President’s Awards for Excellence

Nurturing individuals to understand and act on their abilities while challenging them to achieve great things.

Wilkes University celebrates our commitment to mentorship. Do you know someone on campus who exemplifies this key value, giving of his or her time and talents and encouraging others to be their best? Someone whose name has been synonymous with mentorship on campus over the past year?

This person may be an ideal candidate for the President’s Award for Exceptional Mentorship.

Advancing knowledge through discovery and research to better educate our constituents.

William Shakespeare once said, “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” Through the process of scholarship, we not only discover what we may be, but help those around us discover what they may be as well. Distinguished scholarship and innovative research are key components of our goal to make Wilkes one of the finest small universities in the country.

If one of your colleagues is an exceptional scholar, he or she may be honored with the President’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship.

Embracing differences and uniqueness through sincerity, awareness, inclusion and sensitivity.

Poet and author Maya Angelou once said, “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” As Wilkes strives to enhance the quality of our education, we celebrate diversity in all of its forms, knowing we learn more from our differences than our similarities.

Do you know someone who exemplifies the core value of diversity on campus and should be recognized with the President’s Award for Exceptional Contributions to Diversity?

Promoting creative scholarly activities, programs, ideas and sustainable practices.

Entrepreneur and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” At Wilkes, we value ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness. We don’t want to know how something’s always been done, we want to know how to do it better.

If you work with an innovative leader who has come up with a fresh, original solution to a problem or who has created an opportunity resulting in positive improvements for the Wilkes community, you may nominate your colleague for the President’s Award for Outstanding Innovation.

Appreciating and collaborating with mutual respect to foster a sense of belonging.

At Wilkes, community is more than just a word. It’s a feeling - a feeling of being part of something bigger than ourselves, a feeling of coming together to do great things.

President Greg Cant honored five members of the Wilkes University faculty and staff with the President’s Awards for Excellence at the 2024 Fall Convocation for faculty and staff. The awards represent the University’s five core values: innovation, scholarship, diversity, mentorship and community.

• The President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation was presented to Deborah Zbegner, dean of college of health and education, for her creative problem-solving and seizing opportunities that have resulted in enriched experiences for students, faculty and staff, as well as positive improvements for the future of Wilkes. Dr. Zbegner was nominated for this award because of her vision behind the nursing programming, which led to the development of the Passan School of Nursing as well as proposing to the PA Department of Education an online DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) program at Wilkes, making it one of the first in the nation, and eventually launching the online graduate nursing program.
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship was presented to Benjamin Toll, associate professor of political science, for his research at national and regional political science conferences, involving students in his research and his participation in local, state, national and international media interviews related to American politics.
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity was presented to Troy Lynn Lewis PharmD ’17, associate professor of pharmacy practice, for her DEIA efforts within the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy by developing its own DEIA Task Force and continuing to be an advocate and sharing knowledge throughout the community.
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship was presented to Kimberly Ference ’01, PharmD ’03, associate professor of pharmacy practice, for her ability and passion for cultivating meaningful relationships with students across campus and helping to further their personal and professional growth. Her mentorship of the pharmacy lab coach position has culminated in a unique research opportunity that was recently published in the esteemed American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, showcasing the innovative and effective mentorship model she created.
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Community Building was presented to Catie Becker, director of civic engagement, for her continuous ambition to support and feed our students as well as immerse them in the community and beyond.

President Greg Cant honored five members of the Wilkes University faculty and staff with the President’s Awards for Excellence at the 2023 Fall Convocation for faculty and staff. The awards represent the University’s five core values: innovation, scholarship, diversity, mentorship and community.

• The President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation was presented to Anne Kotarski, Director of Treasury and Student Accounts for her work solving the University’s long-standing problem of uncollected tuition and revenue write-offs.  This resulted in a better experience for students, faculty, coaches and advisors, as well as a financial improvement for the University that was significant.
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship was presented to Holly Frederick,  professor of civil and environmental engineering, for furthering the University’s mission, vision and goals. Frederick effectively integrated her teaching and scholarship activities in a way that results in practical learning experiences, professional presentations and publication opportunities for her students. Her research interests have developed into programs that focus on soils, trace organics in wastewater systems and treatment of water.
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity was presented to Dr. David Hicks, Director of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing. Since David Hicks joined the Wilkes community, he has been committed to ensuring that all voices have a place in our graduate creative writing program. He first did so by attracting and recruiting faculty members and program mentors that represent all walks of life and then added spoken word, knowing that social injustices continue to plague our world and dominate the global discussion.
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship was presented to Bridget Turel '05, MBA '07, Director of Professional Development & External Engagement in the Sidhu School of Business, for the hands-on, high-impact type of mentoring she provides. A two-time graduate of Wilkes, Bridget learned first-hand the importance of Wilkes’ caring, student-first approach to higher education. As a member of the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, she gives back to her students in the same way.  
• The President’s Award for Excellence in Community Building was presented to Dean of Student Life, Gretchen Yeninas, for her work ensuring proper, consistent and equitable treatment of our students in all aspects of student life, whether an untenable housing situation, campus safety concern, student disciplinary matter or Title IX issue. Her commitment is the foundation upon which a strong community like Wilkes is built.

President Greg Cant honored six members of the Wilkes University faculty and staff with the President’s Awards for Excellence during the opening of school Convocation ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2022. The awards represent the University’s five core values: innovation, scholarship, diversity, mentorship and community.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation was presented to Donald Mencer, professor of chemistry, and Marie Roke-Thomas, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, who, together, made possible new academic offerings in cannabis studies. The pair secured $350,000 in state funding to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and to provide critical services for the broader community.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship was presented to Matthew Finkenbinder, associate professor of biology, for furthering the University’s mission, vision and goals. Finkenbinder has publicly promoted the University and associated programs, and contributes greatly to the professional success of students with his projects and research, regardless of their life paths.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity was presented to Kimberly Niezgoda, director of the English Language Center and coordinator of the teaching English as a second language program, who, for the past 16 years, has embraced individual differences and uniqueness through sincerity, awareness and inclusion. Niezgoda’s leadership in this area has resulted in the infusion of students from all over the world into our campus community, engaging students, staff and faculty as part of the cultural curriculum.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship was presented to Prahlad Murthy, professor of environmental engineering, for his dedication to mentoring and advising hundreds of students spanning three decades. In addition, Murthy’s philosophy of student mentoring and advising has served as a model for all faculty on campus. His passion for sharing information about his knowledge of engineering fields goes beyond campus, including alumni and the community.

The President’s Award for Excellence in Community Building was presented to Carol Nicholas, director of the Luzerne County SHINE (Schools and Homes in Education) program at Wilkes University for her tireless work in support of at-risk students in the county. The SHINE program provides quality STEM-based afterschool programming to hundreds of local students each week. During the pandemic, Nicholas successfully developed a system of delivering over 100 boxes of food to the doorsteps of SHINE families each week, exemplifying what it means to be part of an institution that cares about community.

Read More About the 2022 Awardees

Wilkes University faculty and staff members were honored with the 2021 President’s Awards for Excellence at Fall Convocation on Aug. 25.

For the first time, the President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation was presented to the faculty and staff body of the University. This is in recognition of the ways Wilkes employees have problem-solved, thought creatively and allowed Wilkes to carry out its mission of educating students regardless of the circumstances. Wilkes employees were honored during a special event on Friday, Sept. 24 which ended with a lighted art installation outside of Weckesser Hall. 

• William Terzaghi, professor of biology, was the recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship for his efforts in advancing knowledge through discovery and research to better educate Wilkes constituents.
• Jeanne Rabel, advising coordinator in University College, was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Community for her efforts in collaborating with others on campus with mutual respect to foster a sense of belonging.
• Grace Surdovel, faculty of practice in the School of Education, was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity for her efforts in embracing differences and uniqueness through sincerity, awareness, inclusion and sensitivity.
• David Biever, assistant head football coach, received the President’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring for his efforts in nurturing individuals to understand and act on their abilities while challenging them to achieve great things.

Read More About the 2021 Awardees

Fall Convocation was held virtually due to the pandemic, so the 2020 President's Awards for Excellence were given to recipients in separate outdoor ceremonies over several weeks at the start of the fall 2020 semester. Recipients include the following:

• Wei Du, assistant professor of electrical engineering and physics, was the recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in Scholarship.
• Jason Wagner, application developer for the Office of Technology for Teaching and Learning, received the President's Award for Excellence in Innovation.
• Brian Bogert, director of institutional research, was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Community.
• Shelli Holt-Macey, director of experiential programs in the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, received the President's Award for Excellence in Mentoring.
• Ellen Newell, associate professor of psychology, was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity.

READ MORE ABOUT THE 2020 AWARDEES

Six Wilkes University faculty and staff members were honored with the 2019 President’s Awards for Excellence at Fall Convocation on Aug. 21, 2019:

• Abas Sabouni, associate professor of electrical engineering - President's Award for Excellence in Scholarship
• Heather Bowman, electronic resources librarian - President's Award for Excellence in Innovation
• Joshua Savitski, associate director of enrollment services - President's Award for Excellence in Innovation
• Mildred Urban, associate director of special events - President's Award for Excellence in Community
• Heather Sincavage, director of the Sordoni Art Gallery and assistant professor of art - President's Award for Excellence in Diversity
• Debra Chapman, faculty of practice in the biology department - President's Award for Excellence in Mentoring

READ MORE ABOUT THE 2019 Awardees

Five Wilkes University faculty and staff members were honored with the 2018 President’s Awards for Excellence at Fall Convocation on Aug. 22, 2018:

• Zbigniew J. Witczak, professor and chair of pharmaceutical sciences - President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship.
• Kathleen Hirthler, associate professor and chair of graduate nursing programs - President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation.
• Melissa Howells, director of student development - President’s Award for Excellence in Community.
• Deborah Tindell, professor of psychology - President’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring.
• Evene Estwick, associate professor of communication studies - President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity.

Read More About the 2018 Awardees

Five Wilkes University faculty and staff members were honored with the 2017 President’s Awards for Excellence at Fall Convocation on Aug. 24, 2017:

• Thomas Baldino, professor of political science - President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship
• Charles Cary, executive director of facilities - President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation
• Mark Allen, dean of students - President’s Award for Excellence in Community
• Marie Roke-Thomas, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences - President’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring
• Erica Acosta, associate director of diversity affairs - President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity

READ MORE ABOUT THE 2017 AWARDEES

The inaugural President’s Awards for Excellence were presented to five Wilkes University faculty and staff members at Fall Convocation in 2016. The honorees were:

• Michael Steele, professor of biology - President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship, for his efforts in advancing knowledge through discovery and research to better educate students
• John Carlin, director of network and technology infrastructure - President’s Award for Excellence in Innovation, for his efforts in promoting programs, ideas and sustainable practices as they relate to rebuilding a computer network in unheralded ways
• Addy Malatesta, director of athletics - President’s Award for Excellence in Community, for her efforts in appreciating and collaborating with mutual respect to foster a sense of belonging on campus
• Lt. Col. Mark Kaster, lecturer in environmental engineering and earth science and veteran’s counselor - President’s Award for Excellence in Mentoring, for his efforts in nurturing individuals to understand and act on their abilities while challenging them to achieve great things
• Helen Davis, associate professor of English - President’s Award for Excellence in Diversity, for her efforts in embracing differences and uniqueness through sincerity, awareness, inclusion and sensitivity.

Read More about the 2016 Awardees