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WILKES-BARRE — Four King’s College students were honored and hundreds of donors recognized at the school’s annual President’s Dinner on Saturday.

For 43 years, the college has held the dinner to show its appreciation of those who have made donations for the continued success of the school and to showcase students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and perseverance. Students were nominated by administration and faculty.

The students who were honored this year were Nicole Lawler, Ryan Boyle, Zachary Kosak and Bornfase Omuwra, all seniors.

Before dinner began, Lawler, who will continue her studies at the University of Virginia Law School, reflected upon her time at King’s.

“My time here helped me understand the importance of public service,” Lawler said. “This is kind of a bittersweet, transitional night for me.”

Omuwra, a 31-year-old marathon runner and native of Kenya, has a young son and plans to attain his master’s degree while working full time at the New York branch of Price Waterhouse, an accounting firm, following a six-week visit to his family.

“King’s has made me feel at home,” Omuwra said. “The college stands for principles such as hope and solidarity. There are people here who help you move forward.”

The Rev. John Ryan, who has been the president of King’s for four years, looks forward to this event.

“A theologian once asked, ‘What’s the key to success?’ The answer is friends,” Ryan said. “This is a night of appreciation, to show our friends where their time and resources have gone.”

Ryan described the students as leaders with amazing stories.

“We’re reinforcing the mission of the school, and when people support us, they’re also supporting other citizens through our students,” Ryan said. “Higher education is both a private and public good.”