Wilson College has named Tina L. Hill its new director of intercollegiate athletics. Hill, who brings more than 29 years of experience in NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics administration, will replace longtime faculty member and Wilson athletics director Lori Frey, who last year announced her desire to return to teaching full time. Hill, who has served as the executive director of intercollegiate athletics at Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach for the past two years, will officially join Wilson on July 1. She served as director of athletics at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., from 2008 to 2018 and in the same position at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, from 2002 to 2007. “Tina Hill brings a tremendous amount of leadership and experience,” said Wilson President Wesley R. Fugate. “She has successfully helped grow athletics programs and has the strategic mindset to build upon the strong foundation Lori Frey established during her tenure. We are thankful to Lori for her years in service to the student-athlete experience and are fortunate that she will continue to support Wilson students in the classroom.” Hill was chosen from among a pool of more than 30 applicants for the athletics director position, according to Wilson Vice President for Student Development Mary Beth Williams. “It was a highly competitive search process,” said Williams, who oversees the athletics program. “I am thrilled to announce Tina Hill as our new director of intercollegiate athletics.” The director of intercollegiate athletics at Wilson provides vision and leadership for athletics to ensure program effectiveness, improvement, accountability and success, with the goal of providing a broad, balanced athletics program that supports the College’s overall mission and goals. In the position, Hill will be responsible for supervising Wilson’s 11 sports, both within the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) and the NCAA, as well as facilities management, compliance, fiscal management, communications, recreation and sports medicine and performs other related duties required for directing a NCAA Division III sports program and recreation and fitness programs and venues. Hill has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s degree in sport management from the University of Richmond. Frey, who has spent virtually her entire career at Wilson−including serving as director of athletics since 1988−will continue at the College as professor of physical education. “Lori Frey approached college administration last fall and expressed a desire to return to the classroom full time,” Williams said. “With all the great work she has accomplished as athletics director, we knew it would be difficult to find a successor with as much passion for our students and our intercollegiate programs.” During her tenure at Wilson, Frey−who was a department of one when she started at Wilson in 1988−has overseen tremendous change and unprecedented growth in Wilson’s athletics program. Growth skyrocketed when the College went coed in 2013 and, under Frey’s direction, the athletics department began building a men’s program from the ground up. In 2013, Wilson had 53 student-athletes and by 2019-20, the College had 173 student-athletes participating in 10 sports: women’s soccer, softball, field hockey, basketball, volleyball and in spring 2021, lacrosse, and men’s soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball and golf. Fugate said he is confident that the progress in Wilson’s athletics program will continue under Hill. “With our team in athletics, I am excited to see Phoenix athletics flourish within the CSAC and in NCAA Division III, while providing outstanding opportunities for our student-athletes,” he said.
Founded in 1869 and located in Chambersburg, Pa., Wilson College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 35 majors and master’s degrees in education, the humanities, accountancy, management, nursing, fine arts and more. Wilson is committed to providing an affordable education that offers value to its students beyond graduation. The College had a fall 2019 enrollment of 1,620. Visit www.wilson.edu for more information.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of a traditional commencement ceremony for the Wilson College Class of 2020, the campus community wanted to find a way to give graduates the culminating experience they’d been looking forward to since enrolling.
To provide seniors with that traditional graduation experience, Wilson is planning two ceremonies. A brief, remote ceremony to confer degrees will be held via a Facebook viewing party on May 17, the original date for graduation. Details will be communicated closer to that date.
In addition, the College plans to hold its 150th commencement in traditional fashion on Sunday, Oct. 25, as part of a festive Homecoming and Family Weekend. The formal inauguration of Wesley R. Fugate as Wilson’s 20th president is also planned for the Oct. 24-25 weekend.
“At Wilson, we believe commencement is a sacred occasion for graduates and their families,” Fugate said. “We are determined, if at all possible, to give members of our Class of2020 the recognition and celebration they expect and deserve.”
Members of the Class of 2020 will be invited to return to campus for the October ceremony, along with their families and guests. Planning is getting underway and details will be announced in the coming months.
Wilson College has donated a surplus supply of personal protective equipment to WellSpan-Summit Health as a way to help alleviate the PPE shortage being experienced by healthcare facilities around the country because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wilson, whose campus is closed under a statewide order shuttering non-life-sustaining businesses, had a small stock of PPE it acquired several years ago amid concerns about an Ebola outbreak, but never had to use, according to Vice President for Student Development Mary Beth Williams. She said the college donated gowns, gloves, masks, face shields and shoe covers.
“We didn’t need them then and we don't need them now because we’re shut down, so we contacted WellSpan,” said Williams, who is also the dean of students. “We have a good relationship with WellSpan and I’m glad we could help in whatever small way we can.”
Before the state closure order, WellSpan had been operating a clinic on the Wilson campus two days a week since last fall. Clinic operations were temporarily halted with the state-mandated precautions.
“Since opening WellSpan Convenient Care on the campus of Wilson College last fall, we have really enjoyed our growing relationship,” said WellSpan Director of Retail Services Miranda Ramsey. “Times like these truly highlight the value of working together with one another and we truly appreciate this generous gesture.”
Although the Wilson campus is closed and students will not return before the end of the spring semester, classes are continuing to be conducted remotely.
We are all likely experiencing some emotional discomfort given the spread of Covid-19 and the disruption to our lives. Here are some clues for recognizing anxiety and tips on how to cope with it.
Worry is normal – anxiety isn’t. Here’s how tell if you’re anxious:
Stay Connected Text, message, video chat or talk with family and friends. This is a great time to reconnect with old friends, and they will be delighted to hear from you too!
Focus on the Positive Every day write down three things that you are grateful for in your life. Recognizing what you have to be thankful for helps dispel negative emotions.
Moderate Media Exposure Take a break from news coverage of the virus. It’s good to have information from reliable sources, but you only need to check in once or twice a day to keep informed.
Look After Your Body Eat nutritious meals, sleep on a normal schedule and do exercise. When your body feels good, you are less anxious. YouTube has numerous home-exercise ideas.
Take Action Reduce your risk of exposure by practicing good hygiene and maintaining physical distance from others. Knowing you have control over your risks reduces stress.
Maintain a Routine Keeping to relatively normal work, sleep and meal schedules keeps you healthy and calm. You can substitute a new hobby for work. This is your opportunity to read those novels you always meant to get around to or start that gardening project.
Talk to a Therapist If you feel overwhelmed, you can talk to a mental health professional from your home. Many therapists now offer teletherapy sessions and your health insurance may cover the cost.
Students can receive weekly tips and activities to stay emotionally well by emailing Megan Cavanaugh, the Director of Counseling. The Wilson College Counseling Center also offers further assistance via phone or Zoom meetings. Reach out to your assigned therapist or Megan.
Classes start up again today in a remote learning environment. Here are some tips and hacks to help students.
1. Make a Schedule Schedule specific times to study and work on projects. Use notifications on your calendar app to keep you on track and remind you where you need to be to meet your deadlines. A schedule helps you focus and manage your time.
2. Find a Study Space Create a designated place to study—a desk, a table or even a comfortable chair—where you have access to Wi-Fi and the other tools you need. Going to your study space prepares you psychologically to work. But you may have more than one space—on a warm spring day your backyard may be the best place to read that history book.
3. Ask Questions and Engage Your instructors miss the classroom dynamics and the feedback they get every bit as much as you do. Ask them questions, look for clarifications and reach out to them with issues or solutions. They are there for you and want to help however they can.
4. Collaborate and Interact Remote learning does not mean you are alone—your classmates and friends and students across the country and world are in the same situation. Find a study buddy in your class or a friend with whom to discuss assignments or share tips. Use social apps to connect and engage with others.
5. Motivate and Reward Earning a college degree is an important step towards a fulfilling career and life. Remind yourself why you are studying, and what your long term and short term goals are. Use sticky notes to remind yourself where your college degree will take you. And don't be afraid to reward yourself when you finish an assignment or complete a test.
Wilson College will add a National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Equestrian team in fall 2020, increasing the quality of competition opportunities for the College’s equestrian students.
College equestrian clubs will continue to participate in International Collegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) events, but the addition of the NCEA Equestrian team for hunt seat competition is a significant and positive development for Wilson’s program, according to Brooke Leininger, assistant professor of equestrian studies.
“For students who are serious about equestrian sports and riding, NCEA will provide a higher level of competition,” said Leininger. “This is significant because it’s going to play a major role in recruiting students, both to the College and to our equestrian program.”
NCEA uses a collegiate format that allows competition between schools in all three NCAA divisions─I, II and III. In NCEA competitions, riders compete against one another on the same, randomly drawn horse, “a format that comes down to riding skill rather than the luck of the draw,” Leininger said. “In IHSA, riders are judged against a multitude of other riders on different horses.”
There are a number of other format differences between NCEA and IHSA. She said IHSA riders compete against numerous teams at each show. By contrast, in NCEA competition, schools compete directly against one another. And in IHSA competition, the number of riders is set by the host school, but in NCEA, five riders from each institution compete head to head. For championships, an IHSA team must be regional champions before advancing to the finals. In the NCEA, the top 12 overall teams are invited to compete, according to Leininger.
“Wilson’s students are excited about the move up to a higher level of competition and to have the opportunity to continue their IHSA experiences at the same time,” she said. “But current and future students who are entry-level competitors are encouraged to develop through the IHSA ranks and become a more advanced competitor by the time they graduate from Wilson.” Wilson is developing its 2020-21 NCEA schedule, which will be announced at a future date.
In a nod to its 150th anniversary and a fresh start under new leadership, Wilson College has launched the Boldly Believe fundraising campaign emphasizing three key areas: endowment, estate planning and every day. The effort, known as a “flash campaign,” will run during the last 150 days of the college’s Sesquicentennial celebration─from Feb. 1 through June 30.
The campaign’s main objective is making sure that the “every day” category, which refers to the college’s Wilson Fund, meets its $1 million goal, according to Camilla Rawleigh, Wilson vice president for institutional advancement. “It touches everything,” she said of the Wilson Fund, a multipurpose, unrestricted general fund that can be used for everything from student financial aid to operational needs.
The Wilson Fund fundraising effort has received a boost from Wilson Trustee Margaret Hamilton Duprey, who has offered to match all donations one a one-to-one basis, up to $150,000.
“Margaret recognizes the critical importance of unrestricted annual support,” Rawleigh said. “Through her generous, forward-thinking $150,000 Wilson Fund match to kick off the Sesquicentennial Boldly Believe campaign, she will incentivize others to give, as well.”
Duprey, a resident of Wellington, Fla., has supported Wilson both before and since joining the Board of Trustees in 2017. She said her latest gift reflects the excitement on the Wilson campus, which has been growing in recent years and is entering a new phase in leadership under its energetic new president, Wesley R. Fugate, who joined the college in January.
She added that her matching gift focuses on Wilson’s annual fund because she has witnessed the difference it makes in the life of the college. “During my three years on the Board of Trustees, I have seen first-hand how important the unrestricted Wilson Fund is to the success of Wilson’s students and campus as a whole,” Duprey said. “It is my pleasure to offer this match and I hope that others will step up to be a part of the Boldly Believe campaign.”
During the campaign, Wilson will also seek to raise money for the college’s endowment. “We hope to find some people who have an interest in helping grow the unrestricted endowment, which the college can use for whatever necessary,” Rawleigh said. “We also have an interest in others who are interested in establishing endowed scholarships, which fall into the restricted category.”
The third leg of the fundraising campaign involves estate planning. Wilson alumni, their families and friends, and others can make provisions in their wills to support the college.
Wilson plan to promote the campaign over the next months in various ways, including through social media, email and personal contacts. Anyone interested in making a gift now should contact Rawleigh in Wilson’s Office of Institutional Advancement at 717-264-2061 or camilla.rawleigh@wilson.edu.
For more information, visit https://www.wilson.edu/boldlybelieve.
Wilson's Orr Forum on Religion, which had been scheduled for March 26, has been postponed until September as part of the College’s response to coronavirus concerns.
On the advice of health officials to avoid large gatherings, Wilson has canceled all on-campus events which might be attended by 75 people or more, with plans to revisit the policy in late March.
The Orr Forum, which will feature guest speaker Amy-Jill Levine, author and Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University, has been rescheduled for Friday, Sept. 25.
For more information about the forum, visit https://www.wilson.edu/orr-forum.
The Wilson College Veterinary Medical Technology Club dog wash that had been scheduled for April 4 and 5 has been postponed indefinitely because of concerns and directives regarding the coronavirus.
WITF’s Smart Talk Road Trip, which was scheduled to be broadcast this evening from Wilson College, has been postponed because of concerns about coronavirus. The Harrisburg-based public radio station plans to reschedule the program, which had been set to air from the Wilson campus at 7 p.m.
"Being part of large gatherings is among the things to avoid during the outbreak, so we want to do our part to ensure the safety and well-being of our listeners," WITF Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer Cara Williams-Fry said in an email.
The program, Smart Talk Road Trip: Celebrating Women’s History and the Right to Vote, had been planned to mark Women’s History Month and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. A live audience had been invited to attend the broadcast from Wilson's Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology auditorium.
