The renovation of Wilson College’s John Stewart Memorial Library has received a boost, thanks to a gift of up to $3.6 million from Marguerite Lenfest of Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
Wilson College President Barbara K. Mistick announced the gift with its matching elements at a meeting of the college’s board of trustees at its meeting in late February.
“This gift is significant because libraries are the heart of a college and representative of quality academics,” Mistick said. “We are excited about the plans for a progressive, modern library with a learning commons that will become the center of our academic community.”
The college has embarked on a $12 million fundraising effort to repair and restore the original 1923 library building, while razing a 1961 addition and replacing it with a learning commons equipped to meet the changing needs of today’s educators and students. Prior to the Lenfest gift, Wilson had raised $2.4 million for the project.
“I am excited about the transformation recently put in motion at Wilson College,” said Marguerite Lenfest, a 1955 graduate of Wilson. “I am proud to be able to demonstrate my support and to help address the college's most urgent need—the renovation of the John Stewart Memorial Library into a learning commons for the 21st century. It is my hope that this gift shows the strength of my commitment to Wilson today and inspires others to support the library project, which is essential to the academic core of the college and of great importance to both current and prospective students.”
Originally founded as a women’s college in 1869, Wilson College is taking a number of bold steps to transform itself into a thriving liberal arts institution, including adding programs, improving infrastructure and expanding coeducation. An updated library will be an important component of Wilson’s revitalization.
“We are deeply grateful to Marguerite for her generous support,” said Mistick. “I cannot overstate how important the library project is because of its effect on the academic experience of our students, as well as its positive impact on our efforts to attract and retain students.”
Marguerite and her husband, Gerry, are longtime supporters of Wilson College. During Wilson’s “Leading with Confidence” capital campaign, they pledged a total of $20 million toward the college’s endowment.
Over the years, the Lenfests have supported Wilson’s annual fund and generously contributed to the college’s unrestricted endowment, student scholarships, faculty development, the Women with Children program and facilities renovations. Through their generosity, Lenfest Commons was created as a student gathering and study space at the center of campus.
Marguerite Lenfest served as a member of the Wilson board of trustees for many years. She chaired the trustee committee on academic affairs and was awarded an honorary degree in 2004.
For more information, contact Wilson College Manager of Media Relations Cathy Mentzer at 717-262-2604 or cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2013CONTACT: Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations Phone: 717-262-2604 Email: cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu
Posted: January 13, 2013
The Wilson College Board of Trustees today approved a bold series of measures aimed at rejuvenating the college by significantly increasing enrollment, strengthening programs and facilities, addressing issues of educational cost and value, and ensuring financial sustainability in the future.
Meeting in a special session, the board approved a set of recommendations from Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick, which include reducing tuition and establishing an innovative student loan buyback program; strengthening existing majors and adding a number of new academic programs, including the exploration of several in the health sciences; making facilities and infrastructure improvements; and expanding coeducation across all programs.
“The Wilson College Board of Trustees has acted to ensure the financial well-being of the institution,” said John Gibb, chair of the board of trustees. “Our decision will enable the college to thrive. There is much work to do, but I am confident that with the transformational measures approved today, we have taken an important step toward Wilson’s fiscal sustainability and ensuring a vibrant academic institution.”
The college is planning to create an implementation committee that will include student, faculty, staff and alumnae representation. While work will begin on all of the recommendations, subcommittees will initially focus on the affordability of a Wilson education, retention, coeducation, marketing and academic programs. The committee’s work on coeducation will look at preserving and enhancing Wilson’s culture and traditions, including women-centered education.
Mistick's proposal was based on strategic initiatives from the Commission on Shaping the Future of Wilson College — a 23-member panel made up of faculty, students, alumnae, staff and trustees. The commission, authorized by the board of trustees in October 2011, was charged with developing recommendations to increase enrollments and create transformative change for the future of the college.
The measures approved today by the trustees are based on five broad objectives:
"I applaud the board for its bold actions in the best interests of Wilson College," Mistick said. "We’ve known from the start that there would be no single solution to transform the college and to achieve financial sustainability — that it would take a comprehensive plan to assure success. I am confident that this plan is the right mix of initiatives to help Wilson grow and remain a vibrant institution that will not only provide students with a high-quality education, but also benefit the entire community."
Under the action approved by the board, Wilson — which has a residential college for women that allows men age 22 and older to attend as commuter students — will begin enrolling traditional-age male students as commuters in fall 2013. The college will admit male residential students in fall 2014.
Currently, men make up 11.7 percent of Wilson’s overall enrollment.
More details about the initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks.
Named for its chief benefactor, Sarah Wilson, Wilson College was founded in 1869 as a liberal arts college for women. Wilson has added a number of programs, including an adult degree program in 1982 that allowed men to attend, and more recently, graduate degree programs in education and the humanities in an attempt to generate increased enrollments.
Wilson College has been named a “Best Value” college in its region for providing quality academics at an affordable price for 11 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” publication. The college has been ranked one of the best regional colleges for undergraduate education for nine straight years by U.S. News.
Posted: October 1, 2011
Dr. Barbara K. Mistick was formally installed as the 19th president of Wilson College today during an investiture ceremony that highlighted a weekend of celebratory events and brought hundreds of visitors to the campus, including four past presidents of the college.
Although the ceremony was forced indoors because of rain, spirits were high as Mistick formally assumed the presidency, a post she has held since July 1. More than 500 people attended the inauguration, including about 200 who were part of the inaugural procession of delegates from more than 40 colleges and universities, educational organizations, the Presbyterian Church, alumnae class representatives, current and former trustees, faculty and staff, students, past presidents and honored guests and family members.
In welcoming those who attended, Wilson Board of Trustees Chair John W. Gibb called the ceremony “one of the more colorful rites of passage on a college campus, and also one of the most meaningful.” He expressed confidence that Mistick, who was unanimously appointed by the board of trustees in March, is the leader who brings the academic credentials, entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen Wilson will need to thrive in the shifting landscape of higher education today.
“Wilson has been blessed to have the right leader with the right skills for each moment in her history, and today that remarkable run continues with the inauguration of Dr. Mistick,” Gibb said.
Dr. Don L. Francis, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) made introductory remarks before Mistick’s friend and mentor, Seton Hill University President JoAnne Boyle, spoke. Calling Mistick a lifelong learner who is perceptive and intelligent, Boyle said the new president will “ask the right questions” as she goes about doing her job.
“She will examine your investments … and with her businesswoman’s head, she will multiply, leverage and capitalize on them,” Boyle said of Mistick. “She will keep her spirits raised and she will raise the spirits of Wilson College.”
A number of speakers delivered greetings during the ceremony, including the president of the senior class and president of the college alumnae association, representatives of the Women’s College Coalition
and the Synod of the Trinity, and State Sen. Richard Alloway II.
Gibb performed the investiture of Mistick and placed a medallion around her neck.
“And now with the full confidence of the board of trustees, joined by those gathered here today, Dr. Barbara Mistick, I declare that you are the 19th president of Wilson College,” said Gibb, as the audience erupted in cheers and a standing ovation.
In her inaugural address, Mistick — a nationally recognized educator, innovator in entrepreneurship and advocate for women’s issues — spoke about the personal connection she felt to Wilson College when she was a candidate for the presidency.
“Many of you have asked me what first drew me to Wilson, and I must answer you honestly today that it was our students, who remind me of my daughters,” said Mistick said, who spoke of the strong women in her own family and how their courage and strength is reflected in today’s young women.
“If any of you here today have been worrying about the future of this great nation, stop worrying,” she said. “I can assure you as I watch my daughters become confident women, that I know our nation – in fact our world – will be in great hands.”
Mistick thanked those in attendance, including Wilson’s most recent past presidents: Dr. Donald F. Bletz, Dr. Mary-Linda Merriam Armacost, Dr. Gwendolyn Jensen and Dr. Lorna Edmundson.
“I am honored to have the privilege and the responsibilities of carrying on the traditions of a distinguished liberal arts education forged at Wilson, and am humbled by your trust and inspired by all gathered here today,” said Mistick.
She spoke about the confidence that women’s colleges like Wilson instill in girls and young women, as well as the value of a liberal arts education. Miss Sarah Wilson, who donated the money to start Wilson College in the post-Civil War era, “would be thrilled to know that 142 years later, each of our students — women and men — are avid learners who will carry a passion for learning to the next generation.”
Despite the strides made by women since Wilson was founded, Wilson’s focus on educating women remains important, according to Mistick.
“When we educate women, we educate our society,” she said. “This is the courageous spirit I see in the Wilson Woman archetype — pioneers, entrepreneurs, teachers and an unwavering commitment to social justice. Wilson Women have given me very great hope and confidence that our future is secure and strong.”
Finally Mistick expressed her gratitude for being given the opportunity to lead the institution through the next chapter in its history.
“I’m honored and humbled to work alongside these young women and invest in their dreams for the future — a future I know they can find at Wilson,” she said. “And I aspire to confirm and build upon the legacy and love of Wilson College. I am thrilled to be with you.”
The last presidential inauguration at Wilson was held Oct. 6, 2001, when Edmundson assumed the office.
Mistick was appointed to the presidency after Edmundson announced her retirement, effective June 30. Mistick was most recently president of Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Library System. Over the course of her 30-year career, she has been an entrepreneur, educator and leader at such institutions as the H.J. Heinz School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the National Education Center for Women in Business at Seton Hill University in Greensburg and at various businesses she managed and/or founded.
Several receptions and dinners, as well as talks and demonstrations, took place throughout the inaugural weekend, including a lawn party Saturday evening. A chapel service and brunch to be held Sunday will conclude the inauguration weekend events.
To read Dr. Mistick's speech, watch video or look through the inauguration weekend picture gallery click here.
For more information, contact cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu.
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Founded in 1869, Wilson College is a liberal arts college dedicated to the education of women. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and located in Chambersburg, Pa. Wilson offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 areas and master’s degrees in education and the humanities. The college’s 2011-12 enrollment in the College for Women and the Adult Degree Programs is 746 and includes 21 students from 10 foreign countries.
