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
On September 16, the first Common Hour of the 2024-25 academic year took place in the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology. The event featured presentations by faculty scholars Daniella DiGregorio, Ph.D., associate professor of education, and Janet Foor, Ed.D., assistant professor of special education.
DiGregorio discussed her research on how teachers can improve the mental health of college students. She presented details of a student survey conducted during the last academic year where she gained insight into differences between international students and U.S. students and the challenges they face as college students. While DiGregorio’s research focused on how teachers can help all students by remaining flexible and responsive, she also encouraged that everyone in the college setting practice kindness and support toward each other as everyone is dealing with different things. She also included a list of resources, like tutoring, where students can find help, suggested stress-reducing activities that teachers can use to encourage participation and encouraged everyone to learn about each other’s backgrounds to make the community more inclusive.
Foor’s presentation focused on integrity and ethics regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the college classroom. In her research, Foor surveyed Wilson students and faculty to discover how they use AI. For this presentation, she discussed only responses from undergraduate and graduate students, which told her that many students use AI, and some would like more information about it. Foor shared some of the problems when using AI, which can provide biased answers to very basic prompts. However, she said, AI can be a powerful academic tool if used correctly. There are many AI tools available, but she suggested students use critical thinking skills when working with them.
This fall, the Common Hour sessions coincide with plenary sessions of Wilson’s first-year seminar course (FYS), providing an added opportunity for FYS faculty and the College’s annual Orr Forum scholar to present their research to the FYS seminar students while also sharing with the broader community. The faculty presentations help model both the end-product of FYS and the passion and dedication to research and learning that is so integral to Wilson.
Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and inclusion strategist, Carlos Andrés Gómez, visited campus for Hispanic Heritage Month. In his own unique approach of storytelling mixed with humor and poetry, Carlos created an experience that was moving and thought-provoking.
Carlos is a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and inclusion strategist and spoke on "Creating Belonging on Campus".
The event included Melina Bromsoe, Argentinian teaching assistant from the FLTA Fulbright Program, sharing a poem by her sister with Wendell Smith, Associate Professor of Spanish translating.
In recognition of Constitution Day, political science major, Tristan Worlock '25 supervised a table on campus with voter registration information for students. As an extra bonus, he was also handing out free ice cream.
Tristan shared, "A lot of kids, especially around my age, think that their vote doesn't matter due to the Electoral College system. But in order for the Electoral College to cast a vote for the state, they need popular votes, so people need to get out and vote."
You can find information on how to register to vote here: https://www.allintovote.org
Despite national headlines of steep enrollment declines across higher education, Wilson College is bucking the trend, having attained its highest total enrollment in the history of the institution. Fall 2024 Census indicates 1,705 enrolled students, a 10% increase over Fall 2023.
“We are beyond excited that now, more than any time in the College’s 156-year history, more students have the opportunity to benefit from an outstanding Wilson education. Our approach to providing an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences with a strong career focus in a welcoming and supportive learning environment is resonating. Over the last decade, Wilson’s faculty and staff have worked strategically to provide innovative curricula delivered through various learning modalities that meet the needs of diverse populations of students. The results show 158% growth since the fall of 2013 when enrollment was only 662 students,” said President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
Two key categories of students have contributed to this year’s enrollment growth. Wilson’s Teacher Certification Program continues to expand, now with 391 students, 18% more than those enrolled during 2023-2024. Wilson proudly certifies a significant number of adults with a bachelor’s degree who seek to make a career change and become teachers in Pennsylvania. In addition, students continue to embrace Wilson College Online and the flexibility to earn a Wilson degree fully online. A total of 342 undergraduate and graduate degree seekers enrolled in Wilson College Online for Fall 2024, more than doubling enrollment since Fall 2023. This is an impressive feat, given this new online modality is only in its second full year of existence.
Wilson’s full-time undergraduate students remained steady with 555 students, compared to 544 in Fall 2023. These numbers speak to the innovation and resiliency of Wilson. The College is growing, creating new modalities of learning, and announcing new degrees of study to meet the needs of today’s students. Join us in celebrating this historic moment in the life of the College. The future is truly bright at Wilson.
