'Celebration of Life Fundraiser' to Be Held Jan. 17 for Faculty Member

The Jan. 5 death of John J. Messer, an assistant professor of web and interactive media and a Penn College faculty member since January 2002, has been announced by the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications. A celebration of his life – and a fundraiser to benefit the Geisinger Health System Foundation for Brain Tumor Research – will be held by his family at 3 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Mountain Laurel Room of the Thompson Professional Development Center. Messer's long and valiant battle against glioblastoma multiforme, which was diagnosed in November 2010, was featured in the Spring 2013 issue of One College Avenue magazine. Coinciding with what would have been his 50th birthday the following day, the Jan. 17 event will include a basket raffle and a variety of other activities intended to boost donations to brain-cancer research. Contributions to the Geisinger Foundation can be made online or at the PDC; checks should note "Brain Tumor Research in Honor of John Messer" on the memo line. Anyone wishing to contribute items for the fundraiser is asked to contact Pat Coulter, Denise Leete or Lisa Bock.