Pittsburgh, Pa. — H.F. “Gerry” and Marguerite Brooks Lenfest, a 1955 alumna of Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa., have been named recipients of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of outstanding and innovative leadership in philanthropy.
Medal recipients are chosen for their distinguished and longstanding contributions to the public good, according to an announcement from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, made on behalf of the international family of Carnegie institutions.
“The medal reflects Andrew Carnegie’s enduring legacy of philanthropy and is rooted in two core principles,” said Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York. “First: with wealth comes responsibility. Second: individuals, whether guided by religious, civic, humanistic, or democratic aspirations, have the transformative power to use wealth for the betterment of humankind.”
“Just as our founder demonstrated, the recipients inspire a culture of giving through their leadership, providing a model for the next generation of philanthropists,” Gregorian added.
The Lenfests are among nine 2017 Carnegie Meal of Philanthropy recipients announced June 22. The other recipients include:
Mei Hing Chak, China; HeungKong Charitable Foundation
Azim Premji, India; Azim Premji Foundation
Julian Robertson, U.S.; Robertson Foundation
Jeff Skoll, U.S.; Skoll Foundation
Kristine McDivitt Tompkins, U.S.; Tompkins Conservation
Shelby White, U.S.; Leon Levy Foundation
Sir James D. Wolfensohn, U.S. and Australia; Wolfensohn Center for Development
Since selling their cable television company, Lenfest Communications, to Comcast Corp. in 2000, the Lenfests have devoted their time and energy to philanthropy. Individually and through the Lenfest Foundation, the couple has contributed millions to scores of causes, including Marguerite Lenfest’s alma mater, Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa., and Gerry Lenfest’s alma maters, Mercersburg Academy, Washington and Lee University and Columbia University.
Personally and through the Lenfest Foundation, the couple has made gifts of more than $1.3 billion to over 1,100 organizations, supporting causes ranging from the arts to environmental programs to independent journalism. But their highest priority has always been to build self-sufficiency through education, according to the foundation website.
During Wilson’s “Leading with Confidence” capital campaign, the Huntingdon Valley, Pa., couple pledged a total of $20 million toward the college’s endowment, and over the years, the Lenfests have supported Wilson’s annual fund and unrestricted endowment, student scholarships, faculty development, Single Parent Scholars Program and facilities renovations — including a 2013 gift of $3.6 million to the library renovation project that created Lenfest Learning Commons, a student gathering and study space.
In 2000, Gerry Lenfest gave $35 million to his former prep school, Mercersburg Academy and in 2008, provided a $27 million grant to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The couple’s philanthropy has also included funding the Lenfest College Scholars program for central Pennsylvania high school students.
The Carnegie medal was established in 2001 and is awarded every two years to those whose philanthropic work embodies the ideals of Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), an American industrialist who built a fortune in the steel industry and then became a noted philanthropist whose impact is still felt today.
Previous Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy recipients include Bill and Melinda Gates (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg Philanthropies) and the Heinz family (Heinz Endowments).
The Carnegie institutions will award the medals during a formal ceremony at The New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Oct. 3. The Carnegie Corporation of New York will host the private event and Katty Kay, anchor of BBC World News America, will serve as master of ceremonies.
For more information about the medal and recipients, visit www.medalofphilanthropy.org/medalists
MEDIA CONTACT: Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations Phone: 717-262-2604 Email: cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu
__________________________________
Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 34 majors and master’s degrees in education, educational technology, special education, the humanities, accountancy, management, nursing, fine arts and healthcare management for sustainability. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation.
Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college had a fall 2016 enrollment of 1,098, which included students from 18 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.
Tissa Jayatilaka, executive director of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, met with Wilson College President Barbara K. Mistick and other college officials today to discuss ways to renew the College’s ties with the island nation off the southern coast of India.
Wilson’s once-strong relationship with Sri Lanka, which regularly brought outstanding students here to study for their undergraduate degrees, has waned in recent years. It was the idea of Wilson alumna and Trustee Pamela Francis Kiehl ’66 and her husband, William – both of whom are former diplomats – to bring their friend, Jayatilaka, to campus to meet Mistick and discuss how Wilson can step up recruiting efforts in Sri Lanka.
After giving a brief tour of Wilson’s renovated library and state-of-the-art science center, Mistick hosted a working lunch with representatives from academic affairs, student development and admissions, who brainstormed ways the College can reach out to Sri Lankan high school students.
Wilson has a strong international student population and is committed to admitting students from all parts of the world, according to Mistick. “International students benefit us as much as we benefit them,” she told Jayatilaka. “It does make our campus richer.”
With only 14 universities in Sri Lanka, it is difficult for students to get into those institutions, which makes U.S. colleges attractive – providing they are affordable and/or financial aid and scholarships are available, Jayatilaka said. “Money is a problem for the generality of Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that in that country, nine of 10 college students’ education is financed by parents rather than through student loans.
Jayatilaka, who said his organization can help direct students to Wilson College in a variety of ways, also suggested the possible creation of a semester-abroad program that would send Wilson students to Sri Lanka. The group discussed getting Sri Lankan Wilson graduates involved by speaking about their Wilson experiences in their home country, as well as helping the college admissions team contact select high schools in Sri Lanka.
The meeting ended with a promise from Jayatilaka and Wilson officials to work together to strengthen connections between Sri Lanka and the College.
Twenty-eight students in the Wilson College Teacher Intern Program were recognized at a May 5 ceremony at the college.
TIP completers are: Dara Boden, Alexander Bolinger, Sarah Codner, Jennifer Cordell, Emily Eckert, Italia Guarino, Keenan Lee, Kendra Ogden, Jadylee Ramos, Elizabeth Robinson, Glenn Smith, Andrew Allshouse, Erin Brennan, Maribel Gonzalez, Stacey Hicklin, Carol Smith, Rebecca Streletz, Daniel Beneventano, Dodie Bishopp, Stephanie Myers, Michael Patten, Joseph Sell, Kyla Swope, Alison Hile, Katrina Smith, Ethan Miller, Michael Miller and Stephanie Yetter.
Approximately 40 people attended the recognition ceremony, which was held in the Brooks Science Complex and included remarks by Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick.
Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 1985, Wilson’s TIP program allows those who already have bachelor’s degrees to become certified to teach. A variety of certifications are available, covering all grades and including specialized areas such as special education.
Wilson College Professor of Fine Arts Philip Lindsey is one of only 119 artists chosen from among 849 applicants whose work will be showcased in the 50th Annual Art of the State exhibition, opening Sunday, June 11, at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg.
The exhibition, which will open with a free awards ceremony from 1:30 to 4 p.m., will run through Sept. 10 at the museum, which is located at 300 North St., Harrisburg. A nominal admission fee applies to the show. More information about museum hours and fees is available at www.statemuseumpa.org.
Lindsey, the only artist from Franklin County whose work will be exhibited in the show, has been a member of the Wilson College faculty since 2000. He works primarily in oil, as well as charcoal. His exhibition piece—one of 130 works selected from nearly 2,200 entries—is an oil-on-canvas painting entitled “St. Patrick’s Day.”
Lindsey, who has a Master of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, won first prize in the Art of the State exhibition several years ago. He describes his painting style as Romantic. “I’m interested in the experience of life, emotional expression, imagination and personal narrative,” said Lindsey, who lives in Chambersburg with his wife and daughter. “’St. Patrick’s Day’ is part of my larger body of work addressing personal narrative.”
More than $7,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in the state exhibition, which showcases work in the following categories: craft, painting, photography, sculpture and work on paper. Exhibit works can be viewed online at https://phmc.info/AOS50.
The exhibition is co-presented by the museum and Jump Street, a central Pennsylvania nonprofit arts organization. WITF Public Media and the Higher Information Group are exhibition sponsors.
MEDIA CONTACT: Philip Lindsey, Professor of Fine Arts Phone: 717-264-4141, Ext. 3305 Email: philip.lindsey@wilson.edu
Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 34 majors and master’s degrees in education, educational technology, the humanities, accountancy, management, nursing, fine arts and healthcare management for sustainability. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation.
Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college has a fall 2016 enrollment of 1,098, which includes students from 18 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.
The Fulton Center for Sustainability Studies at Wilson College will sponsor monthly educational sessions in lieu of selling produce, as part of its evolving role with the North Square Farmers Market in downtown Chambersburg.
The farmers market, now in its 17th year, has grown to include 15 full-season vendors. As a result, Wilson’s FCSS and Fulton Farm will no longer sell produce at the market in order to avoid competing with local growers. The college, one of the market’s founding members, will transition its role toward education according to FCSS Director Chris Mayer.
“As an institution, our mission is to educate,” said Mayer. “I think the role of a leader, our role, is to develop and then get out of the way.”
Wilson will present educational sessions for adults and children on a monthly basis, beginning on the farmers market’s opening day this Saturday, May 27. The first session in the “Growing Our Community: Fulton Center Summer Educational Series,” which will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., will focus on Lyme Disease prevention and symptoms, including how to spot and remove ticks, as well as on planting dates in our growing area.
The educational series was created by Wilson nursing master’s degree candidate Erin Young as part of a project exploring the intersection of health and agriculture, Mayer said.
Sessions will continue on the second Saturday of each month, from June through October. In June, the focus will be on sun safety and July’s emphasis will be on food waste and nutrition labeling. In August and September, presentations will examine eye safety and farm safety, respectively, and the October session will be centered on World Food Day, Mayer said.
The farmers market is located on the east side of North Main Street between King Street and Lincoln Way.
For more information, contact Mayer at 717-264-4141, Ext. 3247, or christine.mayer@wilson.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Mayer, Fulton Center for Sustainability Studies Director Phone: 717-264-4141, Ext. 3247 Email: christine.mayer@wilson.edu.
On April 4, the nursing program at Wilson College inducted 40 students and community members into its new nursing honor society during a ceremony at the college.
Members were welcomed into the society by the organization’s president, Sherri Stahl, Summit Health senior vice president of hospital services and chief nursing officer at Chambersburg Hospital. Wilson Vice President for Academic Affairs Elissa Heil was the guest speaker. Inductees of the honor society recited a pledge of membership.
The Nursing Honor Society at Wilson College was created, in part, as a forum to advance the profession within the Chambersburg community, according to Carolyn Hart, director of Wilson’s nursing program. “The purpose of the honor society is to support nursing scholarship and career advancement through mentorship and educational opportunities,” she said.
Wilson’s goal is for the college honor society to become a chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, in 2018, Hart said. SITI is a non-governmental organization that promotes nursing scholarship and advises the United Nations on global healthcare.
To become a member of Wilson’s honor society, nurses from the community must be invited and hold a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in nursing. Students in Wilson’s bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing who have completed at least three-quarters of their education and have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher are also eligible for membership.
Wilson’s nursing program, which began in 2014 with two programs that allowed existing registered nurses to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, has been growing steadily. Four nursing pathways are now offered, including a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in nursing (MSN). The first BSN completers graduate this month.
In February, Wilson’s nursing program received accreditation from the National League for Nursing’s Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA), an indication of excellence and adherence to nationally established standards for nursing education.
For information about Wilson’s nursing programs or to register, contact Hart at 717-262-4853, 717-414-6184 or carolyn.hart@wilson.edu.
Wilson College honored students and faculty members at its annual Academic Awards ceremony held Friday, April 28, in the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology.
The following students and faculty received awards:
Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize, which is given to a graduating senior for outstanding scholarship in the discipline of psychology, was awarded to Jamie Burnett of Hagerstown, Md.
James Applegate Award, which is awarded to a student with an interest in drama and theater, went to two students: Darren Stephens of Hagerstown, Md., and Lauren Hampton of Lancaster, Pa.
Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award, awarded to a student who participates in the service learning component of Wilson’s global citizenship initiative and provides assistance with expenses and travel to another country, was given to Abigail Selman of Chambersburg.
Alice Martin Brumbaugh Award in Sociology, which is given to a female student who has entered the college at a non-traditional age and shows a special interest and/or outstanding promise in the field of sociology, was awarded to Jamie Kauffman of Chambersburg.
Marel Harlow Cheng Memorial Prize, awarded to a student who has done well in international studies or has made some noticeable contributions to international understanding, went to Stephanie Marshall of Keene, N.H. Marshall also received the Helen Adams Nutting History Prize, which is given to a member of the junior or senior class who has demonstrated outstanding ability in the field of history.
Regina Shaputnic Cuomo Mathematics Award, given to a student or students who exhibit outstanding ability and are pursuing a major in mathematics, was awarded to Cameron Wolfe of Chambersburg.
Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship, given to a rising senior who has, in the judgment of the selection committee, submitted the proposal for senior advanced study and research considered most worthy of support, was awarded to Deborah Rifflard of Harrisburg, Pa.
Estep-Lawson Memorial Prize, awarded to a student in lower-level French course who demonstrates excellence and shows future promise in French studies, went to Dionna Edwards of Philadelphia, Pa.
Mildred Franklin Prize, given to a senior for excellence in Latin or Greek and who has shown an understanding of the literature and thought of ancient civilizations, was awarded to Catherine Clayton of Howell, N.J.
Donna Gomer VMT ADP Award for an adult degree student displaying excellence in the study of veterinary medical technology went to Kaitlyn Hartman of Camp Hill, Pa.
Davison Greenawalt Grove Award, which is given to a member of the junior or senior class participating in research in physical and life sciences, was awarded to Anna Harutyunyan of Yerevan, Armenia.
Richard C. Grove Award in Business and Economics, which goes to a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability and distinguished themselves academically in accounting, business administration, financial mathematics or economics, was awarded to Ryan Stine of Greencastle, Pa.
Dorle Haas Memorial Prize, awarded to a senior for outstanding service within the greater Chambersburg area, was given to Kristin Hoffman of Greencastle, Pa.
Margaret Strode Haines Award, which recognizes a student with outstanding qualities of scholarship, interest in the humanities and strength of body, mind and spirit, was given to Patricia Hall of Orbisonia, Pa.
Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize, awarded to the senior who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service during their four years at Wilson College, was given to Molly McElroy of Middle River, Md. McElroy also got the Wilson Equestrienne Award, which goes to a graduating senior who has excelled in academics and equitation.
Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award, given for the finest piece of imaginative literature in fiction, poetry or drama produced during the academic year, went to Christie Munson of Shamokin, Pa. Munson also received two other awards: the Mary Beers Sheppard Prize, awarded to the member of the senior class who has shown the keenest understanding and appreciation of literature; and the Carolyn Zeleny Prize, which goes to a sociology student in the junior or senior class on the basis of academic excellence and/or community service.
Josef Michael Kellinger German or Foreign Language Award for a student who has demonstrated excellence in German or foreign language studies was given to Sabrina Spinelli of Fayetteville, Pa.
Catherine Herr Langdon Award is, by vote of the women students with the approval of the Dean of Students and the President of the College, bestowed upon a senior or seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence and who have fully, unselfishly and willingly given comfort, compassion, encouragement, guidance, help and understanding to fellow students during the year and was awarded to Lily Rembold of Franklin, Pa.
Jack Malachuk Equestrian Award, given to an equestrian student who has demonstrated a high level of commitment to equestrian studies, was awarded to Karen Saltzgiver of Biglerville, Pa.
Mary-Eleanor Maule Travel Grant, awarded to graduating seniors or students entering their junior or senior years for travel planned in support of study in Spanish, was given to Ashley Horn of Fredericksurg, Va.
Robert Shannon McElwain Prize, awarded to the best student in mathematics, went to Thuy-Hang Ngo of Hanoi, Vietnam.
Organic Chemistry Award, given to the student in organic chemistry who earned the highest grades for the year, went to Alyssa Engel-Swift of Leesport, Pa.
Outstanding Peer Teacher Award, given to honor exemplary service as a First-Year Seminar peer teacher for the year, went to Marissa Rankin of Mount Joy, Pa.
Nicky Hoffman Reich Award, given to the student whose work with animals shows commitment to humane treatment, was awarded to Gabrielle Wagaman of Waynesboro, Pa.
Helga Rist Prize, which is given to a dedicated, successful, American Wilson College foreign language student who has demonstrated integrity, promise and potential, was awarded to Elsa Zavala Hurtado of Chambersburg.
John D. Rose Award in Environmental Studies, given to an outstanding junior majoring in environmental studies or biology to fund a summer research project or internship, went to brothers Marquise Beckett and Martez Beckett of Randallstown, Md.
William and Ivy Saylor Prize, established through the Academy of American Poets to support young poets at colleges nationwide, was awarded to Shawn Price of Hagerstown, Md.
Grace Tyson Schlichter Award in Communications, which is given to a senior who has shown general academic excellence and outstanding promise for a career in a field of communications, went to two students: Jenna Kauffman of Waynesboro, Pa., and Nicole Zuleger of Berryville, Va.
Sophie’s Six Award, given to a senior who is majoring or minoring in psychology or related field with an intended career in counseling, was awarded to Heather Jordan-Clapsaddle of Chambersburg.
Joan M. Thuebel ’52 Earthwatch Prize, which sponsors a Wilson student or faculty member to participate in an Earthwatch Institute project of his or her choosing, was awarded Molly Lemke of Camp Hill, Pa.
William P. Van Looy Business Prize, awarded to the junior or senior business and economics major who has demonstrated excellence in business studies and in service to the well-being of both the Wilson College community and larger community, went to two students: Daniel Glazier of Mount Airy, Md., and Netha Kane of Chambersburg.
E. Grace White Prize, which is awarded to a senior whose major field is biology or biochemistry, and who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and plans a career involving the biological sciences, was given to Gaser Ahmed of Chambersburg.
E. Grace White Summer Scholarship, which is awarded to outstanding juniors in biology for use at approved laboratories, was awarded to Kirsten Lehman of Coopersburg, Pa., and Deborah Rifflard of Harrisburg, Pa.
Wilson College Education Award, given to one elementary education major and a student preparing for teacher certification in a secondary school level who have shown outstanding achievement in both their academic studies and in their professional preparation, was awarded to Emily Eckert of Harrisburg, Pa., and Fawn Stitley of Waynesboro, Pa.
Wilson College Fine Arts Prize, awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in both art history and studio art, was given to Annika Dowd of Chambersburg.
Wilson College Scholar-Athletes, those who have maintained a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher and participated in at least one Wilson varsity athletic team, are: Elen Harutyunyan of Yerevan, Armenia; Marquise Beckett of Randallstown, Md.; Emily Dematteo of Partlow, Va.; Katelynn Gilbert of Thousand Palms, Calif.; Amanda Haase of Culpepper, Va.; Ashley Horn of Fredericksburg, Va.; Evan Hoke of Chambersburg; Lauren Moss of Bloomburg, Pa.; Jennifer Patton of Greencastle, Pa.; Lee Price of Waynesboro, Pa.; Lily Rembold of Franklin, Pa.; Jarrett Rickards of Knoxville, Md.; Aaron Russ of Burke, Va.; Ethan Russ of Burke, Va.; Alison Shockey of Greencastle, Pa.; Erin Stephan of Gettysburg, Pa; Carrie Stemple of Baltimore, Md.; Justin Vizzi of Spotswood N.J.; Caylin Walp of Parkville, Md.; and Charity Zimmerman of Williamstown, Pa.
Several faculty members were honored during the awards ceremony, including the following faulty who received the Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching: senior faculty award, Ann O’Shallie, professor of equestrian studies; junior faculty award, Alexander Munson, assistant professor of mathematics; and adjunct faculty award, Karl Muller, adjunct instructor of Latin.
For more information, contact Wilson College Manager of Media Relations Cathy Mentzer at 717-262-2604 or cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu.
Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college had a fall 2016 enrollment of 1,098, which includes students from 18 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.
Entrepreneur and education access advocate David Risher will address the graduating class at the 147th annual Wilson College commencement ceremony, to be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 14.
Risher, who will receive an honorary degree from the college, is the president and cofounder of Worldreader, an international organization that works to expand literacy in the developing world; and a former top executive with Microsoft and Amazon.
This year, approximately 108 students will receive bachelor’s and associate degrees during Wilson’s commencement ceremony, which will be held outside on the college’s main green. (In case of rain, the ceremony will be held in Laird Hall.) In addition, approximately 75 graduates of Wilson’s master’s degree programs in education, accountancy, healthcare management, humanities and fine arts will receive their degrees.
During the commencement ceremony, Susan Breakefield Fulton of Washington, D.C.—a 1961 Wilson graduate, former college trustee and faithful donor to her alma mater—will be honored with trustee emerita status, which is the highest honor a college can bestow on a trustee.
A baccalaureate service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, in Alumnae Chapel at Thomson Hall.
Worldreader, which is headquartered in San Francisco, works to transform literacy by giving children in developing countries virtually unlimited access to local digital books through Kindles and cell phones. The organization has supported over six million readers worldwide over its first seven years. Before co-founding Worldreader in 2010, Risher played pivotal roles at Microsoft and Amazon. At Microsoft, he was general manager in charge of developing the company’s first database product, Microsoft Access. As Amazon’s first vice president of product and store development, he oversaw a sales explosion from $16 million to more than $4 billion. Risher later became a senior vice president of Amazon, overseeing the marketing and general management of retail operations.
Risher, of San Francisco, graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature. He has a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School. His mother, Sarah Walker Risher, is a 1963 graduate of Wilson College.
April 18, 2017
Chambersburg, Pa. — Wilson College students will present the results of their undergraduate and graduate research at Wilson’s 8th annual Student Research Day on Friday, April 28. The public is invited to join Wilson students, faculty, staff and administrators at all events. A total of 29 students will present their work, which was produced in conjunction with faculty advisers, beginning at 9 a.m. Sessions will run concurrently in the Brooks Science Center auditorium and John Stewart Memorial Library’s Lenfest Learning Commons. In addition, a dance presentation choreographed and performed by students will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the dance studio in Davison Hall. All presentations will conclude by 5 p.m. In addition to the oral presentations, other students will share their work graphically in a poster session, to be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m., also in Brooks. “Student Research Day is an important day at Wilson College, providing a time to showcase the remarkable achievements of our students, “said Elissa Heil, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. “It’s also a celebration of our strong student and faculty collaboration, upon which Wilson College prides itself.” Oral presentations throughout the day focus on the humanities, sciences and social sciences, including the prestigious Disert Scholar session from 4:30 to 5 p.m. in the Brooks Complex. The Disert award, given to the student with the best honors thesis proposal, went this year to Anna Harutyunyan of Armenia, who will present the results of her research on how an iron derivative of the AIDS drug AZT (Fe-AZT) affects cancer cells in the liver. Other presentations will include examinations of: artist and feminist icon Frida Kahlo and the effect of her chronic physical pain on her self-portraits; the effects of gluten proteins and low-gliadin wheat products on celiac disease in mice; the relationship between outdoor recreation and depression; Christianity, capitalism and America’s devaluation of the poor; Holocaust remembrance and collective memory; a risk assessment for oak wilt – a threat to oak trees similar to that of Dutch elm disease – in Pennsylvania; pets and their relationship to their owners’ personality traits and self-esteem; factors that increase the contamination risk of pathogenic E.coli in the Conococheague Creek; and effects of apiary practices on Colony Collapse Disorder in European honey bees; Also on Student Research Day, Wilson senior Amanda Dunn will hold a capstone exhibition of her artwork in Wilson’s Bogigian Gallery. The exhibition will continue through May 14. Wilson’s Student Research Day will conclude with the annual Academic Awards presentation at 6 p.m. in the Brooks auditorium. Student Research Day at Wilson was founded in 2010 as a way to recognize and celebrate the research, scholarship and creative activities of students and their faculty mentors. For more information, visit www.wilson.edu/student-research-day. MEDIA CONTACT: Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations Phone: 717-262-2604 Email: cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu
April 13, 2017
Chambersburg, Pa. — Five Wilson College students presented the results of their research and two were recognized with research grants at the 93rd Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, held March 31 to April 2 at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
The following students presented research: seniors Gaser Ahmed, a citizen of Egypt living in Chambersburg; Anna Harutyunyan of Armenia; and Vanessa Lybarger of Bedford, Pa.; and juniors Ahmed Alshahrani of Saudi Arabia and Tracy Dile of Orrstown, Pa. Ahmed and Harutyunyan were awarded a PAS Outstanding Research Grant for their projects.
Ahmed, who is majoring in biology and chemistry, presented his research project, Analysis of the Effects of Gluten Proteins and Low-Gliadin Wheat Products on Celiac Disease in NOD-DQ8 Mice. This study was performed to determine the effects of gluten, gliadin, glutenin and low-gliadin products on the progression of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of a wheat gluten protein called gliadin; as well as to determine whether there is a maximum amount that is safe to consume in a mouse model prone to developing the disease. Results of the study will provide further information about the immunotoxicity of gliadin and glutenin, and the safety of consumption of low-gliadin products, which may set the stage for application in humans.
Ahmed received Wilson’s E. Grace White Summer Scholarship last year in support of his undergraduate research and also has received several Wilson chemistry awards. He was selected to participate in the 2016 Summit Health Summer Work Experience program.
Anna Harutyunyan of Armenia, who is majoring in biology and chemistry, presented a research project called Synthesis and Effects of Fe-AZT and Pd-AZT on Viability of Human Hepatocytes and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer, is the fifth-most common cancer and third-most common cause of cancer mortality around the world. It is difficult to treat due to early metastasis and progression. Harutyunyan’s study investigates the potential toxicity of an iron derivative of the AIDS drug AZT (Fe-AZT) in a cell culture model by analyzing cell viability. Results could provide evidence for using this compound as an anticancer treatment for liver cancer.
Harutyunyan received Wilson’s E. Grace White Summer Scholarship last year in support of her undergraduate research and also was a recipient the college’s Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship.
The students were accompanied to the PAS annual meeting by Wilson professors Deborah Austin, Brad Engle, Dana Harriger, Andrea Nagy, Christine Proctor and Brad Stiles. Five other students also attended the PAS meeting.
Students will share the results of their research during Wilson’s annual Student Research Day on April 28.
PAS judged oral presentations for scientific merit ¬- ranging from experimental methodologies to analysis of results - and presentation qualities, including visual impact and fielding of questions.
This is the sixth year for the award competition.
Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 34 majors and master’s degrees in education, educational technology, special education, the humanities, accountancy, management, nursing, fine arts and healthcare management for sustainability. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation. Located in Chambersburg, Pa., the college has a fall 2016 enrollment of 1,098, which includes students from 18 states and 16 countries. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.
