With an aim to enrich community access to library resources, The John Stewart Memorial Library at Wilson College is partnering with the Franklin County Library System to provide public library users access to books and research available at the Wilson College library. Public library users need only to present an existing public library card and a state ID to borrow books and access the College library databases using campus-provided computers. As part of this exchange, Wilson College students can use their student IDs to borrow books from any library within the Franklin County Library system.
This partnership simplifies access to a broader range of resources, benefiting both public and academic library users. “It is a powerful united front in knowledge sharing. The partnership between the Wilson College library and the Franklin County Library System bridges resources, expands access, and empowers our communities to thrive academically and informationally,” said Denise Sandell, director of the Wilson College library.
The joint initiative raises the profile of all libraries involved while also encouraging greater use of their resources and underscores the unique strengths of these different libraries. While academic libraries provide access to specialized databases and advanced research materials, public libraries excel in offering the latest fiction, children’s books, e-books, audiobooks, and various educational events for the whole family.
“Wilson has always been a great supporter of the Franklin County Library System and everything that we do, and we are immensely grateful to have the support of such a beloved institution. This partnership embodies what our library system is all about: providing an exceptional and broad array of information and resources to our community while eliminating obstacles to those resources. We are extremely excited to be partnering with Wilson College on this endeavor. Our community is better when we work together,” said Andrew C. Vickers, executive director of the Franklin County Library System.
For more information visit library.wilson.edu.
Reunion 2024 was a packed weekend with the State of the College, class processions into the traditional luncheon, celebrating the class of 1974's 50th, and much more. Thank you to all who attended and those who volunteered their time to make it a successful and memorable weekend!
Wilson College Vice President for Student Development Katherine M. Buck, M.S.W., has been selected as one of the 2024 Trailblazers in Higher Education. Her inclusion in this list, announced May 28 by City & State Pennsylvania magazine, places Buck among a dedicated group of scientists, linguists, attorneys, lobbyists, and administrators who are responding to the economic, social, and technological changes impacting higher education today.
Buck joined Wilson in October 2022, bringing to the position more than 30 years of experience as a collaborative and community-minded student affairs leader. Buck is responsible for providing vision, leadership, and effective administration of the College’s student development division and its many functions and services. The position works closely with the president, the executive team, academic deans and directors, faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to strengthen the co-curricular dimensions of student life and enhance the Wilson experience and a sense of community and belonging for all students.
Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D., said, “We are delighted that Kathy is being recognized as an innovative leader in higher education. She understands the importance of creating an inclusive, supportive learning community to guide student development. Her insight, energy, knowledge, and experience are an integral part of our administrative team.”
Prior to her position at Wilson, Buck served as vice president for student life and mission integration at Saint Elizabeth University (formerly College of Saint Elizabeth), N.J. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and education (elementary and special education) from Clark University, Mass., and a master's in social work with concentrations in administration, policy, and planning from Rutgers University, N.J.
The 2023-2024 equestrian season ended with Wilson College making unprecedented marks as Julie Warnick ‘26 (New Oxford, Pa.) won the national championship in open reining. The Phoenix family has been celebrating this amazing feat, given it is the first national title in the program’s history and in the history of Wilson College!
Julie Warnick at Nationals
In addition to the open reigning accomplishment, Samantha Gilley ‘26 (Sykesville, Md.) placed fifth in intermediate equitation on the flat in the hunt seat discipline.
Samantha Gilley at Nationals
This is the first time Wilson College has had a rider in the Western discipline advance to nationals. For hunt seat, it's been since 2009 that the Phoenix have been represented.
Warnick's and Gilley's road to nationals started in the regular season. On the Western side approximately 380 colleges totaling 8,000 riders attempted to obtain the qualifying points to advance to regionals. From there, the top two riders qualify for semifinals. The top four riders of each discipline, from each of the four regions, advance to nationals. Likewise, the top 16 riders in each class in hunt seat from semifinals move on to compete for the national title.
Nota at Nationals
In addition, Wilson was invited to bring horses to the national competition in Tryon, N.C. – an honor, especially for a relatively new and growing program. The Phoenix horses won top awards, with Nota in the individual rookie event. He and his rider from the University of Findlay won the national champion title.
Ned at Nationals
Ned, a new addition to the Wilson equestrian program, showed in the individual open reining. He and his rider from North Carolina State University were reserve national champions.
Perry, also a new addition to the Wilson program, was in the individual rookie class, where he and his rider from the University of Findlay won third place.
Congratulations to Warnick, Gilley, Nota, Ned, and Perry. Students, horses, and coaches alike represented Wilson well and have positioned the College’s equestrian teams for greater achievement in years to come.
Here are a few moments from the Commencement Ceremony last weekend. It was a special day to celebrate all the amazing graduates of Wilson College, Class of 2024. This is just the beginning of their incredible journey.
For anyone who missed the ceremony, here is a link to the recording: https://www.wilson.edu/commencement-video-2024
The Saturday of Commencement Weekend was a full day of ceremonies recognizing student accomplishments. Here is a selection of moments from the events that took place.
Commencement Weekend kicked off with the Ring It Forward ceremony on Friday evening. As a way to support ties and traditions of the College, Wilson alums, and students, the Ring It Forward program matches donated rings with current students. Thank you to all of the alums who generously offered up rings. The rings’ new owners will take pride in carrying the Wilson spirit with them wherever they may go.
May 6 through 10 is National Teacher Appreciation Week and today is National Teacher Day! To celebrate we are spotlighting Charnea Worlds '24 Teacher Certification Pathways (TCP) Completer in Early Childhood Education.
Charnea's practicum supervisor shares "Charnea is a gifted educator! Her classroom is safe and inclusive environment, where all students are encouraged to be curious and are challenged to be critical thinkers. She makes learning fun and keeps expectations high. As a result, Charnea’s students consistently achieve at high levels. Her ability to teach and inspire was further showcased as the student speaker at the TCP Completer Ceremony on May 4, 2024. With Charnea’s TCP Program completion, the field of education officially welcomes an inspiring educator!"
To learn more about Teacher Certification Pathways (TCP) visit: https://www.wilson.edu/TCP
Morgan Kelly '24, an environmental science major with a biology minor, is the president and co-founder of the environmental club and can be found organizing environmental awareness projects and hands-on learning at many events on campus. She accomplishes all this while raising her daughter as part of the Single Parent Scholars Program.
Chris Mayer, Assistant Professor shared "Morgan is an outstanding example of a student who embraced her education here at Wilson."
Wilson's Single Parent Scholar Program was recently mentioned in this NPR article.
Congratulations to all of the students and faculty recognized at the 2024 Wilson College Academic Awards Ceremony.
Victoria Cooper ’24 - Lt. Colonel William A. Knaus Award for Veteran’s Service
Shawnee Cordero ’24 - Lt. Colonel William A. Knaus Award for Veteran’s Service
Hannah Lyons ’24 - The Dorle Haas Memorial Prize
Keaira Lutz ’26 - 1957 Civic Engagement Award
Judith Wolf ’25 - Excellence in Organic Chemistry Award
Erin Roszkowiak ’25 - Barsy-Colgan Academic Research gift awardHailey Steele ’25 - Barsy-Colgan Academic Research gift award
Kaylee Pomfret ’27 - General Chemistry Award
Victoria Cooper ’24 – The Wilson Glencairn Bowlby Equestrian Award
Paige Schade ’24 - The Nicky Hoffman Reich Award
Sydney Caprara ’24 - Sophie's Six Award
Andrew Gervasi 26 - The Margaret Strode Haines Award
Jasmine Gruver ’25 - The Mildred Franklin Prize
Matthew Line ’25 - The Alta Lindsay McElwain Prize
Ryan Reinhardt ’25- The Alice Martin Brumbaugh Award in Sociology
Hennessy Strine ’25 - The Carolyn Zeleny Prize
Natalie Beckner ’26 - The Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award
Ryan Reinhardt ’25 - Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award
Maddie Flores ’24 - The Helga Rist Prize
Katherine Kimmel ’25 - E. Grace White Summer Scholarship
Abby Sentz ’24 - The Davison Greenawalt Grove Award
Lydia Story ’24 - E. Grace White Prize
Ellisa Gamby-Mickey ’27 - The Robert Shannon McElwain Prize
Saria Alshaikhali ’24 - The Richard C. Grove Award in Business and Economics
Madelyn Bush ’24 - The Virginia Dodd Cooper Prize
Chelsea Zimmann ’25 - The James Applegate Award performance
Erin Roszkowiak ’25 - Joan Thuebel - Earthwatch Prize
Chris Mayer - Joan Thuebel - Earthwatch Prize
Hailey Steele ’25 - The Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship
Wendell Smith - The Donald F. Bletz Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Bonnie Rock - The Donald F. Bletz Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Hailey Haffey - The Donald F. Bletz Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Not pictured:
Cassidy Sowers ’25 - E. Grace White Summer Scholarship
Zeke Changuris ’24 - Joan Thuebel - Earthwatch Prize
Alyssa Wenger ’24 - Lt. Colonel William A. Knaus Award for Veteran’s Service
Haiden Brookens ’24 - Sophie's Six Award, The Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize
Nicole Sadlowski ’25 - The Donna Gomer VMT ADP Award
Brittney Parker ’24 - The Estep-Lawson Memorial Prize
Rebecca E. Galvin ’24 - The Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize
Jordan F. Hastie ’24 - The Grace Tyson Schlichter Award in Communications
Julianna Vaughan ’24 - The James Applegate Award scholarship
Emma Lowman ’24 - The Josef Michael Kellinger Award
Mariah Kiefer ’24 - The Mary Beers Sheppard Prize
Madeline Neway ’24 - The Mary Beers Sheppard Prize and The William and Ivy Saylor Prize
Andrea Sandova ’24 - The Suzanne Blumenthal Prize in Healthcare and Medical Humanities
Brady Andre ’24 - The William P. Van Looy Business Prize
Melissa Green ’24 - Wilson College Nursing Clinical Leadership Award
Raina Sylvestre ’24 - Wilson College Nursing Division Award
Mercy Osei ’24 - Wilson College Nursing Division Award
Abigail Buck ’24 - Wilson College Nursing Leadership Award
