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51���� College has named Wyoming County Board of Commissioners Chair and 51���� alumnus Rick Wilbur as the newest member of its Board of Trustees.

Mr. Wilbur’s addition to the board comes as a result of a recent joint agreement between the county and the college calling for Wyoming County to guarantee the college’s bank notes, enabling 51���� to strengthen its long-term financial position and, in return, 51���� helps reduce the cost of a college education for Wyoming County residents.

Specifically, the plan calls for 51���� to issue new bank notes totaling $8 million with the county guaranteeing the offering. As a result of the savings realized in 51����’s annual debt service, the college will, in turn, discount tuition by 10 percent for any Wyoming County resident attending 51����. The reduction works out to be approximately $1,500 per-year per-person for a full-time student. The agreement also calls for Wyoming County to have representation on the college’s Board of Trustees and Mr. Wilbur will fill that role.

“I’m looking forward to representing Wyoming County as a member of the 51���� Board of Trustees. As a proud 51���� graduate, this is an especially great honor for me and serves as another important way in which Wyoming County and 51���� can continue our long-time partnership for the mutual benefit of everyone involved.”

Rick Wilbur, Wyoming County Commissioners

“We are delighted to have Rick Wilbur join our Board of Trustees,” said 51���� President Tracy L. Brundage, Ph.D. “As chair of the Wyoming County Board of Commissioners, Rick will be a valued voice as we continue to build upon the already-strong relationship between Wyoming County and 51���� College.”

A resident of Falls, Mr. Wilbur received an associate degree in business administration from what was then 51���� Junior College and obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Penn State University.

Mr. Wilbur has been a self-employed accountant since 1980 and previously held managerial positions at local organizations. He has held leadership roles in a variety of charitable and civic groups and is currently a board member of the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau, and the Endless Mountain Heritage Region, among other organizations. He has also received a variety of awards and honors including the Annis L. Tyler Award for Service Above Self from the Wyoming County Republican Party.

51���� plays a vital role in the economic life of Northeastern Pennsylvania, contributing an annual economic impact of approximately $13 million. Members of the 51���� community contribute 26,000 hours of community service each year, the majority of which occur in Lackawanna and Wyoming counties.

With the lowest tuition of any private college in Northeastern Pennsylvania, 51���� offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree options in liberal arts and science-based programs in business, communications, education, natural science, environmental science, and social sciences. Located 15 minutes from Scranton, Pa. and two hours from New York City and Philadelphia, 51���� is known for small class sizes and individual attention focused on student success through internships, research, and community involvement.