Members of the Wilkes community – greetings!

My name is Dr. Greg Cant and I am very proud to be the seventh president of Wilkes University.  I hope that this message finds you safe and healthy wherever you are spending your summer.  I am grateful to The Beacon for this opportunity to share my best wishes and outlook for the upcoming academic year with you, especially since the pandemic has made it difficult for me to meet you in person.  

Despite the short time we have been on campus, my wife, our daughter, our son and I already feel as though we are members of the Wilkes family of Colonels.  When we experienced campus for the first time late last year, we were immediately impressed by Wilkes’ close-knit community, excellent academic opportunities and vibrant student life.  Leading up to our relocation to Wilkes-Barre, I visited campus numerous times and had the pleasure of meeting motivated students, passionate faculty and dedicated staff members. Even during the mandatory separation caused by the pandemic, the strong connections that exist between Wilkes students, faculty and staff are evident. 

Since becoming president, technology has afforded me the opportunity to get to know more members of the campus, interact with community and business leaders, meet alumni and participate in campus meetings and events.  I have especially appreciated the chance to listen to the thoughts of our students during a town hall hosted by MSC last month and speak with prospective students during virtual open houses.  In the coming weeks, I look forward to virtually meeting the Panamanian students who are learning English at Wilkes as a part of the IFARHU program, welcoming our newest cohort of EdD students to campus and, ultimately, assisting with move-in day and welcome weekend activities.  During the semester, you can expect me to be a frequent presence at campus gatherings, performances and athletic contests.  I have already become a “regular” at the YMCA and spend much of my time on the weekends exploring campus and the region that my family and I now call home.  

Our world faces great challenges right now, and an unpredictability that few of us have experienced before.  All of us at Wilkes admire your adaptability, perseverance and optimism and pledge to you an unwavering commitment to your success.  We are so eager to welcome you back to campus later this summer.  I can’t wait to meet you in person and share with you my enthusiasm for Wilkes.  Until then, follow me on Instagram @drgregcant to see how I’m getting to know the people, places and stories of Wilkes. 

Sincerely, 

Greg Cant