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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
Alumni News

Registration is LIVE for Homecoming!

homecoming banner

We are all Team Ursinus—say you’ll join us at Homecoming and show that our pride can’t be tamed on Saturday, October 28. Additional event details are available online at ursinus.edu/homecoming.

Visit Homecoming Website

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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  • Cheryl Wager

    Cheryl L. Wager died September 5, 2023.

  • Ritter Wedding

    Cynthia K. Ritter ’06 and Scott M. Lussier were married June 19, 2022. They welcomed a daughter, Isabelle Anne Lussier, on August 4, 2023.

  • Donald E. Parlee '55

    Donald E. Parlee ’55 died March 21, 2024.

  • Football Reunion

    Gary McAneney ’87 hosted a reunion of 50 football and Alpha Phi Epsilon alumni at the Trappe Tavern in February.

  • Gayle K. Byerly

    Gayle K. Byerly, professor emeritus of English, died January 12, 2024.

  • Holiday Alumni

    Ursinus alumni from the 60s through the 90s attended a holiday reception in conjunction with the Voices of Ursinus holiday concert. Pictured: Chuck Fryer ’68, Jeff Jowett ’77, Rosa Abrahams, Andy Davis, Rickie Lee Sands ’68, Jenn Kitner ’91, Lesley Katz ’87, Holly Hubbs, J. Lawrence Geist ’73, Susan Zeager ’68, Rebecca Stackhouse ’72, and Louis Angelo ’73.

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

  • 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 year. The two institutions signed a tea...
     

  • 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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