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Congratulations to our Full-Time and Part-Time Dean’s List Recipients for Spring 2026.

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Wilson College is proud to announce the launch of its new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, an innovative, hybrid, accelerated degree designed to prepare practice-ready physical therapists in two years. Classes are expected to begin in August 2027, with applications for the inaugural cohort opening on July 15, 2026.

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The Wilson College DPT program offers a dynamic educational experience that emphasizes clinical excellence, leadership, and community impact. Students will benefit from a carefully structured curriculum that focuses on developing the advanced clinical skills and professional judgment required in today’s healthcare landscape. Evidence In Motion (EIM), a leading provider of online and hybrid healthcare education, partners with Wilson College to deliver the program’s hybrid structure and curriculum.

“Our Doctor of Physical Therapy program reflects Wilson College’s commitment to forward-thinking education and preparing graduates to lead in meaningful ways,” said Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. “We are equipping students not only with technical expertise, but also with the leadership mindset needed to improve healthcare outcomes and transform patient experiences.”

Wilson’s DPT program features a hybrid accelerated format, combining online coursework with intensive, in-person lab immersions led by nationally recognized faculty. These immersive experiences take place in a state-of-the-art facility in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, ensuring students receive high-quality, hands-on training. 

The demand for skilled physical therapists continues to grow across healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, sports organizations, and home health environments. Wilson College’s DPT program prepares graduates to work with a wide range of populations and across specialties such as musculoskeletal, neurology, sports medicine, primary care, and chronic disease management. 

“At Wilson, we believe physical therapy is about more than movement. It’s about helping people restore purpose, independence, and quality of life,” said Tony Varela, D.P.T., Ph.D., O.C.S., Doctor of Physical Therapy program professor and program director.

Applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program are submitted through the Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS). The program offers multiple entry pathways, including options for students with a bachelor’s degree as well as licensed healthcare professionals with relevant patient-facing experience. Certain licensed professionals, including athletic trainers, EMTs, nurses, and physical therapist assistants with at least one year of patient-facing experience may qualify for waived prerequisite requirements.

For more information visit: https://www.wilson.edu/doctor-physical-therapy.

Wilson College is pleased to announce Lisa Tiffin, D.E.L., G.P.C., as the new vice president for institutional advancement. Tiffin brings more than a decade of senior-level experience in higher education advancement to this role, with a strong record of success in fundraising, government relations, corporate and foundation partnerships, and organizational leadership. She joins Wilson College after serving as assistant vice president of government, corporate and foundation relations at Champlain College, where she led transformational growth in external funding.

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In five years at Champlain, Tiffin increased institutional funding from $1 million annually to more than $34 million and helped secure the college’s largest award in public funding appropriations to date of $12 million. She built and led a high-performing advancement unit, expanded corporate and government partnerships, and supported capital projects, endowed scholarships, and faculty programs across the institution.

With the assistance of Academic Search, an executive recruitment firm specializing in higher education leadership roles, Wilson conducted an exhaustive national search for this important position. “Lisa brings the experience, vision, and collaborative leadership Wilson College needs at this pivotal moment,” said Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D., president of Wilson College. “Her proven ability to build relationships, secure transformative resources, and align fundraising strategy with institutional mission will be invaluable as we advance Wilson’s priorities and ensure long-term sustainability.”

Prior to Champlain, Tiffin was recruited to build the grants program at Roberts Wesleyan University and Northeastern Seminary, where she spent seven years leading grant development and advancement initiatives. During her tenure, she secured nearly 70 percent of submitted grants, supported a $42 million comprehensive campaign, and played a key role in securing the institution’s largest gift of $7.5 million for a Community Engagement Center.

“I am extremely honored to join Wilson College,” Tiffin said. “The work of small colleges like Wilson includes ensuring a lasting legacy of an educational institution where students find community and a pathway to both career and impact in their future communities. I am so excited to join such a vibrant community of learners and look forward to meeting the supporters who make the vision of Wilson a reality.”

Tiffin holds a doctorate of executive leadership from the University of Charleston, West Virginia, where her research focused on risk mindset and positive turnaround in higher education. She also earned a master’s degree in American literature from the State University of New York at Brockport and a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Roberts Wesleyan College. She is Grant Professionals Certified and remains active in national higher education and fundraising organizations.
 

Meet Aaron Meredith TCP Completer ’26 and fourth grade teacher in the Chambersburg Area School District. After transitioning into teaching as a second career, Aaron credits Wilson College with preparing him to step confidently into the classroom.

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“I’m thankful for Wilson College providing a way that I could switch to a second career and enter it feeling qualified and confident,” Aaron shared. "Their innovative internship program offered me a comprehensive experience and superb mentorship.” 

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That preparation is evident in Aaron’s classroom each day. According to his practicum supervisor, Wendy Royer, Ph.D., Aaron’s enthusiasm for math and commitment to hands-on learning create an engaging environment where students feel valued, safe, and excited to learn. "Aaron's enthusiasm for math is contagious and creates a classroom where students want to learn and work hard to meet expectations. Aaron creates lessons with authentic hands-on learning opportunities resulting in high levels of engagement. Aaron places a high value on building strong relationships with his students. Every student is valued and treated with respect. As a result, learners feel safe and are willing to take risks.  He encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and responsibility for learning. He is deeply committed to the success of every student in his classroom and works tirelessly to achieve this expectation. Aaron is a gifted teacher with natural talent. He has fun teaching, and students have fun learning!  It's a winning combination."

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Building on this momentum, Aaron has chosen to continue his academic journey at Wilson and is now enrolled in the Master of Education in Educational Leadership program, further strengthening his commitment to education and leadership.

Learn more about Wilson College’s Teacher Certification Pathways.
 

Congratulations to the students and faculty recognized at the 2026 Wilson College Academic Awards Ceremony held on Friday, April 24, 2026. 

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1957 Civic Engagement Award—Susan Hubbard ’27  

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The Dorle Haas Memorial Prize—Keaira Lutz ’26  

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The Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize—Halley Shaffer ’26  

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The Catherine Herr Langdon Award    —Kendi Long ’26  

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Organic Chemistry Award—Alyvia Henneman ’27  

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General Chemistry Award—Masen Dice ’29  

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E. Grace White Summer Scholarship—Ellen Zimmerman ’28  

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The Davison Greenawalt Grove Award—Acadia Banis ’26  

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E. Grace White Prize—Rosa Portilla ’26  

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The Wilson College Equestrienne Award—Kendi Long ’26  

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The Nicky Hoffman Reich Award—Michaela Black ’27  

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The Nicky Hoffman Reich Award—Elaina Marker ’27  

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The Donna Gomer VMT Award—Elizabeth Landon ’26

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The Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize—Erin Gohegan ’26

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The Alice Martin Brumbaugh Award in Sociology—Faith Crawford ’26  

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The Carolyn Zeleny Prize—Elizabeth Cordon ’27  

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The Margaret Strode Haines Award—Aislynn Richards ’29  

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The Alta Lindsay McElwain Prize—Kate Seymour ’27  

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The Helen Adams Nutting History Prize—Jeremiah Loyer ’27  

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The Marel Harlow Cheng Memorial Prize—Homaira Gawhari ’27  

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Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award—Amanda Monico ’27  

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The Josef Michael Kellinger Award—Rusbelly Almonte ’26  

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The Mary-Eleanor Maule Travel Grant—Drue Meals ’28  

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The Helga Rist Prize—Marissa Woodward ’26 

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The Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award—Jessica Bunn ’29  

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The William and Ivy Saylor Prize and The Mary Beers Sheppard Prize—Faith Crawford ’26  

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The Dr. Julie and Mr. Joel Beck for Nursing Clinical Leadership—Elivia Kipe ’26  

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Wilson College Nursing Department Award—Gretchen Turner ’26  

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Wilson College Nursing Department Award—Brittany Rohrbaugh ’26  

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The William P. Van Looy Business Prize—Chelcie Forrester ’26  

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The Robert Shannon McElwain Prize—Mikayla Petersen ’29  

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Regina Shaputnic Cuomo '61 STEM Award—Heather LeMaster ’29  

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Regina Shaputnic Cuomo '61 STEM Award—Ethan Fulton ’29  

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Outstanding Peer Teacher Award—Sydney Hartle ’28  

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Outstanding Peer Teacher Award—Drue Meals ’28  

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C. Elizabeth Boyd '33 Award—Elizabeth Cordon ’27  

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The Estep-Lawson Memorial Prize—Rebecca Coyle ’26  

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Barsy-Colgan Academic Research Gift Award—Zoe Rosen ’27  

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The James Applegate Performance Award—Kalyna Lloyd ’28

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The James Applegate Scholarship Award—Natalie Beckner ’26

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Joan M. Thuebel '52 Earthwatch Prize—Grace Dickinson ’28, Matt Browning ’26, and Amanda Monico ’27  

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The Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship—Alyvia Henneman ’27  

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The Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching—Darah Wolf-Thomas, Adjunct Instructor—English

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The Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching—Sherri Stahl, Instructor of Nursing

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The Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching—Ela Rossmiller, Assistant Professor of Political Science & Global Studies

Not pictured:  

The Suzanne Blumenthal Prize in Healthcare and Medical Humanities—Elena Lotruglio ’26  

The Dr. Julie and Mr. Joel Beck for Nursing Leadership—Audrey Leke ’26

The Dr. Julie and Mr. Joel Beck for Nursing Leadership—Sara Baublitz ’26  

The Richard C. Grove Award in Business and Economics—Stacy Kerr ’26  

The Robert Shannon McElwain Prize—Cole Cooper ’29  

Wilson College is pleased to announce the launch of a new graduate health care program, a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. This new hybrid, accelerated program features rigorous online coursework paired with live, interactive instruction, simulation-based experiences, and comprehensive clinical preparation. Classes are expected to begin in August 2027, with applications for the inaugural cohort opening in July.

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Wilson’s MS-SLP program allows students to earn their degree in 16 months compared with the average of two years required for a traditional program. The condensed timeline enables graduates to enter the workforce sooner while reducing the overall cost of their education. Evidence In Motion (EIM), a leading provider of online and hybrid healthcare education, partners with Wilson College to deliver the program’s hybrid structure and curriculum. 

To support students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, Wilson College offers online leveling and prerequisite coursework for prospective MS‑SLP students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders. These fully online courses are designed to bridge foundational knowledge gaps and prepare students for the rigor of graduate-level study, reflecting Wilson’s commitment to accessibility and to valuing the diverse educational and professional pathways into the field.

Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate said, “The addition of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program reflects Wilson College’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to high-quality, career-focused graduate education. This accelerated, hybrid program responds to a well-documented workforce need while providing students with a rigorous academic experience designed to prepare them for meaningful professional practice.”

The hybrid structure of Wilson’s MS-SLP program allows students beyond the region to remain in their home communities while completing online coursework and fieldwork. Students are required to travel to the Philadelphia metropolitan area twice during the 16-month program for on-campus residencies, during which they gain hands-on skills with faculty support. These residencies are separate from their clinical placements.

Diana Julbe-Delgado, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIS, associate professor and program director, said, “Wilson’s MS-SLP program integrates academic instruction, simulation-based training, and clinical preparation. The hybrid format allows students to remain rooted in their communities while receiving the training and mentorship necessary to enter the profession with confidence and competence.”

Due to national shortages of speech-language pathologists, graduates are expected to enter a workforce with strong growth and high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 13,300 job openings for speech-language pathologists per year with a 15% growth rate through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. 

For more information visit: https://www.wilson.edu/master-science-speech-language-pathology.

For Curtis Shoup ’26, finding his way to teaching meant discovering not just a new profession, but a true calling. As a student in Wilson College’s Teacher Certification Pathway (TCP) program, Curtis is completing his Early Childhood Education PK–4 certification while preparing for a meaningful second career in the classroom.

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“The Wilson TCP program has allowed me to transition smoothly into a second career of teaching,” Curtis shares. “This journey has been fulfilling beyond anything I could have imagined. Through the help of Wilson College, I have found what I am supposed to be doing.”

Designed with working professionals in mind, the TCP program provided Curtis the flexibility he needed to balance coursework while working as a building substitute. That balance allowed him to gain valuable, real‑world classroom experience while deepening his understanding of effective teaching practices.

“The TCP program allowed for the flexibility of classes and workload while I continued to work as a building substitute,” he says. “I look forward to completing the program in the Fall of 2026 and then continuing my master’s courses offered at Wilson.”

Curtis’s dedication to his students and passion for education are evident in the classroom. His practicum supervisor, Alice Rickrode, notes the positive learning environment he creates and the strong relationships he builds with his students. “Curtis is a dedicated educator who provides support and encouragement for his students in a comfortable learning environment,” Rickrode says. “He uses his strong personal connections with his students to help ensure their success in the classroom. I have had the opportunity to watch his students as they enjoy the fun and challenging learning activities included in his lessons.”

Learn more about Wilson's Teacher Certification Pathway (TCP) here. 

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Wilson College biology, chemistry, and biochemistry majors showcased their research, professionalism, and scientific curiosity at the 2026 Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS) annual meeting, held this weekend at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

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Back row: Amber Marble, Assistant Professor of Biology; Sherri Buerdsell, Assistant Professor of Biology; Assistant Professor of Biology; Kylie Gardiner '27, Ellen Zimmerman '27, Brenden Cleary '27 Front row: Matt Browning '26, Katherine Kimmel '26, Acadia Banis '26, Rosa Portilla '26, Adesewami Ajirotutu '26, Marianne Ngo Baba Ba Boumtje'26 Not pictured: Adan Rodriquez-Sapien '27, Alyvia Henneman '27, and Kaelyn Goff '27.

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Acadia Banis '26 and Bili Mattes, Executive Director at STEM-UP Network

Several students received notable recognition for their work. Acadia Banis ' 26 was awarded First Place in the Women in Science Oral Presentation category, The Women in Science award is sponsored by STEM Up Network and was presented by its executive director, Bili Mattes, D.Ed. 

Rosa Portilla '26 earned Honorable Mention for her oral research presentation. 

In addition, Alyvia Henneman '27 and Kylie Gardiner '27 received PAS Research Grants, which will support the purchase of materials for their research projects during the upcoming academic year.

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Acadia Banis '26, Alyvia Henneman '27, and Rosa Portilla '26

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The Wilson team “Fire Chickens,” with members Alyvia Henneman '27, Rosa Portilla'26, Marianne Ngo Baba Ba Boumtje'26, Acadia Banis '26, and Matt Browning '26, placed third in the PAS STEM trivia competition

Reflecting on the experience, Amber Marble highlighted both the depth of student preparation and the broader impact of participating in a professional scientific conference.

“Over the course of three semesters, our students invest tremendous effort in shaping their projects and honing their scientific communication.” Marble said. “PAS offers our students the chance to see themselves as part of a larger scientific community. By encountering diverse research topics and sharing their own enthusiasm with audiences beyond Wilson, they are able to deepen their curiosity, confidence, and sense of belonging as emerging scholars.”

Wilson College students will present 88 original research projects during the College’s seventeenth annual Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day, taking place Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24. The event highlights undergraduate scholarship across a wide range of disciplines, including the sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences, and is free and open to the public.

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The event features both poster and oral presentations, offering multiple opportunities for attendees to engage directly with student researchers.

The poster session will be held Thursday, April 23, from 3 to 5 p.m., and will include 69 poster presentations representing individual and group research projects from a variety of academic programs. Students will be present to discuss their work and answer questions during the session.

On Friday, April 24, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 19 students will deliver oral research presentations throughout the day. These presentations will showcase in-depth research and creative inquiry conducted under the guidance of Wilson College faculty mentors.

Barsy-Colgan Student Research Day is made possible through the generous support of Wilson College alumna Louise Barsy Colgan ’80 and her husband, Sean. Their annual gift not only sustains this campus-wide celebration of student scholarships, it also funds academic research grants that support students undertaking senior-year research projects.

For more information about the event, visit www.wilson.edu/SRD

The oral presentations will be livestreamed at: https://www.wilson.edu/srd-livestream

Wilson College will host an afternoon of inspiring music as the Cumberland Valley Chorale at Wilson College presents its Spring 2026 concert, On the Edge of Light, on Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. in Laird Hall.

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The free concert will explore themes of light and darkness, examining human experiences of despair, hope, joy and love through choral music. The program will feature selections from The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, timetested hymnody and additional works spanning popular, classical, and contemporary traditions.

The concert will also include a performance by Wilson’s a cappella group, the Ten Tones, featuring a new spring set and live selections from the group’s second professional recording session.

The Cumberland Valley Chorale at Wilson College is a community chorus bringing together singers from both the Wilson College campus and the greater Central Pennsylvania region. The ensemble is known for its diverse repertoire and for performing music that reflects faith, laughter, and love.

The event is free and open to the public and is made possible through the generous support of Wilson College. The concert will also be livestreamed at https://www.wilson.edu/spring-concert

Community members interested in joining the Cumberland Valley Chorale are welcome. Those interested may contact Dillon Beede, Wilson College director of choral activities, at dillon.beede@wilson.edu for more information.

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