Fall 2026 / Around the Green

Another exciting academic year began on August 27 when the Wilson community welcomed the newest class of Phoenix on new student Move-In Day. Faculty, staff, student leaders, and coaches volunteered to help new students and their families settle into campus life, creating a warm welcome and introducing them to Wilson’s supportive community.

Throughout the weekend, students participated in activities designed to help them build connections, explore campus, and get involved. From bingo and karaoke to enjoying s’mores by the fire on the Odds Quad, new students quickly began forming friendships and finding their place at Wilson.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Thomas Sarachan, MFA, delivered the keynote address, “A Fourth Piece of Advice,” during Convocation on August 28. Building on President Wes Fugate’s familiar guidance to attend class, complete assignments, and submit them on time, Sarachan encouraged students to focus on another key ingredient of success: the people around them. His practical advice was simple: “Starting now, any time folks are going somewhere, say, ‘Can I join you?’” By embracing new conversations, experiences, and friendships, he said, “This is how you meet the people who are going to make college so worthwhile for you.”

The May 2026 wedding of Payton Dziemburski ’19 and Zachary “Zack” McMaster ’19 was a celebration not only of the happy couple, but also of their many relationships that began at Wilson College. Several of Payton McMaster’s bridesmaids were former field hockey teammates and a former professor, now a colleague and friend, officiated their ceremony.

Payton Dziemburski McMaster graduated from Wilson College with a degree in exercise and sport science. The friendships, mentorships, and opportunities she had made ultimately led her back to campus, where she now serves as an assistant professor in the same program that helped launch her career.

McMaster first arrived at Wilson as a prospective student-athlete looking for a place where she could play field hockey while pursuing a career in healthcare. During her recruiting visit, she quickly felt at home.

“It was really the environment,” McMaster said. “I just felt very comfortable right off the bat. I knew this was where I wanted to go.”

That sense of belonging remained throughout her college experience. She credits Wilson’s faculty and staff with creating an environment where students were encouraged to succeed.

“I never felt like a burden,” she said. “I had so many resources and always felt supported.”

Like many exercise science students, McMaster entered college with a clear career goal. She planned to become a physical therapist, but a required internship revealed a passion for exercise physiology. After graduating from Wilson, McMaster earned a master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Delaware, eventually becoming a clinical exercise physiologist working in cardiac rehabilitation.

“I tell my students all the time, pay attention to the classes and the things that come naturally to you,” she said. “It’s probably something you should pursue.”

Several faculty members helped shape that journey. McMaster cites former faculty member Tonia Hess-Kling as an important mentor and credits Kathryn Sarachin, associate professor of chemistry, with helping her overcome one of her most challenging subjects.

Wilson’s impact on her life extended beyond academics. As exercise and sport science majors, Payton and Zack spent years in the same classes before beginning a relationship during their senior year. Zack went on to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northeast College of Health Sciences in Seneca Falls, New York, and now practices alongside former Wilson exercise and sport science faculty member Tonia Hess-Kling who officiated their wedding. Zack also later worked at the College as an assistant men’s volleyball coach.

“I met my husband here. I met my best friends here,” McMaster said. “Those are things that stay with you for life.”

Now entering her fourth year of teaching, she has witnessed dramatic growth within the program. Through collaboration across campus and support from grant funding, students have access to advanced technology used for exercise testing, performance assessment, and health evaluation.

“It’s been really awesome,” she said. “I tell the students all the time, I didn’t have any of this stuff.”

Despite the program’s growth, she believes Wilson’s greatest strength remains unchanged.

“The core values still remain the same,” McMaster said. “The students know people care about their success.”

For McMaster, Wilson is more than the place where she earned a degree. It is where she found a profession she loves, built lifelong friendships, met her husband, and now helps students chart paths of their own. The same relationships that helped shape her experience as a student continue to influence her life and career today.

“It’s easy to love the students, love the field, and love teaching,” she said. “I feel very lucky to be here.”

Senior Hannah Bost is a nursing major, field hockey student-athlete, Dean’s List scholar, and second-term president of the Wilson College Government Association (WCGA). She embraces nearly every opportunity available to her, yet when asked what she loves most about Wilson, her answer isn’t a title or accomplishment.

“It’s the ability to do anything,” she said. “At a lot of colleges, you feel like you have to choose between your major, your sport, or being involved on campus. At Wilson, you don’t have to do that. You can be all three and more.”

Along with completing the demanding coursework required for nursing, she found
time to compete in field hockey and become deeply involved in student leadership. One of the most meaningful parts of her Wilson journey has been serving in WCGA, first as Academic Affairs Officer and now as president. She saw posters around campus and her friends encouraged her to get involved, which she said became one of the best decisions she has made as a student.

“I absolutely love it,” she said.

As president, Bost has focused on creating a campus culture where students feel connected and engaged. She hopes her legacy extends beyond specific projects or accomplishments.

“I hope people remember me as someone who was present,” she said. “Someone who
showed up, cared about what clubs were doing, supported other teams, and was there
for people.”

One visible example of that commitment is the recently renovated student center
space. Bost championed the project after noticing how heavily students already relied
on the area.

“We had the ideas, and the final result turned out better than I could ever have
imagined,” she said. “It’s amazing to see students using it and making it an active
part of campus life.”

While leadership has been a major part of her Wilson experience, nursing remains at
the center of her future plans. Thanks to Wilson’s hands-on curriculum, she began
clinical experiences early in her college career and has already explored multiple specialties.

Currently, she finds herself choosing between two fields she loves equally: intensive
care and behavioral health nursing. A summer externship on a behavioral
health unit confirmed her passion for mental health care, while an upcoming ICU
rotation may help determine her next step.

“Wilson gave me the opportunity to experience both,” she said. “That’s something
that’s really unique.”

Her experiences as an NCAA Division III athlete have been equally influential. Balancing practices, games, leadership responsibilities, and academics taught her re-
silience, teamwork, and time management.

Head Field Hockey Coach Shelly Novak ’92, ’19 said Bost’s commitment has been
evident from the start. “Hannah earned her way onto my field and has never wavered
in her commitment to our program or to Wilson,” said Novak.

As graduation approaches, Bost said she feels prepared for what comes next. Whether she pursues a career in behavioral health or critical care nursing, she feels Wilson has taught her how to create opportunities rather than wait for them.

“College is what you make it,” she said. “And Wilson is one of those places where
you can truly make it your own.”

Asked what she will miss most, Bost doesn’t hesitate.

“The people,” she said.

After taking advantage of every opportunity Wilson had to offer, she knows saying
goodbye won’t be easy.

“Wilson is what you make it, and if you make it too well, the hardest part is leaving knowing that you did it well. I made it exactly what I wanted it to be, and now I have to make it again.”