Benefiting the First Generation Scholarship Fund
At Wilkes University's annual premier event, the Founders Gala, we celebrate our rich heritage while supporting our mission of serving first-generation students by raising money for the First Generation Scholarship Fund.
We bestow the President's Medal, a prestigious annual award, to those whose personal and professional lives reflect the highest aspirations of Wilkes University.
First awarded in 2023, the Chairperson's Award is presented to individuals who have made a positive impact upon their profession or community and in the spirit of the mission of Wilkes University.
Cocktail attire encouraged.
2025 Honorees
The Passan Foundation
The late John J. Passan left a historic mark on Wilkes with his dedicated endowment to Wilkes University’s Passan School of Nursing in 2015. The gift not only transformed nursing education at the University, but created countless professional development opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students alike. Today, the Passan School of Nursing, named in John’s honor, is the only freestanding nursing school in the region.
Read More about The Passan Foundation
In 2017, John was the recipient of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Philanthropist Award and the recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letter degree from Wilkes University. The philanthropic support of John through the Passan Foundation is apparent across the Wilkes Campus, including Passan Hall, and many institutions across the Wyoming Valley.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, John served in the United States Navy during World War II, and upon returning home, was educated under the G.I. Bill. Starting with one truck, John founded Valley Distributing and Storage Company, a family owned and operated warehouse and trucking business in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, more than 70 years ago. A pioneer in the warehouse and distribution industry, John held leadership roles in the American Warehouse Association and the America Chain of Warehouses.
John and his wife, Ann, had a special respect and dedication to nurses and the healthcare field, making significant gifts in their lifetime to advance health education. They were beloved friends and family to all who knew them.
Their niece, Carol K. Keup ’89, will be accepting the award on their behalf.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC
Gregory Fellerman MBA ’92 and Edward Ciarimboli ’95 are founding partners at Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC. Their firm focuses on advocating for victims in personal injury suits. In addition to helping members of the community, they have been loyal supporters of both University athletics and the First Generation Scholarship Fund, helping ensure students at Wilkes can succeed.
Read More about Fellerman & Ciarimboli
Fellerman earned his bachelor of arts from King’s College, his MBA from Wilkes University and his law degree from Widener School of Law. His practice focuses on helping individuals in need with a particular passion for helping victims of medical malpractice, negligent motorists, insurance bad faith claims or unsafe work environments. He is active in the community as the president of the Friedman Jewish Community Center, the secretary of the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeastern Pennsylvania and an executive advisory board member of The Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership at Wilkes.
Ciarimboli earned a dual degree in political science and engineering and applied science from Wilkes. He then studied at Duquesne University School of Law. Trucking and auto collision and medical malpractice litigation are his specialties, and his dedication to clients has earned him a place on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list every year since 2008. An engaged community member and advocate, he serves on Wilkes University’s Board of Trustees and is a board member of The Arc, Wilkes-Barre YMCA and Marley’s Mission.
Fellerman and Ciarimboli are also the co-founders of Safe Prom Pledge, an initiative that educates students throughout northeastern Pennsylvania on the dangers of underage drinking and driving.
About the Founders Gala
History
The Founders Gala is Wilkes University's annual premier event. Since 2014, Wilkes University has celebrated our heritage while supporting our mission of serving first-generation students by raising money for the First Generation Scholarship Fund.
Wilkes also honors its annual recipients of the prestigious President's Medal at the gala.
The First Generation Scholarship Fund
Wilkes University established the First Generation Scholarship Fund in 2014 to provide support for tuition, fees, textbooks and course materials for students who are the first in their family to attend a college or university.
The founders of Wilkes University recognized that helping young people attend college benefited the individual even as it strengthened the region, and they wove that into the fabric of the institution. Even after all these years, over half of our incoming first year students still identify themselves as the first generation of their family to attend a four-year institution of higher learning. Wilkes University continues to play a vital role in opening opportunities that lead to success.
Gala Awards
The President's Medal
The President’s Medal is bestowed annually on individuals whose personal and professional lives reflect the highest aspirations of Wilkes University. First awarded in 2014, the medal is presented to deserving individuals at the annual Founders Gala celebration.
The Chairperson's Award
The Chairperson's Award is presented to individuals who have made a positive impact upon their profession or community and in the spirit of the mission of Wilkes University. First awarded in 2023, recipients serve as an inspiration to Wilkes students and bring honor and pride to the University.