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Class of 2013 - Welcome to the Alumni Family! 

On Saturday, May 18, Wilkes awarded 746 doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees at its 66th Annual Spring Commencement.  For the first time, separate ceremonies were held for graduate and undergraduate students. The event returned to campus, complete with the traditional procession down South Franklin Street and bagpipe music. Ronald Rittenmeyer '72, chairman, president and CEO of Expert Global Solutions Inc., gave the commencement address during both ceremonies.  

Alumni Association President Tom Ralston '80 officially welcomed the Class of 2013 as our newest members of the alumni family. Standout student-athlete and business major Melanie Nolt '13 received the Alumni Association's Alumni Award for Leadership.  She shared her sentiments about graduating by performing a rap, rhyming her way through memories and best wishes for a bright future. Want to see what commencement was like?  You can view the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies online... more

View the Homecoming 2013 Schedule of Events
We have three days of fun planned for you this Homecoming, October 4-6!  Highlights of the weekend will include the George Ralston Golf Outing, Pints with Professors, the Twist & Stout Downtown Bar Tour, Tailgate Tent, Reunion Celebration, Casino Night and more. In addition, Wilkes’ newest building, the state-of-the-art Cohen Science Center will be dedicated on Friday, October 4.  View the complete schedule, contact your classmates and make plans to return to campus!

Add your Items to the Colonel's Collection
This Homecoming, we'll celebrate all things Wilkes with displays of photos, apparel and other memorabilia. Clean out your closets and search through the attic to see what you have, then send a photo and description to Bridget in the alumni office. The photos and stories will be shared with the Wilkes community leading up to and during Homecoming Weekend.           

Make a Gift, Get a Gift
As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we are reminded how important alumni support is to Wilkes. Gifts provide scholarships, support mentoring programs and other opportunities for our students. When you make your gift, you help them take one step closer to graduation. Make your gift of $12 or more to Wilkes before May 31st and receive an alumni t-shirt! 

Don't Miss Your Chance to Visit Costa Rica
Wilkes is headed to Costa Rica from October 12-19!  On this 8-day tour, you'll enjoy the amazing La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Arenal Lake, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Manuel Antonio National Park and much more! This location is a favorite of Dr. Andy Miller's, who frequently leads groups of Wilkes students there as a part of his coursework. This summer, he'll blog from his latest trip. Experience Costa Rica for yourself by registering for the Alumni Association's trip. Deposits are due June 14... more

Sandra Bloomberg '71 Inducted into MAC Hall of Fame
Former Wilkes University basketball and field hockey great Sandra Bloomberg '71 has been elected into the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame, where she joins 2012 honorees John Reese and Joseph Wiendl '69. Playing the only two varsity sports available for women at the time, Bloomberg was a seven-time letterwinner in basketball and field hockey... more

Wilkes Magazine Features Tribute to Al Groh '41
When you receive the latest issue of Wilkes magazine this June, you will be greeted by the face of a campus legend - Al Groh '41. In this tribute to Mr. Groh, his family, former students and members of the Wilkes community will share their memories of the beloved professor emeritus of theatre arts who passed away earlier this year. In addition, you'll get to know music industry executive Jimmy Harnen '85, healthcare heavy-hitter Denise Cesare '77 and award-winning educator Leslie Nicholas '81. And remember, you can view Wilkes magazine anytime by visiting www.wilkesmagazine.org!  

Put Your Words on Wheels!
Dr. Mischelle Anthony is looking for submissions for her Poetry in Transit program, which places classic and original poetry on public transportation in Luzerne County, PA. Inspired by a similar initiative in England, Dr. Anthony brought Poetry in Transit to the Wilkes community in 2007. The theme this year is travel. Original poems of no more than 6 lines should be emailed to Dr. Anthony by May 31.   

A Look Inside

As construction on the exterior of the Cohen Science Center nears completion, interior spaces are taking shape. In this photo of the River Street side of the building, you can see lighting fixtures that hang from the ceiling of student lounges and conference rooms. Faculty will move into the Cohen Science Center throughout the summer and students will begin taking classes there this fall.  You can get a closer look at this state-of-the-art facility when it is officially dedicated during Homecoming Weekend.  A celebration, complete with tours of the building, will take place on Friday, October 4, at 4:00 p.m.