Wilkes University awards over 700 degrees at 78th spring commencement

Wilkes University awarded more than 700 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at its 78th spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday.

The ceremony for graduate students receiving doctoral and master’s degrees was held at 10 a.m., while the ceremony for undergraduates receiving bachelor’s degrees was held at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies were held in the McHale Athletic Center in the Simms Center on Main, in Wilkes-Barre.

The degrees conferred include approximately 279 bachelor’s, 341 master’s and 86 doctoral degrees.

David Hicks, director of the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing, delivered the commencement address at the morning ceremony.

Hicks recently released a novel, “The Gospel According to Danny” (Vine Leaves Press, May 2025). He is also the author of a novel-in-stories, “White Plains,” several short stories and the children’s book “The Magic Ticket.”

Hicks is a first-generation college student and son of an immigrant parent. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Nazareth College of Rochester and his doctorate in American Literature from New York University.

Nancy Dee Georgetson of Sayre, Pennsylvania, provided greetings as a member of the class of 2025 during the 10 a.m. ceremony. Georgetson earned a doctor of nursing practice degree.

Eddie Day Pashinski ’67 delivered the commencement address for the afternoon ceremony and was awarded an honorary degree.

Pashinski serves as Pennsylvania State Representative and focuses on issues regarding quality education, affordable health care and commonsense tax reform. He is the majority chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and a board member of the Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange.

For 38 years, Pashinski taught music in the Greater Nanticoke Area School district. He continues to entertain local audiences as a musician. Pashinski graduated from Wilkes University with a bachelor’s degree in music education and has a master’s equivalency.

Kimberly Wheeler of Athens, Pennsylvania, provided greetings as a member of the graduating class during the 3 p.m. ceremony. Wheeler earned a Bachelor of Science degree on the way to completion of the doctor of pharmacy degree.

William R. Miller ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees, and Andrew Miller, professor of political science and chair of the Faculty Affairs Council, offered greetings at the morning and afternoon ceremonies.