MEET dr. hannah (Bartels) fry '17

Assistant Professor of Biology and Sport and Exercise Science (SPE)
Began as an adjunct professor in 2021; joined the faculty full-time in 2022

What do you enjoy most about your role at WLC?

I love fostering curiosity about God’s creation and guiding students’ exploration of it.

Who has had the greatest influence on you during your time at WLC?

When I was a student, Dr. Allison Phillips helped me develop my love of biology and always encouraged my interest in teaching. She continues to facilitate my growth and learning, despite being a professor myself now.

How can alumni and the college’s supporters impact what you do for WLC?

As a practicing physical therapist, I really appreciate the hands-on experiences we have at WLC. I teach the internship class for SPE students, and we are frequently in search of sites for students to observe, shadow, and intern during their senior year. We also are constantly making changes to our lab courses and appreciate support for the SPE lab. Nothing compares to practical application, functionally utilizing what one has learned in the classroom setting.

What is one thing you’d tell a freshman they need to experience during their time as a student at WLC?

I have so many great memories of my time at WLC that it is hard to choose just one. I’ll settle for a collective answer saying any WEB event! The Warrior Events Board works so hard to provide fun experiences on and off campus, from a treasure hunt of Milwaukee to midnight bingo.

Name one area where WLC has seen the most growth since you were a student.

The addition of the SPE lab and improvements to the anatomy and physiology labs are amazing! These dedicated lab spaces with educational items like an Anatomage table, hydrostatic weight tank, dedicated VO2 Max testing area, and more allow our students to be a step (or many steps) ahead of other students when they graduate.

What hasn’t changed at WLC since you were a student?

I always felt supported and encouraged in my Christian education at WLC and can attest that this mission has not changed in the slightest. I love being a part of such a servant leadership-focused ministry.

Share one fun fact about yourself that others may not know.

My husband’s family has a beef cattle farm (Fry Farms), and I enjoy helping with whatever needs to be done! We got married at the farm in October 2024.

Share your favorite WLC story.

One of my favorite memories of my time at WLC was joining the Art Club for their sunrise painting outing. The club consisted of majors, minors, and people who just enjoyed art. We traveled down to Bradford Beach together for an early morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee while painting the sunrise. It was such a different experience than my science courseload and a great way to start the day. My friends and I still talk about that experience many years later.