The Alumni Association Scholarship: Celebrating Two Outstanding Recipients

This year, the Alumni Association Scholarship recognizes two exceptional Wilkes University students: Chase Rudisill and Megan Tomsak. Both juniors exemplify academic excellence, leadership and an inspiring commitment to their futures. Their stories reflect not only their personal achievements, but also the strength of the Wilkes community that continues to support them.

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.

After graduation, Rudisill plans to pursue a medical degree and a master’s degree in public health. He hopes to specialize in cardiology or general surgery and ultimately serve as a physician and public health advocate, working to improve healthcare access and address disparities. His greatest inspiration is his mother, Trisha Rudisill PharmD ’01, a Wilkes pharmacy alumna. Her compassion, dedication to underserved populations and example of service-driven leadership motivate him to lead a meaningful career grounded in empathy.

For Rudisill, receiving the alumni scholarship alleviates financial pressure and allows him to devote more energy to academic and professional preparation, especially as he looks ahead to medical school. He views it not only as financial support but as a reminder of the Wilkes community’s belief in his goals.

Tomsak, from Exeter, Pennsylvania, is also graduating in 2026, and is majoring in psychology with minors in sociology and women’s and gender studies. She is actively engaged on campus as secretary of the Psychology Club, a member of Psi Chi, a research assistant and a peer tutor. Like Rudisill, she appreciates the kindness and sense of community at Wilkes, noting how small gestures and genuine care from students and faculty have shaped her college experience.

One of Tomsak’s most rewarding opportunities has been working at the University’s NeuroTraining and Research Center. This experience strengthened her interest in clinical psychology and neuroscience while teaching her meaningful lessons in professionalism, collaboration and integrity.

Tomsak plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology and hopes to work with adolescents facing mental health challenges. Her role model is her grandfather, Wayne Wesley ’68, MBA ’90, whose love for Wilkes and strong family values continue to inspire her.

The alumni scholarship, she shares, eases financial stress and enables her to reduce work hours and focus more fully on her senior year. For her family, which spans four generations of Wilkes alumni, it represents both pride and legacy.

Both students encourage underclassmen to stay curious, be authentic and take advantage of all opportunities that Wilkes has to offer. Rudisill and Tomsak embody the spirit of Wilkes, and the Alumni Association is proud to support their continued success.