When Wagner College Theatre was named the nation’s #1 college theater program by The Princeton Review, there was only one thing left to do, celebrate.
Students, faculty, and staff gathered in front of Main Hall for a festive event recognizing this milestone achievement. The celebration, coordinated by the Office of Alumni & Development Events and the Theatre Department, brought the campus community together in true Wagner spirit.
“As the Director of Alumni & Development Events, I’m always up for a party,” said Jenny Kelly, who helped organize the event. “We celebrate our wins at Wagner, whether on the field, in the classroom, or on the stage, so it just felt right to do a little something to acknowledge this accomplishment.”
The celebration was designed to feel personal and memorable for the students who helped earn this national recognition. Working with Michelle Siemens, the College’s theatre manager, the team planned a fall-themed beverage bar featuring cider, hot cocoa, and apple-cider donuts, along with special WCT-branded cupcakes. WCBG provided music to set the scene, while a banner hung from Main Hall announced the program’s new title. The highlight of the day came when students received custom Wagner College Theatre hoodies, something they had been asking for as giveaways.
“The best events are built through collaboration, and that’s exactly what this was,” Kelly said. “Watching students gather in front of Main Hall, seeing their excitement over the banner and the swag, it really felt like we got it right for them.”
The atmosphere was one of pride. “Overall, it felt joyful and celebratory, lots of smiles and laughter,” she said. “Faculty came out to join the fun, as did students from other majors. It was amazing to see everyone come together for such a well-deserved moment.”
Among the most memorable scenes of the day was when students noticed the banner unfurled above them. “People started pointing and telling each other to look up,” Jenny recalled. “I especially loved when the students started staging pictures in their hoodies under the banner.”
Throughout the celebration, the energy was infectious. “I heard so many exclamations of joy and gratitude, lots of thank-yous, and even a ‘This is the best day ever!’ from one student,” she said.
As the #1 ranking shines a national spotlight on Wagner College Theatre, the event served as both a celebration of past achievements and a glimpse at what’s next. For Wagner’s creative community, the message was clear: this is only the beginning, and the stage is set for even greater things ahead.
