Wilkes University. Eugene S. Farley Library

Last collection from the archives this semester are new additions that have been added to the Theater Department collection, thanks to Ella Villani! The collection has been updated to include new photographs, programs, books, newspapers, and other personal papers from Alfred S. Groh during his tenure.

Ella Villani is a BFA Musical Theater Major with a minor in Dance. Ella will graduate in 2027, and plans on pursuing a career in theater full-time. She has been in multiple productions here at Wilkes, most recently including the ensemble for I Love You Because and Urinetown. She is also the president of the Theater Club, which is the first time our school has had a theater club since 1970. In addition to being onstage, Ella is a writer and composer. She has had two shows in New York at The Green Room 42, which she wrote the music/lyrics/book for and also performed in. Ella is ecstatic to share this collection with you and present her findings on the collection during her time in the archives.

Feel free to check out Ella's blog post highlighting some of these additions and exploring the creative genius of a beloved Theater professor!

Visionary in the Wings: What Alfred Groh’s personal papers reveal about the Theater Department Wilkes University Archives is excited to announce that thanks to Ella Villani, the Theater Department collection has been updated to include new photographs, programs, books, newspapers, and other …

Farley Library celebrated the retirement of Library Technicians Joan Ford (40 years), Martha Parise (21 years), and Debbie Rutkoski (27 years) at the Stegmaier mansion today. We want to thank them for their service and contributions in making the library a home for all of us over the years. They will be sorely missed!

Next on the docket for public research from the archives is the Wilkes-Hahnemann Collection, processed by Michael Peterson and Jessica Van Orden! Michael, who just finished his first year at Wilkes, is a part of the Wilkes Honors Program and Barre Scholars. Michael intends to go into Audio/Visual Production in the future, which may include taking either Electrical Engineering or Theatre Design and Technology.

Jessica Van Orden processed Series IV: the “Nanticoke-Pittston-Wyoming” (NPW) Wilkes-Barre Area Medical Complex records, 1969-1978. An alumna of Wilkes University, Jess aims to complete her MILS and continue her work in archival studies.

Come check out their blogpost highlighting the historical merger between Wilkes College and Hahnemann Medical College and the merger of the NPW Medical Complex in the Wyoming Valley.

The Anatomy of a Merger: Processing the Wilkes-Hahnemann Cooperative Medical Education program, 1968-1989 Wilkes University Archives is excited to announce that, thanks to Michael Peterson, a Freshman Spanish Major, the Wilkes-Hahnemann collection, 1968-1989, is now processed and available online for r…

Wilkes University Archives is excited to announce that the Bucknell University Junior College Flyboys collection has been processed by Stephanie Smith and the finding aid is available for research online! Stephanie is a Junior double majoring in Business Management and Criminology with a minor in Legal Studies. Originally from California, she is a Navy veteran whose first command was a P-3 aircraft squadron, where she trained as an Aviation Electronics Technician before later working alongside JAG officers in the base’s legal department. She currently serves as President of the Wilkes University Veterans Council Club. Stephanie has interests in military history, law, archival preservation, and community engagement. Following graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career in the legal field while continuing her involvement in public service and community initiatives.

Come check out her exceptional blog post that reflects on the early years of growth, uncertainty, and wartime transformation at Bucknell University Junior College.

“We’ll Take Thy Mem’ry With Us”: Preserving the Legacy of the BUJC Flyboys Wilkes University Archives is excited to announce that the BUJC Flyboys collection has been processed by Stephanie Smith and the finding aid is available for research here. Stephanie is a Junior do…

Sarah Farley Nerino, granddaughter of Dr. Eugene Farley, recently visited Farley Library including the Eleanor Farley Room. The library staff much enjoyed her visit and her piano playing! We're hopeful that she becomes a regular visitor at Farley Library!

Wilkes University Archives is excited to announce that thanks to Maddie Meier, a Senior Musical Theatre major with minors in Dance, Music, and Sport Psychology, the Conservatory collection finding aid is now fully processed and the finding aid is available online on our Archivesspace catalog.

Maddie has been an extremely active part of the Theater and Dance Department at Wilkes University throughout her four years here. Her freshman year gave her roles such as Mrs Peacock in Clue: On Stage, Rosie/Featured Dancer in Sweet Charity, and Henry in the cancelled all-female production of Lord of the Flies. Sophomore year she was seen as Arminy in Carousel and Joan in Fun Home. In her Junior year she played roles such as Shelby in John Proctor is the Villain, Company in And The World Goes ‘Round, Grace McPhee/Queen Maureen in Between the Lines, H***n (Priest) in As You Like It. Her senior year included Diana Bingley in I Love You Because and Helen Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express. With her minor in Sport Psychology, she studies the rehabilitation of actors/dancers, as well as the treatment of artists as athletes. Her dream is to one day combine this entire paragraph of things she loves, into a curriculum that can inspire the next generation of theatrical artists.

Come check out her blog post on the history of the Conservatory and her own personal reflections on her dance journey here at Wilkes!

Pirouettes Pipelining Into Programs: The Origins and Establishment of The Conservatory at Wilkes University Wilkes University Archives is excited to announce that thanks to Maddie Meier, a Senior Musical Theatre major with minors in Dance, Music, and Sport Psychology, the Conservatory collection finding …

First up in collections that have been processed this year in the Wilkes University Archives is our first university president's papers! We're excited to announce that thanks to Emma Broda, senior History and Political Science major and Women’s and Gender Studies and Art History minor, the Eugene S. Farley papers are now processed and the finding aid can be found online on our Archivesspace catalog!

Emma is a member of the Honors program for which she is a Small Group Coordinator. She is also on the Triumvirate of the History Club and peer consultant at the Writing Center. After graduating in May, Emma will be attending Villanova University to complete her M.A. in History with interests in British history.

Feel free to check out Emma's blog on Farley's contributions to Wilkes!

Contributions of the Lifelong Educator: What the E.S. Farley papers reveals about Wilkes’ first University president Wilkes University Archives is excited to announce that thanks to Emma Broda, senior History and Political Science major and Women’s and Gender Studies and Art History minor, Eugene S. Farley papers…

Congratulations to Reagan Weldon Peri for winning 1st place in our Library Poster Contest for her poster “At Farley Library You Will. . .” Reagan received a $100 gift card and Reagan's artwork will be permanently displayed in the library. Reagan has won two years in a row for our Poster Contest. Congratulations to our winner and everyone who participated in our Library Poster Contest.

Our Everyday Archiving event was a hit! Thanks to everyone who joined us in scrapbooking and preserving memories with us at the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University today! Here are some of the scrapbook pages made by fellow students and staff!

Come join the archivist and SAG staff next Tuesday at the Karambelas Media Center for an Everyday Archiving event, where you can see old scrapbooks created by former Wilkes alumni and create your own scrapbook filled with memories from your semesters here! We're excited to see you there, everyone!