Wilkes University has long had a history of supporting first generation college students. On May 30, more than 250 members of the community gathered at the Westmoreland Club to celebrate that legacy at the University’s Founders Gala.
The annual Founders Gala was introduced in 2014 to raise money for the First Generation Scholarship Fund while honoring members of the community who have made an exceptional impact on Wilkes University.
This year’s gala focused on pillars of the community. Tony Brooks, director of the Wilkes-Barre Preservation Society and member of Wilkes-Barre City Council served as master of ceremonies. Jonathan Ference, PharmD ’03, dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, offered the invocation. Charlene Dixon ’26, a recent graduate of Wilkes University’s Passan School of Nursing, shared her experiences as a first generation college student. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Chairperson’s Award and the President’s Award.
William R. Miller, chair of the Board of Trustees, presented the Chairperson’s Award to the Borzell Family P ’11 for their positive impact on Wilkes University and the community.
Retired business agent Jack Borzell, his wife Mary Claire, and their daughter Julianna have transformed the profound loss of their son and brother, John, into a lasting legacy of honor, remembrance and service to others.
John Anthony “Beno” Borzell ’11 tragically lost his life on Sept. 3, 2011, in a motorcycle accident, just four months after graduating from Wilkes University at the age of 22. A promising student-athlete, John Borzell proudly wore number 17 on both his football and baseball high school uniforms. His love of the outdoors and commitment to learning led him to earn a bachelor’s degree in earth and environmental science at Wilkes.
In the years since John’s passing, the Borzell family has chosen to celebrate his life through meaningful philanthropy, providing support to students at Wilkes University and Wyoming Area High School. Much of this support has been made possible through the annual John Anthony “Beno” Borzell Golf Tournament, which has become an extraordinary expression of community, generosity and reflection.
“What makes the Borzell family truly deserving of this recognition goes beyond philanthropy. The Borzells change lives and they strengthen institutions like Wilkes in ways that cannot always be measured, but are deeply felt,” said Miller in his presentation. “Through their service to community and investment in future generations, we are reminded that the greatest legacies are not simply what we accomplish for ourselves, but what we create for others despite insurmountable hardships.
President Greg Cant presented Jay S. Sidhu MBA ’73 with the President’s Award, an honor bestowed each year to an individual whose personal and professional life reflect the highest aspirations of Wilkes University.
Sidhu came to the United States in the early 1970s to pursue graduate education in preparation for a career in business.
Sidhu wrote to 40 institutions explaining that he could not afford application fees, much less tuition, but pledged to recompense the school that took a risk on him. One institution accepted the challenge with a generous scholarship – Wilkes University.
Today, Wilkes is home to the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. The University made a wise bet on his future, and now his contribution fosters the creation of new generations of business leaders.
Cant spoke of Sidhu’s remarkable life, highlighting his indelible mark on the campus and its students.
“Jay’s impact on Wilkes can be seen in countless ways, but perhaps nowhere more visibly than in the establishment of the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, a transformational investment that reflects his belief in preparing students not only for successful careers, but for lives of principled leadership and meaningful service,” said Cant. “Under Jay’s mentorship and guidance, Wilkes strengthened the integration of leadership principles into business education, reinforcing the idea that success is measured not only by achievement, but by one’s ability to inspire, serve and create opportunity for others.”
Now in its twelfth year, the Founders Gala has made a tradition out of creating opportunity for first generation students at Wilkes. Thanks to the generosity of individual and corporate sponsors, along with other fundraising efforts, this year’s gala combined to raise in excess of $300,000. Since 2014, the total raised for the First Generation Scholarship Fund now tops $4.5 million.
For more information on the Founders Gala and the honorees, as well as a complete list of this year’s sponsors, visit wilkes.edu/foundersgala.