Wilson College will open an art exhibit featuring artwork by Pittsburgh-based visual artist Jada Patterson on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in the Cooley Gallery, located on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library (JSML). The exhibition will run through April 10, 2026, and is open to the public at no cost.
The exhibition will showcase the work of Patterson, a multidisciplinary artist and craftsperson who investigates the intersection of traditional craft and high art. Their work examines themes of beauty, adornment, girlhood, and the human condition. At the epicenter of their artistic exploration is a focus on identity, material culture, personal history, and Black traditions of hair and body adornment, particularly as they relate to girlhood.
“Jada Patterson’s ability to fuse traditional craft with contemporary visual language creates an experience that is both personal and universally resonant. We are honored to share their powerful and thought‑provoking work with the Wilson community and regional audiences,” said Philip Lindsey, professor of fine arts.
Born in Wisconsin and raised in Milwaukee, Patterson began their formal studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics and art history. They continued their artistic development through programs at the Ox-Bow School of Art, Charlotte Street Foundation, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Berea College, among others. Patterson currently serves as a host at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina.
As part of Wilson College’s annual ArtsFest, Patterson will deliver a public talk on Friday, April 10, at 3 p.m. on the first floor of JSM Library.
Wilson College recently received a generous grant from The John H. Shook Foundation to provide scholarships for students pursuing degrees in nursing and other healthcare careers. This transformative gift underscores the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to advancing health and human services and improving the well-being of Franklin County’s aging population.
The John H. Shook Foundation recently presented a generous grant to Wilson College for nursing and healthcare careers. Pictured (l to r): Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D., president, and Mindy Guinard, Ed.D., director of nursing and health sciences, from Wilson College, with Jan Collier, board president, and Barbara Law, executive director, from the John H. Shook Foundation.
This scholarship program will expand educational opportunities for Wilson College students preparing to enter high-demand healthcare professions. By easing financial barriers, it will enable students to focus more fully on their studies, clinical experiences, and professional development.
“I am deeply grateful to the Shook Foundation for its generous support not only for our Wilson College students but also for the broader Franklin County community,” said Mindy Guinard, director of nursing and health sciences at Wilson College. “This additional funding empowers us to help students achieve their dreams of earning their nursing degrees and making a meaningful impact in local healthcare.”
The John H. Shook Foundation honors the legacy of John H. Shook by funding initiatives that strengthen care for older adults. Its investment in Wilson College plays a vital role in meeting the region’s increasing need for skilled nurses, therapists, and other healthcare providers.
“In furtherance of John H. Shook’s enduring legacy, The John H. Shook Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, well-being, and independence of Franklin County’s aging population,” said Barbara Law, executive director of the John H. Shook Foundation. “We are proud to fortify the healthcare workforce by providing strategic grants to institutions like Wilson College, funding scholarships and clinical training for the next generation of nurses, therapists, and care providers.”
With the growing demand for skilled workers across all sectors of healthcare, Wilson College remains dedicated to preparing students with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and skills required to succeed in patient-care professions throughout the region.
Wilson College will honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a special evening program titled “Infinite Hope” on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Alumnae Chapel of Thomson Hall. This annual event invites the community to reflect on King’s enduring message of hope and justice. The program will feature a keynote address by Ernest Owens, an award-winning journalist and media executive; a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing;” and remarks by Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
Owens is CEO of Ernest Media Empire LLC and serves as editor of Eater Philly, political writer-at-large for Philadelphia Magazine, and host of the podcasts Ernestly Speaking! and Philadelphia City Council Live on WURD Radio. He is the author of The Case for Cancel Culture, published by St. Martin’s Press. His work has appeared in national outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone. His journalism frequently addresses issues at the intersection of race, LGBTQIA+ identity, politics, and popular culture.
He launched Ernest Media Empire in 2018 as a multimedia production, consulting, and communications firm. Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in communication management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Philadelphia.
Owens’ work has earned numerous honors, including recognition on The Philadelphia Tribune’s 2024 Most Influential African Americans list and the 2023 City & State Pennsylvania Pride Power 100. He received the 2020 Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists and has been recognized by Forbes, the American Society of Magazine Editors, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, the Pen & Pencil Club, and the City & Regional Magazine Association. In 2022, he was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for his writing at Rolling Stone.
The event is free and open to the public. A livestream option will be available for those unable to attend in person. For more information visit: https://www.wilson.edu/mlk-day-2026
Madison Sokolowski '28 found her home at Wilson College. After taking many things into account when making a decision about her higher education journey, she realized she was mainly looking for a "family" culture.
"I was blessed to find that I could continue my academics as well as my athletic career with it being a perfect distance from home," Sokolowski said.
Sokolowski plays on the Wilson College Women's Soccer team and is studying criminal justice with a minor in communications and psychology. In addition, she is the Wilson College Government Association Vice President, Class of 2028 Secretary, Joint Honor Council Secretary, SAAC Representative, Phoenix Leader, and an Orientation Leader.
"I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a leader on campus and my goal is to leave my mark here before I graduate," Sokolowski said. "I am so grateful for all of my amazing peers and professors here who make this campus my version of a family."
"The Wilson College TCP program allowed me to continue working at my school while I earned certification in Special Education. The professors were excellent with helping me attain the background for skills I wasn't confident in yet. The intern teaching process has allowed me to work with a wonderful mentor, who is full of great ideas and resources." - Amanda Webber, TCP Completer '25 Special Education
"The thing that makes Amanda stand out is her commitment to fostering inclusion for her students with multiple disability needs. She, along with her school colleagues, create opportunities for her students to interact with their peers, build confidence, and become important school community members." - Dr. Anne Corwell, Wilson College Practicum Supervisor
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Wilson College held an Omega Eta induction ceremony. Omega Eta is the Wilson College chapter of the global Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, which recognizes nursing students and professionals who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.
Students are offered induction to the group after being enrolled in a bachelor’s nursing program or equivalent; being ranked in the highest 35 percent of their nursing class; completing one-half of the nursing curriculum; and RN to BSN students must have completed 12 credit hours. Other ways to join the society are as nurse leaders, which have their own set of criteria.
2025 student inductees:Lee Anne Causey Amy Adkins HartleyJennifer HaughAudrey Atemkeng LekeSarah Marie LoveMacie MabeAva-Gaye MorganBrittany Marie RohrbaughGretchen Alissa Turner
Nurse Leader inductees:Katie NelsonJeff Ulrich
Transfers:Kris HockenberryTammy Miceli
Omega Eta Chapter inductees: (Left to right) Jeff Ulrich, Gretchen Turner, Brittany Rohrbaugh, Macie Mabe, Audrey Leke, Amy Hartley, Jennifer Haugh, and Tammy Miceli.
The Omega Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International was established at Wilson College in 2019. Sigma was founded in 1922 by six nursing students and has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia, and Botswana to Thailand, the United States, and Wales.
Wilson College offers a pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), online RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN programs, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Explore all of the Wilson College nursing programs here.
Congratulations to all of the 2025 Omega Eta inductees!
Wilson College and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are proud to announce a new 4+2 Enrollment Articulation Agreement designed to streamline the academic pathway for students pursuing careers in occupational therapy. This partnership reflects both institutions’ commitment to preparing future healthcare professionals through collaborative and innovative educational opportunities.
Under the newly established “Bachelor’s + 2 OTD” pathway, students will complete a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Shippensburg University before matriculating into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Wilson College. Shippensburg University will confer the baccalaureate degree prior to students entering the Wilson College OTD program. Importantly, no coursework is shared between the institutions, ensuring clear and distinct academic progression.
“This agreement helps address the growing demand for occupational therapy professionals by creating a clear, efficient pathway for students,” said Michael Gerg, DOT, MS, OTR/L, CHT, associate professor and program director of the Wilson College Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. “Together, we’re preparing graduates who are ready to meet critical healthcare needs in our communities.”
As part of this agreement, Wilson College will reserve up to two seats per cohort for qualified Shippensburg University students who meet all admissions criteria. This initiative not only enhances access to advanced clinical education but also supports the growing demand for skilled occupational therapy practitioners.
"We are thrilled to partner with Wilson College on addressing the regional demand for occupational therapists,” said Sam Forlenza, Ph.D., acting dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Shippensburg University. “This agreement provides a clear pathway for students and allows them to earn both an undergraduate degree and doctoral degree in only six years. This positions our students to reach their career goals faster and become leaders in the field and their communities."
Shippensburg University will begin pre-screening interested students as early as the spring of their junior year. To be considered for admission into the Wilson College OTD program, applicants from Shippensburg University must earn a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Shippensburg University and meet all Wilson College OTD admission requirements.
This articulation agreement marks a significant step forward in fostering academic excellence and professional readiness in the field of occupational therapy.
By Shelby Bowman '26
On Halloween, Brittany Harman, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, tasked the students in her biopsychology class with creating zombie-themed menus featuring various parts of the brain. Some menus included spooky starters like Spicy Amygdala Dip and Cerebellum Salad with eyeball croutons, along with eerie entrees like Frontal Lobe Fillet.
This activity was just one of the many Harmon designed to make complex content more engaging and memorable.
“When you’re learning about various areas of the brain, or structures of neurons and how they communicate with each other, that can get really tedious and really boring very quickly,” said Harmon.
These hands-on activities make the class more interactive. Other activities include mapping the flow of information from the eyes to the brain, and crafting neurons from modeling putty. “I had them design trading cards of neurotransmitters, and they had a lot of fun with it,” Harmon added. “I noticed that some students did really well on that part of the test.”
“Even though biopsychology seems like a hard class, it’s probably my easiest class this semester because of how Professor Harmon teaches,” said Arianna Winlack ’27. “I really enjoy it.”
The zombie menu assignment will also help students prepare for their final paper, in which they must analyze stereotypical zombie behaviors, such as staggered gait or lack of heartbeat, and determine the impaired brain regions.
Blending science with creativity offers students a unique approach to a complex subject.
“I feel like hands-on activities let you be more creative and help you retain information better than just listening and writing,” said Julia Wilkes ’28. “It helps me understand the material a lot better.”
Wilson College invites the community to begin the holiday season at its 105th Christmas Vespers on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4:30 p.m. in the historic Alumnae Chapel in Thomson Hall on the college campus. Leading the service will be the Rev. Andrew Hart, D.Min., the Nancy Adams Besch ’48 and Elisabeth Hudnut Clarkson ’47 college chaplain, and Dillon Beede, M.M., Ed.M., director of choral activities and chair of music.
“Christmas Vespers invites us to experience the inbreaking light of hope and peace into the shadows of a weary world,” said Hart. “This service is a reminder that even in seasons of darkness, the promise of light endures and that light calls us to prepare our hearts for joy.”
This year, the service will draw inspiration from the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols first held on Christmas Eve in 1918 at King’s College, Cambridge, England, at the end of World War I. The program will feature readings, anthems, and carols that transcend divisions, affirm shared humanity, and encourage spiritual preparation for the holiday season.
The service will showcase musical performances by the Cumberland Valley Chorale, the BrassWorks brass quintet, organist David Erickson, and pianist Diana Reinert, and readings by members of the Wilson College and Chambersburg communities.
Wilson’s Christmas Vespers is free and open to the public. The service will also be livestreamed. For more information visit www.wilson.edu/vespers.
"Wilson's TCP (Teacher Certification Pathway) Program has fully equipped me with the practical skills and certified credentials required to step confidently into the classroom and positively impact student learning."- Cael Turnball, TCP Completer '25 Turnbull finished the program and received his certification in Secondary English. His practicum supervisor, Dr. Wanda Richie, shared,
"Cael Turnbull’s enthusiasm, eagerness to engage his students, and thoughtful classroom presence make him a real asset to education. He offers creativity and innovation couched in structure and routine, which allows lots of fun within boundaries for rambunctious middle school students. I am thrilled he has chosen teaching as his career path."
