The University will present the President’s Award and the Chairperson’s Award at the annual celebration.
Wilkes University will celebrate its legacy of educating first-generation college students at the 2025 Founders Gala at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at the Westmoreland Club, 59 South Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre.
This year’s event theme, A Gilded Gala, will transport guests to the Gilded Age, when many iconic campus and downtown buildings were constructed. A highlight of the evening will be the presentations of the President’s Award and the Chairperson’s Award.
The President’s Award, bestowed annually to those whose personal and professional lives reflect the highest aspirations of Wilkes University, will go to the Passan Foundation.
The Chairperson’s Award, presented to individuals who have made a positive impact upon their profession or community and in the spirit of the mission of Wilkes University, will go to Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC.
Proceeds from the event, now in its eleventh year, benefit the First Generation Scholarship Fund. The fund supports tuition, fees and course materials for students who are the first in their family to attend a college or university. Established in 2014, the First Generation Scholarship Fund has since raised over $4 million.
The Passan Foundation
The late John J. Passan left a historic mark on Wilkes with his dedicated endowment to Wilkes University’s Passan School of Nursing in 2015. The gift not only transformed nursing education at the University, but created countless professional development opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students alike. Today, the Passan School of Nursing is the only freestanding nursing school in the region.
In 2017, Passan was the recipient of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Philanthropist Award and the recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letter degree from Wilkes University. His philanthropic support
through the Passan Foundation, is apparent across the Wilkes campus, including Passan Hall, as well as many institutions across the Wyoming Valley.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Passan served in the United States Navy during World War II, and upon returning home, was educated under the G.I. Bill. Starting with one truck, he founded Valley Distributing and Storage Company, a family owned and operated warehouse and trucking business in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, more than 70 years ago. A pioneer in the warehouse and distribution industry, Passan held leadership roles in the American Warehouse Association and the America Chain of Warehouses.
John and his wife, Ann, had a special respect for and dedication to nurses and the healthcare field, making significant gifts in their lifetime to advance health education. They were beloved friends and family to all who knew them.
Their niece, Carol K. Keup ’89, will be accepting the President’s Award on their behalf.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC
Gregory Fellerman MBA ’92 and Edward Ciarimboli ’95 are founding partners at Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC. Their firm focuses on advocating for victims in personal injury suits. In addition to helping members of the community, they have been loyal supporters of both University athletics and the First Generation Scholarship Fund, helping ensure students at Wilkes can succeed.
Fellerman earned his bachelor of arts from King’s College, his MBA from Wilkes University and his law degree from Widener School of Law. His practice focuses on helping individuals in need with a particular passion for helping victims of medical malpractice, negligent motorists, insurance bad faith claims or unsafe work environments. He is active in the community as the president of the Friedman Jewish Community Center, the secretary of the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeastern Pennsylvania and an executive advisory board member of The Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership at Wilkes.
Ciarimboli earned a dual degree in political science and engineering and applied science from Wilkes. He then studied at Duquesne University School of Law. Trucking and auto collision and medical malpractice litigation are his specialties, and his dedication to clients has earned him a place on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list every year since 2008. An engaged community member and advocate, he serves on Wilkes University’s Board of Trustees and is a board member of The Arc, Wilkes-Barre YMCA and Marley’s Mission.
Fellerman and Ciarimboli are also the co-founders of Safe Prom Pledge, an initiative that educates students throughout northeastern Pennsylvania on the dangers of underage drinking and driving.
For more information about becoming a sponsor or attending the Founders Gala, visit wilkes.edu/foundersgala or call 570-408-4705.