Sursum Corda Awards Presented to Staff Members

The University of Scranton presented Sursum Corda (Lift Up Your Hearts) Awards to staff members, Kim Hurst, payroll specialist; Maryjane Rooney, director of strategic outreach and presidential events; and JoAnn Stavisky, caretaker of the Retreat Center at Chapman Lake; at a ceremony held on campus that can be viewed here. The awards, presented by Acting President Jeffrey P. Gingerich, Ph.D., recognize members of the University’s professional/paraprofessional staff, clerical/technical staff and maintenance/public safety staff who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University.

“This year we will honor three staff members who have shown exceptional dedication or creativity in performing their duties; built, contributed or nurtured the sense of community; and contributed in a significant way to helping members of our community,” said Patricia Tetreault, vice president for human resources, at the ceremony.

 In his remarks, Dr. Gingerich thanked “all the staff and faculty who have done so much this year and who are all deserving of awards” prior to presenting Sursum Corda Awards to three “exceptional staff members.”

“Since day one, Kim has shown herself to be a dedicated, loyal and conscientious employee, working under strict deadlines each week to be sure the various payrolls she is responsible for are all completed accurately and on-time,” said Dr. Gingerich in presenting the Sursum Corda Award to Kim Hurst. “Kim is known to regularly plan her vacation time around payroll dates.”

In presenting the award to Maryjane Rooney, Dr. Gingerich said that she has served the University through her work in the Alumni Office “with grace, care and a true sense of mission for the past 32 years.”

“For Maryjane, 51,000 is not merely a number, there is a story and a memory behind each one and the fact that she can recall so many of them is astonishing,” said Dr. Gingerich. “She makes it a point to get to know students and alumni on a personal level, strengthening their Scranton connection.”

Dr. Gingerich said JoAnn Stavisky is more than the caretaker for the University’s Retreat Center – “she’s the innkeeper.”

“In speaking with JoAnn, one knows the fulfillment she gets in making sure the Retreat Center is a place of contemplation, reflection and enjoyment for all that walk through any of its doors. She prepares the Chapel and the Lake Room so the students have the space needed to interact with each other, their leaders and the Lord.”

Staff members who joined the University in the fall of 2020 and in 2021 were also recognized at the ceremony.