Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

WILKES-BARRE — Wilkes University will welcome alumni — including “royalty” — back to campus for Homecoming Weekend this Friday through Sunday.

Among the attendees will be Wilkes “royalty” Gloria Dran Elston (’57), the university’s first-ever homecoming queen. Crowned in 1955, Elston is traveling to Wilkes from Salt Lake City, Utah, to celebrate her 60th class reunion. She will crown the 2017 king and queen during halftime Saturday at the Ralston Athletic Complex, 302 Northampton St., Edwardsville. The Wilkes Colonels football team will take on Widener University at 1 p.m.

Earlier that day, alumni will share breakfast with Wilkes president Patrick F. Leahy as he shares his vision for the university. The event begins at 9 a.m. in the Henry Student Center Ballroom, 84 W. South St.

The weekend festivities kick off Friday with the re-dedication of the Sordoni Art Gallery at 4:30 p.m. at 141 S. Main St. Wilkes will celebrate the reopening of the gallery in its new home with the exhibit, “15 Minutes: From Image To Icon,” featuring the works of Andy Warhol.

Other homecoming highlights:

Friday

• Pints with Professors — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Karambelas East Campus Gateway. Attendees will share memories and drinks with faculty and friends. Communications studies, business/Sidhu School, education, political science and psychology alumni and faculty will hold their reunions here.

• All Reunion Party — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the McHale Athletic Center. For $20, alumni will reunite with fellow classmates and friends at this new event. The night will feature music by “The Starfires,” with alumni members Robert Gardner (‘67, ‘73) and state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (‘67.)

Saturday

• Tailgate Tent — 11 a.m. through the end of halftime at the Ralston Athletic Complex.

• Golden Colonels Dinner honoring the Class of 1967 – 6 p.m. in Weckesser Hall. The event is complimentary to the Class of ’67 and $50 for guests. The Class of ’67 will be inducted as Golden Colonels.

• “Twist & Stout” downtown bar tour — 7 p.m. departure from McHale Athletic Center. The $20 price includes drinks and appetizers on campus, then participants sample different bars on South Main Street.

For more information and to register: www.wilkes.edu/homecoming.

Leahy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Leahy-patrick-cmyk-1.jpg.optimal.jpgLeahy

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Wilkes-U-logo-1.jpg.optimal.jpg

Times Leader Staff

About Wilkes University

• Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs.

• Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college.

• The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 42 bachelor’s degree programs, Wilkes offers 25 master’s degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing.

Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.