Maddie Conley
Online Editor
On Tuesday morning, The Messiah College Board of Trustees announced its approval of construction planning for a new facility that will be used to welcome prospective students and their families to campus. To honor the contributions President Kim Phipps has made to Messiah, the facility will be named the “Kim S. Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center.”
George Parmer, the Board Chair, said, “the campus master planning study identified this facility as a phase-one priority and the board felt strongly that a new space to welcome prospective students and their families should be built as soon as possible.”
A total of $8.1 million has been donated already by trustees, the President’s Cabinet, and former trustees. Previously a quiet fundraising campaign, the board hopes this announcement will spur others to invest in the new project.
President Phipps was surprised with the honor at a trustee dinner on Sunday evening. “I was very surprised by the board’s announcement- both the naming of the building and their extraordinary generosity. I am inspired to continue to lead in a way that fosters campus community and gracious hospitality,” said President Phipps.
She also believes this project is a key priority. “It is exciting to think about the construction of a wonderful new building to welcome prospective students and their families and serve current students by bringing together departments like the registrar and financial services into one space,” said President Phipps.
The facility will also include a campus green for all students to enjoy.
Shayna Reichert, Assistant Director of Admissions, is looking forward to the new facility and the impact it will have on campus. “Messiah has a wonderful spirit of hospitality, and the Admissions office works hard to embody and share that gift with everyone who visits. A new facility allows for greater opportunity to offer a welcoming atmosphere from the first time a student steps on campus,” said Reichert.
As Messiah continues to grow, more students will be visiting campus. Currently, a variety of spaces are being used to accommodate students. The new facility will centralize and improve the experience for visiting students.
“We all know how beautiful our campus is and this is another way to help display what Messiah has to offer,” said Reichert.
Caleb Hays,’18, has been working for the Ambassador program and for Admissions for two years and is excited about what the facility will bring.