By Parker Knepper '27
Each year Wilson College welcomes in many transfer students. However, starting at a new school can be tough. Whether it be meeting new people, or finding where your classes are, adjusting to a new environment can be a challenge. So, to make the transition easier here’s a few tips and tricks.
Make your way around campus and get comfortable with where your classes and other resources may be. You can refer to the campus map here.
Reach out and meet with your advisor as soon as possible to make sure you're on the right path towards graduation.
Get involved with a club! With over 30 student run clubs, you are sure to find a community that suits you.
Make sure to take advantage of the resources provided on campus! For academic help visit the R.I.S.E. Center. To stay active head over to the Fitness Center. Check the my.wilson portal for other services.
Get connected with Career Development and learn about Internship requirements for your major. Events like career fairs are also offered to help you in your search.
You don’t have to be confined to campus. Explore Chambersburg and nearby towns to discover the local restaurants, stores, entertainment and more.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions to other students or staff. There are people willing to help.
By Faith Crawford ’26
Thanks to the generous donation of alumna Joan Thuebel ’52, students at Wilson have the opportunity to pursue education outside of the classroom through Earthwatch research expeditions around the world. Students can submit a proposal for the expedition of their choice and pursue this uniquely hands-on experience that takes learning to a new level.
Nicole Sanchez-Downey ’20 traveled to Thailand on her first Earthwatch expedition in 2019. After working as a conservation educator at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore for three years, she is now a high school biology and environmental teacher in Hanover, Pennsylvania, and has returned to Wilson to pursue her postgraduate secondary teaching certification.
After participating in "Tracking Asiatic Wild Dogs in Thailand" in 2019, Sanchez-Downey returned to Earthwatch in 2025 for "Restoring Habitats in the Greater Maasai Mara," a research expedition based in the Enarau Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. The expedition focused on rejuvenating the landscape degraded by heavy farming.
Sanchez-Downey was part of an eight-member team that completed landscape monitoring through vegetation and wildlife surveys. She participated in invasive species removal and agricultural restoration in research plots, preparing and planting the land in a more sustainable way. The team worked to overcome harmful farming practices that damaged the natural environment and to develop more sustainable strategies.
As an undergraduate animal studies major with minors in biology and studio art, Sanchez-Downey most enjoyed the opportunity to see animals from another part of the world, some of which she recognized from her time working at the zoo. She encountered lions, zebras, jackals, hyenas, and a white rhino; observed a cheetah; and identified birds she had worked with before. One animal Sanchez-Downey was excited to see up close was the wildebeest. In her biology course, she spends time discussing the Serengeti ecosystem to teach ecological relationships, and wildebeest migration is a major focus of the curriculum. “A big reason I asked to go on this trip was to see the wildebeest,” she said. An additional highlight was seeing a single male cheetah hunt and capture a wildebeest.
The Earthwatch expedition to Kenya gave Sanchez-Downey the opportunity to further her education through hands-on research and firsthand observations. She said, “It was an honor to be able to go again and experience this.” The knowledge she gained will allow her to bring engaging lessons about ecosystems and biodiversity to her high school biology students while continuing her postgraduate studies at Wilson.
The Visual Arts Invitational, an exhibit featuring artwork by Wilson College students, will open Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, at the Coyle Free Library in Chambersburg. The exhibition showcases the creativity and artistic growth of students across a range of disciplines.
Visitors will see original work created by Wilson students enrolled in Drawing I, Intro to Design, Digital Photography and Graphic Design courses. The Visual Arts Invitational features a variety of media, highlighting the breadth of creative expressions found across the Wilson College art curriculum.
Now in its fourth year, the partnership between Wilson College and Coyle Free Library continues to provide students with an opportunity to share their work with the broader community. The library is not only a cornerstone of the community but also shares a special connection with Wilson. Lou Cowles, a reference librarian with the Franklin County Library System and a member of the Wilson College Class of 1964, has helped foster the collaboration between the two institutions and bring the exhibition to the public.
Wilson College's health sciences and business programs will host a Strategic Seminar Series event, "From College to Career: Navigating the Transition with Wilson Alums," on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, in the auditorium of the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology.
The event will bring together an accomplished panel of Wilson alumni representing a range of professions, including nursing, business, veterinary nursing, exercise science, and education. Panelists will share their personal experiences transitioning from college to the workforce, discussing the challenges they faced after graduation, lessons they learned along the way, and the strategies that helped them achieve professional success.
The evening will begin with a networking reception from 5 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A session from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The Strategic Seminar Series provides a platform for students and community members to engage directly in candid conversations about career and leadership challenges.
“There is tremendous value in hearing real-world stories from people who once sat in the same classrooms and faced many of the same questions our students have today,” said Lance Cain, DBA, director of business and assistant professor of business at Wilson College. “Our panelists will offer honest perspectives on the obstacles they encountered, the decisions that shaped their careers, and the lessons they learned along the way. Attendees will leave with greater confidence and practical insights they can use as they begin their own professional paths.”
The following Wilson College alumni will participate in the panel discussion:
The event is open to the public and admission is free. Please register by Nov. 5 here >
Wilson College has named Merlyn Cumberbatch, M.B.A., as vice president for finance and administration. Cumberbatch brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education finance, administration, strategic planning, and operations and will begin her role on Nov. 1.
Cumberbatch joins Wilson from Cheyney University, where she served as vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer. In that role, she led the development and execution of the university's strategic financial plan and served as principal financial advisor to the president, executive leadership team, council of trustees, and chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Prior to joining Cheyney University, Cumberbatch served as chief financial and administrative officer for the Wilmington Housing Authority in Delaware and held senior leadership positions with Sodexo/SodexoMagic and Aramark, where she advised colleges and universities across North America, Canada, and Europe on finance, operations, capital projects, and long-term growth.
“Merlyn brings an exceptional combination of financial expertise, strategic vision, and operational leadership to this role,” said Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. “Her extensive experience guiding complex organizations, strengthening financial operations, and aligning resources with institutional priorities will be invaluable as we continue advancing Wilson’s strategic goals and ensuring a strong future for the College.”
Reporting to the president, the vice president for finance and administration works closely with senior leaders, academic administrators, faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to support the College’s strategic priorities and oversee financial planning, budgeting, accounting, endowment management, risk management, and contract administration.
“I am energized by the opportunity to support and work in collaboration with President Fugate, the board of trustees, the senior leadership team, and the Wilson community,” said Cumberbatch. “The culture of commitment around strengthening Wilson’s financial, administrative, and operational muscles to the benefit of our students and the advancement of the College’s strategic plan really excites me.”
Cumberbatch holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and public relations, with a minor in accounting and business administration, from St. Thomas Aquinas College and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and administration from New York University/St. Thomas Aquinas College. She also completed a global research fellowship in economics and accounting at Christ Church, University of Oxford, and has professional training and certifications in public accounting, financial planning, bookkeeping, real estate, project management, and Six Sigma methodologies.
Written by Parker Knepper '27
On Wednesday, October 8, Chaplain Andrew Hart led The Blessing of the Animals on the Main Green of the Wilson College campus. Pets of many types were present, from dogs to horses and more. The service opened with scripture followed by prayer over the animals including a moment of silence held for the pets who have passed. Chaplain Andy then greeted each pet individually and provided them a blessing, ending the service in prayer.
With over four hundred pets on campus, pets are meaningful to the everyday lives of students. Deanna Estes ‘28 brought her cat to the service, “I get to bring Biscuit and she is everything to me, she helps me and my roommate get through our days”.
The Penn Hall Equestrian Center at Wilson College is a ten-minute walk away, allowing the students to easily bring their horses to the Blessing of the Animals. Monique Coutu ‘28 said, “I get to bring my horse here…One of the only schools I've been to that does something like this.”
We hope to see our pet friends return again in the spring, while we look forward to seeing new faces too.
Written by Parker Knepper
Leah Laubach ‘28 is a veterinary nursing major at Wilson College and she is a member of the women's basketball team, playing shooting guard. She shares why Wilson was the best fit for her.
“Being part of a small campus has created the chance for me to get to know a lot of people with the same interests as me and build friendships that I know I’ll have for a long time. When deciding to study veterinary nursing and wanting to play basketball, Wilson felt like the best fit.”
Laubach highlights how meaningful and special the Wilson community is, “I love how small Wilson is. Since it’s a small campus, everyone knows one another and supports each other, especially when it comes to sports.”
Laubach reflects on one of the best moments at Wilson with her teammates. “One of my favorite memories from playing basketball at Wilson was our trip to Puerto Rico last December. It was a great experience that I’m glad I got to experience with my team.”
The ArtsFest Committee at Wilson College has opened the call for submissions for ArtsFest 2027, scheduled for April 5 through 9, 2027.
This year, ArtsFest will explore the theme “ART IS... PRESENCE.” The committee is seeking visual, performing, and literary artists and arts educators from Chambersburg and surrounding communities interested in sharing their work and expertise during the weeklong event. Proposed activities may include presentations, readings, performances, projects, workshops, exhibitions, immersive experiences, or other arts-based formats.
Individuals or groups interested in submitting a proposal should do so by Nov. 15, 2026, through the ArtsFest webpage at www.wilson.edu/artsfest. All ideas are welcome, and the committee is available to assist applicants in developing their concepts. While proposals should be self-supported financially, limited funding may be available on a case-by-case basis.
ArtsFest is a dynamic, multi-day celebration of creativity and community that evolved from Wilson College's traditional Arts Day. Since its reimagining in 2023, the festival has showcased remarkable artists, artwork, and creative opportunities while becoming a signature event for Franklin County and the surrounding region.
In 2025 and 2026, ArtsFest expanded to engage campus and community audiences with international artists, art, and artmaking opportunities that reach across disciplines, subject matter, and boundaries, fostering relationships, connections, and ideas that inspire positive change through the arts.
Camden Sterner ‘27 is a health and physical education major at Wilson College, as well as being a libero on the men’s volleyball team. Sterner shares what his time at Wilson has meant to him,
“To me, Wilson College means community. I love how close-knit everyone is. It feels like one big friend group where everyone knows and supports each other. Wilson feels less like just a college and more like a home, with all the friendships and connections I have made along the way.”
His time playing volleyball at Wilson College has also been impactful in a multitude of ways,
“Volleyball has had a really positive impact on my experience at Wilson. Being part of a team has taught me the importance of hard work, commitment, and always pushing myself to improve. My teammates have also played a huge role in my experience. We support and encourage each other, hold each other accountable, and celebrate each other’s successes. Volleyball has helped me build strong relationships and become more confident both on and off the court. Overall, Wilson Athletics has taught me that putting in the work, working together, and having a positive attitude can make a big difference, and those are lessons I’ll carry with me beyond volleyball.”
Wilson College has continued its multi-year trend of intentional growth, reaching its highest-ever point-in-time enrollment for the start of the Fall 2026 semester with 2,089 students enrolled across all programs. This reflects an 11% increase over Fall 2025 enrollment and marks a historic milestone as Wilson surpassed its highest traditional, in-person enrollment, since in 1968, and achieved its largest residential student population since 1970.
This total includes all traditional undergraduate, graduate, online, and professional programs. By expanding online and hybrid learning opportunities while maintaining a strong residential experience, Wilson has diversified its enrollment base and reduced reliance on any single student population.
"Wilson is reaching more students than ever before as we continue to invest in programs and services that help students access higher education and persist through graduation," said President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. "We are investing in the programs students want, providing the support they need to succeed, and ensuring that a Wilson education remains affordable and accessible.”
The official fall enrollment will be finalized in October after enrollments for the Fall 2 term have commenced. However, early indicators suggest strong demand continues across many of Wilson's signature academic areas, including animal studies, veterinary nursing, health sciences, business, education, psychology, biology, art and design, and the rapidly growing computer science and cybersecurity programs.
Education programs remain among Wilson’s greatest strengths. The College's Teacher Certification Program serves more than 487 students and, when combined with undergraduate and graduate education programs, more than half of Wilson students are preparing for careers in education.
Wilson has also strengthened its commitment to student success through investments in advising, retention, and support services. The College established the RISE Center (Resources Inspiring Student Excellence), bringing together tutoring, accessibility services, success coaching, testing services, and personal librarians in one centralized location. Wilson also added a Dean of Student Success and expanded coaching services to support student retention and degree completion. As a result of these initiatives, the College recorded increases in undergraduate student persistence year to year—8 percentage points from second to third year, and 6 percentage points from third to fourth year.
Additionally, the College recently expanded its graduate and professional offerings with the launch of its Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Wilson's King of Prussia campus. Additional healthcare programs, including a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, will begin classes in 2027, supporting regional workforce needs while creating new pathways for student enrollment and career advancement.
