The monarch waystation created in 2020 by Wilson environmental students continues to attract butterflies, while the nearby wall has been serving as an ideal spot for caterpillars on their way to becoming future butterflies. The garden now has a new interpretive nature sign that provides more information for visitors.
The College’s equestrian program has added a Western riding team to its already established hunt seat team and has appointed a new Director of Equestrian Teams, Cathy Woosley Luse, to oversee them. Both teams will transition from college club teams to competing at the full varsity level with other schools within the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). “Our equestrian program is one of the signature experiences at Wilson,” president Wes Fugate said. “By elevating our hunt seat and Western teams to varsity status, we are elevating our competitive riding programs to the level that properly reflects their importance to the College. We look forward to the success of both teams, a wonderful complement to our strong equine-related academic programs.”
A second-generation world champion horse trainer with over 30 years of experience training and coaching, Woosley Luse has coached world champion riders and Division I and II team champions. She was a world champion at the National Reining Horse Association Intermediate Open Division level. Her accomplishments and successes in coaching and competing in regional, national, and international competitions are too extensive to list. Some highlights include being a lifetime American Quarter Horse member, an American Quarter Horse Association recognized Professional Horseman, a carded judge with the National Reining Horse Association and the American Stock Horse Association, and a winning Head IHSA Equestrian and Stock Horse Coach at North Central Texas College. She was molded as a youth by the respected professional, trainer, multi-breed carded judge, and National Reining Horse Association Hall of Fame Inductee, her father, Clayton Woosley.
“I am very excited to be involved in building Wilson College’s Western equestrian team. I love the challenge of accomplishing unexpected results,” Woosley Luse said. “While coming in too late for the fall recruiting process, I am going to enjoy converting some of the brave [hunt seat] riders who are open to learning more about the art of Western riding.” Woosley Luse will direct the Western and hunt seat teams and coach the Western team. McKenna Debus will continue to coach the hunt seat team.
“We are thrilled to have Woosley Luse join us as we continue to develop our competitive equestrian teams. She brings a wealth of experience that will serve both our Western and hunt seat teams extremely well,” Tina Hill, the College’s athletics director, said. “Her experience and leadership skills will accelerate our programs into top contenders in our region of the IHSA. We can’t wait to get started!”
Woosley Luse agreed to join Wilson’s athletics team after visiting “one of the most beautiful college campuses I’ve seen.” She added, “I’d like to use my worldwide industry connections to expand Wilson’s resources for both of the teams. I think in the very near future, Wilson equestrian team members will represent us successfully at a regional and national level.”
Wilson College Phoenix celebrated earning, for the first time in history, not just one CSAC President's Cup, but all three as the Phoenix won the Men's Cup, Women's Cup, and the Overall Cup.
CSAC President's Cups
Lemonade stand with color changing cups to celebrate.
Tina Hill, Director of Athletics
Shelly Novak, Field Hockey Head Coach
Megan Potter and Brett Cline, Softball Head Coach
Antonio Bussey ‘23.
President Wes
You can read more about this historic win on the Athletic's site.
Senior students from three local nursing programs will come to campus Oct. 8 for a day of learning, discussion, and lectures. This year’s Collaborative Healthcare Day will focus on the care of diverse populations – specifically, the care of the LGBTQIA+ patient population. This is a Wilson College-initiated and coordinated event to foster an understanding of all patient populations which nursing students may serve in Franklin County.
The event will bring together students from our bachelor’s degree nursing programs, Penn State Mont Alto’s bachelor’s degree nursing program, and Franklin County Career and Technology Center’s practical nursing program. The event is funded in part by a generous grant from the Franklin County Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC). Because the event addresses community needs education, TFEC provided monies for the speakers who will be presenting. In addition, WellSpan Health will financially support the day as it will function as a recruiting event for the healthcare organization.
While the broader subject of diversity in patient population care will be discussed, the focus of the day will be on the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ population. The goals are to heighten student awareness of this patient population and issues specific to this group. Presentations and panel discussions will reference the numerous research articles that address the needs of LGBTQIA+ clients – high levels of depression, increased suicide, hormone usage, surgical reconstruction, communication finesse, and social/healthcare support.
As part of this informative day, the College will be implementing an “empathy lab” to help improve empathy/communication/understanding amongst nursing students. This will be a first-time launch for a potential Empathy Center to be created on campus. The lab will be organized and directed by professors Melanie Gregg and Adam DelMarcelle.
Wilson is well positioned to offer the day as it recognizes the diverse population of its own campus community. The College began conducting an annual campus climate survey in 2015, in which our students often report various other incidents. The most recent survey, conducted in April 2022, had 218 participants in which 17.01% identified as male, 79.90% identified as female, 0.52% identified as transgendered male, 2.06% identified as gender-nonconforming, and 0.52% identified as other. Respondents identified their sexual orientation as 3.16% gay or lesbian, 75.79% heterosexual, 4.74% questioning, and 16.32% other.
A free exhibition of artwork is on display at Wilson College, featuring the work of members of The Foundry in the Bogigian Gallery, Lortz Hall until October 13.
The exhibition will include a selection of member artwork from The Foundry—an artist co-operative located at 100 South Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. Current members have been invited to exhibit two works of art. Wilson College and The Foundry have partnered on a number of exciting exhibitions for Wilson students and Foundry members. This exhibition includes paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and more!
For additional information or an appointment, contact Philip Lindsey at 717.264.2783 or philip.lindsey@wilson.edu.
PA Landscape #1 by Mary Grassell 2021 oil on canvas
The College has named Kathy M. Buck, M.S.W., as the new vice president for student development and dean of students. She brings to the position more than 30 years of experience as a collaborative and community-minded student affairs leader.
Buck previously served as vice president for student life and mission integration at Saint Elizabeth University (formerly College of Saint Elizabeth), N.J. In this role, she led and provided the vision for all aspects of student services, including institutional budgeting; strategic planning; and development, implementation, and assessment of programs and policies related to student life. Having held positions with increasing levels of responsibility at Saint Elizabeth since 1989, much of her work has focused on meeting the needs of first-generation, Pell-eligible, and ethnically diverse student populations.
With the assistance of Spelman Johnson, a search firm specializing in higher education leadership roles, Wilson conducted an exhaustive national search for this important position. "We are delighted to have an innovative leader who understands the importance of an inclusive, supportive learning community to guide student development," Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D., said. "Kathy brings insight, energy, knowledge, and experience to this role. Her ability to cultivate a collaborative culture and partner with other divisions of the institution will advance student engagement and student success across campus. And her advocacy for students and their needs will support student retention, persistence, satisfaction, and graduation outcomes. I look forward to working with her and her team as they align their work with the College's strategic plan and bolster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts across the division of student development."
Reporting to the College's president, the vice president of student development and dean of students is responsible for providing vision, leadership, and effective administration to the College's student development division and its many functions and services. The position works closely with the president, the executive team, academic deans and directors, faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to strengthen the co-curricular dimensions of student life and enhance the Wilson experience and sense of community and belonging for all students.
"I am thrilled to be joining the team at Wilson College, an institution that values a transformative education supported by a collaborative, relationship-centered culture conducive to student success," said Buck. "This is the type of environment in which my own deeply ingrained belief about the importance of fostering a sense of belonging for all will thrive. I'm looking forward to building on the past success of the student development team as we develop and execute a vision for the next era of the College's future. It will be an honor to serve the Wilson community as a thought leader, advocate, and collaborator on matters related to the student experience!"
Buck holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and education (elementary and special education) from Clark University, Mass., and a master's in social work with concentrations in administration, policy, and planning from Rutgers University, N.J.
Today's spotlight is on Wilson College senior, Anaida Fahradyan. Anaida keeps busy on campus as a double major in business management and history and political science with a minor in Spanish. She also serves as the Class of 2023 President, Muhibbah Club President, ΟΔΚ National Leadership Honor Society President, and many more roles on campus. During her summer internship she had the unique opportunity to practice the research and critical thinking skills gained from a liberal arts degree at Wilson at the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations in New York City. Anaida shared how the Alumni Relations office helped make that connection.
"Along with many professional development opportunities, I was lucky to establish relationships with Wilson alums in the NYC area and gain a tremendous support system, thanks to the Alumni Relations office’s excellent initiative to connect current students with alums in their area or field of study."
Signing the Wilson College Honor Principle is a long held tradition at Convocation. This year, new students, staff, and faculty signed a newly revised Honor Principle.
“As a member of the Wilson College community, I will act with integrity in all personal, scholarly, and professional endeavors. I will respect the dignity and diversity of all persons and the rights and property of others. I will demonstrate concern for the wellbeing and needs of others by supporting an environment that enhances growth and development.”
We believe that the Honor Principle is perhaps more important today than it has ever been. And, Wilson must be doing more to instill in our graduates the principles of leading an honorable life, which is greater than just don't lie, cheat, or steal, but is truly about living life as an honorable person. To that end, we created a task force of students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and alumni who worked to distill the Honor Principle and Honor Code down to an easily communicable statement that is inclusive of all members of our community and is more reflective of the College's mission, vision, and values.
First year students signing the Wilson College Honor Principle.
WCGA President Connor Bowers
Joshua Legg, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & MFA Program Director and WCGA President Connor Bowers.
Bonnie Rock-McCutcheon, Assistant Professor of History and Ancient World Studies
One of the Wilson community's favorite days is move-in day!
Thursday, August 18 was student athlete move-in day for fall sports.
Thursday, August 25 was move-in day for the first-year students.
Welcome to campus Phoenix! Have a great year!
An alumna gives back to the animals that have given so much to her
