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A selfie of W&J senior Kindsvogel.

Celebrating Seniors

Angel Kindsvogel '22

If you are a residential student, where have you lived at W&J and with whom?
As an upperclassman, I have lived in the pet-friendly housing in President's Row. My cat travels everywhere with me, and the ability to bring her on this journey was important to me. Her tags on her collar currently identify her as a "Nap Major" attending W&J.
What was your favorite on-campus event? Why?
My favorite event is definitely DubJam. It is always a large reward towards the end of the semester that gives students a real break before that last week before finals.
What advice would you give to incoming or prospective students?
It is so important for new students to take part in the campus. Use the tools afforded to you to be a voice for change and leadership. Our campus is designed to give foundations to strong leaders and strong communicators. Don't let these opportunities pass you by.
In what ways have you changed at W&J? How have you transformed personally?
Growing up over your college experience is so much more than discovering adulthood. It is discovering your views, your own stance, and finding a voice for yourself. I've been able to use my college journey to find my voice as a person and discover what matters most to me.
W&J senior Silvio Urani smiles in front of a brick wall.

Proving Professional Readiness

Silvio Urani '22

“I think just being here at W&J and having all the connections that our Accounting Department and [Center for Professional] Pathways have, has made this process so much easier,” he said, noting that he first learned about the firm through their visits to his classes. “My accounting professors have guided me throughout my time here at W&J, and led me to my success.”

W&J senior Madeline Hubbard smiles in front of a brick wall.

Proving Professional Readiness

Madeline Hubbard '22

“Being able to study economics opened so many doors for me,” Hubbard said, acknowledging her parents’ continued support and the contributions of Economic Professors Drs. Leslie and Robert Dunn. “The education and mentorship I received from them enabled me to be able to be selected for a job like this, and I can’t imagine my college experience without them.”

W&J senior Jarred Rice sits and smiles.

Proving Professional Readiness

Jarred Rice '22

“I think my experience at W&J taught me how to interact with others more successfully, while also challenging me academically in order to prepare me for life post-graduation,” he said, noting that the connections he made with friends and professors, coupled with encouragement from his parents, kept him motivated to succeed.

 

W&J senior Kinsley Bitzer leans against a wooden wall and smiles.

Celebrating Seniors

Kinsley Bitzer '22

If you are a residential student, where have you lived at W&J and with whom?
I have lived on campus for all four years. My freshman year I lived in Copper Hall with someone who was on the same sports team as me. I joined a sorority my sophomore year and decided to move into the house. Sarah Byrne and I decided for live together and have been roommates ever since.
What was the best meal you had at The Commons?
The best meal on campus has been, and always will be, Commsgiving. People line up outside before the dining hall even opens. There is a lot of variety and it is decorated nicely to go with the theme.
What inspired you to stay at W&J when things got tough?
I have made a lot of friends during my time at W&J. They were there for me whenever I needed them and vice versa. So, even when times I got tough, I had a select group of people who made it better.
What did you plan to study when you came to W&J and what did you end up studying?
When I first came to W&J, I had no idea what I wanted to major in, but I did know I wanted to do physical therapy. I took one psychology class and really liked it, so I met with my professor and asked her to be my advisor. She was really helpful and provided resources throughout my college career that led me to success.
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W&J History

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1946
1912
1881
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Addition of Centers for Ethical Leadership and Professional Pathways

The Center for Ethical Leadership and the Center for Professional Pathways launched during the fall semester.

Renovations to Clark Family Library

A complete interior renovation and exterior upgrades to the Clark Family Library, formerly U. Grant Miller Library, were completed in May. The project was funded by a leading gift from Richard (Class of ’68) and Angela Clark, with contributions from other generous donors to the College.

James David Ross Family Recreation Center

The James David Ross Family Recreation Center opened in April. The 30,000-square foot facility features a walking/running track, multi-sport athletic courts, a new wrestling room, and a general exercise room, plus new offices and recruiting spaces for the athletics department. It is named for the family of lead donor David A. Ross ’78.

Dr. John C. Knapp Joins W&J

Dr. John C. Knapp became the 13th president of Washington & Jefferson College. Dr. Knapp is an internationally known author and speaker with leadership experience spanning the education, non-profit, and business sectors.

Dr. Tori Haring-Smith Retires

Dr. Tori Haring-Smith retired as president.

Janet Swanson Tennis Center

The Janet Swanson Tennis Center opened in September and serves as the home site for the W&J men’s and women’s tennis teams.

John A. Swanson Science Center

John A. Swanson Science Center was opened and dedicated to the physical sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics.

Uncommon Achievements

Tori Haring-Smith became the first woman to serve as president of Washington & Jefferson College. Under Haring-Smith’s leadership, the College initiated the award-winning Magellan Project, built the state-of-the-art Janet Swanson Tennis Center, surpassed the $100M goal laid out by its Uncommon Bond capital campaign, established the English Language Institute…

The Burnett Center

The Burnett Center houses the Departments of Economics and Business, Modern Languages, and Education. It was named after Howard J. Burnett.

Increased Enrollment

Student enrollment grew from 830 in 1970 to 1,100 in 1998.

Growth and Community Engagement

Under Brian C. Mitchell, who served as president from 1998 to 2004, the college experienced a growth in construction and an effort to improve relations with the neighboring communities.

Retirement of President Howard Burnett

Howard Burnett retired as president.

Program Expansion

Howard J. Burnett took office as president and hired the college’s first female faculty members and the first female dean. The college also adopted a new academic calendar to include intersession and expanded its academic programs to include the Entrepreneurial Studies Program, the Freshman Forum, and several cooperative international education programs.

Women Admitted

The Trustees authorized the admission of women as undergraduate students.

Curriculum Revisions and Construction

Boyd Crumrine Patterson assumed the presidency and oversaw curriculum revisions and the construction of a number of buildings, including the Henry Memorial Center, ten Greek housing units in the center of campus, the U. Grant Miller Library, the Student Center, The Commons, and two new dormitories. His fundraising abilities grew the college’s endowment from…

New Dorms Constructed

James Herbert Case, Jr., who was president from 1946 to 1950, constructed several new dormitories to handle the influx of veterans under the G.I. Bill.

Renovations to McMillan Hall

James D. Moffat personally paid for the renovations of McMillan Hall.

W&J Grows

James D. Moffat led a period of growth when the college constructed The Old Gym, Hays Hall, Thompson Memorial Library, and Thistle Physics Building. Also purchased was the land known as the “old fairground.”

Consolidation Upheld

The United States Supreme Court upheld the consolidation, allowing the newly configured college to proceed.

Effort to Overturn Consolidation

Before the merger could be completed, Canonsburg residents and Jefferson College partisans filed a lawsuit known as the Pennsylvania College Cases, which sought to overturn the consolidation plan.

Jonathan Edwards

On April 4th, Jonathan Edwards, a pastor from Baltimore who had been president of Hanover College, was elected the first president of the unified Washington & Jefferson College.

Washington & Jefferson College

Following the Civil War, both colleges were short on students and on funds, causing them to join together as Washington & Jefferson College.

Washington College

Matthew Brown petitioned the Pennsylvania General Assembly to grant Washington Academy a charter, allowing it to be re-christened as Washington College.

Canonsburg Academy

Canonsburg Academy was reconstituted as Jefferson College, with John McMillan serving as the first President of the Board of Trustees.

Whiskey Rebellion

During the Whiskey Rebellion, portions of David Bradford’s militia camped on the hillside that would later become home to the unified Washington & Jefferson College.

Founding of College

The Beginning: Three Log Cabins

Washington & Jefferson College traces its origins to three log cabin colleges established by frontier clergymen John McMillian, Thaddeus Dod, and Joseph Smith.

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