On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Wilson College made history with its first-ever drone light show, celebrating the We Rise: United for Wilson’s Future campaign and Wilson Weekend. Hundreds gathered on campus to witness a breathtaking 15-minute display of synchronized drones illuminating the night sky with vibrant imagery honoring America, Franklin County, and Wilson College.
Titled “We Rise: Honoring History. Inspiring Tomorrow.” the show featured a symbolic flight of the phoenix, custom visuals, and a powerful soundtrack and narration accessible via smartphone. The event brought together community members of all ages for an unforgettable evening of light, sound, and storytelling.
This milestone celebration was made possible thanks to the generous support of Wilson College, the Gilmore-Hoerner Endowment, Cherry Knoll Farm, Explore Franklin County PA, and F&M Trust.
Missed the show or want to relive the magic? The full video of the drone show is posted below.
Wilson College proudly announces the successful completion of the We Rise: United for Wilson’s Future capital campaign, raising an extraordinary total of approximately $21.75 million over three years. This achievement reflects the deep generosity and enduring belief in Wilson’s mission shared by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College.
In May 2022, Wilson College launched the We Rise campaign, a transformative fundraising initiative designed to provide a strong foundation for Wilson’s future. The campaign responded directly to the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the rapidly changing higher education environment.
The We Rise campaign centered on five strategic priorities: Scholarships, Growth Initiatives, Faculty and Staff Support, Debt Reduction, and the Wilson Fund & Unrestricted Giving. These pillars directly aligned with the College’s five-year strategic plan, Future Wilson: The Phoenix Rises, reinforcing the institution’s core mission to provide a transformative and affordable education. By investing in these key areas, the campaign provided a platform for sustainable growth and institutional resilience. This vision was championed by Wilson’s leadership and Board of Trustees, who recognized that critical funding was essential to sustaining momentum and unlocking future potential for the College.
“Thanks to the strategic efforts of our dedicated faculty, staff, and administration, Wilson is well-positioned to thrive amid the evolving landscape of higher education,” said Jennifer Nickle Banzhof ’94, chair of the Wilson College Board of Trustees and member of the We Rise campaign committee. “Recognizing the importance of a strong investment in the strategic initiatives, the Trustees prioritized securing additional funding to enrich the academic curricula, attract and retain talented students, faculty, and staff, and ensure a Wilson education remains both accessible and transformational.”
Fueled by the campaign’s success, Wilson College achieved a historic milestone in Fall 2025 by reaching the highest-ever point-in-time enrollment, with a 38% increase over the past three years. This surge reflects the impact of the strategic plan and marks a defining moment in Wilson’s history.
President Wesley Fugate, Ph.D., captured the spirit of the campaign when he said, “This is our time—to steady this College, to rise above the noise, to prove that Wilson doesn’t just survive… she endures, she inspires, and she transforms.”
What made We Rise truly special was the breadth and depth of support—from young alumni making their first $1,000 gifts to longtime trustees doubling their commitments. This collective spirit of generosity and belief in Wilson’s future will be honored with a donor recognition display, to be unveiled this fall on the ground floor of John Stewart Memorial Library. The display will serve as a lasting reminder of what’s possible when a community rises together in pursuit of a bold and hopeful future.
The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) has awarded Wilson College a $6,000 grant to support scholarships for the 2025–2026 academic year. This fall, three dedicated students pursuing careers in animal-related fields will benefit from TERF’s continued generosity.
The TERF scholarship provides vital financial support to students majoring in equine studies, equine-facilitated therapeutics, veterinary nursing, or animal studies. With a mission to promote Thoroughbred health and welfare, TERF funds scholarships, educational initiatives, and equine research, with a priority on making racing safer.
This year’s recipients are Olivia Ewing ’26, a veterinary nursing major with an Equi-assist concentration, Kendi Long '26, an equine studies major; and Regina Snyder '26, majoring in equine facilitated therapeutics.
Snyder, a two-time recipient, expressed her gratitude to the TERF organization. "This scholarship has been instrumental in helping me pursue my studies in equine facilitated therapeutics and equine studies. Receiving it again this year not only eases the financial burden of higher education but also reinforces my motivation to work hard toward my academic and professional goals," she said.
Since 2015, TERF generously awarded over $118,000 in scholarships to Wilson College students, including this year's grant. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and demonstrated commitment to equine-related fields. Any student enrolled in equine studies, equine-facilitated therapeutics, veterinary nursing, or animal studies is eligible for these TERF scholarships and awards.
At Wilson College, the scholarship recipients benefit from expert instruction and mentorship through programs led by Janice Holland, Ph.D., associate professor and director of equine studies, and Tammy Ege, assistant professor and director of veterinary nursing and animal studies. Their leadership ensures the scholarship recipients receive a top-tier education in their respective fields.
To learn more about the TERF scholarships and awards visit https://www.terfusa.org/
On September 20th, Michelle Miller, a Master of Organizational Leadership candidate at Wilson College, hosted an educational clinic at the Wilson College Equestrian Center.
Michelle with one of our equine demonstrators, Sebastian
The event welcomed around 40 attendees, including students from the Equine Studies and Equine Facilitated Therapeutics (EFT) programs, alumni, local stable owners, and community members.
The clinic featured two guest presenters. Kendra Clarke led the first session, focusing on how different types of horse conformation can affect a rider. Wilson’s Director of Equestrian Teams, Kailey Vande Kamp, participated as a demonstration rider. Kendra also shared mounted and unmounted exercises designed to help horses improve their movement based on conformational challenges—physical traits or structural characteristics in the horse’s body that may affect its movement, performance, or comfort when doing tasks or being ridden.
The second session was led by Lisa Pulliam, who demonstrated how equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions are conducted. She also explained how horses can influence the human somatic nervous system.
Four of Wilson’s school horses—Sebastian, Potato, Jellybean, and Waffles—were part of the demonstrations and helped make the clinic a success.
The EFT Club, advised by Miller, supported the event by selling snacks and drinks and speaking with attendees about their experiences in the program.
Miiller shared, ""Wilson College's Master of Organizational Leadership program has been a transformational experience. Each class taught me something that I have already applied in my career, and the capstone experience provided me an opportunity to put all the concepts previous classes taught me into action in a meaningful way."
Thank you to everyone who helped make the clinic a valuable learning experience for all who attended.
On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Wilson College invites the community to look to the skies for a breathtaking celebration of history, innovation, and unity. From 8 to 8:15 p.m., the College will host its first-ever drone light show, titled “We Rise: Honoring History. Inspiring Tomorrow.” This free event is open to the public and promises a memorable experience for all ages.
“We are inviting everyone in Franklin County and beyond to join us for this historic event,” said Wilson College President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. “It will be a powerful way to celebrate Wilson’s history in our community and look to a united vision for tomorrow. Join us for an evening of light, sound, and storytelling as Wilson College lights up the sky and inspires the future.”
The 15-minute show will feature hundreds of synchronized drones illuminating the night sky with stunning imagery that pays tribute to America, Franklin County, and Wilson College. The show will include a symbolic flight of the phoenix and other captivating visuals, accompanied by a custom soundtrack and narration accessible via smartphone.
Event Details:
This event is made possible through the generous support of Wilson College, the Gilmore-Hoerner Endowment, Cherry Knoll Farm, Explore Franklin County PA, and F&M Trust.
For more information visit www.wilson.edu/drone.
Wilson College has reached its highest-ever point-in-time (PIT) enrollment for the start of a fall semester with 1,877 students enrolled across all programs. This reflects a 10% increase over Fall 2024 enrollment and a growth of 38% over the last three years since the College’s lowest post-pandemic enrollment, marking a historic milestone in Wilson’s history.
This remarkable achievement represents growth in first-time-in-college students, Wilson College Online, dual enrollment high school students, and continued success in the Teacher Certification Program (TCP). These gains reflect Wilson’s commitment to access, affordability, and retention, even as colleges and universities nationwide face enrollment challenges.
“The future is truly bright at Wilson, and this historic moment is a testament to the hard work and innovation of our entire community," said President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. “We expect our enrollment to continue to expand with the inaugural class of our Doctor of Occupational Therapy program beginning classes in January 2026 and new speech language and physical therapy programs expected to start in 2027.”
While the official census will be finalized after the Fall 2 add/drop period, early indicators suggest continued growth across multiple student populations. New undergraduate academic programs in computer science and cybersecurity exceeded expectations in their inaugural year. Programs in Veterinary Nursing, Pre-Vet, and BSN Pre-Licensure demonstrated strong recovery, steadily returning to pre-pandemic levels. The College also welcomed more student-athletes, including competitive equestrian riders and participants in Wilson’s Division III NCAA programs.
To assist with student success and retention, Wilson also hired a Dean of Student Success and restructured its Academic Success Center. Beginning with the Fall 2025 semester, every student is now assigned a Student Success Coach for personalized guidance and a Personal Librarian, further enhancing the College’s already robust academic support services.
By Shelby Bowman '26
Launched in 2016, Sarah’s Cupboard is Wilson College’s on-campus food pantry, dedicated to supporting students facing food insecurity and rising grocery costs. Located in Lower Lenfest and overseen by Andrew Hart, the Nancy A. Besch ’48 and Elisabeth Clarkson ’47 College Chaplain, the pantry provides students with access to essential items.
This fall, Susan “Evie” Hubbard ’28 collaborated with Hart to create an online ordering system for the pantry. Inspired by grocery store pickup services, Hubbard and Hart wanted to create a system that prioritized convenience and confidentiality. Their goal was to make students feel more comfortable using Sarah’s Cupboard, while easing the stigma surrounding food insecurity.
“As part of the Single Parent Scholar program at Wilson, I understand how busy life can get. By adding online ordering, anyone can order from their phone or laptop,” Hubbard said.
Previously, Sarah’s was open for just ten hours per week, but with online ordering students can request food any day of the week. Hart said, “They can order and get their food within 24 hours. All they need to do is pick up their package and go.” All orders are bagged and only identified by the student’s food pantry number.
“My background in food pantries has shown me one of the main factors that drive people away is the stigma associated with seeking assistance,” explained Hubbard. “An online ordering system offers a new layer of privacy to Sarah’s Cupboard and will hopefully encourage more individuals to access the support they need.”
With 23% of undergraduate students in Pennsylvania experiencing food insecurity, Sarah’s Cupboard ensures that no student at Wilson College goes without food.
“I am trying to remove every barrier that I can think of for students who need food,” said Hart. “I want to make sure that Sarah’s is available to them as much as possible, and I don’t want a possible feeling of a stigma to be a barrier.”
If you're interested in donating to Sarah's Cupboard, you can find more information here.
Written by Shelby Bowman '26
In recent years, the Student Center in Lower Lenfest had become an underused space. To change that, the Office of Student Development introduced “Time Out” to encourage students to spend more time there. With simple, fun, and relaxing activities that changed every Monday, Time Out began providing a space for students to decompress in-between classes, and because of its success, it is back again this year.
Time Out is not only revitalizing the Student Center; it also offers something for students seeking solo downtime—an often-overlooked need on campus. “Students can go alone, or they can go with friends,” said Sarah-Jane Flook, coordinator of student engagement and international scholar services, “whether they have a minute, three minutes, or three hours.”
From jigsaw puzzles to arts and crafts, the activities each week are meant to appeal to a range of interests, so there is something for everyone. Some weeks follow a theme for that month, like a photo collage for Women’s History Month in March or a quiz for Alcohol Awareness Month, which even included a small prize.“We wanted to have some sort of activity that would change on a weekly basis,” Flook explained. “Something that enabled us to leave out the materials, leave out the instructions, and students could find in the same place every week.”
Suggestions are also welcome. At the end of last semester, Flook placed a sheet in the Center, asking students what they wanted for future Time Out activities. “Someone asked for Legos, so I bought a couple of adult Lego kits,” Flook said. “Those will be going out at some point over the fall semester.”
Wilson College will present an exhibition of work by artist Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. in the Bogigian Gallery, Lortz Hall, from September 18 through November 7, 2025. The College will host an opening reception starting at 4:30 p.m. on September 18.
Titled “Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.: Consider Everything An Experiment,” the exhibition showcases Kennedy’s dynamic approach to letterpress printing, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design sensibilities. Known for his bold, layered compositions and distinctive typographic style, Kennedy’s work invites viewers to engage with language, color, and form in fresh and thought-provoking ways.
Working with handset wood and metal type, Kennedy emphasizes the physical labor and tactile beauty of the traditional printing process. His method of overprinting vibrant colors in dense, rhythmic layers results in visually striking pieces that allow chance and repetition to become part of the message. No two prints are ever the same as each carries its own visual weight and emotional resonance. The Library of Congress, Emory University, and the Newberry Library, among others, house Kennedy’s work, which is recognized for its combination of wit, insight, and craftsmanship.
This exhibition celebrates letterpress printing as a medium of artistic dialogue and cultural expression.
A newly released economic impact report from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) reveals that Wilson College contributes an estimated $89.9 million to the Pennsylvania economy and supports 820 jobs across the Commonwealth.
The comprehensive 28-page report, conducted by the nationally recognized Parker Strategy Group, highlights the significant role Wilson College and other AICUP member institutions play in driving economic growth, job creation, and public revenue. The analysis considered direct spending on operations, wages, capital projects, and the ripple effects of student and visitor expenditures.
“Wilson College has long been a center of academic excellence, and this report affirms that the College’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. With nearly $90 million contributed to Pennsylvania’s economy and over 800 jobs supported statewide, Wilson is proud to be a vital force in the Commonwealth’s economic sustainability,” said President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
According to the study, Wilson College supports and sustains 820 jobs throughout the state through direct employment, indirect and induced jobs created by supply and equipment vendors and contractors, and jobs created throughout the state in support of the institution’s faculty, staff, students, and visitors. AICUP schools are among the top employers in Pennsylvania and contribute to the creation of nearly 200,000 jobs overall.
The study also concluded that Wilson College generates about $6.9 million in tax revenues annually for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for local governments, through sales tax, property tax, personal income tax, and corporate income taxes.
