President of Messiah University

It took incredible courage, resources, and faith for founder S.R. Smith to keep his successful noodle-making business running while also opening a college—called Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training Home—in his Harrisburg home in 1909. Yet, thanks to Smith’s bold vision, more than 100 years have passed and his educational venture has blossomed into an academically excellent Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences called home by more than 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students. 

The individuals that comprise Messiah University —articulate students, dedicated employees, engaged educators, inspired alumni, thoughtful neighbors and community friends—motivate our campus community each day as we work together to promote Messiah University in creative, innovative ways.

Education has been a passion of mine from the moment I got my first taste of school as a kindergartner in Long Island, N.Y. (If you ask my brothers, they might say that my passion was once a little misplaced as I used to force them to play school with me!) Teaching is simply in my blood, and I spent several years teaching in the field of rhetoric and communication before accepting the call to become Messiah University’s eighth president in 2004. Now, as president of Messiah, it is my privilege to lead an institution that provides transformational education for its students.

Messiah University is in its second century of educating students toward maturity of intellect, character, and Christian faith. I welcome you to join our community— whether as a student, a patron of our arts and athletics events, or a friend faithfully supporting our mission with gifts and prayers.

Warm regards,