The Swinging Bridge

Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Alison Stratton

Roughly seven years ago, the Board of Trustees acknowledged the need for a new President's Residence, one that would better accommodate the numerous social functions hosted by the president. This summer, that need was met in the form of Orchard Hill, President Phipps' new home.

Due to the many social and academic functions Orchard Hill will hold, the house was designed to appear stately and official. Upon entering the foyer, one is greeted with deep, affluent colors, rich fabrics, and polished furniture. The left portion of the house is the public side, which is used for entertaining. It is an open space, yet broken off into smaller, more intimate seating and dining areas. It also boasts a beautiful Steinway grand piano, which is used to showcase the talent of both faculty and students at many of the events that President Phipps hosts. In the basement there is also a recreational area used to entertain students with air hockey, a sizeable television, and clusters of sleek seating.

President Phipps spends most of her time on the right side of the house, which is the private side containing her office and a modest, cozy living area. While President Phipps does miss being in the middle of campus and hearing the college noises, she enjoys the more remote and secluded atmosphere of Orchard Hill since it allows her to focus her energy solely on writing and her other work. She also feels that in addition to providing larger spaces for entertaining, Orchard Hill is more homey and welcoming than the previous president's residence.

Besides appearing more personal and friendly for social events, Orchard Hill is also more practical and functional. It allows for greater attendance, plus it possesses many small additions that make entertaining simpler, such as a catering kitchen off of the public side. President Phipps also intends to put the spacious property to full use this spring.

Though President Phipps believes Orchard Hill was a necessary improvement, she does realize that many students and alumni feel it is overly extravagant. In order to reassure those people, she wants to emphasize the fact that the Board of Trustees funded Orchard Hill; it did not come out of tuition money. In addition, the house has already seen heavy use. In just the two months of August and September, forty-two events have been held at Orchard Hill.

Some of the functions President Phipps plans to host in the future include the Alumni Open House during Homecoming, the 50th Class Reunion, dinners for Community Friends and donors, and fundraisers. Students are a priority for her, as well, so she has planned activities like Sophomore Mugging and the Senior Picnic so that every student will have at least two chances to visit Orchard Hill during their time at Messiah. Members of SGA, team athletes, and Residence Life staff will likely be offered even more opportunities to experience President Phipps' hospitality.

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