University of Scranton Graduates Commit to Long Term Service Positions

Members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2017 who volunteered for long-term service projects with nonprofit organizations gathered with University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., for a reception held recently on campus. Seated, from left: Margaret V. Blount, Shannon Marie Richardson, Father Quinn, Natalie L. Kern and Kaitlyn Victoria Davis. Standing: Emily R. Machado, Laura K. Bopp, Michael R. Kranick, Mariah A. Ruther, John T. Greubel, Kateri Ann Sternberg, Christa Marie Howarth, Dillon S. Vita and James G. Buckley, Jr. Absent from the photo were Erin Maureen Finnerty and Kyle J. Rodgers.

Eighteen graduates of The University of Scranton have committed to long-term service projects with nonprofit organizations and underserved populations throughout the country and internationally. Their service begins this summer and includes programs run by the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Members of the University’s class of 2017 who committed to long-term service projects and their places of service are:

Margaret V. Blount of Hanover, Maryland, will serve with Mercy Volunteer Corps at St. Michael’s Indian School, Arizona;

Laura K. Bopp of Wantagh, New York, will serve wtih Operation TEACH, Baltimore, Maryland;

James G. Buckley, Jr. of Belle Harbor, New York, will serve with Xavier High School Alumni Volunteer Program in New York City;

Kaitlyn Victoria Davis of South Abington Township will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps at the Mustard Seed School, Sacramento, California;

Erin Maureen Finnerty of Brigantine, New Jersey, will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps at Urban Compass, Los Angeles, California;

John T. Greubel of Massapequa, New York, will serve with Alliance for Catholic Education through St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia;

Christa Marie Howarth of Somerset, New Jersey, will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps at Catholic Charities, Boise, Idaho;

Natalie L. Kern of Newtown will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Anchorage, Alaska;

Michael R. Kranick of Dunmore will serve with Teach For America in Baltimore, Maryland;

Emily R. Machado of Fishkill, New York, will serve with Urban Catholic Teacher Corps through Boston College;

Shannon Marie Richardson of Lafayette Hills will serve with Yap Catholic High School in Yap, Micronesia;

Kyle J. Rodgers of Lancaster will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps;

Mariah A. Ruther of Tinton Falls, New Jersey, will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps at a Native American Health Clinic in San Francisco, California;

Kateri Ann Sternberg of Poughkeepsie, New York, will serve with Alliance for Catholic Education through Notre Dame University, serving in Mission, Texas;

Dillon S. Vita of Melville, New York, will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

In addition, members of the University’s class of 2016 Ryan Brown, Scranton, will serve with Scranton Prep Alumni Service Corps in Scranton, and Glendys Orellana, Spring City, will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Managua, Nicaragua. Brian Dolan, Pearl River, New York, a member of the University’s class of 2015, will serve with Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Nationally recognized for its commitment to service, Scranton was among just 361 colleges in the nation to earn the highly-respected Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Community Engagement Classification and was among the higher education institutions named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. More than 2,800 Scranton students volunteer for more than 175,000 hours each year.