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Lindsey Wilson University Faculty Celebrate Accomplishments of 2024-25, Prepare to Begin First Year as a University

'We've never been stronger than we are right now,' President Luckey tells university's faculty.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (08/22/2025) — After posting "an incredible year" in 2024-25 as the final year as a college, members of the Lindsey Wilson faculty gathered for the first time on Thursday, Aug. 21, under the university banner with the school's "best days still ahead."

That was the message Lindsey Wilson University leaders delivered at the 2025-26 school year's opening faculty assembly, held in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship and online.

The gathering -- which included the university's 126 full-time faculty and more than a dozen academic support staff -- also welcomed seven new members to the Lindsey Wilson faculty.

"The past year was a really good one for Lindsey Wilson University," said Vice President for Academic Affairs Ray Lutgring. "I'm really excited about the coming academic year."

Lindsey Wilson officially became Lindsey Wilson University on July 1, and on Aug. 22-23, it will welcome returning and new students to the A.P. White Campus who will start fall semester classes on Aug. 25.

But Aug. 21 was a full day reserved for faculty to reconnect with colleagues, discuss and examine the myriad of issues facing an evolving higher-education landscape, and look ahead to the school's first school year as a university.

'We've never been stronger'

Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr., who is beginning his 28th year as Lindsey Wilson's eighth president, told the faculty that "we've never been stronger than we are right now."

He also took time to celebrate a record-setting 2024-25 school year that concluded on June 30.

In addition to awarding a record 1,780 diplomas, Luckey noted that Lindsey Wilson's lengthy list of accomplishments in '24-25 included: the education program and School of Professional Counseling both received reaccreditation from their respective national professional organizations; all members of the nursing program's Class of 2024 cohort passed their national licensing examination; the doctoral program in counselor education and supervision celebrated its 10-year anniversary; and the university received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help meet the mental health needs of Central Appalachia by expanding the number of the region's mental health counselors.

"What an incredible year you, our faculty, delivered for our students -- in the classroom, with our accreditors, in the grant-writing world -- as you actively cared for our students in and outside of the classroom," said Luckey. "You had an incredible year. It is such a privilege to serve with you as you continue to take ownership of this university."

New faculty members were also welcomed into the Lindsey Wilson community: Jennifer Bersaglia as a music professor and choral director; Zack Isaacs, communication professor; Wonhee Lee, physical education professor; Sara Loy, English professor; Evan Mahanna '22, sustainability and energy applications instructor; Robert Palmer, music professor and director of university bands; and Catherine Roseberry, counseling professor.

"I believe strongly that our best days are still ahead," said Luckey. "I am incredibly optimistic about our future."

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

Lindsey Wilson University President William T. Luckey Jr. addresses the university’s faculty Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship and online during the faculty assembly to open the 2025-26 school year. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

Lindsey Wilson University President William T. Luckey Jr. addresses the university’s faculty Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship and online during the faculty assembly to open the 2025-26 school year. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

Lindsey Wilson University Vice President for Academic Affairs Ray Lutgring speaks to the university’s faculty Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship and online during the faculty assembly to open the 2025-26 school year. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

Lindsey Wilson University School of Mathematics and Sciences Dean Bill Neace, right, welcomes music professor and Director of University Bands Robert Palmer, left, to the university’s opening faculty assembly Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship as sustainability and energy applications instructor Evan Mahanna ’22 looks on. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

Lindsey Wilson University music professor and Choral Director Jennifer Bersaglia confers with music professor and Director of Church Relations Gerald Chafin during the university’s opening faculty assembly Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

Lindsey Wilson University physical education professor Wonhee Lee and education instructor Lisa Newell-Hare talk during the university’s opening faculty assembly Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

Lindsey Wilson University English faculty members Kendall Sewell and Sara Loy chat during the university’s opening faculty assembly Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

Lindsey Wilson University counseling professor Katelyn Richey takes advantage of a break during the university’s opening faculty assembly by retiring to the steps of the W.W. Slider Humanities Center on Thursday, Aug. 21. Fall classes begin Aug. 25.

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