Meet the Young Center Staff
Steve Nolt
Director and Senior Scholar, Young Center
Professor of History and Anabaptist Studies
717-361-1459 | nolts@etown.edu | website
The author or coauthor of fourteen books on Amish, Mennonite, and Pennsylvania German history and contemporary life, Steve is widely recognized for his scholarship on Anabaptist groups across North America. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Notre Dame. He also serves as series editor for Young Center Books in Anabaptist and Pietist Studies 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 scholar, 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 coauthor 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.
Kay Wolf
Administrative Assistant
717-361-4747 | wolfk@etown.edu
Kay focuses on various administrative duties such as helping plan semester events and conferences; reviewing and processing financial records; maintaining the library of books, newsprint, and research materials; and overseeing building reservations.
Abigail Henson
Research and Editorial Associate to the Senior Scholar
717-361-1468 | henson@etown.edu
In her role as a Research and Editorial Associate to the Senior Scholar, Abigail manages the editorial process for Young Center publications, including preparing manuscripts for submission to Johns Hopkins University Press and serving as managing editor and copy editor for the Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities. Additionally, she supports the Senior Scholar through editorial work, research assistance, and data analysis. Abigail holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Cedar Crest College and a BA in English from Millersville University. Her first novel, The Druids’ Queen, was published in the fall of 2025.
Donald B. Kraybill
Distinguished College Professor, Senior Fellow, and Professor of Sociology Emeritus
kraybilld@etown.edu | website
A native of Lancaster County, Don is internationally recognized for his scholarship on the Amish and other Anabaptist groups. His books, research, and commentary have been featured in national and worldwide media.
Jeff Bach
Director of the Young Center Emeritus
717-361-1467 | bachj@etown.edu
Jeff is the author of Voices of the Turtledoves: The Sacred World of Ephrata (2003) and coauthor with Michael Birkel of Genius of the Transcendent: Mystical Writings of Jakob Boehme (2010). He holds a Ph.D. in religion from Duke University and is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren.