August 2026 Wheaton Wavelength

August 2026

I welcome you to another Wheaton Wavelength, our quarterly newsletter sharing a selection of Wheaton experiences. Below, you will learn about faculty and student achievements, our recent Athletics groundbreaking in support of our successful Faithfully Forward campaign, as covered on Fox Chicago, and life in Wheaton’s art program.

We are getting ready for our next Passage, when we will welcome more than 500 freshmen and orient them to life at Wheaton. This extended orientation program is unique to Wheaton College and critical to student success. Before entering the full rigors of a Wheaton classroom, new students can acclimate to Christian community, make new friends, get to know professors, and develop healthy rhythms that will allow them to call Wheaton home for the next four years. I look forward to sharing images and stories about this exciting period in our fall Wavelength.

In Christ’s service,

Philip Ryken
President

Dr. Carlos Campo

We were pleased to host Dr. Carlos Campo as our 2026 Commencement speaker at this year’s May undergraduate and graduate ceremonies. Dr. Campo gave an inspiring address to our graduates, which we encourage you to watch. Dr. Campo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., where he leads the executive team and more than 300 employees in advancing the museum’s mission to invite all people to engage with the transformative power of the Bible.

Dr. Christine Jeske Receives Fulbright Award

Wheaton College Anthropology Professor Dr. Christine Jeske has been selected as a 2027 Fulbright U.S. Scholar for South Africa. Fulbright Scholar Awards are prestigious fellowships that provide scholars opportunities to teach and conduct research abroad while strengthening their professional development and fostering long‑term connections that enhance their careers, campuses, and communities. Dr. Jeske will work with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) for seven months to teach courses and collaboratively develop vocation-focused teaching methods and curriculum that will benefit both UKZN and Wheaton College, as well as the field of anthropology more broadly. Read more here.

Athletics Groundbreaking

Wheaton College broke ground at an Athletics Facilities Expansion ceremony on May 8 for a $23 million project that will support Wheaton’s Christ-centered athletics programs, build on the College’s history of competitive excellence, and improve the student-athlete experience. As an important component of the Faithfully Forward campaign, the expansion will significantly enhance the daily experience of our student-athletes, equipping them to train, recover, and compete at the highest level. The project reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence in both faith and athletics. Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony. You can also view a Fox Chicago interview with Athletics Director Mike Schauer given on the day of the groundbreaking.

Art Department VLOG

Students are the joy and lifeblood of Wheaton’s campus, and we miss them dearly during the summer months. Here is a video blog shot by art student Ariela Dawson. She introduces us to college studio art majors as they share how the Art Department encourages the integration of faith and creativity while fostering community and enriching their college experience.

Chloe Rackley ’29 Receives 2026 Peggy Gram Scholarship

Wheaton Conservatory of Music student Chloe Rackley ’29 received the 2026 Peggy Gram Scholarship from Top of the Rock Chorus in Arkansas. The fund provides scholarships to women studying music education or vocal performance education at the college level to assist them in furthering their studies. The scholarship is named in honor of Peggy Gram, who was director for more than 40 years of Top of the Rock Chorus, the Central Arkansas Chapter of Sing United International, a nonprofit music education association.

“Winning this scholarship made me feel recognized and valued, bringing me indescribable joy and gratitude for God’s provision, especially during a time that was difficult for me,” Rackley said. “I truly grew in my trust of God and that he works at just the right time, often when you least expect it.”

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