Wilkes University offers a variety of personal enrichment programs. To register for online or print your transcript, visit the Center for Continued Learning's online registration website.
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SS United States Discussion
- Date: Wednesday, April 29 from 2-4 p.m.
- Location: 2nd floor of the Henry Student Center
- Cost: Free and open to the public. Registration is required.
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Larry Bulanda
The SS United States is an ocean liner that is often referred to as “Americas Flagship”. She broke the world speed record for a trans-Atlantic crossing in 1952 on her maiden voyage to England, a record which stands to this day winning her the Blue Riband, an award which went to the fastest liner. The ship was the pride of America because she bested speed records set by such European liners as the Queen Mary, the Queen Elizabeth and the Normandie. Those ships were world renowned in a time when sailing was the only way for travelers to cross the Atlantic.
Despite her superb design and fame, her life was short lived since commercial air travel took over the trans-Atlantic market. She was taken out of service in 1969 and sat for years waiting for potential buyers. The ship was stripped of furnishings and other items and was finally towed to Philadelphia where it was moored for 30 years, owned by the SS United States Conservancy. During that time several investors showed interest in acquiring the ship but nothing materialized. Following a legal battle the ship was sold to Okaloosa County, Florida where it will be sunk as the world’s largest artificial reef in April 2026.
The instructor is Larry Bulanda. Larry is a retired electrical engineer with both a Bachelors and Masters degree in electrical engineering. His 42-year engineering career included employment with major defense and communications corporations. He closed out his career with a ten-year engagement with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel Maryland. His work assignments included several highly classified projects as well as working on nuclear reactor plant design for the Nimitz class aircraft carriers, the aviation systems of the Ford class aircraft carriers and finally, interplanetary spacecraft.
His interest in the SS United States began back in 1981 when he was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding, the shipyard that built the SS United States in 1949-1952. Pride in the ship was significant among employees due to the ship’s storied accomplishments and its revolutionary engineering. Since his retirement, Larry has continued his research on the SS United States and is now engaged in educating others about the ship.
Pottery
- Dates: TBA
- Location: Wilkes Pottery Studio, South River Street
- Cost: $240
The class is all levels with handbuilding and throwing on the potter's wheel. The clay we will be working with is Laguna #403 Speckled Buff Cone 5 (mid-fire stoneware clay). The glazes will be Cone 5 and will be fired in the electric kiln.
The instructor is Ellen Jamiolkowski external website. She is an artist who was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Being surrounded by nature all her life, it has become an endless source of inspiration for her. She attended Tyler School of Art of Temple University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics. She also holds a Teaching Artist certificate from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia.