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Wilson College to Host Seminar on Modern Hiring Practices

Wilson College will host the next event in its Health Sciences and Business Programs Strategic Seminar Series on Thursday, March 12, 2026, with a session titled “Hiring Practices and Workforce Planning.” The seminar will explore how modern organizations recruit, hire, develop, and retain employees, including how artificial intelligence is influencing those processes. 

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students at seminar

The event will begin with networking from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Auditorium. 

Hosted by Wilson’s Health Sciences and Business Programs, the panel discussion will examine how workplaces evaluate candidates and employees, what skills and personal attributes hiring managers value most, and how organizations make informed decisions about workforce needs. Whether attendees are entering the job market, re-entering after time away, or seeking advancement, the seminar offers an invaluable look at modern hiring and promotion practices. 

Wilson College welcomes a diverse group of professionals with expertise across healthcare, human resources, executive coaching, business management, and organizational leadership: 

  • Heather Hockenberry, MA, PCC, executive coach & business consultant, Hockenberry Management Consulting.
  • Julie Redding, CPRE, CPSI, general manager, Hagerstown Field House, and owner RecSource, LLC.
  • Jeff Rock, MA, LTC U.S. Army, extensive business experience as senior manager, chief of staff, and CEO, business advisor, and adjunct business instructor.
  • Lindsey Kearns MSN, RN, nurse manager, WellSpan Chambersburg.
  • Amos McCoy, CEO McCoy Leadership and Consulting, LLC, and certified Maxwell Leadership coach and trainer.
  • Tina Clever, BS, PHR, human resources director, Chambersburg Area School District. 

The event is free and open to the public, and participants may attend in person or virtually via Zoom. Please register at https://www.wilson.edu/leadership-seminar. 

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Hiring Practices and Workforce Planning
Student Spotlight: Kendi Long '26

Equine Student Gains National Experience Through American Horse Council Internship 

By Faith Crawford ’26 

An internship is an important part of any student’s transition from education to a successful future. At Wilson College, students have access to supportive career services that provide unique connections and hands-on opportunities, helping them translate academics into action. During the Fall 2025 semester, Wilson College senior Kendi Long completed her internship with the American Horse Council, gaining national-level experience in the equine field and new insight into the industry.  

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Student on a horse with a quote

This competitive internship offered Long the opportunity to combine her knowledge of the equine field with her academic experience in communications and outreach work. Wilson’s liberal arts education prepares students to apply a wide range of skills to any new opportunity. Students graduate with an understanding not only of their field but also with exceptional communication and critical thinking skills, which are necessary in any industry. 

Long is currently majoring in equine studies with a concentration in equine management, and she also has interests in environmental studies and entrepreneurship. Throughout her internship, Long was able to apply what she learned in her classes to her work with the American Horse Council. 

The American Horse Council is a national organization that represents and advocates for the equine industry across the United States. Its work focuses not only on the welfare of horses but also on advocating for the equine industry in legislative, economic, and social capacities. An internship at the council is an exceptional opportunity for any equine student hoping to make national connections and participate in meaningful work in the industry. 

Throughout the internship, Long was responsible for a recruitment campaign to generate new members for the council through online communications. Although Long completed the internship remotely, it still allowed her to explore social media management, graphic design, and data entry. According to Long, raising awareness and building social outreach in the equine industry allowed her to gain experience in a different side of the industry. She noted that “seeing how it works behind the scenes” helped her to grow both as a student and an equine professional. 

Long felt the internship prepared her for life after graduation, especially as she becomes more interested in the business side of the equine world and begins exploring the legislative aspects of the industry. The foundation of her education and the Wilson community in the Equine Studies Program played an important role. Long said, “The instruction at Wilson in both my majors and minors prepared me to work professionally in the equine industry with confidence and showed me different options for my future.”

Wilson College Welcomes Community to the 2026 Creative Writing Colloquium

The annual Creative Writing Colloquium at Wilson College welcomes the community to a day of inspiring presentations, discussion, and insight into the creative writing process. Writers of all levels are welcome, ages 14 and up. The event will take place Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the auditorium of the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology at Wilson College. The event is free and includes lunch in the College dining hall. Those interested are required to register by March 7 at https://www.wilson.edu/CWC-registration

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Creative Writing Colloquium

At this year’s colloquium, the keynote will be a reading by The Quill and Ink Society, a local group of writers representing all stages of the writing craft. The Society holds monthly meetings at the Grove Family Library and discusses creative writing and critique.  

Workshops will focus on different topics in both fiction and poetry writing, including: 

  • Beautifully Broken: The Power of Character Contradiction 
    Alicia Drumgoole, M.A., associate professor of English composition at Hagerstown Community College and published novelist and short story writer, discusses how to develop memorable characters in fiction.
  • Documentary Poetry 
    Eric Bliman, Ph.D., assistant teaching professor of English composition at Penn State Harrisburg's School of Humanities, published poet, and recipient of the National Chapbook Fellowship from the Poetry Society, presents on contemporary poetry and the engagement of social and personal themes.
  • The Plot Thickens: Free Your Story from Freytag and the Chains of Time  
    Neil Connelly, M.A., M.F.A., professor of English at Shippensburg University and published author, will lead a discussion on breaking out of chronological storytelling in fiction writing. Connelly has published eight fiction books and shorter works.
  • Crafting Effective Imagery 
    Heather Hamilton, Ph.D., associate teaching professor of English composition at Penn State Harrisburg's School of Humanities, will guide attendees through the process of incorporating strong images in writing. 

The day will conclude with an open discussion for attendees to ask questions and share thoughts. Authors will be there to answer questions and give insight into the writing and publishing processes. 

The Wilson College Creative Writing Colloquium receives support from the Arts for All grant opportunity of the Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities. 

For more information, visit https://www.wilson.edu/CWC. 

Wilson College Celebrates Opening of New King of Prussia Campus

Wilson College celebrated the grand opening of its new campus in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony held on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The new site marks a major milestone in the College’s expansion into accelerated, hybrid graduate healthcare education designed to meet urgent national workforce needs.

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King of Prussia ribbon cutting

Representatives from Wilson College celebrated the grand opening of the new Wilson campus in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony held on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. From left to right: Olga Meyerovich, current OTD student and the first student to register for the OTD program, Michael Gerg, DOT, MS, OTR/L, CHT, associate professor and OTD program director, Jennifer Nickle Banzhof ’94, chair of the Board of Trustees, Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D., president, Elissa Heil, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, Diana Julbe-Delgado, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, associate professor and MS-SLP program director, and Tony Varela, DPT, Ph.D., OCS, professor and DPT program director. 

The campus will serve as the home for Wilson’s new suite of graduate healthcare programs, including the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and Master of Speech‑Language Pathology (MS-SLP). These programs are built on a flexible hybrid model that combines online coursework with periodic in‑person laboratory intensives at the King of Prussia location. This hybrid curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students nationwide, and the campus location was selected with that in mind as it is easily accessible by students from across the country.

The King of Prussia campus was intentionally designed to support student success and hands‑on learning. The facility features a welcoming student lounge and pantry/kitchen area, an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suite to support real‑world clinical simulation, dedicated faculty offices, and flexible instructional spaces that can transition seamlessly from lecture-based learning to hands‑on clinical skills practice.

“Today is a momentous and proud moment in the life of the College as Wilson spreads her Phoenix wings even wider with the opening of this new campus and the launching of these new programs. This project is a strategic investment in our current and our future students, and it is a thoughtful evolution of the Wilson curriculum,” said Jennifer Nickle Banzhof ’94, chair of the Wilson College Board of Trustees.

Saturday’s ribbon‑cutting was attended by the College’s program directors for the three new programs, faculty members, the inaugural OTD cohort of students, current and former Trustees of the College, alumni and additional institutional partners, including Evidence in Motion (EIM). Wilson has partnered with EIM, the nation’s leading provider of hybrid healthcare education solutions, to design and deliver these innovative graduate programs. 

Michael Gerg, DOT, MS, OTR/L, CHT, associate professor and program director of the Wilson College Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, said, “Today marks both a beginning and a commitment: a commitment to high-quality education, to meaningful partnerships, and to preparing healthcare professionals who are ready to lead, adapt, and make a difference.”

The first cohort in the OTD program began coursework in January and are currently on site to complete their first in‑person labs at the new campus. Pending accreditor approval, the DPT and MSLP programs are scheduled to begin in August 2027. 

Wilson College collaborated with Fifteen Architecture and Design, Total Construction, Tactix Real Estate Advisors, and BPG 360 property management to bring the new King of Prussia campus to life.

Student Spotlight: Hunter Zittle '28

Hunter Zittle '28 came to Wilson College for veterinary nursing and found a campus full of opportunities.

"I was initially interested in Wilson because of their veterinary nursing program, but anyone who does a little research will find that we have so much more to offer," Zittle said.

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Hunter Zittle

Majoring in veterinary nursing, Zittle is also minoring in biology, chemistry, and business — a strong foundation for any future career paths. 

Zittle serves as the Wilson College Government Association's Officer of Justice and is active in several clubs, developing leadership and time management skills along the way.

"The opportunities provided here are endless," Zittle added. "It allows everyone to find their place."

Congratulations to our Full-Time and Part-Time Dean’s List Recipients for Fall 2025

We are excited to announce our Full-Time Dean's List and our new Part-Time Dean’s List starting in Fall 2025.

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Dean's List Fall 2025

Here are the criteria for the Full-Time Dean’s List:
1.    Must be full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students or International Exchange students (attempted at least 12 semester hours of credit).
2.    Fall or Spring semester average of 3.500 or higher.
3.    Completed 12 semester hours of credit, at least 9 of which received a letter grade.
4.    Developmental courses are not counted toward the 12 semester hours of credit.
 

Wilson College Fall 2025 Full-Time Student Dean's List

Kyrstyn Abplanalp
Hope Adams
Adesewami Ajirotutu
Rusbelly Almonte
Esteban Alvarez Magana
Kayla Angle
Eric Arbogast
Eleana Arrowsmith
Sedona Ashman
Sydney Babicek
Barbara Baker
Acadia Banis
Jennifer Bannon
Mabel Barbour
Sydney Barker
Tristin Barnhart
Emmy Baschoff
Kassandra Beaghan
Jordyn Beard
Persephone Becker
Hana Bellows
Payton Bennett
Rachel Biesecker
Seth Bivens
Michaela Black
Jade Blagg
Jordan Blizzard
Amanda Blount
Jason Boak
Rachel Bogdan
Madison Bootie
Hannah Bost
Shelby Bowman
Kayla Boyd
Desirae Brady
Caroline Breen
Emily Breighner
Laura Breighner
Madison Briggs
Benjamin Brown
Trinity Brown
Teresa Brownholtz
Mia Brunet
Lillian Buchinski
Jessica Bunn
Sarah Bushey
Grace Buzby
Yasmin Calderon
Sophia Callahan
Angelina Carleo Ditroia
Justine Castro
Alexa Catalano
Cinthya Chavarria
Derek Chavera
Katelyn Clever
Juliana Colamarino
Idalia Colon
Sarah Cook
Cole Cooper
Naomi Corado
Caryn Cordell
Elizabeth Cordon
Tyler Cottone
Brianna Coxon
Faith Crawford
Gavin Creamer
Sarah Crowe
Katelyn Crup
Rylee Curley
Karen Cutler
Grace Damato
Marta Davidova
Gaetano Davis
Adaira Decker
Emma Delicato
Dylan Diaz
Autumn Dicandilo
Masen Dice
Katelyn Dicken
Payton Dietrich
Elizabeth Dillon
Olivia Dingzon
Sarah Disney
Hope Dively
Jenna Dixon
Kassandra Dotterer
Alexis Doyle
Kaydence Dunlap
Allison Earnshaw
Madison Ebersole
Samantha Ecke
Dylan Ennis
Taylor Espenshade
Yaz Estrada Gallegos
Olivia Ewing
Christianna Farrar
Crystal Feusner
Sadie Fike
Anna Flenner
Jeron Fletcher
Patty Flook
Kylie Focht
Chelcie Forrester
Alicia Francavage
Danica Frushour
Ethan Fulton
Krystal Gable
Lyssa Gable
Ellisa Gamby-Mickey
Allyson Garcelon
Kylie Gardiner
Hamida Gawhari
Homaira Gawhari
Olivia Gelbaugh
Andrew Gervasi
Hailey Gingrich
Mary Gingrich
Lainnie Glenn
Andrea Glover
Kaelyn Goff
Erin Gohegan
Emilee Graves
Margaret Greeley
Abby Grosh
Maya Grove
Nessa Hake
Haley Hamrick
Madison Hamrick
Andrew Harner
Sydney Hartle
Lexi Hartman
Elysabeth Haugh
Ella Hawbecker
Carrie Heberlig
Addie Hebert
Katy Hedderick
Luke Helman
Alyvia Henneman
Mackenzie Hermann
Cassandra Hess
Madeline Higgins
Caeden Hill
Faith Lynn Hobbs
Sarah Hobbs
Nikki Hockenberry
Olivia Hoffman
Nevaeh Hollabaugh
Emily Holland
Mahala Holland
Tatiana Hollinshead
Hannah Hollman
Chloe Horvath
Libby Houseman
Abigail Howard Gois
Alison Howard Gois
Jenna Howell
Lexie Hubbard
Susan Hubbard
Ace Hudnell
Kyra Huebner
Tashema Huffman
Maggie Ickes
Rachel Jackson
Noah Johnson
Armani Jones
Ian Jones
Heather Judge
Jessica Kauffman
Abby Keck
Katelyn Keller
Madison Kellogg
Avery Kellum
Michael Keough
Stacy Kerr
James Kerr Jr
Avery Kershner
Junghyun Kim
Lyndsey Kline
Madison Kline
Ryan Koontz
Alexa Kosofsky
Jade Kruszewski
Melissa Labritz
Elizabeth Landon
Amoreena Lane
Maddyson Lasalvia
Kiara Lawyer
Juha Lee
Yeonwoo Lee
Audrey Leke
Heather Lemaster
Riley LeMay
Abigail Lerch
Michael Light
Grace Lilliech
Hailee Little
Dani Lloyd
Kalyna Lloyd
Aliya Lockman
Kalin Loney
Kendi Long
Jaylyn Lopez
Elena Lotruglio
Jeremiah Loyer
Keaira Lutz
Carleigh Magers
Amanda Margeson
Elaina Marker
Emily Martin
Samuel Martin
Sydney Marza
Jacob Mccoy
Madelyn McCoy
Jacob McFarland
Camrynn McMillan
Carley McNew
Drue Meals
Gage Mellott
Tori Meyer
Delaney Miller
Madison Miller
Jeremy Mitchell
Waverly Moffett
Mackenzie Monn
Abby Moreland
Reagan Morris
Gabriella Morrow
Jayden Mosquera
Grayson Moss
Kiaya Mouer
Natalie Mullen
Laynie Murray
Belle Musselman
Charles Musser
Vincent Natale
Rachel Newswanger
Paige Ney
Brandi Nissley
Shayla Novakowski
Tyler O'Brien
Kiera O'Brine
Ariatna Ochoa
Oladipupo Oguntola
Sarah Okeefe
Breanna Oliviero
Caitlin Oliviero
Salem Palmer
Anya Parkolay
Laura Paxson
Ittai Payne
Kalea Pechart
Diane Peck
Mikayla Petersen
Angie Peterson
Leah Petrunak
Jalen Pierce
Rylee Piper
Ariahna Pittman
Caden Pollard
Ella Pollock
Kaylee Pomfret
Rosa Portilla
Emily Randalls
Wes Reall
Yaquelin Recinos Ortega
Corina Redding
Shania Ribera
Aislynn Richards
Ashley Ringquist
Michael Rios
Kayla Robinson
Piper Rohrbaugh
Zoe Rosen
Abby Rosenberry
Cameron Rothstein-Epp
Devin Rotz
Anna Rozenson
Michen Rubio
Reilly Ryan
Ethan Josiah Salvatierra
Olalla Sanchez
Kaylea Sanders
Kristin Sawyer
Isabella Scarlato
Matthew Scharf
Erilyn Schleigh
Leila Schreiner
Katelynn Scott
Aeryn Seibert
Alycia Semanco
Kate Seymour
Halley Shaffer
Madison Shanholtz
Ashleigh Sharp
Samantha Sharp
Sophie Shatzer
Matthew Shaw
Alysa Sheats
Cheyenne Shepard
Kayla Shepard
Olivia Shull
Anna Smith
Logan Smith
Alexa Snyder
Regina Snyder
Madison Sokolowski
Kayla Solomon
Casey Souders
Shannon Spatz
Skyler Speigle
Loralei Stambaugh
Emily Stamper
Amara Stenger
Camden Sterner
Luke Stevenson
Allie Stieritz
Madisyn Stoll
Abigail Stoner
Alexis Stoner
Cheyenne Strenski
Jordan Stucki
Courtney Study
Hayden Sturgeon
Paige Sullivan
Chase Supensky
Isabella Swan
Fiona Sweeney
Jade Syto
Kayla Talbert
Karson Taylor
Alexis Thomas
Alyssa Thomas
Diana Thomas
Justin Timmons
Jewels Torres
Tori Tosten
Winter Trammell
Senta Trate
Erin Trinh
Mikayla Trowbridge
Rebekah Tuckey
Gretchen Turner
Shawn Turner
Lilly Ulmer-Glas
Finley Vandevander
Jenesis Vega
Megan Vinson
Amayah Walker
Erin Walsh
Sierra Wayland
Alex Weber
Laci Weinhold
Rylynn Welsh
Dakota Werts
Julia Wilkes
Jace Williams
Emma Wink
Alyssa Witters
Maddie Wivell
Jackson Wolfe
Maddy Wolfgang
Annie Wolgemuth
Addison Woods
Marissa Woodward
Erin Woodworth
Joseph Workman
Liam Yeatman
Quazell Young
Emily Zavadak
Ava Zehring
Hunter Zittle
 

Wilson College Fall 2025 Part-Time Student Dean's List

Here are the criteria for the Part-Time Dean’s List:

  1. Must be part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students who have completed 6 semester hours of credit (attempted 6 to 11 semester hours of credit).
  2. Fall or Spring semester average of 3.500 or higher.
  3. Completed 6 to 11 semester hours of credit—all graded courses.
  4. Developmental courses are not counted toward the 6 semester hours of credit.

Amanda Abbott
Ade Adeleke
Deborah Ajulo
Mavis Alamezie
Jessica Alwine
Mary Arnold
Damilola Babs
Pennyjo Bach
Fabiola Banatte
Ashley Barlowe
Shelaine Baxter
Ashawni Bennett
Ashlie Bennett
Orlando Brooks
Brittany Brown
Tabitha Brunner
Petra-Gay Bunting
Haley Ann Burgess
Vi Bush
Brittany Camara
Keegan Carroll
Anastasia Case
Courtney Cathey
Lee Anne Causey
Glorimar Centeno Pereira
Karma Chalfant
Emma Clemente
Devan Clements
Kiara Collins
Roberta Cook
Megan Cornell
Erica Crimarco
Kristen Crupi
Dorothy Danso
Janeil Davis
Haley Decker
Neil Dela Cruz
Sarah Diehl
Amanda Diem
Kaylie Dixon
Giani Dupree
Jen Dyment-Gilbert
Lakayda Early
Eman Ebrahem
Faithann Edwards
Juliet Eure
Lesa Fenner
Alexis Ferrell
Alexis Foster
Laura Francis
Aalesha Freeman
Bridget Garcia Babcock
Donald George
Natalie Gibson
Delaney Glazer
Amanda Gray
Kierstyn Green
Mallary Hainzey
Yesenia Hall
Samantha Hammond
Dylan Haslett
Kahla Hastings
Jenn Haugh
Emma Helt
Theresa Helt
Amirah Henson-Mclaughlin
Nicolette Hill
Kendra Holley
Cheryl Johnson
Christina Johnson
Taylorie Jones
Maya Jovic
Lily Kamarer
Chinwe Kermah
Elivia Kipe
Sophia Klukan
Ange Laub
Ashley Lee
Lexy Lott
Sarah Love
Derrik Luszik
Brigitte Luttrell
Macie Mabe
Hannah Machulcz
Merina Malla
Mariela Marte Santana
Katie Martin
Widpierre Mathias
Debra Max
Erica Mccoy
Christine Mckay
Jeremy Milbrandt
Morgan Mills
Jennifer Montgomery
Ashley Morgan
Ava-Gaye Morgan
Lauren Morrisette
Nicole Morrison
Nicole Myers
Christiana Normanyo
Brittany Ocker
Nana Akosua Agnes Owusu
Cristel Palmas
Jing Yi Pan
Jasmine Passio
Abby Patrick
Chloe Perrin
Jesika Phillip
Daniel Quintilian
Madison Reed
Halle Reisinger
Regina Remsberg
Nicole Ritchey
Erica Rivera
Amy Rogers
Brittany Rohrbaugh
Lynn Sarisky
Wendy Scaife
Hailey Shaffer
Courtney Sheppard
Jessica Showe
Leah-Faith Sidman
Sadie Simmons
Tiffany Simnick
Kristina Slatt
Brittany Smalley
Irene Smith
Becca Smith
Stephanie Snyder
Jennifer Sodano
Karlenis Solano Maza
Heydi Soto-Montano
Kristina Stoltz
Danielle Theodore
Jourden Thomas
Rachael Throckmorton
Alexis Tibbott
Travis Timmons
Maria Torres
Elizabeth Tracy
Olivia Ubaldo
Rhoda Ukiwe
Bri Uphold
Johana Valenzuela
Melissa Weaver
Katelyn Weidner
Kristine Wenrick
Kylie Wetzel
Jordan Weyandt
Lyndsay Wilderson
Courtney Williams
Emily Williams
Sara Wolf
Jade Young
 

Wilson College Presents New Exhibition by Multidisciplinary Artist Jada Patterson

Wilson College will open an art exhibit featuring artwork by Pittsburgh-based visual artist Jada Patterson on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in the Cooley Gallery, located on the second floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library (JSML). The exhibition will run through April 10, 2026, and is open to the public at no cost. 

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A Seed's A Star

The exhibition will showcase the work of Patterson, a multidisciplinary artist and craftsperson who investigates the intersection of traditional craft and high art. Their work examines themes of beauty, adornment, girlhood, and the human condition. At the epicenter of their artistic exploration is a focus on identity, material culture, personal history, and Black traditions of hair and body adornment, particularly as they relate to girlhood.

“Jada Patterson’s ability to fuse traditional craft with contemporary visual language creates an experience that is both personal and universally resonant. We are honored to share their powerful and thought‑provoking work with the Wilson community and regional audiences,” said Philip Lindsey, professor of fine arts.

Born in Wisconsin and raised in Milwaukee, Patterson began their formal studies at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics and art history. They continued their artistic development through programs at the Ox-Bow School of Art, Charlotte Street Foundation, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Berea College, among others. Patterson currently serves as a host at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina.

As part of Wilson College’s annual ArtsFest, Patterson will deliver a public talk on Friday, April 10, at 3 p.m. on the first floor of JSM Library. 

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Jada Patterson
Shook Foundation Gift Strengthens Wilson’s Healthcare Programs

Wilson College recently received a generous grant from The John H. Shook Foundation to provide scholarships for students pursuing degrees in nursing and other healthcare careers. This transformative gift underscores the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to advancing health and human services and improving the well-being of Franklin County’s aging population. 

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Four people holding a donation check

The John H. Shook Foundation recently presented a generous grant to Wilson College for nursing and healthcare careers. Pictured (l to r): Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D., president, and Mindy Guinard, Ed.D., director of nursing and health sciences, from Wilson College, with Jan Collier, board president, and Barbara Law, executive director, from the John H. Shook Foundation.

This scholarship program will expand educational opportunities for Wilson College students preparing to enter high-demand healthcare professions. By easing financial barriers, it will enable students to focus more fully on their studies, clinical experiences, and professional development. 

 “I am deeply grateful to the Shook Foundation for its generous support not only for our Wilson College students but also for the broader Franklin County community,” said Mindy Guinard, director of nursing and health sciences at Wilson College. “This additional funding empowers us to help students achieve their dreams of earning their nursing degrees and making a meaningful impact in local healthcare.” 

The John H. Shook Foundation honors the legacy of John H. Shook by funding initiatives that strengthen care for older adults. Its investment in Wilson College plays a vital role in meeting the region’s increasing need for skilled nurses, therapists, and other healthcare providers. 

“In furtherance of John H. Shook’s enduring legacy, The John H. Shook Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, well-being, and independence of Franklin County’s aging population,” said Barbara Law, executive director of the John H. Shook Foundation. “We are proud to fortify the healthcare workforce by providing strategic grants to institutions like Wilson College, funding scholarships and clinical training for the next generation of nurses, therapists, and care providers.”  

With the growing demand for skilled workers across all sectors of healthcare, Wilson College remains dedicated to preparing students with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and skills required to succeed in patient-care professions throughout the region. 

Wilson College to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. at Infinite Hope Event

Wilson College will honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a special evening program titled “Infinite Hope” on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Alumnae Chapel of Thomson Hall. This annual event invites the community to reflect on King’s enduring message of hope and justice. The program will feature a keynote address by Ernest Owens, an award-winning journalist and media executive; a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing;” and remarks by Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.   

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MLK Day Speaker

Owens is CEO of Ernest Media Empire LLC and serves as editor of Eater Philly, political writer-at-large for Philadelphia Magazine, and host of the podcasts Ernestly Speaking! and Philadelphia City Council Live on WURD Radio. He is the author of The Case for Cancel Culture, published by St. Martin’s Press. His work has appeared in national outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone. His journalism frequently addresses issues at the intersection of race, LGBTQIA+ identity, politics, and popular culture. 

He launched Ernest Media Empire in 2018 as a multimedia production, consulting, and communications firm. Owens holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in communication management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Philadelphia.  

Owens’ work has earned numerous honors, including recognition on The Philadelphia Tribune’s 2024 Most Influential African Americans list and the 2023 City & State Pennsylvania Pride Power 100. He received the 2020 Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists and has been recognized by Forbes, the American Society of Magazine Editors, the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, the Pen & Pencil Club, and the City & Regional Magazine Association. In 2022, he was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for his writing at Rolling Stone. 

The event is free and open to the public. A livestream option will be available for those unable to attend in person. For more information visit: https://www.wilson.edu/mlk-day-2026 

Student Spotlight: Madison Sokolowski '28

Madison Sokolowski '28 found her home at Wilson College. After taking many things into account when making a decision about her higher education journey, she realized she was mainly looking for a "family" culture.

"I was blessed to find that I could continue my academics as well as my athletic career with it being a perfect distance from home," Sokolowski said. 

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Madison

Sokolowski plays on the Wilson College Women's Soccer team and is studying criminal justice with a minor in communications and psychology. In addition, she is the Wilson College Government Association Vice President, Class of 2028 Secretary, Joint Honor Council Secretary, SAAC Representative, Phoenix Leader, and an Orientation Leader.

"I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a leader on campus and my goal is to leave my mark here before I graduate," Sokolowski said. "I am so grateful for all of my amazing peers and professors here who make this campus my version of a family."