Wilkes University

Ten Wilkes University students recently won the regional Enactus competition in Washington, D.C. The students are members of the University's chapter of Enactus, an international nonprofit organization that encourages college students to become entrepreneurs through collaboration to create innovative, sustainable community development projects.

Twenty-four Wilkes University students were inducted into the Colonels Elite class. To be a member of the Colonels Elite, 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 the student-athlete must currently be on a Wilkes roster.

Three Wilkes University students completed a study abroad academic immersion program in Tanzania focusing on health care. The students were accompanied on their trip by Wilkes University professor Linda Winkler and Wilkes University alumna and Misericordia University professor Cynthia Mailloux. Winkler has made 16 trips to Tanzania in the last 14 years. Visit their blog at https://communityserviceintanzania.wordpress.com.

Twenty members of the 2015 graduating class in Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy are entering residency programs following their graduation in May. The number - 26 percent of the Wilkes class - exceeds the national average of 23 percent of pharmacy graduates who are placed into residency training.

Members of the Wilkes University Civic Band performed with the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band at the 68th Annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival, held at Bloomsburg University. The students rehearsed for three days with over 100 other collegiate bandsmen from across the state. The Wilkes performers were nominated for the intercollegiate band by Philip G. Simon, associate professor of music and director of bands at Wilkes University.

A student and faculty team from Wilkes University and The Wright Center for Primary Care placed first in a poster presentation contest at the 6th Annual Current Concepts in Medication Safety Conference hosted by Geisinger Health System's Medication Safety Committee.

Wilkes University pharmacy student Nicholas Stauffer of Barto, Pa., has received the United States Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Pharmacy Practice Award. The national award is given annually to a pharmacy student enrolled in an accredited doctoral program who promotes the objectives of the Public Health Service's "Healthy People 2020" initiative, serves the community and demonstrates leadership qualities that foster a team approach in patient care.

Five students at Wilkes University are engaged in an ongoing research project with three professors who, in conjunction with the Family Business Alliance at Wilkes, are researching family businesses in northeast Pennsylvania. The students are Jamie Seyler, Nicole Santorelli, Kate Thomas, Britton Heim and David Graff.

Three fourth-year students in the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy are participating in a Global Health Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience in Uganda, where they will learn about the healthcare challenges that affect Sub-Saharan Africa while experiencing Ugandan life and culture.

Seven Wilkes University students were inducted into the Omega Psi chapter of the Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society during the fall 2014 semester.

The Wilkes University Cheerleaders placed in the top 10 in the Open All Girl division at the Universal Cheerleaders Association's College Cheerleading National Championship held Jan. 16-18 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. More than 150 colleges and universities participated in the competition. The squad is coached by Jessica Short.

Eleven Wilkes University education majors are gaining classroom experience this semester as they complete student teaching assignments at area schools. The student teaching is one of the requirements for earning teacher certification in Pennsylvania.

Theta Delta, the student chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society at Wilkes University, swore in its officers for the 2014-2015 academic year during an induction ceremony held during the fall 2014 semester. Valerie Kalter, associate professor of biology, serves as the chapter's faculty advisor.

Wilkes University inducted 12 students as full members into the Theta Delta Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society during an induction ceremony held during the fall 2014 semester. An additional 12 students were inducted as associate members. Valerie Kalter, associate professor of biology, serves as the chapter's faculty advisor.

Wilkes University inducted 12 students as associate members into the Theta Delta Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society during an induction ceremony held during the fall 2014 semester. An additional 12 students were inducted as full members. Valerie Kalter, associate professor of biology, serves as the chapter's faculty advisor.

Wilkes University senior communication studies major Shawn Carey of New Milford, Pa., and Jane Elmes-Crahall, Wilkes professor of communication studies, have completed research examining media coverage of the natural gas extraction industry in northeastern Pennsylvania. Carey, the son of Kenneth and Wendy Carey, and Elmes-Crahall conducted an external media audit of publications covering the industry.

Wilkes University student Liz Taber performed a three-week pharmacy rotation in Peru through the Global Awareness Institute. The international program provides pharmacy students an opportunity to study in the rainforest and learn about medicinal plants unique to the region. Taber is the daughter of Beth and Charlie Taber of Nazareth, Pa. The rotation fulfills one of six rotations required by the University's doctor of pharmacy program. Taber completed the rotation in Peru in July.

Wilkes University students are gaining programming and broadcast experience at the student-run WCLH radio station. The station covers the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton/Hazleton area of northeastern Pennsylvania on 90.7 FM and streams online at wclh.org. Station programming includes pop, rap, rhythm and blues, hip-hop, rock and heavy metal, in addition to talk programming that cover news, public affairs and local sports. Kristen B. Rock is the station's general manager.

As members of WCLH, students host and broadcast original specialty radio shows to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton/Hazleton area of northeastern Pennsylvania on 90.7 FM, gaining hands-on experience with professional equipment in a fully functional broadcast studio. Kristen B. Rock is the station's general manager.

Thirty-six Wilkes University students are performing professional internships during the fall 2014 semester.

The Wilkes University Integrative Media and Art Department honored Eric Larsen of Wanamassa, N.J., with an Outstanding Achievement award at the University's annual academic awards ceremony held on May 16. The award recognizes student achievement in the department and overall academic success.

The Wilkes University Integrative Media and Art Department honored Samantha Kerpovich of Drums, Pa., with an Outstanding Achievement award at the University's annual academic awards ceremony held on May 16. The award recognizes student achievement in the department and overall academic success.

Kyla J. Halsor of Dallas, Pa., won the Mable Scott Wandell and Sterling Leroy Wandell Award at Wilkes University's 67th Annual Spring Commencement on May 17. The award is presented to the male and female undergraduate students with the highest academic average for their four years at Wilkes. The daughter of Sid Halsor and Cydney Faul-Halsor, she graduated with a bachelor of science degree with a major in biology. She had 3.95 grade-point average.

The Wilkes University Integrative Media and Art Department honored Chelsea Fufaro of Dallas, Pa., with the inaugural Richard Fuller Excellence in the Arts Award at the University's annual academic awards ceremony held on May 16. The award, given in honor of the late Richard Fuller, professor emeritus of art, recognizes a student for his or her community, department and academic contributions.

Katherine Dodson of Nuremberg, Pa., won the Mable Scott Wandell and Sterling Leroy Wandell Award at Wilkes University's 67th Annual Spring Commencement on May 17. The award is presented to the male and female undergraduate students with the highest academic average for their four years at Wilkes. The daughter of Susan and Charles Dodson, she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree with a double major in communication studies and psychology. She had a 3.95 grade-point average.

Robert Sperazza of Pittston, Pa., won the Mable Scott Wandell and Sterling Leroy Wandell Award at Wilkes University's 67th Annual Spring Commencement on May 17. The award is presented to the male and female undergraduate students with the highest academic average for their four years at Wilkes. Sperazza, the son of Joseph and Colleen Sperazza, earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and graduated summa cum laude. He had 3.95 grade-point average.

Colleen Herman of Lancaster, Pa., a fourth-year pharmacy student at Wilkes University, has been named Student of the Year by the Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The annual award recognizes a student who has actively advanced the practice of health-systems pharmacy.

Joshua Horwitz of New York, N.Y., was awarded the 2013 Beverly Blakeslee Hiscox '58 Scholarship by Wilkes University's Graduate Creative Writing Program. The scholarship was presented during the closing banquet of the program's June 2013 residency.

Kait Burrier of Scranton, Pa., received Etruscan Press's Annual Etruscan Prize at the closing banquet of Wilkes University's Graduate Creative Writing Program's June 2013 residency. She was honored for her untitled prose piece that celebrates a Polish family's heritage and bi-annual pilgrimage to the "Old Country."

Three members of Wilkes University's student-run newspaper, The Beacon, received the Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards for their work at the Society of Professional Journalists Region 1 Spring Conference, held April 12 at Rutgers University.