Notable Alumni of Wilkes University

Wilkes University, a private institution in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has a rich history of fostering talent across various fields. Established in 1933, initially as Bucknell University Junior College, Wilkes University has grown into a prominent institution with a diverse range of programs and a strong commitment to academic excellence. EduRank positions Wilkes University at 3073rd globally, 1053rd in North America, and 999th in the United States, based on aggregated alumni prominence. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their achievements and contributions to society.

Introduction to Wilkes University

Originally founded as Bucknell University Junior College in 1933, Wilkes University became an independent four-year college in 1947, offering programs in the arts, sciences, and various professional fields. The university expanded significantly in the following decades, adding new academic buildings, residence halls, and facilities. Key milestones include the opening of the School of Pharmacy in 1996 and the creation of the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business & Leadership in 2004. Wilkes University has consistently adapted to meet the needs of its students and the community, as demonstrated by its response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when it temporarily suspended in-person instruction and implemented safety measures to ensure the well-being of its community.

Prominent Alumni

Frank Zane: The Bodybuilding Chemist

Frank Zane stands out as one of the most iconic figures in bodybuilding history. Graduating from Wilkes University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in education, Zane, known as "The Chemist", is a retired American professional bodybuilder and author. He dominated the Mr. Olympia competition, winning it three years in a row from 1977 to 1979. His earlier achievements include Mr. Universe titles in 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971 and 1972, and Mr. America titles in 1966, 1967 and 1968. Renowned for his focus on symmetry and proportion, Zane often competed at a bodyweight of less than 200lbs, outperforming much larger competitors. His physique is celebrated as one of the greatest in bodybuilding history, particularly his vacuum pose, which highlighted his small, tight waist.

Marlon James: Award-Winning Novelist

Marlon James, born in Jamaica, is a celebrated writer known for his powerful and evocative novels. His works include John Crow's Devil (2005), The Book of Night Women (2009), A Brief History of Seven Killings (2014), Black Leopard, Red Wolf (2019), and Moon Witch, Spider King (2022). James achieved international recognition when A Brief History of Seven Killings won the 2015 Man Booker Prize. His contributions to literature have solidified his place as a significant voice in contemporary writing.

Bo Ryan: Legendary Basketball Coach

William Francis "Bo" Ryan Jr. is an American former college basketball coach. He served as the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball team from 2001 to December 2015. Ryan's coaching career also includes successful tenures at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1984 to 1999 and at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1999 to 2001. His overall collegiate coaching record stands at an impressive 747-233. Ryan's contributions to basketball have been recognized with inductions into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024.

Lawrence Hilton Jacobs: Versatile Actor and Singer

Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, also credited as Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, is an American actor and singer with a career spanning several decades. He is best known for his role as Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington in Welcome Back Kotter (1975-1979). Jacobs has also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including Claudine (1974), Cooley High (1975), Roots (1977), Bangers and Mash (1983), Alien Nation (1989-1990), The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992), and 31 (2016). His versatility and enduring presence in the entertainment industry have made him a recognizable figure.

William Evanina: National Security Expert

William R. Evanina is an American national security official who served as director of the United States National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) until his January 2021 resignation. Prior to this role, Evanina was director of the Office of the national counterintelligence executive (ONCIX) before it transitioned into the NCSC. His career includes serving as the chief of the Counterespionage Group for the Central Intelligence Agency and as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Evanina's extensive experience in national security underscores his commitment to protecting the interests of the United States.

Ed Weber: Public Servant

Edward Ford Weber was an American politician from Ohio. He served one term in the United States House of Representatives as a Republican from 1981 to 1983.

Eddie Day Pashinski: Pennsylvania State Representative

Edwin A. "Eddie Day" Pashinski is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 121st District, first elected in 2006. His district includes Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes-Barre Township, Ashley, Plains Township and two wards in Hanover Township, all in Luzerne County.

Catherine Chandler: Poet and Translator

Catherine M. Chandler is a Canadian poet and translator, born in Queens, New York City, raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and emigrating to Canada in 1971. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Spanish from Wilkes University and a Master of Arts in Education (Culture and Values in Education) from McGill University. She and her husband divide their time between their homes in Saint-Lazare-de-Vaudreuil, Québec, and Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Read also: Preserve Your Wilkes Diploma

Donora Hillard Hare: Writer and Editor

Donora Shaw is an American writer and editor. She became notable in the fields of institutional critique and trauma studies, particularly for her first full-length collection of poetry published when she was 27 years old. Her projects have appeared on CNN, WBEZ Chicago, and MSNBC.

Steve Poleskie: Artist and Writer

Stephen 'Steve' Poleskie was an artist and writer. Graduating from Wilkes University in 1959 with a degree in Economics, Poleskie had his first one-person show at the Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1958, while still in college. These works were largely abstract expressionistic in nature.

Daniel Klem: Pioneering Ornithologist

Daniel Klem Jr. is an American ornithologist, known for his pioneering research into the mortality of birds due to glass windows. He is the Sarkis Acopian Professor of Ornithology and Conservation Biology at Muhlenberg College, where he has been teaching since 1979.

Ann Bartuska: Ecologist and Biologist

Ann M. Bartuska is an ecologist and biologist. She is a senior advisor at Resources for the Future and a former Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) at the United States Department of Agriculture and former USDA Chief Scientist.

Wilkes University Campus and Facilities

The Wilkes University campus has evolved significantly since its inception. Most academic buildings are centrally located between South River Street, South Franklin Street, South Street, and Northampton Street. Key buildings include Breiseth Hall, which houses classrooms and offices for humanities and social sciences. In 2005, the university acquired the former Wilkes-Barre Call Center building and parking garage on South Main Street, which was renovated into the University Center on Main, featuring recreation facilities and, later, the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership.

Read also: Your Potential at Wilkes

The campus offers a variety of housing options, with seventeen different residence halls and apartment buildings. Many of these are located in 19th-century mansions and houses donated to the university. Traditional dormitory housing is available at Evans Residence Hall, the largest first-year student residential hall. The Darte Center is the home of performing arts at Wilkes University. Built in 1965, it includes the Darling Theater, a black box theater, and a two-story music building. The Eugene Shedden Farley Library, dedicated in 1968, houses special collection rooms and supports the university's academic programs.

Academic Programs and Achievements

Wilkes University offers a wide range of academic programs across its various colleges and schools. The College of Arts and Sciences includes programs in the performing arts, humanities, behavioral and social sciences, environmental sciences, and natural sciences. The College of Business and Engineering offers programs in Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, all accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy is one of seven pharmacy schools in Pennsylvania and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The Passan School of Nursing's undergraduate baccalaureate program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Wilkes University also offers numerous graduate programs, including those in nursing, creative writing, and bioengineering. The Wilkes Graduate Teacher Education Program hosts classes online and at classroom sites across Pennsylvania. The MBA program within the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business & Leadership provides students with immersive, hands-on learning experiences.

Student Life and Activities

Wilkes University has numerous student-run clubs and organizations funded by the student government. These include clubs focused on athletics, academics, and majors such as psychology, sociology, criminology, and pre-pharmacy. The university has an active student media, including a television station, FM radio station WCLH, weekly newspaper The Beacon, literary magazine Manuscript, and yearbook Amnicola. The Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Student Center (HSC) serves as the hub for student activities, housing student organizations, dining facilities, and a campus bookstore.

Athletics

The Wilkes University Colonels compete in NCAA Division III athletics and are members of the Landmark Conference. The university offers numerous intercollegiate sports teams, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, and wrestling for men, and basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball for women. The Wilkes wrestling team has won a total of 14 Middle Atlantic Conference team championships, and in 1974, the team won the NCAA Div. III national championship.

Special Programs and Events

Wilkes University hosts several academically focused lecture series, including the Max Rosenn Lecture Series in Law and Government and the annual Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Lecture Series. The university also hosts the Annual High School Mathematics Contest, sponsored by the Luzerne County Council of Teachers of Mathematics (LCCTM), and the Eastern Pennsylvania division of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the annual ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest. The university's Communications Department hosts the annual High School Media Contest.

Recent Graduate Achievements

Recent graduates of Wilkes University have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields. Samantha Andes, a biochemistry major, has been accepted into the Ph.D. program at the University of Delaware. She has worked extensively with Dr. Rossiter on organic synthesis and photochemistry. Rayna Ramirez, majoring in psychology and minoring in Spanish, has presented original research at national and international conferences. Anthony Guide, a Mechanical Engineering major, has contributed to research on functionally graded materials and is pursuing a graduate degree at Villanova University. Jocelyn Lehman, a Civil Engineering major, has gained practical experience through internships and is committed to sustainability. These are just a few examples of the many talented graduates who are making a difference in the world.

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