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Ursinus Magazine

Cover Story

To Conserve and Protect

In 2022, Ursinus College became the first liberal arts institution in the world to sign the international Okanagan Charter, signifying a holistic commitment to the well-being of people, places, and planet. Partnerships such as the one that has developed between the environmental studies department and the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is just one example of this commitment in action. (pictured: Jessie Kemper ’12 and Beth Myers ’17 with Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Executive Director Ryan Beltz)
conserve and protect 3
The Hive
Feature Video

What’s the Buzz? The Hive Expands Ursinus’s Wellness Services

When President Hannigan signed the Okanagan Charter last fall, Ursinus embarked on a mission to embed health and well-being into all aspects of campus culture—for students and employees—and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.  One of the most visible and tangible ways in which we’re going to do that is through The Hive, a brand-new flex space next to the Wellness Center that will greatly enhance the way we deliver wellness services to our students and colleagues. Watch the Video
Getting to Know

Rev. Betty Wright-Riggins

Chaplain and Director of Religious and Spiritual Life

Rev. Betty Wright-Riggins became Ursinus College’s chaplain and director of religious and spiritual life this summer after serving both roles on an interim basis last year.  Betty’s career has led her down many paths with one commonality: leading a diverse community of people. Get to know Betty. 

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Rev. Betty Wright-Riggins
 The Ursinus Big List

7 Favorite First Year Memories

Ursinus alumni staff members
The first few days of a student’s college career are always memorable. As we welcome a new class of Bears, Ursinus alumni who are also current staff members reflect on what they remember from their early days as a UC student.

  1. Erin Hovey ’96
    My fondest memory of move-in day is randomly being placed with one of my lifelong best friends in Stauffer Basement (a.k.a. the garden level). We are close as ever—30 years later. We also won the “newly-roomy” game show at orientation that weekend!

  2. Erin Stroble ’02
    Early thoughts: every building has a name…and sometimes also a number (?!)—and I’ll never know how to get where I’m supposed to be! It took me just two days and a lot of help from my field hockey teammates, but campus was quickly my second home, and it has been ever since!

  3. Kate Keppen ’05
    I remember coming out of convocation and being met by the cheering and smiling faces of faculty and staff in the gauntlet. They were genuinely happy to welcome us all in the community and we all as a first-year class went right into our first CIE classes right after that.

  4. Alyssa Caffarelli Murphy ’13
    My fondest memory from the beginning of the year is the Welcome Back BBQ. My first year, I remember all the RAs and ambassadors being so encouraging and helping us get to know each other and campus! It continues to be one of my favorite traditions as a staff member—one I can now enjoy both with my own family, and my UC family at the same time!

  5. Shawn Caven ’14
    I remember moving into BPS basement in 2010 and within two hours, we were playing beach volleyball with 20 other freshmen. I knew I was home!

  6. Heidi Jensen ’14
    I remember other first years walking around the halls of BWC and introducing themselves to me—one of them noticed the french braid in my hair and asked me if I could do hers. She ended up sitting on the floor of my dorm room and letting me braid her hair!

  7. Jordan Scharaga ’17
    I was nervous about making friends, however, I quickly discovered having lots of snacks and being a decent Mario Cart player were great ice breakers. Apparently, all it took was Nutella, pretzels, and a GameCube console to bond with my Stauffer 1 hallmates. Who knew?!

Bears' Den

Class Notes & Weddings

Stories, weddings and updates from our Ursinus classmates

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  • Golf Outing

    Alumni representing the Pi Omega Delta fraternity participated in a second annual charity golf outing at Linfield National to support Motley’s Mission, named for Cliff Motley ’97 to support suicide awareness and prevention.

  • Ursinus College Alumni Trip to the Iron Pigs Game Allentown PA Group standing holding a banner

    Ursinus alumni gathered at Coca-Cola park in Allentown, Pa., to cheer on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs together on Sunday, August 6. View other alumni events online here!

  • Sabir M. Peele

    Sabir Peele ’08, who owns a men’s style and lifestyle business, has partnered with two-time Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins and his Philadelphia-based custom fashion house on a new luxury track suit capsule collection.

  • Allison Puff ’91

    Allison Puff ’91 is executive vice president of academic affairs at Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Mo.

  • Dull Wedding

    Walter Paul Dull III ’00 and Diane Elizabeth Deslatte celebrated their nuptials on May 13, 2023, in New Orleans, La.

  • Fessick Event

    John ’85 and Cindy Fessick hosted an event for Ursinus alumni, parents, and friends of the college in August at the Stone Harbor Golf Club.

Paul Wagner ’92
“As much as I love helping animals, I’ve actually grown to appreciate helping the people and connecting with them almost equally as much.”
Office Space

Paul Wagner ’92 P’23

Most days for Paul Wagner ’92 P’23, a veterinarian and partner at Harleysville Veterinary Hospital, involve the type of animal care you might expect: wellness and sick appointments, dental procedures, surgeries, vaccinations, allergy and skin issues, and behavior problems. “It’s 70% dogs and cats,” he said.

The other 30% is where things can get especially interesting.

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News Ticker

  • Ursinus College and the Manhattan Project

    Pictured at left is John DeWire ’38 and at right is Evan Snyder ’44. Portraits from Ursinus C...
     

  • 24th Fringe Festival to Kickoff 2023-24 Theater and Dance Season

    Ursinus Fringe
     

  • First Day of School Photo Gallery

    First day of Class 2023 with Student Affairs and students with signs
     

  • In the News: First Timer’s Guide to the Berman Museum of Art

    Berman in the flowers
     

  • Ursinus Provides Pathway to Degree Completion for Cabrini Students

    Cabrini University students can find a new home at Ursinus College following the 2023-24 academic...
     

  • U.S. Department of State Grant Fortifies Study Abroad Program

    A pose from a study-abroad experience in Prague.
     

Life in Pixels: Welcome Class of 2027

Welcome Class of 2027! View photos of move-in, orientation, convocation, and first day of classes, on our photo gallery here

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