Art is … Transformation
The Wilson community engaged in artistic exploration during the week of April 1–5 at ArtsFest. This week-long celebration, with the theme “Art is … Transformation,” included theatre and dance performances, a fashion show, open mic readings, visual arts workshops, and a UNITY project (see Last Word pg. 63).
Now in its second year, ArtsFest seeks to engage the Wilson College campus and greater regional community in art and art-making opportunities that reach across disciplines, subject, and boundaries. The fine arts faculty led the event to spotlight the remarkable art, artists, and artistic endeavors at the College.
Esports Champion to Lead Wilson Teams
Jason Knittle is the new director of esports for the Phoenix and will lead Wilson’s esports teams as they compete in the Eastern College Athletics Conference (ECAC) in games such as Overwatch, League of Legends, Rocket League, Hearthstone, FIFA 22, Madden 22, Halo Infinite, and Valorant.
Prior to joining the College, Knittle worked as the Overwatch head coach at Arcadia University and esports director at the YMCA in Harrisburg, Pa. He also founded and established the II4T Esports Gaming Lab, while serving as the esports director at the Innovation Institute for Tomorrow (II4T) in Franklin, Pa. The lab created an innovative learning environment for students aged 12-18.
Knittle is a graduate of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, where he was a three-year member of the university’s Overwatch team which won consecutive national championship titles in 2019 and 2020, triumphing over 600 other competing teams.
Traditions: Orr Forum and Muhibbah Dinner
Deborah Lyons, professor of classics at Miami University of Ohio, presented insight into her research on the immortality of Greek gods during the Orr Forum held March 12.
On March 23, Muhibbah Club held its annual dinner to celebrate diversity, cultural awareness, and unity among nations.
Professor Emeriti
Brad Engle, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology, and Ann O’Shallie, M.Ed., Professor of Equestrian Studies, were both conferred the honor of Professor Emeriti at this year’s Commencement Exercises on May 5.
Engle joined the faculty in 1987, advanced to Associate Professor in Biology in 1993, and served as Dean of the College from 1993 to 1999. Recognized by students and colleagues alike for the breadth of his expertise in organismal and molecular and cellular biology, he has been an institutional part of the College for nearly 40 years. Throughout his tenure, Engle shared an unwavering commitment to STEM education and to student research. He also played a foundational role in the design of the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology and in the development of the current curriculum of the biology program. He is retiring at the end of the 2023–2024 academic year.
O’Shallie is renowned in the field of equine therapeutics, having trained, evaluated, published, and developed curriculums for both domestic and international organizations and educational institutions. For her dedication to her Wilson students and their education as equine therapists, she received the Donald F. Bletz Award for Teaching Excellence more times than any other faculty member in the College’s history. O’Shallie retired at the end of the 2022–2023 academic year, after having taught at Wilson for nearly three decades.
Faculty Promotion
Congratulations to Daniela DiGregorio, Ph.D., on her promotion to Associate Professor of Education. A dedicated multilingual educator, researcher, and presenter, she teaches in Wilson’s undergraduate and graduate-level education programs and the Teacher Certification Pathways program. In recognition for her prowess in the classroom and beyond, Professor DiGregorio received the Donald F. Bletz Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2023 and The Class of 1955 Spring Stipend Award in 2024.
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted Dog Day at Wilson on March 13 with events such as Dogs and Doughnuts on the Main Green and an evening performance by Matt Hobbs, songwriter and creator of the “Puppy Songs” collection of original songs about dogs.
ODDS and EVENS Week
This special Wilson tradition kicked off with students declaring if they were ODD or EVEN, then wrapped with the beloved capture the flag competition!
