Wilkes University honored the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as its 2018 Business Partner of the Year. The award was established to recognize partner organizations that demonstrate outstanding quality, value and service to Wilkes University.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins was selected for its support of the University’s inaugural ice hockey season. Wilkes men’s and women’s ice hockey teams use the Toyota Sportsplex as their home ice rink. Outfitted with Wilkes locker rooms and team amenities, the Toyota Sportsplex also serves as practice space for the Penguins.
The organization also helped promote Wilkes games and team events. During the season, Wilkes ice hockey teams played at the Mohegan Sun Arena immediately following a Penguins game, attracting fans of the AHL program to college-level competition.
“I am so pleased to honor the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins as our 2018 Business Partner of the Year,” said University President Patrick F. Leahy. “Forming men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, and celebrating a successful inaugural season, would not be possible without their support, sharing ice time and resources with our players and staff. The affiliation with the Penguins has been incredibly attractive to our student-athletes. They have been a true partner in attracting students who wish to learn and compete at Wilkes University.”
Wilkes presented the award to Jeff Barrett, chief executive officer, at the Toyota Sportsplex.
About Wilkes University:
Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation’s finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Economistnamed Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 46 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master’s degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing.
