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Spring 2025 Dean's List	Congratulations to all the students who made the Wilson College Dean's List for Spring 2025. Hope Adams Jill Ahlgren Hannah Aker Paige Albright Elizabeth Alfaro Rusbelly Almonte Esteban Alvarez Magana Eric Arbogast Mary Arnold Kaeden Babcock Sydney Babicek Barbara Baker Brady Bakner Acadia Banis Jennifer Bannon Rachel Bardsley Emmy Baschoff Hana Bellows Jenna Benke Payton Bennett Rachel Biesecker Seth Bivens Michaela Black Kaitlyn Blizzard Jason Boak Yuliya Bondar Amaia Bonebrake Madison Bootie Hannah Bost Shelby Bowman Emily Brechbiel Laura Breighner Madison Briggs Brittany Brown Trinity Brown Matt Browning Alexis Buckley Sarah Bushey Sophia Callahan Elisabeth Camplese Justine Castro Cinthya Chavarria Arielle Chico Lenin Cinco Jamie Clendening Caryn Cordell Elizabeth Cordon Jorge Cortez Leilannie Cortez Tyler Cottone Rachel Coulter Ava Cox Faith Crawford Gavin Creamer Sarah Crowe Katelyn Crup Allie Cullison Rylee Curley Bryson Curtis Karen Cutler Lindsey Dalenberg Grace Damato Colin Davidson Crystal Davis Maddie Davis Adaira Decker Haley Decker Emma Delicato Angela Dewald Isabella Di Troia Sarah Diehl Payton Dietrich Olivia Dingzon Kelly Ditson Jenna Dixon Kaylie Dixon Kassandra Dotterer Alexis Doyle Madison Ebersole Amelia Edens Julia Elliott Olivia Ewing Sadie Fike Joi Fisher Anna Flenner Patty Flook Kylie Focht Chelcie Forrester Rebecca Fox Alicia Francavage Laura Francis Danica Frushour Claudia Fumagalli Lyssa Gable Kylie Gardiner Emily Garner Hamida Gawhari Homaira Gawhari Olivia Gelbaugh Andrew Gervasi Mary Gingrich Lainnie Glenn Erin Gohegan Aniya Gonzalez Shannon Gouge Alessandro Granados Margaret Greeley Abby Grosh Maya Grove Jasmine Gruver Haley Hamrick Madison Hamrick Taylor Hardesty Miranda Hardy Shelby Harmon Andrew Harner Sydney Hartle Elysabeth Haugh Ella Hawbecker Taylor Hayes Libby Heaton Carrie Heberlig Addie Hebert Kaitlyn Heffner Olivia Heidrich Luke Helman Alyvia Henneman Nikki Hockenberry Olivia Hoffman Libby Houseman Abigail Howard Gois Jenna Howell Lexie Hubbard Susan Hubbard Ace Hudnell Kyra Huebner Tashema Huffman Jada Jenkins Shavon Johnson Lily Kamarer Casey Kauffman Jessica Kauffman Katelyn Keller Chloe Kelley Stacy Kerr Trea Keys Maria Klein Madison Kline Ryan Koontz Melissa Labritz Sage Lague Elizabeth Landon Brooke Leedy Audrey Leke Riley LeMay Michael Light Matthew Line Kalyna Lloyd Ethan Locklear Aliya Lockman Kendi Long Jaylyn Lopez Elena Lotruglio Lexy Lott Sarah Love Jeremiah Loyer Adrian Lugo Savanna Mackie Carleigh Magers Ava Magras Kinsey Mancill Rebecca Marakovitz Amanda Margeson Elaina Marker Emily Martin Sage Martin Sydney Marza Payton McCauley Jacob Mccoy Cadence Mcmahon Camrynn Mcmillan Carley McNew Drue Meals Andrea Medina Gianna Menzietti Benjamin Metz Tori Meyer Klarissa Miley Delaney Miller Emily Miller Kara Miller Madison Miller Jeremy Mitchell Summer Moffett Waverly Moffett Skylar Molnar Mackenzie Monn Abby Moreland Marcus Moreno Reagan Morris Lia Mort Kiaya Mouer Christine Mulherin Natalie Mullen Belle Musselman Charles Musser Alayna Myatt Nicole Myers Christopher Natale Vincent Natale Rachel Newswanger Daniel Nill Brandi Nissley Brett Nolan Kiera O'Brine Caitlin Oliviero Anya Parkolay Laura Paxson Ittai Payne Kalea Pechart Liam Pepol Jalen Pierce Rylee Piper Caden Pollard Kaylee Pomfret Rosa Portilla Brooklyn Presley Emily Randalls Tobias Reese Josie Reinhardt Makayla Reiter Kayla Richards Ashley Ringquist Michael Rios Laela Robinson Piper Rohrbaugh Zoe Rosen Abby Rosenberry Emma Roset Erin Roszkowiak Anna Rozenson Mimi Rubio Reilly Ryan Sam Rybacki Olalla Sanchez Lynn Sarisky Leila Schreiner Niki Schussler Katelynn Scott Savanah Seablom Alycia Semanco Kate Seymour Halley Shaffer Megan Shank Sophie Shatzer Alysa Sheats Kayla Shepard Connor Shope Hannah Shultz Alea Smith Anna Smith Brian Smith Jamie Smith Tyler Smith Armana Smithberger Brianna Snyder Regina Snyder Madison Sokolowski Kayla Solomon Bianca Sommers Heydi Soto-Montano Marlyn Soto-Velasquez Skyler Speigle Emily Stamper Jessica Startzel Hailey Steele Kayla Steinmetz Camden Sterner Ashley Stevens Barry Stocks Abigail Stoner Cheyenne Strenski Hennessy Strine Erin Sullivan Paige Sullivan Chase Supensky Andrew Sviben Isabella Swan Jade Syto Kayla Talbert Engelbert Chinfon Tameh Karson Taylor Alexis Thomas Alyssa Thomas Diana Thomas Megan Thompson Justin Timmons Travis Timmons Jewels Torres Ryan Torres Winter Trammell Senta Trate Rebekah Tuckey Gretchen Turner Ryan Turner Finley Vandevander Megan Vinson Amayah Walker Erin Walsh Gillian Walters Allison Watkins Sierra Wayland Bella Weaver Xavier Webber Laci Weinhold Rylynn Welsh Dakota Werts Rachael Weston Taylor White Lea Wilhelm Julia Wilkes Jace Williams Arianna Winlack Judi Wolf Jackson Wolfe Jade Wolfe Anne Wolfrum Marissa Woodward Tristan Worlock Lexie Wyrick Liam Yeatman Emily D. Young Jade Young Emily Zavadak Olivia Ziegler Joseph Ziercher Ellen Zimmerman Anthony Zinzi Hunter Zittle Image
MFA 2025 Summer Art Show to be Held at Wilson College	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. Image 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.
The Cognitive Effect of Information Outsourcing	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. Image 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: Controlled environment: Can the Google effect reliably be produced in a controlled lab setting where some participants are told they will have future access to the material? Classroom application: Can digital amnesia be observed in a college classroom when students expect lecture materials to be posted online? Reduced motivation: Is the Google effect a result of reduced motivation to engage in deeper cognitive processing when digital access is assumed? 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 Awarded $600,000 Grant to Expand Special Education Teacher Certification	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. Image 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.
Commencement Weekend 2025	May 3 and 4, we celebrated the Class of 2025. It was a weekend of tradition, excitement, pride, and new beginnings. Ring It Forward Commencement Weekend kicked off with the Ring It Forward Ceremony Image Passing on legacy, one ring at a time, students and alums celebrating the enduring spirit of Wilson College at the Ring It Forward ceremony. Baccalaureate Ceremony Image A moment of reflection and gratitude during the Baccalaureate Ceremony in Alumnae Chapel. Honor Societies Ceremony Students being recognized for their academic excellence during the Honor Societies Ceremony in Alumnae Chapel. Image Phi Beta Kappa Image Pi Gamma Mu Image Sigma Tau Delta Image Chi Alpha Sigma Veterinary Nursing Pinning Ceremony Image Veterinary nursing graduates proudly receive their pins, marking their dedication to animal care. Image Nursing Convocation Image Nursing graduates receive their pins and take the Florence Nightingale Pledge, committing to a life of service and care. Image Image Teacher Certification Pathways Ceremony Image Future educators celebrate their achievements and prepare to inspire the next generation at the TCP completers ceremony. Image Graduates Assembling Image Graduates gather in front of Lenfest, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives. Image Image Image Blue and Silver Line Image The Blue and Silver Line, alumni representatives from all decades look on with pride. Commencement Speakers Image Kevin C. Wells, Graduate Student Speaker Having 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. Image Erin Rebecca Roszkowiak, Class of 2025 President and Undergraduate Student Speaker A 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. Image Tori Murden McClure — Trailblazing Explorer, Author, and Former President of Spalding University Celebrated 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. Godspeed Image 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.
Student Spotlight: Brent Duffy, TCP completer '25	“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.” Image 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.
2025 Academic Awards	Congratulations to all of the students and faculty recognized at the 2025 Wilson College Academic Awards Ceremony. Image 1957 Civic Engagement Award - Josie Reinhardt '25 Image The Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize - Erin Roszkowiak '25 Image The Catherine Herr Langdon Award - Skylar Molnar '25 Image The Suzanne Blumenthal Prize in Healthcare and Medical Humanities - Maria Jackson '25 Image Outstanding Peer Teacher - Zoe Rosen '27 Image Organic Chemistry Award - Kaylee Pomfret '27 Image General Chemistry Award - Alyvia Henneman '27 Image E. Grace White Prize - Hailey Steele '25 Image The Davison Greenawalt Grove Award - Adrian Lugo '25 Image The John D. Rose Award in Environmental Studies - Emily Johnson '26 Image E. Grace White Summer Scholarship and Barsy-Colgan Academic Research gift award - Matt Browning '26 Image The Donna Gomer VMT ADP Award - Jade Wolfe '25 Image The Wilson Glencairn Bowlby Equestrian Award - Jasmine Gruver '25 Image The Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize - Deahnirah Menedis '25 Image Sophie's Six Award - Julia Elliott '25 Image The Margaret Strode Haines Award - Michael Rios '28 Image The Alta Lindsay McElwain Prize - Eliza Boehmer '25 Image Wilson College Nursing Clinical Leadership Award - Lauren Stroup '25 Image Wilson College Nursing Leadership Award - Jamie Smith '25 and Alexus Testerman '25 Image The Alice Martin Brumbaugh Award in Sociology - Hennessy Strine '25 Image The Carolyn Zeleny Prize - Josie Reinhardt '25 Image The William and Ivy Saylor Prize - Ittai Payne '28 Image The Grace Tyson Schlichter Award in Communications - Ellen M. Prete '23 Image The Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award - Jacob Dull '25 Image The Mary Beers Sheppard Prize - Natalie Beckner '26 Image The William P. Van Looy Business Prize - Casey Jo Kauffman '25 Image The Virginia Dodd Cooper Prize - Eliza Boehmer '25 Image The Wilson College Fine Arts Prize - Josie Reinhardt '25 Image C. Elizabeth Boyd '33 Award - Rachel Biesecker '26 Image The Marel Harlow Cheng Memorial Prize - Tristan Worlock '25 Image Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award - Rachel Newswanger '27 Image The Josef Michael Kellinger Award - Rosa Portilla '26 Image The Helga Rist Prize - Rusbelly Almonte '26 Image The Mary-Eleanor Maule Travel Grant - Rachel Newswanger '27 Image The Robert Shannon McElwain Prize - Madison Ebersole '28 Image The Robert Shannon McElwain Prize - Nevaeh Matlack '28 Image Joan Thuebel - Earthwatch Prize - Nicole Sanchez-Downey '27, Jenna Benke '25, Alyvia Henneman '27 Image The Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship - Rosa Portilla '26 Image 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 Crowe The Nicky Hoffman Reich Award - Lea Wilhelm The Mildred Franklin Prize and The Helen Adams Nutting History Prize - Matt Line Wilson College Nursing Department Award - Regina Albert The Richard C. Grove Award in Business and Economics - Breaunna Kelso The James Applegate Performance Award - Isabella Swan The James Applegate Scholarship Award - Mary Beth Campbell
Wilson College to Host Two Exciting Post-Season Events	Wilson College will host two United East Conference post-season events this week. First, the Men's Golf Championship will take place on Friday and Saturday, April 25 and 26, at the Chambersburg Country Club with an 11 a.m. tee time on both days. On Saturday, Wilson’s second-seeded women’s lacrosse team will host No. 3 Bryn Athyn in a semifinal game at 1 p.m. at Kris’s Meadow. Both events are free and open to the public, with the golf championship open for spectators to attend and walk the course. Golf will include teams from Lancaster Bible College, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Rutgers-Camden, and Wilson College. Image
Wilson College Singers to Make Special Festival Performance	The Wilson College Ten Tones a cappella ensemble will provide a special performance during the inaugural “Sing On: Keystone Collegiate Choral Festival.” This collaborative event marks the first collegiate choral music festival in Central Pennsylvania. It will be held in the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre at Penn State Harrisburg April 26 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Students from Wilson, Alvernia University, and Penn State Harrisburg will spend the afternoon on campus working with choirs from the other universities and will perform a free concert for the public. The concert will showcase individual performances by each university’s choir, culminating in a combined chorus featuring all participating groups. Image The Ten Tones, under the direction of Dillon Beede, Wilson’s director of choral activities and chair of music, will provide a special performance during the concert. Beede will also conduct the combined choruses, bringing his expertise and passion for choral music to this unique festival. This collaborative effort marks the first collegiate choral music festival in Central Pennsylvania. It is free and open to the public, making it a perfect opportunity for the community to experience the vibrant collegiate choral scene in Central Pennsylvania.
Wilson College Students Embrace the Challenge of Research	On Friday, April 18, Wilson College students will present over 80 research projects at the College’s sixteenth annual Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day. This year's presentations span numerous disciplines from the sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences, showcasing the breadth and depth of a Wilson education. The event is free and open to the public. Image Students will share their work between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fourteen students will make oral research presentations in the auditorium of the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology throughout the day. One student will offer an original piece of work during a poetry reading in Sarah’s Coffeehouse at noon and another student will share an exhibition of original art pieces in the John Stewart Memorial Library at 3:45 p.m. Sixty-eight poster presentations of undergraduate student research in multiple disciplines and student group research from history, biology, criminal justice, and nursing classes will be on display throughout the day on several floors of the Stewart Library and in the front lobby of the Brooks Science Center. Students will be available to discuss their posters from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wilson College alumna Louise Barsy Colgan ’80 and her husband Sean provide an annual gift that makes The Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day possible. Their generous philanthropy also funds academic research grants presented to students for senior year research. For more information, please visit www.wilson.edu/SRD.