News Archive

Monday, July 22, 2024

Meet Talia Morgenstern ’26, a rising junior and one of 10 students granted a 2024 Summer Research Fellowship at Westminster College. Morgenstern, a biology major from New Wilmington, is researching “Effects of Neuropeptide Y on S. aureus Biofilm Formation” with her mentor, Dr. Joshua Corrette-Bennett, associate professor of biology. Morgenstern is a member of Pi Sigma Pi Honor Society and serves as the secretary of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) Club.  She also plays guitar for her church worship team.

Friday, July 19, 2024

If you haven’t had a chance to lose yourself in a good book this summer, there is still plenty of time—and Westminster College faculty members have some suggestions to help you while away the hours.

Thursday, July 18, 2024

David LaMotte, award-winning singer-songwriter, peace activist and author of “You Are Changing the World Whether You Like It or Not” will speak at Westminster College at 4 p.m. Monday, July 22, in Mueller Theater of the McKelvey Campus Center.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Two Westminster College students presented their undergraduate research at the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Allegheny Mountain Section Meeting at Fairmont State University in West Virginia in the spring.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Lily Hefner is one of 10 students awarded a 2024 Summer Research Fellowship at Westminster College. A rising senior honors student from Washington, Pa., Hefner is majoring in molecular biology and criminal justice studies. Her project, “Identifying Genes Affected by MAO Inhibition,” was conducted through a research partnership with her mentor, Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Marosh Furimsky. Hefner is an active participant in Westminster’s Model United Nations club, the women’s swim team, All-College Honors Program and serves as the head resident assistant in Russell Hall. She also works as a peer tutor in Westminster’s Academic Success Center.

Monday, July 15, 2024

Dr. Timothy Grieve-Carlson, assistant professor of interfaith studies at Westminster College, has authored a new book, “American Aurora: Environment and Apocalypse in the Life of Johannes Kelpius.”

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Westminster College is celebrating the most successful fundraising year in recent college history after receiving more than $10 million—including four gifts of $1 million or more—during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Rising senior and honors student Erin DaRe is one of 10 students selected for the 2024 Summer Research Fellowship at Westminster. The history major from Mars, Pa., is researching “Do Hobbyists View History Differently?” with Dr. Angela Lahr, associate professor of history. Outside of the classroom, DaRe is a peer tutor, a peer success coach and has been an active member of the campus’ Gaming Guild.

Why did you apply for the summer research fellowship?
I applied to this fellowship because I think that humanities research deserves a little extra love—it’s much different than working in a lab, and people from other fields may not understand what research in history looks like. It’s not just reading books—it’s about exploring and looking for connections that might have never been noticed before. We go in with a question, but we don’t necessarily have a hypothesis, and that makes the research more fun, in my opinion. I also wanted to further my career in the hopes of writing a paper that can be published. Additionally, Dr. Lahr is wonderful, and I love working with her, so having a faculty mentor to help guide my research was greatly appealing.
 
Can you briefly describe your project?
My project is an oral history, meaning I am conducting interviews regarding a group of people who are interested in a specific antique car—the Tucker 48. I’m looking to see if their hobby has any impact on how they view history—especially since the car was produced right after World War II and at the onset of the Cold War—and if there are any patterns in their viewpoints.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

As a 29-year-old CEO, Kyle Mitcheltree '17 is carving out a name for his family business, Mitcheltree Brothers Logging and Lumber, and sparking innovation with unlikely business acquisitions in the process.

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Westminster College has been named a 2024-2025 College of Distinction, recognized for offering a high-quality undergraduate education that focuses on experiential learning, its exceptional business, education and nursing programs, and strong student-teacher relationships that encourage student success.

Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students, has a rigorous selection process and chooses schools that adhere to four distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. According to Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction, Westminster College has demonstrated exceptional performance in each area, ensuring a supportive and enriching environment that equips students for future academic and career success.

“A college degree opens the door to many opportunities, but a truly worthwhile education prepares students to thrive once they walk through that door,” said Schritter. “Westminster College’s curriculum encourages meaningful student-faculty collaboration through experiential learning that is relevant and applicable to the real world.”

Unlike traditional ranking systems based on numerical data, Colleges of Distinction conducts extensive and detailed interviews with members of the institution.

“No student is alike, so there can’t be a number-one school for everyone. We are much more focused on the innovative ways that colleges are offering their own brand of a truly rich undergraduate education,” said Schritter. Westminster’s individual approach to education helps students achieve success in unique ways that cannot be ranked against others.

“We are so impressed to see how Westminster brings life to the traditional undergraduate experience,” said Schritter. “With a welcoming community, an immersive curriculum and strong support networks, Westminster College is undoubtedly nurturing the growth of tomorrow’s leaders."

Additionally, Westminster has been named a Pennsylvania College of Distinction and was cited for excellence in business, education and nursing programs.

To become a Business College of Distinction, Schritter said they look for qualities such as accreditation, program breadth, advising and mentoring, integration of career services and successful student outcomes. Westminster College, with its well-rounded curriculum and a liberal arts foundation, successfully prepares its students to enter the workforce with strong leadership skills and the ability to succeed in an ever-evolving society.

“Thriving in a precarious economy requires one to be agile in the face of chance,” he said. “We applaud Westminster’s emphasis on educating ethical, agile and competent leaders.”

Recognizing Westminster’s stellar curriculum and outcomes for education majors, Colleges of Distinction noted the impactful ways students are prepared to lead their own classrooms after graduation. As an Education College of Distinction, Westminster is a testament to the quality of its hands-on approach to learning, leading and succeeding.

“An impressive undergraduate education is marked by its stability, practical experiences, advising and mentoring, high-impact practices and successful student outcomes,” said Schritter. “It's inspiring to see the next generation of teachers graduating from Westminster College with confidence.”

As a Nursing College of Distinction, Westminster has proven its commitment to training well-rounded, thoughtful and skilled nurses of tomorrow.

“Westminster College’s undergraduate nursing program blows us away,” said Schritter. “These young adults are entering the medical field with such a strong skill set. Westminster embodies the qualities we value in a high-impact education.”

For nearly 175 years, Westminster College has been committed to making a quality higher education affordable and attainable to all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex or religion.

To view Westminster College’s College of Distinction, please visit www.collegesofdistinction.com.