania and in New Jersey, and in other areas of the Northeastern United States, although examples can be found throughout...
s, among other things. Underclassmen also participate in floor activities organized by their RAs. The Student Government Association funds 40+ organizations on campus that aim at providing for a co-curricular atmosphere conducive to a holistic education
Holistic education
Holistic education is a philosophy of education based on the premise that each person finds identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world, and to humanitarian values such as compassion and peace. Holistic education aims to call forth from people...
and enjoyable experience while enrolled at both Grantham and Philadelphia campuses. The S.G.A. also provides students with unique access towards influencing governance and overall institutional prerogatives.
Messiah College's Student Activities Board (SAB) is an executive organization that attempts to help students engage with popular culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
by bringing different concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s, film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s, and other forms of entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
to campus. In recent years, Messiah College has, through SAB, hosted such musicians and bands as Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
, Chiddy Bang
Chiddy Bang
Chiddy Bang is an American alternative hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group consists of Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege and Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin. The duo was introduced through former band member Zachary Sewall in late 2008 during their freshman year at Drexel University, in...
, Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin
Jack's Mannequin is an American rock band formed in 2004, originally hailing from Orange County, California. The band began as a side project of Andrew McMahon, the frontman for Something Corporate, and is composed of guitarist Bobby Anderson, bassist Mikey "The Kid" Wagner, and drummer Jay...
, Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid Ellen Egbert Michaelson is a New York-based indie-pop singer-songwriter. Her music has been featured in episodes of several popular television shows, including Scrubs, Bones, Grey's Anatomy The Big C and One Tree Hill, as well as in Old Navy's Fall 2007 Fair Isle and Opel's/Vauxhall's...
, Owl City
Owl City
Owl City is an American electronica musical project by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young formed in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota. Young created the project while experimenting with music in his parents' basement...
, Brand New
Brand New
Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
, Guster
Guster
Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1991, the group is known for its live performances and humor, founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel came about to begin practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford,...
, Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is an American R&B/soul musician signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records.Monáe debuted with a conceptual EP, Metropolis: Suite I ...
, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band is the name taken by Conor Oberst and his backing band, which is composed of Nik Freitas , Taylor Hollingsworth , Macey Taylor , Nate Walcott and Jason Boesel .-History:...
, Anberlin
Anberlin
Anberlin is an American rock band formed in Winter Haven, Florida in 2002. Since the beginning of 2007, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Stephen Christian, guitarists Joseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney, bassist Deon Rexroat, and drummer Nathan Young.Members of Anberlin originally formed...
, Nickel Creek
Nickel Creek
Nickel Creek was an American progressive acoustic music trio consisting of Chris Thile , Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins . The band was founded in 1989 and released 6 albums between 1993 and 2006...
, White Rabbits
White Rabbits (band)
White Rabbits is an American six-piece indie rock band based in Brooklyn, NY, originally from Columbia, Missouri. The band released its debut studio album, Fort Nightly, on May 22, 2007. They currently record for TBD Records.-History:...
, The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
, Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor
Regina Ilyinichna Spektor is a Russian American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her music is associated with the anti-folk scene centered in New York City's East Village.-Early life:...
, Iron & Wine
Iron & Wine
Samuel Beam , better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter. He has released four studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download-only releases, which include a live album...
, M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
, The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem is an American indie folk band from Providence, Rhode Island, formed in 2006. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky and Jocie Adams, and rose to prominence with the re-release of its third studio album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, in 2009.In...
, Mates of State
Mates of State
Mates of State are an American indie pop duo, active since 1997. The group is composed of the husband-and-wife team of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel .Over the course of the band's fourteen year career, they've released three EPs and six full-length, studio...
, Exit Clov
Exit Clov
Exit Clov is a five-piece indie rock band from Washington, DC, whose sound is often described as “kaleidoscopic pop noir". The group features twin sisters Emily Hsu and Susan Hsu along with Aaron Leeder , Brett Niederman , and John Thayer...
, Feist, Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, Rosie Thomas
Rosie Thomas
Rosie Thomas is an American singer-songwriter, originally from Michigan. It was through mutual friends that she met Trey Many and began playing shows with Velour 100. They recorded one EP together and played a few short tours, where she met Damien Jurado and Pedro the Lion...
, Copeland
Copeland (band)
Copeland was an indie rock band, originally formed in 2001 by singer Aaron Marsh with his friend, bassist and backup singer James Likeness, in the city of Lakeland, Florida.-Inception:...
, mewithoutYou
MewithoutYou
Me Without You, stylized as mewithoutYou and abbreviated as mwY, is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band consists of vocalist Aaron Weiss, guitarist Michael Weiss, bassist Greg Jehanian and drummer Rickie Mazzotta. MewithoutYou's music is generally dominated by...
, Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet are an American alternative rock band from Southern California. Formed in 1994 in Los Angeles, the band consists of Alex Greenwald , Darren Robinson , Sam Farrar and Jeff Conrad . The band is best known for its track "California", which became the theme song for the Fox TV series,...
, Erin McKeown
Erin McKeown
Erin McKeown is an American multi-instrumentalist and folk-rock singer/songwriter.McKeown began her career in the folk scene. She released her first album, Monday Morning Cold, on her own label , travelling throughout New England while still a student at Brown University in order to promote the...
, Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley
Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel....
, 4th Avenue Jones
4th Avenue Jones
4th Avenue Jones is a Christian American hip hop band based in Los Angeles, California. Their name comes from the last name of founding members Ahmad and Tena Jones , and the street where they lived in South Central Los Angeles when they began their rehearsals.-The Interscope Years:4th Avenue Jones...
, Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz
Jason Thomas Mraz , also known as Mr. AZ and Mr. Raz, is an American singer-songwriter. Mraz released his debut album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which contained the hit single "The Remedy ", in 2002, but it was not until the release of his second album, "Mr. A-Z", in 2005, that Mraz achieved...
as well as Christian artists Relient K
Relient K
Relient K is an American rock band formed in 1998 in Canton, Ohio by Matt Thiessen, Brian Pittman, and Matt Hoopes during the band's junior year in high school and their time at Malone University...
, Jeff Deyo
Jeff Deyo
Jeff Deyo is an American Contemporary Christian music solo artist and worship leader. He was also the lead singer of the band SONICFLOOd from its creation in 1999 through 2000....
, Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
, Cross Movement, Matt Wertz
Matt Wertz
Matt Wertz is a singer/songwriter. Originally from LaVale, MD he now calls Nashville, Tennessee, home. Wertz's interest in music started when he was young, but it was his interest in visual art that led him to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he graduated with a degree in...
and Out of Eden
Out of Eden
Out of Eden was an American Gospel music group often identified with R&B, and contemporary Christian music. It featured sisters Lisa Kimmey, Andrea Kimmey-Baca, and Danielle Kimmey...
, among others. They also plan dances, coffeehouses, and other special activities (like outings, Broadway trips, and festivals) for students. SAB hosts a free concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
series every Wednesday night, known as "B-sides", which is held in the Larsen Student Union building. Local, indie and up-and-coming bands and artists play every Wednesday night throughout the school year. These concerts are free not only to students, but to the public as well.
Traditions
Messiah College has, over the years, accumulated a number of traditions. One of the oldest traditions is known as "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 CreekYellow Breeches Creek
Yellow Breeches Creek, also known as Minnimingo Creek, is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania in the United States....
by his friends and thrown in. It is also common for people to be "creeked" on their birthdays. The tradition has been extended to the female population.
The Compassion Forum
The Compassion Forum was a question-and-answer session in which CNN commentators Jon MeachamJon Meacham
Jon Meacham is executive editor and executive vice president at Random House. A former editor of Newsweek and a Pulitzer Prize winning bestselling author and a commentator on politics, history, and religious faith in America, he is a contributing editor to Time magazine and editor-at-large of WNET...
and Campbell Brown
Campbell Brown
Campbell Brown is an American television news reporter and anchor. She previously hosted an eponymous primetime show on CNN and was formerly co-anchor of NBC's Weekend Today...
as well as select members of the audience posed questions about Faith and Politics to Democratic political candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. The Forum took place at Messiah College, in Grantham, Pennsylvania on April 13, 2008 and was given live national coverage by CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
. The event was organized by the religious organization Faith in Public Life. John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
was offered an invitation to participate in the event, but declined the invitation, citing a schedule conflict.
Messiah College in popular culture
Following the US Justice Department ScandalDismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy
The dismissal of U.S. Attorneys controversy was initiated by the unprecedented midterm dismissal of seven United States Attorneys on December 7, 2006 by the George W. Bush administration's Department of Justice. Congressional investigations focused on whether the Department of Justice and the White...
in which Messiah College alumna Monica Goodling
Monica Goodling
Monica Marie Goodling is a former United States government lawyer and political appointee in the George W. Bush administration who became known in 2007 in the midst of a political controversy surrounding the firings of several United States Attorneys...
was intimately involved, several members of the media ridiculed Messiah College. Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart is an American political satirist, writer, television host, actor, media critic and stand-up comedian...
on The Daily Show
The Daily Show
The Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
referred to Messiah as a school "where people have faith that they'll receive a quality education, and yet somehow it never arrives," and "that everyone in the God business knows is a 'savior school'. Bill Maher focused his satirical criticism on Goodling's legal education education at Regent University
Regent University
Regent University is a private coeducational interdenominational Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. The school was founded by the American televangelist Pat Robertson in 1978 as Christian Broadcasting Network University. A satellite campus located in...
, but also mocked Messiah, calling it "the home of the Fighting Christies."
Alumni
| Name | Known for | Relationship to Messiah College |
|---|---|---|
| Ernest Boyer | Chancellor of the State University of New York State University of New York The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus... (1970 to 1977) Appointed to various national commissions under the administrations of Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush |
1948 graduate |
| Ray Crist Ray Crist Ray Crist was an American chemist. According to a feature that appeared in the Chemistry, Crist was born on a farm near Grantham, Pennsylvania... |
Chemist, Worked on the Manhattan Project Manhattan Project The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army... . Still writing scientific papers at the time of his death at age 105. |
1916 graduate of "Messiah School" |
| Brennan Swain | Amazing Race Season 1 Winner/ Actor | 1993 graduate |
| Monica Goodling Monica Goodling Monica Marie Goodling is a former United States government lawyer and political appointee in the George W. Bush administration who became known in 2007 in the midst of a political controversy surrounding the firings of several United States Attorneys... |
Director of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice (2001 to March 2007 — resigned April 6, 2007), involved in Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy The dismissal of U.S. Attorneys controversy was initiated by the unprecedented midterm dismissal of seven United States Attorneys on December 7, 2006 by the George W. Bush administration's Department of Justice. Congressional investigations focused on whether the Department of Justice and the White... |
1995 graduate |
| Chris Boyles Chris Boyles Christopher David Boyles is an American decathlete.He finished 6th at the 2007 Pan American Games held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil... |
Internationally competitive decathlete | 2002 graduate |
| Brian Sell Brian Sell Brian Sell is a retired American marathoner and distance runner who trained with the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. He attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, where he ran on the Saint Francis University cross country team... |
Olympic-qualifying marathon Marathon The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race... runner. |
2000 graduate |
| Chris Heisey Chris Heisey Christopher Heisey is a Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Cincinnati Reds.Heisey graduated from Donegal High School in 2003 and went on to Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania... |
Major League Left Fielder for the Cincinnati Reds | 2007 graduate |