Leading with Confidence

On February 19, 2010, Wilson College announced the public launch of a fundraising effort that represents a defining and historic moment in the life of the College. In the words of Trudi Warner Blair ’76, chair of the Board of Trustees, “I believe this is an opportunity for us to advance this institution in an unprecedented way and will strengthen our ability to offer an outstanding education to our students now and well into the future.”

The Leading with Confidence campaign effort began in July of 2006, with the identification of the critical needs of the College. 

First, with 53% of all students majoring in a science at Wilson today, a state-of-the-art facility was needed for faculty to instruct in the sciences, as well as allow for unparalleled undergraduate research. The result of that objective is the Harry R. Brooks Complex for Science Mathematics and Technology – the first and most tangible objective of the campaign.

Second, with the world becoming smaller by the day – with economies becoming more and more entwined, and with political and social actions of one country affecting many others – students need to develop a global perspective. That perspective cannot be gained by staying in Chambersburg alone – it must be experienced through interaction and education alongside those of many cultures and races, both here and abroad. The Global Citizenship Initiative with support from this campaign will provide the financial underpinnings for scholarship and travel and cultural exchange with other students from around the globe.

Third, technology continues to jump ahead at a startling rate today, and Wilson must provide the best of these technologies for instruction and interaction between students and professors. The College needs to continually rehab and rebuild its technology infrastructure to ensure that distance and hybrid learning are available. Further, the College needs to continue to attract the best faculty and staff to Wilson, and retain them through endowed support.

Finally, we seek to grow the support of alumnae and friends of the College through annual gifts to The Wilson Fund. The Wilson Fund provides much needed scholarship aid and academic support, helps fund our athletics programs and keeps or campus beautiful and the facilities sound.

These are four ambitious objectives. To meet them we set out on the largest campaign in the history of Wilson, Leading with Confidence: The Campaign for Wilson. 

Learn more about the campaign initatives: