Wooster News

Wooster hosts international Summer Science Program in biochemistry and bacterial genomics research

Caitlin Stanowick — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:53:09 GMT

69ֱ�� was selected as a 2026 host site for Summer Science Program (SSP) International, one of the longest-running research-based pre-college summer programs in the nation. Wooster is SSP International’s first Ohio location and one of only 13 host schools throughout North America this summer.

Wooster team of coauthors publishes study supporting control of mosquito-borne illnesses

Caitlin Stanowick — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Summertime equals mosquito-time in many parts of the world, and in some areas, bites become more than an itchy nuisance by additionally transmitting deadly diseases. For many of these diseases, there are no effective, accessible vaccines or cures, and the spread of the disease depends on controlling the mosquitos transmitting them. While effective, insecticides can kill beneficial insects and lead to insecticide resistance. New research from 69ֱ�� takes an important step toward an alternative control method that uses mosquitos’ reproductive biology against them.

Rebecca Burgstahler named Wooster’s next vice president for finance and business

Caitlin Stanowick — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:30:00 GMT

69ֱ�� has named Rebecca Burgstahler, a strategic finance leader with a proven track record of driving organizational value through data-informed decision-making and cross-functional partnership, the next vice president of finance and business and treasurer of the College. Burgstahler assumed the role on July 1, 2026, after serving as director of finance, leading long-range financial planning for the institution since October 2024.

Reporting to the president, Burgstahler serves as the College’s chief financial officer and works closely with the Board of Trustees as well as the College’s faculty, staff, students, and the greater Wooster community to lead strategic financial services for the College in the areas of accounting and finance, investment, procurement, capital planning and auxiliary services.

Welcoming Sarah Wallenfelsz — 69ֱ��

Zach Sharrow — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:43:46 GMT

69ֱ�� Libraries are excited to welcome Sarah Wallenfelsz to the role of Science & Assessment Librarian! Sarah recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with her Master’s of Science in Library and Information Science. Before that, she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Computer Science from Knox College, where she also worked for two years after graduation as their Biology Lab Coordinator. At the University of Illinois, she worked as a Pre-Professional Graduate Assistant at Funk ACES Library, supporting students, faculty and staff in the natural sciences. She also presented on her work developing STEM-focused student outreach and engagement efforts at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. In her free time, she enjoys playing games of any kind, including board games, video games, card games, or tabletop RPGs, and she also enjoys watching theatre, seeing movies, and reading!

Two Wooster biochemistry and molecular biology professors earn six-figure research grants from the National Institutes of Health — 69ֱ��

cpaynich — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:00:45 GMT

Two science professors at 69ֱ�� were each awarded three-year research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). James West, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, biology, and chemistry, and Erzsébet Regan, Whitmore-Williams Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, serve as principal investigators and will use their $316,797 and $482,620 respective grants to fund unique research projects on campus. The NIH funding also provides many more opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in the professors’ labs.

College of Wooster partners with Wooster Community Hospital affiliate for student health services — 69ֱ��

cpaynich — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:41:25 GMT

69ֱ�� will partner with Bloomington Medical Services, an affiliate of Wooster Community Hospital Health System, to support the Longbrake Student Wellness Center on campus beginning July 1, 2026. By shifting management to BMS, the College provides students on-campus health and wellness services with the strength and expertise of a nationally recognized health system. The College will work with BMS leadership to anticipate and meet the changing needs of students while continuing to enhance quality over time.

Wooster mourns passing of Peter Havholm, professor emeritus of English — 69ֱ��

cpaynich — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:09:44 GMT

Peter Havholm, professor emeritus of English at 69ֱ��, passed away May 21, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Joining the faculty in 1971, he served the College community for 38 years as a colleague, mentor, teacher, and editor of Wooster magazine before retiring in 2009.

English and sociology major studies female empowerment in Star Trek fan fiction — 69ֱ��

Suemin Hong — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 16:28:05 GMT

As a first-generation college student, Anna Whiting ’26 of Westerville, Ohio, dealt with perfectionism and imposter syndrome, but completing her Independent Study at 69ֱ�� taught her to have confidence in herself and her abilities. The English and sociology major, with a pathway in museum and archival studies, traveled to university archives to study the subculture of Star Trek fan fiction, ultimately arguing that fanzines are a unique form of writing and art because of their women-led, community-based, and non-commercial nature. Further, as she moves toward a career in media and library sciences, her research emphasizes the value archivists bring to research through curation and collection access.

Urban studies and environmental geoscience major examines how cities can use nature-based solutions to reduce flooding — 69ֱ��

Suemin Hong — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:07:03 GMT

When Luke Woodfill ’26 set out to find solutions to climate change induced flooding, he wasn’t interested in large and expensive infrastructure projects. Rather, he used his Independent Study at 69ֱ�� to study practical, localized solutions that could be implemented by groups as large as entire cities and as small as individual property owners. To do so, the urban studies and environmental geoscience major turned to his backyard, using the city of Wooster to explore how stormwater behaves in different land uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural areas. He plans to put his knowledge to use by entering the workforce in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Alumni achievement and generosity celebrated during Reunion Weekend 2026 — 69ֱ��

cpaynich — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:31:18 GMT

During Reunion Weekend 2026, held May 28-31, 69ֱ�� welcomed more than 600 guests to campus to reconnect with classmates and the campus community, hear the latest news from the College, attend exclusive arts and entertainment events highlighting accomplished alumni, participate in lifelong learning opportunities, and honor distinguished alumni and volunteers. Alumni with class years ending in ’1 and ’6 celebrated milestone reunions, and the annual Outstanding Scots Ceremony recognized alumni for professional achievement, volunteer leadership, and longstanding commitment to the College while also celebrating the 50th reunion gift from the Class of 1976.