A Day in
the Life
Find out what goes into a typical day on campus
Shadowing the President | Candace Straight '69 Helps Launch Equity Pursuing a New Path | Reunion Recap | The Key to College Finances volume 89 | SUMMER 2016 | number 2
THANK YOU!
President Barbara K. Mistick and the entire Wilson College community say thank you! Your support impacts our entire campus, from classrooms and labs
 to the John Stewart Memorial Library and scholarships. ALL gifts to the College contribute to the success of our students. We are so grateful for your gifts to Wilson during the 2015-16 academic year.
Thank you!
volume 89 | SUMMER 2016 | number 2
FEATURES
10
08 A Path with a Purpose Commencement begins a life journey complete with unexpected twists, journalist and author A’Lelia Bundles tells Wilson’s Class of 2016. 10 Here, There and Everywhere By Courtney D. Wolfe ’12 What goes into the multifaceted job of Wilson College president? Find out as Wilson Magazine shadows President Barbara K. Mistick. 16 Wall Street Savvy By Coleen Dee Berry Candace Straight ’69 helps launch Equity, a woman-centric Wall Street film. 20 A Day in the Life of Wilson April 19, 2016—From beginning to end, one great day on campus.
AROUND THE GREEN 27 That’s A Wrap Softball provides a strong finish to the spring sports season.
28 The Chemistry of Art Lindsey Sutton ’16 hopes to combine art with science after graduation.
ALUMNAE/I 33 Alumnae Association President’s Report, Annual Trustee report, AAWC Awards, 2016 Reunion Weekend photos, new trips for 2017. 41 Class Notes 62 In Memoriam
DEPARTMENTS 16
02 Letter from the Editor 03 Wilson News Susan Breakefield Fulton ’61 makes important donation; VISTA coordinator to lead Learning Campus initiative; Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture names Fulton Farm as study site; survey launches for new alumnae/i network; Phoenix Leadership Program kicks off; academic award winners announced.
20
07 Alumnae/i News Literary notes; representing Wilson during spring inaugurations.
30 President’s Forum: The Key to College Finances is … Education. Imagine That. By President Barbara K. Mistick 32 Hidden History By Amy Ensley Wilson student scrapbooks contain some unusual mementoes. 64 Last Word: Advocating for Student Aid By Noel Robinson ’19
ON THE COVER Students enjoy a beautiful spring day on the main green.
STAFF
WILSON MAGAZINE COMMITTEE Coleen Dee Berry, Managing Editor Mary F. Cramer ’91, Alumnae Association President Amy Ensley, Director of the Hankey Center Marybeth Famulare, Director of Alumnae/i Relations Lisbeth Sheppard Luka ’69, Alumnae Association Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations and College Editor Camilla Rawleigh, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Jeremy Shepherd, Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Communications Brian Speer, Vice President for Marketing and Communications Kendra Tidd, Graphic Designer Courtney D. Wolfe ’12, Class Notes Coordinator Judy Kreutz Young ’63, Alumnae Association Wilson Magazine is published quarterly by the Office of Marketing and Communications and the Alumnae Association of Wilson College. Send address changes to: Wilson College Alumnae/i Relations, 1015 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, Pa. 17201-1279, 717-262-2010 or mag@wilson.edu. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors or the editor and do not represent the official positions of Wilson College or the Alumnae Association of Wilson College.
CONTACT US: Wilson Magazine mag@wilson.edu 717-262-2607 www.wilson.edu/magazine Alumnae Association aawc@wilson.edu 717-262-2010 www.wilson.edu/aawc Office of Alumnae/i Relations alumnae@wilson.edu 717-262-2010 www.wilson.edu/alumnae
— letter from the —
editor A
lot goes into every day at Wilson. There’s the daily bustle of students taking part in class, faculty teaching and staff offices humming. And then there’s the work that often goes unnoticed—housekeepers on their daily rounds, dining hall employees prepping for each meal, security and physical plant employees working to keep the campus secure and maintained.
PHOTO BY JAMES BUTTS
Brian Speer Executive Editor Coleen Dee Berry Managing Editor Kendra Tidd Design Cathy Mentzer College Editor Courtney D. Wolfe ’12 Class Notes Coordinator Contributing Writers Coleen Dee Berry, James Butts, Amy Ensley, Cathy Mentzer, Barbara K. Mistick, Jeremy Shepherd, Brian Speer, Courtney D. Wolfe ’12 Contributing Photographers Coleen Dee Berry, James Butts, Savanna Garr, Matthew Lester, Cathy Mentzer, Brian Speer, Bob Stoler, Kendra Tidd, Courtney D. Wolfe ’12 Cover Photo by: Brian Speer
For this issue of the magazine, we wanted to bring you a snapshot of what it takes to create the Wilson campus experience. April 19, 2016, was— fortunately!—one of those wonderfully warm and sunny spring days, a perfect setting for all things Wilson. In A Day in the Life of Wilson, you’ll see not only the wide array of daily classes, but you’ll also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of those employees who make important contributions to the Wilson experience. A Day In the Life was undertaken as a group project by the marketing and communications staff. We began just before dawn and continued until classes ended and students settled in for the night to capture the full range of activity, from the classrooms and Fulton Farm to the campus green. The magazine can hold only so many images, so you can also click through a photo gallery of the day’s events at www.wilson.edu/dayinthelife. Also part of everyday life at Wilson is the role that the college president plays. For one week, writer Courtney D. Wolfe ’12 shadowed Barbara K. Mistick to give readers an inside look at what it means to lead a college. Read Here, There and Everywhere for insight into the many facets of the president’s position. In this issue, you will also find the inspirational messages delivered at the 2016 Commencement ceremony and a recap of another joyful Reunion Weekend. Don’t miss the story of Candace Straight ’69 and how she helped launch the Wall Street film, Equity, which premiered in theaters on July 29. From a news standpoint, a generous gift from Susan Breakefield Fulton ’61 will help to build a new veterinary medical center on campus, as well as to forge a partnership with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute—an arm of the Smithsonian Institution devoted to the study of wildlife conservation biology. You can also read about the annual academic awards, another agricultural study at the Fulton Farm and the start of a new alumnae/i survey, among other things. Wishing everyone a wonderful summer, with plenty of time to read on—and enjoy! Coleen Dee Berry Managing Editor
You can read Wilson Magazine online at:
www.wilson.edu/wilsonmag Class notes are not published online for privacy reasons. If you would like to receive a PDF of the class notes, please email Wilson Magazine at mag@wilson.edu.
WILSON NEWS SUSAN BREAKEFIELD FULTON ’61
PLEDGES TWO GIFTS FOR WILSON PROJECTS T
wo gifts from Susan Breakefield Fulton ’61 will pave the way for a new veterinary medical center planned for completion in 2019, as well as an auspicious partnership with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), an arm of the Smithsonian Institution devoted to the study of wildlife conservation biology. Fulton, one of the College’s generous, longtime supporters, has pledged a lead gift of $500,000 for a new veterinary building to replace the Helen M. Beach ’24 Veterinary Medical Center, according to Vice President for Institutional Advancement Camilla Rawleigh.
PHOTO BY KENDRA TIDD
The 5,400-square-foot Beach facility was built in 1998 and houses surgery suites, skill labs, dog kennels, a cat room, offices and other spaces. College officials saw a need to upgrade the center after the most recent American Veterinary Medical Association’s reaccreditation process identified deficiencies in the modular facility—including the need to replace the (HVAC) system, Vice President for Finance and Administration Brian Ecker said.
Susan Breakefield Fulton �61 during Wilson's spring Convocation in 2014.
“We knew before the next reaccreditation (in 2020) that we were going to have to do something with that building,” Ecker said. “Either the existing structure was going to need significant upgrades or we would need a new building.”
As the Wilson administration considered next steps, Rawleigh and Fulton were discussing a partnership between two of Fulton’s favorite nonprofits—her alma mater and the Smithsonian. “When we started talking with her about the Smithsonian partnership, I became aware of her deep interest in animals,” Rawleigh said. When Rawleigh told her about the need to upgrade the VMC, Fulton agreed to make the lead gift for a new facility, tentatively dubbed the Breakefield Veterinary Medical Center. Fulton and her two sisters—Xandra Breakefield ’64 and Beverly Breakefield ’78—are all graduates of the College. Details about the new veterinary center, including its size, are still being considered, but preliminary cost estimates are around $1 million, according to Ecker. He said the site of the new VMC would most likely be near the tennis courts on the north side of the Brooks Science Center. “We’re planning to study the programming needs through this academic year, and whatever we do would happen in the following year, with the goal to complete in 2019,” said Ecker. The partnership with the Smithsonian, which was Fulton’s idea, came about after she made donations to both the College and SCBI. The details of the partnership are still being worked out. The institute, located about 90 miles from Chambersburg on 3,200 acres in Front Royal, Va., started primarily as a breeding center for endangered birds and animals. The current priority for its animal collection is veterinary and reproductive research, according to SCBI’s website. The partnership will likely involve opportunities for Wilson students to perform internships at the institute, as well as for SCBI scientists/researchers to form ties with college faculty members, according to Rawleigh. She said the affiliation will initially be for a term of five years, to begin in the 2016-17 academic year. —Cathy Mentzer
summer 2016 03
WILSON NEWS VISTA COORDINATOR NAMED FOR
WILSON'S MIGRANT TUTORING PROGRAM The children being tutored are not the only beneficiaries of the program. Many of the Wilson students who volunteer with the program are majoring in education and the program provides additional opportunities for these students in the form of experiential learning.
PHOTO BY KENDRA TIDD
Brie Burdge ’16 has been hired to serve as the 2016-17 AmeriCorps/VISTA coordinator for the Wilson’s Learning Campus volunteer program, which provides after-school tutoring for children of migrant workers in the Chambersburg area. Wilson is one of 21 colleges in the state to receive an AmeriCorps/VISTA grant through the Pennsylvania Campus Compact this year. The grant is being used to establish a full-time coordinator for the Learning Campus, beginning this fall. The tutoring program has been running on campus for the past six years in partnership with the area’s Lincoln Intermediate Unit.
PHOTO BY MATTHEW LESTER
LIU was formed by the Pennsylvania State Legislature in 1971 to give consultative and advisory support to local school districts in areas of need. Under the current partnership, LIU is responsible for working with families of migrant school children who come to campus, while Wilson provides the tutoring portion of the program.
SINGLE PARENT SCHOLAR PROGRAM TO CELEBRATE
20TH ANNIVERSARY
In 1996, Wilson launched its Women with Children program with two single mothers and their children. By spring 2016, 18 mothers and 19 children were enrolled in the recently expanded and rechristened Single Parent Scholar program, which is open to single parents of both sexes. SPS alumnae/i can join in the College’s celebration of the program’s 20th anniversary during Family Weekend, which will be held on Oct. 21-23. Check www.wilson.edu for updates. —CDB
04 wilson magazine
While a student, Burdge, who graduated with a double major in Spanish and global studies, volunteered extensively with both the LIU and the tutoring program. Her experiences led her to be interested in a year of national service at Wilson through AmeriCorps/ VISTA, according to Mary Beth Williams, vice president for student development. “We are thrilled to bring Brie and her great passion for service back to Wilson for this new position,” Williams said. ‘‘Brie’s passion to be an agent of change, specifically in the Chambersburg community, set her above the other candidates.” In addition to coordinating the day-to-day operations of the program, the VISTA coordinator will act as a liaison between the College and the LIU, and will try to identify further community engagement opportunities for Wilson students within the area’s migrant and seasonal farmworker community. —Coleen Dee Berry
PHOENIX LEADERS PROGRAM This spring, 21 Wilson students completed the first Phoenix Leaders Program. The six-part leadership development training program is designed for students of all classes who hope to leave the College better than they found it. This discussion-based training, offered each spring semester, is led by Linda Boeckman, director of career development, and Mary Beth Williams, vice president for student development. The current 21 Phoenix Leaders will apply their leadership training during the 2016-17 academic year as they participate in student organizations, athletic teams, student government and residence hall governance. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to nominate students they feel have leadership potential for the program. —CDB
OUTSTANDING STUDENTS RECOGNIZED WITH
ACADEMIC AWARDS Edward and Sarah Anderson Psychology Prize—Charlotte Flood ’16 James Applegate Award—Marybeth Richards ’16 and Breana Park ’17 Lucy Bremmer Global Citizenship Award—Netha Kane ’17 and Aurora Ortiz ’18
Robert Shannon McElwain Prize— Amisha Rijal ’19
Joan M. Thuebel ’52 Earthwatch Prize—John Elia, associate professor of philosophy
Helen Adams Nutting History Prize— Kerry Salmi ’16
William P. Van Looy Business Prize— Nicole Brown ’16 and Netha Kane ’17
Catherine Herr Langdon Award— Katelyn Wingerd ’16 Mary-Eleanor Maule Travel Grant—Dasia Edwards ’18
Organic Chemistry Award—Gaser Ahmed ’17
Alice Martin Brumbaugh Award in Sociology— Diane Lewis ’17
Marel Harlow Cheng Memorial Prize— Christina Gonzalez ’16 and Krista DeWald ’16
Nicky Hoffman Reich Award—Eileen Antrobus ’17 PHOTO BY BOB STOLER
CRC Press General Chemistry Achievement Award—Kirstin Lehman ’18
Outstanding Peer Teacher Award—Lily Rembold ’17
Margaret Criswell Disert From left, Charlotte Flood '16 Honors Scholarship— and Professor Steven Schmidt. Anna Harutyunyan ’17 Estep-Lawson Memorial Prize—Kyleen Wolfe ’19 Mildred Franklin Prize—Chelsea Kessler ’16 Donna Gomer VMT ADP Award—Melissa Beck ’17 Davison Greenawalt Grove Award— Lindsey Sutton ’16 Dorle Haas Memorial Prize—Krista DeWald ’16 Margaret Strode Haines Award—Ghada Tafesh ’16 Gloria Randle Scott-Frances Richards Hesselbein Prize—Katelyn Wingerd ’16 Joanne Harrison Hopkins Literary Achievement Award—Lauren Hampton ’16 Josef Michael Kellinger German or Foreign Language Award—Stephanie Marshall ’17
Helga Rist Prize—Brie Burdge ’16 and Katelyn Wingerd ’16 John D. Rose Award in Environmental Studies— Tracy Dile ’18 and Vanessa Lybarger ’17 William and Ivy Saylor Prize—Patrick Fox ’16
Grace Tyson Schlichter Communications Award—Lesley Eichelberger ’17 Mary Beers Sheppard Prize—Jennifer Dodds ’16
From left, Meleah Hopkins ’16 and Beth Byers, director of TIP.
E. Grace White Prize—Ghada Tafesh ’16 E. Grace White Summer Scholarship— Gaser Ahmed ’17 and Anna Harutyunyan ’17 Wilson College Education Award— Meleah Hopkins ’16 won the secondary award and Katelyn Wingerd ’16 won the elementary award Wilson College Equestrienne Award— Alyssa Arnold ’16 Carolyn Zeleny Prize—Charlotte Flood ’16 Wilson College Scholar Athletes— Marquise Beckett ’18, Nicole Bodulow ’17, Kallie Butts ’18, Kayla Butts ’18, Taylor Crouse ’16, Kristyn Fogg ’18, Amanda Haase ’18, Ashley Horn ’18, Jennifer Patton ’17, Lily Rembold ’17, Erin Stephan ’18 and Katelyn Wingerd ’16 —CM
FACULTY AWARDS The following faculty members received the Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching:
PHOTO BY BOB STOLER
Brenda Ashton Aiken and Robert McCutchen Aiken Study-Abroad Scholarship—Lindsey Sutton ’16
PHOTO BY BOB STOLER
Wilson College held its annual academic awards ceremony Friday, May 1, in the Brooks Science Complex, capping a full day of recognizing academic excellence. Student Research Day was held earlier in the day. The academic award winners are:
Senior Faculty Award—David True, associate professor of religion Junior Faculty Award—Steven Schmidt, assistant professor of psychology Adjunct Faculty Award—Kimberly Maske-Mertz, adjunct instructor of English and communications; and Robin Herring, adjunct instructor of communications
Professor David True, left, and Elissa Heil, dean of faculty and vice president for academic affairs.
summer 2016 05
WILSON NEWS DONOR AND
SCHOLARSHIP VISITS Margaret H. Duprey, whose gift to Wilson led to the creation of the equi-assist program within the veterinary medical technology (VMT) major, and Dr. James Orsini, Wilson Trustee and Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF) board member, visited campus May 3. Both met with students impacted by the gifts that Duprey and TERF made to the College. Duprey and From left, Margaret H. Duprey, Orsini also talkBrittany Spangler ’16, Alyssa Arnold ed with faculty ’16 and TERF and Wilson Board of members Ann Trustees member James Orsini. O’Shallie, director of equestrian studies, and Freya Burnett, director of VMT, as well as meeting with college administrators. —CDB
STATE DIRECTS LEAFMINER STUDY AT FULTON FARM The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has selected Fulton Farm as one of 35 test sites to determine the extent to which the state has been invaded by the allium leafminer, an invasive insect that has the potential to damage leeks, onion, garlic, shallots and other allium crops. In December 2015, the state agriculture department, in cooperation with Penn State Extension, confirmed the presence of the allium leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma LOEW) in Lancaster County—the first detection of this non-native species in the United States. The threat is most problematic for organic growers and homeowner/backyard gardeners, according to state agricultural officials, because commercial growers can use chemical sprays currently available to control the pests. State agriculture officials conducted a spring trap study at Fulton Farm in over-wintered garlic. The study concluded the last week of May, said Christine Mayer, director for the Fulton Center for Sustainable Living. No evidence of the allium leafminer was found at the farm, although state testing has confirmed the pest’s presence in three counties. Agricultural officials will return to Fulton Farm to conduct a fall survey for the pest in leeks, to conclude in late October, according to Mayer. —CDB
BUILDING THE PHOENIX NETWORK The offices of alumnae/i relations and career development are working together to plan a new online network that will benefit both graduates and current Wilson students. The Phoenix Network will serve as a traditional networking group, creating a bridge between students and alumnae/i that will allow them to connect with and help one another based on shared professional interests. The first step in creating the online service will be the launch of an alumnae/i survey this fall to help fill out the database that will serve as the backbone of the network. Graduates will be asked to provide basic contact and career information, as well as indicate the activities they wish to be a part of (e.g., providing internships or serving as mentors). The survey will also ask about possible future features the network could include, such as online courses and electronic subscriptions. A paper survey will be sent to all alumnae/i, unless they choose to opt out in favor of an online survey. Please return the business reply card included on page 4 or go to www.wilson.edu/surveyopt to indicate your preference for the online survey. —Brian Speer
06 wilson magazine
RETIRED FACULTY AND STAFF HONORED Retired Wilson staff and faculty members are honored at a June 15 luncheon held at Sharpe House. Standing, from left: John McDermott, professor of education; Gunlög Anderson, professor emerita of fine arts; Joan Applegate, music instructor; Connie Stevens, post office supervisor; Rene Parson, administrative assistant to the president; Mary Foltz Berberich, associate director of Adult Degree Program admissions; Kathleen Murphy ’67, dean of library, information and technology services; Anne Pearce Lehman ’49, director of alumnae affairs; Carole Gallagher ’98, executive assistant to the president; and José Córdova, professor of Spanish. Seated from left: Alice Brumbaugh, professor emerita of sociology; Raymond Anderson, professor emeritus of religion studies; Wilson President Barbara Mistick; Vern Buckles, professor emeritus of German; Elissa Heil, vice president for academic affairs; and Camilla Rawleigh, vice president for institutional advancement.
ALUMNAE/I NEWS REPRESENTING WILSON During spring 2016, eight alumnae represented their alma mater and Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick during college or university inaugural events across the country: Joy Frei Hyams ’62 attended the inauguration of Julio Frenk, Ph.D., as the sixth president of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla., on Jan. 29. Lynne DiStasio ’74 attended the inauguration of Christine M. Riordan, Ph.D., as the 10th president of Adelphia University in Long Island, N.Y., on March 11. Aliyah K. Johnson ’09 attended the inauguration of Michael A. Fitts, Ph.D., as the
15th president of Tulane University in New Orleans on March 17. Mary Cramer ’91 attended the inauguration of Mary J.C. Hendrix, Ph.D., as the 16th president of Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.V., on April 8. RoseMarie B. Butz ’58 attended the inauguration of Thomas J. Minar, Ph.D., as 16th president of Franklin College in Franklin, Ind., on April 9. Priscilla A. Guild ’66 attended the inauguration of Douglas N. Searcy, Ph.D., as the 12th president of Barton College in Wilson, N.C., on April 15.
Nancy A. Kostas ’64 attended the inauguration of Kenneth Hawkinson, Ph.D., as the 12th president of Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pa., on April 15. Rita H. Fisk ’64 attended the inauguration of Jonathan Peri, J.D., as the ninth president of Manor College in Jenkintown, Pa., on April 21. In addition, Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick attended the inauguration of the Rev. Dr. David Esterline as the sixth president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on May 8.
ALUMNAE/I LITERARY SHELF Eleanor Phillips Brackbill ’70 grew up with myriad family stories about her great-grandmother, legendary Alaska entrepreneur Harriet Smith Pullen. In The Queen of Heartbreak Trail: The Life and Times of Harriet Smith Pullen, Pioneering Woman, Brackbill recounts the life story of her remarkable ancestor. Pullen was a Klondike Gold Rush entrepreneur who landed in Alaska in 1897, broke and alone. She had lost her husband and their vast tract of land in Washington, where they had homesteaded and managed a ranch and fur-trading post. In Alaska, a newly empowered Pullen single-handedly hauled gold-hungry prospectors’ provisions into the mountains. She raised her four children, ran a farm and started Pullen House, an acclaimed hotel. A famed raconteur, Pullen entertained her guests for 50 years with fabulous stories about the gold rush, achieving legendary status in Alaska. The Queen of Heartbreak Trail represents the first comprehensive, documented assessment of her life—from a Wisconsin farm, Dakota sod house and Washington ranch to goldrush Alaska, where she became famous as “Mother of the North.” Brackbill retraced Pullen’s westward migrations by foot, car, train, plane and ferry via the Alaska Marine Highway. In the course of her research, she traveled to seven different states, from Maine
to Alaska, to track down her great-grandmother’s story. Brackbill embarked on a writing career after teaching and then serving as director of education at the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, State University of New York for three decades. For more information, see eleanorphillipsbrackbill.com. X Deborah Jones-Zeilinger ’66 has published a Kindle book entitled Going Home Is Murder. The sleuths featured in the mystery are Pennsylvania native Braith Llewellyn and her cantankerous cat, Sassy. The mystery unfolds when Llewellyn leaves her job in Philadelphia to move back to her hometown of Slocum Falls, described as “a picturesque village along the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania.” There she reconnects with her first boyfriend, Max, and her best friend, Gina. When a real estate developer is murdered and Max becomes a suspect, the three friends—with some help from Sassy—set out to find the real killer. The book is subtitled “A Braith Llewellyn Mystery Book 1,” so readers can expect to read about more adventures from Llewellyn and Sassy. Look for the book on Amazon. —CDB
summer 2016 07
A Path with Pur
08 wilson magazine
C
ommencement may seem like a perfect endnote, but it is actually the beginning of a life journey complete with unexpected twists and turns, journalist and author A’Lelia Bundles told Wilson’s Class of 2016.
Then she offered some very practical advice for the road ahead: Map out a strategy. Have a plan B. Be resilient. Leave the door open for serendipity. Embrace the bumps in the road as blessings in disguise. “Wilson has always believed in second chances and reinvention—the phoenix, after all, is your mascot,” Bundles said in her commencement speech. She invoked the spirit of her great-great-grandmother, the first selfmade American woman millionaire, Madame C.J. Walker, who rewarded employees not only for hard work but also for what they gave back to their communities. “When you return for your 5th, 10th, 25th and 50th reunions, I hope you will be able to say that you have mentored someone, that you have helped someone, that you have done something to make society more just and more equal,” Bundles said. The 146th Wilson College commencement ceremony on the campus green was one of the coldest in recent memory, mostly sunny but with 50-degree tempuratures. Diplomas were bestowed upon 105 students earning bachelor’s, master’s and associate degrees. Another 36 students received their teacher internship certificates and seven students received Lean Six Sigma certification.
pose
In her welcome address, President Barbara K. Mistick told graduates, “Wilson prepared you for responsible lives and for leadership roles in global citizenship so that you could go out and help create a better world. Your time here has provided you with an expanded worldview.” Adult Degree Program speaker Marybeth Richards ’16 agreed, saying her worldview today has grown exponentially from the one “the size of my fist” that she had when she first entered Wilson. Her decision to pursue a college degree centered on her three young children. “How could I tell them about the value of education if I had nothing to show for it?” Richards said. “I wanted my children to see that education—no matter what your area of study is, whether it is a trade or a skill—is powerful and life-altering.” Service to others can be equally powerful, as evidenced by 2016 Class President Katelyn Wingerd, who spoke ardently about her volunteer experience at the Hospicio de Huérfanos children’s orphanage in Costa Rica, and a woman she worked with there, Antonia. “She chose to dedicate herself to a life of service. She gave herself selflessly to the orphans— working endlessly to feed them, care for them and teach them, 24/7,” Wingerd said. With Antonia’s example in mind, Wingerd urged her fellow graduates “to go out and make the world an even better place.” Wingerd also announced the senior class gift of $1,000 to the Hankey Center to continue its research projects and exhibits, and the class’ gift to Mistick—a “time capsule” filled with items unique to 2016. Mistick conferred professor emeriti status on Paula Kellinger, professor of dance, and Carl Larson, associate professor of psychology. Wilson Trustee Lisbeth Sheppard Luka ’69 presented the title of trustee emerita to Betty Lou Leedom Thompson ’60. Mistick also conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Bundles, who left students with these words: “May the wind always be at your back, and when it isn’t, may you muster the fortitude you need to push on!”
PHOTOS BY MATTHEW LESTER
—Coleen Dee Berry Clockwise, top row: Commencement speaker A'Leia Bundles addresses the Class of 2016; graduates celebrate; Wilson Trustee Lisbeth Luka �69 with Trustee Emerita Betty Lou Leedom Thompson �60; Adult Degree Program speaker Marybeth Richards �16; Single Parent Scholar Nicole Brown gets a high-five; Katelyn Wingerd, Class of 2016 president (right), presents the class gift to Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick (center).
HERE, THERE AN
PHOTO BY FRED FIELD
LEADING A COLLEGE REQUIRES A PRESIDENT TO STRETCH ACROSS MANY DISCIPLINES, BUT
Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick with Wilson Trustee Betty Lou Leedom Thompson �60 at the rededication of the John Stewart Memorial Library last October.
10 wilson magazine
D EVERYWHERE FOR WILSON PRESIDENT BARBARA K. MISTICK, BEING PRESENT IS THE COMMON THREAD.
As the academic year ebbs and flows, Wilson faculty and staff spend much of their time helping the College work toward the goals of the Wilson Today plan. Change can be challenging, and every now and then when someone is looking for reassurance, you’ll hear them wonder aloud, “Where’s the president?” Of course, some of the obvious things a president does are attend meetings, raise money, speak at campus events and travel. But being president of a college is a 24-hour-a-day job, so there must be more to it than that, right? Wilson Magazine shadowed the College’s 19th president, Barbara K. Mistick, for a week this spring to get a peek at what it means to run a college today. At 7:30 a.m. on a cold, rainy April morning, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce convenes its annual awards breakfast. Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick is among a contingent of staff representing Wilson, and will accept the chamber’s property improvement award for the renovation and expansion of the John Stewart Memorial Library. For Mistick—who’s been up since 5 a.m. checking email and social media, and keeping up on news across multiple business sectors—the breakfast is about more than the award. It’s about being present. “If you’re not engaged in the role, any role, don’t be in it,” she said. “This job requires constant focus.” Arriving at the table, she greets every member of the Wilson delegation by name. As she heads off in search of coffee and breakfast, she makes her way through the crowd, chatting with local politicians and community and business leaders, networking continuously along her way. When she returns with her breakfast, she settles in and launches into a discussion with each person at the table, inquiring about a project each one is involved in. During her acceptance remarks, Mistick thanks the local community for its support of the library project. She shares with the audience how the reopening of a local quarry provided limestone for the project and acknowledges the monetary support received from the community, as well as the support of the Borough of Chambersburg.
BY COURTNEY D. WOLFE ’12
In many ways, the breakfast provides a glimpse into the never-ending juggling act of Wilson’s president. She’s a community partner. A business leader. An advocate. A fundraiser. A networker. A cheerleader for Wilson students. A role model for the campus community. A leader with a clear vision. And more often than not, she’s one or more of these things at the same time.
ACTIVE ON CAMPUS People matter to Mistick, which is evidenced by her interac-
lot of time here.” She loves that Wilson’s small size allows her to build personal connections with people across the campus community. “It’s so nice to be able to know our students and graduates by their names,” she said. Accepted Student Day on April 9 provides Mistick with an
PHOTO BY COURTNEY D. WOLFE �12
tions with students, faculty and staff when on campus. “I’m excited about every day,” said Mistick. “I love this place, and I spend a
President Mistick discusses her book, Stretch, with faculty during a "Brown Bag" session in Sarah's Coffeehouse.
“FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE ARE AN ACADEMIC COMMUNITY. AND WE SHOULD FOSTER ACADEMIC AND INTELLECTUAL CONVERSATIONS. … I HAVE A VISION OF WHERE I WANT US TO BE, AND IT’S MY JOB TO HELP KEEP EVERYONE ONBOARD SO THAT WE CAN GET THERE.” opportunity to make connections with candidates for the in-
ition costs and student debt burdens. “That’s the difference be-
coming Class of 2020. As might be expected, the day starts with
tween a small institution like Wilson and other places that they
Mistick welcoming prospective students and parents by telling
might visit,” she said. “Here, parents can have these kinds of con-
them some of the things she thinks are important—including
versations with the president or anyone else.”
value and affordability.
Being a part of a recruitment event is about more than impressing families, according to Mistick. “I want them to know that
Mistick delivers this message by sharing an anecdote about
I care about the institution and our students enough to be here,”
her youngest daughter, Addy, who at first attended a large univer-
she said. “And our admissions team does such a great job. It’s im-
sity and then—in search of a sense of belonging—transferred to a
portant to support them.”
smaller liberal arts college and found there the personal connection with her education. “The experience at Wilson is very personal,” she told the audience. “When we’re invested in your success, we find that you’re invested in your success.”
For Mistick, any day spent on campus is an opportunity—especially in the dining hall—to steal a few minutes to talk with Wilson students, staff and faculty about what’s happening on campus. On a hurried afternoon, Mistick enters the dining hall for lunch with five minutes to spare before it closes. While making
Later that day, Mistick attends a reception and speaks with
her way through the cafeteria, she speaks with a nontraditional
parents about their concerns for their children’s choice of major
student who is also rushing through. “We talked about her day.
and employability after college, as well as their worries about tu-
She was on her way to work, and she told me about her job and
12 wilson magazine
PHOTO BY KENDRA TIDD
the value of a liberal arts degree and Wilson’s commitment to
about her classes.” Another day finds the president eating with
From this point, the conversation covers leadership concerns
a group of staff, discussing the logistics of an upcoming campus
and trends in higher education, current business models, trends
service day: “I can’t wait to see everyone out working together,”
for leadership and the overall education system. The topic may
Mistick told them.
not have stayed entirely on Stretch, but it’s these conversations
That’s a big priority for Mistick—keeping everyone focused,
that the president enjoys.
engaged and working together. “You know, I’m only one person,”
“First and foremost, we are an academic community,” Mistick
she said. “And I know that I can’t do this alone. So if I can keep
said. “And we should foster academic and intellectual conversa-
engaged with everyone, they know I value their work, and we can
tions … I have a vision of where I want us to be, and it’s my job to
keep everyone moving in the right direction. The more advocates
help keep everyone onboard so that we can get there.”
I can bring along, the stronger we are.”
Engagement is a top priority for Mistick, whether it involves
To build advocates, she must build trust and common ground,
alumnae/i or students. She knows that personally investing in
something she tries to do by honoring every facet of her presiden-
these relationships is the key to keeping both constituencies con-
tial responsibilities and taking nothing for granted—such as her
nected to the College.
status as a member of Wilson’s business department faculty. “I
On an exceptionally cold Sunday afternoon, Mistick dons a
don’t want that to be a ceremonial appointment,” she said. “It’s
Wilson ski cap, winter coat and gloves, and braves the wind on
an appointment I take seriously.”
Kris’ Meadow to cheer on the Phoenix softball team in a game
That role includes her academic/research pursuits outside of
against Gallaudet University.
her position as president. Those pursuits led to the recent pub-
While there, she interacts with faculty and staff attending with
lication of her first book, Stretch: How to Future-Proof Yourself for
their families, admires the strength in the pitchers’ windups and
Tomorrow’s Workplace, which offers guidance on remaining rele-
shares details from the previous night’s Boeing, Boeing perfor-
vant in an ever-changing workplace.
mance by the Kittochtinny Players, Wilson’s drama club. “I try to
During a Friday evening faculty “Brown Bag” informational
make it to as many games as I can,” she said. “But field hockey is
session, she talks with faculty members about the research and
the only one I really know the rules for—that’s what I played.” But
methodology behind Stretch, as well as her conclusions. “Is it bet-
it’s her presence, not her knowledge of the game, that she places a
ter to work with a good boss or a bad boss?” she asked when the
premium on, and as always, it serves a dual purpose: being present
conversation turned to whether employees learn more working
to support Wilson’s students and setting an example of engagement, as well. Mistick doesn’t just cheer on the students of Wilson College, she’s also one of their biggest advocates. After the game, she heads to Harrisburg, Pa., to attend the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania’s (AICUP) annual meeting and to participate in AICUP’s Student Aid Advocacy Day at the State Capitol.
ADVOCATING FOR WILSON AND STUDENTS Formed in 1995, AICUP represents the interests of the 89 priLeft: President Mistick checks work on the new campus quad with project manager Steve Switzer. Right: Mistick attends the 90th birthday celebration of Denise Sites Foreman ’48.
vate colleges in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and provides a framework for member presidents to have a dialogue with policymakers. “Without AICUP, we would probably need a full-time staff member dedicated to government relations,” Mistick said.
for a good employer or bad one. “Or is it competent vs. incompetent?” Julie Raulli, assistant professor of sociology, countered. “OK. What did you learn about from a bad or incompetent boss?” Mistick volleyed.
Full funding of Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) grants, which support primarily middle class families, has been an ongoing discussion for private institutions across the Commonwealth and one that Mistick has been particularly focused on. A third of Wilson students rely on PHEAA grants
summer 2016 13
to pay for college. According to AICUP, nearly 73% of students eli-
And then he reminds them that they’re not doing it alone. “You’ve
gible for PHEAA did not receive an award during the 2014-15 fiscal
got a big advocate already working on your behalf,” he said, point-
year, due to underfunding at the state level.
ing to Mistick.
Mistick and eight Wilson students arrive for Student Aid Advocacy Day to talk with representatives from their hometowns
BUILDING TOWN AND GOWN
about the importance of fully funding PHEAA grants. They visit
“I believe that the College has a responsibility to show lead-
Republican state Sen. Richard Alloway II, who represents Adams,
ership in the community,” Mistick said firmly when asked about
Cumberland, Franklin and York Counties and whose headquar-
the connections she’s nurtured between the College and the lo-
ters are in Chambersburg. The students gather around a large,
cal community.
mahogany conference table in Alloway’s office to share what
She points to the recent renovation and expansion of the library
PHEAA funding means to each of them. Many say PHEAA assis-
as an example. When Mistick learned through R. S. Mowery & Sons,
tance has been the difference between coming back for another
the contractor for the library project, that there was an off-line
semester or going home.
quarry in the area with enough limestone to complete the façade
Alloway listens to each story, but he already knows the details—he’s heard them from the woman sitting to his left. The relationship between Mistick and Alloway is built on mutual respect, a shared desire to see Wilson PHOTO BY COURTNEY D. WOLFE �12
thrive and a deep appreciation for the value of higher education and the life-changing difference it can make. Mistick said when she arrived in Franklin County five
Mistick and Wilson students meet with state Sen. Richard Alloway II in Harrisburg during Student Aid Advocay Day. The event is arranged by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania to give students access to lawmakers to discuss funding for grants awarded through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
years ago, she recognized
“I BELIEVE THE COLLEGE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOW LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY.” that she’d found a colleague in the senator and praised him for
of the new addition, she jumped at the opportunity to use the local
being not only a supporter of Wilson, but of “higher education in
stone. “It gave us the opportunity to use the skill and knowledge of
general. We deeply appreciate his unwavering support.”
local craftsmen and tradesmen and to support them,” she said.
PHEAA funding was delayed last year due to an impasse in the
A seasoned businessperson, Mistick understands the necessi-
Pennsylvania Legislature over approval of the 2015-16 state bud-
ty of a symbiotic relationship between the College and the com-
get submitted by Gov. Tom Wolfe. During the meeting with Al-
munity, and nurtures relationships with the local borough coun-
loway, Mistick asked, “Senator, often students figure out how to
cil, chamber of commerce, and Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. “When
get there with the funding that’s available. But what they want to
the College does well, the community does well and vice versa,”
know is, will it be there in the future? And given the impasse, how
she said.
can they make their voices heard?”
That engagement is paying off: Mistick’s relationships helped
Alloway counsels the students that they need to keep doing
secure a grant from Pennsylvania’s Financing Authority’s Mul-
what they’re doing: knocking on doors and making people listen.
timodal Transportation Fund for the borough to replace nearly
14 wilson magazine
3,000 feet of curbs and sidewalks, and improve lighting for pedes-
imals. “From animal blessings to meetings with senators about
trian safety along the entire length of campus on U.S. 11.
PHEAA funding, the job wants something from you all the time.”
Members of Chambersburg’s Coyle Free Library have also
Mistick stresses that, “It’s the little things that matter. My
reached out to Mistick to leverage her expertise in fundraising,
job’s not more important than any other.” But Mistick’s “little
library renovations and library operations for their $5.5 million
things” make a big difference in the Wilson community—wheth-
“The Next Chapter” campaign, which is raising funds to renovate
er it’s checking the College’s Instagram feed and remembering a
and expand the public library—a staple in downtown Chambers-
staff member’s birthday to attending an Orr Forum lecture and
burg since 1891.
having lunch with a prospective new Trustee.
“Our students receive materials from Coyle through the state
For example, relationship visits with donors and friends of
“IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MATTER. MY JOB'S NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY OTHER.” interlibrary loan system and so it was important for us to show
the College are an investment that Mistick knows have long-
our support,” Mistick said. Wilson’s presence is all about making
term value. “You have to earn the right to ask,” she said. “You
critical connections back to the community and the people who
don’t just show up and say, ‘I’m here today to bring you into the
live here.
donor fold.’” Mistick recently signed a thank you letter to a donor for her
AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
first $1,000 donation to the College. “I didn’t know where that
“It’s all-encompassing; it’s 24-7,” said former President of Grove
relationship was going to go,” Mistick said. “She made a recom-
City College Richard G. Jewell, when talking about the demands of
mendation for a commencement speaker and told me about a
a college presidency during the 2016 AICUP annual meeting.
foundation that we should connect with, and now she’s made
His words aren’t hyperbole.
a donation. You have to be present for these things and pay at-
“The range of the position is astonishing,” Mistick laughed,
tention in order to build a long-term relationship on behalf of
walking to lunch following Wilson’s annual Blessing of the An-
the College.” And occasionally that investment in relationships leads to personal moments. Mistick was invited to and attended the 90th birthday celebration of Denise Sites Foreman ’48. “Denise cares about the institution and along the way we’ve become friends,” Mistick said with a smile. “And you like to support your friends. Denise has been a huge advocate and supporter of not just me, but Wilson, and it was nice that I was there to celebrate with her.” Being present is something Mistick models as a leader in the
PHOTO BY COURTNEY D. WOLFE �12
hope that it permeates the Wilson culture and becomes the modus operandi for every member of the Wilson community. “It’s not just one thing that makes a difference. Being engaged is simple,” Mistick said. “You know, I wouldn’t call physical plant and ask them to pick up a piece of trash from the esplanade. I do the things that I see need to be done, and I expect the same from everybody else.” W
Mistick joins Professor Justin Lawrence to cheer on the Phoenix softball team during a spring home game.
summer 2016 15
PHOTO BY SAVANNA GARR PHOTOGRAPHY
16 wilson magazine
WALL STREET SAVVY How Candace Straight ’69 helped launch Equity, a womancentric Wall Street thriller by Coleen Dee Berry
W
hen they joined forces in 2014 to form Broad Street Pictures, actresses Sarah Megan Thomas and Alysia Reiner were on a mission: to produce films with strong female roles both in front of and behind the camera. For the company’s first film, they deliberately chose to break ground by making a Wall Street thriller from a woman’s point of view. Raising money for any independent film is no mean feat. Thomas and Reiner were having little luck convincing private investors to take a gamble on their Wall Street venture—until they met Candace Straight ’69. A successful investment banker, private investor and consultant in the insurance industry, Straight has advised both former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on budget matters and is the past president of the Financial Women’s Association of New York. Straight’s financial backing and her inside knowledge of Wall Street helped make Broad Street’s movie, Equity, a reality. summer 2016 17
▼2.56 ▲1.93 ▲6.01 ▼0.37 ▼5 ▼3.21 ▼2.48 ▲1.05 ▼0.96 ▲ “I got to look at the script and it really grabbed me,” Straight said about Equity. “You never see a Wall Street film portraying a woman executive. The whole concept—great story, strong female leads, social commentary, plus a women-led production team—I just had to get involved.”
Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Wolf of Wall Street to the recent, dark comedic turn on hedge funds in The Big Short. “But women in Wall Street films are usually a side character or someone’s wife. There’s never been a true female lead,” Thomas said. “And actually, this film has not one, but three strong women in lead roles.”
After debuting to positive reviews at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, Equity was purchased by Sony Pictures Classics and opened in movie theaters July 29.
Anna Gunn, a two-time Emmy winner for her starring role in Breaking Bad, has the lead role in Equity as senior investment banker Naomi Bishop, who uncovers a web of corruption when her IPO (initial public offering) is in jeopardy. Thomas portrays Bishop’s deputy and Reiner plays a prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s office. The script was written by Amy Fox and is directed by Meera Menon (Farah Goes Bang).
Without Straight, Equity might still be on the drawing board, according to both Thomas and Reiner. “Candy is a dream investor for an artist to have,” said Thomas, who starred in and produced the 2012 film, Backwards. “She was the first investor in the film, which is so important, because everyone asks you when you start fundraising, do you have any investors? Then, she pulled all her contacts out and started introducing us around and pulling in more investors.” Due in a large part to Straight’s connections and efforts, 80 percent of Equity’s investors are women with careers in Wall Street or business. Straight can now add the title of executive producer to her extensive resume.
She is our official, badass
AWESOME ROCK STAR
from Wall Street.” —ALYSIA REINER
“Candy was superb. She embodied the definition of the word mentoring. She gave us advice, gave us tips about IPOs and countless other facts,” said Reiner, who stars in the hit Netflix show, Orange Is The New Black. “Candy is the executive producer of Equity because of all her efforts. She is our official, badass awesome rock star from Wall Street.” Wall Street movies have left an indelible mark on Hollywood— from Michael Douglas’ infamous Gordon Gekko character and
18 wilson magazine
“I really identified with Naomi,” Straight said. “A lot of things that happened to her in the movie, happened to me.” At one point Naomi is told by her male boss, “It’s just not your year,” as she is being turned down again for a promotion. “Been there, heard that,” Straight said. One character in the movie struggles to hide her pregnancy at work. “I watched several of my friends and co-workers do just that because they were so afraid it would cost them their job status,” she said. Thomas and Reiner said they often turned to Straight for technical advice on the script. “For example, Amy Fox, the screenwriter, was struggling to explain what a ‘green shoe’ meant in the IPO process and I told her, just leave it out, because it was way too complicated,” Straight said. In addition, Straight provided serious input on how the movie ends. “Can’t say more, I don’t want to be a spoiler,” she said with a laugh. Straight’s Wall Street savvy has roots in her New Jersey childhood. She credits both her father and grandmother with encouraging her interest in finance. “By high school I was reading the Wall Street Journal and dreaming of working in New York City,” she said. Another interest was sports, especially tennis, which led her to Wilson. “This was way before Title IX and it was really only at women’s colleges that you could play sports if you were a woman,” Straight said. Her father died when she was a sophomore at Wilson. Several family members urged her mother to pull her out of the College and send her to a less expensive school closer to home where, “I could pursue something sensible, like teaching,” Straight said. “I assured my mom that if she let me continue at Wilson, I would get a job in New York City and be able to support her. I thank my stars that she stuck by me.” At Wilson, Straight majored in history and minored in economics and political science. After graduation, she began interviewing for that New York job. Several companies had clerical or secretarial openings, but Bankers Trust offered her a job in its investment department. Her career was launched. Within 10 years of joining Bankers Trust, Straight had been named a vice president and received her Master of Business Administration from New York University while attending night classes. She went on to work for Merck in its corporate finance department and later, for several private global investment companies. Straight currently sits on the board of directors of Neuberger Berman’s mutual funds.
5.28 ▲2.69 ▼1.86 ▲9.04 ▲0.75 ▲4.48 ▲2.71 ▲1.55 ▼0.28 ▲3 Wilson also received the benefit of Straight’s expertise. She served on the Board of Trustees from 1982 to 1990, chaired the investment committee and was named trustee emerita in 2006. In 2010, she continued in her service to higher education when she was appointed to the Board of Governors for Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she currently serves as chair of the audit committee.
Reiner said at first she wrestled with the idea of producing Equity and admitted that most Wall Street movies “do not speak to my heart.” But in the course of researching the film, she realized that “Wall Street and Hollywood have very similar challenges in regard to women trying to break the glass ceiling and getting passed over, and having to work twice as hard to get half as far,”
PHOTO BY STEVE BUCKWALTER
Along the way, Straight dabbled in broadcast production, first producing a year-long series of shows called The College Arm Wrestling League for ESPN-U, and then as producer of Tainted Dreams, a YouTube soap opera series starring actors and
“I know a lot of Wall Streeters, women and men, (and) I didn’t want it to be that message,” Thomas said. “I mean, there are evil people in the movie, just like there are good and bad politicians and truck drivers and what have you. But the focus of the movie is the women and the challenges they face.”
From left; Sarah Megan Thomas as Erin Manning and Anna Gunn as Naomi Bishop in a scene from Equity. Alysia Reiner plays attorney Samantha Ryan in Equity. (Images courtesy of Sony Pictures Classic)
actresses from many classic shows like All My Children and The Guiding Light. But involvement in a Hollywood film seemed unlikely—until Thomas and Reiner came calling.
Reiner said. “And I started thinking, yes, we could produce this Wall Street thriller that would also have a ‘stealth bomb’ social issue message, and I saw that this did indeed speak to my heart.”
The two producers were introduced to Straight by author and New York University anthropology professor Melissa Fisher, who wrote her doctoral thesis on the “first generation” of Wall Street women in the 1960 and 1970s. Her thesis later became a 2012 book, Wall Street Women. Straight was not only one of the women Fisher wrote about, but she also connected Fisher with many of her Wall Street colleagues.
When Straight started her career at Bankers Trust, there wasn’t a single woman vice president, “which is a mid-manager position,” in the company, she said. Today, almost 31 percent of mid-level employees at the 22 largest U.S. investment banks are women, and women hold 16.6 percent of the executive level positions—but there has never been a female CEO. “There’s been a lot of progress,” Straight said, “but the glass ceiling still has to be cracked.”
Once Fisher met Thomas and Reiner, “introducing them to Candy was a no-brainer, knowing her contacts and her knack for fundraising,” Fisher said. “I had the experience of her helping me. When she gets behind you, she’s just spectacular. And I knew, given her Wall Street background, she would be an awesome resource for them.” Besides providing financial backing, Straight herself offered Thomas and Reiner a good role model for Equity, according to Fisher. “Candy has always been very confident. She has a conviction in herself, she loves negotiating deals, she likes to make money and she appreciates what money can do for you,” she said.
What do the producers want the audience to take from Equity? “Number one, I want people to enjoy the movie, but I also want them to go to dinner or out for a drink afterward and have a good discussion about the issues we raise,” Thomas said. “What I want the audience to think about is what a tough and competitive place Wall Street is, and that women operate very well in that environment,” Straight said. “I want them to realize that women do play a major role on Wall Street. And I want them to appreciate the challenges women have faced—and still face today—in the workplace.” W
Straight, Thomas and Reiner all emphasize that they were not interested in producing a “Wall Street is evil” type of movie.
summer 2016 19
PHOTO BY MATTHEW LESTER
5am
T
he Wilson that students experience every day is made possible by the
efforts of the campus community—from the faculty, who challenge students in classes and labs, to staff, who undertake the oftenunheralded tasks of keeping students engaged, safe and well-fed, and the campus thriving and well-tended. April 19, 2016, is just one day, but it captures the efforts that go into bringing the Wilson experience to life every day:
WILSON WAKES UP Two-and-one-half hours before the first administrative office opens for business, campus is bustling with work most never see. A string of cars makes its way to campus. Lights in administrative and academic buildings across campus flicker on. Doors open, curtains are pulled back, chairs screech on hardwood floors. Housekeeping is on the job. In the next three hours, a team of 12 will begin getting campus ready for the day—moving through seven administrative and four academic buildings—setting up classrooms, emptying trash and recycling bins, cleaning and restocking bathrooms and making notes of any issues that need to be reported to physical plant for follow-up. As this largely unnoticed squad makes its rounds and the sun begins clear the horizon, the next wave of staff arrives at the Alan McKee Physical Plant Building.
Administrative assistant Pamela Siebert heads directly to the physical plant office to see if any overnight emergency work orders have been received. Even before he gets to the office, facilities management director Jack Kelly (pictured) takes a tour of campus and makes notes about any maintenance issues that need to be addressed. Once he arrives at the plant office, he and Seibert look over any emergency work tickets, check daily routine maintenance needs and start building today’s schedules. From this point, the rhythm for the day is anyone’s guess. “We never know what each day might bring,” Kelly said. “Anything from storm cleanup and fallen trees to heating issues in the winter. Pam and I look at who’s available and get the tickets out.”
Grounds crew member Travis Carr clears sidewalks in front of Lenfest Commons.
CLASSES START AND OFFICES OPEN FOR BUSINESS
6am
7am
8am
JENSEN DINING HALL OPENS FOR BREAKFAST
Morgan Wonders ’16 (left) and Devynn Wiesniewski ‘19 get ready for a dissection exercise in their anatomy/physiology lab with Tonia Hess-Kling, assistant professor of exercise and sports science.
Housekeeper Mary Norah begins her day.
summer 2016 21
Breakfast is over. The dining hall doors close with a reverberating bang. To the staff, that’s the sound of the starting gun for the next heat in the day’s race—in two-and-one-half hours the hall will reopen, ready to feed another 260 hungry students, faculty and staff. Lunch is the busiest meal of the day. The 11 staff members and three managers in dining services meet over a quick bite while talking through menu prep for the upcoming meal.
A BUSY DAY BLOOMS
The grills and ovens are up to temperature and the kitchen starts to heat up. April Stouffer begins to set up various food stations with the deli bar. Staff members waltz around each other as they shift from station to station. At one prep table, Jimmie Norah is assembling eggplant and artichoke sandwiches on baguettes, while simultaneously giving an ingredients list to another team member. Upstairs, Jared Redick (pictured) tosses pizza dough high into the air and Stouffer now readies the pasta station.
9am
10am
The campus is now in full swing: Students hurry from one class to the next. Lisa Woolley, professor of English, speaks about “Engaging Climate Change” in the new learning commons. The Wilson College Government Association convenes, and Psych Club members prepare for a noon meeting on the green.
JENSEN DINING HALL OPENS FOR LUNCH
11am
Admissions counselor Vanessa Whitfield ’14 prepares to attend a college fair in New Jersey.
Lynn Newman, associate professor of education, during her Child Development and Learning class in Warfield Hall.
22 wilson magazine
Kaylie Smith ’19 has made her way across the Conococheague Creek and up to the Fulton Farm to report for her work-study job. After an unseasonably cold spring, she welcomes the chance to work outside on a beautiful, warm spring day, even if it means spending her two-hour shift weeding the areas around the farm’s outdoor classroom. “We do a lot of weeding,” Smith said. A VMT major, she chose to work at the farm because she didn’t want to work at a desk. She wanted a hands-on experience outside. “In the fall we pick vegetables. I like when we get fresh produce—you get to clean it and CSA (community-supported agriculture) comes and picks it up. It’s fun to see it going out.” Smith is one of 158 students who participated in work-study this past year, contributing more than 25,000 hours to offices across the campus.
Students in Professor Ed Wells’ A Liberal Arts Approach to Climate Change course get a lesson in diplomacy as they convene in the Brooks Center auditorium to begin negotiating a mock United Nations climate treaty. Negotiations tend to be a tedious and not entirely satisfying process, Wells, professor of environmental studies, warns them beforehand. “We have to see where we have common ground. How do we get a treaty signed that everyone can live with?” he said.
James D’Annibale, technology and learning commons librarian (left), demonstrates the personal librarian computer feature to student Gaser Ahmed ’17.
12pm
Each student represents a different country. Danniele Fulmer ’17, as China, is the first to weigh in. “In general, China feels there needs to be stronger partnerships between developed and undeveloped countries,” she said. Japan, represented by Brant Swartz ’18, advocates more forceful and precise language to get countries to comply with pollution reduction goals. “You can gently encourage something or you can forcefully encourage it,” he said. At the end of the session, Wells praises his class for a “really good discussion,” and says by the end of the course there will be a treaty to sign.
1pm
Choir Director Elisabeth Turchi leads choir practice in Thomson Hall.
2pm
After four years, seniors Kelly Myers, Abby Burkehart, Elizabeth Thomas, Tia Shear and Olivia Mullen are a team. Nothing much fazes them in their Veterinary Medical Technology Clinical Experience surgery lab—not even a dog that refuses to succumb to anesthesia. The team today is undertaking a spay operation for Gypsy Rose, a shepherd mix, but during the prep, anesthetizing the dog becomes tricky. Mullen explains the drug can make the animal breathe rapidly, or—as Gypsy is doing—hold its breath. The team must adjust the anesthesia machine to breathe the right way for Gypsy, in long slow breaths. “Why would it be easy?” Shear quipped at one point. “You guys don’t do easy,” VMT Director Freya Burnett replied.
Elizabeth Thomas (left) and Abby Burkehart check vital signs on Gypsy Rose.
The pasta station chefs light their grills and a stream of hungry students pours in for lunch. In roughly an hour and a half, all the prep work will start over again for dinner.
summer 2016 23
A touch football game springs up on the green.
EVENING ON CAMPUS Dana Harriger, professor of biology, talks with Jordyn Day �19 during a general biology lab in Brooks Science Center.
3pm
4pm
A golden afternoon slides into a glorious evening. The bell has rung for Dean’s Day, promising a day off from classes tomorrow. Everyone is outside, finding ways to celebrate the warm weather.
5pm
JENSEN DINING HALL OPENS FOR DINNER
Gypsy’s spay is successfully completed.
Practice at Kris’ Meadow brings out seven members of the women’s soccer team, including Jessie Thrush ’17 (pictured), who run agility and passing drills, and practice splitting defenders and stealing balls from each other. At a distant goal, three men’s soccer players shoot goals on their own.
24 wilson magazine
Nearly 25 percent of undergraduates participate in one of the nine team sports at Wilson. During the 2015-16 school year, 110 student-athletes were active and many participated in more than one sport. Soccer is mainly a fall sport, but spring practices are allowed. This year there will be a women’s spring practice match on April 30 against Penn State Mont Alto, and the team intends to be ready.
In front of Prentis Hall, Single Parent Scholar program students break out bicycles and bubbles, and children’s laughter fills the air.
6pm
7pm
Adjunct professor Sharon Erby takes her Creative Writing class outside for discussion in the glow of the evening.
Bob Dickson, associate professor of fine arts, leads discussion during his Medieval and Islamic Art class in Lortz Hall.
8pm
Field Hockey coach Shelly Novak conducts a field hockey clinic for middle school athletes at the field house.
summer 2016 25
As night classes wind down, a full moon rises over campus. Students walk in small groups through the green, laughing, on their way back to their dorms, while others pack up their books and laptops and head for their cars.
Three international students at work on a pottery project in the art annex.
9pm
10pm
11pm
Security guard Michael Dick says his night shift is usually uneventful. “It can be a bit boring sometimes, but I mean that in a good way,” he said. “No one is making any trouble.” Dick begins his rounds, making sure that outside doors are shut and empty classrooms are locked.
The last building to clear and lock up is the library at 11 p.m. Lights in the dorm windows begin to wink out as the day ends.
To view more of our Day in the Life of Wilson, go to
www.wilson.edu/dayinthelife
26 wilson magazine
AROUND THE GREEN
THAT'S A WRAP The spring sports seasons come to a close as softball finishes strong in post-season play By Jeremy Shepherd
A
nother Phoenix spring sports season finished on a high note, as the women’s softball team clinched its eighth consecutive appearance in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) tournament and advanced to the final four championship round.
via College. During the second day of tournament play, the Phoenix took on tournament host and eventual champion, Keuka College, but fell to the Wolfpack by a score of 4-0. An elimination game vs. SUNY (State University of New York) Poly followed and the Phoenix won 4-2 to advance to the final four of the tournament. On championship Sunday, the team battled with Penn State Abington in the early innings, ending the third with the score tied 6-6. But Penn State Abington broke the game open in the fourth inning and went on to win 17-7. The Phoenix ended with a fourth-place finish in the tournament.
Hornberger earned honors for the second straight time, while Knable made her debut on the All-Conference team this year. Hornberger ranked first in the NEAC with 18 stolen bases in conference play. *** The second season of men’s golf was highlighted by a second-place finish in the Phoenix Invitational held at the Chambersburg Country Club. Demitri Keopradit ’18 took medalist honors at the event by firing an 11-over par 84 and Jacob Benford ’19 earned a top five finish. The team finished the season with an appearance in the NEAC golf championships for the second year in a row.
For the third time in the past five years, the women’s softball team racked up a 20-win season with an overall record of 20-17, which included a 10-6 mark in NEAC play. The team finished the regular season by winning seven of its final 10 games and earned the number two seed in the NEAC South Division. The team opened the NEAC tournament with an impressive 9-1 victory over Cazeno-
Crouse has been selected as a NEAC All-Conference performer in each of her four seasons, joining Taylor Fields ’13 as the only Phoenix softball players to earn NEAC All-Conference honors four times. Sullenberger’s selection was the third of her career. Her .444 batting average ranked second in the conference, while she ranked first in on-base percentage, second in home runs and third in slugging percentage.
PHOTOS BY BOB STOLER
Prior to the conference tournament, four softball players were named to the NEAC 2016 South The Phoenix women's softball team celebrates; right, members of Division All-Conference Wilson's inaugural men's volleyball team take the court. Team. Earning first team accolades were Kayla Sullenberger ’16 and Jenna Knable ’17. SecThe men’s golf team also earned a spot in ond team honors went to Taylor Crouse’16 the NEAC tournament, and men’s volleyball and Jennifer Hornberger ’18. completed its inaugural season in April. Men’s volleyball finished its inaugural 2016 season with a 3-0 loss vs. D’Youville College and with a 0-20 record overall and a 0-16 mark in conference play. The team was led statistically by Aaron Hoke ’19 in points (225) and kills (203), Zachery Zerr ’19 in service aces (19), Jeremy Waldman ’19 in assists (286) and Evan Hoke ’19 in digs (176). W
summer 2016 27
Lindsey Sutton ’16 hopes to combine art with science after graduation By Coleen Dee Berry
L
indsey Sutton ’16 came to Wilson with chemistry on her mind and left with art in her soul.
Abroad Scholarship, she will travel to Italy to study drawing and Italian at the Studio Art Centers International in Florence.
Sutton was sure of her path when she graduated from Greencastle-Antrim High School—she would major in chemistry and go into research. A Lenfest scholar, by the time she graduated from Wilson she had been recognized as an outstanding chemistry major by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Section of the American Chemical Society and received the College’s Davison Greenawalt Grove award for excellence in scientific research.
After her study abroad is complete, Sutton hopes to follow a new path as an architect. “I’d like to combine both the scientific and creative aspects of my backgrounds here at Wilson, so that I can design more environmentally friendly buildings and projects,” Sutton said. “I want to do something to help the environment. That’s more and more important to me, the older I get.”
But along the way, she rekindled an interest in art and painting. “My mom was a painter and I did some drawing as a kid. I remember drawing a lot of horses,” Sutton said. “I took a few art courses here and thought it would be a good minor for me.” But as her artistic talent blossomed, several professors encouraged Sutton to take a more serious look at studio art. Sutton ended up graduating with a double major in chemistry and studio art. This summer, with the help of the Aiken Study-
28 wilson magazine
Sutton’s academic range was illustrated by her two presentations for Student Research Day. One was centered on chemistry and entitled “Temperature Dependence of Viscosity and Polarity of Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquids.” The other was a discussion of her capstone art exhibit, entitled “Moments to Hold.” Her chemistry topic focused on the properties of ionic liquids, which are considered environmentally friendly chemicals. Her art exhibit captured specific life moments, “the connections we have with others, especially those closest to us, that
help us through each day,” Sutton said in her presentation. One painting was of Sutton herself as a child with her baby brother; another featured her best friend at Wilson, Ghada Tafesh ’16. “Lindsey’s mind makes no distinction between right and left brain—all aspects of her life are intertwined,” said Deb Austin, professor of chemistry, when introducing Sutton during Wilson’s Phi Beta Kappa induction ceremony. Austin spoke of Sutton’s strong interest in the environment and outdoor challenges: “She has rappelled with Army Rangers in Georgia, hiked and camped in New Mexico, and canoed and camped in Minnesota. The only thing she has done halfway is a marathon.” Her art professor, Philip Lindsey, said Sutton was the first chemistry/studio art major he’s taught in at least the past 10 years. “She’s the type of student every professor wishes they had 10 of in their classroom,” he said. “She sits in the front row, she’s engaged, she asks questions and she adds to the conversation.”
PHOTO BY KENDRA TIDD
PHOTO BY RYAN SMITH
THE ART OF CHEMISTRY
AROUND THE GREEN
From left: Associate Professor of Fine Arts Robert Dickson and Lindsey Sutton �16 in the classroom; Sutton with roommate Ghada Tafesh �16; Sutton's painting of herself with her baby brother.
Lindsey said the painting Sutton did of herself and her brother represented a turning point for her. “Her brother had just come home from the hospital,” he said. “She took the old photograph of the two of them and put it in a new emotional context. I think this photograph represented a moment of departure for her, a new type
Her best memories of Wilson will be the relationships she forged with friends and faculty, Sutton said. She treasures her friendship with Tafesh, an international student from Gaza. They have been roommates for three and half years, and “I never imagined having a friend as close as her,” Sutton said.
She's the type of student every professor wishes they had 10 of in their classroom. —Philip Lindsey, art professor of experience, because her painting just took off from there.” Sutton is doing more than just capturing a moment of tenderness or beauty in her exhibit paintings, Lindsey said. “She’s also telling us to appreciate these moments. If you have feelings for someone, let them know. We don’t know what the next day will bring.”
She also delighted in Wilson’s traditions. “I am the song leader for my class, which really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Sutton said. “All those Sarah Wilson weeks, I really enjoyed them. The traditions make you feel part of something bigger.”
classes to continue on with many of the traditions that have existed here for over 100 years.” In addition to being an exceptional student, Sutton was an outstanding leader on campus, Williams said. Besides song leader, Sutton was chief justice of the Wilson College Government Association, co-editor of the yearbook and treasurer of the campus Habitat for Humanity chapter. “She will truly be leaving Wilson better than she found it,” Williams said. Sutton said her four years at Wilson changed and broadened her outlook. When she completes her study abroad, she will turn her attention to choosing a graduate school. “Now, I’m more open-ended with my goals,” she said. “The only thing I know is that whatever I end up doing, I want my job to benefit my community.” W
“Lindsey has a great passion for the traditions of Wilson,” Vice President for Student Development Mary Beth Williams said. “Her energy has inspired the following
summer 2016 29
— president’s —
forum
THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING COLLEGE COSTS IS … EDUCATION. IMAGINE THAT. By Barbara K. Mistick, president
PHOTO BY RYAN SMITH
C
hoosing to attend college has always been an incredibly important and somewhat frightening decision, but it has never been more fraught with uncertainty than it is today. And it’s no wonder, given the number of voices contributing to what has become an alarming narrative about rising college costs.
We are at the beginning of another college admission season, and for those students and families who will soon enter the college search process, here are some points to help sort through the noise. THE MYTHOLOGY SURROUNDING STUDENT DEBT Student debt is the highest it has ever been—$1.3 trillion nationally. For media outlets, politicians and students, that’s a pretty powerful number. For many first-generation students and middle-income families, being able to successfully finance education opens the door to the dream of college and provides access to career opportunities. The current student debt crisis hinges on the understandable anxiety over responsible borrowing and repayment. Whenever I talk to people about student debt, I ask them to tell me what they think the average undergraduate debt level is. Every time, at least three-quarters of the audience members say $75,000 or more, with about a quarter of them believing it is more than $100,000. This response is easy to understand—it’s what we all hear. A recent report from Hamilton Place Strategies looked at the ways debt levels were reported in 100 articles over a three-month period. The study found that the average level of student debt reported in these stories was $85,400. However, the real student debt average, according to the Student Debt Project, is $28,950 per borrower. So, this is all confusing. Overall debt has quadrupled over the last 10 years, but according to the Brookings Institution, the median
30 wilson magazine
amount paid by graduates on a monthly basis over the last 20 years has remained the same: three to four percent of monthly income. And the average payment-to-income ratio for graduates has actually fallen from as high as 15 percent to seven percent. These findings tell us that taking on debt as a way to afford a college education is making college more accessible to students. BURDEN OR INVESTMENT? What does that $28,950 of average debt mean? Obviously, it means students will have loan payments to make, but let’s give the number some context. According to Kelly Blue Book, the average price for a new car in March of this year was $33,666. Now, remember the $1.3 trillion of student debt? According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of March, the level of auto loan debt in the U.S. was $1.07 trillion. When we purchase a car, we think of it as an investment. It gets us to work; we use it to do our shopping; it helps us shuttle our kids around; we can drive on vacation and save airfare; we can feel younger! A college education is also an investment. A Pew Research Center report found that bachelor’s degree holders aged 25 to 32 earned, on average, $16,500 more annually than those with only a high school degree, and $15,500 more than those with an associate degree or only some college. Over the course of a career, that adds up to about $1 million more in earnings. There is one more point to make about the value of investing in a liberal arts degree. It seems that every time a politician talks about debt, he or she denigrates the liberal arts as being unnecessary or frivolous. Of course, they miss the point of the liberal arts, which is about more than what major you study. The liberal arts teach students how to think, interact, solve problems and adapt. A study sponsored by the Association of American Colleges and Universities found that 93 percent of private and nonprofit business leaders agree that “to achieve success at their companies in today’s complex environment, a candidate’s demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly and solve complex problems is more important than his or her undergraduate field of study.”
LOOK FOR THE RIGHT NUMBERS Along with debt, there has been a lot of concern about whether colleges are doing enough to control their costs—and rightly so. A number of colleges have lowered tuition recently. Others have held tuition without an increase and a few others, like Wilson College, have done both. Over the past year we have found that tuition is not the number that most affects college decisions—it’s the availability and size of financial aid packages. That seems perfectly reasonable. College costs are so high that the more aid you get, the lower the net cost. Lower net costs should theoretically then allow students to borrow less. Indeed, financial aid is the most important area for students and families to understand as they evaluate college affordability. Endowment-based scholarships are critical to enabling schools like Wilson to compete for students. Colleges with larger endowments have a number of advantages, including the ability to help families bridge the gap between cost and affordability. They also have higher tuition costs, but don’t suffer for it because many students and their families equate a high cost with prestige. As a result, some schools will keep tuition high and provide large financial aid packages as an inducement to convince students to attend their school. Those packages include loans, which equate to debt.
A number of colleges have lowered tuition recently. Others have held tuition without an increase…Wilson College [has] done both.” — President Barbara K. Mistick When looking at the numbers, we encourage students to understand the amount of debt they will have upon graduation. Many assume that public institutions provide greater value than private schools. But with states cutting back support of their public higher education systems and private schools having more funds available
for scholarships and grants, public schools offer debt levels that rival or are higher than many private institutions. TIPS FOR MAKING THE MOST OF AN INVESTMENT IN COLLEGE Now with this foundation of information, here are some things that students and their families should do to get the most from their college investment: 1. Discussions about the cost of college should begin at home. In my conversations with students about college costs and debt, they tend to be very naïve about what their family can afford. Encourage budgeting and setting limits. Try to limit borrowing to tuition costs only—financing Friday night pizza can add up quickly over time. Alongside academic major and school size, value should be at the top of the list when evaluating colleges. 2. Once a student chooses a school, he or she must become a full partner. Get involved with career development services early, participate in student activities, take leadership training, find an internship, look for financial literacy courses and take advantage of student support services. All of these are available for students and can help them to be successful in college and after graduation, but only if they take responsibility to participate. 3. Graduate in four years! Each year a student remains in school, the higher his or her level of debt becomes. Explore majors and minors beginning in the first year. Be smart about scheduling required courses and work closely with academic advisers to complete in four years. 4. Students must understand the impact of their choices. In college, students will choose a major and have an idea of what kind of job they want after graduation. Make sure to understand what entry-level salaries look like, the availability of jobs in the area where they want to live, the cost of living and the impact of debt payments. They may want to live closer to home after graduation, but jobs in their chosen careers could be limited in that area. So they need to decide what is important to them and make decisions accordingly. One last thing: College is an amazing time in a student’s life, so be sure to tell them to enjoy it. They should explore, make new friends, expand their outlook and opinions, stretch themselves to try new things, be uncomfortable, learn. They will never forget their college years. Help make sure the memories are about all they gained, not about the next scheduled loan repayment.
summer 2016 31
— hidden —
history
SCRAPBOOK SOUVENIRS By Amy Ensley
he scrapbook belonging to Carolyn Townsend ’20 holds everything from a tiny folded piece of paper labeled “The day I forgot to go to German class” to a chicken’s wishbone tied to a red ribbon. Unfolded, the paper reveals a permission slip allowing Townsend to return to class after being summoned to the dean’s office. The wishbone, glued to a page documenting the election of Woodrow Wilson on Nov. 9, 1916, is from a campus “spread” on election night. Townsend noted in the scrapbook: “Wild excitement about the election. Menu is roast chicken and cake. We ate every scrap and even took the bones for souvenirs.” The scrapbook is one of more than 75 alumnae scrapbooks housed in the C. Elizabeth Boyd ’33 Archives at the Hankey Center. These student memory books, with their vast visual record dating to the 1880s, are miniature archives of students’ time at Wilson. Scrapbooks gained popularity during the Victorian era. Improvements in printing methods and lithography at that time created increasing quantities of ephemera—paper items not meant to last beyond the shortterm purpose of announcing an event or keeping score in a card game. Wilson scrapbooks are full of lovely lithographed dance cards, bridge card tallies and greeting cards, along with programs from campus music recitals, plays and dances. Townsend’s includes a tiny picture book from a silent movie shown in Chambersburg. Eventually, scrapbooks evolved from homemade collections of hand-bound pages to beautifully decorated commercial versions designed for the college student. Townsend’s memory book, a classic example of a commercially available scrapbook, was printed in 1910 by the Frederick A. Stokes Co. of New York. Entitled “My School Days,” its pages divide the details of college life into categories, including sororities, athletics, theatricals, prizes and “Men I Have Met.” Also included are designated pages for “Class Suppers, Spreads, Etc.” Spreads refer to the common practice of sharing food sent from home with close friends in one’s dorm room, usually late at night. Townsend details several of these, listing the food items and the guests—among them, Margaret Disert ’20.
32 wilson magazine
The items collected and preserved show a different side of life at Wilson beyond the posed portraits taken for the yearbook. While Townsend’s book contains relatively few photos, other early scrapbooks in the collection contain rare candid photos revealing playful scenes of students enjoying life. A study of the entire scrapbook collection illustrates how leisure changed over time. Students spent a significant amount of time during the 1920s playing cards and writing plays, which they then
PHOTOS BY KENDRA TIDD
T
This chicken wishbone (above) was included in a college scrapbook (left) made by Carolyn Townsend �20.
performed. They attended events in Chambersburg and Gettysburg with regularity. There were a few organized dances with men from other colleges, but not nearly the number that became common in the 1950s. Scrapbooks are a blend of student memory with the cultural context of the time and place. They reveal the aspects of Wilson life important to many students, as well as the unique mementos precious to one individual. Including a wishbone.
ASSOCIATION NEWS 2017 TRIPS
RING-IT-FORWARD
The itinerary for 2017 has been announced. Trips include:
In the Spring Ring-It-Forward ceremony, seven Wilson students and younger graduates were matched with alumnae who donated their Wilson rings.
ANNOUNCED APRIL 23-MAY 1, 2017—RIVERBOAT CRUISE: AMERICAN GRANDEUR Seven nights aboard the American Queen from New Orleans to Memphis. JULY 1-8, 2017—THE GREAT PARKS OF CALIFORNIA Tour Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, along with San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Carmel and Monterey. SEPT. 27-OCT. 5, 2017—ALUMNAE/I CAMPUS ABROAD IN ITALY: SORRENTO Seven nights in Sorrento. Tour five UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Amalfi Coast, Naples and Greek ruins in Paestum, Herculaneum and Pompeii. OCT. 14-22, 2017—VILLAGE LIFE IN FRANCE: LANGUEDOC, THE REAL SOUTH OF FRANCE Seven nights in the 16th-century Chateau Des Ducs De Joyeuse at the foothills of the Pyrenees. Includes cruising the 17th-century canal and touring Rennes-le-Chateau. For more information on AAWC-sponsored trips, please go to www.wilson.edu/alumnae-tours-and-travel.
CEREMONY
Donors/recipients included: Dureen Schmitt Chaffee ’62 and Diana Hollada ’07; Margaret E. Ward ’65 and Celia Whitcomb ’17; Cornelia VanAltena Lentz ’61 and Danniele Fulmer ’16; Janet N. Miller ’57 and Nicole From left: Dr. Maryan Garner McCormick Melanson ’15; Jane ’63, Danniele Fulmer ’16 and Cornelia Troutman Ensminger VanAltena Lentz ’61. ’52 and Kerry Salmi ’16; Barbara Rollka Weeks ’50 and Marissa Kosko-Blyler ’15; and the late Nancy Ingham Long ’45 (given by her daughter, Christine Long ’69) and Jill Hornbaker ’16.
FALL WEEKEND
SILVER LINING FUNDRAISER Donate $10 or more to the AAWC’s Silver Lining Fund by Fall Weekend and get a chance to win the use of a two-bedroom condo at the Port Royal Plantation on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina during the week of Thanksgiving. The drawing for the winner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, during Fall Weekend. Lisbeth Sheppard Luka ’69 and husband Paul have generously donated the condo for the fundraiser. Chances to win will be based on $10 increments: a $10 donation earns one chance, $20 earns two chances and so on. To be eligible, donations can be made now through 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24.
The Silver Lining Fund, established in 2015 by the AAWC, provides money to students in times of crisis or financial emergencies. Donations can be mailed to: Alumnae Association of Wilson College, Wilson College, 1015 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Please put Silver Lining Fund in the memo line of your check. Don’t forget to join fellow alumnae/i on campus for Fall Weekend 2016, which will be held from Friday, Sept. 23, to Sunday, Sept. 25.
summer 2016 33
ASSOCIATION NEWS
T
ime shrinks with the accumulation of years. Or, at least, that's the perception. The fact is that time does not elongate or shrink. A day will always have 24 hours, a week seven days, a year 365 days. What does change is our awareness of its speed—and its increasing preciousness as a commodity. The Alumnae Association of Wilson College used its time wisely this past year. What have we been up to? ALUMNAE/I RELATIONS OFFICE Marybeth Famulare, our director of alumnae/i relations, and I have an amazing relationship. We work well together. She certainly makes my job easier. We have been meeting weekly to coordinate activities and keep lines of communication open. She is doing an excellent job for the College and our association. Reach out to Marybeth and thank her for the praiseworthy job she is doing. For information on upcoming events, updates and volunteer activities, check out our monthly e-newsletter, website and Wilson Magazine. We continue to seek news from other campus offices to share with you. Announcements, as well as summary overviews of our board meetings, are posted for your review. Both the newsletter and website serve as communication vehicles to foster outreach among alumnae/i, students, faculty and staff. ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE The Engagement Committee encourages interaction among alumnae/i through web pages, social media and Wilson Magazine. The committee provides insight and feedback into alumnae/i outreach, social media, the magazine, reunion, Fall Weekend and regional events and club activities. Alumnae work together with the communications and marketing department to determine the content of each issue of the magazine. We encourage you to keep us informed of your contact information so that we may keep in contact with you. During our winter retreat in January, our focus was on planning Reunion Weekend. This year we celebrate the theme of Many Paths, One Spirit! Of course, the highlight of the weekend is renewing friendships. In April, the association co-hosted its second get-together for alumnae/i who are employees of the College. There are 40 employees who are alumnae/i. During commencement in May, alumnae/i led in the 2016 graduating class in the Blue and Silver Line. Jane Appleyard ’66, celebrating her 50th reunion, was the marshal.
34 wilson magazine
It is time for the association to set up its own Facebook page and Instagram account. Lisa Havilland and Sarah Wilson “volunteered” to be the administrators, along with me. The Facebook group is called Alumnae Association of Wilson College. The Instagram page is called aawcsocialmedia. We also have a gmail account if anyone would like to email photos for us to upload to the Facebook or Instagram accounts: aawc.socialmedia@gmail.com. FINANCE We received a clean review of our books for fiscal year 2015. As reported last year, we need to have only a compilation, rather than a full audit, of our books due to our size. As of June 30, 2016, assets total $177,775. Of that figure, there are restricted assets: class treasuries, $75,263; internship/seminar gift program, $7,351; preservation and restoration, $6,163; Silver Lining fund, $1,986; alumnae/i-student activities, $1,009; and Tift College Awards, $443. Operating funds for the association total approximately $20,000. Income earned from travel was $4,084; from interest $264; from sale of merchandise, $570; from the 2016 raffle, $750; and from the garage sale, $915. HERITAGE COMMITTEE The Heritage Committee is working with the admissions office to be available to them as needed. Committee members participate in on-campus events to educate prospective students and their families about the role the AAWC plays in college life. The Ring-It-Forward program is a great success. Eleven rings were “forwarded” this year, bringing the total to 21 rings. The next presentation is scheduled for Fall Weekend. The committee worked with faculty and staff on an author’s hall in the reimagined John Stewart Memorial Library, which will include books written by alumnae/i. Along with alumnae/i relations, the Hankey Center and the Class of 2016, committee members are also working on a tradition-focused project. NOMINATING COMMITTEE The Nominating Committee requests nominations to fill board seats and makes contact with nominees. Each year at our annual meeting, a slate representing a wide cross-section of alumnae/i is presented for
election. In order to facilitate a smooth transition to board service, each new board member is assigned a current board member as a mentor, and they also receive a handbook. The committee fulfills all governance responsibilities for a nonprofit organization. It is, therefore, responsible for updating and revising association policies. STUDENT AND PARENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE The Aunt Sarah Program is going strong. There were 155 volunteers who were involved in the program this year. I hear so many endearing stories about the building of friendships and bonds between graduates and current students. We raised nearly $600 from our link with Amazon.com. Monies from this endeavor help with the cost of alumnae/i-student opportunities such as a day for Food for Finals each semester and participation in Senior Bash. Together with the alumnae/i relations office, we supplied giveaways to the athletics department for use at games for students and families. The association participated in the graduation fair with a display and information table. The association granted three requests for internship monies in the amount of $625. Two were for VMT students interning over the summer and one purchased a passport to travel to South Korea for summer classes. During the 2014-15 academic year, there were several instances where students needed emergency funds in the face of an immediate crisis. These crises directly impacted the students’ abilities to continue their education at Wilson. Out of these experiences an idea was launched. The AAWC started the Silver Lining Fund for students who are experiencing times of crisis or need. The fund provides the students with a limited amount of immediate cash to allow them get through the initial crisis and focus on problems that are creating the emergency. The association started the fund with $500. Thanks to your generosity, the balance is now more than $2,000—plus we have received numerous donations included with Reunion Weekend registrations.
RECOGNITION AND STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE This committee is responsible for the selection of association award recipients. Again this year, our awardees are outstanding individuals. Each chose her own path and succeeded in personal and professional endeavors. The service of these individuals is to be applauded. We also gave a $1,000 Legacy Award to Abby Burkhart ’16, daughter of Angela Gable Burkhart ’78. In our stewardship initiative, the committee, along with Wilson Fund Director Carolyn Woods, sent more than 500 thank you notes from the board of directors to those donating under $1,000 to the Wilson Fund. TRAVEL COMMITTEE Consider traveling with fellow Wilson alumnae/i. Our Tours and Travel Committee does a fantastic job of setting up trips with varying destinations. In FY16, 26 alumnae/i joined us for some great tours and trips. Our 2017 travel opportunities are on page 33. BYLAWS COMMITTEE I appointed a committee to review our current bylaws. It is a useful exercise to revisit documents like this every few years. They were last revised in 2012. We need to be sure that our bylaws support the organization appropriately and continue to reflect what is important to us. As times, concerns and technology change, even the most thoughtful and well-written bylaws can become out of date. The goal is to bring the revised bylaws to our 2017 Annual Meeting for adoption. The committee is chaired by Lynne DiStasio ’74. Committee members are Nancy Kostas ’64, Jenni Rodda ’78, Lorrie Rejonis Trader ’05 and Sarah Weikert Wilson ’10. Success is not an accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. This is true of our alumnae/i body. You are willing to give your time, talent and treasure to your alma mater. The alumnae/i have a crucial role to play. It is up to us to volunteer and to financially support Wilson College.
We maintain our collaboration with WCGA, interacting to discuss concerns or make suggestions to foster alumnae/i student opportunities.
Regards,
Student workers provide assistance for Reunion Weekend and other programs. They have a great time getting to know alumnae/i of all ages.
Mary F. Cramer ’91 President
summer 2016 35
ALUMNAE TRUSTEES REPORT — JUNE 4, 2016 The Wilson College Board of Trustees met on Oct. 22 to 24, 2015; Feb. 18 to 20, 2016; and May 13 to 15, 20l6. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: • A new Faculty Senate structure was approved. • Learning management system will switch from Moodle to Canvas for enhanced reliability and adaptability. • A new master’s-level online program was added: Master of Science in Management. • Nursing program accreditation is expected in spring 2017 after review this June and onsite visit in fall 2016. • New agreement with Widener University allows Wilson Master of Nursing (MSN) graduates to enter the Widener nurse practitioner degree program. • 146th Annual Commencement was held Sunday, May 15, on the main green. Degrees awarded: 25–Bachelor of Arts 45–Bachelor of Science 6–Associate of Arts 24–Master of Education 2–Master of Accountancy 3–Master of Arts in Humanities • There were 36 certificates given for the Teacher Intern Program/Post-Baccalaureate Instruction. • Five students were inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society: Nicole Bodulow, Christina Gonzalez, Anna Harutyunyan, Lindsey Sutton and Han Yan. ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT AND STUDENT DEVELOPMENT: • The college had the highest enrollment in many years: 397 traditional; 282 Adult Degree Program; 234 graduate students; for a total of 923. Goal for FY17 is 1,107 for all cohorts with a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio goal. • Average retention rate over the past four years is 73.25 percent. • The board approved a name change for the Women with Children Program to the Wilson College Single Parent Scholar Program. INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT: • Overall giving for FY16 is on target; Wilson
36 wilson magazine
• •
•
•
•
Fund stands at $1,182,818 with contributions from more than 880 donors. As of May, bequests are up over previous years. Fundraising for the John Stewart Memorial Library concluded with a total of $12,230,964 raised. Rededication of the library and new learning commons was held Oct. 23, 2015. The creation of a new academic quad area between the science center and the library is underway; the College received a $5,200 grant from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Trees for Tomorrow program to plant native trees on the quad outside the new learning commons, including honey-locust, hawthorn, dogwood, black gum and several types of oak. Grants awarded include: child care center, $17,170; counseling center, $250; chaplain’s office, $15,000. The Dorothy and Donald Stabler Foundation contributed $530,000 to provide scholarship support. The foundation has provided more than $3.45 million for the Stabler scholarships program since its inception in 2008. The golf tournament was cancelled due to rain; however, most sponsors and players donated their monies to the College. A net profit of more than $12,000 was realized and will be used to send students to seminars and conferences.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS: • Artist Patrick Dougherty and his group of more than 100 volunteers from the College and surrounding community did a wonderful job with the Stickwork sculpture, “A Walk on the Wild Side,” outside the library. • The College store and café space in the library is being redesigned and will be completed by fall 2016. • The College joined in partnership with Volvo Construction Equipment for a composting project; Volvo sends pre-kitchen cafeteria waste to Wilson to be composted and reused at the Fulton Farm. • The board approved renovations to Rosenkrans Hall, including upgrades to bathrooms, lounges, electrical and lighting. Construction began in February and will be completed in July.
• The Borough of Chambersburg/Wilson College Streetscape and Pedestrian Safety Initiative, funded by the PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund and the borough, was completed in June. The work included new sidewalks and curbing along the U.S. 11 boundary of campus. • The main entrance to the College will now be on Park Avenue. • Parking is an issue on campus; therefore, a parking inventory will be conducted in the near future. FINANCE: • Tuitions and fees for FY17: no increase for traditional students, with a slight increase for ADP and graduate courses. Board and fees will also show an increase. • The renewal of the letter of credit with Bank of America for three years was approved. • The FY15 audit and IRS Form 990 was approved; Baker Tilly will perform the FY16 audit and complete all necessary filings. • The endowment as of April 30 stands at $51,521,670. • The Board approved the FY17 budget and the FY17 capital budget. Included are upgrades to restrooms, upgrades to campus hardscapes and lifecycle replacement items. TRUSTEESHIP AND GOVERNANCE: • Dr. Nirmal Joshi, Director of Internal Medicine at Pinnacle Health, was elected to the Board of Trustees for a three-year term. • Returning Trustees include: J. Samuel Houser and Jennifer N. Banzhof ’94. Sarah Weikert Wilson ’10 was ratified as the new alumnae trustee. • Retiring from the board: Alumnae Trustee Patricia W. Bennett ’68, John W. Gibb, R. Charles Grant and Richard C. Grove. • The board conferred emeriti status on retiring faculty members Paula Kellinger and Carl Larson; and named Betty Lou Thompson ’60 Trustee Emerita. Respectfully submitted, Alumnae Trustees Patricia W. Bennett ’68 Dorothy M. Van Brakle ’06 and ’09 Lynne DiStasio ’74
ASSOCIATION NEWS
OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA Zhe Qian ’96 graduated with a degree in biology. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin, studying genetics and molecular biology, and then was awarded a pre-doctoral fellowship in biological sciences by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. A consistent donor to Wilson, Qian has worked for Google as a software designer and is currently employed by Gemini Investment Management. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA Pamela Francis Kiehl ’66’s vast career began as an analyst with the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Md. She later became a program officer for the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in London, and assistance officer at the Office of Independent States and Commonwealth Affairs. Kiehl served in Bangkok, Thailand, in American Citizen Services and in 2000 was post management officer for U.S. embassies or missions in Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Slovenia, Albania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal and other western European countries through the Department of State. She has worked with the Finnish-American Bi-National Fulbright Commission on several projects, including selecting participants for high school exchanges. Kiehl currently serves on Wilson’s Board of Trustees, is ambassador for the Class of 1966 and is involved in the Global Citizenship Initiative. She is a member of the Pines and Maples Society. DISTINGUISHED ADP (ADULT DEGREE PROGRAM) ALUMNA/US Christine S. Mayer ’07 earned a master’s degree in educating for sustainability from Antioch University New England, in addition to her bachelor’s degree in biology from Wilson. Along with her duties as director of Wilson’s Fulton Center for Sustainable Living, Mayer has coordinated the Master Gardeners program through the Penn State Cooperative Extension office and is a member of the Pennsylvania Women’s Agricultural Network, South Mountain Partnership Speaker Series and South Central Food Systems Alliance. She has organized programs for Healthy Eating Adventures and has participated in the Cumberland Valley Women’s Conference. Mayer is a Wilson Fund donor and active member of the College’s Franklin County Club. TIFT COLLEGE AWARDS Jane Hilleman Wingerd ’51 taught physical education at Wilson until 1960 and returned to Wilson in 1975 to coach tennis until 1982. She served on the Wilson College Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1992 and currently serves on the College’s Golf Classic tournament committee. In the Chambersburg area, she has been a trustee for the YMCA and Falling Spring Presbyterian Church, and volunteers for the Women’s Medical Association of the Chambersburg Hospital and Coyle Free Library. She is a member of the Pines and Maples Society. Loretta Hunt Marion ’61 has not missed a reunion since graduating. After graduation, she taught in New Jersey before studying journalism
PHOTO BY KENDRA TIDD
ALUMNAE AWARDS Alumnae award recipients, from left: Priscilla A. Guild '66, Pamela Francis Kiehl '66, Loretta Hunt Marion '61, AAWC President Mary F. Cramer '91, Cathie Sunderland Jenkins '71, Paula C. Kellinger, Christine S. Mayer '07 with Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick.
at New York University and earning her master’s degree from Rutgers. She went on to work for Scholastic. She is a Pines and Maples Society member and was a member of the Alumnae Association Board of Directors from 2007 to 2010. She has continued to chair the AAWC’s Travel Committee, in addition to attending and coordinating various events. Priscilla A. Guild ’66 served as senior research fellow and deputy director for administration at the Sheps Center at the University of North Carolina. After retiring in 2008, she has volunteered or served as a board member for Chapel Hill Day Care Center, North Carolina Citizens for Public Health and Gillings School of Global Public Health. Guild has been president of the Class of 1966 since 2006 and assisted with the class gift, which included a matching gift challenge for her classmates. She is a member of the Conococheague Society and the Pines and Maples Society. Cathie Sunderland Jenkins ’71 is retired from the Carlisle Area School District, where she was a member of National Education Association, Pennsylvania State Education Association and the National Middle School Association. She has served as reunion chair and class ambassador for the Class of 1971. A consistent donor to Wilson College as a member of the Pines and Maples Society, Jenkins served on the Alumnae Association Board of Directors from 1984 to 1986 and again on the nominating committee from 2011 to 2014. FACULTY AWARD Paula C. Kellinger’s career at Wilson began in 1989 and lasted 27 years until her retirement last month. During this time, she also shared her dance expertise with Gettysburg College, the Amsterdam Dance Post-Doctoral Academy in Holland, University of Perugia and Accademia Dell’Arte in Italy, Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance in Austria, and Kanon Dance Company/Academy in Russia. Kellinger received the Best Director Grand Prix Italia award and is a two-time winner of Wilson’s Donald F. Bletz Teaching Award. She also was the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Choreographic Fellowship and Philadelphia School of Circus Arts Choreographic Fellowship. Kellinger admits that she has been a member of every single Wilson College committee at one time or another. In addition, the AAWC board has named Abby Burkhart ’16 as the recipient of the Legacy Scholarship Award. She is the daughter of Angela Gable Burkhart ’78.
summer 2016 37
ASSOCIATION NEWS
REUNION WEEKEND
—2016—
More than 225 gathered for Reunion Weekend June 3 to 5 to celebrate the theme of Many Paths, One Spirit. The official reunion was for those classes ending in 1 and 6, though other years attended. The reunion luncheon on Saturday gave special honors to the Class of 1966, which was celebrating its 50th reunion and presented the College with a donation of $119,660, the largest reunion gift ever received. The gift included $50,000 dedicated to a conference room in the John Stewart Memorial Library and the remainder established an endowed scholarship for female students in need. Other recognitions include: • The Odds won the song competition and will be added to the Odds/Evens trophy. • The Silver Cup for the class with the greatest percentage of members registered for reunion was awarded to the Class of 1966 for 38 percent.
38 wilson magazine
• The Reunion Bowl for the class with the largest number of class members registered was awarded to 1966 for 50 registrations. • The President’s Plaque for the class with the highest five-year participation percentage in the Wilson Fund was awarded to the Class of 1946 for 81 percent. • The Silver Tray for the class with the highest five-year total of restricted and unrestricted giving to the College was awarded to the Class of 1961 for $1,299,620.72. • The Class Crystal for the class with the highest total Wilson Fund giving for the current fiscal year was awarded to the Class of 1961 for $38,444.00. A Sunday memorial service, led by the Rev. Dr. Margee Grimes Iddings ’61, honored 98 members of the Wilson Community who passed away between May 21, 2015, and May 20, 2016.
Class of 1946 – Marjorie McCormick Peters.
Class of 1956 – Front row, from left: Suzanne Hodgson Gottling, Jenifer Jennings Hagy and Barbara Davey Fitzgerald. Second row, from left: Lois Hummel Swatland, Carol Rabberman Price, Sarah Schabacker Rodenberger and Margaret Kennedy. Class of 1961– Front row, from left: Helen Peel Bates and Patricia Layden Jerabek. Second row, from left: Barbara Canby Scotto, Lynn Negus and Margee Grimes Iddings. Third row, from left: Susan Breakefield Fulton and Aletha Riegel Sciubba. Fourth row, from left: Loretta Hunt Marion and Margaret Crane Madorno. Fifth row, from left: Grace Felicetti, Elizabeth Dunlap Branson and Connie Wagner Schappell. Sixth row, from left: Ruth Sanford Alpaugh, Vija Vuskalns Tamuzs-Rubans, Rachel Barr, Janice Johnson, Katherine Osborn Oldis and Virginia Ott Stake.
Class of 1966 – First row, from left: Marsha Haley Lamson, Patricia Greiss, Constance Hench Loarie, Margaret Coste Cooper, Nancy Edwards Brown, Susan Ross, Carol Kemmerer and Jane Appleyard. Second row, from left: Sarah Wells Hill, Helen Heissler Hopkins, Jennifer Hess Sears, Nancy Calahan Beckley, Patricia Jobling, Martha Morris Shannon, Meredith Emslie Johnston and Patricia Barker. Third row, from left: Susan Arnsdorf Gay, Susan Pfeiffer Lane, Melissa Booth Cook, Anne Faust Booth, Mary Jane Bare Mallonee, Jane Bogert Moriarty, Beverly Farber Wernette, Evlyn Haardt Bickford, Nancy Holbrook Sweeney and Pamela Brooks Kahn. Fourth row, from left: Eleanor Howells Brown, Judith Stratton Stamper, Jeanne Myers Madison, Judith Milliken Sweet, Ruth Scheufele Kuch, Barbara Pacifico Schweitzer, Patricia Dischinger, Rachel Ralton Zoller, Carolyn Gemmel Bogart and Linda Thomason Carter. Fifth row, from left: Marilyn Meyer Dolcetti, Judith Guise, Kathleen Wolfinger, Barbara Dollar Davis, Cassandra Allen Taylor, Meredith Behr, Florence Kell Doksansky, Priscilla Guild, Pamela Francis Kiehl, M. Elizabeth Tribler Corrigan and Wendie Zerfoss Grabel.
summer 2016 39
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Class of 1981 – Front row, from left: Barbara Shaffer, Francesca Macchiarini and Nancy Henderson Schultz. Second row, from left: Carroll Owen, Jessica Loy, Premali Wijenaike Munasinha, Mary Ann Gacono and Gloria Graham ’86. Third row, from left: Louise Rheem, Anne Chrysostom Kneeland, Renee Vogel and Robin Palmer Ray. Fourth row, from left: Alison Hunt Thompson, Sue Ann Morin Cook, Marakay Rogers, M. Dale Greenberg and Gail Saxton. Class of 1971– Front row: Susan Burich Redding. Second row, from left: Mary Lyn Allen Ballantine, Ruth Byers Fraley and Suzanne Iudicello Martley. Third row, from left: Susanna Neale Duke, Rilla Klacik and Lynn Johnson-Hurley. Fourth row, from left: Diane Smith Carnahan and Jeanne Free Lynam. Fifth row, from left: Mara Donaldson, Cathie Sunderland Jenkins and Alice Thompson Van Deusen. Sixth row, from left: Charlotte Hammond Brown, Judith Zwirek Rozema, Karen Kane Landman, Kathryn Schall Schwalm, Kathy Seitz Bortner and Shirley Marlatt Aumack.
Class of 2006 – Front row, from left: Alda Verdile and Amber Allen Coon. Second row, from left: Lisa Ebert Bosco and Emilianne Danner.
Class of 1976 – Front row, from left: Karen Hedden Onyx and Athena Varounis. Second row, from left: Kathryn Haines White and Susan Pascoe Noreen. Third row, from left: Patricia Elliott and Karen McMullen Freeman. Fourth row, from left: Karin Lund, Suzanne Bakey Fricke and Deborah Douie Merritt. Class of 2011 – Front row, from left: Ashley Stump and Jessica Domanico Mazaheri. Second row: Sarah Evers. Photos by Pictures Plus.
40 wilson magazine
— last —
word
Advocating for Student Aid By Noel Robinson '19
I
am a PHEAA grant recipient. Receiving a PHEAA grant helped to make college—and attending Wilson—a reality for me. Having this extra financial support is important to me because it has an effect on my everyday life, both inside and outside of the classroom. For my first year at Wilson, PHEAA—together with my scholarships and the income from my job—helped me to reduce my student debt. I do not want to become one of those students carrying a heavy burden of debt when I graduate. In order to achieve that goal without the assistance from PHEAA, my part-time job would have to become a full-time job and my full-time education would have to be part time. It would take me longer to graduate and I would probably accumulate more debt along the way.
Wilson College participants in Student Aid Advocacy Day: Top row: Michael Martin �19; recond row, from left: President Barbara K. Mistick, Chelsea Whitfield �19, Karalee Nichols �16 and Elen Harutyunyan �17; first row: Chaplain Emily Morgan, international student Nihed El Kassab, Fawn Stitley �17 and Noel Robinson �19.
On April 12, I was thrilled to have the privilege of participating in Student Aid Advocacy Day as part of Wilson’s student delegation to speak with legislators about the importance of PHEAA. At first, I was skeptical. I was not sure they were really interested in hearing my story. But when it was time to actually sit down with lawmakers, it was refreshing to find that they did want to hear what we students had to say about why PHEAA funding is important. They all listened very carefully to our stories. I appreciated that a lot. It made me feel like there is hope.
When state Sen. Rob Teplitz spoke to all the participants, he told us the legislators want to take into account the advantages students receive from the grant and hear about what downfalls will result if the grant money is decreased or disappears altogether. My group spoke with state Rep. Rob Kauffman and state Sen. Patrick Browne. Kauffman asked me how the PHEAA grant has helped me and I told him how the grant helps me to avoid debt. He then shared with me how he had just finished paying off his student loans. I thought about how long it took him to pay off his loans and became more determined that I do not want to incur student debt. Attending Student Aid Advocacy Day made me realize how important the PHEAA grants are to all recipients, and how what seems to be a small amount of money can have a big impact. With the help of PHEAA, I know I can manage my college finances and keep my debt low. I can concentrate on my academics instead of worrying about how I am going to pay for my classes. I can get more involved in my studies, as well as Wilson life, without having that heavy burden of worrying about being in debt and whether I can afford going to college full time. The PHEAA grant helps to give me the freedom to get an affordable, quality education at Wilson that will benefit me for a lifetime.
Editor’s note: In April, students and administrators from 30 colleges visited the State Capitol in Harrisburg to take part in Student Aid Advocacy Day, sponsored by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania. The day gave students and administrators the opportunity to ask lawmakers to support additional funding for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) grants. Eight Wilson students attended, including Noel Robinson ’19.
64 wilson magazine
SAVE THE
DATE
FALL WEEKEND SEPT. 23-25-ALL WELCOME!
Activities include alumnae/i-student paint night, Interscholastic Equestrian Association Show, Ring-It-Forward presentation, Reunion 2017 planning session and more. Watch for additional schedule and registration information in the monthly e-newsletter and at
www.wilson.edu/fallweekend Contact the Office of Alumnae/i Relations at alumnae@wilson.edu or 717-262-2010.
1015 Philadelphia Ave. Chambersburg, PA 17201-1279
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Greencastle, PA Permit No. 10
PHOTO BY KENDRA TIDD
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
What does it take to run a private liberal arts college in the 21st century? Find out how Wilson President Barbara K. Mistick spends her time. Page 10.