Few universities can say that a river flows past the front of campus. Wilkes University is one of them. The proximity of the Susquehanna River has been a blessing and a challange over the years. For generations of alumni, the River Common- the lovely greenway fronting the river- provided a respite from the classroom.
At other times, flooding- most notably following Hurrican Agnes in 1972- was the curse of having a campus bordering a river. A new system of levees completed in 2003 has reduced flooding issues. Now the River Common project, completed in June of this year, tops the floodwall and provides a new riverfront park facing campus.
Two portals in the flood wall along River Street- with the southernmost located near Wilkes campus- invite visitors to access the riverfront. Looking northeast from the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, the new River Common provides opportunitites for walking, cycling, boating, and fishing along the river. An amphitheatre for open-air concerts, a boat launch and other amenities bring the promise of new recreational opportunties for Wilkes students and alumni.
Few universities can say that a river flows past the front of campus. Wilkes University is one of them. The proximity of the Susquehanna River has been a blessing and a challange over the years. For generations of alumni, the River Common- the lovely greenway fronting the river- provided a respite from the classroom. 
Two portals in the flood wall along River Street- with the southernmost located near Wilkes campus- invite visitors to access the riverfront. Looking northeast from the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, the new River Common provides opportunitites for walking, cycling, boating, and fishing along the river. An amphitheatre for open-air concerts, a boat launch and other amenities bring the promise of new recreational opportunties for Wilkes students and alumni.