Wilkes University

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 Provost Anne A. Skleder announces the Dean's List for the Fall 2014 Semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must earn a minimum 3.4 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Wilkes University awarded 252 doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees to students graduating after the completion of the fall 2014 semester.

Twenty-eight students from Wilkes University's pharmacy and nursing programs volunteered with Lehigh Valley Hospital at the hospital's free drive-thru flu clinic at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pa. The students aided hospital staff in preparing and distributing vaccines to over 14,000 people.

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.

Wilkes University Theatre will present "Carrie: The Musical" on Nov. 7-9 and 14-16 at the Darte Center for the Performing Arts. All performances are at 8 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

James Jaskolka of Pocono Pines, Pa., a junior communication studies major at Wilkes University, was recently awarded the Department of Communication Studies' Alumni and Friends Scholarship.

Forty-five undergraduate students at Wilkes University have accepted on-campus leadership roles as resident assistants in campus residence halls where undergraduate students live. Resident assistants are responsible for fostering a residential environment supportive of individual student growth and development and encouraging on-campus community participation. They are appointed for an academic year and have the primary responsibility for a floor, wing or house.

Wilkes University Communication Studies majors are gaining firsthand experience as members of the student-run television program, Wilkes Now. As members of Wilkes Now, students produce original news and feature content each week for broadcast on channel 97 for Service Electric Cable in Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes University Communication Studies majors are gaining firsthand experience as members of the student-run newspaper, The Beacon. As members of the newspaper staff, students manage, edit, write and design the award-winning publication. The Beacon appears both in print and online. Kalen M. Churcher, assistant professor of communication studies, serves as faculty advisor.

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.

Wilkes University Communication Studies majors are gaining firsthand experience as members of the student-run public relations agency, Zebra Communications. As members of Zebra Communications, students work with 12-15 client-partners, including not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, small businesses, campus initiatives and regional grant-funded projects, to create public relations campaigns of up to three months.

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

Wilkes University Theatre will present "All the King's Women," a comedy by Luigi Jannuzzi, Sept. 25 to 28. Performances are being held nightly at 8 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, with a Sunday matinee performance at 2 p.m.

Wilkes University awarded 369 doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees at the summer commencement ceremony held on Sept. 7 in the Arnaud C. Marts Sports and Conference Center.

Wilkes University is launching the first collegiate marching band in northeast Pennsylvania. The Wilkes University Marching Colonels debut at the University's first home football game versus Muhlenberg College at 1 p.m. on September 6. The band performs in drum corps style and includes wind and percussion musicians as well as color guard.

Five Wilkes University elementary and early childhood education majors are preparing schoolchildren for the upcoming academic year at the University's Reading and Arts Academies. The academies engage children entering pre-kindergarten through grade. Lessons are taught by upperclassmen enrolled in the University's teacher education program who are preparing for their semester of student teaching.

Wilkes University student Kayla Hiryak of Gilbertsville, Pa., received first place for a research poster that she presented at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education Alliance Conference. The conference was held at the institute's research center at Janelia Farm, Va. Hiryak, the daughter of Kathleen and James Hiryak, presented the results of research conducted in a "Phage Hunting" class taught by Christian Laing, assistant professor of mathematics, computer science and biology.

Wilkes University student Emily Gicewicz of Rensselaer, N.Y., presented a research poster at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science Education Alliance Conference. The conference was held at the institute's research center at Janelia Farm, Va. Gicewicz's poster featured the results of research conducted in a "Phage Hunting" class taught by Christian Laing, assistant professor of mathematics, computer science and biology.

A team of students from Wilkes University is conducting research that will help to ensure the rich diversity of wildlife in Pennsylvania's parks, wildlife refuges and state game lands.

A Wilkes University student research team is studying the major non-organic components of rainwater. The students are collecting rain samples, taking real-time measurements of pH levels, and using a variety of chemical tests to identify what components other than water precipitate as a storm begins, develops, and dissipates.

Wilkes University graduate bioengineering student Bryant Morocho of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., presented research he conducted during the summer at the American Society of Plant Biologists' annual meeting in Portland, Ore., July 12-16. Morocho examined a plant mutant defective in making a particular non-coding ribonucleic acid, or RNA.

A Wilkes University student research team presented its findings at the American Society of Plant Biologists' annual meeting in Portland, Ore., July 12-16. The researchers examined the amount of the medicinal compound resveratrol in Japanese knotweed. Resveratrol has been found to extend the lifespan of several species and is used as an herbal remedy.

A Wilkes University student research team is examining novel approaches to treat kidney stones. Kidney stones are crystallized masses of calcium oxalate. The researchers are attempting to identify enzymes from novel sources that might destroy the kidney stones and then clone the genes encoding the enzymes to overproduce them.

Wilkes University graduate student Jephte Akakpo presented the results of research he conducted to complete his master of science degree in bioengineering at the annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologists in Portland, Ore., July 12-16.

Wilkes University senior biology major Rebecca Wicker of Thornhurst, Pa., is pursing summer laboratory research with William Biggers, associate professor of biology. Wicker is testing marine sediments for chemical cues that trigger development in a marine worm species.

Wilkes University would like to welcome the 565 incoming freshmen students that comprise its Class of 2018. It is the 81st freshmen class in University history.

Wilkes University Provost Anne A. Skleder announces the Dean's List for the Spring 2014 Semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must earn a minimum 3.4 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.