Wilkes University

Wilkes University junior biology major Zachary Jones of Columbia, Pa., gained valuable experience working with wildlife and environmental issues at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin as part of a week-long service trip in May. During the trip, Jones worked on a GPS coordinate sign mapping project and performed ground surveys in search of the endangered brittle prickly pear.

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.

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.

Wilkes alumnus Sam Miller of Harris, N.Y., will be presenting his work at the 7th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology in Houston on June 9-13. He will be co-presenting with fellow Wilkes alumna Kristen Chorney. Both graduated this past May with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering. Their presentation showcases the findings from their trip to Cameroon, Africa last summer.

Wilkes alumna Kristen Chorney of Media, Pa., will be presenting her work at the 7th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology in Houston on June 9-13. She will be co-presenting with fellow Wilkes alumnus Sam Miller. Both graduated this past May with a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering. Their presentation showcases the findings from their trip to Cameroon, Africa last summer.

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.

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.

Ian Foley of Whitehall, Pa., received the Alumni Award for Leadership at Wilkes University's 67th Annual Spring Commencement held May 17. The Wilkes Alumni Association presents the annual award to the student who has made the strongest contribution to student life and activities during his or her time at Wilkes. Foley, the son of Karen and Tom Foley, graduated with a bachelor of art with majors in communications studies and political science and was awarded magna cum laude.

Jordyn Miller of Lehighton, Pa., was presented with the Theresa Jordan and Frank Mehm Prize at Wilkes University's 67th Annual Spring Commencement on May 17. The daughter of Kim and George Miller, she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. She graduated cum laude. The annual prize recognizes an individual from the Wilkes community who exemplifies moral courage, perseverance, formidable faith and a sense of unwavering optimism.

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.

Nimita Patel of Mountain Top, Pa., was presented with the Theresa Jordan and Frank Mehm Prize at Wilkes University's 67th Annual Spring Commencement on May 17. The daughter of Bharat and Madhu Patel, she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree with a triple major in criminology, psychology and sociology. The annual prize recognizes an individual from the Wilkes community who exemplifies moral courage, perseverance, formidable faith and a sense of unwavering optimism.

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.

Wilkes University doctor of pharmacy graduate Courtney Graham of Laporte, Pa., was recently presented with the 2014 Outstanding Pharmacy Student Award by the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association.

Wilkes University awarded 724 doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees to students graduating after the completion of the spring 2014 semester during the University's 67th annual spring commencement ceremony. The 10 a.m. ceremony for graduate students and 3 p.m. ceremony for undergraduates were held in the Arnaud C. Marts Sports & Conference Center. Graduates marched down South Franklin Street and entered the center to the music of bagpipers leading the procession.

Wilkes University student Silvia Silvi was honored at the seventh annual Multicultural Awards ceremony held at the Henry Student Center on April 23, 2014. Silvi, a pharmacy student from Sylhet Bangladesh, received the Wilkes Helping Hands Student Award for contributing the most to improve the diversity climate at Wilkes.

Wilkes University student Deanna Moore was honored at the seventh annual Multicultural Awards ceremony held at the Henry Student Center on April 23, 2014. Moore, a management major and international studies minor from Tunkhannock, Pa., received the Wilkes Global Scholar and Citizen Award for demonstrating high academic achievement and involvement in campus and community activities promoting cross-cultural awareness.

Twenty-four Wilkes University 2014 Doctor of Pharmacy graduates will pursue post-graduate training across the country. Nationwide, approximately 18 percent of pharmacy graduates pursue residency training. At Wilkes, 24 percent of the graduating class matched with residency programs, exceeding the national average. Including fellowships, 35 percent of the graduating class will pursue post-graduate training, setting a University record.

Wilkes University third-year pharmacy student Bethany Sharpless of Lansing, N.Y., recently 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.

Twenty-seven graduating engineering students and professionals were initiated into the Order of the Engineer at the annual Wilkes University Engineering Banquet. The Order of the Engineer is a code of ethics offered to all Wilkes graduating engineering students.

Six Wilkes University student teachers presented "Getting Ready for America" at City University College in Selangor, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 3 as part of an international exchange program between the two institutions. Nearly 150 college students attended the presentation on American culture and customs given by Gina Zanolini Morrison, Wilkes associate professor of undergraduate education and student teaching abroad supervisor, and the student teachers.

Wilkes University recently selected Martina Barna and Sofia Soares as drum majors to lead the University's new marching band. The band - the only collegiate marching band in the region - will debut at the Colonels' first home football game in fall 2014. The women were chosen following auditions held earlier in the spring 2014 semester. They said that the new band gives them an ideal opportunity to enjoy a favorite activity while pursuing their academic interests.

The Wilkes University Enactus team placed in the top five out of 100 schools across the United States participating in the Sam's Club Step Up for Small Business Project Partnership competition. The team also placed second runner-up in its league at the Enactus national competition. Team members for the 2013/2014 academic year include Dominic Manzione, Mark Vancosky, Josh Rodriguez, Jeremy Wiest, Eddie Powell, Jacqueline Escobar, Kristie Spinello, Tory Price and Jess Batchler.

Wilkes University student Bryant Morocho of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was awarded the William J. Polacheck Memorial Scholarship at the University's annual scholarship luncheon on March 27. The annual scholarship is awarded to a senior student who graduated from a Wilkes-Barre Area high school, is pursuing a degree in the science field and demonstrates financial need. Morocho is expected to graduate in May with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry.

Wilkes University student Ian Foley of White Hall, Pa., was awarded the inaugural McCole Foundation Scholarship at the University's annual scholarship luncheon on March 27. Foley, a senior communications and political science major, merited the scholarship for an internship he completed at Chancellor Financial Group in Wilkes-Barre. Beginning in the 2014/2015 academic year, the scholarship will be awarded to a Wilkes student enrolled in the business or entrepreneurship programs.

Two Wilkes University students were awarded the Mark Family Annual Scholarship at the University's annual scholarship luncheon on March 27. The scholarship is awarded to one full-time student enrolled in the engineering program and one full-time student enrolled in the business administration program.

Seven members of Wilkes University's chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, used a chapter activity grant to travel to Washington, D.C. There they heard the Supreme Court case Clark versus Rameker, which was an argument concerning the bankruptcy code. The group also met with Sen. Robert Casey and Rep. Matthew Cartwright as well as Wilkes alumni working at various research think tanks.

Seventeen Wilkes University education students were inducted into the University's Teacher Education Program at a recent pinning ceremony held on March 18. The ceremony marked their successful completion of the Pennsylvania Department of Education's requirements for entrance into the program.

Six Wilkes University students from the division of behavioral and social sciences traveled to Baltimore, Md., to participate in the Eastern Sociological Society Regional Conference held on Feb. 20, 2014. Andrew Wilczak, Wilkes assistant professor of sociology, accompanied the students, who are all members of the University's sociology/criminology club.