Student Veterans Lounge Opens on Campus

The University of Scranton opened a Student Veterans Lounge on the campus at a ceremony held April 29. The lounge, located in lower level of Loyola Hall, provides a place for student military veterans to gather for peer support, advocacy and community involvement.

The lounge was planned with support from the University’s Student Veterans Club, the Veterans Club Advocacy Committee and members of the Physical Plant Department.

At the opening, Ray Burd, a veteran and long-time University employee, who died in a tragic accident on January 1, 2014, was honored for the instrumental role he played in the creation and development of the Student Veterans Lounge. His daughter, Karen M. Burd DeMarco, spoke at the ceremony, and a plaque in his honor, donated by the University’s Staff Senate, was placed in the lounge.

Burd, director of Printing and Mailing Services, was employed by The University of Scranton for 24 years. In addition to directing the University’s copy center, print shop and mailing operation, he was instrumental in the production of University publications, including materials for admissions, academics, development and the President’s Office. He was also an adjunct professor in the Communication Department.

Burd served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 through 1975, including a tour of duty in Panama. He was also an active member of the University’s Veterans Advocacy Committee. He resided in Harvey’s Lake. He received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York and his master’s degree from Shippensburg University.

In addition to DeMarco, participants in the ceremony included students Gretchen Bentler, president of the student Veterans Club and Earl Granville, Veterans Club sergeant at arms; Robert P. Zelno, regional director of development and Veterans Club moderator; Mark Carmody, Lt. Col (Ret), director of facilities operations; Diane Valentino, special initiatives and enrollment operations assistant and Veterans Affairs certifying official; Joseph K. Wetherell, Lt. Col. (Ret), associate director of admissions; and Daniel R. Sweeney, S.J., assistant professor of political science and Veterans Club chaplain.

Members of the University’s Veterans Club Advocacy Committee are: Carmody; Father Sweeney; Valentino; Wetherell; Zelno; Victoria Kocis, state grant secretary, Financial Aid Office; Virginia R. Egan, academic advisor, College of Graduate and Continuing Education; Daniel V. Fraustino, Ph.D., professor of English and theatre; Teresa Grettano, A.B.D., instructor English and theatre; Lt. Col. Ryan Remley, professor of military science; Mary Doyle Troy, adjunct professor, Panuska College of Professional Studies; and Philip E. Yevics, Ph.D., academic advisor, College of Graduate and Continuing Education.

The University of Scranton opened a Student Veterans Lounge in Loyola Hall. At the ceremony are, from left, Robert P. Zelno ’66, G’77, regional director of development and Veterans Club moderator; Daniel R. Sweeney, S.J., assistant professor of political science and Veterans Club chaplain; Christopher Swinesburg ’16, of Effort, Veterans Club treasurer, Christopher Reichard ’15, of Dunmore, Veterans Club vice president; University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.; Gretchen Bentler ’16, of Covington Township, Veterans Club president; Earl Granville ’16, of Scott Township, Veterans Club sergeant at arms; the late Ray Burd’s family: Linda Burd (wife), Karen M. Burd DeMarco ’00 (daughter), Brian ’99 (son) and Kathy Burd ’99 (daughter-in-law); and Joseph K. Wetherell, Lt. Col. (Ret), associate director of admissions.