The University of Scranton recently welcomed renowned economist William Easterly, Ph.D., as the featured speaker at the Fall Henry George Lecture, an event that annually brings globally respected thought leaders to campus.

Dr. Easterly, professor of economics and co-director of the Development Research Institute at New York University, presented afternoon and evening lectures during his visit Tuesday, Oct. 21.

He also participated in a ceremony in the atrium of Brennan Hall, where his name was added to a commemorative plaque of Henry George lecturers. Thirteen previous speakers won Nobel Prizes.

After an afternoon lecture at Brennan Hall on the rise and fall of free markets, Dr. Easterly’s evening talk at the DeNaples Center was titled, “Violent Saviors: Development Lessons from the History of Colonialism.” Dr. Easterly addressed the consequences of coercive foreign interventions and emphasized the importance of empowering countries to freely make decisions.

Dr. Easterly’s visit also included attending a dinner held in honor of late alumnus John Kelly, a local realtor and member of the Schalkenbach Board of Directors whose generosity helped establish the Henry George series.

Dr. Easterly received a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1985, worked from 1985 to 2001 at the World Bank as an economist and senior adviser in the Macroeconomics and Growth Division and then worked until 2003 at the Institute for International Economics and the Center for Global Development. He then began teaching at NYU and is the author of three books, more than 70 peer-reviewed academic articles and numerous columns and reviews published in national outlets.

The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute of The University of Scranton will welcome Azzan Yadin-Israel, Ph.D., chair and professor of Jewish studies at Rutgers University, for a lecture Thursday, Nov. 13. Dr. Yadin-Israel’s presentation, “Solving the Mystery of Adam and Eve’s Forbidden Fruit,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Pearn Auditorium in Brennan Hall.

Dr. Yadin-Israel is the author of “Temptation Transformed: The Story of the How the Forbidden Fruit Became an Apple.” Released in 2022, Dr. Yadin-Israel’s book pursues the centuries-old mystery of why, when and where an apple became the forbidden fruit.

The Jerusalem Post called Dr. Yadin-Israel’s book “a fascinating exploration” and “an in-depth scholarly investigation” into the forbidden fruit’s roots.

Reflecting upon his research in an article for Rutgers Today, Dr. Yadin-Israel contends that historical linguistics played a large role in identifying the forbidden fruit.

“Most scholars have assumed that the emergence of the apple as the self-evident forbidden fruit must be driven by theological or religious considerations,” he said. “If my argument is correct, the change occurred as the result of forces that are completely indifferent to these matters. It was a general shift in the meaning of an Old French word that happened to have ramifications for the best-known symbol in the Hebrew Bible.”

Dr. Yadin-Israel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and Jewish thought from Hebrew University. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Jewish studies from the University of California, Berkeley. He’s been a member of the Rutgers faculty since 2002 and has also held visiting positions at Princeton University, Jewish Theological Seminary, Cardozo Law School and University of Chicago Divinity School.

Dr. Yadin-Israel’s presentation is free to attend and open to the public.

The Lackawanna County Commissioner Debate — held Thursday, Oct. 23 — drew a nearly standing room-only crowd to The University of Scranton’s Pearn Auditorium at Brennan Hall.

Democrat Thom Welby, Republican Chet Merli and independent candidate Michael Cappellini participated in the debate organized by the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS). A Nov. 4 special election will be held as the three candidates are vying for a seat on the three-member board of commissioners.

Much like the Scranton Mayoral Debate, held one week earlier, the Lackawanna County Commissioner Debate featured University personnel playing key roles. Brian Snee, Ph.D., director of CEEPS, was the debate moderator. Grace Lennox, a political science and philosophy double major and College Democrats president from Peckville, and Philip Huffman, a political science and history double major and College Republicans president from Scranton, read the debate rules, introduced the candidates and handled timekeeping duties. Additionally, three local journalists — WBRE-TV’s Connor Coar, The Times-Tribune’s Donnie Collins and WNEP-TV’s Stacy Lange — served as panelists.

The debate was livestreamed and recorded by ECTV and carried by other media outlets.

Robert Knowles, Jr., a Jesuit-educated insurance professional whose career has spanned 40-plus years, recently shared his experience and insights with students and faculty members at The University of Scranton.

Knowles, president of Scranton-based Knowles Insurance, was the featured speaker at an Oct. 21 luncheon held inside the DeNaples Center.

In addition to faculty members from the University’s Department of Economics, Finance and International Business, the luncheon was attended by students from the campus chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society for economics.

Drawing on his experience, which dates back to his education at Scranton Preparatory School and College of the Holy Cross, Knowles’ presentation was interactive and he participated in a Q-&-A with attendees. He spoke about the importance for young people to know what — and who — they want to be in life and how they can give back.

Knowles is a board member of the University’s Kania School of Management. He also serves as trustee and vice chairman at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation and has held roles at many other organizations in the Scranton community.

The University of Scranton’s graduate program in clinical rehabilitation counseling will host an alumni reunion as part of a 60-year anniversary celebration.

Clinical rehabilitation alumni and University community members are welcome to attend the event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Kane Forum inside McGurrin Hall. It is free to attend and will feature food, fun and giveaways. Guests must register online at this link.

Two distinguished program alumni — Rob Froelich, an associate professor of counseling at George Washington University and staff member at George Washington’s Center for Rehabilitation Counseling, Research and Education, and Helen Froelich, senior vice president of Utilization Management at Genex — will also present, “AI – Where Do We Draw the Line? Ethics and Boundaries.” The presentation will examine ethical concerns raised by many counseling professionals who are uncertain about the practice of using artificial intelligence. It is a one-hour Ethics Continuing Education session; CRC certificate or certificate of attendance available.

University officials will also offer remarks and Lori Bruch, Ed.D., associate professor of counseling and human services, will speak on the history of the program as it marks 60 years.

On Friday, Oct. 31, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a Halloween recital entitled, “Phantom of the Pipes,” featuring renowned organist Christopher Johnson performing a program centered around the themes of death, transfiguration and resurrection. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Johnson is a member of acclaimed chamber orchestra The Knights. He serves as Director of Music and Organist at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Scranton and as Director of Chapel Music at The Interchurch Center in New York City on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. In addition to previous appointments as Director of Music and Organist at The Riverside Church in New York City, Artist-in-Residence at Union Theological Seminary and Director of Music and Organist for the Woodstock/St. Paul Community at Columbia University, he also served as Assistant Organist at Christ Church United Methodist in Manhattan. While pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies at The Cleveland Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music, his teachers included Adeline Huss, Todd Wilson and Thomas Murray for organ studies, and Joshua Smith, John Mack and Robert Vernon for orchestral studies. As a flautist and organist, he performs regularly with Ensemble Eccolo, a chamber ensemble based in Altenburg, Germany, presenting concerts throughout Europe and the Middle East. An enthusiastic and avid flyer of airplanes and lover of languages, Johnson is a type-rated commercial pilot with five flight and ground instructor ratings and dabbles in German, Norwegian and Egyptian Arabic.

The University of Scranton’s Houlihan-McLean Center Austin Opus 301 symphonic organ was built in 1910 by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford Connecticut for the Immanuel Baptist Church in Scranton. It was restored and rededicated by the University in 2005 in a recital performed by Thomas Murray of Yale University. Since then, many renowned organists have performed on the instrument in solo-recitals. It has accompanied the University’s student ensembles in the performance of many major works of the choral and instrumental repertoires. The instrument is one of the few rare surviving original examples of early 20th-century organ building and the impressive instrument possesses a total of 3,178 pipes, 45 ranks and four manuals. The instrument is maintained by Stephen L Emery, Inc.: Pipe Organ Tuning and Restoration.

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music.

If You Go:

What: PHANTOM OF THE PIPES featuring organist Christopher Johnson
When: Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton
Admission: Free

By Marcus Smith '27, Student Correspondent

The unsung story of coal mining’s effect on Scranton’s culture is on display now in the Hope Horn Gallery. 

“The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Selected Paintings, Sculptures and Works on Paper from Public and Private Collections, 1829-1959” is an exhibition showcasing the artwork that comes from the extensive history of coal mining in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Many pieces in the exhibition are taken from Richard Stanislaus’s G’98 private collection.

Born and raised in the Scranton area, Stanislaus has a deep connection to the coal industry.

Initially, Darlene Miller-Lanning, Ph.D, the curator of the Hope Horn gallery, wanted to do a single exhibition on Stanislaus’s private collection of artwork about coal mining and its culture, but it quickly grew much bigger.

“We wanted to do a show that we thought would represent works in his collection, but we ended up with two shows, there’s so much material,” Dr. Miller-Lanning said.

Stanislaus gave a presentation at the Oct. 24 opening of the collection to discuss the various pieces included in the exhibition, which was followed by a reception commemorating the opening.

The exhibition is an effort to bring awareness to the impact that mining had on the local community for those who might be unfamiliar with it.

“Everybody has a story. Everybody knew somebody or was related to somebody that was involved in coal mining,” Dr. Miller-Lanning said.

Unfortunately, the heritage of the coal region has faded from public memory over time. 

“There was this whole culture that grew up around it, and some of that is still present in the community, yet as generations move on, every year, a little less is remembered,” Dr. Miller-Lanning said.

“The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Selected Paintings, Sculptures and Works on Paper from Public and Private Collections, 1829-1959” will be presented at the Hope Horn Gallery until Dec. 12.

On Thursday, Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., The University of Scranton's Commuter Student Association (CSA) in partnership with the Office of Community and Government Relations will host the 5th annual Java Journey event. This year’s event will offer 56 University students the opportunity to explore seven of the many cafes in Scranton. Each participating student will be assigned to one of the participating Scranton cafes and receive a voucher worth up to $8. This event is open to all University of Scranton students, and registration can be found in Royal Sync at https://cglink.me/2rM/r384138 .

CSA’s Java Journey is a part of the club’s larger efforts to engage Scranton students with the greater Scranton community and to support local businesses.

"Java Journey is a free, fun, and flavorful event that fosters a sense of community among Scranton students and supports local businesses," said Nora Flannery ‘27, CSA vice president and physiology and philosophy major and biochemistry and theology/religious studies minor. Other CSA programming events include an annual Restaurant Fest that takes place each spring and will celebrate its fourth offering this year. 

At the core of the CSA mission: Promoting the many businesses in and around the city of Scranton to residents and commuter students at the University. CSA members created this event in the knowledge that local cafes present ideal spots for college students with offerings of free Wi-Fi, specialty coffee and tea drinks, snacks, and in some cases, free parking.

The participating cafes are equally excited to welcome Scranton students. During past events, they greeted students with balloons, University of Scranton-themed cookies, signs, and more to inspire the students to visit again.  

Participating cafes this year will include: Black and Brass Coffee Co., Blackwatch Cafe,  Pilgers’ Pastries, Retro, Downtown Deli Café, Bailey’s Cafe & Events and Northern Light Espresso Bar and Café.  

Ongoing through to Dec. 12, Art Exhibit: “The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania.” Selected paintings, sculptures, and works on papers from public and private collections: 1829-1959. Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Nov. 5, 5 p.m. Exhibit Opening: “A Life of Service: Celebrating David J. Wenzel ’69, G’74,” sponsored by the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service. Heritage Room. Weinberg Memorial Library. Reservations Required. Call 570-941-7401 or email alumni@scranton.edu.

Nov. 5-9, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “A Doll’s House, Part 2” presented by The University Players. Studio Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Limited seating, reservations strongly suggested. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu

Nov. 7, 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “New Deal Post Office Murals in the Anthracite Regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania” presented by David Lembeck, independent scholar. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. The reception is part of Scranton’s First Friday event. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Nov. 9, 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu.

Nov. 11, 5 p.m. Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities and The Jesuit Center: “The Bible, Gender, and Sexuality: Historical Insights and Contemporary Relevance” presented by Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D., Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace; university professor of New Testament and Jewish studies emerita, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies emerita, professor of New Testament studies emerita, Vanderbilt University. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. 

Nov. 12, 12 noon. Israeli Jesuit Fr. David Neuhaus, S.J. will speak on "Equality, Justice, and Peace - A Catholic Vision for Reconciliation in Israel/Palestine Today." This event will be in person in Scranton (lunch offered starting at 11:30 a.m. in the Brennan Hall, Rose Room) and online webinar offered for guests joining from out of town. The lecture will focus on four elements in the Catholic Church's position regarding Israel/Palestine: the welfare of the Christian community and the protection of the Holy Places; the interpretation of the Scriptures as a resource for promoting equality, justice, and peace; the dialogue with Jews and Muslims; and the commitment to a social teaching that insists on equality, justice, and peace. The event is co-sponsored by The University of Scranton together with the Catholic Advisory Council for Churches for Middle East Peace and Bethlehem University Foundation as part of the 2025 Rev. Drew Christiansen S.J. national lecture series. Registration for this event can be completed here. Call 570-941-4419 or email julie.cohen@scranton.edu 

Nov. 13, 8:30 a.m. Data Science Day features programming tutorial, a keynote speaker and a data science competition for high school students. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required at https://scrantondatacontest.netlify.app/. Call 570-941-6486 or email joseph.klobusicky@scranton.edu.

Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Collaborative Program Lecture: “From Manuscript to Print: The Journey of Medieval Books” presented by Michael Knies, special collections librarian and university archivist, Weinberg Memorial Library, The University of Scranton. The Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Free. Exhibit and reception follow. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute Lecture: “Solving the Mystery of Adam and Eve's Forbidden Fruit” by Azzan Yadin-Israel, Ph.D., professor and chair of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University. Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-7956 or marc.shapiro@scranton.edu 

Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra.” Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Nov. 15, 1 p.m. Father Murgas Day event honoring the 120^th anniversary of the first world overland long-distance wireless transmission using radio. Reenactment of the transmission between Wilkes-Barre and Scranton held in conjunction with the Murgas Amateur Radio Club, followed by radio station open houses and receptions at both campuses.. W3USR Amateur Radio Club at Scranton, PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center, and Alley Center for Health Science, King’s College. Free. Visit murgasarc.org or email murgasarc@gmail.com.

Nov. 20, 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “America is Ready for a Pro-Peace Foreign Policy. Is Washington?” presented by Matthew Duss, executive director, Center for International Policy, former visiting scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Nov. 20, 5:30 p.m. Ethics Across the Curriculum Lecture: “Spiritual Alienation and the Quest for God” presented by David McPherson, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. 

Nov. 20-22, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Legally Blonde – The Musical” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.livaartscompany.ludus.com or email livaartscompany@gmail.com.

Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m. Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities Lecture: “Do the Brain and Behavioral Sciences Show That Free Will is an Illusion?” presented by Timothy O’Connor, Ph.D., Mahlon Powell Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science, Indiana University. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. 

Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Performance Music: “58^th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers, String Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles with guest harpist Marg Davis and pianist Ron Stabinsky. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “The Scranton Brass Orchestra Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert.” Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a cash donation. All proceeds will directly benefit local families in need. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Vision loss has many causes, comes in various forms and progresses at unique rates.

No matter the diagnosis, however, it is almost always met with some combination of fear and uncertainty.

That’s where Julie Nastasi ’01, Sc.D., OTD, associate professor in occupational therapy, and the Leahy Low Vision Clinic enter with clinical experience; and perhaps, more importantly, a compassionate bedside manner to relieve clients and restore their hope and independence.

Having officially opened in spring 2016, the clinic will mark its 10-year anniversary. It has served upward of a dozen clients some years and a handful in others, but it has never turned anyone away.

“A lot of what we do in the clinic with the clients is explain to them their diagnosis,” Dr. Nastasi said.

For instance, macular degeneration is the most common age-related eye condition. It is serious and life-changing — but also manageable.

In explaining the condition, Dr. Nastasi balls up a fist and presses it against her forehead.

“Look through your fist. You can’t see where you’re directly looking, but everything on the outside? You’re still going to have that vision,” she says. “We’ll tell them, ‘Your whole world is not going to go to black.’ You can really alleviate their stress and anxiety just by explaining it.”

Dr. Nastasi, an instructor at the University since 2011, previously worked in hospitals as an occupational therapist. She understands the pace at which doctors work. Sometimes, they simply do not have the time to fully explain a diagnosis.

“We don’t bill here ... I don’t have the constraints of insurance or the demands of productivity and things like that,” she said.

The clinic, which is located inside Leahy Hall, has never turned anyone away as referrals often come from Northeastern Eye Institute and Geisinger. Many clients are older and suffering from glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, a traumatic brain injury or stroke.

After receiving the referral form, Dr. Nastasi performs an evaluation.

“She gave me an eye exam. Without any equipment, that was the best eye exam I think I’ve ever had,” said client Madeline Strong, of Scranton. “She picked up on something right away and said, ‘Call your doctor.’”

Dr. Nastasi and her occupational therapy students — five of them this term — take the time to truly understand their clients.

“We want to know: Is it affecting your reading? Is it affecting your writing? What are the activities you want to be able to do?” Dr. Nastasi said. “We can’t fix their vision because it is a central nervous system disorder. However, I could teach them how to use their vision more effectively.”

The clinic treats clients with numerous pieces of specialized equipment, including closed-captioned televisions, digital and handheld magnifiers, screen readers and text-to-speech tools.

Even taking a few minutes to explain how to use accessibility tools on a smartphone can make a world of difference.

“I’m not a hugger,” Dr. Nastasi said. “But I get lots of hugs from the folks we help.”

Strong is one of those clients who repaid her clinician with an emotional embrace.

“She’s been an angel, she really has,” Strong said.

Facilities offering low-vision services are rare, and Vision Center reports that financial and healthcare system barriers, as well as structural and social detriments, often prevent people from getting the services they need.

The Leahy Low Vision Clinic is part of the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured, housed in Leahy Hall. It also has a physical therapy clinic, a counseling and behavioral health clinic and a medical clinic (operated with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine).

The Leahy Low Vision Clinic sees patients by appointment only. For more information, please call 570-941-6112.

The University of Scranton Jazz Band will take the stage Saturday, Oct. 25, with acclaimed drummer Marion Felder joining them as the evening’s guest soloist. Presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton, the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Felder will also offer a free drumset masterclass at 4:30 p.m. for drummers ranging from 16-year-old students to adult teachers and professionals. (Student musicians under age 16 are welcome to attend accompanied by a parent, guardian, or music teacher.)

At the concert, the University’s student jazz ensemble will perform a variety of works that prominently feature Felder on drums.

"The program will feature music representing works in a variety of styles to showcase the versatility of our guest artists and broaden the experience of our student musicians," said performance music conductor and co-director Janelle Decker.

Performance music conductor and director Cheryl Y. Boga first met Felder when he came to New York City as a member of one of the earliest classes of The Juilliard School’s Jazz Studies program.

"Not only is Marion's mastery of 'driving' a big band with astounding time and musicality always evident," Boga said, "but he does it while keeping his entire focus on supporting the ensemble."

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Felder brings a dynamic blend of tradition, versatility and world-class training to the stage. Currently touring and recording with Michael Bublé, Felder has served as the drummer with the Wycliffe Gordon Quintet, the Count Basie Orchestra and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and has performed with a wide range of acclaimed artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Victor Goines, Carmen Bradford, Delfeayo Marsalis, Paul Simon, Van Morrison and Hank Jones, among many others. Felder earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at The Juilliard School on a full scholarship.

The University of Scranton Jazz Band is a 25-member ensemble of big band style instrumentation, made up of University of Scranton student musicians from majors spanning the curriculum. They perform five or more times per year. The majority of their performances are open to the public, free of admission charge, and often feature a nationally or internationally renowned guest soloist.

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music.

If You Go:

What: IN CONCERT: The University of Scranton Jazz Band with guest soloist Marion Felder, drums, presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton
When: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton
Admission: Free
Masterclass: Same day, same place, 4:30 p.m., also free

The University of Scranton on Thursday, Oct. 16, hosted its first of two political debates during this year’s general election cycle.

Scranton Mayor and Democratic nominee Paige Cognetti, Republican nominee Trish Beynon and independent candidates Gene Barrett and Rik Little participated in the Scranton Mayoral Debate at the PNC Auditorium inside Loyola Science Center. A nearly standing room-only crowd attended the debate, in addition to thousands more who watched a livestream recorded by ECTV and carried by other media outlets.

The hourlong event was presented by the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS). The CEEPS director, Brian Snee, Ph.D., moderated the debate.

Three journalists — Donnie Collins of the Times-Tribune, Elizabeth Haikes of Fox 56 and Borys Krawczeniuk of WVIA — served as panelists, asking the nominees questions. The debate also featured presidents of the University’s College Democrats and Republicans greeting and introducing the nominees. Grace Lennox, of Peckville, is a political science and philosophy double major and College Democrats president. Philip Huffman, of Scranton, is a political science and history double major and College Republicans president.

The University will host another debate at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, when Lackawanna County Commissioner nominees take the stage at the Pearn Auditorium inside Brennan Hall.

The University of Scranton named four new members to its Board of Trustees: Jacqueline A. Cleary ’87, Elizabeth A. Madden ’96, Francis J. Pearn, CPA ’83 and Mark W. Santarsiero, CPA ’80.

Jacqueline A. Cleary ’87 

Jacqueline A. Cleary serves as founder, president and CEO of Atlas, a fully woman-owned global consulting firm that tackles intricate business hurdles for Fortune 100 giants and rising startups alike. With a sharp focus on life sciences, her guidance has elevated Atlas to a top-tier provider of program management services across the U.S. and Europe, with offices in the United States and the Czech Republic.

A passionate champion for women leaders, Cleary engages deeply with the Women Presidents’ Organization and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, where she participates as a forum member. In 2014, her efforts in nurturing fellow women entrepreneurs earned her the WBENC Star Award, the highest national honor for excellence in women-owned businesses.

Cleary channels much of her energy into philanthropy, volunteering and donating generously as an Advisory Board member for NPower — a nationwide nonprofit offering tech education and job training to underserved youth and veterans.

Cleary holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from The University of Scranton and is an alumna of Harvard Business School’s Owner/President Management Program (OPM 48), an elite training for visionary entrepreneurs. She completed the acclaimed Tuck-WBENC Executive Program and KPMG's renowned QuantumShift program at the University of Michigan's Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

Through the President’s Business Council, Cleary, who is based in Westfield, New Jersey, stays connected to her alma mater, mentoring aspiring female students along the way.

Cleary is an avid golfer and traveler. She has instilled the travel bug in her three children: Grace, Brian and Gabby. Together, they figure out fun trips where they typically can enjoy one or two rounds to make the vacations the most family fun.

Elizabeth A. Madden ’96 

Elizabeth Madden is the founder and managing member of Compass Advisors & Coaching, where she combines executive coaching and human resources advisory services to support senior leaders and high-impact organizations. With more than 25 years of experience spanning Goldman Sachs, Davidson Kempner and her own consultancy, she brings deep expertise in leadership development, talent strategy, organizational transformation and employee engagement. During her 18 years at Goldman Sachs in New York and Hong Kong, she led the company’s Prime Brokerage HR Consulting Practice for almost a decade.

As a dedicated alumna, Madden has been engaged with The University of Scranton for over two decades. She is a founding member of the President’s Business Council (PBC), previously serving as vice chair, and currently serving as chair of the PBC. In these roles, she has helped shape the Council’s mission and programming, including renewed emphasis on mentorship, internships and philanthropy to open doors for Scranton students. While a student at Scranton, Madden was a Student Government officer during her senior year.

Madden earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication from The University of Scranton and a Master of Arts in higher education administration from New York University. She is a Certified Executive Coach through Columbia University’s Teachers College and holds additional certifications in several coaching assessment tools.

She resides in New Jersey with her husband, Michael Madden ’95, and their two children. Beyond her professional work and service to the University, she remains committed to helping aspiring Royals grow and succeed.

Francis J. Pearn ’83 

Frank Pearn is a corporate board director and the former global chief compliance officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co, where he was responsible for the end-to-end risk management oversight of the financial institution’s compliance, conduct and operational risk management activities globally. He oversaw the company’s anti-money laundering, technology and cybersecurity risk management and market conduct programs.

After graduating from the University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Pearn began his career at Price Waterhouse as a certified public accountant. He joined J.P. Morgan in 1990, holding a number of financial and operational management positions in New York, Milan and London before retiring in 2024.

Pearn is former vice chair of the Board of Trustees, former chair and founding member of the President’s Business Council (PBC) and a member of the Pride, Passion Promise Campaign Executive Committee. He was awarded the President’s Medal at the PBC Award Dinner.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

He and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Garden City, New York. They have four children: Matthew, Stephen, Brian ’16 and Jordan.

Mark W. Santarsiero, CPA ’80  

Mark Santarsiero serves as president and chief executive officer of Marshall & Stevens, and executive managing director for MS Capital Investment Banking. Founded in 1932, Marshall & Stevens, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is a recognized leader in valuation services and is one of the oldest and most respected independent multi-disciplinary valuation firms in the U.S. 

Santarsiero began his 39-year career with Marshall & Stevens as a corporate controller of the public company that originally owned it. He was a member of the team that led the employee buyout of Marshall & Stevens from its corporate parent in 1985, which transformed the business. He later served as chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and as national practice leader for the financial valuation and consulting practice. He was appointed to his current position at Marshall & Stevens in 2000. Santarsiero also serves on Marshall & Steven’s internal fairness opinion and solvency opinion committees and has led multiple buy/sell and recapitalization transactions for MS Capital, the investment banking’s sister company.

Marshall & Stevens recently took on a financial partner and through multiple acquisitions have grown the company substantially.

Santarsiero began his career as an accountant for two CPA firms where he worked in the area of audit, tax and management advisory services. 

He earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from The University of Scranton and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California. He is a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania and California and is an active member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the New Jersey and California CPA societies. 

Santarsiero is a former member of the University’s Accounting Department Professional Council and has served as executive-in-residence for the Kania School of Management. 

He lives in Huntington Beach, California, and is the father of three sons: Jordan, Eric and Marcus.

The University of Scranton recently hosted a successful 24th Annual U.S. Conference on Disability at the DeNaples Center.

Registration for the event had filled up with a week to spare, and every seat inside the McIlhenny Ballroom was filled for the event whose mission is to positively influence the quality of life and wellness of individuals and families living with disabilities.

This year’s conference focused on the theme of “Access, Advocacy and Employment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

“AI is taking charge, which is positive and negative. It’s a little dangerous. But, I think, with regard to people with disabilities, AI has a magnificent future,” Edward Leahy ’68 H’01, co-founder and organizer of the conference along with his wife, Patricia Leahy, told Fox 56. “There’s a new phenomenon called neuro-tech that can actually detect someone’s brain waves … if they think about something, someone can do something for them because it can detect what they’re thinking. Imagine the potential for that.”

The day’s highlights included the presentation of the Edward R. Leahy, Jr., Award for Excellence in Leadership and Advocacy to Keith Williams G’09. Williams has worked for more than 35 years in advocacy and outreach for people with disabilities. He is currently the manager of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Grant and Advocacy at My Center for Independent Living (MyCIL) in Scranton.

The Dr. Ralph N. Pacinelli Leadership Award was presented to Kathy West-Evans and John Evans. West-Evans for the past 20 years has served as director of business relations for the National Employment Team at the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation. Evans recently retired as program administrator for employee relations for the State of Washington Department Social Health Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Additionally, speakers and their topics included:

• Former U.S. Sen. and Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service Bob Casey, “Disability Policy in 2025-26: Major Challenges and Opportunities”

• Co-CEO of Cleanlogic Isaac Shapiro, “Three Entities, One Mission”

• University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Distinguished Professor Rory Cooper, “Creating Transformative Technology for and With People With Disabilities”

• Microsoft accessibility technology evangelist Lauren Allen, Sr., “AI for All: Advancing Disability Inclusion Through Technology”

• Author and creator Tiffany Yu, “AI Empowerment for People With Disabilities”

Once upon a time, anthracite coal was the foundation of Scranton’s economy.

It spurred rapid economic and population growth. It transformed the city into a bustling industrial center. It gave rise to a powerful labor movement.

And, it served as inspiration for artwork that is still being shown and displayed today.

The region’s anthracite coal legacy will be presented this fall at The University of Scranton’s Hope Horn Gallery, where “The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Selected Paintings, Sculptures and Works on Paper from Public and Private Collections, 1829-1959” will be displayed Oct. 20 through Dec. 12. The exhibition will showcase the work of painters, illustrators, photographers, sculptors and printmakers who, over the course of 130 years, represented the anthracite industry as a subject that was scientific, mysterious, heroic, tragic and picturesque.

The first of two special events will be held Oct. 24 with a gallery lecture by Richard Stanislaus G’98, guest curator and former curator of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Anthracite Heritage Museum, followed by a public reception. Stanislaus will speak from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Pearn Auditorium inside Brennan Hall. The reception at the Hope Horn Gallery inside Hyland Hall will follow from 6 to 8 p.m.

A second event will follow on Nov. 7, when independent scholar David Lembeck presents, “New Deal Post Office Murals in the Anthracite Regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania.” Lembeck’s lecture from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Pearn Auditorium will also be followed by a public reception at the gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. Tony Kearney, folksinger for the Folklore Society of NEPA, will perform music at both receptions.

“The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Selected Paintings, Sculptures and Works on Paper from Public and Private Collections, 1829-1959” exhibition provides a broad overview of private and public art in both the gallery and community. Examples include 19th-century landscape paintings and periodic illustrations, as well as 20th-century memorial sculptures and public murals. These works of art cover union labor activities, anthracite culture, tragic events, landscapes and more.

A second exhibition, “The Anthracite Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Selected Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Stanislaus Collection: 1933-1946,” will open Feb. 2, 2026, and remain on display through March 13, 2026.

The second show will also feature a special event with a panel discussion at Brennan Hall’s Pearn Auditorium from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6. Stanislaus will be on the “Depictions of the Anthracite Coal Industry in Prints of the 1930s” panel with Chester Kulesa, former director of the Anthracite Heritage Museum, and Peter Hoffer, printmaker and professor emeritus at Marywood University. A public reception will follow at Hyland Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. The second show examines a focused collection of works produced during the 1930s by artists associated with the Works Progress Administration.

For more information, visit the Hope Horn Gallery online.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m., The University of Scranton will host an event titled “Jewish-Christian Relations in the Wake of Oct. 7 and the War in Gaza” in the Pearn Auditorium in Brennan Hall. This event features Hana Bendcowsky, Program Director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations, and John Munayer, Director of International Engagement at Jerusalem’s Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue. Munayer, a Palestinian-Christian, and Bendcowsky, an Israeli Jew, have worked together for many years engaging Jews and Christians in the Holy Land and elsewhere in dialogue and peace efforts.

More about the speakers:

Munayer, Director of International Engagement at the Rossing Center, was born and raised in Jerusalem and has been involved in peace-building and dialogue initiatives from a young age. He is completing an MSc in international relations of the Middle East from the University of Edinburgh and holds a Master of Arts in theology and religious studies from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and a Bachelor of Arts in religion, politics and society from King’s College London. Munayer also researches, writes and lectures on Palestinian Christian identity, Palestinian theology and interreligious dialogue.

Bendcowsky, Program Director of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish-Christian Relations (JCJCR), holds a Master of Arts degree in comparative religion from the Hebrew University and has 27 years of practical experience in interfaith activities in Israel and abroad. She teaches in various institutions, colleges, academic programs and more. She is involved in many of the Center’s activities, including its dialogue programs, producing educational materials, consulting and advocacy work. Bendcowsky is a professional tour educator in Jerusalem, leading study tours in the Christian Quarter. She has particular expertise in the Christian Communities in Israel and Jewish-Christian relations in the Israeli context.

“I have worked with John and Hana during my many previous visits to the Holy Land with students from the University. They are both incredibly gracious people whose backgrounds and on-the-ground experiences allow them to offer perspectives that are as necessary as they are uncommon for audiences in the United States. We are truly thankful that they are able to visit us in Scranton,” Fr. Michael G. Azar, Ph.D., theology professor and event co-organizer, said about the featured speakers. Registration is available at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Jewish-Christian-Relations 

This event is co-sponsored by The University of Scranton’s Slattery Center, Office of Community Relations, Ellacuria Initiative, Judaic Studies and the Theology and Religious Studies Department together.

The University of Scranton had a rare and incredible honor earlier this semester, when Gregory Boyle, S.J., spoke to students and University community members at the annual Ignatian Values in Action Lecture.

Father Boyle, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient who founded the largest gang rehabilitation program in the world, spoke to a crowd of 1,000-plus attendees on Sept. 29 inside the Byron Recreation Complex.

In his address, titled, “Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times,” Father Boyle spoke about his experiences working with former gang members in Los Angeles. He helped them turn their lives around through his organization, Homeboy Industries, which assists those in a vicious cycle of violence escape that pattern.

Two members of the Homeboy community, Gerardo Ochoa and Jorge Baltazar, also addressed the crowd. Ochoa and Baltazar spoke about their life before Homeboy Industries and how the program has turned their lives around from a world of crime and despair to acceptance, hope and love.

Father Boyle’s decades of hard work in his native Los Angeles are a model of the values that Scranton strives to embody and instill in its students. Many professors incorporate the annual Ignatian Values lecture into their curricula.

Father Boyle and Homeboy Industries are no stranger to Scranton. He has previously appeared at the University and students have participated in service trips at the organization's headquarters in Los Angeles. Earlier this year during spring break, a group of students traveled to Homeboy Industries and one of the volunteers reflected on her experience in a Royal News article.

William Easterly, Ph.D., professor of economics and co-director of the Development Research Institute at New York University, will take his place later this month among the great speakers to present at the Fall Henry George Lecture.

Dr. Easterly will deliver his lecture, “Violent Saviors: Development Lessons from the History of Colonialism,” at the 39th Fall Henry George Lecture. Dr. Easterly’s presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the McIlhenny Ballroom at The University of Scranton’s DeNaples Center. It is free and open to the public.

The Henry George Lecture Series, which hosts an event in the fall and another in the spring, is the premier series of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania. All speakers are decorated authorities in the field of economics and 13 of the speakers — 12 fall lecturers and one spring seminar speaker — have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.

Dr. Easterly is the author of three books and his fourth book, “Violent Saviors: The West’s Conquest of the Rest,” will be released on Nov. 4.

Early reviews have called Dr. Easterly’s forthcoming book a “masterpiece,” in which he explores nearly 400 years of world history. He argues that global trade has given agency to billions of people and presents a new and urgent perspective on global economics that he says must lead the way in the fight against poverty.

Dr. Easterly, who received a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1985, worked from 1985 to 2001 at the World Bank as an economist and senior adviser in the Macroeconomics and Growth Division. He then worked at the Institute for International Economics and the Center for Global Development until 2003, at which time he began teaching at NYU.

Dr. Easterly’s first book, “The White Man’s Burden: Why the West’s Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill,” won the FA Hayek Award from the Manhattan Institute. He’s also the author of “The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists’ Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics,” and “The Tyranny of Experts: Economists, Dictators and the Forgotten Rights of the Poor.” He has also published more than 70 peer-reviewed academic articles and has written columns and reviews for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, New York Review of Books and the Washington Post.

He has served as co-editor of the Journal of Development Economics and as director of the Aid Watch blog. He is a research associate of National Bureau of Economic Research and was named by research.com as one of the Best Scientists of 2023. He won the Julian L. Simon Memorial Award from the Competitive Enterprise Institute in 2021 and the Adam Smith Award from the Association of Private Enterprise Education in 2013.

Financial support for the Henry George Lecture Series is provided by a grant from the Progress and Poverty Institute (formerly the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation).

For more information about the Fall Henry George Lecture, which is organized and presented by the Economics, Finance and International Business Department of The University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management, call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu.

The office of Community-Based Learning (CBL) announces the third cohort of its CBL Faculty Fellows Program. This program is aimed at recognizing, rewarding and supporting exemplary faculty who are eager to fully integrate CBL as an intentional pedagogical strategy into their courses and/or curricular-based projects. CBL is an immersive academic experience which invites students to work with individuals, groups, or local organizations to meet community-defined needs.

The Faculty Fellows program seeks to expand, strengthen, and institutionalize CBL at the University as a demonstration of its commitment to Jesuit values and the common good.

“The CBL program at the University of Scranton has 20-30 faculty engaged in CBL partnerships throughout the community each academic year.  This faculty cohort is focused on developing new or enhanced curricular opportunities that meet community needs in the areas of health and business. Engaging with community is central to the Jesuit mission at The University of Scranton. Engagement ensures students put into action their learning in meaningful ways,” said Debra Fetherman, Ph.D., CBL Faculty Coordinator, Professor and Department Chair of the Health and Human Performance Department.

The 2025-2026 academic year CBL faculty fellows are listed below, including their department, course, and/or their project of focus. 

Dr. Kristina Dorkoski, Physical Therapy

Kristina Dorkoski, PT, DPT, NCS, CEEAA, is a faculty specialist in the University’s Physical Therapy Department. Her project aims to expand her student’s community-based learning opportunities in order to better prepare them to effectively educate members of our Scranton community. Students will observe clinicians teaching community members in support groups and wellness programs to expand upon their knowledge to guide their instruction of patients, caregivers and colleagues.

Community collaborators will work with students who are completing a needs assessment to gauge a comprehensive understanding of each institution’s goals. Through this partnership, students and community partnership organizations will fulfill unmet needs while students achieve their course objectives. This collaboration cultivates future healthcare professionals who are both skilled and compassionate while strengthening ties between the university and broader Scranton community. By engaging in meaningful practice related to their fields of interest, students are empowered to make a lasting impact beyond the classroom.
 

Dr. Katherine Stefanelli, Counseling and Human Services

Katherine Stefanelli, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the University’s counseling and human services department. Her project, Where We Live: Supporting the Royal Campus Community Through Advocacy and Facilitation, aims to train students to act as facilitators in the Royal P.A.C.T. program on campus. P.A.C.T. (Promoting Awareness of the College Transition) is a required for all first-year students to attend and addresses issues such as healthy relationships, relationship violence, stalking, sexual assault, consent and the plethora of available campus resources.

It operates as a peer-to-peer program that encourages conversations between incoming students and upper-class students. Dr. Stefanelli is teaming with the Jane Kopas Women’s Center for this training. The specific students chosen to complete this training are undergraduate students, in her case management and interviewing course, who are solidifying their basic skills for counseling which enforce active listening, advocacy and action. By connecting skills learned in the classroom and meaningful campus involvement, the project allows students to create awareness in the environments in which they reside and interact. This collaboration will strengthen peer support networks and reinforce the university’s commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment.

Dr. Mehmet Yetim, Management and Marketing

Mehmet Yetim, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the University’s management and marketing department. Through his project, Aiding the Development and Competitiveness of Small Businesses in Scranton, students will contribute their foundational knowledge of management to the greater Scranton community. The project aims to foster growth and resilience in Scranton’s small business scene by enhancing their marketing presence.

Students will collaborate with community partners to create detailed business profiles that highlight each company’s history and mission. Students are also offered the opportunity to conduct market analyses to recommend actionable strategies for success with their partner organization. Through this project, classroom theory will intersect with real-world practice while supporting the economic ecosystem in our community. The goal is to promote sustainable and community-focused collaborations. By engaging directly with local entrepreneurs, students will gain hands-on experiential learning. This collaborative approach within our community reinforces the university’s commitment to community partnership while promoting student growth and professional development.

Dr. Aaron Ziegler, Communication Sciences and Disorders and Speech-Language Pathology

Aaron Ziegler, Ph.D. CCC-SLP, is an assistant professor in the University’s health and human performance department. His project, Service, Advocacy, and Impact: Enhancing Community-Based Learning in SLP Distance Education, encourages master’s students to implement CBL projects in their own communities. The Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology program is an online program with students from coast to coast. They will be encouraged to engage in their own communities by partnering with an organization to address a community-defined need.

Dr. Ziegler aims to analyze three years of their programs' CBL data, father stakeholder feedback, and refine the programs' summative assessment to enhance its impact on the students and community collaborators. By strengthening community partnerships across the various locations in which the students, the project highlights the manner in which distance education can foster real-world change. This initiative supports the students’ professional development while simultaneously amplifying the voices of community organizations they partner with. Ultimately, the project demonstrates the lasting impact of connecting higher education with meaningful community engagement.

By Elizabeth Vander Neut, Student Correspondent

The University of Scranton will welcome prospective students and their families to campus for its annual Open House events on Sunday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the John Long, S.J., Center.

The day's schedule includes campus tours, academic program showcases, and sessions on student services, athletics and residence life. Guests can enjoy complimentary brunch and lunch with opportunities to connect with members of the University community.

Hugh Doyle '17, G'20, director of undergraduate admissions, and Antonelle Kern '14, G'19, assistant director of admissions events, say Open House offers a more immersive experience than a standard campus tour. They describe these events as a “one-stop shop” for families navigating the college search. In addition to meeting admissions and financial aid staff, visitors can engage directly with faculty, staff and students across the University.

“They’ll also have the chance to see both academic and extracurricular spaces firsthand,” said Doyle. “Whether it’s their first visit or a return trip, families will leave with their questions answered — and ideally, with a deeper understanding of what makes a Scranton education distinctive and meaningful.”

The event reflects the University’s mission to deliver a transformational learning experience in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition. For many prospective students, Open House serves as a first introduction to the University’s values of excellence, purpose, faith and service.

“Open House is a campus-wide tradition that embodies who we are as a community,” said Kern. “It’s not just about what we teach, but how we welcome, support and inspire students.”

Organizers hope visitors leave campus feeling both excited about their future and supported in their college search process.

“While we certainly hope students fall in love with Scranton, more importantly, we want them to know they are not alone in this journey,” said Doyle. “If Scranton is the right fit, they will be joining a community deeply invested in their success, both inside and outside the classroom.”

This year’s Open House schedule remains consistent with previous years, which organizers say is a testament to the strength of the program.

“Open House continues to be a comprehensive, community-supported event designed to give visitors a full picture of life at Scranton,” said Kern. “We’re proud of the collaborative effort that makes this day so meaningful for everyone involved.”

For more information or to register for Open House, visit scranton.edu/openhouse.

The University of Scranton’s Edward R. Leahy Clinic for the Uninsured recently launched a vital initiative to provide patients with access to life-saving and sight-saving health screening at significantly reduced costs.

A new Early Detection and Screening program will allow the clinic to provide necessary health tests and screenings for uninsured patients at reduced and negotiated prices. Patients will receive services, such as life-saving colonoscopies, mammograms and sight-saving retinal eye exams for patients with diabetes, at testing centers where decreased prices were negotiated, ensuring patients will comply with physician-recommended tests and follow-up exams.

The program was made possible through a grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant Cycle.

The Leahy Clinic on Kressler Court provides high-quality, non-emergency health care to uninsured Lackawanna County residents who may otherwise forego health care due to cost. The clinic also provides teaching, learning, researching and service opportunities to University and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine faculty, students and volunteers.

Patricia Leahy recently reflected upon a famous quote, often attributed to former U.S. President John Quincy Adams: If your actions inspire others to dream more, to do more, to learn more and become more, you are a leader.

Then there’s no doubt Edward R. Leahy, Jr., the late son of Patricia and Edward Leahy ’68 H’01, was a leader as reflected to this day in his parents’ and others’ actions.

The inspiring boy, born in 1984 with multiple disabilities who passed away just before his ninth birthday, initiated in his parents the drive to create the Annual U.S. Conference on Disability.

“In honor of Edward’s life and legacy, circa 2000, my husband generated the idea that we probably should look at having an annual disability conference,” Patricia Leahy said. “Over the years, this conference has attracted some of the many luminaries in the disability community from the U.S. House of Representatives, where I spent 18 years; the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Department of Education; and many pioneers in our community.”

This year’s conference on Wednesday, Oct. 8, which is free to attend, features several guest speakers, including the University’s Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service and former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and popular author Tiffany Yu.

“We are never turned away when we ask people to come to Scranton,” said Edward Leahy. “Unless it’s physically impossible for them to get there … they answer the call. I’ve been seriously impressed by that over the course of 24 years.”

The U.S. Conference on Disability has attracted as many as 1,500 attendees, back when it was held in an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s crowd is expected to feature guests from numerous states and occupations, including professionals in education, physical and occupational therapy and various healthcare fields.

“Also people in state and local government who are responsible for the education and the practical assistance of people with disabilities,” Edward Leahy added.

The Leahys feel they are forever indebted to the professionals who cared for their son.

“I remember during one PT session, they were working with Edward to try to get the peg in the hole,” Patricia Leahy recalled. “Now, that’s very difficult for a child with significant disabilities, including cortical blindness. After the PTs worked with him — and it took a little while — he did it. I have never seen such a celebration in my home — and we’ve entertained a lot.

“It made my day. It made my year. It made my life. We are just so grateful … to the disability community, the PTs, OTs, health science people and nurses who are just absolutely amazing and we want to continue to honor them.”

It continues with education, advocacy, innovation, networking and hands-on demonstrations — the type of programming that happens every year at the U.S. Conference on Disability.

“This shouldn’t be just an academic exercise,” Edward Leahy said. “This should be the kind of platform where people can see results of how people with disabilities can be assisted by whatever means. And this year, one of the things we’re going to highlight is how artificial intelligence might be able to assist in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities.”

For more information, please visit the U.S. Conference on Disability webpage.

The University of Scranton’s Department of Communication and Media is celebrating 50 years of producing multimedia standouts who have achieved success in their various fields.

Nine of the department’s best and brightest — and most generous with sharing tips and tricks that led to success — returned to campus this month for a Careers in Communication panel, moderated by Stacy Smulowitz, department chair.

The nearly two-hour program engaged a packed house inside the Loyola Science Center’s PNC Auditorium, where panelists exchanged stories, ideas and advice, particularly relevant to those who will soon enter the workforce.

Colleen Boyle ’20, multimedia designer at Leen Studios, recalled a few years ago entering the job market during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a stressful time, she said.

“I think the best cure for anxiety is always action,” Boyle said. “If you find yourself nervous about what’s next, start taking small steps: build a portfolio, build a website, create content, make a YouTube channel. …

“Be your own best advocate and do a little something every day, just to feel like there is momentum. Because, at the end of the day, momentum is everything early in your career.”

Mike Ondo ’97, director of professional scouting for MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies, spoke about the importance of going beyond the classroom.

“Try to build your resume with hands-on practical experience as much as you can, so, when it is time to go out there, you have a feel for what’s going on,” Ondo said. “It’s going to change and things will be more intense (once you start working), but at least you’ll have that prior experience. That experience will go a long way in helping you.”

Kyle Gittleson ’12, events coordinator at Cravath, Swaine and Moore LLP, encouraged attendees to be flexible and open to opportunities.

"Work on your soft skills, be nice, work well on a team, be likable and friendly and polite, stick to the facts, have a firm handshake," Gittleson said. "All that basic stuff actually really helps to connect with recruiters and connect with your future boss who interviews you. And if they like you and bring you aboard, just work hard, be likable and you'll find yourself elevating up."

Stephanie Conserette ’08, vice president, imaging digital portfolio strategy global imaging at GE Healthcare, spoke from the perspective of a hiring manager.

Conserette highlighted the value of a well-written and well-crafted resume, saying facts, figures and anecdotes are the most valuable pieces of information one can share.

“When it comes to your resume, please don’t tell me what you did; tell me what impact you had,” Conserette said.

The event concluded with a special announcement that the University’s Department of Communication and Media has created a Hall of Fame. It plans to induct its first class in fall 2026. For more information and to submit a nominee, email Dr. Smulowitz at stacy.smulowitz@scranton.edu.