Swinging Bridge Magazine: October 2018

THE

SWINGING B R I DG E THE PULSE MAGAZINE

CAMPUS CLOSET

22

FINDING OUR ROOTS

30

BRAD MCCARTY

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

6

FOREVER A FALCON

OCTOBER 2018

14 C O M I N G H O M E ALUMNI RETURN

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THE

SWINGING B R I DG E VOLU M E 1 0 2

EDITION 8

STUDENT DIRECTOR DAKOTA VAUGHN

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

O C T. 2 0 1 8

ASST. STUDENT DIRECTOR AMBER CLEMENS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MEGAN BOMBA

ART DIRECTOR GRACE DEMMER

ONLINE EDITOR MADDIE CONLEY

DESIGN ASSISTANTS ELI FORD

STUDENT LIFE EDITOR MAEGAN NEGRON

NATALIE MOEY CULTURE EDITOR CHARMAINE LIM

MEGAN SPORY

SPORTS & REC EDITOR LILLIAN KASHISHIAN

AUDIO & VISUAL MANAGER KAI YUEN LEONG WEB MANAGER KELLY WEBBER

AUDIO & VISUAL ASSISTANTS BUSINESS MANAGER OLIVIA CRAWFORD LAKE BENDER JOSH YODER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER MARISA HARRIS

Monday - Friday | 1pm - 5pm 717-691-6081 1 COLLEGE AVENUE SUITE 3058

H

omecoming has new meaning in college.

I think it has to do with the fact that you feel stronger ties to your college campus than to the hallowed halls of high school. It is where you call home for the majority of the year. You are forced to grow up here. It is where the best four years of your life are spent.

With Homecoming in mind, the theme of this magazine is roots— whether it be cultural, spiritual or geographical roots. We wanted to get at the root of Messiah through a variety of topics.

While my roots only lie 41 miles away, many Messiah students travel a long way from home to go to school. It is here that we all plant new roots to be watered in the hopes that we grow into capable, young professionals. Along the way, our roots make an impact on those who reap the fruit of our labor.

I hope that as you read this issue, you realize the impact that the roots you’re leaving or have already left have had on someone. I hope that this Homecoming is one of reflection and celebration of those realizations.

MECHANICSBURG, PA 17055

(Downstairs South Wing of the Larsen Student Union) The Swinging Bridge Magazine is published through The Pulse: Messiah College Media Hub, run by students. The Pulse consists of Pulse Radio, The Clarion yearbook, and The Swinging Bridge Magazine. The Swinging Bridge staff strives to publish quality student writing, photography, and design.

Race me to the back cover,

Megan Bomba Editor-In-Chief

To learn about job and volunteer opportunities, email thepulse@messiah.edu.

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

3

TABLE

OF

STUDENT LIFE

CULTURE

6 CAMPUS CLOSET

INTERNATIONAL WEAR

MAJOR CHANGE

10

ART FORM

BRINGING CULTURAL ROOTS

13

14 COMING HOME ALUMNI RETURN

2018

SPORTS & REC

24

OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE INTO ZAMBIA

26

MENTAL HEALTH AND MEDIA

TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

22

30

A CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF "CRAZY RICH ASIANS"

BRAD MCCARTY

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

FINDING OUR ROOTS

2 MINUTE DEVO

SEPTEMBER

18

20

8

4

CONTENTS

THE LOFT TEAM

FOREVER A FALCON

BY MEGAN BOMBA

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

NOV

01

World Vegan Day - Try a new dish or maybe just some oreos on this day!

02

Lost Film: Leave No Trace - Showings at 6 and 9 p.m. in Parmer Cinema.

03 04 05

Messiah Wrestling Invitational - The tournament lasts all day, so be sure to stop in to support our Falcon wrestlers.

THINGS TO DO IN

Daylight Savings - Switch your clocks to an hour later and enjoy the extra sleep!

Fall Hike - Hike nearby at Friendship Park, or explore a more intense climb such as the Conewago Recreation Trail.

06

Presidential Lecture Series on Vocation, Reconciliation, & the Common Good - KP’s lectures begins at 7 p.m.

07 08

B-SIDES - SAB will host another upand-coming musical act at the Union.

Women’s Basketball Home Opener vs. York College - Get rowdy for the Lady Falcons on their home court! Tip off is at 7 p.m.

09

Men’s Basketball Home Opener vs.

Clarks Summit University - Don your blue and white and cheer on the guys as they take on the Defenders at 6 p.m.

10

Lost Film: Won't You be my Neighbor? Showings at 3, 6 and 9 p.m. in Parmer Cinema.

11

The Tempest - Check out this semester’s production by the Theatre Department!

Performances at 3 and 8 p.m. in Miller Theater.

12

Create a fall playlist - Put together songs with fall vibes to use when you are studying, hanging out or driving to your fall events.

13

Mocktails - Network with Messiah alumni in a low-stress environment!

14

Acclamation Dance Ministry Classes - Attend a list of non-commitment dance classes to try it out. Modern class begins at 4:15 p.m.

15

“Blue Christmas” Dance Performance Learn about dance as a form of worship during this holiday-themed performance!

16 17

Lost Film: The Blackkklansman Showings at 6 and 9 p.m. in Parmer Cinema.

Fall Sports Playoffs - Tune in to the broadcast or watch your Falcons take on NCAA’s!

0

NOV

NOV

18

Use Less Stuff Day - Try a day at being more sustainable in your daily activities, whether it be choosing “For Here” at The Union or forgetting the straw for your drink.

19

Monday Night Football - Tune into the teams playing and cheer on your favorite!

20

Universal Children’s Day - Embrace your inner child and do an activity you loved as a kid.

21

Write down what you are thankful for Share it or keep it to yourself, but it is a good reminder of how privileged we are.

22

THANKSGIVING - Enjoy the time off from obligations to be with loved ones. (And eat tons of turkey!)

23

Black Friday Shopping - Hit up your favorite stores at all hours of the day for some steals.

24

Shop Small Saturday - Don’t forget about the Mom & Pop Shops that you know and love!

25 26

Molly’s Place - Get a little fur therapy from the animals at Molly’s!

FCA - Hangout with and hear from a faithful bunch who have a passion for sports.

The meeting begins at 9 p.m. in Frey 110.

27

Giving Tuesday - Following Thanksgiving, this holiday asks people to give either their time or donations to a charitable organization of their choice.

28

National French Toast Day - Get cooking and make your own or go to a diner and get your fix that way!

29

National Square Dance Day - Grab your boots and a hat and put on a playlist of music to step to.

30

Order of the Falcon Game Night - They are a club that meets weekly in the Union conference room on Tuesday nights from 5-7 p.m. to play games and connect with more members of our Messiah community.

N O V E M B E R

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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STUDENT LIFE

CA MPUS CLOSET

BY LEANNE TAN You’ve seen your international friends wear outfits from home at events like International Banquet and Karibu Night, but do you know their significance and what they mean to the international student community?

H O S A N A K AWA S H I M A

OU T F I T: Ki m o n o E n r ob e d i n a K i mono, w e h ave s e n ior Ho s a n a K aw a s h i m a . A kimono is a traditional Japanese robe that is made up of three separate garments: the undershirt (juban), the actual kimono and the sash (obi). Today, kimonos are typically worn at weddings, tea ceremonies and other special occasions. Back in Japan, Kawashima took lessons on how to wear a kimono properly, because the process of wearing a kimono is more complicated than what most people think. After much practice, Kawashima can proudly say she is able to put on her kimono, do her hair and make-up in just 10 minutes.

W hy i s it s o s p e c i a l to you?

“I got really into Japanese culture when I was in middle school. I wanted a kimono so badly. So, I prayed and prayed, and I became friends with this one girl who gifted me with four sets of kimonos. Out of the four, this is my favorite. Whenever I look at it, I’m reminded of her and God’s faithfulness.”

PHOTOS | BY SHAUN KAM

REBECCA WENGER

OU T F I T: Ku r ta We a r i ng a k u r t a , w e h ave f i r s t-y e a r R e b e c c a We nge r, w ho s p e nt a l a r ge p or t ion of he r e a rl y y e a r s i n Taji k i s t a n . A kurta is a two-piece outfit that consists of a knee-length dress and pants of the same material and design. Besides Tajikistan, kurtas are worn in other parts of Central Asia such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Tajik women wear kurtas most days, as the design of the outfit makes it easy for them to work in it, both at home and in the fields.

W hy i s it s o s p e c i a l to you?

“It reminds me of life’s simplicity, like the time we lived on a farm in Tajikistan. It also reminds me of sweeping the courtyard of our house, because the brooms we used were yellow, which is the color of my dress.”

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2018

STUDENT LIFE BELOSAN JEKALE

OU T F I T: Ha b e s h a Ke mi s S ophomor e B e lo s a n Je k a le w e a r s t he h a b e s h a k e mi s, a t r a d it ion a l E t h iopi a n a n k le -le ng t h d r e s s made of cotton fabric that usually comes in shades of white, beige or grey. In addition to the dress, Jekale wears a head scarf (netela) and wraps a light shawl (mekenet) around her waist. Women in Ethiopia typically wear the habesha kemis during weddings and holidays like Easter and Christmas.

W hy i s it s o s p e c i a l to you?

“It reminds me of home and all of the events I attended wearing it. I also like how the habesha kemis looks so different compared to other clothing.

You could go to prom in one and you’d look extra fancy, which is great!”

T H AO T RUONG

OU T F I T: Áo D à i Ha i l i ng f r om V ie t n a m , s e n ior T h ao Tr uong don s a n áo d à i , a t r ad it ion a l V ie t n a me s e s i l k t u n ic . Áo dàis typically come in red, white, yellow, purple or green. Depending on the color and design of the tunic, some áo dàis are only worn for specific occasions such as weddings or the Lunar New Year.

W hy i s it s o s p e c i a l to you?

“My mom knew I’d be away for the Lunar New Year this year, so she bought this for me to celebrate with other Vietnamese students here in the States. My mom also has a similar one, so I’m reminded of home whenever I see it. It even still has the scent from home.”

SH AU N SU KU M

OU T F I T: Bi d a y u h t r ib a l c o s t u m e D on n i ng t he Bid ay u h t r i b a l c o s t u me i s ju n ior Sh au n S u k u m . Hailing from East Malaysia, Sukum is a member of the Bidayuh tribe, an indigenous tribe on the island of Borneo. The outfit is typically made up of a vest partially made of tree bark, a loin cloth (cawat) and a necklace made of animal or fish teeth, pendants and beads of various colors and patterns. Other variations of the outfit may also include a headgear, shield and spear. The colored stripes on the edges of the outfit and animal motif at the back of the vest are used to distinguish the Bidayuh tribe from other tribes on the island.

The Bidayuh tribal costume is worn at special events like weddings and Gawai Dayak (an annual harvest festival celebrated by different indigenous tribes on the island).

W hy i s it s o s p e c i a l to you?

“It reminds me of home and my native culture whenever I wear or look at it. It brings back a lot of memories and stories that my grandad used to tell when I was growing up, such as stories about how his father taught him and his siblings survival skills in the jungle.”

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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STUDENT LIFE

Major Switch

BY HALEY MONG s what you’re studying at Messiah now what you originally set out to pursue in college?

Have you been recognizing new interests and classes and considering switching majors?

“barrier to her success.” She didn’t hesitate to listen to her professors and so dropped her teaching certification and rather added humanities and theatre concentrations to her communications degree.

Messiah Professor Mary Holloway and Christine Milbrath, a second year, reveal their experiences changing majors.

The economy not only jeopardized her decision to become a teacher, but also caused her to transfer her junior year to a college half the price of the previous. Transferring colleges was a stressful change for her because she had to adapt to a new environment and community of people as well as a new program with different classes.

As a college freshman, Mary Holloway began as a theatre major purely because of her love of acting.

“I still love acting but didn’t want to make a profession out of it,” says Holloway.

She separated her joy of theatre from her ideas on careers and decided her second year to change her major to communications. Communications still left Holloway with a feeling of ambiguity as to what her profession would be after college. She couldn’t visualize a set career for herself.

The collection of her communication courses guided her towards the teaching path, therefore adding a secondary education concentration to her degree. She enjoyed the idea of teaching, however her professors warned her that, based on the time period and location, there would be no teaching positions open when she left school. This news put a damper on her plans and it seemed a

8

OCTOBER

2018

Despite the stressful transfer, she felt calm about all her decisions in changing her major and concentrations.

She was continually at peace knowing she was arriving closer to what she wanted her profession to be.

All of her interests and classes coordinated and she was able to tweak her experiences to narrow in on what she wanted to do and be after college.

She did not have as many resources that college students do today, and therefore felt ‘naïve’ when processing the possibilities of her future. She recalls not ever knowing exactly what her future looked like in college, but always felt that

her classes were shaping the abstract future she envisioned.

Holloway still sought to be a teacher, but since there were no current openings for teachers, she continued on to graduate school to further her education. Out of her journey switching majors “slowly emerges something that fit the plan.”

STUDENT LIFE

Throughout her experiences, faith set the bedrock in making all of her decisions. Even without many resource options at her school, she remained in constant prayer with God who played the essential resource in her life.

Whenever she had doubts about her plans and thought, “Have I failed myself?” she paid attention to the right voice out of the many, which was God. Although it was “easy to fall victim to self-doubts,” God and the people around her gave her courage and direction.

Out of her years in college deciding classes and career paths and learning about herself, she separated her interests into things she did and did not want to pursue. The interests she did want to pursue became more eminent as she developed her skills in communications and education, eventually becoming a communications professor here at Messiah.

As a current professor at Messiah, she loves being an advisor to her students to guide them through their passions and reality the way her professors did.

Christine Milbrath provides another account of switching majors. As a current second year and biomedical biology major, she feels as though she has landed in the right field.

She arrived at college a nursing major because she was interested in medicine, science and possibly becoming a nurse practitioner. As she became aware of the classes offered in the biology major through her friends and professors, she realized they held an element of understanding behind medicine and science that the nursing major did not.

In her second semester, after much prayer and contemplating her future career options, she officially switched

majors to biology with the help of her professor, Dr. Ness-Myers, who assured her she would be a good fit.The process involved leaving behind the group of nursing majors she became friends with in class and transitioning into a whole new group of people that had already worked together for a semester.

On top of the social change, she was academically behind a semester because none of her nursing classes transferred to the biology major. This was also one of the first big decisions she had made without the immediate help of her family.

God provided her the calm in these stressful decisions as she prayed about making the change.

“I definitely had peace when I made the decision to switch,” said Christine.

She also recognized the talents God has gifted her with, which she feels are put to good use in the biology department.

“With nursing I had a career set before me and it was a super easy path to follow, but with biology there were options that I would have to explore for myself. It was a change that was very much worth it,” said Christine.

She encourages those considering switching their major to talk to students in that major and “be sure to talk with other professors that have had you in class and have some sense of your personality.”

Christine Milbrath and Professor Mary Holloway’s stories can give guidance to anyone contemplating switching majors. As you think about changing majors, continue to pray and seek answers and peace from God, your advisors and those surrounding your spiritual and academic life.

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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STUDENT LIFE

BY IAN TAN

Every person has roots which help construct their identity. We are all touched by culture, language and community, and how we choose to express these influences differs. Amidst these various expressions, many enjoy using art to do so. Even those who have planted themselves in sciences might dabble in the arts to varying degrees.

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2018

poetry, raps, or even comedic sketches, I find writing to be the primary way I engage art, in the broader sense of the term.”

Senior chemistry major and art studio minor Caitlyn Fong says, “I journal, draw, paint, and embroider as a way to express myself. I would consider all of these as art.”

Senior adventure education major JJ Franke says, “I often express myself through adventure education games, which give me an opportunity to be creative. I also enjoy demonstration and skits, as well as logical explanations of thoughts.”

“I express myself in various ways, from the way I dress to the way I talk,” says senior business administration major David Michael. He continued, “However, the primary way I express myself is through my writing. Whether it’s writing short stories,

“There are multiple artistic ways in which I express myself,” says senior engineering major Andrew Roof. “I am and have been involved with theater, dance, and various choirs and bands. I also enjoy making my room look aesthetically pleasing through the use of electronics, post-

STUDENT LIFE

ers and fan art I’ve created and accumulated over the years.”

Senior nursing major Tabitha Adel says, “I express myself mostly through words, be it through writing or conversation. Words can permeate our inner being like any other art form.”

“A medium of creative expression, from a poem, a song, or a painting,” says Fong.

“It’s difficult to define art,” Michael said.

“Its nature is as multifarious as humans themselves. However, generally speaking, I view any medium that demonstrates the creative agency of the human being to be part of ‘the arts.’ Additionally, it would be something that is subject to interpretation and critique.”

Franke said, “I define ‘the arts’ as anything that allows a person to express their thoughts, feelings or ideas. The arts are what make people feel like individuals because they get to show their creativity in a way that is unique and meaningful to them, and it’s likely different people would not agree on their definitions of art.”

“I suppose ‘the arts’ encompasses any use of your personal skills and creativity to make something that addresses and reflects your feelings, truths and personal experiences,” Roof says. “These things said, I personally use the arts to fit the category I stated in a relaxed and casual way.”

“Art is what we have termed the consequence of integrating all our senses and perceptions with our individual experiences to create a window into a person’s soul.

Stereotypically, this has been through music, dancing and visual artifacts,” says Adel.

“I am drawn to whichever art form fits my emotional need at the moment,” Fong said.

“If it is immediate, I would journal. If it is a drawn-out journey of emotional discovery, I might pick something more time consuming like painting.”

Michael said, “I’ve always held an affinity for writing. I find that I can articulate myself in a unique, and personal, way. I can endow my words with the emotions I hold at the time and revisit them later. More importantly, writing is an important coping mechanism for me. It’s overwhelming to keep powerful emotions suppressed inside you. That’s why my poetry journal is populated with the darkest moments in my life, but also the brightest.”

“I love Adventure Education so much because it provides myself and others with experiences that they are unfamiliar with and use those experiences to teach them something. I think learning from a handson experience followed by reflection is much more memorable then a classroom lecture,” Franke said.

“My preferred art form is probably singing and playing guitar,” said Roof. “Every time I pick it up I immediately feel a certain level of comfort and relaxation because I have been playing it since I was 12. I also enjoy its versatility with so many genres including pop, jazz, folk, classical and many others.”

“I like to think of sentences as bricks, each brick holding a single idea (or fragment) of one. Much like a building, each sentence or word needs to be put together in some logical and effective pattern for it to come

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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STUDENT LIFE

together and fulfill its purpose. Through writing and/or discussion, I can make sense of my experiences in a way that I can share it with others,” Adel said.

Fong said, “I think it says that I am equally balanced in the arts and science, as I am a chemistry major.”

“I think it’s a representation of my family history, upbringing, the way I think, and the ways in which I express myself,” Michael said. “To know my writing is to know some part of me, and even to know the fact that I write is to know another part of me still.”

“I think adventure education as my art form shows that I want others to experience learning for themselves,” Franke says of his choice of expression. “I want people to pull the lessons out of life’s experiences in a way that feels natural for them.”

Roof said, “I don’t know. But I hope that it expresses my adventurous disposition to enjoy the life in the moment, as well as my relentless quest to understand the things that are hard to know, in the world, so that I can be made better by virtue of knowing and applying them to my life.”

Adel says of her own, “I have always been an analytical person, and I think this shows in my words and speech, because I often articulate and present my perspective as clearly as I can.”

How do you think your way of thinking has been impacted by engaging in an art form and delving into your chosen major?

How do you think they have coexisted so far?

“Both my time in the lab and the studio have taught me to adopt methodical ways of working and great attention to detail,” says Fong.

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“I intend on incorporating both my chemistry and visual arts background into the field of art conservation, which is how I hope to find a balance between the two greatly interconnected worlds.”

“Business can be very by-the-book and cutand-dried,” says Michael. “Being a writer gives me a more interpretive look at business, and the people involved in it. The way I see it, every company has its own story, one which has many elements, drama, and characters. And each businesses’ story will intertwine with other stories, creating a rich narrative. Writing changed the way I think in many ways.”

“I have become more aware of assumptions and the questioning of those assumptions,” observes Franke. “For example, during reflection after an activity, I would challenge people to ask their group if they feel cared for before making an assumption about them. I have also learned that 'it is never really about the activity, it is about what you can learn from the activity.'”

Roof said, "Here’s a quote I saw in my marketing class that I hope to live by as art and my major intersect with each other. ‘Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.’ - Pablo Picasso.”

“I think nursing has taught me the power of words moreso than any other experience I have had thus far,” Adel said. “The simple beauty and true art of conversation has meant so much to the patients I have had already. Nursing has especially taught me the value of both the sciences and arts, so much so that I can’t begin to fathom a form of healing without both.”

Our inner identity is shown through the art we create. It is the truest form of ourselves. As we work through our degrees, we can rely on these art forms as a way of release and expression.

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The recurring search result was ‘before anyone else.’

BY KAMMY UNDIEH

I

was talking with a friend one day, and I jokingly said, “Thanks bae.”

I expected, “You’re welcome,” or “Not a problem.” What I didn’t see coming was, “What does ‘bae’ mean?” In a desperate attempt to not stumble over words, I did what any other teenager would do. I Googled it.

The first thing I saw was the explanation of an acronym. Here I was thinking that it was just a term of endearment. What had I gotten myself into?

In Colossians 3:1-12, the Apostle Paul speaks about priorities and desires.

College is a time of sorting out our priorities and desires. We want to figure things out, get our lives together and find that special someone. Paul tells us that all these things are not as important as what is above.

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

It is not unusual to want to do a lot of things and achieve a lot of things, especially when everyone around us seems to be doing just that. It is important, though, to understand what to prioritize.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus used this verse to emphasize his teachings on worry and anxiety. It is easy to complain and to wish we were in someone else’s shoes. We need to understand that their stilettos may not be effective on the path we’re walking.

God has placed each of us on a path that we are to walk on diligently and has given us all the tools, or appropriate footwear, that we need to walk successfully. If we ever stumble, all we need to do is look above, to the God who is before anyone else.

THE SWINGING BRIDGE

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STUDENT LIFE

JAY MCCLYMONT, 1992 COMMUNICATIONS GRADUATE RECLINES AT HIS DESK IN THE MESSIAH ALUMNI OFFICE

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STUDENT LIFE

COMING HOME

BY CELICA COOK

A

s homecoming season approaches, campus is not only filled with the sounds of students’ footsteps crunching on the fresh layers of colorful fall leaves on the way to class.

Campus begins to welcome home those who have been here before; the alumni who have sat through endless chapels, seminars, and final exams just as we do now. These alumns have been in our shoes before, and while Messiah College has over 20,000 living alumni spread out in every state in the U.S., as well as in over 20 different countries all over the world, a few of them decided to establish their roots right back here in Grantham, PA on the campus that they once, and still can, call home.

Joanna Hadley-Evans, a 1996 business administration graduate of Messiah, found herself back on campus 10 years after graduating.

Now she holds the position of Administrative Assistant in the College Ministry Office. Her journey from Messiah, and back again, began with her love of service, and her devotion to the mission of the college.

Hadley-Evans decided to come back to Messiah as staff when the college approached her about a large software conversion that was happening across campus in 2006. Her work with that eventually led to a full-time position in the registrar's office, which then led to working the college ministries department.

“For me primarily, giving back, serving back the institution in a way that I could use my gifts of administration, organization, planning, paying attention to detail here at the college was meaningful,” said Hadley-Evans.

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STUDENT LIFE

As a student at Messiah, Hadley-Evans remembers enjoying soccer games, res hall life, and participating in service trips. These experiences helped to make her Messiah College experience memorable.

“My husband and I would go to soccer games in the fall alone, and also with our kids once we had them. That's something we continue to do today, as we are active soccer fans. Also, we both participated in spring break service projects as singles, and as a married couple. We went on a spring break service project, but then we also led one as a married couple in our senior year.”

Jay McClymont, a 1992 communications graduate of Messiah with a Masters degree in Strategic Leadership, finds that his role at Messiah now as Director of Alumni and Parent relations allows him to stay connected to his college roots, as well as gives him the opportunity to connect others back to theirs.

“In alumni relations, one of the things that we have to do is to be able to create something that no longer exists, and we do that through stories because alumni want to come back to not what currently exists. They want to come back to Messiah

College, but the Messiah College that they went to looked very different,” states McClymont. “They want to come back on campus, and so we help them by remembering, we help them by reminiscing, reconnecting, and renewing relationships. Being a student, I have my own stories. I have my own memories. I have my own ways of connecting and reigniting those memories for alumni because I was here too.”

In his role at the college, McClymont gets to use his personal college experiences to connect with alumni, and current students alike. It is the unique aspects of life at Messiah such as eating at Lottie Nelson, sledding down Cemetery Hill, and engaging in the Messiah community that allow alumni of many generations to be connected on some common level.

“If you talk to any alum, they always talk about community. I think Messiah College is in a very unique perspective to create intentional community which I don’t think exists at other campuses as well as it does here,” said McClymont.

Though the students at Messiah eb and flow with the generations, the strong sense of campus community remains, and it continues to be a safe, comfortable, and memorable environment for both the alumni and students.

As well as being a staff member and Messiah graduate, McClymont is also father to Raegan McClymont who is a current sophomore here at the college.

“There is definitely an advantage to having my daughter here,” said McClymont. “My wife teaches at Covenant Christian Academy and so for 12 years, she’s always been with the kids at CCA, and I’ve been here by myself. I was always asking questions about what happened in their day, and now the roles are reversed.”

Though Messiah has changed a lot between McClymont’s time as a student here, and now, there are still aspects of the Messiah community that both McClymont and his daughter get to share by establishing their college roots in the same place.

Ashley Sider, a 2014 Bible graduate of the college with a masters in higher education, discussed the value she placed on the connections and relationships she established here on campus, which ultimately led her to come back as the Assistant Director of Parent and Alumni Relations.

JOANNA HADLEY-EVANS, 1996 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION GRAD IN THE COLLEGE MINISTRY OFFICE

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“I think as a student, I learned the value of making connections with people,” says Sider. “Especially in my major, I learned the importance of asking good questions, and really listening and getting to know people.”

STUDENT LIFE

Sider highlights the value of the immersion of faith and life on campus, and how the Messiah community encourages, and strives to allow students to really grow in their faith, and as people.

“Taking time to pray together and recognizing that the work that we’re doing are things that we want to do to make God proud. It’s unique being able to work in a Christian institution and have that as a big part of why we do what we do,” Sider adds.

Dr. David Dixon, a 1988 communications major with a concentration in journalism, is approaching his 30th class homecoming reunion this year. After graduating from Messiah, he received his masters degree at Wheaton University, and then pursued and earned his Ph.D. at Indiana University. Since then, Dixon has taught journalism and communication at Indiana University, Ivy Tech State College, Regent University, Azusa Pacific University, and Malone University. He decided to establish his roots at Messiah five years ago and is now teaching communications at the place where his education in the field began.

DR. DAVID DIXON, 1988 COMMUNICATIONS GRAD RETURNS TO TEACH COMMUNICATIONS

“What I liked about Messiah at the time, and I think it’s still largely true, is that it’s a place where you can be genuinely Christian, and genuinely thoughtful, and I haven’t found that at a lot of other places,” said Dixon.

Dixon reminisced about his time as an undergrad living in the dorms. While many upperclassmen choose to live in apartments on or off campus, Dixon chose to stay in the dorms during his time at Messiah.

“I sort of figured that I was going to be living in apartments for the rest of my life, so why would I do that while I’m in college? For me the social life was really important, and great fun,” Dixon explains.

Dixon’s pursuit of a career in education took him to the West Coast and back again, eventually landing him a job 25 years later at the college that first welcomed him into the adult world.

As alum return for this homecoming year, Messiah will continue to welcome them with open arms, and warm memories.

The men and women who once graced the same halls that we walk every day continue to be a part of the ever growing and ever changing college campus we will always be able to call home.

ASHLEY SIDER, 2014 BIBLE GRAD WITH A MASTERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION I N T H E MES S I A H A L U M N I O F F I C E

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BY CELICA COOK chool is back in full swing, meaning those endless summer nights are being replaced with endless study nights. With the start of the new school year there is also a renewed sense of community on campus as students make their way back from a summer away, or step foot on campus for the first time.

College is such a unique and diverse community of students, and because of this, it’s impossible not to experience a blend of many different cultures while spending time and interacting with other students here. International students have a lot to offer when it comes to bringing cultural diversity to Messiah’s campus. Their cultural contributions help to diversify and break down what we may see as societal norms. A few of the international students on campus shared some of the unique ways in which they stay both connected to their home culture and bring it back to campus with them.

“One thing to understand is that Malaysia is a huge food hub, and that's one thing that has really made me feel at home here. This sounds kind of funny, but ramen is number one. I have Indomie, and to be frank, every Malaysian has probably tried Indomie in their time at least once, or probably every day. That was one of the things that I brought here. It’s actually something that I buy from the Asian Mall and it makes me feel at home. I also cook a lot, and I do cook Malaysian food a fair bit, but the thing is, I only cook Malaysian food when I’m sharing it with people, and it’s not often that people do that. It’s like sharing a culture. There are also occasions where I brought my friends to Malaysian restaurants in Philadelphia. It was really cool. It was called Penang. I think that is a contributing factor to us all not getting homesick. When it comes to eating together, we don’t take it super lightly, so when we cook food, it’s actually really good food. A few of the very popular ingredients would be coconut milk and a lot of spices. It’s a lot of flavors that you’ve probably never tried before. That's one thing I enjoy.”

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“I actually didn’t know how to cook until I came here. I cook with my host family. They know how to cook, but I know the recipes for Chinese food, so they kind of taught me how to wash vegetables, cut them up and get them ready – now I know how to cook American food and Chinese food. I taught them how to cook Chinese food, and they taught me how to do the basic cutting, washing,and starting the cooking. We taught each other. Also, we don’t actually celebrate Christmas as much at home, but we celebrate Spring Festival which I celebrate with my American family too. Spring Festival has the Chinese calendar for New Years’ Eve and the New Year. Everyone gets off of school and we all get together and watch the traditional TV show that they practice all year long to put on. It’s a live TV show and we watch it late at night and everyone does fireworks all night long. You can’t fall asleep all night long because of the fireworks. Some of us stay up, and we get money every year from our parents. Everyone gets up really early to make dumplings, and everyone gets to eat dumplings that we made on that day.”

CULTURE

“I feel that the way I perceive my culture is not just Malaysia specifically, but more like South East Asia. Since I’ve come here, I’ve grown to appreciate not just my own country, but other countries that surround Malaysia as well. My boyfriend is from the Philippines, so I have started learning a lot more about South East Asia as a whole and how the different countries have so much in common. I feel that for me, the thing that connects me the most is language; learning about how different countries have similar words that have similar meanings. That really excites me because then I realize that we’re all not that different after all. It’s been cool meeting new people and realizing that the way they say hi in their language is the way I say hi, and it’s just fun to share culture in that sense.

I feel like culture isn't just something that you represent―it’s something that you learn, so the fact that Messiah has such a diverse community of people from different places has been really exciting. I feel like being here not only exposes me to more cultures, but it helps me to own my own culture as well.

[In a sense] I’ve learned a lot more about Malaysia being here than I have back home.”

“I personally feel really connected to my culture through music, and clothes because I love fashion. I’m a third culture kid so I have more culture than just one. I also have a Belgian heritage, but I guess the U.S. is kind of my culture now because I’ve been living here for six years. So for Belgium, I usually have my mom ship me chocolates. My favorite is from a guy called Pierre Marcolini. I also like waffles from Belgium. I learned how to make the recipe. Being able to speak my languages also helps. I speak French, Kinyarwanda, English, and I understand Swahili. Being able to speak French and Kinyarwanda to my friends really helps. Another thing we like to do is hair. Sometimes we all get together to do each other’s hair. It’s really cool.

For example, sometimes the guys will come over and we will do masks and oil each other’s hair. It’s like a line of everyone doing each other’s hair.

It’s really sweet.”

“I always have my mom send me peanuts from home so I can make peanut curry, and so I cook a lot.

Seafood, rice and tea remind me of home, especially when I’m homesick and miss my mom’s cooking. I also have a lot of Mozambican made clothes. They are called capulana. In Moz, they say every Mozambican should walk with a capulana in their bag ‘cause you never know when you may need it. That phrase annoys me, but when I come to think of it, capulana is part of a Mozambicans everyday life. It can be used as a towel, tablecloth, clothing, baby wrap and literally anything.

It’s also helpful to be able to speak my language here. I speak Portuguese and actually know a few students who speak it as well. I can speak English, Portuguese, Shangaan, and I speak other languages too but those are my main three.”

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DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS:

Mental Health and Media

BY JOY HAMMOND

T

here are a lot of thoughts that go through a person’s head when dealing with a mental illness. One thought is that they know they shouldn’t be feeling this way, but it also feels like no one can hear or understand them.

The pop singer opened up about her struggles in an interview with Variety about her ongoing recovery from bulimia*, and substance abuse. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), at least 30 million people, regardless of age and gender, suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S. alone.

One reason why people don’t ask for help is because of the fear that they will be judged or bullied for being “weak” or “incompetent”. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 1 in 5 adults (43.8 million people) and 1 in 5 youth aged 13-18 in the U.S. alone experience mental illness each year. These statistics come from reported cases, with no way of knowing how many unreported cases exist.

Depression, perhaps one of the most frequently discussed mental illnesses in this time, has become the number one leading cause of disability in the United States among ages 15-44, according to research from the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC).

In a time when media personalities are becoming more open about their personal life and struggles, it is becoming increasingly clear that mental illness is more common than most people think.

“I didn’t know what it was,” Dwayne Johnson said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I didn’t know why I didn’t want to do anything. I had never experienced anything like that.”

Demi Lovato, Chrissy Teigen, Dwayne Johnson, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga are a few celebrities that have opened up about their struggles with mental illness and actively try to spread awareness about it.

Johnson isn’t the only celebrity to come out about their depression, Prince Harry, Kendrick Lamar, and Kristin Bell also have been diagnosed with depression. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that 6.2 million adults in the U.S. have dealt with one major depressive episode.

“It’s very important we create conversations, we take away the stigma, and that we stand up for ourselves if we’re dealing with symptoms of mental illness,” Demi Lovato said.

After giving birth to her daughter, Luna, in 2016, Chrissy Teigan experienced postpartum depression (PPD). PPD is a mood disorder and according to the NIMH, “it affects women after child birth. They begin to experience feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion which take over their lives and makes it difficult to complete daily tasks and care for themselves.”

“It’s such a major part of my life and so many other women’s lives,” Teigan said in an article for Glamour Magazine. “I’m speaking up now because I want people to know that it can happen to anybody and I don’t want people who have it to feel embarrassed or to feel alone.”

Other platforms of social media, such as YouTube and Twitter, have boosted more of these stories to the public.

“I can reach out to someone not like me. If you ask for help, it doesn’t make you weak.”

Those are lines from the collaborated song, “Empty,” by YouTubers JaidenAnimations and Boyinaband (Dave Brown).

Jaiden is an animation artist on YouTube who discusses her story about her mental illness, such as body dysmorphia, anxiety, bulimia and anorexia.

“To push hunger away…I would have gum… there is four calories in a stick of gum and that was too much, so I would rip it in half” Jaiden said. “It’s just ridiculous but that’s just how obsessed and toxic your brain is during that.”

“I found that, with depression, one of the most important things you could realize is that you’re not alone,” Johnson said.

*(An eating disorder that involves binge-eating large amounts of food followed by fasting, vomiting or excessive exercise out of guilt)

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Together, Jaiden and Brown hope that their song would reach out to millions of people to spread awareness that those suffering with mental illness are not alone and that asking for help “doesn’t make you weak.”

Many celebrities have worked to raise awareness in other ways, by volunteering at and donating to charities that support and aid people with mental illness.

Lady Gaga started a nonprofit organization, the Born This Way Foundation, to help inform people of mental wellness, solve problems in communities and spread kindness to others. Demi Lovato produced a documentary, “Beyond Silence,” about her struggles and recovery from mental illness to help take away from the stigma and spread awareness.

Gaga had opened up about her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being raped at the age of 19.

It is with the support system that these celebrities have created around them that has given them the courage to speak out and reveal their most vulnerable state of mind.

“There is a lot of shame attached to mental illness, but it’s important that you know that there is hope and a chance for recovery,” Gaga said.

Messiah College offers many on and off campus resources for those looking for help or treatment. Appointments can be made online with the Engle Center for counseling. Resident Life employees such as RAs and RDs are also available to help anyone who would like to talk or receive help.

Minds Matter, the mental health awareness club, also frequently organizes activities and talks to raise awareness for mental illness on campus.

Though the efforts of celebrities to raise public awareness has brought about positive conversation and efforts, there are conflicting responses from people who have mental illnesses about celebrities and their acts to spread awareness. Some people feel encouraged and proud that celebrities are talking about mental illness. Others believe that it’s all just a way to get more publicity and that their actions aren’t sincere. Even so, many celebrities have been using their time, money, and talent to spread awareness in a positive way.

One thing that all these celebrities have in common is a strong support system as they continue to fight mental illness.

“The kindness that’s shown to me by doctors as well as my family, and my friends, it’s really what saved my life,” Lady Gaga said on the “Today” show.

1 in 5 adults & youth in the U.S. experience mental illness each year

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FINDING OUR ROOTS A CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF "CRAZY RICH ASIANS"

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BY CHARMAINE LIM

CULTURE

I

n the season of Homecoming, it’s fun to look back at where you came from and where you are now. Whether you’re a returning alumni, faculty or staff member, or a current student on campus, Homecoming is a time that makes many of us think about where we started.

But if you’ve ever given it a lot of thought, where did we start? Is our beginning at the first day of kindergarten or the first day of college? Did we start in a different part of the country, or the world, only to make it to the steps of Messiah with the hopes of something new? If someone were to ask you about your roots, would you know how to answer them?

College is very much a time of constant change and discovering ourselves, and life after college is even more so. When life forces you to start making difficult decisions, what do you turn to in an effort to find your way?

Aside from the Bible, which is a great source of guidance, God has given each of us a unique set of roots to rely on.

These roots take on the form of family, core values, dreams, history and the experiences that have made us who we are.

On August 15, 2018, Hollywood released one of its most anticipated movies of the year, "Crazy Rich Asians".

The first all-Asian cast in 25 years since "The Joy Luck Club", the movie sparked a lot of conversation. It also taught a lot of people the importance of staying grounded in their roots.

(WARNING: Potential spoilers ahead for the movie) One of the central themes of the show revolves around Rachel Chu, the main character, going to Singapore for the first time with her boyfriend, Nick Young, for his best friend’s wedding and to meet his family. Raised in New York, Rachel is a Chinese-American who has had little chance to experience her culture outside of what her mother has taught her. The shock in the cultural differences between her family and Nick’s later leads Rachel to have to make some difficult decisions.

Why do I bring this up? Because "Crazy Rich Asians" does a great job of showing us what it’s like to return to our roots. In Rachel’s case, she saw what it was like to be Chinese in an Asian country and how her upbringing made her roots different from the other Chinese people she met in Singapore.

Our roots connect us back to the core values that our parents taught us and what we were raised to believe in. For many of us, our roots are set in our family tree and the history that we are able to look at. For some, it takes us back to our culture and how that has shaped us as we’ve grown up. Each branch of our roots keeps us grounded (pun intended) in our identity and our ability to make the harder decisions in life.

When we’re faced with a difficult choice between two good options, many of us turn to prayer for guidance. This is the root that connects us to the faith we’ve grown up with. When we have a hard day, we turn to our friends and family because they’re some of our deepest roots to community.

When national and cultural holidays come around, we go even further back in our roots to celebrate where our people came from and how far we’ve come since. Our roots connect us to everything.

Near the end of the movie, Rachel finds herself challenging the roots she has from where she was raised and the roots she has as a Chinese woman. They conflict because her mindset is different as she was raised abroad, and they force her to dig deeper within herself to see where she can find an intersection that doesn’t force her to abandon either branch of her roots.

When she finds that balance, she finds the peace in her decision and the courage to keep moving forward in a future that she’s slightly scared of.

Roots may reach deep down and connect us to our past, but they also show us how we can move forward. As we look back to see where our roots have been and what they connect us to, it gives us an idea of where we can go and what we’re capable of. Much like a tree, our roots are our support system, and the deeper they are, the stronger we stand.

We plant roots in new places and experiences as we grow. We intertwine our roots with those of the people closest to us, creating a large system of interconnecting paths. We see how far back we started to know how far forward we can go. Our roots remind us not only of our history, but of our potential to grow and reach further than we’ve ever imagined.

As we enjoy the season of Homecoming, take the time to think about your roots – where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to be.

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OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE,

Into

Za mb ia

BY KENDRA SOMMERS

O

ver the summer, Messiah’s AROMA (A Revolution of Missional Athletes) blasted off on their fifth trip to Zambia in partnership with Push the Rock. Push the Rock is an organization whose mission is to “use sports to impact the world for Jesus Christ … one life at a time.”

The partnership originated when Push the Rock connected with Messiah alumnus Eric Thuma and his wife Corie. The Thuma’s have been directing sports ministries in Macha, Zambia, since 2013.

Not only are AROMA teams in partnership with Push the Rock, but AROMA partners with other organizations like Sawyer Products and Sports Friends.

The mission of these trips? It is to “empower local communities through sports, clean water, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

When speaking with the director of AROMA, Aaron Faro, he stated that first and foremost when considering where to serve and who to partner with, is prayer.

“We can only play a small role and want to invest where there is already a long-term strategic effort going on,” says Faro.

Therefore, it’s crucial to continue the relationship between communities and Messiah by going back to previous places.

While in Zambia, it was shown that the AROMA team’s deep-rooted faith, strengthened through time and experiences at Messiah, would encourage them through challenges and focus on the amazing opportunities they were experiencing in a country half way around the world.

Before they embarked on their two-week journey half way around the world, the team prepared themselves practically, mentally, and spiritually.

The members on the team were trained on how to effectively share their testimony and self-reflections, wrestled through identity in Christ questions, and learned things like how to properly demonstrate using the Sawyer water filters that they brought with them to give to the Zambians.

Prior to the trip, the team also engaged in regular AROMA chapels.

“During AROMA chapels, participants are regularly addressing topics around the three main values of our mission empowered by identity, participating in the Kingdom, and revolution of sports,” says Faro.

After the pre-trip training, the team was off!

For most of the trip, the team spent their time in the small village of Macha.

“Our main goals of the trip were to play sports, build relationships, and love and encourage the community,” says Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach Katie McComb.

While in Zambia they fulfilled all of their goals by running clinics and various games with Push the Rock, as well as providing water filter demonstrations for neighboring villages to help in providing communities with access to cleaner water.

“I loved watching the students connect and play with the kids,” says McComb. “I also loved learning more about the culture and community in Macha through the Thumas.”

The Thumas showed the team the different dynamics in the community centric village of Macha. To help support each other, the Thumas often hire people from the local community to help work on their property, creating a unique sense of family amongst each other.

“It is beautiful to watch the way they [workers and their families and the Thumas’ family] play together, very respectful toward one another,” says McComb.

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For McComb, the trip was an opportunity “I think an open mind is a big part of befor her to step out of her comfort zone. “The ing able to serve in a new place well and Lord revealed in a new way how sovereign learn about people,” says McComb. [This is] something Messiah preaches in that lanhe is in every situation,” she says. guage [and] it’s something Jesus helped me McComb was challenged by her fear of los- with in a new place.” ing control and things not going according to plan. This was a hurdle McComb was “I feel very blessed to have been a part of forced encounter since she was losing a lot [this] trip. I loved getting to know the stuof control during this trip, and flexibility dents on a different level. I loved leading was going to be vital. Ultimately, over the with Jeremiah Runkle and my husband, course of the trip, McComb was able to say Justin. I felt like I was family/part of their that, at least for now, community by the time I left. There is so much value in making time to reflect and “I think God led me to overcoming it,” says just be with people.”

McComb. Which is also a great reminder for all of us that everything is in God’s con- Let us remember to stay present with one trol and He will ultimately be glorified. another and to stay rooted as we continue along our journeys, whether they take Serving communities with different cul- us half way around the world or to our tures and languages, far from where you neighbor next door. consider home, is never easy, but it was because of the team’s deep-rooted faith that kept them grounded and remembering the reasons they were in Zambia.

PHOTOS | PROVIDED BY AROMA

For more information on AROMA and how you can get involved visit: gomessiah.com/aroma.

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BY LILLIAN KASHISHIAN

t the root of any team, is a team dynamic: a core of a team and how well they work together as one. Any team wants to build a strong sense of team cohesion early in their season. So, how does The Loft, the place where you can rock climb and attend a Bible study on campus, fit in?

The Loft was created in 1991 by Doug Bradbury, who had been a resident director at Messiah at the time. Bradbury had a vision for starting a program on campus that would allow students to develop mentoring and leadership skills.

The naming of Issachar’s Loft originated from the Bible verse: Chronicles 12:32.

LOFT TEAM LEADS A CANOE TRIP PHOTO BY THE LOFT

“The view stated that the people of Issachar were the people that understood the time and knew what they should do,” says Director of The Loft Wendell Witter. “So from that verse there was this aspect of leadership that Bradbury would help students figure out what the lay of the land is right now in our culture, and understand our culture, we might also better understand how we lead in that setting.”

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“All of our student leadership positions are volunteer positions,” says Witter. “And in our busiest time, these students are putting in 10 to 15 hours of work per week.”

.

Joining The Loft in 2007, Witter is responsible for training the student leaders, creating policy procedures, and scheduling groups with different programs.

“In directing, I am responsible for having a team of student leaders help me, and it’s a great opportunity for those students to grow in mentoring and have practice leading others,” says Witter.

Serving about two-thirds of the athletic teams on campus to executive clubs like SGA, SAB, and EYAS, The Loft’s student leaders have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in leadership.

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Before the student leaders are able to put their skills to use, they are put through a rigorous training program by Witter himself. In mid-August, the student leaders arrived back on campus, but before they could get settled, they went on a staff retreat.

“I surprised them Friday night when they arrived, and told them to hop in the van,” says Witter. “We drove three hours, put up tents, slept, and woke up in the morning, did different group challenges, canoe training, rock climbing, and they had to share life stories with one another.”

Some may think The Loft and the Outdoors Club are the same thing, but there is one thing that makes The Loft stand apart.

“Our leaders learn the technical sides from canoeing, caving, high ropes, and everything else, but they also learn skills in order to think through the question of how do I use this tool to help groups learn and grow,” says Witter.

CULTURE SPORTS & REC

CLIMBING & HANDS PHOTOS | TAKEN BY THE LOFT

“If it was just about the technical tool, we wouldn’t be that different from the Outdoors Club. One of the main differences is that we use that medium like canoeing as a way to look at how groups function and what’s happening internally to people, leadership, and life.”

As no two of The Loft’s facilitations are the same, student leaders have the freedom to create their own team building programs.

“I say ‘here’s the group's goals, go,’” says Witter. “That’s part of what it means to be on The Loft team because again it’s not just the technical skills, it’s also knowing how to use these goals in a creative way that engages the goals the group has.”

The teams or groups that reach out to The Loft are either looking to build team chemistry or to further develop their chemistry, so the programs The Loft creates really are tailored to that specific team.

“We look at four different relationships,” says Witter. “People’s connection with God, creation, with one another, and then their self. When we interact with people in a setting such as caving, we think about what about the caving environment might highlight something about one of those relationships.”

The programs of The Loft really look to incorporate the natural roots of the world.

“We don’t just use the natural world for metaphors although we can, but the natural world also provides these challenges and opportunities to take risks where we might learn more about ourselves,” says Witter. “We want people to not always be comfortable. We want them to experience something that gets them a little bit out of their comfort zone.”

Although The Loft typically works with existing groups, they do provide a few open events throughout the year that anyone can come to whether it be by themselves or with a group of friends.

“You’re coming to have fun, but we want you to think about leadership characteristics and the events will have different themes like trust, faith, or risk,” says Witter. “We try to make sure those themes are coherent between the activity we are using and the topic we want to use by incorporating all of the senses, so that they are more memorable for the students involved.”

For more information about The Loft and for a list of events visit messiah.edu/issacharsloft.

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FO R E V E R a FA L CO N a

BY MEGAN BOMBA

t the young age of 18, Head Men’s Soccer Coach Brad McCarty called coach Layton Shoemaker to inform him of McCarty’s official decision to attend Messiah College and play soccer. The young man was excited to tell of his news, but he realized he had dialed the wrong Dr. Shoemaker by mistake, with a professor answering instead of the Messiah soccer coach at the time.

McCarty recovered from this mild embarrassment and proved he was worthy of a varsity playing position in the fall of 1989.

He donned number nine for four years and went on to accumulate stats and accolades during his college career.

This Homecoming is McCarty’s 25th class anniversary, which falls almost perfectly in time with what will be his 200th win as head coach for the Falcons.

Thinking back to his college years (and his mullet), McCarty describes himself as a free spirit. He remembers his time as a student athlete fondly.

“I certainly value the time as a player here. Walking down to Starry Athletic Complex through the bridge is something that players have been doing since the conception of athletics. I think that is a special walk and something that will always be a strong memory. [And] playing on the Shoe, playing in big games, NCAA games, playing against Elizabethtown.”

After a standout career, McCarty hung around the soccer program following graduation, joining the staff as a junior varsity coach. He also pursued a professional career with the Charlotte Eagles.

He jumped around coaching positions until he inevitably returned to his alma mater.

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McCarty returned in 2001 to be an assistant head coach to Dave Brandt, also serving as associate athletic director.

MCCARTY PLAYING FOR THE FALCONS PHOTO FROM MESSIAH COLLEGE'S ARCHIVES

He would work under Brandt for eight years, eventually taking over his position in 2009.

“I had experience playing in college, playing professionally, [and] had been a head soccer coach for seven years. In my eight years as Dave’s assistant, I learned more than those previous years combined,” says McCarty.

McCarty transitioned into the role of head coach in 2009. Filling the shoes of Brandt was a challenge that McCarty was ready to take on.

“To follow in those footsteps is hard, but I focused on two things: one, making sure our players and coaching staff really understood our core values, and two, bringing in kids who are a good fit to the program and the college. Soccer is tough; results don’t always reflect the game, and for me to be worried about results is pursuit of success. We’re worried about pursuing excellence, which is something we can control,” McCarty says of his values during the transition.

When reflecting on what Messiah means to McCarty, he thinks of a place for growth.

“I think of a place where young people can come an they can be challenged, a place where they can grow in their faith, a place where I think there's a culture and environment that values relationships,” McCarty explains.

CULTURE SPORTS & REC As he reflects on his current role, McCarty adds, “For me now, I value the leadership of the college: Kim Phipps, the board of trustees, cabinet, Kris Hansen-Kieffer, Jack Cole―the leadership here at the college is strong. I think we have a healthy understanding of who we are as an institution. I certainly value and appreciate the staff here. They care about the kids and their experience; they care about excellence.”

PREPARE FOR MINISTRY IN THE WAY OF JESUS

McCarty continues, “I think maybe what I value most right now is being able to see players mature over four years and continue to interact with alumni: that played before me, that I played with, that I coached. And to see [players] having a positive influence in the people around them in whatever field that they work.”

Students at Pittsburgh Seminary prepare for ministry in the way of Jesus. Together we welcome neighbors. We share meals, differences, and experiences. We expand our minds.

And we are challenged and enriched as we explore the broad range of beliefs we bring to the table. Join us!

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McCarty and his team have found success for many years. As they continue playing through the 2018 season, they plan to continue pursuing excellence and growth as a team.

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