Ursinus launches its first co-op with Dow, blending classroom discovery with career-defining experience.
YOUR SUPPORT. THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE.
Today’s students are eager to gain a real-world edge through internships, externships, study abroad, and mentored research. But financial barriers can stand in the way.
The Experiential Learning Grant provides every Ursinus student with up to $2,000 to pursue these opportunities—ensuring that all students, regardless of economic background, can graduate with stronger networks, real-world skills, and the confidence to succeed.
Fund an Experiential Learning Grant now and help a student take the first step on their professional journey.
URSINUS MAGAZINE
VOLUME #145 FALL 2025
INTERIM PRESIDENT
Gundolf Graml, Ph.D.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Michelle Yurko
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Brianne S. Farris
URSINUS MAGAZINE STAFF
MANAGING EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Steve Thomas
SENIOR EDITOR
Jennifer L. Post-Whisted
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Alyssa Kratz
Connor Donohue
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Lexi Macht
PHOTOGRAPHER
Jack Hopey
ONLINE MAGAZINE
Erin Hovey ’96
Ursinus Magazine is published two times a year. Update your contact information at ursinus.edu/updatecontact.
Copyright © 2025 by Ursinus College.
Editorial correspondence and submissions:
Ursinus Magazine
601 E. Main Street
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Dear Readers,
Now more than ever, the ability to think critically and solve complex challenges is not only valued but essential. Employers, graduate schools, and professional programs alike seek graduates who can apply knowledge with confidence and creativity.
This fall, we launched APEX—applied, professional, experiential—a transformative learning ecosystem that embeds real-world experience into every year of a student’s Ursinus journey.
In January, as part of APEX, students will return from winter break early for Experiential Learning Week, an immersive program that connects classroom learning with hands-on application. From career shadowing with professionals to collaborative research with faculty on campus or in the community, students will work in teams to tackle authentic challenges. Beginning in 2027, they’ll also have the opportunity to travel nationally or internationally to explore professional pathways from a global perspective— all included in the cost of tuition.
This transformation of the Ursinus experience reinforces the enduring value of higher education. In this issue, you’ll read about one of APEX’s most exciting additions—our first co-op program. Pre-engineering major Abdel Elgendy ’27 is our inaugural co-op student, gaining invaluable experience as part of the research and development team at Dow, the largest chemical company in North America.
Through APEX, students like Abdel don’t just study ideas—they apply them, test them, and demonstrate their relevance. By graduation, every Ursinus student will leave not only with a degree, but also with a portfolio of tangible skills and experiences that have prepared them to lead, contribute, and make an impact.
Please enjoy this issue of Ursinus Magazine, and thank you for your continued support of our remarkable students and community.
Thank you,
Gundolf Graml, Ph.D. Interim President
6 News in Brief
Abdelrahman Elgendy ’27 connects classroom learning with on-the-job experience in Ursinus’ first co-op program.
18 Saddled for Service
Janice Witt ’16 puts empathy into action at a Bucks County equestrian therapy center, changing lives one ride at a time.
22 A Radical Resilience
Iesha Josma ’20 found a path out of hopelessness by discovering the space to dream and the support to succeed in a dedicated and a caring college community that she has never forgotten.
28 Art for All
Studio art major Michaela Speers ’26 transforms a vending machine into a showcase of student creativity.
30 25 Years at Ursinus
Head Football Coach Peter Gallagher is still on the sidelines after 25 years, building a legacy through family and football. 32 Class Notes
Students spend a quiet moment studying in Schellhase Commons.
PHOTO: MARGO REED
INTRODUCING INTERIM PRESIDENT GUNDOLF GRAML, PH.D.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, Gundolf Graml, Ph.D., was named interim president of Ursinus College. Graml has served as provost and senior vice president for academic and campus life at Ursinus since February 2024. He has been instrumental in the launch of APEX—applied, professional, experiential—a transformative learning ecosystem that embeds real-world experience into every year of a student’s journey. Prior to Ursinus, Graml was associate vice president for academic affairs and dean for curriculum and strategic initiatives at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga., where he led the SUMMIT program. His academic career has been informed by a commitment to holistic student success and curricular innovation.
TRANSFER AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH DCCC
Ursinus signed a new transfer agreement with Delaware County Community College (DCCC), creating a smooth and affordable path for DCCC students to complete a four-year degree at Ursinus. Under the agreement, DCCC students who meet the necessary qualifications are guaranteed admission with junior status into Ursinus, as long as they are transferring into parallel majors. “Our partnership with Delaware County Community College underscores our commitment to student success and to transforming lives,” said Ursinus College Interim President Gundolf Graml. This is the second transfer articulation agreement Ursinus has signed with a community college in the greater Philadelphia region.
NEW NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES MINOR
Ursinus introduced a new interdisciplinary Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) minor, born from the college’s Welcome Home Project partnership with the Delaware Tribe of Indians and Perkiomen Valley School District. Courses offer the opportunity to study Indigenous histories, presents, and futures, foregrounding questions of nationhood and sovereignty, personhood, creativity, materiality, and culture. The minor reflects Ursinus’ commitment to the Statement of Mutual Intentions, which the college signed with the Delaware Tribe in 2022. In that statement, curriculum development is an explicit part of the agreement.
STUDENTS GET FRONT-ROW SEAT TO OPTICAL INNOVATION
Ursinus is the newest member of the American Center for Optics Manufacturing (AmeriCOM) Defense Precision Optics Consortium (DPOC). AmeriCOM works to advance optical manufacturing, secure America’s industrial base, and train the next generation of skilled optics technicians. “Collaborating with AmeriCOM puts Ursinus students at the forefront of innovation, with handson experience and real career pathways, in this high-impact, dynamic field,” said associate professor of physics Casey Schwarz, Ph.D. “Now Ursinus students and faculty get a front-row seat to optical innovation, with a chance to be a part of the future of the field.”
PHOTO: MARGO REED
STUDY ABROAD EXPANDS IN IRELAND
To expand Ursinus’ robust study abroad offerings, the college signed a direct enrollment agreement with the University of Limerick in Ireland. Ursinus students can now study at he university for a semester or full academic year as part of their study abroad experience while retaining their full financial aid package. The agreement marks the seventh direct enrollment partnership Ursinus has established with an international institution.
ALUMNA EARNS FELLOWSHIP FROM FRENCH GOVERNMENT
Two years after studying abroad in Strasbourg, Kate Hein ’25 returned to France through a Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) Fellowship. The award, offered by the French government, gives recipients the opportunity to teach English in the country’s public schools. Hein departed in September and is now living in Offranville in the Normandy region of northwestern France.
NEW SPIRIT STORE NOW OPEN
Filled with new designs and merchandise from T-shirts, hats, and hoodies to coffee mugs, portfolios, and pens, a redesigned UC Spirit Store opened in Schellhase Commons at the start of the fall 2025 semester. Ursinus also launched a new partnership with online retailer eCampus.com to serve as its official online bookstore. Through a customized, online storefront, students have immediate access to all professor-assigned course materials via a single sign-on process, with a price-match guarantee.
Can't make it to campus? Browse and shop Ursinus' new spirit store: ursinuscollege.officialgearstore.com
SOFTBALL ROOTS, PHILLIES DREAMS
Former softball players Sammi Donato ’19 and Ally Meakim ’23 are living out a dream as Phillies Ballgirls in Citizens Bank Park. From retrieving foul balls to give to young fans to selling 50-50 raffle tickets for Phillies charities, they are often the “face of the Phillies,” said Meakim. “We go on hospital visits, visit schools, put on baseball and softball clinics, and run fundraising events,” she said. “Being able to give back to the city that has given us so much is really impactful.”
URSINUS’ YOUNGEST STUDENT: MAKING HEADLINES WORLDWIDE
Nine-year-old Aiden Wilkins made national and international headlines at the start of the fall semester as he began taking a neuroscience class at Ursinus as a dual-enrolled student.
The Royersford native, who is pursuing his dream of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon, is the youngest student to ever take a class at Ursinus. First featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer and on Philly news stations NBC10 and 6ABC, Wilkins’ story quickly spread, not just across the country but around the globe. From New York to California and Michigan to Texas to Germany, Greece, India, and beyond, Wilkins’ story has received more than 1 billion unique views across the country and the globe. National coverage includes features in People Magazine and on the Good News Network, NBC Nightly News, Black Entertainment Television (BET), and "The Jennifer Hudson Show" (above). Wilkins said he is just enjoying learning as much as he can about the brain. “I like having the opportunity to take a deeper dive into the concepts that I knew about before the class. Every concept is fascinating and intriguing.” And as for the attention he’s received? “I never thought I would get so much attention,” he said. “I thought maybe a few people would notice me, but I'm international!”
Veronica Wilkins, Aiden's mom, is proud of her son, whom she says started showing signs of being gifted at the tender age of 2. "He could read before he was taught to read, and he was writing algebraic equations," she said. "I'm extremely proud of Aiden because it's all him," she told NBC10. "It's all organic. I'm just behind the scenes, and he goes for what he wants."
ALUMNA EARNS FULBRIGHT AWARD
Alumna Abby Behm ’24 recently earned a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Award and is now teaching English to elementary and high school students in Germany's Lower Saxony region. Behm was one of just 2,000 recipients selected from more than 10,000 applicants. She is the 17th Ursinus student to receive a Fulbright Award, and the second from her class. Classmate Tia Alan ’24 taught in Morocco during the 2024-2025 academic year.
URSINUS, AMERICA250PA SUPPORT PA SCHOLARS
In celebration of Pennsylvania’s leading role in the 250th anniversary of America, Ursinus is partnering with America250PA
to offer a Semiquincentennial Scholarship to a student entering Ursinus in fall 2026. The program will award $250,000 in scholarships to Pennsylvania high school seniors entering in-state colleges and universities for the 2026-2027 academic year. Twenty-five $10,000 scholarships will be given out. Scholarship recipients who are accepted to and elect to attend Ursinus will receive an additional $10,000 from the college for a total of $20,000. Recipients will be selected based on a demonstrated understanding of civic values.
ALUMNI JOIN URSINUS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The board of trustees welcomed two new members at its fall meeting. Lane Dubin ’90 and Bindu Pirlamarla ’10 will serve
four-year terms, beginning January 1. Dubin has spent more than three decades as an executive in the global financial services, payments and travel space, most recently as chief development & digital officer at CPI Card Group. Pirlamarla is the head of Amazon’s Worldwide Prime Benefits, where she leads global strategy and execution.
WHEN GENEROSITY MEETS VISION
Ursinus celebrated the newly renovated William B. Racich Hall of Fame for Athletes, located in the lobby of the Floy Lewis Bakes Center. The upgrades were made possible in part through a gift from Trustee Scott Flannery ’92 and his wife Heather. The Hall of Fame honors the legacy of longtime
PHOTO:
CHRIS HASTON/WARNER BROS.
Ursinus Wrestling Head Coach Bill Racich. “Bill Racich was not just a wrestling coach,” said Flannery ’92. “We should all be appreciative of the unparalleled dedication and heartfelt love of a selfless individual like Coach. He made us all better.” (See page 40 for photos.)
URSINUS NAMED TO PHI THETA KAPPA TRANSFER HONOR ROLL
For the third consecutive year, Ursinus was named to Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes colleges committed to supporting and ensuring the success of transfer students. The distinction is based on 40 key metrics measuring the strength of transfer pathways and
support systems. “Being named to PTK’s Transfer Honor Roll for the third year in a row highlights our studentcentered approach and strong return on investment,” said Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Lauren Sciocchetti. “It recognizes our commitment to supporting transfer students with the resources, community, and opportunities they need to thrive academically and launch successful careers after graduation.”
FIELD HOCKEY TEAM EXPLORES SOUTH AFRICA
In June, the Ursinus field hockey team traveled to South Africa, where student-athletes volunteered, competed,
RANKINGS AND RECOGNITION: 2025-2026
and experienced the country’s rich culture. Head Coach Janelle Benner said, “The trip exposed our studentathletes to a new level of international play, challenging them to adapt to different styles and strategies of the game. It required them to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their preparation in an unfamiliar environment. Equally important,” Benner added, “the cultural immersion fostered personal growth and perspective.” For photos from the trip
Rankings are based on both qualitative and quantitative data, and each source has its own methodology. Visit ursinus.edu/rankings for more information.
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
PHILLY FAVORITE BEST NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES SOCIAL MOBILITY FOR NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES #84 #56 #19 OF 55 BEST COLLEGES FOR GREEK LIFE #25 OF 82 BEST COLLEGES FOR BIOLOGY #37 OF 102 SAFEST COLLEGE CAMPUSES #10 OF 138 BEST COLLEGES FOR ECONOMICS #35 OF 100 BEST COLLEGE ATHLETICS #28 OF 105 TOP PARTY SCHOOLS
NICHE RANKINGS IN PENNSYLVANIA
Money 2025 BEST COLLEGES
Princeton Review TOP 15% OF UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGES IN THE COUNTRY
Forbes TOP 25 PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR GENEROUS FINANCIAL AID
Forbes 2026 AMERICA’S TOP COLLEGES
Wall Street Journal TOP 4% OF COLLEGES IN THE COUNTRY FOR 2026
RESEARCH | SCHOLARSHIP | INQUIRY
COLLEEN BOVE, PH.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY
TRACKING AN INVASIVE SNAIL | Assistant Professor of Biology Colleen Bove, Ph.D., is advancing her research on aquatic ecosystems with support from a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. Together with her students, Bove is studying the American slipper snail, an invasive species that thrives in the harsh environment of the intertidal zone. Their project involves comparing snail populations along the coasts of New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, examining both environmental changes and the physical traits of the snails. By doing so, they hope to gain insight into how species adapt to climate change across different populations. The grant will also enrich the student experience at Ursinus. It will fund the development of a new marine invertebrate zoology course and lab and provide 12 paid summer internships through the Summer Fellows and FUTURE programs.
MOLECULES WITH A MISSION | In her lab, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Samantha Wilner, Ph.D., is exploring how molecules called ionizable amphiphilic Janus dendrimers (IAJDs) can be used to deliver drugs to cells. These unique molecules form vesicles that interact with biological components such as proteins, and those interactions can determine how effective a treatment may be. A new grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will allow Wilner to expand this work, supporting summer research opportunities for up to seven Ursinus students and enhancing classroom learning through the creation of a mini course-based undergraduate research experience. The ultimate goal is to deepen understanding of IAJDs and pave the way for more effective drug delivery materials. “Students will be directly involved in all aspects of this research project,” said Wilner. “They will build their technical skill set, participate in collaborative meetings, enhance their scientific communication abilities, and develop mentorship skills.”
SAMANTHA WILNER, PH.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY
MOLLY O’ROURKE-FRIEL, PH.D. ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY
NO ONE THINKS ALONE | Assistant Professor of Philosophy Molly O’Rourke-Friel, Ph.D., recently published her research paper “Social Epistemology for Individuals Like Us” on PhilPapers, an academic database devoted to philosophy and managed by the University of Western Ontario. Her research examines the nature of belief and why we hold the beliefs we do. In this paper, O’RourkeFriel argues that the process of justifying our beliefs does not occur solely within our own cognition. Instead, it extends outward to include interactive engagement with others. In other words, justification is not confined to the brain alone; it emerges from the conversations and debates we have with those around us.
PATRICK HURLEY, PH.D. PROFESSOR AND CHAIR, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
CULTIVATING SUSTAINABILITY | The Ursinus College Food Forest, under the direction of Professor Patrick Hurley, Ph.D., received the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Montgomery County (Pa.) Conservation District. Award recipients exemplify the practices of environmental stewardship and conservation for water and soil quality. Founded in 2019 in partnership with the Welcome Home Project, the Ursinus College Food Forest, which is just a short drive from campus, provides environment and sustainability students with immersive, hands-on learning focused on sustainable land management and ecological stewardship. Pictured working in the food forest are Hurley and Kaelin Ryan ’26
STEPHEN KOLWICZ, PH.D. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HEALTH SCIENCES
TRAINING HEARTS AND MINDS | Associate Professor and director of the HaMM Lab Stephen Kolwicz, Ph.D., received an Academic Research Enhancement Award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for his project “Metabolic Adaptations to Acute and Chronic Exercise.” His research focuses on how the heart’s metabolic pathways change in response to both a single session of exercise and a sustained period of training. This project offers undergraduate researchers hands-on opportunities and provides funding for up to four students through the Summer Fellows and FUTURE programs. It will also enable approximately four students each year to present their work at scientific conferences. “Students will be challenged to apply concepts of anatomy and physiology, particularly regarding the cardiovascular system, in order to perform and interpret data collected using isolated heart perfusion experiments," Kolwicz said. The experience, he added, “will allow them to be highly competitive for entry into graduate and medical school programs as well as seek biomedical research positions.”
PHOTO: JACK HOPEY
PRIMED FOR SUCCESS
Elgendy '27
Abdelrahman Elgendy ’27 connects
classroom learning with on-the-job experience in Ursinus’ first co-op program.
nside a lab in Collegeville, Abdelrahman Elgendy ’27 is busy stirring up a jar of acrylic paint, mixing in additives and running tests on his newest batch. The pre-engineering major from Pottstown, Pa., isn't on the Ursinus campus, though. Elgendy is in the middle of his shift at Dow, the largest chemical company in North America.
When he’s not in class, Elgendy is working part time on Dow’s research and development team. At the same time, he’s making Ursinus history as the first Bear to land a paid co-op as a student.
“I feel like I broke a world record,” Elgendy joked. “That’s pretty cool to know.”
Dow’s Collegeville campus is located just five minutes from Ursinus. The company is behind product formulations across several industries, including paints, inks, and coatings. The goal is to enhance aesthetics, performance, and durability while also keeping sustainability in mind.
Elgendy and his co-workers are behind many of the major paint brands found on hardware store shelves.
Though just a sophomore at the time, Elgendy knew last fall he wanted to secure a paid internship as soon as he could. He made full use of the resources available at Ursinus, attending career fairs on campus and spending time in the Career and Professional Development Center.
“They helped me a lot with my resume and applying [to positions],” Elgendy said. “I saw this opening [at Dow] and applied, did the interview, and I guess I did well, because I’m here now.”
The co-op academic option at Ursinus was officially approved by faculty earlier this year. By definition, it's “a structured and supervised professional experience for which a student receives academic credit.” It differs from an internship in that it typically spans a year or more and requires more work hours at the co-op site during the academic year.
For Elgendy, it means that on top of taking classes, he spends several days a week at Dow, working with the research and development team on paint additives.
By Alyssa Kratz
Photography by Jack Hopey
“We test different additives that we want to market and develop. We look at them in comparison to our control formulation,” explained Jennifer Mills, senior research specialist at Dow and Elgendy’s supervisor. “So, what Abdel
works on testing paint additives inside a lab at Dow.
works on is both formulating those paints—mixing them up in the lab, putting in the additives we want to test— and some application testing to simulate how you would use the paint at home and [address questions like] ‘What kind of properties do you want it to have?’ ‘What kind of defects do you not want it to have?’”
BEYOND THE BOOKS
Elgendy’s role at Dow exemplifies APEX, Ursinus’ new learning ecosystem that uses applied learning, experiential opportunities, and professional development to prepare all students for career success after graduation.
Starting with the Class of 2029, the four-year road map immerses students in experiences both in and out of the classroom, so they emerge ready with the skills and competencies desired by employers and graduate schools. At the same time, upperclassmen like Elgendy are benefiting from APEX with new opportunities like co-ops and increased connections with area employers.
“It’s another opportunity for our students to have experiential learning alongside their classroom learning,” said Sue Valerio Sladen, director of career and professional development at Ursinus. “You’re not just working alongside other interns, you’re working alongside full-time employees. Co-ops give students the opportunity to be involved in longer-term, project-based work, applying what they’re learning in the classroom in real time and then bringing what they’re learning in the lab or on site right back into the classroom. So, it also enhances the learning of other students in the classroom.”
Elgendy, whose goal is to one day own his own company, says he quickly discovered that his time at Dow is teaching him much more than just technical skills.
“This is opening my eyes to the professional world,” he said. “When I first started [at Dow], I had no idea how any of this worked, how big everything is, how there are systems for everything.
“Even going up the stairs, there are signs [explaining] how to do that properly,” Elgendy continued. “Meeting people here, it’s incredible. It makes your network bigger and [gives] you people to help you along the way, along your journey. I’m learning all these different skills—time management, [how to] keep things organized. There are so many aspects you improve in that you wouldn’t think about until you’re here in a job.”
MUTUAL MOMENTUM
The co-op program is a win-win. Ursinus students like Elgendy get workplace experience, while companies like
Dow get the chance to develop potential future talent before they even graduate. It’s something those at the company say has become critical in a hiring market facing a number of challenges.
“We get a chance to work with them for several years and grow them and see how well they handle complex tasks, how well they handle the environment we have here,” said Scott Wills, former research and development staffing leader at Dow. Wills retired over the summer but was instrumental in developing the company’s co-op program at its Collegeville site and in hiring Elgendy. “When graduation comes in a few years, it becomes a much easier hiring decision for us…and it’s a chance for the student to evaluate us as well, decide whether this is a place they want to start their career.”
Meeting people here, it’s incredible. It makes your network bigger and [gives] you people to help you along the way, along your journey.”
— Abdelrahman Elgendy ’27
Elgendy prepares equipment to stir up a test batch of acrylic paint.
“We do spend that time getting them up to speed, but then if they were to come back and pursue a full-time job, we already have that foundation to grow from, and then they can just hit the ground running on day one,” added Mills. “So, it’s definitely something that we would like to be able to open up.”
The program is also bolstering an already strong Ursinus alumni presence at Dow. Tyler Weiss ’19 works at the Collegeville site as a lab technician. He was also recruited by Wills to be part of the co-op program’s recruitment process, attending career fairs and teaching Ursinus students about the company. Weiss returned to campus in September to participate in Ursinus’ Student and Employer Networking Event.
“I’m happy to see [this co-op program],” said Weiss. “It’s good to see these opportunities could convert into a full-time career for someone. I found my own path here, but to think other Ursinus students who are in my shoes, where I was five years ago, are [already] getting the opportunity I have now. They get that early start that I think is important for them.”
Tyler Weiss '19 (center), along with another Dow representative, chats with Ursinus students at the Fall Student and Employer Networking Event on campus.
From left to right, Jennifer Mills, Dow senior research specialist, poses with Tyler Weiss, Dow lab technician, Abdel Elgendy, and Scott Wills, former research and development staffing leader at Dow.
Elgendy works on formulating a specific paint.
MORE TO COME
Additional co-op opportunities are in the works, said Valerio Sladen. The college has secured a partnership with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a global biopharmaceutical company with multiple locations in Montgomery County.
The majority of co-op roles with GSK will be at the company’s Upper Providence Township facility, working with research and development teams and alongside scientists. There are also roles available for business majors and even potential opportunities for science technology students at the company’s site in Boston.
This comes as GSK is committing billions of new dollars in research and development and manufacturing in the United States over the next five years. The investment includes construction of an additional new biologics flex factory in Upper Merion Township.
Valerio Sladen is optimistic this will translate into more opportunities for Ursinus students. “Co-ops
really align with the spirit of APEX in terms of giving students immersive experiential learning opportunities,” she said. “I see [co-ops] as a place for our students after they’ve had the opportunity to go through the initial part of the APEX curriculum.”
Elgendy, now a junior, will be at Dow until the end of 2025, with the potential to continue his role into the 2026 calendar year and possibly return as a full-time employee after graduating.
For now, he’s enjoying every hour he spends mixing paints and soaking in all he can along the way and encouraging others to follow in his path.
“My worldview [has been] opened in a way I didn’t even think was really possible,” said Elgendy. “I thought I knew a lot already, and then coming [to Dow], I was put in [situations] where I didn’t know what was going on, and I’m learning and continuing to keep a positive mindset and continuing to grow.”
SADDLED FOR SERVICE
Witt ’16 spends time with one of the horses at Special Equestrians.
By Alyssa Kratz
Photography by Jack Hopey
Janice Witt ’16 puts empathy into action at a Bucks County equestrian therapy center, changing lives one ride at a time.
Janice Witt ’16 steps outside through open barn doors onto a mulched path leading toward a field of colorful signs and yard games. She’s smiling and laughing as she guides a 5-year-old boy mounted on a horse, with two of her colleagues on the animal’s other side.
It’s an early fall afternoon, and the group is weaving through the sensory garden, throwing balls and opening mailboxes. It’s one of several private lessons on the docket for the evening at Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Center in Warrington, Pa. This particular client was referred to the center’s hippotherapy program because of a developmental delay.
Special Equestrians, which has approximately 125 weekly clients, specializes in equine-assisted therapies. They work with both children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, as well as veterans, at-risk youth, and cancer support groups, among others. There are 24 staff members and 200 volunteers who keep the nonprofit going. Witt is at the center of it all, serving as the center’s executive director. She says it all starts with their horses.
“Because horses are prey animals in the wild, they’re really sensitive to body language and nonverbal communication,” Witt explained. “They can sense rises in heart rate, increases in respiratory rate, and they react. They’re really good mirrors, especially when you’re dealing with something mental-health related.”
The animals help clients to recognize emotions, she says, and guide them in other ways, depending on their needs.
“The movement of a horse mimics the muscles we need to learn to walk and ambulate. If you’ve got young kids who are behind in their gross motor milestones, just sitting on the horse [while it's] walking really increases their postural stability, their core strength,” Witt said. “Adding in a couple volunteers helps with social-emotional communication. There’s a big sensory aspect of it, too.”
Witt's love for horses began in childhood, she says. Now, as executive director of Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Center, she is pairing that love with a desire to help people through therapeutic riding.
For the Delaware County native, it’s a labor of love that started at a young age.
“I’ve always been drawn to horses,” Witt said.
“[My family] had a competitive show jumping horse. I think we got him when I was in fourth grade. When I was in high school, he had a career-ending injury, and he ended up at a farm that specializes in rehabbing of injuries.”
That farm was across the street from Thorncroft Equestrian Center in Chester County.
“They’re one of the biggest therapeutic riding centers in the area, and I started meeting people who were associated with the farm. I wasn’t riding; I had spare time, so I started volunteering,” Witt explained.
“I think I was 12 or 13 at the time.”
Horses are part of the reason Witt ended up attending Ursinus, too.
“We had horses at home, so I wanted to be close to them,” she said. “I wanted to stay close to home, and I also wanted a smaller school feel.”
Witt’s Ursinus journey started on a pre-vet track. She thought she wanted to go to veterinary school, but a flyer in the library changed her trajectory. It was for a job opening at a local animal hospital. Witt applied and was hired as a veterinary assistant, a role she stayed in for nine years. While the experience was invaluable, Witt says it showed her that veterinary medicine wasn’t where her heart was.
While at Ursinus, she began teaching at another local therapeutic riding farm near Collegeville.
“It was a slow process,” Witt said. “I switched
my major to psychology halfway through school, and getting involved more in therapeutic riding made me realize that was the way I wanted to go. Being a therapeutic riding instructor is really hard to make a full-time gig out of, and if you do, it’s low pay. So, I got interested in hippotherapy, which is the use of physical, occupational, and speech therapies with horses.”
After graduating from Ursinus in 2016, Witt took a gap year before continuing her education at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she received a master’s degree in occupational therapy (OT). Her career at Special Equestrians began in 2019.
“I came pretty much straight here,” she explained. “It was one of the only centers that has a big OT program. Lots of centers have therapeutic riding for recreational purposes, and some have physical therapy, but not a lot have OT. I was family friends with the director at the time, so I reached out, and that’s how I ended up here.”
In 2022, after battling closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the center’s executive director retired. Witt worked her way up and was a natural choice to lead the center.
“I never thought therapeutic riding would be a full-time job,” she said. “I always thought it would be something I just did on the side, but I love it.”
When asked what draws her to therapeutic riding, Witt says it goes beyond just a love for horses. It’s the diversity of the job that fuels her passion.
“I had a hard time picking something I was
I never thought therapeutic riding would be a full-time job. I always thought it would be something I just did on the side, but I love it.”
— Janice Witt ’16
going to have to stick to for the rest of my life,” she explained. “When you’re in therapeutic riding, you work with a variety of clients. You’re not just in a school system as a school-based therapist. You’re not in a rehab just working with [individuals] with physical disabilities. Every single client is a completely different ball game. We have kids as young as two up to people in their eighties. There are physical disabilities, emotional disabilities, cognitive, genetic, you name it, we work with them.
You get to touch a lot of different areas rather than having to specialize and stick to one thing.”
Special Equestrians also recently launched a fullfledged mental health program.
“We have a staff social worker, and we work with licensed professional counselors to offer groundbased therapy, using the horse as a conduit to get them to open up about things they might not talk about, using it as a medium for relaxation and
understanding body language,” Witt explained. While building this new focus on mental health, Witt has found herself drawing on what she learned in her Ursinus psychology classes.
“I’ve been recalling a lot of things I learned in abnormal psychology and my anatomy and physiology class. I took behavioral neuroscience at Ursinus,” she said. “[Anatomy and physiology] was like going to OT school, so [when I got to Temple], I felt far more prepped than [others] having that background.”
From group programming to individual lessons, Special Equestrians’ services are a true need across the greater Philadelphia region. The center currently has a 400-person wait list.
“It’s in higher demand than we can provide access to,” she said. “It takes three to four years to access our
CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
ra di cal RESILIENCE
By Brad Drexler
HOW ONE COURAGEOUS WOMAN FOUND A PATH OUT OF HOPELESSNESS BY DISCOVERING THE SPACE TO DREAM AND THE SUPPORT TO SUCCEED IN A CARING COLLEGE COMMUNITY THAT SHE HAS NEVER FORGOTTEN.
esha Josma’s ’20 journey began Aug. 25, 1998, her first day of classes at Ursinus College.
It would take her more than two decades to reach her graduation goal. What happened in between is the stuff of a Hollywood movie script. It is a story of caustic expectations, unflinching hope, and a radical resilience that drove her to never give in.
Sharp and focused, Josma today is a thriving 46-year-old Bostonian who has found her calling as director of business development for the Pine Street Inn (PSI).
With a $100 million-plus operating budget and more than 800 employees, PSI is New England's largest homeless services provider, serving over 2,000 “guests” each day, and Josma is a rising star there. She has developed a reputation for combining savvy analytical abilities and a keen intuition for process improvement, with a heart to help those searching for a fresh start.
Armed with impressive academic credentials that include an Ursinus bachelor’s degree, an MBA from Fitchburg State University, and a couple of Sigma Six certificates, the mother of two is chasing her latest dream—a doctorate in business administration from Johnson & Wales University.
Not bad for a north Philadelphia-born and -raised, first-generation college student who, at one point, struggled with stress-induced grand mal seizures so bad she nearly dropped out. It seems Josma has finally found the peace and sense of accomplishment that escaped her for so many years, enjoying professional success, savoring her family, and building plans for a bright future.
It has all the makings of a storybook tale. But as is often the case, what looks like a wonderful life on the surface can often harbor a much different story.
My stepmother, Maribel Lozada Azuaga (portrayed in the mural behind her), has been teaching traditional folk Puerto Rican dance since she emigrated from Puerto Rico. A strong community advocate, she’s worked to promote culture and arts within the Philadelphia community. I am proud of her work and commitment to the community."
— Iesha Josma ’20
GROWING UP FAST
The oldest of three girls, Josma had a childhood punctuated by family instability, frequent housing moves, and troubled parents who wrestled with their own demons, including substance abuse and addiction. In fact, things got so bad that in June 1993, the police had to remove Iesha and her two sisters from her mother’s care.
“We were split up. I went to live with my grandparents, and my sisters with my aunt. We bounced around a lot with different family members. There were times when I was sleeping in other people’s houses.
“One year I moved five times. It was pretty tough,” Josma recounted. It wasn’t long after that she began working as a young teen to help support her sisters. “As
the oldest, I felt that responsibility,” she said.
Ironically, while her home life was a struggle, academically, Josma thrived. By the time she got to high school, she was a shining star. President of the debate team. Student body president. University City High School representative for the Philadelphia School District.
Soon, she was named to a special mayor’s program for top city students, and Josma began helping organize food and clothing drives in her school neighborhood to help those less fortunate.
Other honors followed—an award from the governor’s office, a spot in a Franklin Institute STEM program for talented minority students, recognition from the prestigious Wallenberg Foundation. To top it all off, in
Ursinus, Iesha Josma (center) found a caring community in 1998 and in 2020. During a recent campus visit,
A Community of Care
AT URSINUS, NO STUDENT FACES HARDSHIP ALONE The college has continued to strengthen its network of support for students in need, offering emergency funding, basic needs assistance, and accessibility services designed to help every student thrive.
The Bear2Bear Student Emergency Fund supports students who may face temporary financial hardship due to an emergency or crisis situation. It provides grants for students who have exhausted all other sources of funding and is supported through generous donations from members of the Ursinus community.
On campus, a basic needs pantry was launched during the spring 2024 semester, thanks to cross-divisional funding. The pantry, located in the Institute for Student Success (ISS), has personal hygiene items available to students in need, and BearShare, the campus thrift store, provides free clothes, accessories, home goods, and more.
For students who struggle with a disability, the college’s office of disability and access (ODA) follows the social model of disability. “We embrace disability as a natural part of human diversity and are committed to creating a new context and culture for disability,” said Carla Anderson, Ph.D., interim director and tutoring coordinator for ISS.
Anderson says the office works to level the playing field through the incorporation of universal design principles across campus life, services, and programs, and there is a dedicated learning specialist who provides executive function coaching. Students who demonstrate a need without formal documentation are connected with campus partners to help them work toward a diagnosis while simultaneously receiving immediate support. Sensory rooms and alternative testing spaces are available for students, too.
Both ISS and ODA partner with the Teaching and Learning Institute to create opportunities for faculty to learn more about universal design and how they can build supports for students into their classes.
At
Josma reconnected with Professor Diane Amoroso-O’Connor (left) and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kelly Sorensen (right), who helped make it possible for Josma to finish her degree.
During a visit with Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kelly Sorensen, Josma found a book left by Professor Emeritus John Wickersham for students studying Latin and Greek that included his name handwritten in the front and notes in the margin. "John would be happy to know that Iesha and the book found each other," Sorensen said.
her junior year she was accepted into a highly selective University of Pennsylvania “Pathway to Penn” program for academically gifted students and began taking classes there. It was a perfect match with her plans to become a medical doctor.
“I wanted to be a doctor my entire life,” Josma recalled. “It was the one pathway I knew for sure that I could latch my hopes onto and I could get to a better space for myself.”
By then, her home situation had soured, and she began living on her own, taking an apartment and working full time. “Going into my senior year of high school, I was 18 and living in a South Street apartment, which made me really cool and popular, but it wasn’t an easy time.
needs, dealing with housing and food insecurity, and a lack of a support system. And my way of dealing with it was being thoughtful about others who may not have had the skills I did and trying to help them as much as I could,” she said.
When I got on campus, it was the first time I knew I was going to eat every day… It was the first time I knew I'd be safe.”
– Iesha Josma
’20
With a college decision looming and a clear pathway to Penn in front of her, Josma had some choices to make. “At the end of the day, I thought I would feel overwhelmed at a bigger college like Penn and would drown in the size of the school,” Josma said. “I had heard that from other students at my high school who had gone down that path. That informed my decision to look for a smaller school,” she said.
“My teachers worried I wouldn't be able to finish school, that I wouldn't be able to manage working, going to school, and applying to college,” Josma said. “In fact, my gym teacher and his wife would drive me to school almost every day to make sure I got there because they knew I didn’t have the bus fare.”
She proved them all wrong. By the end of her fall semester senior year, Josma had already earned enough credits to graduate and began attending Philadelphia Community College in the spring, all while living a secret double life.
“I was this successful high achiever, but I had a lot of
The good news was her academic credentials were strong enough that she earned a Dean’s Scholarship to Ursinus. “I went to Ursinus because I knew I wouldn’t get lost there or just be another student, and they had a great pre-med track that I would fit into…at least, that’s what I thought,” she said.
ROCKY
START
Desperation. Despair. Shame. Words that usually don’t describe most first-year students’ college experience. But that’s how Josma’s story began at Ursinus in fall 1998. “I was a top student in the Philly school district and a top student in my high school, but I simply didn’t have the same tools as other students at Ursinus. I wasn’t prepared
the way they were,” Josma recalls.
“I had come in with this idea that ‘I’ve done all these things and I’m ready to compete’ and I wasn’t. I was nowhere near the starting line,” she said.
For Josma, that meant she had to be more disciplined than most with her studies. Yet, she also worked at the Limited store in the King of Prussia Mall, taking the SEPTA bus to work every weekend and sometimes weeknights to earn enough money to cover her expenses.
“I was the weird girl who spent all of my time on the third floor of Bomberger Hall reading ancient Greek and Homer,” laughed Josma. “I always said to people I dated Homer, and not Simpson, because that’s how I spent all my time.
“It took me over a year to catch up to where they (other students) were. All the work I had done up to then just wasn’t enough,” she said.
According to Josma, almost half of the inner-city minority students in her freshman class that year didn’t make it. “They didn’t have the tools or the discipline and felt overwhelmed by the social structure,” she said.
It was a rough wake-up call for the ambitious selfstarter who had always found a way to make things work. To make matters worse, the psychological damage and
trauma from her childhood was about to bubble over.
“When I got to Ursinus, I was a person at risk because of where I came from. When I got on campus, it was the first time I knew I was going to eat every day. It was the first time I knew I was going to sleep every night. And it was the first time I knew I'd be safe,” Josma said.
But she continued to hold onto the psychological trauma of her childhood, and with the pressure to succeed at school, started suffering seizures in her freshman year. Things got so bad she was placed on temporary medical leave. It would take until the second semester of her sophomore year to diagnose the problem thanks to a caring professor and dedicated dean who helped her get the medical testing to uncover the problem.
“At the time, I didn't understand how your body works as a survivor and how bad it is to just hold it all in like I was doing. I just kept going forward. It was the focus of doing something to better my life that kept me going,” Josma said.
All along, she carried with her a foreboding deep shame of her background. “Here I am going to this great college, with smart kids that have these very normal
CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
Josma's journey to graduation lasted more than 20 years and concluded in spring of 2020 when she finally earned her degree.
STUDIO ART MAJOR MICHAELA SPEERS ’26 TRANSFORMS A VENDING MACHINE INTO A SHOWCASE OF STUDENT CREATIVITY.
ART FOR ALL
By Alyssa Kratz
Art can be pricey and feel out of reach, which is why Michaela Speers ’26 spent her summer working on a way to make art accessible.
“I feel like people always think of art as something that [can be] super expensive to buy and collect,” she said. “We wanted it to be a more accessible thing.”
Through Summer Fellows, the studio art major found a solution—a vending machine.
“The whole point of vending machines is to make things more accessible and [put] things in places they wouldn’t usually be,” Speers explained. “So, we thought, ‘Why not put some art in there?’ ”
Speers found a vending machine online and spent the summer creating a series of Ursinus-themed prints to load it up with. For just 50 cents, anyone can own one of the unique designs and support student artists at the same time.
Now that her project is finished, the vending machine is in Schellhase Commons, but Speers says she intends to move it around campus.
“It’s pretty mobile, it’s not too hard to move, so our goal is to hopefully move it around and give it some new homes which suit the art in it at the time,” Speers said. “We’re hoping to work with some of the senior art students this year and [eventually put the machine] in the Berman for the student exhibition.”
Speers also has plans to expand and feature other art series in the machine, such as imagery from local Collegeville restaurants.
Head
Football Coach Peter Gallagher is still on the sidelines in Collegeville after 25 years, building a legacy through family and football.
In the first eight years of his college coaching career, Peter Gallagher made stops at four different schools. Now, 25 years after joining Ursinus as head football coach, the alltime wins leader in program history is grateful to call Ursinus home.
Gallagher’s accomplishments include 17 winning seasons, the Centennial Conference title in 2010, and three Centennial-MAC Bowl Series Championships (2018, 2022, 2023), and guiding the program to an NCAA Division III national playoff bid in 2024. The West Virginia Wesleyan graduate is now the sixth-longest-tenured head football coach at the NCAA Division III level and leads all active Centennial Conference coaches in wins.
Despite the accolades, Gallagher’s legacy is equally defined by what he has done off the field.
“Here, it’s not all about winning—it’s about the process of being a winner,” Gallagher said. “It’s about seeing these kids come in and develop into the type of person who can walk into someone’s office, look them in the eye, and say, ‘I’m the man for the job.’ That comes from the skills they learn in the classroom, on the football field, and in the residence halls. They all play an equally important role in how we develop our student-athletes here.”
Gallagher’s coaching journey began at Georgetown, followed by stops at Wagner, Dartmouth, and Rochester. While working as a graduate assistant at Wagner, Gallagher befriended Ursinus football alum Dan Mullen ’94, who was also coaching at Wagner.
“When the Ursinus job came open, I got some insight from Dan and was fortunate to get an interview—and got the job at 29 years old,” Gallagher said.
Although success didn’t come right away, the move to Collegeville gave Gallagher something rare in the coaching world: a permanent home.
“Ursinus is my Florida, my Alabama, my Georgia. It’s a unique school that has given me the opportunity to impact so many young men and raise my family in the same home,” Gallagher said. “This is my life’s work; this is who I am.”
Gallagher credits his wife, Stacy, and their two daughters, Kaleigh and Madison, for supporting his journey. Both daughters played Division I soccer. Kaleigh played at Loyola University Maryland, and Madison played for the U.S. Naval Academy and is currently an officer in Navy flight school. Stacy has built her own career in education as a development officer at independent schools in the Philadelphia area.
“There are so many great things I can say about my career at Ursinus, but one of the most important is that it has allowed me to give my own children a platform for success,”
Gallagher said. “Being able to raise a family in one home is unique in this profession. It’s something I’m awfully proud of.”
Gallagher’s work at Ursinus is far from finished. He continues to build the football program with the help of his coaching staff, made up of several former players. Still, his driving purpose remains the same: the holistic development of his student-athletes.
“To be able to impact these students, teach them life skills for success and celebrate what we have built here at Ursinus—that’s what keeps me going,” Gallagher said.
THIS IS WHO I AM. ' ' 25 years at Ursinus...
By Connor Donohue
CLASS NOTES
1950s
AUDREY R. COX ’53 writes, “There are three Ursinus grads living here at Sandhill Cove Retirement Facility in Palm City, Fla.”
JENEPHER SHILLINGFORD ’54, a former Ursinus College field hockey player, was inducted into the College Sports Communicators Academic AllAmerica Hall of Fame in June during the All-Star Night of Honors presented by ESPN in Orlando, Fla.
JOHN AND MARIE IDLER ’58 have been living comfortably in The Hill at Whitemarsh, a retirement community, for the past eight years. They write, “Still in touch with a few classmates, and willing to organize a Class of 1958 Reunion!”
1960s
HARRY L. SERIO ’63 recently published his fourth book, “Gray Matter, Dark Matter and Doesn’t Matter.”
LYNDA YOUNG ’69, a retired mathematics teacher who taught for 30 years, exhibited her artwork at Franke at Seaside in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. According to the Moultrie News, the scenes that inspire her work range from the Erie Canal in Upstate New York to vistas on Block Island, R.I.; canals and riverfronts in Naples, Fla.; buildings in Quebec City; the Jersey shore; and various locations around Franklin County, Va., and Charleston County, S.C.
1970s
THOMAS ROBINSON ’71 , a balloonmeister, is the president of the Gallup (N.M.) Aerostat Society, which hosts Red Rock Balloon Rally, New Mexico’s Premiere Ballooning event since 1981, attracting over 12K attendees.
Last spring, JOHN GRAY ’71 audited associate professor Sarah Kaufman's ART-107 Digital Photography course. For the class, he created “Ursinus Revisited Year 54,” a 22-photo tour of Ursinus College. Writes John, “The images both refresh cherished memories and show changes that occurred during the past 50 years. The campus landscape facilities, sculptures, and features are majestic in daylight and magical at night. These photographs reveal both common and less conventional views of campus.”
GAIL L. HEINEMEYER ’72 was appointed as a trustee at Delaware County Community College and elected to the Board of Directors for Hedgerow Theatre, one of the oldest repertory theaters in the country.
In retirement, DAVE BOWEN ’72 oversees maintenance on a 46-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. He takes pride in knowing that the section he helps care for is what has been known as “spectacular” and “home to some of the best scenery on the trail.”
RICHARD K. FAIR ’75 was selected for inclusion in the 2024 Marquis Who’s Who in America for his business and academic achievements throughout his career in sales and marketing. He and his wife, Nina (Roeder, 1976), are happily retired and living on their farm in East Greenville, Pa.
NOTES
WILLIAM (BILL) J. FRIES ’76 was inducted into the Upper Moreland High School Hall of Fame on September 20, 2025, for his distinguished career as a fire protection and life safety expert, including his role as Department of Defense fire marshal and chief building code official at the Pentagon. He was also cited for his ongoing lifelong volunteer fire department service. Bill’s induction class includes fellow UMHS alumna and former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.
WILL C. HUTCHINS JR. ’78 AND MARKY SKRZAT HUTCHINS ’79 write, “Mary has taken on the role of donor relations coordinator for The Garage Community & Youth Center in Kennett Square, Pa. Bill is an account manager for a State Farm Agency in Newark, Del.”
1980s
RICK MORRIS ’80 AND JEFF CARLOW ’80 are executive producers of the 2025 slapstick feature film "White Dudes Can’t Rap." The movie won a Best Comedy Feature Award at both the 2024 Springfield Independent and 2025 NY Tri State International Film festivals. The two Grizzlies originally hatched the idea for the detective parody in 1979 while studying for a Professor Dougie Davis history exam in Myrin Library. This "Naked Gun"-style movie is streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi. Rick is also the producer behind the YouTube series "Pablo and Hurley."
GINA BUGGY ’81, former head coach of Episcopal High School, and Laura Moliken, former head coach and director of athletics at Ursinus College, were honored by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
PETER HOLTZ ’83 of Vybe Urgent Care is a recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Greater Philadelphia Award.
FORMER PENN COACH STEVE DONAHUE ’84 was hired by St. Joseph’s coach Billy Lange and named associate head coach of men’s basketball.
CAROL LECATO ’59 AND FAYE BERK ’59 met on the tennis courts and hockey fields of Ursinus 70 years ago. They became fast friends, enjoying sports and their companions in Tau Sig, and were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings. Their paths diverged soon after marriage; however, the friends stayed in touch over the years. As retirement approached, they reconnected in person and began traveling together, going on cruises, traveling Europe, taking Road Scholar trips, and of course, traveling to many tennis tournaments.
At 87, Faye, living in Arizona, felt the pull to return to Pennsylvania. With astonishing speed, she sold her houses, packed up her belongings, and moved east into the same retirement community where Carol resides. At 88, their adventures continue. They can now enjoy each other’s company every day. They attend theater events, tour the farm markets of Lancaster, and recently rented a scooter together to speed down the rural roads of Strasburg. They are a tremendous example of how the bonds formed in youth at Ursinus are indeed a lifelong gift.
Submitted by Dr. Susan Boyce ’85
CLASS NOTES
Faegre Drinker announced the promotion of two principals to the firm, effective Jan. 1, 2025, including Ursinus College alumna TERRY FRANGIOSA ’88. Terry is a principal with the government and regulatory affairs team at the firm.
1990s
BRIAN EBERSOLE ’99, vice president and associate designated institutional official for The Wright Centers for Community Health & Graduate Medical Education, is a Pennsylvania City & State 40 in Their 40s honoree. Brian heads up academic affairs and oversees physician training for the Wright Centers, where he develops residency programs to meet the demand for high-need specialties.
2000s
SEAN HAINES ’01 earned a doctorate in education and currently works as an assistant superintendent at Neshaminy High School. Sean started off as a PE teacher in Morrisville School District and has had many roles in his career.
AMBER STEPHENSON, PH.D. ’03 was appointed head of the School of Business Administration (SBA) at Penn State Harrisburg in August following a national search.
JENNI SMAGALA, D.V.M. ’05 and her twin sister Amy opened Twin Tails Veterinary Hospital in Garnet Valley, Pa., in June. Built on a shared dream and decades of combined veterinary experience, Twin Tails Veterinary Hospital offers services including preventive care, puppy and kitten wellness, surgery, dental care, geriatric care, end-of-life support, and behavior management.
DANIEL ORTIZ, ED.D. ’06 was appointed as the next principal of Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pa. He assumed the leadership role at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Daniel has a decade of school leadership experience and a deep connection to Upper Dublin, having previously served
as the principal of Sandy Run Middle School and most recently as interim principal of Jarrettown Elementary.
MEGAN LIN HELZNER ’08 is pleased to share that she and her husband, Jason, welcomed daughter Claire Miriam Flamendorf in March 2024. Claire is a delight and looks forward to coming to campus and maybe one day becoming a proud Ursinus Bear. Megan has also been promoted to principal at CFAR: Consulting and Coaching, where she serves family businesses, nonprofit organizations, family offices, and philanthropic foundations on matters like succession, governance, and next-generation development.
2010s
DAVID T. QUEROLI ’11, an associate with Richards, Layton & Finger in Wilmington, Del., was selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) 2025 Next Generation (NEXTGen) Program, which was held during the NCBJ Conference in Chicago in September. Hundreds of nominations are submitted annually by law firms, government agencies, and bankruptcy judges across the country for admission to this prestigious program. No more than 40 practitioners are selected.
ALEXANDRA (PETERS) ADAMS ’11 was promoted to partner at O’Hagan Meyer, LLP, specializing in labor and employment defense.
KAREN (LEVANDOSKI) MOLINARO ’12 welcomed her second child, son Theodore Henry Molinaro, on January 24, 2025. He joins sister Audrey Marie, age 3.
EDDY KOSIK’S ’13 short story, “The Man in the Woods,” was published in the 50-second issue of The Adroit Journal. He is represented by Kelsey Day at Aragi Inc and his first novel is forthcoming.
CAROLYN LANG ’13 was recognized as a Rising Star Women Leader in Nonprofit for 2025 by Women We Admire, an organization of women executives and leaders across the U.S. and Canada. Carolyn is deputy regional
LITTLE BEARS BIG BEGINNINGS NOTES
director of America and the Caribbean for Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian organization that alleviates suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities.
DAVE MUOIO ’14 is a staff writer at Fierce Healthcare. He is based in the Boston area.
CASEY DERELLA, PH.D. ’17, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Virginia, served as a meeting blogger for the 2025 American Physiology Summit. At the summit, she ran into Ursinus alumni MARCUS WAGNER, PH.D. ’17 AND REBECCA PETRE SULLIVAN, PH.D. ’00
JIE LIN ’18 has joined the University of Central Florida (UCF), College of Engineering and Computer Science, as a lecturer. Jie earned a doctoral degree in computer science from UCF in June 2025.
DAVID DREA ’19 AND LIANA (WEISHAAR) DREA ’18 welcomed daughter Alynnia Michele to their family on June 1, 2024.
Friends of the College
After a visit with an Ursinus staff member, friend of the college BRUCE JAY GOULD shared this nostalgic photo with his friend and former Ursinus trustee, the late ED STEMMLER P ’84.
JARED “GOODY” GOOD ’05 writes, "Woe to thee, o Swarthmore & Muhlenberg, for thine adversary has arrived! On this 5th of April, Veda J. Good [was] borne forth from the dark cloak of night to a shudder of the seas and an alignment of the cosmos to lay claim to her throne as the future Ursinus College Women’s Rugby All-Time Leading Try Scorer."
KRISTEN (BIEHL) WAGNER ’17 writes, “My husband Mark and I welcomed our baby boy, Augustus “Auggie” Hunter Wagner, on October 12, 2024. Hoping for a future Ursinus Bear!”
LOVE BEARS ALL
ANDREY BILKO ’10 and Brittney Ginsburg celebrated their marriage on January 4, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla., with many Ursinus alumni in attendance, including CARA SARACO ’10, CEMILE TAT (FULLBRIGHT FLTA) ’09, KAITLIN PORTER ’10, MATTHEW EMBERGER ’09, JONATHAN NAGEL ’10, OTHMANE BOUTAYEB ’09, AND AAKASH SHAH ’10.
JORDAN CARVER ’19 AND AUDREY SIMPSON ’19 got engaged on campus October 4, 2025. They met on their first day of freshman year and are now both physicians.
SETH AARONSON ’13 AND OLIVIA HOVICK ’13 married at Appleford Estate in Villanova, Pa., on October 20, 2024.
JOSEPH SCHMID ’18 AND JULIA ADAMS ’19 were married on November 30, 2024. They celebrated with many Ursinus alumni friends and family spanning classes from 1970-2020.
TRISTEN MARAGLIO ’22 AND SARAH THOMPSON ’22 are happy to announce their engagement! “We are forever grateful to Ursinus for bringing us together.”
In Memoriam
1950s
Frank J. Ferry, Esq. ’52 died April 10, 2025.
Robert L. Meckelnburg, M.D. ’52 died August 14, 2025.
Elaine K. (Kerr) Weller ’52 died July 13, 2025.
Marion L. (Matteson) Weisel ’52 died July 14, 2025.
Esther K. (Knoebel) Woodward ’52 died July 4, 2025.
Russell R. “Bob” Chalmers ’53 died May 13, 2025.
Isobel (Helffrich) Beaston ’54 died April 20, 2025.
F. Hetzel ’54 died March 17, 2025.
Joan Stahl Pusey ’56 died January 29, 2025.
Philip H. How ’56 died July 2, 2025.
Allen T. Frank ’57 died March 13, 2025.
William H. Rheiner ’57 died March 25, 2025.
Edwin “Ed” Sauer, Ph.D. ’57 died May 29, 2025.
Robert W. Soeder ’57 died on April 19, 2025.
Harry E. Nelson ’58 died April 13, 2025.
Letty M. (Achey) Haigh ’59 died August 14, 2025.
Patricia A. (Woodbury) Zelley ’58 died May 29, 2025.
1960s
Lt. Col. Robert H. Kreisinger Jr. ’60 died May 21, 2025.
Louis “Lou” W. Mitchell Jr. ’61 died July 10, 2025.
Barbara (Sheese) Wilson ’62 died April 28, 2025.
Michael B. Reed ’63 died September 11, 2025.
Judith Hennessy Curran ’64 died August 30, 2024.
Otto W. Renner III ’64 died May 10, 2025.
Harland "Hal" G. Fullam ’65 died May 17, 2025.
Donald T. Simmons ’65 died January 25, 2025.
Christopher L. Fuges ’66 died April 6, 2025.
Victor L. Fox Jr. ’67 died August 4, 2025.
David T. Leh ’69 died August 22, 2025.
1970s
Clifford S. Labaw ’70 died January 30, 2025.
Edwin E. Moore Jr. ’70 died June 26, 2025.
Rev. William B. Fry ’72 died June 28, 2025.
H. Richard “Rick” Rutter Jr. ’73 died May 23, 2025.
Robert "Bob" E. Ciesielka ’74 died May 13, 2025.
Dr. Charles E. “Chuck” Strasbaugh Jr. ’75 died March 7, 2025.
Marianne C. (Larkins) Hospador ’76 died April 22, 2025.
Gary D. Stanfill ’77 died August 23, 2025.
Margaret “Meg” (Russell) Lemley, Ph.D. ’78 died February 6, 2025.
Patricia E. Nichols ’78 died May 15, 2025.
1980s
Sharon A. Dreslin ’81 died June 6, 2025.
Leo J. McCormick, D.C. ’83 died August 16, 2025.
Stacey A. (McCloskey) Odgers Bernardine ’88 died July 29, 2025.
1990s
Matthew W. Smith ’90 died September 6, 2025.
Amy J. (Shelley) McKusky ’96 died July 8, 2025.
2000s
Mike Nesbit ’04 died May 10, 2025.
2020s
Jacob “Jake” R. Schaff ’21 died June 4, 2025.
Friends of the College
Former Professor of Music Derq Howlett, D.M.E., died August 17, 2025.
Former Dean of the College William E. "Bill" Akin
Dean Akin, who retired in 2002 after 23 years of service to the college, died on June 26 at Phoenixville Hospital. He was 88.
Having joined the college in 1979 as academic vice president and dean of the college, Dean Akin worked closely with President Richard Richter and President John Strassburger. Although he originally planned to retire in 1995, he stayed on to help President Strassburger, who had just joined the college. He then went on to serve as athletic director from 1996 to 2002.
A dedicated college leader and friend, Bill Akin touched many lives at Ursinus College and beyond, and we are grateful for his longtime service to the college.
lives. They have homes and parents and a place to go on breaks,” she said.
“Their parents would pick them up and send them food and do their laundry. They had families that supported them and cared for them. I didn’t have any of that. I felt lost and didn’t know where to turn.”
A CARING FACULTY
Lucky for Josma, her initial instincts about Ursinus were right. The college’s small class sizes gave her plenty of personal contact with faculty members, who began to notice something wasn’t quite right.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through my freshman year,” she said. “I really wasn’t well prepared. I had a hard time academically.
“But I didn’t have any other options,” Josma said. “I had to make this work. Ursinus was my way out, and I felt humbled to have the opportunity. It was either I make this happen for myself and my sisters, or I go back to living in the streets of north Philadelphia.”
Then something wonderful happened. Her teachers started reaching out to her. English Professor Nzadi Keita, now teaching at Penn, noticed Josma was struggling and asked her about her situation and what was going on in her life.
“She didn't do it in the way that was pushy or disrespectful, but she knew something wasn’t right and she reached out.”
Keita befriended Josma and became a mentor at a time in her life when she was hungry for help. “I remember she gave me this book—I still have it to this day—called ‘Things Fall Apart.’ It’s a literary classic about an African leader who kills himself because he was trying to fight his battles alone, without support.
“She (Dr. Keita) was just so motivational and would have me come to her house over the summer and talk to me about what was going on in my life. She was someone who actually cared and that was something new for me.” Keita wasn’t alone.
“I had so many amazing professors who were paying attention to me, who cared, who
knew something was wrong,” Josma said. “And they were very respectful of how they met my needs as someone who had a huge sense of shame coming into Ursinus from a nontraditional background. They knew my needs were different even though I didn't know how to articulate them at the time.”
Emeritus classic literature professor John Wickersham began working with Josma in her first year so that she would be able to study the classics abroad during her junior year. “It was a prestigious program, and my grade point average was iffy, but with Dr. Wickersham’s help, I front loaded all my classics requirements and ended up studying the classics in Athens for a semester,” Josma remembers.
“It was unbelievable. I don’t have the words for what he did for me. He (Wickersham) was an amazing human being.”
One of the professors that had the most profound impact on Josma’s trajectory was Professor of Biology Kate Goddard. Goddard helped identify a cognitive disorder that was holding Josma back. “She saw I was having problems in class and helped me get neuro-psych testing that revealed I was a neurodivergent learner. That was affecting my ability to complete multiple choice questions,” said Josma.
As a result, the college put a process in
place for her to take essay-based questions that demonstrated she had acquired the necessary knowledge. “It probably would have been easy for Professor Goddard to say, “Hey, you're being lazy, you're not doing the work. What's wrong with you?”
Josma said.
“Instead, she invested the time to sit with me, to study with me. And she figured out that something was wrong, and then she did something about it to make it right.”
A GRADUATION POSTPONED
With the support of her teachers, Josma made it to her senior year, deciding to abandon the pre-med track her junior year. But then things got complicated. After completing the fall semester, financial challenges threw her a curveball.
“Some things happened within my family, and even though my scholarship covered tuition, there were other expenses that were not covered, and I just didn't have the money to register for spring classes,” Josma said.
Then one day, she quietly left campus, not to return until decades later. “I didn’t ask for help because I was so ashamed of always being this kid in need,” Josma said.
“I know today there were people who would have helped me. Dr. Wickersham reached out to me a few times because he was confused and disheartened by my
Growing up on the streets of Philadelphia, Josma faced family instability and housing insecurity that pushed her to the limit.
PHOTO: THEO ANDERSON
leaving. He said, ‘Come back. What do you need? We can help.’ And I just couldn't. I just couldn't put the words together. So I moved on.”
It proved to be a costly decision, and it would take another 20 years before Josma would finally earn her Ursinus degree. “I eventually moved to Boston and got involved in the health care industry, on the revenue cycle side. But not having my degree kept holding me back, and if I wanted to move ahead, I needed my degree,” Josma said.
Now able to pay off the $11,000 balance on her Ursinus account, Josma had to take care of several academic requirements before she could walk at commencement, including finishing a capstone project and completing a final language requirement. Thanks to the help of Interim Provost Kelly
Sorensen and others, Josma was able to check all the boxes and proudly received her diploma in June 2020.
BRIGHT FUTURE
Fast-forward to 2025, and Josma is thriving in her role as director of business development for the Pine Street Inn. Many of the lessons she learned at Ursinus are contributing to her success as a blossoming leader for the homeless services provider, and not all of them came from her classroom work.
“One moment that overwhelmed me came when I realized the guests (how they refer to homeless clients at the Inn) we have at PSI are no different than I am. Their childhood could have been very much like my own. So why am I sitting in an office with a great job and they are where they are?”
Josma realized that the difference was the support and resources she had at Ursinus, and having people who believed in her.
“That's the difference. That’s what Ursinus gave me.” Josma said. “Dr. Wickersham believed in me. Dr. Goddard believed in me. Dr. Keita believed in me, and they put these resources and support in place in such a humble way that they created a pathway for me to grow and succeed.
“I went to a college where people cared about me as a person. They were so caring. But what they also did was support a belief that it was possible for me to dream this outrageous dream to leave behind a childhood that was so challenging and escape the social dynamics that were crippling me.
“Ursinus did that for me. It created that path for me, and I’ll always be grateful.”
WHAT’S NEXT
STARTS NOW!
Come together for this special day of giving. Together, we’ll fuel opportunities, spark innovation, and empower Ursinus students.
FEBRUARY 4, 2026
A WINNING UPGRADE:
Several areas of the Floy Lewis Bakes Center have been upgraded, thanks to nearly $300,000 in philanthropic support from alumni and parents. Improvements include renovated locker rooms and the creation of the William B. Racich Hall of Fame for Athletes, made possible by a lead gift from Trustee Scott ’92 and Heather Flannery.
REPORT AND YEAR IN REVIEW
Dear Ursinus Community,
This past year at Ursinus was one marked by extraordinary generosity and an inspiring show of support for our institution and students. As we reflect on fiscal year 2025 through this annual report, we do so with deep gratitude and immense pride for what we have accomplished together.
Fundraising efforts continue to translate into strategic advances for Ursinus, along with improved facilities, and new learning opportunities for students on campus. From new scholarships and our Bloomberg terminals to upgraded laboratory equipment and renovated locker rooms, the generosity of our donors is touching every student at the college.
What excites me most about this past year’s success is the momentum it creates. Together we are advancing APEX, expanding scholarships, and strengthening the student experience at Ursinus. That collective partnership is propelling the college forward, and there is no better time to get involved.
Thank you to everyone who made a gift in FY25. Every donation made opens so many new opportunities for our current and future students. The generosity and deep commitment of our donors and volunteers is remarkable.
Go Bears,
Michelle Yurko Vice President for External Relations myurko@ursinus.edu current
and future students.”
— Michelle Yurko
YOUR
When applying for college, I never thought I would be able to afford a school like Ursinus. However, it was through the support of scholarships and donations that I was able to attend and live on campus here. These contributions—your contributions—helped provide me with the resources I needed to focus on learning and continue striving for excellence, even in the face of uncertainty."
— Alisa Zenchenko '25
As I continued learning throughout my years at Ursinus, I became driven to act, and push myself and those around me to be better... When challenges arose, I asked myself, 'What would those greats before me say? How would they act?' I began to understand the potential we all are capable of. I dreamt bigger things for my life and began actualizing those dreams into reality...Thank you, Ursinus, for this gift."
— Abdel Elgendy ’27
IMPACT
FINANCIAL YEAR IN REVIEW
Alumni, families, faculty, staff, students, foundations, corporations, and friends came together to help us deliver one of our strongest fiscal years on record. The college raised more than $14.7 million, surpassing its $12 million goal and the previous year’s total by more than 30%. This philanthropic success is fueling the launch of APEX at Ursinus. Momentum around our new experiential learning ecosystem continues to grow, led by several early philanthropic investments. Overall, the college experienced a nearly 20% increase in donors at all levels.
The Ursinus Fund, which propels the college’s mission, raised more than $2.6 million, a 17% increase over the previous year. The support of those who donated to the fund expanded access and opportunity through scholarships and financial aid and provided the resources necessary for students to achieve their potential in academics, athletics, and community leadership.
We also continued to deepen connections with our alumni network. We are working toward engaging 3,000 unique alumni annually. Our alumni are stepping up, with volunteer participation jumping by 20% over the previous year.
We are deeply grateful to all who contributed in FY25. Your support paves the way for transformative opportunities for today’s students and those to come. The dedication of our donors and volunteers continues to inspire and uplift the entire Ursinus community.
BY THE NUMBERS: FISCAL YEAR 2025 FUNDRAISING
3,544
$4 million represents our largest gift in FY25.
7 donors contributed a total of $9,218,211 with gifts greater than $500,000
281
NEW NAMED FUNDS ESTABLISHED
Our most sincere appreciation to our loyal supporters who established the below named funds during the 2025 fiscal year. This list includes both endowed funds, which exist in perpetuity, and newly named current-use funds.
» The Cleary Clarke Maly Scholarship Fund
» The Belfry Builders Business Scholarship
» The Gail L. Heinemeyer Scholarship Fund
» Robert J. Sovizal '66 and Gale Fellenser House '67 Annual Scholarship Fund
» The First Generation Annual Scholarship Fund
» The Joan Bradley Parlee '57 and Donald Parlee MD '55 Endowed Scholarship Fund
» Windfield C. Boyer '62 and Barbara W. Boyer Endowed Scholarship
» The Chemistry Department Instrumentation Fund
» The Madelyn Bradley Museum Endowed Fund
ABOUT THE ENDOWMENT
Our endowment provides a long-term source of fiscal strength for the college. It is composed of hundreds of separate funds that are invested together, with the income spent each year to support a range of purposes across campus. These include scholarships, professorships and faculty development, student enrichment, capital projects, academic programs, and more. Through prudent investment, these funds are intended to grow over time and exist in perpetuity. They also allow donors to put their names—or someone else’s—on a fund and honor a legacy that will last indefinitely into the future.
Market Value of the Endowment as of 6/30/25: $163.5 million
FISCAL YEAR 2025 AREAS OF IMPACT
REVENUE
ATTENTION
URSINUS ALUMNI!
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SADDLED FOR SERVICE | CONT. FROM PAGE 21
programming. It’s hard to turn people down. But people are catching on that horses are as impactful as they are.”
Witt says seeing clients find success is what makes the work so fulfilling.
“We hear countless stories from families about how kids have been in OT, PT, speech therapy, this, that and [the] other school-based [programs], and they haven’t worked, and then they come to riding, and this is the motivating, interesting thing that gets them to start reaching their goals,” she said. “Like, ‘My child struggled with walking, and six weeks into riding is walking around independently without falls now,’ so hearing those stories makes it all worth it.”
While Witt now spends less time directly working with clients, she says the management side has its own rewards.
“My program director, who I actually met while at Ursinus, volunteered for me at another center. She came here and joined the barn staff, so she went from volunteer to barn staff to instructor, and now she's our program director,” Witt explained. “It’s really cool from the management perspective seeing people grow in their positions and then be effective as a therapist or a therapeutic riding instructor.”
Go Global
Beginning fall 2027, students will have the opportunity to engage in short-term, immersive travel experiences that blend global learning with real-world problem solving. Whether exploring digital ethics in Estonia or environmental sustainability in Appalachia, students will gain valuable skills and perspectives that set the foundation for academic and professional growth— just as Marko Balić '26 did while studying abroad in Seville, Spain.
OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS, HEAD FOOTBALL COACH PETER GALLAGHER HAS RACKED UP 17 WINNING SEASONS, A CENTENNIAL CONFERENCE TITLE, AND THREE CENTENNIAL-MAC BOWL SERIES CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND GUIDED THE BEARS TO AN NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFF BID.
READ MORE ON PAGE 30.
