Jeremiah Loyer ’27, a history major, is working with language and history during a 10-week internship at JAARS, Inc. in North Carolina. JAARS, an acronym for Jungle Aviation and Radio Service, is a non-profit organization that provides support to Bible translation and language development efforts worldwide.
Loyer's internship is a testament to the hands-on education he has received at Wilson College. "Wilson College has prepared me well for this internship through the hands-on experience I’ve gained working at the Hankey Center for the History of Women's Education, as well as the continuous support from my history professors,” Loyer shared. His experience in archival work and historical research has given him a foundation for his current role.
Max Wagenhoffer, Ph.D., director of the Hankey Center for the History of Women’s Education and assistant professor of history, shared, "During the 2024-2025 academic year, Jeremiah worked over 250 hours at the Hankey Center as a research assistant. He grew as a researcher and scholar, and he is further sharpening his skills through his internship at JAARS."
During his time at JAARS, Loyer is working in two areas. He spends time in the Cardenas Building, which serves as a repository for the history of JAARS, and in the Alphabet Museum, a space that explores the history of writing systems and languages from around the world. "My main responsibility is scanning documents, but I also have had the opportunity to work with collections and help with exhibits around the museum." said Loyer. "Interning with JAARS has taught me how to operate in a professional museum environment, and I've developed several skills that will enhance both my academic and future career."
Jeremiah Loyer's summer internship at JAARS shows how a strong academic foundation, coupled with practical experience, can open doors to unique opportunities.
Sometimes, unexpected events become life’s defining moments. For Colby Maun ’22, a painful injury and a timely reconnection changed the course of his academic and professional journey.
https://mag.wilson.edu/the-power-of-a-curveball/
Jenna Benke ’25, a double major in Animal Studies with a concentration in Environmental Science and Environmental Sustainability, spent her spring semester as a Nature and Conservation Intern with the Conococheague Institute. This experience allowed her to explore and cultivate her deep passion for the environment through a variety of hands-on roles.
One of the projects during her internship was a comprehensive water monitoring study of the Institute’s wetlands pond. Jenna documented her research and findings in this video.
In her video, Jenna explains the importance of freshwater monitoring for both aquatic life and human safety. She demonstrates the use of a low-cost water monitoring kit to perform various tests, each providing insights into the pond's health.
Internships like Jenna's provide invaluable real-world experience, offering mentorship, and a pathway to career growth. Wilson College is committed to supporting student, ensuring they are well-prepared to make a meaningful difference in their chosen fields.
Congratulations to all the students who made the Wilson College Dean's List for Spring 2025.
Hope AdamsJill AhlgrenHannah AkerPaige AlbrightElizabeth AlfaroRusbelly AlmonteEsteban Alvarez MaganaEric ArbogastMary ArnoldKaeden BabcockSydney BabicekBarbara BakerBrady BaknerAcadia BanisJennifer BannonRachel BardsleyEmmy BaschoffHana BellowsJenna BenkePayton BennettRachel BieseckerSeth BivensMichaela BlackKaitlyn BlizzardJason BoakYuliya BondarAmaia BonebrakeMadison BootieHannah BostShelby BowmanEmily BrechbielLaura BreighnerMadison BriggsBrittany BrownTrinity BrownMatt BrowningAlexis BuckleySarah BusheySophia CallahanElisabeth CampleseJustine CastroCinthya ChavarriaArielle ChicoLenin CincoJamie ClendeningCaryn CordellElizabeth CordonJorge CortezLeilannie CortezTyler CottoneRachel CoulterAva CoxFaith CrawfordGavin CreamerSarah CroweKatelyn CrupAllie CullisonRylee CurleyBryson CurtisKaren CutlerLindsey DalenbergGrace DamatoColin DavidsonCrystal DavisMaddie DavisAdaira DeckerHaley DeckerEmma DelicatoAngela DewaldIsabella Di TroiaSarah DiehlPayton DietrichOlivia DingzonKelly DitsonJenna DixonKaylie DixonKassandra DottererAlexis DoyleMadison EbersoleAmelia EdensJulia ElliottOlivia EwingSadie FikeJoi FisherAnna FlennerPatty FlookKylie FochtChelcie ForresterRebecca FoxAlicia FrancavageLaura FrancisDanica FrushourClaudia FumagalliLyssa GableKylie GardinerEmily GarnerHamida GawhariHomaira GawhariOlivia GelbaughAndrew GervasiMary GingrichLainnie GlennErin GoheganAniya GonzalezShannon GougeAlessandro GranadosMargaret GreeleyAbby GroshMaya GroveJasmine GruverHaley HamrickMadison HamrickTaylor HardestyMiranda HardyShelby HarmonAndrew HarnerSydney HartleElysabeth HaughElla HawbeckerTaylor HayesLibby HeatonCarrie HeberligAddie HebertKaitlyn HeffnerOlivia HeidrichLuke HelmanAlyvia HennemanNikki HockenberryOlivia HoffmanLibby HousemanAbigail Howard GoisJenna HowellLexie HubbardSusan HubbardAce HudnellKyra HuebnerTashema HuffmanJada JenkinsShavon JohnsonLily KamarerCasey KauffmanJessica KauffmanKatelyn KellerChloe KelleyStacy KerrTrea KeysMaria KleinMadison KlineRyan KoontzMelissa LabritzSage LagueElizabeth LandonBrooke LeedyAudrey LekeRiley LeMayMichael LightMatthew LineKalyna LloydEthan LocklearAliya LockmanKendi LongJaylyn LopezElena LotruglioLexy LottSarah LoveJeremiah LoyerAdrian LugoSavanna MackieCarleigh MagersAva MagrasKinsey MancillRebecca MarakovitzAmanda MargesonElaina MarkerEmily MartinSage MartinSydney MarzaPayton McCauleyJacob MccoyCadence McmahonCamrynn McmillanCarley McNewDrue MealsAndrea MedinaGianna MenziettiBenjamin MetzTori MeyerKlarissa MileyDelaney MillerEmily MillerKara MillerMadison MillerJeremy MitchellSummer MoffettWaverly MoffettSkylar MolnarMackenzie MonnAbby MorelandMarcus MorenoReagan MorrisLia MortKiaya MouerChristine MulherinNatalie MullenBelle MusselmanCharles MusserAlayna MyattNicole MyersChristopher NataleVincent NataleRachel NewswangerDaniel NillBrandi NissleyBrett NolanKiera O'BrineCaitlin OlivieroAnya ParkolayLaura PaxsonIttai PayneKalea PechartLiam PepolJalen PierceRylee PiperCaden PollardKaylee PomfretRosa PortillaBrooklyn PresleyEmily RandallsTobias ReeseJosie ReinhardtMakayla ReiterKayla RichardsAshley RingquistMichael RiosLaela RobinsonPiper RohrbaughZoe RosenAbby RosenberryEmma RosetErin RoszkowiakAnna RozensonMimi RubioReilly RyanSam RybackiOlalla SanchezLynn SariskyLeila SchreinerNiki SchusslerKatelynn ScottSavanah SeablomAlycia SemancoKate SeymourHalley ShafferMegan ShankSophie ShatzerAlysa SheatsKayla ShepardConnor ShopeHannah ShultzAlea SmithAnna SmithBrian SmithJamie SmithTyler SmithArmana SmithbergerBrianna SnyderRegina SnyderMadison SokolowskiKayla SolomonBianca SommersHeydi Soto-MontanoMarlyn Soto-VelasquezSkyler SpeigleEmily StamperJessica StartzelHailey SteeleKayla SteinmetzCamden SternerAshley StevensBarry StocksAbigail StonerCheyenne StrenskiHennessy StrineErin SullivanPaige SullivanChase SupenskyAndrew SvibenIsabella SwanJade SytoKayla TalbertEngelbert Chinfon TamehKarson TaylorAlexis ThomasAlyssa ThomasDiana ThomasMegan ThompsonJustin TimmonsTravis TimmonsJewels TorresRyan TorresWinter TrammellSenta TrateRebekah TuckeyGretchen TurnerRyan TurnerFinley VandevanderMegan VinsonAmayah WalkerErin WalshGillian WaltersAllison WatkinsSierra WaylandBella WeaverXavier WebberLaci WeinholdRylynn WelshDakota WertsRachael WestonTaylor WhiteLea WilhelmJulia WilkesJace WilliamsArianna WinlackJudi WolfJackson WolfeJade WolfeAnne WolfrumMarissa WoodwardTristan WorlockLexie WyrickLiam YeatmanEmily D. YoungJade YoungEmily ZavadakOlivia ZieglerJoseph ZiercherEllen ZimmermanAnthony ZinziHunter Zittle
Wilson College will host the 2025 M.F.A. Summer Art Show on Saturday, July 19, showcasing the works of its Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) students completing the 2025 Summer Residency Program. Beginning at noon, the event will feature final showings and exhibitions by the M.F.A. students including theatrical and choreographic solo and ensemble performance pieces, site-specific theatrical work, visual art exhibitions, short story readings, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The show is free for the public. Performances will begin in the Appenzellar-Buchanan Dance Studio promptly at noon and then move to site-specific and exhibition gallery locations.
Wilson’s M.F.A. Program is a two-year terminal degree designed for professionals or experienced artists working in their respective fields. This low-residency program requires two consecutive summer residency periods of four weeks each. The summer intensives include individual studio time with faculty mentoring and critique, as well as seminars addressing major concerns in the disciplines.
For more information, please visit www.wilson.edu/mfa-summer-art-show-2025.
On February 11, 2025, Wilson College held the first spring Common Hour for the 2024-25 with a thought-provoking presentation by Brittany Harman, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology. The event spotlighted Harman’s new research on the impact of technology on memory. Her talk, titled “‘I Can Always Just Google It Later:’ Is Digital Amnesia a Credible Threat to Learning and Memory?”, delved into the cognitive consequences of our growing reliance on digital tools.
Harman introduced the concept of digital amnesia, also known as the “Google effect,” or the tendency to forget information that is readily accessible online. This phenomenon, she explained, is a modern manifestation of what ancient philosophers like Socrates once feared: that externalizing memory could have an undesirable impact on cognitive abilities.
“Different types of technological innovations are typically viewed, at least initially, as a cause for concern,” Harman noted. “In the digital age, this has a direct impact on how we experience information, how we think about information, how we use it, and then how we remember it.”
One of the foundational studies in this area is the photo-taking impairment effect, first demonstrated by psychologist Linda Henkel, Ph.D., in 2014. Participants in Henkel’s study were less likely to remember artworks they photographed in a museum compared to those they simply observed.
Another important study was conducted by Betsy Sparrow and colleagues in 2011, who investigated digital amnesia and coined the term “Google effect.” Their research found that participants were less likely to remember information when they were told it would be stored online—even when explicitly instructed to try to remember it.
Building on the work of Henkel and Sparrow, Harman is exploring how digital amnesia manifests in both laboratory and real-world educational settings. Her research focuses on three key areas:
Harman emphasized the broader implications of her work, particularly in educational contexts when memory is outsourced to technology—whether through photos, search engines, or cloud storage—there is often a disengagement from the deeper cognitive processes that support learning.
“We need to understand how digital convenience shapes our mental habits,” she said. “If students believe they don’t need to remember information because it’s always accessible, they may not develop the foundational knowledge necessary for deeper learning.”
Ultimately, Harman hopes her findings will inform better educational practices and policies. By understanding how digital tools influence attention, memory, and learning, educators can make more informed decisions about how and when to integrate technology into the classroom.
Wilson College is pleased to announce it will receive a $600,000 education grant through a statewide initiative aimed at addressing Pennsylvania’s critical teacher shortage. As part of a major investment by Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration, this funding will expand Wilson’s efforts to provide special education degrees and certifications for working paraprofessionals in Adams, Franklin, and York counties—enabling them to advance their careers while continuing their employment.
Lynn Newman, Associate Professor of Education and Director of Education | Amy Watson, Coordinator of Field Experiences | Beth Byers, Teacher Certification Pathways Director
"The shortage in teachers receiving special education certifications is significantly higher than those receiving general teacher certifications,” said Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate. “We aim to shrink that deficit by offering more opportunities for individuals who have the passion and heart to educate one of our most vulnerable populations."With the awarding of this grant, Wilson College will continue its long-standing commitment to teacher education by directly serving the needs of local school districts.
“Wilson College is honored to partner with the Chambersburg Area School District and the Lincoln Intermediate Unit to provide an opportunity for paraprofessionals to earn their bachelor's degree in special education and certification. Our goal is to offer a strong mentorship and academic path during their time in the classroom, as well as professional development. I am thankful to the Governor for providing funds that will assist in the teacher shortage and ultimately provide all students with well-prepared educators,” said Lynn Newman, Wilson’s director of education and associate professor of education.
The funding is part of a broader $7.76 million allocation being provided through the Commonwealth’s Supporting Certified Teacher Registered Apprenticeship (CTRA) Programs, that will allow aspiring educators, paraprofessionals, and emergency-certified teachers to earn full teacher certification while working in schools. This initiative is fully funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which permits states to allocate a portion of their federal allotment for statewide priorities.
Discover how Wilson College can prepare you to meet the growing demand of teachers in areas like special education through the Wilson education program.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree you can work towards becoming certified to teach in an accelerated time frame with the Teacher Certification Pathway program.
May 3 and 4, the Wilson College community celebrated the Class of 2025. The Wilson College 155th Annual Commencement was a weekend of tradition, excitement, pride, and new beginnings. Here is a look at the events that took place. Congratulations to all the graduates.
Commencement Weekend kicked off with the Ring It Forward Ceremony
Passing on legacy, one ring at a time, students and alums celebrating the enduring spirit of Wilson College at the Ring It Forward ceremony.
A moment of reflection and gratitude during the Baccalaureate Ceremony in Alumnae Chapel.
Students being recognized for their academic excellence during the Honor Societies Ceremony in Alumnae Chapel.
Phi Beta Kappa
Pi Gamma Mu
Sigma Tau Delta
Chi Alpha Sigma
Veterinary nursing graduates proudly receive their pins, marking their dedication to animal care.
Nursing graduates receive their pins and take the Florence Nightingale Pledge, committing to a life of service and care.
Future educators celebrate their achievements and prepare to inspire the next generation at the TCP completers ceremony.
Graduates gather in front of Lenfest, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
The Blue and Silver Line, alumni representatives from all decades look on with pride.
Kevin C. Wells, Graduate Student SpeakerHaving earned his Master of Organizational Leadership from Wilson College, Wells draws on a career dedicated to mentoring students at Milton Hershey School. His message inspires graduates to lead with purpose and compassion.
Erin Rebecca Roszkowiak, Class of 2025 President and Undergraduate Student SpeakerA veterinary nursing major, Roszkowiak reflects on a journey marked by academic excellence, leadership, and service. As the first Wilson student to graduate with honors in veterinary nursing, she now sets her sights on veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania.
Tori Murden McClure — Trailblazing Explorer, Author, and Former President of Spalding UniversityCelebrated for her historic solo row across the Atlantic Ocean and her leadership in higher education, McClure delivers a powerful message of resilience, courage, and purpose to the graduating class.
President Wes Fugate walks the graduates through reflections from their time at Wilson and sends them on their way with encouragement for their future endeavors with his traditional Godspeed speech.
Click here to watch the Commencement ceremony in it's entirety here.
“One of the most critical skills a teacher must have if they are considering longevity in the profession, is passion. This passion is contagious and spreads to students as well as other teachers and creates a welcoming and positive environment.”
This is a quality that 2025 Teacher Certification Pathways student Brent Duffy has, according to College Supervisor Robert Dortenzo.
Duffy, who is pursuing education a second career, said, “The online format, dedicated Wilson professionals, and clear route to certifications allow for adults to complete the necessary steps while gaining valuable insight into the education field.”
Duffy's certification is in PK-12 Business, Computers, and Information Technology Certification and currently serves as a high school classroom teacher at Big Spring School District in Newville, Pa.
Congratulations to all of the students and faculty recognized at the 2025 Wilson College Academic Awards Ceremony.
1957 Civic Engagement Award - Josie Reinhardt '25
The Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize - Erin Roszkowiak '25
The Catherine Herr Langdon Award - Skylar Molnar '25
The Suzanne Blumenthal Prize in Healthcare and Medical Humanities - Maria Jackson '25
Outstanding Peer Teacher - Zoe Rosen '27
Organic Chemistry Award - Kaylee Pomfret '27
General Chemistry Award - Alyvia Henneman '27
E. Grace White Prize - Hailey Steele '25
The Davison Greenawalt Grove Award - Adrian Lugo '25
The John D. Rose Award in Environmental Studies - Emily Johnson '26
E. Grace White Summer Scholarship and Barsy-Colgan Academic Research gift award - Matt Browning '26
The Donna Gomer VMT ADP Award - Jade Wolfe '25
The Wilson Glencairn Bowlby Equestrian Award - Jasmine Gruver '25
The Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize - Deahnirah Menedis '25
Sophie's Six Award - Julia Elliott '25
The Margaret Strode Haines Award - Michael Rios '28
The Alta Lindsay McElwain Prize - Eliza Boehmer '25
Wilson College Nursing Clinical Leadership Award - Lauren Stroup '25
Wilson College Nursing Leadership Award - Jamie Smith '25 and Alexus Testerman '25
The Alice Martin Brumbaugh Award in Sociology - Hennessy Strine '25
The Carolyn Zeleny Prize - Josie Reinhardt '25
The William and Ivy Saylor Prize - Ittai Payne '28
The Grace Tyson Schlichter Award in Communications - Ellen M. Prete '23
The Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award - Jacob Dull '25
The Mary Beers Sheppard Prize - Natalie Beckner '26
The William P. Van Looy Business Prize - Casey Jo Kauffman '25
The Virginia Dodd Cooper Prize - Eliza Boehmer '25
The Wilson College Fine Arts Prize - Josie Reinhardt '25
C. Elizabeth Boyd '33 Award - Rachel Biesecker '26
The Marel Harlow Cheng Memorial Prize - Tristan Worlock '25
Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award - Rachel Newswanger '27
The Josef Michael Kellinger Award - Rosa Portilla '26
The Helga Rist Prize - Rusbelly Almonte '26
The Mary-Eleanor Maule Travel Grant - Rachel Newswanger '27
The Robert Shannon McElwain Prize - Madison Ebersole '28
The Robert Shannon McElwain Prize - Nevaeh Matlack '28
Joan Thuebel - Earthwatch Prize - Nicole Sanchez-Downey '27, Jenna Benke '25, Alyvia Henneman '27
The Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship - Rosa Portilla '26
Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching - Tammy Ege, Ginger Peterson (not pictured), and Connor Bowers (not pictured)
Not pictured:General Chemistry Award - Sarah CroweThe Nicky Hoffman Reich Award - Lea WilhelmThe Mildred Franklin Prize and The Helen Adams Nutting History Prize - Matt LineWilson College Nursing Department Award - Regina AlbertThe Richard C. Grove Award in Business and Economics - Breaunna KelsoThe James Applegate Performance Award - Isabella SwanThe James Applegate Scholarship Award - Mary Beth Campbell
