Alumnae Quarterly
SUMMER 2010 • Volume 83 • Number 3
Commencement
2 2010 2 page 5
Reunion 2010
page 21
Contents: Cover Story: 5
Commencement 2010
Feature: 21 Reunion 2010
In Every Issue: 4
Message from the President
5
‘Mid A Group of Pines & Maples: News from Around Campus
12 From the Archives 14 Presidential Search Committee 16 Odds and Evens: Alumnae News 16 Alumnae Trustees Report 38 Shaping the Future: Advancement News 40 Athletics 44 Class Notes 63 Life Lines
On the cover, members of the Class of 2010 hold the traditional daisy chain just before they placed it in the Conococheague to be floated on graduation day.
Alumnae Quarterly SUMMER 2010 • Volume 83 • Number 3
Rita Dibble
Alumnae Association BOARD
MANAGING EDITOR
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Lauren McLane
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dianna Heim Lauren McLane Debra Collins Shelly Novak ’92
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Shelly Novak ’92 Afton Unger
Paula Spezza Tishok ’71
VICE PRESIDENT Marian Stevenson ’74
SECRETARY/TREASURER Peggy McCleary ’71
ALUMNAE TRUSTEES Ellen Van Looy Reed ’53 Tracy Leskey ’90 Nancy Kostas ’74
DIRECTORS Design Jennifer Glosser
PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE Lorna Duphiney Edmundson
VICE PRESIDENT FOR COLLEGE ADVANCEMENT Jeffrey Zufelt
DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE RELATIONS Rita Dibble
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Jane Appleyard ’66 Jennifer Nickle Banzhof ’94 Linda Collenberg Bisaccia-Ammerman ’68 Sandra Griggs Clark ’85 Mary Cramer ’91 Tina Robertson Dorsey ’92 Kendal Hopkins ’80 Jane Stever Jones ‘73 Kristina Heuck Knubel ’02 Patricia Darras Hockenberry ’74 Patricia Keffer ’96 Laureen Lutz ’08 Susan Ross ‘66 De-Enda Peck Rotz ’05 Sarah Muller Smith ’85
Debra Collins
NOMINATING COMMITTEE Betty Jane Weller Lee ’57 Robin Herring ’07 Amy Allen Boyce ’73
Wilson College Alumnae Quarterly (USPS-685-580) is published quarterly by the Office of College Advancement and the Alumnae Association of Wilson College, 1015 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, PA.
Tracey Leskey ’90 shows her EVENS pride at Reunion Weekend 2010.
Periodicals postage paid at Chambersburg, PA 17201 and additional post offices. Subscriptions are $15/year. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Wilson College Alumnae Office, 1015 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201-1285, 717-264-4141 or aq@wilson.edu. Opinions expressed are those of contributors or the editor and do not represent the official positions of Wilson College or the Alumnae Association of Wilson College.
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
3
MESSAGE from the President
S
o much has occurred at Wilson College throughout the spring and summer months since I wrote to you in the last issue of the Alumnae Quarterly. At that time, I informed you of the public announcement of Leading with Confidence: The Campaign for Wilson College, through which we would raise $45 million for our science and global citizenship initiatives; create an endowment for faculty, staff and technology development; and dramatically increase the Wilson Fund. I’m happy to say that we have already raised more than $43 million of the $45 million and we will surely surpass the goal in the 14 months remaining in the campaign. In addition, the Wilson Fund raised $1,061,228 for fiscal year 2009, surpassing the goal of $1,020,000. More and more new donors are stepping up to join those of you who have been loyal and generous donors at the Pines and Maples level for decades. The Lenfest Challenge grants for the science initiative and for Wilson Fund gifts of $10,000 or more are bearing fruit. This spring I was pleased to announce another initiative to leverage your giving through the Goodwin Pines and Maples Challenge, which was established by Thérèse (Terry) Murray Goodwin ’49. All new individual gifts to the Wilson Fund of $1,000, or increased gifts that reach $1,000, are being matched. How fortunate we are to have such visionary and generous alumnae who help to spur giving in others. Even as the endowments build toward the goals for each of the four campaign purposes, the programs they support are under way: We’ve already raised more than $28 million for the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology, a facility that gets rave reviews from all quarters. In March 2010, we received official notice that the Brooks Complex is the first LEED-certified building in Franklin County – certified at the gold level, not just silver. While fundraising for the Global Citizenship Initiative is in the early stages, much is already happening to advance crosscultural learning on campus and abroad. • A rich array of invited speakers, including: career diplomats Pamela Francis Kiehl ’66 and her husband, William; John Evans, former ambassador to Armenia who gave the Bogigian Lecture; Dr. Stephen Biddle, Council on Foreign Relations Roger Hertog Senior Fellow for Defense Policy; and Chinese human rights activist Dimon Liu – set the pace for further lecture series under the rubric of the Global Citizenship Initiative. 4
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
• In mid-June, six faculty members and administrators joined me in a study/travel tour of South Korea and China that was funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. In China, we were joined by Betty Jane Weller Lee ’47 – a retired early childhood educator who was instrumental in helping us establish relationships with two Chinese professionals who opened doors and facilitated meetings for us in both Nanjing and Shanghai. In all, we visited seven universities and a preschool, where we held discussions about how our institutions are educating students to address critical environmental challenges our countries are facing. We also solidified two existing relationships (Ewha and Seoul Women’s), finalized and celebrated our new partnership with Sookmyung University, and have committed ourselves to ongoing exchanges in China with three other colleges and universities – initially through a summer 2011 program focusing on environmental sustainability. • Representatives of the American Institute for International Cultural Exchange, an organization that Wilson alumna D’Arcy Charney Wagonhurst ’90 introduced to me, have also invited Wilson to explore student exchange and women’s leadership development programs through their relationships in China. Three very fine Chinese students who were recommended to Wilson by this organization have already enrolled. • Many more students are seeking to study abroad. At the First Annual Student Research Day, Disert Scholar Mariza Lakmini Cooray ’10 presented her research on an international business/economics project completed in Sri Lanka. Faculty-led student study/travel programs are planned to take place in Costa Rica, Belize and Scotland in the coming months. These developments represent only a tiny fraction of what our faculty, staff and students have recently accomplished. You’ll find more on this and other topics in the 2009-10 State of the College Address I delivered during Alumnae Reunion Weekend. The address is reprinted on pages 32 in this Alumnae Quarterly. As I prepare to travel around the country to visit with you in my final year as Wilson’s president, I look forward to thanking you for all that you do for Wilson, and engaging you in helping me take Wilson’s Leading with Confidence Campaign over the top! Fully funded endowments for global citizenship, faculty and staff development, and technology enhancements will help to put Wilson on an even stronger course for the future. I ask every one of you to do all you can to help me make that happen by next June. Sincerely,
Lorna Duphiney Edmundson, Ed.D. President
Commencement
2 2010 2 7
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
5
Commencement
2 2010 2 7
6
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
7
Commencement
2 2010 2 7
Wilson College Commencement Address
Dr. Temple Grandin
O
n a rainy morning in late May, Wilson College’s 140th Commencement ceremony was held. Inside Laird Hall, friends and family gathered to watch the Class of 2010 celebrate their achievements and accomplishments and be awarded their degrees. It was a day of emotion and tears, both happy and sad. Karen Hively, the Class of 2010 Song Leader, led the crowd in singing the national anthem, wiping away tears as she did so. “We are nourished by the recent rains. They do not dampen our spirits. We affirm that, today, Odds do not rule, Evens rule,” President Lorna Duphiney Edmundson said in her opening remarks, drawing loud cheers from the Class of 2010, many of whom had bedecked themselves in blue and green accoutrements to display their Evens pride. Loud cheers also erupted when Trudi Warner Blair ’76, a fellow Even and the president of the Board of Trustees, was pointed out. The keynote speaker for this year’s commencement was Dr. Temple Grandin. Grandin, named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2010, is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and an expert on livestock handling
8
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
facilities. She also is a renowned speaker on autism, with which she was diagnosed when the disorder was less-well understood than it currently is. Her life has been made into a movie starring Claire Daines, which won seven Emmys this year, outstanding best actress in a TV mini-series for Daines and outstanding made for television movie. The movie, produced by HBO, was released in February and is available on DVD. Rather than being defined by her autism, Grandin has defined the new face of autism, helping shed light on how autistic brains work. “Autism is a continuum,” Grandin said. “We wouldn’t have any geeks out in Silicon Valley without autism.” Grandin told the assembled crowd that horses were her salvation. “They were my refuge away from the teasing.” Her love of horses and animals led to her research, which is now used all over North America and around the world to more humanely treat animals. “I’m a total visual thinker, and animals are, too. They think in a sensory world,” Grandin explained. “Language drops out details. It’s bad around engineers. What would happen if you forgot details when building a bridge?,” she quipped.
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus As a visual and pattern thinker, she said she focuses on what are critical control points, looking for outcome measures. “I am very concerned with the lack of critical thinking,” she said. “With autism, I think by piecing together smaller pieces for the larger picture, by categorizing,” she explained. The advice from a speaker who thinks differently to the Class of 2010 was just that—think differently. “I’m not telling you how to think, but to slow down and think. Really read, really read deeply. Really think deeply—we need more of that in today’s schools,” she concluded. Grandin received a standing ovation. After Grandin’s speech, degrees were conferred for the Class of 2010 undergraduates, Masters of Education program graduates, and Teacher Intern Program graduates. Despite being and Odd, Alumnae Association Board President Paula S. Tishok ’71 also received cheers when she stood up to deliver her address. “So, what does it mean to be a Wilson alumna in today’s world?,” Tishok asked. “While you’ve been a student at Wilson, you’ve experienced its rigorous liberal-arts education based on the principles of honor and integrity. But there are three other characteristics that Wilson instills in its students I want to share with you. “The first is adaptability, or being open to change and new ideas. Adaptability means being able to change as circumstances require it. It recognizes that life will bring us unforeseen challenges and if we are to honor our values and goals, we must adjust and learn as we go. Adaptability requires a certain willingness to let go, sometimes even grieving unmet expectations or ideas of how things “should” have been. Wilson provides for a broad education that enables its women (and men) to innovate in the workplace, to take entrepreneurial risks, or to change careers entirely, and therefore being adaptable to changing circumstances.
“Secondly, Wilson pushes its students beyond their comfort zones to create a sense of adventure and wonder in the world. This is particularly true of students that travel abroad or that have other cross-cultural experiences. When you hear the word adventure, everyone will have different ideas and images on just what that is, because, what some of you might think is adventurous might not be so adventurous to the person next to you. And you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie or thrill seeker to enjoy adventures either. “The third characteristic is one of activism that embodies having a sense of determination or being passionate about the things that are important to you. Howard Thurman, an American theologian and clergyman, once said, ‘Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.’ “Whether in your work or in your volunteer activities, Wilson develops determined, passionate, ethical leaders that are needed in today’s world. As you move forward, we encourage you be adaptable and adventurous and to be an activist for those things that make you come alive. Then, think about Wilson and its alumnae, many of whom have distinguished themselves in medicine, humanities, visual and performing arts, law, politics, research, education and many other disciplines. You are now part of this adaptable, adventurous, determined, and passionate community where you can connect and share with other alumnae,” Tishok said. As their four years of shared traditions—visiting Sarah Wilson’s grave, the Evens/Odds class wars, color wars, Sarah Wilson Week, and dinks, just to name a few—came to an end, the Class of 2010 stood together to engage in one final tradition: as they sang the Alma Mater, the last line, “Till the sands of life are run,” was shouted loudly, amidst the tears.
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
9
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus
Hockey Sticks in the Archives: Learning about Wilson College through collection items Amy Lucadamo, College Archivist
A
ll archives have their oddities. In the past, I have worked with collections that included Fiestaware, a dried scorpion, correspondence about a shotgun wedding, human hair, carpet samples, a briefcase full of buttons, and faxes in Japanese. All of those oddities have stories. While strolling through the shelves in the C. Elizabeth Boyd ’33 Archives at Wilson College, I quickly noticed the hockey sticks. There are three total; one, wrapped in plastic, appears to be suffering from water damage and mold. The other two are almost identical. They are marked with several logos and were made in England. I could find no paperwork about the sticks and other than a label stuck to one which reads: “Property of the Wilson College Chemistry Dept.” There is no information about who might have used or donated them. A quick Google search confirmed that one of the logos “Grays of Cambridge” was the name of a major field hockey equipment manufacturer. I decided to try the only contact information that was available: an email address for a sales representative in the UK. I explained my question and promised to provide photos of the sticks if there was anyone at the company who would be willing to help me. I did not expect much more than an automated response. I was surprised when I not only got a prompt, interested response from the sales contact, but they offered to pass my request, along with the photos, to a Richard Gray. Mr. Gray was quite excited about the Wilson College hockey sticks. He confirmed that they had been made in Cambridge, England, around 1956 out of English ash. One of the logos was designed to celebrate Grays’ centenary in 1955. Another logo “Gray Towers” was a mystery and Richard Gray promised to pass the request on to his uncle, John Gray. Uncle John remembered that the Gray Towers logo referred to the sticks’ importer. In the 1950s Grays sticks were sold to only six or seven customers in the United States; one was Tower Associates. While the explanations from the Grays placed the hockey sticks in time, many other questions about them remain. What did become clear was the strong history of field hockey that must exist at Wilson to justify imported sticks identified with the chemistry department being preserved in the college archives. Field hockey has been played at Wilson College for almost as long as the sport has been known in the United States. According to the United States Field Hockey Association, the sport was introduced to Americans in 1901 by English physical education instructor Constance M.K. Applebee. Starting with an exhibition game at Harvard, Applebee proceeded to tour American women’s colleges teaching the game. Applebee spent a week in November 1903 at Wilson College. According to The Pharetra field hockey deserves its popularity “for it is a splendid scientific and healthful game.” Wilson’s first field hockey game was won by the freshmen (Class of 1907), 3-2 over the sophomores (Class of 1906) on November 24, 1903. In the spring, The Pharetra noted that hockey would “be played until the weather becomes too warm for such violent exercise.” The freshmen, wearing red skirts and white sweaters with red numbers went on to win the first Hockey Class Championship on May 13, 1904 with a 7-1 victory over the juniors.
10
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus
A Wilson College Tribute in Remembrance of
Dr. Harry M. Buck On Sunday, Sept. 5, family, friends and members of the Wilson College community gathered for a memorial service to celebrate the life of Dr. Harry M. Buck, professor of religion at Wilson College from 1959 until his retirement. Following the service, remembrances were shared in Laird Hall. Dr. Buck died on July 4. He was 88 years old. Due to a long-planned family gathering, President Lorna Duphiney Edmundson was unable to attend the memorial gathering. She shared the following tribute with Dr. Buck’s family:
O
n behalf of the entire Wilson College community, I offer heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Harry Buck. We at Wilson share with them a deep sense of loss at Harry’s passing. His life was a blessing to his family, friends, professional colleagues, Wilson alumnae, faculty and staff, and to generations of students who studied with him. Dr. Buck and his wife, Esther, who have been actively engaged in life at Wilson for more than 50 years, was one of the very first people to visit with me when I came to Wilson as president in 2001. It was a lucky day for Wilson when Dr. Buck and his family arrived at Wilson in 1959 to serve as professor of religion. He and Esther immediately became an integral part of the Wilson family, and he became a tenured professor in 1966. For the next 20 years, he continued to teach here, making his mark on our campus and in the discipline of religion studies. He is fondly remembered by countless former students who grew both professionally and personally in his classroom and his home. He guided students in their learning and scholarly development, inviting student groups to meet regularly in the Buck home to read and critique each other’s papers. He permitted students to co-author publications with him and to assist in writing his book, People of the Lord: The History, Scriptures and Faith and Faith of Ancient Israel. While serving as executive director of the American Academy of Religion, Professor Buck took Wilson students to regional and national meetings and introduced them to the top scholars in the field. He had a special ability to nurture in students a deep interest in religion as a living reality, and to foster openness and tolerance for all faiths. He led in planning the Orr Forum, which began in 1973, building on Wilson’s reputation for bringing ethical and religious issues of importance to the attention of both the campus and the broader community. Upon his retirement in December 1986, he was granted professor emeritus status. However, he continued to teach part
time at Wilson for many years and remained involved in the intellectual life of the campus, as well as the lives of students. For many students, Professor and Mrs. Buck will forever be at the heart of their Wilson experience. I am especially grateful for the pivotal roles the Bucks played in supporting Wilson’s international students throughout the years, especially during a time when Wilson had few resources to do so. They generously opened their home and welcomed in young women who came from all over the world. Many international students fondly remember making homemade ice cream at the Bucks’ yearly ice cream social and sharing favorite recipes, as well as religious and cultural traditions, and attending Thanksgiving meals in their home. Some, who were unable to go home or needed to take summer classes, spent their summers living with the Bucks. The international dinners at the Bucks’ home became a Wilson tradition and continue today through the Muhibbah Club – a student group that strives to foster crosscultural understanding. Harry and Esther are the true founders of what we refer to today as Wilson’s Friendly Family Program. And long before we made the Global Citizenship Initiative a campaign priority, Harry and Esther were living it. I am reminded of the words of Henry Adams, who said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” The influence that Professor Harry Buck had on the Wilson community is strong and lasting. It reaches toward the future, helping all of us to fully recognize the joy of the life of the mind and spirit, and to recommit to Wilson’s mission and values. We are deeply grateful for the time Harry M. Buck spent physically among us. His spirit and influence will be with us forever. Dr. Lorna Duphiney Edmundson, President, Wilson College Alumnae Chapel, Thomson Hall September 5, 2010 Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
11
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus
Wilson Announces Formation of the Presidential Search Committee When President Lorna Edmundson announced her decision in May 2010 to retire from the Wilson presidency on June 30, 2011, Board of Trustees Chair Trudi Warner Blair ’76 began planning for a smooth transition for the next Wilson President, starting with the appointment of the Presidential Search Committee. I am honored to have been selected as Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and look forward to connecting with the Wilson community during the next months to seek your input and to apprise you of our process and milestones as we undertake this important work of selecting Wilson’s next president. Joining me as members of the Presidential Search Committee are those noted below. Carole Gallagher, Executive Assistant to the President, will staff the committee and serve as campus liaison.
Beverly Ayers-Nachamkin, Ph.D
Robin J. Bernstein, Esq.
Professor of Psychology and Major Area Director, Department of Psychology & Sociology BA, University of Oregon; MS, New Mexico Highlands University; PhD, University of Kansas
Former Chair of the Board of Trustees BA, Chatham; JD, Duquesne University School of Law
Dr. Ayers-Nachamkin has taught at Wilson since 1982. She has variously chaired the Appointments, Promotions & Tenure, Academic Procedures, Admissions & Financial Aid Committees; the Institutional Review Board; and the Division of Social Sciences. She was Coordinator of the Women’s Studies Program from 1985-2008 and co-chair of the Faculty Standards Committee for the most recent Middle States Review. She was a member of the 1991 Presidential Search Committee, and two Dean Search Committees. Her awards include the Donald F. Bletz Award for Distinguished Teaching; Wilson College Summer Stipend for Research; the Drusilla Stevens Mazur Research Professorship; and the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Stephanie Bachman ’12 Student and President of WCGA Stephanie Bachman, a member of the class of 2012, is majoring in Equestrian Studies and Equine Facilitated Therapeutics. She is serving as President of the Wilson College Government Association for the 2010-2011 academic year. Ms. Bachman is a second year Resident Assistant, Curran Scholar, and Vice-president of the class of 2012. She is also captain of the Dressage team and holds various officer positions and memberships in other clubs on campus. Prior to Wilson, Ms. Bachman served as the 2007-2008 Pennsylvania State FFA Secretary.
12
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
Robin Bernstein retired as President of R. J. Bernstein and Associates, a political consulting company, after twenty years in the business. In 2000, she served as chair of the Presidential Search Committee for Wilson College on whose Board she served the previous four years. Ms. Bernstein served as Chair of the Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2005. In addition, she has served on many boards, such as: Friends Select School, Philadelphia, PA; Chair, PA State Board of Veterinary Medicine (public member); Gildas Club, Western PA; VP Animal Rescue League of Western PA. Ms. Bernstein resides in Pittsburgh.
Trudi Warner Blair ’76 Chair of the Board of Trustees who serves as a member of the committee, ex officio. BS, Wilson; MBA, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Trudi Blair has served on the Board of Trustees for eight years and is currently Chair of the Board. She has over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, balanced scorecard/key indicator measurement, marketing and governance in both for profit and non-profit organizations. Ms. Blair currently serves as a Board Governance Consultant for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Her corporate experience included a wide variety of positions in the areas of strategic planning, marketing, finance and engineering. At Arbros Communications, Ms. Blair was the Senior Vice President of Marketing. At Nortel Networks, she held positions in strategy, marketing and product line management. Ms. Blair joined Nortel Networks from Verizon Communications where she held increasingly responsible positions in Strategic Planning, Corporate Research, Government Relations and Marketing. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus
Susanna Neale Duke, Esq. ’71
Paula Spezza Tishok ’71
Trustee BA, Wilson; JD, Temple University School of Law
Trustee and President of the Alumnae Association of Wilson College BA, Wilson
Susanna Duke retired in 2008 after more than 30 years as an in-house lawyer at Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and predecessor companies. She served as director of law and of human resources and has management experience in corporate ethics and compliance, human resources, contracts, managing litigation and resolving legal issues, including environmental matters. She also has expertise in strategic planning. Currently, Ms. Duke serves on the boards of 826 Seattle, a nonprofit writing center that helps students ages six to 18 develop writing skills and The Healing Center, a nonprofit that provides grief support to families. Ms. Duke brings her experience and a strong personal interest in education to trusteeship at Wilson.
John Elia, Ph.D Associate Professor and Thérèse Murray Goodwin ’49 Chair in Philosophy BA, Carson Newman College; MA, The University of Texas at Austin; PhD, The University of Texas at Austin In addition to teaching Philosophy, Dr. Elia directs the Wilson Scholars Program, and has served on a number of college committees, including the Academic Procedures Committee, the Strategic Technology Committee, and an ad hoc committee on the Assessment of General Education. He is a member of the Chambersburg Hospital’s Institutional Review Committee, and holds professional memberships in the American Philosophical Association and the National Collegiate Honors Council. Dr. Elia’s scholarship is focused on ethics and character. He has published in both academic and popular venues on topics such as transparency, self-control, and integrity.
Robin J. Herring ’07 Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs BA, Wilson Robin Herring came to Wilson in 2002 following 22 years of supervisory and training experience in the food manufacturing industry. In 2006, Ms. Herring received the Wilson College Award for Outstanding Service to the Community for her work with the American Cancer Society. In 2007, as a graduating senior in the Adult Degree program, she was awarded the Grace Tyson Schlichter Award in Communications and the Political Science Prize from Wilson College. Ms. Herring is the current president of the Wilson College Club of Franklin County and the current event chair for the 2011 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Chambersburg. She resides in Chambersburg.
After a 30-year career in corporate finance operations and financial consulting with experience in hotel management, computer technology, and health care, Paula Tishok retired in 2002. She continued to provide management consulting services for several years to the Mt. Lebanon Extended Day Program, a non-profit agency where she served as a director and treasurer for over twelve years. Ms. Tishok has served on the Alumnae Association Board of Directors since 2003 and as its President for the past five years. In that capacity, she serves on the Board of Trustees ex officio, and is also serving as a member of the Leading with Confidence Capital Campaign committee. Ms. Tishok and her husband reside on a farm near Pittsburgh, where they raise all-natural, grass-fed beef and board horses.
Gretchen Van Ness, Esq. ’80 Former Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees BA, Wilson; JD, Boston College Law School Gretchen Van Ness just concluded nine years of service on the Board of Trustees, where she served two terms as Vice-Chair, co-chaired the Governance Committee and, most recently, chaired the Enrollment and Student Life Committee. Ms. Van Ness attended Boston College Law School, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Boston College Law Review, and currently works as a Staff Attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston. In her prior private law practice, Ms. Van Ness argued precedent-setting cases before the state and federal courts and was recognized as one of the best employment lawyers in Boston by Boston Magazine. Law & Politics Magazine named her one of the top female lawyers in Massachusetts and a super lawyer in 2004 and 2005. She has lectured widely and taught as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University School of Law and the Harvard Extension School. Both the American Association of University Professors and the American Association of University Women honored her by naming her to their attorney referral panels. While a student at Wilson, Ms. Van Ness was President of the Wilson College Government Association and represented the junior class as a plaintiff in the Save Wilson litigation.
continued on page 16
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
13
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus Wilson Announces Formation of the Presidential Search Committee continued from page 15 Since I’ve included brief biographical information for each member of the committee, I also wanted to share my own, as noted below.
John W. Gibb Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees BA and MPA, Penn State University; MBA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute John Gibb is Managing Director at Jones Lang LaSalle, a Washington DC publicly traded real estate firm with over 30,000 employees in 60 countries. Previously, he was Senior Vice President at The Staubach Company, a real estate firm in Washington, DC. For 19 years, he held increasingly responsible positions at Sallie Mae, including his last position of Managing Director of Investment Banking, specializing in financing colleges and universities for construction and equipment financing. Mr. Gibb has lectured on financing topics for various higher education organizations. He holds a certificate in Real Estate Investment Analysis from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army and a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. Mr. Gibb served on Wilson’s Board from 1997 to 2006. After a year off the Board required by the by-laws, he was re-elected in 2007. He also serves on the Board of New Hope Housing, a non-profit which provides housing to the homeless in Fairfax and Arlington Counties and the City of Alexandria.
One of my duties as Chair of the Presidential Search Committee was to evaluate and select an executive search firm to assist in all aspects of the search process from recruitment to contract negotiations. Therefore, I am also pleased to announce that Archer~Martin Associates has been selected to support the presidential search. Archer~Martin Associates is dedicated to serving higher education and not-for-profit communities through executive search and has assigned a four-person team to provide dedicated and personalized service to assist Wilson’s Presidential Search Committee. Few periods in the life of a college are as important as the search for and selection of the president. Finding the best possible leader for Wilson depends in large measure on the scope of our search and the extent of the pool of qualified candidates. The identification and recruitment of exceptional candidates able to lead Wilson forward are tasks of prime importance to the College.
14
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
To help meet this goal, the Presidential Search Committee began a process of engaging constituencies of the College community and building internal consensus by actively soliciting input about the leadership attributes of the next president. As part of the plan to reach out to members of the community, the Committee held a series of meetings in August facilitated by our search firm Archer~Martin Associates in which nearly 100 representatives including students, faculty, administration and staff members participated. In addition, members of the Committee have met with various alumnae to obtain input regarding the qualities and capabilities of the next President. The Committee received both verbal comments and written statements from the Wilson community and is eager to hear from as many individuals as possible. Please feel free to send inquiries, comments and feedback to our confidential email address at presidentialsearch@wilson.edu. In addition, we plan to maintain a link from Wilson’s website for the presidential search at www.wilson.edu/presidentialsearch to post announcements and key information about Wilson and the Chambersburg community. To assist the Presidential Search Committee in its communications efforts, I’ve appointed a Communications Sub-committee composed of the following Wilson staff members: Debra Collins, Director of Communications, Carole Gallagher, Executive Assistant to the President, Lauren McLane, Managing Editor of the Alumnae Quarterly, Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations, and Afton Unger, Web Manager/Graphic Designer. This Sub-committee will work directly with Nancy Archer-Martin and Paula Tishok to keep the Wilson community fully informed and engaged throughout the process. Since this is such an important undertaking for the College, we will benefit from the engagement and commitment of the entire Wilson community as we embark on this search. Thank you in advance for your support and participation. For my part as spokesperson for the Presidential Search Committee, I pledge our continued commitment to openness in this search process and to provide regular updates moving forward as various milestones and activities in the search process are accomplished. Sincerely, John W. Gibb, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee
‘MID A GROUP OF PINES & MAPLES News from Around Campus
The Alumnae Relations Department welcomed new director Rita M. Dibble to the team Aug. 17. Look for a in-depth profile of her in the Fall Alumnae Quarterly.
Performing Arts Series All performances start at
7:30 p.m.
2010-2011
Friday, Sept. 24
“Noel Coward” by Will Stutts Laird Hall
Friday, Nov. 19
National Players performing Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Laird Hall
Saturday, March 5 Brandywine Celtic Harp Orchestra Thomson Alumnae Chapel Saturday, April 2
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Laird Hall
Mark your calendars now and plan to join us for these dates. If you are on our mailing list, you will receive a new brochure brochure and you can mail your order form, payment and self-addressed, stamped envelope back to us. Call us if you wish to be placed on our mailing list. Our offices are located in Thomson Hall on the Wilson College campus.
Call (717) 262-2003 • email: specialevents@wilson.edu • www.wilson.edu Wilson College Conferences and Special Events Office
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
15
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Alumnae Trustees Report This past year has been quite a busy one for Wilson College. The college community has been working diligently to develop a new brand and identity for the College, engage alumnae, friends and donors in Leading with Confidence: The Campaign for Wilson, respond to the Middle States Commission’s requirements and recommendations while fulfilling its obligation to educate students to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Academic Affairs On April 27, 2009, the Middle States Commission for Higher Education issued its final report giving high praise on many achievements including the quality of academic programs, student services, faculty and staff, and continuing Wilson’s full accreditation. Middle States found the College to be in compliance with 12 of the 14 standards. The two standards in which the College was found to be out of compliance were Mission/Goals and Assessment of Student Learning. Middle States believes that the College’s mission statement needs to be clarified to ensure that it encompasses students in the College for Women, Adult Degree Programs, certificate programs, alternate site programs, and the graduate program; i.e., a more complex Wilson than ever before. In response to the Middle States’ recommendations, Wilson’s Strategic Planning Committee developed new Mission and Vision Statements that were approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2010 and that will serve as the foundational principles for a comprehensive, long-range strategic planning process. The second standard needing attention is that which deals with the assessment of student learning. While the faculty had made progress in outcomes assessment, more work needs to be done to fully meet this standard. Thus, a major focus of faculty attention is planning and implementing outcomes assessment. As part of this process, the faculty developed an Institutional Learning Goals statement which includes general goal statements and a set of measurable outcomes that apply to all graduating seniors. Additional, specific outcome goals will be adopted at the departmental and course levels, allowing the overall goals to be assessed at multiple levels throughout the student’s college career. In fall 2009, Elizabeth G. Anderson was hired as Assistant Dean for Institutional Research and Academic Assessment. Dean Anderson will be responsible for the analysis of data related to academic and nonacademic program assessment. The Curriculum Committee is working with all programs to ensure that they have a capstone of some sort. This might be a senior thesis, a portfolio of student work, or similar effort that captures the student’s synthesis of learning in the major. It allows for assessment of student’s learning outcomes in a variety of areas such as oral and written communication, information literacy, etc. The Master of Education program has been expanded to include secondary and special certification educators. There were 14 new undergraduate Wilson Scholars in Fall 2009, including students from Nepal and China. There are now a total of 38 Wilson Scholars. 16
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
The Hankey Center and the Institute for Women in Science, Mathematics and Technology (WISMAT) now has two new staff members. Amy Ensley is the Director of the Hankey Center and Amy Lucadamo was recently appointed to the position of Archivist.
Enrollment Management/Student Development The 2009-2010 academic year began with an enrollment of 838, the largest total headcount in this decade. Enrollment in the College for Women (CFW) was 328, twenty more than the previous year. The students represented 17 states, the District of Columbia and nine countries, and there was a broad distribution of majors. There were 23 mothers and 25 children in the Women with Children Program. Adult Degree Programs (ADP) include associate, bachelor, non-degree, and Teacher Intern Program (TIP) students. These programs are thriving, with increased enrollment in all areas. In fact, the TIP program is the largest intern program in the state. ADP registrations for 2010 Summer and Fall are strong. The Master of Education program has 42 formally admitted students as of Spring 2010. The College is committed to efforts to increase enrollment. This is a particular challenge for the CFW for a number of reasons, the current economy and the cost of a private four-year college among them. In addition, only 5% of college-bound women say they would consider a women’s college. Furthermore, a liberal arts education is considered less relevant today as students (and their parents) are interested in career track majors. Additionally, almost half of all prospective college students choose to attend a college that is within 100 miles of home, so the College is dealing with a shrinking radius from which to attract students. The Enrollment Management staff is addressing these challenges in a number of ways. Only a few examples will be given. Because many college-bound women are interested in the health professions, there are plans to more strongly market Wilson’s pre-professional programs such as pre-med and pre-vet. There is also discussion of developing articulation programs and agreements with professional schools. The Global Citizenship initiative has the potential to make the College more attractive to students seeking an international experience. Alumnae can help by a renewed commitment to have daughters and granddaughters consider Wilson. Also, alumnae mentorship for students can be enhanced and extended to prospective students. For the last two years, first to second year retention has remained steady at 70%. The sophomore to junior and junior to senior retention rates were 90%. These figures are close to or better than the national average. One factor that impacts retention is the growing trend (called “swirling”) among undergraduate students to attend more than one college before graduating. But the biggest issue in higher education is that students entering college today have academic deficiencies, especially in math and English. These deficiencies, coupled with poor time management and inability to
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Three years ago, Wilson entered into a partnership with Sodexo for facilities management. This partnership has proven to be quite successful and has resulted in a more well trained workforce, a more rigorous and systematic approach to maintenance and housekeeping, and the ability to tap into regional experts recommended by Sodexo, such as the Loyalton Group. In July 2009, the Sodexo and Loyalton partnership, in conjunction with a class taught by Prof. Ed Wells, analyzed utility costs across the College campus seeking energy efficiency improvements. This water and energy audit is one of many steps to the path of Sustainable Organizational Practices, including economic, environmental and social sustainability. In addition, the audit examined the carbon consumption impact of the College to determine its carbon footprint by measuring both direct and indirect emissions. In addition to the water and energy audit, Wilson conducted a voluntary EPA audit to ensure conformance with applicable regulatory requirements. As of September 2009, Wilson was nearly at 100% compliance under the federal requirements of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act which regulates biomedical, hazardous, municipal and universal wastes. In order to achieve 100% compliance, Wilson needed to excavate and remove a 10,000 gallon heating oil tank from the main boiler room. This work was completed by a contractor certified for such remediation work. The Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology achieved a gold rating in LEED certification. This is a tremendous accomplishment in itself, but equally remarkable was the fact that the project earned every point that was submitted in Wilson’s application to the U.S. Green Building Council. The Brooks Complex becomes Franklin County’s first LEED certified building.
of Wilson constituents and from doing a comparative study of competitive colleges. The tagline and logo were selected by two-thirds of the faculty and staff and the majority of respondents to the survey on the web site. The tagline, WILSON COLLEGE: With Confidence, reflects the transformative experience of students and the college as a whole. The FY09 Wilson Fund, at just over $917,000, did not surpass the previous year’s levels, but there were more alumnae donors than in previous years. So far this year, the Wilson Fund is ahead of last year’s at this time at about $860,000 with a goal of $1,020,000. Onehundred percent of faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees have contributed to the FY10 Wilson Fund. There are fewer alumnae donors so far this year. However, The Pines and Maples Society, which recognizes all donors of $1000 or more, has continued to grow with 31 members in FY10 to date. In May, Therese Murray Goodwin ’49 announced the Goodwin Pines and Maples Society Challenge in which all new or increased gifts from individuals to the Pines and Maples Society level will be matched. Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest’s $10 million challenge will match gifts to the Wilson Fund of $10,000 or more. A new Facebook initiative, Giving Back To Wilson, has begun as a means to reach younger alumnae. The page highlights philanthropic efforts of alumnae, staff and students. Also, with a $25 gift to the Wilson Fund, young alumnae receive an Eco-Tote. The program has seen new gifts from 47 young alumnae. The capital campaign, Leading with Confidence: The Campaign for Wilson, stands at over $41 million of a $45 million goal. Funds for the Brooks Complex total over $28 million or 113% of the $25 million goal. Also, $8,097,409 has been raised against the $10,000,000 Lenfest Challenge. The campaign website www.campaignforwilson.org presents information on the key initiatives and status of the campaign, news items, and features the campaign video. The $4.3 million from the Appenzeller sisters’ estate was designated for the science center. It will be matched by the Lenfest challenge, realizing a gift of $8.6 million. The Alumnae Relations office planned 24 campaign events this past semester reaching over 250 alumnae. The Spring issue of The Alumnae Quarterly will feature why women’s colleges, and particularly Wilson, are distinctive. Lauren McLane, Alumnae Publications Associate and Managing Editor of The Alumnae Quarterly joined the staff this year. It was with sadness that Ann Terry, Director of Alumnae Relations, announced her resignation in order to join her husband in his new position in California. Ann has served the Alumnae Association and Wilson College for four years with professional knowledge and skill and with great dedication and love for her “adopted” alma mater. We, too, are sad to see her go and we wish her happiness and success in her future. The Alumnae Association has named a Search Committee and is in the process of interviewing candidates for the position. It is hoped that a new Director of Alumnae Relations will join the College during the summer.
College Advancement
Finance Committee
prioritize, lead to students feeling overwhelmed which in turn leads to lack of motivation and failure. The College is addressing these concerns using research-based strategies. Again, a few examples will be given. The Retention Committee is involved in an in-depth analysis of why first-year students leave and why others stay in order to identify attrition trends and characteristics of Wilson students who will be successful. The Retention Committee is also reviewing research and the practices of other colleges to develop specific efforts for Wilson’s at-risk students. Strategies include year-long programs for first-year students, intrusive academic advising, and learning support. In other aspects of student life, students may now request to live in one of four living communities: Green Scene, Language Circle, Pet-Free, or Student Created. The Blue Book has been updated to include policies mandated by federal law (e.g., file-to-file sharing, athletes’ drug policy). Angela Lynch, new Director of Career Development, is actively reaching out to first and second year students to ensure they begin to work on their Four Year Plan for Career Development.
Buildings and Grounds
The branding effort was completed last fall. Decisions were based on conversations with 180 people from ten different groups
As the College nears the end of fiscal year 2010, income and expense continue to track well against the approved budget with an
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
17
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News expected surplus of $162,000 by year-end. Enrollment has generally been positive, with a near-record College for Women (CFW) enrollment headcount of 328 last fall and higher than budgeted headcount in both the Adult Degree Program (ADP) and the Masters of Education program (MEd). Small savings were achieved in annual operations, direct auxiliary enterprise expense and employee benefits due to some employees electing not to participate in the medical plan. In May, the Board of Trustees approved a working summer budget based on projected enrollment, and then will approve a final budget in October when enrollment is finalized for the school year. As of May 31, 2010, the College exceeded its summer enrollment projections in all cohorts, achieving 104.78% of the headcount goal for Summer I and 108.20% of goal for Summer II, resulting in slightly more tuition revenue than expected. Fall 2010 enrollment is tracking well against a proposed budget based on a CFW headcount of 325 and an Adult FTE of 250. The Board of Trustees continually reviews key strategic indicators that help to monitor the financial health and well-being of the institution. In October, the Trustees noted that employee turnover rates have continued to improve and are now just a fraction above 10%, down from a high of almost 21% in FY03. Additionally, the Trustees reviewed updated benchmark information from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) which shows that Wilson is still performing well against its peers with respect to a number of financial indicators. Key financial indicators that have been addressed in the proposed FY11 budget include reducing the following items: •T he Financial Aid Discount Rate from a target of 42% to 40%, • The Endowment Spending Rate from 6.25% to 6.0%, • Bequest Transfers from $500,000 to $400,000, and • Revenue Transfers from $165,000 to $100,000. Also in May, the Board held strategic discussions on enrollment and financial equilibrium. These discussions were quite important
Upcoming Campaign Events President Lorna D. Edmundson will be hosting the following events to share the latest campus and campaign news with alumnae.
November Charlotte, North Carolina Friday, November 12 Harrisburg and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania Tuesday, November 16 Harrisburg Tuesday, November 16 Princeton, New Jersey Thursday, November 18 18
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
since Wilson, like most small colleges, is tuition dependent for most of its revenue stream. Elements of a plan that will achieve financial equilibrium include: • 5.3% growth per year in CFW enrollment, • An annual balanced budget, • Projected rates of change in revenue and expense are equal, • Endowment use is limited to preserve its long term purchasing power, and • The budget is not balanced by one-time revenues or unsustainable expense reductions. After having struggled with a volatile equity market in the latter part of 2008 and in the first half of 2009 that placed significant stress on endowment performance, the Dow closed above 11,000 in March for the first time in eighteen months. The market value of Wilson’s endowment portfolio as of March 31, 2010 was $56,035,380, up $14.7 million from the market value as of June 30, 2009, reflecting a 34.34% increase in performance for the past 12-month period. The Board, in conjunction with its investment advisors from the Solaris Group, made a courageous and wise decision to stay the course during the recession, which enabled the endowment to recover its losses from the 2008-09 recessionary period. It should be noted that many other colleges abandoned the equity markets during the recession and are now struggling to recover their losses. With additional gifts from the Appenzellar estate and the Lenfests, the total endowment including funds held in perpetual trust had a market value of nearly $66 million on March 31, 2010. Wilson continues to show strong financial performance due to excellent leadership from the Board, the College’s administration and its investment advisors. Respectfully submitted, Sue Ross ’66 Ellen Reed ’53 Tracy Leskey ’90 Alumnae Trustees
Save the date! Plan to join the Alumnae Association in Bethlehem Saturday, Dec. 4, for a luncheon reception. More details to follow!
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Alumnae Association President’s Report June 2009 – June 2010
Every year at our Annual Meeting in June, we have an opportunity to reflect on past events and accomplishments throughout the year. We’re pleased to report that the Alumnae Association Board in conjunction with the Alumnae Relations Office has many accomplishments we want to share with you.
Alumnae Relations Office Last year, we welcomed a new employee in the Alumnae Relations Office – Lauren McLane. Lauren graduated with a bachelor of arts in history and political science from Dickinson College. While in college she participated in a study abroad program and spent a year studying in Modena, Italy. Prior to her employment at Wilson, she worked for The Record Herald in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, where she was the Bureau Chief for the Greencastle area. In the Alumnae Relations Office, her primary responsibility is Managing Editor of the Alumnae Quarterly. Under Lauren’s direction, we’ve seen steady improvements to the writing quality, content and design of the Alumnae Quarterly, including a redesign of the cover page incorporating Wilson’s new logo. Many of you know that Ann Terry has been our greatest asset for four years setting forth a high level of professionalism to the operations of the Alumnae Relations Office. Ann and her husband are relocating to Sacramento, California due to her husband’s promotion with Target Corporation. We are deeply indebted to Ann for bringing her professionalism, excellent judgment, extraordinary talent, and sense of humor to the position of Director of Alumnae Relations. Under her direction, the Alumnae Relations Office has enjoyed a vitality and stability that has not been seen for years. Although we will miss Ann most certainly, we are thrilled with her new adventure to California and wish her much success and happiness. Shortly after Ann announced her resignation, a Search Committee was appointed composed of Susan Ross ’66 as Chair, Sandra Griggs Clark ’85, Mary Cramer ’91, Laureen Lutz ’08, and Mimi Stevenson ’74. The Search Committee is in the final stages of its evaluation and plans to make its recommendation for hire to President Edmundson by mid-June. One of Ann’s strengths is in event planning as she enjoys meeting alumnae and sharing ideas to encourage them to stay involved with Wilson. You may have seen Ann or Amy Earnest at some of the regional club events in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, or Northern New Jersey. Ann also helped to launch the Leading with Confidence: the Campaign for Wilson and corresponding regional tour with President Edmundson. This past September, Ann planned and organized Leadership Weekend which focused on training new class officers, updating and assisting current officers and offering help to those classes getting ready for their Reunion. Those who attended were grateful for the training materials and planning information, so we’ll continue to provide this support on an annual basis. Last year, in an effort to seek continuous quality improvements, the Alumnae Relations office, in conjunction with the Alumnae
Advancement Advisory committee of the Board, conducted a survey in order to obtain valuable information on the website. A high level of importance was identified by 74% of the responders who want to learn about what is happening on campus with respect to student news, events and reunion weekend. The committee evaluated ways to provide access to information that will benefit our alumnae, and therefore established a Facebook site where you can sign up to become a “fan.” Currently, we have 951 fans representing twenty countries with more fans joining each day. According to Facebook statistics, the most active users are in the age group from 25-34 years. Two years ago, Ann Terry developed a gold-plated pine and maple lapel pin, designed by Afton Unger, which was given to our recent graduates during Commencement 2008, 2009, and then again in 2010. The lapel pin has become a symbol for the Association, whereby many of our alumnae have purchased a pin through the Emporium and wear it proudly to Wilson events. Ann and her staff have been working diligently to make improvements to on-campus events, including brochure design and additional programming, such as Alumnae Colleges, to encourage alumnae to return to Wilson. This year’s Reunion theme MANY voices, ONE song promises to be an eventful one. Please join us in congratulating Ann and her staff on planning and executing an exciting Reunion for 2010 and for all their efforts supporting alumnae throughout the year.
Board and Association Activities The Alumnae Travel program continues to thrive providing valuable funds for use by the Association. This past year, the Alumnae Travel Program shifted its focus from international travel to domestic regional travel, where alumnae traveled to Hudson River Valley for a visit to Kykuit, the hilltop estate and home to four generations of the Rockefeller family and a tour of the West Point Academy, to historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with a visit to the Moravian Museum, and to Merion, Pennsylvania to see the renown Barnes Collection. Later this year, the Travel Committee is planning a custom-designed tour of California’s Napa Valley wine country. Timed for “the crush” of the grapes at peak season, alumnae will sample selected wines and learn about winemaking in a variety of venues. A highlight will be Sunday lunch at the Niesar ranch with Ortrun Koch Niesar ’61 and her daughter Kirsten, who will talk about their small vineyard and life in the Valley. We expect to continue to host regional trips in the upcoming months, so please share with us your favorite destination, and we’ll include it in our planning. The Finance Committee works closely with Ann to ensure that our funds are appropriately budgeted and allocated. In June, the Board plans to review and approve the most recent audited financial report for calendar year 2009 with total excess revenue and support over expenses of $46,700, including both unrestricted and restricted funds. Two years ago, the Finance Committee, working in response to a request from the Class of 1966, developed an investment vehicle – the long-term Reunion Gift Fund to enable classes to plan ahead Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
19
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News for their 50th reunion by providing a mechanism for long-term investing. All donations to class gifts are recognized as tax-deductible contributions in the year they are given and are listed in the College’s Annual Donor Report. So far, we have five classes that have established long-term Reunion Gift Funds – the classes of 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966 and 1974. Our investment strategy is conservative with an emphasis on protection of principal; however, we are now able to accept donations of equity securities with stop-loss provisions in place to mitigate against market risk. Many of you are aware that the Association was granted tax-exempt status in December 2000 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is therefore dedicated to following a set of principles to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance. In addition to development of fiscal policies, the Board approved and implemented a Code of Conduct policy last year. This year, the Finance Committee has been diligently evaluating the requirements for legal compliance and public disclosure as a result of the new IRS Form 990. The committee recently drafted a conflict of interest policy which will be reviewed by the Board in June. As many of you know, these policies not only help to ensure ethical and trustworthy behavior, but equally important, help to develop strong practices that contribute to the effectiveness and long-term viability of the Association. One of the most rewarding things the Board considers is the selection of honorees for Association-conferred awards. In June 2009, we presented awards to distinguished alumnae and faculty including Dr. Barbara Tenney ’67 for the Distinguished Alumna Award, Lucinda Sandford Landreth ’69 for the Tift College Award, and Professor Emerita Joyce Donatelli for the Faculty Award. During Reunion Weekend this year, we’ll be presenting awards to Distinguished Alumna, Mary Lou Kerfoot Wells ’65 and the Tift College Award to Lucille Cleeland Tooke ’40 during a reception at the Brooks Complex. Also, we’ll be presenting the faculty award to Dr. Ainslee Gruen, founder of the VMT program at Wilson. In 2001, the Board voted to install commemorative bricks on campus for the honorees of Association-conferred awards. By working closely with Jeff Zufelt and his staff, the Awards Committee selected a distinctive ivory brick color and placed approximately 35 bricks in the existing commemorative walkway. We hope you’ll have the opportunity to take a few moments to see this installation. In addition, some of the awardees from prior years have requested that they be honored with a tree plaque for an existing tree on campus. Eleven of these tree plaques have been installed, as well. Many of you are aware that alumnae who use the Wilson College Bank of America Credit Card help to provide funding for student internships. Since students majoring in VMT and business studies are required to have internships, availability of these funds is often critical to the success of our students. This past year, the Pittsburgh Club of Wilson College also provided funding for student internships which allowed us to broaden our outreach to students and provide funding to six outstanding students amounting to nearly $3,500. In addition, the Association sponsors two scholarships annually with endowed funds. The Legacy Scholarship is awarded to fulltime, undergraduate students who are daughters or granddaughters of Wilson College alumnae. The Ethelbert Warfield scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who have completed their junior year on the basis of scholarship, general influence and financial need. During the past few years, the Association has awarded 20
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
over $3,300 for Legacy scholarships and $5,400 for Warfield scholarship to deserving students. The Alumnae Association Board, Admissions Office, and Student Development continue to collaborate in ways that strengthen the recruitment and retention of students. This year during Premiere Weekend, we invited five outstanding young alumnae to participate in panel discussions with prospective students and parents where they discussed their careers and experiences beyond Wilson. According to Mary Ann Naso, each group of students and parents were truly impressed to meet these Wilson alumnae, fondly calling them overachievers. We’re delighted to acknowledge these confident and dedicated women: • Krista Godbout Weaver ’02 – BS in business • Shannon Dalton ’02 – PhD in chemistry from Bryn Mawr College • Meg Oldman ’08 – BA in English and working on her MA in English at Marshall University • Shannon Siegwart Small ’08 – BA Mass Communications • Jennifer Chilcoat Peiffer ’05 – BS in biology and mathematics We also sponsored events and activities on campus in conjunction with Student Development, including the Etiquette Dinner, Senior Splits, and the ever-popular Food for Finals Waffle night. The Board greatly values its role in the Wilson community and strives to find ways to strengthen relationships with administration, students, and faculty. This year the Board provided funding for the Performing Arts Series and Career Services, and planned the annual off-campus dinner with students at the Main Street Deli Restaurant. Unfortunately, the dinner was canceled due to February’s unusually heavy snow fall, but we’ll plan for another dinner with students next year to continue our tradition of an annual event. During the past two years, we’ve examined ways to preserve the soundness and integrity of the Association by engaging in board education on a variety of topics, including leadership and governing models, the role of the Board and its committees, and the duties of directors. As mentioned previously, our goal is to reinforce a common understanding of transparency, accountability and good governance – not only to ensure ethical and trustworthy behavior, but equally important, to develop strong practices that contribute to the effectiveness and long-term viability of the Association. In addition, we’re strengthening the structure of the Board by preparing written guidebooks and procedures for committees and providing for succession planning. Lastly, we would be remiss if we failed to mentioned the extraordinary work of the ad hoc Bylaws committee comprised of Ellen Van Looy Reed ’53 as Chair, Tracy Leskey ’90 and Sylvia Singletary ’86 who will be presenting a complete revision of the Bylaws for review and approval by the membership during the Annual Meeting. We’re thankful to have the opportunity to serve our alumnae and the Wilson community. Of course, you make it possible for Wilson to continue to thrive and serve new generations of students. So let’s work together to stay connected to Wilson, share our stories with one another, and continually serve the Wilson community. Respectfully submitted,
Paula S. Tishok ‘71 Alumnae Association President
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Reunion 2010 O
n a balmy weekend in early June, more than 300 alumnae converged on campus for a weekend filled with laughter, memories, smiles, and, of course, class rivalries. Alumnae from eight decades—1935 to 2005—came to share memories, participate in campus activities, and resurrect their class-song wars. At the Odds-Evens dinner, the EVENS won the Odds-Evens Trophy. Celebrating their 50th class reunion, the Class of 1960 had more than 50 members return, which earned the class the Reunion Bowl, an award that goes to the class with the largest number of class members registered. The Class of 1960 also won the Silver Cup, which is awarded to the class with the largest percentage of members registered. In terms of giving, the Class of 1960 went two for three in awards, picking up the President’s Plaque—given to the reunion class with the highest five-year participation in the Wilson fund—and also the Class Crystal—given to the reunion class with the highest total Wilson Fund giving for the current fiscal year— but lost the Silver Tray—which is awarded to the reunion class with the highest five-year total restricted and unrestricted giving to the Wilson Fund—to the Class of 1955.
Totals were: Silver Tray 1st—Class of 1955, $18,556,021 2nd—Class of 1945, $566,800 3rd—Class of 1950, $256,506
President’s Plaque 1st—Class of 1960, with 71.56% 2nd—Class of 1965, with 70.64% 3rd—Class of 1945, with 69.23%
Class Crystal 1st—Class of 1960, $41,000 2nd—Class of 1965, $26,561 3rd—Class of 1950, $25,593
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
21
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Welcome Reception
Odds & Evens Dinner
22
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Class Procession
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
23
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
All-Alumnae Luncheon
Alumnae Awards Reception
24
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
Reunion 2010
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
25
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
26
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
Reunion 2010
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
27
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
1935 Grace Tyson Schlichter
1940 Lucille Cleeland Tooke, Margaret Jenkel White
1950 Back row, from left: Lois Heller Adamsen, Frances Bolgiano Smith, Patricia Otis Koch, Emily Aman, Joanne Martin, Ann Vanderhoff Watral, Janet Wright Bloomfield, Jeanne Dunning Tyrer, Frances Matheson Vroom, Barbara Rollka Weeks, Lilly Stone Lievsay, Patricia Shollenberger Bear, Carolyn Trembley Shaffer
1945 Phyllis Smith
28
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
Front row, from left: Arlene Eason Grede, Marilyn Lynn Malkemes Sharpe, Ruth Audet Kellett, Nannie Wicks Lawler, Elizabeth Hart Guiher, Ines De Cesare Alexinas, Elizabeth Johnson, Jane Forsyth Messimer, Margaret Baldwin Thamm, Patricia Jeter Ernst
Reunion 2010 1955 Back row, from left: Jean Dash Biel, Nancy Lee Snyder, Joni Zaccara Park, Carolyn Chandler Chen, Jane Bennett Frazer, Mary Wagner Vlahos, Caryl Hart Von Neida Front row, from left: Damaris Swartz Weidner, Anne Walker Reiner, Marjorie Phillips, Nora Kay Hugh Brown, Carol Morris Stroehlen, Dorothy Smith Wagner, Jane Sanford McCurdy
1960 Back row, from left: Mary Mally Hocker Bird, Sallie Walters, Deborah Borton, Jo-Ann Stroh Pierie, Ann Penny Heald Meyer, Elizabeth Strong Papagiannis, Patricia Warner, Tessa Peruzzi Pascarella, June Filiatrault Mele, Virginia Wilson, Elizabeth Mohn Ericksen, Abby Viehe BrownWatson, Jocelyn Ripley, Karla Rueckert Herr Third row, from left: Helen Hoffa Hughlett, Marjorie Southwood Lichtenstein, Lynn Bottrill Halpern, Mary Conrow Coelho, Sarah Flowers, Nancy Schaake Hartman, Jean Gogolin, Nancy Hackett, Joann Fisher Schmidt, Patricia Reber, Antoinette Henretta Conger, Barbara Patterson Peterson, Nancy Craven Henry Second row, from left: Peggy Crumling Bierach, Elizabeth McCracken, Nancy Wilker Fitch, Sarah Haines, Carol Kozlowski Bajor, Ann Kay Kirsch Gilbert, Mary Redington Galbraith, Norma Collier, Kathryn Watchorn Hearn, Susan Sheffey Gatliff, Ruth de Sola Wasser Mendes Front row, from left: Melesse Werkheiser Traylor, Carol Hatch Roberts, Marcia Hicks Kozub,Donna Larson Robertson, Susanne Sunday Sanderson, Betty Lou Leedom Thompson, Judith Carl Moyer, Barbara Orchard Engler, Carol Kiebler Mixer
1965 Third row, from left: Nancy Read McCabe, Polly Fersh, Caroline Cumming Peterson, Janet Lane Antippas, Mary Longcope Smith
Second row, from left: Margaret Ward, Timi Garritt Parsons, Cathryn Samuel Wolf, April Knight Barth, Jeanne Crawford Beck
First row, from left: Susan Vastine Fitch, Mina Bancroft Wuchenich, Janice Landsome Webb, Mary Lou Kerfoot Wells, Gail Monteferrario Gersch, Janna Brown Cracas
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
29
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News 1970 Third row, from left: Anna Harwood Strong, Suzanne Durand Gamble, Lydia Saris-Mechenbier, Cindy Casey Walsh, Sally Jung Beucler, Carolyn Von Bulow Dittmar, Beth Oehrig Lange, Elsa Beyer Heintzelman, Mary Ann Pink Hollen, Pamela Spear Price, Susan Horvath Swart, Marsha Koston, Leslie Hickland Hanks Second row, from left: Patricia Peters Gunkelman, Nancy Dragonette Morse, Gayle Alfson Gunnerson, Janet Knox Harvey, Grace Venable Jenchura, Lana Fisher Sutton, Diane Banchiere, Maureen Kivney, Margaret Overhoff, Emily Gaston Muller, Carolyn Cordonnier Eckhardt, Gwen Taylor Monroe First row, from left: Cazella Hinojosa Goodall, Carole Stoehr Ashbridge, Elizabeth Yeomans, Susan Smith, Nance Lowe DuPont, Virginia Sachse Alworth, Alene Markwood Boyar, Paula Schmuck Roberts, Martha Hart Johns, Eleanor Weren McQuillen, Ruth Ludeke Macklin
1975 Back row, from left: Amy Neilson Clapp, Elizabeth Collmus Fisher, Jill Ross, Robin Wanner Panzer, Stephanie Bucher Janke
Front row, from left: Deborah Gilmore, Megan Filer Wieand, Vicki Wyan, Susan Muller
1980 From left: Karen Steiner, Kendal Hopkins, Mib Campbell, Phyllis Bard
30
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
Reunion 2010
1985 Back row, from left: Sandra Griggs Clark, Alison Hubbard-Crouse, Christine Packard, Jane Charlier Emrick, Patricia Patty Spatig McGuire, Ellen Chen-Cooper Front row: Sarah Muller Smith
1990 Back row, from left: Erin-Joi Collins, Victoria Barnes-Lewis, Lee Bennett Stephens, Wanda Eskew Front row, from left: Wendy Freund Boller, Kathy Boyd David, Tracy Leskey, Jewell Parise Laughman
2000 Back row, from left: Christine Meincke, Jennifer Moyer-Damiani Front row, from left: Lisa Barrows Mullin, Sara Redman-Koontz, Jennifer Fenstermacher
2005 Back row, from left: De-Enda Rotz, Rebecca Ross and son Noah, Jessica Doyle
Front row, from left: Lorrie Rejonis Trader, Frances Weidert, Tracey Condon-Kneifl
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
31
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Alumnae Awards Mary Lou Kerfoot Wells ’65 Distinguished Alumna Award Mary Lou Kerfoot Wells ’65 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Wilson in 1965. She went on to earn an MBA in computer applications and Information Science from New York University in 1981. Wells began her career in 1965 as one of the early computer programmers. She was hired and trained by AT&T Long Lines in White Plains, N.Y., right after graduation. She developed her technical skills also working for Alcoa, and McDonnell Douglas. In 1974 she joined Citibank N.A. in New York and held various technical and managerial positions until her retirement in 1999. She was named a Vice President in 1986. Wells first became involved in Wilson alumnae activities in 1979. Inspired by what was happening on campus and the lack of any coordinated response from NYC she re-organized the New York City Wilson Club which in May 1981 sponsored the Preview party for the Wilson Auction at Christies. The auction netted Wilson a much needed $180,000. She headed the New York Club from 1979 until 1988 and has been ongoing NYC college liaison since then. Wells became involved in class activities in 1990, serving as reunion chair that year. She was her class’s correspondent from 1990 to 1995 and has served as Class President and Class Ambassador since 2000.
Dr. Ainslee Gruen Faculty Award By Dianna C. Heim
32
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
Wells’ sister, Betsy Kerfoot Warwick ’70, made a gift to Wilson for Wells’ 50th birthday present. That gift and Wells’ match provided a computer lab in the library. Starting with that gift, Mary Lou and John increased their support for Wilson and provided funding in the current campaign for the Computer Science Operations/Systems Lab in the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology. Wells currently serves on the Capital Campaign Committee. Wells served on the Wilson Alumnae Board and Nominating Committee from 1987 to 1991. She was elected to the Wilson Board of Trustees in 1994 and served until 2003. She served on the Building and Grounds, College Advancement, Finance and Trusteeship Committees. She served as Board Secretary from 1999 to 2002. She was honored as Trustee Emerita at Commencement in May 2007. Mary Lou married John S. Wells in 1969. She and John have lived in Brooklyn Heights, NY, since 1974. She is active at Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, having served on many committees and on the Plymouth Council. She was director of the church’s homeless shelter in 2010. She has served on the Board of Heights and Hills, an organization that provides services for the frail elderly, since 1986. She and John have no children. They enjoy traveling, anything to do with food, and living in NYC.
Ainslee Arnold Gruen is delighted to be an ‘old horse doctor.’ For most of his career as a veterinarian, large animals were the first love of this small town New Jersey boy. So when he was asked to teach veterinary nursing classes at Wilson in the early 1980s, he was happy to share that love with students. But pursuing his passion was as challenging for Gruen as it can be for Wilson’s veterinary medical technology graduates today. “It was hard to get in a veterinary medical school before World War II,” the 90-year-old retiree recalls. “It was expensive. There were not many schools offering a doctorate.” After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry at Rutgers University, the war erupted and Gruen served as a Navy pilot. Even then, he was determined to follow his dream, volunteering to serve with the Army Veterinary Corps. The young married veteran then took advantage of the GI bill to complete his doctorate at the University of Penn. He moved his family to Chambersburg,
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
Lucille Cleeland Tooke ’40 Tift College Award Presented by Kathie Berard Her mother’s fond memories of Wilson brought her to the College and her own experiences caused Lucille Cleeland Tooke ’40 to value her Wilson College education so much that she gave her first paycheck to the College in 1941. Since then, Tooke has been an integral part of the Wilson College community, giving of her time and her talent to help the school she loves. She has given several generous gifts to the Equestrian Center, including a new arena. Her gifts have renovated the farmhouse at the Fulton Center for Sustainable Living, and provided the skeleton of a horse that is named in honor of her late husband Jack in the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology. Tooke graduated from Wilson with a bachelor’s degree in English just before America entered the Second World War. After graduation, she worked at Butler Business College, where she used her Wilson degree to teach English classes for about eight weeks in the winter of 1941. “The attorney that had the business law class asked me to come and work for him after I graduated. I didn’t like him, so I said ‘no.’ The man who owned the business college ask me to be his secretary, but I didn’t like him, either, so I said no,” Tooke recalled. “I was waiting for my husband, Jack, to graduate from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) so we could get married. I had been waiting since I was 16, but you just didn’t get married during the Depression. You just didn’t do things that
eventually opening a practice. More than 25 years into his career, he was ready for a leisurely retirement when once again, fate changed his plans. “I developed cancer of the bladder. Boy, when that happens, your aspect about things change,” he remembers. “About that time, Wilson wasn’t doing very well. Dr. (Davison) Grove called me up and offered the opportunity to teach. It was thought it would bring more students to campus.” Almost immediately, the program had challenges. “It was hard to get support from the College’s administration at the time because it was an associate’s degree program,” he recalls. “The way veterinary work was moving, it needed to be a bachelor’s degree or even followed up with a master’s program.” The present success of Wilson’s Veterinary Medical
didn’t make sense, like getting married without jobs or a way to support a family,” Tooke recalled with a laugh. The couple finally wed on Oct. 3, 1942, after more than five years of courting. “It was horses that brought us together and kept us together,” she said. “He found out I loved horses and he would drive past my house on his way to the barn.” From a shared love of equines, their romance blossomed and they dated all through college, even when she was in Chambersburg and he was in Pittsburgh, almost 200 miles away. “He came to every prom,” she recalled. After graduation, her husband was stationed in Galveston, Texas, and Tooke joined him there after graduation. In thinking back over her college career, she said she came to Wilson because of her mother, Helen Cleeland, who was the only already-married woman admitted to Wilson. During World War One, Helen planned to attend Ohio State University, but her husband, Carl, was sent to Georgia. “And there was Mother—he had her away from her home, so he enrolled her in Wilson as a married woman. I’m sure to their knowledge she was the only married woman ever accepted. I’m sure there were others who got married while they were here; we had one in our class. Mother left after a while and returned to Georgia,” Tooke recalled. Although her mother did not graduate, she would have graduated with the Class of 1922, which has a garden plot on campus. Tooke used to help weed it in honor of her mother. When she thinks back at her time at and donations to Wilson, Tooke observed that, “Horses were the one thing I was constantly interested in. I rode in college, but the horses weren’t available on campus at the time, so they had to be brought in.” “Father didn’t think he could afford to send me to college. He said they would save the money for Bob, my brother to go to college, but Bob was something of a playboy and wasn’t interested in college, and Mother was adamant that I would go.” And she did.
Technology program is very real for Gruen as a family member, his step great-granddaughter, Erin Garia ’10 of Lower Burrell, Pa., graduated in May with the degree. “I see an excellent future (for the VMT field) and I’m overjoyed with the direction Wilson is going. It’s a very positive accomplishment that we have something like this in Chambersburg,” he says. Gruen is also proud of his work to bring another learning opportunity to Wilson. He is the founder of the Institute for Retired Persons which meets weekly on campus. “A few months ago, we celebrated 25 years and I discovered I am the only surviving member of the initial group. And I’d like to keep it that way for a while,” he quips with a smile.
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
33
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News
President’s State of the College Address
Alumnae Reunion 2010 Alumnae Chapel, Thomson Hall Good morning. Welcome back to Wilson, where I hope you are finding relief from Chambersburg’s early summer heat under the spreading Pines and Maples, along Fulton Farm’s interpretive trail or in the cooling waters of the Conococheague. It is always a great pleasure for me to welcome you – Wilson’s beloved alumnae and the family members who accompany you – home for Alumnae Reunion 2010. I’d like to give a special welcome to: • Board Chair Trudi Warner Blair ’76, Trustees and faculty emeriti • Co-chair of Leading with Confidence: The Campaign for Wilson College, Betty Lou Leedom Thompson ’60 and campaign committee members • Paula Spezza Tishok ’71, president of the Alumnae Association and Alumnae Association Board members Thank you all for working so diligently on behalf of Wilson. Wilson and I are blessed with a strong and experienced Cabinet, the senior officers who oversee the five divisions of the College. Each of these individuals is a seasoned professional and deeply committed to Wilson’s mission. Together we work as a highly functioning team and enjoy each other’s company. They are: • Dr. Mary Hendrickson, Vice President for Academic Affairs/ Dean of Faculty • Carolyn Perkins, Vice President for Student Development/ Dean of Students; • Mary Ann Naso, Vice President for Enrollment; • Jeff Zufelt, Vice President for College Advancement. • The fifth member of the Cabinet, Jim Fisher, Vice President for Finance and Administration, is away from campus this morning, chairing a strategic planning retreat for the Eastern Association of College and University Business officers, but he will join us later this afternoon. Please help me thank them. Once again this year, you’ve returned in record numbers – 285 alumnae and guests from 26 states and Canada – the largest attendance in 16 years. At the luncheon today, each reunion class will be recognized with fanfare as you process in your finery into Jensen Dining Hall. However, now I’d like to take a moment now to honor those classes who are celebrating particularly special years. Please stand when I call your class: • After 25 years, Class of 1985 34
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
• After 50 years, Class of 1960 – 52 strong! • After 55 years, Class of 1955 • After 60 years, Class of 1950 • After 65 years, Class of 1945, and Phyllis Smith is here to represent the Class of 1945, making a special effort to attend, traveling by train from Philadelphia Now we turn from introducing all of you young whippersnappers to celebrating our elders: Returning to celebrate their 70th reunion, representing the Class of 1940: • Lucille Cleeland Tooke • Margaret Jenkel White We even have a member of the Class of 1935 returning to celebrate her 75th reunion, Grace Tyson Schlichter, who will join us later this morning at the Alumnae Luncheon. Many of you have come great distances to be here today. It’s especially exciting to see how many folks are now flying in from all up and down the west coast. It’s been a great pleasure to bring more of you people from the frontier back home to the east. Nine of you made the trip from the west coast to Wilson this year: • Ruth Byers Fraley ’71 • Sue Vastine Fitch ’65 (Sanford Fitch), Jeanne Crawford Beck ’65 (David Beck), Mina Bancroft Wuchenich ’65 • Helen Peel Bates ‘61 (accompanied by Rachel Barr) • Jane Sanford McCurdy ’55 (accompanied by Dudley McCurdy) • 50th year reunion class: Melesse Werkeiser Traylor ’60, Mary Redington Galbraith ’60 (Jim Galbraith), Nancy Craven Henry ’60 (Richard Henry) Some of you haven’t been back for 40 or more years! Welcome! But, it’s Abby Viehe Brown-Watson ’60 who takes the prize this year for traveling the farthest, coming from her home in Hawaii with her husband, David. I tell you with confidence – and with your help – Wilson will be here to welcome you and students like you from Hawaii to Harrisburg for generations to come. This has been another remarkable year for Wilson. We began the academic year with the largest incoming class since the 1970s (848). Fifty-three of these students are enrolled in science-based majors, a very fine distinction for a college dedicated to educating women. We brought the year to a close by hosting a commencement speaker who was recently named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the United States – Dr. Temple
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News Grandin, an exceptional person in more ways than one. Dr. Grandin is: • An associate professor of animal science at Colorado State University • Author • Lecturer on autism • Quality of life advocate for agricultural animals She spoke forcefully about her life as an autistic person and her remarkable career as a national expert in designing humane environments for the livestock industry. Perhaps you saw the HBO special on her life that aired this spring. Excerpts of her Wilson speech are available on Wilson’s Facebook page, easily accessible from the Wilson website. We conferred upon her a Wilson honorary doctorate in the sciences. Dr. Pamelia Hayes-Houldin also received an honorary doctorate at commencement and spoke briefly to the graduates. Dr. Hayes-Houldin is the founder and director of Global Works, Stone Mountain Adventures and Horsepower Farm; and is president of the board of the Pennsylvania Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship. Her life is a testimony to how one’s talents, interests and hard work can help raise the quality of life for others. But the main event was, of course, our Wilson graduates – 157 of them, including 78 students in the College for Women, as well as students in the Adult Degree and Teacher Internship programs. Six students graduated with master’s degrees in education, the second graduating class to do so. The quality of our graduates is commensurate with the rigorous but supportive Wilson living/learning environment that is fostered by exceptional faculty and staff who urge our students on to high levels of accomplishment. Here are three examples, three 2010 graduates who presented their senior projects to the College community on the first annual Student Scholarship Day: • Jacquelyn Aleece Valencia, an English major and student in the Women with Children Program, who read from her astonishing, fine chapbook of poems – some of which were published even before she graduated. • Travis Tosten, math major, son of Associate Vice President for Finance Lori Tosten, and an Adult Degree Programs student, who mesmerized us with his presentation, “A Different Proof for Pi,” clearly loving every minute of the challenge. • Disert Scholar Mariza Lakmini Shehara Cooray, one of a long line of wonderful students from Sri Lanka. Mariza described her international research project in economics, in which she studied the impact of received remittances on savings behavior. During her years at Wilson, Mariza studied in China and at the London School of Economics, where she plans to attend graduate school. During commencement weekend, five members of the graduating class were inducted into the Wilson chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. The transformation that occurs in our students between their first and last years at Wilson is nothing short of amazing. We owe a debt of thanks to the talented and dedicated faculty, administrators and staff who urge our students on to great levels of accomplishment. To do this, they too must continue to be scholars. Here are just a few examples of faculty scholarship: Dr. Michael Cornelius, associate professor of English and chair
of the department, recently signed a contract for publication of his ninth book. His creative, non-fiction essay, “Innocence and Esperance,” is forthcoming in the next issue of the literary journal, Wild Violet. Dr. Celeste Bartel, assistant professor of education, participated in the American Geophysical Union Oceans Conference in Portland, where she presented a paper on complex visualizations and co-ran a session on Communicating Ocean Sciences. Dr. Jill Hummer, assistant professor of political science, led a workshop entitled “YouTube in the Classroom: Incorporating Online Video into Instruction” at the American Political Science Association’s Teaching and Learning Conference. For the eighth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges issue named Wilson as: • A “Top Tier” and “Best Value” college and • Ranked Wilson 17th among best baccalaureate colleges in the Northern region. Being named a “Best Value” means a college is high in quality and affordable, both very important to students and families. A “Best Value” is exactly what we must continue to be if we are to serve talented students from all economic backgrounds. When President Obama assumed office and announced his plan to dramatically increase the college-going population, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities developed a short list of eight private colleges that are already doing groundbreaking work in enabling students to complete a college education, despite their financial situation. When this short-list of eight was sent to the White House, guess which small women’s college was included? Your alma mater, Wilson College. Not only are we still recognized for our high-quality programs for adults, but our nationally acclaimed Women with Children Program continues to be the model others emulate. Today, Wilson also houses the National Center for Single Mothers in Higher Education, and we are moving forward to fulfill a more expansive vision for the Hankey Center – that is, to become a national center for the study of the education of women and girls, as well as the state-of-the-art facility that houses the College’s archives and the Hunnicutt Classics Gallery. It is actually quite remarkable that we have been able to raise Wilson’s visibility in the marketplace as much as we have, but we are now at a tipping point – one that will enable us to heighten Wilson’s name recognition, an important factor in increasing enrollment. First of all, we finally have a full-fledged, three-person communications department that is working effectively to secure media attention, raise public awareness about Wilson and lead us in a strategic branding initiative. I’d like to thank all of you who participated in the branding study by completing surveys and participating in focus groups. We wanted to draw from those closest to and most knowledgeable about the Wilson experience. Key words and phrases that were on the lips of many were “distinctive pedagogy,” “transformative experience” and “instilled confidence in me.” The century-old Wilson Honor Principle, our commitment to sustainability as evidenced through the activities of the Fulton Center for Sustainable Living, our high enrollments in the sciences, and our commitments to the liberal arts and to preparing students for Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
35
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News global citizenship are all distinctions upon which to build. You can see some tangible evidence of the branding initiative in our new graphic identity that appears on the campaign website and the new logo, “Wilson College with Confidence,” which is displayed on the bright blue banners throughout the campus. Soon to come will be the work of a new Integrated Marketing Committee and increasingly focused messages about Wilson’s distinctions. To emphasize these distinctions and to respond to a directive from the Middle States Commission, we’ve refined and expanded the College Mission and Vision Statements to reflect more clearly our values and purposes, as well as the more complex Wilson that exists today. Listen to the revised language: Mission: Wilson is an independent college with a proud history of educating women since 1869 through rigorous study of the liberal arts and sciences. Today, Wilson’s mission also includes women and men enrolled in adult degree and graduate programs. Guided by the Honor Principle and distinguished by its commitment to transformative student growth, Wilson College prepares all of its graduates for fulfilling lives and professions, ethical leadership and humane stewardship of our communities and our world. Vision: Wilson College will gain national recognition as a small, independent college known for its academic strength, distinctive pedagogy, innovative programs and well-prepared graduates. The vision is developed further under these three themes: • Transforming Educational Experience • Distinctive Innovative Programs • Strong, Integrated Planning and Assessment You will find the Mission and full Vision Statement on Wilson’s website. Grand language, you might say, but how will we have the resources to deliver on these promises? We are not rich, but our human, financial and physical resources are increasing. We are managing to get through this recession with a fair amount of dignity. We had not had to lay people off, take furloughs or enforce salary cuts, like many of our peer institutions. We were able to help 247 of 250 students remain enrolled at Wilson, despite the recession-caused financial hardships they and their families were facing. Why were we able to do these things when others couldn’t? Because we had set a strategic goal eight years earlier to prepare for inevitable economic downturns such as this one, and had been steadily and rigorously exercising financial discipline. Before the economy took a downward turn, we had: • Doubled our endowment to a total of $68 million. • Nearly doubled net tuition revenue per student. • Reduced the tuition discount rate from 47 percent to 34 percent. • Reduced the endowment spending rate from 7 percent to below 6 percent, on our way down to 5 percent. We’d: • Begun using all unrestricted bequests for strategic purposes that advanced the mission, rather than just balance the budget. • Kept our promise to employees by successfully implementing a five-year plan that greatly enhanced their compensation. • Strengthened staffing and hired new faculty, ensuring that we 36
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
have the capacity to accomplish our goals. • Greatly diversified our investments to achieve maximum endowment growth, all just before the impact of the collapse of the subprime mortgage market was felt. So when the recession hit, we had some flexibility to respond without cutting the muscle out of the College’s workforce. With Board approval, we: • Permitted the tuition discount rate to float up to 42 percent, the average for women’s colleges. • Provided financial aid packages much earlier than before and worked closely with families to rework the financial aid package if they are encountering recent hardships such as loss of employment. • Actively recruited adult students through the U.S. government’s Yellow Ribbon and workforce development programs. However, our operating budgets remain painfully tight. As a result of the downturn in the financial markets, our true endowment temporarily lost about 23 percent of its value. While the markets remain volatile, our investments have rebounded and total endowment value is once again over $60 million. The summer working budget that the Trustees approved two weeks ago is predicated on meeting enrollment expectations, and includes a modest increase in employee compensation, resumes the practice of awarding Strategic Innovation grants, and takes steps to move the tuition discount rate, endowment spending rate and use of bequest funds for anything other than strategic purposes back to the more conservative levels attained before the recession. Another strength in attracting new resources is our recently established corporate, federal and foundation grants staff, who are already helping attract grants from highly desirable sources, such as: • The National Science Foundation for scholarships in mathematics, biology and chemistry. • The Richard Lounsbery Foundation to fully launch the Wilson Institute for Women and Girls in Science, Mathematics, and Technology. • Two foundations, the Henry R. Luce Foundation and the Heinz Foundation, which recently awarded grants to Wilson for the very first time – both in support of the Global Citizenship Initiative. • The Heinz grant funds the development of cross-cultural study programs that make it possible for low-income students and students with full-time work or family responsibilities to participate. • The Luce grant funds a faculty study tour to Asia to strengthen our three existing partnerships in South Korea, develop three more in China and learn more about how these institutions prepare women leaders to advocate for sustainable living. Seven of us embark on this venture at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, so forgive me for not being with you on the last day of Reunion. The Global Citizenship Initiative has great promise for strengthening enrollment by increasing student recruitment and retention, our primary sources of revenue. Bringing more talented international students to Wilson; providing cross-cultural study opportunities for all students, faculty and staff; partnering with colleges abroad; and integrating service learning and sustainability education into the curriculum – all elements of the Global Citizenship Initiative – are known to positively affect enrollment. Wilson is an increasingly popular college of choice for international women students seeking an education:
ODDS & EVENS Alumnae News • Fourteen of the students in residence are from other countries. • Last year, those 17 nations included: France, Peru, Angola, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, The United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, The Czech Republic, Ghana, Lebanon, The Republic of South Korea, China, Armenia, Niger, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan Last summer, we welcomed a group of 30 young women from six Middle Eastern countries who came here to study English and business entrepreneurship. This is an outgrowth of partnering with AMIDEAST, an organization of universities in the U.S. and Middle East to which I was introduced by an alumna in 2002 at a conference in Morocco. These things take time. In January, 20 students from Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, South Korea, came to study on the Wilson campus. We now have six international partnerships in: • Ireland, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia …..and we are about to form one or two more in China and Peru, the first being Ginling College of Nanjing Normal University in Nanjing, a college that has longstanding partnerships with Wellesley, Smith and Mt. Holyoke. Despite the troubled economy back in the United States, there are reasons to be optimistic about Wilson’s prospects: • Summer session 2010 enrollments are even higher than last year’s which, in turn, had surpassed enrollments of the summer of 2008. • We have a record number of applications and deposits in hand for the fall 2010 term, exceeding last year’s applications at this time. • Gifts to the 2009-10 Wilson Fund are presently running 25 percent ahead of where they were last year at this time. • Great progress is being made in the Campaign for Wilson. However, the outlook is complex: • It is not yet clear how much student financial aid will be forthcoming from the state again this year. • While there are some signs that the recession may be easing, the volatile stock market and the continuing high rate of unemployment does not reassure the average person. • Numbers of high school graduates in the Mid-Atlantic region will begin to track down again in the next few years. • Nearly every year, one more women’s college (most recently Rosemont) is forced to go coed. We cannot let that happen here. We have a strong vision for the future, but to realize that vision, we must succeed in leveraging our strengths and distinctions, doubling the Wilson Fund and fully funding our campaign priorities: • Launch the science initiative, with particular emphasis on constructing and maintaining the LEED gold-certified Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science Mathematics and Technology. • Establish the Global Citizenship Initiative. • Create an endowment for faculty, staff and technology development. • Build a strong Wilson Fund that grows each year to enable us to meet essential rising costs and keep a Wilson education high in quality and affordable. The goal of the Leading with Confidence campaign is $45 million. I am happy to tell you that we have already passed the $42 million mark in cash and pledges – $42,100,339, to be exact.
But that is not the whole story. To hear that story, and to hear from students, alumnae and staff who are making that success happen, please be sure to come to the Smith Auditorium in the Brooks Complex at 2:30 p.m. today. We’ll provide more detail about what is happening, and show you an extraordinarily powerful film designed to reconnect you to the Wilson of yesteryear and engage you in our vision for the future. Seeing that film in the auditorium in the Brooks Complex – with all of the latest state-of-the art technology – is a far better viewing experience than it would be here in our lovely chapel. As you have no doubt heard, I recently announced that I will retire from the Wilson presidency in June 2011 after serving for 10 years as your president, and for 40 years in leadership roles in higher education. It will not be easy for me to leave Wilson because I have become deeply invested in the power of this place, even though it is not my alma mater. But as my letter to the Wilson community explains, it is the right time for me to retire – right for me and my family, and good timing for Wilson. However, in this last year of my service to Wilson, I have a number of important things to accomplish and I need you to help me: • Help me reach out and engage more and more alumnae and friends to invest in Wilson. • Help me create an endowment of at least $10 million for the Global Citizenship Initiative and a $5 million endowment for faculty, staff and technology development. • Help me break out of the 10-year cycle of flat giving to the Wilson Fund, moving as quickly as we can to double the fund to $2 million annually. • Help me blow right by that campaign goal of $45 million and set a new fundraising record, despite this uneasy economy. • Help me find donors willing to leverage the Lenfest Challenge grants that match gifts to the Brooks Science Complex and gifts of $10,000 or more to the Wilson Fund. • Help me increase the number of alumnae who will take advantage of the new Thérèse Murray Goodwin ’49 Challenge grant to gifts of at least $1,000 to the Wilson Fund. Help me. Help Wilson help students. Invest in Wilson’s future. Your alma mater is on the move and your dedication and loyalty to Wilson is a key factor in our success. Stay close to us: • Give to your capacity. • Give while you live. • Give past pain to joy! We need you more than ever as we continue to position Wilson as a college that prepares women for leadership, professional accomplishment and global citizenship. Wilson prepared you well, and now it’s your turn to use the power that Wilson gave you to enrich the lives of future generations of women of all ages and cultures who need us and will come. Begin by coming to today’s campaign update session at 2:30 p.m. in the Brooks Complex Auditorium to hear more and to see the film that is likely to make me weep again, even though I’ll be seeing it for the 15th time. Thank you and welcome home. Dr. Lorna Duphiney Edmundson President, Wilson College Alumnae Chapel, June 5, 2010 Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
37
SHAPING THE FUTURE Advancement News
The Lenfest Challenge After Mary Faith Sutton ’58, died suddenly in August 1994, her brother, John, began making modest annual gifts in her memory to the Wilson Fund. In recent months, however, in the course of conversations with Kathie Berard of Wilson’s Advancement Department, he began thinking about making a more substantial gift, perhaps by remembering Wilson College in his will. Kathie then told him about the Lenfest Challenge, and he decided that a gift now of $10,000, which the Challenge would match, would have a more immediate impact on the College. And that is what he has done. Mary Faith came to Wilson, at least in part, because of the College’s generous scholarships for the daughters of clergy, of which she was one. Judy Sherwood, Wilson 1957, who had attended the Day School in New Haven, Connecticut, with Mary Faith, held such a scholarship, and Mary Faith followed her to Chambersburg. At Wilson Mary Faith received a fine liberal arts
John Sutton
education. She majored in English and worked in the college library. She made lifelong friends: Ann Dalton and Janet Holtz were her roommates, and last fall Kathie Berard served as the intermediary in helping them reconnect with John Sutton. Their fond memories of Mary Faith gave John a sepcial incentive to make his gift to Wilson. Mary Sunar, another of Mary Faith’s friends, who has regularly made gifts to the Wilson Fund in her memory, was for John a model of generosity. After graduating from Wilson, Mary Faith devoted her life to serving others. She earned a master’s degree in Christian education from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California, and worked with college students in Texas and Virginia and with Episcopal Church congregations in Roanoke, Virginia, and Cortland, New York. She served as residence director in the YWCAs of Syracuse, New York, and Cambridge, Massachusetts. In Somerville, Massachusetts, she worked for an organization that provides housing for psychiatric patients, and when she died she was a residence manager for the Perkins School for the Blind. Her brother John’s memorial gift to Wilson honors Mary Faith’s life and expresses his love for his sister. “It was important to me,” he says, “to remember her by supporting her alma mater. I hope that others will make memorial gifts to Wilson to remember their loved ones.”
Mary Faith Sutton ’58
For information or to discuss making a gift, visit the College’s website, www.campaignforwilson.org or call the Office of Advancement Office at 717-262-2010 or toll-free at 1-866-466-8660.
38
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
SHAPING THE FUTURE Advancement News
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT GOODWIN PINES AND MAPLES SOCIETY CHALLENGE By Thérèse Murray Goodwin ’49
Thérèse ‘Terry’ Murray Goodwin ’49 feels all alumnae and friends of Wilson should support its mission of providing an exceptional education. In May she established a challenge to encourage that. Through the Goodwin Pines and Maples Challenge, all new individual gifts of $1,000 or increased gifts that reach $1,000 to the Wilson Fund will be matched.
I was born on July 4th, 1927, with a big bang to celebrate it! Unfortunately, this was the eve of the Great Depression which managed to take a pretty tight grip on my family. Mother and Dad took a pretty realistic view of what was happening. With my brother and me, they concentrated on the value of family, friends and home. We bounced around between relatives for a couple of years, (a lifetime education by itself). We all regrouped in Chappaqua, NY in 1938 to take advantage of the excellent Northern Westchester public school system headed by Dr. Robert E. Bell, who many years later joined the faculty of Wilson College. I had set my sights on one of the New England Women’s colleges, but knew that total costs were impossible. All I really wanted was an education. Phyllis Miller Thurston ’49 (a classmate in high school, shared her catalogue on Wilson College. We both visited Wilson in our senior year, discovered that it presented the same educational values as women’s colleges in New England, but not as costly. As I had no specific career in mind, I took every opportunity to broaden my intellect taking classes in subjects that I knew little about, but intrigued me. I participated in as many sports, campus activities and clubs as well as the College (Student) Government Association. Being a women’s college, every leader of these groups had to be a woman. My confidence grew with each experience! I graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry, but in a time when jobs in that field were not readily available. I went into retailing in a training course at Strawbridge and Clothier in Philadelphia. I quite quickly advanced to become a buyer of lingerie at a time when all the new synthetic fabrics and styling were being introduced. Underwear was a whole new ball game…my background in chemistry was well put to use. My late husband and I had three main concerns in life: education, conservation and preservation, the highest being EDUCATION. I firmly believe the lack of it is at the root of so many of our global problems. The construction of the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology is a significant and magnificent draw for new students. I am so pleased with Wilson’s development of science-based courses and innovative programs. Serving single mothers through the Women with Children program… what better way is there to start children’s education, but in the beginning under forward looking conditions. May all we Wilson women continue to lead the way to help and educate others!
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
39
WILSON ATHLETICS
Amelia Doyle wins NEAC tennis championship Named player of the year; twin sister Tessa finishes second Junior transfer Amelia “Mia” Doyle ’12 (Smithsburg, MD/ HCC) defeated two-time defending champion Megan McGowan of Keuka College to earn the victory at #1 singles. She entered the tournament seeded second and defeated Lauren Hall from Penn State Harrisburg (6-2, 6-3) in the semifinals. Despite losing to McGowan earlier in regular season (6-1, 6-3), Doyle broke serve in the first game of the match and never fell behind. She forced McGowan to play most of her game from the baseline, and took away her ability to use her height advantage at the net. Unlike most opponents, Doyle was able to return McGowan’s serves and engage her in long rallies. Her strategy led to a commanding singles victory 6-4, 6-2. “Having played her earlier in the season, Mia knew what she needed to do and executed,” said assistant coach Lyndsy Ayers. “McGowan has a powerful serve and Mia handled it beautifully.” Mia’s twin sister, Tessa Doyle ’12, entered the NEAC Championship seeded third where she faced conference opponent Alison Liberty from Keuka College. This was the first time they met in competition. Tessa defeated Liberty 6-0, 6-2 in the semifinal match-up, advancing her to the championship. In the championship match-up she dropped the first set 6-2 to Bridget Delcoure from SUNY Cobelskill. In the second set Doyle was down 1-4 but battled back to a 5-5 tie, dropped the next game
and played the last game to deuce twice before dropping the set 7-5. “Tessa was a little tense in the first set, but once she settled down and adjusted to the Delcoure’s long lob game she showed her tenacity,” said head coach Mike Ricker. “She has been known to rally from behind but today it was simply a game too late.” Tessa’s runner-up finish earned her NEAC Second Team All-Conference Honors. The Doyle sisters entered the NEAC Championship undefeated in the conference at #1 doubles and 9-1 overall. They faced the #4 seed Wells College in the opening match of the day but dropped the match 8-4. In the consolation match, they saw Penn State Berks but struggled to find their rhythm. They dropped the match 8-3 finishing in fourth place with their only two conference losses for the season. “The magnitude of a NEAC Championship for the Wilson tennis was not lost on the Doyles,” said athletic director Lori Frey. “They started the day feeling the pressure. But their comeback in singles competition is a testament to their mental toughness, skill and competitiveness.” The Doyles overall performance at the NEAC Tennis Championship is the best finish to date for Wilson College. Wilson College entered its fourth year as a NEAC member in the fall.
Wilson Softball Team Advances to Second Straight NEAC Final Four The Phoenix softball team finalized their 2010 regular season 17-10 overall, and 11-6 in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), earning a fourth place seeding in the NEAC championship. Wilson earned the home team advantage and defeated the 5 place Cazenovia Wildcats (Cazneovia, NY) 12-9 in the first round game. Both teams traded runs for the better part of the game; Wilson scored in every inning except the fourth.. The crucial inning for the Phoenix came in the third, when they tallied 6 runs on 5 hits, including a triple by freshman, Tara Fields ’12(Berryville, VA/Clarke County) who scored 2 runs, giving them a 10-6 lead. Wilson went scoreless in the fourth, as the Wildcats chipped away with a homerun by Christine Nichols (Syracuse, NY/ Onondaga) in the fourth and two more in the sixth. Wilson added an insurance run 40
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
in the bottom of the sixth taking the lead 12-9. Freshman pitcher, Nicole Musser ’12 (Middletown, VA/Sherando) blocked any chance for Cazenovia to advance by striking out three batters in the top of the seventh. The Phoenix were led offensively by Liesel Troshak ’11 (McAllisterville, PA/ East Juniata) who went 3-4 at the plate; scoring 2 runs and Megan Roadcap ’13 (Hampshire, IL/Hampshire) who went 2-2. Ranked in fourth place, the Phoenix faced the #1 seed and defending champion, Keuka College, in the first game of the double elimination tournament. Keuka scored in the first inning and held on for the win. Wilson out hit the Storm 4-2 but had difficulty combining them together for runs. Their loss dropped them to the loser’s bracket, where they faced #3 Penn State Berks. The Phoenix scored 9 runs
on 7 hits and capitalized on 7 errors committed by Berks. Berks scored a lone run in the fifth inning but the Phoenix held them off for the 9-1 win. Wilson dropped the semi-final match-up 4-5 to SUNY IT. SUNY IT took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, added two more in the third, and an additional run in the fifth. The Phoenix chipped away at the lead one run at a time, yet came up short despite out hitting the Wildcats 9 hits to their 7. Maggie Sipps ’11 (Philadelphia, PA/ Little Flower) went 3-4 for the Phoenix and Megan Roadcap tallied a run and RBI. Pitcher, Leigh Roche (Hanover, PA/ New Oxford), walked 3 batters, struck-out 4 and gave up only 2 hits. The Phoenix finished the season 19-12 overall and 11-6 in the NEAC; placing third in the NEAC Final Four Championship.
WILSON ATHLETICS
Wilson Softball Lands Five on NEAC All-Conference Team
Coach Brett Cline
Maggie Sipps ’11
Five Wilson College softball players were selected to the North Eastern Atlantic Conference (NEAC) All-Conference team, and coach Brett Cline was named conference Coach of the Year. The Phoenix wrapped up their season this past Sunday with a record of 19-12 overall and 11-6 in the NEAC. Maggie Sipps ’11 (Philadelphia, PA/ Little Flower) was named 1st Team All-Conference, Liesel Troshak ’11 (McAllisterville, PA/East Juniata), and Tara Fields ’12 (Berryville, VA/Clarke County) were both named second Team All-Conference, Nicole Musser ’12 (Middletown, VA/Sherando) and Brittany Biondi ’12 (Ridgeway, PA/Ridgeway) were named third Team All-Conference. “To have five Wilson athletes recognized for their performance in our conference is a true honor,” said head coach Brett Cline. “It is a first for our program but will not be the last.” Sophomore Maggie Sipps ’11 (Philadelphia, PA/Little Flower), was selected to the first team as a third baseman. The Phoenix top hitter has a .394 batting average with 28 hits, 5 doubles, 5 triples, and 17 RBIs. She broke out during the NEAC tournament with 4 triples. “Maggie became a huge asset in the infield for us this year. Along with being sure-handed at 3rd base, she also confidently filled the role of clean-up hitter. She was able to come up with a lot of key hits when we needed her throughout the season,” Cline said. Junior Liesel Troshak ’11 (McAllisterville, PA/East Juniata), was named to the second Team All-Conference as a short
Tara Fields ’12
Nicole Musser ’12
stop. Troshak finished the season with a batting average of .365, a total of 39 runs, 38 hits, 4 doubles, 3 triples, and earned 14 RBIs. Her scoring ability ranks her 11 in the nation for NCAA Division III statistical leaders with 1.26 runs per game. In addition, she is ranked 13 in the nation for stolen bases (having topped the D3 ranks in 2008) with an average of 0.81 stolen bases per game. Cline said, “Liesel is a leader both on and off the field. She has been the captain of the infield for the past three years and was able to fill several spots in the lineup throughout the year.” Freshman centerfielder Tara Fields ’12 (Berryville, VA/Clarke County), had a .359 batting average, leading the Phoenix with 32 RBI’s, 8 doubles, and 6 triples. Cline commented, “Tara’s bat was a tremendous boost for our offense this year. She stepped up both at the plate and on the field. While starting the year in center field, she ended up as the starting catcher this year, when our original starter faced a knee injury. Her ability to fill this crucial role, speaks to her talent as a softball player,” Cline said. Fields finished her freshman year as a three-sport student-athlete, earning a varsity letter in field hockey, basketball, and softball. Freshman pitcher Nicole Musser ’12 (Middletown, VA/Sherando) was named to the NEAC third Team All-Conference. Musser finished the season with a .274 batting average, scoring 5 doubles, 2 triples, and leading the team with 2 homeruns. As pitcher, Musser had a total of 102 strikeouts and also amassed a 12-4 record with a 3.94 ERA. “Nicole was a leader on and
Brittany Biondi ’12
Liesel Troshak ’11
off the mound for us this season. She was able to dominate hitters both in and out of the conference this year. As a freshman, she stepped up big as our number one pitcher,” Cline said. Freshman Brittany Biondi ’12 (Ridgeway, PA/Ridgeway), was named to the NEAC third Team All-Conference as an outfielder. Biondi ended the season with a .317 batting average, 4 doubles, 2 triples and recorded 18 RBIs. “Brittany was able to play wherever she was asked. Her resiliency at the plate helped lead our team as well.” Cline said. In his 10th year coaching at Wilson College, Brett Cline (Chambersburg, PA) received the 2010 Coach of the Year (NEAC) Award. Since 2001, when Cline coached the team to a firstt place finish in the Atlantic Women’s College Conference (AWCC), Cline has coached 24 all-conference players and his players have earned national statistical rankings for six consecutive years. Cline amassed a total of 109 wins in the 10 years with the program and most recently has led the softball program to third place finishes in the NEAC Final Four Championships in 2009 and 2010. In addition, he has amassed a 20-13 NEAC record earning him a .606 win percentage over the past two years. The conference recognition came as no surprise to Athletic Director Lori Frey, “Brett has invested his time and energy into this softball program and it is paying off. I am happy the conference is recognizing him and his team’s accomplishments.”
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
41
Wilson College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Announces Award Recipients On Sunday May 9, at the annual athletic banquet, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) announced the 2009-2010 SAAC Award Recipients. The 2009-2010 academic year marks the ninth year of recognizing student-athletes who make an impact in their sport and the overall well-being and success of the athletic program. The committee compiles the nominations and selects a recipient for Rookie of the Year, Senior Athlete of the Year, and the Phoenix Award. “In 2001, the student-athletes wanted to acknowledge their teammates who were worthy of additional recognition,” said Athletic Director Lori Frey. “The StudentAthlete Advisory Committee organizes and selects the recipients each year.”
The Pheonix Award Alaina Hofer (Dunncannon, PA/Susquenita) was elected to receive the 2010 Phoenix Award. The college’s mascot, the phoenix, is a mythological Alaina Hofer ’11 creature honored by many cultures. It is commonly known as a mythical bird fabled to live more than 500 years. At the end of its life, it is ignited by the sun and fans the flames with its own wings, turning itself to ashes, only to emerge and rise from the ashes with renewed spirit and life. This ignition and rebirth symbolizes and honors the recipient of the Phoenix Award as the athlete who has ignited the fire for her team, persevered through difficulties and found strength in herself and others. The recipient is an athlete who was the spark, the support, and the motivation for her team, and who encouraged them to continue seeking their burning desire for athletic excellence and enjoyment. Hofer is a member of the soccer, basketball, and softball teams and has proven to be the individual who has provided leadership through example, strength to push herself beyond all limits and dedication to athletics at Wilson College. In addition, she is an active member in numerous clubs and 42
l
Alumnae Quarterly
l
SUMMER 2010
organizations, extending her leadership abilities through the campus. Hofer led the basketball team with 248 rebounds (9.9 rebounds per game) and 268 points (10.7 points per game) while playing 36 minutes per game and shooting 33.3 percent from the floor. “Alaina is a hard working, talented athlete who provides leadership, a desire to win, and a great personality that keeps our team focused,” head basketball coach Angela Grove said. As a member of the basketball and soccer teams, Hofer is also a member of the campus activity board and government association at Wilson. The award was presented by fellow classmate Alyssa Bernard. “Alaina is a role-model for each of us. She displays self-sacrifice and compassion and only wants what is best for the teams and the athletic program,” Bernard said. Hofer, a 2007 graduate of Susquenita Jr-Sr High School, is a secondary education major and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hofer II, of Duncannon, PA.
Rookies of the Year
L to R: Mia Doyle ’12 and Tessa Doyle ’12
Junior twins and first-year students, Amelia “Mia” Doyle and Tessa Doyle (both of Smithsburg, MD/HCC) were named as co-Rookies of the Year for their accomplishments in tennis. This award is given to a first-year athlete who made significant contributions to her team during the year; in addition, the athlete must have excelled individually during the seasons. The Doyles were nominated by a member of the coaching staff for this award and selected by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Their selection as Rookies of the Year had much to do with their immediate impact on the Wilson College tennis program and their grand entrance into North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) competition. The
twins, who play at #1 doubles, were undefeated in regular season conference play and entered the championship in first place. They faced stiff competition early in the tournament and finished in fourth place in doubles. Despite their setback in doubles, they took to the court in singles action earning a first and second place finish. Amelia’s victory at #1 singles earned her NEAC Player of the Year honors, while Tessa’s runner-up finish earned her NEAC Second Team All-Conference Honors. The award was presented by senior student-athlete Nikola Grafnetterova. “The Doyles are incredible tennis players and outstanding students. They have taken the Wilson College tennis team to a new level. It is a great honor for me to present this award to them, because they truly deserve it,” she said. Mia and Tessa are secondary education majors and the daughters of DeAnna Doyle and Ransom Doyle of Smithsburg, MD.
Senior of the Year This award is given to a senior athlete who has made significant contributions to her team during her entire athletic career and contributed significantly to the performance of her team. Nikola Grafnetterova ’10 When Nikola Grafnetterova was nominated by her coaches and her teammates for this award, there was little question of who deserved this recognition. The only student-athlete to earn a varsity letter for four consecutive years in a single sport, Grafnetterova proved that she is a competitive field hockey player. In addition to her field hockey career at Wilson, she played two years of softball and three years of lacrosse (including one year as a club sport). She added basketball to her resume when the team needed some depth. According to Wilson College Athletic Director Lori Frey her contributions are worth recognition. “Nikola is a remarkable individual—as an athlete, a student, and a person. There is no doubt that she will be successful in everything she does and we have been very fortunate to know her,” Frey said.
Wilson Senior, Nikola Grafnetterova Inducted into Wilson College’s Gwendolyn Jenson Athletic Hall of Fame – Receives Pentathlon Award
Grafnetterova and Sarah Englesman ’08
Nikola Grafnetterova was inducted into the Gwendolyn Jenson Athletic Hall of Fame at the Wilson College Athletic Awards Picnic on Sunday May 9. The Wilson College Athletic Hall of Fame was named in honor of President Emerita Gwendolyn Jensen, Wilson College’s 17 President and her commitment to the advancement of athletics. Inductees to the Gwendolyn Jensen Athletic Hall of Fame must have exhausted their intercollegiate eligibility, have achieved advanced level recognition for their athletic achievements and contributed significantly to the overall athletic program. Jennifer (Huseman) Harlieb ’08 presented the award to Grafnetterova. Harlieb, a 2008 Wilson graduate and former Hall of Fame inductee, played two seasons of field hockey with Grafnetterova. “Nikola displayed the qualities of a great leader,” said Harlieb. “Nikola has taught me what defines a great athlete and reminded me of the meaning of the word CHAMP. Nikola always demonstrated respect for others, always gave 110 percent at practice and games, and not only motivated herself, but her teammates.” “Grafnetterova stepped on the field as a freshman and It became obvious that her tenacity, instinct and skill far surpassed any goalie that has played for Wilson over the past 14 years. In fact, if you ask anyone who has spent time in the cage, they will be the first to pay tribute to
Jennifer Huseman Harlieb ’08 and Grafnetterova
her abilities,” said field hockey coach Shelley Novak. During her freshman year, Grafnetterova led the team to an AWCC Championship and was ranked 3 in the nation for save percentage and 16 in goals against average. Over her four year career, she played in 68 games; tallying a total of 495 saves. In field hockey, Grafnetterova received the AWCC First Team All-Conference 2006; Wilson College Rookie of the Year 2007; Field Hockey All-Tournament Team 2007, 2008, and 2009; Wilson College Invitational All-Tournament Team 2007, 2008, and 2009; Phoenix Award in 2008; Wilson College and NEAC Scholar Athlete 2008 and 2009; and the ZAG/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Grafnetterova was nationally ranked during her four years in the NCAA Division III. In 2007, she was ranked 44 in goals against average. In 2008, she placed 26 in save percentage and 40 in saves per game. In 2009, she ranked 5 in save percentage, 17 in saves per game, and 44 in goals against average. Grafnetterova completed her athletic career earning the highest athletic award at Wilson, the Pentathlon Award. This award is given to a senior who exelled in five or more sports in her years of sport eligibility. This award recognizes excellence in athletics,,campus participation, and willingness to cooperate with a spirit of fair
play, and an enthusiastic attitude during her four years at Wilson. Sarah Englesman ’08, a former recipient, presented the award to Grafnetterova. “Nikola is a testament to what each of us strives to accomplish as a student, as an athlete and as a person. She is remarkable and I am proud to have had the opportunity to know her as a teammate and a friend,” Said Englesman. Grafnetterova is the daughter of Iva Grafnetterova from the Czech Republic. Following her senior year at Chambersburg Area Senior High School (CASHS), she chose to remain in the states for her college education. Grafnetterova stayed with host parents, Mike and Dagmar Unger of Chambersburg, PA. She has resided with them for five years, one during high school and four while attending Wilson College. “I just came to the United States to improve my English so I ended up in Chambersburg with Mike and Dagmar who picked me as an exchange student,” said Grafnetterova. She is majoring in both Sport Management and Psychology. Grafnetterova plans to complete a post-undergraduate internship for Wilson College Athletic Department this year and would like to pursue a Master’s degree in Sport Management. In the next few years, she hopes to find a career working in an athletic department or coaching an athletic team.
Visit us at www.wilson.edu
l
43
1015 Philadelphia Avenue Chambersburg, PA 17201-1285
THANK YOU…Class of 2010…you made history… with the first-ever senior class gift to the Wilson Fund!
Listed below are the 2010 graduates who contributed to their senior gift: Lisa Augsburger Sarah Bartle Megan Betts Elise Bricker Amy Carlaw Ariel Carver Kayla Chagnon Suzanne Cole Nathalie Djiguimkoudre Sarah Emmel
Amelia Frast Nikola Grafnetterova Casara Gross Lori Harris-Brocious Elizabeth Heyer Karen Hively Christina Howard Krystle Jackson Rachel Kelly Nicole Malott-Shelton
Nicole Manning Keshie Mansouri Krista Markstrom Mary McGough Amy Myers Lindsay Powell Katelin Reever Michelle Remmel Kimberly Ripka Risa Saar
www.wilson.edu/makeagift
Nicole Sarsok-Sislow Susan Shaffer Ryan Stouffer Mary Beth Wert Kayla Whitfield Alexandria Wilson Karen Wurster Bobbi Jo Yenshosky Amanda Zemba