prez pride

PrezPride. Founded Here.

W&J junior John Rosario (J.R.) Mazza gaurds against Waynesburg opponent on basketball court.

Proving Professional Readiness

John Rosario (J.R.) Mazza '24

“Every little interaction you have with everyone matters,” Mazza said, reflecting on his internship. “You have to keep thinking about the bigger picture and keep going.”

W&J senior Jillian Curtis stands and smiles in front of trees.

Exploring with Magellan

Jillian Curtis '23

“I think [the Magellan Project] is a wonderful opportunity,” said the Sigma Tau Delta and Pi Gamma Mu honor society member. “I put my heart and soul into my proposal, tweaking every minute detail to make it perfect, and to know that the Magellan Committee believed in me to attain my goals, meant validating, not only my efforts, but my personal and intellectual goals as well.”

W&J junior Renee Novak stands in reflective gear in wetlands.

Proving Professional Readiness

Renee Novak '24

“As a first-year student just entering college, I was unaware of the opportunities that existed within environmental science,” Novak said. “Now, with an internship and several ecology/biology classes under my belt, I have…an idea of what I want for my life after graduation.”

semesters studying in historic structures and cozy W&J senior Stephanie Shugerman poses with cardboard buffalo in park ranger uniform.

Proving Professional Readiness

Stephanie Shugerman '23

“It was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had,” Shugerman said. “I…got to experience how amazing it can feel to live and work at a beautiful park, showing others all of the cool things that I love about nature, so that they might love them too.”

W&J Senior Mukena Kasongo smiles in black dress.

Celebrating Seniors

Mukena Kasongo '23

What are you most proud of doing while at W&J?
Firstly, I'm proud of passing all my classes during COVID. Secondly, I'm proud that I pushed myself to work hard every year, even when it was difficult. As a Congolese student who had never experienced an American College, it was not easy for me. Many people thought that I wouldn't be able to make it, but I did. English is my fourth language, but I had many professors who believed in me and helped me, like Dr Manzari, Dr. Leet, and Dr Buba. I am very grateful for them, the staff at W&J, and my friends.
What are you going to miss the most about W&J?
I will miss the many opportunities that W&J has given me.
What advice would you give to incoming or prospective students?
My advice to incoming students is to work hard and believe in yourself--that's the key. Don’t let anyone to bring your dream down. Keep your head up and keep pushing, no matter what. Be strong, because you deserve to succeed.
What or whom was your favorite class or professor? Why?
My favorite professor was Dr. Manzari because he inspires me on many things, such as the way he teaches and respects students. He's also a good mentor.

Prez Positivity

W&J History

Addition of Centers for Ethical Leadership and Professional Pathways

The Center for Ethical Leadership and the Center for Professional Pathways launched during the fall semester.

Renovations to Clark Family Library

A complete interior renovation and exterior upgrades to the Clark Family Library, formerly U. Grant Miller Library, were completed in May. The project was funded by a leading gift from Richard (Class of ’68) and Angela Clark, with contributions from other generous donors to the College.

James David Ross Family Recreation Center

The James David Ross Family Recreation Center opened in April. The 30,000-square foot facility features a walking/running track, multi-sport athletic courts, a new wrestling room, and a general exercise room, plus new offices and recruiting spaces for the athletics department. It is named for the family of lead donor David A. Ross ’78.

Dr. John C. Knapp Joins W&J

Dr. John C. Knapp became the 13th president of Washington & Jefferson College. Dr. Knapp is an internationally known author and speaker with leadership experience spanning the education, non-profit, and business sectors.

Dr. Tori Haring-Smith Retires

Dr. Tori Haring-Smith retired as president.

Janet Swanson Tennis Center

The Janet Swanson Tennis Center opened in September and serves as the home site for the W&J men’s and women’s tennis teams.

John A. Swanson Science Center

John A. Swanson Science Center was opened and dedicated to the physical sciences, including Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics.

Uncommon Achievements

Tori Haring-Smith became the first woman to serve as president of Washington & Jefferson College. Under Haring-Smith’s leadership, the College initiated the award-winning Magellan Project, built the state-of-the-art Janet Swanson Tennis Center, surpassed the $100M goal laid out by its Uncommon Bond capital campaign, established the English Language Institute…

The Burnett Center

The Burnett Center houses the Departments of Economics and Business, Modern Languages, and Education. It was named after Howard J. Burnett.

Increased Enrollment

Student enrollment grew from 830 in 1970 to 1,100 in 1998.

Growth and Community Engagement

Under Brian C. Mitchell, who served as president from 1998 to 2004, the college experienced a growth in construction and an effort to improve relations with the neighboring communities.

Retirement of President Howard Burnett

Howard Burnett retired as president.

Program Expansion

Howard J. Burnett took office as president and hired the college’s first female faculty members and the first female dean. The college also adopted a new academic calendar to include intersession and expanded its academic programs to include the Entrepreneurial Studies Program, the Freshman Forum, and several cooperative international education programs.

Women Admitted

The Trustees authorized the admission of women as undergraduate students.

Curriculum Revisions and Construction

Boyd Crumrine Patterson assumed the presidency and oversaw curriculum revisions and the construction of a number of buildings, including the Henry Memorial Center, ten Greek housing units in the center of campus, the U. Grant Miller Library, the Student Center, The Commons, and two new dormitories. His fundraising abilities grew the college’s endowment from…

New Dorms Constructed

James Herbert Case, Jr., who was president from 1946 to 1950, constructed several new dormitories to handle the influx of veterans under the G.I. Bill.

Renovations to McMillan Hall

James D. Moffat personally paid for the renovations of McMillan Hall.

W&J Grows

James D. Moffat led a period of growth when the college constructed The Old Gym, Hays Hall, Thompson Memorial Library, and Thistle Physics Building. Also purchased was the land known as the “old fairground.”

Consolidation Upheld

The United States Supreme Court upheld the consolidation, allowing the newly configured college to proceed.

Effort to Overturn Consolidation

Before the merger could be completed, Canonsburg residents and Jefferson College partisans filed a lawsuit known as the Pennsylvania College Cases, which sought to overturn the consolidation plan.

Jonathan Edwards

On April 4th, Jonathan Edwards, a pastor from Baltimore who had been president of Hanover College, was elected the first president of the unified Washington & Jefferson College.

Washington & Jefferson College

Following the Civil War, both colleges were short on students and on funds, causing them to join together as Washington & Jefferson College.

Washington College

Matthew Brown petitioned the Pennsylvania General Assembly to grant Washington Academy a charter, allowing it to be re-christened as Washington College.

Canonsburg Academy

Canonsburg Academy was reconstituted as Jefferson College, with John McMillan serving as the first President of the Board of Trustees.

Whiskey Rebellion

During the Whiskey Rebellion, portions of David Bradford’s militia camped on the hillside that would later become home to the unified Washington & Jefferson College.

Founding of College

The Beginning: Three Log Cabins

Washington & Jefferson College traces its origins to three log cabin colleges established by frontier clergymen John McMillian, Thaddeus Dod, and Joseph Smith.

Have PrezPride?

We'd love to hear your story!  Send it to us.

And tag your post with #prezpride on Instagram or Twitter to be featured in PrezPositivity feed.