Wilkes University Recognizes Faculty and Staff With 2019 President's Awards for Excellence

Wilkes-Barre, PA (10/11/2019) — Six Wilkes University faculty and staff members were honored with the 2019 President's Awards for Excellence. The awards, which were presented by Wilkes Interim President Paul S. Adams at the University's fall convocation, recognize individuals who reflect excellence in their work based on the University's core values. This is the fourth year for the awards program.

Abas Sabouni, associate professor of electrical engineering, was the recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in Scholarship for his efforts in advancing knowledge through discovery and research to better educate Wilkes constituents. Sabouni was recognized for contributions including his work in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for biomedical applications.

Heather Bowman, electronic resource librarian, and Josh Savitski, associate director of enrollment services, each received the President's Award for Excellence in Innovation for their efforts in promoting programs, ideas, and sustainable practices. Bowman was recognized for her efforts to expand access to and increase numbers of peer-reviewed electronic journal collections in the University's E.S. Farley Library. Bowman has grown the journal collection from 30,000 titles to 80,000 titles. Savitiski was recognized for his work related to the new customer relationship management software which has been implemented in the admissions office.

Mildred Urban, associate director of advancement, was honored with the President's Award for Excellence in Community for her efforts in collaborating with others on campus with mutual respect to foster a sense of belonging. Urban's recognition included her leadership as a member of the University Staff Advisory Committee to help redesign, reinvigorate and reintroduce the Colonel Quarterly Staff Recognition Awards and for her work on campus events.

Deb Chapman, faculty of practice in biology, received the President's Award for Excellence in Mentoring for her efforts in nurturing individuals to understand and act on their abilities while challenging them to achieve great things. Chapman was recognized for contributions that include her work as a student academic advisor, which has earned her the TREC Award for outstanding advisor in the College of Science and Engineering, and her work mentoring young women to consider careers in the sciences through the Women Empowered by Science Program, which she leads.

Heather Sincavage, assistant professor and director of the Sordoni Art Gallery, was honored with the President's Award for Excellence in Diversity for her efforts in embracing differences and uniqueness through sincerity, awareness, inclusion, and sensitivity. Sincavage was recognized for contributions that included her work featuring artists and their work representing diverse perspectives in the Sordoni Art Gallery and in her teaching. In both areas, Sincavage has worked to increase awareness of diverse groups on campus, in the community and in the arts.

University faculty or staff members can nominate anyone in the Wilkes community for the awards. The nominations are shared with senior administration for feedback, with the final recipients determined by the president.

Photo Caption: President's Awards for Excellence recipients pictured from left to right are, Josh Savitski, associate director of enrollment services; Heather Sincavage, assistant professor and director of the Sordoni Art Gallery; Abas Sabouni, associate professor of electrical engineering; Wilkes Interim President Paul S. Adams; Mildred Urban, associate director of advancement and Heather Bowman, electronic resource librarian, and Josh Savitski, associate director of enrollment services. Not pictured is Deb Chapman, faculty of practice in biology.

For more stories about Wilkes University and its students, faculty and staff, please visit News@Wilkes.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation's finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 46 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

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