Wilson Continues to Grow

Wilson College welcomed a record 2,089 students this fall, marking the highest point-in-time enrollment in the College’s history. The total, which includes students enrolled in traditional undergraduate, graduate, online, and professional programs, represents an 11% increase over Fall 2025. The College also surpassed its highest traditional, in-person enrollment since 1968 and recorded its largest residential student population since 1970.

“Wilson is reaching more students than ever before as we continue to invest in programs and services that help students access higher education and persist through graduation,” said President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.

By expanding online and hybrid learning opportunities while preserving a vibrant
residential experience, Wilson has diversified its enrollment base and reduced reliance on any single student population. The College also added a dean of student success and established the RISE Center (Resources Inspiring Student Excellence), bringing together tutoring, accessibility services, success coaching, testing services, and personal librarians in a single location.

Several of Wilson’s signature academic programs continued to attract significant
student interest, including animal studies, veterinary nursing, health sciences, business, psychology, biology, art and design, computer science, and cybersecurity. Teacher preparation remains one of Wilson’s greatest strengths, with more than half of all students preparing for careers in education through the Teacher Certification Program and other undergraduate and graduate education programs.

A New Leader for Wilson Athletics

Wilson’s new Director of Athletics Andrea Hoover-Erbig brings more than 20 years of NCAA Division III athletics experience to the role. She succeeds Tina L. Hill, who retired in June.

Hoover-Erbig joins Wilson from Virginia Wesleyan University, where she served as executive director of intercollegiate athletics since 2021. Before assuming that position, she spent 15 years as the university’s head women’s volleyball coach and held administrative leadership roles, including senior woman administrator and academic integration coordinator.

At Virginia Wesleyan, Hoover-Erbig oversaw 25 varsity sports and more than 450 student-athletes. During her tenure, the department added men’s volleyball, cheer, and women’s flag football while achieving significant growth in fundraising and athletic facilities.

“As Wilson looks to the future of its athletics program, Andrea’s depth of experience and proven leadership made her the clear choice,” said Katherine Buck, vice president for student development. “We are confident she will lead Wilson Athletics with integrity, vision, and a strong commitment to student success.”

At Wilson, Hoover-Erbig provides leadership and strategic direction for the College’s 11 NCAA Division III sports and two Intercollegiate Horse Show Association teams while overseeing athletics operations and strategic growth initiatives.

M.F.A. Residency Explores What Moves Us

The Wilson College Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) program’s annual four-week summer residency culminated July 18 with “Life, Death, and Objects That Move Us,” a public showcase in the Appenzellar-Buchanan Dance Studio Dance Studio and Bogigian Gallery. Featuring visual art, interactive installations, comics, and dance performances, the event highlighted the creative work of first- and second-year M.F.A. students developed during the residency.

Heather MacBeath

Dance performances in the Appenzellar-Buchanan Dance Studio complemented the visual exhibition, offering audiences another perspective on the event’s theme. The performances highlighted movement as a form of artistic expression and reflected the interdisciplinary approach that is central to Wilson’s M.F.A. program.

Heather Wallace-Campbell

Featured visual artists included Heather Wallace-Campbell, whose oil paintings on reconstructed canvases explored hidden meaning and perception; Jacob Hilliard, who exhibited artwork from his fantasy comic series “Bartender’s Company;” and Portia Anthony, whose work translated the energy and movement of Washington, D.C.’s Beat Ya Feet dance style into visual art. Other works invited audience interaction and reflected themes of environmental awareness, storytelling, and artistic experimentation.

Jacob Hilliard

The showcase also included the student-curated exhibition “Life, Death, and Objects That Move Us: Three-Dimensional Art,” which remained on display in the Sue Davison Cooley Gallery of the John Stewart Memorial Library through Sept 5. Co-curated with M.F.A. faculty member, Joshua Legg, in his course Curation and Dramaturgy, the exhibition examined connections among material, memory, transformation, and human experience, and featured works by five women artists: Wilson M.F.A. alumnae Jeannine Dabb ’25, Sally Frehn ’19, and Lisa Harman ’18; Wilson adjunct instructor Denise Joyal; and Margaret Yaukey, visual arts coordinator at Hagerstown Community College.

Portia Anthony

Together, the showcase and exhibition highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of Wilson’s M.F.A. program while providing students with opportunities to create, curate, perform, and engage the public through contemporary artistic practice.

Two things can be true at the same time: higher education is facing one of the most challenging periods in its history, and Wilson College is experiencing extraordinary momentum.

Across the country, colleges and universities are confronting demographic shifts, rising costs, changing student expectations, and growing questions about the value of a college degree. Wilson is not immune from these realities.

But Wilson has never survived by standing still. Since our founding, Wilson has evolved to meet the needs of new generations while holding fast to something essential: our belief in the transformative power of education rooted in the liberal arts and sciences and an engaged, student-centered learning environment.

Today, we are evolving again, and the results give us much to celebrate.

This fall, 2,089 students chose Wilson, the largest point-in-time enrollment in our history and an 11% increase over last fall. We reached the highest traditional undergraduate enrollment on our Chambersburg campus since 1968 and welcomed our largest residential student population since 1970.

But growth is about more than enrolling students. It is about helping them succeed.

This year, the percentage of second-year students returning for their third year increased by eight percentage points, while the percentage of third-year students returning for their fourth year increased by six percentage points. We are investing in that success through enhanced advising and coaching, a new Dean of Student Success, and our RISE Center, which brings academic and student support resources together in one location.

We are evolving academically, too. Our first Doctor of Occupational Therapy students are studying at our King of Prussia location, with Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology programs to follow in 2027.
That evolution is visible across our physical campus as well. A new artificial
turf field is enhancing the experience of our soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey
student-athletes. Phoenix Forward, our new apartment-style leadership
living-learning community, offers a new model for residential life. New Student
Development offices, a Student Center refreshed through the generosity of
WCGA, and an updated esports arena are creating spaces designed for how today’s
students live, learn, compete, connect, and lead.

Others are demonstrating their confidence in Wilson’s future. During the last fiscal year, our alumnae, alumni, and friends contributed nearly $7 million, including $2 million through the Wilson Fund—the largest annual total in its history. Even more exciting, 747 people made their first-ever gift to Wilson.

Our financial foundation has strengthened as well. Our endowment has grown to $76.4 million, and when combined with funds held in trust and other investments, Wilson now has $98.2 million in invested assets.

Evolving for the future does not mean abandoning our past. It means building upon it. Throughout our history, Wilson has welcomed new students, embraced new ways of teaching and learning, developed new programs, and found new ways to fulfill our mission.

Through all that evolution, our purpose has endured: opening doors, creating opportunity, and transforming lives through education.

That is what gives me confidence in this moment. We are not simply reacting to the changes confronting higher education. We are building a Wilson prepared to meet them.

The future will ask new things of Wilson, just as it has for more than 150 years. We will answer as we always have: by evolving, by rising to the moment, and by ensuring that generations yet to come have the opportunity to discover what generations before them found here.

Wilson’s future is ours to shape—and I am grateful to have you alongside us as we
write her next chapter.

Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
President, Wilson College

Across campus, Wilson College continues to invest in the spaces that shape student experiences. Over the summer, a variety of projects reached completion, including a new artificial turf athletic field, upgrades at the Penn Hall Equestrian Center, expanded residential housing, renovations to the student center and the Esports Arena, and the installation of a new three-dimensional outdoor sculpture. While each project serves a different purpose, together they reflect the College’s ongoing commitment to innovation, student success, and the continued evolution of the campus community.

A New Wilson Landmark

A new campus landmark now offers students, alumni, and visitors a memorable way to celebrate their connection to Wilson College. Located in the area between Lortz Hall and the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics, and Technology, the new Wilson “W” sculpture serves as a focal point for Mistick Quad and a natural gathering place for photos and special occasions. The project was completed with the addition of lighting and a river rock bed surrounding the installation.

Made possible through a generous gift from Charlene Cronenberg Berardino ’63 and her husband, Thomas, the prominent “W” creates an inviting backdrop for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to capture their love for Wilson. Whether featured in photographs taken during Move-In Day, Commencement, Reunion Weekend, or everyday moments with friends, the sculpture is quickly becoming a favorite campus destination and a visible symbol of Wilson pride.

Refreshed Student Spaces

Students also returned this fall to refreshed spaces designed to support campus involvement, collaboration, and recreation.

“Over the last two years, WCGA (Wilson College Government Association) officers have noticed a significant increase in the number of students using the Student Center and recognized that it was time to give this important space a refresh. Their goal was to create a space that truly feels like Wilson. They shared their vision with the Office of Marketing and Communications and worked to create a welcoming and comfortable place where students want to spend time and that they can feel proud to call their own. The officers took the responsibility seriously and considered many options for design, functionality, and the overall feel of the space. Throughout the process, they focused on creating an environment that reflects Wilson’s identity and commitment to a positive
student experience,” said Katie Kough, dean of students.

The Student Center in Lower Lenfest received new flooring, fresh paint, and improved lighting, creating a more welcoming environment for students to gather, study, and connect. As part of the renovation, WCGA relocated from its former location in Lower Lenfest to a newly renovated office within the Student Center, providing student leaders with a more visible and accessible presence at the heart of campus life.

A separate project in Lower Lenfest created a new home for Wilson’s growing esports program. The Esports Arena was relocated from the ground floor of Prentis Hall to the former WCGA space in Lower Lenfest under McElwain Hall. The Arena gives the program a dedicated space to continue building community and supporting student competitors. The new space can now be prominently featured on campus tours and includes new branding, carpeting, painting, and lighting.

Apartment-Style Housing

This fall, students and staff members began moving into newly renovated apartment-style housing designed to support the College’s growing enrollment and enhance the residential student experience.

The project, launched in January 2026, represents a significant investment in campus infrastructure and student success. In response to several years of sustained enrollment growth that brought on-campus housing near full capacity, the College reimagined the ground floor of Prentis Hall and the area above Jensen Dining Hall, known to many alumni as the Platform and accessible through the second-floor lounge between McElwain Hall and Davison Hall, to create new residential opportunities.

The completed renovation adds 16 residential beds for students on the ground floor of Prentis Hall through three four-bedroom apartments and one ADA-accessible apartment accommodating four students. In the space above the dining hall, two one-bedroom apartments were constructed, one for a visiting Fulbright scholar and the other for the graduate assistant supporting residence life, along with a two-bedroom apartment for the assistant director of residence life. The renovation of this area also includes five student development offices and a student lounge.

The new apartments offer students a more independent living environment while keeping them connected to campus life. Featuring private or semi-private bedrooms, shared living areas, and kitchens, the apartments are designed to foster community, responsibility and personal growth.

“Apartment-style housing has become an increasingly important factor in student recruitment and retention, particularly for upper-level students seeking greater independence,” said William Sommers, vice president for enrollment management. “The residential model helps students develop valuable life skills, including collaboration, time management, and accountability, while remaining engaged in the campus community.”

The opening of the Prentis Hall apartments this fall also marked the launch of Wilson’s new Phoenix Forward: A Leadership Living-Learning Community, a high-impact leadership development initiative designed to provide students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities to lead and make a difference on campus. Residents were selected through a competitive process based on proposals for leadership initiatives that will benefit the campus community. Living together in the new Prentis apartments, students will develop and implement their ideas while building leadership skills in a collaborative residential setting. The program aligns with the College’s strategic plan and represents an exciting opportunity for students to put leadership into action. Look for more details about this exciting new initiative in future issues of Wilson Magazine.

Artificial Turf Field Opens at Kris’s Meadow

Construction on a more than 100,000-square-foot artificial turf field began in late May and was completed in time for the start of the fall semester. The project transformed the Rhonda Brake Shreiner Soccer Field at Kris’s Meadow into a high-performance playing surface that now serves Wilson’s women’s and men’s soccer, field hockey, and women’s lacrosse programs.

The new field offers significant benefits for both competition and practice. Unlike natural grass surfaces, artificial turf can withstand heavy use and allow teams to maintain their schedules even after periods of inclement weather. The durable surface also provides a consistent playing environment throughout the year, reducing disruptions caused by field conditions.

For Wilson’s Director of Athletics Andrea Hoover-Erbig, the new field represents an investment in student-athletes. “This project is about more than a new playing surface. It reflects Wilson’s commitment to providing student-athletes with the facilities, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed both on and off the field.”

College leaders, trustees, coaches and student-athletes gathered on Saturday, September 19, to celebrate the field’s opening, recognizing a project that had been in development for more than two years. The dedication marked a significant milestone for Wilson athletics and the College.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting was held Sept. 19 to celebrate the successful completion of the artificial turf field project. Left to right: William Sommers, vice president for enrollment management; Tina Hill, former director of athletics; Andrea Hoover-Erbig, director of athletics; Finley Vandevander ’28, lacrosse; Paul Flohr, lacrosse coach; Wes Fugate, president; Hannah Bost ’27, WCGA president and field hockey; Shelly Novak ’92, ’19, field hockey coach; Jennifer Nickle Banzhof ’94, chair of the Board of Trustees; Bret Altimore, men’s soccer coach; Eric Arbogast ’27, men’s soccer; Madison Ebersole ’28, women’s soccer; Terry Harris, women’s soccer coach; and Katherine Buck, vice president for student development.

Footing, Fans, and Lighting

Safety, comfort and performance were the driving forces behind a series of improvements at the Penn Hall Equestrian Center, where upgrades to the indoor arenas will benefit both student riders and the horses that support Wilson’s nationally recognized equestrian programs.

“This past summer was an exciting time for the Equine Studies department,” said Janice Holland, director and associate professor of equine studies. “Through a generous donor we were able to upgrade both the Hawthorne and Cook indoor arenas. Both arenas now have LED lighting, large fans to improve air circulation, and new footing. In both arenas we removed the old footing down to the base, made some needed repairs to the base, and installed sand footing. Using a sand footing, versus a synthetic blend, allows the arenas to be fully functional for our riding classes and the hunt set and western equestrian teams.”

The new footing helps keep equestrian athletes safe by reducing the risk of injury for both riders and horses. Quality footing can minimize the frequency of common equestrian injuries, such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries. It also supports horses’ joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, while footing that is too deep, shallow, soft, or hard can lead to serious physical damage.

New fans improve air circulation and help horses maintain a regular work schedule during hot summer months, which helps keep them fit and better prepared for the additional workload required after students return for the semester.

With limited natural light in the indoor arenas, new LED lighting enhances the training experience and creates a safer environment. Improved visibility helps riders navigate the arenas and avoid obstacles, while also allowing horses to navigate the spaces with greater confidence.

“We are thankful that everything was installed and fully functional before classes were in session. Both students and staff are giving rave reviews to the upgrades,” said Holland.

Spend a few minutes with Wilson College President Wes Fugate and his face lights up whenever the conversation turns to Broadway. His enthusiasm is rooted in a lifelong passion for theatre that began when he was 11 years old.

 After moving to Prestonsburg, Kentucky, Fugate’s family attended a performance at Jenny Wiley Theatre, a renowned summer repertory theatre. “I literally sat in the front row and said, ‘Mom, I can do better than that,’” Fugate recalled.

Soon afterward, he spotted a notice about auditions for the musical “Gypsy” in the local newspaper. With no formal preparation, he arrived armed with little more than determination, reciting the Gettysburg Address and singing a church song when the audition panel asked what he had prepared.

“My brother was along for this ride as well and suddenly we were in the show.”

That experience launched six summers of performing, from 1991 through 1996, at Jenny Wiley Theatre. During those years, Fugate worked alongside artists who would later write and produce Broadway shows, earn Tony Awards, and build successful careers in the entertainment industry.

“It was really very exciting that they were just our friends, you know,” he said. “But it became a passion.”

Yet theatre was not his original career plan. As a first-generation college student at Centre College, Fugate thought he needed to pursue one of the traditional professions. Medicine seemed like a logical choice. But after a difficult first semester, an adviser encouraged him to reconsider.

He said, “Wes, I don’t think that science brings you joy. What do you love doing?”

The answer was theatre. He also discovered he enjoyed economics, so he changed direction and studied dramatic arts and economics while helping market college productions. In his senior year, Fugate and his brother co-produced and co-directed a student production of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” with Fugate also starring in the show. Years later, the college’s retiring president recalled the production as one of his favorite memories of his tenure.

That same president also encouraged Fugate to pursue a college presidency. As he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in higher education, theatre was sidelined. Yet, Fugate remained active with the Jenny Wiley Theatre Board of Directors, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and the Kentucky Theatre Association. After moving to Virginia, he became board chair of Endstation Theatre Company, and he most recently completed a term as board chair of Totem Pole Playhouse near Chambersburg.

The turning point in Fugate’s Broadway dream took place after he joined the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), an international leadership network for CEOs and executives. The organization had specialized membership experiences, one of which was a weekend program called YPO on Broadway. Open only to members, the event not only represented a significant investment in both time and money, but it also had a wait list. After some hesitation, Fugate added his name to the list, never dreaming they would select him.

Not long afterward, Broadway producer Sue Gilad, coordinator of the program, contacted him, and they immediately hit it off. They discussed his passion for theatre, and a few weeks later, he was accepted.

“I went to a weekend that undoubtedly changed my life. It was so over the top,” he said.

The immersive experience offered behind-the-scenes access to the theatre industry. Participants met performers, directors, producers, and creative teams while gaining insight into Broadway’s business model.

Surrounded by accomplished executives from around the world, Fugate realized just how deeply he loved Broadway history and productions. Fascinated, he immersed himself in learning more and continued conversations with Gilad about becoming involved.

Inspired to share that type of experience with others, Fugate worked closely with Gilad to launch Wilson on Broadway in 2023, creating opportunities for alumnae, alumni, students, and friends of the College to experience theatre in a unique way. Participants attended major productions, met industry professionals, and enjoyed behind-the-scenes access unavailable to most audiences. Since its launch, Wilson on Broadway has held events in New York City and Philadelphia.

One of the most memorable moments took place on the eve of the Tony Awards, when participants attended performances of the musicals “The Outsiders” and “The Who’s Tommy” in New York. The next day, they celebrated via text messages as they watched producer Sue Gilad, whom they had just met, accept the Tony Award for Best Musical on behalf of “The Outsiders.”

For Fugate, however, these experiences are about far more than theatre. They also provide opportunities for meaningful connections across the Wilson community. During the event in Philadelphia, for example, Fugate shared his passion for theatre with an incoming Wilson student.

He said, “This is the perfect example of what a liberal arts education can do for you. To be able to expose others to art is such an exciting thing.”

While building Wilson on Broadway, Fugate also began exploring other Broadway opportunities, even investing in the Broadway revival of “The Who’s Tommy.” This project had special meaning for Fugate because Tony Award-winning actor Michael Cerveris, who starred in the original 1993 Broadway production, had once worked at Jenny Wiley Theatre and served as Wilson’s commencement speaker in 2022. As investors, Fugate and his husband, Cody Ward, attended the show’s opening night in 2024.

“It was the most magical experience,” Fugate said. “After that, it was clear that I wanted to do more.”

Encouraged by Gilad, Fugate’s first investment led him to become a co-producer. Together with his husband, he became involved with “Burlesque the Musical,” the stage adaptation of the popular film. The project required substantial fundraising and networking, introducing Fugate to an entirely new side of the entertainment business.

Initially uncertain whether he could succeed, Fugate ultimately helped raise enough support to become one of the the production’s leading individual co-producers. When Burlesque premiered in London’s West End, his name appeared on the show’s poster.

For Fugate, seeing his name on the show’s poster was a reminder that he could remain active in professional theatre while continuing his work in higher education.

For all of his accomplishments as a college president, producer, and educator, Fugate believes the most important lesson is a simple one: everyone needs something that brings them joy. As president of Wilson College, the demands of leadership are constant. Yet Broadway offers something increasingly rare in a world of endless notifications and obligations.

“When I go to the theatre, I turn my phone off,” he said. “It’s the only time that I ever turn my phone off. But for just a moment, I get to be in a different space and simply be absorbed by the art.”

He encourages others, especially students, to experience art, whether through visual art, music, dance, opera, theatre, or musical theatre.

“It will enrich your life in so, so many ways. And maybe like me, it will lift you on the dark days.”

The Hankey Center for the History of Women’s Education brought Wilson’s past and present together during Reunion Weekend as alumnae and alumni explored reunion class materials from the C. Elizabeth Boyd Archives. The Center’s director, Maxine Wagenhoffer, and several student researchers were on hand to discuss projects highlighting the College’s rich history and the ways archival collections continue to support student scholarship.

Reunion guests put their creativity to work during a Friday evening tie-dye workshop, designing custom T-shirts to commemorate Reunion Weekend 2026. With shirts, dye, and all materials provided, participants created one-of-a-kind works of art to take home as colorful reminders of the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, a wine and food pairing hosted by Wilson’s food service partner, SAGE Dining Services, offered participants the opportunity to sample curated pairings and discover complementary flavor combinations.