t the end of each academic year, I am always in awe of how much has been accomplished. One cannot help but be filled with pride observing the incredible achievements of our campus community and witnessing, firsthand, the power of a Wilkes education. From exceptional exam pass rates and opportunities to participate in athletics on national and international stages, it’s clear that our community is hard at work setting the example for future generations of students.

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In early March, Wilkes University’s alternative spring break (ASB) program, part of the University’s Office of Civic Engagement, hosted three separate trips to Texas, Washington, D.C. and the Dominican Republic. Students participated in these alternative service experiences alongside staff chaperones.

Each trip presented its own unique opportunities to volunteer and explore. Students from the Bonner Leader Program traveled to Washington, D.C., partnering with nonprofit organizations to aid refugees, promote the natural beauty of public parks and provide resources for family and community support, education, health and wellness. They also immersed themselves in cultural activities including museum visits.

After earning their PharmD, 2024 grads achieved a 90.6% first-time pass rate for the MPJE and an 85.9% first-time pass rate for the NAPLEX, exceeding both state and national averages.

These numbers mean more than just bragging rights. They show potential students and future employers that Wilkes delivers top pharmacy professionals. “They’re a signal of the quality of pharmacists we put out there,” says Jon Ference PharmD ’03, dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. “And they give our students a leg up in the applicant pool.”

“All healthcare facilities continue to struggle with nursing shortages,” says Deborah Zbegner, dean of the College of Health and Education. “Receiving this funding is essential for modernizing the simulation center which takes our nursing program to a higher level.”

In addition to immersive simulations with hyper-realistic manikins, students will have access to expanded spaces for standardized patient scenarios. With greater capacity, the center will also be able to serve the educational needs of community members such as first responders and healthcare professionals.

The RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

Cameron Butka’s hard work led to a record-breaking wrestling career. The Scranton, Pennsylvania, native and 2025 biochemistry graduate finished with an impressive resume: the most wins in Wilkes program history (137), a new record for the most wins in a single season (42), four NCAA Division III Men’s Scholar All-American Awards and national recognition.

Butka finished second in the nation at 197 pounds at the 2025 NCAA Championships after earning All-American honors with his fourth-place finish in 2024.

Milica Velcek, forward winger from Novi Sad, Serbia, is going into her sophomore year as a business management major. In March, she played her third year in the IIHF World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where her team finished third. Velcek’s most memorable experience came at her first world championship in 2023, when her team won a gold medal that promoted them to a higher division. Velcek was also named a Top Forward as well as Player of the Game two times and MVP for Team Serbia.