Wilkes University

Wilkes University awarded nearly 700 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at its 74th spring commencement ceremonies from May 28 to 30. To honor those earning their degrees and accommodate their families, six in-person ceremonies for students receiving doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees were held during Memorial Day weekend.

Wilkes University interim Provost Terese Wignot announced the Dean's List for the spring 2021 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Wilkes University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 has announced the commissioning of officers in the Class of 2021. Six graduating students received the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force. The newly commissioned officers earned bachelor's degrees at Wilkes University in May 2021.

Three students from Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy are the recipients of 2021 Educational Grants from Lambda Kappa Sigma. Lambda Kappa Sigma is a professional pharmacy fraternity that provides lifelong opportunities for women in pharmacy through professional excellence and personal growth. Grants are provided to organizational members who have exhibited leadership, scholarship and dedication to the profession of pharmacy.

Wilkes University interim Provost Terese Wignot announced the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester for students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. To be named to the Dean's List, students in the program must obtain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits. The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed for individuals who hold bachelor's degrees in other disciplines, but wish to pursue a nursing career. With one year of intensive study, students leave the program prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and become registered nurses.

Wilkes University interim Provost Terese Wignot announced the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Landon Bordner, a Wilkes University PharmD/MBA student from Williamstown, Pennsylvania, was elected Region 2 Delegate for the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) in January 2021.

Wilkes University awarded 260 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to winter graduates.

Wilkes University awarded 270 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at a virtual degree conferral ceremony on Sept. 12. The virtual degree conferral, livestreamed from campus, included remarks from Wilkes President Greg Cant and interim Provost Terese Wignot. Among those receiving their degrees are the University's first doctor of philosophy in nursing graduates. The four Passan School of Nursing graduates hail from Ohio and New Jersey and are the first to earn a Ph.D. from Wilkes in the University's nearly 90-year history.

Wilkes University is welcoming 40 new students to its Honors Program for the fall 2020 semester. The fall 2020 semester will begin on August 24 following the University's Welcome Weekend which provides first-year students with an introduction to life at Wilkes. The Wilkes University Honors Program recruits exceptionally talented and highly motivated students. They receive an enhanced, interdisciplinary educational experience, which will drive intellectual, professional and personal achievement. To be accepted, students must have a SAT score of 1,100 or higher, or rank in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating class. Students accepted into the program reside in a living-learning community. Students in the program are eligible for an annual academic enrichment grant, unique in higher education, which students can use to help fund study-related expenses such as travel or technology. Other scholarship opportunities specific to honors students are also available upon acceptance to this program.

Wilkes University is welcoming more than 500 students to campus as members of its new first-year class. The fall 2020 semester will begin on August 24 following the University's Welcome Weekend which provides first-year students with an introduction to life at Wilkes.

Simon (Chengyu) Chu of Gaithersburg, Md., was presented with the Nada Vujic Memorial Award by the Center for Global Education and Diversity at Wilkes University. The award has been given for 40 years to an international student who fosters internationalization on the Wilkes campus. He also was recognized for his service as a resident assistant by the Office of Residence Life. Chu graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in computer science. In the fall, he will begin a doctoral program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Joshua Bradley of South Paris, Maine, was recognized with the Outstanding Service and Dedication Award by the Office of Residence Life at Wilkes University. The award recognizes the impact that he made impact on incoming students, residents, coworkers, and staff of Wilkes University in his role as a resident assistant. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in May 2020.

Wilkes University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 has announced the commissioning of officers in the Class of 2020. Students were commissioned and received the rank of second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Twenty students receiving the doctor of pharmacy degree from Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy in May 2020 were accepted into post-graduate residency and fellowship programs. Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy continues to match student pharmacists seeking post-graduate residency training at a rate above the national average - with a match rate 11 percentage points higher than the national average in 2020. Seventy-four percent of students from Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy were successfully matched into residency training programs this year.

Wilkes University awarded 720 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at a virtual degree conferral ceremony on May 16. A second virtual degree conferral occurred on May 29 for students receiving the Doctor of Pharmacy degree in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. The virtual degree conferrals, livestreamed from campus, included remarks from Wilkes interim President Paul Adams and interim Provost Terese Wignot. Because Wilkes University could not hold its 73rd spring commencement ceremony, an in-person graduation ceremony is planned for Sept. 12, 2020, in the McHale Athletic Center of the University Center on Main on the Wilkes campus. Individuals completing degrees in both spring and summer will be individually recognized at the ceremony. Those receiving graduate degrees will be recognized at a 10 a.m. ceremony and those receiving undergraduate degrees will be recognized at a 3 p.m. Wilkes University is committed to honoring graduates at the September ceremony, but final plans are dependent on the guidance of national and local health officials.

Wilkes University recognized students for their activities and achievements in clubs, athletics, student government and campus leadership at its annual extracurricular awards.

Wilkes University honored students with at least two years of service to student government at its extracurricular awards marking the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. The award recognizes the countless hours dedicated to serving the student body through programming, conducting weekly business on Wednesday nights, and being a voice for students.

Wilkes University honored more than 90 students for their participation, contributions and accomplishments in clubs, organizations, athletics and internships with its extracurricular awards. The awards were one of several events marking the end of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Wilkes University's Office of Residence Life recognized senior students for their service as resident assistants at the University's extracurricular awards. Resident assistants are hired on the basis of character, leadership, and their ability to interact with students. All of them undergo extensive training so they may readily meet the needs of residential students. The primary function of the resident assistant staff is to build a community, which is crucial to a successful residence hall living experience. They practice an open-door policy and are available day and night should students need them.

Wilkes University recognized students who served as e-Mentors at its annual extracurricular awards. First-year student e-Mentors are upperclassman who provide experience and support to incoming students at Wilkes University. While the program begins at orientation, e-Mentors work with thier assigned group throughout thefFall semester, to offer guidance and knowledge that will help with the transition to college life. The program helps each new student connect with peers, upperclassmen, and the institution as a whole.

Wilkes University inducted 10 students as associate members into the Theta Delta Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society at an induction ceremony held during the fall semester. Associate members are sophomores and juniors who have completed fewer than 16 biology credits with at least a 3.25 grade-point average and a 3.0 overall GPA. Beta Beta Beta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and his students. The idea of an honor society and professional society for biology students spread and by 1925 the society became a national organization. The Theta Delta Chapter was installed at Wilkes in 2001.

Wilkes University presented its annual academic awards for graduating seniors on May 15. Awards are presented to outstanding students for achievements in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, the School of Education, the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and the Passan School of Nursing.

Wilkes University inducted five students as full members into the Theta Delta Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society at an induction ceremony held during the fall semester. Full members are juniors or seniors who have completed at least 16 credits in biology with at least a 3.25 grade-point average and a 3.0 overall GPA. Beta Beta Beta was founded in 1922 at Oklahoma City University by Dr. Frank G. Brooks and his students. The idea of an honor society and professional society for biology students spread and by 1925 the society became a national organization. The Theta Delta Chapter was installed at Wilkes in 2001.

The Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing Program awarded the Faculty and Alumni Scholarship at its closing banquet on January 10, 2020. The Faculty and Alumni Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more incoming students at the M.A. level of the Wilkes creative writing program based on financial need and a writing sample submitted as part of the application materials. The scholarship recipient(s) will be determined by a three-member faculty committee who will recommend the student(s) to the program director. This scholarship was started to offer a scholarship opportunity to students who are new to the program and was funded through tax-deductible gifts from faculty and alumni. About the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing Wilkes University's Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers the master of arts and master of fine art degrees in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, publishing and documentary film. Program faculty are working, producing writers who mentor students one-on-one through the process of creating a full-length creative project. The Graduate Creative Writing program is offered in two formats. In the low-residency format, students learn online and attend two eight-day residencies each January and June. For the weekender program, students will learn online and attend four face-to-face weekend class sessions each term. For more information, please visit www.wilkes.edu/cw or call 570-408-4527.

The Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing at Wilkes University awarded The Beverly Hiscox Scholarship to two students in the program. The scholarship was presented at the closing banquet of the Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing Program on Jan 10, 2020. The Beverly Hiscox Scholarship is awarded annually to a non-traditional student who is returning to school while supporting a family. The award is based upon need and demonstrated writing talent. It is given in honor of Beverly Hiscox, a Wilkes University Board of Trustees member and long-time supporter of our program. Awarded annually, faculty members nominate students who are already in the Creative Writing program. About the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing Wilkes University's Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers the master of arts and master of fine art degrees in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, publishing and documentary film. Program faculty are working, producing writers who mentor students one-on-one through the process of creating a full-length creative project. The Graduate Creative Writing program is offered in two formats. In the low-residency format, students learn online and attend two eight-day residencies each January and June. For the weekender program, students will learn online and attend four face-to-face weekend class sessions each term. For more information, please visit www.wilkes.edu/cw or call 570-408-4527. For more stories about Wilkes University and its students, faculty and staff, please visit News@Wilkes.

The Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing Program at Wilkes University awarded the Bergman Family Foundation Scholarship to two students in the program. The scholarship was presented at the closing banquet of the Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing Program on Jan 10, 2020. The Bergman Family Foundation Award is awarded annually to two students who demonstrate great need and ability. Students may nominate themselves for this award by writing a letter to the Bergman family when called for by the program director. About the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing Wilkes University's Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing offers the master of arts and master of fine art degrees in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, publishing and documentary film. Program faculty are working, producing writers who mentor students one-on-one through the process of creating a full-length creative project. The Graduate Creative Writing program is offered in two formats. In the low-residency format, students learn online and attend two eight-day residencies each January and June. For the weekender program, students will learn online and attend four face-to-face weekend class sessions each term. For more information, please visit www.wilkes.edu/cw or call 570-408-4527. For more stories about Wilkes University and its students, faculty and staff, please visit News@Wilkes.

Wilkes University interim Provost Terese Wignot announced the Dean's List for the fall 2019 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, students must obtain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits.

Wilkes University awarded 302 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees when it held its winter commencement ceremony on January 19. The event was held in the Arnaud C. Marts Center, 274 South Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre. Wilkes interim President Paul S. Adams presided at the event. The commencement address was delivered by Paul Riggs, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University. Kristin Donati, who received her master of business administration degree at the ceremony, was the student speaker. Donati is associate director of graduate enrollment at Wilkes University.

Four Wilkes University students in the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership received a scholarship from the Northeastern Chapter of Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accounts. The scholarship fund is provided by the proceeds from the annual tax clinic established by the accounting organization. Partial tuition scholarships are awarded to accounting students in recognition of high academic endeavor in the study of accounting. The students were recognized at the tax clinic held in November 2019.