Features

Mary Ketchner was working behind the counter at her after-school job when she was paid a special visit.

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Calling to mind the television show ‘Candid Camera,’ the Wilkes University mascot, the Colonel, surprised 18-year-old Mary Ketchner at her part-time job to welcome her to Wilkes in the fall. Video cameras and a megaphone accompanied the mascot.

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Dallas High School graduate Mary Ketchner was quite surprised when Wilkes University sent the school mascot to her after-school job to tell her she was accepted into the pharmacy program.

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The visitor wasn’t the typical type who frequents Fino’s Pharmacy in Dallas, however.

It was the Colonel, the Wilkes University mascot, stopping in to inform the then-Dallas High School senior that she’d been accepted into the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy — part of a new initiative the college launched to ensure students they’ll receive one-on-one attention at Wilkes.

“I looked over, and the Colonel came out of nowhere,” Ketchner said.

Reminiscent of the television show “Candid Camera,” video cameras popped out, too — one even from behind the counter.

“My boss was just kind of standing there,” Ketchner said. “He stood there and smiled.”

Only her boss and another employee were in the pharmacy at the time, by design.

“We waited outside the door for so long because we wanted to get in there when there weren’t any customers,” said 21-year-old Emilee Strubeck, a senior at the university who donned the mascot costume that day.

Strubeck is one of three mascots on campus who get to participate in the special surprises – some of which aren’t always small events.

Take 17-year-old Nick Barno, who at the time was paying for his senior prom during lunch when the Colonel barged into the Valley View High School cafeteria to hand out a merit scholarship check in front of all his classmates.

“I remember getting a notice in the mail of getting the scholarship. I just didn’t know it’d be presented in giant, big-check form,” Barno said.

A friend who had seen the Colonel before entering the cafeteria congratulated Barno a bit too early on receiving the check.

“I was so confused because I hadn’t gotten it at first,” he said, noting he thought his friend was referring to a check in the game of hockey where a player knocks his opponent out of play.

But once Barno, who plans to major in history and secondary education, saw the Colonel enter the room, he knew what was about to happen.

“It’s just like getting surprised with a big lottery check,” Barno said.

When he returned to his lunch, everyone at his table said, “Wow, what was that?”

Barno decided to attend Wilkes by the end of his junior year in high school but said, “The whole surprise thing let me know how much fun of a school it could be.”

That’s what the university was going for, said Jack Chielli, executive director of marketing communications at Wilkes.

“I think we’re on safe ground to say we’re unique,” he said. “It certainly has gotten people’s attention.”

Chielli cited two main reasons for branding a mascot: so the community could see the individualized attention the school provides and as a way to increase student spirit.

Wilkes surprised five students during the most recent school year, and more visits are planned. The idea came from Philadelphia branding company 160over90.

Since introducing him to the campus community in September, the mascot has attended sporting events, fundraisers, various other campus goings-on and even the Fine Arts Fiesta.

For Strubeck, dressing in the mascot costume is a way to stay involved with the basketball team, even though an injury has prevented her from being part of the actual squad.

“I bring the ball out and spin it on my fingers,” she said, of the times she’s on duty at the games. “I’m really comfortable being there.”

Becoming the mascot might indeed be a perfect fit for someone like Strubeck, who at Pittston Area High School was recognized as the “Class Clown” and for having the “Most School Spirit.”

While Barno received a scholarship check at his surprise visit, Ketchner got something special too: a brand-new lab coat and a cake.

“After they left, I wore (the lab coat) for the rest of the night,” Ketchner said. “All the customers that came in said, ‘Are you a pharmacist?’

“I said, ‘Not yet, but I will be.’ ”

As for Strubeck, even though the first time she put the costume on she felt a tad claustrophobic, she’s gotten used to it and especially enjoys seeing the reactions on students’ faces when she gets to welcome them to Wilkes.

“Posing for a picture is fun because you don’t actually have to smile,” she said. “I usually do though, out of habit.”