������Ƶ

������Ƶ proudly announces the successful completion of the We Rise: United for Wilson ������Ƶ ’s Future capital campaign, raising an extraordinary total of approximately $21.75 million over three years. This achievement reflects the deep generosity and enduring belief in Wilson ������Ƶ ’s mission shared by alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College.

Image

In May 2022, ������Ƶ launched the We Rise campaign, a transformative fundraising initiative designed to provide a strong foundation for Wilson ������Ƶ ’s future. The campaign responded directly to the challenges brought on by the pandemic and the rapidly changing higher education environment.

The We Rise campaign centered on five strategic priorities: Scholarships, Growth Initiatives, Faculty and Staff Support, Debt Reduction, and the Wilson Fund & Unrestricted Giving. These pillars directly aligned with the College ������Ƶ ’s five-year strategic plan, Future Wilson: The Phoenix Rises, reinforcing the institution ������Ƶ ’s core mission to provide a transformative and affordable education. By investing in these key areas, the campaign provided a platform for sustainable growth and institutional resilience. This vision was championed by Wilson ������Ƶ ’s leadership and Board of Trustees, who recognized that critical funding was essential to sustaining momentum and unlocking future potential for the College.

������Ƶ “Thanks to the strategic efforts of our dedicated faculty, staff, and administration, Wilson is well-positioned to thrive amid the evolving landscape of higher education, ������Ƶ ” said Jennifer Nickle Banzhof ������Ƶ ’94, chair of the ������Ƶ Board of Trustees and member of the We Rise campaign committee. ������Ƶ “Recognizing the importance of a strong investment in the strategic initiatives, the Trustees prioritized securing additional funding to enrich the academic curricula, attract and retain talented students, faculty, and staff, and ensure a Wilson education remains both accessible and transformational. ������Ƶ ”   

Fueled by the campaign ������Ƶ ’s success, ������Ƶ achieved a historic milestone in Fall 2025 by reaching the highest-ever point-in-time enrollment, with a 38% increase over the past three years. This surge reflects the impact of the strategic plan and marks a defining moment in Wilson ������Ƶ ’s history. 

President Wesley Fugate, Ph.D., captured the spirit of the campaign when he said, ������Ƶ “This is our time ������Ƶ —to steady this College, to rise above the noise, to prove that Wilson doesn ������Ƶ ’t just survive ������Ƶ … she endures, she inspires, and she transforms. ������Ƶ ”

What made We Rise truly special was the breadth and depth of support ������Ƶ —from young alumni making their first $1,000 gifts to longtime trustees doubling their commitments. This collective spirit of generosity and belief in Wilson ������Ƶ ’s future will be honored with a donor recognition display, to be unveiled this fall on the ground floor of John Stewart Memorial Library. The display will serve as a lasting reminder of what ������Ƶ ’s possible when a community rises together in pursuit of a bold and hopeful future.