Wilkes University

Wilkes University awarded more than 300 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees during its summer commencement ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 8. The event was held at the McHale Athletic Center in the Simms Center on Main, 169 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Andrew Miller, professor of political science and chair of the Faculty Affairs Council, shared a greeting on behalf of the faculty. Susan V. Kalinay delivered the student address and received her master of business administration degree at the ceremony. Deborah Zbegner, dean of the College of Health and Education, delivered the commencement address.

Wilkes University awarded over 700 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at its 77th spring commencement ceremonies on May 18. Graduate students received doctoral and master's degrees at 10 a.m., while undergraduates received bachelor's degrees at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies were held in the McHale Athletic Center in the Simms Center on Main, 169 South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Wilkes University Provost David M. Ward announced the Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Wilkes University Provost David M. Ward announced the Dean's List for the fall 2023 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Nicholas Antolick, a junior political science major at Wilkes University from Nicholson, Pa., was awarded a 2022 Norton Writer's Prize for his essay, "Learn to Be Nice: How Aristotle Offers a Solution to Rape Culture." Antolick crafted the essay during his fall 2021 English composition class with Mischelle Anthony, associate professor of English. Antolick credits her for suggesting revisions to the piece and encouraging him to enter the national competiton. "I am honored to receive the Norton Writer's Prize," says Antolick. "I wish to thank Dr. Mischelle Anthony, whose enthusiastic support and guidance have allowed me to exceed my expectations as a writer." Anthony noticed Antolick's outlook and dedication in the first-year class. "I'm so proud of this particular student because of his already-mature perspective on conflict and community. The topic of his winning essay is evidence of Nick's remarkable approach to others. As a first-year student in an English composition course - and a non-humanities major at that! - Nick spoke, listened and wrote thoughtfully all through the class." The Norton Writer's Prize, sponsored by publisher W.W. Norton, recognizes outstanding nonfiction work by students enrolled at two- or four-year colleges. Awarded to three students each year, the national honor includes $1,000 and publication on the Norton website. Regarding Antolick's work, the contest judges note, "The essay offers a viable solution for addressing the problem of rape culture through the teaching of Aristotle's social virtues. This essay skillfully connects philosophical ideas to the reality of our everyday lives."

More than 60 Wilkes University students were recognized for their achievements during the 2022 Academic Awards Ceremony. The event was held on May 20, the evening before spring commencement.

Forty-three incoming Wilkes University Honors Program students will begin their first year of study in the fall of 2022. The Honors Program, now in its seventh year, welcomes exceptionally talented and highly motivated students to the Wilkes community. Benefits of the Honors Program includes an enhanced interdisciplinary educational experience, which drives intellectual, professional and personal achievement. To be accepted, students must have a SAT score of 1,100 or higher, or rank in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating class. Students accepted into the program reside in a living-learning community. Students in the program are eligible for an annual academic enrichment grant, unique in higher education, which students can use to help fund study-related expenses such as research, study abroad or technology. Other scholarship opportunities specific to honors students are also available upon acceptance to this program.

Five Wilkes University students have been selected to be Kirby Scholars by the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. The Kirby Scholars are top-performers in accounting, marketing, legal, product development, and project management. The Scholars provide services to the businesses at the center's business incubator, and receive valuable experience in their field of study and formal recognition of their work.

The Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing Program awarded the Faculty and Alumni Scholarship at its closing banquet on January 10, 2020. The Faculty and Alumni Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more incoming students at the M.A. level of the Wilkes creative writing program based on financial need and a writing sample submitted as part of the application materials. The scholarship recipient(s) will be determined by a three-member faculty committee who will recommend the student(s) to the program director. This scholarship was started to offer a scholarship opportunity to students who are new to the program and was funded through tax-deductible gifts from faculty and alumni. About the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing Wilkes University's Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers the master of arts and master of fine art degrees in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, publishing and documentary film. Program faculty are working, producing writers who mentor students one-on-one through the process of creating a full-length creative project. The Graduate Creative Writing program is offered in two formats. In the low-residency format, students learn online and attend two eight-day residencies each January and June. For the weekender program, students will learn online and attend four face-to-face weekend class sessions each term. For more information, please visit www.wilkes.edu/cw or call 570-408-4527.

Wilkes University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 has announced the commissioning of officers in the Class of 2022. Six graduating students received the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force. The newly commissioned officers earned bachelor's degrees at Wilkes University on May 21, 2022.

Wilkes University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 has announced the commissioning of officers in the Class of 2021. Six graduating students received the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force. The newly commissioned officers earned bachelor's degrees at Wilkes University in May 2021.

Fifty-two Wilkes University students were recently recognized among the Colonel Elite. To be recognized, a student-athlete must have 60 credits and a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Transfer student-athletes must have 60 college credits total, and 30 credits from Wilkes. The student-athlete must be in good moral character as determined by the athletic department and on a Wilkes roster.

Wilkes University recognized graduating students who served as e-Mentors. First-year student e-Mentors are upperclassman who provide experience and support to incoming students at Wilkes University. While the program begins at orientation, e-Mentors work with thier assigned group throughout the fall semester to offer guidance and knowledge that will help with the transition to college life. The program helps each new student connect with peers, upperclassmen and the institution as a whole.

Wilkes University recognized students for their activities and achievements in clubs, athletics, student government and campus leadership.

Wilkes University's Office of Residence Life recognized senior students for their service as resident assistants. Resident assistants are hired on the basis of character, leadership and their ability to interact with students. All resident assistants undergo extensive training so they may readily meet the needs of residential students. The primary function of the resident assistant staff is to build a community, which is crucial to a successful residence hall living experience. They practice an open-door policy and are available day and night should students need them.

Landon Bordner, a Wilkes University PharmD/MBA student from Williamstown, Pennsylvania, was elected Region 2 Delegate for the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) in January 2021.

Wilkes University is welcoming 40 new students to its Honors Program for the fall 2020 semester. The fall 2020 semester will begin on August 24 following the University's Welcome Weekend which provides first-year students with an introduction to life at Wilkes. The Wilkes University Honors Program recruits exceptionally talented and highly motivated students. They receive an enhanced, interdisciplinary educational experience, which will drive intellectual, professional and personal achievement. To be accepted, students must have a SAT score of 1,100 or higher, or rank in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating class. Students accepted into the program reside in a living-learning community. Students in the program are eligible for an annual academic enrichment grant, unique in higher education, which students can use to help fund study-related expenses such as travel or technology. Other scholarship opportunities specific to honors students are also available upon acceptance to this program.

Wilkes University is welcoming more than 500 students to campus as members of its new first-year class. The fall 2020 semester will begin on August 24 following the University's Welcome Weekend which provides first-year students with an introduction to life at Wilkes.

Wilkes University honored students with at least two years of service to student government at its extracurricular awards marking the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. The award recognizes the countless hours dedicated to serving the student body through programming, conducting weekly business on Wednesday nights, and being a voice for students.

Wilkes University inducted 10 students as associate members into the Theta Delta Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society at an induction ceremony held during the fall semester. Associate members are sophomores and juniors who have completed fewer than 16 biology credits with at least a 3.25 grade-point average and a 3.0 overall GPA. Beta Beta Beta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and his students. The idea of an honor society and professional society for biology students spread and by 1925 the society became a national organization. The Theta Delta Chapter was installed at Wilkes in 2001.

Wilkes University inducted five students as full members into the Theta Delta Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society at an induction ceremony held during the fall semester. Full members are juniors or seniors who have completed at least 16 credits in biology with at least a 3.25 grade-point average and a 3.0 overall GPA. Beta Beta Beta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and his students. The idea of an honor society and professional society for biology students spread and by 1925 the society became a national organization. The Theta Delta Chapter was installed at Wilkes in 2001.