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WILKES-BARRE — Monday marked the first day of classes at Wilkes University, but Tuesday could be a much bigger deal.
President Joe Biden will be on the campus to speak at the Marts Center. His topic, after issuing supportive comments for federal and state candidates, will be on his Safer America Plan to further reduce gun crime and save lives.
Gabrielle D’Amico, Associate Vice President of Marketing Communications at Wilkes University, said the White House has made a number of passes available for Wilkes students, faculty and staff and it is anticipated that there will be “a healthy number of university attendees.”
“Today being the first day of fall classes, above all else, our faculty and staff are working to ensure our students are ready to tackle this new academic year,” said Dr. Greg Cant, Wilkes president. “We can think of no more historic way to do so than by welcoming the president of the United States to our campus. We believe this to be the first time in 50 years a sitting president has visited Wilkes, and we are honored to host him.”
D’Amico said Wilkes personnel, along with Secret Service personnel, were busy preparing the Marts Center for Biden’s appearance. The president is expected to speak around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday.
“Our facilities, events and external relations teams are working with White House staff to prepare the campus to welcome President Biden on Tuesday,” D’Amico said. “He will be delivering his remarks from the Marts gymnasium, which is being transformed by a team of Wilkes and White House personnel, along with external vendors with staging, lighting and sound and American flags.”
In partnership with the White House, D’Amico said Wilkes has been communicating with students, faculty and staff about this historic day, how they can access the event in person or online and the logistical details they should be aware of when navigating the campus.
“Everyone, from our food service team to our shuttle drivers, are working to help our students, faculty and staff get to where they need and have all that they need to make the first week a success,” D’Amico said. “With President Biden’s visit, we are all working to make sure that the campus is looking its best.”
Students in the Henry Student Center on South Street said they were anxious to see the president on campus and proud that he choose their school for his announcement on a new initiative.
Some students expressed disappointment because they have classes scheduled when Biden will be speaking.
Travel advisory
PennDOT said there will be intermittent road closures on Interstate 81 north and southbound, SR 115 and SR 309 in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties between 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. as follows: I-81 SB between exit 180 and exit 170;
• I-81 Northbound between Exit 168 and Exit 180.
• SR 115, Cross Valley Expressway North, (SR 309 N) from Wildflower Drive to Exit 4 at Rutter Avenue.
• North Cross Valley Expressway South (SR 309 S) from Exit 5 Forty Fort to I-81.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
Lane Restrictions on State Route 309 in Luzerne County
No drone zone
U.S. Secret Service announced “No Drone Zone” restricted areas during the presidential visit.
Due to protective operations in Wilkes-Barre, the Secret Service, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has established a drone flight restriction from:
• 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through 5:45 p.m.
It is standard practice for the Secret Service to work in conjunction with the FAA and other federal, state, and local partners to accomplish our protective mission.
This restriction applies to all aircraft and pilots, to include drone pilots.
Drone pilots may reference the FAA mobile application B4UFLY for flight restriction areas and times.
President Biden will travel to Wilkes-Barre as a rescheduling of his trip that was canceled on July 21, when he tested positive for COVID-19.
The President will give remarks at Wilkes University’s Marts Center on South Franklin Street on his Safer America Plan to further reduce gun crime and save lives, said Seth Schuster, Regional Communications Director at The White House. He will be joined by Governor Tom Wolf, according to an advisory sent out by the Governor’s office on Monday.
“I am very happy President Biden will be visiting the City of Wilkes-Barre,” Mayor George Brown said.
Brown said he hopes to be able top spend some quality tine with Biden during his visit. He said he would like to tell the President how the influx of 37.1 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan has benefited the city.
“When I spoke to the president in October, he helped clarify the guidelines for the ARP funding,” Brown said. “His staff was able to allow us to get in touch with the Treasury Department for better guidance and that allowed us to start using the money. That was a big help to us.”
Cant said on behalf of the entire Wilkes community that it is a high honor to have been chosen for Biden to visit and announce a major policy initiative.
“This isn’t just a campaign stop, Cant said. “We always welcome campaign events to campus, but this visit is much more. What is so special about this visit is that the White House chose Wilkes and the city for the best place to make this announcement.”
Cant said he sees Biden’s visit as an opportunity to host a sitting president to launch a major public policy initiative to address gun violence.
“It’s really an immense honor for us,” Cant said.