Women of Vision and Courage Awards Presented

The University of Scranton presented Women of Vision and Courage Awards to 65 students, faculty and staff at a ceremony on campus on International Women’s Day (March 8). The celebration, sponsored by the Jane Kopas Women’s Center and the Committee on Gender Equity, recognized women on campus for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the University and its mission.

Began as a biannual ceremony in 2016 by the Committee on Gender Equity as a way commemorate International Women's Day, this year’s ceremony was part of the University’s “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation.”

Gretchen Van Dyke, associate professor of political science at the University, gave the principal address, prior to the award presentation by Brandice Ricciardi, assistant director of the Cultural Centers; and Cara A. Krieg, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and chair of the Committee on Gender Equity.

University students Ariana Flores, who serve in the Jane Kopas Women’s Center, and Samantha Gurn, graduate assistant for the Jane Kopas Women’s Center, read portions of the nomination submission for each recipient as the awards were presented.

University of Scranton undergraduate and graduate students who received Women of Vision and Courage Awards were:

Marissa Angelo, Dickson City;

Samantha Burton, Jamesville, New York;

Amanda Campbell, Farmingville, New York;

Clara Downey, Easthampton, Massachusetts;

Emily Fleming, Shavertown;

Ariana Flores, Springfield, New Jersey;

Romina Gamarra, Ossing, New York;

Erin Grell, Wood Ridge, New Jersey;

Samantha Gurn, Brackney;

Jillian Haller, Willisten Park, New York;

Hannah Kohrn, Hamden, Connecticut;

Mackenzie Longo, Holbrook, New York;

Mackenzie Machell, South Abington Township;

Claudia Pitts, Scranton;

Analiese Seaman, Fairfield, Connecticut;

Adrianna Smith, Covington Township;

Maria Stephen, Huntingdon Valley;

Chyenne Ward, Clifton, New Jersey.

University of Scranton faculty and staff students who received Women of Vision and Courage Awards were:

Stephanie Adamec, assistant dean for student wellness;

Mary Kay Aston, associate vice president for financial aid and enrollment;

Gerianne Barber, director of the Counseling Training Center;

Barbara Buxton, Ph.D., professor of nursing;

Avianna Carilli, coordinator of internal and domestic service;

Teresa Conte, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Nursing;

Ann “Nancy” Cummings, professor of accounting;

Sherry Dougherty, counseling center;

Melissa Eckenrode, administrative assistant for the Department of English and Theatre;

Julie Ferguson, registrar;

Kym Fetsko, administrative assistant for the Weinberg Memorial Library Dean's Office;

Elizabeth Garcia, J.D., executive director of the Office of Equity and Diversity, Title IX coordinator and special assistant to president;

Jean Wahl Harris, Ph.D., professor of political science;

Caitlyn Hollingshead, assistant vice president of graduate and international admissions;

JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science;

Nicole Hoskins, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology and religious studies;

Barbara King, student life coordinator, dean of students;

Kristi Klien, coordinator for Panuska College of Professional Studies Academic Affairs;

Diane Lang, administrative assistant for the Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship;

Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs;

Andrea Malia, administrative assistant for the vice president for mission and ministry;

Frani Mancuso, assistant vice president for annual giving and engagement;

Amanda Marcy, D.B.A., assistant professor of accounting;

Mary Ann Maslar, office manager and administration assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences;

Ellen Morgan, counseling center;

Colleen Moyer, head coach of field hockey;

Stacey Muir, Ph.D., professor of mathematics;

Shannon Murphy Fennie, assistant dean of students;

Maria Oreshkina, Ph.D., professor of education;

Debra Parry, operations manager for Kania School of Management;

Hirali Patel, application developer of integration;

Kim Pavlick, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication and media;

Susan Poulson, Ph.D., professor of history;

Meg Purcell, counseling center;

Brandice Ricciardi, assistant director of the Cultural Centers;

Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., interim vice president for student life and dean of students;

Donna Rupp, administrative assistant for the Department of Psychology;

Patricia Savitts, circulation services coordinator;

Janet Schieber, operations manager for residence life;

Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice principle for community engagement and government affairs;

Rose Sebastinelli, Ph.D., professor of operations and analytics;

Billie Tadros, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and theatre;

Pat Vaccaro, director of the Center for Service and Social Justice;

Jillian Wall, admissions counselor;

Lori Walton, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy;

Donna Witek, professor and information literacy coordinator;

Christine Zakzewski, Ph.D., professor of physics and engineering.

The slide presentation for the Women of Vision and Courage Award presentation can be seen here.

Fox56 News interviewed students for a story about the event.

More details about events planned for “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” can be seen here.