Jeff Bach
Director, Young Center
Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies
(717) 361-1467 | bachj@etown.edu

In addition to serving as Young Center director, Jeff teaches courses on the history of Anabaptist and Pietist groups and communal societies. He is the author of Voices of the Turtledoves: The Sacred World of Ephrata (Penn State Press, 2003) and co-author with Michael Birkel of Genius of the Transcendent: Mystical Writings of Jakob Boehme (Shambhala, 2010). He earned his Ph.D. in religion from Duke University in 1997 and is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren.

Donald B. Kraybill
Distinguished College Professor
Senior Fellow, Young Center
(717) 361-1469 | kraybilld@etown.edu | Website

A native of Lancaster County, Donald B. Kraybill is internationally recognized for his scholarship on the Amish and other Anabaptist groups. His books, research, and commentary have been featured in national media and worldwide. He also edits the Young Center Books series published by the Johns Hopkins University Press.

Edsel Burdge, Jr.
Research Associate
(717) 361-1470 | burdgee@etown.edu

Edsel conducts research as assigned by the director and the senior fellow, and assists visiting fellows. He also interprets the work of the Young Center to the college community, the public at large, and the media. He is co-author with Samuel L. Horst of Building on the Gospel Foundation: The Mennonites of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and Washington County, Maryland, 1730–1970 (Herald Press, 2004) and holds an M.A. from Villanova University.

Cynthia L. Nolt
Research and Editorial Associate
(717) 361-1468 | noltcl@etown.edu

Cynthia edits book manuscripts, journal articles, and other material and provides research support for the senior fellow. She also maintains the center’s websites, edits and lays out the newsletter, coordinates publicity for center events, and provides editorial support for authors in the Young Center Books series. She holds an M.S. from Drexel University.

Hillary Daecher
Administrative Assistant
(717) 361-4747 | daecherh@etown.edu

Hillary focuses on various administrative duties such as helping plan semester events and conferences, reviewing and maintaining financial records, overseeing building reservations, and filtering calls into the office. She began working at the Young Center in 2007.