Faculty and staff at Wilson College are presenting some of the latest and most interesting topics at the event known as Common Hour.
This year, Melodie Hoff and Ronda Ranalli are in charge of creating and scheduling these events. Melodie Hoff stated , “The Common Hour events are particularly meaningful to schedule because they create a sense of community among faculty, staff, and students. Planning Common Hour events is not stressful because presenters are always eager and excited to participate and share their research, and attendees enjoy the fellowship. The fresh baked pizza and cookies are also a delicious bonus.”
What is Common Hour?
Common Hour’s goal is to highlight Wilson College’s professors, faculty, and students who have conducted research in their specific fields of study. Common Hour events are scheduled each semester with new speakers presenting their research. Professor Julie Raulli shares her excitement on the upcoming Common Hour in October, “I am excited that several recipients of the Earthwatch Award, myself included, will be able to share their "citizen science" experiences with the Wilson community. I'm also excited that Joan Thuebel, Class of '52, who generously supports this opportunity, and Denise McDowell, Director of Major Gifts, will be present to discuss the history of the Earthwatch Award at Wilson.”
Truly, Common Hour sessions are not to just share the research, but also to encourage curiosity, questioning, and further research. Dr. Michael Cornelius says that, “Events like these are, in some ways, the purest form of that – an audience listening to a passionate speaker talk on a matter they have been very recently researching, and then asking questions and sharing their own thoughts on the subject as well.”
When is Common Hour Held?
Common Hour is open to the public to come listen and enjoy learning. The next Common Hour dates are October 10th and November 14th. The talks are held on the ground floor of the John Stewart Memorial Library from 11 a.m. till Noon. The faculty senate, Melodie Hoff, Ronda Ranalli, and Dr. Michael Cornelius believe that “knowledge and learning are at the heart of everything we do.”
Common Hour does just that.
Why should I attend Common Hour?
Common Hour strives to encourage further knowledge, learning, and growth.
Though life may get overwhelming at times and students are constantly on the move here at Wilson College, Common Hours may be just the perfect break to walk away from the busy schedule, listen, and take in new, fascinating ideas and information about our world. Common Hour aims to always remind Wilson faculty, staff, and students that learning, gaining knowledge, and encouraging curiosity is at the heart of growth, spreading ideas, and making impossible dreams become a reality.
For more information on Common Hour visit https://www.wilson.edu/common-hour or our social media pages.
Written by Morgan Faith for ENG 309 Social Media/Web Content Practicum class
Relaunched choir revives campus music tradition with emphasis on inclusion.
Music at Wilson College invites the community to join students, faculty, and staff in the Cumberland Valley Chorale at Wilson College for its 2023-24 season.
Rehearsals take place on Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Alumnae Chapel in Thomson Hall, Wilson College, beginning September 10. All voice parts are welcome, and no audition is required.
The Chorale will present a Christmas Vespers concert on December 10, 2023, and a spring concert on April 28, 2024. The ensemble is under the direction of Dillon Beede, Wilson College’s Director of Choral Activities.
Formerly the Wilson College Choir, the Cumberland Valley Chorale at Wilson College expands on the tradition of choral music at Wilson College to include the greater Chambersburg community.
“Music is a way to build connections with our community across beliefs, identity, age, and more,” Beede said. “The Chorale is a space for every voice to come together and create moments of transcendence, beauty, and peace.”
Wilson College Master of Organizational Leadership student, Rebecca "Becky" Whigham spent four weeks in Uganda this summer studying food security and education from a global perspective. She did it as part of her guided study class called Studies in Global Food Security.
The experience, called Teach Ag Uganda, was a USDE Fulbright-Hays funded trip coordinated between Global Teach Ag Network (GTAN) and Penn State. Daniel Foster and Melanie Miller Foster, the founders of GTAN led the trip with partnership from Field of Hope. The goal was to pair educator teams from the United States with five schools in Uganda to develop a project focused on combatting food insecurity in that local area.
Agriculture teacher Okello Bonny, Becky, Entrepreneurship teacher Ateng Rachel, Penn Manor Agriculture teacher Mary Wurzbach, and Agriculture teacher Oluma Tom Richard.
Becky explained, "I had the privilege of traveling with other amazing educators from across the country and we collaborated with Field of Hope, a US based nonprofit that support agriculture programs in Uganda. We worked with agriculture teachers in Uganda on a poultry program that supported project -based learning related to agriculture."
The team of educators worked with St. Katherine Secondary School, an all-girls boarding school in Boroboro, Lira District, Uganda, to create a poultry project. It was facilitated by the school's poultry club and they will be raising four hundred egg laying hens using a deep litter system.
One day-hatchlings arriving for the poultry project.
Becky teaches middle school family and consumer science at Big Spring Middle School, and obtained her teaching certification in English after completing the Teacher Certification Pathways (TCP) program at Wilson College in 2010. (Fun fact - Becky even met her husband in a TCP class at Wilson.) As a Master of Organizational Leadership student, Becky is developing the skills to be an effective leader in her career and community. Part of the MOL mission is to develop honorable leaders, effective communicators, and agents of justice. The Teach Ag Uganda trip met all these objectives.
Becky added, "It was an incredible experience, and I was so grateful to pursue graduate credit for the time spent. I have always had a passion for agriculture and there is a natural collaboration between FCS and Agriculture education—they need each other."
The team also went on a safari, an exciting opportunity to see animals in the wild!
Jen Nickle Banzhof ’94 assumed the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Wilson College on July 1, replacing retiring Chair Barbara Tenney ’67, M.D. “Jen Banzhof is an alumna, the mother of an alumna, and has served on the Board of Trustees for nine years,” said Tenney, who has served on the Board for 21 years in total, including two stints as Chair. “She has come back on the Board as Chair, and I know she will do an outstanding job.”
“Wilson is such a huge part of who I am, and the Board’s vote of confidence in electing me as Chair seems a testament to the value of my Wilson education,” Banzhof said. “I’m truly honored and very excited to be returning to the Board.”
Banzhof is the co-owner of BHA Consulting LLC — an employee benefits consulting and actuarial firm. There she specializes in self-funded health benefits provided through collective bargaining. She plans to leverage decades of organizational and negotiating experience in service to the College. “We are facing a pivotal time in higher education, particularly for small private colleges, and I want to do my part to help Wilson rise to the challenge,” Banzhof said.
For Banzhof, attending Wilson College was life-changing. She entered a shy and quiet woman who wanted to be a veterinarian. By the time she graduated, she had discovered a love of statistics and developed the interpersonal and public speaking skills and confidence to be a leader. Her daughter Delaney also attended Wilson and graduated in 2022. Delaney’s success at the College inspired Banzhof to make a large gift to help other students attend Wilson. “There are so many students out there that would thrive in Wilson’s supportive, close-knit community that would (otherwise) struggle or just get by in other environments,” Banzhof explained.
“I am excited to collaborate with Jen to help Wilson achieve our mission and reach for new heights,” said President Wes Fugate. “Uniquely, she shares the perspective of not only being an alumna of Wilson but a parent of a recent graduate. She has a keen intellect and valuable life experience that will be instrumental to the Board and the College as we seek to offer a transformative education to our students.”
I graduated in 2017 with degrees in both Film and Spanish. Right away, I started working in entertainment. I moved to Los Angeles in 2018 and ended up falling into reality television when I landed a job working for Survivor. After some time working in the office, I had the incredible opportunity to work on location in Fiji for four seasons! It was beautiful and despite the occasional long days, it sometimes felt like a vacation!
My working with Survivor opened the door to work for another CBS reality show, Big Brother, which I have also done for quite a few seasons now.
Although I have loved my time in entertainment, work is not always steady or stable. During 2020, this was especially true. It made me reevaluate career options. I thought about what I could see myself doing long term and teaching came to mind. My mother taught for many years and I've always thought that if I wasn't in entertainment, I'd follow in her footsteps!
Because my whole family is in PA, I plan on relocating back when I start teaching full time. For this reason, I started looking for PA schools with great education programs. Finding the Teacher Certification Pathways (TCP) program at Wilson College was almost too good to be true since it allowed me to stay living and working in Los Angeles while taking my classes. It's been such an incredible experience!
I hope to teach Spanish at the elementary school level because I strongly believe it's vital to start learning a second language as a child and, in my opinion, Spanish is one of the most important languages to learn! I also hope to be a shining light for all students, especially those who may need a positive or comforting presence in their lives.
Congratulations to all the students who made the Wilson College Dean's List for Spring 2023.
Hannah Faith Aker Chloe Elizabeth Antalek Hannah Anastasia Aument Brady C. Bakner Taylor Noelle Barker Kaley Margaret Barnhart Georgia Lynn Barry Averi Joan Bassett Annmarie Batey Natalie Olivia Beckner Jenna C. Benke Hannah Rae Berrier Rachel M. Biesecker Connor Michael Bowers Madison Katherine Briggs Haiden Lynn Brookens Mia Nicole Brunet Alexis P. Buckley Madelyn Teresa Bush Reagan Faith Bush Sarah Elizabeth Bushey Sophia Gianna Callahan Elisabeth M. Camplese Ayanna Yalaina Cannon Jayce A. Carr Briar Dwight Castellow Hailey Nicole Chaney Seongyeon Cho Victoria Joy Cooper Caryn Rebecca Cordell Jorge Mariano Cortez Geneva Luree Dardick Colin Lee Davidson Hannah Alysabeth Deline Isabella Di Troia Tabytha Elizabeth DiGiosio Kassandra Lynn Dotterer Anika Eigen-Zucchi Marissa Hope Eisenhauer Julia Leigh Elliott Olivia R. Ewing Teaghan Elise Ewing Anaida Fahradyan Morgan M. Faith Alexandra Christine Fishel Shannon L. Flaharty Patricia Gene Flook Raegan Helene Franz Delaney Madison Fulfer Claudia Abigail Fumagalli Marie Carmela Gallagher Mary J. Gantt Kelsey Lee Gaphardt Emily Jean Garner Olivia Barbara Gelbaugh Jarrett H. Gelsinger Efelomo Vanessa George Andrew Stephen Gervasi Anna C. Gibson Pheonix S. Gilbert Lainnie Sharon Glenn Erin C. Gohegan Lexie Saige Goshorn Shannon Renee Gouge Ryan Walton Green Miranda Rose Griffiths Elizabeth R. Grim Jasmine Marie Alexia Gruver Alecia Marie Hamilton Dino Hamzabegovic Naomi Alexa Hanton Shelby L. Harmon Mia Deanne Harris Jordan Faith Hastie Ella Kathryn Hawbecker Ramona Simone Hawkins Mary Elizabeth Heaton Linette Marie Hernandez Haden M. Hoff Eleni Makella Houck Anna M. Householder Jadzia Taylor Hoy Tashema C. Huffman Daeshaun Cortez Johnson Julia Melissa Johnson Mingyo Jung Simone Alaire Karustis Rebecca Fay Keenan Catarina M. Keifman Breaunna R. Kelso Everyn Connor Kenney Mariah Kiefer Krystal Lynn Kienast Gracen Lorraine Kreider Sage N. Lague Rachel Marie Laidlaw Elizabeth Reynolds Landon Aura Kathryn Langley Kayleigh Nicole Layfield Shannon Blaine Little Aliya Corynne Lockman Kendi Delgado Long Emma G. Lowman Adrian Lugo Olivia S. Martin Michael R. McGee Sierra Haven Mckimmy Carley Rae McNew McKenzie Lee Meiser Deahnirah Ranee Menedis Klarissa L. Miley Bailey A. Miller Madison E. Miller Shalyn D. Miller Julia Marie Mohler Skylar Morgan Molnar Breauna Mae Myers Vincent Michael Natale Madeline Rachel Neway Ariel Kathleen Noel Michaela G. Oberholzer Kaitlyn Jade O'Shea Isabelle Michele Passmore Blake E. Perry Alexis M. Pflumm Rosa Marie Portilla Lexanda A. Ramirez-Teo Carolyn Alice Randolph Tachae Evette Marie Range Kassie Sierra Reeves Taylor Jade Reikie Aaron Rein Ryan Joseph Reinhardt Makayla Rae Reiter Rachael Irene Rementer Elizabeth Lan Yu Rentsch Kayla Richards Katie N. Riley Gary Magic Robertson Lesley Rodriguez Rachel A. Rodriguez Abigail C. Rosenberry Erin Rebecca Roszkowiak Timothy Joshua Royal Emma Morgan Rubey Julie Ann Ruggiero Nicole Sadlowski Eryka Nicole Sager Andrea Sandoval Katelynn A. Scott Abby Zoe Sentz Halley Grace Shaffer Megan Grace Shank Kenna R. Shearer Allyson Lynne Shindler Megan Nicole Simms Kaeten Isaiah Sipes Dylan David Skeele Madison Smarsh Amanda P. Smida Jamie D. Smith Regina A. Snyder Bianca Joy Sommers Skyler Autumn Speigle Hailey Mckenna Steele Mazie G. Sterner Ashley Mae Stevens Lydia Jane Story Hennessy Jordan Strine Hayden Leena Sturgeon Adrianna Rose Swanson Alexandria Grace Swanson Alexis Nicole Swanson Ava M. Swartz Raina Catherine Sylvestre Peyton W. Taylor Alexus Nicole Testerman Megan O. Thompson Benjamin Alexander Tunnell Gretchen Alissa Turner Elizabeth Claire Vuxta Jakob Robert Wallauer Gillian G. Walters Julie Marie Warnick Janae Leigh Watkins Laiken Jade Welsh Alyssa Corin Wenger Melissa Kay West Rachael Annette Weston Noah Mark Wickenheiser Lea Rylee Wilhelm Madison Elizabeth Williard Amanda Marie Wilson Danielle Marie Wilson Morgan Patricia Wineburg Judith Arlene Wolf Jade A. Wolfe Hannah M. Woodward Kylie C. Wright Jungin Yang Jordan Nicole Yeager Liam R. Yeatman Emily Doris Young
* Recent grad, Victor Ortiz '23 who is finishing up his time at Wilson with a class in social media and web writing, shares his perspective on Reunion 2023.
As a student who goes home after the last day of class, I never heard of Reunion before. This year I attended Reunion to cover the event for social media as part of my ENG 309 practicum class. It's my first year as an alum, so I had no expectations of the event.
At the beginning of the Spring 2023 semester I realized that when it was over, my time at Wilson College would be done. I was in my last few months of college and had a limited amount of time. This was it, my last chance to create memories to share with family and friends.
This Reunion made me realize that I can still create more memories of college. I never expected to have such a good time as I did at Reunion. I had an amazing time and I created more unforgettable moments. I thought my chapter in college was coming to an end but I see that Reunion can open doors to create more memories and there is still a lot left to do for Wilson as an alum.
Throughout the whole weekend full of activities, I talked with alums from different classes. Sharing stories of Wilson, it was amazing to see how much I had in common with them. Especially with these two alumnae, Judy Kreutz Young '63 and Anne Yerkes Barton '63, who were best friends and roommates, just as I am best friends with my roommate.
The State of the College with President Fugate held my attention longer than any lecture, class, presentation, or movie. I got to see a point of view of Wilson that without attending the event I would have never learned about.
I wish and want more alums to come to Reunion in the future. I want current students, future students, and our most recent alums to know that after graduation, there is still a lot of Wilson to enjoy by being engaged with the college.
Commencement 2023 was a roller coaster of emotions. I was full of happiness, proud of everything that the Class of 2023 has accomplished, but above all of this, I was sad that it is over and I am at the end of my college experience.
The two main leaders of Wilson for this year’s class, Anaida Fahradyan, president of the Class of 2023, and President Wesley Fugate, gave two wonderful speeches that left me and my classmates speechless. Anaida informed us about the war in her country, Armenia, and how her family was not able to come the United States to watch her graduate. After giving a few words addressing and thanking her family for support in her native language (because they were watching the livestream) there was such a strike of emotions.
Later, as our eyes were closed, hearing the President sharing the experiences that will only happen at Wilson, made me realize how much I am going to be missing Wilson and that it is really is the end.
After graduation was over, the hug with my parents and my brother who came to Wilson for the second time all the way from Puerto Rico, was the moment in which all my tears started falling.
Although it is the end of my chapter as a student, my chapter as an alum has just begun and I will be emotionally attached to Wilson forever. The late-night study sessions at Sarah’s Coffeehouse, the ice cream at the dining hall, faculty connecting personally with students, Andrew singing at the dining hall, the bingos, duck hunt, and egg hunt in the green, all of these just happens at Wilson, and it’s what it makes Wilson unique and special.
Victor Ortiz '23 is taking practicum course ENG-309: Social Media/Web Content and for a hands-on assignment shared his thoughts on Commencement 2023 from a student's perspective.
On April 25th, a member of the Student Financial Services Center traveled to the Harrisburg Capitol building with students Maya Grove and Ryan Reinhardt, to advocate during "AICUP Day on the Hill". Both students volunteered their time to speak with State Representatives Paul Schemel and Rob Kauffman to express the importance of continuing to fund the PA State Grant, which benefits students at PA independent institutions, like Wilson. AICUP Day on the Hill is a one day event where our PA independent schools bring students together to advocate. This was our first year back in person since COVID!
The College honored students and faculty at the annual Academic Awards ceremony on Friday, April 29, at the Brooks Science Center auditorium. Each prize recognizes excellence in scholarship, achievement, or teaching, and the event is a celebration of the outstanding students and faculty at Wilson.
We are proud to list the awardees:
Nicholas Mattson received the Outstanding Peer Teacher Award.
Jordan Yeager was awarded the Class of 1957 Civic Engagement Award for a student who exemplifies civic engagement at Wilson College through involvement in volunteer roles on and off-campus.
Mia Harris was awarded the Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize. The Wilson College Psychology Club established this award in recognition of Professors Edward and Sarah Anderson for their devotion to psychology while professors at the College. It recognizes a graduating senior for outstanding scholarship in psychology. The psychology faculty selected the recipients in consultation with the Dean of the College.
Rachel Staley and Simone Karustis received the Sophie’s Six Award, in memory of Sophie Grace Martin, awarded to seniors majoring or minoring in psychology or a related field and with an intended career in counseling.
Elizabeth Rentsch (performance) and Madeline Neway (scholarship) won the James Applegate Award. Established in honor of James Applegate, Ph.D., Dean Emeritus and Emeritus Professor of English, it is awarded to a student or students with an interest in and appreciation of drama and theater.
The Donald Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching went to Daniela DiGregorio and Alan Jeff Rock.
Mariah Kiefer received the Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award for a student or students who participate in the service-learning component of the Global Citizenship Initiative. This award is to offset expenses associated with travel to another country for the awardee.
Daeshaun Johnson won the Alice Brumbaugh Award for Sociology, awarded to a sociology student in honor of Professor Brumbaugh. It was created in her honor in 1998 by fellow faculty member and sociologist Carolyn Zeleny.
Amanda Smida won the Carolyn Zeleny Prize awarded to a sociology student in the junior or senior class in honor of Professor Emerita of sociology Carolyn Zeleny. It is awarded for academic excellence and/or community service. The winner is selected in consolation with the sociology faculty.
Judith Wolf received the General Chemistry Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in general chemistry.
Katie Riley and Lydia Story received the Barsy-Colgan Academic Research Gift Award. The Student Research Day Committee presented the two students with this award to support their academic research. They were selected by the committee after submitting a proposed budget, timeline, and cover letter describing their project or conference and how it would benefit both their academic careers and Wilson College
Anaida Fahradyan won The Marel Harlow Cheng Memorial Prize. This award recognizes a student who has done well in international studies or has made noticeable contributions to international understanding.
Nicholas Mattson won the Regina Shaputnic Cuomo Mathematics Award. In memory of Regina Shaputnic Cuomo, class of 1961, it is awarded to a student or students pursuing a major in mathematics who exhibit outstanding ability.
Ella Hawbecker was awarded the Robert Shannon McElwain Prize, established by the gift of his daughter, the late Mary Belle McElwain, class of 1895. It is awarded to the best student in mathematics in the first-year class.
Lydia Story won the prestigious Margaret Criswell Disert Honors Scholarship. Established in 1993 in memory of Margaret Disert, Dean Emerita, of the class of 1920, it is awarded to a rising senior who has, in the judgment of the Selection Committee, submitted the proposal for Senior Advanced Study and Research considered most worthy of support. Outstanding achievement in this project will merit the awarding of Honors in the Major upon graduation.
The Joan M. Thuebel ’52 Earthwatch Prize sponsors students and faculty members to participate in an Earthwatch Institute project of their choosing. 2023 recipients were Myla Owens and Kendi Long.
Eryka Sager was awarded the Estep-Lawson Memorial Prize. Established through gifts in memory of Jean McSparran Estep of the class of 1929 and Beverly Bell Lawson of the class of 1958, it is awarded to a senior graduating with a major in Liberal Studies who demonstrates excellence and leadership across the disciplines.
Paige Schade won the Donna Gomer VMT Award. It was established by Donna Gomer ’98 in 2004 to be awarded to a CCE student displaying excellence in their field of study in Veterinary Medical Technology.
Kelly Lepouski received the Davison Greenawalt Grove Award, in honor of Davison Greenawalt Grove, Professor Emeritus of Biology. Established by Dr. Carol Sachs Scatarige, a member of the class of 1968, and the Wilson College Science Club, it is awarded to a member of the junior or senior class participating in research in the area of Physical and Life Sciences. Candidates are nominated and selected by a committee composed of the Science Faculty and one Science Club representative not currently involved in research.
The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) has awarded their Outstanding Senior Award for 2023 to Michael McGee.
Madison Ross received the Richard C. Grove Award in Business and Economics. Established in honor of Richard C. Grove, Board of Trustees from 2010-2016, it is awarded to a student who demonstrates outstanding ability and has distinguished themselves academically in accounting, business administration, financial mathematics, or economics.
Anaida Fahradayan won the William P. Van Looy Business Prize. It was established in 1990 by Priscilla Van Looy and Ellen Van Looy Reed of the class of 1953, in memory of William P. Van Looy, businessman and community servant. It is awarded to the junior or senior business and economics major who has demonstrated excellence in business studies and service to the Wilson College and the larger community. The business and economics faculty select the recipient.
Melissa West received the Dorle Haas Memorial Prize, endowed by the members of the class of 1946, in memory of Sister Dorle Haas, member of the Order of the Little Sisters of Jesus. It is awarded to a senior for outstanding service within the greater Chambersburg community. A committee appointed by the president selects the winner.
Rebecca Galvin was awarded the Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize for Exemplary Volunteer Leadership, established by Gloria Randle Scott, former member of the Board of Trustees and recipient of an Honorary Degree. This is awarded to that member of the senior class who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service during their four years at Wilson College.
Aaron Rein won the Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award, endowed by classmates and friends of the late Joanne Hopkins, class of 1957. The prize is for the finest piece of imaginative literature in fiction, poetry, or drama produced during the academic year.
Natalie Beckner was awarded the William and Ivy Saylor Prize. Endowed by Raymond W. Britcher and established through the Academy of American Poets, the prize supports young poets through a program established by the Academy of American Poets at colleges nationwide. Winners receive a cash prize and a one-year membership in the Academy.
Andrea Sandoval received the Helga Rist Prize awarded in honor of Jose Cordova and Beate Schiwek to a dedicated, successful, American foreign language student who has demonstrated integrity, promise, and potential.
Anaida Fahradyan received the Josef Michael Kellinger German or Foreign Language Award in honor of Josef Michael Kellinger, Ph.D., Professor of German. His wife, Cesi Kellinger, and their daughters award it to a student who has demonstrated excellence in German or foreign language studies.
Ryan Reinhardt received the Mary-Eleanor Maule Travel Grant for travel planned in support of a student's study in Spanish, which is awarded from the proceeds of the Mary-Eleanor Maule Memorial Fund. The recipient must be a member of the incoming junior or senior class or graduating senior selected by the Dean of the College in consolation with the Spanish faculty.
Moriah Steinberger was awarded The Lt. Colonel William A. Knaus Award for Veteran’s Service. This award recognizes a senior student who is a veteran with high academic achievement. Awarded in memory of Lt. Colonel William A. Knaus, father of President Barbara K. Mistick, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. He received two Bronze Stars for his service and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel at the time of his discharge.
Megan VanScoyoc received the Mildred Franklin Prize for excellence in classical languages. Endowed by the late Mildred Franklin, Professor Emerita of classical languages, it is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated proficiency in Latin or Greek and has shown understanding of the literature and thought of the ancient civilizations.
William Merk won the Helen Adams Nutting History Prize for a junior or senior who has demonstrated outstanding ability in the field of history. Established in memory of Helen Adams Nutting, Professor Emerita of history, it is maintained by alums and students of Wilson College.
Lydia Story won The Alta Lindsay McElwain Prize given to a first-year student who shows excellence in Latin or Greek studies.
Kaitlyn O'Shea was awarded the Wilson College Nursing Clinical Leadership Award. It is given annually to a student who demonstrates outstanding overall ability to excel in their clinical work within the nursing program.
Vanessa Efelomo George and Aura Langley were awarded the Wilson College Nursing Department Award. It is given to students who have demonstrated continuous support of the nursing department through hard work and effort that echoes the department’s philosophy.
Amber Ausherman received the Wilson College Nursing Leadership Award for a student who has demonstrated nursing leadership abilities both outside and inside the classroom.
Marielis Lopez received The Suzanne Blumenthal Prize in Healthcare and Medical Humanities for a graduating senior studying Healthcare and Medical Humanities for academic excellence in the disciplines of both healthcare studies as well as the humanities.
Ariel Noel, Lydia Story, and Hannah Aument received the Wilson College Organic Chemistry Award – an anonymously supported award given to a student or students in organic chemistry who have the highest grades earned for the year. The award funds a reference book of the student’s choice.
Annmarie Batey was awarded the Nicky Hoffman Reich Award, given annually to the Wilson student whose work with animals shows commitment to their humane treatment.
Katie Riley was awarded the John D. Rose Award in Environmental Studies. Established in 1995 by family and friends in memory of Wilson student and naturalist John Rose, it supports those who share his enthusiasm and love of the wilderness and natural world and promotes a tradition of dedication to wildlife and its conservation. The award is given to an outstanding junior majoring in environmental studies or biology to fund a summer research project or internship in some area of environmental studies, ecology, or conservation biology.
Connor Bowers and Abby Sentz received E. Grace White Summer Scholarships for the most outstanding junior students in the area of biology. The scholarships are to be used towards an approved summer laboratory.
Rose Runyan (not pictured) received the E. Grace White Prize, awarded to a senior whose major is biology or biochemistry and who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and plans a career involving the biological sciences. The prize is endowed by a bequest from the eponymous Professor Emerita of biology.
Jarret Gelsinger was awarded the Margaret Strode Haines Award, which recognizes a student with outstanding qualities of scholarship, interest in the humanities and strength of body, mind and spirit.
Julia Johnson and Kobe MacPherson (not pictured) received the Mary Beers Sheppard Prize. Established by Benjamin M. Sheppard in memory of his sister who was of the class of 1895. It is awarded to members of the senior class who, in the judgment of the English faculty, have shown the keenest understanding and appreciation of literature.
Anika Eigen-Zucchi received the Virginia Dodd Cooper Prize. Established by a number of her former students in memory of Virginia Dodd Cooper, Professor Emerita, it is awarded to a senior graphic design or web design student who has demonstrated excellence in the field and all of their academic work.
Julia Johnson was awarded the Wilson Glencairn Bowlby Equestrian Award, presented to a graduating senior who has excelled in her academic work and equitation. The recipient, selected by the equestrian studies faculty, has her name engraved on a plaque mounted on the base of a sculpture donated to the College by nationally recognized sculptress Glencairn Bowlby.
Jarrett Gelsinger received the Wilson College Fine Arts Prize, awarded to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in both art history and studio art.
