Wilkes University

Four Wilkes University students presented their research at the regional Phi Alpha Theta conference at West Chester University on April 9. Phi Alpha Theta is a national history honor society.

Wilkes University senior Allison Simenkiewicz, from Endicott, N.Y., was a student winner in the American Advertising Federation of Northeastern Pennsylvania's 2015/16 American Advertising Awards. Simenkiewicz took home a silver award in the poster campaign category for her "Firefly" poster.

Seven Wilkes University students were inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, in a ceremony on Thursday, April 21, 2016. Phi Alpha Theta students must have at least 12 semester hours of history, a 3.1 grade point average and a 3.0 overall grade point average.

Wilkes University and the Keystone Northeast Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society for Professional Engineers conducted the Order of the Engineer ceremony, inducting 55 Wilkes senior engineering majors into the order on April 3, 2016.

Wilkes University inducted 15 education students into its teacher education program at a pinning ceremony attended by faculty, parents, friends and students on March 15. Students were presented with "Proud to Teach" pins by faculty presenters.

Twenty 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.

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.

Wilkes University Theatre will present William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, or What You Will on April 14-17. Performances are being held nightly at 8 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, with a Sunday matinee performance at 2 p.m.

Students in the Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 at Wilkes University and St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia had the opportunity to meet and greet with the Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Ashton Carter.

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.

Wilkes University students chose to spend their break contributing to underprivileged communities in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and rural Kentucky. In Costa Rica, students created planters, outdoor seating, and tables from recycled and painted tires and cement for Costa Rican schools.

Under the Alternative Spring Break program, Wilkes University students spend their break contributing to underprivileged communities in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and rural Kentucky. Students in rural Kentucky worked on construction projects with Christian Appalachian Project members.

Under the Alternative Spring Break program, Wilkes University students spend their break contributing to underprivileged communities in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and rural Kentucky. Students participating in the Alternative Spring Break program in Guanan, in the Dominican Republic taught English as a second language in the public school system and completed a water project.

Wilkes University junior Valerie Woods, a marketing and management double major, was recently awarded two scholarships: the Joseph D. Giampapa Scholarship and the Thomas E. Matthews Scholarship through NACA, the National Association for Campus Activities. These scholarships are awarded to students who hold important leadership positions, and through Woods' demonstrated leadership skills and ability, she is being recognized for making a significant contribution on the Wilkes campus.

Five students from Wilkes University participated in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival hosted at Elizabethtown College during the weekend of March 4-6. Select students from 21 other colleges and universities throughout the state of Pennsylvania participated in the festival. The guest conductor for the event was Michael Golemo, noted composer and director of bands at Iowa State University.

Five students from Wilkes University participated in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival hosted at Elizabethtown College during the weekend of March 4-6.

Wilkes University honored freshmen students for academic excellence with induction into the Alpha Lambda Delta honor society on Feb. 6. Eligible students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher during their first term or year of college while enrolled full time are invited to join.

Wilkes University Theatre presented "Dogfight: The Musical," an award-winning play on Feb. 19 -28. Performances were held nightly in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center.

Wilkes University Provost Dr. Anne Skleder announced the Dean's List for the Fall 2015 Semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.4 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Wilkes University Provost Dr. Anne Skleder announced the Dean's List for the Fall 2015 Semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.4 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits

Six students have been awarded the Pay it Forward scholarship to enter the graduate creative writing program. The scholarship was established to allow Wilkes University creative writing faculty and alumni to give a $2,500 award to a writer who they feel would be an excellent fit for the program. Students have been awarded this one-time payment to offset tuition during the students first term of study.

Wilkes University Provost Dr. Anne Skleder announced the Dean's List for the Fall 2015 Semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.4 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Wilkes University awarded 226 doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees to students graduating after the completion of the fall 2015 semester.

Wilkes University inducted fifteen education students into the Teacher Education Program at a pinning ceremony attended by administrators, faculty, parents, friends and students on Oct. 20. The ceremony marked their achievement of completing the Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for entrance into the Teacher Education Program: passing a test of basic skills for educators; earning at least a 3.0 GPA; completing 48 credit hours including six credits in mathematics and six credits in English. Students will continue their studies in education and their major content area at the advanced level of coursework, which will culminate in student teaching.

Six Wilkes University students were inducted into the Phi Phi chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society during a ceremony held on Oct. 20, 2015. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.4 to be eligible for induction. Karen Frantz-Fry, assistant professor of education, is faculty advisor.

A team of four Wilkes University students from the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy participated in the Achieving Independence Competition at the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting. The competition challenges student teams to create a fiscally viable business plan for opening a new pharmacy in Pennsylvania or purchasing an existing pharmacy and implementing new concepts. The students presented their poster to a live panel of judges. Kim Ference, assistant professor of pharmacy practice, was faculty advisor for the project.

Wilkes University pharmacy students Alisa Daniels, Tori Sallo and Felicia Snyder joined associate professor of pharmacy practice Judy Kristeller in presenting "Medication Reconciliation: Playing It Safe Across Care Transitions" at the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting. The meeting was held Oct. 1-4 in Grantville, Pa. The presentation focused on improving medication management through the patient-pharmacist interaction that occurs during medication reconciliation. The program highlighted how medication-related problems are common during care transitions and how they can be identified and prevented by a pharmacist or pharmacy student interacting with patients during medication reconciliation.

Wilkes University pharmacy students Brittany Wills and Lauren Lockus joined associate professor of pharmacy practice Tom Franko in presenting "The Dr. Oz Game: The Odds Are Never in Your Favor" at the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association Annual Meeting. The meeting was held Oct. 1-4 in Grantville, Pa. The program was designed to help pharmacists combat the "Dr. Oz Effect." Patients are often influenced by television doctors, especially Dr. Oz. The "Dr. Oz Effect" is responsible for tremendous sales in products that lack any evidence as to their safety or efficacy. The Wilkes program enabled pharmacists to provide patients with the real information behind several popular products.

Wilkes University Theatre will present Shout! The Mod Musical, a musical by Philip George and David Lowenstein, Nov. 13-22. Performances are being held nightly at 8 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, with Sunday matinee performances at 2 p.m. Directed by Wilkes' director of theatre Teresa Fallon with musical direction by Ken McGraw, this pop musical romp through 1960s London highlights changing gender roles through such favorites as, "Downtown," "These Boots Are Made For Walking," and "To Sir, With Love."

Fifty Wilkes University students are gaining professional experience at internships during the fall 2015 semester.