president’s
letter

Greetings!

W

elcome to the first digital edition of Wilkes magazine, which we are very proud to share with our alumni and friends. The past several months have been rich with activities and experiences, and felt more like the vibrant, pre-COVID campus that we all remember. Throughout our history, Wilkes has been dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities for our students. That passion for student success has been captured in our new branding focused on At Wilkes, You Will.

The fall semester began in historic fashion as we welcomed the 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. to campus. President Biden spoke to a crowd of more than 700 people in the Arnaud C. Marts Center about his Safer America Plan and spent time after his remarks taking photos with attendees. It has been 50 years since a sitting President has visited the Wilkes campus, and I could not be more proud of the dedication and hard work of my campus colleagues devoted to making the event a success. You will read more about this very special day in the life of our University here.

In October we completed the multi-million dollar renovation to the River Street Corridor of Stark Learning Center. Dedicated at Homecoming, the Griggs Pharmacy Center greatly enhances collaboration and increases capabilities for the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy.

President Joseph R. Biden met with Angela Cant and President Greg Cant during his visit to Wilkes University.
President Joseph R. Biden met with Angela Cant and President Greg Cant during his visit to Wilkes University.
This fall, innovative scholarship and research by our talented faculty has brought new academic offerings and recognition to Wilkes. New programs in cannabis studies, the bachelor of science degree in cannabis chemistry and a certificate in cannabis production and CBD extraction, were launched. These endeavors are the first of their kind in the northeastern Pennsylvania region and will produce a workforce prepared for success in an emerging industry. In addition, Matt Finkenbinder, associate professor of Earth systems science, was published in the highly respected science journal Nature.

Finally, our cover story highlights the career and lasting impact of a remarkable couple, Jean ’78 and Paul ’77 Adams, who retired from Wilkes in the summer. There are few others who embody the spirit of Wilkes so fully as Jean and Paul, and the more than 40 years they have dedicated to our University and students is celebrated in this issue.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Wilkes and wish you my very best!

Greg Cant Signature
Greg Cant
President