Messiah Dialect 101

4x4 - Chapel series lasting four weeks. These typically focus on a specific book, speaker or organization within campus. For more information, check out The Office of Campus Ministries. They coordinate a variety of programs and resources to help you take the next step in your faith journey at Messiah.

Avalanche - A very popular ice cream option in the Union, similar to a Dairy Queen blizzard! Check out Messiah's various dining locations for even more goodies.

Atrium - The Howe Atrium, located in Boyer Hall, is a two-story glass atrium designed to provide open, well-lit study and leisure space. Boyer Hall is home to over 25 classrooms, several labs and Parmer Cinema - our full-scale movie theatre!

Back-forty - Located behind Messiah's Starry Athletic Fields Complex and near the Fitness Trail, this scenic area offers a disc golf course!

Baker's - Popular diner located off Route 15, just 10 minutes from campus. Students often go for late-night pancake or breakfast runs!

Bittner Beach - The large green space outside Bittner Residence Hall. It's the perfect location for tossing a frisbee, playing Spikeball, hanging out with friends or napping in the sun!

Canvas - Messiah students and faculty use this web-based learning management system to access assignments, files, grades, announcements and more!

Cemetary Hill - The best sledding hill in the winter! In warmer weather it's a great, quiet lookout spot for studying or reflection.

Coffeehouse - Sponsored by Messiah's Student Activities Board (SAB), this monthly event provides students the opportunity to showcase their talent. Did we mention there is food!?

Collab - Officially known as the The Collaboratory for Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research, the Collab provides engineering students the opportunity to hands-on problem solve with non-profit organizations, governments, and business partners in our region and around the world. Messiah students have designed and built bridges, water systems and so much more!

The Covered Bridge - a familiar landmark on campus, located above the Yellow Breeches Creek. Officially named "The Bowmansdale Bridge," it was moved to Messiah and rebuilt by students in 1973. It is one of the few covered bridges left in Cumberland County, PA. Today, the bridge connects the rest of campus to Starry Athletic Fields Complex.

Eisenhower -  The Eisenhower Campus Center serves as an active hub on campus. It includes Brubaker Auditorium (where Chapel is usually held), the Campus Store, the Falcon (the perfect spot to grab lunch with friends), our beloved Lottie Nelson Dining Hall (the main eatery on campus), pool, athletics hallway and several campus offices. Fun fact: in the past it even featured a bowling alley!

Fishbowl - This popular, main lounge earned its nickname from the large windows that showcase campus. It's filled with comfy furniture and a recreation area and connects the Grantham, Hess and Miller residences.

Fit Trail - Messiah's scenic, gravel fitness trail that follows the Yellow Breeches Creek through campus. It's a popular place to take a stroll or go for a run.

Frey -  Frey Hall (pronounced like "fry") is home to a variety of classrooms, art studios, computer labs, engineering and physics labs and our Cyber Center.

KP - Messiah's beloved university president, Kim S. Phipps. Phipps became Messiah University’s eighth president in 2004 and is well known for her accessibility, heartwarming spirit and generosity. She enjoys hosting students, faculty and staff in her home for karoke, pizza and games throughout the academic year.

Legacy Park - This scenic outdoor common space includes benches and a seating wall. Located outside of the Lottie Nelson Dining Hall and just off the campus green, it's a popular place to study or hang out with friends. Many faculty will also hold class here when the weather is nice. 

Lost Film - A Messiah's Student Activities Board (SAB) weekly film series, showcasing films that range from blockbusters to indie movies. The films are no longer in theatres but not yet released on DVD—hence the name. These are typically shown in Parmer Cinema on the weekends and are free to students!

Lottie  - Messiah's main eatery on campus, the Lottie Nelson Dining Hall is located on the upper level of the Eisenhower Campus Center and is an all-you-can-eat facility. We might be biased, but the food is pretty amazing. The undergraduate admissions team enjoys a good Lottie run, especially for popcorn chicken bowls!

P-safety - Messiah's Department of Safety, open and available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week year round, is dedicated to providing a safe and secure living, learning and working environment for all members of the Messiah community.

Powerhouse - Messiah's popular, student-led evening worship service held in Hostetter Chapel. Powerhouse began over twenty-five years ago as a small student-led Bible study that met in Hostetter Chapel. Today, Powerhouse has grown to include a team of worship leaders who have devoted their talents to honoring and responding to God through music.

SAB - Messiah's Student Activities Board, is a campus organization which provides the student body with a variety of events and activities, including dances, concerts, coffeehouses, and films.

Starry - Located just across the Yellow Breeches Creek from main campus, the Starry Athletic Fields Complex consists of:

• Anderson Field
• Starry Baseball Field
• Lacrosse Turf
• Shoemaker Field
• Starry Softball Field 
• Starry Outdoor Track
• Cross Country Courses
• Criste Tennis Courts

It also includes access to the Fitness Trail and is a popular place to launch a kayak, canoe or tube to enjoy the creek.

The Swinging Bridge - roughly 100 feet in length and stretching across the Yellow Breeches Creek, this hanging bridge does indeed swing as you walk across! It's located just off the Fitness Trail. At night you'll find the bridge is lit up, making it a beautiful spot on campus. Fun fact: The Swinging Bridge is also the name of Messiah's student magazine.

The Breeches - Yellow Breeches Creek is a world-renowned limestone trout creek that runs through campus, along the Fitness Trail and Starry Athletic Complex. It's a central part of campus life as students enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoe and floating the scenic creek.

The Pit -  Messiah's main student parking lot located behind the residence halls. Students joke that it's called "The Pit" because of how close it is to sea level. 

Union - Short for Larsen Student Union, students can grab dinner or snacks, play pool and hang out with friends. This active spot is also home to many events like Messiah's annual block party, board game tournaments, Coffee House events and much more. Located just outside you'll find the Larson Student Union fire pit, another great place to hang out with friends!