t’s amazing what can be accomplished when vision meets generosity and ideas can become real. Wilkes came together to celebrate several transformative gifts this fall, each serving as an example of the trust in our mission and the dedication of everyone who makes this institution extraordinary. You’ll learn more about the generosity of Dr. Richard Abbas Alley, Bing K. Wong and the Cohen Family and Benco Family Foundation in this issue of Wilkes, along with how these gifts are already making an impact.

Or, like many stories at Wilkes, it’s through mentorship and educational experiences that are like no other. You’ll read more about two of them in the announcement of funding from the National Science Foundation and the 20th anniversary celebration of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing.

Lockhead has taken that directive to heart. He started Lockhead Consulting Group in 2018 after earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Wilkes and working in corporate for more than 25 years. His work has taken him to 48 of the 50 states and six of the seven continents — he’s yet to see Antarctica. “I’ve had my chance to travel all over the world and see some amazing things,” says Lockhead.

On one work trip, a free day in Normandy, France, and an interest in World War II propelled Lockhead’s mission to support veterans and pushed him to the edge — of a plane, with a parachute, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June 2024.

“Earning the Military Friendly® Silver designation shows just how dedicated Wilkes is to making sure veterans like me have the resources, guidance and community we need not only to persevere but to thrive,” says Stephanie Smith, management major and treasurer of the Student Veterans Council.

The Military Friendly® School designation comes as a result of the University’s support services designed to aid veterans in their pursuit of higher education, including a dedicated veterans affairs counselor, study and meeting space in the Veterans Center of Excellence, the Wilkes Student Veteran Council and the Inter-Organizational Veteran Educational Support Team (INVEST).

The naming honors Dr. Richard Abbas Alley, a local physician, philanthropist and humanitarian whose decades of service to northeastern Pennsylvania — and medical mission work around the world — reflect a lifelong commitment to learning and compassion. Inspired by the example of his parents, Abbas and Maliha Alley, who immigrated to Berwick, Pennsylvania, and instilled in their six children a deep belief in education and hard work, Alley has long championed opportunities that uplift others.

Saunders was at Wilkes when Wong joined the college as professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics in 1968. Though enrolled in the teaching program, she couldn’t see herself at the front of a classroom. Wong didn’t see her there either. “No one was giving me the push to get out of the space I should get out of,” says Saunders. “But he gave me his attention. I feel like he nudged me. Or if he didn’t, he gave me the tools.”

Wong’s classes in topology captured her imagination and she went on to study the subject in depth during graduate school at Penn State. Her rewarding career in the tech world started in State College, Pennsylvania, followed by 15 years working in Palo Alto, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. None of which would have been possible without Wong’s guidance.

As a professor, Wong’s focus extended beyond the textbook to the students’ skills — and their future paths.

A double major in biology and neuroscience with minors in psychology and chemistry, Rudisill, a native of Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania, expects to graduate in 2026. His involvement on campus is extensive. He serves as a teaching assistant, resident assistant, Presidential Student Leader and treasurer of the Wilkes University Pre-Professional Health Society. He credits these roles with helping him grow as a leader while supporting his peers both academically and personally.

For Rudisill, the best part of Wilkes is the sense of community. He values the genuine connections he has made with classmates and faculty, emphasizing the unwavering encouragement from professors who challenge students to excel while offering support every step of the way. One of his most rewarding experiences has been his work as a teaching assistant, which allows him to contribute to other students’ success while deepening his own understanding.