A BRIDGE FOR EDUCATION
Jolie Lloyd ’25
For two weeks in May of 2023, a team of seven Messiah University students, accompanied by four advisors, constructed a bridge at Trigo y Miel, a ministry partner of Forward Edge International in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The bridge was primarily designed by a project team of seven civil engineering majors with additional help from student volunteers. The site team that implemented the bridge was composed of some members of the project team as well as a student translator and student media manager.
The Collaboratory has been connected with Forward Edge for many years. Forward Edge’s vision is “to see people around the world overcome spiritual and material poverty through Jesus Christ,” and their mission is to “transform the lives of children trapped in poverty through Christ-centered, holistic care.”
This is the second bridge the Collaboratory has helped Forward Edge build, as they partnered with them on a similar project five years ago. The Collaboratory has also worked with them on several water purification projects — at the same ministry center in Oaxaca and elsewhere.
As Trigo y Miel’s ministry in Oaxaca has grown, they decided to purchase the adjacent property to build a school to offer education to more students. A drainage swale running between the ministry center and the school floods during the rainy season. Forward Edge approached the Collaboratory to help them construct a bridge over that swale so the new school building can be more easily and safely accessible from the ministry center in all seasons.
The bridge’s construction was an overall success, with the team adhering to the planned timeline and producing a functional bridge. Practice construction prepared them well when the time came to efficiently build a sturdy bridge, despite challenges such as uncooperative weather.
In addition to fulfilling a significant need in the Oaxaca community, the experience was deeply transformative for the students and advisors who took part in this project.
Brian Swartz, department chair and professor of engineering served as the design team’s advisor. He did not join the site team’s trip to Oaxaca, but shared his impressions of the trip. “The project provided a great opportunity for students to practice bridge design fundamentals, including planning the details of construction,” Swartz said. “The students who traveled had an opportunity to participate in and provide leadership to the construction activity.”
The team utilized the help of local workers each day to construct the bridge, which greatly benefited the students.
Doug Phillippy, a math professor at Messiah who served as an advisor on the trip, was thankful for the local workers’ expertise. “The team was always open to learning new techniques, which enhanced efficiency,” Phillippy said.
Thomas Kapp ’24, a civil engineering major, appreciated collaborating with local workers as well. He reflected on how the experience of working alongside others with much more expertise was humbling to the Collaboratory students. “Our understanding was minimal compared to that of the local workers,” Kapp said. “The team had to be humble in accepting that the local workers had more experience than we did, which allowed the design we created to be efficiently constructed.”
The trip provided more than just engineering majors with hands-on experience. Ethan Dyrli ’24, a communication major, accompanied the team to assist with outgoing communication via social media, blogs and photographing the trip.
The team’s experience in Oaxaca provided them practice working with people from different cultural and language backgrounds. While they had a student translator, and multiple team members had some prior Spanish experience, the team still encountered significant language barriers. They overcame these challenges by using hand signals to communicate and picking up some conversational Spanish.
The construction project did not only benefit the students by providing them with valuable hands-on experiences, but it was a spiritually impactful trip as well.
Kapp explained that his spiritual growth during the trip came from how he saw God at work through the hospitality of the local ministry community. “The ones we were supposed to serve were actually serving us,” said Kapp.
Phillippy shared that he saw God’s hand of protection on the team throughout the trip, and, despite the language barrier, God opened the door for them to make connections with the local church.
Dyrli said, “I found myself drawing closer to God in learning about the international body of Christ and serving the local community in whatever way we could.”
VOCATIONAL STORYTELLING IMPACTS STUDENTS IN COLLABORATORY CHAPEL
Sarah Schall ’24
This year, on Thursday mornings, engineering students gather for Collaboratory Chapel, for a time of learning about others and their walk with God through storytelling. These stories, shared by professors, professionals, alumni, and Collaboratory partners, reveal the diverse ways in which God has shaped their vocational paths. Through these life-testimonies, students not only uncover truths of God’s character and promises but also acknowledge His presence and providence in every stage of their own journeys. These experiences, both joyous and challenging, contribute to the nurturing of their faith and their ability to serve others.
During one Collaboratory Chapel in September, the Collaboratory had the pleasure of hosting Pastor Mark Jayakumar, founder of Rays of Peace in India. Rays of Peace is an orphanage that has raised over 800 children since it started in 1988. The organization is a partner for three of the Collaboratory projects this semester: Solar PV, Clean Accessible Water Solutions and Land Development India. When Jayakumar was 15, his adoptive parents told him the true story of how he had been abandoned at the hospital when he was a few weeks old. Wanting no child to have to go through what he did, he made up his mind to adopt and care for orphans. Jayakumar believes that God turns mistakes into miracles, and God can use us as miracles to serve the world and better His kingdom. He reminded students of 1 Corinthians 15:5–8, highlighting that labor for the Lord is always meaningful.
Philip Graybill, a professor of engineering, spoke at another chapel. He shared his vocational story of the multiple twists and turns he took to get to where he is today. Graybill pointed out to students the importance of focusing on where God is calling you to be in the present and not trying to get too far ahead of yourself — something that every college student can relate to.
Jenna O’Connell ’25, found Graybill’s journey to be especially impactful. “Hearing about how he went through multiple professions to figure out what his calling was gives me reassurance that I don’t need to pick the perfect career directly out of college,” said O’Connell.
The next guest speaker was Katie Bunch, Messiah ’22 alumna and previous student director of the Collaboratory, who shared her vocational experience through the lens of God’s glory. As a recent grad, Bunch has fewer years of experience; however, her advice was still greatly beneficial to students. She currently is a project engineer at Precision Custom Components where she started a Bible study within the workplace. She shared that throughout her life she has given God the glory, setting an example for students to remember that God will direct their paths despite their own uncertainties.
The students enjoy hearing vocational stories about the way that God has shaped the lives of the speakers. Hearing these stories gives students comfort and confidence in knowing that God holds the future and will provide for them just the same.
NEW PIANO PEDAL PROJECT SHOWS PROMISE FOR PARAPLEGIC MUSICIAN
Jolie Lloyd ’25
The Collaboratory is tackling its first music-related project this semester. Philip Graybill, an engineering professor at Messiah University, who has a background in music, proposed and is leading a team to design a piano pedal machine that can be used by a pianist with paraplegia. Graybill was approached during graduate school by a paraplegic pianist, which inspired him to work on a mechanical design for her to use the sustain pedal through the movement of her head. However, this was only the first design, and it had some limitations. The machine itself was very thick and would run into the foot plate of the user’s wheelchair, it also made a lot of noise when pressing the pedal, and it could not be easily adjusted, adding a lack of versatility. This Collaboratory project hopes to improve the previous design, and provide an opportunity for students to gain more experience in engineering and give them the ability to witness the effect that solving a challenge can have on people throughout the world.
Sawyer Haney ’25, the current student project manager, and Kierra Griffith ’25, a member of the team, play piano and guitar, respectively, and their love of music inspired them to be a part of the Piano Pedal project. Additionally, Haney mentioned that his enjoyment of the project also stems from his appreciation for the complexities of the human body, explaining that the intricacy of a human body is hard to replicate in a nonorganic machine. This project has its own challenges, however. “Being an engineer is not being afraid of the unknown and exhausting all known options until you can find a solution,” said Haney.
With patience, mathematics and scientific reasoning, the team will be able to persevere through any arising challenges. Griffith, who felt called to this project, said, “God has given me a love for math and science for a reason. We have the opportunity to apply what we do and show the love of Christ.”
Griffith shared that their goals for this project include making the piano pedal’s height adjustable, adding more versatility and fixing the other issues of the previous project. Everyone involved has been working hard to see these goals completed, turning a creative solution to one person’s needs into a larger mission to possibly serve many people in a similar situation.
Regarding their goals for the project, Haney said, “I want to see them fulfilled, and see this project through to the end.”
word from the director
As we continue another year in the Collaboratory, I want to share the essence of our mission and core values. Here, servant leadership is not merely a concept but a way of life.
Service lies at the heart of our mission and is the driving force that propels us forward; it’s a commitment to more than ourselves. Through service we carry out Christ’s command to “Love one another” — a command He gave soon after He knelt to wash His disciples’ feet. Our projects go beyond tasks; they are opportunities to extend a helping hand to those in need, and in doing so, we demonstrate that we are His disciples.
God-honoring stewardship is a pillar of our foundation. It’s the responsible management of the talents and gifts we’ve been blessed with. It’s the recognition that we are entrusted with resources, both tangible and intangible, and we’re called to use them wisely and generously. Stewardship isn’t just about what we do with our hands; it’s about the state of our hearts.
In the Collaboratory, we believe that true leadership is a harmonious blend of service and stewardship. It’s about leading with humility, putting others before ourselves and all the while seeking opportunities for growth academically, spiritually, professionally and relationally. Through the Collaboratory, students learn to be servant leaders.
Thank you for joining us in this transformative journey.
INTRODUCING tim BURDETT
The Collaboratory and the Department of Engineering warmly welcome Tim Burdett, associate professor of engineering.
Burdett joins the Messiah community with his wife, Kristi, and three children after spending the last decade and a half in Texas. He spent the last few years finishing his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, specializing in heat transfer. He has been motivated to teach for many years and is excited to finally be teaching full time at a place that prioritizes well-rounded maturity. Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked for Schlumberger to improve access, cost and safety within the gas industry.
Burdett has a passion for renewable energy and communicates that within his courses and his Collaboratory project, which is focused on improving wind turbines. He did similar work at Baylor University while working on his master’s degree.
Students looking for a slightly different challenge outside of class can stop by his office where he keeps his small collection of metal and wooden puzzles. When he is not teaching or grading, Burdett enjoys being outside and is excited for when his children are all old enough to hike.
Student voices
Compiled by McKenzie Bittinger ’23
How does your Collab project prepare you in finding your vocation?
Riley Harro ’24
Sustainable Mobility team
“The Collaboratory has equipped me to communicate with overseas clients, mentor a team of peers and students, and tackle difficult projects with excellence. Most significantly, I am trusted and mentored by faculty who call me to high standards of work ethic and leadership.”
Hailey Levan ’25
Cunningham Club Foot team
“My Collab project has prepared me for my vocation by showing me the value in our work as engineers. We are deeply impacting the less fortunate and showing God’s character through our own actions. Plus, I get to work with a pretty cool team!”
Max Kramer ’25
Nepal Wheelchair team
“My experience with the Collaboratory has prepared me in finding my vocation by giving me the experience of being part of a real-life engineering project. My experience on the Nepal Wheelchair team has led me to pursue mechanical design.”
Cassie Gehenio ’24
Clean Accessible Water Solutions team
“The Collaboratory has exposed me to various sectors of engineering. Being on a civil team and doing both mechanical and electrical tasks as a mechanical major has proven to be useful in finding my vocation and what I enjoy doing.”
Giving
The Collaboratory could not continue to increase hope and transform lives without a broad team of sponsors. Visit messiah.edu/collabgiving to give online or see our other giving options. The Collaboratory Fund is the area of greatest need.
Connect
There are many ways to be involved with the Collaboratory. Visit messiah.edu/collabconnect more information.
about the collaboratory
Mission: The Collaboratory is a center at Messiah University for applied research and project-based learning, in partnership with client nonprofit organizations, businesses, governments and communities in our region and around the world. Areas of engagement include engineering, science, health and information technology.
Our two-fold mission is:
- To foster justice, empower the poor, promote peace and care for the earth through applications of our academic and professional disciplines.
- To increase the academic and professional abilities of participants, their vocational vision for lifelong servant-leadership and their courage to act on convictions.
Vision: Increasing hope and transforming lives through education, collaboration, innovation and service.
Identity: The Collaboratory is an organization of students, educators and professionals affiliated with Messiah University. We are Christians who aspire to obey the instructions of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to love neighbors as ourselves and to share his Gospel. As God enables us to serve others today, we seek to grow as disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to serve as God’s stewards over the resources of our academic disciplines and to bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Student staff:
Student director: Brandon Koehnke
Assistant student director: Regan Meals
Student administrative assistant: Paige Campbell
Marketing team student leader: Jenna O'Connell
Professional staff:
Director: Jeremy Freimark
Program manager: Bryce Watkins
Sector leaders: Dereck Plante, Andy Erikson, Jeremy Freimark, Bryce Watkins
Marketing team advisor: Alison Johnson
stay connected
Web: messiah.edu/collaboratory
Email: collaboratory@messiah.edu