Celebrate the arts at Wilson College as it hosts the second annual ArtsFest from April 1-5. The theme for this year’s event is “Art is…Transformation,” which highlights how art transforms human experience. ArtsFest is a week-long event that includes theatre and dance performances, a fashion show, open mic readings, and visual arts workshops. One highlight of the week will be a UNITY project, which will allow members of the community to help create a structure of intertwined yarn that will represent their interconnectedness. All events are free and open to the public. For a detailed schedule and event descriptions, please go to https://www.wilson.edu/artsfest.
“The ArtsFest committee is excited to share the exceptional, multi-disciplinary work of our students, faculty, and staff again this year,” said Dillon Beede, director of choral activities and chair of music. “This year’s theme is transformation and while that can certainly be unnerving and scary at times, it also provides us an opportunity to come together, recognize our commonalities, and chart a path of growth towards our collective good.”
The Arts at Wilson created ArtsFest to spotlight the remarkable art, artists, and artistic opportunities at Wilson. Distinguished by interdisciplinary programs and collaborative approaches to craft and inquiry, ArtsFest seeks to engage the Wilson College campus and greater regional community in art and art-making opportunities that reach across disciplines, subject, and boundaries, intending to foster relationships, connections, and ideas that effect positive change in our world.
Would it be good to live forever? This was the question posed by Deborah Lyons, professor of classics at Miami University of Ohio, during the recent Orr Forum held on March 12. Lyons provided insight into her research on the immortality of Greek gods to show that maybe their lives were not as good as they seemed.
As she investigated the concept of prolonging life, or eliminating death, Lyons looked at concepts in Greek mythology to find illustrations of how Greek gods differed from mortals. The myths she studied expressed some uncertainty. Could the god feel pain? In battle, Greek gods can sustain physical injuries that result in pain. Could the god feel grief? Falling in love with a mortal or watching one’s son die in battle created moments when the gods suffered most. Could the god die? Not really, but death could come close. As Lyons explained, there are several instances in Greek mythology when something happened to a god that approached the condition of death, such as a state of suspended animation.
Finally, the most important concept Lyons described was boredom. “Without the antics of mortals, [the gods] would be incredibly bored,” she said. The gods took great interest in war and gossip, especially gossiping about mortals. Lyons described the god Zeus as saying, “We tell [mortals] not to do things and they don’t listen. They are then hurt or killed, and they blame us.” Greek gods, particularly many goddesses, also tried to immortalize their children and their lovers and failed.
Ultimately, she explained, even though Greek mortals regard immortality as the peak of existence, they could not imagine gods who looked like them, yet who were completely free and immortal. For Lyons, the ultimate question then became whether we as humans would like to live forever after looking at these basic issues faced by the Greek gods. She said, “I think many of us, if we had the assurance that we would have enough health, money, and friends staying alive with us, we might like to live forever, but those are a lot of conditions.”
Lyons is the author of “Dangerous Gifts: Gender and Exchange in Ancient Greece” and “Gender and Immortality: Heroines in Ancient Greek Myth and Cult,” and the co-editor (with Kurt Raaflaub) of “Ex Oriente Lex: Near Eastern Influences on Greek and Roman Law” and (with Raymond Westbrook) “Women and Property in Ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean Societies.” She earned a bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, and a master’s and doctorate in classics from Princeton University. She also studied at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, and the University of Heidelberg.
Since its inception in 1964, the Orr Forum has been Wilson College’s most widely known and perhaps most prestigious academic event. The Forum features discussions on the wide and shifting interests in religion studies in America.
Wilson College has a rich history of music and today the music offerings are growing and developing. Early childhood education major, Chelsea Zimmann '26, shares how music at Wilson is enhancing her experience on campus. "Ten Tones A Cappella especially has been a place where we can figure out who we want to be as a music group and are constantly growing and changing."
Wilson College welcomes Jason Knittle as the new director of esports. Prior to joining the College, Knittle’s experience includes working as the Overwatch head coach at Arcadia University and esports director at the YMCA in Harrisburg, Pa. He also founded and established the II4T Esports Gaming Lab, while serving as the esports director at the Innovation Institute for Tomorrow (II4T) in Franklin, Pa. The lab created an innovative learning environment for students aged 12-18.
Knittle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology where he received a full athletic scholarship in recognition of his exceptional dedication and outstanding performance in Overwatch esports. Knittle was a three-year member of the university’s Overwatch team which won consecutive national championship titles in 2019 and 2020, triumphing over 600 other competing teams.
“We believe that Jason possesses the skill, ability and experience to move Wilson College esports forward in great ways,” said Katherine Buck, vice president for student development. “We look forward to welcoming Jason to campus, where he will hit the ground running; coaching, recruiting, and managing the entire esports program.”
Wilson College’s esports teams compete in the Eastern College Athletics Conference (ECAC) in the following games: Overwatch, League of Legends, Rocket League, Hearthstone, FIFA 22, Madden 22, Halo Infinite, and Valorant.
Deborah Lyons, professor of classics at Miami University, will present her current project “Immortality and its Discontents: Greek Gods and the Modern Search for Eternal Life” at the 2024 Orr Forum hosted by Wilson College. The event will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, in the Lenfest Learning Commons of the John Stewart Memorial Library. It is open to the public and free of charge.
During the presentation, Lyons will discuss her research on ancient Greek views about the eternal life of their gods, most specifically the limits of immortality in ancient Greek thought. Her research asks, “If it wasn’t good enough for the Greek gods, why do we think it will be good enough for us?”
The Wilson College Christmas Vespers service, a time-honored tradition reaching its 103rd year, was a profound celebration of community, spirituality, and the arts on December 10, 2023. Under the guidance of Dillon Beede, Wilson’s director of Choral Activities and chair of Music, the event showcased the Cumberland Valley Chorale's talent through a curated selection of readings, anthems, and carols. These elements were thoughtfully chosen to echo themes of unity and compassion.
The service, inspired by the celebrated Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, was not only a reflection on the holiday season's meanings but also a beacon of hope and joy. It brought together a diverse group of participants, including students, college leadership, and local community members, each contributing their voice toward a moving and shared human experience. The program aimed to foster a sense of belonging and collective reflection, urging attendees to carry forward the spirit of goodwill into the new year and beyond.
This event underscored Wilson College's commitment to nurturing a supportive and inclusive community through the power of music and storytelling, highlighting the enduring significance of the Christmas Vespers in the College's rich history of spiritual life.
The Foundry, at 100 South Main Street in downtown Chambersburg, will host an exhibition of artwork by Wilson College Studio Art and Graphic Design students. The exhibition will open February 2 and continue through February 27, 2024. The event is free and open to the public.
The exhibition will be the eighth such partnership between The Foundry and Wilson College. The Foundry, a grass roots, artist-led organization, shares a similar vision and mission as Wilson’s Division of Arts and Letters. Both are dedicated to promoting critical and creative thinking through artistic exploration and expression, as well as providing venues for exhibition of creative works of art that educate, inspire, and provide a framework for cultural expression of local and regional artists.This partnership provides opportunities for exhibition exchanges. Foundry artists exhibit their artwork at Wilson college each fall, and Wilson students have been given the opportunity to exhibit at The Foundry each winter.For more information about this partnership and the exhibit, contact Philip Lindsey, professor of fine arts at Wilson College at 717-264-2783 or philip.lindsey@wilson.edu , or Anne Finucane at The Foundry at 717-261-0706.
Congratulations to all the students who made the Wilson College Dean's List for Fall 2023.
Hope Leighann AdamsErin K. AikensHannah Faith AkerPaige Madison AlbrightRusbelly AlmonteSaria Abdulrazaq AlshaikhaliBrady Lee AndreChloe Elizabeth AntalekHannah Anastasia AumentBrady C. BaknerTaylor Noelle BarkerKaley Margaret BarnhartEmerson Mariya BaschoffAveri Joan BassettJenna C. BenkeHannah Rae BerrierRachel M. BieseckerKamila BisCollin Michael BitlerMichaela Rose BlackElizabeth Grace BoehmerHannah Elizabeth BostConnor Michael BowersShane D. BowieShelby Alexandria BowmanLauren Nicole BradleyCassidy Evelyn BrandesEmily Jean BrechbielEmily Ann BreighnerMadison Katherine BriggsHaiden Lynn BrookensMorgan L. BrowningIbraheem BunduMadelyn Teresa BushReagan Faith BushSarah Elizabeth BusheyYasmin A. CalderonMackenzie M. Caldwell-DegnonSophia Gianna CallahanElisabeth M. CampleseSydney Marie CapraraJayce A. CarrBriar Dwight CastellowAhmed ChanouniArielle J. ChicoJisu ChoiLenin William CincoBrenden Joseph ClearyJamie L. ClendeningShawnee M. CorderoElizabeth Odilia CordonJorge Mariano CortezRachel M. CoulterAva Rose CoxAllie Melissa CullisonKaren Josie CutlerLindsey Nicole DalenbergColin Lee DavidsonMadison C. DavisElizabeth Rose DeboerAdaira Kay DeckerEmma Marie DelicatoIsabella Di TroiaPaige Katelyn DillOlivia Hazel DingzonLauren Nicole DontellNathan I. DorseyKassandra Lynn DottererAllison Rose EarnshawMarissa Hope EisenhauerJulia Leigh ElliottTalia Nicole EngleAbigail E. EvansOlivia R. EwingTeaghan Elise EwingMorgan M. FaithChristianna E. FarrarSadie Leigh FikeRaegan Helene FranzDelaney Madison FulferClaudia Abigail FumagalliLyssa R. GableKelsey Lee GaphardtDarryl Ivan GaribOlivia Barbara GelbaughAndrew Stephen GervasiTyler Creed GibbonsAnna C. GibsonMary E. GingrichLainnie Sharon GlennKaelyn E. GoffErin C. GoheganElizabeth Jade GoodwinShannon Renee GougeMaya E. GroveJasmine Marie Alexia GruverNessa Ann HakeVincent HallMiranda Elizabeth HardyShelby L. HarmonJordan Faith HastieElysabeth Nicole HaughElla Kathryn HawbeckerMary Elizabeth HeatonAddalyn Lee HebertKatherine Lee HedderickAlyvia Paige HennemanLinette Marie HernandezNikkilee Lola HockenberryHaden M. HoffAllison Grace HopperAnna M. HouseholderJenna C. HowellAlexis L. HubbardKyra Jane HuebnerAlyssa Taylor HusbandJada Lynn JenkinsSoojeong KangBreaunna R. KelsoAvery Grace KershnerAlbert J. KeysKrystal Lynn KienastGabriel David KimmelCody John KlotzEunhye KoAlexa Anastasia KosofskyGracen Lorraine KreiderSage N. LagueElizabeth Reynolds LandonMaddyson Grace LasalviaJayden Nicole LeachAudrey Atemkeng LekeRiley J. LemayMatthew Edward LineAliya Corynne LockmanKendi Delgado LongAlexis Regan LottEmma G. LowmanJeremiah M. LoyerAdrian LugoMichael Brad MacmillanElaina Kenna MarkerNatalia Taylor MartinPayton Brooke McCauleyGaberiella Marie McConnellJacob S. MccoyDeahnirah Ranee MenedisDean P. MercerBenjamin John MetzTori Marie MeyerKlarissa L. MileyMadison E. MillerNadia Lyn MitrovichSummer Rene MoffettWaverly Rose MoffettSkylar Morgan MolnarAbby Nicole MorelandMarcus Edward MorenoReagan Jane MorrisAdam Daniel MoweryRyleigh Margaret MullinsBreauna Mae MyersVincent Michael NataleMadeline Rachel NewayRachel Marie NewswangerAriel Kathleen NoelKiera Sage O'BrineAriatna Lizet OchoaMyla Nicole OwensBokyoung ParkLiam Christopher PepolBlake E. PerryRylee C. PiperKaylee PomfretRosa Marie PortillaBrooklyn Renea PresleyMolly Jayne ProctorLexanda A. Ramirez-TeoTachae Evette Marie RangeRyan Joseph ReinhardtVictoria Ryan RhoadsKayla RichardsKatie N. RileyErica RiveraGary Magic RobertsonKristina Rose RobinsonZoe Marie RosenEmma Ann RosetErin Rebecca RoszkowiakPelumi Enitan RotimiEmma Morgan RubeyJulie Ann RuggieroMorgan E. RyanNicole SadlowskiOlalla D. SanchezJessica Marie ScheelToni Marie SennAbby Zoe SentzKatelyn Jean SeymourHalley Grace ShafferMadison Loraine ShanholtzMegan Grace ShankKenna R. ShearerAllyson Lynne ShindlerConnor Matthew ShopeAnna Elise SmithJamie D. SmithRegina A. SnyderBianca Joy SommersHaeon SongCassidy Alexis SowersSkyler Autumn SpeigleStephen Camp StanleyHailey Mckenna SteeleCamden David SternerMazie G. SternerAshley Mae StevensBarry Toddie StocksLydia Jane StoryHennessy Jordan StrineHayden Leena SturgeonPaige Marry SullivanChase Weber SupenskyRaina Catherine SylvestreJade Marie SytoAqeela TahirPeyton W. TaylorAlexus Nicole TestermanPhavadee ThepvongsaMegan O. ThompsonJewels E. TorresWinter Rose TrammellSenta Pauline TrateBenjamin Alexander TunnellGretchen Alissa TurnerJenesis M. VegaMelody Anne VitekAmayah Jazel WalkerGillian G. WaltersJulie Marie WarnickAlex K. WeberLaiken Jade WelshAlyssa Corin WengerRachael Annette WestonNicole Lynn (Lowans) WetzelLea Rylee WilhelmCourtney L. WilliamsMadison Elizabeth WilliardArianna Rose WinlackJudith Arlene WolfJade A. WolfeHannah M. WoodwardMarissa Trinity WoodwardElena Renee WorthingtonMilini Kenisia WorthyKylie C. WrightHannah Elizabeth YaiderLiam R. YeatmanEmily Doris Young
Written by Morgan Faith '24
Myla Owens ‘24, a Wilson College veterinary nursing major, traveled to Costa Rica during summer 2023 to study dolphins as part of an Earthwatch Program expedition funded by the Joan M. Thuebel ‘52 Earthwatch Prize.
Adventuring to Protected Lands
After winning the Earthwatch Prize, Owens chose to take an expedition focusing on marine mammals and predators in the Costa Rica area.
The area where Owens stayed, Golfo Dulce, was a protected national park. Within the national park, native species such as macaws, hawksbill turtles, howler monkeys, sea turtles, and humpback whales thrived.
Owens shared in her PowerPoint presentation at a special Common Hour event that, “the purpose of the expedition was to gather information on the cetacean species, the bottlenose dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin, and humpback whale.”
Through Earthwatch’s program, preservation of the rich biodiversity within this national park in Costa Rica will continue for future generations.
Myla Owens shared how much the excursion opened her eyes to the world around her saying, “In this captivating land, I discovered the beauty of living a life disconnected from technology and social media, gaining a profound appreciation for alternative ways of existence. Moreover, I learned the invaluable importance of supporting and protecting ecosystems to facilitate the conservation of biodiversity.”
An Average Day in Costa Rica
The expeditions trips are far from rest and relaxation. Rather, they are focused on taking time to learn more about the world we live in, collecting data, and understanding how we can better preserve our earth for future generations to come.
For Owens, her day consisted of just that. “I worked on monitoring groups of dolphins using GPS location and analyzing their group sizes, activities, and behaviors,” said Owens.
On an average day, working with other marine biologists and scientists, Owens would eat breakfast around 7 a.m., get on a boat at 8:15 a.m., and collect data for most of the morning and afternoon. By noon, the crew would have lunch. From 4 to 6 p.m., the crew would review the data they collected. Once debriefing was completed, the crew would head back to land for dinner and rest for the evening.
As for collecting data, Owens followed a five-step process that she presented at the Common Hour. The five-step process was as follows:
Once these steps were completed, the crew took approximately two hours to review the information they collected. The team would break off and identify the individual dolphins. Next, they would upload any data to historical records of the gulf and compare it to previous data collected.
Owens reflects on her experiences in Costa Rica with Earthwatch, “This journey was nothing short of transformative.”
Finding the Dream
Since Owens has returned from her excursion, she has come to appreciate preservation of national lands and the biodiversity of unique creatures.
Owens reflects on her trip, “The experience has motivated me to follow my dreams and appreciate the hard work which conservation biology relies on to protect beautiful cetacean creatures.”
As a veterinary nursing major and biology minor, Owens hopes to continue to help creatures of all kinds grow and flourish. Thanks to the generous donations of Joan M. Thuebel for this scholarship and prize at Wilson College, students like Owens are able to have unique experiences in their field of study. Scholarships and prizes such as the Earthwatch Prize give students like Owens the opportunity to spread their own wings and take flight.
Owens shares her immense gratitude for the Earthwatch Program and for Joan M. Thuebel’s commitment to helping students like her succeed and achieve their dreams. “This experience was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Joan M. Thuebel's commitment to providing such experiences is a testament to her remarkable generosity and dedication to cultural enrichment and scientific learning.”
Aspiring and established writers who are interested in creative writing are invited to the Wilson College 2024 Creative Writing Colloquium Saturday, February 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Brooks Science Center auditorium at Wilson College. This annual event, hosted by the English and Master’s in Humanities programs, welcomes writers to a day of immersive learning, insightful discussions, and inspiring connections.
Published authors will lead engaging workshops, diving into the secrets of crafting compelling characters, building captivating worlds, and mastering the art of storytelling. It is an opportunity to hone your craft, demystify the publishing process, and network with other passionate writers.The colloquium, which includes lunch, is free, but registration is required by February 3 at https://www.wilson.edu/CWC-registration. Check-in begins at 8:15 a.m. More information is available at https://www.wilson.edu/CWC
Questions? Contact colloquium director Matthew McBride at matthew.mcbride@wilson.eduWorkshops at the Colloquium include:Gumshoes, and Damsels and Dragons, Oh My!: Genre Elements in Writingpresented by Alicia DrumgooleDrumgoole is an Assistant Professor of English at Hagerstown Community College. She has published poetry, fiction and non-fiction in local and regional publications. Her first novel, “Premonition,” was released in 2015 by Ellysian Press and is available on Amazon.comLineationpresented by Matthew McBrideAn award-winning poet, McBride is the author of one full-length poetry collection, “City of Incandescent Light,” published by Black Lawrence Press in 2018, and four chapbooks. His most recent, “Prerecorded Weather,” co-written with Noah Falck, won the 2022 James Tate Prize and is available at SuVision Books. Currently, he is an assistant professor of interdisciplinary practice at Wilson College.Newsletters: A Love Letter for Your Audienceled by Jeffrey Bardwell Jeffrey Bardwell writes epic fantasy with elements of darkness, steampunk, and romance set in the Metal vs. Magic Universe. His character-driven books are guaranteed to include gritty realism, political intrigue, lurid entanglements, dry wit, and dragons in differing proportions. Bardwell is an assistant professor of Biology at Wilson College.The keynote address will be presented by Nicole Santalucia.Nicole Santalucia is the author of “The Book of Dirt” (NYQ Books, 2020), “Spoiled Meat” (Headmistress Press, 2019), and “Because I Did Not Die” (Bordighera Press, 2015). She is a recipient of the Charlotte Mew Chapbook Prize, the Edna St. Vincent Millay Poetry Prize, and the Arkana Literary Review Editor’s Choice Award.An Author’s Q&A session will also be held at the end of the day.
