Dear members of the Messiah University community,

We would like to make you aware of an important update in the search for Messiah University’s ninth president.

In February, we shared that the presidential search committee was continuing to explore and interview lead candidates with the goal of recommending a strong finalist to the board of trustees this spring. The search reflected significant national interest in Messiah and generated a slate of accomplished candidates that the search committee diligently vetted and interviewed. Regrettably, the search process was unable to yield the right finalist at the right time for this essential leadership position.

While this is disappointing, it is not a failure. The board of trustees authorized the presidential search committee to conduct a robust, national search and we have followed that process to its conclusion. The board remains resolutely committed to finding the right person to fulfill the presidential profile that we developed together as a university community. Accordingly, we will respect the critical importance of Messiah’s presidency and take the time that we need to prayerfully follow God’s leading and find the leader who will successfully advance Messiah’s distinct Christian educational mission in the years ahead.

The work of the presidential search committee is now complete, and we would like to express appreciation for the extensive time and diligence they have invested in this process. The executive committee of the board of trustees will convene this week to begin the process of appointing an interim president to lead Messiah University following President Phipps’ retirement on June 30. This process will no longer involve FaithSearch Partners; rather, the decision on the university’s interim leadership and the next steps in the presidential search process will be led by the trustees. We will communicate more information with the Messiah community as it is finalized in the weeks ahead.

We will remain true to our mission to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation. God’s work at Messiah University is ongoing! We thank you for continuing to uphold the presidential search process in your prayers and we remain confident in God’s providence and the commitment we share to ensuring a bright future for Messiah University.

We will continue to keep the Messiah community informed at www.messiah.edu/nextpresident.

With gratitude, The Messiah University Board Officers

David Millary ’88, acting chair

Linda Eremita, secretary

Anthony Schiano, treasurer