Wilkes University celebrated the accomplishments of 800 students at its 79th spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, at the McHale Athletic Center in the Ron and Rhea Simms Center on Main, 169 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.
The ceremony for graduate students receiving doctoral degrees, master’s degrees and post-graduate certificates in nursing was held at 10 a.m., with a commencement address delivered by Wilkes University President Greg Cant.
The ceremony for undergraduate students receiving bachelor’s degrees was held at 3 p.m. Larry Newman, founding executive director of the Diamond City Partnership, delivered the commencement address. Newman and Robert A. Mugford, P.E. ’58 of Power Engineering Corporation were awarded honorary degrees.
Gabrielle Tetreault of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, received an Armed Forces Reserve Officer Appointment in the U.S. Space Force.
Sydney Jane Ahrberg of Greenville, New York; Kayla J. Eckrote of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania; Kaylee Katherine Fenner of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania; and Amelia May Lawrence of West Wyoming, Pennsylvania, earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages and received the Mabel Scott Wandell Award and Sterling Leroy Wandell Award. The Mabel Scott Wandell and the Sterling Leroy Wandell awards are presented to the individuals in Wilkes University’s graduating class with the highest grade-point averages.
Adriana Aziz of Reading, Pennsylvania, received the Teresa Jordan and Frank Mehm Prize. The Mehm 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.
Samara Carey of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, received the Alumni Leadership Award. The Alumni Leadership 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.
