Wilkes University Awards Degrees at Sept. 11 Summer Commencement

Wilkes University awarded nearly 300 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees during its summer commencement ceremony on Sept. 11. The event was held in the Arnaud C. Marts Center, 274 South Franklin St. in Wilkes-Barre.

David M. Ward, senior vice president and provost at Wilkes University, delivered the commencement address. As provost, Ward is responsible for leading the University's academic programs and initiatives, working with the deans and faculty members of various academic schools and colleges, and supporting staff colleagues across campus.

Ward holds doctorate and master's degrees in public administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Colgate University. He joined Wilkes in 2021 after serving as provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Paran Woloski delivered the student address and received her MBA during the ceremony. In 2012, she earned her Doctor of Pharmacy from Wilkes, and is a clinical pharmacist with Geisinger in Wilkes-Barre. Combined, the Woloski family has multiple degrees from Wilkes - Paran's husband Jason Woloski earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University in 2010.