Messiah College: MOSAIC (Messiah's Open Scholarship And Intellectual Creativity)

Explore the homes of residents of the Old Eighth Ward, view the photos of Harrisburg from 1890-1920, take walking tours through the city, and encounter the people who impacted the ward.https://mosaic.messiah.edu/look/1024/thumbnail.jp

Lemin, Phoebe

Meeks, Sarah

Merlo, Matthew

Messiah University 
Mosaic 
Look Up, Look Out Center for Public Humanities 
2025 
Look Up, Look Out 
Phoebe Lemin 
Sarah Meeks 
Matthew Merlo 
www.Messiah.edu One University Ave. | Mechanicsburg PA 17055 
Follow this and additional works at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/look 
 Part of the African American Studies Commons, United States History Commons, and the Urban, 
Community and Regional Planning Commons 
Permanent URL: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/look/15 
Sharpening Intellect | Deepening Christian Faith | Inspiring Action 
Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Our mission is to educate 
men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, 
leadership and reconciliation in church and society. This content is freely provided to promote scholarship for 
personal study and not-for-profit educational use. 
Look Up, Look Out
The Old Eighth Ward was a vibrant, ethnically
diverse neighborhood in the shadow of the State
Capitol, home to African American, Jewish, and
immigrant communities. The ward was
demolished during the Capitol Park extensions of
the 1910s and the 1950s, displacing many
families, businesses, churches, and synagogues
with state government buildings and green space.
The destruction of the Old Eighth Ward marked
the loss of a unique, thriving community that was
deeply intertwined with Harrisburg’s history.
This erasure has sparked ongoing reflections
about the costs of progress and the value of
cultural heritage. The stories we have collected
here aim to preserve a memory of the history and
vitality of the neighborhood.
HARRISBURG’S OLD EIGHTH WARD
Look Up, Look Out is an exhibition of the IIPT-Commonwealth Monument Project, a project conceived by Lenwood Sloan. The posters and linked
webpages were designed and written by Andrew Hermeling in 2018-2020 in collaboration with Mr. Sloan and student fellows of Messiah University’s
Center for Public Humanities. In 2024, Phoebe Lemin designed this poster and a resource poster in collaboration with Sarah Meeks and Matthew
Merlo, and with the support of Messiah’s Center for Public Humanities and the Pennsylvania State Library.
"Around many time-stained buildings
of the old 'Eighth' cling blessed
memories which are stored in the
hearts of those who, as children, there
knew a mother's love and a father's
care. Memories of a similar character
will give at least a passing pang to
many a heart, as house after house of
the 'Old Eighth' passes into oblivion."
- J. Howard Wert 1913
Look Up, Look Out
Enter the homes of the ward’s inhabitants and gaze
down the streets in this interactive map of the vanished
neighborhood in 1900-1915.
MEET THE RESIDENTS
View the collections of historic photographs of streets,
buildings, advertisements, and people captured in film
between 1890 and 1920.  
VIEW THE PHOTOS 
Take walking tours of the Old Eighth and wider
Harrisburg with this website and downloadable
Harrisburg Historical mobile app.
TOUR THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Encounter the individuals and groups who impacted the
ward’s educational opportunities, political life, business,
and social and religious horizons.
ENCOUNTER THE HISTORIES


English

Look Up, Look Out

https://mosaic.messiah.edu/libraryofthings/1084/thumbnail.jp

Monitor Remote 2025

https://mosaic.messiah.edu/libraryofthings/1083/thumbnail.jp

USB C

Outstanding Alumni Recipient - Tabita Quashigah Tugulia (HDFS \u2709)   HDFS Events FCS News NCFR News MCFR News HDFS Class Spotlights Child Life Specialist Spotlights Senior Honors Project & Internship - Karina Chavez Zunun and Lauren Garcia FCS Educator Day 2024-2025 Graduate

Johns, Paul Andrew

Messiah University 
Mosaic 
Human Development and Family Science 
Student Work Human Development and Family Science 
Spring 2025 
HDFS Spring 2025 Newsletter 
Paul Andrew Johns 
Messiah University 
www.Messiah.edu One University Ave. | Mechanicsburg PA 17055 
Follow this and additional works at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/hdfs_st 
 Part of the Development Studies Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, and the Food 
Studies Commons 
Permanent URL: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/hdfs_st/11 
Recommended Citation 
Johns, Paul Andrew, "HDFS Spring 2025 Newsletter" (2025). Human Development and Family Science 
Student Work. 11. 
https://mosaic.messiah.edu/hdfs_st/11 
Sharpening Intellect | Deepening Christian Faith | Inspiring Action 
Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Our mission is to educate 
men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, 
leadership and reconciliation in church and society. This content is freely provided to promote scholarship for 
personal study and not-for-profit educational use. 
D E P A R T M E N T  O F  H U M A N
D E V E L O P M E N T  &  F A M I L Y  S C I E N C E
Spring
Newsletter 
S P R I N G  2 0 2 5
Message From Dr. Johns                                                          2-3                   
Outstanding Alumni Recipient                                                   4 
HDFS Events                                                                                 5
FCS News                                                                                      6                    
NCFR News                                                                                    7                    
MCFR News                                                                                   8                    
                                                                        
HDFS Class Spotlights                                                                 9                    
Child Life Specialist Spotlights                                                  10                   
Senior Honors Project & Internship                                           11                    
FCS Educator Day                                                                       12                    
2024-2025 Graduates                                                               13                    
T A B L E  O F  C O N T E N T S  
1
A Message From Dr. Johns! 
2
Dear Friends of HDFS/FCS,
It’s that time of year again when I get to sit at my laptop and reflect on a year in
the life of the HDFS Department. What a year it’s been! After some great work by
everyone in the department, our new HDFS-MOT (Master of Occupational
Therapy) accelerated program was passed and will begin fall 2025. Start sending
students interested in occupational therapy our way; we’ll get them started well!
Also, this academic year we began our new HDFS with Child Life major, which has
garnered a great deal of attention, both from prospective students and those
already here. I heard that TikTok may have highlighted some content on child life
specialists. Thanks, TikTok! (That’s the only time you’ll catch me saying that). I
highlight these majors to let you know what’s new, but also to make you aware of
effort in the department to provide a few HDFS options with more defined
career trajectories. Coming out of COVID, and perhaps before, students in
general seem less interested in investing time and money in unclear career
pathways. As many of you know, historically the flexibility of the HDFS major has
been one of our greatest strengths. At present, we are seeking to maintain this
strength through the generalized HDFS major for students unsure of what they
wish to pursue. But we are also recognizing the need to provide more vocational
clarity through programs like HDFS with Child Life, HDFS-MOT, and perhaps more
to come. Please continue to pray for us as we discern what is best for
contemporary students as they seek to pursue God’s calling on their lives.
On a sad note, we lost an amazing person and adjunct instructor, Kristen Reitz, to
cancer in February of this year. Kristen, a 2000 HDFS graduate, had valuable
experience in the field that she brought to her teaching for nearly thirteen years!
Loved by many, she will be sorely missed. Personally, having co-taught with
Kristen for the last couple of years prior to her diagnosis, I have been reflecting
on how important it is to share with those we care about how much they mean
to us, even colleagues and students. 
 --Continued on next page--
Continued from Previous
Page
A couple of years ago, on a whim I nominated Kristen for the very first adjunct
teaching award given by Messiah. And, as an act of God’s providence, she received
the 2023 Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence from Messiah University for
her long-term commitment and devotion to the HDFS department and our students.
Well-deserved! So, as I move on from seeing God’s hand at work in this timing, I’m
working on adopting the approach of “If I think it, I should say it” when it comes to
valuing others. You just never know when life will take a drastic turn, either for you or
them.
On a scary but ultimately much happier note, Raeann spent nearly a month and a half
on medical leave this semester due to a very early and fortuitous detection of breast
cancer. While scary for her and all of us, her treatment, by all indications, appears to
have been successful, leaving her cancer free. As Raeann states about this result: “God
is good!” To which I’ll add, “all the time!” as we consider how Raeann is still with us and
Kristen, even though she was not healed in this life, is now in the comforting arms of
her Savior for eternity.
Lastly, allow me to take some of my own advice. I’m thinking it, so I’ll say it. Working at
Messiah University with my amazing colleagues and our fabulous students is such a
blessing and privilege. I sure hope students know how much we as faculty and staff
love and value them during their short stint with us. As I enter my 22nd year teaching
at Messiah, I am struck by how much I have been transformed for the better by so
many students and my amazing colleagues.
One final thought. After you finish reading this, immediately go and engage in a
strengths-based, HDFS-inspired, positive relationship skill and tell someone you care
about how much you value them. Think it, then say it!
Sincerely,
Paul A. Johns
3
2025 HDFS 
Outstanding Alumni Award 
Congratulations to Tabita Quashigah Tugulia (HDFS '09)! 
The Department of Human Development and Family Science Outstanding Alumni
Award was initiated in 2012 and is designed to recognize HDFS alumni for
distinguished contributions to the service of individuals and families.
The faculty of the Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) Department
selected Tabita Quashigah Tugulia (HDFS ’09) as the recipient for the 2025
Department of HDFS Outstanding Alumni Award! Tabita graduated from Messiah
College with a major in Human Development and Family Science and a minor in
Spanish. After graduation, Tabita worked for Dauphin County Children and Youth
as a family engagement caseworker. She currently works in the Human Services
Director's Office as a Contracting Manager which involves comprehensive review
and approval of all provider program operating budgets. In addition to this
position, she works tirelessly in her community through her involvement in the
Dauphin County Cultural Celebration Task Force and as founder and executive
director of Front End Family Solutions LLC, where she is dedicated to
empowering families by providing referrals to supportive services and resource
navigation for families in need. Tabita has recently become an adjunct instructor
in the HDFS department here at Messiah University. She is currently pursuing her
lifelong dream and is working on the publishing of her first children's book, Pichi
Goes to America, which describes her journey to a new country and God's
faithfulness throughout that time.  We are thankful for her outstanding efforts to
share her knowledge and vast network of community leaders with our students.
We applaud her for being such a valuable community leader and for the
incredibly significant work she has done and continues to do to meet the needs
of local families. 
Congratulations, Tabita!
4
Welcome Back Social
This year we held our
annual Welcome Back
social outside at the
picnic tables. We had a
beautiful evening by
the creek with pizza
and cookies for all!
Students, faculty and
staff all received their
HDFS department
shirts designed by this
year’s contest design
winner, Lauren Garcia!
HDFS Events
Christmas Party 2024
The annual HDFS
Christmas Party is full
of joy, fun, and holiday
cheer!  We enjoyed
some Christmas
games, a cookie
contest, best dressed
contest and our
traditional White
Elephant Gift Game!
You never know what
you’ll go home with!!
AND......IT SNOWED!!
5
Dr. Raeann Hamon and Jordyn Thompson (FCS ’26)
were invited to speak about the Messiah Family and
Consumer Sciences program at the South Central
Regional FCCLA Regional Leadership Meeting at
Gettysburg High School on October 30. About 70
students were in attendance. What a fun time to meet
so many young people invested in families, careers and
communities!
On Saturday, March 15, FCS professionals gathered for
the PAFCS Central Area Meeting at Cumberland Perry
Area CTC. The event featured insightful sessions on
topics: the Art of Play for All Ages, Penn State Extension,
AI for College & Career Readiness, and PDE updates.
Jordyn Thompson was recognized as the recipient of the
2025 Undergraduate Scholarship, and Adjunct Professor
Sasha Roble was recognized as the recipient of the 2025
Graduate Scholarship.
FCS NEWS
Big thank you to Isabella Benner, FCS
Major 2025, for demonstrating
cupcake decorating on October 30th
for the Human Development and
Family Science event for current FCS
teachers and high school students
interested in a career in Family and
Consumer Sciences!
6
“Attending the National Council on Family
Relations (NCFR) Conference was an
unforgettable experience that deepened my
passion for family science and professional
development. I had the privilege of presenting
research alongside Dr. Raeann Hamon on ”A
Visual Depiction of the Historical Development
of the Field of Family Science: A Strong
Foundation for a Sustainable Future.” Engaging
with scholars, educators, and practitioners from
across the country allowed me to see firsthand
the impact of research in shaping the field.
Designing our presentation and sharing it with
professionals who expressed interest in
furthering the discussion was incredibly
rewarding. Beyond presenting, I attended
insightful sessions on topics such as adoption
and foster care, financial decision-making in
relationships, and strategies for bridging difficult
conversations. The opportunity to explore
Bellevue with my classmates and mentor made
the experience even more meaningful. The
knowledge and connections I gained will
undoubtedly shape my future career in Family
and Consumer Sciences.”
-Isabella Benner, ‘25
NCFR NEWS 
Dr. Raeann Hamon (distinguished professor of
family science and gerontology), Lauren Garcia
(HDFS ’25), Isabella Benner (FCS ‘25), and Jenna
Moyer (HDFS ’27) attended the National Council
on Family Relations Conference in Bellevue,
Washington in November. 
Bellevue,
Washington
November
2024
7
4X4 CHAPEL SERIES
Relationship Education
Night
In the Fall of 2024, the Messiah Council on Family
Relations held their first ever Relationship Education
Night called Falling For Real: A Guide to Authentic
Relationships. The goal of the night was to educate
students about healthy relationships through a fun
game of trivia that contained questions about popular
relationship topics such as love languages, attachment
styles and compatibility. Crumbl cookies were
provided for the first 50 people along with a raffle for a
self-care bag. The event was very successful, drawing
in a wide variety of people who were very engaged in
the conversation at hand. MCFR plans to hold more
Relationship Education nights in the future in order to
educate the Messiah community on more important
relationship topics. 
MCFR News
In the Spring of 2025, MCFR sponsored a
4x4 chapel series alongside Messiah
Lifeways. The series was called From Seniors
to Students. Each week, a few Messiah
Lifeways residents were invited to share
their wisdom and experiences surrounding
specific relationship-based topics. The
topics discussed included marriage,
friendship, parent-child relationships, and
singleness. 
8
HDFS Class Spotlights 
Here is a behind the scenes look at
some fun activities this past semester
in HDFS classes! 
9
Child Life Specialist
Spotlight
Alayna Musser
Julia Bowen
Kendall McIntyre
Alexia Kaplin 
“I am majoring in HDFS with Child Life because I want to help
children cope in the hospital setting as it can be a very scary
place. I want to be an advocate for both the parent and the
child to help normalize the hospital setting as much as
possible. I want to help make healthcare a less traumatizing
space for kids and to remind them they are strong no matter
what they are going through.”
“Majoring in HDFS with Child Life provides me with
valuable information that is highly applicable to
everyday life. Helping children engage in normal
activities during their hospital visits is rewarding not only
for them but for me as well. My hope is to continue
making a positive impact on children and their families
through unfamiliar and challenging situations.”
“I am majoring in Child Life because of my own experience with
hospitals. I originally came to Messiah as a nursing major hoping
to work in Pediatrics. When I discovered nursing wasn't the right
fit for me, HDFS became my home. Now, from day-to-day with
working, not only with children, but adults as well, I get to
discover who people are as a whole person and get to tap into my
empathic side, allowing me to relate to others based off my own
experiences.”
“Majoring in HDFS with a focus on Child Life at Messiah has
been an amazing experience so far. I've had the opportunity
to learn about how Child Life Specialists tailor care to meet
the unique needs of children. Additionally, I've gained insight
into various therapeutic activities that help children feel
comfortable in new settings, along with hands-on
experience applying these techniques.” 
10
Senior Projects 
LAUREN GARCIA:
HONORS PROJECT
Karina Chavez Zunun:
Internship
“Last semester, I had the privilege of interning with Catholic Charities in
Harrisburg, working with the Empowering Women for Success (EWS)
program, and it was truly one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I
had the chance to assist families by providing essential items like clothing,
diapers, and household necessities, and the gratitude I witnessed from
them was incredibly moving. Knowing that I played a part in making their
day just a little bit easier was deeply rewarding. I also had the opportunity
to help organize community events, from brainstorming ideas to helping set
up, and it was heartwarming to see these events bring people together and
provide the support they needed. In addition, I worked on creating
promotional materials to spread the word about the services available to
the community. It was fulfilling to know that something as simple as a
poster could connect someone with the resources they desperately
needed. Another incredibly meaningful aspect of my internship was co-
teaching our students in the ESL (English as a Second Language) program,
where I helped individuals build their language skills and confidence. I was
able to have the opportunity to work with a variety of students in all
different levels of English courses! Being a part of their learning journey was
truly humbling. This internship not only deepened my understanding of
community service but also filled me with a sense of purpose and gratitude
for the chance to make a positive impact in the lives of others.”
“I was interning at Messiah Village when I noticed that a lot
of married couples were living in separate areas of the
retirement community due to having different care needs. In
a conversation we were having about Strategies projects,
HDFS grad and Messiah Lifeways VP of Operations Kim
Valvo brought up this same phenomenon. When I scoured
journals for research on these couples, I could not find any
studies looking at my exact target population. So, for my
honors project, I conducted a qualitative research study on
couples living apart in retirement communities. Based on
this research and other literature, I developed a Family Life
Education program called “Together but Apart” in the
Strategies course. Finally, I got the honor of implementing
my program for residents at Messiah Village. It was so
exciting to draw from my classes on gerontology, family
theories, marriage, and research methods to do a research
study and put together a real program that can impact real
people and their relationships!”
11
Celebrating our FCS
majors on FCS
Educator Day which
was February 12th
this year
12
Congratulations to our December 2024
and May 2025 graduates! We are so
excited to see all that you will
accomplish! 
Tamara Airulla
Nyla Allen
Malkyah Bailey
Isabella Benner
Grace Bond
Karina Chavez Zunun
Eden Fanella
Alyssa Fortney
Lauren Garcia
Olivia Harrington
Payton Jackson
Kayla Kenny
Cassondra Menn
Alayna Musser
Diana Paredes-Jimenez
Laila Qarmout
Genevieve Ruff
Annie Russell
Lauren Sim
Tammy Tay
Hannah Witter
13


HDFS Spring 2025 Newsletter

Lepage, Charles

The Peregrine Review 
Volume 38 Article 19 
2025 
Fall & Changing in the City 
Charles Lepage 
Messiah University 
www.Messiah.edu One University Ave. | Mechanicsburg PA 17055 
Follow this and additional works at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/peregrinereview 
 Part of the Creative Writing Commons 
Permanent URL: 
Recommended Citation 
Lepage, Charles (2025) "Fall & Changing in the City," The Peregrine Review: Vol. 38, Article 19. 
Available at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/peregrinereview/vol38/iss1/19 
Sharpening Intellect | Deepening Christian Faith | Inspiring Action 
Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Our mission is to educate 
men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, 
leadership and reconciliation in church and society. This content is freely provided to promote scholarship for 
personal study and not-for-profit educational use. 
Fall 
Brimming with anticipation, elation, tears of cinnamon 
I can tell the lines from leaves traced through the air 
Her face framed by gold red brown and auburn 
Burns like a fire under the stars
Ruddy light of mars set next by a cold October moon 
There’s something distinct about its paled light 
Saying it just might
call me into the warm of a coffee shop 
A city block 
Books 
Nooks 
Wooden floors, closed doors 
Winter comes knocking but I’ll hide with her a while, warmed by her smile
Winter could be on the way.
I am not always sure it’s coming until it’s here 
The streets slowly busy 
The lights slowly brighten 
Slowly the wind whisks capped heads tossing hair 
Pulling the mist off hot drinks 
Warm deserts
The cities are alive with the thousand pinpoints of life
Tiny apartments with laughter pouring out the windows 
Small cells of warm spiced life and love 
 
Winter could be on the way 
I will take the long way home through the streets at night now 
As the holidays approach the stars twinkle onto a quiet night
FALL
Charles Lepage
27
CHANGING IN THE CITY
Charles Lepage


Fall & Changing in the City

Sinnamon, Faith

The Peregrine Review 
Volume 38 Article 20 
2025 
The Box & Summer Highs and Winter Blues 
Faith Sinnamon 
Messiah University 
www.Messiah.edu One University Ave. | Mechanicsburg PA 17055 
Follow this and additional works at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/peregrinereview 
 Part of the Creative Writing Commons 
Permanent URL: 
Recommended Citation 
Sinnamon, Faith (2025) "The Box & Summer Highs and Winter Blues," The Peregrine Review: Vol. 38, 
Article 20. 
Available at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/peregrinereview/vol38/iss1/20 
Sharpening Intellect | Deepening Christian Faith | Inspiring Action 
Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Our mission is to educate 
men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, 
leadership and reconciliation in church and society. This content is freely provided to promote scholarship for 
personal study and not-for-profit educational use. 
I liked the box they put me in,
It was the prettiest shade of black.
It had four walls and a concrete floor
It was dirty, cold, and cracked.
I liked the box they put me in,
Because nothing could get in.
THE BOX
Faith Sinnamon
Silvery droplets land on the sill, 
Forming patterns too strange to describe.
Half thawed winds blow over the hills
In melodies that long to combine.
Thunder roars softly up in the clouds
And lighting displays greening grass.
Summer storms sing softly in sweet silvery tones
Willing old winter sorrows to pass. 
Autumn retires having finished its job, 
Making way for glittering snow,
He passes his time making fools out of dreamers,
And brings soaring spirits down low.
Springtime brings flowers that perfume the air,
Giving the darkest of souls back their sight.
Summer blesses the earth with its beauty,
And soaks up the darkness with light. 
SUMMER HIGHS HIGHS AND WINTER BLUES
Faith Sinnamon
28


The Box & Summer Highs and Winter Blues

Duncan, Connor

The Peregrine Review 
Volume 38 Article 44 
2025 
American Toad 
Connor Duncan 
Messiah University 
www.Messiah.edu One University Ave. | Mechanicsburg PA 17055 
Follow this and additional works at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/peregrinereview 
 Part of the Photography Commons 
Permanent URL: 
Recommended Citation 
Duncan, Connor (2025) "American Toad," The Peregrine Review: Vol. 38, Article 44. 
Available at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/peregrinereview/vol38/iss1/44 
Sharpening Intellect | Deepening Christian Faith | Inspiring Action 
Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Our mission is to educate 
men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, 
leadership and reconciliation in church and society. This content is freely provided to promote scholarship for 
personal study and not-for-profit educational use. 
59


American Toad

https://mosaic.messiah.edu/libraryofthings/1076/thumbnail.jp

Playing Cards

A map designed to allow users to search for a specific person or ancestor who lived in the city in 1900. In addition to its search feature, the user has the option of browsing by households and changing base maps.https://mosaic.messiah.edu/maps/1002/thumbnail.jp

Digital Harrisburg

Harrisburg 1900 (Searchable by Name)

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