2024-25 Leadership Report

The year was marked by challenging decisions, transformative gifts, national recognitions, and achievements that reached across the globe. Amidst the challenges was one constant: the exceptional work and dedication of the staff, faculty, and our continually remarkable students, who once again left an indelible imprint on the institution.

Washington College has always been a place where tradition meets innovation, where students are encouraged to think critically, lead with integrity, and exceed their goals. During the 2024-25 academic year, that spirit of discovery and resilience was on full display. Faculty and students conducted groundbreaking research, alumni returned to share their stories and support the next generation, and the entire campus came together in ways that will shape the College’s future for decades to come. It was a year of opportunities embraced—a year that proved once again how the Washington College community can thrive when it works together.

Readers of Washington College Magazine will recognize that what follows is only a glimpse into the many accomplishments of an active student, faculty, and staff community dedicated to the success of our students and institution.

On Campus

The campus was alive with energy this year, reflecting both tradition and innovation.

Sustainability was once again in the spotlight when the College celebrated national recognition for Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall. Awarded Living Building Certification—one of the most rigorous standards for green architecture—the building also earned praise for its bird-safe window design. Together, these honors underscore Washington’s leadership in environmental stewardship on the Chesapeake Bay, reinforcing the College’s role as both a steward of place and an innovator in environmental learning.

Academic excellence also earned national attention. In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Washington College remained among the top 100 liberal arts colleges, recognized not only for academic quality but also for value and social mobility. In its Best 391 Colleges, Princeton Review rated Washington among the top 15% of colleges in the nation and ranked our faculty #22 for “Professors Get High Marks,” recognizing the quality and accessibility of our outstanding faculty. Scholarships360 further named the College one of the nation’s Top Colleges for Affordability, the only private liberal arts school in Maryland to receive this honor. These accolades reflect what the community already knows: Washington offers an outstanding education that is both rigorous and affordable.

The College’s longstanding commitment to civic engagement took center stage when more than 450 Maryland Corps and AmeriCorps members came to campus for a day of service and leadership development. It was a powerful reminder of Washington’s role as a gathering place for changemakers across the state and a testament to the College’s dedication to the common good.

Faculty achievements added further distinction. Professor Mindy Reynolds received a major National Science Foundation grant to create Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) kits that give students across the country the chance to conduct original scientific research. While Washington students have a wide range of research opportunities—especially for original research—that is not always the case for undergraduates at other institutions. Many college instructors lack the time, funding, and administrative support to engage their students in original research. The grant will help redress this by developing CURE kits for these teachers.

Poet and professor James Allen Hall was awarded a prestigious 2025 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Literature Fellowship in Poetry. The fellowship, which provides a grant, empowered Hall to dedicate significant time to crafting the core poems of his forthcoming collection, Inheritance.

Faculty scholarship and accomplishments not only elevate the national profile of the College but also directly enrich the classroom experience for our students.

Student access to experiential learning opportunities flourished again this year, from summer research fellowships to community-based learning in Chestertown and the surrounding region. More than 200 internships and experiential opportunities this past summer were funded by the College. Students reported that these hands-on opportunities not only expanded their knowledge, but also deepened their sense of purpose and responsibility.

Researchers and students at Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory banded more than 11,400 birds during migration season and celebrated the banding of their 375,000th bird this September. The observatory, now in its 27th year, remains one of the most active bird-banding stations on the East Coast.

Students and alumni gathered on the Green in the spring to enjoy a concert by country music star Lee Brice, one of many events that made campus life vibrant. Perhaps most exciting of all, the new campus pub, The Golden Goose, opened its doors. What began as a student idea at the Presidential Leadership Summit quickly became reality, creating a new hub for connection and community.

Finances

This year, Washington College took decisive steps to strengthen its financial foundation and ensure long-term stability. Earlier in the year, leadership identified inconsistencies in financial systems and contractual oversight that had created an inaccurate picture of revenues and expenses. Working closely with faculty, staff, and the Board of Visitors and Governors, the College closed the gap in the current fiscal year and set a new course for responsible stewardship going forward.

A key shift has been the adoption of zero-based budgeting, which accounts for fixed costs first and applies a more conservative approach to revenue forecasting. This change brings clarity and discipline to the budget process, ensuring expenses align realistically with resources.

Two additional factors have shaped this year’s financial strategy: staffing levels needed to be reduced to reflect current enrollment while maintaining a quality student experience, and we needed to adjust expectations to meet new revenue realities as financial aid demands continue to grow. While these adjustments are never easy, they are necessary to bring revenues and expenses into balance and to position Washington for sustainable growth. Importantly, no tenured or tenure-track faculty positions have been affected, and at no time was there any contemplation of cutting programs.

The College remains on solid ground, with a robust endowment of more than $330 million and strong momentum in admissions—applications have increased 86% over the past two years. With these strengths, Washington College is well positioned to maintain academic excellence, preserve the student experience, and move forward with confidence.

Gifts & Grants

Alumni, foundations, and organizations continued to demonstrate their confidence in the College’s direction through their generous philanthropy, fueling the institution’s continued transformative momentum.

The year began with a historic announcement: Elizabeth “Beth” Warehime Rizakos ’13 made a record-setting $15 million gift to launch the Warehime School of Business. This visionary new school will blend the liberal arts, business programs, global perspectives, and ethical leadership, preparing students for the challenges of an interconnected world. Alumni, faculty, and students alike celebrated the gift as a milestone that will shape Washington’s reputation for generations.

A $4.5 million commitment from Richard ’91 and Tara Wood P’27 will endow two new faculty chairs in leadership and international business while also enhancing tennis and sailing programs.

Entrepreneurship and creativity received an extraordinary boost with a $1.8 million grant from the Ratcliffe Foundation to support the creation of the Innovation Plant, a collaborative hub for makers and entrepreneurs, in part of the former Dixon Valve property in Chestertown. At the same time, a $1 million award from the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative, matched by the College, established a new Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, ensuring that Washington students can learn from leaders in the field.

The Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience secured $257,000 in funding to preserve the historic Custom House and highlight its rich African American history. And thanks to a $525,000 state grant, new safety upgrades are on their way to campus, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff continue to live and learn in an environment that supports wellbeing. These gifts affirm the power of philanthropy to support both the academic and co-curricular life of the College.

Behind every gift is a story of generosity and vision. Donors consistently emphasize their desire to invest in the student experience, to expand opportunities for learning, and to secure Washington’s place as a leader among small liberal arts colleges. Their impact is felt not just in the classrooms and labs of today, but in the lives of students decades from now.

Students

Washington’s students are the heart of the College, and their curiosity and talent shone brighter than ever this year.

Through the Explore America Summer Internship Program, 26 students completed fully funded placements at some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions—including the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, and Brookings Institution. Each year, these internships provide not only invaluable experience, but also connections and mentors who guide students well beyond their time at Washington.

Back on campus, students engaged in important conversations during a PEN America Colloquium, learning tools for fostering open, respectful dialogue on issues of free expression—a reflection of Washington’s commitment to civil discourse. Students also expanded their impact locally, volunteering at area schools, leading environmental projects on the Chester River, and partnering with community organizations.

Individual student achievements drew national attention. English major Sky Abruzzo ’25 won the Sophie Kerr Prize, the nation’s largest undergraduate literary award, with a portfolio exploring the connections between humans and the natural world. Sammy Segeda ’23 earned a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Laos, while Amelia Watson ’27 and Nathan Michel ’27 both earned Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships, which provide study abroad funding, and Keira Burger ’27 earned a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship Program to study Japanese.

Together, these awards, fellowships, and acts of service reflect a profound understanding of civic engagement and ensure that this generation of Washington College students will have an outsized impact on the world around them.

Athletics

Washington College is the embodiment of the NCAA DIII commitment to the student-athlete. We are fortunate to have a group of athletes who embrace the principles of balancing competitive success with academic achievement.

This past year 22 Washington athletes were named Academic All-Centennial Conference for receiving both All-Conference and Academic Honor Roll recognition. An amazing 128 student-athletes were named to the Centennial Academic Honor Roll. Esports was recognized as well, with 6 members named to ECAC All-Academic Team. 

The highest Centennial honor is to be named a Scholar Athlete of the Year within a sport. This year Washington College had five student-athletes achieve this honor: 

Kat Esposito ’25 became just the third player in Washington College field hockey history to earn 100 career points, and she also earned an NCAA post-graduate scholarship to support graduate studies.

Zach Affeldt ’25 has medaled for the men’s swimming team in each of his four years and won the award for the second straight year.

Chloe Trefz ’25, an infielder with the women’s softball team, scored 64 runs and drove in 45 in starting all 155 games over her Washington career.

MaryCate Anson ’26 was named MVP women’s lacrosse team in 2025 and was awarded the Elizabeth “Bo” Blanchard Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

Drew Kinsey ’26, a catcher and infielder for the men’s baseball team, has been named Academic All-Centennial for each of the past two years.

On the world stage, Jordan Hyde ’25 captured gold at the World University Games as part of the U.S. Women’s Eight rowing team. Remarkably, she was the only Division III athlete to compete in the event.

Closer to home, two of Washington’s most respected coaches reached career milestones. Men’s Soccer coach Roy Dunshee earned his 100th win, guiding one of the program’s most successful stretches in history. Women’s Basketball coach Alisha Mosley also surpassed 100 victories, continuing to lead one of the College’s top academic-performing teams.

Looking Ahead

As we take a moment to look back, we want to celebrate a year that may well come to define the College moving forward. The support of the Washington College community—alumni, students, staff, faculty, friends of the College, and members of the Chestertown community—is what has enabled us to chart a path toward success. From transformative gifts to individual triumphs, from academic achievement to engaging with the community in meaningful ways, the College continues to prove that a small liberal arts institution can have an outsized impact on the world.