Dean's Biannual Report

May 2025

It is once again exciting to share the College of Business and Engineering (COBE)’s Newsletter and thank you for taking the time to go through the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff. It is also worth noting the announcement of our newly appointed Director of the Cohen Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI), Terry Chase who begins her tenure on June 1, 2025. Terry is tasked with working with faculty, staff and other COBE’s Centers directors to integrate Entrepreneurship and the Business ecosystem in facilitating and supporting our students’ entrepreneurial experiences. In this publication, you will also find the story and sentiments of two outstanding undergraduate students who are the inaugural recipients of the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board Scholarship. We seize this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to our Board, who has consistently support the college with their generous donations. We are so proud of the student recipients! We are proud to share our story with you each semester and thank you for your support and partnership in the interest of our students success.

- Dean Adekola

COBE Scholarship Recipients

Carisa Pierontoni

Carisa Pierontoni is a second semester junior here at Wilkes University, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in management and a minor in accounting. Carisa holds a strong interest in entrepreneurship and team management. Carisa is actively involved in her academic and professional development opportunities. She is extremely honored to receive the College of Business & Engineering Advisory Board Scholarship and looks forward to contributing to the business community to the best of my ability.

"I am incredibly honored and grateful to receive the College of Business & Engineering Advisory Board Scholarship. This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my studies and future career. Thank you to the Advisory Board for supporting students like me in achieving our goals!"

Jocelyn Sosa Acevedo

Jocelyn Sosa Acevedo is a senior majoring in Civil Engineering, graduating in May. During the summer of her junior year, she had the opportunity to intern with PennDOT. She's been an active member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and had the honor of serving as Vice President of the Wilkes chapter during this past year. Jocelyn is excited to share that after graduation, she will be joining GHD Inc. as a full-time graduate Civil Engineer.

"I’m truly thankful to Wilkes University for being such an important part of my academic and personal growth. This scholarship is a true honor, and I humbly accept it with deep gratitude. Thank you for helping me build the foundation to succeed and pursue my dreams in civil engineering."

Thank you to our donors, especially our Dean's Executive Advisory Board for continuing to support our students and helping them to achieve their professional goals!

Scholarship Luncheon

The American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) offers a scholarship to students in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. The 2025 award winners are shown above with representatives from ASHE. Shown in the photo are Holly Frederick, Representative from Benesch, Ethan Carper, Brady Rood, Dominic Yannuzzi, coordinator of the scholarship and member of ASHE and employee of Benesch, Prahlad Murthy, Front row: Gabrielle Vogel and Deanna Stolpe.

Board Members in the Classroom

The students of our Sidhu School of Business and Leadership were beyond fortunate this past semester as two of our board members took the time to visit our students in the classroom and share their knowledge and expertise. Board member Susan Davis, Senior Vice President of Asset Management for Cascade Capital Group, took the time to speak with Professor Mary Simmons' PPD 101 class. Davis has been a well-regarded and greatly respected student mentor for our scholars at Wilkes.

Board member George Morrison, shareholder Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC visited Dr. Tanya Pyke's BA 152 class to share his expertise and advice with our freshmen as they close out their first year here at Wilkes University.

The Sidhu School of Business and Leadership is so appreciative to have such involved board members - the wisdom they have to share with our students is truly invaluable! Thank you Susan and George!

Engineering Around the Globe; Alumni Reunion

While traveling to Kuwait leading an ABET team, Dr. Murthy was able to reconnect with alumni from the Environmental Engineering program. The students had the opportunity to share information about their country with Dr. Murthy, as well as reflect on the value of a Wilkes education in building their careers. Dr. Murthy met with alumni Mohammad Alajmi, Mahdi Alshawafi, Slman, Hussain, Hamad Alazmi, Abdulrahman Alqallaf, Prahad Murthy, Aqeel Dashti.

COBE Research Symposium: From Ideation to Market

April 14 marked the 2nd annual COBE Research Symposium, themed "From Ideation to Market." This year's research symposium featured keynote speaker Joseph Ruane, alumni and Senior Quality Assurance Manager of The AZEK Company. The research symposium is a wonderful, all-day experience for both students and faculty, allowing all participants to showcase their research to judges and attendees. Organized in part by Dr. Mona Pearl, the symposium offered an invaluable experience for our business and engineering students and faculty to present their applications of the knowledge they've received at Wilkes University. The event consisted of remarks from Dean Abel Adekola, student oral presentations, the keynote speaker address, a formal lunch, student poster presentations, student awards, and faculty presentations. In COBE, we are so fortunate to have a program of amazing faculty, staff, and students that helped make the 2nd annual research symposium so successful and we're looking forward to next year!

Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society Inaugural Class

For the first time ever, Wilkes University's Sidhu School of Business and Leadership is proud to announce our inaugural class of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Scholars. BGS is an international honor society for business students, available only to AACSB-accredited business schools. BGS inductees rank among the top 10% of all undergraduate business students and 20% of MBA students. Under Chapter Advisor Dr. Na Yoon Kim, this year's induction ceremony introduced 12 first-time Beta Gamma Sigma Scholars. Chair of the Dean's Executive Advisory Board, Karen Friar, delivered the keynote address at this ceremony, celebrating our esteemed new BGS members. We are so proud of these 12 students for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to truly being the best of the best! Congratulations to Dr. Na Yoon Kim and her inaugural Beta Gamma Sigma Scholars!!

Environmental Engineering Honor Society

Tau Chi Alpha is an Environmental Engineering Honor Society in which student inductees must meet a GPA greater than or equal to 3.5, be of good moral character, and participate in student organizations related to environmental professions. The group includes both juniors and seniors. Gabrielle Vogel, Deanna Stolpe, Lourdes Navarro, Brady Rood, Lorenzo Marcolin, Alexander Schweitzer, and Kensington Edmond were the students inducted this past ceremony with faculty advisor, Dr. Murthy. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment!!

Order of the Engineer Banquet

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, 42 engineering seniors were initiated into the Order of the Engineer. The ceremony was coordinated by professionals of the Keystone Northeast Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers and emphasizes the role of ethics, collaboration and responsibility in the engineering profession. The ceremony presented each student with a steel ring to be worn on the fifth finger of the working hand to serve as a reminder of the engineer’s responsibility to the profession. At the event students also received graduation cords for their activity in professional societies. We're so proud of all our students that have earned this accomplishment and are moving onto the next step in their careers!

Award Recognition

Congratulations to Eleanor Burrows, Josephine Paolucci, and Dr. HyeRyeon Lee on receiving the THEREPS Best Research Presentation Award at the 2025 THEREPS Conference, held in April in New York City. Their presentation, "Drivers and Barriers in Young Travelers’ Adoption of AI-Powered Travel Planning," was recognized for its originality and academic contribution.

Business and Engineering Innovations and Engagements

Family Business Alliance and PPD Collaboration

For the third semester, the PPD program has partnered with the Family Business Alliance for a very unique student engagement; this engagement gives students who are debating going into their family business the opportunity to meet and talk with individuals who were once in their very same shoes. This engagement has offered a new outlet of support and knowledge for our students that make up this niche statistic of coming from a family business, helping to further benefit all students in their career paths and endeavors.

This semester’s discussion gathered a group of students who had the opportunity to meet with three individuals who have followed their career path into their family businesses. Alyssa Golden Popson, Digital Marketing Manager at Golden Technologies, Cory Hoyt, Assistant Fleet Manager at Hoyt’s Fuel Service, and Catherine Garrity Frans, Family Business Consultant at Compass Point Consulting LLC. The students took advantage of this session to ask any questions they may have about going into their own families’ business, how the speakers ended up in their families’ businesses, what a day in the life looks like. and separating work and family.

We are so proud to be able to host this engagement for our students and cannot thank all of our speakers who have joined us enough!! Thank you!

PPD Site Visit to Mountain Productions

On April 3rd, Jeff Goldenberg, board member and current Chief Operating Officer at Mountain Productions, led our PPD students on an in-depth tour Mountain Productions headquarters, right here in Wilkes-Barre. Mountain Productions is North America's largest staging and event production company, working in events such as, but not limited to, major music festivals, concerts, political rallies, corporate functions...etc. About 30 of our students took the opportunity to see the behind the scenes of a day-in-the-life at Mountain Productions, as well as learn about the opportunities and possibilities for their potential future careers or internships. Wilkes alumni, Chad Mercado currently works at Mountain Production as a direct result of his hard work and commitment during his internship with the company! The students got to experience a very unique site visit, as well as grow their professional network of connections! We extend a special thank you to Jeff Goldenberg for giving our students this opportunity and to CEO Ricky Rose for also making this possible.

HL 382 (Food and Beverage Management): Inspiring Experience - Site Visit to Bank+Vine

Students in HL 382 had a valuable real-world learning experience during a site visit to Bank+Vine. They met with Erin Crofchick-Grzyboski, Director of Operations & Marketing at Friedman Hospitality Group, and Brian Hajosch, General Manager of Bank+Vine, who generously hosted an insightful session focused on hospitality operations and leadership. The visit also included a behind-the-scenes tour led by Executive Chef Barbara Hill, who offered an exciting and detailed look into fine dining operations. Through the leadership and expertise of these industry professionals, students gained firsthand insights into service excellence, branding, and the guest experience at one of the region’s premier dining destinations.

Engineering Outreach Projects

The CEE department is involved in a variety of projects through the spring semester to encourage students to develop careers in STEM disciplines. These projects are coordinated by student groups and faculty attending events at different schools. The student run events include the IEEE Engineering Olympics on April 18, and the Society of Women Engineers Amazing Race on April 3. Multiple events throughout the semester brought STEM education to students including STEAM Day at Chester Street Elementary on April 15 , STEM Discovery Day on March 21, Solomon-Plains Middle School STEM Night and Engineering Week on February 19, MATHCOUNTS sponsored by the Keystone Northeast Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society for Professional Engineers on February 8.

Site Visit to Fastenal

On April 7, PPD 201 and 401 students took a trip up to Jessup, PA for the opportunity to visit industrial and construction supplies wholesale distributor, Fastenal. Students toured the facility and engaged in executive discussion.

IEEE StutCon25 Sumobot competition

Alexei Lazarowicz and Leo Mayeski received an outstanding achievement at IEEE R1 & R2 StuCon in Long Island, NY where they won 2nd place in the SumoBot competition allowing them to show off their creativity, technical skills, and teamwork. Congratulations to the both of them!!

Guard Berkshire-Hathaway on Campus Career Workshop

In an effort to try new ways of engagement opportunities, insurance company Guard Berkshire-Hathaway visited our campus for a new form of student employer engagement. Guard visited our campus with numerous volunteers from 6 different business departments throughout their company! Just under 50 students attended this workshop, spending 9 minutes of an information and conversation session with each department. Each conversation opened our student's eyes to more career possibilities and the opportunity to network! Enthusiasm from Guard employees aided in the positive experience for our students. Thank you to Guard for visiting and giving our students new ways to connect with the company and its individuals.

Outstanding Student Performance in ME347 - Mechanical Engineering

In this semester's course of ME347, Dr. Ali Razavi witnessed remarkable work from his students Joe Johnson, Jack Perna, Matt Benedito, Nick Romas and Jesse Lippner. These 5 undergraduate students successfully designed an Accelerator for MEMS application.

From the students themselves, here's an introduction to their design:

"This accelerometer design project involves designing MEMS accelerometers to be
fabricated in the Wilkes Microfabrication laboratory. The accelerometer will function by
converting an induced acceleration to a measurable capacitance change. This capacitance
change will then be input into a signal conditioner to return a proportional voltage or digital
output. All students participating in Spring 2025 are Mechanical Engineering majors, thus
This report will focus primarily on the mechanical design of an accelerometer device. The
analysis section details the effects of changing the thickness of the support structure. The
The fabrication section contains the planned fabrication operations and mask designs to etch
the proof mask and structure."

"This is a truly remarkable achievement for undergraduate students to be able to capture the dynamic nature of the design and come up with 4 masks and associated micromachining process for their design.

I am honored to work with such talented students. The caliber of their work is remarkably outstanding."

-Dr. Razavi

Student Activities Highlight

Brenda Arias, a Hospitality Leadership student, was recently featured on the Connect Podcast with Dan Kimbrough, M.A., where she shared her internship experience at the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce through the Bonner Leader Program. Her story highlights the power of stepping outside your comfort zone and the impact of experiential learning in preparing for a successful future in hospitality and beyond.

Student Conference Attendance

As part of our commitment to student development, 12 members of the Hospitality Leadership Club, accompanied by Dr. HyeRyeon Lee, attended the 2025 international THEREPS Conference in New York City. This valuable experience gave students the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, participate in academic sessions, and expand their professional networks on a global stage.

Mechanical Engineering Real World Application: Mara Adams AWG Contracting Internship

Mara Adams (Mechanical Engineering major) will join AWG Contracting as a summer intern, focusing on the company’s innovations on atmospheric water generation (AWG) technology. AWG Contracting designs and manufactures systems that extract clean water directly from the air, offering scalable solutions for industrial, commercial, medical, and community water needs. Through the Ben Franklin Technology Partners NEP Aspiring Innovators Program, Mara will gain hands-on experience with AWG system design, manufacturing, and deployment, contributing to projects that advance reliable, off-grid water generation supporting global initiatives for water security.

HL 355 (Event Management) : Hands-On Event Experience

Students in HL 355, majoring in Marketing, Sports Management, and Hospitality Leadership, volunteered as student staff at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference (ECSC), held on campus on March 29. They applied classroom knowledge by assisting with event coordination and preparation, welcoming attendees, facilitating presentation sessions, and engaging with students and faculty from other institutions. This experience provided a valuable opportunity to gain practical skills in event planning while building professional connections.

Engineering Field Trips

An essential part of creating designs that help to improve the environment is to get out and see the environment. Our ENV 330 Water Quality Class partnerships with local entities that shared their sites and provided students with the opportunity to paddle in Earth Conservancy ponds, wade in streams at The Lands at Hillside Farms, delve into deeper waters in North Lake in Sweet Valley, and explore waterfalls and macroinvertebrates at the PA Game Commission’s area of Solomon Creek. These field trips let us use our lab experience to explore challenges in natural systems so our students can understand and design sustainable solutions to water quality challenges. So many great areas to explore on the quest for an Environmental Engineering degree!!

WELCOME NEW FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS

Dr. Asif Abdullah Khan

Dr. Asif Abdullah Khan is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Wilkes University. Dr. Khan holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Nanotechnology) from the University of Waterloo, Canada. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from KUET, Bangladesh.

Before Joining Wilkes, Dr. Khan was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Canada. Dr. Khan’s research is focused on designing novel nanomaterials for renewable energy harvesters to monitor the structural health of aircraft. His research has been published in top journals worldwide including Nature Communications, ACS Energy Letters, Advanced Functional Materials, JMCA, and

Small and issued several US Patents. He was awarded the prestigious Vanier Scholarship, President Graduate Scholarship, WIN Nano fellowship, FOE Awards, and IEEE Best Paper Award. At Wilkes, Dr. Khan teaches courses on renewable energy and electronic devices across various levels, bringing his expertise and scholarly

contributions to the classroom.

Eric Northrop

Eric Northrop came to Wilkes in January of this year as the Engineering Laboratory Manager following a 25-year career in the aerospace and defense sectors, having worked for General Dynamics, Triumph Aerospace, and Raytheon Technologies. Eric received a bachelor's of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and two master's of science degrees in mechanical engineering and metallurgy from Rensselaer at Hartford. Eric lives with his wife in a former church in Plymouth, and enjoys physics, bicycling and rehabilitating old buildings.

FACULTY & STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS (01/01/25-05/01/25)

Please see the links below for a full list of faculty Scholarly Activity

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1afHQ9puypkM66oFAbhBQW48fVuwpStAOxlCtwusBNxs/edit?usp=sharing

Joshua Pittenger

Although Joshua was only with us for one year, he made strong connections in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. We appreciated his passion and enthusiasm for his career path. We also appreciate his motivation to keep moving forward in his academic career despite challenges and setbacks. His friendly demeanor and positive energy contributed to those in our program and made a lasting remembrance.

Rest in peace. 02/17/2002 – 03/16/2025

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