Cover Story
School of Thought
Student and faculty researchers from across academic disciplines advance our knowledge of the brain.
A Source of Hope
Jules LaRosa Espenhorst ’19 helped pave the way to a health and society major at Ursinus, and now she’s applying that experience to game-changing in vivo gene therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Well
Wall Street Dreams
The late Professor Scott Deacle wanted a real-time trading lab on campus. One year after his passing, his vision has become a reality.
Talia Argondezzi
An English professor and Center for Writing and Speaking director, her humor and satire work can often be found in McSweeney’s and The New Yorker, among other outlets. Her book, Lean the F— Out, prompts readers to find their happiness. Meet Talia.
Ursinus did more than provide a foundation of knowledge. It gave me the tools to cast my curiosity into the future.
Cape Crusader
Molly Serfass-Carr ’14 discovers Delaware parks’ true treasures. Serfass-Carr currently works in the Dover, Del., central office of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) as the youth program manager for Delaware State Parks.
Bears' Den
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Class Notes & Weddings
Stories, weddings and updates from our Ursinus classmates
Ron Matthew ’89 hosted a group of Ursinus alumni at his home in May 2024, featuring a talk with Ursinus College Director of Wrestling Joe Jamison.
Cheryl L. Wager died September 5, 2023.
Cynthia K. Ritter ’06 and Scott M. Lussier were married June 19, 2022. They welcomed a daughter, Isabelle Anne Lussier, on August 4, 2023.
Darrah Ellis ’16 earned an MFA in creative writing from Butler University in May 2023. Darrah reports that her husband, Melvin Ellis ’16, is enjoying his career in college nonprofit after seven years of teaching K-12.
An honors thesis written by David Drea ’19 titled, “Bringing Business Back to the Ballpark,” was cited in the book, Save Baseball: A Prescription for the Major Leagues by Larry Hausner.
Dawn M. Estelle ’92 and Jesse D. Searfoss ’93 were married October 1, 2023.
Future50: A Scholarship Inititaive
Ursinus changes lives.
By contributing to scholarships, you can, too.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Women: Erin Roe ’27, Gymnastics
Men: Max Borton ’27, WrestlingMOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETE
Women: Rainah Dunham ’25, Track & Field
Men: Ryan Bodolus ’24, FootballDEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Women: Maeve Montgomery ’25, Field Hockey
Men: Ryan Bodolus ’24, FootballSENIOR MVP
Women: Melissa Leonard ’24, Swimming
Men: Daniel Tabor ’23, Track & FieldLINDA MCINTYRE AWARD
Stephanie Donato ’26, Women’s BasketballOLIVE SERGEANT HAMM AWARD
Brooke Adams ’24, Women’s Track & Field and Cross CountryBEST BEAR AWARD
Jill Fazzini P’26, Administrative CoordinatorTEAM COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Women’s VolleyballPLAY OF THE YEAR
Joshua Coster ’25, men’s soccer, game-winning goal against Centennial Champion Johns HopkinsMOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Aiden Tobin ’26, 2024 Centennial Conference Indoor Track & Field ChampionshipsDIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AWARD
Madison Vinovrski ’24, Women’s Volleyball
Evan Coffey ’24, Men’s Golf
Ursinus Board of Trustees Appoints New Members
A Love of Language: Tia Alan ’24 Earns Prestigious Fulbright Fellowship
Ursinus College Co-Leads Groundbreaking Research on Infrared Glass Recycling
Alumnus Pledges $2 Million to Support Students in Business
Summer Upgrade: A New Look for Lower Wismer and Dining Options
President Hannigan Honored with 2024 “Above and Beyond” Award
Ursinus Secures $1 Million in Federal Funding for Main Street Revitalization
NASA Grant Funds Ursinus Crater Classification Research
Honoring Our Alumni
Each year, Ursinus celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding alumni and standout graduating students with the annual presentation of the Alumni Awards. Ursinus Magazine proudly salutes this year’s winners: (Pictured, from l-r): Jeevan S. Sekhar ’99 (Alumni Humanitarian Award); Gail L. Heinemeyer ’72 (Alumni Service Award); Sophie K. Louis ’24 (Senior Alumni Award); Arlene A. McLean ’62 (Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award); Esther Akande ’24 (Senior Alumni Award); Judith A. Rippert ’86 (Alumni Professional Achievement Award). Not pictured: Caroline Yodice ’15 (Alumni Rising Star Award).
Life in Pixels: Commencement 2024
Ursinus’s 151st commencement ceremony was held on the lawn in front of the Berman Museum on Saturday, May 11. Honorary degree recipient Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, delivered the keynote address. In speaking to the graduates, Ursinus President Robyn Hannigan said, “Today, I remind you that, to lead, you must listen. Remember, real change comes from understanding the nuances and the gray areas. And to understand, you must listen. A leader fights the allure of simple narratives and instead engages deeply with our world’s messy, complicated truths.” View full gallery
Commencement 2024
Commencement 2024
Commencement 2024
Commencement 2024
Commencement 2024
Commencement 2024
Commencement 2024
Commencement 2024
Neverland Reimagined
What if Peter Pan isn’t the hero and Captain Hook isn’t the villain? That’s the premise behind Captain Darling, a dark, feminist adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic story of Peter Pan written by Ursinus College graduate Kate Isabel Foley ’23. It made its world premiere on the Lenfest Theater stage in April and was the first-ever student-authored play directed by Associate Professor and Chair of Theater Meghan Brodie ’00.
Dunham Crowned National Champion in the Long Jump
Rainah Dunham ’24 became the first Ursinus Women’s Track & Field athlete to become a National Champion at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday evening at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach, S.C.