The Swinging Bridge - December Edition

THE

THE PULSE MAGAZINE

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HAZING AT MESSIAH

HOW TEACHERS TEACH

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WHAT ARE ZINES?

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PREVENTING

DECEMBER 2022

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MESSIAH'S RESPONSE TO S E X U A L A S S A U LT VICTIMS SHARE THEIR STORIES

VOLUME 126 / EDITION 32 / DECEMBER 2022

CONTENTS

TABLE OF

12

10 16

20 22 10 WHAT ARE ZINES? 12 MESSIAH'S RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ASSAULT 16 PREVENTING HAZING AT MESSIAH 20 HOW TEACHERS TEACH

24

24 VETERAN COACHES

AWARD WINNING STUDENT RUN MAGAZINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ETHAN DYRLI

DESIGN MANAGER ISABELLA KERN

AUDIO & VISUAL MANAGER HUNTER ROHRER

DIRECTOR EMILIE RUSH

ASST. DIRECTOR JOSHUA MCCLEAF

WRITING SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR / PJ RIDDELL CULTURE & ARTS EDITOR / MACKENZIE CHRISTIE STUDENT LIFE EDITOR / KAYLEE GETZ

CREATIVE DESIGN ASSISTANT / KATE TRIMBLE DESIGN ASSISTANT / AMBER SWAISGOOD YEARBOOK MANAGER / LILIANA MORA

DIGITAL & RADIO AUDIO & VISUAL ASSISTANT / TYLER CARUSO RADIO MANAGER / MARIE MILLER MUSIC DIRECTOR / SABRINA STANDFORD WEB MANAGER / ADI MANSOUR

ADVERTISING

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER / PAM REINOSO BUSINESS MANAGER / HANNAH KURUVILLA

STAFF

MESSIAH UNIVERSITY'S

THE PULSE

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

ETHAN DYRLI EDITOR - IN - CHIEF

THE EDITOR

LETTER FROM

This magazine marks the final issue of the fall semester. I greatly appreciate the support and feedback that we’ve received from the student body in these past months. While this December issue includes laughs and heartwarming moments, it is also the most important issue we’ve released yet this year.

In this magazine, you will find stories on both hazing and sexual assault and how they apply to the Messiah context. These are serious conversations that have tangible consequences for those involved, ones that they are still dealing with to this day. Depending on who you are, you may not expect such topics to have much prominence on Messiah’s campus. However, these pieces are important reminders of how wrongdoing, evil and sin are all still possible within the “Messiah bubble.”

This is especially true of this issues’ cover story, “Messiah’s Response to Sexual Assault,” written by Mackenzie Christie. This piece shares the stories of three victims of sexual assault and harrassment, and how they sought healing both inside and outside the Messiah community. This piece is a harrowing reminder of the reality of sexual abuse. It also stands to point out that abuse like that described in the article is all too common.

Within the Messiah community, it’s easy to ignore the harsher realities of life. We get so caught up in the menial problems of college life, we forget that this is an environment curated for us. This is not real life. When we forget that, it is easy to forget that within this space, there are people going through real problems, undergoing real struggles.

I don’t remind you of these realities in an attempt to scare you. Rather, I want to remind all of us the immense privilege that comes with attending a university such as this. I also aim to remind us of the dangers that come with refusing to recognize the reality of the world around you. A community like Messiah is wonderful, but it also can distort the truth of the struggles others face.

Not to accuse anyone of anything, but living grounded in reality is not a strength of the average Messiah student.

This issue, among other things, will hopefully pull us all back into reality. There are bad things that happen at Messiah. This bubble is not perfect. In reading this issue, I hope that you can become more aware of your fellow peers and the struggles they may be facing on their own.

It is my hope that this issue will continue to give voice to those who may not otherwise, to share the harsh realities of what people may face. It’s the truth, and it bears repeating.

Earnestly,

FOR YOU

Sabrina's Christmas Party WRITTEN BY SABRINA STANDFORD DESIGNED BY ISABELLA KERN It’s the time of year where you can listen to Christmas music judgment free.

Thank God Spotify Wrapped comes in December so my top song being “Last Christmas” by Wham! doesn’t look too weird. Anyways, here are some Christmas songs that aren’t being played constantly on Top 40 radio.

1.

“Last Christmas” - Wham!

2.

“Christmas Wrapping” - The Waitresses

3.

“Little Saint Nick” - The Beach Boys

4.

“C U Christmas Day” - Jacklen Ro

5.

“Holiday Road” - Lindsey Buckingham

6.

“Love to Keep Me Warm” - Laufey, dodie

7.

“Father Christmas” - The Kinks

8.

“Christmas in Hollis” - Run-D.M.C.

9.

“Marshmallow World” - The Regrettes

LISTEN HERE

10. “Let It Snow” - She & Him 11. “Wonderful Christmastime” - The Shins 12. “Lonely Christmas Tears” - Bobby Allen & The Exceptions 13. “Christmas Song” - Phoebe Bridgers 14. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” - The Beths 15. “Christmas Is Home” - Oscar Lang 16. “Lights On” - Tyler, The Creator 17. “Please Come Home for Christmas” - Eagles 18. “Last Snow Storm of the Year” - Hippo Campus 19. “Jing-a-Ling” - Harbour Lights 20. “Last Christmas” - Remi Wolf

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FOR YOU

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DECEMBER 2022

FOR YOU

MESSIAH'S

UNSUNG HEROES

e c i r P a r u La

PHOTOS BY TYLER CARUSO

WRITTEN BY JOSH NIELSEN

DESIGNED BY AMBER SWAISGOOD AND ISABELLA KERN Laura Price is a campus events supervisor.

When one thinks of that title, they may think of someone who just helps set up for events.

While that is true, there is so much more going on that you might not even see or realize.

Price puts in work while most people aren’t watching. She constantly makes sure that our campus is clean and looks neat for prospective and current students. Sometimes, this work isn’t always the most pleasant, but she always does it with a smile, because she works for the glory of God. “When I keep God at the forefront of my mind, my work day normally goes well no matter what I'm doing,” Price said.

For Price, the atmosphere the students provide is part of why she loves what she does.

“A reason why I enjoy my job, and a reason why I stay motivated to do it is because of the way that Messiah students carry themselves,” Price said. “Most of the time, the students are very respectable and they do a good job of being happy, excited students.”

model and a fantastic friend. Donna Herman, supervisor of student residence, spoke of Price’s commitment to others.

“About twice a week someone will approach me and thank me for cleaning the glass, or for shoveling the snow, ” Price said.

“The best way to describe Laura is a big sister,” Herman said. “She makes everyone feel special and good about themselves. With Laura, she always makes the extra effort to make sure her workers feel cared for.

There have been many times where she will just pull me aside and just pray for me.”

One thing Price didn’t want was for the spotlight to be solely on her. She insisted that credit be given to all of the campus events workers on staff.

According to Price, her coworkers are a community, and she puts work in to build that community.

“I consider my coworkers as family,” Price said. “During my lunch time, I put aside work-related topics, and focus on becoming closer as a group. Occasionally, we will even have pot-lucks, or play games at someone's house,” Price said.”

“You always hear that it’s a ‘we team,’ but really, I can’t do my job fully without these people,” Price said.

The next time you see Price or any of the campus events workers, be sure to share your appreciation of some of Messiah’s unsung heroes.

Being a person behind the scenes doesn’t mean that things don’t always go unnoticed. Sometimes, Price will have someone approach her and thank her for her hard work around campus.

Although Price’s job might keep her away from the main spotlight of the student body, to her coworkers, she is a good role

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FOR YOU

l a c o L Chris tmas F un WRITTEN BY BELLA HACKMAN DESIGNED BY AMBER SWAISGOOD

C

hristmas is a time to celebrate with family and friends, and during your time here at Messiah University you may be wondering: What can I do or where can I go to celebrate the Christmas season? To help you out, here are a few places to check out before you leave for Christmas break.

Hershypark Christmas C andylane

A

great place to visit this Christmas season is Hersheypark. While enjoying your time at Hershey’s Chocolatetown, where the park hosts their variety of roller coasters and rides, make sure to check out the Christmas attractions that are set up between November 11 to January 1 during Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane season.

A fan favorite is the NOEL Lightshow, in which more than 250,000 lights dance and flash to your favorite holiday tunes.

Or you could take a stroll down the Boardwalk, which holds the next attraction, Treeville. This area has decorated trees, themed

Se th Lights

I

f you are looking for a cheaper activity, try taking a drive through the nearby neighborhoods where you can take in the sight of twinkling lights.

One of these locations, Linglestown Lights, features over 50,000 lights that are synchronized to 13 Christmas tunes. If you make sure to visit this attraction between their designated hours of 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., most days there will be free snacks offered to those who stop by.

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to different sponsors and sectors of The Hershey Company.

Another great stop would be Santa & His Reindeer, where you can meet Santa and all his nine reindeer up until December 24 at Santa’s Reindeer Stables.

For more information, use the provided QR Code.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane

Hersheypark Sweet Lights is an attraction you don’t want to miss, with over two miles of land filled with over 60 displays and that are covered in millions of shining LED lights. Prices range from $23.95 – $35.95.

Miracle of Lights is another lightshow, made up of 15,000 LED lights, that is open from November 24 through December 26. On weekdays the attraction is lit from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and on weekends the times are 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Make sure to turn your radio to 87.9 FM when viewing the attraction.

A few other recommendations are BREElieve in the Magic in Camp Hill and Christmas Lights on Clouser in Mechanicsburg.

For more information, use the provided QR Code.

Linglestown Lights

BREElieve in the Magic

Miracle of Lights

Christmas Lights on Clouser

FOR YOU

Ca

I

f you enjoy the arts, take a minute, and go enjoy the performances put on by the area’s surrounding theaters. “The Nutcracker,” a winter classic, tells the story of a young girl who befriends a nutcracker and is taken through a fantastical world filled with sugar plum fairies, swans, and mischievous mice.

This Christmas season, the Hershey Theater and Whitaker Center will be showing “The Nutcracker,” performed by the dancers of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts will be open to the public December 10 -11 with ticket prices ranging from $30 to $48. The Hershey theater will be open to the public December 17 – 18 with tickets ranging from $35 to $50.

tch aC

hristmas Show

Another good place to visit would be the Capital Blue Cross Main Stage, which will be putting on “A Christmas Carol.” This Charles Dickens’s classic tells the story of an old man who is redeemed through a journey where he comes to interact with three spirits on the night of Christmas Eve. “A Christmas Carol” is being shown throughout December 3 – 23 with prices ranging from $21 to $40.

From November 18 to January 8, the Dutch Apple Theater will be performing “Elf,” the story of a man who comes to find his family and remind New York of the true spirit of Christmas. Prices at the Dutch Apple Theater depend upon whether you intended to partake in the provided buffet $70 to $75 or simply enjoy the show for $50.

For more information, use the provided QR Code.

The Nutcracker

A Christmas Carol

Elf: The Musical

Ice Skating

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ce skating is a fun Christmas activity that can be enjoyed by skaters of all skill levels. Twin Ponds, located in Harrisburg, is a great place to go out with friends and enjoy the thrill of skating.

Twin Ponds

Twin Ponds has two times set for the public: Regular Skate and Cheap Skate. Regular Skate takes place on Saturdays and Sundays for $15, which includes skate rentals. Cheap Skate takes place on Mondays and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. for $10.

For more information, use the provided QR Code.

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FOR YOU

WRITTEN BY EMMA BANE DESIGNED BY KATE TRIMBLE

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f you've been at Messiah for any length of time, you’re probably familiar with the now-annual Zine Fair. The event seeks to breathe life into the art of making zines, small self-publications focusing on anything from poetry to politics. The event’s host, Laney Kuczmynda, is a passionate zine-lover. Hails ing from Baltimore, Maryland, she studie losocio psychology, communication, and gy along with her dedication to making and swapping zines.

Zines are a form of collage art, typically hand-reproduced in order to be swapped or given away. Most zine-making stems from a passion for something, whether that be political issues, personal beliefs, or pop culture. For Kuczmynda, music was her initial stepping stone.

“I am a big fan of music, and first got connectst ed to the zine community through my intere yKuczm in the underground punk scene,” nda said. “From that connection, the whole big world of zines was opened up to me.”

Historically, zines became popular in the 1970s, first being used by clubs and marginalized groups to educate the public in a way that couldn’t be constrained. They consist of scraps of paper, stickers, handwritten prose and poetry, song lyrics, and printed pictures. Since zines are self-published and produced, they cannot be censored or edited, meaning that in the suppres-

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sive political climate of the 70s, marginalized groups used the freedom that zines gave them in order to spread awareness.

Educating the student body on this history was a main factor to Kuczmynda starting the Zine Fair.

“Introducing th is topic that I’m so passiona te about was amazing,” Kucz mynda said.

“Zine fairs happ en all over the world, and they are a place for creators to get together and sell or swap th eir zines. It’s a super cool cu lture of collaboration and creativity.”

While zines can truly center around any topic, Kuczmynda’s own style of zines typically revolves around poetry and collage. She also ventures into the territory of politics and feminism, but enjoys making lighthearted mini-zines as well.

Sharing her work is another important aspect to Kuczmynda.

While zine swaps are a great way to do this, she also uses Instagram to meet fellow zine-lovers and showcase her work.

FOR YOU

“About a year ag o, I started posti ng regularly on my zine accoun t, @zine4u, and I'v e been pretty astonished by the zine comm un ity,” Kuczmynda said . “The support, co nn ec tions, collaboration an d creativity is so refreshing.”

The most importa nt thing to remem ber when making zin es is simply to ha ve fun with them. Zines can pack a hard pu nch and detail topics like politics or so cial justice, or can be more lighthearted and detail poetry, song lyrics, or a TV sh ow.

This is what allow s zines to appeal to such a broad audi ence - their influ ence is far reaching, in teresting, and fu n.

“I love making zin es because they do n’t have to be perfect - that’s kind of th e point,” Kuczmyn da said. “It's this wonderful outlet of cutting and pl aying and getting your thou ghts out on the pa ge - it’s definitely cathar tic regardless of wh at kind of zines you mak e. It’s really powe rfu l to just make a tangible product that you ca n look at and know you made all on your own.”

Anyon e can m ake a z gle piec ine wit e of pa h a sin p er and ing wit an idea h a gen - starte r al topic your zin or them e can fo e, rm itse lf from there.

g e-makin ends zin m m te o a c sion nda re o is pas Kuczmy soul wh e v ti e ena r e a r to any c ce zines in S . they g nythin retion, about a st’s disc ti r a e p to th , college tirely u , sports s k o o b bout ut your can be a ven abo e r o , a ! dless nts, te s are en life, pla sibilitie s o p e h self. T

ZINES CREATED BY LANEY KUCZMYNDA

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TRENDING TOPICS

Messiah's response to

SEXUAL ASS SEX Victims share their stories Editor's Note: Please be advised the following article contains content that some readers might find difficult or upsetting to read. Discretion is advised.

The concept of sexual assault may sound to some like a distant, far-fetched issue left to be dealt with by bigger schools in bustling cities.

But for others, sexual assault is a horrifying reality to be wary of no matter where you step foot, even here at Messiah University.

Though sexual assault is a difficult topic to discuss, it is also a deeply necessary one. It is estimated that 13% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.

Of this 13%, roughly 2 out of 3 crimes go unreported, perpetuating a pervasive cycle of silence and stigma around issues of sexual violence, according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network.

Three Messiah students have willingly shared their experiences of sexual assault in an effort to raise awareness and support others who have yet to share their own stories. All initials used have been changed in order to protect student identities.

JS, a junior male, was introduced to a girl through their mutual friends, but his relationship with her rapidly evolved into a non-consensual entanglement.

“Every time we were together, I had to reinstate my boundaries because she would keep pushing past them,” JS said. “One day, she got frustrated and said, ‘Hey, this is how I experience love. This is what I think people who love each other should do.’ Now that I sit back and think about it, it’s obviously manip-

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ulation, but at the moment I thought, ‘Wow, I’m a piece of sh*t. I’m not loving her well.’”

“She began making advances toward oral sex,” JS said. “I said no four times and she just ignored it, waiting for me to be silent instead of saying no. She ended up taking me out to her car to keep going.”

JS put the blame on himself in the beginning, but after speaking with his counselor through the Engle Center, he realized the severity of what actually happened.

“There is always that stigma, even as a guy, that assumes, ‘Oh, he clearly wanted it,’ but I didn’t,” JS said. “So initially, I was taking the blame. I thought ‘This is my fault, I wasn’t strong enough, I didn’t say no enough.’ My counselor finally convinced me, ‘This isn’t on you, you were assaulted.’”

SB, a sophomore female, experienced a similar situation on campus.

“Things were escalating with a guy I started talking to, but there was a certain point I didn’t want things to go past,” SB said.

“He started pushing that point until one night I had to keep physically moving his hands away…I just remember him saying things like ‘Please, just do it.’ It took me saying no multiple times and moving his hands before he eventually stopped, but not before doing other things.”

SB explained that she never considered her experience worth reporting to any counselors or investigators on campus.

WRITTEN BY MACKENZIE CHRISTIE DESIGNED BY ISABELLA KERN

TRENDING TOPICS

SAULT

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TRENDING TOPICS "Until a couple of weeks ago, I never thought it was serious enough to report. I was mostly putting the blame on myself,” SB said.

assault to Hannah McBride, where she was introduced to the variety of protective measures that can be provided to students in need.

Hannah McBride is Messiah’s Coordinator for Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education. She and Messiah’s other Title IX investigators are tasked with navigating issues surrounding sexual assault and providing resources to students who have experienced this abuse.

“Reporting seemed so scary at first,” AK said.

“When I made the appointment to see Hannah she was extremely gracious and accommodating. She made me feel much more at ease, letting me cry and take as much time as I needed to as I explained the story. She was the key factor in securing my no-contact order and removing him from my classes, which made my life much easier to handle.”

The Title IX investigators on campus include Bryce Wickard, Brooke Good, Doug Wood, and Amanda Coffey. Since they are trained as investigators, they are nonconfidential, but they can all meet with a student to discuss their options.

A major area of fear for students who have been assaulted is that they will be blamed or condemned for the larger harm inflicted upon them as a result of speaking up. This fear is amplified when the assault takes place in situations involving policy violations.

Nonconfidential investigators are those who can’t promise that what they hear won’t be reported to someone else, documented with their name attached to it, or require further action. Our confidential resources include one pastor specifically for students: Mina Choi, one pastor for employees: Stephen Gallaher, our Engle Center counselors, and McBride.

SB expressed that she felt this concern when she attempted to speak about her experience.

AK, a sophomore female, reached out to McBride after her friendship with a freshman male became extremely dangerous.

“We started dating, but the next day he told me that he didn’t actually feel the same, so I immediately tried to cut him off,” AK said.

“He insisted on staying friends and became engrossed in every area of my life, controlling who I was friends with and what I did with my free time. This divulged into performing sexual favors against my will, and eventually fullon rape almost every day.”

“Because of the frequency, I started allowing him to do whatever he wanted to me because I didn't think I had any ability to stop it,” AK said. “I wasn't aware of the resources on campus that could help me, and I was too afraid and ashamed to tell anyone the extent of what he was doing.”

After creating distance from her assaulter and forming healthier relationships the following semester, AK was encouraged to report her

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“I spent a lot of time blaming myself and thinking ‘Why did I get myself into that?’” SB said. “Especially knowing the culture I’m surrounded by at Messiah, I was worried that if I said too much about it, then I would also have to tell people that we were in my room past visitation with the doors closed. It definitely made me want to stay silent and turn the blame on myself.”

"Why is sex

'the thing' we choose to stigmatize?"

Hannah McBride McBride explains that despite our strict regimen of rules, Messiah staff abide by the university’s Amnesty Policy, a document created to enhance student protection and care in cases of medical and interpersonal safety.

“Under our Amnesty Policy, we will always prioritize student care over policy violations in the event that someone wants to report interpersonal harm…this extends to policy violations like visitation, consensual sex, alcohol consumption, or same-sex relationships,” McBride said.

The University understands that its approach to student protection is a work in progress, especially as the conversation about sexual violence remains ongoing and dynamic. Furthermore, its involvement in the conversation as a Christian community forces it to tackle the issue from a unique and challenging lens.

SB felt significantly more anxiety around her situation due to Messiah's faith and purity culture, especially considering it is an abstinence-preaching institution.

“When I told a few of my friends, they were upset with how he treated me in other ways, but when I told them about the assault, they basically said they couldn’t believe I’d do that,” SB said. “At that point, I didn’t want to bother telling anyone else if that was going to be the majority reaction.”

McBride feels that the stigma surrounding premarital sex often amplifies the tension between religious beliefs and sexual activity for students.

“There is a lot of fear-based messaging around Christians identifying as sexually active before marriage,” McBride said. “This is troubling because ​that language does not provide context for addressing sexual experiences that are unwanted, violating, or violent. It is difficult to address prevention of harm in abstinence-only education, which doesn’t have any proven impact on reducing sexual violence, pregnancy rates, or STIs o ​ n its own.”

The issue of addressing unhealthy sexual behaviors has no quick fix or easy answer. Despite this, McBride feels that the conversation needs to begin with a discussion of healthy sex.

“Why is sex “the thing” we choose to stigmatize?” McBride said. “Why do we feed these messages of shame, silence, and stigma around this area in particular? Without being able to talk about sex healthily, we really struggle to talk about sex when it’s unhealthy, which has quite an impact in these situations.”

TRENDING TOPICS Ultimately, experiences such as these are greater than one troublesome relationship or a difficult academic semester; these instances of abuse follow survivors throughout the rest of their lives. Though all three individuals have suffered immensely from their assault and abuse, their willingness to vocalize their struggles reflects the deep importance of this conversation at large.

• Report the incident to a confidential support person on-campus:

The goal of turning Messiah University into a space that facilitates healing is one of the most important visions that JS has in mind for Messiah.

· Student Pastoral Resource: ext. 7224

“I want people in similar situations to mine to know that they are not alone" “If I can help one other person through this, who cares if I spend an hour with something that’s painful?” JS said. “I would love to see a place where people who have been taken advantage of feel able to talk about it and not feel shame or stigma.”

· Coord. For Interpersonal Violence Prevention & Education: ext. 2608 · Counselor (Engle Center): ext. 5357 · Nurse (Engle Center): ext. 6035

· Community Pastor for Employees: communitypastor@messiah.edu

• Report the incident to a confidential professional off-campus: Advocacy & Rape Crisis— • 24/7 HOTLINE (Carlisle): 1-888-727-2877 • 24/7 HOTLINE (Harrisburg): 1-888-727-2877 Domestic Violence Services— • 24/7 HOTLINE (Carlisle): 1-800-852-2102 • Scan to report anonymously through Silent Witness:

For AK, her story is a reflection of the hope that exists for those in the midst of suffering.

“I want people in similar situations to mine to know that they are not alone: someone else has experienced this, and there are resources here tailored to help them,” AK said.

“I hope anyone reading this article who has experienced sexual abuse is aware that their experiences are not their fault, and they did not deserve what happened to them. Healing is possible, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

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G N I Z HA PR E V ENT IN G AT MES S IAH

WRITTEN BY PJ RIDDELL DESIGNED BY AMBER SWAISGOOD

A

t the university level, hazing in athletics has long been a controversial and dangerous problem. In 2018, the issue came to a head, as the state of Pennsylvania enacted new anti-hazing legislation following the passing of Penn State football player Tim Piazza: a direct result of a hazing incident.

Despite legislation, hazing persists as a life-threatening problem at many universities, both within and beyond athletics. However, according to Doug Wood, Messiah’s Dean of Students since 1997, that hasn’t been the case at Messiah. The ability to prevent hazing in athletics, he says, impacts the student body as a whole.

“I’m unaware of any significant athletic hazing during my tenure at Messiah University,” Wood said. “The continual cultivation of an atmosphere free from hazing promotes respect for all individuals, and extends throughout the student body.”

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According to Hannah McBride, Messiah’s Coordinator for Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education, Messiah defines hazing as, “Any participation in an activity expected of someone joining/in a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm regardless of the person's willingness to participate.”

How has Messiah curbed a trend so prevalent at so many other institutions?

The NCAA and Messiah Athletics are intentional about explicitly laying the groundwork for healthy team cultures, and specifically making it a point to avoid hazing within sports teams.

“The NCAA requires annual education on sexual assault and interpersonal violence prevention for participating institutions; this education includes both athletics personnel and student-athletes,” McBride said. “This year we focused on hazing during our September sessions for upper-class student-athletes.”

The sessions on hazing prevention for athletes sends the message that Messiah’s Athletic Director Sarah Gustin-Hamrock wants to enforce across the department.

“It is obvious that we take hazing very seriously,” Gustin-Hamrock said. “It’s important to educate students, coaches and staff about hazing. Everyone needs to understand the consequences of hazing activities and how those actions impact the individual being hazed, those conducting hazing activities, and the organization or teams they represent.”

The men’s soccer team implements a welcoming and Christ-like culture.

Bringing first-year players into this culture immediately is a priority for goalkeeper Drew Stief and the rest of the senior class.

“We have a huge emphasis on a healthy, Christ-like culture on our team,” Stief said. “I believe that more than anything, our culture is the biggest reason that someone wants to join our team.”

TRENDING TOPICS The team carries on a number of traditions, many of which emphasize members of the team investing in one another’s spiritual and personal development.

men,” Miller said. “So [hazing] just doesn't really happen here. That makes sense, because it's just the culture, that as a senior, as an upperclassman, you're serving the freshmen.”

“They spend a lot of time together at cookouts at coaches’ houses, doing Bible studies, team dinners and meals, and doing everyday activities together,” Gustin-Hamrock said.

“One of the first Sundays of our season we have everyone pick a name out of a hat and write a letter of encouragement to that teammate,” Stief said. “Not just a letter to hype someone up for soccer, but more so to point out the ways we see Christ in them and encourage them to continue to strive to be more Christ-like.”

Miller has seen servant leadership demonstrated within his team during his tenure, most notably with the team’s annual player-led retreat.

Building and maintaining healthy cultures within athletics at Messiah is just a specific example of how athletes, and the department, can represent the university as a whole.

Especially at a Christian institution like Messiah, considering the organization, teams, and faith the players represent is on the minds of coaches and players alike. For coaches like Scott Frey, head coach for Messiah women’s soccer for 23 seasons now, the idea of servant leadership guides and fuels the team culture and traditions.

“The players on their own came up with the idea, and they've done it ever since,” Miller said. “They go away on a retreat, without any coaches, and do stuff like devotions. That's a tradition they have. First weekend, you're here, you’re a new student, and they set the tone, and everybody's at peace.”

“Respect for the person as made in the image of God is a foundational value of Messiah University,” Wood said.

Beyond the special trips, the cultivation of team culture takes place each and every day, given the amount of time team members spend with one another over a four year experience.

“It is a constant conversation with players and leadership within the team as to what servant leadership should look like and feel like in a program,” Frey said.

“If something is being done, or being considered, that wouldn’t reflect the culture that we desire to embrace, the worth of each person, and treat them with dignity and respect, then it probably isn’t a good idea.”

Mike Miller, Messiah’s women’s basketball head coach since 1986, believes that an attitude of servant leadership doesn’t allow any room for hazing or harassment.

“The concept of hazing just doesn't fit; seniors should be serving the fresh-

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Graduating in

December Students and Faculty On Early Graduation WRITTEN BY KAYLEE GETZ DESIGNED BY KATE TRIMBLE

M

essiah University currently only holds a graduation ceremony in May despite the fact that some students graduate in the fall.

There are some benefits to this, but some December graduates wish that they got a little more recognition.

There are fewer December graduates than May graduates at Messiah. Although many colleges do hold both May and December graduations, administrators at Messiah have chosen to stick with just a May graduation.

According to Kathie Shafer, Messiah’s Vice President for Operations, the small number of December graduates would mean a much smaller graduation ceremony.

“The number of December graduates is small and not conducive to the same scope and quality of the commencement experience we provide in May,” Shafer said, “so we have traditionally graduated the class together.”

After students graduate, they likely begin job searching and hopefully end up at a full-time job that they love. So if December graduates have moved on with their lives, do they still come back to Messiah in May to attend their graduation ceremony?

PHOTOS BY HUNTER ROHRER

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TRENDING TOPICS

"Regardless of the location that I am in, even overseas, I would still come back to walk for graduation" -Caitlyn Lau

Jane Mylin graduated from Messiah in December 2021 and decided to come back for graduation.

She lives pretty close to campus, so it wasn’t inconvenient for her to travel here the following May. “I live so close and there’s really no excuse for me not to go,” Mylin said. “I also wanted that final goodbye and to get to see everyone again. I really love all that pomp and circumstance. And I was so involved on campus, it just would not have felt right to not go.”

Although Mylin enjoyed having graduation with the rest of the May graduates, she wishes there was some acknowledgement in December.

“I do think it would have been nice to have been acknowledged in some way,” Mylin said. “Besides getting my diploma in the mail, they really didn’t do anything.

It was kind of like, ‘I’ve graduated now, right? Am I allowed to say I graduated?’

There wasn’t even a confirmation email, just the fact that Degreeworks said I completed my graduation requirements.”

Manny Covington will be graduating in December 2022 and plans to attend the graduation ceremony in May. “I would come to graduation no matter what,” Covington said. “It might feel weird in the moment after being away for so long, but it’ll be nice to see all of my friends back at school. I really don’t mind there not being a December graduation.”

Although Covington doesn’t mind everyone graduating together in May, he does still wish that Messiah would do something else for December graduates.

“Even just a note on our transcript to acknowledge the achievement of graduating in three and a half years would be nice,” Covington said.

“It is kind of sad that we don’t have a separate December graduation ceremony in December, but at the same time I would like to walk with my friends who graduate in the spring,” Lau said. “It would be nice if we did have some sort of recognition for December grads like a luncheon or a gift-giving reception.”

Despite the barriers to returning in May, Lau still believes it will be worth it to return.

“Regardless of the location that I am in, even overseas, I would still come back to walk for graduation,” Lau said. “I think it’ll feel a little weird to start working as an independent adult and then come back to campus, but coming back is something that I look forward to. I’m not returning for class, but because of the fond memories that I hold

and the closure for a chapter in my life.”

Caitlyn Lau, an international student from Selangor, Malaysia, will also be graduating this December. She too plans to attend graduation in May. Like Covington, Lau wishes that something was done to recognize December graduates even though a separate graduation is not possible.

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TRENDING TOPICS

HOW

TEACHERS TEACH

HOW PROFESSORS' EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUNDS IMPACT CLASSROOMS

WRITTEN BY KAYLEE GETZ DESIGNED BY AMBER SWAISGOOD

P

rofessors at Messiah are not required to have any formal education certificates, degrees, or experience. This in turn shapes their teaching styles, assessments, and other aspects of their classes.

According to Cynthia Wells, Professor of Higher Education and Director of Faculty Development, it is typical for educational institutes to hire experts in their field first and support their teaching skills with professional development.

“In higher education at large, it is the norm that faculty are hired on the basis of their expertise in an academic discipline or area of professional practice; such expertise is indeed foundational to good teaching,” Wells said. “Colleges and universities typically build on that expertise through faculty development initiatives that advance teaching and learning.”

Here at Messiah, those development initiatives include orientations, workshops, and continual support.

“All teaching faculty participate in faculty development programs early in their career, such as new educator orientation and Provost Seminar, that serve to advance quality teaching,” Wells said. “The Office of Faculty Development also offers a number of ongoing programs, including workshops and learning communities, that support faculty in their teaching.”

But how does this support differ from formal education?

Kaelin Brennan, a junior middle level education major, believes that educational knowledge is important for professors to be able to do their jobs.

“I believe that professors should be required to have at minimum a certification in education,” Brennan said.

“While the professor may certainly have the knowledge in their field, to teach that knowledge is a whole different game.”

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TRENDING TOPICS

Other education students do not think that an educational background is quite as important.

Mireliz Bermudez, a sophomore early childhood and special education major, believes that their knowledge of their field is more important than their educational knowledge.

“I feel their expertise out-rules their need to have an educational background,” Bermudez said. “I think there is value in having an educational background; however, I think the professors having real-life experience is more important.”

Teaching style and assessments can look very different depending on the professor’s background.

“I think the biggest difference is the lecture style,” Bermudez said. “Education classes are more interactive and application-based, and we’re tested on application through projects and presentations rather than tests. Professors without educational background have a more rigid lecture style. While direct instruction is necessary, it sometimes becomes tiring to sit in a class and listen to a lecture every class.”

Although professors have varying backgrounds in education, they do have something in common: they have all been students before. Abby Herrlin, a junior math education major, believes that their previous experience as a student is important in their teaching careers even if they haven’t been formally taught how to teach.

“In order to get to where they are today, all professors are required to have spent a significant amount of time being a student,” Herrlin said, “which at minimum gives them insight into what worked for them and their peers as students.”

Stella Ye, Associate Professor of Linguistics and Chinese, got her master’s degree in teaching English as a second language. That degree did require courses in education, and Ye believes those courses are crucial in her current role as a professor.

“I think those courses were essential,” Ye said.

“They taught me teaching styles, teaching methods, how to get along with students, and how to build rapport. I wouldn’t have learned those without that formal education.”

Ye also references the importance of continuing to develop that knowledge of education, especially within each field of study.

“It’s a nonstop and dynamic process,” Ye said.

“These fields update all the time, and as a professional in that field, we need to catch up with it.”

Richard Schaeffer, a Messiah professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has no formal background in education, but has learned how to develop effective teaching methods in other ways.

“I knew pretty early on that I wanted a position like this,” Schaeffer said. “Since I knew that, I was intentional about paying attention to the teachers I had, what was effective, what wasn’t effective.”

“Part of good teaching is emphasizing connections with students,” Schaeffer said. “I’m generally transparent about why I do the things that I do, and I often ask for feedback. That’s been helpful in learning what works and what doesn’t. I make sure students know that my fundamental concern is their learning.”

According to Wells, if students are concerned with the way their class is being taught, going to the professor is a good first step.

“Direct feedback can be very helpful to faculty in evaluating how their teaching strategies are being experienced by students,” Wells said.

“Our Department Chairs are also especially helpful resources for students who would like to discuss the qualifications of their instructors.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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VETERAN COAC ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

VETERAN VETERAN C O A C H E E S C S

WRITTEN BY ROSIE SCHIANO DESIGNED BY AMBER SWAISGOOD

S

ports is a monumental part of Messiah University’s culture. The success of these athletic programs is in large part due to the devoted coaching staff, some of whom have been here at Messiah for decades. These veteran coaches, among a number of others, have continued to dedicate themselves to Messiah and its athletes.

Matthew Fenton, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Events, sees the value of having coaches who have been in the program for so long.

Coach Mike Miller started coaching the Falcons for the 1986-1987 season and is going into his 37th year as head coach of the Messiah Women's Basketball Team.

Miller is a member of the Messiah College graduating class of 1983 and was a guard for the Messiah Men’s Basketball team. After graduation, he got a job at Messiah College to teach in the business department.

Coaching was not part of Miller’s plan. One week before his first season, the coach at the time reached out and asked Miller to hold the position for one season until they found someone. Little did Miller know, he would be the permanent fit.

Miller continued to teach and coach full time for 13 years until he stopped teaching business classes. However, as a coach, Miller still educates. He teaches his players the importance of culture and leadership while coaching them in basketball and shaping them to be both better athletes and better people.

“I’m always an educator first,” Miller said.

Amongst Miller’s wishes for the team was his goal to give the women’s team the same recognition as the men's. Miller said when he was an athlete at Messiah, if you wanted a seat for the men's game, you had to be at the JV game by halftime. When the game was over, and it was time for the women to play, the spectators would be gone.

MILLER

MIKE MILLER

“I think it's very unique,” Fenton said. “They know what their program should look and feel like, and that just comes with the experience of being a coach.”

In 1996, 10 years into coaching the Falcons, his wish came true: 1,600 people filled Brubaker for the Middle Atlantic Conference game.

Even though Miller was able to fulfill that wish, he still sets new goals for himself every season.

COACHES VETE “Good is never good enough,” Miller said.

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PHOTOS BY MESSIAH UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

CHES VETERAN C Scott Frey started his 23rd year as head coach of the Messiah Women’s Soccer Team. Frey is a Messiah graduate and a former player on the men's soccer team, where he was a midfielder.

Frey was a soccer coach for Alma College in Michigan for seven years before returning to Messiah as a coach. After being away from friends and family, it was good to be back.

“This position opened in 2000,” Frey said. “The opportunity presented itself and the opportunity to come home and back to Messiah.”

Frey values Messiah Athletics and their commitment to both athletics and their faith.

“There aren't many places where you can do this job as a coach in this environment of integrating faith and athletics, '' Frey said. “There aren't many places who do it as well as Messiah.”

His athletes aren't the only ones learning new skills along the way. Frey is learning from his players. Over time, Frey has learned how to cultivate a strong faith environment for each student's academic and athletic experience by making faith such a strong aspect of the sport.

FREY

SCOTT FREY

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“I don’t want a player to feel like they need to give up one to have the other,” Frey said.

For Frey, the added bonus of being a coach for so long is seeing the growth and building long lasting relationships with their athletes even after their time at Messiah.

DALE FOGELSANGER

FOGE

“My most favorite thing, after 20 some years, is getting to hold the babies of my former players when they come with their kids,” Frey said.

Dale “Foge” Fogelsanger is the head coach of the track-and-field and the cross-country team at Messiah University, and is entering his 29th coaching season.

Fogelsanger is a Messiah graduate of the Class of ‘87 with a degree in biology. Before coaching at Messiah, Fogelsanger coached middle and high school track and field after graduating from Messiah College.

Doug Miller, Fogelsanger’s coach and the previous head coach of the track and field team, wrote Fogelsanger a letter expressing that he was leaving and that he wanted Fogelsanger to take his position. Fogelsanger accepted, and is still grateful for Miller’s support.

“He was a big impact on my life and right away helped me be a confident coach at the high school level,” Fogelsanger said.

Since becoming a coach, Fogelsanger has worked with 29 years worth of athletes. In that time, not much has changed about the sport or the athletes.

“The sport, the event, and the type of athlete that does track and field and cross country does not change,” Fogelsanger said. “[The athletes] are very self-motivated, driven, type A. More of my job is balance and less glitz.”

For Fogelsanger, and many other coaches, their job is more than just coaching the next generation, it's about shaping their athletes to make them the best they can be in all aspects, on and off the field or court.

“It’s very impactful to us coaches who have played for Messiah to want to give back to our programs and keep that program as healthy as it was for us,” Fogelsanger said. “It was certainly a dream I never thought would be a dream, to come back and coach at Messiah.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Christmas Date Ideas WRITTEN BY ETHAN DYRLI DESIGNED BY KATE TRIMBLE

O

h the holidays - the perfect time to cozy up with your lover. The winter air brings with it some of the most romantic seasonal dates of the whole year. Ice skating, warm cups of cocoa, snowball fights, the typical stuff.

But I hear what you’re saying - you’re not the typical couple. Why do the same boring old dates as everyone else?

To make the holidays more exciting for you and your snow angel, we’ve created some new and exciting winter date ideas to get the two of you in the mood for the holiday seasons.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING This one may seem like a classic Christmas activity - but hold your reindeer dear reader. I guarantee you never did caroling like this before.

Think Christmas Caroling, but make it more intimate. Before, you were out on the street, cordially knocking on the front door.

Instead, you and your sweetie get in your car (nice and warm) and drive into their backyard. Roll down your windows and start signing.

Now you don’t have to worry about anyone else watching your performance, it’s just the carolers and the caroled.

When met with questions such as “Who are you?” and “What have you done to my yard?” put that puppy in reverse and drive out of there. Onto the next house to spread Christmas cheer!

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VISITING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTIES You remember those fun times the day before Christmas break back in gradeschool? Don’t let those parties stay as memories! Go to your local elementary school and visit, take part in the festivities!

Try some of the finest cafeteria pizza cut into miniscule slices for cost-effective feeding.

Wash that down with some flat Diet Pepsi that’s been sitting in the arts-and-crafts cabinet since last year. Top all of that off with a viewing of the first half of “Polar Express” (we don’t have time to finish the movie because of the half-day schedule).

Don’t let the fun end there! On the way out, tell all those poor children that Santa isn’t real and that their parents are lying to them. They deserve the truth!

START A TREE FARM For the couples looking for forced longterm commitment, consider starting a tree farm. Plant the saplings as early as possible. We recommend pine trees - they’re better suited for cooler climates and can withstand a variety of soils. You’ve likely missed planting season, so mark your calendars for early fall or late spring.

If the two of you work hard, the two of you will start to see a high return on your investment in about 7-10 years. What fun!

LIGHTNING ROUND ROAST CHESTNUTS ON AN OPEN FIRE I guarantee you’re the first person to do it.

FAMILY PORTRAIT Go to the JCPenny and join a random family’s family portrait.

Send them to your real families and spook them out a little bit!

BAKE COOKIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Make those jawns inedible!

Mm, mm, mm, yummy!

PEOPLE WATCHING Just look at ‘em.

TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA I haven’t seen them before, but I’m proud of them for living their truth.

Wow. I’m feeling romantic already. I can almost see the snowflakes falling down on your next date-night. Try out these tips and you’re sure to have a Merry Christmas.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Breaking News!

Capitalism Now Extending to the Holiday Season; Introducing a More Fiscally Compliant Christmas Tradition WRITTEN BY MACKENZIE CHRISTIE DESIGNED BY KATE TRIMBLE Many Christian advocacy groups, such as the Christian Legal Society, have weighed in on the conversation, expressing concerns about the exploitation of a religious holiday for economic gain.

W

e’ve seen Christmas in July milked for years now, but in this economy, it seems doubled profits aren’t making the cut anymore. The Biden Administration has recently released word that Christmas – as a federal holiday – is to be celebrated quarterly in order to better coincide with each fiscal quarter.

“It’s an ethical dilemma, what they’re doing to the general public.

You can’t value economic profit over the personal and religious traditions of countless Americans. We can’t stand for it,” Christian Life Society CEO David Nammo said.

Cecilia Rouse, Chairperson of the US Council of Economic Advisors, explains the reasons for a revamped Christmas industry.

“Large capitalist corporations have been luring folks into gluttonous overconsumption to celebrate the birth of one of the world’s greatest socialists for a long time now, but recently it’s lost its effect on the economy. As it turns out, deception only goes so far,” Rouse said with a subtle frown.

To be specific, deception lasts about 6 months before the economy starts tanking like clockwork. Good old-fashioned Christmas in December and Christmas in July are commonplace, but it’s time to raise the stakes by introducing Christmas in April and Christmas in September.

When asked about the U.S. Federal Reserves’ ethical compliances, Rouse quickly thumbed through her pocket dictionary to the subheading ‘E’ before declining a comment.

“You suckers hear Gingerbread Houses and Candy Canes and start frothing at the mouth like rabid animals,” said Rouse.

“It’s a downright gift from God. We figured with all that extra cash you’ve got lying around, why not exploit you on a quarterly basis too? Quadruple the festivities, and you won’t even know you’re being sucked dry. It’s the American dream, really.”

Rouse and her henchmen Jared Bernstein high-fived joyfully throughout the entire interview.

The USCEA has proposed several methods of increasing Christmas Commercialization. These efforts include providing all Christmas carolers a wireless card reader and tip screen to charge unsuspecting bystanders for their musical services, initiating mass incarceration of those suffering from red-green color blindness (they consistently fail to buy the right colored Christmas decorations and it’s killing the mood), and rebranding all trees, shrubs, and related greenery as ‘Christmas Trees’ to keep up with the projected increase in demand.

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