Leslie Giboyeaux ’17
For Leslie Giboyeaux ’17, the Messiah College always has been a familiar place. A Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, native, she grew up going to summer camp on campus. Even her research centered on the city she knows so well.
As a Center for Public Humanities fellow and young theologian in residence, she worked on a church history project about racial segregation and integration of the churches in Harrisburg. A double major in biblical and religious studies along with ethnic and area studies, she brought a unique voice to the room of the other fellows.
“A lot of our conversations ended up being about race—mass incarceration, stories of resistance,” said Giboyeaux. “Race issues kept coming up, thinking about how race works at Messiah as a Christian campus. We looked at the theological implications of the work we do.”
She says the Messiah faculty was instrumental in giving her the freedom to do research.
“They’re very supportive in helping you find the answers to your questions,” she said, “even if it’s not part of their original syllabus. I ask a question in class, and they’ll come back the next day with five books. ‘Here are some resources.’”
A commuter during most of her time at Messiah, she credits the Martin Scholars Program with helping her meet other students. She also chaired the Multicultural Council and La Alianza to become further involved on campus.
Accepted to Princeton Seminary and Yale Divinity, she ultimately decided on Princeton and will begin classes in September. She says to hope to pursue a Ph.D. afterward.