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.

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.

Three Wilkes University students were awarded the Dr. Joseph Donald Stephens, DDS Global Scholars Award. The award provides students with scholarships to enhance their education via study abroad opportunities. The award was established by Panos Kalaritis, a member of Wilkes University's Class of 1977, and his wife, Deborah Stephens Kalaritis, a member of the Class of 1978, in honor of her father, who also graduated from Wilkes in 1951.

Wilkes University mechanical engineering and engineering management majors presented their senior projects and demonstrated them at an event on Nov. 23. It was attended by faculty, friends and family. Engineering students in the University's College of Science and Engineering are required to complete a senior project as part of the requirements to complete their degrees.

The Wilkes University student team has won the statewide final in the America250PA marketing competition. The marketing competition challenges students to come up with a campaign promoting the 250th anniversary of American independence in Pennsylvania. The team competed at the Nov. 19 event held at the Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference at The Woodlands. The Wilkes student team had previously tied for first place at the regional competition held in October.

Ajna Prahalad of Clarks Summit, Pa., was one of five Wilkes University students to complete their Guthrie Clinical Semester in fall 2019. Prahalad is a neuroscience and biology major. The Guthrie Scholars program is designed to give qualified students at Wilkes University who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine the opportunity to earn 15 credits while gaining first-hand knowledge of the life of a physician. Prahalad will be completing research during the semester focusing on patient functional disability and dependence after having a stroke. Prahalad will use the Modified Rankin Scale test, a functional disability and dependence test, and compare treatment of stoke with Alteplase, Thrombectomy or no treatment at all. Functional differences will then be assessed between the groups. Prahalad is working with Guthrie registered nurse Allison Caccia and neurosurgeon Kim L. Ricker.

Five Wilkes University students are completing their Guthrie clinical semester as part of the Guthrie Scholars program. The Guthrie Scholars program is designed to give qualified juniors and seniors at Wilkes University who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine the opportunity to earn 15 credits while gaining first-hand knowledge of the life of a physician. The selected students participate in a research project, attend medical and surgical grand rounds and teaching rounds, hear lectures, and shadow physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, allied health care providers and administrators. They also spend one week in a Guthrie regional clinic, two days with Guthrie Hospice and Guthrie Home Health care, a day with the Greater Valley Ambulance Service and a day with the Guthrie Air Flight Team. The program is offered by the Guthrie non-profit integrated health system that is located in north central Pennsylvania and upstate New York. Applicants for the Guthrie Clinical Scholars program must be in their sophomore year at Wilkes University to apply. Applicants must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 and have shadowing and community service experience. An application is required to be submitted through the Center for Health Sciences and Student Success at Wilkes. After the application review process, Guthrie interviews the top applicants.

The Wilkes University student team tied for first place in a competition challenging students to come up with a campaign promoting the 250th anniversary of American independence in Pennsylvania. Eight institutions from the northeast region competed in the marketing event America250PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge on Oct. 26. Now, the Wilkes team is headed to statewide finals on Nov. 19 to compete against other regional winners.

Wilkes University Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning musical, Nine. The performances will take place on Nov. 14, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 16 and 17 at 2 p.m. The production is at Wilkes' Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre.

The Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy was awarded the 2019 Public Relations and Awareness Award from the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA). The students were recognized at the organization's annual conference held at Seven Springs Resort on Sept. 21, in Champion, Pa.

Wilkes University students are participating in internships for the fall 2019 semester.

Wilkes University awarded 425 doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees to students graduating at the summer commencement ceremony held on Sept. 8.

Wilkes University welcomes more than 500 students into the University's newest class.

Wilkes University welcomes 52 students into the honors programs newest class.

During summer 2019, undergraduate students at Wilkes University engaged in research. Working with faculty on meaningful research is one of the hallmarks of a Wilkes education. Students at Wilkes have all of the educational opportunities of a large university in the mentoring culture of a small college.

During summer 2019, undergraduate students at Wilkes University engaged in research. Working with faculty on meaningful research is one of the hallmarks of a Wilkes education. Students at Wilkes have all of the educational opportunities of a large university in the mentoring culture of a small college.

Wilkes University Senior Vice President and Provost Anne Skleder announced the Dean's List for the spring 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.

Students in Wilkes University's Sidhu School of Business and Leadership placed third in the fifth annual Chicago Quantitative Alliance (CQA) Investment Challenge. The Wilkes team, called Wilkes Gold, competed against 50 teams, beating students from The University of Chicago, CalTech, Carnegie Mellon MBA, Duke University, Cornell University, University of Michigan, Washington University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Wilkes team received $1,000 for their third-place finish.

Wilkes University's Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 held a commissioning ceremony on May 17 in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Students from Wilkes University, King's College, Marywood, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Misericordia University, University of Scranton and East Stroudsburg University were commissioned and received the rank of second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Kya Lewis of Secane, Pa., 19018 received the Alumni Leadership Award at Wilkes University's 72nd Annual Spring Commencement on May 18. This award is given by the Wilkes University Alumni Association to the member of the graduating class considered to have made the strongest contribution to student life and the student activities program of the University. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude degree in management. Lewis is a two-term president of programming board, the student activities organization on campus. She was also the hip-hop director for the student-run radio station, WCLH. She served as a resident assistant and as orientation coordinator. Last fall, Lewis was selected as homecoming queen. After graduation, she will pursue her MBA at Wilkes and serve as a graduate assistant in the Admissions office. Lewis is the daughter of Sharon Lewis-Gregg and Wesley Gregg.

Romeo Rosario of Allentown, Pa., 18102, received the Teresa Jordan and Frank Mehm Prize at Wilkes University's 72nd Annual Spring Commencement on May 18. The prize is awarded annually to the undergraduate who most nearly represents the ideal respecting moral courage, unselfishness, and noteworthy extracurricular participation significantly advancing the University on and off campus. Rosario earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Rosario has served as head drum major for the Wilkes University Marching Colonels. He also served as an e-mentor at orientation for first-year students and was a resident assistant. Rosario was the president of BACCHUS, a campus organization focused on student health and wellness. Last fall, he was selected as homecoming king. He received the Music Award from the Division of Performing Arts. Following graduation, he will be attending graduate school in the field of counseling. Rosario is the son of Anita Rosario.

Wilkes University seniors Lauren Bezek of Kingston, Pa., and Cole Walters of Mifflintown, Pa., received the Mabel Scott Wandell and the Sterling Leroy Wandell award at at the University's 72nd Annual Spring Commencement on May 18. This award is presented to the man and woman in Wilkes University's graduating class with the highest grade-point average.

Seventeen students in Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy received academic awards.

More than 60 Wilkes University students were recognized for their achievements during the 2019 Academic Awards Ceremony. The event was held on May 17, the evening before spring commencement.

Wilkes University awarded 797 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at its 72nd spring commencement ceremonies on May 18.

Thirteen students from the Health Sciences Program in Wilkes University's College of Science and Engineering have been accepted into post-graduate programs.

Wilkes University electrical engineering majors presented their senior projects and demonstrated them at an event on May 5. It was attended by faculty, friends and family. Engineering students in the University's College of Science and Engineering are required to complete a senior project as part of the requirements to complete their degrees.

Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy continues to match student pharmacists seeking post-graduate residency training at a rate of 15 percent above the national average. Eighty percent of students and alumni from Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy were successfully matched into residency training programs in 2019. Twenty-six Wilkes students receiving the doctor of pharmacy degree in May 2019 were accepted into programs.

Wilkes University students were honored during the 2019 Multicultural Awards.