Fall 2024 / Departments

Sherri Buerdsell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Kathryn Sarachan, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry

We, in the Wilson College community, mourn the loss of Jeffrey Bardwell, assistant professor of biology, who passed away suddenly on June 13, 2024, at age 42. From the time he was very young, Dr. Jeffrey Bardwell studied biology and wanted to be a professor in higher education. In high school, he was a member of the Interact Club (a part of Rotary International) and tutored other students after school. Jeff had much experience teaching, both throughout his graduate degree programs and afterwards. At Wilson, he strove to share his scientific knowledge and experience, encourage enthusiasm for biology as a field of study, and help his students succeed. Always willing to contribute, Jeff volunteered to help with student research, mentoring his students through the trials, tribulations, and celebrations of scientific exploration.

Professors Bardwell and Buerdsell

His students found him approachable and understanding, with a quirky sense of humor (“Language!”). One semester, because so many of his students experienced social anxiety, he allowed most of one class to make oral presentations individually, dedicating many hours to empower his students in their education and presentation skills. As a colleague, Jeff was supportive and enthusiastic, always volunteering to help with or lead projects. His acceptance and friendliness extended to our maintenance team, administrative assistants, staff, faculty, students, and community. He was a valued and valuable component of our sense of community in the Science Center and Wilson College. As a friend, he listened without judgement and offered support in difficult situations. His presence made our days more enjoyable. We will truly miss him.

Jeffrey H. Bardwell, Ph.D. 1982-2024

Why hello there!

I do hope all is well with you and yours.

We’ve had a simply delightful summer here in my dear Chambersburg and at our lovely Wilson College.

As I look out upon our campus from the second floor of Sharpe House and notice the seasons beginning to change, I have to paws and reflect on how our community has transformed in my time as Wilson’s First Feline. Indeed, as I welcome a new class of students to our Wilson community, I note that our Wilson family has grown to its highest enrollment in the history of the college! I hope you’ll forgive the immodesty, but I must admit that I am pawsitively flattered that the number of students who would want to be in my presence continues to grow. Still, this made me think, what other big changes have occurred in our little community? Well, dear reader, allow me to provide you with an update!

To begin, have you heard the rumor about the improvements to some of our students’ residence halls? Well, I’m here to confirm that it is all true. Indeed, my dear neighbors in Disert Hall have entirely new lounge furniture! Why they can’t be satisfied with just a small pillow to curl up on is beyond me, but if they’re happy, I’m happy. And what’s more, would you believe that our students in Riddle Hall now have air conditioning? Now they can truly be some cool cats, like yours truly.

Of course, besides coming here to Wilson College to spend time with me, our students are taking classes as well, and their options are ever growing. Indeed, there are new programs in computer science, cybersecurity, and educational leadership, with plans to launch programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology. Now, you’ll have to forgive me for understanding virtually none of the words that I have just typed with my very own paws. But if more options mean more members of our family, then by all means, I am fully on board!

Perhaps the most shocking change at Wilson College comes from within my very own Sharpe House. Dear reader, have you seen my dad lately? Why, he has grown a furry face of his own! I believe you humans call it a beard. I must admit, I was completely taken aback when I first observed it. What do you think may have gotten into him? Perhaps he got jealous of my luscious fur coat and wanted one of his own. What is it that they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? Well, if that is the case, then consider me flattered!

I do hope you’ve enjoyed this update on the comings and goings at our small but mighty college. I still enjoy the company of my dear friend Agatha the groundhog, but as the weather begins to cool, I know she will soon be retiring for her winter nap. I do find that time of year very lonely, so please do stop in on your next visit to campus. I would be simply delighted to hear updates from other Wilson women and men.

Until next time.

National Estate Planning Awareness Week, October 21-27, is a perfect time to explore creating a will and solidifying your final wishes.

According to Caring.com’s 2024 Wills Survey, 64% of Americans agree that having a will is important. However, only 32% of Americans have a will, a 6% decline from 2023 and the first decrease in estate planning rates since 2020. The survey results also stated that 40% of U.S. adults claimed a “lack of assets” as their reason for neglecting estate planning. This assumption could not be further from the truth. No matter your age or how wealthy you are, you should have an estate plan in place, which, at the very least, should include a will.

Wills are for more than just managing financial assets. They also allow an individual to control important healthcare decisions, designate what happens with physical and digital assets, and can provide specific guidance on how and by whom minor children should be cared for in the event of an emergency. Simply put, a will protects what matters to you, ensuring the safety and care of the people, pets, and communities you cherish. It also offers your family members clarity around how your estate should be managed, reducing complications and confusion. And, finally, your will provides an opportunity for you to designate Wilson College as a beneficiary through a bequest. That way, your present-day support of Wilson continues as your legacy, helping ensure future women and men can benefit from an affordable and accessible Wilson education.

Robin Herring, who currently works at the College in the Business Office and is an alumna, earning both a bachelor’s degree in 2007 and a master’s degree in 2023, knows firsthand how important a will is when a loved one dies. “I had a brother who passed away without a will, and it was very difficult (to settle his estate).”

From that experience, Robin knew she needed to act and create her own will. She said she always meant to make one but admits that making a will is something so many of us think of as a future project. “All of a sudden, it’s not so far in the future and you really have to start thinking about how you wish your estate to be cared for.”

Wilson has partnered with an innovative company to make establishing a will easy. And, best of all, it’s free of charge. By going online to www.freewill.com, you can create a plan in just 20 minutes and protect the people and causes you love. It’s that simple.

“I knew I needed a will, and I decided to check out the FreeWill tool. I’m very glad I did. The whole platform is very easy, very user-friendly. You can make your will as simple or as complex as you like.”

Robin, who has always been an advocate for Wilson, wanted her estate plans to reflect her commitment to students. “It was important for me to include Wilson. I have always said that whatever I can give, and do, to help a student, I will.” Robin admits her designation to Wilson does not represent a large monetary amount right now. She says she hopes to adjust that commitment in the future. For now, she knows every dollar makes a difference in the lives of students. “Lots of littles make a lot.”

By designating Wilson as a beneficiary of her estate, Robin has become a member of the Conococheague Society. This society celebrates the philanthropy that has been an integral part of the College since Sarah Wilson provided her first gifts in 1869. Robin, her fellow alumnae, alumni, and friends continue this important tradition of including Wilson in their estate plans. The College is forever grateful for these important gifts.

We hope you will make National Estate Planning Week a priority and explore establishing your will today. To learn more about FreeWill and the Society, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 717-262-2010.

Match to Lift Fall Appeal

With less than a year to go, the We Rise campaign has officially topped $18.7 million pledged and received against the overall campaign goal of $20 million. The goal is in sight and with your continued support and commitment to Wilson, we are sure to achieve it. While we have achieved our goals for debt reduction and exceeded our goal for scholarships, there are still gaps to close for portions of the campaign. Growth initiatives, faculty and staff support, and the Wilson Fund and unrestricted giving have yet to reach their goals.

Thankfully, two wonderful couples will help us with this work through the College’s annual fall appeal. Terry and Janet Chamberlain Flinchbaugh ’69 as well as Sandy McNair ’73 and Barry McHale have partnered to offer a challenge. Together, they will match the first $100,000 raised this semester for the We Rise campaign, dollar for dollar. More details about the fall appeal and its challenge will be available soon.

A sincere thank you to all our valued donors. It is because of you that Wilson College can direct critical funding towards initiatives that are making a difference in the lives of her students every day.

PA Higher Education List Recognizes Wilson College VP

Wilson College Vice President for Student Development Katherine M. Buck, M.S.W. was selected as one of the 2024 Trailblazers in Higher Education. Her inclusion in this list, announced May 28 by City & State Pennsylvania magazine, placed Buck among a dedicated group of scientists, linguists, attorneys, lobbyists, and administrators who are responding to the economic, social, and technological changes impacting higher education today.

Buck joined Wilson in October 2022, bringing to the position more than 30 years of experience as a collaborative and communityminded student affairs leader. Her position works closely with the president, the senior leadership team, academic deans and directors, faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees to strengthen the co-curricular dimensions of student life, enhancing the Wilson experience to bolster a sense of community and belonging for all students.

New Archivist Explores Wilson Traditions

Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth “Liz” McIlhenney as the new College Archivist. Her archival experience includes student employment with the Earl H. and Anita F. Hess Archives and Special Collections at Elizabethtown College, working as the Archives Processing Assistant at the Archives and Special Collections at Penn State Harrisburg, and Project Archivist for the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.

Since her first day on the job was May 6, the day after Commencement, McIlhenney has not spent much time with Wilson students yet, but she looks forward to that opportunity. In her position with the Historic Preservation Trust, she worked with interns, which she said was one of the best parts of the job. “I loved teaching about the archives and sharing that work,” she said.

One of her favorite things about working with the Wilson archival collection so far is reading the records of those who experienced Wilson in its early years and their involvement in campus events and traditions that continue today. “I love seeing the threads throughout the materials that are carried on into the present,” she explained.

McIlhenney completed a bachelor’s degree in literature with creative writing and art history minors from Elizabethtown College in 2019, and recently earned a master’s in library and information science with a concentration in archives management from Simmons University.

Wilson College Partners with Franklin County Library System to Expand Access

With an aim to enrich community access to library resources, The John Stewart Memorial Library at Wilson College is partnering with the Franklin County Library System to provide public library users access to books and research available at the Wilson College library. Public library users need only to present an existing public library card and a state-issued ID to borrow books and access the College library databases using campus-provided computers. As part of this exchange, Wilson College students can use their student IDs to borrow books from any library within the Franklin County Library System.

This partnership simplifies access to a broader range of resources, benefiting both public and academic library users. “It is a powerful united front in knowledge sharing. The partnership between the Wilson College library and the Franklin County Library System bridges resources, expands access, and empowers our communities to thrive academically and informationally,” said Denise Sandell, director of Library Services at the Wilson College library.

Researching Wilson History in Maine

For three days in July, Maxine Wagenhoffer, director of the Hankey Center for the History of Women’s Education, visited the Margaret Chase Smith Library in Maine to conduct research on Smith’s decades-long relationship with Wilson College. Wilson was the first college to award Smith an honorary doctorate in 1945 (Colby College in Waterville, Maine, gave her an honorary master’s degree in 1943) and she made several trips to visit Wilson over the years. Smith was the first woman to serve in both houses of the United States Congress, serving as a representative from 1940 to 1949 and a senator from 1949 to 1973. Wagenhoffer reviewed the MCS Library records that include Smith’s correspondence with Wilson college officials, faculty, and other members of the Wilson community, along with excerpts from scrapbooks that documented her visits to the Wilson campus.

Fortnite Team Battles to the Top 10

Wilson esports team ended the season on a spectacular note as it finished ninth in the national championships of Fortnite Battle Royale Duos against 95 teams. The Phoenix squad of Jace Williams ’27 (“JWillertons”) and Logan Neves ’27 (“WC Herb”) helped Wilson earn a top 10 position in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Fortnite League.

Workshop Makes Allies Visible

Twenty Wilson staff and faculty members received Safe Zone training during a recent Phoenix Ally Safe Zone session held on June 20. The event, organized and facilitated by Lisa Coté, director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), was the first workshop organized by the Office of Student Development to provide information and resources related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Workshop attendees arrived with an open mind, prepared to participate and learn. The session included short games, discussions, and Q&A. At the end of the training, participants received a Phoenix Ally Safe Zone sticker or magnet to help create a visible network of allies for people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The JEDI office plans to offer additional sessions throughout the academic year to accommodate faculty, staff, and students who want to attend the workshop, as there is limited space for each session.

If one only reads the newspaper or social media headlines, it would be easy to think that all of higher education is collapsing. Day after day, there is a drumbeat of difficult news: colleges and universities are closing, merging, or making expansive cuts to programs, faculty, and staff.

And yet Wilson has a much different story to tell. We are a forward-thinking institution that looks at the changes necessary to sustain ourselves in the future, not just in the short term. That has required making strategic, and sometimes difficult, decisions. But we are seeing the fruits of our labor.

This fall will be the highest starting enrollment in the history of the College with 1,705 students. Our undergraduate program offered on our Chambersburg campus remains stable, and our adult programs are seeing significant growth. This growth seemed impossible just three years ago, as we felt the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, but we are finding our footing after those tumultuous years.

On top of that, Wilson alumnae, alumni, and friends have been remarkably generous over the last several years. For five years in a row, the Wilson Fund has topped $1 million, a record for the College. The last two years have been the third highest and fourth highest philanthropic years in the history of the College. And the We Rise campaign soared past its initial $16 million goal in less than two years and currently sits at $18.7 million towards a newly revised goal of $20 million. We are working to soar past that goal by June 30 of 2025.

Strong enrollment and good philanthropy have led to a balanced budget each year since I have been at the helm of the College. Additionally, this past year, we lowered our endowment spend rate to 4.25%, a feat unheard of for Wilson. This has allowed our endowment, funds held in trust, and other investments to grow to $77.1 million, the highest in the history of the College.

And we are not done yet. Our faculty continue to revise our curriculum, recently adding undergraduate majors in computer science and cybersecurity, as well as a new graduate degree in educational leadership. Additionally, we look forward to the additions of doctoral programs in occupational therapy and physical therapy, as well as a masters of speech language pathology. These three programs will be delivered in a hybrid, accelerated manner, with new students enrolling beginning in January of 2026, August of 2027, and August of 2028, respectively. We are optimistic that these new programs will add hundreds of new students in the coming years.

But we must not rest on our laurels. We face a demographic cliff of graduating high school students over the next several years. Deferred maintenance must be addressed. We aim to graduate more students in four years or less. We must consistently have a low endowment spend rate and address the College’s long-term debt. How do we do that? Innovation is a requirement to ensure Wilson’s ability to transform the lives of students well into the future. Thus, starting this fall, we will begin work as a community to develop a new strategic plan to take us through 2028.

It is an exciting time to be at Wilson. These numbers tell so much of our success story, but in the pages of this issue of Wilson magazine, you will see those numbers come to life. As you read the profiles of our students, the work of our faculty, and the success of our graduates, you will beam with pride as I do about Wilson’s work to create leaders who make an impact on society. That has been Wilson’s story for 155 years, and with your help, it will be our story for many, many more.

Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.

President