OUR
CLASS NOTES
IN MEMORIAM
MESSIAH MOURNS PASSING OF FORMER TRUSTEE Melvin Engle Eyster, a graduate of the Jabbok School and Upland Academy – and member of the Messiah College Board of Trustees from 1985 to 1995 – died May 15, 2015. A member of the Brethren in Christ denomination and a resident of Thomas, Okla., he was a custom harvester for 50 years. Eyster supported numerous projects on campus, including capital construction and scholarship aid through the Messiah Annual Fund. In addition, he donated a sacred
Russian Hebrew Sefer Torah Scroll, which is used by the students and faculty in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies. He also had a passion for supporting missions and was a model of Christian service and generosity. He is survived by his wife Vivian of 58 years, one son, three daughters, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. One son predeceased him. We are deeply grateful for his support over the years and, on behalf of President Kim Phipps, offer the condolences of the Messiah College community to the entire Eyster family.
Anne-Marie RobinsonSiemen ’08 and her husband Jonathan Siemen ’08 announce the births of Julian Beck, Feb. 6, 2013, and Beatrix Greer, Jan, 24, 2015. Katie Stewart ’08 and her husband Corey Leal announce the birth of Eliot Wayne Leal, May 13, 2015. Katie currently works as a Site Supervisor for Social Advocates of Youth San Diego in San Diego, Ca. Alexandra (Steed) Van Kuiken ’09 graduated from The General Theological Seminary with a diploma in Anglican Studies. Alexandra now works as the Protestant Chaplain at the Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.
2010s Lindsay Acornley ’10 and Brian Keet married May 2, 2015 in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Miranda Hulsey ’11 and Jordan Ring ’11 married Aug. 18, 2012. Jordan works as a behavioral health rehabilitative services administrator at PA Counseling Services in Carlisle, Pa. He also created the website fiberguardian.com. Kimberly Leininger ’11 and Jordan Beckler ’11 married July 21, 2012 in Granville, N.Y.
Megan Sullivan ’13 received a master’s in history from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Melanie Walters ’13 teaches at Northern Elementary School in Mount Joy, Pa.
Sarah Fleischman ’13 received a second-place award in environmental reporting in the non-daily division (circulation 10,00020,000) from the MDDC (Maryland, Delaware, D.C.) Press Association. She also received third-place honors
Isaac Witmer ’13 works as a mental health counselor for Pennsylvania Counseling Services in Dauphin County.
The categories are:
DO YOU KNOW ALUMNI WHO DESERVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION?
This award recognizes an alumnus/a who has attended Messiah College within the past 15 years for significant contributions to church, vocation, community and/or Messiah College.
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Kyle Sproles ’13 works as a lieutenant for the U.S. Army in Harrisburg, Pa.
Aaron Lee ’11 and Kate Able ’12 married June 13, 2015 in Granby, Co. Kate works as a clinical dietitian at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Aaron works in the U.S. Army.
ALUMNI AWARDS
Every year, Messiah College recognizes four alumni who have made outstanding contributions to church, society and/or to the College. If you know of a deserving alumnus or alumna, we want to hear from you! Please take a few moments to review the award criteria and make any nominations you wish online at messiah.edu/alumniawards. This year’s alumni award recipients will be honored at the Messiah College Reunion Celebration Banquet on Oct. 16.
for in-depth reporting in the non-daily category (circulation up to 20,000) from the Local Media Association.
YOUNG ALUMNUS/A ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS/A ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes long-term vocational excellence in a manner supportive of the mission and standards of Messiah. ALUMNI APPRECIATION AWARD
Alumni and friends are eligible for this award, which recognizes significant personal service and contribution to Messiah. ALUMNI CHRISTIAN SERVICE AWARD
This award recognizes outstanding lifelong service or longterm effort in fulfilling the mandates of the Christian Gospel to both serve and sacrifice for the needs of humanity.
Daniel Wendt ’13 works as a CFO at Project Big Love in Dillsburg, Pa.
Jordan Grove ’14 works as an associate graphic designer for the American Bible Society in Philadelphia, Pa. Rachel Shearer ’14 and Joshua Selby married Nov. 22, 2014 in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Matthew Sider ’15 works as a sales associate for Clark Associates in Harrisburg, Pa
Service Notes James Snyder ’84 provided construction work for Maranatha Family Christian Organization and Puravida Missions in Peru and Costa Rica.