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Wilbur Oaks '51 received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree at the 176th Commencement.
In honor of the 60th anniversary of Wilbur Wilson Oaks’ ’51 graduating from Lafayette College, his daughter, Cynthia Oaks Linville ’80, and son-in-law Judson C. Linville ’79 have made a generous gift to endow the Lafayette Athletics Leadership Academy.
The purpose of the Dr. Wilbur Wilson Oaks ’51 Leadership Development Fund and the Leadership Academy is to develop, challenge, and support Lafayette student-athletes and coaches in their quest to become effective leaders in academics, athletics, and life. The academy – established in a partnership between Lafayette and Janssen Peak Performance – will provide the leadership development programming to accomplish this objective, including interactive workshops, 360-degree feedback, one-on-one coaching, peer mentoring, supplemental online training, and educational resources.
Wilbur Oaks served as a member of the Lafayette College Board of Trustees from 1996 to 2001, president of the Alumni Association from 1994 to 1996, and president of the Maroon Club in 1992. He received the Lafayette Medal for Distinguished Service in 2001 and the Joseph E. Bell ’26 Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2002. In May, at the College’s 176th Commencement, Oaks was presented with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. Oaks is a retired professor of medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine and founder of Saint John’s Hospice Homeless Soccer Team Program.
Oaks has received more than 25 awards for his service to the medical profession, including the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindbach Foundation Award, the A.J. Battafarano Award for Humanism in Medicine, the Drexel University Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence. He has directed 13 medical symposiums and published more than 900 articles in various medical journals.
Oaks’ granddaughter, Cammie Linville ’13 (Princeton, N.J.), is a starter on the women’s lacrosse team. An economics major, she scored 13 goals and was named to the inaugural Academic All-Patriot Team last season.