Spring 2026 / Departments

Wilson College has a new symbol of tradition and pride, thanks to an extraordinary gift fromTrustee Emerita
and former board chair Robin Bernstein H’23. In celebration of the success of the We Rise: United for Wilson’s Future capital campaign, Bernstein presented Wilson with a stunning new College Mace—a
piece rich in symbolism and meaning.

At first glance, the Mace is elegant and commanding. Look closer, and its design tells a story. The top features the Wilson College seal, a timeless emblem of the institution’s heritage. Surrounding it are delicate pine needles and maple leaves, a nod to the natural beauty of the campus. The staff itself spirals gracefully,
representing the Conococheague Creek that winds through Wilson’s grounds—a reminder of the life and movement that define our community.

Encircling the Mace are five engraved bands, each bearing one of Wilson’s core values: Honor. Discovery. Inclusivity. Community. Service. Together, they form the foundation of who we are and what we stand for.

This remarkable piece will now hold a place of honor in all official academic ceremonies, symbolizing Wilson’s enduring mission and the strength of its community. Thank you, Robin Bernstein, for giving Wilson College a gift that embodies our history, our values, and our future.

Why hello there!
I do hope all is well with you and yours.

I’m writing to you from my favorite sun-splashed perch in Sharpe House, where the light is flattering and the company is refined. Spring is teasing the campus awake and I, naturally, am supervising all activities. As the days grow longer and the birds begin their rude morning chatter, I wanted to extend a warm welcome to our alumni and friends. Wilson is pawsitively purring with purpose these days, and I simply must tell you about a few programs that are especially close to my whiskers and heart.

Let us begin with two disciplines I hold in the highest esteem: Nursing and Veterinary Nursing. Truly noble callings! I have long admired the calm hands and caring hearts of those who tend to both people and precious creatures like myself. Our nursing students show remarkable compassion for humans, while our veterinary nursing students have mastered the art of treating animals with patience, skill, and appropriate reverence for claws. I’ve always said: if you’re going to be handled, it ought to be by someone who knows what they’re doing and offers a treat afterward. A campus that values caregiving so deeply is one where even a refined cat can rest easy.

Wilson’s Exercise Science program also has my enthusiastic tail-flick of approval. One of its graduates, Kevin Finn ’22, now serves as the virtual personal trainer for my dad, Pres Wes, I think you call him. I observe these sessions with great interest, from a chair, of course, while offering moral support and occasional judgment. Thanks to Wilson’s strong preparation, Kevin keeps my dad moving, stretching, and lifting, which means he’s fit enough to open cans, throw toy mice, and keep up with me. That’s what I call a practical application of learning.

And oh, how excited I am about the addition of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology! As I mature into my full elegance, it comforts me to know Wilson is preparing professionals who help people move gracefully, live independently, and speak clearly. These are skills that
benefit everyone, including my dear friend Agatha the groundhog, who wakes from hibernation each spring with opinions to share and joints that need a moment to warm up. Foresight, my friends, is the height of sophistication.

As always, I invite you to come back and see us soon. Stroll the campus, visit our students, and feel the care and compassion that define Wilson College, just as strongly as ever. You’ll find me ready to greet you with a polite meow and a discerning gaze. Until then, take good care of yourselves, stretch when needed, and never forget: at Wilson, we land on our feet, every single time.

With warm regards and a gentle purr,

Higher education is living through a period of profound disruption. The rise of artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, rising costs, changing student expectations, government regulation, and increased skepticism about the value of a college degree are placing unprecedented pressure on institutions across the country. Wilson College is not immune to these challenges, and it would be disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

And yet at the same time that the sector faces headwinds, Wilson is experiencing real and meaningful momentum.

This fall, Wilson welcomed one of the strongest incoming classes in recent years, contributing to continued enrollment growth at a time when many small colleges are contracting. Wilson proudly boasts over 2,000 students, more than any time in her history. That growth did not happen by accident. It is the result of
intentional strategy, creative partnerships, and a community that believes deeply in Wilson’s mission.

Over the past several years, we have embraced new partnerships that enhance our curriculum, create new modalities for delivery, and expand clear, affordable pathways for students to access a Wilson education. You will read of one such partnership, RIZE, in this issue. These partnerships allow us to meet students where they are, respond to workforce needs, and reinforce the relevance of a Wilson degree in today’s economy. They also reflect something fundamental about who we are: a college that has always understood education as a public good,
rooted in service, opportunity, and access.

Just as importantly, Wilson’s alumnae, alumni, and friends have been central to this moment of growth. Your engagement—as mentors, ambassadors, volunteers, and donors—has strengthened our reach and credibility in ways that cannot be replicated through marketing alone. Prospective students and their families consistently tell us that it is Wilson graduates and supporters who make a difference: the nurse who returns to campus to recruit, the alumna who speaks proudly about her experience, the donor whose generosity signals confidence in the
institution’s future.

That confidence matters.

Growth, however, brings new responsibilities. One of the most tangible signs of our success is also one of our most pressing challenges: we have reached residential capacity on campus. Simply put,
we have more students who want to live at Wilson than we currently have beds to
house them.

To address this need, the College has launched a $3.6 million campaign to create new apartment-style housing in two key areas: the lower level of Prentis Hall and the space above the dining hall between McElwain and Davison Halls. These additions will provide modern, flexible living options that meet student expectations while allowing us to continue growing responsibly. This project ensures Wilson can deliver the full residential experience that supports student success—academically, socially, and personally—while protecting the closeknit campus culture that defines us.

Even as we invest in growth, we remain clear-eyed about the realities ahead. Financial pressures, regulatory demands, and market volatility will continue to test higher education institutions, particularly those that are small, independent, and mission-driven. Navigating this environment requires discipline, adaptability, and, above all, partnership.

Wilson’s story has always been one of resilience. From our founding through moments of transformation, the College has endured because generations before us chose to invest—financially, emotionally, and intellectually—in the idea that Wilson matters.

Today is no different.

Our growth is real. Our challenges are real. And our future will be shaped by how we meet both—with honesty, courage, and a shared commitment to provide a transformational experience for our students.

Thank you for believing in Wilson, for standing with us in this moment, and for helping ensure that the Phoenix continues to rise.

With gratitude and resolve,
Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D.
President, Wilson College