Wilkes University

Wilkes University recognized more than 95 students, faculty and staff at the Extracurricular Awards Luncheon for their contributions to activities outside the classroom. The event was held April 25.

More than 200 Wilkes University students who received scholarships, along with the donors whose gifts made the scholarships possible, were recognized at the annual Scholarship Luncheon on April 4.

Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing formally inducted students into the nursing program on April 7 during a ceremony, held in the Arnaud C. Marts Center. Sixty-five students were officially welcomed into the program and received their lab coats and signed the nursing pledge.

Sixty-five Wilkes University students were inducted into the Passan School of Nursing during a ceremony on April 7. At the event, students received their lab coats and signed the nursing pledge.

Six student members of the Wilkes Civic Band played with the 72nd Annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band. The students were chosen to play with the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band with other student musicians from 27 other schools across the state. They performed under the baton of Major Michelle Rakers, former assistant conductor of the U.S. Marine Band.

Eight Wilkes University students participated in a LEAP-AB trip to Dominican Republic March 2-9. LEAP-AB stands for Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Partnerships-Alternative Break, coined by student leaders in 2016. Students worked with the organization Guanin, which aims to help young people discover, develop, and achieve their full potential as adults, citizens and leaders. Students donated their time doing work which addressed English as a second language and habitat and community outreach in a women's health initiative. The students shared information about women's health issues such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and hygiene.

Seven Wilkes University students participated in a LEAP-AB trip to Jamaica March 2-9. LEAP-AB stands for Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Partnerships-Alternative Break, coined by student leaders in 2016. Students donated their time working with RSVP Caribbean Volunteers. Students worked at the Mike Town Early Childhood Institution where they painted and redecorated the sickbay, the reading room, as well as made storage compartments and hopscotch game in the play area.

Eight Wilkes University students are participating in a LEAP-AB trip to the Carolina Tiger Rescue in North Carolina. LEAP-AB stands for Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Partnerships-Alternative Break, coined by student leaders in 2016. Students are donating their time at the tiger rescue, doing work which addresses animal welfare issues. Activities include general sanctuary maintenance including daily animal care tasks and the building of new enclosures.

Sixteen Wilkes University students participated in a LEAP-AB trip to Costa Rica March 2-9. LEAP-AB stands for Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Partnerships-Alternative Break, coined by student leaders in 2016. The students learned about the intersection of ecotourism development and ecology by visiting a number of environmentally sensitive sites in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. Students also completed community service with park rangers at Rincon de la Vieja National Park, maintaining hiking trails around the park. Students were also able to observe many species of flora and fauna in their natural habitat.

Wilkes University Theatre presents the sentimental comedy, The Dining Room. The performances will take place on April 4, 5 and 6 at 8 p.m. with matinee performances on April 6 and 7 at 2 p.m. The production is at Wilkes' Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes University students Matthew Finnegan and Joshua Bradley presented research papers during the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference. The event took place Feb. 15-17 at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society. Finnegan is a junior political science and international studies major. His paper was entitled "Wind Turbine Construction Projects and Their Effects on Tourism." Bradley is a junior political science and international studies major. His paper was entitled "The Effect of Energy Trade Dependency on Foreign Policy." The conference provides a platform for Pi Sigma Alpha members to present their research findings in a professional setting with opportunity for engagement with peers. Finnegan and Bradley are research assistants with assistant professor of political science Andreea Maierean.

Four 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.

Wilkes University students will complete internships as part of their academic work in the winter semester 2019. Internships complement academic work, provide students with practical experience in their field of study and prepare them to enter careers. Career Services at Wilkes University provides opportunities for students to clarify their career goals via individual coaching, consultations, interest assessments and life-career planning courses. The Center for Career Development and Internships is newly located behind the Henry Student Center.

Wilkes University Theatre presents the Tony awarding-winning musical, Cabaret. The performances will take place on Feb. 21, 22, and 23 at 8 p.m. with matinee performances on Feb. 23 and 24 at 2 p.m. The production is at Wilkes' Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, 239 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre.

Wilkes University Provost Dr. Anne Skleder announced the Dean's List for the fall 2018 semester.

Wilkes University awarded 384 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees to students who completed their degree requirements at the conclusion of the fall 2018 semester.

Three Wilkes University students were awarded the Dr. Joseph Donald Stephens, DDS Global Scholars Award. The award provides students with scholarships to pursue their education in another country. The award was established by Panos Kalaritis, a member of the 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.

Nine Wilkes University students were inducted 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 2018 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.

Thirteen Wilkes University students were inducted as full members into the Theta Delta Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta national biological honor society during an induction ceremony held during the fall 2018 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.

Seven fourth-year student pharmacists in Wilkes University's Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, participated in a four-week advanced pharmacy practice experience in Uganda. The students got a global health perspective, learning how pharmacy is practiced in a Third World country.

Three Wilkes University students were commissioned and received the rank of second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. The commissioning ceremony was hosted on Dec. 6 by Air Force ROTC Detachment 752 at Wilkes. The event was held in the Henry Student Center and was attended by family, friends and staff.

A student team representing the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharamacy attended the Pennsylvania Pharamacists Association Annual Conference in October 2018. The team and school was awarded the 2018 Public Relations and Awareness Award as well as the 2018 Membership Award from the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association.

Five Wilkes University students were inducted into Pi Kappa Delta, the speech and debate/forensics honor society. In order to become a member, students must participate in three competitive events throughout the school year, participate in the speech and debate team sponsored community service event and attend weekly practices and meetings. A ceremony for their induction was held on Nov. 1, 2018.

Eight Wilkes University students were inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association. A ceremony for their induction was held on Nov. 1, 2018. In order to become a member, students must complete 60 semester credit-hours, obtain a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0, complete the equivalent of 12 semester credit-hours in communication studies core curriculum and have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for all communication studies courses.

Wilkes University student James Dotter was named the production assistant for WilkesNow. WilkesNow is a student-run television program which educates young media professionals and provides services to the local community on cable channel 97 for Service Electric Cable, Wilkes-Barre, and one closed-circuit channel. He also serves as the sports production assistant for WCLH. WCLH is an independent, specialty programming radio station operated by Wilkes students.

Twenty-four Wilkes University students earned leadership positions with WilkesNow. WilkesNow is a student-run television program which educates young media professionals and provides services to the local community on cable channel 97 for Service Electric Cable, Wilkes-Barre, and one closed-circuit channel.

Nine Wilkes University students earned leadership positions with Zebra Communications. Zebra Communications is a student-run full-service public relations agency.

Eight Wilkes University students earned leadership positions with WCLH radio. WCLH is an independent, specialty programming radio station operated by Wilkes students.

Eleven Wilkes University students earned leadership positions at The Beacon. The Beacon is the student-run newspaper, advised by a full-time faculty member of the communication studies department.

Seventeen Wilkes University students have been appointed to the President's Student Advisory Council for the current academic year