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?”
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.
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.
This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Wilson College invites the community to join a powerful presentation on "Centering Love, Healing, and Liberation in Our Social Justice Work." The event, featuring interdisciplinary researcher and a scholar-practitioner Durryle Brooks, Ph.D., will take place on Monday, January 15 from 5 to 6 p.m. in Alumnae Chapel, Thomson Hall at Wilson College. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Brooks will delve into Dr. Martin Luther King's notion of a "love that does justice," exploring how this concept can fuel and guide our movement building and social justice efforts. His talk will challenge us to reimagine the role of love in dismantling systems of oppression based on collective healing and prioritizing our overall well-being.
Dr. Brooks has a B.A. from St. Mary's College of Maryland in Religious Studies, an M.A. in Sexuality Studies from San Francisco State University, and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and School Improvement from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a concentration in Social Justice Education. His work centers on dismantling systems of oppression through critical examination of power, privilege, and everyday experiences. He has spent the last 15 years examining complex social issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, poverty, religious oppression, and various other forms of social oppression and their impact on historically marginalized populations, thus making him uniquely qualified to nationally train leaders to make a difference effectively and authentically.
Wilson College is committed to fostering inclusive dialogue and empowering individuals to be agents of positive change. This MLK Day event is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Dr. King's legacy and explore how love and healing can become powerful tools for building a more just and equitable world.
By Morgan Faith '24
Wilson College students have been taking advantage of the resources, tools, financial aid, and study abroad trips that the college has to offer. One equine studies student, Kendi Long '26, has taken advantage of her time at Wilson and applied for the Joan M. Thuebel ‘52 Earthwatch Prize that changed her life for the better.
The Earthwatch Program
After the call to change in 1962 from Rachel Carson’s published book, Silent Spring on the usage of pesticides, the public started to become even more aware of taking care of the earth. The modern environmental movement had begun, and programs like Earthwatch started to surface as a result.
Earthwatch, being a research corps, was founded in 1971 because of the modern environmental movement. Through its offered programs and expeditions, Earthwatch pairs “scientists with non-scientists in research locations around the world.”
Since Earthwatch was founded, they have accomplished ground-breaking research such as a mammoth excavation (1975), discovering a new spider species (1981), saving oiled penguins (2000), and unearthing a new dinosaur species (2001).
Joan M. Thuebel, an alumni of Wilson College, offers a scholarship for any student who may be interested in taking a scientific excursion to study the planet through the Earthwatch program. Known as the Earthwatch Prize, students can apply for this scholarship fund, choose a scientific excursion they would like to participate in, and prepare for a trip that will change their lives.
Long applied for an experience exactly as that. The Earthwatch Prize was awarded to her and two other recipients, Myla Owens and Professor Julie Raulli. Each student and professor at Wilson College was given the chance to experience an excursion that let them experience and explore the wonderful planet around them.
Long reflects on Earthwatch's presence in changing the planet for the better, “Earthwatch is an absolutely amazing organization that gathers individuals from all over the world and from all walks of life to participate in various environmental expeditions. They are giving your day-to-day citizens, such as myself, the opportunity to work alongside scientists to make this world a better place.”
Studying the Andorran Pyrenees Environment
Long, being one of the 2022 and 2023 Earthwatch Prize recipients, experienced a trip like no other in the valley of Ordino, Andorra located in Europe. The expedition, lasting nine days, focused on the issue of climate change.
Kendi worked alongside two other biologists. Working with these two biologists Long said that “They were extremely knowledgeable and professional, and they never failed to make us laugh.”
Within the nine days that she was there, a typical day was waking up, eating breakfast around seven, and then driving to a small mammal plot. At this small mammal plot, they would check any live traps and record and captures. After checking the plots, the group would drive to a trailhead, hike to a site, eat lunch, and then complete all research sites. Once they were finished, they would hike back down the trailhead, take a break, and then eat dinner at eight.
On the trip, each day had a different site that the group would attend to that would ultimately require different research to be completed. Kendi shared that, “We participated in monitoring small mammals, tree growth surveys, next boxes, and various other activities that explored the effects of climate change in the Andorran Pyrenees.”
If the group happened to capture an animal at the small mammal plot locations, Long shared that they would measure the tail, ear, genitals, and foot. Additionally, they would record the weight, the trap number, the species, gender, and sexual activity. On other days, Long would participate in hikes where they would check nest boxes and do tree growth surveys.
Long reflects on her nine-day excursion with Earthwatch in the Andorran Pyrenees saying, “It was truly a life-altering experience.”
Reflecting on a Life-Changing Experience
After the expedition, Kendi was willing to share her experiences from the trip with peers, professors, and faculty at Wilson College. For a special common hour event, Kendi and the two other recipients of the Joan M. Thuebel ‘52 Earthwatch Prize presented their research they found on their excursion and how it opened their eyes to the real world around them.
Throughout her presentation, Long shared her research in a powerpoint along with numerous pictures of her excursion. Pictures that will remind her of the beautiful opportunity she was given through Joan M. Thuebel’s generous donation of the Earthwatch Prize.
Long reflects on her Earthwatch excursion saying, “Earthwatch is a program full of inspiring individuals that simply strive to protect our planet, and I would do every single expedition they offer if I had the chance. Waking to the beautiful Andorran sunrise, measuring the adorable Bank Voles, scaling breathtaking peaks daily, and sharing many laughs with my team have become memories I will cherish forever. I learned so much through our various studies and will never forget this amazing opportunity.”
“I've been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil, so I've always had a very strong relationship with the arts (not to mention that graphic design is actually a great gateway into what I will be studying for my master's degree). I plan to become an architect in the future and an understanding of graphic design is integral to that career.
I originally came to Wilson to play field hockey, but I was drawn to the campus without the sport. I adored the layout and the energy of the campus, and my experiences with the professors and staff have all been very positive. I am especially attached to those I have met through the fine arts courses. Everyone I have met in my art classes has been so supportive and passionate!
My experience has been very encouraging. I have never felt more confident in my abilities since coming here largely due to my instructors. I feel accomplished in class while still learning new things. I am being challenged to grow, but not overwhelmed. I feel that as I continue my time here, I will be more than prepared for higher learning and starting my career.”
Ryleigh Mullins ’27
Meet Amanda Ducharme, TCP/FLIP (Teacher Certification Pathways/Foreign Language Intern Pathway) completer this Spring 2024.
Amanda's supervisor, Dr. Wanda Richie, shared "Amanda brings a passion for language and culture to the classroom and shares this love with students enthusiastically. When I visit their school, I immediately see a teacher who cares deeply about student success. Amanda creates a beautiful, warm space for students to learn and grow."
Amanda had this to say about the TCP program "After years of insisting I didn't want to teach, I discovered a passion for sharing my love of Francophone language and culture. When I started looking for programs, it was difficult to find anything that would allow me to keep working. With Wilson's program, I was able to find a permanent teaching position that's perfect for me. The skills that I've learned here make me a better teacher."
