On October 28, Wilson College held the second Common Hour of the 2024-25 academic year in the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology. The event featured presentations by faculty scholars Dillon Beede, M.M., Ed.M., director of choral activities and chair in music, and Melanie E. Gregg, Ph.D., professor of humanities.
Beede discussed his research regarding “The (Trans)formational Choir: Insights into Identity, Pedagogy, and Policy from a Trans and Gender Expansive Choir.” Beede’s study focused on the work of a trans and gender expansive choir with the aims of sharing their perspectives, their pedagogical approaches, as well as the social environments they co-create and the ways in which that environment facilitates and supports identity development. He said, “It is the written, spoken, and unspoken agreements in the organization that create a space in which identity exploration is able to unfold.”
Gregg’s presentation “Advancing Communication Equity: The Case for Neuroqueer Crip Techno Heteroglossia in AI Development and Beyond” focused on centering the leadership perspectives and experiences of neurocognitive minorities and people with speech-related disabilities in the development of AI-powered assistive communication. Her research, devoted to communication equity, is based on the fair and just access to communication opportunities, tools, and resources suited to unique circumstances and needs. She said, “Communication has always served as the lifeline for societal thriving, but in this era when technology is making communication easier and faster than ever, it is time for us to reimagine our understanding of communication and assert unequivocally who has the right to communicate and how.”
This fall, the Common Hour sessions coincided with plenary sessions of Wilson’s first-year seminar course (FYS), providing an added opportunity for FYS faculty to present their research to the FYS seminar students while also sharing with the broader community. The faculty presentations helped model both the end-product of FYS and the passion and dedication to research and learning that is so integral to Wilson. In Spring 2025, Common Hour will return to its roots, focusing on faculty research presentations in more intimate settings, allowing for plenty of time for questions, conversation, and consideration. The College’s annual ArtsFest celebration will incorporate an arts-related Common Hour presentation in April.
Wilson College hosted a vaccination clinic for students, staff, and faculty and at the same time a health fair was held.
Nursing students promoted hand washing and healthy drink choices–comparing sugar and caffeine in common drinks.
The vaccination clinic and health fair were both successes and there are plans to grow the health fair even larger next year.
Campus celebrated Sarah Wilson Week with a trivia night, capture the flag, Halloween events and a special look at the life of Sarah Wilson.
EVENS vs. ODDS - students went head to head during capture the flag.
Brooks Science Center was hopping during the annual Halloween Spooktacular.
WCGA hosted a Trunk-or-Treat for the community. Wilson clubs decorated trunks and handed out candy and treats to kids in costume.
Sarah Wilson Week wrapped up with a presentation by Maxine Wagenhoffer, Director of the Hankey Center, on the life of Sarah Wilson, the College's most generous donor. Items from the Hankey Center archives relating to Sarah Wilson, such as the family bible and photos of Sarah, were on display for students to examine.
Five Wilson College students will each receive a $3,000 scholarship from a grant awarded by The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) for the 2024-2025 academic year. Since 2015, TERF has generously provided Wilson student recipients with over $112,000 in scholarship awards, including this year’s grant of $15,000.
TERF’s mission is to support Thoroughbred health and welfare by funding scholarships, educational programs, and equine research with a priority to make racing safer. Students majoring in equine studies, equine-facilitated therapeutics, veterinary nursing, or animal studies, are eligible for the awards, which are granted based on student need, academic achievement, and equine-related aspirations.
This year’s recipients are Wynter Cooley '25, Veterinary Nursing major with a concentration in Equine Medicine; Jasmine Gruver '25, Equine Studies major; Kendi Long '26, Equine Studies major; Makayla Reiter '26, Veterinary Nursing major with a concentration in Equine Medicine; and Regina Snyder '26, Equine Facilitated Therapeutics major.
Gruver '25 expressed her commitment to equine studies when she said, "After graduation, I hope to have a job where I can continue to work on the training of horses because that is what I enjoy doing the most. I know becoming a trainer takes a lot of time and dedication, but it is something that I have been passionate about my whole life."
Wilson’s scholarship recipients participate in programs led by Janice Holland, associate professor and director of Equine Studies, and Tammy Ege, assistant professor and director of Veterinary Nursing, who ensure scholarship recipients receive top-quality education in their respective fields.
To learn more about the TERF scholarships and awards, visit https://www.terfusa.org/
We welcomed the Wilson community to explore campus while enjoying the beautiful fall weather. Here are a few photos from Wilson Weekend.
Wilson students, staff, and faculty gathered to thank our generous donors.
Parents Council hosted a brunch where families heard an update on the college from President Wes.
The women's and men's soccer teams arrived at the fields in style–via wagon! Magic and her rider, Judi Wolf '25 escorted the teams and carried the US flag for the National Anthem.
There were fun fall activities at the equestrian center–pony rides, horse painting, food trucks, and scarecrow making.
Alums enjoyed a happy hour before the evening continued with the popular BBQ&Brew.
On the last day, Magic made another appearance at Henninger Field for the baseball intersquad black/blue series. Magic and Judi took to the field with the US flag and then head coach Vaugh Parker threw in the first pitch from the saddle!
It was a great weekend and we look forward to next year!
Wilson College announces the launch of three new academic programs that will provide students with the expertise needed to succeed in some of the fastest-growing job markets. These new offerings include two programs aimed at undergraduate students—Cybersecurity and Computer Science—and a new graduate level program in Educational Leadership.
“These programs were chosen because they represent areas where job growth is projected to be high over the next decade. All three complement Wilson’s existing curriculum, and I commend our faculty and academic leadership team for working together to provide our students with skills and training that will be highly relevant to the workplace and economy for years to come.” said Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
The new undergraduate programs include select online courses as part of the curriculum. Available through the College's partnership with Rize Education, these courses will offer students a cutting-edge curriculum, greater scheduling flexibility, access to nationwide experts in the field, and access to even more resume-ready skills. The Computer Science program was built in direct collaboration with Google with the goal of developing graduates to fill important and understaffed roles across tech industries. With employment in the field expected to grow at roughly 22% over the next decade (nearly 3x the national average), Wilson students will be qualified for increasingly valuable jobs. Similarly, the Cybersecurity degree will equip students with the technical and business knowledge needed to secure high-paying and growing jobs in this field, all without needing to be high-ranking programmers. Both undergraduate programs include portfolio-building and project-based classes to ensure a robust resume before graduation.
The new Master of Education in Educational Leadership will provide certified educators with the opportunity to pursue a degree in educational leadership and policy. This degree will provide students the opportunity to earn K-12 Principal Certification, Supervisory Certification, and/or a Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility.
Drawings, paintings, graphic designs, and other artwork created by Wilson College undergraduate students will be on display at the Coyle Free Library through November 26, 2025. This free exhibition features works by student artists in Wilson’s Drawing I, Intro to Design, Digital Photography, and Graphic Design courses.
“This is an opportunity for Wilson art and design students to share their scholarship, creativity, and artistic voices with the community. It is an incredibly empowering tool for our students to see their work in a public space outside the studio,” said Philip Lindsey, professor of fine arts at Wilson.
Louisa Cowles, a reference librarian with the Franklin County Library System, helped integrate the exhibition into the library space. As a Wilson alumna with a degree in fine arts, Cowles expressed intention to purchase one piece from this year’s display, and said “It is so exciting to have the work of Wilson's artists here at Coyle Library. I thank Philip Lindsey for bringing the art works and I thank the students for sharing with the community.”
The Coyle Free Library is at 102 N. Main Street, Chambersburg, Pa. For additional information, contact Cowles at 717-263-1054 (ext. 1003) or lcowles@fclspa.org, and Lindsey at 717-264-2783 or philip.lindsey@wilson.edu.
Over the next five years, Wilson College will receive $2.25 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Education as part of the government’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). The funds will provide an annual boost of approximately $450,000 to the College budget to support student success initiatives based on the College’s grant proposal “Phoenix Paths to Student Achievement.”
“The additional funding that the Title III grant provides will allow Wilson to create and develop critical initiatives above and beyond what we already provide. This will help our students become more successful academically as well as better prepare them for their professional futures,” said President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
The Wilson College Title III Project focuses on two primary objectives: 1) to develop and implement strategies for increasing and tracking first-time in college, re-enrolled and under-prepared students through strengthening academic support programs and services, and 2) to improve institutional support for all students by strengthening academic technology infrastructure and increasing support strategies through intrusive academic advising, expanded library services, database access, improved technology and spaces for tutoring and test-taking.
“After conducting a two-year self-study, we discovered we needed to develop a consistent way to retain students who were not following a linear path in pursuing their degree. Our goal, with this grant, is to engage with our students earlier and more cohesively in their academic careers in order to provide support and services they need to achieve their long-term goals,” said Elissa Heil, Ph.D., provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.
As a federal program, SIP provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs) to help them become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the institution's academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability.
The newest member of the business program's faculty, Lance Cain, wants people to know that Wilson’s business program has a lot of positive, forward momentum, and is putting students on the right track to a successful career in the business world. “We want to make sure the business program at Wilson is at the front of people’s minds,” said Cain.
Check out the various business degree options here: https://www.wilson.edu/business-programs
Cooley Gallery is showing an exhibition of Philip Lindsey's work from his time on sabbatical. "Passages: New Work by Philip Lindsey" is on display through January 31. Philip is known on campus, not only for his art but for his positive attitude and enthusiasm for his students. He shares, "Helping students realize that they are capable of creating a work of art that demonstrates, not only incredible technical skill, but deep contextual content as well, is particularly rewarding. This happens every semester. A student who has never attempted drawing or painting, discovers that they are capable of saying something they never knew was inside of them. It is a moment of discovery and realization. Then, they realize their world just got a little bigger. That is a special moment, and the kind of moment that Wilson faculty live for." See the information and hours for Cooley Gallery here: https://www.wilson.edu/cooley-gallery
