First Posted: 7/16/2014

Wilkes University welcomed 565 incoming freshmen students who comprise its Class of 2018. It is the 81st freshmen class in university history.

Prior to the commencement of fall classes, the students attended one of two summer orientation sessions. During the two-day sessions, incoming freshmen met their fellow classmates and student mentors, toured the residence halls and university campus, attended information sessions, enjoyed a picnic on the campus greenway and explored the larger community via volunteer service projects. This year the service sites included the Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge in Dallas, Pa., the Wilkes-Barre YMCA, the CEO Food Bank, and the Back Mountain Memorial Library.

Back Mountain residents who are members of the incoming freshman class are Emily Bellanco, of Wyoming,pre-pharmacy; Brady Butler, of Noxen, environmental engineering; Dustin Jones, of Dallas, mechanical engineering; Emily Sutton, of Shavertown, marketing; Cassia Cole, of Sweet Valley, biology; Tyler Kukosky, of Sweet Valley, engineering.

Also, Gregg Ciravolo, of Dallas, environmental engineering; Vincent Williamson, of Sweet Valley, mechanical engineering; Leah Kleynowski, of Trucksville, nursing; Cody Colarusso, of West Wyoming, environmental engineering; Patrick Serino, of Shavertown, electrical engineering; Patrick Gelso, of Dallas, engineering; Vincenzo Parente, of Dallas, pre-pharmacy; and Maria Chinikaylo, of Dallas, biology.