Wilkes University Student Life and Campus Experience
Student life at Wilkes University is defined by a vibrant mix of academic pursuit, diverse social organizations, and a strong tradition of athletic excellence. From the bustling hub of the student center to the competitive spirit of the Colonels, the university provides a comprehensive environment designed to support both personal growth and community engagement.
Key Facts
- Diverse Student Body: 72% White, 11% Black, 7% Hispanic, 5% Foreign national, and 3% Asian.
- Economic Diversity: 38% of students are from low-income backgrounds, while 62% are affluent.
- Athletic Standing: Competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the Landmark Conference.
- Military Training: Home to AF ROTC Detachment 752, serving 12 colleges in Northeast Pennsylvania.
- Central Hub: The Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Student Center serves as the primary campus gathering point.
Campus Culture and Student Organizations
Wilkes University fosters a rich extracurricular environment with numerous student-run clubs funded by the student government. These organizations cater to a wide array of interests, ranging from athletic clubs—such as crew, lacrosse, skiing, and ultimate Frisbee—to academic societies focusing on psychology, sociology, criminology, and pre-pharmacy. Students also form communities around shared passions like robotics, anime, vegetarianism, and animal advocacy.
The university maintains a robust student media presence. The Karambelas Media and Communications Center houses a television station, while WCLH (Wilkes College Listens Here) provides FM radio broadcasting, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022. Print media is equally established; The Beacon (originally the Bison Stampede) and the yearbook Amnicola (originally the Bucknell Junior College Amnicola) both celebrated their 90th anniversaries in 2024. Additionally, the literary magazine Manuscript marked its 75th anniversary in 2022.
Entertainment is driven by the Wilkes University Programming Board, which has brought national acts to campus, including Billy Joel, Alanis Morissette, Busta Rhymes, and Lifehouse. While the university launched the region's first collegiate marching band in 2014 to boost school spirit, the ensemble was disbanded in 2021 due to budget constraints.
The Henry Student Center (HSC)
Opened in 1999, the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Student Center is the heart of campus activity. Named after Frank M., an executive of the Martz Group bus company, and his wife Dorothea, a dedicated community volunteer, the center facilitates student-community partnerships and provides essential services.
The HSC is a multi-functional facility featuring:
- Dining and Retail: A full-scale buffet-style dining facility operated by Aramark, the Rifkin Cafe (convenience store and sandwich shop), and a Barnes and Noble bookstore.
- Student Services: The Edward Elgonitis Sr. Mailroom (known as "Eddie's Mailroom") and production spaces for The Beacon and Amnicola.
- Recreation: A game room equipped with pool tables, ping pong, and gaming consoles.
- Meeting Spaces: The Savitz Multicultural Room (featuring a mural led by Sharon Cosgrove), the Miller Meeting Room, and the Paul S. and Jean Ritter Adams Commons.
The building has undergone several expansions, including a 2005 second-floor expansion and a 2023 renovation of the Adams Commons.
Student Governance and Dining
The Student Government manages the allocation of activity budgets and coordinates major undergraduate events, such as Homecoming and Winter Weekend—a themed event featuring eating contests and team skits. The leadership structure includes a president, class presidents, and heads of the Commuter Council and Inter-residence Hall Council.
Dining services are primarily managed by Aramark. Beyond the main buffet in the HSC, students can visit the Colonel Gambini Cafe Starbucks, named after long-time staff member Glenn Gambini.
Military Training and ROTC
Wilkes University is home to Detachment 752 of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AF ROTC), established in 1973. This detachment prepares students for commissions as USAF officers and serves 12 other institutions in Northeast Pennsylvania. The university also supports Army ROTC, with coursework conducted at the nearby King's College.
Athletics: The Wilkes Colonels
The Wilkes Colonels compete in NCAA Division III within the Landmark Conference, offering a wide range of men's and women's sports.
Men's Athletic Achievements
The men's programs have a storied history of success. The football team was the MAC champion in 1974, 1993, and 2006, notably achieving a 32-game winning streak from 1965 to 1969 under coach Rollie Schmidt. The wrestling team has secured 14 Middle Atlantic Conference championships and a 1974 NCAA Div. III national title. Additionally, the men's tennis team dominated the MAC Freedom Conference with consecutive titles from 2008 through 2016.
Women's Athletic Achievements
Women's athletics have seen significant growth and success. The women's tennis team won MAC Freedom Conference titles from 2006 to 2014 (excluding 2007), and the volleyball team took championships in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Field hockey was ranked 18th nationally by the NCAA in 2008. Most recently, the women's ice hockey team won the inaugural MAC Conference championship in 2025, and women's wrestling was introduced for the 2025-2026 season.
| Category | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Athletic Division | NCAA Division III (Landmark Conference) |
| Primary Student Hub | Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Student Center |
| Student Media | The Beacon, Amnicola, WCLH, Manuscript |
| Military Programs | AF ROTC Detachment 752, Army ROTC |
| Dining Provider | Aramark / Sodexo |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the demographic makeup of the Wilkes University student body?
The student population is 72% White, 11% Black, 7% Hispanic, 5% Foreign national, and 3% Asian. Economically, 62% are affluent and 38% are low-income.
What facilities are available in the Henry Student Center?
The center houses the campus bookstore, dining facilities, a game room, the university mailroom, and various meeting spaces like the Savitz Multicultural Room and Adams Commons.
Which sports do the Wilkes Colonels compete in?
Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.
How does the ROTC program work at Wilkes?
Students can join AF ROTC Detachment 752 or the Army ROTC (classes held at King's College). Upon graduation and completion of the program, students earn a commission as officers in their respective military branches.
What are some of the most successful athletic programs at Wilkes?
The men's tennis team had a decade of dominance (2008-2016), the wrestling team won a national title in 1974, and the football team once held the fourth-longest winning streak in college football history.