Svetlana Richer Of Hollywood Awarded Degree At Wilkes University

The degrees conferred include approximately 279 Bachelor's, 341 Master's and 86 Doctoral Degrees.

David Hicks, Director of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing, delivered the commencement address at the morning ceremony.

Hicks recently released a novel, The Gospel According to Danny by Vine Leaves Press, May 2025. He is also the author of a novel-in-stories, White Plains, several short stories and the children's book, The Magic Ticket.

Hicks is a first-generation college student and son of an immigrant parent. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Nazareth College of Rochester and his Doctorate in American Literature from New York University.

Nancy Dee Georgetson of Sayre, Pennsylvania, provided greetings as a member of the class of 2025 during the 10:00 a.m. Ceremony. Georgetson earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree.

Eddie Day Pashinski '67 delivered the commencement address for the afternoon ceremony and was awarded an Honorary dDegree.

Pashinski serves as Pennsylvania State Representative and focuses on issues regarding quality education, affordable health care and commonsense tax reform. He is the majority chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and a board member of the Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange.

For 38 years, Pashinski taught music in the Greater Nanticoke Area School district. He continues to entertain local audiences as a musician. Pashinski graduated from Wilkes University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and has a Master's Equivalency.

Kimberly Wheeler of Athens, Pennsylvania, provided greetings as a member of the graduating class during the 3:00 p.m. Ceremony. Wheeler earned a Bachelor of Science Degree on the way to completion of the Doctor of Pharmacy Degree.

William R. Miller '81, chair of the Board of Trustees and Andrew Miller, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Faculty Affairs Council, offered greetings at the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

The following students received awards at the undergraduate ceremony:

Mya Corcoran of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Anthony B. Guide of State College, Pennsylvania, Joseph A. Johnson of Midland, Michigan, Blaise J. Napierkowski of Shavertown, Pennsylvania, Megan E. Novak of Freeland, Pennsylvania, and Kaitlyn Marie Downey of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages and received the Mabel Scott Wandell Award and Sterling Leroy Wandell Award. The Mabel Scott Wandell and the Sterling Leroy Wandell awards are presented to the individuals in Wilkes University's graduating class with the highest grade-point averages.

Brenda Marie Arias of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, received the Teresa Jordan and Frank Mehm Prize. The Mehm Prize is awarded annually to the undergraduate who most nearly represents the ideal respecting moral courage, unselfishness and noteworthy extracurricular participation significantly advancing the University on and off campus.

Kimberly Wheeler of Athens, Pennsylvania, received the Alumni Leadership Award. The Alumni Leadership Award is given by the Wilkes University Alumni Association to the member of the graduating class considered to have made the strongest contribution to student life and the student activities program of the University.

About Wilkes University

Wilkes University opens doors for those willing to work hard for what comes next. Through a mix of in-demand undergraduate, Master's and Terminal Degree programs, we encourage our students to explore whatever they find interesting. With academic expertise, dedicated mentoring and unwavering support, our faculty and staff inspire students to define success on their own terms. Wilkes gives people the chance to take risks, explore new facets of themselves and create the lives they want. It's the place that Colonels call home. Learn more at: www.wilkes.edu.