Health & Wellness

Student well-being is the foundation of student success at Bucknell. College brings real pressures, and every student deserves the care, resources and community to meet them. By bringing together clinical care, prevention, peer education and recovery support, we move beyond responding to crises and toward a culture of resilience and care. ” 

— Moe McGuinness, Vice President for Student Affairs & Fritz Family Dean of Students

The Vision & Urgent Need

At Bucknell, learning doesn’t stop when class ends. The residential community is where students grow, find support and find their people. Health and wellness programs strengthen that community by addressing the root causes of stress, substance misuse and mental health challenges, so students can meet high academic expectations and the transitions of college life with confidence. 

Students are reaching out, and that is a strength. In 2025–2026, Bucknell’s Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Specialist received 190 referrals and completed 130 BASICS interventions. Sixty percent involved first-year students, who are still finding their footing and their friends. Many were carrying a lot: 65% reported a personal or family crisis, and 37% were managing depression, anxiety or stress. For many, heavy drinking was a way to cope with social anxiety. What they need most is connection and care — and the earlier, the better.

The Solution: Expanded Support, Driven by Data

There is now a fund that powers early intervention, harm reduction and peer education that save lives, and the results speak for themselves. Alcohol-related incidents dropped 22%, and only 15 students had a repeat incident. Sixteen students chose ongoing support, eight families sought help, leading to 15 voluntary sessions, and new peer leaders stepped forward. Expanded support will carry this success to more students and build a healthier, safer campus for everyone .

What your gift makes possible

Led by Chris Deal, alcohol and other drug specialist, and Dr. Brian Timms, medical director, Bucknell’s four-pillar AOD Coalition unites Public Safety, student conduct, campus activities, Student Health, Counseling and faculty around one goal: a campus where every student can thrive.

• Clinical Intervention and Specialized AOD Staffing: Delivers BASICS interventions, voluntary counseling and family consultations while expanding dedicated AOD staff within Student Health and Counseling. 
• Prevention, Education and Inclusive Socials: Brings harm reduction to students where they are, from tabling with BAC cards and pour demonstrations to “What’s Your Buzz?” first-year presentations, inclusive mocktail socials and an intersectional AOD podcast. 
• Recovery Support and Resilience (Thrive): Hosts on-campus AA and Al-Anon groups, partners with Dr. Timms on the Thrive Program for resilience and self-reflection and brings alumni in recovery to campus to share their stories. 
• Assessment, Policy and Campus Engagement: Runs four AOD subcommittees (campus engagement, prevention and education, recovery and support, assessment and policy) that turn data into policy recommendations. 

Recognition Opportunities

• Barrett Family Health and Wellness Fund (or Named Health & Wellness Endowment): $2.5 million+ endowment
  • Helps fund the comprehensive health, mental well-being and AOD specialist operations in perpetuity
• AOD Specialist or Director Position (Named): $1.5 million
  • Helps fund the dedicated clinical specialist position providing direct student intervention and BASICS counseling
• Thrive and Resilience Program Fund: $1 million or $50,000 annually (current use)
  • Sponsors resilience, self-reflection, and wellness programming
• AOD Prevention and Harm Reduction Outreach Fund: $500,000 (endowment) or $20,000 (current use)
  • Funds campus tabling, mocktail socials, guest speakers and podcast production
• Recovery and Support Group Fund: $250,000 (endowment) or $10,000 (current use
  • Sustains on-campus AA, Al-Anon and peer-led recovery support networks