president’s

letter

thletics has been an integral part of the Wilkes experience since our founding nearly 90 years ago. From our earliest days, under the guidance of George Ralston, affectionately known as “The Father of Wilkes Athletics,” athletic competition has helped our students become leaders and provided a venue through which Colonel pride is displayed.

We have always embraced the spirit of Division III athletics, which places equal emphasis on “student” and “athlete”. That is why we are so pleased to present this issue of Wilkes magazine, which highlights some of the people and places that make our athletic programs so special.

We are currently in the process of renovating the Henry Gymnasium in the Marts Center and Schmidt Stadium at the Ralston Athletics Complex. The Henry Gymnasium will be outfitted with new bleachers, scoreboards and flooring, a near $1.2 million investment. We will also lay new turf at Schmidt Stadium to improve the environment for the student-athletes who play on that surface, a $750,000 investment.

Perhaps the biggest change, however, will come this fall when we join the Landmark Conference. This is a big step in the history of our evolution as a university and will place us in the same category as colleges and universities reaching all the way down to Washington, DC. This extends the Wilkes name and brand into new territories, perhaps enhancing our enrollment footprint.

I hope you enjoy learning more about just some of the outstanding alumni and dedicated members of the Wilkes community who are highlighted in this issue, and make plans to visit Wilkes sometime soon.

Thank you for your continued support—Go Colonels!