UNIV TOMIS VERS EMDEN GALA 2023 Sma THEPPY SUPPORT FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS BY ATTENDING WILKES UNIVERSITY'S FOUNDERS GALA 5:30 P.M. | THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023 WESTMORELAND CLUB, WILKES-BARRE 2023 PRESIDENT'S MEDAL RECIPIENTS - The Ralston Family The Ralston family's nearly 80-year connection to Wilkes started with the late George Ralston, affectionately referred to as the "Father of Wilkes Athletics." George served as dean, athletic director, coach, professor and mentor to generations of Wilkes students and student-athletes for 60+ years. Helen Rahton earned her music degree from the University in 1952. She would regularly appear in Wilkes and community stage productions and would often lead in the singing of the alma mater at university events. Three generations of Ralstons earned degrees from Wilkes, spanning from 1952 to 2014, including the four Ralston sons, David '69, John 79, Tom 80 and James '88. Tom Ralston is a long-standing member of the Wilkes alumni association and board of trustees The heart of their campus spirit is best represented in the facility that bears their name, the Ralston Athletic Complex. As such, the Ralstons are deserving recipients of the 2023 President's Medal. - 2023 CHAIRMAN'S AWARD RECIPIENTS Robert A. Mugford '58 and Tara Mugford Wilson Bob Mugford started as a sales engineer at Power Engineering in 1965, purchasing the company and becoming board chair in 1979. A first-generation college student, he earned his associate degree in engineering from Wilkes College in 1958 and went on to receive his bachelor's degree and earn his professional engineering liceme Tira Mugford Wilson succeeded her father as president of Power Engineering in 2016. She has served on the Wilkes board of trustees since 2020 and is a recognized and respected leader in the community. Through the leadership of the Mugfords, Power Engineering Corporation has helped transform the Wilkes campus for more than four decades as a valued partner on construction and renovations to the Henry Student Center, Chase Hall, Stark Learning Center, Breiseth Hall, the Cohen Science Center and the Karambelas Media and Communications Center. As such, they are the inaugural recipients of the Chairman's Award. The Ralstons and Mugfords will be honored on June 1. Tickets are $250 each. To attend or become a sponsor of Wilkes University's premiere event, visit wilkes.edu/foundersgala. 331 UNIV TOMIS VERS EMDEN GALA 2023 Sma THEPPY SUPPORT FIRST - GENERATION STUDENTS BY ATTENDING WILKES UNIVERSITY'S FOUNDERS GALA 5:30 P.M. | THURSDAY , JUNE 1 , 2023 WESTMORELAND CLUB , WILKES - BARRE 2023 PRESIDENT'S MEDAL RECIPIENTS - The Ralston Family The Ralston family's nearly 80 - year connection to Wilkes started with the late George Ralston , affectionately referred to as the " Father of Wilkes Athletics . " George served as dean , athletic director , coach , professor and mentor to generations of Wilkes students and student - athletes for 60+ years . Helen Rahton earned her music degree from the University in 1952. She would regularly appear in Wilkes and community stage productions and would often lead in the singing of the alma mater at university events . Three generations of Ralstons earned degrees from Wilkes , spanning from 1952 to 2014 , including the four Ralston sons , David '69 , John 79 , Tom 80 and James '88 . Tom Ralston is a long - standing member of the Wilkes alumni association and board of trustees The heart of their campus spirit is best represented in the facility that bears their name , the Ralston Athletic Complex . As such , the Ralstons are deserving recipients of the 2023 President's Medal . - 2023 CHAIRMAN'S AWARD RECIPIENTS Robert A. Mugford '58 and Tara Mugford Wilson Bob Mugford started as a sales engineer at Power Engineering in 1965 , purchasing the company and becoming board chair in 1979 . A first - generation college student , he earned his associate degree in engineering from Wilkes College in 1958 and went on to receive his bachelor's degree and earn his professional engineering liceme Tira Mugford Wilson succeeded her father as president of Power Engineering in 2016. She has served on the Wilkes board of trustees since 2020 and is a recognized and respected leader in the community . Through the leadership of the Mugfords , Power Engineering Corporation has helped transform the Wilkes campus for more than four decades as a valued partner on construction and renovations to the Henry Student Center , Chase Hall , Stark Learning Center , Breiseth Hall , the Cohen Science Center and the Karambelas Media and Communications Center . As such , they are the inaugural recipients of the Chairman's Award . The Ralstons and Mugfords will be honored on June 1 . Tickets are $ 250 each . To attend or become a sponsor of Wilkes University's premiere event , visit wilkes.edu/foundersgala . 331