Community Archive

The co-director of the Academy Award-nominated film “Crip Camp” will appear at the 22^nd annual U.S. Conference on Disability at The University of Scranton on Thursday, Oct. 5, to discuss his film and advocacy for disability rights.

The event, which seeks to educate and enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families, will return to an in-person format this year for the first time since 2019.

For the last three years, the conference was held virtually.

The conference will focus on this year’s theme, “Ability Focused Advocacy: Breaking Barriers to Achieving Careers and Independence.”

It is free and open to the general public, but registration is required.

Co-director Jim LeBrecht will attend the conference and host an interactive viewing of his renowned documentary that will begin at 2:30 p.m. to close-out the daylong conference. He will stop the film at various points to discuss aspects of the movie and its subjects. He will also answer audience questions.

“Crip Camp,” which was co-directed with Nicole Newnham, won the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for feature length documentary, the 2021 Independent Spirit award for Best Feature Documentary and a 2021 Peabody Award. It tells the story of Camp Jened, a rustic summer camp opened in the Catskills in New York in the early 1970s for disabled teenagers. The idea was to break down the barriers disabled youth faced in participating in the kind activates their able-bodied peers did.

“Jened was their freewheeling Utopia, a place with summertime sports, smoking and make-out sessions awaiting everyone, and campers experienced liberation and full inclusion as human beings,” the film’s website explains. “Their bonds endured.”

LeBrecht has worked as an activist for disability rights for more than 40 years. He is a former board member at the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund and he co-founded FWD-Doc, an organization that supports documentary filmmakers with disabilities.

The “Crip Camp” viewing will take place from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

The Conference on Disability will open at 8:30 a.m. with remarks from University President Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J.; Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., Dean of The Panuska College of Professional Studies; and Edward R. and Patricia Leahy, honorary conference co-chairs. Employment and inclusion advocate and scholar Mason Ameri, Ph.D., will then give an opening keynote address.

Dr. Ameri is an associate professor of professional practice at Rutgers University who has been published nationally, including by the New York Times. He has also given TEDx talks and addressed the World Bank Group on promoting accessibility.

Later, Kathy West Evans, the director of business relations for the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, and John Evans, retired State of Washington, Vocational Rehabilitation Program Administrator for Employer Relations, will present VR-Building Careers through Business Relations from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The session will include personal journeys, lived experience, and the impact it has made on the advancement in the careers and independence of VR customers.

Before lunch, Michelle Bornman, who is currently working on special projects with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, will give a talk called “Nothing Changes Unless Something Moves.”

Dr. Castellanos will speak again at the start of the lunch break at noon and Dan Cosacchi, vice president of mission and Ministry at the University, will give the blessing.

After lunch, attendees will see a recorded presentation from Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy Taryn Williams and a virtual presentation on “The Greatest Challenge,” from Theo W. Buddy, the executive director of the National Council on Independent Living.

Time will also be carved out for breaks and networking during the day-long conference.

Edward R. and Patricia Leahy helped to establish the Conference on disAbility more than 20 years ago in honor of their son. Over the past two decades, numerous nationally-recognized speakers have appeared at the event to foster advances in the quality of life of individuals with disabilities.

This year’s session will be held in in the McIlhenny Ballroom at the DeNaples Center on campus. It is free and open to the general public, however, registration is required. More detailed information and registration can be found on the Disability Conference website.

“O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.”

With a few brief remarks, the saying of a prayer, and a sprinkling of Holy Water, The University of Scranton began its journey to become designated as a Laudato Si’ University by the Vatican.

Inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” the University joined a coalition of colleges from around the world who have committed to a seven-year initiative to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives around seven goals to meet the Pope’s call for integral ecology.

Leading the University’s Laudato Si’ effort are Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry. Over the past year, they met with representatives from across campus, including students, staff, administrators and faculty, to develop a comprehensive plan for ways the University can address the seven goals put forth by Pope Francis.

“Our action plan harnesses our common energy in defense of our common home. Our goals align with those of Laudato Si’, focusing our attention on the Earth, the poor, economics, lifestyles, education, spirituality, and, finally, community resilience and empowerment,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president, at the University’s Laudato Si’ Plan Kick-off Event on Sept. 19. “The encyclical and its goals brilliantly bridge science and faith, calling all of us to act by shining a bright light on issues that face the entire world and our future. Drawing on Catholic social teaching, Pope Francis ensures that humanity, especially a concern for the poor, marginalized and displaced, is central to the message.”

To be designated as a Laudato Si University, colleges must evaluate comprehensively current environmental and sustainability programs, then improve and develop further initiatives to address the seven goals outlined by the Pope during a seven-year period.

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University professor and chair of the Biology Department, Janice Voltzow, Ph.D., who spoke at the event on behalf the faculty commitment to Laudato Si’ in teaching and research, said the world has “moved from the goal of sustainability to an urgent need for remediation.” She noted that students will be dealing with the consequences of our actions, saying universities need to provide students with the “intellectual tools that will protect our home for future generations.”

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Karla Shaffer, president of Student Government at Scranton, said in her remarks that her generation, GenZ, faces a lot of pressure, including “stopping the world from burning.” Shaffer, a political science major with an environmental and sustainability studies concentration from New Hope, said that “power comes in numbers and there is no lack of powerful student voices at the University.”

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The University’s Laudato Si’ banner was unveiled and blessed at a ceremony held in the Rev. Donald Pantle, S.J., Rose Garden on campus.

Visit The University of Scranton’s Laudato Si’ webpage for more information.

The full prayer said by Father Marina at the Laudato Si’ plan announcement follows.

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Francis X. Clooney, S.J., the Parkman Professor of Divinity at Harvard University, will present The University of Scranton Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities Lecture on comparative theology. The talk, “Hinduism, the Jesuit Tradition, and Comparative Theology,” will be held Thursday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. at the Moskovitz Theater in the DeNaples Center on campus. It is free and open to the public.

In his talk, Father Clooney will address: “What is Comparative Theology? How is it humanities? How is it Jesuit? How is it Catholic? Why do you do it, and how have you found that God meets you in this work?”

Father Clooney is a Jesuit priest and scholar in the teachings of Hinduism, and is also a comparative theology professor at Harvard. He previously taught at Boston College.

A leading global figure in the field of comparative theology – a discipline distinguished by attentiveness to the dynamics of theological learning deepened through the study of traditions other than one’s own – Father Clooney has written numerous books on the subject. His works include the 2010 book “Comparative Theology: Deep Learning Across Religious Borders,” which covers the history of comparative theology and distinctive features of its current practice. The book also delves into the ways comparative theology can be initiated within any religious tradition, even a personally defined faith-perspective.

Father Clooney has also authored explorations of the Jesuit missionary tradition in India, early Jesuit pan-Asian discussions of reincarnation and on interreligious learning in the modern world. His most recent books are “St. Joseph in South India: Poetry, Mission and Theology in Costanzo Gioseffo Beschi's Tempavani,” published in 2022, “Western Jesuit Scholars in India: Tracing Their Paths, Reassessing Their Goals,” in 2020 and “Reading the Hindu and Christian Classics: Why and How It Matters,” in 2019. He is currently at work on his memoir, set to be titled “Priest and Scholar, Catholic and Hindu: A Love Story.”

Father Clooney is a fellow of the British Academy and the Australian Catholic University. In the last year he served as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

A Roman Catholic priest who has been a member of the Society of Jesus for 55 years, Clooney regularly serves in a local Catholic parish on weekends, according to Harvard’s School of Divinity website. He also writes a blog, “The Inner Edge,” which includes 62 online homilies written during the Covid pandemic, when churches were forced to close.

Father Clooney will receive an honorary degree from the University at the event.

The University of Scranton presented Edward ’68, H’01 and Patricia Leahy with the President’s Medal at the “A Fire That Kindles Other Fires Campaign” black-tie gala on Sept. 16.

The President’s Medal recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their fields and demonstrated extraordinary compassion for others, representing lifetime achievements that reflect the University’s mission of Catholic and Jesuit excellence and service.

“When you think about a fire that kindles other fires, you cannot help but think about Ed and Pat Leahy and the extraordinary way that they have contributed continuously to benefit the University and the greater community beyond campus,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “Their contributions have supported more than 30 faculty research grants, student scholarships, the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured and the annual U.S. Conference on disABILITY, now in its 23rd year. Through their decades of support, they have touched so many lives for the better, and, I am certain, have sparked flames of excellence in a countless number of individuals. I am grateful to count them among the University’s closest friends and most-generous benefactors.”

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At the gala, Father Marina announced that the University has received the largest single-donation in its history, a $10 million gift from the Leahys.

In his remarks after receiving the medal, Mr. Leahy reminisced about his life – from growing up in a “coal patch” in Mahanoy City, to attending The University of Scranton, to law school at Boston College and completing successful business dealings with international clients.

“Everyday was a day of wonderment,” said Mr. Leahy about his experience as a student at Scranton. “This place opened the world to me.”

In 2008, Mr. Leahy spoke about his son at the dedication ceremony of the clinic named in his son’s honor.

“Edward, who was a wonderful, happy child, with multiple disabilities, passed away in 1993, just before his ninth birthday. Throughout his short life, Edward was helped enormously by doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and many other health professionals. In their honor, and in Edward’s memory, we wanted, in some small way, to bring that same quality healthcare to the people of Lackawanna County, through the efforts of the multitalented faculty and staff at The University of Scranton,” said Mr. Leahy at the 2008 ceremony.

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In 2015, the University dedicated Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall in honor of their late son.

In 1988, in memory of Mr. Leahy’s uncle, the Leahys created the Edward P. Leahy Scholarship, which awards scholarships to University students annually. In 1994, in memory of their son, Edward, they created the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment at the University, which is the largest single endowment at Scranton. That endowment has supported the Clinic for the Uninsured, which includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling and low vision clinics that help individuals who are most in need in Lackawanna County. An agreement between the University and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine will further expand the reach and services offered by the Leahy Medical Clinic.

A University of Scranton alumnus and native of Mahanoy City, Mr. Leahy served as past chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and was honored by the University with the Alumni Achievement Award for Distinguished and Exceptional Attainment, given in 1993, and with an Honorary Degree, bestowed in 2001.

Mr. Leahy participated in the ROTC program as a student at Scranton and was commissioned into the U.S. Army upon graduation. He served as a captain in military intelligence. He earned his law degree from Boston College as a Presidential Scholar, and was elected editor-in-chief of the Law Review. Early in his career, he served as a law clerk to Justice William J. Brennan of the U.S. Supreme Court. Later in his distinguished career, he was a partner in two prestigious law firms. In 2003, he was named the first Sir Maurice Shock Visiting Fellow at University College, Oxford, U.K., where he was also a member of the faculty of law from 1998 to 2016.

Patricia Leahy, who was unable to attend the gala, worked for 19 years on Capitol Hill and spent six years as a special assistant for legislative affairs in the U.S. Department of Education during the Clinton Administration. She also served for nearly two decades with public policy and legislative affairs to assist individuals with disabilities for the National Rehabilitation Association in Washington, D.C. A native of Boston, she majored in English at Boston College.

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For three decades U.S. News & World Report has ranked The University of Scranton among the top 10 regional universities in the north, placing Scranton No. 5 in its 2024 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook, which became available online today.

“From the beginning of its Best College rankings, U.S. News has advised colleges not to cheer – or jeer – about year-to-year position changes in the rankings, but rather to look for consistency of trends in the ranking achieved over the years,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “Well, I am pleased to say, through the talent and dedication of our faculty and staff, and the outstanding success of our students and graduates, we have achieved exceptional consistency in our status as a top 10 university.”

U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 8 in its category for “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” a selection of the top colleges in the nation that express a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.

Several of Scranton’s programs were also included in national rankings, as opposed to listings by category. U.S. News ranked Scranton among the nation’s “Best Undergraduate Programs in Accounting” at No. 38 in the U.S.; among the “Best Undergraduate Programs in Finance” at No. 40; among the “Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs” at No. 112; and among “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” at No. 222 (where a doctorate is not offered). Scranton’s was also listed among the 554 “Best Undergraduate Computer Science Programs” in the nation. Scranton also ranked No. 211 among America’s “Best Undergraduate Business Programs,” which just listed schools that hold accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

For these program listings, U.S. News only ranked schools holding the highest recognized national accreditations in their fields. The rankings were based solely on dean and senior faculty recommendations from peer institutions.

In addition, U.S. News ranked Scranton No. 54 as a “Best Value Regional University in the North,” which compares academic quality of programs to cost of attendance. This is the tenth consecutive year U.S. News has recognized Scranton as a “Best Value” school. Scranton was ranked No. 115 in its category in “Top Performers on Social Mobility,” which looks at the success of schools that enroll and graduate students who were awarded with Pell Grants.

U.S. News uses data on up to 19 measures of academic quality to rank bachelor’s degree colleges in America. For its rankings, U.S. News considers a range of quality indicators that include a peer assessment of academic excellence; faculty resources; financial resources; graduate indebtedness; freshman retention; graduation rates; Pell graduation rates, and graduation performance rates, which compares a school’s actual graduation rates with predicted graduation rates based on characteristics of the incoming class. U.S. News ranking analysis also includes student selectivity, as measured by SAT or ACT scores and high school ranking of students in the top 25 percent of their class.

U.S. News categorizes colleges for their rankings based on the official Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classification of universities.

The 2024 U.S. News “Best Colleges” rankings became available online Sept. 18.

Take a look at how the campus has changed over the past three decades (notice - spring finally arrived in 2013)

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And how the campus looks now.

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The University of Scranton announced the start of the public phase of the largest capital campaign in its 135-year history, the $135 million “A Fire That Kindles Other Fires Campaign to Advance Mission, Access and Excellence.” The announcement was made at a black-tie gala attended by more than 350 guests in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus Sept. 16. The historic campaign will advance Scranton’s mission, accessibility and excellence.

“A Fire that Kindles Other Fires is an expression borrowed from the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. It is a reference to moving into the future with all of the history and tradition of the past; with the same identity but with a new energy in pursuit of new possibilities,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “It is also a reference to people – the people who have been touched by the power of a Catholic and Jesuit education and now move through the world as agents of change and messengers of the gospel, kindling other fires.”

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Mission-related goals of the campaign include continued investment in state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories, learning spaces, such as the renovations made in Hyland Hall to support the mechanical engineering program, and initiatives that support core aspects of a Scranton Jesuit education, such as the programming and scholarships offered through the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities.

“The wonderful truth remains that anything and everything we do at Scranton should be and will be done for our students first,” said Father Marina. “Our shared focus is precisely where it belongs: on our students and their success.”

The campaign will grow the University’s endowment to help break the cost barrier and allow access to a Scranton education regardless of financial means. First-year students received more than $40 million in financial aid scholarships, $37 million of which was provided by the University.

Cayla Kumar, a first-generation student majoring in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology with a minor in philosophy from Queens Village, New York, now in her senior year at Scranton said in her remarks at the gala: “One key pillar of this campaign is scholarship, and I can personally attest to its transformative power. The scholarships provided by this University have not only eased the financial burden on my mother, but have also opened the doors to countless opportunities for me. Scholarships are not just funding education; they are investments in the future leaders and change-makers who will carry our mission forward. They bridge the gap between potential and realization, between dreams and achievements.”

The campaign will also support efforts to overcome other barriers to a Scranton education, such as the University’s campus-wide plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It will support programming to help enroll, retain and graduate first-generation college students, such as Scranton’s THR1VE program, which provides peer mentors, faculty and staff mentors, advocates and leadership and other resources to first-generation college students.

The campaign will also support Scranton’s goals of excellence in academic and professional outcomes of its graduates, as well as Scranton’s commitment to provide a transformational education to students who graduate as “men and women for and with others.” Each year, more than 2,850 students perform more than 170,000 hours of service. Students also participate in Campus Ministries’ International Service Program, which provides immersion experiences in developing countries across Central and South America.

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Two of Scranton’s most generous longtime benefactors, John D. Dionne ’86, H’10, former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, and Jacquelyn Dionne ’89, co-vice chair of University’s Board of Trustees, will serve as co-chairs of A Fire That Kindles Other Fires.

“The University of Scranton has been stoking the fires of knowledge within its students for 135 years, and we hope that it will continue to kindle those fires for 135 more,” said Jacquelyn Dionne. “Each and every day, Scranton is lighting the way to a better tomorrow.”

In addition to the Dionnes, members of the campaign executive committee include Tracy Bannon ’84, former trustee; John Boken, managing director of AlixPartners and current trustee; Mary Haveron ’85, finance and accounting director of Tire Alliance Groupe, L.L.C., and former trustee; John R. Mariotti, D.M.D. ’75, QMA Orthodontics member and current trustee; Vincent Reilly ’80, managing partner of Reilly, McDevitt and Henrich, P.C., and chair of the University’s Board of Trustees; James Slattery ’86, COO of North America MELROSE P.L.C. and former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees; Joseph Sorbera Jr., JLS Cost Management Systems, Inc., and current trustee; Davida Sweeney, former co-chair of the University’s Parents Executive Council; John “JP” Sweeney, financial advisor/vice president investments Wells Fargo advisors member and current trustee; and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University, and, ex-officio, Father Marina and Robert Davis Jr.,  Ed.D., ’03, G’10,’13, vice president for University advancement.

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Also at the gala, University benefactors Patricia and Edward Leahy ’68, H’01, were presented with The University of Scranton’s President’s Medal.

To date, the campaign has raised more than $112 million from 17,800 donors in its non-public phase, which began in May of 2018. The campaign received more than 13 gifts of $1 million or more and the largest single-donation in the University’s history, a $10 million gift from the Leahys, which Father Marina announced at the gala.

To make a donation to the University’s A Fire That Kindles Other Fires Campaign, visit scranton.edu/campaign.

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The University of Scranton has named four new members to its Board of Trustees: Brian Archer ’90; Rev. Dennis M. Baker, S.J.; Rev. James F. Duffy, S.J., M.D.’88; and Theresa Pattara ’95.

Brian Archer ’90

Brian Archer, a 1990 graduate of The University of Scranton, is currently an adjunct professor in accounting at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

Prior to getting his start in teaching, Archer worked for more than 25 years in the financial services industry. Most recently, he served for 10 years as the head of global credit trading for Citigroup. Before that, Archer held various management and trading positions at Citigroup and JP Morgan in their New York and London offices. He dealt with numerous fixed income and equity products, including derivative instruments.

Earlier in his career, Archer worked as a certified public accountant in the audit department of KPMG, one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S.

Archer was recently elected chair of the St. Peter’s Prep Board of Trustees in Jersey City, New Jersey, a board on which he previously served as a member for two terms. He graduated from St. Peter’s Prep in 1986. Archer also serves on the finance and audit committees of KIPP – NJ, a charter school organization in New Jersey, has been actively involved with the Cristo Rey School in Harlem, New York and previously served on the board of St. Aloysius School in Harlem, New York.

Archer is a currently member of the investment committee of Astoria Advisors. He has served as a board member of the International Swap Dealers Association and was an inaugural member of the Securities and Exchange Commission Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee. He also served as a member of Scranton’s investment committee.

Archer earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University, an MBA with a concentration in finance from the Stern School of Business at New York University, and a Master of Education degree from Drew University in New Jersey.

Archer and his wife, Gina (Scranton ’90), reside in Chatham, New Jersey, with their three daughters, Emily, Cate and Elizabeth.

Rev. Dennis M. Baker, S.J.

Rev. Dennis M. Baker, S.J., recently completed tertianship, the final stage of his Jesuit formation. He has been praying, reading and writing with seven other Jesuits from around the world in Zinkwazi Beach, on the northeast coast of South Africa.

A 1998 graduate of Canisius (Jesuit) High School in Buffalo, New York, Father Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in history with minors in English and religious studies from Fordham University in New York City in 2002. He went on to earn a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Niagara University, a Vincentian school in New York, in 2004. After joining the Jesuits, he later returned to Fordham where he earned a master’s degree in philosophy in 2009. Father Baker also earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2015 from Boston College and a Master of Education degree in 2016 from Columbia University.

Father Baker taught at Xavier High School in New York City before moving to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He also served as president of Xavier High School in Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia until 2021. After returning to the United States, he then worked as director of engagement and planned giving at Xavier High School in New York City.

He was ordained in 2015.

Rev. James F. Duffy, S.J., M.D. ’88

Rev. James F. Duffy, S.J., M.D.,’88, who is currently serving as superior for the Scranton Jesuit Community, returns to the University’s board after a seven-year hiatus. He previously served on the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2013.

A 1988 graduate of The University of Scranton, Father Duffy earned his medical degree from Georgetown University in 1992. He then served as an undersea medical officer for the U.S. Navy in Sardegna, Italy, on the USS Simon Lake (AS-33) from 1993-1996.

Upon returning to the U.S., Father Duffy entered the Society of Jesus in 1996. His first mission was to complete his residency training in internal medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, which he did from 1998 to 2000. Father Duffy also earned a master’s degree in health care ethics from Loyola University of Chicago and a master’s in divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley in California. He was ordained in 2006.

During his distinguished career, he served as associate dean of clinical education at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington D.C. from 2006 to 2016 and was later named dean of clinical education at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri.

In 2013, Father Duffy received the University of Scranton’s Frank J. O'Hara Distinguished Alumni award, the highest award bestowed jointly by the university and its Alumni Society.

In keeping with the Universal Apostolic Preferences, Father Duffy, a board-certified internist, has continued to practice in Spanish-speaking, underserved medical clinics throughout his Jesuit formation and medical career.

Theresa Pattara ’95

Theresa Pattara is a public policy executive with extensive experience in the federal government and private industry, most recently serving as vice president in federal relations for Aflac, one of the nation’s top supplemental insurance companies. Prior to that, she held the same position at the data and records management company Iron Mountain. She is a former senior director for public policy at H&R Block.

In those roles, Pattara was responsible for leading teams in navigating laws and regulations to achieve business objectives by identifying innovative solutions for unique public policy challenges through public-private partnerships.

Before moving into corporate work, Pattara served as tax counsel to the chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. In that capacity, she helped draft numerous pieces of legislation including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Affordable Care Act. She joined the Senate staff from the Internal Revenue Service and specialized in non-profit tax law and governance. She began her career as a certified public accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Pattara currently serves on the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates in Prince George’s County – a nonprofit organization advocating for permanent placements for foster children. She is also active in Many Hands, a women’s collective giving organization, and the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department, as an administrative volunteer.

Pattara graduated from The University of Scranton in 1995 with a bachelor of science degree in accounting and earned her juris doctorate degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

A Scranton native whose parents emigrated to the U.S. from Kerala, India, Pattara currently resides near Annandale, Virginia.

The University of Scranton will welcome award-winning author and Boston College professor Timothy Muldoon, Ph.D., to speak on his book, “Living Against the Grain: How to Make Decisions that Lead to an Authentic Life” at the 2023 Ignatian Values in Action Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 21. The event, which is offered free of charge and open to the public, will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus.

Dr. Muldoon’s book explores the complex challenges young people face in light of popular culture and social media, and the constant messaging they are confronted with about how they should be living their lives. While influencers attempt to drive decision making on everything from what clothes to wear to what kind of relationships to have, from which jobs to pursue and how to spend their leisure time, Dr. Muldoon suggests that what is trending is often unfulfilling.

“By discerning our deepest desires, we discover our truest selves,” Dr. Muldoon writes.

“Living Against the Grain: How to Make Decisions that Lead to an Authentic Life” was a finalist for the 2019 Best Book Award Religion: Christianity, and was a second place selection for the 2018 Catholic Press Association Book Awards for Children’s Books and Books for Teens.

Dr. Muldoon is a professor of philosophy and theology at Boston College and the author of more than 10 books and publications. His focus is largely on “reversing cultural decline; and the history and practice of Christian spirituality, particularly in the Ignatian tradition,” according to his biography on the college’s website.

The Ignatian Values in Action Lecture series is meant to introduce students, and the larger community, to the mission and core values of the University. Since 2012, the annual event has invited individuals to speak on topics related to the tradition of meaningful service inspired by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. 

This year’s lecture is paired with the University’s “Royal Reads” program, which encourages all incoming students to read a designated book – in this case, “Living Against the Grain” – before arriving on campus and attending the corresponding talk. The program creates a shared experience among the students and exposes them to the Ignatian values the University was founded on. Throughout their first-year students will encounter themes of the “Royals Read” selection repeated in classes, extracurricular opportunities and other special events.

First Year Seminar students are required to attend the Ignatian Values in Action lecture. Students will swipe their ID cards at entrance stations to be counted in attendance. 

For information about the event, call 570-941-7520.

University of Scranton students studied Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan this summer though support from 2023 Huayu Enrichment Chinese Language Immersion Scholarships from the Education Division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York or through participation in the U.S. Department of Defense’s Project Global Officer (Project GO) Program.

University of Scranton students Valerie Gibau, Central Falls, Rhode Island, and Joshua Roark, Landenberg, were awarded 2023 Huayu Enrichment Chinese Language Immersion Scholarships. They studied at Fu Jen Catholic University, a Jesuit university in Taipei, Taiwan. The scholarship was established in 2005 by Ministry of Education of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to encourage international students and individuals to study the Mandarin Chinese language in Taiwan.

Gibau is an international language and business major with a concentration in Asian Studies in her junior year at Scranton. Roark is a political science major with a concentration in Asian Studies in his sophomore year at Scranton.

Conan O’Donnell, an ROTC cadet, participated in the highly-selective Project Global Officer (Project GO) program to study Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan. He is a junior history major with a concentration in Asian Studies at Scranton. He is from Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

Rosalyn Page, a Marywood University student who is member of the Army ROTC Royal Warrior Battalion at Scranton and is taking Mandarin Chinese classes at Scranton, was also selected to participate in the Project Global Officer (Project GO) program this summer. Page, Coudersport, is an aviation management major in her junior year at Marywood.

With support from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, The University of Scranton has strengthened its Chinese language program and hosted numerous events that showcase and educate members of the University and greater Scranton community about Taiwanese culture. During the past decade, the University has hosted a Taiwan Bangzi Opera Company performance of an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice;” the Taiwanese Film and Cultural Festival; and performances by the Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company and the Chai Found Music Workshop, among other enrichment and educational events.

In 2012, the University was formally presented with the Kinmen Peace Bell Replica by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York in recognition of the cordial relationship and collaboration between the University and the various government agencies and universities of Taiwan. The Peace Bell, engraved with the word “peace” in more than 100 languages, can be seen in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center on campus.

St. Joseph’s Center, St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Greater Carbondale YMCA, Friends of the Poor, NativityMiguel School of Scranton and NeighborWorks NEPA were among the nearly 60 non-profit organizations whose representatives met with students at The University of Scranton’s annual Volunteer Fair held on campus Sept. 12.

The fair allows students and student-led clubs interested in service projects and community-based learning sites a chance to meet representatives from nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers.

Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Children’s Advocacy Center, Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art, Keystone Mission, Steamtown National Historic Site, Scranton Tomorrow and the Gino Merli Veterans Center were also among the participating organizations.

The annual fair is organized by the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice.

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On Saturday, Sept. 23, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present the concert “WE!” featuring trombonist and vocalist Dr. Wycliffe Gordon, H’06, and pianist Eric Reed, as part of the University’s annual Family Weekend festivities.

The concert, which will also include an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The concert will be a unique experience for the student performers and their audience, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. “Our student choir will perform Robert Ray’s Gospel Magnificat with Wycliffe and Eric,” said Boga. “It’s a rare opportunity for student musicians to perform this music alongside living legends.”

The recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University and the 2006 commencement speaker, Gordon has developed a long, close relationship with Performance Music through his friendship with the Boga family. He’s performed at the University numerous times since 1996, and has composed new works for its World Premiere Composition Series and the inaugurations of two University of Scranton presidents.

A true virtuoso, Gordon has been named “Trombonist of the Year” 14 times by the Jazz Journalists Association, while the Downbeat Critics Poll has named him “Best Trombone” on six occasions.

A former member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Gordon has received numerous other accolades, including the Louie Award for his dedication and commitment to the music of Louis Armstrong; the International Trombone Association Award; the Satchmo Award from the Sarasota Jazz Club; the Louis Armstrong Memorial Prize from the Swing Jazz Culture Foundation; Artist of the Year from the Augusta Arts Council; and the ASCAP Foundation’s Vanguard Award.

Gordon’s compositions have been performed throughout the world, and his arrangement of the theme for NPR’s “All Things Considered” can be heard daily. He’s been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor's "Jazz at the Kennedy Center" series, is one of the country’s most in-demand music educators, and has taught at most of the most prestigious conservatories in the nation.

A Philadelphia native, Reed has been a standout on the jazz scene for more than a quarter century as a leader of numerous ensembles, solo performer, composer, producer, educator and sideman with numerous artists, including extended stints with Buster Williams, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard and Wynton Marsalis. A graduate of California State University, Reed officially assumed the piano chair with Marsalis in June 1990, which is when he and Gordon became bandmates.

Reed has released a number of critically acclaimed solo albums, among them 1993’s “It’s All Right to Swing,” 1998’s “Pure Imagination,” and 2009’s “Stand!,” which have explored his love of jazz, swing and gospel music. With Marsalis, he performed on the landmark albums “Citi Movement” and the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Blood on the Fields.”

Through the years, Reed has collaborated with numerous other jazz luminaries, including Robert Stewart, Irvin Mayfield, Cassandra Wilson, Mary Stallings, Clark Terry, Dianne Reeves, Elvin Jones, Ron Carter, Paula West and Benny Carter. He has also worked as a composer, scoring music for films including the 1999 comedy “Life,” starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.

The University of Scranton Concert Choir is a soprano, alto, tenor, base (SATB) mixed choir comprised of 40-plus members from majors and departments spanning the curriculum – none of whom are music majors – brought together by their mutual love for making music.

For additional information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more on Gordon, visit wycliffegordon.com.

The University of Scranton will test its emergency notification system on Thursday, Sept. 14.

The University uses Everbridge to send notices of emergencies, school closing and delays to members of the campus community via employee office phones, Scranton email addresses and numbers registered by employees and students to receive these notices on cell phones by voice or text.

Members of the University community are reminded to register, verify or update contact information for emergency notices, which can be done through the My.Scranton portal on the “Emergency Notifications” middle panel under “Manage Your Personal Info.” 

The University’s emergency text alerts originate from 893-61 or 878-44. The email address for alerts is alerts@scranton.edu and Phone alerts will also display 570-941-5427. Students, faculty and staff are asked to save these to their contacts in order to identify future emergency notification alerts.

Twenty-one University of Scranton education majors are serving as student teachers during the fall semester at 10 local schools in the following seven school districts: Dunmore, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, North Pocono, Riverside, Scranton and Western Wayne.

The following is a list of undergraduate students who are serving as student teachers and the schools to which they have been assigned during the fall semester.

Madeleine E. Abood of Plainfield, New Jersey, will teach at Dunmore Elementary Center;

Mia E. Barahona of Clarks Summit, will teach at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center;

Emma B. Blennau of East Williston, New York, will teach at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center;

Meghan L. Callahan of Cranbury, New Jersey, will teach at Isaac Tripp Elementary School;

Amy E. Cotton of Farmingdale, New York, will teach at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center;

Grace E. Dabulas of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, will teach at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center;

Grace P. DiGiacomo of Staten Island, New York, will teach at Dunmore Elementary Center;

Kaylee L. Evans of South Gibson, will teach at Isaac Tripp Elementary School;

Narissa O. Hill of Nashua, New Hampshire, will teach at Jefferson Elementary Center;

Brandon J. Judge of Eynon, will teach at West Scranton High School;

Samantha B. Kramer of Stony Brook, New York, will teach at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center;

Madelyn E. Ligos of Long Valley, New Jersey, will teach at Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center;

Clare V. McGrade of Brookfield, Connecticut, will teach at Moscow Elementary Center;

Mollie A. Murphy of Scranton, will teach at Riverside Junior-Senior High School;

Mary O'Sullivan of Rockville Centre, New York, will teach at Dunmore Elementary Center;

Jessica R. Paldino of Plymouth Meeting, will teach at EverGreen Elementary School;

Jordan N. Pedagna of Media, will teach at Moscow Elementary Center;

Sabina M. Staab of Glendale, New York, will teach at Lakeland Elementary School;

Jessica B. Stadler of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, will teach at Moscow Elementary Center;

Annaise N. Vazquez of Piscataway, New Jersey, will teach at Lakeland Elementary School;

Carah R. Vitkus of Mahopac, New York, will teach at Neil Armstrong Elementary School.

The Wall Street Journal ranked The University of Scranton No. 148 among its elite list of just 400 “Best Colleges in the U.S.” The 2024 ranking, which The Wall Street Journal developed and executed in collaboration with our research partners College Pulse and Statista, was published Sept. 6 online.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the final ranking of the top 400 colleges in the nation was based the colleges’ performance on an analysis of several student outcomes metrics; and the results of a student and alumni survey.

Student outcomes included an analysis of salary impact versus similar colleges, which used statistical modeling to estimate the extent to which each particular college boosts its graduates’ salaries beyond what they would be expected to earn regardless of which college they attended. The outcomes analysis also looked at a school’s graduation rates versus similar colleges; the level of diversity on campus; and an estimate the number of years to pay off the net price of attendance based on the value added to graduates’ median salary attributable to attending their particular college.

In addition, College Pulse surveyed more than 60,000 undergraduates and recent undergraduate alumni for feedback on colleges regarding tuition, learning environment, degree completion and the likelihood of a higher salary after graduation.

In addition to an overall ranking, The Wall Street Journal ranked schools in three categories. Scranton also ranked at No. 170 for salary impact; No. 306 for student experience; and No. 217 for social mobility.

In other recent national rankings, Money gave The University of Scranton its second-highest rating of four and one-half stars in its “Best Colleges in America” based on value. This is the eighth consecutive year that Money included Scranton in its published list of America’s best values in college education. In addition, The Princeton Review selected Scranton among “The Best 389 Colleges” in the nation and ranked Scranton No.18 in the country for “Best Science Lab Facilities.” This is the 22nd year The Princeton Review included Scranton among the best colleges list, and the seventh year Scranton’s science labs ranked among the top 25 in the U.S.

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The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum returns this fall with its usual assortment of enriching educational programming, including its evening courses.

Taught by University faculty members, the courses will be presented in six weekly sessions from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Weinberg Memorial Library Dean George Aulisio is the Schemel Forum’s new director, taking over for Sondra Myers, who stepped down in the spring after leading the program since its inception.

“The foundation she laid remains strong, and opportunities abound to ‘bring the world to Scranton,’” Dean Aulisio said. “I will be filling Sondra’s large shoes and will try my best to keep the program exciting and insightful.” 

The three University faculty members teaching the courses will offer content “that ranges from timely to timeless,” Dean Aulisio said.

'Indiana Jones and the Twentieth Century'

 

Sean Brennan, Ph.D., professor in the Department of History, will present “Indiana Jones and the Twentieth Century” on Tuesday evenings Sept. 12, 19 and 26 and Oct. 3, 10 and 24.

One of cinema’s most iconic characters and the creation of legendary filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, Henry “Indiana” Jones, Jr., as portrayed by actor Harrison Ford, is a globe-trotting archaeologist and university professor who throughout the 20th century searched for valuable artifacts with mystical powers and battled, among others, the Thuggee Cult in India, Soviet special forces and, most memorably, Nazis, in comic books, video games, television shows and five films from 1981 to the present.

During the course, Dr. Brennan will examine how the character was created and his cultural impact, before moving on to examine not just the historical environments depicted in the films (the years 1935, 1936, 1938, 1957, and 1969), but also the historical origins of the famous relics featured in them, from the Ark of the Covenant to the Antikythera.

Dr. Brennan has taught several Schemel Forum courses, with his most recent one on the influence of James Bond and the Cold War’s depiction in the Bond books and films.

“Indiana Jones appeared to be a logical progression, as Indy is Bond’s son, in many respects,” Dr. Brennan said. “‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ is my favorite film ever since I saw it living on Fort Stewart Air Base in Newburgh, New York, when I was seven years old back in 1986. My love of history, particularly of the 20th century, and my desire to become a historian, was at least partially inspired by my love of the Indiana Jones films I loved as a kid. I hope course participants gain a clear insight on how people have learned about ancient and modern history, for good and bad, through pop culture icons.”

'The Crisis of the Sciences: Positivism, Essentialism, and the Need for Critical Theory?'

 

Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Philosophy, will present “The Crisis of the Sciences: Positivism, Essentialism, and the Need for Critical Theory?” Wednesday evenings Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25 and Nov. 1 and 8.

LaZella will use the course to investigate western science’s alliance with the twin pillars of positivism and essentialism, an alliance that renders both natural and social science structurally incapable of responding to real social and ecological problems like starvation, structural racism and global warming. With the advent of new forms of artificial intelligence (especially machine learning), this incapacity will only make matters worse, forcing science to dissociate itself from positivism and essentialism through a critical turn to critical theory.

'Writing in Place'

 

Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of English and Theatre, will present “Writing in Place” Monday evenings Oct. 23 and 30 and Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27.

In the creative writing course, Dr. Willenbrink will explore how location has been a font of inspiration and investigation for countless writers, from Illiers-Combray for Proust’s “Remembrance of Things Past” to Tinker Creek for Annie Dillard.

During each session, participants will use their own places from personal experience and memory, as well as a selection of writings, to write about where they are, where they have been, and where they are going, according to Dr. Willenbrink.

“The course is an outgrowth of some of the teaching and writing I’ve been exploring since the COVID-19 pandemic began,” Dr. Willenbrink said. “I started to really ask myself in teaching writing what were some of the goals that I wanted to get out of it. And one of those goals was to engage more deeply with myself, with my community, and with where I live. I hope that through this course participants are able to explore parts of themselves and the common home that we share in ways that they haven’t before. I also hope that this gives them the ability to experience writing in new, provocative ways.”

The courses are free for University students, faculty, staff and Schemel Forum members. For non-members, the fee is $100 per individual and $150 per couple.

To register for the courses, or for more information on the Schemel Forum, contact Brooke Leonard at 570-941-4740 or brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. Or, to pay online, visit: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

Dean Aulisio talked about the fall Schemel Forum schedule of events with WVIA’s Erika Funke on ArtScene.  

Additional Schemel Forum events can be found on the Schemel Forum’s webpage.

Thanks to a new partnership with Geisinger, The University of Scranton’s Edward R Leahy, Jr. Clinic for the Uninsured will reopen to the public in January 2024 with enhanced learning opportunities for area undergraduate and medical students.

A Master Affiliation Agreement signed today between the University and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine adopts a “student-run” model for the clinic that provides “high quality care in a welcoming, respectful, and compassionate environment” for the region’s uninsured patients and expands opportunities for practical experience in patient care, clinic management and other aspects of healthcare for students. The clinic’s teaching and learning opportunities began with reimagining the clinic itself, with students from both The University of Scranton and Geisinger involved in every aspect of planning.

“Since October 2022 as a senior at The University of Scranton and now as a first-year student in the M.D. program at GCSOM, I have had the unique opportunity to participate in the reimagining of The Leahy Clinic,” said Olivia A. Zehel, a 2023 graduate of The University of Scranton and current first-year GCSOM medical student and Abigail Geisinger Scholar. “As a member of the last undergraduate class to experience the University ’s campus before the pandemic, I felt how passionate my classmates were about serving in such a capacity - and shared in their disappointment when the clinic was forced to close. Simultaneously, as a resident of the broader NEPA community, I recognized that access to quality care became even more of a privilege. I am thrilled that our work for the last 10 months - and the work both institutions will continue to do - will allow us to reinvent and reinforce medical learning and healing in our region.”

Third-year GCSOM medical student clinic planner, Madison Gladfelter, said, “During our first and second year of medical school, we spent a lot of time hitting the books and trying to understand each disease and its treatment. However, behind every disease there is a patient. A student-run clinic never lets medical students forget they are not treating the disease, but a patient.”

The Leahy Medical Clinic, located in the lower level of McGurrin Hall with a Kressler Court entrance, will operate under a substantially different model of care compared to the original Leahy Medical Clinic, founded in 2008, which ceased operation in 2020 because of the pandemic. The new medical clinic will provide longitudinal care to patients, replacing the former acute care approach of the original clinic. The medical clinic will provide routine physical examinations, primary care, pre-work physical examinations, adult pre-education physical examinations and sick visits. 

Susan Russell, M.D., family physician for Geisinger and assistant professor at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, will serve as the medical director for the clinic. Dr. Russell and other volunteer physicians will routinely be on site precepting and supervising student volunteers at the free clinic.

“Among the things that make Geisinger’s education unique is our emphasis on accountability to the community,” said Julie Byerley, M.D., M.P.H., president, Geisinger College of Health Sciences; dean, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine; and executive vice president and chief academic officer, Geisinger. “The Leahy Clinic incorporates that as well as another aspect we value, teamwork among interdisciplinary professionals. This clinic will serve the long-term needs of some of our most vulnerable neighbors, while also offering invaluable opportunities for residents and medical students to work with a variety of other learners to deliver quality primary care. This truly is making better health easy for our communities.” 

“At Scranton, we not only want our students to be prepared well within their chosen disciplines – but also want them to be leaders who serve others. That is exactly the role our students – and the medical students – have played in moving this project forward,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “The groundwork laid here will benefit, serve and inspire future physicians, nurses, other health care providers and students from other disciplines for generations to come. By addressing the health needs of the most vulnerable members of our community, our students are demonstrating the Jesuit ideal of being ‘men and women for and with others.’”

Demonstrating a commitment to inter-professional education, the University’s Leahy Clinic continues to offer several areas of care in addition to the medical clinic, including a counseling clinic, low vision clinic and physical therapy clinic.

The Counseling Clinic will offer free clinical mental health counseling and rehabilitation counseling and is conducted by graduate-level counseling students under the direction and supervision of faculty in the University’s Counseling and Human Services Department.

The Low-Vision Occupational Therapy Clinic provides free services to uninsured or underinsured residents of Lackawanna County, and offers opportunities for teaching and learning to University faculty and occupational therapy students.

The Physical Therapy Clinic provides screening, examinations/evaluations and interventions to the uninsured and underinsured members of the community at no cost. The management of the clinic is run by a team of students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and treatment of patients is conducted by DPT students through collaboration, peer-mentorship, and evidence-based practice. Supervision is provided by DPT program faculty and licensed physical therapy clinicians from the community.

The medical Leahy Medical Clinic, which will serve uninsured people primarily in Lackawanna County, will begin operating for the public in January.

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Ten University of Scranton ROTC cadets traveled throughout the United States, as well as to Latvia and Taiwan, as participants in selective military leadership programs offered during the summer months. All of these programs are highly-competitive, with only approximately ten percent of cadets nationwide receiving the opportunity to participate.

“Who wouldn’t love the chance to travel across the pond to learn another language and culture,” said Caleb Grossman, a sophomore international studies major, who studied Russian in Latvia through highly-selective Project Global Officer (Project GO) program. Grossman, Swoyersville, said he knew of this opportunity when he joined the ROTC and hoped he would be able to participate.

Fellow cadet, Conan O’Donnell, a junior history major at Scranton from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, also participated in Project GO, learning Mandarin in Taiwan.

Project GO is a nationwide program open to all qualified ROTC students offering fully-funded opportunities in critical language education, overseas study and cross-cultural experience. Through Project GO, future military officers develop linguistic and cross-cultural communication skills required for effective leadership for all services in the 21st century operational environment.

Ryan Lally, Sussex, New Jersey, a senior cybercrime and homeland security major, and Aidan Szabo, Hillsborough, New Jersey, a senior electrical engineering major, participated in the Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT), which provides cadets the opportunity to shadow a junior officer in a branch that they may be interested in joining. Lally went to Fort Cavazos, Texas, and shadowed an engineer Lieutenant within the 36^th Engineer Brigade. Szabo went to Fort Moore, Georgia, to learn about the application of armor (battle tanks) with the 316 Cavalry Brigade.

Jenna Leonhardt, Long Valley, New Jersey, Joseph Lynch, Boiling Springs, and Allison Palmer, Massapequa, New York, all senior nursing majors at Scranton, participated in the Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP), which provides nursing student cadets the opportunity to experience life as an Army nurse at some of the most sophisticated military hospitals in the world. Leonhardt was at the Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and shadowed Army nurses at Brooke Army Medical Center, one of the largest and best military hospitals in the continental United States. Lynch was at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and experienced nursing operations at Bassett Army Community Hospital. Palmer was at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and shadowed Army nurses at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Evan Rosa, a junior operations management major from Weehawken, New Jersey, participated in Air Assault Training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During the intensive, two-week course he learned to become proficient at rappelling from helicopters and transporting supplies using helicopter sling loads.

Xavier Long, a junior political science major from Germantown, Maryland, participated in the month-long Airborne Training at Fort Moore, Georgia, where he learned to execute airborne operations, including how to parachute from military aircraft.

Caroline Shaffern, a junior nursing major from Scranton, participated in Sage Eagle at Fort Bliss, Texas. Sage Eagle is the culminating training course for members of the U.S. Army’s Special Operations community.

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Stephen E. Whittaker, Ph.D., professor of English and theatre, received the John L. Earl III Award for service to the University, the faculty and the wider community. The 2023 John L. Earl III Award was presented at the University’s annual Fall Convocation, which took place on campus on Aug. 31.

The award is given annually to a member of the University community who demonstrates the spirit of generosity and dedication that the late Dr. John Earl, a distinguished professor of history, exemplified during his years at Scranton from 1964 to 1996.

Margarete L. Zalon, Ph.D., professor emerita of nursing and the 2022 John L. Earl III Award recipient, announced Dr. Whittaker as the 2023 recipient at the Fall Convocation. Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, along with Karen Earl Kolon, M.D. ’85, daughter of the late John Earl, presented the award to Dr. Whittaker.

Described as the quintessential Renaissance man by Dr. Zalon in announcing the award, Dr. Whittaker was also noted as “a highly-regarded speaker at faculty seminars,” and a faculty member frequently invited to speak at classes “across virtually all disciplines at the University.”

Known for his exacting standards, Dr. Whittaker teaches several of the University’s most-demanding – and most-rewarding – courses. He also serves as moderator for Esprit, the University’s journal of arts and letters.

In addition to his teaching and research, during his four decades of service at Scranton, Dr. Whittaker has served on numerous committees and boards, including the Faculty Senate, FAC and as the acting chair of the English and Theatre Department.

Dr. Whittaker received the University’s 2017 Excellence for University Service and Leadership Award, which recognizes faculty members who have contributed service to the University community, particularly those who demonstrate academic leadership by effectively mentoring their junior colleagues. He received the University’s 2020 Magis Award for Excellence in Adapting Classic Principles of Jesuit Pedagogy into the Curriculum. This award recognizes a faculty member who makes specific, sustained and creative efforts to adapt classic principles of Jesuit Pedagogy in his or her own courses.

Dr. Whittaker joined the University’s faculty in 1983. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Texas.

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The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will present six World Affairs Luncheon Seminars this fall, featuring highly accomplished speakers presenting a range of timely topics.

The luncheons will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Brennan Hall’s Rose Room 509, with the exception of the first event. There will also be a Zoom link for those who wish to attend remotely.

The series begins Friday, Sept. 8, with “We’ve Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden: Inside the Music and Times of the Woodstock Generation,” presented by composer, conductor, music commentator and author Rob Kapilow, H ’09. The lecture will take place in the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall.

At the talk, Kapilow will bring the 1969 Woodstock Festival back to life through “zooming in on drum fills, bass lines, trumpet licks and background vocals, and zooming out to the racial, cultural and social turmoil of a revolutionary decade that led to a new musical voice for America.”

That evening, Kapilow will perform at Performance Music at The University of Scranton’s “What Makes It Great? The Great American Songbook” concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center on campus.

At the next luncheon, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, Jim MacMillan, director of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting and assistant director of the Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting at Temple University, will present “Gun Violence, Prevention, and the Role of the Media.”

MacMillan will discuss the mission of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting, which was created to explore the theory that changing the way journalists and news organizations report on gun violence could prevent shootings and save lives.

“I plan to cover the relationship between gun violence prevention and the role of the media, what best practices in news reporting could look like, and how we might advance more empathetic, ethical and impactful journalism,” MacMillan said. “I hope that attendees will take away an understanding that reporting on individual shooting incidents can do more harm than good and how better gun violence reporting might even help prevent shootings and save lives.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, Michele Moody-Adams, Ph.D., Joseph L. Straus Professor of Political Philosophy and Legal Theory at Columbia University, will present “Revitalizing Democracy.”

Dr. Moody-Adams will pose the question, “Can we breathe new life into the institutions and norms that are critical elements of a stable democracy?” She’ll argue that democratic institutions and norms can be revitalized, but only if we acknowledge the complex sources of their decline and make a robust, public commitment to address them.

“It is easy to understand why many people worry about whether democracy has a future in the United States – and anywhere else around the globe. Yet it is possible to breathe new life into the institutions and norms that are critical to a stable democracy,” Dr. Moody-Adams said. “I will draw on contributions from a wide range of political and social theorists, including Aristotle, John Dewey, Martin Luther King, Jr., and John Paul Lederach to show what it looks like to act on a robust commitment to reviving democratic institutions and norms.”

On Thursday, Oct. 5, visual artist, muralist, community arts educator and filmmaker Michelle Angela Ortiz will present “Transforming Spaces: Public Art and Community Engagement.”

Ortiz will talk about how she uses her art to represent people and communities whose histories are often lost or co-opted. Through community arts practices, painting, documentaries and public art installations, she creates safe spaces for dialogue around some of the more profound issues communities and individuals face. She’s designed and created more than 50 large-scale public works nationally and internationally, and has led art for social change public art projects in Costa Rica and Ecuador, and as a cultural envoy through the U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Venezuela, Honduras and Cuba.

On Friday, Oct. 13, Ann Burgess, a renowned expert in trauma, abuse assessment and treatment, will present “AI and Deciphering the Criminal Mind.”

As mass murders and shootings have increased in recent years, law enforcement has begun to focus more on analyzing the writings and videos of criminals before they kill. There’s now an urgency to develop a tool to analyze communication quickly, and Burgess will discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) could play a role in examining a criminal’s mind before a killing spree.

The seminars will conclude Thursday, Nov. 2, with “A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain,” presented by Sara Manning Peskin, M.D., assistant professor of clinical neurology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Manning will take attendees through tales of the sometimes outlandish, often criticized, and forever devoted scientists who have brought cognitive neurology into the age of molecular science. She’ll look at some of the cutting-edge developments in cognitive neurology and the remaining hurdles that have prevented the medical community from conquering Alzheimer’s disease and other common cognitive ailments.

Admission is free for University students, faculty, staff and Schemel Forum members. For non-members, the seminars are $30 in-person (buffet lunch included) and $10 remote only.

Weinberg Memorial Library Dean George Aulisio, the Schemel Forum’s new director, talks about the fall Schemel Forum schedule of events with WVIA’s Erika Funke on ArtScene.  

To register for the luncheon seminars, contact Brooke Leonard at 570-941-4740 or brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. Or, to pay online, visit: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

Sept. 8-29     Art Exhibit: “Cura Personalis: Selections from the University of Scranton Art Collection.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu

Sept. 8       11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “We’ve Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden: Inside the Music and Times of the Woodstock Generation” presented by Rob Kapilow, composer, conductor, music commentator and author. The Kane Forum, Edward Leahy, Jr. Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Sept. 8       5 p.m. Art Gallery Curator’s Lecture: “Cura Personalis: Selections from the University of Scranton Art Collection.” Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Sept. 8       7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “What Makes It Great? The American Songbook” featuring Rob Kapilow, composer, conductor, music commentator and author, with soprano Magdalyn E. Boga. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Sept. 12      11 a.m. Volunteer Fair for area nonprofit agencies offering volunteer opportunities for students. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-7429 or email ellen.judge@scranton.edu.

Sept. 12      11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Gun Violence, Prevention, and the Role of the Media” presented by Jim MacMillan, journalist, educator and social innovator, director of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Sept. 19      11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Revitalizing Democracy” presented by Michele Moody-Adams, Ph.D., Joseph L. Straus Professor of Political Philosophy and Legal Theory, Columbia University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Sept. 19    Noon. Laudato Si’ Plan Kickoff Event. Rev. G. Donald Pantle, S.J., Rose Garden. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

Sept. 21       7:30 p.m. Ignatian Values in Action Lecture: “Living Against the Grain” presented by Tim Muldoon, theologian, professor and author of several books including The Ignatian Workout. Byron Recreation Complex. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email linda.walsh@scranton.edu.

Sept. 23      7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “WE!” featuring Wycliffe Gordon, trombone and Eric Reed, piano with an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Sept. 28        5 p.m. Lecture: “What is Comparative Theology? How is it humanities? How is it Jesuit? How is it Catholic? Why do you do it, and how have you found that God meets you in this work?” presented by Francis X. Clooney, S.J., Jesuit priest and scholar in the teachings of Hinduism, professor at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

Sept. 23-24        The University of Scranton Family Weekend 2023. Various campus locations. Call 570-941-4222 or email familyweekend@scranton.edu.

Sept. 28       7:30 p.m. Asian Studies invites you to the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival tea tasting and dessert pairing and learn about the legends and customs associated with the festival. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Free. Email ann.pang-white@scranton.edu to reserve a seat.  

Sept. 30      7 a.m. Schemel Forum bus trip to Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rodin Museum. $135 per person. Registration required. Spaces are limited. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Oct. 5         8:30 a.m. 22nd Annual U.S. Conference on DISABILITY “Ability Focused Advocacy: Breaking Barriers to Achieving Careers and Independence” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free for general public. Call 570-941-7819 or visit www.scranton.edu/disabilityconference.

Oct. 5         11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Transforming Spaces: Public Art and Community Engagement” presented by Michelle Angela Ortiz, 2021 Art is Essential Grantee, 2020 Art For Justice Fund Grantee, Pew Fellow, Rauschenberg Foundation Artist and Activist Fellow, and Kennedy Center Citizen Artist National Fellow. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Oct. 6-20      Art Exhibit: “Earth’s Apothecary: Recent Works by Jordan Oakey.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 11       6 p.m. Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities: “Chanteur of French Songs” presented by Kevin Soucie, guitarist. Slattery Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

Oct. 12       5:30 p.m. Humanities Forum Lecture: “Bison Hide, Elephant Tusk, and Sperm Whale Oil: The Industrial Revolution and the ‘Late Holocene Depletions’ ca. 1800-1920” presented by J.R. McNeill, Distinguished University Professor at Georgetown University. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

Oct. 13       11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “AI and Deciphering the Criminal Mind” presented by Ann Burgess, D.N.Sc., renowned expert in trauma, abuse assessment and treatment. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Oct. 13       5 p.m. Artist’s Lecture: “Earth’s Apothecary: Recent Works by Jordan Oakey.” Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 14       7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, piano. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Oct. 17       5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities Collaborative Program: “Myers Distinguished Visiting Fellow in the Humanities and Civic Engagement Lecture” presented by Dale Jamieson, Ph.D., professor emeritus of environmental studies; director, Center for Environmental and Animal Protection; affiliated professor of law, medical ethics and bioethics; founding director of environmental studies program; and former chair of the environmental studies department and professor of philosophy at New York University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Receptions follows. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Oct. 19      5 p.m. Humanities Forum: Lecture and Book Signing by Patricia Leavy, author of Hollyland. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. 

Oct. 22      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.

Oct. 27-Nov. 17         Art Exhibit: “Scranton’s Story: Oral History Portrait Photographs.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 27       5 p.m. Art Gallery Panel Discussion: “Scranton’s Story: Oral History Portrait Photographs.” Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 28       7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with guest soloist Chris Lewis, tenor sax. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Oct. 20-22 and 27-29         8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” presented by The University Players. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu

Oct. 30       6 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Collaborative Program: “Book Bans and Censorship” presented by Tracie D. Hall, executive director American Library Association, author, curator and advocate for the Arts. PNC Auditorium or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Nov. 2        11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “A Molecule Away from Madness: Tales of the Hijacked Brain” presented by Sara Manning Peskin, M.D., assistant professor of clinical neurology, University of Pennsylvania. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Nov 2         4 p.m. Humanities Forum Lecture: “Explaining the Cosmos: Can the Philosopher Help?” presented by Dean Zimmerman, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Rutgers University, author and lecturer. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

Nov. 4        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.

Nov. 5         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. 9        7:30 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “The ‘China Shock’ After 22 Years” presented by Robert C. Feenstra, Ph.D., C. Bryan Cameron Distinguished Chair in International Economics, University of California, Davis. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu.

Nov 10        Noon. Humanities Forum Lecture: “The Habit of Poetry: The Literary Lives of Nuns in Mid-century America” presented by Nick Ripatrazone, author and culture editor of Image Journal. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

Nov. 12       4 p.m. Performance Music: “The Generation Sing!” The Catholic Choral Society opens their 75^th anniversary season jointed by The University of Scranton concert Choir and Valley View High School Choir with middle school and elementary choirs. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Nov. 16        7 p.m. Keynote Lecture and Book Signing: “Who are We as a Nation? Education for Democracy” presented by Danielle Allen, Harvard University political theorist and author of Justice by Means of Democracy. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Nov. 16-18      8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Footloose” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Call 570-941-7401 or email livaartscompany@gmail.com.

Nov. 18       7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra with guest violinist Kako Miura Boga. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 2       8 p.m. Performance Music: “56^th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 10      7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert.” Performance Music student musicians perform solo, duo, trio and small group renditions of a variety of Christmas favorites. Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a monetary donation. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Schemel Courses:

Tuesdays: Sept. 12, 19, 26 and Oct. 3, 10, 24          6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “Indiana Jones and the Twentieth Century” presented by Sean Brennan, Ph.D., professor of history, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Wednesdays: Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 8         6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “The Crisis of the Sciences: Positivism, Essentialism, and the Need for Critical Theory?” presented by Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mondays: Oct. 23, 30 and Nov. 16, 13, 20, 27        6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “Writing in Place” presented by Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., associate professor, English and Theatre, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

 

The University of Scranton granted promotions and/or tenure to 14 faculty members effective at the start of the 2023-24 academic year.

One faculty member has been promoted to professor: Ahmed Gomaa, Ph.D., operations and analytics.

Five faculty members were named associate professor: Peter Andersen, Ph.D., management, marketing and entrepreneurship; Chris Haw, Ph.D., theology and religious studies; Emily Hopkins, Ph.D., psychology; Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D., biology; and Billie Tadros, Ph.D., English and theatre.

Three faculty members were named associate professor and granted tenure: JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., political science; Hengameh Hosseini, Ph.D., health administration and human resources; and John Kilker, communication and media.

Five faculty members were granted tenure: Tiffany Bordonada, Ph.D., counseling and human services; Deborah Budash, Ph.D., occupational therapy; Chris Howey, Ph.D., biology; Brian Snee, Ph.D., communication and media; and Lori Walton, Ph.D., physical therapy.               

Dr. Gomaa received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Alexandria in Egypt, and a MBA and doctorate from Rutgers University. He joined faculty at the University in 2016.

Dr. Anderson received a bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Tehran, and a doctorate from the University of Malaya. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2015 and serves as the chair of the University’s Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Haw received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern University, a master’s degree from Villanova University and a doctorate from the University of Notre Dame. He joined the faculty as Scranton in 2018.

Dr. Hopkins received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2018.

Dr. Son received a bachelor’s degree from Dankook University, a master’s degree from Western Illinois University, and a doctorate from Texas A and M University of the Health Sciences. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2017.

Dr. Tadros received a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University, a master’s degree from Sarah Lawrence College, and a doctorate from the University of Louisiana. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2018.

Dr. Hopper received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Dr. Hopper joined the faculty at Scranton in 2020 and serves as director of the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service.

Dr. Hosseini received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tehran, a master’s degree from King’s College and a doctoral degree from Marywood University. She joined the faculty at the University in 2018.

Prof. Kilker received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, a master’s degree from Fairfield University, and a master of fine arts in film production from the University of Southern California. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2017.

Dr. Bordonada received a bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State University, a master’s degrees from West Virginia University and a doctorate from the University of South Carolina. She joined the faculty at the University in 2017.

Dr. Budash received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate in education from Northcentral University. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2019.

Dr. Howey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware, a master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas, and a doctorate from Ohio University. He joined the faculty at the University in 2017.

Dr. Snee received a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton and a master’s degree and doctorate from Pennsylvania State University. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2020.

Dr. Walton earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Andrews University, a D.P.T. from Creighton University and a Ph.D. from Nova Southern University. She joined the faculty at Scranton in 2020

Performance Music at The University of Scranton will kick off its Fall 2023 concert schedule Friday, Sept. 8, with a presentation of “What Makes It Great? The Great American Songbook,” featuring Rob Kapilow H ’09 with soprano Magdalyn E. Boga.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Part of Kapilow’s long-running “What Makes It Great?” series, the presentation/concert will illuminate for attendees the difference between hearing and listening as Kapilow demonstrates how to pay attention to all the great elements of a song that might otherwise go unnoticed. The evening will include various selections from the Great American Songbook sung by Boga, including the duet “For Good” from “Wicked” in which she will be joined by fellow soprano Jessica Hitchcock.

“Rob has a special gift for creating what he refers to as ‘AHA! moments’ for his audiences,” said Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. “Everyone in the hall – regardless of musical ability or experience – finds their ears opened by his presentations.”

A frequent Performance Music collaborator and acclaimed conductor, composer, music commentator and author, Kapilow has developed a devoted national and international following through his “What Makes It Great?” and “Family Musik” performances. He has appeared on NBC’s “Today” show, presented a special “What Makes It Great?” for PBS’s “Live From Lincoln Center,” and was the subject of a full-length PBS documentary, “Summer Sun, Winter Moon.” His “What Makes It Great?” radio series was broadcast for more than a decade on NPR’s “Performance Today.”

Kapilow has written several books, including “Listening for America: Inside the Great American Songbook from Gershwin to Sondheim,” which was a finalist for the Marfield Prize, and he was the first composer to be granted the rights to set Dr. Seuss’ words to music.

Through the years, Kapilow has conducted many of North America’s major orchestras, as well as numerous works of musical theater, among them the Tony Award-winning “Nine” on Broadway, the premiere of “Frida” for the opening of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival, and works for the American Repertory Theater. He’s received a number of accolades, including first place in the Fontainebleau Casadesus Piano Competition and second place in the Antal Dorati Conductor’s Competition with the Detroit Symphony.

A member of the University’s History faculty since 2010, Magdalyn Boga is equipped with a vocal range of nearly three octaves and a lyric voice capable of unusual power. She studied voice with renowned Bulgarian baritone/bass Guenko Guechev and Chinese mezzo-soprano Xiu-Ru Liu and has delivered solo, duo and quartet performances of operatic and concert repertoire with choirs and orchestras. She has also performed Baroque duet repertoire with New York City-based trumpeters Joseph Boga (her brother) and the legendary Mark Gould. Boga currently serves as the soprano soloist at First Presbyterian Church in Wilkes-Barre and is an active recitalist and chamber musician, performing as a vocal and instrumental soloist and ensemble member throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. She teaches voice at Scranton Music Academy, and performs professionally on voice, cello and French horn.

Jessica Hitchcock is a section leader and regular soloist for both the Choral Society of NEPA, and St. Stephen's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes Barre, and a professional choir member at Temple B'nai B'rith, Kingston, and has performed as a featured soloist with the Arcadia Chorale. Hitchcock has sung throughout the United States, as well as in Austria, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. Aside from her regular performances as a soloist and chorister, Jessica owns and operates The Vocal Studio of Jessica Hitchcock, which is now in its sixteenth year offering high-quality voice and piano lessons to students of all ages.

Also on Sept. 8, Kapilow will present “We’ve Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden: Inside the Music and Times of the Woodstock Generation,” as part of the Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminars at the University. For more information about the luncheon, visit www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

For further information on the show, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on Kapilow, visit www.robkapilow.com.

The University of Scranton will welcome nearly 1,500 incoming students for the fall semester.

Incoming University students include more than 1,035 members of its undergraduate class of 2027, which is one of the largest in Scranton’s history, in addition to nearly 60 transfer students and more than 350 graduate students, both on-campus and online. Scranton will also welcome its largest degree seeking, graduate international student cohort in the last 15 years, with more than 120 new graduate degree-seeking international students starting this fall.

The University’s undergraduate class of 2027 was selected from a pool of 9,867 applicants. The class represents more than 450 high schools, has an average SAT score of 1,237. Nearly 23 percent of incoming students identify as a person of color. More than 35 percent of the incoming class identify as first generation college students. Members of the class of 2027 represent 15 states, including California, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. More than 25 percent of the class is from Northeast Pennsylvania. The most common majors chosen by members of the incoming class are biology, nursing, kinesiology, business administration and occupational therapy.

The class of 2027 also includes 85 legacy children whose parents are University of Scranton alumni.

In addition to the undergraduate class of 2027, the University’s incoming graduate students represent several states and foreign countries, including the Bahamas, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

The University’s Fall Welcome events on August 26 and 27 include a Mass, a class legacy reception and photo, residence hall and commuter meetings and other events and activities. The University will display a special tribute to returning students on its Class of 2020 Gateway, which will run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Fall semester classes on campus begin Monday, Aug. 28.

Marking the 22nd consecutive year, The Princeton Review selected The University of Scranton as one of the best colleges in the nation, and, for the seventh year, ranked Scranton among the “Best Science Lab Facilities” (No. 18) in the U.S.

According to Princeton Review, students are impressed by the “recent improvements Scranton has been making, from laboratories and simulation spaces that impart vital firsthand experiences to ‘the gorgeous glass study rooms in the Loyola Science Center,’ and the cadaver lab to ‘academic buildings [that] are the greatest strength of the school because most have nice classrooms and places to study that foster learning.’”

Students also boast about Scranton’s Alumni network that continues to look “for their Scranton successors, which helps explain the high 99% job-placement rate: as the school puts it, ‘more than 1,000 Scranton alumni are CEOs of their company or organization.’”

Students also mention Scranton’s Jesuit ideals which permeate the course work and that “are designed to help students graduate with a ‘strong commitment to...ethics.’”

Scranton is among just 14 percent of schools listed in the 2024 edition of the “Best 389 Colleges” guidebook to be selected and recommended by The Princeton Review as one of the top colleges in the country.

The Princeton Review does not include an overall ranking of the schools selected as the best in the country, however they do publish rankings of schools in 50 categories based on results of their surveys of 160,000 students at the 389 colleges included in the book. Information from the surveys is also used in the profiles included about each school in the publication.

In addition to Scranton’s ranking of “Best Science Lab Facilities,” The Princeton Review also ranked the school among the “Most Religious Students” (No. 22).

The 2024 edition of the guidebook published online on Aug. 15.

In addition to The Princeton Review, U.S. News has ranked Scranton among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 29 consecutive years, placing the University No. 5 among the “Best Regional Universities in the North” its 2023 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook.

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The University of Scranton’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA), was awarded Gold Chapter Honors for attaining a distinguished level of achievement in the areas of member recruitment and engagement, community outreach and service, legislative advocacy and fundraising during the 2022-23 academic year.

NSSLHA is the only national student organization for pre-professionals studying communication sciences and disorders recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Established in 1972, the national NSSLHA supports nearly 11,000 members and more than 350 chapters at colleges and universities nationwide. NSSLHA members are studying communication sciences and disorders (CSD), speech-language pathology (SLP) and audiology at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels at college and universities nationwide.

“We are so proud of the 2022-23 Gold Chapter Honors awardees, and we congratulate them on all they’ve achieved this year,” said NSSLHA Executive Council President Gabrielle Howard in announcing the chapters receiving gold status. “Each chapter demonstrated a deep commitment to its members, its community, and the professions, and embodied NSSLHA’s values in the areas of collaboration, diversity, education, integrity, leadership and service.”

Each year, NSSLHA recognizes outstanding affiliated chapters that have made significant contributions to CSD programs, the national organization and their local chapters. Chapter Honors are awarded at the bronze, silver and gold levels.

During the 2022-23 academic year, The University of Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter participated in multiple community outreach and legislative activities, including partnering with the Bjorn This Way Foundation raising more than $1,000 to provide speech-language pathology services to individuals with communication disorders. The chapter distributed information for stuttering awareness day, including tips on communicating with individuals who stutter, and worked with the University’s parking services to update accessible parking signs to reflect person-first language. The chapter plans to suggest the same signage changes for the City of Scranton during the next academic year. The chapter participated with Take Action Letters through NSSLHA to request that Congress permanently cover telehealth services under Medicare after the pandemic public health emergency coverage was over.

“I am incredibly proud of all of our chapter members for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year. This is our first full-year as a chapter and first year we were eligible to receive chapter honors. I am elated that we were able to receive Gold Chapter Honors this year,” said Megan Knecht, Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter president. Knecht, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton.

Other student members of Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter are:

Amelia E. Alacqua, Sewell, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Ava N. Amato, Middlesex, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Alessia N. Clericuzio, Monroe, Connecticut, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Sofia B. Colucci, Saint James, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Maggie J. Cygan, Schnecksville, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Emma D. Dougherty, Ambler, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Madison G. Dunlop, Oreland, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Mianicole Duverge, Scranton, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Kaelan A. Ellis, Wind Gap, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Molly A. Enright, Havertown, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Francesca G. Failla, Merrick, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Teresa R. Fernandes, Philadelphia, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Brooke T. Haltmeier, Towaco, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Marilyn E. Keating, New Providence, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Christina M. Kennedy, Morristown, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Ashley A. Kessell, Exeter, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Anna K. Lunbery, San Antonio, Texas, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Gia R. Maayan, West Caldwell, New Jersey, is a community health education major at Scranton;

Molly R. McGuinness, Stewart Manor, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Elizabeth P. McKechney, Fairport, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Julianna B. McRell, Edwardsville, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Deirdre R. Meagher, Staten Island, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Sheila A. Miller, Milford, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Nora G. O’Connell, Cranford, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Jacob J. Rogomentick, Havertown, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Domenic M. Scaffidi, Hammonton, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Kayla J. Tilwick, Nazareth, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Tanner J. Updyke, Guilford, Connecticut, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Joshua S. Vargas, Verona, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Abigail J. Walsh, Scranton, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton.

In addition, Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter at helped the National NSSLHA organization increase its awareness of communication sciences and disorders on more than 140 local college campuses and communities across the country as well as through virtual platforms. Scranton’s chapter supported the national organization’s advocacy efforts of sending more than 5,400 letters to state and federal legislators; providing scholarships to students in communication sciences and disorders programs by contributing more than $22,500 to the ASH Foundation’s NSSLHA Scholarship; and by supporting CSD-related organizations by donating $60,000 and more than 25,000 hours of chapter members’ time across the country.

Six University of Scranton students participated in the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference held at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts this summer.

The national conference, held at a different Jesuit University each summer, entails group discussions, a day of service and various workshops focused on furthering the development of students’ leadership from a Jesuit perspective.  

Michael Ritterbeck, director of Center for Student Engagement at the University, and Kayla Betacchini, assistant director of the Center for Student Engagement, served as chaperones at the conference. Ritterbeck presented a breakout session titled “What’s Next? Bouncing Back from Rejection in Student Leadership,” which included information about the University’s resiliency programming.

Scranton students who participated in the leadership conference and the University department they represented were:

Mia N. Familetti, an English and advertising/public relations double major from Dalton, represented Student Government and Orientation;

Daylene Marin Garzon, a criminal justice major from Liberty, New York, represented University Police and Orientation;

Hannah M. Kohrn, a sociology major from Hamden, Connecticut, represented the University of Scranton Student Programming Board and Residence Life;

Maria D. Manno, a biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology major from Blue Bell, represented the Center for Health Education and Wellness and Peer Health Educators;

Simal Sami, an information technology major from Jessup, represented Student Government and Residence Life;

Karla J. Shaffer, a political science major from Doylestown, represented Student Government.

The University of Scranton granted nine undergraduate students President’s Fellowships for Summer Research for 2023. The fellowships, administered by the Provost Office, offer each student the chance to partner with a faculty mentor to complete a research project during the summer. Each project was proposed and designed by the student and their faculty mentor.

The following is a list of the students who were awarded 2023 summer research fellowships, their projects and faculty mentors.

Stephen J. Butler, Telford, researched "The effect of social isolation on rates of addiction and neurochemistry in Camponotus floridanus" with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

Caitlin J. Doughton, Throop, researched "The Effects of Alkaloid Sequestration on Poison Frog Metabolism" with faculty mentor Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology,

Emma N. Hughes, Scranton, researched "The Effect of Predator Cues on the Physiology of P. cinereus" with faculty mentor Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology,

Jacob G. Mohring, East Stroudsburg, researched "Irisin-Hormones and their role in Parkinson’s Disease" with faculty mentor Joseph Brague, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology,

Samantha F. Pickering, Hunlock Creek, researched "Bat Species Richness and Activity in Northeast Pennsylvania at Lackawanna State Park" with faculty mentor Gary Kwiecinski, Ph.D., professor of biology.

Dominick J. Spera, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, researched "Characterization of Thiols on the Glycolytic Enzyme Enolase as a Regulatory Switch Sensitive to Metabolic Stress" with faculty mentor Timothy Foley, Ph.D., professor of chemistry.

Nicholas J. Tomassoni, Eynon, researched "The Effects of Recombinant Erythropoietin on Synaptogenesis in Camponotus floridanus " with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

Shelby A. Traver, Sweet Valley, researched "The Pandemic Within a Pandemic: Assessing the Impact of Covid-19 on Non-Profit Serving Women in Northeastern Pennsylvania" with faculty mentor JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., associate professor of politcal science.

Miriam M. Vandewater, Souderton, researched "The Effects of Rising Temperature in Pheidole dentata" with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has authorized the release of $16.62 million in Community Project Funding dollars to support a new facility for workforce development, applied research and outreach in health, science and cybersecurity on the campus of The University of Scranton.

“As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, I’m committed to bringing home every penny of our fair share of federal tax dollars to ensure our region is positioned to grow while creating good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Cartwright. “The University of Scranton plans to build a brighter future for area residents by launching a center for workforce development and applied research in health, science and cybersecurity.”

The University of Scranton is finalizing plans for the new building, which will be located on University-owned property on the 300 block of Madison Avenue, directly across the street from Brennan Hall.

“Our project is intended to serve as a nexus between the University and our community, facilitating workforce development, outreach and applied research in the critical areas of cybersecurity, behavioral science and health. The building will serve as a hub for future program development.” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. 

Father Marina expects the University to announce detailed plans for the new building in the coming weeks.

“The University is grateful for the support from NIST to make our vision a reality. We were privileged to be among more than a dozen transformative projects in our region that received federal support due to the steadfast efforts of Congressman Cartwright and his team. We deeply appreciate his continued and successful efforts to bolster support for transformative and innovative projects, which also meet the needs of the people of our region,” said Father Marina.

“This funding directly responds to some of the most pressing needs in Northeastern Pennsylvania by creating jobs with better pay, making us safer, and strengthening our communities,”  Rep. Cartwright added.

The Center for Service and Social Justice at The University of Scranton will hold its annual Volunteer Fair for local nonprofit organizations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, on campus.

The fair offers University students and student-led clubs interested in service projects and community-based learning sites a chance to meet representatives from nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers.

Each year, more than 600 students attend the fair. Annually, more than 2,800 Scranton students volunteer for more than 175,000 hours of service.

There is no cost for a nonprofit organization to participate in the fair, however, registration is required. To register, email ellen.judge@scranton.edu or call 570-941-7429. The deadline to register for the fair is Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The Royal Experience Summer Internship Program and the Royal Psychology Experience Summer Internship Program provided seven University of Scranton students, selected from a competitive pool, a stipend of up to $2,000 to support their participation in a meaningful unpaid internship for the summer of 2023.

The Royal Experience program began in 2016 through funding by the University’s Parents’ Executive Council and the donations of alumni and friends of the University. The Royal Psychology Experience is funded by the University’s Psychology Department.

Students receiving support write about their internship experiences in a blog published on the University’s Roche Family Center for Career Development webpage.

The following is a list of students who participated in the 2023 Royal Experience Summer Internship Program.

Cabre Capalongo, a biology major from Scranton, was the Animal Care and Veterinary Medicine Intern at the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton.

Olivia Ciccimarra, a criminal justice major from Belmar, New Jersey, was the intern in the Office of Administrative Services Under the Division of Parole for the New Jersey State Parole Board in Trenton, New Jersey.

Olivia Manarchuck, a neuroscience major from Carbondale, was a Research Intern for The University of Scranton Biology Department lab of Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D., associate professor of biology.

Jake Marchese, a criminal justice major from Leonardo, New Jersey, participated in the 2023 Law School and College Summer Internship Program of Richmond County District Attorney’s Office in Staten Island, New York.

Amelia Semple, an English major from Northport, New York, was an Archivist Intern for the Northport Historical Society in Northport.

Benjamin Trexler, a business analytics major from Reading, was a Ticket Sales and Sponsorship Intern for Reading Royals in Reading.

The 2023 Royal Psychology Experience Recipient was:

Jack Burke, a psychology major from Stoneybatter in Dublin, Ireland, was a Clinical Research Intern at the Friendship House in Scranton.

Margarete L. Zalon, Ph.D., professor emerita in the Department of Nursing at The University of Scranton, was appointed as a consumer representative to the Pennsylvania e-Health Partnership Advisory Board. The appointment was made by Valerie A. Arkoosh, M.D., Secretary of Human Services, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania eHealth Partnership is responsible for the creation and maintenance of Pennsylvania's secure health information exchange, known as the PA Patient and Provider Network, or P3N.

Before retiring from Scranton in 2022, Dr. Zalon served as director of the University’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics Program and played a pivotal role in the program’s success. In 2021, the graduate program received accreditation from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Dr. Zalon has been a member of Scranton’s faculty since 1988. During her more than three decades of service at the University, Dr. Zalon has served on numerous committees, including in leadership roles on the Faculty Senate. Dr. Zalon’s research focuses on vulnerable elders. She has authored book chapters, as well as articles published in numerous scholarly journals and other professional publications. She received a 2022 American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Book of the Year Award for the third edition of her book “Nurses Making Policy: From Bedside to Boardroom.” The book placed 2^nd in the program’s Nursing Management and Leadership category. Dr. Zalon also received a 2019 AJN Book of the Year Award for the second edition of this book in 2019.

Dr. Zalon was inducted as an American Academy of Nursing Fellow in 2010 in part for her positive influence on health care policy and delivery. Her leadership legacy includes grassroots advocacy, progressive program design, execution and outcomes in state and national nursing organizations focused on establishing practice and education policy and building research funding capacity.

A previous chair of the American Nurses Foundation, former board member of the American Nurses Association and a past president of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, Dr. Zalon has also made research and health policy presentations at the local, state, national and international levels. She currently serves as the president of the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania, the charitable arm of PSNA which focuses on providing scholarships to students enrolled in nursing programs.

In 2022, Dr. Zalon received the John L. Earl III Award for service to the University, the faculty and the wider community. She was also a recipient of the Duke University School of Nursing Distinguished Alumna Award, the PSNA Distinguished Nurse Award and a Leahy Fellowship at Scranton. She also received the University’s Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award in 2020.

Dr. Zalon earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from New York University.

Published research articles by students and graduates of The University of Scranton’s doctoral program in accounting and Douglas M. Boyle, DBA, chair of the Accounting Department and director of the Ph.D. in Accounting program at Scranton, won a prestigious 2023 Institute of Management Accountants’ (IMA) Lybrand Silver Medal and two Certificates of Merit.

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Articles selected for recognition in the Lybrand Competition are drawn from all manuscripts published from May 2022 through April 2023 in the Institute of Management Accountants’ (IMA) Strategic Finance and Management Accounting Quarterly journals, both of which are rated among the top five refereed practitioner journals.

The article “Creating a Data Analytics Mindset,” co-authored by Richard O’Hara, Lisa Haylon and Dr. Boyle, was recognized with the silver award. The article was published in Strategic Finance in February 2023. O’Hara, Scranton, and Haylon, Hamden, Connecticut, are current Ph.D. students at Scranton.

The article “SEC Targets Earnings Management through New EPS Initiative” by Laura B. Lamb, Ph.D., Jessie K. Wright, Ph.D., Stasia H. Morlino, Ph.D., and Dr.  Boyle, won a Certificate of Merit. The article was published in Strategic Finance in May 2022. Dr. Lamb, Oswego, New York, earned her Ph.D. from The University of Scranton in 2023. She received the Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting Outstanding Student Award at commencement. Dr. Wright, Poland, Ohio, and Dr. Morlino, Moorestown, New Jersey, also earned their Ph.D. degrees from Scranton in 2023.

In addition, the article “SEC Enforcement and Remediation Efforts,” published in Strategic Finance in December of 2022 by Dr. Boyle and Jessica (Evanko) Hildebrand, DBA, won a Certificate of Merit. Dr. Hildebrand, an assistant professor of accounting at King’s College, graduated from Scranton’s DBA program in 2022.

Three of Scranton’s doctoral students have previously won Lybrand medals. Ronald Douglas Parker, DBA ’21, won the 2021 Lybrand Silver Medal, and Daniel J. Gaydon, DBA ’21, and Marcus Burke, DBA ’21, won 2020 Lybrand Silver and Bronze medals, respectively. In addition, Patrick O’Brian, DBA ’21, received a 2020 Lybrand certificate of merit and Amanda Marcy, ’10, G’11, DBA ’21, assistant professor of accounting at Scranton, received the inaugural IMA Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year award in 2020 and she won the award a second time in 2021 with Dr. Parker.

Scranton’s accounting faculty have been awarded more Lybrand Medals in the past decade than any other institution in the nation, having won a total eight Lybrand medals, including two gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals, as well as ten certificates of merit. They have also been ranked No. 4 in the world for publishing productivity in accounting education in 2020 and No. 5 in 2021 by Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings, which ranks accounting programs and faculty throughout the world based on their success in publishing in top-tier accounting academic journals.

With respect to authorships of individual accounting faculty in the area of accounting education, three Scranton faculty members were ranked internationally. Dr. Boyle was ranked No. 7. James F. Boyle, D.B.A., assistant professor of accounting and director of the MAcc program, and Brian W. Carpenter, Ph.D., professor emeritus in the Accounting Department, ranked No. 18 (tied).

Scranton’s doctoral program in accounting also received international recognition when the prestigious accrediting body, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), listed the program in 2019 among the “Innovations and Best Practices in Canada, Latin America and the United States.”

Dr. Boyle is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant with more than 30 years of industry executive experience. He has served in executive roles in startup, middle market, and Fortune 500 companies, where he has held the positions of board chair, chief executive officer, president, chief operations officer and chief financial officer. An award-winning researcher and teacher, Dr. Boyle was selected as the IMA Research Foundation Distinguished Scholar in 2022, awarded the Outstanding Accounting Educator of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2015, and an Outstanding Lecturer Award from the Cultural Mission of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in 2012. At Scranton, Dr. Boyle earned Provost Excellence Awards for University Service and Leadership in 2021, the Scholarship of Teaching in 2014 and Scholarly Publication in 2012, and the Faculty Senate’s Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award in 2019. He was named the Kania School of Management’s (KSOM) Alperin Teaching Fellow for 2015 to 2018 and received the KSOM Advisory Board’s Award for Curriculum Innovation for 2017-2018. He received the KSOM Faculty Research Award for 2019 – 2020 and was twice recognized as the KSOM Teacher of the Year. He is the founder and director of the University’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program.

Dr. Boyle’s research has been published in numerous academic and practitioner journals, such as The Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Accounting Horizons, Issues in Accounting Education, Current Issues in Auditing, The Journal of Accounting Education, The Journal of Forensic Accounting Research, The Accounting Educators’ Journal, The Journal of Accountancy, Strategic Finance, Fraud Magazine, Internal Auditor, Management Accounting Quarterly, The CPA Journal, Internal Auditing, The Journal of Applied Business Research and The Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Boyle earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, an MBA from Columbia University and a doctorate from Kennesaw State University.

Twenty-three rising high school students entered The University of Scranton’s University of Success program. The four-year, pre-college mentorship program began for the new participants with a two-week summer institute, which took place on the University’s campus in July.

The University of Success is an academic and enrichment program designed to provide academic, social, and cultural enrichment to area high school students. The program’s ultimate goal is to assist participating students to successfully complete high school and gain entrance into a college or university. Students enter the program at the completion of the eighth grade and continue through their high school years.

The summer institute provides learning experiences designed to engage the students in creative thinking, problem solving and communication through activities that expose students to concepts in various academic disciples.

The summer program featured presentations by University faculty, staff and students as well as counselors from Lackawanna County Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center. At the institute, students learned about alternate renewable energy sources, sustainability, climate change, physics, biology and chemistry, among other topics. The institute included field trips to Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Pike County and the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. The students also volunteered for a service project at the St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen, which was covered in a WBRE/WYOU news story.     

Following the summer institute, the students meet monthly throughout their four years in high school.

The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants. Donors to the program include AT&T, Dime Bank, Fidelity Bank, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Carl and JoAnne Kuehner, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, Inc., Overlook Estate Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, PPL Foundation, Lisa A. Thomas, M.D., and Waste Management.

Students entering the University of Success program are as follows:

Gabriela Avelar, who attended Abington Heights Middle School;

Lilyana Castellano, who attended Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Jazib Chohan, who attended Valley View Middle School;

Zion Colon, who attended Delaware Valley Middle School;

Kaitlyn Dos Santos, who attended Northeast Intermediate School;

Damien Galloway, who attended Wind Gap Middle School;

Gage Hernandez, who attended North Pocono Middle School;

Makenzie Lahotsky, who attended Riverside Junior Senior High School;

Melisa Lopez, who attended South Scranton Intermediate;

Kimberly Li, who attended North Pocono Middle School;

Dustin Machado Reed, who attended Valley View Middle School;

Yadiel Martinez, who attended Riverside Junior Senior High School;

Diana Munoz-Gonzalez, who attended Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School;

Stephen Quintilliano, who attended Abington Heights Middle School;

Neftali Ramos, who attended Abington Heights Middle School;

Quenton Reid, who attended Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Hector Rios, who attended West Scranton Middle School;

Ramon Sanchez, who attended West Scranton Middle School;

Tekoya Sanderson, who attended Carbondale Area Middle School;

Harper Sansky, who attended Mountain View School District;

Kayla Sterling, who attended Northeast Intermediate School;

Raelynn Taylor, who attended Tunkhannock School District;

Aleeya Williams, who attended Northeast Intermediate School;

Margaret Loughney serves as the program director for the University of Success.

For additional information, visit the University of Success web site.

University of Scranton’s Nu Kappa chapter of the Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for financial information students and professionals, achieved Superior Chapter status for the 2022-2023 academic year. This is the top chapter achievement level recognized by the international organization. The chapter also achieved Distinguished Chapter status for the 2021-2022 academic year. The chapter began at Scranton in 2015.

The University’s 2022-2023 Beta Alpha Psi Nu Kappa chapter officers were: Aidan Cagner ’23, ’G23, Rockville Centre, president; Brett McCartney, Downingtown, vice president and treasurer; Kevin Duffy ’23, Springfield, New Jersey, secretary; and Kaleigh Timmons, Bergenfield, New Jersey, social engagement director.

Scranton’s 2021-2022 Beta Alpha Psi Nu Kappa chapter officers were: Emma Boyle ’23, Peckville, president; Jared Septer ’22, Langhorne, vice president; Jake Gallagher ’22, Mahwah, New Jersey, treasurer; Cagner ’23, ’G23, secretary; and Mary Kate Yatsonsky ’22, ’G23, Jefferson Township, social engagement director.

“When I took on the role as Beta Alpha Psi faculty advisor in 2015, I never realized how rewarding the experience would be. I am so proud to have been able to guide the chapter through its growth and evolution. We could not have achieved these recognitions had it not been for the commitment of the student officers and the membership,” said Amanda Marcy, ’10, G’11, DBA ’21, assistant professor of accounting.

To receive an award status, chapters and their members must go above and beyond minimum chapter requirements with regard to professional, service, and outreach activities. The members participate in a variety of professional activities, including professional panels and information sessions, internship panels, certification information sessions, career readiness sessions, skill-building workshops, CPA and CMA mock exams and industry site visits. Chapter service activities include holiday card donations, children’s book and supply drives, and community clean-up events. In assisting the accounting department, members also participate in outreach activities, including open houses, high school student information sessions, Path to Business Excellence, and undecided student information and networking events.

Student members also have the opportunity to attend and present at the Beta Alpha Psi Mid-Year and Annual meetings, allowing them to network with Beta Alpha Psi members and professionals from across the globe. The University’s Nu Kappa chapter was selected to host the 2023 Beta Alpha Psi Mid-Year Meeting, which took place in March in Pittsburgh. In this capacity, members helped to plan, coordinate, and run event sessions and activities.

“This achievement reflects not only the commitment of our chapter officers and members, but also the continued support of our faculty, alumni, and professional partners who volunteer their time and professional expertise to provide opportunities to our students,” said Dr. Marcy.

Alumni or professional partners interested in volunteering or sponsoring a Beta Alpha Psi event or activity can contact Dr. Marcy at amanda.marcy@scranton.edu.

Beta Alpha Psi is an international honors organization for financial information students and professionals with over 300 chapters on AACSB accredited college and university campuses with more than 300,000 initiated members. The organization recognizes academic excellence in accounting, finance and business analytics, and complements members’ formal education by providing interaction among students, faculty and professionals. Members must achieve a personal record of superior scholarship in their academic endeavors and demonstrate active engagement in all chapter activities. Members in good standing at the completion of their senior year receive honors cords and pins upon graduation.

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The University of Scranton awarded faculty development summer grants for 2023 to nine faculty members.

Patrick Clark, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies, received a grant to research “Light From Darkness: The Role of Anti-Exemplars in Christian Ethics.” He joined the faculty at the University in 2010. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Duke University, a master’s degree from Boston College and a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

Ovidiu Cocieru, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship, received a grant to research “The Impact of a Classroom as Organization on University-to-Work Transition and Early Career.” He joined the faculty at the University in 2019. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.

Kate Cummings, assistant professor, Weinberg Memorial Library, received a grant to research “Professional Obsolescence? Librarians in a Changing World.” Prof. Cummings joined the faculty at the University in 2022. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, a MBA from Wilkes University and a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina.

Taewan Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship, received a grant to research “Institutions and entrepreneurial growth aspiration.” He joined the faculty at the University in 2011. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Hannan University in South Korea and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Christian Krokus, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies, received a grant to research “Spiritually Vulnerable: Christian de Cherge (1937-1996), Catholic-Muslim Dialogue, and Beyond.” He joined the faculty at the University in 2009. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Boston College.

Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and co-director of the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program, received a grant to research “The Misalignment Problem: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Human Values.” He joined the faculty at the University in 2010. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Hamline University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from DePaul University.

Ann Pang-White, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and director of Asian Studies, received a grant to research “Care, Dependency, and the Ethics of Assistance: A Confucian Perspective.” She joined the faculty at the University in 1997. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Tung-Hai University, a master’s degree from University of South Carolina – Columbia and a Ph.D. from Marquette University.

Meghan Rich, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Sociology, criminal received a grant to research “Urbanization as a Social Problem.” She joined the faculty at the University in 2007. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Ph.D. from the University of Delaware.

Robert Shaffern, Ph.D., professor of history, received a grant to research “Sex Workers and Indulgences in Fourteenth-Century Viterbo.” He joined the faculty at the University in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame.

Money magazine gave The University of Scranton its second highest star rating in its selection of the 2023 “Best Colleges in America” based on value. The University of Scranton received a four and one-half star rating based on the magazine’s analysis of dozens of data points to evaluate affordability and student outcomes.

Just 34 colleges in the nation received Money’s highest rating of five-stars, which included many the nation’s ivy league and near-ivy league schools. Scranton was among 189 schools in America to receive the second-highest, four and one-half star rating, which included highly-regarded Jesuit schools like Boston College and the College of the Holy Cross and prestigious schools in Pennsylvania such as Carnegie Mellon University and Villanova University.

Money rated less than 800 colleges in the nation with two and one-half to five stars. Colleges not included in its listing failed to meet Money’s initial screening requirements, such as having at lease 500 in-person undergraduate students or 150 full-time faculty members, having sufficient data to analyze, and other criteria. According to Money magazine, “the most common reason colleges don’t make the cut is that their six-year graduation rate is too low.”

The factors Money used in assessing the value of the education provided by colleges included an analysis of the schools’ quality (30 percent) and affordability (40 percent) and the outcomes of graduates (30 percent).

The factors Money analyzed to determine a college's “academic quality” included the six-year graduation rate, the standardized test scores of incoming students, the student-faculty ratio, financial stability and the graduation rate of Pell Grant recipients, among other factors. The analysis also included “value” assessments that looked at a school’s predicted graduation rates based on the academic and economic profile of its student body versus its actual graduation rates.

The criteria used to assess “affordability” included an estimate of the “net price of a degree,” which assessed tuition, the time it takes for students to graduate, and the school’s average financial aid offered to students. The “affordability” criteria also looked at student debt, student loan default rates, and student loan default rates adjusted for the economic and academic profile of a school’s student body, in addition to other factors.

The factors Money used to assess “outcomes” included the average salaries of students ten years after enrollment based on data from U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard as well as salaries of graduates adjusted by major. In addition to other factors, the “outcomes” criteria looked at socio-economic mobility data from Think tank Third Way that measures a college’s share of students from low- and moderate-income backgrounds as well as the cost and payoff of a degree for those students.

Money’s 2023 “Best Colleges in America” rating was published online July 12.

This is the eighth consecutive year that Money included Scranton in its published list of America’s best values in college education.

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Nine members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 have committed to post-graduation long-term service projects with nonprofit organizations and underserved populations. Their service begins this summer at programs run by the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and other organizations.

The following is a list of members of the University’s class of 2023 who committed to long-term service projects and their places of service.

Joseph T. Barry, Blue Point, New York, will serve in education in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both political science and philosophy. Barry was also a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Kaitlyn E. Franceschelli, Spring Brook Township, will serve at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, California, with the Sisters of St. Joseph. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communication.

Elisabeth E. Johnson, Scranton, will serve in community education in Spokane, Washington, as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both political science and philosophy. Johnson was also a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Sarah A. Liskowicz, Wilkes-Barre, will serve as a case manager at the Alcott Center for Mental Health as part of the St. Joseph Worker Program in Los Angeles, California. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both neuroscience and biomathematics. A recipient of the University’s Presidential Scholarship, Liskowicz received the J. Timothy Cannon Award for Excellence in Neuroscience at graduation. She was a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program.

Lauren X. McGuire, Pearl River, New York, will serve with children and youth services in San Diego, Califronia, as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology.

Abigail M. Rzucidlo, Garnet Valley, will serve in education in Portland, Maine, as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematical sciences.

Mia G. Sandy, Scranton, will serve at Maggie’s Place in Phoenix, Arizona. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in counseling and human services.

Julia E. Turnak, Hingham, Massachusetts, will serve in housing services in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both biology and philosophy. Turnak was also a member of the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program, its Magis Honors Program in STEM and its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Kathleen I. Wallace, Bowie, Maryland, will serve at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, California with the Sisters of St. Joseph. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both philosophy and theology and religious studies. A recipient of the University’s Presidential Scholarship, Wallace received the Excellence in Philosophy Award and the Alumni Loyalty and Service Award at commencement. She was a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Nationally recognized for its commitment to service, The University of Scranton was among just 29 elite colleges in the nation selected to the Catholic Volunteer Network’s 2020 “Top Schools for Service.” The University is also among the nation’s top producers for Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Each year, more than 2,800 Scranton students volunteer for more than 175,000 hours of service.

Twenty high school students who completed The University of Scranton’s University of Success program plan to continue their education, with 19 committing to colleges, universities and trade schools and one committing to real estate license training course. The University of Success is a multi-year, academic and enrichment program that is designed for high school students to develop the skills needed to successfully gain acceptance to college.

The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants. Donors to the program include AT&T, Dime Bank, Fidelity Bank, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Carl and JoAnne Kuehner, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials, Inc., Overlook Estate Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, PPL Foundation, Lisa A. Thomas, M.D., and Waste Management.

Students enter the University of Success at the completion of the eighth grade and continue through their four years of high school. The program offers enrichment courses in study skills, SAT prep, public speaking, math, science, art and cultural activities, as well as financial aid and wellness seminars.

The following is a list of 2022 University of Success graduates, the high school they attended, and their post-high school plans.

Elias Adame, Old Forge, who graduated from Old Forge Junior Senior High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University – Scranton and major in criminal justice;

Ignacia Ang, Scranton, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to attend Villanova University and major in acounting;

Briana Brijmohan, Scranton, who graduated from West Scranton High School, plans to attend Susquehanna University and major in creative writing;

Alyvianna Cooper, Moscow, who graduated from North Pocono Middle School, plans to attend Temple University and major in science;

Kevin Cordero, Scranton, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton and major in kinesiology;

Emily DeOliviera, Olyphant, who graduated from Mid Valley Middle School, plans to attend Bloomsburg University and has not yet declared a major;

Jaydene Edwards, Tobyhanna, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh in the premed program;

Zaniyah Galloway, Scranton, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to attend Metro Beauty School in Allentown and will study cosmetology;

Nicholas Garcia, Scranton, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton and major in history in the pre-law track;

Dylan Guzman, Gouldsboro, who graduated from North Pocono High School plans to attend Johnson College to study electrical engineering;

Oscar Hernandez, Scranton, who graduated from West Scranton High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University – Scranton with the intention of studying pre-law or pre-med;

Jonathan Juarez, Scranton, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to attend Johnson College to study mechanics;

Rosa Martinez, Scranton, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to pursue courses to obtain a real estate license.

Jesus Nunez-Pazos, Scranton, who graduated from West Scranton High School, plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania to study law;

Andy Perez, Scranton, who graduated from Scranton High School, plans to attend Lincoln Tech School in Allentown to train in welding;

Jaidan Perez, Jefferson Township, who graduated from North Pocono High School, plans to attend Marywood University and major in psychology;

Anaclara Quintilliano, Clarks Summit, who graduated from Abington Heights High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University – Scranton and major in criminal justice;

Hannia Ramierez, Scranton, who graduated from West Scranton High School, plans to attend New York University and major in business and communication;

Elizabeth Wasylyk, Moscow, who graduated from North Pocono High School, plans to attend Elizabethtown College and major in environmental science;

 Anderson Zou, Scranton, who graduated from West Scranton High School, plans to attend plans to attend Pennsylvania State University – Main Campus and major in computer science.

In addition, Ying Jie Chen, Forest City, completed the four-year University of Success program and will graduate from Forest City Regional High School next year.

Additional information about the program can be found on the  University of Success web site.

University of Scranton President Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., will preside at Mass for the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The Mass will begin Monday, July 31, at 12:05 p.m. in the recently renovated Chapel of the Sacred Heart on campus.

An ice cream social in the Rose Garden adjacent to the chapel will immediately follow.

All are welcome to join us as we will celebrate the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

View a message from Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for Mission and Ministry at the University at the link that follows: Message about the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

Ten University of Scranton faculty members were honored with Faculty Enhancement awards for excellence in teaching, scholarship or service. The Office of the Provost and the Provost Advisory Group selected the recipients from a pool of candidates nominated by academic deans and department chairs.

Sinchul Back, Ph.D., received the Advancing Global Learning Award, which is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated noteworthy academic leadership in integrating international issues/perspectives into the curriculum and through whose efforts, students have acquired the competencies, attributes and insights required to meaningfully and successfully participate in an increasingly interdependent world. 

Dr. Back, assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice and Criminology, joined the University’s faculty in 2019. Dr. Back’s research interests include Artificial Intelligence, cybercriminal profiling, cybersecurity, digital forensics investigation, homeland security and counterterrorism. He helped lead a faculty-student study abroad course to South Korea this past summer where the students learned about a variety of special criminal justice programs.

Dr. Back earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, master’s degrees from Bridgewater State University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in South Korea, and his Ph.D. from Florida International University.

Jinghan Cai, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Scholarly Publication Award, which is presented to a faculty member who has attained distinction in scholarship or creative activity. Dr. Cai, associate professor in the Department of Economics, Finance, and International Business, joined the faculty at Scranton in 2014. His research has been published in top-tiered, global, academic journals including Review of Financial Studies, Global Financial Journal and Finance Research Letters. He is the co-author of a book entitled, “The Market Impact of Short Selling,” and has presented his work at numerous international conferences.

Dr. Cai earned his B.A. from Renmin University of China and Ph.D. degrees from City University of Hong Kong and Boston College.

Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Integrating Diversity in Learning Award, which recognizes a faculty member whose efforts to integrate diversity in the curriculum have enriched the students’ learning experiences.

Dr. Dumancas, associate professor of chemistry, joined the faculty at Scranton in the spring of 2022. Over the course of his academic career, he has generated more than $2 million in external research funding from the NSF, Louisiana State University, and the Louisiana Board of Regents. He has published more than 70 research products in the form of journal articles, book chapters, books and intellectual property disclosures related to his research in the development and applications of chemometrics and spectroscopic techniques in food and biological applications. He is the recipient of a five-year, $1.158 million National Science Foundation funded Noyce Scholars grant to support future STEM high school teachers in high-need school districts.

In addition, Dr. Dumancas is serving as the faculty lead for a Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation grant, which is a program that takes a comprehensive approach to student development and retention. Particular emphasis is placed on transforming undergraduate STEM education through innovative, evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, and relevant educational experiences in support of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

Dr. Dumancas earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Oklahoma State University.

Collen Farry received the Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates noteworthy academic leadership in promoting and strengthening cross-disciplinary or interdepartmental teaching and learning endeavors.

Prof. Farry, assistant professor and digital services librarian for Scranton’s Weinberg Memorial Library, joined the University in 2018. At Scranton, she manages the library’s digital collections and web archives and leads the development of workflows for preserving and delivering born-digital records and supports digital scholarship projects. Prof. Farry works closely with department chairpersons and program directors to ensure the acquisition and cataloging of student capstone projects, including honor’s and master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations.

Prof. Farry earned her B.F.A. from Marywood University, and two master’s degrees from Syracuse University, as well as a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Jean Harris, Ph.D., received the Excellence for University Service and Leadership Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has contributed service to the University community, particularly those who demonstrate academic leadership by effectively mentoring their junior colleagues.

Dr. Harris, professor of political science, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1987. She has served the University as the director of the Women’s Studies program, is a co-founder of the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service and the founding coordinator of the University’s Ready to Run Northeastern Pennsylvania program. Dr. Harris served Scranton in numerous leadership roles including as Faculty Affairs Council Chair, numerous terms on the Rank and Tenure Committee, a variety of search committees, and as both a peer and student mentor.

Dr. Harris earned her bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Binghamton University.

Joyanna Hopper, Ph.D., received the Sustainability Award, which recognizes the efforts of a faculty member who strives for excellence in teaching about sustainability and who makes extraordinary efforts to introduce that essential concept into the curriculum.

Dr. Hopper, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, joined the faculty at Scranton in 2020. She specializes in public policy and administration, with a scholarly focus on environmental enforcement in the states. She has published a book entitled, “Environmental Agencies in the United States: The Enduring Power of Organizational Design and State Politics,” and has authored numerous articles concerning environmental enforcement.

In addition, Dr. Hopper has developed a new course on environmental justice, which will explore the history of the environmental justice movement, environmental justice policies, and environmental injustices.

Dr. Hopper earned her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Missouri.

Adam Pratt, Ph.D., received the Integrating Mission and Justice into the Curriculum Award, which recognizes a faculty member whose special efforts ensure that students have a keen understanding and appreciation of the realities of the world, including pressing justice issues in a local, national and global context.

Dr. Pratt, associate professor of history, joined the University in 2013. His research interests and publications include the Jacksonian-era, Native American history and the Civil War and Reconstruction. His book, “Toward Cherokee Removal: Land, Violence, and the White Man’s Chance” was published in 2020. He has participated in numerous seminars and discussions on campus including a “Uncovering Scranton’s Native Past,” where he presented the history of the groups of Native people that lived in the northeastern Pennsylvania area and what happened to them; the steps toward creating a Native Land Acknowledgement Statement; and, what other actions should the University make toward addressing past injustices.

Dr. Pratt earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Louisiana State University.

Amelia Randich, Ph.D., received the Magis Award for Excellence in Adapting Classic Principles of Jesuit Pedagogy into the Curriculum. This award is intended to recognize a faculty member who makes specific, sustained and creative efforts to adapt classic principles of Jesuit Pedagogy in his or her own courses.

Dr. Randich, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, joined the University in 2020. Her research focuses on the molecular evolution and diversity of bacterial cell shape. Since joining the faculty at the University, she has served as the research mentor for nearly a dozen students. Several of these students were awarded summer grants in support of their research with Dr. Randich, including the Research as a High Impact Practice award, STEM Program Summer Research Fellowships and the Royal Experience Program.

Dr. Randich earned her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College and her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

Ann Royer, Ph.D., received the Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award, which is presented to a faculty member who makes extraordinary efforts to enhance student learning and who practices teaching as a form of scholarship.

Dr. Royer, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, joined the University in 2017. The courses she teaches include General Biology, Tropical Biology travel course, Humans and Evolution in Action, Evolution and Biostatistics.

Dr. Royer incorporates state-of-the-art instructional techniques in her classroom, including the C.R.E.A.T.E (Consider, Read, Elucidate the hypotheses, Analyze and interpret the data, and Think of the next Experiment) method, which is a new teaching approach that uses intensive analysis of primary literature to demystify and humanize research science for undergraduates. She also uses Perusall, an online social annotation platform, intended to increase student engagement and collaboration.

Dr. Royer earned her bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Patricia Wisniewski, Ed.D., received the Community-Based Learning Award, which is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in community-based learning (CBL) pedagogy as demonstrated by meaningful integration with course or program content that incorporates integration of theory with practice, direct engagement with community members, and personal and critical academic reflection.

A Community-based Learning Faculty Fellow at Scranton, Dr. Wisniewski designed three CBL projects involving local organizations. For a course project with The Recovery Bank, her students participated in a therapeutic healing group for adults in recovery from substance use disorders. She worked with Scranton Tomorrow for a course project where students completed a walkability study in the downtown section of Scranton. She also worked on a course project with United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania through which her occupational therapy students collected data for a high-traffic walkability study for safety and accessibility.

Dr. Wisniewski earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree from Misericordia University and her Ed.D. from the University of South Carolina.

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The University of Scranton’s Small Business Development Center was recognized by the Pennsylvania SBDC’s statewide network of 15 centers and its lead office with five awards for excellence, including the Gold Center Performance Award, which recognizes the center’s overall performance for 2022. Scranton’s SBDC met or exceeded all of its programming goals in 2022, placing it in the top three percent of the centers in Pennsylvania.

The awards, presented at the PASBDC Growth Conference in Erie in June, recognize centers for their contributions to the network’s mission of helping the state’s small businesses start, grow and prosper. The annual awards recognize the recipients’ impact on local economic growth, job creation and support of Pennsylvania’s newest and growing entrepreneurs.

Scranton’s SBDC, housed in the University’s Kania School of Management, also received the Student Project of the Year Award for the Women’s Entrepreneurship Center. The award recognizes a student team for their collaborative efforts in helping their center achieve strategic initiatives. At the Women’s Entrepreneurship Center, student interns and SBDC staff offer business start-up information, guidance and encouragement to lower income women, those experiencing a life transition or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. Their services include individual, confidential consulting and programs such as Coffee and Confidence, a one-hour inspiration session, and StartUP, a six-week series that walks participants through the process of starting a business.

In 2022, 11 students interned for the SBDC’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Center. Students were: Caelan Boyle ’24, an international studies major from Havertown; Niamh Boyle’ 23, an international business major from Havertown; Nicole Freeman’ 23, a biology major from New Tripoli and participant in the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program; Lea Grant ’23, an occupational therapy major from Rocky Hill, Connecticut; Erin Hahn ’23, a finance and accounting double major from Flourtown; Xianshu (Iris) Hu ’23, finance major from Fresh Meadows, New York; Molly Lennon ’22, a biology major from Levittown, New York; Jordyn Lieber ’23, a business administration major from Edison, New Jersey, and participant in the University’s Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program; Jennifer Rossiter, a finance major from Jenkinstown and participant in the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program Business Honors Program and its Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program; Kimberly Stossel ’22, ’G23, a marketing major and MBA graduate from East Stroudsburg; and Gabrielle Hart Timoteo ‘23, occupational therapy major from Collegeville.

Scranton SBDC Business Consultant Gretchen Kukuchka received the State Star award for outstanding performance and client satisfaction. The State Star Award, the highest accolade achievable by a member of the PASBDC team, recognizes extraordinary performers who have made strong contributions to their state network. Only one State Star is awarded by the Network each year.

Kukuchka joined the Scranton SBDC in 2002 and serves clients in the Bradford Tioga and Lackawanna counties. She also coordinates the successful Small Business Internship Initiative, which provides internship opportunities at small businesses for students attending a participating college in NEPA. She has presented on this initiative at national conferences. Kukuchka earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and University and her master’s degree from The University of Scranton.

Scranton SBDC Business Consultant, Winifred McGee, received the Service Award for the Eastern region. The award recognizes service to the entire Pennsylvania SBDC network.

McGee’s areas of expertise include agri-business and food enterprise start-up and expansion; shared kitchen incubator management; enterprise feasibility studies, business planning and financial analysis; and grant application coaching for agricultural and food enterprises. She joined the Scranton SBDC team in 2019 after having previously worked as a business consultant at the Penn State Small Business Development Center at Penn State Harrisburg, and for 30 years in Penn State Cooperative Extension, providing information and education for home based, food and farm business. McGee earned her bachelor’s degree from Grove City College and her master’s degree from the University of West Florida.

Scranton SBDC Special Projects Coordinator Katelyn McManamon received the Team Spirit Award, which recognizes one network professional for their collaborative attitude in helping the network achieve strategic initiatives.

McManamon joined the Scranton SBDC team in 2020. In her role, she identifies and engage participants and coordinate projects within the SBDC’s eight-county service area. McManamon earned her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University and her MBA from The University of Scranton.

Lisa Hall Zielinski serves as director of the SBDC at The University of Scranton, which serves small business clients in Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

Honey may always taste sweet, but is it always pure?

University professors intend to develop a quick, reliable and cost-effective test using a smartphone application device to determine the purity of honey in less than two minutes and they received a $50,000 research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support this effort.

Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at The University of Scranton, is the principal investigator of the project and will serve as the technical lead for the research team. Riddhiman Medhi, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry at Scranton, will serve as the entrepreneurial lead. Bryan R. Crable, Ph.D., former assistant professor of biology at Scranton and current managing director of North Country Bee Works and assistant professor of microbiology at Pennsylvania Western University, will serve as industry mentor for the project.

Honey has a wide array of uses and applications in food and beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is also the third most adulterated food product in the U.S. according to research by Honey Authenticity Network, an international effort of individuals and organizations whose fundamental interest is to prevent honey fraud.

Dr. Dumancas noted that more than 60 percent of honey in the United States is imported and can be adulterated with hard to detect adulterants with the overall intent of selling the product at a lower price.

“There is presently no U.S. federal standard for the identification of pure honey,” said Dr. Dumancas. “Current methods for honey authentication are archaic, cumbersome and time consuming, with nearly all of the tests being conducted via third-party labs in Germany using expensive analytical equipment.”

Dr. Dumancas said their project will develop an accurate test that can be completed in less than two minutes.

“The proposed technology involves a smartphone application and a spectrometric system that can test the purity of honey by simultaneously determining the quantities of multiple adulterants as well as its floral and geographical origin in a time- and cost-efficient manner,” said Dr. Dumancas, who is the chief inventor of the technology identifying the mid-infrared spectroscopic method for adulterant testing and has conducted extensive studies across various types of honey to assess its purity.

“I’m pleased that The University of Scranton will receive a $50,000 NSF award for the development of a smartphone app intended to bolster consumer confidence in the products they use,” said U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright. “As the Ranking Member of the Commerce Justice and Science Subcommittee, I will continue to do all that I can to help fund projects like this one through the National Science Foundation. Dr. Dumancas and his team are doing incredibly important work at The University of Scranton, and I look forward to the development of their latest innovative technology.”

Dr. Dumancas joined the faculty at Scranton in the spring of 2022. Over the course of his academic career, he has generated more than $2 million in external research funding from the NSF, Louisiana State University, and the Louisiana Board of Regents. He has published more than 70 research products in the form of journal articles, book chapters, books and intellectual property disclosures related to his research in the development and applications of chemometrics and spectroscopic techniques in food and biological applications. In the spring of 2023, he published a digital primer titled “Spectroscopic and Chemometric Techniques for Pharmaceutical Applications” through the American Chemical Society (ACS). The peer-reviewed and by invitation only ACS primer focuses on providing basic content about various spectroscopic and chemometric tools in pharmaceutical analyses.

Dr. Dumancas also won a research award that will allow him to work with some of the world’s leading scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California, as a Visiting Faculty Fellow by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Just last year, Dr. Dumancas received a five-year, $1.158 million National Science Foundation funded Noyce Scholars grant to support future STEM high school teachers in high-need school districts. The grant provides scholarships and educational training support to 21 STEM students with a major or minor in secondary education.

Dr. Dumancas earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Medhi joined the faculty at Scranton in 2022. A committed teacher and researcher, Dr. Medhi brings a broad background in applied materials chemistry. Under this NSF grant, Dr. Medhi is spearheading efforts to identify attributes of this spectroscopic invention for seamless technology transfer for industry-wide use. This invention could potentially revolutionize purity testing and tracing across the honey industry. He was previously a post-doctoral associate at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he worked to develop anti-fouling surface coatings and anti-toxin fabrics. He has applied for two U.S. patents, has authored and co-authored studies that appeared in 12 peer-reviewed publications, in addition to multiple presentations made at national conferences.

Dr. Medhi is a member of the American Chemical Society. He earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in chemistry from Gauhati University in Guwahati, India, and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Houston. At Houston, his research on optical nanomaterials earned him the Graduate Student Research Award, and the prestigious Dan E. Wells Outstanding Dissertation Award.

As managing director of North Country Bee Works, a family-owned apiary located in Western Pennsylvania, Dr. Crable is involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. He has extensive experience in the beekeeping and honey industry, and will guide the team in networking, understanding the supply chain, and commercial exploration of the relevant sectors.

Dr. Crable’s scientific research has been supported by the NSF, The Lake Lacawac Foundation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Air Force Research Laboratory, among others. He has authored or co-authored articles in 12 peer-reviewed publications, which, together with his collaborators, have been cited over 1,000 times. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent College and a master’s degree from Duquesne University. He completed a doctorate in microbiology at the University of Oklahoma. He also earned his MBA degree from The University of Scranton.

More than 1,675 students were named to The University of Scranton’s Dean’s List for the 2023 spring semester. The Dean’s List recognizes students for academic excellence. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours during the semester to make the Dean’s List. The list includes students from the Jesuit university’s College of Arts and Sciences, Kania School of Management and Panuska College of Professional Studies.

A list of students making the Dean’s List can be seen here.

The following students were added to The University of Scranton Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester after publication of the list in January of 2023.

The Dean’s List recognizes students for academic excellence during the 2022 fall semester. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours to make the Dean’s List. The list includes students from the Jesuit university’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management and the Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Students added to the fall 2022 Dean’s List are:

Twenty-Three members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 graduated from its Undergraduate Honors Program, which is one of the Jesuit university’s programs of excellence. Students in the Honors Program pursue a rigorous education that stresses independent work through close engagement with professors and other honors students, including the preparation, presentation and defense of a research or creative project during their senior year.

The following is a list of the class of 2023 Undergraduate Honors Program graduates, their faculty mentors and their research projects.

Maame E. Addison, Bloomfield, New Jersey, graduated as a neuroscience major. Addison worked with faculty advisor Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Effects of Propylthiouracil (PTU) on the Development of Zebrafish Larvae."

Teleri R. Broomhead, Lower Gwynedd, graduated, summa cum laude, as a business administration major. Broomhead worked with faculty advisor Ann (Nancy) Cummings, faculty specialist, Department of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, on a thesis titled "An Analysis of Remote Working Habits."

Conor J. Dougherty, Cape Coral, Florida, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major. Dougherty worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Exploring the Possibility of the Novel Object Recognition Task as a Valid Behavioral Assay Used in Camponotus floridanus." Dougherty was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Astrid P. D’Souza, Elmwood Park, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology major. D’Souza worked with faculty advisor Gerard G. Dumancas, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, on a thesis titled "Physical and Chemical Characterization of Ugandan Honey and its Comparison to Manuka Honey."

Emily R. Fleming, Shavertown, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry major. Fleming worked with faculty advisor Timothy D. Foley, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, on a thesis titled "Selective Oxidation of Thiols on Alpha-Enolase Expand the physiological Significance of Protein Thiol-Based Redox Regulation and Reveal a Reductive Shift Following Postmortem Ischemia."

Nicole A. Freeman, New Tripoli, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology major. Freeman worked with faculty advisor Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on a thesis titled "The Effect of Thermally Different Habitats on the Metabolism of Plethodon cinereus Salamanders: Can They Stand the Heat?"

Julia M. Gavigan, Long Beach, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a journalism - electronic media major. Gavigan worked with faculty advisor Brian Snee, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and media, on a thesis titled "Measuring the News Literacy of College Students."

Sydney L Gero, Somerset, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a criminal justice major. Gero worked with faculty advisor Sinchul Back, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice, cybersecurity and sociology, on a thesis titled "The Severity and Certainty of Punishment on the Cyberstalking Offense: An Application of Deterrence Theory."

Jena R. Guilfoyle, Yonkers, New York, graduated, cum laude, as a history major. Guilfoyle worked with faculty advisor Robert Shaffern, Ph.D., professor of history, on a thesis titled "Elizabeth Cary: A Conversion Story."

James C. Hornickle, Reading, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology major. Hornickle worked with faculty advisor Timothy D. Foley, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, on a thesis titled "Reversible Oxidations of Alpha-Enolase Thiols Show a Reductive Shift Following Postmortem Ischemia and Support the Relevance of Redox Signaling in the Brain." Hornickle was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Kyle B. Hromisin, Dallas, graduated, magna cum laude, as a forensic chemistry major. Hromisin worked with faculty advisor Michael Fennie, Ph.D., associate professor of organic chemistry, on a thesis titled "A Green Analysis of Acid-Catalyzed Aerobic Degradation of Polystyrene Under Mild Photochemical Conditions."

Adelyne R. Ibanez, Easton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a political science and philosophy double major. Ibanez worked with faculty advisor Michael E. Allison, Ph.D., professor of political science, on a thesis titled "Call of Duty: Refugees, National Security & Public Opinion." Ibanez was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Kyra M. Krzywicki, Kingston, graduated, summa cum laude, as a journalism - electronic media and theology and religious studies double major. Krzywicki worked with faculty advisor John Kilker,  assistant professor of communication and media, on a thesis titled "I was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: The Stories of Refugees in Scranton, Pennsylvania."

Sarah A.  Liskowicz, Wilkes Barre, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and biomathematics double major. Liskowicz worked with faculty advisor Robert F. Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Contributions of taurine and GABA to aggression in crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, and zebrafish, Danio rerio." Liskowicz was also the recipient of the University's full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Anne K. Murphy, Flemington, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a counseling and human services major. Murphy worked with faculty advisor Paul A. Datti, Ph.D., professor of counseling and human services, on a thesis titled "Analyzing Mental Health of Undocumented and Documented Hispanic and Latino/a/x/e College Students."

Emma C. Nessel, Randolph, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology major. Nessel worked with faculty advisor Emily Hopkins, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology, on a thesis titled "Transmission of gender stereotypes from parent to child through play." Nessel was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Veronica I. Romanek, Hampton, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a physics and Spanish studies double major. Romanek worked with faculty advisor Nathaniel A. Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and engineering, on a thesis titled "Climatology of ionospheric Variability with MSTID Periods Observed Using Grape v1 HF Doppler Receivers."

Matthew G. Simms, Newtown, graduated, summa cum laude, as an environmental science and philosophy double major. Simms worked with faculty advisor Robert J. Smith, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Meteorological Conditions Associated with Landbird Migratory Stopover in Northeastern Pennsylvania." Simms was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Nathaniel R. Smith, Wilkes Barre, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Smith worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "Navigational failures in Camponotus floridanus due to an Antagonist of Serotonin." Smith was also a member of the University's Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Claire K. Sunday, South Abington Township, graduated, summa cum laude, as a theology and religious studies and philosophy double major. Sunday worked with faculty advisor Christopher M. Hauser, Ph.D., assistant professor of philosophy, on a thesis titled "Free Will: What, Why, and How?" Sunday was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and was the recipient of Scranton’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Julia E. Turnak, Hingham, Massachusetts, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major. Turnak worked with faculty advisor Cara Krieg, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on a thesis titled "The Effects of Egg Brightness and Female Aggression on Male Parental Investment in House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon)."Turnak was also a member of the University's Magis Honors Program in STEM and its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Katherine A Welby, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology and biology double major. Welby worked with faculty advisor Mary L. Troy, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and human services, on a thesis titled "Mental Health in NCAA Division III Student-Athletes."

Piper G. Yerkes, Pottstown, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience and biology double major. Yerkes worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis titled "The Effect of Melatonin on the Locomotion and Circadian Rhythm of Camponotus floridanus."

Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, and Jill A. Warker, associate professor of psychology, serve as co-directors of the Undergraduate Honors Program.

Seven members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 graduated from its Magis Honors Program in STEM. The program, which began as a pilot program in the fall of 2017, combines the development of STEM knowledge and research techniques with programing to further the students’ understanding of the impact science has on society. The University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM was officially approved as the University’s fifth honors program in 2019.

The Magis Honors Program offers talented students a more intense, interdisciplinary experience of research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Courses taken over four years at Scranton combine a series of seminars on STEM and society with humanities courses. With guidance by faculty mentors, the students in the program develop, present and defend a thesis based on their individual research projects. In addition, the program requires participation in annual community service projects as well as professional development programs.

The following members of Scranton’s class of 2023 graduated as members of the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Cloe B. Capalongo, Scranton, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Capalongo worked with faculty mentor Vinny Farallo, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on her thesis project.

Angela R. Hudock, Sayre, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major. Hudock worked with faculty mentor Michael Fennie, Ph.D., associate professor of organic chemistry, on her thesis project. Hudock was also the recipient of the University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Taylor N. Moglia, Milford, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Moglia worked with faculty mentor Michael Fennie, Ph.D., associate professor of organic chemistry, on her thesis project.

Michael Quinnan, Shavertown, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biomathematics major. Quinnan worked with faculty mentor Murong Xu, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics, on his thesis project. Quinnan was also the recipient of the University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Danica May Nichole Ibanez Sinson, Floral Park, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major and was a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Sinson worked with faculty mentor Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on her thesis project.

Nathaniel R. Smith, Wilkes-Barre, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience major and was a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program. Smith worked with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on his thesis project.

Julia E. Turnak, Hingham, Massachusetts, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major and was a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program and its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Turnak worked with faculty mentor Kara Krieg, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on her thesis project.

Janice Voltzow, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Biology Department, serves as the director of the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Sixteen members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 graduated from its Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program Business Honors Program, which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. Students in this program undergo four years of honors studies in the areas of economics, entrepreneurship, operations management, accounting, finance, international business, marketing and management, as well as a series of personal development extracurricular activities in the areas of service and career building.

The following is a list of the class of 2023 Business Honors Program graduates and their majors, as well as their faculty mentors and research project.

Christian J. Aldrich, Franklinville, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting and finance double major. Aldrich worked with faculty advisor Richard O'Hara, faculty specialist, Accounting Department, on a thesis titled "Development of the Auditing Field."

Catherine A. Bryceland, Bronxville, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance major. Bryceland worked with faculty advisor John Ruddy, D.P.S., associate professor of economics and finance, on a thesis titled "How Behavioral Finance Affects the East and West Coast."

Victoria A. Cavallaro, Williston, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a marketing and business analytics double major. Cavallaro worked with faculty advisor Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management, on a thesis titled "Scranton Ignite Program's Social Media Improvement Strategy."

Kevin P. Duffy, Springfield, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Duffy worked with faculty advisor Amanda Marcy, D.B.A., assistant professor of accounting, on a thesis titled "A Study of Technostress in Accounting Professionals."

Matthew J. Earley, Chalfont, graduated, summa cum laude, as a finance major. Earley worked with faculty advisor Ziqian Song, Ph.D., assistant professor of operations and analytics, on a thesis titled "Exploring the Challenges of Implementing Artifical Intelligence in the Financial Industry: A Comprehensive Review and Analysis." Earley was also a member of the University's Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program and was the recipient of the full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Andrew J. Faulkner, Randolph, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Faulkner worked with faculty advisor Amanda Marcy, D.B.A., assistant professor of accounting, on a thesis titled "Diamond Foods, INC. Fraud."

Justin M. Galli, Wayne, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Galli worked with faculty advisor David Mahalak, D.Eng., faculty specialist, Operations and Analytics Department, on a thesis titled "Analyzing Potential External Factors that Affect Bankruptcy."

Teresa C. Hegarty, Bryn Mawr, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Hegarty worked with faculty advisor Richard O'Hara, faculty specialist, Accounting Department, on a thesis titled "Enablers in Auditing: How Automated Forecasting Tools Have Affected Auditing Over the Past 20 Years." Hegarty was also a member of the University's Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program.

Kaitlyn L. Kruszewski, Simsbury, Connecticut, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance major. Kruszewski worked with faculty advisor John Ruddy, D.P.S., associate professor of economics and finance on a thesis titled "Behavioral Finance: Filling the Gaps in Traditional Investment Theory."

Declan B. Maurer, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as an accounting major. Maurer worked with faculty advisor Richard O'Hara, faculty specialist, Accounting Department, on a thesis titled "The IRS's Use of Data Analytics in Relation to Tax Avoidance."

Annalisa M. Mechanick, Randolph, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Mechanick worked with faculty advisor Amanda Marcy, D.B.A., assistant professor of accounting, on a thesis titled "Study of Business Student Experiences with Imposter Syndrome."

Dev U. Patel, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a business analytics major. Patel worked with faculty advisor Ozgur Isil, Ph.D., associate professor of operations and analytics, on a thesis titled "An Empirical Investigation of Covid-19 Volatility Dynamics on S&P 500 Index."

Daniella M. Savaglio-Rodriguez, Franklin Square, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a accounting major. Savaglio-Rodriguez worked with faculty advisor Douglas Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department, on a thesis titled "Accounting Professional's Perceptions of the Importance of Various Communication Skills at Different Career Levels."

Jennifer R. Rossiter, Jenkintown, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance major. Rossiter worked with faculty advisor John Ruddy, D.P.S., associate professor of economics and finance, on a thesis titled "Evaluating a Portfolio and Making Investment Decisions." Rossiter was also a member of the University's Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program.

Jaclyn I. Vincenti, West Caldwell, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a marketing major. Vincenti worked with faculty advisor Abhijit Roy, D.B.A., professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship, on a thesis titled "Nonprofit Social Media: Increasing Engagement and Event Promotion for Dress for Success Lackawanna." Vincenti was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Thomas A. Yager, Randolph, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Yager worked with faculty advisor Douglas Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department, on a thesis titled "Homeboy Industries Cousulting Project." Yager was also a member of the University's Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program.

Aram Balagyozyan, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, serves as director of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program Business Honors Program.

Seventeen members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 graduated from its Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program, which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. Students in this highly-selective program explore the basic theories and concepts of leadership through special seminars and courses in management, ethics, strategy and analysis, in addition to field trips to learn from top executives and projects in leadership, service and mentoring.

The following is a list of the class of 2023 Business Leadership Honors Program graduates and their majors:

Owen P. Ascher, Garden City, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting and finance double major.

Emma R. Boyle, Peckville, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major.

Caitlin C. Connallon, Cranston, Rhode Island, graduated, magna cum laude, as a communication and political science double major.

Kevin J. Connor, Taylor, graduated, magna cum laude, as a physiology major.

Thomas J. Csehovics, Fair Lawn, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance major.

Joshua T. DeMarco, Hillsdale, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a business analytics major.

Genna R. Dominguez, Flanders, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance and business analytics double major.

Matthew J. Earley, Chalfont, graduated, summa cum laude, as a finance major. Earley was also a member of the University's Business Honors Program. Earley was the recipient of the full tuition Presidential Scholarship

Teresa C. Hegarty, Bryn Mawr, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Hegarty was also a member of the University's Business Honors Program

Jillian D. Heier, Mickleton, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major.

Jessica M. Hook, Gouldsboro, graduated, magna cum laude, as a marketing major.

Jordyn S. Lieber, Edison, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a business administration major.

Francis J. Lynch, Richboro, graduated, summa cum laude, as an electrical engineering major.

Aiden P. Messett, Throop, graduated, summa cum laude, as an finance major.

Kayleigh S. Olszewski, Conshohocken, graduated, cum laude, as an accounting major.

Jennifer R. Rossiter, Jenkintown, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance major. Rossiter was also a member of the University's Business Honors Program

Thomas A. Yager, Randolph, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major. Yager was also a member of the University's Business Honors Program

Robert McKeage, Ph.D., associate professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship, serves as director of the University’s Business Leadership Honors Program.

Forty-two members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 graduated from its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA), which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. Students in SJLA pursue a rigorous education designed to develop enhanced writing, oral and critical-thinking skills through specially designed courses in philosophy, theology and literature.

The following is a list of the class of 2023 SJLA Honors Program graduates and their majors.

Emily M. Amershek, New Ringgold, graduated, summa cum laude, as a philosophy major. Amershek was the recipient of the University's full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Joseph T. Barry, Blue Point, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a political science and philosophy double major.

George D. Burke, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, graduated as a political science and philosophy double major.

Mary E. Cabassa, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, graduated, cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

Alexander J. Connor, Wayne, graduated, cum laude, as a criminal justice and philosophy double major.

James J. Cook, Toms River, New Jersey, graduated as a physiology major.

Moira C. Courtney, Hamilton, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a kinesiology and philosophy double major.

Amanda M. Danishanko, Wyoming, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major.

Conor J. Dougherty, Cape Coral, Florida, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major. Dougherty was also a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program.

Michael J. Edwards, Wadsworth, Ohio, graduated, summa cum laude, as a mathematics and philosophy double major. Edwards was the recipient of the University's full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Dominic G. Finan, Malvern, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major. Finan was the recipient of the University's full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Timothy A. Gallagher, River Vale, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a computer science and philosophy double major. Gallagher was the recipient of the University's full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Adam E. Hill, North Middletown, New Jersey, graduated, cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major.

Autumn M. Hirschfield, Southbury, Connecticut, graduated, magna cum laude, as a political science, psychology and philosophy triple major.

James C. Hornickle, Reading, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major. Hornickle was also a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program.

Adelyne R. Ibanez, Easton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a political science and philosophy double major. Ibanez was also a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program.

Elisabeth E. Johnson, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a political science and philosophy double major.

Ashley N. LoFaso, Seaford, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major.

Cole J. Miller, Levittown, graduated, cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

Ashley E. Morelli, Malvern, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

Molly C. Neeson, Pottstown, graduated, summa cum laude, as an environmental science and philosophy double major.

Emma C. Nessel, Randolph, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology major. Nessel was also a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program.

Laura S. Petrera, Butler, New Jersey, graduated as a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and philosophy double major.

Jacob H. Rachwal, Bethlehem, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

James L. Russo, Franklin Square, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

Madison S. Schmerder, Vestal, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a physiology and philosophy double major.

Phillip Schoch, Allentown, graduated, cum laude, as a journalism - electronic media major.

Matthew G. Simms, Newtown, graduated, summa cum laude, as an environmental science and philosophy double major. Simms was also a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program.

Tess Rui Brady Sinclair, Bensalem, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

Danica May Nichole Ibanez Sinson, Floral Park, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Sinson was also a member of the University's Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Lauren M. Staub, Harrisburg, graduated, magna cum laude, as a physiology and philosophy double major.

Christopher C. Stiles, Malvern, graduated as a political science and philosophy double major.

Claire K. Sunday, South Abington Township, graduated, summa cum laude, as a theology and religious studies and philosophy double major. Sunday was also a member of the University's Undergraduate Honors Program and was the recipient of the University's full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Julia E. Turnak, Hingham, Massachusetts, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major. Turnak was also a member of the University's Magis Honors Program in STEM and the Undergraduate Honors Program.

Jaclyn I. Vincenti, West Caldwell, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a marketing major. Vincenti was also a member of the University's Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program.

Joshua S. Vituszynski, Dickson City, graduated, summa cum laude, as a English and philosophy double major.

Andrew C. Vizzard, Havertown, graduated, magna cum laude, as a chemistry major.

Connor J. Waite, Ambler, graduated, magna cum laude, as a history and philosophy double major.

Kathleen I. Wallace, Bowie, Maryland, graduated, summa cum laude, as a philosophy and theology and religious studies double major. Wallace was the recipient of the University's full tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Elisa A. Yanni, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major.

Olivia A. Zehel, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and philosophy double major.

Sofia K. Zingone, Randolph, New Jersey, graduated as a physiology and philosophy double major.

Daniel Haggerty, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Philosophy Department, serves as the director of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

University of Scranton class of 2023 graduate Elise Westhafer, Reinholds, and class of 2022 graduate Isaiah Livelsberger, Hanover, have been awarded 2023-2024 Fulbright Student Scholarships, the premier international academic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Competitive, merit-based scholarships allow recipients to spend a year conducting research or teaching abroad.

Westhafer received a Fulbright Award to Slovenia where she will conduct research focusing on neurotransmitters in the aging brain at the University of Ljubljana. Livelsberger, received a Fulbright Award to Guatemala where he will study judicial reform in Guatemala by carrying out research at the Rafael Landívar University and at the Association for Research and Social Studies in Guatemala City.

“The Fulbright awards will give both exceptional graduates the ability to pursue research they are passionate about with world-class experts in their fields,” said Kara Kofira Bishop, University of Scranton Fulbright Program adviser. “An ardent researcher, Elise will work with Dr. Nina Vardjan, a member of the medical faculty at the Institute of Pathophysiology at the University of Ljubljana, to study brain metabolism and neuronal function to gain a better understanding of age-related decline. Zealous in pursuit of social justice, Isaiah will work with Professor Byron Morales of the Jesuit-run Rafael Landívar University, and Pablo Hurtado of the Association for Research and Social Studies to analyze how judicial institutions in Guatemala were impacted by the recently-retired International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala.”

According to Bishop, the Fulbright program awards grants based on the recipients’ records of academic achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. This year’s awards continue Scranton’s decades of success with the Fulbright program.  Since 1972, a total of 129 University students have been awarded Fulbrights.

Elise Westhafer

Fulbright Award recipient Elise Westhafer is tremendously enthusiastic and skillfully strategic in her pursuit of finding ways to restore cognitive functions of the brain. Her plan builds a step-by-step guide to enable understanding of the causes and function of the brain in decline in order to achieve her ultimate goal of being able to reverse the process.

Westhafer graduated, summa cum laude, from The University of Scranton in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and a minor in philosophy. As a student, she developed research protocols and wrote successful grant proposals to fund a project with a new animal model at Scranton – the axolotl, an aquatic salamander, which she used to study regeneration of the central nervous system with her faculty mentor Robert Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor of biology and director of Scranton’s Neuroscience Program. She was awarded multiple Neuroscience Student Research awards at Scranton and continued to hone her skills as a researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the summer of 2021.

At Scranton, Westhafer was a member of Nu Rho Psi, Phi Sigma Tau and Sigma Xi honor societies. She was also a member of the Society of Bioethics and the Neuroscience Society, where she held the office of treasurer during her senior year. She served as a tutor for the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning excellence for courses in general and organic chemistry, physics and calculus. She was also a member of PILLAR, an innovative new student-faculty partnership program at the University through which Westhafer worked with two faculty members to make diversity and inclusion changes in courses in real-time.

In addition to her high school studies, Westhafer leveraged the flexibility of being homeschooled to take college courses at Penn State Berks – and to travel.

“Instead of asking my parents for presents for my birthday, I asked for trips,” said Westhafer, and her parents gladly obliged. She visited historical parks throughout the United States, in addition to traveling to France, Italy, Ireland, Argentina and Costa Rica.

Westhafer is greatly looking forward to seeing Slovenia – and nearby countries in Europe – for the first time and continuing the next step of her research plan as a Fulbright Student Scholar.

When she returns to the United States, Westhafer will pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience under the Integrated Biomedical Science program at the University of Kentucky and plans to apply to its M.D./Ph.D. program.

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Isaiah Livelsberger

The Jesuit ideal of accompaniment lives within Isaiah Livelsberger.

As his year of service at the Kino Border Initiative continues, he hears daily of atrocities endured by refugees seeking safety and a more dignified future. He sees first-hand the problematic conditions for migrants created by governments, corruption and cartels. He sees their strength, determination, dignity and hope. He sees children who have left what little they had behind to travel hundreds of miles for reasons they do not yet fully comprehend.

He also sees the smiles brought to children’s faces by serving them a simple meal, playing soccer, or just being with them.

It is those moments that keep Livelsberger going, and motivate him to dedicate his life to improving the plight of people living in – or fleeing from – hostile conditions.

“I know I can’t fix the system, but each day, I can help someone and learn from their strength. I can listen to their stories. I can offer some food. I can play with the children,” said Livelsberger who attends to the needs of the 120 migrants under his care daily. “It is a very difficult situation. Emotions run high. It’s humbling to be someone that they can confide in and to help create an environment where they feel comfortable.”

Livelsberger’s next step on his path will be as Fulbright Student Scholar as he tries to better understand the causes of the conditions in Central American countries, and the efficacy of possible solutions. He will focus on the effectiveness of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) in prosecuting those responsible for human rights abuses, and the current judicial system post-CICIG, which ended in 2019.

Through the Fulbright award, Livelsberger will work with Byron Morales, a professor in the Rafael Landívar University’s Department of Juridical and Political Sciences and Pablo Hurtado, who serves at the Association for Research and Social Studies, which specializes in the judicial and CICIG-related investigations. Livelsberger will use existing data, as well as new information gathered from interviews with individuals that he will conduct as part of the project.

Livelsberger was active with social justice causes during his time as a student at The University of Scranton. He founded the “We Care Awareness Campaign,” co-founded “Students Helping Others Create Kinship,” served as co-president for Helping Professional Residential Learning Community, and was vice president of the Social Justice Club. He was also a mentor for the Meg Cullen Brown SMART Mentoring Program, a Royal-Ties mentor to first-year students, an instructor for English as a Second Language (ESL), a member of the United Cultures Organization Club, and was a resident assistant. He was also a Search Retreat group leader and participated in two domestic service trips. He served as an assistant researcher in Expert Witness Testimony for Asylum Seekers, and researched as a high Impact Practice Grant Recipient.

Livelsberger graduated, summa cum laude, from Scranton in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in both international studies and philosophy and minor in Spanish and a concentration in Latin American studies. He received the University’s Excellence in International Studies Award at commencement and participated in the University’s undergraduate Honors Program. He served as the president of the Phi Sigma Tau Honor Society, and the secretary of the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society. He was also a member of the Pi Alpha Theta and Pi Sigma Alpha honor societies. He was the recipient of the President’s Fellowship for Summer Research, first place winner of Phi Sigma Tau Philosophy paper contest, the winner of the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize and a Student Fellow at the Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities. He also participated in the University’s Faculty Student Research Program.

Following his Fulbright year, Livelsberger will continue his social justice and advocacy work by pursuing either a law degree or a Ph.D.

The University of Scranton received a total of $5,000 from two grants from Scranton Area Community Foundation (SACF) to support its SPARK Program, a free, week-long enrichment and mentoring summer camp for Scranton-area teens. The SPARK program received a $3,500 from the Women in Philanthropy initiative of the SACF and $1,500 Spring Community Needs grant from the SACF.

SPARK is designed to foster teamwork, encourage self-esteem and good decision-making and enhance communication skills through interactive educational and outdoor activities. Through shared meals offered through the camp, participants also forge a sense of community and belonging. Area students aged 12-16 who participate in SPARK are recruited through the Nativity Miguel School, the United Neighborhood Centers and Friends of the Poor.

SPARK is run by students from the University and Scranton Prep under the supervision of University staff and faculty. The camp takes place at the University’s Conference and Retreat Center at Chapman Lake one week in July.

SPARK also provides mentoring training and opportunities for service for University of Scranton and Scranton Prep students who volunteer to help run the program.

SPARK was founded in 2012 by Patricia Vaccaro, director of the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice, and Danny Marx, a graduate of the University and Prep, who is now a mathematics teacher at Scranton Prep.

The mission of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, a public 501c3 community foundation, is to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. According to its website, the foundation serves as a steward, a grant-maker, a charitable resource and a catalyst for change. The foundation manages more than 300 charitable funds established by philanthropic individuals in our community and have granted more than $20 million to assist the educational, human service, environmental, civic, and arts and cultural organizations in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Summer orientation sessions for students, parents and guardians of The University of Scranton’s class of 2027 began June 20 with a health serving C.A.K.E. – not the dessert – but rather an acronym for advice on the keys to student success at Scranton.

Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., vice president for student life and dean of students at the University, offered incoming students and their parents and guardians a “road map” to a successful transition to college and an enriching education at Scranton. In her presentation, she used imaginative imagery and acronyms to help convey her important message.

Dean Rivera told parents their importance in their college-aged children’s lives hasn’t changed, but their role is now transitioning. She used a tandem bicycle to illustrate this point. Prior to college, parents were in the driver’s seat. In college, their children will now take over the position as driver, steering their way to a transformative education. Parents are still on the bike, only in a different position. She encouraged parents to consider how they will adapt to their new role as they continue to support and encourage their child’s success.

In addition to highlighting some of the Jesuit characteristics of a Scranton education, and discussing the multifaceted social, psychological and academic components of the college transition, Dean Rivera also offered C.A.K.E. as the key to student success at Scranton: connections; advocating and agency; knowing expectations; and engagement. She discussed each in more detail during her presentation on June 20 for the first orientation group, and will do the same for orientation groups on June 22, 26 and 29.

Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, who is also the parent of a member of Scranton’s class of 2027, welcomed the participants at the first orientation session.

Scranton’s summer orientation is designed to introduce new students and their families to the University’s procedures, facilities and support services, and to provide them with the opportunity to meet with faculty, administrators and staff, as well as each other.

This year’s student orientation team leaders are Julie Ciccarino ’24 from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, a forensic chemistry major; Mia Familetti ’25 from Dalton, a English, advertising and philosophy triple major and participant in the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; and Alex Shomali ’25, Ellicott City, Maryland, mathematical sciences and philosophy double major and participant in the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program and its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, who is also a recipient of the University’s s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. They are joining with University administrators, staff, faculty and nearly 60 student orientation assistants to help acquaint members of the incoming class to Scranton.

Sessions for students include information about academic life, the successful transition to college, Scranton’s inclusive community, campus life and mission and ministry, as well as smaller sessions for students to get to know each. Sessions for parents include information about academics, financial aid services, career development, mission and ministry, campus life and strategies for success.

Follow Scranton’s Facebook, Instagram and other social media channels for additional information and photos from the Orientation sessions.

Fall welcome weekend for incoming students is set for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26 and 27. Classes for the University’s fall semester will begin on campus on Monday, Aug. 28.

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Thanks to the generosity of University of Scranton students – and a colossal initiative led by the Center for Service and Social Justice – thousands of items destined for area landfills now continue to be used by hundreds of local families. The end-of-the-year drive, through which students leaving campus are encouraged to donate rather than discard items they no longer need, collected more than 120 area rugs and more than 75 mirrors, in addition to storage containers, fans, desk lamps, crock pots, pots and pans, dishes, mugs, silverware, kitchen utensils, towels, new bedding, small appliances, canned goods, personal hygiene products, sleeping bags, backpacks, laundry detergent, throw pillows, toys and games, holiday items, curtains/drapes and many, many other items.

Goods donated were collected and sorted by University students under the supervision of the Center for Service and Social Justice staff. Items were then donated to Friends of the Poor Housing Developments (Valley View Housing and Jackson Terrace), Warehouse Home Goods and Clothesline for Men programs; United Neighborhood Centers Angels Attic; the Community Intervention Center and even the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, which took used blankets, sheets and comforters that other agencies could not take.

Among the University students participating in the end-of-the-year drive were: Stephen Butler, Telford; Fanelysse de la Rosa, New York, New York; Brandon Dagrosa, Hazle Township; Victoria Dowling, East Newport, New York; Matthew Duffy, Plainview, New York; Fione Evans, Scranton; Ariana Flores, Springfield, New Jeresey; Erin Fowler, Washington, New Jersey; Patrick George, Endicott, New York; Stefania Gomess, Staten Island, New York; Chris Gutt, Narberth; Zoe Honney, Scranton; Christina Kennedy, Morristown, New Jersey;  Kyle Kennelly, Huntington, New York; Jenna Kotlar, Branchburg, New Jersey; Grace Lloyd, Yardley; Aiden Mackrell, Olyphant; Thomas Marine, Cockeysville, Maryland; Kelly McGovern, Manalapan, New Jersey; Brooke McNabola, Wallingford, Connecticut; Isabella Mesita, Hillsborough, New Jersey; John Molinelli, Westfield, New Jersey; Zachary Morrison, Shamong, New Jersey; Logan Muniz, Ringwood, New Jersey; Julie Rogel, Huntington, New York; Abby Walsh, Scranton; and Isabelle Wohlleber, Hazleton; and end-of-the-year-drive team leaders Abby Casal, South Abington Township, and Maria Manno, Blue Bell.

The drive, already in its 34^th year at Scranton, is among the sustainability initiatives recommended for schools to undertake as part of the seven-year process to be designated by the Vatican as a Laudato Si’ University. The University of Scranton began its journey for Laudato Si’ recognition this academic year.

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Setting the stage for the end-of-the-year drive collection involved lots of boxes, some paint and a little creative messaging. Collecting and sorting the thousands of donated items involved more than 20 volunteers and University staff members.

The University of Scranton and Seton Hall University School of Law have signed a direct admissions agreement that will allow Scranton students who meet program requirements to be eligible for admission to the prestigious law school after just three years at Scranton. The agreement will take effect beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year.

The agreement, commonly referred to as a “3-3 program,” will allow Scranton students to earn a bachelor’s degree from Scranton and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree, or a master of legal studies (M.L.S.) degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in six, rather than seven years. After completion of their junior year at Scranton, the agreement allows eligible J.D. students to earn up to 30 credits – and M.L.S. students to earn up to 18 credits – for their bachelor’s degree requirements, during the first year at Seton Hall Law. Approved first-year law courses would count toward both the student’s law degree and his or her bachelor’s degree at Scranton.

To be eligible for the 3-3 J.D. direct admission program with Seton Hall Law, students must have completed three years of coursework and have earned a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.63 at the time of matriculation to law school and have scored at or above 161 on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), in addition to meeting other required recommendations, character and fitness requirements, and remaining in good academic and discipline standing through matriculation at Scranton.

To be eligible for the 3-3 M.L.S. direct admission program with Seton Hall Law, students must have completed three and one-half years of coursework and have earned a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 at the time of matriculation to law school, in addition to meeting other character and fitness requirements, while remaining in good academic and discipline standing through matriculation at Scranton.

Scranton has a Pre-Law Advisory Program that helps students navigate the law school application process throughout their undergraduate years. The program also offers assistance to Scranton alumni who wish to apply to law school. The University offers a concentration in legal studies. Scranton also has 3-3 program agreements with Boston College Law School, Duquesne University School of Law, Penn State Law and Villanova School of Law.

In the past four years, more than 130 Scranton graduates have received acceptance into more than 50 law schools throughout the United States, including to some of the country’s most prestigious law schools.

For more information, visit Scranton’s pre-law webpage, or contact Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., pre-law advisor and professor of philosophy at The University of Scranton, at 570-941-5814 or matthew.meyer@scranton.edu.

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For nearly two decades, Sondra Myers has done her best to “bring the world to Scranton,” and “that she did with magnificent grace,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, in a message to the University community celebrating her contributions.

Following this spring’s slate of programs, Myers stepped down from her post as the founding director of The University of Scranton’s highly popular Schemel Forum, which for the past 17 years has brought a who’s who of notable thinkers to the city for engaging discussions geared around everything from geopolitics to history to literature.

Since its creation, the aim of the education and cultural enrichment program has always been the same – to provide people of all ages with the chance to be exposed to the intellectual and cultural wonders of the world.

“I’m not calling it a retirement, because I don’t look at it that way,” said Myers, the University’s senior fellow for international, civic and cultural projects. “I still want to keep busy and try new things. But I thought it was a good time to exit. I have to say, it’s been a very rewarding experience, and I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I can’t believe how much it’s grown over the years.”

The origins for the Schemel Forum go back to the 1980s and ’90s, when Myers served as the cultural adviser to Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey and then the special assistant to the chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. An author and frequent lecturer on the arts, humanities and civil society who focuses primarily on the integration of culture into public policy in the United States and the strengthening of the culture of democracy worldwide, Myers wanted to bring similarly themed programming to the area.

For additional inspiration, she looked to local oncologist Harmar Brereton, M.D., who along with some friends had started meeting informally to discuss literature, art, and history.

With that framework in place, Myers approached then-University President the Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., and then-Provost Harold Baillie, Ph.D. Both loved the idea, and the Schemel Forum was born in July 2006 with funding from the Rev. George Schemel, S.J., Fund, which was created by friends of the beloved campus Jesuit.

The first Schemel events were held that fall, and quickly caught on with members of the University community and the general public.

“We started to get real audiences, and then I knew we were onto something,” Myers said. “The people have been so wonderful and appreciative – I love seeing that they still have that hunger for learning. Many of them come back year after year. It’s adding value to their lives, and that makes me happy.”

Every fall and spring semester, the Schemel Forum hosts a schedule of uniquely themed Courses, World Affairs Luncheon Seminars, and Collaborative Programs, which the University partners on with other local organizations.

The Courses consist of a series of evening classes typically taught by University faculty members and geared around a central theme that aligns with their scholarly focus, be it detective fiction, Eastern philosophy, or modern American conservatism.

“The faculty members love teaching the courses, and they love the fact that the people who attend actually ask questions, unlike some of their students,” Myers said with a laugh.

For the World Affairs lectures, Myers brings in an eclectic roster of speakers, from journalists to historians to novelists. Often, she relies on her extensive network of contacts, or simply reaches out to people whose work she particularly admires. Many guests have agreed to come for well below their typical asking price, she noted.

The list of highly accomplished World Affairs speakers includes Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter Ayad Akhtar, longtime CNN journalist and Dunmore native Jill Dougherty (pictured with Myers above), and Dr. Carol Rittner, a Catholic nun and Holocaust historian who Myers collaborated with on the Academy Award-nominated short documentary, “The Courage to Care.”

As she prepared to relinquish her duties, Myers said she’ll take with her countless great memories, and tremendous pride in having built from the ground up a home where thought-provoking ideas could be shared freely.

“Knowing Sondra, she will never truly retire, but will continue her great work on other projects of interest, which I am sure will continue to benefit the region and beyond,” said Father Marina.

“I really did want to bring the world to Scranton, and I think we’ve done that,” Myers said. “It’s become a real wonderful part of the University and I hope it remains that way after I leave.”

The University hosted a tribute to Sondra Myers in April on campus.

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Eleven members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a ceremony held in the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall on campus on May 20. Six of the graduates earned Distinguished Military Graduate status by the U.S. Army, which designates placement in the top 20 percent of Army ROTC graduates in the nation for this academic year.

The University of Scranton ROTC graduates who were commissioned at the ceremony are:

2^nd Lt. Emma R. Coar of Dunmore, Distinguished Military Graduate, who placed in the top 10 cadets in the nation, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international studies;

2^nd Lt. Steven D. Gasperini of Denville, New Jersey, Distinguished Military Graduate, who placed in the top 10 percent of cadets in the nation, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international studies;

2^nd Lt. Rachel K. Gerzabek of East Hampton, Connecticut, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and criminal justice;

2^nd Lt. Adelyne R. Ibanez of Easton, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and philosophy;

2^nd Lt. Sarah G. Kern of Monroe, New York, Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing;

2^nd Lt. Julie R. Kilmer of Rockville, Maryland, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice;

2^nd Lt. Henry J. Lembo II of Hackettstown, New Jersey, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in applied computing;

2^nd Lt. Declan B. Maurer of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting as a member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program;

2^nd Lt. Josephine C. Middleton of Sugarloaf, Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology;

2^nd Lt. Thomas A. Montefour of Carbondale, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science;

2^nd Lt. Zachary J. Turnitza of Cumbola, Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Members of The University of Scranton’s ROTC class of 2023, presented colors to begin the undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 21. The graduates who presented colors at commencement were 2nd Lt. Steven Gasperini; 2nd Lt. Zachary Turnitza, 2nd Lt. Thomas Montefour, 2nd Lt. Josephine Middleton and 2^nd Lt. Declan B. Maurer.

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Student members of The University of Scranton’s Business Club selected David Mahalak, D. Eng., a faculty specialist in the Operations and Analytics Department, as the 2023 Kania School of Management Professor of the Year. The announcement was made a luncheon reception in the Rose Room of Brennan Hall on campus May 11.

“My favorite aspect of teaching is the connection with students,” said Dr. Mahalak in a Royal News article published in 2022. “I do my best to create an environment of mentorship where people can share wisdom to help others see opportunities.”

In the article, Dr. Mahalak said he focuses on connecting students with educational and professional opportunities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition, he has worked personally with students on supply chain management and process improvement internships.

Dr. Mahalak also serves as advisor to the University’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter that recently earned the third place for state of chapter presentation and second place for the Gold Seal Award of Merit, which recognizes outstanding FBLA chapters in the state, at the 2023 Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference. Students also won individual awards at the conference and advanced to the national competition which will be held later in June.

Dr. Mahalak joined the faculty at Scranton in 2021. His areas of research interests include decision analysis, supply chain management, lean six sigma, process improvement, statistics and data analysis/management.

He received a Doctorate of Engineering in Engineering Management from The George Washington University, a Master of Science in Operations Research from Northeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Secondary Education from Wilkes University. He has also completed master certificate programs at Michigan State University and Villanova University.

In addition to Dr. Mahalak, the business club students presented awards to several other faculty members. Ashley Stampone, assistant professor, received the Accounting Department Teacher of the Year Award. Aram Balagyozyan, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics, received the Economics and Finance Department Teacher of the Year Award. Greg O’Connell, J.D., faculty specialist, received the Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship Department Teacher of the Year Award. Vincent Rocco, faculty specialists, received the Operations and Analytics Department Teacher of the Year Award.

Nearly 300 students in grades five to 12 participated in The University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest this year. Awards were announced at the University’s Evening of Environmental Science Event on campus in April.

This year’s essay theme was “People’s Planet, Climate Justice.”

Four of the six fifth-grade essay contest winners were from All Saints Academy in Scranton. These students include Lila Tallo, first place; Griffin Maynor, second place; Liam Marante, second place and Talia Lameo, third place. The other fifth-grade winners came from St. Claire/St. Paul’s in Scranton. Brian Clarke won first place and Annie Butler won third place.

The sixth-grade students that took first place in the essay contest were Tommy Killino, from All Saints Academy and Jimmy Doherty, from St Claire/St. Paul’s. The students who won second place were John Paul Kasaczun, from All Saints Academy and Mya DeSantis, from St Claire/St. Paul’s. Receiving a third-place award were Kelly Heffron and Cecelia Gilmartin, both from St. Claires/St. Paul’s.

The first-place winner of the seventh-grade essay contest was Jazleymi V., from Howard Gardner School in Scranton. In second-place was Niko Benko, from All Saints Academy and in third-place was Raeleigh Reiss, also from Howard Gardner.

The eight-grade first-place winners were Mary Guziewicz, from Howard Gardner School and Nethra Purushothaman, from Herndon, Virginia. In second place were Isabella Benjamin, from St Claire/St. Paul’s and Edie Hann, from Scranton STEMM Academy. The third-place winners were Fallon Price, from All Saints Academy and Rebecca Oakes, from Howard Gardner school.

The ninth-10^th grade essay contest winners were: Grace Becklish, first place, North Pocono High school; Clinton J Muir, second place, Holy Cross High School; Emma Woody, second-place, Holy Cross High School; and

The 11^th-12^th grade essay contest winners were all from West Scranton High School. Coming in first-place was Ally Anderson; in second place was Katherine Barnansky and in third-place was Ella Frounfelker.

University of Scranton students who work in the Jesuit school’s Office of Sustainability reviewed the essays submitted, in addition to organizing the award ceremony Nathaniel Smith, Wilkes-Barre, a neuroscience major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM and its Undergraduate Honors Program, served as MC for the award presentation. University student Amelia Farry, South Abington Township, also participated in the ceremony. Mark Murphy, director of the Office of Sustainability at the University, has organized the Earth Day Essay Contest for a decade.

Information about next year’s essay contest will be posted to the University’s Sustainability webpage in January 2024.

Below, from left: University of Scranton students Amelia Farry, South Abington Township, and Nathaniel Smith, Wilkes-Barre; Earth Day Essay Contest 6th grade medalists Tommy Killino, All Saints Academy, and John Paul Kasaczun, All Saints Academy; and Mark Murphy, director of the Office of Sustainability at the University. Gallery shows photos from the Evening of Environmental Science.

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Nearly 70 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 participated in the Jesuit school’s Donning of the Stole Ceremony. The annual ceremony celebrates and honors the accomplishments of members of its class of 2023 from underrepresented identities who received their undergraduate degrees. The purpose of the ceremony, which was a student-led initiative, was to highlight the students’ success in overcoming the particular barriers and obstacles faced by students from these groups, particularly students of color, in attaining a higher education.

 The students honored include outstanding academic and leadership achievement award recipients, future physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, accountants, business analysts, forensic chemists, nurses and many other highly-successful members of the University’s graduating class.

The ceremony, organized by the student committee members and Jose Sanchez, assistant director of the University’s Cultural Centers, took place on campus May 20 as part of Scranton’s commencement activities and events. Janvee Patel, a health administration major from Scranton, spoke on behalf of the class of 2023. Deniya Thompson, of Scranton’s class of 2020, was the Alumni Speaker and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University, provided the opening remarks. Also speaking at the ceremony were Sanchez; Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry; and members of the University’s class of 2023 Omolola Adetola, a journalism and electronic media from Bowie, Maryland; and Ayana McCalla, a sociology major from North Baldwin, New York.

Members of Scranton’s class of 2023 receiving stoles were:

Daymara C. Acevedo, Philadelphia, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology;

Carmen G. Acosta, Bronx, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance;

Maame E. Addison, Bloomfield, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience;

Omolola G. Adetola, Bowie, Maryland, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and electronic media;

Aditya Agrawal, Old Forge, who earned a Master of Accountancy degree in accounting analytics;

Erika Aguilar, Throop, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history;

Valerie A. Alfaro, Deer Park, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education - English and English;

Melissa D. Almada, Bernardsville, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance;

Paul Amara, Williamsport, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting;

Gabriel Arcentales, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing;

Alice B. Banks, Hazle Township, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance;

Isabella R. Barberio, Leland, North Carolina, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising/public relations and social media strategies;

Jonathane R. Bernardez, Bronx, New York,w ho earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology;

Ryann E. Betancourt, North Bellmore, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy;

Natanael Casiano-Agosto, Trenton, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology;

Carissa A. Ceballo, Stroudsburg, who earned a Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling;

Ying Chen, People's Republic of China, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in human resources studies;

Arielle S. Contrera, Brooklyn, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English;

Miranda A. Deevy, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and sociology;

Abigail M. Eckenrode, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing;

Jessica M. Escalante, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and history;

Naomie T. Felix, Flanders, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing;

Gianna C. Filiberti, Eastchester, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing;

Romina B. Gamarra, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in counseling and human services;

Gabriel Gomez-Tirado, Bronx, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology;

Gabriela A. Gonzalez, Farmingdale, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international business;

Tika M. Kadariya, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health administration;

Marilena Kumbios, Staten Island, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting;

Kaylee E. Lopez, New York, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing;

Ian J. Lui, Brooklyn, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history;

Christine F. Mack, Rochelle Park, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance;

Megan Magallanes, Chester, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience;

Erica Jeanne C. Mascardo, Kansas City, Missouri, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology;

Steve Shabu Mathew, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering management;

Ayana McCalla, North Baldwin, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology;

Mei Lin Q. McElhill, Moorestown, New Jersey, who earned a Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling;

Ashley Moronta, Hazleton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic chemistry;

Damain D. Morris, East Stroudsburg, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physiology;

Kimberly J. Murillo, Harrison, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice;

Adeyemi A. Onafowokan, Garfield, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in counseling and human services;

Diya S. Patel, Parsippany, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and criminal justice;

Drashti A. Patel, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology;

Hirali Patel, East Stroudsburg, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and management;

Janvee U. Patel, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health administration;

Jenis A. Patel, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science;

Siddharth A. Patel, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry;

Yashi D. Patel, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance;

Juna Pokhrel, Taylor, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology;

Skyler A. Pozo, Wayne, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education - citizenship and political science and political science;

Johanna N. Rene, Union, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience;

Ariana L. Rivera, New Haven, Connecticut, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology;

Daniella M. Rodriguez, Franklin Square, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting;

James L. Russo, Franklin Square, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and philosophy;

Vanessa E. Ryan, Wyoming, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance;

Kasey Samalot, Port Jervis, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy;

Sara T. Serrano, Milford, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising/public relations and social media strategies;

Gaurav A. Shah, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology;

Tanya M. Siberon, North Baldwin, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and counseling and human services;

Gracie F. Silva, Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physiology;

Danica May Nichole I. Sinson, Floral Park, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and philosophy;

Anaiyah D. Smith, Bethel, Connecticut, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice;

Natalie E. Tiu, Metuchen, New Jersey, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology;

Michael G. Trought, New Rochelle, New York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology;

Luis A. Vasquez, West Hazleton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in counseling and human services;

Stephanie C. Vasquez, Scranton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education - citizenship and history and history;

Andrea Velez, Easton, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy;

Ying Wang, York, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

William Lambert, faculty specialist for occupational therapy, was named Teacher of the Year by The University of Scranton’s class of 2023. The award was presented at Class Night on May 19.

The award honors a faculty member who maintains high standards of academic excellence and fairness, and through enthusiasm and dedication, inspires the interest of students in a field of education. The University’s Faculty Senate Academic Support Committee instituted the award in 1996.

Prof. Lambert joined the faculty at Scranton in 2009 and has more than 22 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families in inpatient and community settings. At the University, he teaches the psychosocial-based courses and has conducted ongoing research on current preferred adolescent interests and occupations. He developed the Scranton Adolescent Interest Checklist © as a contemporary assessment tool for use with this population.

Prof. Lambert authored chapters on both children and adolescents in Cara and MacRae’s 2019 textbook “Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: An Evolving Process” and on posttraumatic stress disorder in Weiss, Morgan, and Kinnealey’s “A Practitioners Guide to Clinical Occupational Therapy,” published in 2012. Prof. Lambert was the lead author of the psychosocial chapters in the National Occupational Therapy Certification Exam Review and Study Guide, published in 2019, and the National OTA Certification Exam Review and Study Guide, both edited by Rita P. Fleming-Castaldy. He has presented numerous times at state and national occupational therapy conferences.

Prof. Lambert is on the editorial board of the journal Occupational Therapy in Healthcare. He is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Prof. Lambert earned a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from King’s College, a bachelor’s in occupational therapy from Misericordia University and a master’s in occupational therapy from The University of Scranton.

A recording of the Class Night ceremony can be seen here.

The University of Scranton recognized outstanding master’s and doctoral degree graduates at its graduate commencement events the weekend of May 19-21, including at the graduate commencement ceremony at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre.

The following graduate students were honored for achievement in their academic area.

Hailey M. Kenyon, Ringoes, New Jersey, received the Doctor of Physical Therapy Outstanding Student Award;

Laura B. Lamb, Oswego, New York, received the Doctor of Philosophy in Accounting Outstanding Student Award;

Thomas P. Simanski, South Abington Township, received the Doctor of Nursing Practice Outstanding Student Award for Nurse Anesthesia;

Khadiga A. AboBakr, Dunmore, received the Outstanding Student Award for Secondary Education;

Abigail Sarah Anderson, Scranton, received the Outstanding Student Award for Finance;

Mariah A. Carey, Kingston, received the Outstanding Student Award for Clinical Mental Health Counseling;

Charles M. Csaszar, Hopewell Junction, New York, received the Outstanding Student Award for Accounting Analytics;

Michelle E. Culley, Park City, Utah, received the Outstanding Student Award for Applied Behavior Analysis;

Kate N. Dalrymple, Berwick, received the Outstanding Student Award for Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling;

Gabriella Ettinger, Scott Township, received the Outstanding Student Award for Family Nurse Practitioner;

Mark J. Ferraro, Jessup, received the Outstanding Student Award for Chemistry;

Christopher A. Franko, Falls, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Analytics;

Clarence J. Gallagher, Scranton, received the Outstanding Student Award for Software Engineering;

Pamela Gagliardi Giarratano, Mountain Top, received the Outstanding Student Award for General Business Administration;

Nicole E. Halis, Morris Plains, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Human Resources;

Jamie R. Johns, Shavertown, received the Outstanding Student Award for Finance;

Aayush H. Kubavat, Baltimore, Maryland, received the Outstanding Student Award for Health Administration;

Alexander Kudziela, Avenel, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Enterprise Resource Planning;

Matthew Lara, East Stroudsburg, received the Outstanding Student Award for Biochemistry;

Reilly J. Medzadourian, Township Washington, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Special Education;

Kevin R. Merle, Stroudsburg, received the Outstanding Student Award for Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity;

Neel C. Patel, Essex Fells, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Healthcare Management;

Jillian R. Paulus, Dickson City, received the Outstanding Student Award for School Counseling;

Delia M. Pellettiere, Staten Island, New York, received the Outstanding Student Award for Occupational Therapy;

Christina F. Piscitelli, New City, New York, received the Outstanding Student Award for Operations Management;

Naushaba Khan Rasha, Scranton, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Analytics;

Sherlyn E. Smithmyer, Lewisberry, received the Outstanding Student Award for Human Resources Management;

Kimberly A. Stossel, East Stroudsburg, received the Outstanding Student Award for Marketing;

Mary Kate Yatsonsky, Jefferson Township, received the Outstanding Student Award for Accounting.

Pictured below, outstanding student award recipients from the Panuska College of Professional Studies include, first row, from left: Khadiga A. AboBakr, Dunmore; Reilly J. Medzadourian, Township Washington, New Jersey; Jillian R. Paulus, Dickson City; Michelle E. Culley, Park City, Utah; Hailey M. Kenyon, Ringoes, New Jersey; and Gabriella Ettinger, Scott Township. Back row: Aayush H. Kubavat, Baltimore, Maryland; Delia M. Pellettiere, Staten Island, New York; Thomas P. Simanski, South Abington Township; Kate N. Dalrymple, Berwick; and Mariah A. Carey, Kingston.

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The University of Scranton honored 62 members of its undergraduate class of 2023 for academic excellence, service or both at a Class Night ceremony on campus May 19.

Students with the highest GPA in each of the University’s three undergraduate colleges were presented Frank J. O’Hara Awards for General Academic Excellence, a memorial to the late administrator who served the University for 53 years.

Class of 2023 O’Hara Award recipients were: Rosa M. Azzato, Harrisburg, and Cassandra K. Haw, Scranton, for the Panuska College of Professional Studies; Kevin P. Duffy, Springfield, New Jersey, for the Kania School of Management; and Dominic G. Finan, Malvern, for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Also recognized at the ceremony were two recipients of prestigious student Fulbright Awards for the 2023/2024 academic year. Elise P. Westhafer, Reinholds, of the class of 2023, received a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to Slovenia; and Isaiah J. Livelsberger, Hanover, of the University’s class of 2022, received a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to Guatemala.

In addition, students were honored for outstanding academic achievement in their fields of study and leadership and service.

The students honored and the awards received are as follows:

Azzato also received the Excellence in Occupational Therapy Award;

Alice B. Banks, Hazle Township, received the Excellence in Finance Award;

Brian W. Bartoli, Duryea, received the Excellence in Economics Award (College of Arts and Sciences);

Darby M. Bennett, Panama City, Florida, received the Excellence in Biology Award;

Emma R. Boyle, Peckville, received the Excellence in Accounting Award;

Teleri R. Broomhead, Lower Gwynedd, received the Excellence in Business Administration Award;

Chutikarn Chantavoralak, Scranton, received the Excellence in Chemistry Award;

Emma R. Coar, Dunmore, received the Excellence in International Studies Award and The Military Science Leadership Award;

Brandon J. DaGrosa, Hazle Township, received the Excellence in Health Administration Award and the Jesuit Community Award for Outstanding Service;

Marykate M. De Notaris, Hershey, received the Excellence in Health Promotion Award;

Thomas G. Del Gaizo, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Operations Management Award;

Olivia N. Diana, Marlboro, New Jersey, received the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Award;

McCae A. Dougher, Scranton, received the Prof. Joseph G. Brunner Award for Excellence in Foreign Languages;

Clara M. Downey, Easthampton, Massachusetts, received the Prof. Timothy H. Scully for Excellence in Political Science Award and the Student Life Award;

Hailey K. Dufour, Wayne, received the Excellence in Health Advocacy Award;

Michael J. Edwards, Wadsworth, Ohio, received the Excellence in Mathematics Award;

Keenaan N. Elias, Bethlehem, received the Excellence in Business Analytics Award;

Molly A. Feustel, Endicott, New York, received the Excellence in Applied Mathematics Award;

Daniel Finning, Rockville Centre, New York, received the Prof. Frank C. Brown Award for Excellence in History;

Emily R. Fleming, Shavertown, received the Excellence in Biochemistry Award;

Julia M. Gavigan, Long Beach, New York, received the Prof. Bernard J. McGurl Award for Excellence in Communication;

Sydney L. Gero, Somerset, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Criminal Justice Award;

Colin P. Gildea, Jupiter, Florida, received the Excellence in Information Technology Award;

Gabriela A. Gonzalez, Farmingdale, New York, received the Excellence in International Business Award;

Jillian E. Haller, Williston Park, New York, received the Lawrence A. Mann Award, ex aequo;

Angela R. Hudock, Sayre, received the J.J. Quinn, S.J., Achievement Award for Demonstration of Excellence in English Studies;

Christopher Ruth Karpiak, Scranton, received the Excellence in Theatre Award;

Alex B. Kovacs, River Vale, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Economics Award;

Kaitlin E. Kremsky, Doylestown, received the Excellence in Kinesiology Award;

Oliver I. Lay, Fairfield, Connecticut, received the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award;

Jack V. Lear, Chester Springs, received the Excellence in Middle Level Teacher Education Award;

Henry J. Lembo, Hackettstown, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Applied Computing Award;

Sarah A. Liskowicz, Wilkes Barre, received the J. Timothy Cannon Award for Excellence in Neuroscience;

Francis J. Lynch, Richboro, received the Dr. A.J. Cawley Award for Excellence in Electrical Engineering;

Thomas J. Meehan, Elmhurst Township, received the Excellence in Computer Science Award;

Ashley Moronta, Hazleton, received the Excellence in Forensic Chemistry Award;

Damain D. Morris, East Stroudsburg, received the Excellence in Physiology Award;

Matthew D. Morris, Bayville, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Chemistry Business Award;

Anne K. Murphy, Flemington, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Counseling and Human Services Award;

Kelly E. Nee, Hopatcong, New Jersey, received the J. Harold Brislin Memorial Award for Excellence in Journalism;

Molly C. Neeson, Pottstown, received the Excellence in Environmental Science Award;

Emma C. Nessel, Randolph, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Psychology Award;

Jennifer L. Noll, Paoli, received the Excellence in Early and Primary Education Award;

Dev U. Patel, Scranton, received the Edward J. Spitzer Scholarship Award;

Hirali Patel, East Stroudsburg, received the Excellence in Management Award and the Lawrence A. Mann Award, ex aequo;

David A. Pennino, Smithtown, New York, received the Mary E. Quinn Award for Excellence in Secondary Education;

Shontae A. Petrie, Brooklyn, New York, received the Excellence in Sociology Award;

Colin S. Pierce, Chatham, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Cybercrime and Homeland Security Award;

Michael Quinnan, Shavertown, received the Excellence in Biomathematics Award;

Maria Rocha, Bound Brook, New Jersey, received the Lawrence Lennon Award for Outstanding Service and Achievement in Psychology;

Muhammad Shaaf Sarwar, Qazalbash Chowk, Pakistan, received the Excellence in Mathematical Sciences Award and the Prof. Joseph P. Harper Award for Excellence in Physics;

Claire K. Sunday, South Abington Township, received the Excellence in Theology and Religious Studies Award;

Zachary J. Turnitza, Cumbola, received the Excellence in Nursing Award;

Joshua S. Vituszynski, Dickson City, received the Prof. Joseph B. Cullather Award for Excellence in English;

Kathleen I. Wallace, Bowie, Maryland, received the Excellence in Philosophy Award and the Alumni Loyalty and Service Award;

Michael J. Walton, Gloucester City, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Marketing Award;

Saige E. Yoder, Reading, received the Excellence in Human Resources Studies Award;

Olivia A. Zehel, Scranton, received the Excellence in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Award. $content.getChild('content').textValue

The University of Scranton conferred more than 500 master’s and doctoral degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2022, as well as January and May of 2023.

At the ceremony, the University conferred its first doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in accounting degrees to 12 graduates. The University also conferred doctor of nursing practice degrees and doctor of physical therapy degrees, in addition to master’s degrees in various disciplines. Graduates represented 27 states, including California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia, among others. Students also represented Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia and India. The programs with the most graduates were the master of business administration, master of health administration, master of occupational therapy, master of accountancy and doctor of physical therapy.

Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, addressed the graduates at the ceremony, and conferred degrees upon candidates presented by Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies; David Dzurec, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management.

Max Saintvil, Queens Village, New York, who earned his Master of Health Administration degree from Scranton, spoke on behalf of the class of 2023.

Also speaking at the ceremony were Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Paul DiPietrantonio ’97, president of the University’s Alumni Society. Teresa Conte, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, provided the Benediction and Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry, provided the Invocation.

An archived recording of the ceremony can be seen here.

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The University of Scranton conferred more than 850 bachelor’s degrees at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2022, as well as January and May of 2023.

Members of the University’s undergraduate class of 2023 represent 17 states, including California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Undergraduate majors with the most graduates are nursing, kinesiology, biology, finance, occupational therapy and accounting.

Judee M. Bavaria ’G72, former University of Scranton trustee and retired president emeritus of Presby’s Inspired Life; James M. Murray II, Ph.D. ’90, chief security officer for Snap, Inc., and former director of the United States Secret Service; and James M. Slattery ’86, former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and chief operating officer of North America for Melrose PLC; received honorary degrees from The University of Scranton at the commencement ceremony. Dr. Murray also served as the principal speaker.

“Rest assured that all you’ve experienced and been exposed to in your time here at Scranton will serve you well in years to come. Your immersion in the Jesuit way has not only afforded you increased knowledge, but it’s given you the chance to examine and develop you: the whole person – mind, body and spirit,” said Dr. Murray in his remarks. “Prime amongst the values, virtues and abilities you have honed here at Scranton is a quality that I encourage to redouble your investment in and make top of mind from now on ... and that is your character.”

Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, addressed the graduates at the ceremony, and conferred degrees upon candidates presented by Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies; David Dzurec, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management.

Gabrielle Allen ’23, Mickleton, New Jersey, spoke on behalf of the class of 2023. Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, provided the Invocation and Sarah Kenehan, Ph.D. ’02, executive director of the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities, provided the Benediction. Also speaking at the ceremony were Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Paul DiPietrantonio ’97, president of the University’s Alumni Society.

Members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023, who were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army at a ceremony yesterday on campus and presented colors to begin the undergraduate commencement ceremony, were: 2nd Lt. Steven Gasperini, distinguished military graduate and an international studies major from Denville, New Jersey; 2nd Lt. Zachary Turnitza, distinguished military graduate and nursing major from Cumbola; 2nd Lt. Thomas Montefour, a political science major from Carbondale (holding Pennsylvania flag); 2nd Lt. Josephine Middleton, distinguished military graduate and a biology major from Sugarloaf; and 2nd Lt. Declan Maurer, distinguished military graduate, an accounting major and member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

An archived recording of the ceremony can be seen at this link..

 

 

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Undergraduate Commencement: Sunday, May 21 - Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre.
Principal Speaker: James M. Murray II, Ph.D. ’90, chief security officer for Snap, Inc., and former director of the United States Secret Service.

Honorary Degree Recipients: Dr. Murray; Judee M. Bavaria ’G72, former University of Scranton trustee and retired president emeritus of Presby’s Inspired Life; and James M. Slattery ’86, former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and chief operating officer of North America for Melrose PLC.

Master’s and Doctoral Degree Commencement: Sunday, May 21 - Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre.

The University will confer its first doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in accounting degrees.

Total graduates: more than 1,350 

Prestigious scholarships won by class of 2023 graduates: Fulbright scholarship (the U.S. government’s premier scholarship program for overseas graduate study, research and teaching).

States represented by undergraduates: 17

States represented by post-baccalaureate graduates: 27

Top undergraduate programs of study: nursing, kinesiology, biology, finance, occupational therapy and accounting.

Top graduate programs of study: master of business administration, master of health administration, master of occupational therapy, master of accountancy and doctor of physical therapy.

Three University of Scranton students were selected to join the national Common Home Corps program, offered by the Catholic Climate Covenant in collaboration with Loyola University Chicago and Creighton University. The students will attend a summer training program at Loyola Chicago to learn about Catholic social teaching, the Vatican’s Laudato Si’ Action Platform, climate science and impacts, community organizing and climate advocacy, so that they can then become leaders for ecological conversations in their Catholic Diocesan communities. Participants will receive a stipend throughout the academic year in support of their work as Common Home Corps Leaders.

University of Scranton students selected for Common Home Corps program are: Thomas Elias ’24, a philosophy and theology and religious studies double major from Tunkhannock; Grace Lennox ’26, a political science and philosophy double major from Peckville; and Davida Padi ’25, a social media strategies major from Parsippany, New Jersey.

Elias is a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and a recipient of Scranton’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, who is completing his junior year at Scranton. He is pursuing a minor in Arabic and concentrations in Peace and Justice Studies and Catholic Studies. A dean’s list student at Scranton, he is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu (national Jesuit honor society), Sigma Tau (national honor society for English) and Theta Alpha Kappa (national theology and religious studies honor society). He received the University’s O’Hara Award for academic achievement for his freshman year.

Elias will serve as a resident assistant, as president of Students for Healing, Accountability, Reconciliation and Education (SHARE) Club, and as a Slattery Center Student Fellow for the 2023-2024 academic year. He currently serves as a Royal Ambassador tour guide and as an intern for the Admissions Office at the University. He is a member of Christians for the Common Good and hosts a radio show on 99.5 WUSR, among other activities. Most recently, he was vice president of Student Government and a student representative to the University’s Board of Trustees. Last summer, he served as a teaching assistant for the Leadership and Civic Responsibilities course. He has also served as a youth ministry leader for the Diocese of Scranton.

Lennox is a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program who is completing her first year at Scranton. A dean’s list student, she is pursuing a minor in history and a concentration in legal studies. She is a member of the University’s mock trial team, the political science club, college democrats and serves as secretary of the philosophy society. She also participated in Scranton’s varsity women’s tennis team and serves on the student athletic advisory committee.

Off-campus, Lennox served as a campaign fellow for Cartwright for Congress and helped to organize the Valley View Tennis Summer Camp.

Padi is on the pre-law track at Scranton and is completing her sophomore year. She is studying abroad this semester through the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) Global Scholars Open Campus program. This semester, she was in Rome, London and Madrid. A dean’s list student at Scranton, Padi has received the Teen Vogue 21 under 21 Award, Truth Initiative Impact Scholarship and the Bill Davis Scholarship. On campus, she is a member of the Advertising Club and Pre-Law Society, and participates in the online publication Her Campus.

Padi currently serves as consultant with MTV Youth Mental Health Action Forum and as a Rare Impact Ambassador for Rare Beauty. In addition, she has served as a communications intern for the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation in Washington, D.C. and as a teaching assistant for the National Student Leadership Conference, also in Washington, D.C.

In April, The University of Scranton announced it has begun an extensive seven-year journey to become designated as a Laudato Si’ University by the Vatican. Inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” the University will join Catholic and non-Catholic colleges around the world who have committed to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives around seven goals to meet the Pope’s call for integral ecology, that is when science, ethics, spirituality and action are mutually respected and empowered.

A little bit of timely, focused mentorship can make a huge difference in a young person’s life, as The University of Scranton’s Meg Cullen-Brown SMART (Scranton Mentors Actively Reaching Teens) program continues to prove year after year.

This year’s SMART program paired 18 University student mentors with 26 student mentees from Scranton and West Scranton high schools for six weeks of knowledge- and character-building sessions. The goal is to help the mentees establish a strong relationship with college students who can model the advantages of performing well in school and attending college, which in turn can lead to a boost in their overall self-confidence.

SMART started in 2012 and was renamed in 2017 in honor of Meg Cullen-Brown, a beloved former University administrator who passed away in 2016. The program’s funding comes via a memorial fund established by her family and friends.

Patricia Vaccaro, director of the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice, came up with the concept for SMART, believing it could greatly benefit high school students with high academic ability whose life circumstances might be inhibiting their future prospects.

Numerous studies have shown that students who forge meaningful relationships with a mentor improve their chances of academic success.

“I’m always looking to develop service programs that both bring community to us and allow us to go out in the community,” Vaccaro said. “With SMART, we thought it would be great to bring to the campus kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to walk onto a college campus. For some of them, college might not even be a goal.”

“We had a very culturally diverse group of mentees this year,” Vaccaro continued. “These are kids who could easily fall through the cracks, so they can really benefit from the program.”

This year marked SMART’s return to the campus after being put on pause by the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, the University student mentors spent weeks training with staff members and graduate students before embarking on the program.

Every Friday for six weeks, the mentors and mentees met on campus and spent several hours engaged in fun, interactive exercises geared around an array of topics, including enhancing communication skills, building healthy relationships, confronting bullies/cyber bullies, overcoming obstacles, and understanding self-worth.

“We focus on the strengths of the kids and try to help them identify their gifts and talents,” Vaccaro said. “We put a lot of emphasis on self-image, which is so crucial given self-esteem among teens is now at an all-time low, especially in the wake of COVID.”

Erin Grell, a student in the University’s Occupational Therapy master’s program, served as graduate assistant and coordinator of SMART this year. As she sees it, the program is mutually beneficial.

“It gives our University students the chance to use their own lived experiences to serve as role models and share and learn from the high school mentees,” Grell said. “Although the program is considered a mentorship program, the mentors and mentees are truly in kinship with one another. Over the course of the program, they guide one another, learn from each other, and lift one another up – it’s a two-way street.”

Janvee Patel, a senior healthcare administration major and business administration minor at the University, was first exposed to SMART as a high school student. Her experience as a mentee was “life-changing,” making the decision to return as a mentor an easy one.

“It made me confident, and most importantly, comfortable with who I am. As soon as I finished the program, I knew that I wanted to become a mentor and hopefully make the same impact on my mentees,” Patel said. “I am so glad I got to have a full-circle moment and experience this program in its entirety and get to know my mentees. All these students are a bright group who have their own set of gifts and talents that will get them to big places in life. I really hope that this program helped them realize the potential they all have.”

“While I knew I would benefit from the mentoring experience by strengthening my interpersonal and leadership skills, it is the unexpected benefits that I reflect on,” added fellow mentor Conor Dougherty, a senior neuroscience and philosophy major. “Because of these students’ willingness to share their opinions and experiences, I gained new perspectives and am more socially conscious of their socio-economic challenges.”

For Vaccaro, the best part of the program is the closing ceremony, which is attended by the students’ families. There, the mentees receive a free Google Chromebook and get to offer testimonials about how much they’ve grown from the experience.

“Just to see how much they change over the six weeks is incredible for me,” Vaccaro said. “I’m just grateful we can offer something like this to the community. Our students get so much out of it, and I really think it makes so much of a difference to the high school students.”

“The program has reminded me of the importance of loving and appreciating others for who they are,” Grell added. “When we are authentically ourselves, we can make the world a better place together.”

The University will host numerous events honoring members of its graduating class of 2023 on Friday, May 19, Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21.

Friday evening events include the Panuska College of Professional Studies (PCPS) Outstanding Graduate Awards Ceremony, which will take place at 4 p.m. in the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall. At 5:30 p.m., Kania School of Management will host a reception for their graduates on the 5^th floor of Brennan Hall.

Also on Friday evening, undergraduates will be recognized for academic achievement, leadership and service at Class Night, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center.

On Saturday, May 20, at 9 a.m., the University will conduct a pinning ceremony for nursing graduates in the Byron Recreation Complex. A reception will follow in the lobby of the Long Center. The Donning of the Stole Ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Byron Recreation Complex. A reception immediately follows the ceremony in the lobby of the Long Center. At 12 p.m., the University will hold the Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduation Awards Ceremony in the DeNaples McIlhenny Ballroom. The Class of 2023 Legacy Photo will take place at 2:45 p.m. on the patio area near the Atrium of the Loyola Science Center.

The Baccalaureate Mass begins at 4 p.m. in the Byron Recreation Complex. Graduates will assemble for the Mass in the Long Center at 3:30 p.m. with the procession to the Byron Complex beginning at 3:45 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, ROTC Army cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during a ceremony in the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall.

Saturday evening, at 8 p.m., the University will host the President’s Reception for Graduates and Parents in the Byron Recreation Complex. Tickets are required to attend this event. 

On Sunday, May 21, the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will take place in the Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre, at 11 a.m. Doors will open at 9:45 a.m. James M. Murray II, Ph.D. ’90, chief security officer for Snap, Inc., and former director of the United States Secret Service, will serve as the commencement speaker. Dr. Murray, Judee M. Bavaria ’G72, former University of Scranton trustee and retired president emeritus of Presby’s Inspired Life, and James M. Slattery ’86, former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and chief operating officer of North America for Melrose PLC will receive honorary degrees at the ceremony.

The University will hold its Graduate Commencement Ceremony at 4:30 p.m. in the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Guests attending the events at the Mohegan Sun Arena can review their security procedures, which include a clear bag policy and security checkpoints, to assist with alleviating the time required for entry to the commencement ceremonies. Tickets are not required for the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies.

The University will live video stream several of the commencement events. For additional information about the University’s 2023 commencement events, including live stream of events, visit scranton.edu/commencement. Post on social media using #Royals2023 for a chance to be featured on the University’s commencement page.

How time flies – just four years ago the Class of 2023 moved onto campus.

Hundreds of students have been inducted into national honor societies represented at The University of Scranton throughout the 2023 spring semester. Lists of students inducted into some of the University’s honor societies can be seen below.

Seventy-one University of Scranton students were inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities for 2022. The Scranton chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu was founded in 1943 and is the oldest honor society at the University. Juniors, seniors and graduate students, including students in doctoral level degree programs, who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership.

Also at the ceremony, five University community members were given honorary inductions into the honor society. Honorary inductees were: Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Christopher Burne ’80, Scranton alumnus and former Judge Advocate General for the U.S. Air Force; Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry; Rev. James F. Duffy, S.J., M.D. ’88, superior for the Scranton Jesuit Community; Bryn Schofield, coordinator of academic affairs, College of Arts and Sciences; and Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

In addition, Christian S. Krokus, Ph.D., professor of theology and religious studies at the University, was presented with the Edward Gannon, S.J. Teacher of the Year Award.

The following undergraduate and graduate students at Scranton were inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu:

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Christian S. Krokus, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies at The University of Scranton, was named the 2023 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year.

The award, formally known as the Gannon Award for Teaching in honor of Edward Gannon, S.J., is the oldest teaching award at the University. Established in 1969 by the University’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, the award recognizes outstanding teaching among faculty. Student members of Alpha Sigma Nu select the professor to be honored.

Dr. Krokus has published multiple articles in academic journals, and has presented at more than a dozen conferences. His areas of research interest include Christian-Muslim comparative theology; Islamic mysticism; Salesian, Ignatian and Carmelite Spiritualities; Louis Massignon; Bernard Lonergan, S.J.; and Francis de Sales. His book, “The Theology of Louis Massignon: Islam, Christ, and the Church,” was published by The Catholic University of America Press in 2017.

Dr. Krokus was the featured speaker at the 2019 McNulty Lecture at Niagara University’s Castellani Art Museum, and was among the esteemed presenters at the 2022 Islamic Studies Association, Delhi and the Jesuit Secretariat for Service of Faith in South Asia webinar series to celebrate Human Fraternity Day.

In addition, he coordinates the annual meeting for Jesuits and faculty members at Jesuit universities who work on interreligious dialogue.

Dr. Krokus, who joined the faculty at Scranton in 2009, received the University’s Intersession Research Grant, Diversity Initiatives Grant and Education for Justice Grant. He was also awarded the Carnegie Corporation Grant for Teaching about Islam and Middle Eastern Culture, the Ernest Fortin Memorial Research Grant at Boston College and the Badley Fellowship from Institute of Medieval Philosophy and Theology at Boston College.

Dr. Krokus earned his bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and his master’s degree, with distinction, and his Ph.D. from Boston College.

The Scranton chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu was founded in 1943 and is the oldest honor society at the University. Juniors, seniors and graduate students at the University who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership.

Andrew Sutton, Central Columbia High School, won The University of Scranton’s 2023 Math Integration Bee for high school students.

 In addition to Sutton, the four other finalists in the competition were: Noah Beckish, North Pocono High School; Sai Ghatti, Abington Heights High School; Daniel Martinez, Pocono Mountain West High School; and Angela Zeng, Abington Heights High School.

The University’s Mathematics Department hosted the Integration Bee during the spring semester on campus. The competition functions similar to a spelling bee, but with contestants completing definite and indefinite integral problems, a type of calculus problem, instead of spelling words. The competition can help high school students improve their skills for Advanced Placement mathematics tests.

Navneeth Murali, Edison New Jersey, came in first place in The University of Scranton’s 21st annual Northeast PA Brain Bee competition, held on campus in the spring semester. Harris Khan, Loyalsock Township High School, came in second place, and Nicole Kuzin-Ilian, Wallenpaupack Area High School came in third place.

The competition for high school students in grades nine through 12 was offered free of charge and was sponsored by the Neuroscience Program at the University and the Scranton Neuroscience Society.

For more information about next year’s Northeast PA Brain Bee competition, contact Robert Waldeck, Ph.D., neuroscience program director and associate professor of biology, at 570-941-4324 or robert.waldeck@scranton.edu.

Visit the University’s Community Relations website for information about other academic competitions and K-12 programming offered at The University of Scranton.

Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at The University of Scranton, published a digital primer titled “Spectroscopic and Chemometric Techniques for Pharmaceutical Applications” through the American Chemical Society (ACS), one of the largest scientific societies and the premier home of chemistry professionals with over 155,000 members worldwide. The peer-reviewed and by invitation only ACS primer focuses on providing basic content about various spectroscopic and chemometric tools in pharmaceutical analyses. In collaboration with five professors and scientists from throughout the world, the primer has been purchased by over 300 libraries worldwide to date and is also available for sale to individuals through Google Play.

According to Dr. Dumancas, chemometrics is a highly-specialized discipline that uses statistics and computer applications in analytical chemistry. The primary goal of chemometrics is to utilize various statistical, mathematical and software techniques to develop analytical methods that can interpret data in a more meaningful manner. In pharmaceutical industries, chemometrics is essentially used for quality control of laboratory results, drug development and synthesis, as well as toxicity classification and prediction of drug efficacy to name a few. Utilizing chemometrics reduces time of analysis and minimizes the use of chemicals, thereby providing industries with time and cost-saving resources to optimize results.

The digital primer provides chemists across all levels an overview on important chemometrics topics in just three to four hours.

“A nice introductory overview of the potential of chemometrics for pharmaceutical analysis, which couples a wide overview of the instrumental possibilities and, at the same time, of the possible applications. Good for people who don’t want to struggle much with the theory while focusing on the practical use of the techniques,” as noted by Federico Marini, Ph.D., of the University of Rome La Sapienza in Spain who also served as one of the chemometrician reviewers for the primer.

Dr. Dumancas joined the faculty of The University of Scranton in the spring of 2022 and has then generated 18 peer reviewed publications in high-impact factor journals. Over the course of his academic career, he has won seven international and one U.S. national awards for excellence in research from the American Chemical Society, American Oil Chemists’ Society and the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening. In 2018, he was awarded by the former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with a Balik Scientist Award as one of the Outstanding Scientists of the Philippines.

In 2022, Dr. Dumancas, received a $1.158 million National Science Foundation funded Noyce Scholars grant to support future science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) high school teachers in high-need school districts.

Dr. Dumancas earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Oklahoma State University.

Nearly 200 area students participated in The University of Scranton’s annual Hayes Family Science Competition for High School Physics and Engineering Students. The academic competition tested the high school students’ knowledge of physics and engineering through a series of quizzes and hands-on challenges. Students competed individually and in teams.

John Lockwood from Delaware Valley High School came in first place in the individual competition, based on a quiz given to all participants and placement in a Jeopardy game of those with highest quiz scores. Noah Beckish from North Pocono High School came in second place. John Ebert from Berwick High School came in third place.

In the team competition, the Delaware Valley High School team placed first. Members of that team were: John Lockwood, Olivia Bogert, Nixon Kameen, Clint Murray, Jess Rhule, John Rivera and Wil Salus. Steve Rhule was their coach. Wyoming Area High School team two came in second place. Members of the Wyoming Area team were: Nathan Ambrosino, Ben Hollister, Andrew Lucas, Joseph Marranca and Jadan Pepe. David Pizano was their coach. Berwick High School team one placed third. Members of the third-place finishing team were: Gabe Hook, John Ebert, Alysa Lewis, Karly Kile and Luke Peters. Matthew Shrader was their coach.

Throughout the daylong competition, the students participated in teams in a series of hands-on challenges that tested their skills in several areas of physics and engineering, including a Data Analysis Event, Static Equilibrium Event, an All Power Out Event and a Trebuchet Event, for which the students had to predict the landing point of a basketball launched across the gym by medieval catapult.

In the Data Analysis Event, the Delaware Valley High School team won first place. In the event titled, “All Power Out,” Berwick High School team one and Wyoming Area High School team one won first place. The first-place winner in the Static Equilibrium Event was North Pocono High School team two. The first-place winner of the Trebuchet Event was Mid Valley High School team one.

The competition was organized by the University’s Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering to encourage more students to pursue careers in physics and engineering.

Students representing The University of Scranton came in first and second place in the annual Cyber Forensic Student Competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Utica University hosted the virtual, two-day competition in April, which included evidence discovery, gathering and preservation, investigation and analysis and a formal written report documenting the forensic investigation.

This is the third consecutive year that Scranton students have taken first place in the competition, which included student teams from Boston University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Utica University, among other colleges. Sinchul Back, Ph.D., director of cybercrime and cybersecurity for the University’s Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Crime and assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Cybersecurity and Sociology, served as the advisor for the teams.

Members of The University of Scranton’s team who placed first in the 2023 competition are: Andrew Cupo, West Orange, New Jersey, a cybercrime and homeland security and criminal justice double major in his sophomore year at Scranton; Bradley W. Rausch Sr., Byram Township, New Jersey, a cybercrime and homeland security major in his junior year at Scranton; and Emilia R. Tobey, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, a criminal justice major in her sophomore year at Scranton.

Members of the Scranton’s team that placed second are: Frank Magistro III, Hawley, a cybercrime and homeland security major in his sophomore year at Scranton; John A. McMonagle, Philadelphia, a cybercrime and homeland security and philosophy double major in his sophomore year at Scranton and Jessica Sommo, Commack, New York, a cybercrime and homeland security major in her first year at Scranton.

The University began offering a bachelor’s degree in cybercrime and homeland security in the fall of 2020 and master’s degree in cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity in a fully online format in the fall of 2022.

University of Scranton student Taegan Mills, Montrose, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award Bronze Medal in recognition of 100 hours of service that occurred during summer 2022. The award was established in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. 

Led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows certifying organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers. Mills was certified through the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice with the support of Center’s director, Pat Vaccaro, and with the support of her mentor, Barbara King, student life coordinator at the University.

Mills is a political science and criminal justice double major with a law concentration in her sophomore year at Scranton. She is an ROTC cadet and member of the University’s golf team.

Last summer, Mills served at the Hazleton Integration Project, where she worked with immigrant children helping them develop language skills. She also introduced camp participants to a variety of sports with the intended outcome of helping the children feel more comfortable with norms and culture in the United States.

According to Mills, who has been volunteering since the age of four, service to community is very important to her family. Over the years, she has volunteered “ringing a bell for the Salvation Army, sorting food at the local food bank, sharing a passion for gymnastics with children, collecting cans for those in need, and helping kids address academic challenges through tutoring.”

By Lydia Grossman ’24, student correspondent

As part of The University of Scranton’s Earth Day events, Nicole Negowetti, managing director of the Plant Based Foods Institute and vice president of Policy and Food Systems at the Plant Based Foods Association, discussed her work with food, climate and culture. Her lecture, titled “The Regeneration Revolution: Working at the Nexus of Food, Climate, and Culture,” included a discussion of her research findings and work done to promote a more sustainable relationship between food production and the climate.

Negowetti began her lecture by describing food as the portal to a relationship with the planet.

“Food connects us to one another, our culture and our mother Earth,” Negowetti said, at the talk that was offered by the University’s Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities.

Although Negowetti began her talk with positive connotations of food, she quickly went into various environmental concerns and explained how the current food system sits at the heart of the problem. She explained that these problems include climate change, biodiversity loss, shifts in nutrient cycles and land use, saying society’s irresponsible methods within the food system and agricultural production contribute greatly to each issue.

“Each of us is a part of the food system. Food has tremendous potential to improve human health and environmental sustainability, but rather than nourishing our collective health and well-being, food systems are at the heart of social and environmental crisis that we face,” Negowetti said.

After sharing her various forms of research and environmental statistics concerning the current food system, Negowetti explained that the country’s large global footprint has led the Earth into the Anthropocene, which is defined as the period of time during which human activities have impacted the environment enough to constitute a distinct geological change. This era that humans have self-produced led Negowetti to pose the question: “Why are we creating a world in which none of us would choose?”

“The dominant food production system in the U.S can be categorized by large-scale monoculture in which only one plant or animal species is farmed at a time, and there’s heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers. This allows farmers to increase yields in the short term, but the practice depletes soil and nutrients over time, and has led to reduced nutrient content in food, which impairs our health,” Negowetti said.

To decrease harm and better the environment Negowetti encourages a complete transformation of the food system. In her talk, she explained that for society to truly engage in such a transformation, conversations must be regularly held to shed light on current flaws within the food system and within agricultural practices. If everyone does their part, Negowetti believes there is hope for reform.

“By cultivating our spiritual practices, can we discern what’s uniquely ours to do in these times. How we can be of service and how we can act in accordance with our values … it’s important to realize that systems change begins with us,” Negowetti said.

The University of Scranton recently announced, in answer to the call by Pope Francis to “Care for Our Common Home,” the University has begun an intensive seven-year journey to become designated as a Laudato Si’ University by the Vatican.

 

Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, announced that Lauren S. Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., has been named Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Scranton, effective May 1, 2023. Dean Rivera had been serving as interim vice president for student life and dean of students at Scranton. She will continue to serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet.

“Since joining the University community in 2009, Lauren has made an impact across all areas of student life. Personally, I marvel at the depth of her commitment to cura personalis, always working to ensure the best possible experience for our students,” said Father Marina in the campus announcement about Dean Rivera’s new position. “Lauren has been instrumental in many successful Student Life programs and projects, including Resilient Royals, which supports first-year students in their transition to college, and the Fail Forward Panel, a program started in 2019, in which speakers share stories of resilience and navigating struggle. She has displayed a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice and strives to foster a campus community where students of all identities can thrive.”

The Division of Student Life includes the Center for Career Development, the Center for Student Engagement, the Cultural Centers (Multicultural Center and Jane Kopas Women’s Center), the Center for Health Education and Wellness, the Counseling Center, Student Conduct and Assessment, Student Health Services, Student Government, Residence Life and University Police.

Dean Rivera joined The University of Scranton community in 2009 as director of student conduct and assessment. In 2015, she was named assistant vice president for student formation and campus life (later student life) and dean of students. Under her leadership, the University expanded student support for issues such as wellness, grief, transition and social challenges. The University launched THR1VE, an initiative that supports first-generation students. In 2022, Scranton was named a First-Gen Forward institution. Colleges selected to the First-gen Forward program receive professional development, community-building experiences and have access to research and other resources.

Dean Rivera also supported the development of ROCK (Royals of Color Kickoff) and shepherded the completion of the expanded Multicultural Center. Recently, she announced a reorganization in Student Life, to integrate better the various functions that support student health and wellness and to advance the University’s campus-wide plan for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Dean Rivera is active in student life professional associations. She has presented at national conferences and authored a chapter in the 2019 book “Keep Calm and Call the Students: A Guide to Understanding the Many Faces of the Dean of Students’ Role.”

Dean Rivera earned her bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and helped to develop a joint-degree program in law and education at Pennsylvania State University, where she earned her master’s of education and juris doctorate degrees.

The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum, the Theology and Religious Students Department and the Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute co-presented a lecture titled “Only in America? Religion, State, and a Hasidic Town in Rural New York,” featuring David N. Myers, Ph.D., distinguished professor of history, Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History, and director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy at UCLA. The talk took place in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall on campus on April 27

Nearly 100 students mentored by more than 50 faculty members presented 80 projects at The University of Scranton’s Celebration of Student Scholars, held on campus April 26. The annual event, held in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center, provides a forum for students to present their work conducted in collaboration with faculty.

Fields of research presented at the Celebration of Student Scholars included biology, chemistry, counseling and human services, criminal justice, cybersecurity and sociology, English and theatre, health and human performance, history, management, marketing and entrepreneurship, mathematics, occupational therapy, philosophy, physical therapy, physics and engineering, and psychology, among other disciplines.

Poster presentations included:

“Practicing Occupational Therapist Self-Reported Levels of Knowledge About and Confidence Using Population Health Concepts: A Mixed Methods Explanatory Sequential Study” by graduate students Morgan Albro, Cicero, New York; Mary Bunone, Ramsey, New Jersey; Kristine Fusaro, Dix Hills, New York; Sinead Girdusky, Middle Village, New York; Rachel Harrington, Franklin Square, New York; Emma Kiernan, Nanuet, New York; Jocelyn McCauley, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; and Amanda Grace Ruiz, Whippany, New Jersey; with faculty mentor Jennifer Whittaker, adjunct professor, Occupational Therapy Department.

“An Analysis of Remote Working Habits” by undergraduate student Teleri Broomhead, Lower Gwynedd, with faculty mentor Nancy Cummings, faculty specialist, Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Department.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) bot ChatGPT in higher education and cyber-situational crime prevention (Cyber-SCP) strategy” by undergraduate students Andrew Fernandez, Basking Ridge, New Jersey; Zoe Honney, Scranton; and Jessica Sommo, Commack, New York; with faculty mentor Sinchul Back, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice, cybersecurity and sociology.

“Ozone Concentration effect on Serotonin and Dopamine of Camponotus Floridanus” by undergraduate student Francesca Fidaleo, Fairfield, Connecticut, with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

“Computational Investigations of the Electrochemical and Thermochemical Transformations of Pinene” by undergraduate student Devang Patel, Scranton, with faculty mentor Nicholas Sizemore, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry.

“Prevalence of Blood Parasites in Grey Catbirds in relation to gender and season” by undergraduate student Maitree Patel, Scranton, with faculty mentor Robert Smith, Ph.D., professor of biology.

“Toward Developing an Algorithm for Separation of Transmitters of High Frequency Chirp Signals of Opportunity for the Purpose of Ionospheric Sounding” by undergraduate student Simal Sami, Jessup, with faculty mentor Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and engineering.

“Does Liberal Education Belong in Elementary School” by undergraduate student Emily Sanchez, Bloomfield, New Jersey, with faculty mentor Duane Armitage, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy.

“Using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to generate Hsd17b7-deficient NIH3T3 cells” undergraduate student Sofia Zingone, Randolph, New Jersey, with faculty mentor Ashley Driver, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology.

In addition to course work, initiatives such as the faculty-student research program and summer research fellowships encourage University of Scranton students to participate in research projects with faculty members. Several of the University’s Honors Programs also include a research component, such as the Magis Honors Program in STEM and the Undergraduate Honors Program.

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The University of Scranton was ranked No. 9 in the nation in Fortune’s “Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Accounting” listing published online April 28. In addition, an accompanying article titled “What can you do with a master’s degree in accounting,” also published by Fortune on April 28, quoted Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department and director of the Ph.D. program at The University of Scranton.

“To eventually land a role in senior management, you need to be well-versed in technology, and master’s degree programs in accounting are incorporating more analytical components to help prepare future business leaders,” said Dr. Boyle in the Fortune article. “That’s what a master’s of accountancy (MAcc) provides because accounting is really transitioning, and is one of the leading professions on implementing analytics.”

The article noted that Scranton’s online master’s in accountancy program offers specializations in forensic accounting and accounting analytics. Fortune also noted that the field is growing, with “more than 136,400 job openings for accountants and auditors are projected each year, on average, through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.”

For the “Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in Accounting” ranking, Fortune assessed the selectivity of the online Master of Accounting programs at the colleges as measured by their students’ average undergraduate GPA and the average number of years of work experience of those students, in addition to also considering the colleges’ first-year retention rate and its graduation rate, which accounted for 75 percent of the overall ranking score. In addition, Fortune looked at the one-year enrollment growth of each program (15 percent) and partnered with Ipsos to survey 2,500 business professionals and hiring managers to produce a measurement of the “brand appeal” of the college, or “how much a group of people want to recruit from the university” (10 percent).

For two consecutive years, Fortune included Scranton among America’s “Best Online MBA Programs,” including in its 2022-2023 listing. Scranton was also ranked at No. 57 in the nation in Fortune’s 2022-2023 listing of the “Best Part-time MBA Programs.”

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Scranton’s online master’s degree programs in business (excluding MBA) at No. 54; and its online MBA program at No. 102 in the nation in its “Best Online Programs” guide. U.S. News also ranked Scranton at No. 72 in the country for “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans.”

A newly-published national ranking of colleges that produced the highest-earning teachers three-years after graduation placed The University of Scranton at No. 8 in the country.

The ranking published April 28 by teachercertification.com, an online resource for teacher certification information, used data from the Department of Education to determine median earnings three years post-graduation of students with undergraduate degrees in teaching and education – from early childhood and elementary education through high school. Data is from the 2020-2021 school year, representing undergraduate students from the class of 2018.

The University ranked No. 8 in the online publication that listed the average salary for a teacher three years after graduation from Scranton at $51,105.

Accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the University offers bachelor’s degrees in early and primary, middle level and secondary education. Scranton also offers graduate degree programs in secondary education and special education in formats that include accelerated and a five-year bachelor/master degree in special education, among other graduate degree options including curriculum and instruction and educational administration.

Judee M. Bavaria ’G72, former University of Scranton trustee and retired president emeritus of Presby’s Inspired Life; James M. Murray II, Ph.D. ’90, chief security officer for Snap, Inc., and former director of the United States Secret Service and James M. Slattery ’86, former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and chief operating officer of North America for Melrose PLC; will receive honorary degrees from The University of Scranton at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 21. Dr. Murray will also serve as the principal speaker at the ceremony.

Prior to her retirement as president emeritus in 2019, Bavaria served as Presby’s president and CEO since 2005. A not-for-profit, faith-based ministry that provides continuing care and affordable housing to 3,000 economically-disadvantaged senior adults in southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, Presby grew significantly under Bavaria’s leadership. During her tenure, the affordable housing ministry had grown from 12 communities in 1999 to more than 30 in both sponsored and managed sites. She also executed several strategic plans to expand and improve Presby’s continuing care communities to better meet residents’ evolving needs.

Prior to joining Presby, Bavaria was corporate compliance officer and vice president of operations for Lutheran Services Northeast, a multi-site social ministry in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She also served in a variety of leadership roles for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare. She was a frequent presenter at various state and national senior living conferences. 

Bavaria served as vice chair for the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and as chair of Catholic Senior Housing and Healthcare Services in Bethlehem for 12 years, before resigning from the post in 2014. Additionally, she served as co-chair of Leading Age’s Leadership Circle, a member of Leading Age’s Nominating Committee; and a member of the Leading Age PA Board of Directors. As a member of The University of Scranton’s Board of Trustees, Bavaria served as co-vice chair and as chair of its governance committee.

Bavaria was selected from among her state-wide peers as the 2007 Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging Leader of the Year. She also received the Inspired Service Award in 2019 from the organization Human Good, which is presented annually to those who exceptionally serve people aged 62 and older across the Philadelphia region.

A registered nurse and licensed nursing home administrator, Bavaria earned her bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from The University of Scranton. She is a graduate of Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing. She resides in Dunedin, Florida.

At Snap, Inc., Dr. Murray leads the organization’s global security, intelligence, resilience and protective services operations to safeguard their workforce of more than 6,000 people at 45 facilities in 23 countries. Prior to joining Snap, Inc., Dr. Murray served as the 26th director of the United States Secret Service from May, 2019, to September, 2022, where he led more than 8,000 special agents, police officers and mission support personnel in the execution of the Secret Service’s integrated investigative and protective mission. Previously, he served as their assistant director for the Office of Protective Operations and was responsible for coordinating and executing the Secret Service’s global protective mission. From 2016 to 2018, Dr. Murray served as deputy assistant director of the Office of Protective Operations, where he led combined agency efforts for the 2016 presidential campaign, transition and inauguration. He began his Secret Service career in 1995 as a special agent in the New York Field Office, where he would later serve as the Agency’s primary representative on the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force.

In recognition of his distinguished public service, Dr. Murray received the 2021 Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and, in 2022, was awarded the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service by President Joseph Biden ’H76.

A native of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Dr. Murray earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from The University of Scranton, where he also completed the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and earned a commission as a U.S. Army Officer. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Seton Hall University. Dr. Murray also graduated from the American University Key Executive Leadership Program and the 2016 FBI Leadership in Counterterrorism FVEY Fellowship Program. He serves on the Advisory Board for Seton Hall University’s Police Graduate Studies Program.

A certified public accountant, Slattery is the chief operating officer of North America for Melrose PLC, a London-based company that buys, improves, and sells companies that engage in the manufacture of highly engineered products. Prior to joining Melrose, he was the chief financial officer for McKechnie Aerospace. Previously, Slattery served as chief financial officer for 180s, Struever Bros. Eccles and Rouse and DAP Products, Inc., and as controller for Wassall PLC.  He began his career with Coopers and Lybrand.

Slattery earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from The University of Scranton and served as the chair of the University’s President’s Business Council (PBC) Annual Award Dinner in 2013. He and his wife, Betsy, established the University’s Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities, named in honor of his parents who instilled in him a commitment to Catholic higher education. He resides in Peachtree City, Georgia.

The University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.

By Bethany Belkowski ’24, student correspondent

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of co-education at The University of Scranton, the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Committee for the Celebration of 50 years of Co-education sponsored a panel discussion where three of the University’s early female full-time students shared their experiences with the early stages of co-education in the 1970s.

The panelists included Melinda Ghilardi, J.D. ’80, a former trustee at the University who works at Mulaney Law and previously served as the First Assistant Federal Public Defender, Martina A. Martin ’80, who serves as the senior vice president and chief operating officer at United Way of Central Maryland and Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, a former trustee at the University who previously served as the vice president of student development and campus life at Montclair State University. Also joining the University graduates was Rev. Bernard R. McIlhenny, who served as the dean of admissions during the University’s shift to co-education. Following brief introductions, Susan Poulson, Ph.D., professor of history at the University and moderator for the event, posed questions to the panel.

Audio of the discussion is available as an episode of The Scranton Shorts Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Dr. Poulson first asked Father McIlhenny to describe the atmosphere at the University preceding the decision to transition to co-education. He explained that in the early 1970s, enrollment numbers were dropping and the atmosphere was tumultuous, protests and demonstrations often breaking out on campus due to the Vietnam War and other activist passions. In a desperate attempt to keep the University’s doors open, the University decided to adhere to a trend of co-education that first arose in the 1960s. As Father McIlhenny explained, this transition took two years to execute after receiving approval in 1970, as dorms needed to be converted for female occupants and majors such as occupational therapy and nursing needed to be added to the University since they appealed to many female students. With this information, Dr. Poulson noted that the decision to transition to co-education was not ideologically based, but rather market-driven, to which Father McIlhenny agreed. With the decision made, 120 women joined the University’s incoming class of 1972.

Dr. Poulson then asked the female panelists how they found the preparations for women on campus. Dr. Pennington responded, mentioning the type of updates made to Fitch Hall, such as partitions between the showers, removal of the urinals, and the addition of washers and dryers on each floor. Dr. Pennington also mentioned the unequal treatment women experienced at the University, including the imposition of a curfew and dress code for female students, the experience of being the only female student in a class, who was often ignored by professors and harassment by male students and teachers who did not agree with the decision to transition to co-education, or who wished to sexualize the female students.

The female panelists were also asked to reflect on their experiences at the University that shaped their lives after college. Atty. Ghilardi responded saying that although being in the minority in a classroom was a strange feeling, the experience taught her how to achieve success: “the way to success was to get noticed, and the way to get noticed was to always be prepared.”

Martin also responded, noting the importance of speaking up during her time at the University. She recalled being pushed by a mentor to approach a successful man in advertising to convince him to teach a class on his work. Not only did she succeed, but she helped him build a business. “If you want something, ask for it,” Martin encouraged the audience.

Martin also recalled being inspired by the head of the Jesuit Honors program, a woman, during her time at the University. She stressed the importance of witnessing someone who looked like her in a position of authority and success. With this role model, Martin felt she could be successful too.

In a final reflection, each of the three women noted that during their time at the University, the Jesuits stressed the principle of Cura Personalis, or care of the whole person. Martin concluded her reflection, asking the audience to consider their privilege and to ask, if they ever witness an individual in the uncomfortable position of the minority, “are we good allies in the ways the Jesuits were to us?” 

The audio of the discussion is available as an episode of The Scranton Shorts Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

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The University of Scranton hosted Latin Grammy-nominated composer and Emory University theology scholar Tony Alonso, who presented a combined lecture and musical performance titled “Caminemos con Jesus: Incarnating Hispanic/Latinx Theology in Song” in the Madonna della Strada Chapel on campus. The event was a part of the University’s project, “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” which is supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant and celebrates Scranton’s indigenous, industrial, ethnic and religious heritage. Alonso’s music and talk reflected on how Hispanic/Latinx theology has shaped his craft and the program explored the impact of Hispanic/Latinx culture on religious life locally and nationally. 

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Through May 5         Art Exhibit: “The University of Scranton Student Exhibition Online.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Virtual exhibit. Free. Call. 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. 

Through May 12     Art Exhibit: “Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration” by Mark Loughney. Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

May 2      noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Promise of American Democracy” presented by Fredrik Logevall, Ph.D., Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School and professor of history, Harvard University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

May 5             5 p.m. Art Gallery Reception: “Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration” by Mark Loughney as part of downtown Scranton’s First Fridays events. Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

May 6      7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “40^th Annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert” The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir featuring two new works by composer/conductor Philip J. Kuehn. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

May 8     11:45 a.m. Closing event for campus community of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50th Anniversary of Coeducation.” Rose Garden and Flag Pole Terrace. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

May 9      noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Vocalising and Music in the Development of Speech Language and Consciousness” presented by Harmar Brereton, M.D., medical and radiation oncologist, Weill Cornell Medical School faculty and clinical professor of medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu

May 12            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.

May 20           4 p.m. Commencement Baccalaureate Mass. Byron Recreation Complex. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

May 21            11 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

May 21            4:30 p.m. Graduate Commencement. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

 

Continuing its commitment to commissioning and performing new instrumental and choral music, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will spotlight the work of guest composer/conductor Philip Kuehn at its 40^th annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert on Saturday, May 6. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

At the concert, The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir will premiere two new commissioned works by Kuehn, written specifically for the University’s student ensembles, entitled The Tree and the Wind (for concert band) and Steps Unseen (for SATB choir), according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. Steps Unseen is based on Psalm 77, which portrays the pain of prayer without response, but also the hope of the sovereignty and works of God. The Tree and the Wind is reflective of the struggles of life and the ability to and necessity of standing firm in the presence of challenges.

Kuehn is a bassist, arranger, composer and educator who has performed with Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Jonathan Batiste, Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Veronica Swift, Khristian Dentley of Take 6, Cyrille Aimee, Anthony Hamilton, Dr. Billy Taylor and Roy Hargrove, among others. His bass playing can be heard on the Disney/Pixar film “Soul,” the soundtrack of which won a Grammy. He also recorded on Batiste’s Grammy-nominated album “Chronology of a Dream - Live at the Village Vanguard,” and has appeared on ABC’s “The View” with Tony Bennett. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from The Juilliard School in New York City, and is conductor and co-director of Performance Music at The University of Scranton.

As a composer and arranger, Kuehn collaborated with Quincy Jones on an extensive composition/arrangement for the Beethoven Orchester Bonn in celebration of Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary. Two of his arrangements were featured in a performance at the White House for President Biden’s State Dinner in December 2022, where he performed with Jon Batiste. Formerly the regular bassist for Jonathan Batiste’s groups, including the “Stay Human” band, Kuehn has made several guest appearances on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where his composition and arrangements have been featured. Five of Philip’s arrangements for strings and choir appear on “Christmas with Jon Batiste,” featuring artists such as Aloe Blacc, Judith Hill, Sean Jones and Jason Marsalis. The album placed No. 3 on the Billboard Jazz chart, and No. 1 on the Heatseeker’s chart.

The 75-member University of Scranton Concert Band and the University of Scranton Concert Choir, a 40-member ensemble, are both comprised of members of the University community from majors and departments spanning the curriculum – the vast majority of them undergraduate students, none of whom are music majors, – joined by a few graduate students, alumni and members of the faculty and staff – all brought together by their mutual love of music-making. The primary focus of Performance Music at the University is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles.

There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University Bands, Performance Choirs, and String Ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year. Other programs within the department - including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection and Scranton Brass Orchestra – closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers.

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624 or visit the Performance Music webpage (scranton.edu/music). For more info on Kuehn, visit www.philipkuehn.com.

Philip Kuehn  and Cheryl Boga talk about The University of Scranton’s World Premiere Composition Series on WVIA’s Art Scene with Erika Funke.

The exhibition titled “Post COVID: Art by Students for the Scranton School District” was displayed in The University of Scranton’s Hope Horn Gallery. The exhibit showed the work of West Scranton and Scranton High School students and reflects their experiences from the last three years. The following art educators of Scranton School District helped to make the exhibition possible: Ryan Hnat, Anne McNally, Rosemary Robertson, Kerri Ruddy-Archer, Adam Ruane and David Schulte.

The University of Scranton’s Office of Community-Based Learning hosted a talk by Tonyehn Verkitus, executive director of Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, about environmental factors and their role in disease and health disparity. The talk was among the numerous events planned for Earth Day at the University.

In answer to the call by Pope Francis to “Care for Our Common Home,” The University of Scranton has begun an intensive seven-year journey to become designated as a Laudato Si’ University by the Vatican.

The University of Scranton has begun an extensive seven-year journey to become designated as a Laudato Si’ University by the Vatican. Inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” the University will join Catholic and non-Catholic colleges around the world who have committed to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives around seven goals to meet the Pope’s call for integral ecology, that is when science, ethics, spirituality and action are mutually respected and empowered.
“The University of Scranton has answered this call and has joined a network of colleges across the globe to begin the process this academic year of becoming a Laudato Si’ University,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of the University, in an announcement to the University community. “Becoming a Laudato Si’ University allows us to enhance and extend the graces for which Scranton has been so richly blessed to the greater care of others and of the earth.”

“The University community has always shown great care for one another, and inspired our students to become ‘men and women for and with others.’ For decades, we have called for and implemented sustainable practices throughout our community, from green chemistry classes, to a ‘Responsibility, Sustainability and Justice’ cornerstone course in our MBA program, to building LEED certified facilities, to hosting dozens of Earth Day events annually, and much, much more,” said Father Marina.

To be designated as a Laudato Si University, colleges must evaluate comprehensively current environmental and sustainability programs, then improve and develop further initiatives to address seven goals outlined by the Pope. The goals to be addressed are: to respond to the cries of the Earth; to respond to the call of the poor; to apply ecological economics; to adopt sustainable lifestyles; to implement ecological education programs; to develop ecological spirituality efforts; and to develop of programs to address community resilience and empowerment.

The seven-year plan calls on universities to develop and implement plans that progress from the beginning stage to midrange and advanced levels. A resource website for participating schools incudes lists of initiatives institutions could address, which involves not only a call for universities to review, record and decrease their carbon footprints, but extends to research, spiritual, educational, personal energy consumption and community programs, such as planting gardens, restoring land and supporting local farmer’s markets. Ideas listed include the development of an incentive program for community members to monitor daily cell phone/social media use and then reduce usage by 50 percent, the support of community-based research on local eco-social problems, and expanding the community bank campaign to include investment in green, sustainable business and organizations.

The journey begins with assembling a team of administrators, staff, faculty and students to conduct a comprehensive examination of what the university is currently doing and aspiring to do to “care for our common home” during the first year and create an action plan for the next six years. The Laudato Si’ website states: “(t)he goal is to have a Laudato Si’ Action Plan created by the university and for the university. The action plan would be implemented and evaluated in years two through six. Year seven would mark a time of celebration and official Vatican recognition of the institution as a Laudato Si’ University.”

According to the website, along with critical awareness of current environmental issues facing the planet, the action plans “must carry forward an integral awareness; that is, a recognition that earth-healing programs and activities have not only a public, social dimension, but also a personal, spiritual dimension.” The plans will address the critical needs of the poor. As Pope Francis said in Laudato Si’: “We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both environmental and social.” The plans will address not only the social-structural changes needed to care for the earth and human society, but also “the personal transformations needed to live a sustainable lifestyle” and will include a “spiritual dimension, where students explore the depth of their calling to care for our common home.” The plans also call for “identifying and mobilizing constituents, welcoming the local community members into the university space, building trust, and finding solutions to local environmental problems.”

The University’s Laudato Si’ effort will be led by Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry. Members of Scranton’s Laudato Si’ working group are: Don Bergmann, chief of University Police; Ovidiu Cocieru, Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing, management and entrepreneurship; Rob Farrell, J.D., general counsel; Joan Grossman, Ph.D., associate professor of health and human performance; Jessica Nolan, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Sheli Pratt-McHugh, associate professor and chair, Weinberg Memorial Library; Nicholas Sizemore, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry; Ed Steinmetz, senior vice president for finance and administration; Lori Walton, Ph.D., professor of physical therapy; and University students Clara Downey, a political science major from Easthampton, Massachusetts, and current president of Student Government, and Karla Shaffer, a political science major from Doylestown, and incoming president of Student Government.

Visit The University of Scranton’s sustainability webpage for information about the University’s current sustainability efforts.

University of Scranton alumnus James M. Murray II, Ph.D. ’90, chief security officer for Snap, Inc., and former director of the United States Secret Service, will serve as the principal speaker at the University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 21. He will also receive an honorary degree from the University at the ceremony.

“Throughout his distinguished career at the United States Secret Service, and now at Snap, Inc., Jim Murray has dedicated his life to the protection of others. His decades of experience and exceptional leadership skills will certainly come into play for a commencement address that I am sure our students and guests will enjoy,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton.

At Snap, Inc., Dr. Murray leads the organization’s global security, intelligence, resilience and protective services operations to safeguard their workforce of more than 6,000 people at 45 facilities in 23 countries.

Prior to joining Snap, Inc., Dr. Murray served as the 26th director of the United States Secret Service from May, 2019, to September, 2022, where he led more than 8,000 special agents, police officers and mission support personnel in the execution of the Secret Service’s integrated investigative and protective mission. Previously, he served as their assistant director for the Office of Protective Operations and was responsible for coordinating and executing the Secret Service’s global protective mission. From 2016 to 2018, Dr. Murray served as deputy assistant director of the Office of Protective Operations, where he led combined agency efforts for the 2016 presidential campaign, transition and inauguration.

Dr. Murray began his Secret Service career in 1995 as a special agent in the New York Field Office, where he would later serve as the Agency’s primary representative on the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force. During his career at the Secret Service, he held operational and supervisory positions in the Presidential Protective Division; the Atlantic City N.J. Resident Office; the James J. Rowley Training Center; and the Washington Field Office.

In recognition of his distinguished public service, Dr. Murray received the 2021 Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and, in 2022, was awarded the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service by President Joseph Biden ’H76.

Dr. Murray actively supports Heroes, Inc., honoring the families of fallen law enforcement officers; assists the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC); and serves on the Advisory Board for Seton Hall University’s Police Graduate Studies Program.

A native of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Dr. Murray earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from The University of Scranton, where he also completed the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and earned a commission as a U.S. Army Officer. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Seton Hall University. Dr. Murray also graduated from the American University Key Executive Leadership Program and the 2016 FBI Leadership in Counterterrorism FVEY Fellowship Program.

The University’s 2023 undergraduate commencement ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.

Several of The University of Scranton’s graduate programs placed among the nation’s best in the 2023-2024 Best Graduate Schools ranking by U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News ranked Scranton’s MBA specialty programs in accounting No. 18 in the nation and business analytics No. 24 in the online ranking that published on Apr. 25.

In addition to the program specialty rankings, Scranton’s graduate program in rehabilitation counseling ranked No. 36 and its program in health care management ranked No. 41 nationally. U.S. News also ranked Scranton’s graduate program in nursing No. 123, its part-time MBA program No. 120 and its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) No. 134 in America.

For the graduate school rankings, U.S. News uses data gathered by surveys of college faculty and administrators, and for nursing programs, from professionals working in health care, to assess the quality of programs. U.S. News also uses statistical data such as faculty student ratios and student test scores. The U.S. News ranking of the Best Graduate Schools Ranking by MBA Specialties is based solely on ratings by business school deans and directors of AACSB-accredited MBA programs.

The University’s graduate-level business programs include a Ph.D. in Accounting, Master of Accountancy (MAcc), Master of Science in Finance (MSF), Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in general management or with a specialization in accounting, business analytics, enterprise resource planning, finance, healthcare management, human resources management, international business, management information systems, marketing and operations management. The University also offers combined/accelerated bachelor’s and master’s level programs including accounting BS/MBA, operations management BS/MBA, finance BS/MBA, management BS/MBA, and College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor’s/MBA, and other programs.

Graduate nursing degrees offered by Scranton include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN, and post-master’s certificate; Executive Nursing Leadership, M.S.N; and Nurse Anesthesia, DNP, and an accelerated MSN degree program. In addition to clinical rehabilitation counseling, the University also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.

All of the University’s graduate programs hold the highest national accreditation within each discipline, including accreditation by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) for business and accreditation by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for nursing and Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) for nurse anesthesia. The Graduate Health Administration Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and the Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Earlier this year, U.S. News’ “Best Online Programs” publication ranked the University’s online master’s degree programs in business (excluding MBA) at No. 54 and its online MBA program at No. 102 in the nation. U.S. News also ranked Scranton at No. 72 in the country for “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans.”

In other rankings published by U.S. News, Scranton has been ranked among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 29 consecutive years. Scranton is ranked No. 5 in the 2023 edition of the guidebook. U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 6 in its category for “Best Undergraduate Teaching.”

Eight University of Scranton students’ high placements in the 2023 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference have qualified them to advance to FBLA’s National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 22 to 25. In addition to the individual student awards earned at the State Leadership Conference, the University won third place for state of chapter presentation and second place for the Gold Seal Award of Merit, which recognizes outstanding FBLA chapters in the state.

The following University students participated Pennsylvania’s FBLA State Leadership Conference, which took place in Harrisburg in March:

Colin P. Merriman, an undeclared major from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, won first place in business decision making analysis. Merriman is a sophomore at Scranton.

Teammates Alyssa M. Fontana, an operations management major from Douglassville, and Michael A. Castellino, a business analytics major from West Islip, New York, won first place in management analysis and decision making. Fontana, in her junior year at Scranton, also won second place in retail management. Castellino is a junior at Scranton.

Lamar L. Bishop, a business administration major from McDonough, Georgia, won second place in cybersecurity. Bishop is a sophomore at Scranton.

Joseph D. DeFeo, a marketing major from Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, won second place in public speaking. DeFeo is a senior at Scranton.

Gregory M. Confessore, a business analytics major from Caldwell, New Jersey, won second place in programming concepts and third place in web design. Confessore is a senior at Scranton.

Teammates Chaz G. DellaCorte, a finance major from Ridgefield, Connecticut, and Todd F. Monahan, a finance major from Moosic, won third place in the finance case competition. DellaCorte is a sophomore at Scranton, and Monahan is a junior.

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On Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m., Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble with special guest baritone and bass saxophonist Leigh Pilzer. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

In addition, Pilzer will also offer a free masterclass for local musicians, music teachers and their students in the afternoon before the concert on the topic of section playing. Please email music@scranton.edu for more information on the masterclass.

The concert on Saturday evening will highlight a variety of songs featuring two different instrumentations, according to Performance Music Conductors and Co-Directors Philip Kuehn and Cheryl Y. Boga. Pilzer will perform a variety of selections with the University’s Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble, both groups made up of student musicians from majors spanning the curriculum.

Pilzer is a Washington, D.C.-based saxophonist, arranger and educator. She has toured domestically and internationally as a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and often performs with the National Symphony Orchestra at concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As an arranger, Pilzer’s work is in the libraries of the SJMO, DIVA, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, the DC-area premier military jazz ensembles, and college and professional jazz ensembles and brass quintets throughout the country. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance with jazz emphasis from George Mason University; master’s degrees in jazz studies and saxophone performance from The University of Maryland; and a Bachelor of Music in jazz composition and arranging from the Berklee College of Music.

The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year. Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection, and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers. High school juniors and seniors who are considering applying to Scranton are encouraged to contact Performance Music to arrange to sit in on a rehearsal, meet the staff, attend a concert or tour the building.

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624 or visit the Performance Music webpage (scranton.edu/music). For more info on Pilzer, visit www.leighpilzer.com.

The University of Scranton will host its annual Evening of Environmental Science on Thursday, April 20, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center. The event includes environmentally themed interactive displays and activities for elementary, middle and high school students, organized and run by University students. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

The event will also display the nearly 200 essays submitted by area students in grades 5 to 12 for this year’s Earth Day Essay Contest. The winners of the essay contest will be announced at the event.

Tours of the University’s state-of-the-art Loyola Science Center will also be offered. The Princeton Review ranked Scranton among the nation’s “Best Science Lab Facilities” for six years, placing Scranton’s science labs at No. 7 in America the 2023 edition of the “Best 388 Colleges” guidebook.

The Evening of Environmental Science is among numerous Earth Day events hosted by the University and its Office of Sustainability.

Visit The University of Scranton’s sustainability webpage for information about the University’s sustainability efforts and Earth Day events, or call the Office of Sustainability at 570-941-6267.

As part of the celebration of The University of Scranton’s 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation, Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, presented “Pope Francis, Women and Synodality” in March on campus. Appointed by Pope Francis as an undersecretary in 2021, Sister Becquart is the first woman to hold this position and making her the first woman to have the right to vote in the Synod of Bishops and the highest-ranking woman official at the Vatican. During her visit, Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, presented her with the University’s Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignation Mission and Ministry. The Arrupe Award is given to recognize men and women for outstanding contributions in a wide variety of Ignatian-inspired ministries.

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As part of The University of Scranton’s “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” celebration and its Ellacuría Initiative, the University hosted a day-long teach-in on women’s and gender justice. Through a series of lectures and panel discussions, issues of gender injustice from various perspectives were explored. One session, titled “Wisdom Cries Aloud: Religious Women of Scranton,” featured a panel discussion of five local women leaders of different faiths.

In photo below are University of Scranton students who assisted with an information booth at “The Ellacuría Initiative Women’s and Gender Justice Teach-In." From left: Maria Stephen, a political science major from Huntingdon Valley; Shelby Traver, an international business major from Sweet Valley and recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship; Mackenzie Longo, an occupational therapy major from Holbrook, New York; and Benjamin Burman, a nursing major from Clifford Township.

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Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at The University of Scranton, was selected as a Visiting Faculty Fellow by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Through this highly-competitive program, Dr. Dumancas will have the opportunity to work with some of the world’s leading scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. He will research the development of a more convenient, easy-to-use and inexpensive techniques to estimate biomass components by using existing data bases.

According to Dr. Dumancas, biomass is a chemical mixture of three major chemical components, lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose, in addition to non-structural components.

“The determination of the mass fraction of these chemical components is very important since the amount of these chemical constituents influence thermochemical process functions. We will explore the utility of machine learning regression, deep learning and stacked regression to determine the masses of these biomass chemical components using publicly available datasets,” said Dr. Dumancas.

The DOE’s Visiting Faculty Program is designed to provide an opportunity for faculty members to enhance research capabilities and strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and learning practices to develop talent to contribute to DOE research areas. The Visiting Faculty Program is sponsored and managed by the DOE Office of Science’s Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists in collaboration with the DOE national laboratories.

Just last year, Dr. Dumancas received a five-year, $1.158 million National Science Foundation funded Noyce Scholars grant to support future STEM high school teachers in high-need school districts. The grant provides scholarships and educational training support to 21 STEM students with a major or minor in secondary education.

During his career, Dr. Dumancas has generated more than $2 million in external research grants and has published more than 40 manuscripts in peer-reviewed academic journals.

Dr. Dumancas joined the faculty at Scranton in the spring of 2022. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines and his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Oklahoma State University.

From April 21 through May 12, the Hope Horn Gallery at The University of Scranton will present "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration" by Mark Loughney. This installation will include 771 pencil portraits drawn during 20-minute sittings throughout Loughney’s 10-year incarceration.

Approached as a process of marking penal time, the Pyrrhic Defeat series depicts imprisoned individuals with a sense of humanity often lost in the prison system. The series title refers to “Pyrrhic defeat theory,” which is the idea that those with the power to make sensible changes to the criminal justice system benefit from the way it currently works. The exhibition will also feature artifacts on loan from the Lackawanna Historical Society and other local collections.

Loughney’s work has also been exhibited in the group show "Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration" at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) PS1 in Long Island City, New York; the David Winton Bell Gallery at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; and the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey; and has received critical attention in Artforum, Forbes and the Paris Review.

The exhibition will begin on Friday, April 21, with a Panel Discussion in the Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a Gallery Reception at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Panel Discussion will consider issues of overcrowding in the prison system and reentry strategies following incarceration. Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Sociology and executive director of the Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Crime at The University of Scranton will serve as moderator. Panelists will include Mark Loughney, exhibiting artist, Philadelphia; Sean Kelley, senior vice president and director of Interpretation at the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Philadelphia; Jasmine Heiss, project director of "In Our Backyards," Vera Institute of Justice, Brooklyn, New York; Jack Norton, assistant professor of criminal justice at Governors State University, University Park, Illinois and Glynis Johns, Founder and CEO of the Black Scranton Project.

An additional Gallery Reception will be held on First Friday, May 5, at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Panel Discussion and Gallery Receptions are free of charge and open to the public. The exhibition can be seen, also free of charge, during gallery hours, which are Sunday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. and Wednesday evenings, 6 to 8 p.m.

"Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration" is presented with support from the Ellacuría Initiative of the Jesuit Center; the Faculty Initiatives Fund of the Office of Community-Based Learning; a Diversity Initiatives Grant from the Office of Equity and Diversity and the Office of Community Relations at The University of Scranton.

For additional information, please contact Darlene Miller-Lanning, Ph.D, director, Hope Horn Gallery, The University of Scranton, at 570-941-4214 or darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Images below: Mark Loughney. "Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration," (2014-2023).
Selection from series of 771 works. Graphite on paper. Courtesy of the artist.

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“Where Does Wealth Come From?” will be discussed at The University of Scranton’s 28^th Henry George Seminar on Thursday, April 20. The lecture, presented by Sandra E. Black, Ph.D., professor of economics and international and public affairs at Columbia University, will begin at 4 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. The lecture is free of charge and open to the public.

Dr. Black’s research focuses on the role of early life experiences on the long-run outcomes of children, as well as issues of gender and discrimination. Her more than 40 publications include “Poor Little Rich Kids? The Role of Nature versus Nurture in Wealth and Other Economic Outcomes and Behaviors” (with Paul Devereux, Petter Lundborg, and Kaveh Majlesi), published in the July 2020 issue of Review of Economic Studies; “Apply Yourself: Racial and Ethnic Differences in College Application, Education Finance and Policy” (with Kalena Cortes and Jane Lincove), published in the Spring 2020 issue of Education Finance and Policy; “Born to Lead? The Effect of Birth Order on Non-Cognitive Skills” (with Erik Grönqvist and Björn Öckert), published in the May 2018 issue of Review of Economics and Statistics; and “Why the Apple Doesn’t Fall Far: Understanding the Intergenerational Transmission of Education” (with Paul Devereux and Kjell Salvanes), published in the March 2005 issue of American Economic Review.

According to the abstract to her publication “Like Father, Like Son? A Note on the Intergenerational Transmission of IQ Scores” (with Paul Devereux and Kjell Salvanes), published in Economics Letters in October of 2009, the research finds “that there is substantial intergenerational transmission of IQ scores; an increase in father’s IQ score of 10% is associated with a 3.2% increase in son’s IQ score at age 18.”

Dr. Black is a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and the director of the NBER Study Group on Economic Mobility. She is currently an editor of the Journal of Labor Economics and was previously a co-editor and editor of the Journal of Human Resources. From August 2015 to January 2017, she served as a member of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers.

Prior to her position at Columbia University, Dr. Black worked as an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as a professor in the Department of Economics at UCLA, and held the Audre and Bernard Centennial Chair in Economics and Public Affairs in the Department of Economics at the University of Texas at Austin. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and her Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.

Considered the preeminent public lecture series on economics in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Henry George Seminar Series is presented by the University’s Department of Economics, Finance and International Business and the campus chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society for economics. Among the distinguished list of speakers who have spoken at previous seminars are Robert Frank (Cornell University), R. Glenn Hubbard (Columbia University), Edward T. O’Donnell (College of the Holy Cross). Robert N. Stavins (Harvard University) and Angus Deaton (Princeton University). Dr. Deaton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2015.

The seminar series is named in honor of the 19th century American economist and social reformer and is supported financially by a grant from the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

For more information about the Henry George Seminar, call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu.

The University of Scranton will host the 2023 Math Integration Bee for area high school students on Thursday, April 27. The competition, offered free of charge, begins with registration at 4:15 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. The competition serves as practice for participants to improve skills for upcoming Advanced Placement calculus tests.

The event will include a light dinner for participants.

The competition functions similar to a spelling bee, but with contestants completing definite and indefinite integral problems, a type of calculus problem, instead of spelling words. All contestants to reach the final round, which will conclude by 7:30 p.m., will receive $25. The overall winner of the Math Integration Bee will receive an additional $75.

The event is hosted by the University’s Mathematics Department. Registration is required to participate and contestants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian, parent or faculty member. The deadline for registration is April 20.

Additional information regarding rules, registration and examples of past problems is available on the Math Integration Bee website. For questions, contact Stacey Muir, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, at Stacey.muir@scranton.edu.

A new amateur ham radio station in planned for The University of Scranton’s Amateur Radio Club through support from a nearly $200,000 Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) grant awarded to Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor physics and engineering at The University of Scranton. The grant will support antenna systems and state-of-the-art equipment to allow HF, VHF, UHF and microwave operations including amateur satellite operations. The new station will be located in the glass-walled study room 596 on the fifth floor of the Loyola Science Center, with additional lab space on the same floor. The station will give students the chance to learn about amateur radio, radio engineering and radio science, in addition to allowing them to participate in Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) research.

“In addition to serving University students, this installation will benefit the larger community by being accessible through outreach programs for local high school students and community members and, because of the accessibility of back-up power in the Loyola Science Center, possibilities exist to work with Lackawanna and Luzerne County Emergency Communication Agencies,” said Dr. Frissell.

Dr. Frissell includes ham radio technology in his classes and research, as well as with the University’s Amateur Radio Club (W3USR), for which he serves as moderator.

In 2019, Dr. Frissell received a $1.3 million National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) research. The project seeks to harness the power of a worldwide network of licensed amateur radio operators to better understand and measure the effects of weather in the upper levels of Earth’s atmosphere. He received additional grants, including a $25,000 ARDC grant, to support an annual Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Workshop, which just took place at The University of Scranton in March 17-18, as well as grants to further support his space research.

Equipment for the new amateur ham radio station has begun to arrive on campus, with members of the Amateur Radio Club hosting a box opening ceremony at their last meeting to reveal some of the technology to University community members. Construction for the station will continue through the summer with the completion date expected for the beginning of the fall semester.

Dr. Frissell noted that the timing of the opening of the station is particularly important this year in order to capture data for the upcoming annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, and the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024.

“Both eclipses have paths that sweep across the continental United States and are the last solar eclipses to traverse this area until 2044, and are therefore important, time-sensitive, in- formation rich opportunities for running unique and “controlled” ionospheric experiments,” said Dr. Frissell.

For additional information about Scranton’s Amateur Radio Club or the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI), contact Dr. Frissell at nathaniel.frissell@scranton.edu.

Dr. Frissell talks about the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Workshop 2023 in this WVIA podcast.

Below, members of The University of Scranton’s Amateur Radio Club unwrap equipment arriving on campus for a new, state-of-the-art amateur ham radio station supported through a $196,241 Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) grant awarded to Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor physics and engineering. From left: Dr. Frissell, who serves as moderator for the University’s Amateur Radio Club and Scranton students: Gerard Piccini, a sophomore electrical engineering major from Monroe Township, New Jersey; Veronica Romanek, a senior physics and Spanish double major from Hampton, New Jersey; Thomas Pisano, a sophomore electrical engineering major from Staten Island, New York; and James Fox, a sophomore computer science major from Hillsborough, New Jersey.

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Twenty-four University of Scranton students participated in spring break service trips offered by the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice. Along with six chaperones, the students helped to build and renovate homes, assist at food pantries, and helped with programs at Homeboy Industries at service projects in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, St. Louis, Missouri, and Los Angeles, California.

The following students went to the Appalachian Region of Kentucky to work with the Christian Appalachian Project to renovate and build homes:

Avianna Carilli, coordinator of domestic and international service programs, and Melissa Eckenrode, administrative assistant for the English and Theatre Department, served as chaperones.

The following students worked with L’Arche, Saint Louis University, St. Anthony’s Food Pantry, LifeWise STL and Assisi House in St. Louis, Missouri:

Julie Ferguson, registrar, and Timothy Powers, lecturer in the Counseling and Human Services Department, served as chaperones.

The following students went to Los Angeles, California to work with Homeboy Industries, Midnight Mission, Cantlay Food Distribution Center and HUB OC:

Erin Grell, a graduate student from Woodridge, New Jersey, and David Kostiak, policy and compliance manager in the University Police Department, served as s chaperones.

On Sunday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m., Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present “In Recital” featuring vocalist Mikaela Bennett. The recital will take place in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. The recital, which is free of charge and open to the public, will feature music spanning a variety of genres, according to Performance Music Conductors and Co-Directors Cheryl Boga and Philip Kuehn.

Bennett is a graduate of The Juilliard School and is celebrated as a singer and actress for her work on stage and in the concert hall. She most recently appeared as a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall conducted by Ted Sperling and performed alongside the Grammy Award winning group Take 6 and MasterVoices. She also appeared as a featured soloist in Daniel Fish’s concert conception of “The Most Happy Fella” at Bard SummerScape. She made her Festival Napa Valley debut as Lauretta in “Gianni Schicchi” under the baton of Kent Nagano and in 2020, Bennett had the distinct honor to appear as a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel performing ‘Aurora’ written by Wayne Shorter.

In 2019, Bennett was honored by Lincoln Center with a Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists, and she made her critically acclaimed debut at Lyric Opera of Chicago playing Maria in “West Side Story.” Following a sold-out run in Chicago, she returned to the BBC Proms with the John Wilson Orchestra performing music from the Warner Bros film studio. To cap off an eventful year, Bennett sang the role of Mary Wintergreen in MasterVoices’ concert production of Gershwin’s “Let ‘Em Eat Cake” at Carnegie Hall, music directed and conducted by Ted Sperling.

On stage, Bennett made her professional debut starring as Penelope in “The Golden Apple” at City Center Encores. She originated the role of Norma in Dick Scanlan and Carmel Dean’s new musical “Renascence” in New York City, starred in the title role in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at the MUNY, and at the 2018 Prototype Festival, she originated the title role of Acquanetta in a new opera composed by Michael Gordon and directed by Daniel Fish.

In the concert hall, Bennett has made her debuts with some of the world’s leading orchestras and foremost conductors in America and the United Kingdom. In August 2018, she made her BBC Proms debut at London’s Royal Albert Hall starring as Maria in the John Wilson Orchestra’s concert production of “West Side Story” to critical and public acclaim. She made her debuts with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Slatkin and the Philadelphia Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Bennett performed as a featured soloist in “Bernstein on Broadway” as part of the Leonard Bernstein 2018 centennial celebrations at the Kennedy Center directed by Kathleen Marshall and conducted by Rob Fisher.

Bennett has collaborated multiple times with conductor Ted Sperling, most recently at Carnegie Hall performing Gershwin, as well as serving as the soprano soloist in Handel’s Israel in Egypt with MasterVoices and Orchestra of St Luke’s. She has also appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra and New World Symphony, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, for the world premiere of his work ‘Four Preludes on Playthings of the Wind’. She has also performed in New York City’s prestigious cabaret venues including Joe’s Pub at the Public and solo concerts at Feinstein’s 54 Below. Bennett is a native of Ottawa, Canada.

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624 or visit the Performance Music webpage (scranton.edu/music). For more info on Bennett, please visit www.mikaela-bennett.com.

The University of Scranton’s Center for Career Development will host this year’s spring Career Expo for both students and alumni of all majors on Thursday, March 30, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Byron Recreation Complex.

More than 120 businesses, colleges and other organizations will be on campus seeking candidates for employment, internships, service, graduate school and other opportunities. Some organizations attending include Allied Services, Air Force Reserve, Baker Tilly, Crayola, Enterprise Holdings, Firetree, Ltd., Northeast Counseling Services, Novus Surgical Consultants, LLC., WNEP-TV and Woodloch Resort. The Career Expo provides students with exposure to countless organizations hiring for full-time jobs, internships, co-op, part-time experiences and more.

Students are reminded to dress according to professional standards and to bring resumes for employers and schools. Resources to prepare for the event can be found on the University’s Career Expo website.

The University of Scranton Community English as a Second Language (ESL) Program received a $2,000 critical needs grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant will be used to purchase textbooks and workbooks to serve the growing number of community members who seek to improve their English. Through this program, which is free to participants, University of Scranton students tutor local refugees and immigrants in English as a second language at the Language Learning Center, located in O’Hara Hall on the University’s campus.

The textbooks will expand the capacity and improve the quality of the Community ESL Program through audio and video content, reading and writing exercises, workbooks and more.

The University’s World Languages and Cultures Department oversees the University’s Scranton Community ESL Program. Yamile Silva, Ph.D., professor of Spanish, serves as the department’s chair.

Margarete L. Zalon, Ph.D., professor emerita in the Department of Nursing at The University of Scranton, received a 2022 American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Book of the Year Award for the third edition of her book “Nurses Making Policy: From Bedside to Boardroom.” The book placed 2^nd in the program’s Nursing Management and Leadership category. Dr. Zalon also received a 2019 AJN Book of the Year Award for the second edition of this book in 2019.

The AJN Book of the Year program is a prestigious competition in which the best in nursing publications are chosen by a panel of judges who are experienced and well-established in the nursing community. Awards are given for first, second, and third places in 20 categories. 

Dr. Zalon’s book calls on nurses to take a more prominent advocacy role in promoting health and advancing the profession. The third edition includes many revisions and new tools, including updated material on COVID-19, diversity, social determinants of health and social justice.

Dr. Zalon, who retired in 2022, has been a member of Scranton’s faculty since 1988. She was inducted as an American Academy of Nursing Fellow in 2010 in part for her positive influence on health care policy and delivery. Her leadership legacy includes grassroots advocacy, progressive program design, execution and outcomes in state and national nursing organizations focused on establishing practice and education policy and building research funding capacity.

During her more than three decades of service at the University, Dr. Zalon has served on numerous committees, including in leadership roles on the Faculty Senate and FAC. When she served as director of the University’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics Program, she has played a pivotal role in the program’s success. In 2021, the graduate program received accreditation from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

Dr. Zalon is a previous chair of the American Nurses Foundation, a former board member of the American Nurses Association and a past president of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association.

Her research focuses on vulnerable elders. She has authored book chapters, as well as articles published in numerous scholarly journals and other professional publications. She has also made research and health policy presentations at the local, state, national and international levels.

In 2022, Dr. Zalon received the John L. Earl III Award for service to the University, the faculty and the wider community. She was also a recipient of the Duke University School of Nursing Distinguished Alumna Award, the PSNA Distinguished Nurse Award and a Leahy Fellowship at Scranton. She also received the University’s Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award in 2020.

Dr. Zalon earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her master’s and doctoral degrees from New York University.

University of Scranton students and professors were among the presenters at HamSCI Workshop 2023 which took place at The University of Scranton and the historic Lackawanna Station hotel. The annual workshop brings together amateur radio enthusiasts and professional scientists to collaborate on existing and future innovative research projects.

Twenty-two University of Scranton students and 10 faculty and staff members presented at the workshop along with representatives from Cairo University, Case Western Reserve University, Dartmouth College, Millersville University, Rice University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, The University of Alabama, The University of Alaska, Wilkes University, Virginia Tech, amateur radio clubs and the HamSCI community. Representatives from NASA Headquarters, the Space Science Institute, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the ARRL: The National Association for Amateur Radio, the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) organization, Broadcast Sciences, L.L.C., and Syntek Technologies, also participated.

Tai-Yin Huang, Ph.D., aeronomy program director for the National Science Foundation, and Rosy Schechter (KJ7RYV), executive director of the Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), joined Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., (W2NAF) assistant professor of physics and electrical engineering at The University of Scranton, and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Scranton, in welcoming attendees to the conference. Dr. Frissell received NSF and ARDC grants to support the conference. Patricia Reiff, Ph.D., (W5TAR) professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University and founding director of the Rice Space Institute, provided the keynote address.

University of Scranton students presenting at the workshop were:

Milton Andrade Andino, an engineering management major from Randolph, New Jersey;

Augustine Brapoh, an electrical engineering major from Fairless Hills;

Robert Brudnicki, (KC3VFW) a computer engineering major from Archbald;

Christian Chakiris, a computer engineering major from Dickson City;

Devin Diehl, a graduate student from Mayfield;

Matthew Dittmar, an electrical engineering major from Easton;

James Fox, (KE2ANL) a computer science major from Hillsborough, New Jersey;

Nicholas Guerra, (KC3VLK) a computer science major from Scranton;

Sade Lugo, an engineering management major from Scranton;

Michael Molzen, a physics major from Bloomsbury, New Jersey;

John Nelson, a computer engineering major from Jefferson, Maryland;

Cuong Nguyen, (KC3UAX) a computer engineering major from Ashley;

Gerard Piccini, (KD2ZHK) an electrical engineering major from Monroe Township, New Jersey;

Thomas Pisano, (KE2BAC) an electrical engineering major from Staten Island, New York;

Veronica Romanek, (KD2UHN) a physics major from Hampton, New Jersey;

Simal Sami, (KC3UAW) an information technology major from Jessup;

Shaaf Sarwar, (KC3PVF) a physics major from Qazalbash Chowk, Pakistan;

Zainab Shah, a computer engineering major from Hellertown;

Aidan Szabo, an electrical engineering major from Hillsborough, New Jersey;

Francis Tholley, a graduate student from Darby;

Robert Troy, (KC3VJC) an electrical engineering major from Dunmore;

Nisha Yadav, a graduate student from Muradnagar, Ghaziabad.

In addition to Dr. Frissell, University professors and staff presenting were: Ken Dudeck (WB3AHD), visiting professor of physics and engineering; Rachel Frissell (W2RUF), faculty specialist, physics and engineering; Joseph Klobusicky, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics; Majid Mokhtari, manager of laboratory equipment, Department of Physics and Engineering; Declan Mulhall, Ph.D., professor of physics and engineering; Paul Sampson, Ph.D., assistant professor of history; Robert Spalletta (KC3QOB), Ph.D., professor of physics and engineering; Argyrios Varonides, Ph.D., professor of physics and engineering; and Amir Zamanian, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and engineering. Scranton alumnus Jonathan Rizzo (KC3EEY) of the class of 2021, also presented at the workshop.

The HamSCI Workshop 2023 offered both in-person or virtual participation.

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On Saturday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m., Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present “In Recital” featuring the Caleb Hudson and Achilles Liarmakopoulos Trio. The 7:30 p.m. recital will take place in the Houlihan McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Hudson and Liarmakopoulos will be joined by pianist Ahmed Alom, and the recital will feature a virtuosic selection of music, according to Performance Music Conductor and Co-Director Philip Kuehn. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. 

In addition, Hudson and Liarmakopoulos will also offer a free masterclass for brass players at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent.

Currently a member of the Canadian Brass and a graduate of The Juilliard School with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Hudson possesses a wide range of musical styles, and his performance genres and venues range from soloing in Carnegie Hall to performing with early music ensembles and appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He is known for his piccolo trumpet mastery of Bach’s infamous Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, and has performed it around the world with ensembles including Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Israel Philharmonic Soloists and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He enjoys writing and arranging music for Canadian Brass and many of his works have been performed, published, and recorded by them on two albums, Canadian Brass: Perfect Landing and Canadian Brass: Great Wall of China.

According to Conductor and Co-Director Cheryl Y. Boga, “Caleb is no stranger to Houlihan-McLean. He visited the University on an almost annual basis for many years both with the NYTE and as a clinician for our brass seminars, and was our music technology mentor as we started our Scranton Isolation Informances broadcasts during the pandemic. His generosity is as remarkable as his talent.”

Hudson currently serves as assistant professor of trumpet at the University of North Texas College of Music, where he is devoted to teaching and sharing his love for music with students.

Liarmakopoulos, trombonist of the Canadian Brass, holds degrees from the Yale University School of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, San Francisco Conservatory and the Philippos Nakas Conservatory. He has performed as a recitalist in China, Panama, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Greece. In 2013, salsa icon Ruben Blades invited him to perform at his concerts at Lincoln Center and Madison Square Garden. Liarmakopoulos has been the adjunct trombone professor at Brooklyn College at CUNY University in New York since 2014, and began teaching at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2020. He has also performed and recorded with the genre bending American band Pink Martini. In 2020, Liarmakopoulos was elected as a member of the Board of Advisors for the International Trombone Association.

Alom is a Cuban-born pianist whose versatility spans Jazz, Latin Jazz, and Classical genres. Having played with notable artists in all of these genres, he is a member of the Latin-Grammy Winner Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet. His versatility among contrasting styles of music have led him to collaborate regularly with Philippe Quint, Steve Hackman, Teddy Abrams, Paquito D’Rivera and Pedrito Martinez, among others.

The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year. Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection, and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers.

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624 or visit the Performance Music webpage (scranton.edu/music). For more info on Hudson and Liarmakopoulos, please visit www.hudsontrumpet.com and www.achillestrombone.com.

The Scranton School District and The University of Scranton have partnered to give an outstanding opportunity for students to exhibit their art at the University’s Hope Horn Gallery from March 20 to April 14.

The exhibition tilted, “Post COVID,” challenged the high school students to reflect upon the last three years of their lives. Students were asked “What is it like to make art post-COVID from a teenager’s perspective? How are community connections reestablished after long periods of isolation?” A group exhibition explores these questions through work produced by high school students in the Scranton School District.

Self-expression shines in pieces by these young artists, who represent the future of arts and culture in northeastern Pennsylvania, according to Ryan Hnat, art educator at West Scranton High School.

A Curator’s Lecture is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, March 24, in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall, followed by a public reception at the Hope Horn Gallery on the fourth floor of Hyland Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. The lecture and reception, presented free of charge and open to the public, have been made possible by The University of Scranton and the following art educators of Scranton School District: Ryan Hnat, Anne McNally, Rosemary Robertson, Kerri Ruddy-Archer, Adam Ruane and David Schulte.

The exhibition can be seen, also free of charge, during gallery hours.

For more information regarding the exhibition, please visit The University of Scranton’s Hope Horn Gallery website.

An article written by University of Scranton Doctor of Business (DBA) graduates Amanda S. Marcy, ’10, G’11, DBA ’21, assistant professor of accounting at The University of Scranton, and Ronald Douglas Parker, DBA ’21, assistant professor of accounting at Western Carolina University, received the 2023 Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year Award from the Institute of Management Accountants’ Committee on Ethics and Strategic Finance.

This is the second-time Dr. Marcy received the Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year Award. She received the award in 2020 for an article co-written with Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., chair of the University’s Accounting Department; James F. Boyle, D.B.A., assistant professor of accounting; and Daniel P. Mahoney, Ph.D., professor of accounting.

            Drs. Marcy and Parker received the 2023 award for their article “The Value of Civility,” which examined the impact incivility has on the finance and accounting profession, as well as strategies organizations can use to combat incivility in the workplace. Their research indicated that “supervisor incivility significantly correlated to an employee’s overall job satisfaction and their intent to seek new job opportunities.” They stated in the article: “Of those who have experienced supervisor incivility, 24% indicated that they plan to leave their current employer within one year compared to only 6% of those that had never experienced such incivility.”

According to the survey Drs. Marcy and Parker conducted as part of their study, the incivility respondents cited that they had experienced by supervisors was “paying little attention to their opinions/statements (62%); doubting their judgment over a matter for which they were responsible (56%); putting them down or acting condescending toward them (47%); and ignoring or excluding them from professional camaraderie (44%).”

A Certified Public Accountant, Dr. Marcy was named assistant professor of accounting at Scranton in 2018 and previously served as a faculty specialist in the department. Previously, she worked as an accountant for Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Accounting Association and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Dr. Marcy earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting, her MBA specialized in accounting and her D.B.A. in accounting from The University of Scranton.

As a DBA student at Scranton, Dr. Parker and two of his accounting professors won a prestigious 2021 Institute of Management Accountants’ Lybrand Silver Medal for an article they co-authored. A resident of Franklin, North Carolina, Dr. Parker earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Carolina University.

The annual award is named in memory of Curtis C. Verschoor, a longtime member of the IMA Committee on Ethics, editor of the Strategic Finance Ethics column for 20 years, and a significant contributor to the development and revisions of the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice. Verschoor was a passionate, renowned thought leader on ethics in accounting, having earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from Trust Across America-Trust Around the World for his leadership in and advocacy for trustworthy business practices.

The University of Scranton doctoral business administration degree changed to a Ph.D. in Accounting degree beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year.

In recognition of Pope Francis’s call toward environmental sustainability, The University of Scranton’s Sustainability Office has chosen the theme “The People’s Planet, Climate Justice” for this spring’s Earth Day celebration. The theme of climate justice focuses on the merging of civil rights and climate change to draw attention to the effects of environmental changes on different communities. Many of the University’s offices and departments have come together to offer numerous educational events in honor of Earth Day and Scranton’s ongoing sustainability efforts.

Events are open to the public, free of charge, unless otherwise indicated.

This year’s Environmental Essay Contest is open to all area students in grades 5-12. The essay will revolve around the theme “The People’s Planet, Climate Justice.” Submissions will be accepted until April 3, and winners will be announced at the Evening of Environmental Science event on April 20. For more details, visit the contest webpage.

World Water Day will be celebrated through an interactive event at the University’s DeNaples Center on March 22. Informative activities and displays will help raise awareness of water usage and its importance. March 22 will also start Plant Based Meals Week for University students, in which the positive impacts of eating green will be promoted at meals offered at the Fresh Food Company.

Tonyehn Verkitus, executive director at Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, will discuss environmental factors and how disparities in communities jeopardize health and well-being at a Community-Based Learning talk on March 23. The talk begins at 11:45 a.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center.

On March 30, the film “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva” will be screened at the Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center at 7:30 p.m. The film shows many successful changes made through environmental activism and caring for all people. Vandana Shiva is a wonderful example of a woman’s lifelong leadership and activism that has improved the lives of millions of people around the world.  A very interesting, entertaining, and inspiring movie.

On April 14, an Environmental Art Show address will be given by artist Stephanie Williams in the Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library, beginning at 4:30 p.m. William’s work includes pictures of nature, people, creatures, sounds and energies. The library will also host an Environmental Art Show featuring environmental art of members of the University community from April 14 to April 25 in the Heritage Room during library hours.

On April 17, Nicole Negowetti, former clinical instructor at the Harvard Animal Law and Policy Clinic, will discuss her work concerning sustainable agricultural procedures. The talk, offered by the University’s Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities, begins at 5:30 p.m. at Brennan Hall, The Pearn Auditorium.

The Earth Day Fair will take place the following day, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center. The event will host University student displays as well as, displays from university departments, local non-profits and governmental offices, which will provide information about sustainable practices and products.

The Evening of Environmental Science, set for April 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center, will feature a display of essays received for the Earth Day Essay Contest, as well interactive environmental displays and activities. Awards for the Essay Contest will be presented at the event.

Earth Day celebrations conclude with a three-hour kayaking trip on the Susquehanna River for students on May 6, hosted by the University’s Sustainability Office and the Society for Sustainability and Conservation.

Visit The University of Scranton’s sustainability webpage for information about the University’s sustainability efforts and Earth Day events, or call the Office of Sustainability at 570-941-6267.

As part of events planned for The University of Scranton’s “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” and Women’s History Month, the University’s Career Development Office, Human Resources Office and the Jane Kopas Women’s Center hosted a Salary Negotiation Workshop aimed at helping women overcome the wage gap by teaching students how to properly advocate for themselves in their careers. Lori Moran, director of the University’s Center for Career Development, and Melissa Abda, a senior human resource generalist at the University’s  Office of Human Resources, hosted the event.

Moran and Abda began by displaying data that demonstrate women really are paid less even when working the same job, for the same number of hours as a male counterpart. In fact, Moran and Abda explained that this gendered pay discrepancy begins as soon as college graduation for women who do not negotiate their salaries. The wage gap, caused by factors including labor market discrimination and apprehension by women to negotiate pay, slowly grows over the course of women’s careers, culminating in a loss of $2 million for individual women by age 60.

The presenters encouraged the workshop attendees to combat this gendered discrepancy in pay by demonstrating how to determine one’s target salary, making sure to take into account one’s education, strengths and experiences, as well as market research and the median salary for the desired position within the specific geographical area. To determine the median salary for one’s desired job, Moran and Abda specifically recommended utilizing websites like salary.com and payscale.com, since both provide employer-reported data.

Moran and Abda explained what to do once one has received an offer. They advised attendees to examine the whole compensation package (including benefit plans, paid time off, bonuses, opportunities for advancement, retirement plans, etc.) and to not focus singularly on the salary. After taking time to think about the offer, attendees were taught to suggest a higher salary if their research indicated that they deserve higher compensation. If employers cannot provide the salary a potential employee deserves, Moran and Abda suggested that the potential employee should seek their appropriate compensation through other means such as reimbursement for relocation expenses, increased benefits, or a salary increase following a preliminary evaluation period. However, the presenters also advised that each attendee should know at what point they must walk away from an offer if, for instance, an organization cannot provide an appropriate salary due to budgetary restrictions. Moran emphasized the importance of only accepting a salary that will cover one’s cost of living.

The presenters closed the program encouraging the attendees to practice articulating why they would deserve a larger salary. Abda underscored the importance of practice saying, “practice is key so you can come across as confident.” After the workshop’s completion, the presenters roleplayed a salary negotiation to apply the workshop’s lessons, and then opened the floor for questions.

The University’s Spring 2023 Career Expo is set for Thursday, March 30, from noon to 3 p.m. in the Byron Recreation Complex.

 

Through April 14  Art Exhibit: “Post COVID: Art by Students for the Scranton School District.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

April 1  9 a.m. Regional National History Day Competition for junior and senior high school students. The DeNaples Center. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-4549 or email nhdparegion2@gmail.com.

April 1  8:30 a.m. Second annual Conference on Ethics and Excellence in Public Service for public officials, leaders of nonprofit organizations and students. Brennan Hall. $15. Registration required. Email ceeps@scranton.edu.

April 2  7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Mikaela Bennett, voice. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

April 4  7 p.m. Performance: “From Music Score To Life On Stage” book by Gene Terruso, co-produced with the University Players and The Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Humanities. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

April 14  4:30 p.m. Environmental Art Show opening event – Artist Talk with Stéphanie Williams. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free. Call 570-941-7482 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu.

April 14-25  Environmental Art Show. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free during library hours. Call 570-941-7482 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu.

April 15  7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble with guest baritone/bass saxophonist Leigh Pilzer. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

April 17  5:30 p.m. The Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Humanities Lecture: “The Regeneration Revolution: Working at the Nexus of Food, Climate, and Culture” presented by Nicole Negowetti, managing director of the Plant Based Foods Institute and vice president of Policy & Food Systems at the Plant Based Foods Association. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

April 18  11 a.m. Earth Day Fair with interactive games, presentation and information related to the environment and sustainable practices. Atrium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email mark.murphy@scranton.edu.

April 20 8:30 a.m. Hayes Family Competition in physics and engineering for high school students. Byron Complex. Registration required. Call 570-941-7509 or email salisa.brown@scranton.edu.

April 20  4 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “Where Does Wealth Come From?” presented by Sandra Black, Ph.D., Columbia University. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email john.ruddy@scranton.edu.

April 20  5:30 p.m. Earth Day “Evening of Environmental Science” with University student-run interactive science experiments and exhibit of University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest submissions. Essay contest awards will be announced at the event. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6267 or email susan.falbo@scranton.edu.

April 20-22  8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Performance: “Curtains” presented by The University of Scranton Liva Arts Company. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Visit https://livaartscompany.ludus.com to reserve tickets. Email livaartscompany@gmail.com with questions.

April 23  7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

April 24 through May 5  Art Exhibit: “The University of Scranton Student Exhibition Online.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call. 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

April 26  noon. Celebration of Student Scholars. Displays and presentations of undergraduate and graduate student research and scholarly projects. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6353 or email phillip.swank@scranton.edu.

April 27  4:15 p.m. Math Integration Bee. Calculus-based high school math competition. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Registration required. Visit https://www.scranton.edu/academics/cas/math/bee.shtml or email stacey.muir@scranton.edu.

April 27  5 p.m. Campus Take Back the Night. Dionne Green. Free. Call 570-941-6194 or email  brandice.ricciardi@scranton.edu. 

April 27  7:30 p.m. Schemel Forum with Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute at The University of Scranton Collaborative Program: “Only in America? Religion, State, and a Hasidic Town in Rural New York” presented by David N. Myers, Ph.D., distinguished professor of history, Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History and director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy, UCLA. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Registration required. $15 per person. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

April 27-30 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Theatrical performance of “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” by The University of Scranton’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the English and Theatre Department as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. Studio Theatre of the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

April 28 noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The World after the Ukraine War” presented by Jill Dougherty, Russian expert, former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief, current CNN on-air contributor and professor, Georgetown University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

April 29-30  9 a.m. Saturday; Noon Sunday. Friends of the Library Book and Plant Sale. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

 

The University of Scranton will host the second annual Conference on Ethics and Excellence in Public Service for public officials, leaders of nonprofit organizations and students on Saturday, April 1, in Brennan Hall. The half-day, in-person conference begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration and refreshments.

Topics addressed in panel discussions include “Ethics in Hiring and Government Appointments,” “Ethical Contracting of Services,” “Data for Public Officials,” and the pros and cons of the consolidation of public services. The conference will conclude with a luncheon keynote address by University of Scranton alumna Mary Beth Schluckebier, J.D., an attorney with The Public Interest Law Center in Philadelphia, where she advocates for communities combatting uninhabitable housing, unresponsive landlords and evictions.

Before joining the Law Center, Atty. Schluckebier was a litigation associate at Saul Ewing Arnstein and Lehr, focusing on higher education practice while also representing immigrant clients, community groups and civil rights cases on pro bono basis. She earned her bachelor’s degree in counseling and human services from the University and graduated, cum laude, from Temple University Beasley School of Law. In law school, she served as an intern for the Defender Association of Philadelphia, the Sheller Center for Social Justice and the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Prior to law school, she worked for several years in community, social service and public policy work around immigration issues in both Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

The annual conference is a key initiative of the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS) with the goal of helping to provide a foundation for ethical governance in Northeastern Pennsylvania by developing and nurturing a community of scholars, public officials and citizens dedicated to improving and protecting democracy at the state and local level.

A $15 registration fee includes all meals and materials for the day. Additional information and a schedule of speakers can be seen on the Conference on Ethics and Excellence in Public Service webpage.

Registration is required to attend. Please email ceeps@scranton.edu to register or for additional information about the conference.

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:

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

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.

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Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, will discuss “Pope Francis, Women and Synodality” on Wednesday, March 29, at 7 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. The lecture by the highest-ranking woman official at the Vatican is offered free of charge and is open to the public.

Her appointment by Pope Francis as an undersecretary in 2021, the first woman to hold this position and making her the first woman to have the right to vote in the Synod of Bishops, is considered a watershed moment in the Catholic Church, and an indication of an increased role for women in the life of the Church.

In a Vatican News article, Sister Becquart said she viewed her appointment as undersecretary as a sign of “confidence in the women in the Church” and looked forward to serving the Universal Church.

Established in 1965, the Synod of Bishops is an ecclesiastical advisory group of church leaders from all over the world who assist the pope by regularly examining issues close to the Church. During his papacy, Pope Francis has increased the authority and influence of the Synod of Bishops and expressed a desire to create a more synodal Church, one that is listening and learning from all members.

In 2019, Sister Becquart was appointed, along with four other women and one man, as a consultor to the general secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. They were the first women to be appointed to that position. Prior to that, she served as director of the national office for youth evangelization and vocations at the French Bishops' conference from 2012 to 2018, and held other positions of increasing responsibility and influence in the Church.

Sister Becquart is the author of “100 Prayers to Weather the Storm” (2012); “The Evangelization of Young People, a Challenge” (2013); “Religious, Why?” (2017); and “The Spirit Renews Everything” (2020).

Sister Becquart joined the Xavière Sisters, Missionaries of Jesus Christ in France in August 1995 and took her final vows in September 2005. She graduated from the HEC school of management with a Master in Management with a specialization in entrepreneurship and worked as a consultant in marketing and advertising before joining her order. She studied theology and philosophy at the Centre Sèvres (the Jesuit seminary in Paris), as well as sociology at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences. She earned a licentiate in sacred theology, specializing in ecclesiology with research on synodality at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.

The lecture, sponsored by the University’s Campus Ministries Office, is among the events planned for the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation.”

For information about the lecture, call the University’s Campus Ministries Office at 570-941-7419 or email campusministries@scranton.edu.

Four University of Scranton students who participate in Performance Music were selected to participate and perform in the 75^th Annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival, hosted this year by Mansfield University on March 10-12. They joined 130 other students from colleges and universities throughout the state under the baton of guest conductor Gary Green from the University of Miami for three days of intense rehearsal, culminating in a festival concert on the afternoon of March 12.

The students qualifying for participation were: Colin Gilmartin ’24, euphonium, a political science major from Moscow; Sally Hopkins ’26, tuba, an advertising and public relations major from East Stroudsburg; Tanya Siberon ’23, trumpet, a psychology and counseling and human services double major in the accelerated counseling master’s program from North Baldwin, New York; and Anthony Torres ’25, French horn, a biochemistry major in the pre-med program and member of the University Honors Program from New Milford. Torres is also the recipient of a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship at Scranton. 

The University is one of only four Pennsylvania colleges and universities to have students participate in every PA Intercollegiate Band Festival since 1982.

The primary focus of Performance Music at the University is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year. Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection, and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers.

For more information on Performance Music at The University of Scranton, visit scranton.edu/music. 

The full spring season of Performance Music Concerts can be seen here.

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The University of Scranton’s Weinberg Memorial Library is seeking donations and volunteers for its annual book sale. The library will accept donations of clean, properly stored books, especially children’s and young adult books, as well as unscratched CDs and DVDs. A library staff person can assist you with donation drop-offs by making an appointment with Melisa Gallo at 570-941-6195.

All proceeds from the book sale will benefit the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Endowment, which supports library collections and services. The event is organized by The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library, the library staff and volunteers.

The book sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 30, from noon to 4 p.m. for the general public. A special preview sale for current members of the Friends of the Library will be held on Friday, April 28, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The sale will take place in the fifth-floor Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Unlike previous years, there will be no tag or plant sale.

For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Melisa Gallo at 570-941-6195. To check your Friends Membership status, please contact Kym Fetsko at 570-941-7816.

The Weinberg Memorial Library Heritage Room exhibit celebrates the legacy of Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. ’H15 (1959-2021), on the 20^th the anniversary of his appointment as the 24^th President of The University of Scranton in 2003. The exhibit focuses on the dramatic expansion of Scranton’s campus facilities spearheaded by Father Pilarz under his 2005-2010 Strategic Plan – Pride, Passion, Promise: Shaping Our Jesuit Tradition.

Transformational capital projects during his tenure as the 24^th President included the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center; the Christopher and Margaret Condron Hall; the John and Jacquelyn Dionne Campus Green; the expansion of the Retreat Center at Chapman Lake, Montrone Hall and the building named in his honor, Pilarz Hall, on Mulberry Street; and the Loyola Science Center. The University’s progress was supported by the Pride, Passion, Promise Campaign, which was the most ambitious capital campaign in the University’s history and surpassed its $125 million fundraising goal.

Father Pilarz, who passed away on March 10, 2021, also served as the University’s 27^th President from 2018 to 2021.

The exhibit was curated by Special Collections Librarian and Professor Michael Knies with assistance from Digital Services Assistant David Hunisch, Special Collections Assistant Bridget Conlogue, Assistant to the Dean of the Library Kym Fetsko, and Digital Services Librarian and Assistant Professor Colleen Farry.

“Going Coeducational: Women on Campus, 1923-1972,” an exhibit documenting The University’s transition to a coeducational institution also continues in the Heritage Room.

The exhibits will run through April 23. A digital version will be available in perpetuity at: https://www.scranton.edu/library/father-pilarz

For more information, please contact Michael Knies at Michael.Knies@Scranton.edu or 570-941-6341.

The University of Scranton hosted a discussion of “Title 42: Justice at the Border” in March on campus. Part of the University’s Ellacuría Initiative programming, the discussion included an introduction to Title 42, an overview of KINO Border Initiative and a presentation of Title 42’s impact at the U.S.-Mexico Border by Michael Allison, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at the University. Julie Schumacher-Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at Scranton, and Jenny Gonzalez, director of Marywood University’s STARS Program, presented the “Historical Context of Migration in Scranton and Experiences of Migration.” The event concluded with a facilitated discussion led by graduate students from the University’s Department of Counseling and Human Services.

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The recently released 2022 Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings have placed The University of Scranton Accounting Department and faculty among the best research institutions in the world.

The Accounting Department of The University of Scranton ranked No. 5 (tied) in the world for accounting education research published in the most recent six-years in a listing considered to be the gold standard in accounting disciplines. The 2022 Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings also recognized several accounting faculty members individually for their research publication success.

The Brigham Young University report ranks accounting programs and faculty throughout the world based on their success in publishing in top-tier, peer-reviewed accounting journals. The report is updated annually and includes ranks for specific categories of research and for specific time periods. The 2022 update ranks Scranton’s Accounting Department at as the fifth (tied) most prolific department in the world for accounting education research over the most recent six-year period, following Brigham Young University (first), Texas Tech University (second) and Kennesaw State University (third), Clemson University (fourth) and tied (fifth) with Indiana University and West Virginia University. The department was also ranked internationally for all methods, audit, managerial, experimental and archival accounting research.

With respect to authorships of individual accounting faculty in the area of accounting education, three Scranton faculty members were ranked internationally. Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department and director of the Ph.D. program, was ranked No. 6. James F. Boyle, D.B.A., associate professor of accounting and director of the MAcc program, was ranked No. 19 and Brian W. Carpenter, Ph.D., professor emeritus of accounting, was ranked No. 37. Additionally, Dr. Douglas Boyle was ranked for all methods, auditing and experimental research; Dr. Carpenter was ranked for all methods; and Jeh-Hyun Cho, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting, was ranked for managerial and archival.

“The University of Scranton’s listing near the top of the 2022 Brigham Young University Accounting Education Research rankings and the very high rankings of many of its individual faculty in a variety of sub-disciplines bear testimony to the Accounting Department’s commitment to excellence in both teaching and research. As an institution that is committed to teaching excellence, it is important that our faculty are committed to conducting research and disseminating it to our students in the classroom. These rankings show that our accounting faculty or engaged in high quality education research that impacts our students at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level,” said Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the University’s Kania School of Management and professor of accounting.

This is the third consecutive year that the University’s Accounting Department was ranked in the top five in the world for research success in the prestigious Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings. The Accounting Department and the prolific research of its faculty have been recognized previously by two academic journals including one which ranked it as No. 1 for the number of publications in the leading five accounting practitioner journals.

Sursum Corda Awards were presented to four staff members by University of Scranton President Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., who also delivered his State of the University address at the Spring Convocation. The event took place in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center in March and also recognized 62 new staff members who joined the University in the last year.

Sursum Corda (Lift Up Your Hearts) Awards 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’s recipients were: Gina Butler, assistant dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Pat Cooper, dorm maintenance supervisor; Eileen Notarianni, Human Resources benefits specialist; Catherine Seymour, director of retreats and spiritual programs, Office of Campus Ministries.

In his remarks, Father Marina said this event celebrates the life and mission of the University and this year’s recipients of the Sursum Corda awards “clearly deserve to be recognized for their wonderful work.”

“Many thanks to each of you for your very hard work and for the contributions that you continue to make. You play such a vital role in advancing our mission,” said Father Marina at the convocation.

With gratitude, Father Marina also highlighted in his address several recent accomplishments at the University including students service experiences, the Landmark Championships won by the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the grand opening of expanded Multicultural Center. He also mentioned the University’s year-long celebration of the 50^th anniversary of coeducation of women at Scranton, among other programs and initiatives.

Also speaking at the convocation were Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., senior provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., vice president for mission and ministry.

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Two engaging Collaborative Programs are on tap for The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum this spring.

On Wednesday, Mar. 29, the Schemel Forum will partner with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine to present “Mozart: The Mind and Music of a Genius,” featuring Richard Kogan, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and artistic director of the Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program. The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. in WVIA Public Media Studios’ Sordoni Theater, with a reception to follow. Admission is $35 per person.

At the program, Dr. Kogan, a Julliard-trained pianist and Harvard-trained psychiatrist, will explore the mystery of creative genius through an examination of the life, mind and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). To illustrate his points, Dr. Kogan will perform some of Mozart's most sublime musical compositions on the piano.

Then, on Thursday, Apr. 27, the Schemel Forum, the Theology and Religious Students Department and the Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute will co-present “Only in America? Religion, State, and a Hasidic Town in Rural New York,” featuring David N. Myers, Ph.D., distinguished professor of history, Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History, and director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy at UCLA. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. Admission is $15 per person.

At the program, Dr. Myers will discuss the remarkable case of Kiryas Joel, a town in New York state populated entirely by Satmar Hasidic Jews. What, Myers will ask, does this town of religiously observant Jews tell us about the "wall of separation" between religion and state of which Thomas Jefferson spoke? And, has that Jeffersonian ideal given way to a new vision of religious liberties as the paramount constitutional right?

To register for the programs, contact Brooke Leonard at 570-941-4740 or brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. Or, to pay online, visit the Schemel Forum’s webpage (scranton.edu/schemelforum)

Listen to a Sondra Myers, director of the Schemel Forum, discuss the spring season at a WVIA interview with Erika Funke.

The University of Scranton’s Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities hosted a lecture titled “Towards a Just Economy: Guaranteed Income and Human Potential” by Amy Beth Castro, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice and co-founder and director of its Center for Guaranteed Income Research. At the February talk, which took place in the Loyola Science Center, Dr. Castro’s discussed her research on economic mobility, guaranteed income and innovation.

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“I Am Woman,” the Helen Reddy song that became an unofficial anthem of the women’s movement, hit number one on Billboard’s record chart on Dec. 9, 1972.

At the same time, a group of 120 women were charting a new course for themselves and future generations on the campus of The University of Scranton as members of the first incoming class that included women as residential and commuter full-time students.

A news article from that period in the then-Sunday paper The Scrantonian, interviewed several women in the first coed class about the transition. Students quoted said that they chose Scranton because they felt Scranton genuinely wanted them. Many of the women said that when the classes began in the fall semester, they felt self-conscious about being members of the first coed class and noted that the men, too, had to adjust. But, they said, as the semester continued they felt more comfortable and accepted.

Among the first cohort of women trailblazers at Scranton interviewed in The Scrantonian news story was Susan Swain ’76, now the president and co-CEO of C-SPAN. The English major was quoted as saying: “I find that I don’t have to be on my guard as much. I don’t have to constantly worry about whether I’m making a good impression because the guys I associate with are really good friends and I can be myself and they can too.”

Another member of the first coed cohort, former University Trustee Karen Pennington, Ph.D., ’76, G’83, H’15, who served as vice president for student development and campus life at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, until she retired a few years ago, was quoted as saying: “The small classes are great, because the teachers have the opportunity of giving students closer attention.”

The University has marked the 50^th anniversary of becoming coeducational with a year-long celebration.

“These celebrations matter,” said Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the opening ceremony of the celebration in September. “I’m very aware that I am standing in front of you in this space because of these women, and because of this decision,” noting that it is important to remember the women “who created spaces for us that did not exist for them.”

In addition, Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of the University, sent a message about the celebration to the University community.

The Committee for the Celebration of 50 years of Coeducation at Scranton is co-chaired by Elizabeth Garcia, J.D., executive director of the Office of Equity and Diversity and special assistant to the president, and Lauren Rivera, J.D., interim vice president for student life and dean of students.

'Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation' upcoming events include:

* A screening of the documentary “Fair Play,” followed by a facilitated conversation about wage gap, the effects of gender roles in families struggling to maintain their work-life balance and intersectionality, will take place March 2 at 6 p.m. in the Rose Room of Brennan Hall. “Fair Play” is based on the best-selling book written by Eve Rodsky.

* A “Talk Back” led by Susan Poulson, Ph.D., professor of history at the University, will immediately follow the 8 p.m. March 4 performance of “Little Women: the Broadway Musical” by The University of Scranton Players in the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts.

* A Salary Negotiations Workshop, offered by the University’s Center for Career Development, Office of Human Resources and Jane Kopas Women’s Center, is set for March 7 at 6 p.m. in room 405 of the DeNaples Center.

* The Women of Vision and Courage Award Presentation and Celebration will take place at 3 p.m. on March 8, International Women’s Day, in the McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. 

* Carol Rittner, RSM, D.Ed., distinguished professor emerita of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Dr. Marsha Raticoff Grossman Professor Emerita of Holocaust Studies at Stockton University, New Jersey, will present “The Courage to Care” as part of the Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminars. The talk begins at noon on March 13 in the Rose Room, Brennan Hall.

* In recognition of the 50th anniversaries of Title IX and coeducation at Scranton, a full-day Women’s and Gender Justice Teach-in, hosted by the University’s Ellacuria Initiative will take place on March 28 in the PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center.

* The highest-ranking female official at the Vatican, Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, will discuss “Pope Francis, Women and Synodality,” at 7 p.m. on March 29 at 7 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. Sister Becquart was appointed by Pope Francis as the undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

* A screening of the film “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva” will take place on March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center.

* An Alumni Panel Discussion will take place on April 12 at 5 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center

* The University of Scranton’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the English and Theatre Department will perform “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” at the Studio Theatre of the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Performances are set for April 27, 28 and 29 at 8 p.m., and on April 30 at 2 p.m.

Additional events include table sits and trivia tables on the second floor of the DeNaples Center in March and a trip to Seneca Falls on March 25, among other activities. The University will also light the Class of 2020 Gateway Sign in honor of the celebration on March 1, 8 and April 12.

Some events are free of charge, while ticket prices vary for others. More details about events planned for “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” can be seen here. For questions or additional information, contact the University’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center at 570-941-6194.

The University of Scranton’s “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” kicks into high gear in March and April. The following is a list of events planned in the coming months.

Mar. 1      11 a.m. Table Sit: information about the 50^th anniversary celebration and Women’s History Month, sponsored by the University’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center. Second floor, DeNaples Center. Free. Open to members of the University community. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 2             6 p.m. Documentary film screening: “Fair Play,” based on the best-selling book by Eve Rodsky, followed by a facilitated conversation about wage gap, the effects gender roles in families struggling to maintain their work life balance, and intersectionality. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Open to the University community. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu. 

Mar. 4       Following the 8 p.m. performance of “Little Women: the Broadway Musical,” Talk Back, led by Susan Poulson, Ph.D., professor of history at The University of Scranton. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Open to the public. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

Mar. 7       6 p.m. Salary Negotiations Workshop offered by The University of Scranton’s Career Development Office, Human Resources Office and the Jane Kopas Women’s Center. Room 405, DeNaples Center. Free. Open to the public. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 8     3 p.m. Women of Vision and Courage Award Presentation offered by The University of Scranton’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Open to invited guests. Reservations required. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 13           noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Courage to Care” presented by Carol Rittner, RSM, D.Ed., distinguished professor emerita of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Dr. Marsha Raticoff Grossman Professor Emerita of Holocaust Studies at Stockton University, New Jersey. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Open to the public. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mar. 24           1 p.m. Trivia Table sponsored by the University’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center. Second floor, DeNaples Center. Free. Open to members of the University community. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 25           8 a.m. Bus trip to historic Seneca Falls, New York, the birthplace of the women’s movement in the United States. Departs from the DeNaples Center circle. Fees vary. Reservations required. Open to members of the University community. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 28           8 a.m. Women’s and Gender Justice Teach-in, sponsored by the University’s Ellacuria Initiative, in recognition of the 50th anniversaries of Title IX and coeducation at Scranton. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Reservations required. Free. Open to members of the University community. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 29           7 p.m. Lecture: “Pope Francis, Women and Synodality” by Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, Undersecretary of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops (the highest-ranking female official at the Vatican). McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Open to the public. Call 570-941-7419 or email campusministries@scranton.edu.

Mar. 30           7:30 p.m. Film screening: “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva,” a documentary film about the life of the eco-activist and agro-ecologist, who fought against multinational agribusiness in India and became leader in the international organic food movement. Panel discussion immediately follows. The event is presented by the University’s Office of Sustainability, The Slattery Center, Environmental Studies Concentration, Women and Gender Studies, Asian Studies and the Cultural Centers. Moscovitz theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Open to the public. Call 570-941-7520 or email mark.murphy@scranton.edu.

Apr. 12            5 p.m. Alumni Panel Discussion. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Open to the public. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Apr. 27-30                  8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Performance: “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” by the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the English and Theatre Department. Studio Theatre, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Prices vary. Open to the public. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

For additional information about events, contact the University’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center at 570-941-6194 or by email at jkwc@scranton.edu.

A message from Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, about the celebration can be seen here.

Additional events planned in March can be seen here.

On Sunday, Mar. 5, at 7:30 p.m., The University of Scranton’s Concert Choir will present a concert in collaboration with Scranton Brass Orchestra. Presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton, the concert will take place at the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

According to Performance Music Conductors and Co-Directors Cheryl Y. Boga and Philip Kuehn, the concert will feature a short program by each group, followed by the performance of three pieces by the combined groups, with piano accompaniment.

Formed four decades ago, the mixed-voice University of Scranton Concert Choir is a 50-member ensemble made up of students from majors spanning the University’s curriculum, brought together by their love of music. They are known for their eclectic and diverse styles of programming, and their selections for this concert include a lush choral arrangement of the Great American Songbook standard “When I Fall in Love,” an a cappella version of Don McLean’s “Vincent,” a setting by James Mulholland of the Robert Burns poem “A Red, Red Rose,” Rene Clausen’s “If Music Be The Food of Love,” and the tonally shimmering “Water Night” by Eric Whitacre.

Now in its 11^th season, Scranton Brass Orchestra is a fully-professional, 28-member ensemble comprised of brass and percussion players/teachers from across the region. Since its founding in June 2011, the group’s performances have been free and open to the public, and have featured nationally and internationally acclaimed guests, among them some of the most acclaimed brass players of our time. For the Mar. 5 concert, the ensemble will perform brass band arrangements of music by Gershwin, Andrew Lloyd Weber and American folk songs.

The primary focus of Performance Music at the University is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year. Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection, and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers.

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

The full spring season of Performance Music Concerts can be seen here.

The University of Scranton offered a Community-Based Learning Talk titled “Black History and Housing in Scranton,” by Glynis Johns, CEO and founder of the Black Scranton Project, in February. The talk highlighted downtown Scranton’s history and discussed themes of Blackness, housing, racial discrimination and more. The event was part of the University’s Black History Month programming and the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project, which is a National Endowment for the Humanities funded initiative led by the University and various community organizations.

See the University’s 2023 Black History Month events here.

For University of Scranton student Ashley Moronta, the Multicultural Center is a “home away from home.”

“I met my closest friends there. It has brought so many student from different backgrounds together,” said Moronta at the Grand Opening and Blessing Ceremony of the newly expanded and renovated Multicultural Center, now located on the first floor of the DeNaples Center.

University of Scranton President, Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., noted the prominent location and increased size of the Multicultural Center as an illustration of the importance of the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts.

“On my way to the ceremony, I saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky. It is a symbol of what we have here today – the gift God has given us with the diversity of our campus,” said Father Marina in his remarks prior to blessing the Center.

According to José Sanchez, assistant director of the University’s Cultural Centers, input from students was solicited and incorporated into the design of the new space.

The renovated facility includes places to store backpacks and coats and a refrigerator for food; rooms for study and group meetings; and TV screens, white boards and coated walls for presentations or to help organize collaborative efforts. Tables function for dining as well as group work spaces. Couches, comfortable for just relaxing, can be easily reformed into theater-type seating for movie screenings, performances or guest lectures.

“We want the Center to be inviting and a place where our students want to spend their time,” said Sanchez.

And that warmth is what attracted student Paul Amara to the Center.

“I felt welcomed. It made me feel that this is a place where I am meant to be,” said Amara in his remarks at the ceremony. An accounting major from Williamsport, Amara said the Multicultural Center and the people he met there have changed him into who he is today, growing from shy person, to a more outgoing individual.

“It warms my heart that the Center will now be open to more people,” he said.

Following the blessing, officers from student organizations cut a ribbon to formally open the renovated Multicultural Center to the campus community. Students cutting the ribbon were Moronta, a senior forensic chemistry major from Hazleton and president of the United Cultures Organization, who also spoke at the ceremony; Arielle Contrera, a senior English major from Brooklyn, New York, and president of the Spanish Cultural Society; Eli Kerr, a 2022 graduate of the University and current occupational therapy graduate student from Scranton and former president of Scranton Alliance for Equity (SAFE); Erica Mascardo, a senior biology major from Kansas City, Missouri, and president of the International Student Club; Ayana McCalla, a senior sociology major from Baldwin, New York, and president of the Louis Stanley Brown Student Union; Siddharth Patel, a senior biochemistry major from Scranton and president of the Asia Club; and Danica Sinson, a senior biology and philosophy double major from Floral Park, New York, and a participant in the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and president of the Scranton Student Association of the Philippines.

Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., interim vice president for student life and dean of students, and Sanchez also spoke at the ceremony.

The University received generous financial support from PNC to help fund the Multicultural Center renovations.

Photos of the Grand Opening and Blessing Ceremony of the Multicultural Center, as well as the open house that immediately followed, can be seen in the gallery below and a recording of the event can be seen here.

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The University of Scranton will host the HamSCI Workshop 2023, which engages amateur radio enthusiasts and professional scientists to collaborate on existing and future innovative research projects. Titled “Forging Amateur-Professional Bonds,” the conference takes place March 17-18 at locations on campus and at the historic Lackawanna Station hotel. HamSCI is an officially recognized NASA Citizen Science project and the conference has received grant support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC.)

“The HamSCI Workshop plays a unique and important role in the development of both the amateur radio community and the scientific workforce,” said Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., (W2NAF) assistant professor of physics and electrical engineering at The University of Scranton.

Speakers for the HamSCI Workshop 2023 include a keynote presentation by Patricia Reiff, Ph.D., (W5TAR) professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University and founding director of the Rice Space Institute. She will discuss the importance of united teams of amateurs and professionals in conducting and advancing scientific research. She earned her Ph.D. in space physics and astronomy from Rice University.

Joseph Huba, Ph.D., vice president of Syntek Technologies and former head of the Space Plasma Physics Section at the Naval Research Laboratory, will discuss “Modeling the Ionosphere with SAMI3.” Dr. Huba’s tutorial will provide a general overview of ionospheric physics and SAMI3, which models the plasma and chemical evolution of seven ion species. Dr. Huba earned his Ph.D. in theoretical plasma physics at the University of Maryland.

Also, speaking at the conference will be Jesse Alexander (WB2IFS/3), a licensed amateur radio operator, who will discuss his efforts to introduce young people to the wonder of the Electromagnetic Spectrum through hands-on ham radio-based experiences.

The HamSCI Workshop will give participants hands-on experience using University’s amateur radio station W3USR as well. The workshop will also serve as a team meeting for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station project (PSWS), which is a $1.3 million NSF funded project previously awarded to Dr. Frissell.

The workshop also features presentations of research abstracts related to the latest developments related radio science and amateur radio, including those related to solar eclipse ionospheric effects, Sporadic E, traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), and space and terrestrial weather impacts to radio propagation. University of Scranton students Veronica Romanek, Hampton, New Jersey, a senior physics and Spanish double major; Francis Tholley ’21, Darby, a software engineering graduate student, who earned his bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Scranton; and Shaaf Sarwar, Qazalbash Chowk, Lahore, Pakistan, a senior physics major and recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, will be among the research presenters.

In addition, the Murgas Amateur Radio club from NEPA will showcase old amateur radios in an “Amateur Radio Through the Ages” exhibit in the display cases on the second floor of Loyola Science Center. The Murgas Amateur Radio Club and Scranton Pocono Amateur Radio Club will also run a special event amateur radio station at the workshop using the W3USR call sign and offer on-site amateur radio license exams.

The HamSCI Workshop 2023 offers both in-person or virtual participation. Lodging for the event is available at the historic Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton and the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. For registration details and conference information, visit the HamSCI Workshop 2023 webpage.

Dr. Frissell talks about the workshop in this WVIA podcast.

Through Mar. 10                   Art Exhibit: “A New Understanding: Paintings by Travis Prince.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Mar. 3-5          8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Performance: “Little Women; the Broadway Musical” music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, book by Allan Knee presented by The University of Scranton Players. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

Mar. 4     Following 8 p.m. performance: Talk Back immediately after the performance of “Little Women; the Broadway Musical” by The University of Scranton Players as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

Mar. 5      7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Concert Choir and The Scranton Brass Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Mar. 7      6 p.m. Salary Negotiations Workshop offered by The University of Scranton’s Career Development Office and the Jane Kopas Women’s Center as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. Room 405, The DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 8    3 p.m. Women of Vision and Courage Award Presentation offered by The University of Scranton’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Reservations required. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 8             7 p.m. Humanities Lecture and Discussion: “Black Patience and Emancipation: A Conversation,” with author Julius Fleming Jr, author of “Black Patience: Performance, Civil Rights, and the Unfinished Project of Emancipation;” discussion follows with Glynis Johns, Black Scranton, and Melissa Anyiwo, Ph.D., associate professor of African American history at The University of Scranton. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Registration requested at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BlackPatience23. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Mar. 13           noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Courage to Care” presented by Carol Rittner, RSM, D.Ed., distinguished professor emerita of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Dr. Marsha Raticoff Grossman Professor Emerita of Holocaust Studies at Stockton University, New Jersey. The luncheon is part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mar. 20 through Apr. 14       Art Exhibit: “Post COVID: Art by Students for the Scranton School District.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Mar. 23           11:45 a.m. Community-Based Learning Talk “Environmental Health” presented by Tonyehn Verkitus. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Mar. 24           5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Post COVID: Art by Students for the Scranton School District” presented by Darlene Miller-Lanning. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Mar. 25           9 a.m. Preview Day for accepted students to The University of Scranton’s class of 2027. Various locations on campus. Call 570-941-7540 or email admissions@scranton.edu. 

Mar. 28           noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “A Foreigner Called Picasso” presented by Annie Cohen-Solal, writer and social historian, distinguished professor at Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mar. 29           5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program: “Mozart: The Mind and Music of a Genius” presented by Richard Kogan, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College and artistic director, Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program. Sordoni Theater, WVIA Public Media Studies. Reception to follow. Registration required. $35 per person. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mar. 29           7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “General Recital” featuring flute choir, percussion ensemble, steel drums and more. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu

Mar. 30           5 p.m. 26^th Annual ACHE Healthcare Symposium: “Bedside and Administration: A Strategic Alliance.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Includes dinner, presentation and panel discussion. Fees vary. Call 570-709-9892 or email scarlet.alexander@scranton.edu. 

Mar. 30           7:30 p.m. Office of Sustainability film and panel discussion “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva.” Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email mark.murphy@scranton.edu.

For the fourth time, a University of Scranton student was selected for the Institute of Management Accountants’ (IMA) “Jimmie Smith” Student Leadership Experience. This highly-selective program chose only three students from the around the world to participate this year.

Charles Csaszar ’22, Hopewell Junction, New York, will participate in a series of virtual meetings from January to May, 2023, focused on governance and volunteerism. The program will conclude in June with his attending the IMA’s Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Throughout the program, Csaszar will be assigned a IMA’s Global Board of Director mentor to learn more about the IMA’s Global Board and explore future IMA volunteer leadership opportunities.

The other two students selected to participate this year are at Illinois State University and Singapore Management University, Singapore.

The IMA Selection Committee only chooses students from IMA Higher Education Endorsement Program member schools to attend this experience. Approximately 100 colleges have achieved endorsement by IMA internationally. The University of Scranton received its endorsement in November 2017.

This is the fourth year a University of Scranton student has attended the prestigious IMA Student Leadership Experience. Nicholas Varriano ’17, ‘G18, attended in 2018, and Nhu Nguyen ’19, attended in 2019, and Emma Bolye ’23, attended in 2022. 

Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) program, continuing education, networking and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. IMA has a global network of more than 140,000 members in 140 countries and over 300 professional and student chapters.

A class of 2022 magna cum laude graduate of The University of Scranton, Csaszar is currently pursuing an accelerated Master of Accountancy degree with a concentration in accounting analytics at Scranton. As an undergraduate, he was an accounting and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and its Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. He was a member of Phi Sigma Tau, the international honor society for students of philosophy, and Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for students of accounting, finance, and operations management. He was a recipient of the Accounting Department’s Sophie V. West Service Award for his leadership in service activities while at Scranton. Csaszar was also a member of a team of Scranton students whose virtual presentation was selected as a “Semi-Final 8” for the 2021 IMA Case Competition. He serves as an officer for the University’s IMA Student Chapter that was three-times selected as one of just five IMA Outstanding Student Chapters in the nation. He completed a tax internship with PwC in the New York office and will return to PwC as a tax associate upon graduation with his master’s degree.

University of Scranton President, Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., announced the appointment of Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado, Ph.D., as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, effective immediately. Dr. Maldonado was serving as Scranton’s interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for the 2022-2023 academic year.

“Dr. Maldonado has a deep understanding and appreciation of our Catholic and Jesuit mission, and a love of the characteristics that make Scranton so special,” said Father Marina in a Feb. 14^th message to the University community.

A member of the President’s Cabinet, the provost serves as the chief academic officer for the University and has overall responsibility for its education and research programs. The provost is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for the academic division’s budget, undergraduate and graduate programs, teaching, research, the library and the faculty. In addition, the provost works with deans and faculty to develop advancements to the curriculum and oversee the academic programming of the University’s three colleges.

In the campus announcement, Father Marina noted that during her time as interim provost, Dr. Maldonado “outlined academic priorities that are integrated with the Universal Apostolic Preferences and the University’s Strategic Plan” and had “begun work to implement more transfer-friendly policies for students, created academic support programs for first-generation students, developed innovative programs for non-traditional learners, and is spearheading our initiative to become a Laudato Si’ university.”

“Throughout her time at Scranton, she has also played a key role in the creation and implementation of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan,” said Father Marina. 

Dr. Maldonado joined the University in 2020 as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. As dean, she oversaw the development and implementation of a five-year strategic plan for the College and launched an online Master’s in Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity, among other accomplishments.

As a scholar, Dr. Maldonado’s academic areas of specialization include Latino/a and Latin American theology; Afro-Caribbean and Latino/a studies; and constructive and cultural theologies. In addition to the nearly dozen books that she has edited, co-authored or authored, she has published more than 50 articles in academic journals and book chapters. She has also presented at more than 90 academic conferences and meetings and contributed more than a dozen book reviews. She has written articles for the National Catholic Reporter and Conversations, and, in March of 2021, participated as a panelist in “The Francis Factor at Eight Years: Global Impacts, U.S. Challenges” discussion hosted by Georgetown University. In 2022, she was a panel participant and keynote speaker for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s V Encuentro Ministry Series Project.  

Prior to joining Scranton, Dr. Maldonado served as assistant provost of undergraduate education at the University of Miami, where she has also served as the executive director of the Office of Academic Enhancement and as a professor of religious studies. She joined the faculty at the University of Miami in 2006.

Dr. Maldonado has received multiple honors and awards during her career, including the Alumni of the Year award from the Graduate Theological Union, the 2008 Catholic Press Association Book Award for Second Place in Gender Issues for her book “Created in God’s Image,” and a 2004 Catholic Press Association Book Award and a 2004 Hispanic Theological Initiative Book Prize for her first book “Sor Juana: Beauty and Justice in the Americas.”

Previously, Dr. Maldonado served as a theologian-in-residence at San Lucas Toliman Mission in Guatemala and as an assistant professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University.

Dr. Maldonado earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, her master’s degree from the Union Theology Seminary, and her Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union.

The University’s selection of Dr. Maldonado followed a national search conducted by a broadly representative search committee chaired by Scranton alumnus Anthony Yanni, M.D., University trustee and senior vice president and global head, Patient Centricity for Astellas. 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a nearly $50,000 grant to Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor physics and electrical engineering at The University of Scranton, to support “The Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) Workshop 2023.” He also received a grant of just over $25,000 from Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) to support the workshop. The HamSCI Workshop 2023 will take place Mar. 17 and 18 at The University of Scranton and the historic Radisson at Lackawanna Station.

 

“The HamSCI Workshop plays a unique and important role in the development of both the amateur radio community and the scientific workforce,” said Dr. Frissell, who noted there are more than 770,000 licensed ham radio operators in the U. S. and about 3 million worldwide. “Each year, the workshop brings together many young student researchers and experienced scientists, engineers and amateur radio operators in an environment where they can share ideas and learn from each other.”

The HamSCI is a collective of professional researchers and licensed amateur radio operators (a.k.a. hams) with the objective to foster collaborations between the amateur and professional communities for the purposes of advancing scientific research and understanding, encouraging the development of new technologies to support this research, and to provide educational opportunities for the amateur radio community and the general public.

“Dr. Frissell is doing incredible work at The University of Scranton, performing cutting-edge scientific research while educating future scientists. The workshop funded by this grant will bring some of the brightest scientific minds to Scranton, and I am sure it will be a weekend of great collaboration and discussion. As the Ranking Member of the Commerce Justice and Science Subcommittee, I am proud to help fund projects like this one through the National Science Foundation, and I admire Dr. Frissell’s efforts to put Northeastern Pennsylvania on the map through his scientific endeavors,” said U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright. 

The workshop will include talks from prominent leaders in radio science, space science and space weather from both the professional and amateur communities, as well as research abstracts related to the latest developments related radio science and amateur radio, including those related to solar eclipse ionospheric effects, Sporadic E, traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), and space and terrestrial weather impacts to radio propagation.

Dr. Frissell noted that the 2023 HamSCI Workshop is particularly important and timely for the HamSCI community in order to prepare for the upcoming annular solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023, and the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024. “Both eclipses have paths that sweep across the continental United States and are the last solar eclipses to traverse this area until 2044, and are therefore important, time-sensitive, in- formation rich opportunities for running unique and “controlled” ionospheric experiments,” said Dr. Frissell.

The workshop will serve as a team meeting for the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station project, which is a $1.3 million NSF funded project previously awarded to Dr. Frissell. The project seeks to harness the power of a network of licensed amateur radio operators to better understand and measure the effects of weather in the upper levels of Earth’s atmosphere. In August 2021, Dr. Frissell received a six-figure grant through the NASA’s Space Weather Applications Operations 2 Research Program for the research project “Enabling Space Weather Research with Global Scale Amateur Radio Datasets.

Speakers for the HamSCI Workshop 2023 include a keynote presentation by Patricia Reiff, Ph.D., (W5TAR) professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University and founding director of the Rice Space Institute. She will discuss “Forging Amateur-Professional Bonds.” Joseph Huba, Ph.D., vice president of Syntek Technologies and former head of the Space Plasma Physics Section at the Naval Research Laboratory, will discuss “Modeling the Ionosphere with SAMI3.” (SAMI3 models the plasma and chemical evolution of seven ion species.) Also, Jesse Alexander (WB2IFS/3), a licensed amateur radio operator, will discuss his efforts to introduce young people to the wonder of the Electromagnetic Spectrum through hands-on ham radio based experiences.

In addition, the Murgas Amateur Radio club from NEPA will showcase old amateur radios in an “Amateur Radio Through the Ages” exhibit in the display cases on the second floor of Loyola Science Center.

Dr. Frissell talks about the workshop in this WVIA podcast.

Registration and additional information about the conference, which is offered in an in-person and virtual format, can be found on the HamSCI Workshop 2023 webpage.

This spring, The University of Scranton Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminars will feature another diverse lineup of thought-provoking discussions centered around important global issues.

Six prominent speakers will appear at the luncheons, which will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Brennan Hall’s Rose Room (with the exception of the April 21st event). In addition, a Zoom option is available for those who wish to attend remotely.

The series begins Monday, Mar. 13, with “The Courage to Care,” presented by Carol Rittner, RSM, D.Ed., distinguished professor emerita of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Dr. Marsha Raticoff Grossman Professor Emerita of Holocaust Studies at Stockton University, New Jersey. At the talk, Rittner will discuss the small minority of European Christians who assisted Jewish people during the Holocaust. Among the questions she’ll address are: “Why did they risk their lives?” and “What can we learn from people who had ‘the courage to care?’”

Next, on Tuesday, Mar. 28, writer and social historian Annie Cohen-Solal, distinguished professor at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, will present “A Foreigner Called Picasso,” a look at Picasso’s life in France, where he managed to flourish artistically despite always being looked at as an “other” and never being afforded French citizenship. In spite of all that, he managed to enrich the country’s cultural life like few others in its history.

National Book Award-winning Irish novelist Colum McCann will visit the University on Friday, April 21, for the seminar, “How Stories Heal the World.” During the talk, McCann will discuss how, despite living in fractured times, we can bring a healing bond to our communities and our own lives through the power of stories. The talk will take place in Redington Hall’s Collegiate Hall.

On Friday, Apr. 28, Dunmore native, CNN on-air contributor and Russia expert Jill Dougherty will present “The World after the Ukraine War,” an incisive look at how the war in Ukraine has created global upheaval, affecting energy policies, inflation, food prices and political stability.

Dougherty was in Moscow when the invasion began and now, a year into the war, she’ll examine this watershed event that is transforming Ukraine, Russia, Europe and the world.

“Vladimir Putin thought his invasion of Ukraine would be a blitzkrieg-style lightning strike to remove Ukraine’s president and pull Ukraine back under the influence of Russia,” Dougherty said. “But, one year later, President Volodymyr Zelensky is still in power in Kyiv, NATO allies are supporting Ukraine with tanks and heavy weaponry, the alliance is about to add two more members, Russia’s economy is being hit with unprecedented sanctions, and Ukrainians are more united than ever against Russia.”

On Tuesday, May 2, Fredrik Logevall, Ph.D., the Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs at John F. Kennedy School of Government and professor of history at Harvard University, will present “The Promise of American Democracy.”

At the event, Dr. Logevall will discuss America’s deeply divided politics, and whether the two major parties can ever find their way back to the type of good-faith bargaining that’s essential in a functioning democracy.

“American democracy faces challenges on various fronts,” Dr. Logevall said. “For evidence, we need look no further than the assault on the U.S. Capitol two years ago. Could such violent protest occur again? The possibility is there, so deep is the political dysfunction. But I want to suggest in the talk that there are also reasons to be hopeful, and that some of those reasons can be found in looking at the nation’s history. And I’ll also look to the future a bit, and talk about what I believe a healthy democracy requires.”

Finally, on Tuesday, May 9, Harmar Brereton, M.D., medical and radiation oncologist, Weill Cornell Medical School faculty, and clinical professor of Medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, brings the seminars to a close with “Vocalising and Music in the Development of Speech Language and Consciousness.”

In previous Schemel Forum presentations, Dr. Brereton explored the evolution of consciousness reflected in tool artifacts and Paleolithic art. This time, he’ll look at how the hearing and making of sound also may have influenced the development of consciousness.

“We’ll look at the origins of music up to the beginning of vocalizing and steps taken to what music is for us today,” Dr. Brereton said. “We’ll include a biological and evolutionary review with some assumptions along the way.”

Admission to the luncheon seminars is free for University students, faculty, staff and Schemel Forum members. For non-members, the seminars are $25 in-person (buffet lunch included) and $10 remote.

To register for the seminars, contact Brooke Leonard at 570-941-4740 or brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. Or, to pay online, visit: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

Additional Schemel Forum events scheduled for the spring semester include courses and collaborative events. Sondra Myers, Schemel Forum director, discusses the spring events in a WVIA interview with Erika Funke. The full schedule events can be found on the Schemel Forum’s webpage.

“Towards a Just Economy: Guaranteed Income and Human Potential” is the title of The University of Scranton’s Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities Lecture by Amy Beth Castro, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice and co-founder and director of its Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR). The talk, presented free of charge and open to the public, begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, in PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center.

Dr. Castro’s research explores economic mobility, guaranteed income and innovation. She is the co-principal investigator of 30 applied cash-transfer studies housed at CGIR, where she currently advises more than 20 mayoral teams, state and county legislators on unconditional cash research. She is co-principal investigator of the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED), the nation’s first mayor-led guaranteed income demonstration.

Launched in February 2019 by former Mayor of Stockton, California, Michael D. Tubbs, SEED gave 125 randomly selected residents $500 per month for 24 months. The cash was completely unconditional, with no strings attached and no work requirements. Preliminary outcomes indicate the guaranteed income recipients were enabled to find full-time employment and were healthier, showing less depression and anxiety, among other findings, according to the study’s website.

Dr. Castro’s research has been published by the Social Service Review, The Gerontologist, Social Science and Medicine, Social Work, The American Journal of Public Health and the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM). Her research has been featured in newspapers and national publications that include The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New Yorker and The Economist, as well as broadcast media outlets such as CNN, NBC, PBS and National Public Radio.

Dr. Castro is also known for her work on women and risky lending during the 2008 foreclosure crisis. She was awarded the Society for Social Work and Research Outstanding Dissertation Award, the GADE research award and the Nina Fortin Award for her work on the gender and racial profiles of predatory lending.

At Penn, she is an affiliated faculty member of the Alice Paul Center and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, and is a member of the LGBTQ faculty working group. Prior to her tenure at Penn, she spent more than a decade working with non-profits and community-based agencies in Philadelphia and New York City.

Dr. Castro received her Ph.D. in social welfare and her master’s degree from the City University of New York, her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and her bachelor’s degree from Cairn University.

For additional information about the lecture, visit upcoming events on the Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities webpage.

The University of Scranton welcomed artist Travis Prince to campus as part of its Black History Month events to discuss an exhibition of his work at the Hope Horn Gallery titled “A New Understanding.” Prince discussed his work at a lecture in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall on Feb. 3, which was immediately followed by an opening reception at the Hope Horn Gallery. His work will be on display during galley hours until Friday, Mar. 10.

See the University’s planned events for the spring semester here.

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Twenty University of Scranton education majors are serving as student teachers during the spring semester at 12 local schools in the following nine school districts: Abington Heights, Dunmore, Mid Valley, NEIU, North Pocono, Riverside, Scranton, Valley View and Western Wayne.

The following is a list of undergraduate and graduate students who are serving as student teachers and the schools to which they have been assigned during the spring semester.

            Delany Adams of White House Station, New Jersey, will teach at Valley View Middle School;

            Valerie Alfaro of Deer Park, New York, will teach at Riverside Junior/Senior High School;

            Amanda Benko of Allentown will teach at Dunmore Learning Center;

            Arianna Boelens of Hackettstown, New Jersey, will teach at Dunmore Learning Center;

            Lauren Cawley of Duryea will teach at Mid Valley Secondary Center;

            Alexandra Colecchia of Freehold, New Jersey, will teach at Dunmore Elementary School;

            Halle Conklin of Point Lookout, New York, will teach at Mid Valley Elementary Center;

            Michael DiMarco of North Bellmore, New York, will teach at Kennedy Elementary School;

            McCae Dougher of Scranton will teach at Valley View Middle School;

            Stephanie Hoffman of Staten Island, New York, will teach at Dunmore Junior/Senior High School.

            Nicole Kokoszka of Parlin, New Jersey, will teach at Valley View Middle School;

            Jillian Lambdin of Plainview, New York, will teach at Evergreen Elementary School;

            Reilly Medzadourian of Township of Washington, New Jersey, will teach at Evergreen Elementary School;

            David Pennino of Smithtown, New York, will teach at Riverside Junior/Senior High School;

            Skyler Pozo of Wayne, New Jersey, will teach at Mid Valley Secondary Center;

            Chloe Schubert of Jackson, New Jersey, will teach at Waverly Elementary School;

            Katie Tubridy of Manor, New York, will teach at Mid Valley Elementary Center;

            Stephanie Vasquez of Scranton will teach at North Pocono Middle School;

            Mary Grace Winterle of Havertown will teach at Mid Valley Elementary Center;

            Aubrey Wolff of Hawley will teach at North Pocono High School.

The Princeton Review listed The University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management among the nation’s “Best Business Schools” in its 2023 ranking of just 243 colleges in the country. This is the 18^th consecutive year that Scranton has been included in the listing the nation’s most elite business colleges. Scranton was included among the list of “Best On-Campus MBA Programs,” which was published online on January 31.

The listing of business programs is compiled from data from the Princeton Review’s surveys of nearly 20,300 students enrolled in MBA programs as well as institutional data collected from the schools. The data incorporates career outcomes, academic rigor, admissions selectivity and other factors. The Princeton Review does not provide an overall rank of the schools, but does publish lists of the top 10 schools in 18 different categories, such as the “toughest to get into.”

The University’s Kania School of Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which is widely considered the gold standard of excellence for business schools. Less than five percent of business colleges worldwide hold AACSB accreditation.

The Princeton Review also listed Scranton in its 2023 edition of the “Best 388 Colleges,” ranking Scranton among the nation’s “Best Science Labs” (No. 7), “Best Campus Food” (No. 25 ) and “Most Religious Schools (No. 24). The Princeton Review also included Scranton in its 2023 “Guide to Green Colleges,” which lists just 455 schools in the world selected for expressing “strong commitments to the environment in their campus policies, programs and practices.”

On Sunday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m., Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with special guest guitarist and vocalist Matt Munisteri. The 7:30 p.m. concert will take place in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Munisteri will also offer a free guitar masterclass in the afternoon before the concert, please email music@scranton.edu for more information.

According to Performance Music directors Cheryl Y. Boga and Philip J. Kuehn, the concert will feature a variety of songs about love and heartbreak, in a nod to the concert’s proximity to Valentines’ Day. Munisteri and the Jazz Band will combine to perform a number of songs together, and there will be several solo pieces during the concert featuring only Munisteri.

A multi-faceted musician, Munisteri is the sparkling guitarist on several chart-topping jazz CDs. He is a critically lauded songwriter and nimble lyricist, an urban banjo-warrior, a selfless and devoted sideman, a wry-yet-honest singer, an engaging and winning front-man, and an arranger whose ear-pulling re-inventions of well-traveled songs have contributed to Grammy winning CDs for artists such as Loudon Wainwright and Catherine Russell.

Munisteri’s debut CD “Love Story” from 2003 wound up on several critic’s “Best Of” lists, and garnered the number two slot on Amazon’s Top Ten Jazz CDs of The Year. A formidable lyricist, his literate songs have been compared to Randy Newman, Mose Allison and Bob Dorough. Munisteri has been featured on France’s ARTE television, profiled in Downbeat magazine, honored with Acoustic Guitar Magazine’s Editor’s Choice award, and has been the subject of several broadcasts on NPR.

When not working on his own projects, his primary sideman gigs for the last few years have been playing with violinist Mark O’Connor’s Hot Swing, Steven Bernstein’s Millennial Territory Orchestra and with the singer Catherine Russell, for whom he also currently serves as Music Director. He also lent a hand to his friend, guitarist Julian Lage, producing Julian’s acclaimed solo guitar debut “Worlds Fair” (2015).

The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year, and a number of University faculty, staff and alumni perform with them.

Performance Music’s large ensembles include Concert/Symphonic Band, Concert Choir/Singers, String Orchestra and Jazz Band (big band format). Smaller groups are made up of members from within the large ensembles, and include Steel Drum Band, Percussion Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble and Sax Ensemble, plus other small vocal and instrumental groups in various formats. Solo, duo and trio performance opportunities are available to members of the ensembles through the general recitals offered each semester. Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers. High school juniors and seniors who are considering applying to Scranton are encouraged to contact Performance Music to arrange to sit in on a rehearsal, meet the staff, attend a concert or tour the building.  

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. Please check Performance Music’s website, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For further information about Munisteri, visit mattmunisteri.com.

Area students in grades five to 12 can participate in The University of Scranton’s Earth Day Essay Contest 2023. The contest is offered free of charge. This year’s essay theme is “The People’s Planet, Climate Justice,” a celebration of our shared global community and how we may all contribute to make it a better one.

Topics students can write about include Conservation, recycling, bees, access to healthy eating, factory farming, renewable energy, eliminating single use containers, gardening, public transportation, community, family, vertical planting and plant-based meals, among other subjects.

Essays for students in grades five and six must be between 200 to 400 words. Essays for students in grades seven and eight must be between 300 to 500 words. Essays for students in grades nine to 12 must be between 500 to 700 words. Electronic submissions must be sent to susan.falbo@scranton.edu on or before Monday, April 3. Mail-in entries must be postmarked on or by April 1 to be considered and can be sent to: The University of Scranton, Office of Sustainability, Smurfit Arts Center, 445 Madison Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510, Attn: Earth Day Essay Contest.

Visit the Sustainability & Energy Management Department section of the University’s facilities management page, then scroll down to locate the contest guidelines, complete submission rules and details.

Winners of the Earth Day Essay Contest will be announced by the University’s Sustainability Office and student Sustainability and Conservation Society at an Evening of Environmental Science program for participants and their families and teachers on Thursday, April 20, 2022, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the atrium of the Loyola Science Center on campus.

See photo gallery below for photos from last year's Evening of Environmental Science.

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The University of Scranton’s Multicultural Center, the Office of Community Engagement and Government Relations, the Weinberg Memorial Library, the Hope Horn Art Gallery, the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union and other organizations have planned a number of events for Black History Month at venues on- and off-campus.

“As many have said, African-American and Black history is American history,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president, in a Black History Month message to the University community. “The historic and ongoing resistance to racial injustice that Black people have undertaken has made the United States more just, more equal, and more democratic in ways that have changed our country forever for the better.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the University will light its Class of 2020 Gateway sign in red, yellow and green for Black History Month. The sign will feature these colors on Saturday evenings in February. The Multicultural Center will sponsor a table sit on the second floor of the DeNaples Center titled “MC Awareness Month Table Sit: Black Resistance.” The table sit begins at 11 a.m.

Also on Feb. 1, the University’s will begin its Black History Month Film Series with the screening of “Moonlight,” which won the 2017 Academy Award for Best Picture. Presented by the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union, the films will be shown at 7 p.m. free of charge on Wednesdays in February in the Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center. Other films planned for the Black History Month Film Series are: “Blackkklansman,” the 2018 Academy-award winning film directed by Spike Lee, on Feb. 8; “Whose Streets?,” a documentary about how the police killing of Mike Brown inspired a global movement, on Feb. 15; and the documentary “Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975,” on Feb. 22. The series will conclude with the screening of “Sparkle,” a musical film inspired by The Supremes, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.

On Friday, Feb. 3, the University’s Hope Horn Art Gallery will host a lecture by artist Travis Prince about the exhibition of his work titled “A New Understanding: Paintings by Travis Prince.” The lecture will take place at 5 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall, followed by an opening reception of his work in the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Prince's work will be on display during gallery hours through March 10. The exhibit and lecture are free of charge.

On Thursday, Feb. 9, the University will host a Community-Based Learning Talk, titled “Black History and Housing in Scranton,” by Glynis Johns, CEO and founder of the Black Scranton Project. The event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project, a National Endowment for the Humanities funded initiative led by the University and community organizations. The talk, offered free of charge, beings at 6 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center. Registration is required to attend and can be made at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CBL23BlackHistoryHousing

Also as part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project, a Black History PBS Film Series will be screened on three Sundays in February. The first film of the series, “Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom,” will be shown at 3 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts and Culture, 1902 North Main Avenue. The film “Becoming Frederick Douglass” will be shown at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19, also at Black Scranton Project Center for Arts and Culture. The series will conclude with the showing of “Jim Crow of the North” at 3 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center. The files are presented free of charge. Registration is required to attend and can be made by emailing info@blackscranton.org or by calling 570-941-4419.

In addition, the Multicultural Center will also host a trivia night for students the evening of Feb. 7, and is planning additional events for later in the month, including a grand opening ceremony for the Center’s newly-renovated location on the first-floor of the DeNaples Center. The University also launched a progress update webpage for its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, to inform the University community of the ongoing work accomplished regarding this initiative.

For additional information about the University’s Black History Month events and learning opportunities, contact the Multicultural Center at 570-941-5904 or multicultural@scranton.edu. 

Two University of Scranton accounting Ph.D. students won The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Award this year, becoming the third and fourth doctoral students to win this highly-coveted prize in just the past four years. Scranton is the only university to have had four students win this national award.

Lisa S. Haylon of Hamden, Connecticut, and Xiaobing (Emily) Li of South Abington Township, both students in the University’s Ph.D. in accounting program, received the IIA’s Michael J. Barrett Doctoral Dissertation Award for 2022. Haylon received the award for her dissertation, “An Investigation of the Tactics Used to Create Collusive Fraud Teams,” and Li received the award for her dissertation, “Effects of Management Training Ground and Internal Audit Service Type on External Auditors’ Reliance on Internal Auditors’ Work.” They join previous Barrett award winners from Scranton: Gregory Kogan, DBA ’22, and Joy Chacko, DBA ’21.

“In the history of IIA’s dissertation award, which began in 2004, Scranton is the leading institution for the number of doctoral students that have received this award. This reflects the practice relevance and quality of the research of our doctoral students, faculty and program. Congratulations to Lisa and Emily and their dissertation committees,” said Douglas M. Boyle, DBA, Accounting Department chair and Ph.D. program director.

The Barrett award selection process is competitive and determined through the IIA’s Committee of Research and Education Advisors, which is comprised of both academicians and practitioners actively involved in the profession of internal auditing. The selection includes the following criteria: relevance of the topic to internal auditing; soundness of methodology; coherent organization and clarity of presentation; and quality of data (where applicable). With an international membership of more than 200,000 members, the IIA is among the largest and most respected professional organizations for accountants.

Haylon, who will graduate with a Ph.D. from Scranton in May, was “honored, humbled and grateful to be selected for award.” She said the award demonstrates that Scranton’s Ph.D program, offered in a non-traditional format for working professionals, “provides valuable experience and exposure in research.”

“Through the program, I was able to explore research collaboration opportunities with global scholars who are well-established and respected in their areas of expertise. The research opportunities have been outstanding,” said Haylon, whose research interests include social influence pressures in practice, collusive fraud and psychological components of fraud.

Li agreed, saying Scranton’s Ph.D. program is “a very well-designed, efficient education model.”

“The program provides students first with a solid foundation on how to properly conduct research studies. Then students work with closely with professors who have been successful in publishing multiple research studies on their own. The professors are accessible and very helpful. They are mentors as well as professors,” said Li, who is a transfer pricing consultant for EY LLP and will also graduate with a Ph.D. from Scranton in May.

Li, a certified public accountant, earned her MBA from Scranton 2020. She also earned a master’s degree in mathematics and statistics from Northeast Normal University in Changehun, China. She has worked in the accounting field for a number of years at organizations that include Northeast PA Center for Independent Living and The University of Scranton. Earlier in her career, she was a middle school mathematics teacher in China.

A certified public accountant, Haylon is an assistant professor at Southern Connecticut State University. Her study “How to Handle Pressure to Act Unethically,” with Dr. Boyle, Carol Bishop, D.B.A., and Dana Hermanson, Ph.D., was published in the summer 2022 edition of Management Accounting Quarterly. She previously worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and served as an adjunct professor at Fairfield University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting.

Housed in the Kania School of Management, this is the first Ph.D. program offered by The University of Scranton. The program was developed with a concentration in accounting, to provide experienced practitioners with a practical pathway to an academic career. The program offers participants flexibility, while still providing for the development of the knowledge and skill set necessary to become a “scholarly academic” – one who is qualified to teach at a school of business that possesses or is seeking formal accreditation by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

AACSB recognized Scranton’s doctoral program for “Innovations and Best Practices in Canada, Latin America and the United States” in 2019.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 “Best Online Graduate Programs” ranked The University of Scranton’s online master’s degree programs in business (excluding MBA) at No. 54 and its online MBA program at No. 102 in the nation. U.S. News also ranked Scranton at No. 72 in the country for “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans.”

This is the 12^th consecutive year that U.S. News ranked the University’s online programs among the best in the nation. The methodology used by U.S. News to determine the ranking has changed several times throughout the years.

For the 2023 Best Online Programs ranking, which published Jan. 24, U.S. News reviewed statistical information submitted by schools. The ranking criteria differed by category. The criteria used by U.S. News to rank online business and MBA programs included student engagement (30 percent), which looked at graduation rates, class size, one-year retention rates, and best practices such as accreditation by AACSB International, among other factors. The ranking criteria also included peer reputation score (25 percent); faculty credentials and training (15 percent); student excellence (15 percent); and student services and technology (15 percent).

In addition to offering distance education programs that incorporate coursework that is predominantly online, colleges and universities making the “Best Online Program for Veterans” list must have ranked in top half of 2023 Best Online Program rankings; be regionally accredited; be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program; and enroll a “critical mass of veterans” as defined by U.S. News based on the size of the college.

Scranton offers online MBA degrees in general business, accounting, business analytics, enterprise resource planning, finance, healthcare management, human resources management, international business and operations management; master’s degrees in accountancy, applied behavior analysis, business analytics, cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity, finance, health administration, health informatics, human resources management and a dual MBA/MHA degree, in addition to graduate certificates. For technology, recruitment and marketing support, the University partners with Wiley for the online programs.

In other rankings published by U.S. News, Scranton has been ranked among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 29 consecutive years. Scranton is ranked No. 5 in the 2023 edition of the guidebook. U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 6 in its category for “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” a selection of the top colleges in the nation that express a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.

This spring, The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will hold another semester’s worth of stimulating programming courtesy of its ever-diverse collection of courses, luncheons and collaborative programs geared around contemporary cultural and political issues.

There will be three courses this spring, with the first one beginning Thursday, Feb. 2. Taught by University faculty members, the courses are presented in six weekly sessions from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Weinberg Memorial Library.

The courses are free for University students, faculty, staff and Schemel Forum members, and $75 per individual and $125 per couple for non-members.

Joseph Kraus, Ph.D., professor in the University’s Department of English and Theatre, will present “Down These Mean Streets: An Ethics of Hardboiled, Noir Fiction,” on Monday evenings Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, and March 6 and 13.

During the course, Dr. Kraus and the class will examine the roots of noir fiction, beginning with its roots in the 1920s and moving all the way up to today’s contemporary practitioners of the form. The class will discuss a selection of stories and novels, as well as some of the classic films they inspired.

Most people hear the word “noir” and think of Humphrey Bogart in a fedora, Dr. Kraus said. That’s true -- but only partly, he stressed.

“For me, noir begins with the crisis of faith that (Ernest) Hemingway and others explored in the 1920s as Modernism developed in literature. Hemingway’s stories show us characters who have lost their faith in something larger – whether religion or some cultural system – and then he shows how they develop ‘codes’ for moving forward in their lives,” Dr. Kraus said. “The first full-blown successful hardboiled/noir writers, Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, move forward with that idea of characters who employ codes of conduct in contexts where faith has collapsed. Chandler gives us detectives who aspire to be modern-day knights but settle for being emotionally insulated men doing what they can to protect flawed clients. Hammett ironizes the whole situation, giving us characters who seem cut-throat but act from clear and sustained motives.”

“Put another way, I see noir as a form of ‘applied ethics,’” Dr. Kraus added. “It asks the question of how we should carry ourselves in a world where – as Nietzsche suggested and Hemingway echoed – we’ve lost the moral clarity of an inherited faith.”

Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., professor in the University’s Department of Philosophy and director of the Asian Studies program, will present “Philosophy East and West” Wednesdays March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 and April 5.

Why teach philosophy comparatively and cross-culturally? What are the benefits of thinking outside the box? Those are some of the questions Dr. Pang-White will explore in the class, reviewing the works of Western thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas and Kant and then thematically compare them to Confucianism, Daoism and Buddhism on topics of self-and-other, virtue, government, gender and ecology.

The purpose of this comparative approach, according to Dr. Pang-White, is to broaden people’s mental horizons by considering alternative conceptual frameworks that can serve as useful resources for treatment of contemporary social, political and environmental problems.

“Oftentimes intercultural conflict arises from a lack of understanding of other cultures,” Dr. Pang-White said. “Because of my international heritage and background in philosophy, I thought it would be a great use of my knowledge and interest to bring Western philosophy into conversation with non-Western philosophy on key issues as a step toward peace-making, using a method that questions rigid binary thinking about self and others. I am excited to teach this course and hope that participants will find the class experience enjoyable and thought-provoking.”

Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., professor in the University’s Department of Philosophy, will present “The Anatomy of Contemporary Conservatism in the U.S.” Thursdays Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23 and March 2 and 9.

The course, Meyer said, will explore “the different strands of conservatism that have emerged in recent years, from George Will’s defense of classic liberalism to Yoram Hazony’s turn to nationalism, and ask to what extent, if at all, these different strands are compatible with each other.”

This semester will be the final one for longtime Schemel Forum Director Sondra Myers, who is retiring.

“It has been a privilege for me to serve you with issues and ideas through all these years and get to know you all,” Myers said in remarks to the Schemel Forum community. “We’ll always be friends.”

To register for the courses, or for more information on the Schemel Forum, contact Brooke Leonard at 570-941-4740 or brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. Or, to pay online, visit: www.scranton.edu/schemelforum.

Additional Schemel Forum events can be found on the Schemel Forum’s webpage.

More than 1,600 students were named to The University of Scranton’s Dean’s List for the 2022 fall semester. The Dean’s List recognizes students for academic excellence. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours during the semester to make the Dean’s List. The list includes students from the Jesuit university’s College of Arts and Sciences, Kania School of Management and Panuska College of Professional Studies.

A list of students making the Dean’s List can be seen here.

The following students were added to The University of Scranton Dean’s List for the spring 2022 semester after publication of the list in June of 2022.

The Dean’s List recognizes students for academic excellence during the 2022 spring semester. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours to make the Dean’s List. The list includes students from the Jesuit university’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management and the Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Students added to the spring 2022 Dean’s List are:

Jan. 28            8:30 a.m. Campaign School 2023. League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County's campaign training program, co-sponsored by the University's Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service. The program also includes a panel of elected local government officials offering helpful tips. Brennan Hall, Rose Room. Fees vary. Register at www.lwvlackawanna.org or email ceeps@scranton.edu.

Feb. 1     7 p.m. Black History Month Film Series: “Moonlight” presented by the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7524 or email george.aulisio@scranton.edu.

Feb. 3 through Mar. 10         Art Exhibit: “A New Understanding: Paintings by Travis Prince.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Feb. 3   5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “A New Understanding: Paintings by Travis Prince” presented by Travis Prince, exhibiting artist. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Feb. 4    7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring Tony Lustig Trio. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Feb. 5    3 p.m. Black History PBS Film Series “Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom.” This event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project. Black Scranton Project Center for Arts & Culture. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email info@blackscranton.org.

Feb. 8      7 p.m. Black History Month Film Series: “Blackkklansman” presented by the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7524 or email george.aulisio@scranton.edu.

Feb. 9    6 p.m. Asian New Year Celebration and Workshop. Brennan Hall, Rose Room. Free. Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/AsianNewYearUofS or email asianstudies@scranton.edu.

Feb. 9     6 p.m. Community-Based Learning Talk “Black History and Housing in Scranton” featuring Glynis Johns, CEO and founder of the Black Scranton Project. This event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Registration required at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CBL23BlackHistoryHousing Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Feb. 11            1 p.m. 21^th Annual Northeast PA Brain Bee sponsored by the Neuroscience Program at The University of Scranton. Snow date Feb. 18. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-4324 or email robert.waldeck@scranton.edu.

Feb. 15            7 p.m. Black History Month Film Series: “Whose Streets?” presented by the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7524 or email george.aulisio@scranton.edu.

Feb. 19            3 p.m. Black History PBS Film Series “Becoming Frederick Douglass.” This event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project. Black Scranton Project Center for Arts & Culture. Free. Registration required by emailing info@blackscranton.org or call 570-941-4419.

Feb 19       7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with guest soloist Matt Munisteri, guitar and voice. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Feb. 22           7 p.m. Black History Month Film Series: “Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” presented by the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7524 or email george.aulisio@scranton.edu.

Feb. 23           5:30 p.m. The Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Humanities Lecture: “Towards a Just Economy: Guaranteed Income and Human Potential” with Amy Castro, Ph.D., associate professor, University of Pennsylvania. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.

Feb. 24-26 and Mar. 3-5                   8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Performance: “Little Women; the Broadway Musical” music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, book by Allan Knee presented by The University of Scranton Players. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

Feb. 26           3 p.m. Black History PBS Film Series “Jim Crow of the North.” This event is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Registration required by emailing info@blackscranton.org or call 570-941-4419.

Feb. 28           7 p.m. Black History Month Film Series: “Sparkle” presented by the Weinberg Memorial Library and the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7524 or email george.aulisio@scranton.edu.

Mar. 4      Talk Back immediately after the performance of “Little Women; the Broadway Musical” by The University of Scranton Players as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

Mar. 5    7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Concert Choir and The Scranton Brass Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Mar. 7     6 p.m. Salary Negotiations Workshop offered by The University of Scranton’s Career Development Office and the Jane Kopas Women’s Center as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. Room 405, The DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 8     3 p.m. Women of Vision and Courage Award Presentation offered by The University of Scranton’s Jane Kopas Women’s Center as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Mar. 13           noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Courage to Care” presented by Carol Rittner, RSM, D.Ed., distinguished professor emerita of Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Dr. Marsha Raticoff Grossman Professor Emerita of Holocaust Studies at Stockton University, New Jersey. The luncheon is part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mar. 20 through Apr. 14                   Art Exhibit: “Post COVID: Art by Students for the Scranton School District.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Mar. 23           11:45 a.m. Community-Based Learning Talk “Environmental Health” presented by Tonyehn Verkitus. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Mar. 24           5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Post COVID: Art by Students for the Scranton School District” presented by Darlene Miller-Lanning. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Mar. 25           9 a.m. Preview Day for accepted students to The University of Scranton’s class of 2027. Various locations on campus. Call 570-941-7540 or email admissions@scranton.edu.

Mar. 28           noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “A Foreigner Called Picasso” presented by Annie Cohen-Solal, writer and social historian, distinguished professor at Bocconi University, Milan, Italy. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mar. 29           5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program: “Mozart: The Mind and Music of a Genius” presented by Richard Kogan, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College and artistic director, Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program. Sordoni Theater, WVIA Public Media Studies. Reception to follow. Registration required. $35 per person. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Mar. 29           7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “General Recital” featuring flute choir, percussion ensemble, steel drums and more. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Mar. 30           7:30 p.m. Office of Sustainability film and panel discussion “The Seeds of Vandana Shiva.” Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email mark.murphy@scranton.edu.

Mar. 30           5 p.m. 26^th Annual ACHE Healthcare Symposium: “Bedside and Administration: A Strategic Alliance.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Includes dinner, presentation and panel discussion. Fees vary. Call 570-709-9892 or email scarlet.alexander@scranton.edu.

Apr. 1       9 a.m. Regional National History Day Competition for junior and senior high school students. The DeNaples Center. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-4549 or email nhdparegion2@gmail.com.

Apr. 2        7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Mikaela Bennett, voice. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Apr. 14-25       Environmental Art Show. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free. Call 570-941-7482 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu.

Apr. 14            4:30 p.m. Environmental Art Show opening event – Artist Talk with Stéphanie Williams. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free. Call 570-941-7482 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu.

Apr. 15            7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble with guest baritone/bass saxophonist Leigh Pilzer. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Apr. 18            11 a.m. Earth Day Fair with interactive games, presentation and information related to the environment and sustainable practices. Atrium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email mark.murphy@scranton.edu.

Apr. 20            8:30 a.m. Hayes Family Competition in physics and engineering for high school students. Byron Complex. Registration required. Call 570-941-7509 or email salisa.brown@scranton.edu.

Apr. 20            4 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “Where Does Wealth Come From?” presented by Sandra Black, Ph.D., Columbia University. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email john.ruddy@scranton.edu.

Apr. 20            5:30 p.m. Earth Day “Evening of Environmental Science” with University student-run interactive science experiments and exhibit of University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest submissions. Essay contest awards will be announced at the event. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6267 or email susan.falbo@scranton.edu.

Apr. 23            7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Apr. 24 through May 5         Art Exhibit: “The University of Scranton Student Exhibition Online.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call. 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu

Apr. 27            5 p.m. Campus Take Back the Night. Dionne Green. Free. Call 570-941-6194 or email  brandice.ricciardi@scranton.edu.

Apr. 27-30                  8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Theatrical performance of “Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight” by The University of Scranton’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the English and Theatre Department as part of the University’s year-long “Celebrating Women: 50^th Anniversary of Coeducation” series of events. Studio Theatre of the McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-6194 or email jkwc@scranton.edu.

Apr. 27            7 p.m. Schemel Forum with Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute at The University of Scranton Collaborative Program: “Only in America? Religion, State, and a Hasidic Town in Rural New York” presented by David N. Myers, Ph.D., distinguished professor of history, Sady and Ludwig Kahn Chair in Jewish History and director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy, UCLA. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Registration required. $15 per person. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Apr. 28            noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The World after the Ukraine War” presented by Jill Dougherty, Russian expert, former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief, current CNN on-air contributor and professor, Georgetown University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Apr. 29-30      9 a.m. Saturday; Noon Sunday. Friends of the Library Book and Plant Sale. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

May 2      noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Promise of American Democracy” presented by Fredrik Logevall, Ph.D., Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School and professor of history, Harvard University. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

May 6      7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “40^th Annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert” The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir featuring two new works by composer/conductor Philip J. Kuehn. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

May 9       noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Vocalising and Music in the Development of Speech Language and Consciousness” presented by Harmar Brereton, M.D., medical and radiation oncologist, Weill Cornell Medical School faculty and clinical professor of medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

May 12            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.

May 20           TBA Commencement Baccalaureate Mass. Byron Recreation Complex. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

May 21            TBA Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

Schemel Forum Courses

Mondays: Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Mar. 6, 13    6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Down These Mean Streets: An Ethics of Hardboiled, Noir Fiction” presented by Joseph Kraus, Ph.D., professor, Department of English and Theatre, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. 

Wednesdays: Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & Apr. 5            6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Philosophy East and West” presented by Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., professor, Department of Philosophy and director, Asian Studies Program, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

Thursdays: Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 & Mar. 2, 9                 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “The Anatomy of Contemporary Conservatism in the US” presented by Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., professor, Department of Philosophy, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to The University of Scranton to support the ongoing “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project.

“Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” explores the aspirational journey to fulfill our national ideals through the lens of Scranton, an iconic American city that has experienced many of the key elements of our nation’s experience, such as industrial era growth and decline, waves of immigration past and present and Black and Indigenous experiences. The ongoing two-year project is supported by a 2021 National Endowment for the Humanities grant. The project includes a number of programs in a variety of participatory formats and as well as story collection component that will engage a diverse group of Scrantonians, which the Scranton Area Community Foundation grant will help to support.

“The story collection project is rooted in the central place that diverse human stories play in the humanities, critical to the goal of sharing Scranton’s stories as archetypal of other stories representing the many American experiences,” said Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for Community and Government Affairs and “Scranton Stories” project director, who also noted that University students majoring in communication have assisted in the recording of the stories through community-based-learning projects included in their courses.

Cohen said that the ongoing story collection includes a public engagement phase this fall that includes an “I am Scranton” social media campaign and collection process at public events inviting stories in different modes, formats and through an online submission form.

Community organizations collaborating on this project include Black Scranton Project, Center for the Living City, Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department, The Lackawanna Historical Society, Lackawanna County Immigration Inclusion Comm., Narrative 4, the Scranton Area Ministerium, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA and WVIA.

In collaboration with The Schemel Forum, The “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project, a National Endowment for the Humanities-funded initiative of The University of Scranton and community partner organizations, hosted “The Journey from ‘Immigrant’ to Citizen” recently on campus. This roundtable discussion was a part of the Scranton’s Story project’s “From ‘Immigrant’ to Citizen” theme and featured four local speakers sharing their stories. The speakers and the discussion highlighted the myriad ways in which people have come to be members of the Scranton community and “citizens” of the larger United States, and included sharing from those who trace their ancestry to the European immigration of the industrial era to more recent migration from across Latin America and global refugee resettlement.

Visit www.scranton.edu/scrantonstory for more details.

Pictured, from left: Jenny Gonzalez Monge, STARS program director, Marywood University; Ushu Mukelo, Congolese community of Scranton; Jack McGuigan, retired English teacher and poet; Stephanie Longo, author of regional Italian American history; and Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at The University of Scranton, co-moderator of the program.

Area residents, whose households earned $60,000 or less in 2022, can receive free assistance in completing and filing their federal, state and local tax returns from University of Scranton accounting students through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

University students have assisted residents with low and moderate incomes who need help with their basic tax returns for more than 30 years.

Walk-in service in Brennan Hall on the University’s campus begins on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The VITA service is offered on a first-come, first served basis during scheduled hours. Appointments are not available at the University.

Residents can schedule appointments at other locations by contacting the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties by visiting www.uwlc.net or calling 211 or 1-855-567-5341.

Residents who qualify for the free VITA service are asked to bring the following items: a valid photo ID; Social Security cards for all taxpayers and dependents; all W2 forms; last year’s tax returns; all 1099 forms (interest, dividends, pensions); unemployment paperwork; Form 8332 for non-custodial parents; information related to income and expenses (business, rental properties, sale of stocks); a personal banking account check if direct deposit is desired; documentation related to health insurance for themselves and anyone on the tax return, such as Form 1095-A, -B or –C; and real estate tax receipts if you qualify for the rent/tax rebate.

Walk-in VITA service without an appointment is available in room 111 of Brennan Hall, Madison Avenue, on the University’s campus on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, from noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Service begins on Wednesday, Feb. 1, and continues to Wednesday, April. 5, except for the week of March 13 to March 17, when the University is closed for Spring Break. Service. The VITA office may also close due to inclement weather.

The University reserves the right to cap the number of walk-in residents they can serve within a single day.

Residents with questions may call the University at 570-941-4045.

On Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m., Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert by the Tony Lustig Trio. The 7:30 p.m. concert will take place in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Tony Lustig is a dynamic saxophonist hailing from Fraser, Michigan. His musical journey began under the mentorship of Detroit trumpeter Marcus Belgrave. Through Belgrave, Lustig had the opportunity to play with such greats as Jon Hendricks, Patti Austin and Gerald Wilson. He received his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University where he studied with Rodney Whitaker, Diego Rivera, Wes Anderson and others. From there he went on to earn his master’s degree at the illustrious Juilliard School, where he studied with baritone saxophone titan Joe Temperley.

Lustig spent a decade freelancing in New York City. He performed in and out of the jazz idiom with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Birdland Big Band – which he was a member of for nearly ten years - the house band of America’s Got Talent, Leslie Odom, Jr., Santino Fontana, Gloria Gaynor, Jon Batiste, Louis Cole, the 8-Bit Big Band, Thomas Rhett and others. His playing brought him all around the world and to such notable stages as the Kennedy Center, Madison Square Garden, Saturday Night Live and the CMT Music Awards. Lustig taught briefly at Connecticut College and now resides in Rhode Island where he has been the house composer for Providence Ballet Theatre for the past five years.

The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year, and a number of University faculty, staff and alumni perform with them.

Performance Music’s large ensembles include Concert/Symphonic Band, Concert Choir/Singers, String Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble (big band format). Smaller groups are made up of members from within the large ensembles, and include Steel Drum Band, Percussion Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble and Clarinet Ensemble, plus other small vocal and instrumental groups in various formats. Solo, duo and trio performance opportunities are available to members of the ensembles through general recitals each semester.

Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers.

High school juniors and seniors who are considering applying to Scranton are encouraged to contact Performance Music to arrange to sit in on a rehearsal, meet the staff, attend a concert or tour the building.   

For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For more information on Tony Lustig’s music, please visit: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B01C3LSM9Y/tony-lustig-quintet.

The University of Scranton recognized students and their elementary or high school teachers, who they credit for contributing to their success, with Rose Kelly Awards at a recent ceremony held on campus.

The Rose Kelly Award was established by University of Scranton alumnus Joseph Wineburgh, Ph.D., to link the efforts of educators to the achievements of college students. The award is presented jointly to a student in each of the University’s colleges who has completed two years at Scranton and to the teacher whom he or she recognizes as having a great impact in his or her life. Students are selected based on exemplary achievement in both academics and general campus involvement.

Dominic Finan, Malvern, received the Rose Kelly Award for the College of Arts and Sciences. He honored Kathleen Crisi, his biology teacher at Great Valley High School, Malvern. Finan is a neuroscience and philosophy double major at Scranton with a minor in biochemistry and a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, Finan is a member of the international philosophy and the national chemistry and biology honor societies. He is the recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Kathryn Moore, Oyster Bay, New York, received the Rose Kelly Award for the Panuska College of Professional Studies. She honored Rebecca Lieberman, her guidance counselor at Oyster Bay High School. Moore is a counseling and human services major at Scranton enrolled in the University’s accelerated graduate program for clinical mental health counseling. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is a member of the national human services honor society and the international psychology honor society.

Madelyn Ronan, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, received the Rose Kelly Award for the Kania School of Management. She honored Leigh Ann Larkin, her honors and advanced chemistry teacher at Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken Township. Ronan is an accounting and finance double major at Scranton with a minor in business leadership. She is a member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the University’s Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is a member of the Women’s Business Honor Society.

In photo below, from left Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management, and Rose Kelly Award recipient Madelyn Ronan. Her high school teacher honored, Leigh Ann Larkin, was absent from the photo. Dominic Finan, who received the Rose Kelly Award for the College of Arts and Sciences, and the teacher he honored were also absent from the photo.

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The University of Scranton will light its four-story, Class of 2020 Gateway sign in memory of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Jan. 3, 4 and 5. The sign will display a white cross with a gold background.

White and gold are worn by the Pope during Christmas and Easter, symbolizing the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These colors are also worn during funerals because they symbolize life rather than mourning, according to an ABC News article about the meaning of the colors worn by the Pope.

“As a true pastor and scholar, his writings and teachings will continue to inspire theologians for generations to come. More than that, as a great pastoral leader, he called us all to a deeper relationship with God, one grounded in love and fidelity,” wrote Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of the University, in a statement on the passing of Pope Benedict XVI.

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Frank O’Hara medals were given to University of Scranton students with the highest grade-point averages in their first-, second- and third-year in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management and the Panuska College of Professional Studies for the 2021-22 academic year. The awards, named in honor of the late Frank O’Hara who served the University for 53 years in various administrative positions, were presented at a ceremony held recently on campus.

College of Arts and Sciences

Patrick DelBalso, Plains, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, he is currently a sophomore majoring in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and participates in the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, he is a member of the Health Professions Organization, and is an editor for Esprit, the University’s literary magazine.

Mary Krichbaum, Endicot, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she is a double majoring in mathematics and philosophy with a minor in chemistry. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she participates in the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM. On campus, she is a lector for Campus Ministries. She is also mathematics tutor with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and is involved in research in the Chemistry Department.

Emily Amershek, New Ringgold, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she is currently a junior majoring in philosophy with minors in theology and international studies and concentrations in legal studies and health humanities. She participates in the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is a member of the National Philosophy Honors Society and the National Theology Honors Society. At Scranton, she was awarded a Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities Fellowship and the President’s Fellowship for Summer Research, where she researches bail reform and originalism in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization opinion that overturned Roe v. Wade. She also was the recipient of the O’Hara Award in 2021. She is a tour guide, an orientation assistant, a Campus Ministries lector, a tutor for logic courses, a student conduct University Review Board member and a member of the Pre-Law Society. In the greater Scranton community, she volunteers with Men’s Clothesline project and works part-time as a legal assistant at a local law firm.

Kania School of Management

Samuel Hannah, Dunmore, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, he is currently a sophomore majoring in accounting. On campus, he is a member of the Society of Accounting Students and The Institute of Management Accountants. He also serves in the Visitor’s Center of the Admissions Office.

Madalyne Buhler, Stony Point, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a junior majoring in finance with a business leadership minor. She participates in the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the University’s Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. She is a member of the Women’s Business Honor Society. On campus, she is co-captain of the Women’s Golf Team and was awarded first-team all-conference honors for her sophomore season. She is a member of Scranton’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and serves as executive chair of the Kania School of Management’s Student Advisory Board, and co-president of PRISM, the University’s student investment club. She also participated in Wall Street Bootcamp. Buhler served as a summer intern for MetLife Investment Management and next summer will be a global markets summer analyst for RBC Capital Markets.

Alice Banks, Hazle Township, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. She is currently a junior majoring in finance and participates in the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program. She was also the recipient of the O’Hara Award in 2021. On campus, she is a Royal Start Ambassador for first-year students and a resident assistant for junior and senior housing. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is a member of the Women’s Business Honor Society, the United Cultures Organization, Praise and Worship and the University of Scranton Black Student Union.

Panuska College of Professional Studies

Priyal Patel, Mountaintop, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a sophomore majoring in health administration with a minor in business. Off-campus, she volunteered with the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth Behling, Raritan, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a junior and is majoring in occupational therapy. On campus, she is a member of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), where she served as a delegate for the Class of 2024 on SOTA’s Executive Board and currently serves as the club’s vice president. She also serves as a teaching assistant for a second-year occupational therapy anatomy course, and served as a tutor for several anatomy courses.

Rosa Azzato, Harrisburg, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a senior majoring in occupational therapy with a minor in psychology and a concentration in lifespan development. She is a member of the Psychology Honors Society. On campus, she serves as vice president of AFYA: The Global Health Club, as secretary and social media representative of the Student Occupational Therapy Association, and as the social media representative for the Students for Life Club. She is a peer mentor and a teaching assistant for the occupation therapy Anatomy and Mechanics of Human Movement course. She also participates in the University’s Performance Music choir and steel drum band, and the University’s music ministries choir, and the Praise and Worship Club. Azzato volunteers with service programs offered through the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice. In the greater Scranton community, she volunteered at the Lackawanna Blind Association.

In photos below, from left: Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies, and O’Hara Award recipients Elizabeth Behling, Priyal Patel and Rosa Azzato. From left: David Dzurec, Ph.D., interim dean for The University of Scranton’s College of Arts and Science; and O’Hara Award recipients Emily Amershek, Patrick DelBalso and Mary Krichbaum.

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Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, met with James K.J. Lee, director-general, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York, and head of the United Nations Affairs Task Force in New York, and other TECO officials to discuss current and future programming opportunities. He also met with Hans Chunyu Chang, deputy director general of TECO, New York, and Min-Ling Yang, Ph.D., director of the Education Division of TECO, New York. Ann Pang-White, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and director of Asian Studies at Scranton, and Gerry Zaboski, senior vice president for the Office of the President at Scranton, also attended the meetings.

The University has a long-standing relationship with TECO which began in 2010. Most recently, the University and Fu Jen Catholic University, a Jesuit university in Taiwan, entered into an articulation agreement for a 4+1 MBA degree partnership. The agreement allows qualified students at Fu Jen Catholic University’s College of Management to take graduate-level courses at Fu Jen during their senior year, which will be recognized at The University of Scranton and allow the students to earn an MBA from Scranton in as little as one year after completing their bachelor’s degree at Fu Jen.

Programming established through the University’s international partnership with the Education Division of TECO-New York and Taiwan Ministry of Education includes university-level faculty- and student-exchange programs with elite universities in Taiwan, such as Fu Jen Catholic University. With support from the “Chinese language-and-culture teacher from Taiwan” grant, Scranton hosts visiting instructors annually. In addition, more than 10 University of Scranton students have participated in “Huayu Language Immersion Scholarship” to study in Taiwan at a university-level language center.

Through the partnership with the Taiwan Ministry of Culture, the University has hosted numerous programs in Scranton, including performances by the Taiwan Bangzi Opera Company, the Chai Found Music Workshop and the Taiyuan Puppet Theater, in addition to hosting several lectures and film festivals with meet the author and director discussions.

In 2014, the University was presented with replica of the Kinmen Peace Bell from Taiwan in honor of Scranton’s charter membership in the Taiwan Academy and its success with its Taiwanese cultural programming and Asian Studies program.

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A Statement from Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., President of The University of Scranton, on the Passing of Pope Benedict XVI

Today I join leaders throughout Catholic higher education in celebrating the life and legacy of Pope Benedict XVI. As a true pastor and scholar, his writings and teachings will continue to inspire theologians for generations to come. More than that, as a great pastoral leader, he called us all to a deeper relationship with God, one grounded in love and fidelity. As he said so well in his beautiful work, God is Love: Deus Caritas Est, “Love is the light—and in the end, the only light—that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working.”

I ask that we all pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict on his passing and for the enduring mission of the Church to which he devoted his life.

The University of Scranton welcomed a new cohort of students into its Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program. Classes for the program, which seeks to develop future executives to serve area nonprofit institutions, begin in January 2023.

The certificate program combines a rigorous academic component taught by Kania School of Management faculty with expertise in nonprofit organizations, a mentorship and experiential learning. The program includes capstone project that requires participants to form a comprehensive plan to solve a current issue faced by the nonprofit organization they represent.

Since beginning in 2017, 47 participants, representing 40 separate regional nonprofit organizations, have graduated from the program.

Members of the 2023 cohort of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program and the organizations they represent are:

Kathleen Barry, deputy COO, The Wright Center;

Tiffany Benedict, Susquehanna County program manager, Women's Resource Center;

Amy Benjamin, finance director, Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission;

Laura Boyle, founder/board president, Scranton Youth Arts Coalition;

Avianna Carilli, coordinator of domestic and international service programs, The University of Scranton;

Matthew Ceruti, vice president, resource development, United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties;

Lori Chaffers, executive director, Outreach;

Andrew Chew, director of research, The Institute;

Lauren Cleveland, executive director of administration, Friendship House;

Arrah Fisher, executive director, The Cooperage;

Susan Jeffery, administrator, Hawk Family Foundation;

Glynis Johns, founder and CEO, Black Scranton Project;

Art Levandoski, coordinator of marketing and development, Jewish Family Services;

Amy Luyster, vice president, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce;

Josh Nespoli, deputy director, Community Strategies Group;

Jennifer Passaniti, executive director, Center for Health and Human Services Research and Action;

Joan Peterson, director, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Lackawanna County;

Shane Powers, COO, NeighborWorks;

Erica Rogler, executive director, Wyoming County Cultural Center/Dietrich Theater;

John Santa Barbara, regional philanthropy officer, American National Red Cross;

For additional information visit the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program webpage or call 570-941-4047.

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Faculty and staff of The University of Scranton Education Department gathered with education students and their school cooperating teachers to celebrate the ending of the students’ semester of student teaching.

The twenty Scranton graduate and undergraduate students served as student teachers during the fall semester at ten local schools in the following nine school districts: Carbondale, Dunmore, Mid Valley, Mountain View, Pittston, Riverside, Scranton, Valley View and Western Wayne.

Fall semester 2022 student teachers at Scranton and their cooperating teachers were:

Graduate student Khadiga AboBakr of Scranton and cooperating teacher Christine McDermott, Riverside Junior Senior High School;

Senior Blaire Adams of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, and cooperating teacher Laura Schultz Dunmore Elementary Center;

Senior Kelly Bierals of Mendham, New Jersey, and cooperating teacher Alyssa Bohenek, Valley View Elementary School;

Senior Cassandra Colozza of Old Forge and cooperating teacher Ashley Coviello, Mountain View Elementary School;

Senior Jordan Czap of Danbury, Connecticut, and cooperating teacher Casey Ehnot, Dunmore Elementary Center;

Senior Karen Degnan of Scotch Plains, New Jersey and cooperating teacher Josh Carpenter, Mountain View Elementary School;

Senior Andrea Filachek of Lagrangeville, New York, and cooperating teacher Tracey MacCallum, Mid Valley Elementary Center;

Senior Abigail Knobler of Norristown and cooperating teacher Lisa Gibbons, Mid Valley Elementary Center;

Senior Jack Lear of Coatesville and cooperating teacher Gina Grebas, Riverside East Elementary School;

Senior Emily Mac Millan of Clark, New Jersey, and cooperating teacher Katie Calvert, Carbondale Elementary School;

Senior Julia Mancuso of Dunmore and cooperating teacher Shelly Waibel, Neil Armstrong Elementary School;

Senior Sophia Marlow of Massapequa, New York, and cooperating teacher Mary Theresa Clister, Carbondale Elementary School;

Senior Kayla Masterson of Old Tappan, New Jersey, and cooperating teacher Paul Zaffuto, Pittston Intermediate Center;

Senior Sofia Muta of Greenfield Township and cooperating teacher Thomas Hornlein, Pittston Intermediate Center;

Senior Jennifer Noll of Paoli and cooperating teacher Sara Amendolaro, Dunmore Elementary Center;

Senior Jessica Notari of Thompson and cooperating teacher Summer Klikus, Evergreen Elementary School;

Senior Danielle Raffa of East Northport, New York, and cooperating teacher Mary Alice Raider, Valley View Elementary School;

Senior Laura Scanlon of Scranton and cooperating teacher Ann Marie Barhight, Carbondale Elementary School;

Senior Anna Trojan of Airmont, New York, and cooperating teacher Michele Walsh, Dunmore Elementary Center;

Senior Bridget Warren of Westfield, New Jersey, and cooperating teacher Justine Smith, Riverside East Elementary School.

The University of Scranton awarded 2023 faculty development intersession grants to four faculty members.

Gerard Dumancas, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, received a grant to research “A facile, convenient, and affordable method to determine the authenticity of liquid chicken egg whites.” He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Oklahoma State University. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2021.

Christopher Hauser, Ph.D.  , assistant professor of philosophy, received a grant to research “Aristotle’s Epistemology of Essence.” He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history from Dartmouth College and a doctorate in philosophy from Rutgers University. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2020.

Adam Pratt, Ph.D., associate professor of history, received a grant to research “The Noble and Indefatigable Auxiliary of the Republican Party: The Wide-Awake in Pennsylvania.” He earned a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2013.

Brian Snee, Ph.D., associate professor of communications and media, received a grant to research “The Scene of the Crime: Rhetorical Silences in Fetterman’s Gun Violence.” Dr. Snee earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from The University of Scranton. He earned a master’s degree and Ph.D.  in communication arts and science from Penn State University. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2020.

Read more about faculty research and awards on the Royal News Faculty Webpage.

Understanding how structures interact at the microscopic and even molecular scales has been studied for decades, with applications developed for numerous products ranging from pharmaceuticals and medical treatments to dry cleaning. In researching nanostructure interactions, certain approximations of structural properties that could not be precisely measured were commonly used.

New research by John Deák, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at The University of Scranton, combined two existing techniques for the first-time to test the approximations used for reverse micelle structural properties, which are often applied in studying microscopic interactions. The research, published in October in the Journal of Molecular Liquids, shows that assumptions of the shape of the structure at a certain scale range were incorrect.

“The research finding means a lot of text books will have to be updated,” joked Dr. Deák of the significance of his research, which will actually lead to more precise calculations of nano-level interactions that can be applied to drug delivery systems and other life-saving, or life-changing, applications.

Dr. Deák explained that approximations used for the reverse micelle structure assumed a spherical shape, which his research confirmed is correct in certain scale ranges. However, his research showed that the structure changes to an ellipsoidal or egg-like shape at another range of the scale. He said the research explains variations found in data collected in numerous other studies conducted over decades.

“There was speculation about the assumed shape of the reverse micelle structures, because data collected in studies didn’t always fall in the expected range of calculations, but we didn’t have the ability to determine the shape,” said Dr. Deák, who worked on this project for five years. He combined two existing research techniques to examine various shape considerations for the first time which revealed a decades-long misunderstanding about the structure.

“This shows that we cannot assume shapes of nanostructures. We must determine the shapes and develop techniques to enable us to do this,” said Dr. Deák.

His study is titled “Volumetric determination of reverse micelle structural properties and the validity of commonplace approximations.”

Dr. Deák’s research interests include the molecular dynamics of condensed phases and interfaces, energy transfer mechanisms over self-assembled liquid boundaries, and permeation enhancement of biological tissue. His research has been published in dozens of academic journals, including the prestigious journal Science. He is an inventor on more than two dozen patents.

A faculty member at Scranton since 2002, Dr. Deák earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Rochester. He completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Illinois, Champaign.

Read more about faculty research and awards on the Royal News Faculty Webpage.

University of Scranton students, faculty and staff participated annual Christmas gift giving programs organized by the Center for Service and Social Justice. Performance Music also provided gifts donated by area residents from its Empty Stocking Fund Concert. The gifts were given to Friends of the Poor/Catholic Social Services who will distribute the donated items to families in need.

In addition, the Center for Service and Social Justice organized the Adopt a Family program with the Catherine McAuley Center.

Cyrus P. Olsen III, D.Phil., associate professor of theology and religious studies at The University of Scranton, is part of an inter-disciplinary team of professors from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School awarded a Templeton Foundation Grant. The multi-year grant in the amount of $500,000 funds research on how “social networks” among Ugandans includes one’s ancestors and may influence health-seeking behavior in the context of brain health.

The project (Buffering, Porosity and Brain Health in Uganda) is co-directed by Dr. Olsen and Ian Corbin, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School Faculty and co-director of the Human Network Initiative (HNI), an interdisciplinary research center housed in the Neurology Department of Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The third member of the U.S. research team is Amar Dhand, M.D., D.Phil., associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and principal investigator at the Dhand Lab, a clinical neurology research center specializing in stroke health and social network analytics, where Drs. Olsen and Corbin are clinical observers. 

“The research is focused on brain health of people in Kampala, Masaka and Bwindi/Buhoma, three key locations made possible by Scranton’s twenty years of immersive education, created by Robin and Charles Pinches, named the Scranton-Uganda Partnership,” said Dr. Olsen. “It is to Dr. Pinches and his close collaborators, Scott Kellermann, M.D., and Emmanuel Katongole, Ph.D., that the relationship between Uganda and Scranton remains central to the University’s commitment to global education. The present grant is an outgrowth of that relationship.”

Dr. Olsen explained that the Dhand Lab and its subsidiary, HNI, extend social network analytics into the regions of medical anthropology, philosophy, sociology and religion. They are collaborating with the Dhand Lab and HNI to understand how cultural and spiritual factors impact health-seeking behavior.

“Dr. Dhand’s international research reputation with the National Institute for Health, among other grant organizations, remains essential to the project,” said Dr. Olsen.

The research project, titled “Buffering, Porosity and Brain Health in Uganda,” is for the 2022-2025 period. Through the research study, they will collect and analyze empirical data on patient behavior and social connections of 50 participants in Uganda to determine the various ways that “social networks” impact treatment-seeking actions. They will also approach the data collected from a theoretical perspective to develop a theory of the benefits and dangers of viewing humans as “porous,” or readily influenced by outside forces and actors, in the context of healthcare.

“The applied potential of this theory is to support the design of culturally and contextually appropriate brain health interventions,” according to the research grant proposal. Such interventions must be evidence-based and are part of the future of the project after this initial funding period.  Their Ugandan research council and collaborators throughout the country will guide the research and ensure local languages and customs are appropriately integrated into all design and project execution.

For this academic year, Dr. Olsen is on leave from Scranton, serving as the LoSchiavo Chair in Catholic Social Thought at the University of San Francisco and a visiting scholar at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. He was named a fellow at the Lonergan Institute at Boston College for the summer of 2022.

At Scranton, he was named an inaugural fellow for the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities for the spring 2021 semester. In 2017, Dr. Olsen received the University’s Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award, which honors faculty members who cross boundaries between disciplines and departments to create innovative pedagogies that enhance students’ learning and prepare them for real-world challenges.

A faculty member at Scranton since 2006, Dr. Olsen has served on numerous committees and led multiple projects during his tenure at Scranton. Most recently, he served as co-director, Health Humanities Concentration. He has published articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and has presented at more than a dozen professional conferences, meetings and workshops, many of which were also peer-reviewed. Additionally, he is a peer reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities and a research partner with the Bethany Land Institute for an Esri Geo-information Systems grant to map land use and reforestation in Luweero, Uganda.

Dr. Olsen, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and both his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Oxford.

The University of Scranton and Fu Jen Catholic University, a Jesuit university in Taiwan, entered into an articulation agreement for a 4+1 MBA degree partnership. The agreement allows qualified students at Fu Jen University’s College of Management to take graduate-level courses at Fu Jen during their senior year, which will be recognized at The University of Scranton and allow the students to earn an MBA from Scranton in as little as one year after completing their bachelor’s degree at Fu Jen.

“The articulation agreement already signed and other dual degree initiatives being further explored at this time, build upon our long-standing relationship with Fu Jen, other outstanding Taiwanese universities and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “We are especially grateful for the dedication and service of Dr. Ann Pang White, who has tirelessly led our Asian Studies program and encouraged our numerous connections with Taiwan.”

Ann Pang-White, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, serves as director of Asian Studies at Scranton.

The University’s partnership with Taiwan began in 2010 with several divisions in the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York, including the Foreign Affairs Division, the Education Division (Ministry of Education), the Government Information Office and the Council for Cultural Affairs (now combined to form the new Ministry of Culture).

Programming established through the University’s international partnership with the Education Division of TECO-New York and Taiwan Ministry of Education includes university-level faculty- and student-exchange programs with elite universities in Taiwan, such as Fu Jen Catholic University. With support from the “Chinese language-and-culture teacher from Taiwan” grant, Scranton hosts visiting instructors annually. In addition, more than 10 University of Scranton students have participated in “Huayu Language Immersion Scholarship” to study in Taiwan at a university-level language center, including at Fu Jen.

Through the partnership with the Taiwan Ministry of Culture, the University has hosted numerous programs in Scranton, including performances by the Taiwan Bangzi Opera Company, the Chai Found Music Workshop and the Taiyuan Puppet Theater, in addition to hosting several lectures and film festivals with meet the author and director discussions.

In 2014, the University became the only higher education institution in the world to receive a replica of the Kinmen Peace Bell. The gift was given as a gesture from Taiwan in honor of the University’s charter membership in the Taiwan Academy and its success with its Taiwanese cultural programming and Asian Studies program.

In addition, the University’s Slattery Center for the Humanities Global Ignatian Humanities Alliance includes student and faculty exchanges with Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan in addition to universities in Uganda; and Spain.

For additional information about the 4+1 MBA degree partnership with Fu Jen Catholic University, contact Dr. Pang-White at ann.pang-white@scranton.edu or 570-941-7643. 

Pictured below at a facilitating meeting at Fu Jen Catholic University are, from left: representing Fu Jen Catholic University Bell Chiu, secretary; Hsiao-Yun Huang, Ph.D., associate dean; and Bruce Lee, Ph.D., dean of Fu Jen’s College of Management; Ann Pang-White, Ph.D., director of Asian Studies, The University of Scranton; and representing Fu Jen Catholic University Chun-Chi Yang, Ph.D., dean, and Ming-Chieh Ma, Ph.D., associate dean, of Fu Jen’s Office of International Education. At the articulation agreement signing at The University of Scranton, from left: Murli Rajan, Ph.D., associate dean of Scranton’s Kania School of Management; Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for The University of Scranton; and Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of Scranton’s Kania School of Management.

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A week after its beloved Noel Night, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will continue the holiday cheer at its annual Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert on Sunday, Dec. 11.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue.  The event is open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. Attendees are asked to bring either a new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, comb/brush, etc.) or a cash donation. All donated items will directly benefit local families in need this holiday season.

At the concert, Performance Music student musicians will perform solo, duet, trio and small group renditions of a variety of classic Christmas songs, according to Assistant Director for Percussion Janelle Decker.

“Our students enjoy preparing for this concert – it means a lot to them to be able to use their talents to benefit families in need at Christmas time,” said Decker.

Empty Stocking’s origins go back to 1999, when Conductor and Director of Performance Music Cheryl Boga’s friend, Alan Drake, the former chairman of the music department at Georgia’s Augusta College, told her about a benefit Christmas concert held there. When Boga asked Drake if he would mind if she brought the idea back to Scranton, he responded, “Absolutely not.”

For that inaugural year, she and Drake decided to wage a friendly competition to see which concert could raise the most money. That year Scranton Performance Music’s audiences prevailed, and an annual tradition where nobody “loses” was born.

No question, the concert’s charitable mission lends it a special resonance, and Boga said it’s always extremely moving to see the generously donated items out on display the night of the concert.

Of course, the concert itself never fails to produce an abundance of yuletide cheer. Graduate accounting student Jimmy Greenfield, Scranton, says, “You can see the light of Christmas in the eyes of the audience members as they walk in the door carrying bags of toys.”

Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For more information on the Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music

Parag Pathak, Ph.D., the Class of 1922 Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), presented “Still Worth the Trip? Modern-Era Busing and other Lessons from Urban School Reform” at The University of Scranton’s of 36^th Henry George Lecture in November on campus. The founder of MIT’s Blueprint Labs, Dr. Pathak’s work on market design and education was recognized with several awards including a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and the American Economic Association’s John Bates Clark Medal as the best American economist under age 40.

Considered the preeminent public lecture series on economics in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Henry George Lecture Series is presented by the University’s Economics and Finance Department and the campus chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society for economics. Among the distinguished list of speakers who have spoken at previous lectures are ten winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics: Paul Romer (2018), Robert Shiller (2013), Tom Sargent (2011), Peter Diamond (2010), Paul Krugman (2008), Joseph Stiglitz (2001), George Akerlof (2001), Amartya Sen (1998), Robert Lucas (1995) and Robert Solow (1987). The lecture series is named in honor of the 19th century American economist and social reformer and is supported financially by a grant from the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

Below, Dr. Pathak, is shown with faculty of The University of Scranton’s Economics and Finance Department. From left: Jinghan Cai, Ph.D., associate professor of economics and finance; John Ruddy, D.P.S., associate professor of economics and finance; Dr. Pathak; Edward Scahill, Ph.D., associate professor of economics and finance; Pedro Monteiro, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics and finance; Iordanis Petsas, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Economics and Finance Department; and Aram Balagyozyan, Ph.D., associate professor of economics and finance.

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The University of Scranton was honored to host Curtis Zunigha, an enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians (Oklahoma) and co-founder/co-director of the Lenape Center in New York, for a keynote lecture and three-day series of campus and community meetings and engagements. At the keynote lecture at the University, he discussed the “Forced Removal of the Lenape People: History and Homecoming.”

“Zunigha shared his experience and mission to heal the wounds of forced removal and colonization and his desire to restore the circle of friendship, respect and shared occupancy,” said Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at the University.

Kat Bolus of WVIA interviewed Zunigha during his visit to Scranton.

The Lenape people are among the original inhabitants of the Scranton area.

The visit was part of the Scranton's Story, Our Nation's Story project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and was a collaboration with several University and community partners including the University’s History Department and Office of Equity and Diversity and community partners including the Black Scranton Project, Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Department, The Lackawanna Historical Society, Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area, Scranton Public Library, and WVIA.

Visit www.scranton.edu/scrantonstory for more information.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter Ayad Akhtar was the recipient of the 2022 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award from The University of Scranton’s Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library. The reception and dinner took place in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center in November.  Prior to the reception, a book signing took place. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Library Endowment Fund, which supports special gifts for the Weinberg Library collections and services.

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The University of Scranton’s Asian Studies Program hosted two events that examined transnational migration in Taiwan and its cultural impact on the country’s literature and cinema. Hsin-Chin (Evelyn) Hsieh, Ph.D., presented “Bringing the World to Taiwan: Border Crossing and Transnational Cultural Flow in Contemporary Taiwan” and a screening of the award-winning film “The Good Daughter” and Q and A with the director Yu-Ying (Sally) Wu took place in October in Brennan Hall. The lecture and film screening and Q and A were sponsored by the University’s Asian Studies Program and its College of Arts and Sciences, and the Taipei Cultural Center in New York of the Taiwan Ministry of Culture.

The “living wage income” required for a family of four in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties increased by 39 percent since 2019, according to findings of a 2022 Update of the NEPA Living Wage Report, which was presented to NEPA community leaders at The University of Scranton on Nov. 29.

The Living Wage Report for NEPA, first issued in 2016, defines a “living wage” as the wage rate at which a worker, employed on a full-time basis, can reach a standard of living that meets essential basic needs and allows the individual or family to live a modest but dignified life. The report outlines the living wage threshold for various family compositions in NEPA, such as a family of three, or a family of four. The report reflects principles of Catholic Social Teaching in regard to poverty, just wages and economic justice.

“While our region continues to make many gains and improvements, the study shows that too many of our neighbors experience economic hardship,” wrote Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, in a message in the 2022 update. “I am especially struck by how the median income for both counties now falls short of a living wage for all households with children. Costs are rising for food and other essential needs, while wages and supports are not keeping up, and there is a serious shortage of affordable housing.”

The 2022 report compares current and previous data, details the increases in costs of living, explains some of the major challenges facing those who fall below the living wage threshold, and proposes solutions to address these challenges. The 2022 report highlights mitigating factors – in particular, racial disparities and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related policies on economic security.

 “The most recent data points to an acute need for affordable housing that calls for new policies and approaches,” said Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs. “The report also provides a new focus on racial disparities, with Black and Hispanic households having lower rates of homeownership and lower median incomes than white populations.” 

Other key findings of the 2022 report show the continued gap between minimum wage and living wage; the poverty rate in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties remains high and the need for services has increased; and costs for basic needs continue to rise.

“The study found the living wage amounts have increased across the board. It’s taking more funds for families to thrive in 2022 than in the previous 2016 and 2019 reports. Rising prices of food and housing are key factors driving this trend, with rental prices having increased significantly since the start of the pandemic,” said Andrew Chew, director of research at The Institute (formerly named the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development).

The 2022 update shows the living wage income for a family of two adults (one working) and two children in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties increased from $42,910 in 2019 to $59,717 in 2022 – a significant 39 percent increase.

“The findings of this year’s Living Wage Report emphasize the importance of continued community and government action to ensure that individuals and families in NEPA are able to live a modest but dignified life,” said JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science and co-director of the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, in her remarks.

To achieve greater economic security for families in NEPA, the report recommends a multi-pronged approach is required that involves public policy changes, economic and workforce development efforts, government programs and private charitable activities.

Recommendations presented in the report include, expanding support for housing assistance and housing affordability; promoting practices to foster equity and inclusivity; advocating for increased wages; supporting cash assistance for low-income families and expanding food and basic necessities assistance; expanding access to existing social safety net programs and supporting programs and policies that help workers to obtain and keep jobs with family-sustaining wages.

The 2022 Update to the Living Wage Report is a project of The Institute and The University of Scranton. The full report is available on the University’s Living Wage webpage.

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Performance Music at The University of Scranton will kick off the holiday season with its 55th annual Noel Night concert on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Beginning at 8 p.m. in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, the concert will feature The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Doors open at 7 p.m., with a prelude beginning at 7:05 p.m. Admission to the concert is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The University’s Christmas gift to the community, Noel Night has been a beloved holiday tradition for numerous Scranton-area residents since its beginnings more than a half-century ago when it was founded by Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J.

This year’s concert will feature music by composers J.S. Bach, Randall Alan Bass, Vaclav Nelhybel, Mark Sirett and others, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. Pianist and harpsichordist for the evening is Ron Stabinsky and organist is Christopher Johnson. Performance Music’s fully restored Steinway grand piano and Austin Opus 301 symphonic organ will be heard on the program, and the evening will feature the debut of the department’s newly donated and restored Zuckerman harpsichord. Remarks and readings will be offered by Rev. James Duffy, S.J., M.D., superior for the Scranton Jesuit Community; Robert W. Davis Jr., Ed.D., vice president for University advancement; Leonard Gougeon, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Department of English and Theatre; Hal Baillie, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Philosophy Department; and senior student members of the ensemble.

Outdoor instrumental caroling by members of the University Bands will greet audience members as they arrive, and the University’s Chamber Orchestra, Flute Quartet and organist Christopher Johnson will perform the prelude.     

The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. Because there is no music major at the University, all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year.

Performance Music’s large ensembles include Concert/Symphonic Band, Concert Choir/Singers, String Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble (big band format). Smaller groups are made up of members from within the large ensembles, and include Steel Drum Band, String Quartet, Flute Ensemble, Brass Choir, Saxophone Ensemble, Jazz Combo and Percussion Ensemble, plus small vocal groups. Solo, duo and trio performance opportunities are available to members of the ensembles through general recitals each semester.

Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, the Nelhybel Collection and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers.

Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For more information on Noel Night, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music.

Five University of Scranton students were selected as 2022 Sanofi US Excellence in STEM Scholars, which provided support for the students’ summer independent research projects.

The University students named 2022 Sanofi US Excellence in STEM Scholars are: Angela Hudock ’23, Sayre; Michael Quinnan ’23, Shavertown; James Russo ’23, Franklin Square, New York; Olivia Sander ’23, Macungie; and Nathaniel Smith ’23, Wilkes-Barre.

The grant received from Sanofi, which totaled $20,000, supported research and professional development of the five undergraduate students involved in STEM programs. In addition, the support provided stipends to help the students purchase consumables, such as chemicals, specialized software or disposable laboratory supplies, needed in carrying out their summer research.

Studies have shown that students who engage in an independent research project are more likely to complete their STEM majors, graduate, and develop a path to achieve their academic and career goals.

Hudock, a Presidential Scholar at Scranton, is a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major and a member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM. She is working with her faculty mentors, Michael Fennie, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, and Katherine Stumpo, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, on her research project entitled: “Chemical, Physiological, and Behavioral Assessment of Zebrafish Embryo Exposure to Neonicotinoid Pesticide Clothianidin.”

Quinnan, a Presidential Scholar at Scranton, is a biomathematics major and a member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM. On campus, he is a work study student for the Office of Sustainability. He is also working with his faculty mentor, Murong Xu, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics, on his research project entitled: “Network Analysis on the spread of COVID-19.”

Russo is a biology and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. He is working with his faculty mentor, Amelia Randich, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on his research project entitled: “Dependence of Prosthecomicrobium hirschii Prosthecate Morphotype on Nutrient Levels.”

Sander is majoring in neuroscience at Scranton. She is working with her faculty mentor, Robert Waldeck, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on her research project entitled: “The Telencephalon’s Influence on the Startle Response of Goldfish.”

Smith is a neuroscience major and member of the University’s Undergraduate Honors Program and its Magis Honors Program in STEM. He received the University’s O’Hara Award medal for outstanding academic achievement during his freshman year. On campus, he is a work study student for the Office of Sustainability. He is working with his faculty mentor, Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on his research project entitled: “Navigational Failures in Ants Due to Agonists/Antagonists of Serotonin.”

Faculty members at Scranton often include undergraduate students in their academic projects. The University’s Faculty Student Research Program also supports undergraduate student participation in research. In addition, students participating in the University’s Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM work with faculty mentors on research projects.

Sanofi is a global pharmaceutical company that is involved in the research, development, marketing and manufacturing of various medicines and vaccines. Every year, Sanofi offers multiple grants to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that are working to advance participation in STEM fields.

University of Scranton students volunteered to pack and deliver 150 food baskets to area families in need as part of its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive organized by the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice. The food baskets included turkeys as well as other food items needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

The students gathered at the Friends of the Poor warehouse in South Scranton on Nov. 20 to prepare the food baskets, which they later delivered to families at Valley View Terrace, Bangor Heights and Hilltop Manor in Scranton.

Fox-56 covered this year’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive in a news story.

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Author and historian Elizabeth Hinton, Ph.D., presented “Riot or Rebellion?: The Meaning of Violent Protest from the 1960s to George Floyd” at this year’s Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities’ Myers Distinguished Visiting Fellow Lecture last month. Dr. Hinton is an associate professor in the Department of History and the Department of African American Studies at Yale University, with a secondary appointment as professor of law at Yale Law School. Her research focuses on the persistence of poverty, racial inequality and urban violence in the 20th century United States.

The annual lecture is named after community leaders Sondra and Morey Myers.

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Sondra Myers (left), director of the Schemel Forum at The University of Scranton, was interviewed by Erika Funke (right) at WVIA about the Wienberg Memorial Library’s 2022 Distinguished Author Award dinner. The Nov. 18 dinner will honor Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter Ayad Akhta. The event begins at 6 p.m. in McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center at the University. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Library Endowment Fund, which supports special gifts for the Weinberg Library collections and services.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Distinguished Author Award reception and dinner, visit scranton.edu/authaward or contact Kym Fetsko at 570-941-7816 or kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

The Princeton Review recognized The University of Scranton among just 455 colleges in the world, for having “strong commitments to the environment in their campus policies, programs and practices” by inclusion in the 2023 edition of “The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges.” Most of the schools selected for the guide, which was published online in October, are in the U.S., with 26 in Canada, two in Taiwan and one (each) in Ecuador, Egypt, Greece, Ireland, Mexico and Morocco.

This is the fourth year that Scranton has made this list.

The Princeton Review analyzed more than 25 data points to determine the final selection of colleges for the guide based on information from surveys of nearly 713 schools. The criteria broadly covered the schools’ academic offerings and initiatives, campus policies and practices to determine “whether students have a campus quality of life that is both healthy and sustainable; how well a school is preparing students for employment in the clean-energy economy of the 21st century, as well as for citizenship in a world now defined by environmental concerns and opportunities; and how environmentally responsible a school’s policies are.”

Scranton’s long-established sustainability efforts include academics, facilities and community education and outreach. Scranton has infused issues of sustainability in courses across the curriculum, ranging from theology, to business, to the natural sciences, to education, as well as other disciplines. Scranton uses numerous “green” procedures in building maintenance practices, as well as in building design and construction. Scranton currently has three Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings: Leahy Hall, the Loyola Science Center and the DeNaples Center, which became the city’s first LEED certified structure in 2008. Further inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical titled “On Care for Our Common Home,” the University also conducts multiple community educational programs organized through its Office of Sustainability, which include Bike Scranton, a community garden, an Earth Day Essay Contest, an Earth Day Fair and an Evening of Environmental Science program for area children and families.

In addition, the Sustainability Office began a Work Study Program that engages work-study students in service-learning opportunities to help them grow in knowledge practical applications of sustainability concepts taught in their classes.

In addition to its “Guide to Green Colleges,” The Princeton Review has listed Scranton in its “Best Colleges” guidebooks for 21 consecutive years, also ranking Scranton in its 2023 edition among the nation’s “Best Science Lab Facilities” (No. 7) and “Best Campus Food” (No. 25).

The University of Scranton and Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish new academic relationships and engage in other collaborative programs. Supplemental agreements create opportunities that each school can offer to new undergraduate students enrolling in the fall of 2023.  

The memorandum of understanding will allow the Jesuit schools to collaborate in ways that leverage academic strengths, faculty expertise, resources and technology to enhance further the quality and breadth of programs offered to students. The agreement also encourages the exchange of faculty members, research scholars and students, and facilitates jointly organized conferences and other programs, among other items. 

Under the innovative agreements, Scranton can enroll up to five qualified students for direct entry into Le Moyne’s Physician Assistant (PA) program after graduation, and Le Moyne can likewise enroll up to five qualified students with a guaranteed seat in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at Scranton. 

“The Memorandum of Understanding prudently leverages the existing resources and strengths of two sister Jesuit institutions that share a common mission of Catholic higher education,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. “The supplemental agreements already signed will provide access for our respective students to highly competitive, established programs in much-needed health professions. This is a win-win for our schools, our students and for the patients they will compassionately and competently care for in the future.”  

“This relationship will serve our students well and strengthen the work of both Le Moyne College and The University of Scranton in developing health care professionals who are so in need today,” said Linda LeMura, Ph.D., president of Le Moyne College. “I'm proud to be working collaboratively with Scranton on this and look forward to how this initiative will be mutually beneficial to both institutions.”

The direct entry pathway for the PA program at Le Moyne is open to up to five incoming University of Scranton students accepted into its class of 2027 who will major in biology, biochemistry, kinesiology, physiology neuroscience or biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. High school applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 92 and have completed specific high school course requirements. They must also have 50 hours of documented shadowing or patient contact, among other requirements. During their matriculation at Scranton, students admitted to the PA Program pathway must maintain a minimum overall G.P.A., and an overall cumulative science G.P.A. of 3.4 or higher; complete an additional minimum of 700 quality patient contact hours; remain in good moral and ethical standing, and meet other program requirements.  

The pathway for the guaranteed seat in the DPT program at The University of Scranton is open to up to five incoming Le Moyne students accepted into its class of 2027 who will major in biology, biochemistry, or similar major that allows for completion of required prerequisite courses. High school applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 92 and have completed specific high school course requirements. During their matriculation at Le Moyne, the students admitted to the DPT Program pathway must maintain a minimum overall G.P.A., and an overall cumulative science G.P.A. of 3.2 or higher; and have verified 30 hours of direct observation of physical therapy patient care; remain in good moral and ethical standing, and meet other program requirements.  

Le Moyne’s PA program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and the Education Department of the State of New York. 

Scranton’s DPT program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). 

For additional information about the direct entry pathway program for the PA program at Le Moyne for Scranton students, contact Joseph Roback, associate vice president for admissions and enrollment, 570-941-4385, joseph.roback@scranton.edu. For additional information about the pathway program for a guaranteed seat in the DPT program at The University of Scranton for Le Moyne students, contact Le Moyne’s Office of Admission at admission@lemoyne.edu or 315-445-4300.

From left: Mary Collins, Ph.D., associate provost, Le Moyne College; James Hannan, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, Le Moyne College; Linda LeMura, Ph.D., president, Le Moyne College; Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president, The University of Scranton; Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president, The University of Scranton; and Gerry Zaboski, senior vice president for the Office of the President, The University of Scranton. In another photo, the presidents exchange school pins.

Six members of The University of Scranton’s ROTC class of 2023 have earned Distinguished Military Graduate status by the U.S. Army, which designates placement in the top 20 percent of Army ROTC graduates in the nation for this academic year. Their distinction is based on their placement in the Order of Merit List, which ranks graduating ROTC cadets from across the country. The designation requires a superior grade-point average, strong performance in the Army Combat Fitness Test, and proven experience as an exceptional leader in college ROTC training.

“These cadets represent the next generation of our military leaders. They are ambitious, talented, intelligent and enthusiastic. The future of the U.S. Army is in good hands,” said Lt. Col. Jason Wenger, professor of military science who heads Scranton’s Army ROTC battalion. “Scranton’s ROTC program continually places in the top 25 percent in the country because of cadets like these.”

One Scranton cadet, Emma Coar of Dunmore, placed No. 9 in the nation on the Order of Merit list.

“Emma is an exceptional leader and excellent at planning and organization. She continually looks for opportunities to learn and improve herself even more. She has studied foreign languages and has taken on duties as battalion operations officer, which is one of the most competitive leadership positions in our program,” said Lt. Col. Wenger of Coar, who is majoring international studies.

Coar’s classmates who were also named as Distinguished Military Graduates are: Steven Gasperini, an international studies major from Denville, New Jersey; Sarah Kern, a nursing major from Monroe, New York; Declan Maurer, an accounting major and member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program from Whitehouse Station, New Jersey; Josephine Middleton, a biology major from Sugarloaf, and Zachary Turnitza, a nursing major from Cumbola.

Together, the group of six Distinguished Military Graduates know nine languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Arabic and Russian. They have won military awards and participated in ROTC enrichment programs, in addition to maintaining stellar G.P.A.s in their academic courses at Scranton. Each cadet is a Dean’s List student at Scranton.

“Scranton’s ROTC program is smaller, which has given us greater opportunities to participate in the leadership and development initiatives available to cadets,” said Middleton. “All six of us have had military (ROTC) internships.”

In fact, together, the group of six have had a total of 16 internships:

Coar: (3) Cadet Troop Leadership Training, Joint Base Lewis McCord, Washington; Cadet Summer Training 2022; U.S. Army Airborne School;

Gasperini: (3) Cadet Troop Leadership Training, Joint Base Lewis McCord; Cadet Summer Training 2022; US Army Air Assault School;

Kern: (2) Nurse Summer Training Program- Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; Cadet Summer Training 2022;

Maurer: (3) Cadet Troop Leadership Training, Fort Sill; Opposition Forces Support, Cadet Summer Training 2021; Cadet Summer Training 2022;

Middleton: (2) Army Medical at Joint Base Lewis McCord; Cadet Summer Training 2022;

Turnitza: (3) Nurse Summer Training Program- Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii; Cadet Summer Training 2022; US Army Air Assault School.

Through these internships, the students not only gained experience in different aspects of military service and enhanced their leadership skills, but they also gained experience in their chosen professions. Nursing majors Kern and Turnitza and Middleton, who will pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, gained clinical experiences in military hospital environments that are not common in traditional rotations.

And, there are other benefits of the ROTC program. Maurer credits the fitness regimen for his loss of 60 pounds in his three years of college.

“The ROTC program has developed my communication skills, not only in public speaking or in leading a group of cadets, but also with the more difficult conversations I will have to have with patients as a nurse,” said Turnitza.

“I learned that there is much more to being a leader in the Army than what is shown rallying troops to battle in the movies,” said Gasperini. “There are a lot of different leaderships styles in the military and all are needed. The amalgamation of the different leaders is what makes us strong.”

Additional information about the impressive accomplishments of Scranton’s ROTC class of 2023 Distinguished Military Graduates can be seen here.

But, you had better put on some shades before reading. As you’ll see, the future of the U.S. Army is bright.

 

The University of Scranton economics professors have published an analysis of the Wyoming Valley of Northeast Pennsylvania’s job and housing market, as well as a look at the cost of living impact inflation has had on household purchasing power in the region.

The analysis, called the Brennan Barometer and completed by Aram Balagyozyan, Ph.D, associate professor of economics, finance and international business, and Satyajit Ghosh, Ph.D., professor of economics, finance and international business, is the second of a series of reports published by the faculty members of the Kania School of Management that look specifically at the economy of NEPA’s Wyoming Valley. The professors plan to publish two comprehensive reports in January and July and two shorter updates: one in fall and one in spring.

“The intent of the series of reports is to make a detailed analysis of economic data specific to NEPA available to area business professionals who might be able to use the information in their industries and organizations,” said Dr. Ghosh, who is frequently quoted about trends in the regional economy in area newspapers and publications.

Data in the most recent Brennan Barometer, published Nov. 8, indicate the unemployment in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties remained relatively unchanged in the period of April to August, 2022, which is the most recent month for which official data is available. The unemployment rate for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazelton metropolitan statistical area stood at 5.7 percent in April and has fallen to 5.2 percent for July and August, following national and Pennsylvania trends.

The professors noted that the total labor force and the total number of employed workers has continued to increase, while the total number of unemployed workers has declined. Charts published in the report show the total number employed rising from 257,000 in April, 2022, to 260,800 in August and those unemployed decreasing from 15,200 in April to 14,200 in August. They noted the employment growth was in the private sector with service-providing industries in the “Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities sub-sector” adding about 42 percent of the new private service-sector jobs. 

“What is important to note is that in August 2022, the Health Services sub-sector that includes Health Care, Social Assistance, and Hospitals, reported a modest (200) gain of jobs. Normally, this should not be viewed as a significant event. However, historically, this sub-sector has been a very significant source of jobs in the region,” wrote the professors in the report.

Their analysis of the housing market indicated the “tightening of the housing market in Scranton has occurred at faster pace than in the US. Between August 2021 and August 2022, Scranton has shed roughly 25 percent of its housing inventory, while in the United States, this number has declined by only 6.4 percent.” They also noted that “housing prices in the Scranton area outpaced growth of housing prices in Philadelphia and the U.S.” However, the average price of a house in the Scranton area “is much lower than the national average and the Philadelphia market. In August 2022, the value of a typical home in the Scranton area was $178,169, around half as much as it was in Philadelphia ($338,343) or the United States ($354,986).”

In looking at the impact of inflation, the professors reviewed the Cost of Living (or purchasing power) of the average household in Scranton, as compared to the Cost of Living for Brooklyn and Manhattan.

“For example, to have the same standard of living afforded by Scranton’s median household income of $41,687, a household in Queens, New York, would require $64,456, indicating a 55 percent higher cost of living. Similarly, a household income of $103,477 would be needed in Manhattan, New York, to maintain the same standard of living afforded by the median household income of $40,505 of Wilkes-Barre, indicating a 155 percent higher cost of living in Manhattan.”

The professors also noted that “it may not be much of a consolation that the costs of living in the region may be much lower than other big cities in the area if income in the MSA fails to keep up with inflation.”

The full report is available on the University’s website.

The Human Resources Foundation in Honesdale awarded a $5,000 grant to The University of Scranton’s Autism Collaborative Center of Excellence to support enhanced advocacy and socialization programming for students with disabilities.

The Autism Collaborative Center of Excellence has collaborated with the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence and Student Health to enhance and develop programing for students with disabilities to learn advocacy skills, connect and socialize with other students, and become successful leaders in our region.

The grant will support a new Game Night Advocacy Program on campus, which will create socialization opportunities through fun games in an environment that provides tools and skills to enhance student learning. The program, designed to support students with autism and other disabilities, will use popular board games in a safe environment for individuals to practice social skills and learn how to advocate for themselves and others.

The Human Resources Foundation provides financial support to the programs and services of the Human Resources Center (HRC), a nonprofit organization that provides support and services to individuals with disabilities in Wayne, Pike, Carbon, Monroe, Lackawanna, and Susquehanna counties. The Human Resources Foundation also awards public grants to nonprofit and charitable organizations in NEPA to support similar initiatives as that of the HRC.

The University of Scranton is one of five Autism Collaborative Center of Excellence hubs that serve 13 counties in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Curtis Zunigha, an enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians (Oklahoma) and co-founder/co-director of the Lenape Center in New York City, will share the story, experiences, music and legacy of the Lenape at a series of events on Thursday, Nov. 17, and Friday, Nov. 18.

Zunigha will present “Forced Removal of the Lenape People: History and Homecoming” at a Keynote Lecture Thursday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center on the University’s campus. The talk is free and open to the public. Zunigha will share his experience and mission to heal the wounds of forced removal and colonization and his desire to restore the circle of friendship, respect and shared occupancy. This lecture is part of the Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story initiative funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and supported by a Diversity Initiatives Grant through the University’s Office of Equity and Diversity.

On Friday, Nov. 18, a noon Diversity and Inclusion Lunch and Learn for University faculty and staff will feature a special presentation and musical performance by Zunigha. He will share his traditions and the present-day culture of the Lenape people. Reservations are required to attend the luncheon hosted by the Office of Equity and Diversity in the Kane Forum. Faculty and staff may contact diversity@scranton.edu or call 570-941-6645 with questions and to register.

During his visit to Scranton, Zunigha will also speak to students at Northeast Intermediate School, in addition to meetings with local government officials and University and community stakeholders. The intent of the events and meetings is to foster deeper learning and engagement in ways that honor Indigenous peoples and cultures, and the history and ongoing legacy and impact of colonialism.

An expert on Delaware/Lenape culture, language and traditional practices, Zunigha has more than 35 years of experience in tribal government and administration, community development, telecommunications and cultural preservation. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

The Lenape Center promotes the history and culture of people through the arts, environmental activism, social justice and agricultural practices. The Lenape Center’s work represents the return of the original Indigenous people to their original homeland of Lenapehoking, which includes areas of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

“Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” seeks to capture the unique narrative of Scranton and relate it to the history of the United States prior to the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The ongoing, two-year project incorporates eight themes, including how Scranton has been portrayed in the popular imagination, its industrial era growth, Indigenous history, religious tapestry, diverse immigrant populations – past and present – and the role it played in the Underground Railroad and Black history.

The University of Scranton has appointed 21 new full-time faculty members for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Wesam Alramadeen, Ph.D. cand., was named as an instructor in the Operations and Analytics Department. He joined the University faculty as a lecturer in 2021. Previously, he worked internationally for more than two decades as a business development and strategy partner, telecommunications commissioner, consultant and senior engineer, among other positions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering-telecommunication from Mutah University in Jordan, an MBA from German Jordanian University in Jordan, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering at Binghamton University.

 Ran An, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Health and Human Performance Department. She comes to Scranton from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she was a course instructor of fluency and voice disorders. Previously, she was an associate and assistant professor at Dalian Ocean University in China, where she also was director of two English undergraduate programs and vice dean of the English Department. She also was an instructor at Dongbei University of Finance and has published extensively on the subject of stuttering as well as on several linguistics topics. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and international business and her Master of Arts in foreign language studies and applied language studies at Dongbei University of Finance and Economics. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Uzoamaka Anyiwo, Ph.D., was named associate professor in the History Department. Most recently a professor of politics and history at Curry College and before that the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, she is an award-winning, innovative teacher and researcher who specializes in using historical methods to explore racial and gender stereotypes. Other research specialties include contemporary, Colonial and antebellum U.S. history, film history, the history of the vampire and popular culture/film. She has an extensive presentation and paper history on the subject of vampires, pop culture and black womanhood. She earned her bachelor’s degree in American studies and politics and her Ph.D. at the University of Wales Swansea, where her dissertation analyzed the dominant stereotypes of African-American women from the 16^th century to present.

Anthony Betancourt, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Psychology Department. The founder and chief executive officer of ABLE Research LLC in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Dr. Betancourt brings back to Scranton expertise in the subjects of bullying, scientific racism, learning disabilities and economic inequality. He has taught at the City College of New York and won a coveted fellowship at the City University of New York teaching undergraduate psychology. He conducted research on socio-emotional and motivational variables that influence students’ preparedness for higher education and/or the workplace. Dr. Betancourt earned his Bachelor of Science in psychology at The University of Scranton, his Master of Arts in general theoretical psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and both his Master of Philosophy and his Ph.D. in educational psychology at the City University of New York.

Michele Boland was named lecturer in the Nursing Department. She previously served on the nursing faculty for the for the Practical Nursing Program of the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County and joins the University after serving as adjunct faculty and a clinical instructor. Boland has had a lengthy hospital career, including tenures as a registered home health care and hospice nurse, home hospice nurse, charge nurse in intensive care, clinical resource manager and nursing supervisor. Boland earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Delaware and Master of Science degree in nursing education at the University of Phoenix. She is certified as a CPR instructor and in oncology/chemotherapy.

Joe Brague, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Biology Department. An accomplished researcher, writer and lecturer, he most recently studied dopamine-mediated synaptic plasticity in the context of Parkinson’s disease and has published prolific research on how hormones influence behavior in the Syrian hamster. He is currently pursuing how biological sex contributes to Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Brague was most recently a post-doctoral scholar and adjunct professor in neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience and biology at The University of Scranton and his Ph.D. in integrative biology: neuroscience track, at Lehigh University.

Laura Skoronski Chavez, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Nursing Department. Dr. Chavez brings to the University clinical expertise in emergency nursing and nurse education and educational expertise in nurse educator preparation, curriculum development, educational administration, simulation development, preparation and administration, nursing research and online course preparation. She was formerly on the nursing faculty at Wilkes University and an adjunct faculty member at the University. Chavez earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at The University of Scranton, her master’s degree in nursing education at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and her Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Kate Cummings was named assistant professor and research and instruction librarian for the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library. She was previously library director and an electronic resources librarian at Luzerne County Community College. She has held two elected positions on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Library Association and is a member of the American Library Association. She is an accomplished presenter whose topics have included diversity, equity and inclusion in libraries, and outcomes and assessment. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration (accounting) at the University of Maine, a Master of Business Administration at Wilkes University and a Master of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. 

Stephanie DeNaples was named faculty specialist in the Occupational Therapy Department. She currently works with Neighborworks NEPA and previously served as an occupational therapist at Lehigh Valley Health Network and has been an adjunct instructor in occupational therapy at the University. She also served as an occupational therapist for Coordinated Health, Therapy Unlimited, the Geisinger Health System and St. Luke’s University Health System. She is the founder of We Ride NEPA, an organization that promotes occupational independence in leisure by modifying motorized ride-on vehicles for children. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in health sciences and Master of Science in occupational therapy at The University of Scranton. She is completing a post-professional clinical doctorate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah.

Kenneth Dudeck was named visiting assistant professor in the Physics and Engineering Department. He was previously an associate professor at Pennsylvania State University in Hazleton and works as an electrical engineering consultant for local manufacturing industries. An accomplished researcher with a notable publication history, he also spent 10 years as a consultant for the Naval Air Warfare Center at Patuxent River, Maryland., and has been a research fellow at the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster. His career also included the titles of microwave and controls engineer at Damaskos Inc. in Chadds Ford, electromagnetic interference and compatibility engineer at General Electric, and electrical engineer at Gould Ocean Systems Division in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering at Pennsylvania State University and his master’s degree in electrical engineering at Villanova University.

Daniel Jackowitz was named visiting assistant professor in the Computing Sciences Department. He comes to the University from SeatGeek in New York City, where he solved interesting data problems in the ticketing. Before that he was a senior software engineer for Datadog and Tumblr, both in New York City, and a software engineer for The New York Times. He has served as adjunct faculty in computing sciences at the University, where he designed and taught a graduate special topics course titled “Introduction to Big Data Platforms.” He was a teaching fellow in operating system engineering at Yale University. Jackowitz earned his Bachelor of Science in computer science and his Master of Science in software engineering at The University of Scranton and his Master of Science in computer science at Yale University.

Riddhiman Medhi, Ph.D., was named assistant professor of inorganic chemistry in the Chemistry Department. A committed teacher and researcher as well as a collaborative scientist, Dr. Medhi brings a broad background in materials chemistry and joins the University after serving as a post-doctoral associate at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he worked to develop anti-fouling surface coatings and anti-toxin fabrics. He has applied for two U.S. patents, has published and presented on numerous occasions, and is a member of the American Chemical Society. He earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in chemistry from Gauhati University in Guwahati, India, and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Houston, where he was a graduate research assistant, and served as a teaching assistant. At Houston, his research on optical nanomaterials earned him the Graduate Student Research Award, and the prestigious Dan E. Wells Outstanding Dissertation Award.

Pedro Monteiro, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Economics/Finance Department. A chartered financial analyst (C.F.A.) since 2018, he worked in the financial sector prior to pursuing Ph.D. studies. He served in a multitude of roles, including fixed income analyst, structurer of derivatives products, and private wealth manager. Dr. Monteiro has published and working papers covering different aspects of finance, including hedge funds, corporate short-termism, international markets and entrepreneurial finance. He has taught Principles of Financial Management, Financial Institutions and Advanced Managerial Finance courses at the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University, where he received the singular 2021 Excellence in Ph.D. Student Teaching Award. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business at Pontifical Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro. He earned his Master of Science in finance and Ph.D. in finance at Florida Atlantic University.

Julie Murphy, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Nursing Department. She previously served as an assistant professor at Wilkes University and assistant professor and director of the RN to BS in Nursing Program at King’s College. She also served on the faculty of the practical nursing program at the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center, where she was the lead instructor for medical surgical courses. Dr. Murphy has been a registered nurse in the local area for many years and has presented at local and national conferences on heart failure, end-of-life care and advance care planning. She earned an Associate of Applied Science in nursing at Luzerne County Community College, a Bachelor of Science in nursing at Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Science in nursing at Misericordia University, a Master of Science in nursing with nurse educator and faculty roles specialization at Drexel University, and a Ph.D. in nursing at Pennsylvania State University. She has recently received a post-master’s degree certificate as a primary mental health care nurse practitioner at Wilkes University.

Michael Nytz, Ph.D., cand., was named lecturer in the Counseling and Human Services Department. A licensed professional counselor (L.P.C.), he was most recently a certified school guidance counselor at Lower Macungie Middle School and teaching assistant at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Prior to that, he was a clinical case manager at Wordsworth Academy and a residential counselor at Woods School. Nytz also was a military officer for 13 years and served three years on active duty. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, Florida, a master’s degree in counseling at Trenton State College in Trenton, New Jersey., and is a Ph.D. candidate in counselor education at the University of the Cumberlands. He also earned an elementary guidance certificate at Kutztown University, a cognitive behavioral therapy certificate from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and a trauma certificate of advanced graduate studies at Chestnut Hill College. He has a secondary guidance certificate from the University.

Jason Phillips was named faculty specialist in the Nursing Department. He was most recently a certified registered nurse practitioner at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia and previously worked for the Einstein Healthcare Network, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies at Wright State University in Dayton, then an Associate’s of Applied Science in nursing at Luzerne County Community College, a Bachelor of Science in nursing at Pennsylvania State University Worthington Scranton, and Master of Science in nursing in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

Timothy Powers was named lecturer in the Counseling and Human Services Department. He has been an adjunct instructor of social sciences at the State University of New York at Orange and at Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh, New York. He also worked as a private-practice mental health counselor in Middletown and New York, New York, taught religious studies at Xavier High School in New York, New York., and served in assignments in the Bronx, Wilmington, Delaware, and Silver Spring, Maryland, while a Franciscan Friar. He also was director of campus ministries at John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and religious studies and Master of Science in counseling at The University of Scranton, a graduate certificate in theological studies at Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., and a Master of Social Work at New York University.

Mojib Saei, Ph.D., was named assistant professor in the Physics and Engineering Department. He comes to the University from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he was a visiting professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He also has been a faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College. He served as a researcher in the Scalable Micro Nano Manufacturing Laboratory as well as the Center for Materials Processing and Tribology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He has published several peer-reviewed journal articles about nanomaterials, multi-layer composites, 3D printing, laser processing and flexible electronics, amassing a total of 23 journal publications and filing one U.S. patent. He earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees, one in materials engineering and another one in industrial engineering, a master’s degree in materials engineering and a Ph.D. in industrial engineering-manufacturing at Purdue University.

Rebecca Sullivan, Ph.D. cand., was named lecturer in the Education Department. She was most recently adjunct faculty in philosophy at Fordham University and has been a course assistant at the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University and a teaching assistant at both Barnard College and Teachers College of Columbia University. She also has been adjunct faculty at the State University of New York at New Paltz and Queens College of the City University of New York. Sullivan has numerous publication and presentation credits and worked as an academic publishing associate and editor at EdLab, Teachers College Record, at Columbia University, was a writing coach, and worked as an educational program leader for the Brox Educational Foundation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and English literature and a master’s degree in philosophy and education at the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in philosophy and education at Columbia University, where she is a Ph.D. candidate.

Elizabeth Vento, Ph.D., was named visiting assistant professor in the Psychology Department. She has provided clinical care in hospital and community-based clinics and has also provided clinical research support for SAMHSA's national epidemiology studies of psychological disorders. Before starting her Ph.D. studies, she was a public-school teacher in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Vento earned a Bachelor of Arts dual degree in literature and creative writing at the State University of New York, Purchase College; a Master of Arts in clinical psychology at St. John's University; a post-baccalaureate certificate in psychology at Columbia University; and a Master of Science in education at the College of New Rochelle. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at St. John’s University.

Laura Zagacki, D.H.S. cand., was named assistant professor in the Occupational Therapy Department. She was most recently therapy manager at Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital in Bethlehem, where she previously worked as a pediatric occupational therapist. She has been a pediatrics occupational therapist, an early intervention occupational therapist, and a school occupational therapist in the Hatboro-Horsham and Wissahickon school districts. She held occupational therapist positions at Moss Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia and Elkins Park and served on the Research Committee Task Force in the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Network. She has an extensive teaching, research, publications and presentation background. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral neuroscience at Lafayette College, where she was a Phi Beta Kappa Society member, and a Master of Science in occupational therapy at Thomas Jefferson University. She is a candidate for a Doctorate of Health Sciences in rehabilitation sciences at Drexel University.

A team from BBC World News broadcasted live reports on the upcoming U.S. election from the balcony of the Rose Room of Brennan Hall on the campus of The University of Scranton. Scranton alumnus Ted Tait ’86, chief engineer for BBC, Washington, D.C., Bureau, was among the BBC team who broadcasted live reports and interviews about the election throughout the day on Oct. 31.

University of Scranton Political Science Professor Jean Harris, Ph.D., was among those interviewed by BBC World News America anchor Laura Trevelyan during the broadcast.

University of Scranton students Alexander Nunez, Hackettstown, New Jersey, and Kelly Nee, Hopatcong, New Jersey, both journalism and electronic media majors, served as student ambassadors during the visit. Nee also serves as editor of The Aquinas, Scranton’s student newspaper. The University’s Public Relations Intern, Edward Fargis, an English major from Ho Ho Kus, New Jersey, was also on hand. Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of the University, visited the BBC team during a break in the broadcast.

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The University of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program seeks to develop future executives who will serve at Northeast Pennsylvania nonprofit institutions. Since beginning in 2017, 47 participants, representing 40 separate regional nonprofit organizations, have graduated from the program.

 “The Nonprofit Leadership Certificate is a unique credential that can help graduates advance to executive leadership positions at nonprofit organizations,” said Ryanne Jennings, president and CEO of the Wayne County Community Foundation and a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program graduate.

“The coursework in not hypothetical. Participants can apply concepts learned in class immediately. That is very powerful and inspiring. The experience in this program was well worth the investment.”

“The courses were very thorough in educating participants in all the aspects involved in managing a nonprofit, from financial best-practices to board cultivation and grant writing and everything in between. The program provided a depth of knowledge that was extremely beneficial to me and the other students,” said Ron Prislupski, president of NativityMiguel School of Scranton and graduate of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program.

Prislupski and Jennings valued greatly the colleagues and mentors they met through the program.

“I moved here from Philadelphia,” said Jennings. “The program allowed me learn about the landscape of fundraising in NEPA and to develop a cohort of peers locally who have been a great source for discussing challenges and successes. They have served as sounding boards for ideas and as professional references.”

“The instructors are absolutely wonderful and, three years later, I still keep in touch with them on a regular basis,” said Prislupski. “Also, the 15 members of my cohort share the same career paths. Through this program, you connect with individuals who have their hearts in the nonprofit sector.”

The certificate program combines a rigorous academic component taught by Kania School of Management faculty with expertise in nonprofit organizations, a mentorship and experiential learning. The program includes capstone project that requires participants to form a comprehensive plan to solve a current issue faced by the nonprofit organization they represent.

“My project was to create an annual fundraising plan, which, subsequently, I also developed and implemented at NativityMiguel,” said Prislupski. “What I learned in the program, specifically through the capstone project, has helped a local nonprofit organization develop a stabilized financial plan.”

The University of Scranton is accepting applications for the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program for the 2022-2023 academic year. The deadline to apply is Nov. 11 for classes that begin in January 2023.

For additional information, visit the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program webpage or call 570-941-4047.

Homeboy Industries “live and breathe their mission” according to Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program student Emma Boyle.

Jesuit values seamlessly permeate every aspect of the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. Only the Latin phrases like “cura personalis” or “magis,” so familiar with Scranton students, do not appear anywhere at their facilities or in their marketing materials.

Members of the University’s McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program may help to change that.

The group of elite business students at Scranton have adopted a comprehensive set of projects involving branding, new revenue opportunities, and program replication for Homeboy as part of their Business Leadership Consulting Theory and Practice course taught by Douglas Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department.

Two students along with Dr. Boyle and Ashley Stampone, D.B.A., assistant professor of accounting, visited Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles in September to begin the project. The students and faculty members met with Homeboy’s founder Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J., CEO Tom Vozzo and other key leaders at the nonprofit organization.

Initially looking at the website for Homeboy, the in-person visit and review and additional meetings with Homeboy leaders has broadened the scope of the project. Robert McKeage, Ph.D., associate professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship and long-time director of the Business Leadership Honors Program that bears his name, expects the project will take about two years to complete and envisions will involve of members of the Business Leadership Honors Program for the classes of 2023 and 2024.

According to Drs. Stampone and McKeage, the students will now consult with Homeboy on a range of potential opportunities, including community and youth program outreach, grant and donor relation development and possible marketing and expansion of educational programming, as well as identifying growth possibilities for nearly dozen individual enterprises run by Homeboys, such as the tattoo removal service.

The students who visited Homeboy have already been impacted by the organization and the project.

Emma Boyle called the Homeboy Art Academy a “sanctuary for the children.” The students and faculty members were also impressed by the breath of educational programs offered through homeboys, ranging from parenting classes to workforce development courses that incorporated teaching “soft skills,” as well as job training.

“I am really grateful for this opportunity. It will provide real experience consulting with a major company, said Matthew Earley, Perkasie, a senior finance major, member of the McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program and Presidential Scholarship recipient. “I’ve gotten a hands-on look at the process of consulting and a look at the skills that are needed in that field. It was also an eye-opening experience to hear so many tremendous stories of how people turned their lives around that I now have a new perspective in that regard.”

 “The visit to Homeboy has given me a new perspective on my career and the career path I want to take to utilize my skills to help others in any way I can,” said Emma Boyle, an accounting major from Peckville.

Other students participating with this project through the McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program Consulting Theory and Practice course are:

Owen P. Ascher, Garden City, New York, an accounting and finance major;

Thomas J. Csehovics, Fair Lawn, New Jersey, a finance major;

Joshua T. DeMarco, Hillsdale, New Jersey, a business analytics major;

Jillian D. Heier, Mickleton, New Jersey, an accounting major;

Jessica M. Hook, Barto, a marketing major;

Jordyn S. Lieber, Edison, New Jersey, a business administration major;

Francis J. Lynch, Richboro, an electrical engineering major;

Aiden P. Messett, Throop, a finance major;

Kayleigh S. Olszewski, Conshohocken, an accounting and finance double major;

Claudia Pitts ’22, Scranton, who is pursuing a master of accountancy;

Jennifer R. Rossiter, Jenkintown, a finance major;

Thomas A. Yager, Randolph, New Jersey, an accounting major.

The University of Scranton’s McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program, which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. Students in this highly-selective program explore the basic theories and concepts of leadership through special seminars and courses in management, ethics, strategy and analysis, in addition to field trips to learn from top executives and projects in leadership, service and mentoring.

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AllOne Charities has awarded a $25,000 grant to The University of Scranton to support free physical therapy services offered by Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to vulnerable populations in the region.

The University’s Physical Therapy Community-Based Outreach Program seeks to improve women’s health access in the refugee community. This is done through evidence-based preventive health education, risk assessment for disease, and health promotion wellness services, particularly for those who are unlikely to access the University’s free, campus-based Physical Therapy Clinic.

The grant will support the equipment and supplies, translation services and transportation needed for DPT students to conduct faculty-supervised physical therapy and health education clinics for uninsured and underinsured members of our community, particularly refugee or resettled women and families, in their own neighborhoods or community spaces.

The Physical Therapy Community-Based Outreach Program will focus on: reducing maternal mortality and morbidity; improving cognitive, mental and physical health outcomes; and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among our region’s vulnerable populations.

AllOne Charities supports local and regional non-profit organizations, whose initiatives help to address some of Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania’s most pressing health challenges.

Scranton’s graduate-level, three-year, 111-credit Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

University of Scranton Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students participated with the city of Scranton’s “Wellness at Your Doorstep” program, which provides health screening and community resource information at Scranton residencies and community organizations. At a recent “Wellness” event at Adams High-Rise Apartments, DPT students conducted the fall risk assessments and took health screenings of participants.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times best-selling author, Annette Gordon-Reed, J.D., discussed her book “On Juneteenth” at The University of Scranton’s Values In Action Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 12. The lecture was part of the University’s annual Royal Reads program, which introduces incoming students to Ignatian values through a shared reading experience of a selected book in addition to courses and extra-curricular activities. From left: Anthony Betancourt, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology; Teresa Grettano, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre; David Marx, Ph.D., associate provost of academic affairs; guest speaker Gordon-Reed; David Dzurec, Ph.D, interim dean of college of arts and sciences; Michelle Maldonado, interim provost and senior president for academic affairs.

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Members of the Wienberg Memorial Library’s 2022 Distinguished Author Committee are planning a Nov. 18 dinner to honor Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter Ayad Akhta. At the event, which will be held in McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center at The University of Scranton, Akhta will receive the 2022 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award from the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Library Endowment Fund, which supports special gifts for the Weinberg Library collections and services.

Gretchen Welby, Pharm.D., is chair of the 2022 Distinguished Author Committee, whose members include George J. Aulisio, dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library and Marian Farrell, Ph.D., president of Friends of the Weinberg Library and professor of nursing at the University.

Current and retired University employees, as well as members of the greater Scranton area community make up the rest of the committee. Other committee members are: Geri Botyrius, Diana Collins, Deputy Title IX and Equal Employment Opportunity coordinator/investigator, Office of Equity and Diversity; Roy Domenico, Ph.D., professor and chair of the History Department; Donald Drasba, manager of the University bookstore; Kym Fetsko, administrative assistant for the library; Erika Funke, WVIA; Annettte Kalwaytis; John McInerney, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Department of English and theatre; Lisa Mekilo, course materials manager for Follett; Sondra Myers, director of the Schemel Forum; Jennifer Pennington, administrative assistant for the Office of Equity and Diversity and enrollment management; Adam Pratt, Ph.D., associate professor of history; Sheli Pratt-McHugh, associate professor and chair of Weinberg Memorial Library; Phyllis Reinhardt; Rosemary Shaver, Ed.D.; Kara Stone, Ph.D.; Bonnie Strohl; and Narda Tafuri, professor emeritus, library.

Akhtar was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2013 for his play “Disgraced,” which also received a Tony Award nomination. The play examines the role of religion, politics and identity in post-9/11 America. His play “Junk,” about junk bonds and Wall Street culture of the 1980s, won the 2018 Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History. His work has been published and performed in over two dozen languages.

Named in honor of the late Rev. Royden B. Davis, S.J., who served in many roles at the University and as rector of the Jesuit Community, the Distinguished Author Award was established in 1997. The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library envisioned the series as a way to honor notable fiction and non-fiction authors, and to give them the opportunity to share their literary pursuits and impressions with Northeastern Pennsylvanians. Past recipients of the award have included best-selling authors Madeline Miller, Lorene Cary, Colum McCann, Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Jay Parini, Steve Berry, William Berhardt, Mary Gordon, Phillip Margolin, James Grippando, Linda Fairstein, Lisa Scottoline, Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Malachy McCourt, Jack Palance and Scranton native Stephen Karam.

Prior to the reception, a book signing with the author will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the DeNaples Center. The book signing is free of charge and open to the public. A selection of Akhtar’s books will be available for sale at the event.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Distinguished Author Award reception and dinner, visit scranton.edu/authaward or contact Kym Fetsko at 570-941-7816 or kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Fifteen elite members of The University of Scranton’s incoming class of 2026 entered its Magis Honors Program in STEM. The program combines the development of STEM knowledge and research techniques with programing to further the students’ understanding of the impact science has on society. The Magis Honors Program in STEM is one of the University’s five programs of excellence.

The Magis Honors Program offers talented students a more intense, interdisciplinary experience of research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Courses taken over four years at Scranton include a special first-year seminar on writing science and a series of seminars on STEM and society. With guidance by faculty mentors, the students in the program develop, present and defend a thesis based on their individual research projects. In addition, the program requires participation in annual community service projects as well as professional development programs.

The following members of Scranton’s class of 2026 entered the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Matthew J. Almonte, East Stroudsburg, is majoring in mathematics.

Jordan L. Badman, Sunbury, is majoring in biology.

Connor P. Brophy, Macungie, is majoring in biochemistry, cell, molecular biology.

Alyssa M. Cosklo, Fell Township, is majoring in biology.

Joseph T. Dolan, Conshohocken, is majoring in computer science.

Emily Alexa C. Gotiangco, Staten Island, New York, is majoring in computer science.

Grace L. Lloyd, Yardley, is majoring in neuroscience.

Allison M. Magee, Harleysville, is majoring in mathematical sciences.

Alexa R. Martinez, Walden, New York, is majoring in biology.

Sheldon S. Myers, Blue Bell, has not yet declared a major.

Brian M. Oconnor, Sussex, New Jersey, is majoring in mechanical engineering.

Hailey C. Patts, Harding, is majoring in biochemistry.

Michael L. Redmond, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, is majoring in biophysics.

Daniella M. Scanlon, Goshen, New York, is majoring in neuroscience.

Matthew F. Schade, Haddon Heights, New Jersey, is majoring in mathematical sciences.

Janice Voltzow, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Biology Department, serves as the director of the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Twenty-seven elite members of The University of Scranton’s incoming class of 2026 enrolled in its Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program, which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. Students in this program undergo four years of honors studies in the areas of economics, entrepreneurship, operations management, accounting, finance, international business, marketing and management, as well as a series of personal development extracurricular activities in the areas of service and career building.

The following is a list of the class of 2026 Corcione Business Honors Program participants and their majors:

Luca J. Baratta, Richboro, is majoring in finance.

Logan H. Campbell, Chalfont, is majoring in business analytics.

Karleigh A. Capobianco, Long Beach, New York, is majoring in business analytics.

Zachary Cruz, Philadelphia, is majoring in business administration.

Sean H. Davis, Morristown, New Jersey, is majoring in business administration.

Alice M. Dierkes, West Chester, is majoring in accounting.

Dean J. Finan, Malvern, is majoring in finance.

Michael P. Finley, New Milford, New Jersey, is majoring in business analytics.

Molly F. Gaffney, South Abington Township, is majoring in accounting.

Cinthia K. Garcia, Clarks Summit, is majoring in business administration.

Aidan M. Garrison, Montgomery, New York, is majoring in finance.

Patrick A. George, Endicott, New York, is majoring in business administration.

Sinead A. Gilmartin, Pearl River, New York, is majoring in accounting.

Derek T. Halligan, Staten Island, New York, is majoring in accounting.

Javier Illescas-Peralta, Paterson, New Jersey, is majoring in business administration.

Jeremiah J. King, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, is majoring in accounting.

Jerry T. Klein, Blackwood, New Jersey, is majoring in business administration.

Joseph J. Mazich, Sparta, New Jersey, is majoring in business analytics.

Christian G. Messana, Staten Island, New York, is majoring in finance.

Olivia N. Miller, Phoenixville, is majoring in operations management.

Logan E. Muniz, Ringwood, New Jersey, is majoring in finance.

Michael R. Nicotera, Mountain Top, is majoring in economics.

Camille C. Schwabe, Harleysville, is majoring in business administration.

MacLean L. Thuermer, Manchester Center, Vermont, is majoring in business administration.

Nicholas S. Tollefsen, Rockville Centre, New York, has not yet declared a major.

Elizabeth G. Vander Neut, Exton, has not yet declared a major.

Angelina R. Veve, Bayville, New Jersey, is majoring in business administration.

Aram R. Balagyozyan, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, finance and international business, serves as director of the University’s Corcione Business Honors Program.

Leigh Magnotta Fennie ’11 ’G19, business consultant for The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center (SBDC), was honored at America’s SBDC 2022 Conference in San Diego as one of the inaugural America’s SBDC 40 Under 40.

According to America’s SBDC, the network is filled with talented young professionals who make significant contributions to their SBDC mission and local communities. To celebrate these achievements, they launched Top 40 Under 40 Young Professionals Award, a recognition of SBDC staff from across the national network who demonstrate innovation, leadership and commitment to the SBDC mission.

Fennie joined the SBDC in June 2015. She provides business consulting to start-up and existing small businesses across the SBDC’s 8-county service area, with a focus on Monroe and Wayne Counties. She stepped up in 2020 to serve as a CARES Act Business Consultant, assisting existing small businesses impacted by the pandemic, including helping them obtain almost $5,000,000 in disaster financing and grants. She also developed and delivered a number of educational programs and worked with many entrepreneurs to rethink their business models.

She earned her MBA from The University of Scranton in 2019, and her bachelor’s degree in international business from the University in 2011.

Scranton’s SBDC, housed in the University’s Kania School of Management, serves eight counties in Northeastern and Northern Tier Pennsylvania.

“Still Worth the Trip? Modern-Era Busing and other Lessons from Urban School Reform” will be discussed at The University of Scranton’s 36^th Henry George Lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 8^. The lecture, presented by Parag Pathak, Ph.D., the Class of 1922 Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. The lecture is free of charge and open to the public.

“What I sometimes find frustrating in conversations about student achievement is they often get sidetracked from the issue of school quality,” said Dr. Pathak in a 2018 Wall Street Journal interview about his research. “At least for disadvantaged children, we see that what helps is what you might expect: smaller class sizes, longer school days, an environment that emphasizes mathematics and reading. They are schools that are attuned to data – they use assessments to see where they’re at.”

Dr. Pathak’s work on market design and education was recognized with several awards including a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and the American Economic Association’s John Bates Clark Medal as the best American economist under age 40.

Dr. Pathak is the founder of MIT’s Blueprint Labs and the found­ing co-director of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Working Group on Market Design. Blueprint Labs is a research laboratory which uses tools from market design and research to produce evidence that helps decision-makers design and implement social policy. Dr. Pathak has contributed to the design of school choice systems in several cities including New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C.

Dr. Pathak has authored leading studies on charter schools, high school reform, exam schools, vouchers, affirmative action and school choice.

Recently, together with Tayfun Sönmez, M. Utku Ünver, and M. Bumin Yenmez, Dr. Pathak has been working on a program that applies ideas from market design to the rationing of vital medical resources, such as ICU beds, ventilators, anti-viral drugs, convalescent plasma and vaccines. This has introduced the concept of a reserve priority system for the allocation of vital medical resources, a concept that is now part of several allocation frameworks in the field. 

Dr. Pathak has served as an associate editor at the American Economic Review, Journal of Political Economy and Econometrica. He was on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Institute for Innovation in Public School Choice from 2007-2019.  He is a co-founder of Avela Education. 

Considered the preeminent public lecture series on economics in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Henry George Lecture Series is presented by the University’s Economics and Finance Department and the campus chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society for economics. Among the distinguished list of speakers who have spoken at previous lectures are ten winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics: Paul Romer (2018), Robert Shiller (2013), Tom Sargent (2011), Peter Diamond (2010), Paul Krugman (2008), Joseph Stiglitz (2001), George Akerlof (2001), Amartya Sen (1998), Robert Lucas (1995) and Robert Solow (1987). The lecture series is named in honor of the 19th century American economist and social reformer and is supported financially by a grant from the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

For more information about the Henry George Lecture, call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu.

Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band and acclaimed drummer Carmen Intorre Jr. on Saturday, Oct. 29. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Performance Music Conductor and Co-Director Philip J. Kuehn says, “Carmen is one of the first musicians I met when I moved to New York. He is a great human and musician, who has worked with a ‘who’s who’ of musicians. It is always a joy to work with him.”

According to Cheryl Y. Boga, Conductor and Director of Performance Music, “I first got to know Carmen in 2001 when he was 18 and a member of the very first class admitted into The Juilliard Jazz Studies program. He impressed me from our first meeting with not only his musicianship but also the way he exudes happiness when making music, cheerfully perseveres when undertaking hard work, and supports and champions his peers.”

A drummer since the age of 5, Intorre has performed and recorded with numerous musical luminaries such as George Benson, Larry Coryell, Wynton Marsalis, Monty Alexander, George Coleman, Eric Alexander, George Cables, Benny Golson, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, Lew Tabackin, Bobby Watson, Ira Sullivan and Bucky Pizzarelli. He currently serves as the drummer for legendary jazz guitarist Pat Martino, touring extensively throughout the world with the guitarist’s trio and quintet.

A 2011 Grammy nominee for co-producing the late Joey DeFrancesco’s critically acclaimed album, “Never Can Say Goodbye: The Music of Michael Jackson,” Intorre also performed alongside DeFrancesco and Dr. Lonnie Smith on the PBS show “Legends of Jazz,” hosted by Ramsey Lewis.

Receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, Intorre has always been eager to uncover and share new approaches to drumming.

“This is my job. I have to give back what I was given a chance to do,” he says in a statement on his website. “Music is an opportunity for me to give up my soul, while in the process connecting with the audiences’ souls as well. I want the musicians on the bandstand and the members of the audience to feel uplifted after a performance, to feel great about themselves through the experience that they encountered.”

Intorre proudly endorses Craviotto, DW, Sabian, ProMark, Evans and LP products.

The University of Scranton Jazz Band is made up of 24 students and alumni from majors throughout the curriculum – none of them majoring in music - all brought together by their love of music making. The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles, there is no major in music at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) are eligible for membership in the University Bands, University Performance Choirs, University String Orchestra and Ensembles and Steel Drum Ensemble. A number of members of the faculty and staff, as well as alumni from the region, also perform with the groups. Each year, hundreds of students participate in the ensembles.

Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For additional information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on Intorre, visit carmenintorrejr.com.

On Sunday, Oct. 23, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a recital by critically and popularly acclaimed award-winning pianist Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Conductor and Director of Performance Music Cheryl Y. Boga says, “I first became of aware of Llewellyn and his incredible talent when my son (Joseph) would text me from his classes at Juilliard to tell me about this amazing 13-year-old who was already enrolled in pursuit of his undergraduate degree and – according to Joseph – ‘played piano like craaaazy!’ Now, at age 25, he is already one of the most virtuosic, vibrant and socially committed musicians of his generation.”

Described as “a gifted virtuoso” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Sanchez-Werner has been performing with orchestras since the age of 6. The California native has played internationally with the Royal Concertgebouw in the Netherlands, CultureSummit Abu Dhabi, the Louvre and Grenoble Museums in France, Smetana Hall in the Czech Republic, State Philharmonic Hall in Slovakia, Verbier Festival in Switzerland, Ashford Castle in Ireland and the Gijon International Piano Festival in Spain. In the United States, he has performed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center and National Sawdust in New York City, Mary B. Galvin Hall in Chicago, Richardson Auditorium at Princeton University, Paramount Theater in Oakland, and the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Art Museum and Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

In addition, Sanchez-Werner has performed at the Kennedy Center and the White House for former President Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden, for President Peña Nieto of Mexico, Prime Minister Peres of Israel and President Kagame of Rwanda. Committed to public service, he received the Atlantic Council Young Global Citizen Award recognizing his dedication to social action through music in such countries as Iraq, Rwanda, France, Canada and the U.S.

An active chamber musician, Sanchez-Werner has collaborated with Renée Fleming, Eric Owens, Marina Poplavskaya, Richard O’Neill and Cynthia Phelps. He partnered with the Gershwin family on a concert and biographical tribute to the Gershwin brothers, and performed “Hallelujah Junction” for John Adams at his 70th birthday celebration in New York.

Sanchez-Werner earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School, where he was awarded the Kovner Fellowship, won the concerto competition and was the youngest admittee to each program at ages 14 and 18, respectively. Juilliard was Sanchez-Werner’s second college experience - he became a full-time student at Ventura College at age five, where he completed 170 college credits toward degrees in music and international relations. Sanchez-Werner also earned an Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music, where he was awarded the Charles S. Miller Prize.

Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For further information on the recital, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on Sanchez-Werner, visit llewellynsanchezwerner.com.

Author and historian Elizabeth Hinton, Ph.D., will discuss “Riot or Rebellion?: The Meaning of Violent Protest from the 1960s to George Floyd” at this year’s Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities presentation of the Myers Distinguished Visiting Fellow Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 20. The lecture, presented free of charge and open to the public, will begin at 5 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center.

Dr. Hinton is an associate professor in the Department of History and the Department of African American Studies at Yale University, with a secondary appointment as professor of law at Yale Law School. Her research focuses on the persistence of poverty, racial inequality and urban violence in the 20th century United States. She is considered one of the nation’s leading experts on criminalization and policing. Her books include “From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America” and “America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s.”

At the Myers Distinguished Visiting Fellow Lecture, Dr. Hinton will discuss “a troubling journey from Detroit in 1967 and Miami in 1980 to Los Angeles in 1992 and beyond to chart the persistence of structural racism and one of its primary consequences, the so-called urban riot.” Her discussion “will present a new framework for understanding our nation’s enduring racial strife.”

Dr. Hinton’s articles and op-eds can be found in the pages of the Journal of American History, the Journal of Urban History, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Boston Review, The Nation and Time. She also coedited “The New Black History: Revisiting the Second Reconstruction” with the late historian Manning Marable.

Dr. Hinton earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University and her master’s degree and doctorate from Columbia University. Her many academic awards include being named a Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation Fellow.

The Myers Distinguished Visiting Fellowship Lecture, presented by The Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Humanities, is named in honor of esteemed community leaders Sondra and Morey Myers, J.D. Sondra Myers serves as director of the Schemel Forum at The University of Scranton.

Immediately following the lecture, a cocktail reception will be held for faculty and staff.

Through Nov. 18                   Art Exhibit: “Mayan Narratives: San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala” photographs by Byron Maldonado. Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Nov. 6     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. 8 7:30 p.m.    The 36^th annual Henry George Lecture: “Still Worth the Trip? Modern-Era Busing and other Lessons from Urban School Reform” presented by Parag Pathak, Ph.D., professor of economics, MIT. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu.

Nov. 10           Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “On Democracy, Inequality and Jazz Improvisation” presented by Wayne Winborne, Ph.D., executive director, Institute of Jazz Studies, assistant professor arts culture and media, Rutgers University-Newark. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Nov. 12           7:30 a.m. Schemel Forum bus trip to New York, New York, to August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” $150. Registration required before Sept. 30. Spaces are limited. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Nov. 12           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.

Nov. 17           7 p.m. Lecture: “Forced Removal of the Lenape People: History and Homecoming” presented by Curtis Zunigha, enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians and co-founder/co-director of the Lenape Center. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners.  McIlhenny Ballroom, The DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Nov. 17-19                  8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Rent” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Call 570-941-7401 or email livaartscompany@gmail.com.

Nov. 18           6 p.m. Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library and Schemel Forum Collaborative Program: The Royden B. Davis, S.J. Distinguished Author Award Event honoring Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter. McIlhenny Ballroom, The DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Nov. 18           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.

Dec. 2      Noon. Schemel Forum’s Munley World Affairs Luncheon Series: “How Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine Changed the World” presented by Trudy Rubin, Worldview columnist, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Dec. 3      8 p.m. Performance Music: “54^th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 5      5 p.m. Community Relations Roundtable: “The Journey from ‘Immigrant’ to Citizen” featuring local resource speakers from a range of backgrounds, in collaboration with the Schemel Forum. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. PNC Board Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu.

Dec. 9      Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Process of Peace, Palermo: An Experience, a Model” presented by Leoluca Orlando, professor, former mayor of Palermo, honorary mayor of Palermo Huila Columbia and cofounder of Global Parliament of Mayors. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

Dec. 11            7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert.” Performance Music student musicians perform solo, duet, trio and small group renditions of a variety of Christmas favorites. Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a monetary donation. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

 

Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter Ayad Akhtar will receive the 2022 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award from The University of Scranton’s Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library on Friday, Nov. 18. The award will be presented at a reception and dinner in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. Reservations and tickets are required for the dinner and award presentation, which begins at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends of the Library Endowment Fund, which supports special gifts for the Weinberg Library collections and services.

Akhtar was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2013 for his play “Disgraced,” which also received a Tony Award nomination. The play examines the role of religion, politics and identity in post-9/11 America. His play “Junk,” about junk bonds and Wall Street culture of the 1980s, won the 2018 Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History. His work has been published and performed in over two dozen languages.

Akhtar is the author of “Homeland Elegies,” which The Washington Post called “a tour de force” and The New York Times called “a beautiful novel…that had echoes of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and that circles, with pointed intellect, the possibilities and limitations of American life.” His first novel, “American Dervish,” was published in over 20 languages. In addition to “Junk” and “Disgraced,” his plays include “The Who & The What” and “The Invisible Hand,” which received the Obie Award, Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award and Olivier, among other accolades.

Among other honors, Akhtar is the recipient of the Edith Wharton Citation of Merit for Fiction, an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Steinberg Playwrighting Award, the Nestroy Award and the Erwin Piscator Award, as well as fellowships from the American Academy in Rome, MacDowell, the Sundance Institute and Yaddo, where he serves as a board director. Additionally, Akhtar is a board trustee at New York Theatre Workshop and PEN America, where he serves as president. In 2021, he was named the New York State Author, succeeding Colson Whitehead, by the New York State Writers Institute.

Named in honor of the late Rev. Royden B. Davis, S.J., who served in many roles at the University and as rector of the Jesuit Community, the Distinguished Author Award was established in 1997. The Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library envisioned the series as a way to honor notable fiction and non-fiction authors, and to give them the opportunity to share their literary pursuits and impressions with Northeastern Pennsylvanians. Past recipients of the award have included best-selling authors Madeline Miller, Lorene Cary, Colum McCann, Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Jay Parini, Steve Berry, William Berhardt, Mary Gordon, Phillip Margolin, James Grippando, Linda Fairstein, Lisa Scottoline, Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Malachy McCourt, Jack Palance and Scranton native Stephen Karam.

Prior to the reception, a book signing with the author will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the DeNaples Center. The book signing is free of charge and open to the public. A selection of Akhtar’s books will be available for sale at the event.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Distinguished Author Award reception and dinner, visit scranton.edu/authaward or contact Kym Fetsko at 570-941-7816 or kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.

The University of Scranton held a kick-off event to launch a year-round celebration of the its 50-year anniversary of becoming co-educational. Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of the University, and Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, spoke at the event, which also included refreshments and a commemorative T-shirt giveaway to students.

Banners marking the celebration adorn the campus walkways.

In addition, to mark the beginning of the celebration, the University showed a tribute to the 50^th anniversary celebration on its Class of 2020 Gateway sign.

Veronica Romanek’s interests are as vast as the universe.

A member of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023, she is a double major in physics and Spanish and participates in Scranton’s undergraduate Honors Program. She has presented her physics research project at several conferences including those hosted by the American Geophysical Union, CEDAR, HamSCI, SARA, the National Science Foundation, and others.  As part of another project, she built an atmospheric sensing device that was launched into space through NASA’s RockOn project. Aside from physics, she is a certified Physical Fitness Zumba instructor and offers weekly Zumba classes on campus. She is also a peer health educator for the University’s Center for Health Education and Wellness and an active amateur (ham) radio operator, the latter of which helped her earn a highly-competitive national Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) scholarship.

Romanek is among just 20 recipients of the $25,000 scholarship awarded for the 2022-2023 academic year by the ARRL National Association for Amateur Radio. Recipients must hold an amateur radio license and maintain an exceptional GPA in their coursework, in addition to demonstrating active ham radio participation and meet other requirements.

Romanek began at Scranton with an undeclared major. She had an interest in physics and foreign languages but wasn’t sure whether she wanted to pursue either as a major.

“I joined a lot of clubs and asked a lot of questions,” said Romanek, who recalled a meeting with Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and electrical engineering at The University of Scranton, that led her to pursue physics as a major.

“I stopped by his office at the time he was beginning to install radio equipment in the Loyola Science Center. He invited me to help with some of the installation of the impressive equipment as he answered my questions and I was hooked,” said Romanek.

By supplementing her coursework and getting involved in the University’s ham radio club, Romanek was among a group of Scranton students who participated in NASA’s 2021 RockOn Workshop through which students were sent kits to build atmospheric sensing devices. The devices were built and tested on campus, then sent to the RockOn program headquartered in Colorado. Romanek’s device was among the 28 chosen to be launched into space on June 24, 2021, from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on a two-stage Terrier-Orion rocket.

Romanek said her participation with the RockOn Workshop was one of her best experiences at Scranton and gave her a “taste of what working on a scientific team is like.”  She worked with fellow physics majors, computer scientists, engineers as well as with students from other disciplines. She is also the current and founding president of the W3USR University Amateur Radio Club.

In the summer of 2022, Romanek presented “HF Doppler Observations of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in a WWV Signal Received with a Network of Low Cost HamSCI Personal Space Weather Stations” at the National Science Foundation CEDAR Workshop. She also presented “Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance Observations with the Grape Personal Space Weather Station” at the 2022 Dayton Hamvention. She also attended the Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) Summer Workshop where she got to run an experiment on the antennas located at the MIT Haystack Observatory. In addition, Romanek participated in the national Youth on the Air (YOTA) Camp, which is a week-long camp that took place at the Voice of America Museum near Cincinnati, Ohio, for young people from across the country to meet and learn more about amateur radio.

After graduation, Romanek plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either plasma physics or astrophysics. As she looks back at her time at Scranton, she treasures most the friendships made on campus. She also appreciated the breath of liberal arts classes she took that included courses from outside her majors including geography, philosophy, and history which allowed her to continue to explore her vast interests. Romanek was awarded membership to a number of honor societies at the University of Scranton, including: Physics Honor Society, Engineering Honor Society and World Language Honor Society.

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Dru Johnson, Ph.D., director of Center for Hebraic Thought and associate professor of biblical and theological studies at The King’s College in New York City, will present “Does the Hebrew Bible have a Unique Philosophy?” at The University of Scranton’s Judaic Studies Institute Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. The lecture is free of charge and open to the public.

Dr. Johnson teaches Biblical literature, theology and biblical interpretation at The King’s College. He is an editor for the Routledge Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biblical Criticism series, an associate director for the Jewish Philosophical Theology Project at The Herzl Institute in Israel and a co-host for the OnScript Podcast.

Dr. Johnson has held research fellowships at the University of Saint Andrews, Scotland, the Shalem Institute for Advanced Studies, Jerusalem, and the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He currently serves on the steering committee of the Scripture and Church Seminar in the Institute for Biblical Research and was formerly the chair and co-founder of the Hebrew Bible and Philosophy Program in the Society for Biblical Literature. He has taught in Western Kenya, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Johnson is ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, a Master’s in Divinity  degree from the Covenant Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of St. Andrews – Scotland.

The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute was created in 1979 through an endowment funded by the local Jewish community. The Institute fosters a better understanding and appreciation of Judaism, Israel and their histories. It supports visits to the University by Jewish scholars and writers and supports library acquisitions, publications, faculty research, travel and other scholarly endeavors. The work of the Institute was further enhanced by a $1 million gift from Harry Weinberg in 1990.

For further information, contact Marc Shapiro, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies and the Weinberg Chair of Judaic Studies at The University of Scranton, at 570-941-7956 or marc.shapiro@scranton.edu.

Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a solo recital featuring acclaimed modern and historical performance viola and violincello da spalla player Andrew Gonzalez on Saturday, Oct. 15. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

According to Cheryl Y. Boga, conductor and director of Performance Music, “Andrew has performed at Scranton many times with our student string orchestra and his own quartets and trios. We are very excited to welcome him back to present a solo recital – our hall loves his sound.”

Passionate about historical performance, Gonzalez frequently performs on baroque viola and the violoncello da spalla. A student of Cynthia Roberts from the Juilliard 415 program, he has performed in festivals and series such as the Washington Bach Consort, Valley of the Moon Music Festival, American Bach Soloists, the Boston Early Music Festival, Helicon and many others. Gonzalez is one of the few people in the world who plays the violoncello da spalla, a five stringed mini cello that is played on the shoulder.

Hailed by the Strad Magazine for his ‘warm hearted playing and mellow tone’, Gonzalez enjoys a full career as both a soloist and chamber musician, performing in prestigious venues throughout the United States, as well as halls throughout Asia and Europe. As a sought-after chamber musician, his playing has allowed him to collaborate with respected ensembles such as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Sejong Soloists, as well as members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, Tokyo, Orion, Borromeo and Vermeer quartets. In the fall of 2020, he became the new violist of the Jasper String Quartet.

Also an accomplished teacher, Gonzalez served as a fellow of Carnegie Hall’s ‘Ensemble Connect’ from 2016-2018 and teaches chamber music in the Heifetz Institute’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted.

Originally from Chesapeake Virginia, Gonzalez attended the Governor’s School where he was introduced to chamber music and symphonic music. This led to his affiliation with the Hampton Roads Chamber Players, an ensemble that he has since performed with and offered masterclasses for, as well as a concerto appearance with the Virginia Symphony. An avid orchestral player, Gonzalez performs frequently with the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, Orchestra of Saint Luke’s, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, New York Classical Players and Novus NY.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, Gonzalez holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree under the direction of renown violists and pedagogues Michael Tree, Heidi Castleman, Steve Tenenbom and Hsin-Yun Huang. He performs on a 1930 Frederick Haenel viola modeled after a Gaspar da Salo.

Please check Performance Music’s website, scranton.edu/music, within 24 hours of the concert for information regarding venue requirements for audiences, as policies regarding campus health and safety may change throughout the season.

For additional information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on Gonzalez, visit andrewgonzalezviolist.com.

The University of Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS), in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County, will host debates for PA House and Pennsylvania Senate candidates in October. All debates are presented free of charge and will take place in the PNC Auditorium of the Loyola Science Center on  the University’s campus.

The dates and times of the debates and the candidates (listed alphabetically) are listed below.

The 112th Pennsylvania House seat: Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m.; Kyle Mullins (D) and William Torbeck (R).

The 114th Pennsylvania House seat: Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m.; David Burgerhoff (R) and Bridget Kosierowski (D).

The 118th state House seat: Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, at 8 p.m.; James Haddock (D) and James May (R).

The 22nd state Senate seat: Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.; Thomas Bassett (R) and Martin Flynn (D).

For more information, email ceeps@scranton.edu.

A virtual lecture series in October will examine career opportunities in the changing workplace, ways of embedding Equity Diversity Inclusion and Accessibility in an organization to promote the success of the business, employees and the surrounding communities, and the resources available through the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE). The Edward R. Leahy, Jr., Virtual Speaker Series, presented by The University of Scranton’s Panuska College of Professional Studies and the Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Endowment, is free of charge. Registration is required to participate and can be made by visiting the lecture series website.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. (E.S.T.) Kathy West-Evans, director of business relations at National Employment Team (NET), will lead a panel discussion of business partners from the private and public sector to discuss current trends shaping the workplace and ways their companies are working together with the Vocational Rehabilitation NET to ensure that their talent pipeline includes candidates with disabilities as well as supporting employees with disabilities throughout their employment life cycle.

Panelists are Andrea Eselunas, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for UnitedHealth Group; Ethan Idzior, software developer, for Dell Technologies; and Duronne Walker, Ph.D., departmental selective placement program manager for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Panel moderator, West-Evans, who leads the NET is a certified rehabilitation counselor. A sought-after consultant and presenter on topic areas related to serving individuals with disabilities and business through a dual-customer approach, West-Evans first started in the field of rehabilitation in 1978.

On Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 3 p.m., Hattie McCarter, CEO/founder of McCarter’s Equitable and Distinctive (M.E.N.D) Consulting Solutions, L.L.C., and Stephanie Perry, a licensed social worker with a diverse educational and professional background, will discuss a human centered Equity Diversity Inclusion and Accessibility approach that creates a safe space for individuals to be authentic and perform to their full potential. McCarter is a Certified DEI Professional, with more than 13 years of experience in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as well as more than seven years in recruitment and retention. Her company, MEND, specializes in DEI program development, employee resource groups, diversity recruitment and how to have BRAVE conversations. With more than 20 years of experience, Perry is completing the last year for a doctorate in social work. She earned her bachelor’s degree in behavioral counseling from Drexel University and a Master of Social Service Management degree from Bryn Mawr College.

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. Catherine Anderson, Ph.D., director of research for the University of Wisconsin-Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute and researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) and Dr. Emily A. Brinck, Ph.D., also a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the WCER, will discuss the array of resources and training available through VRTAC-QE, as well as the types of technical assistance offered. The presenters will highlight specific examples of innovative and effective practices, opportunities to learn more and tools that can be implemented in practice.

Dr. Anderson has more than 25 years of leadership experience with numerous research, demonstration and systems-change grants. Her research interests include: understanding and improving employment, career and financial post-secondary outcomes for youth with disabilities; transition-age youth and families; interagency collaboration between education and vocational rehabilitation; cultural responsiveness with low-income and marginalized disability populations; and use of evidence-based practices within vocational rehabilitation. Dr. Brinck’s research interests include: interagency collaboration between schools, vocational rehabilitation, and employers; transition-age youth with disabilities towards successful postsecondary outcomes; and overcoming barriers to employment for people with disabilities.

Registration and additional information is available online or by contacting Rebecca Spirito Dalgin, Ph.D., director of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, at rebecca.dalgin@scranton.edu; or Lori Bruch, Ed.D., chair of the Counseling and Human Services Department, at lori.bruch@scranton.edu. The University’s annual U.S. Conference on DISABILITY will return next year on Oct. 4, 2023.

Representatives from NASA met with high school and University of Scranton students, as well as local business owners and manufacturers, to discuss career paths, space technology and ways companies and individuals can support Artemis, a robotic and human Moon exploration program led by NASA.

Campus events, which spanned two days, included a panel discussion on NASA careers with Niki Werkheiser, director for Technology Maturation, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters; Jason L. Kessler, program executive, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Program, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters; and Stephanie Yeldell, education integration lead, Space Technology Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters. University of Scranton physics professor Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., moderated the panel discussion on Sept. 22. Earlier that day, Werkheiser met with Scranton students at an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) meeting.

On Sept. 23, NASA hosted the NASA Northeast Pennsylvania Industry Day, a networking event focused on collaboration opportunities with local businesses. The event at the University’s DeNaples Center included national and local speakers, presentations, and networking opportunities in collaboration with the Keystone Space Collaborative, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, and Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center. Local business owners, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and university representatives attended the free event. U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright also participated in the event.

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The University of Scranton’s President’s Business Council (PBC) presented Patti Byrnes Clarke ’86, P’17,’19, global chief talent officer, Havas Group; and Tom O’Brien ’86, P’19, senior managing director, SumRidge Partners, a Raymond James company; with the President’s Medals at its 21st Annual Award Dinner on Sept. 29 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Proceeds from the gala, which raised more than $1.1 million, support the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund.

“Our University has been blessed to be able to honor so many extraordinary individuals over the years and this year is no different. We are privileged to count among them our alumni Patricia Byrnes Clarke and Tom P. O’Brien of the class of 1986,” said Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton in his remarks.

The President’s Medal recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their fields and demonstrated extraordinary compassion for others, representing lifetime achievements that reflect the University’s mission of Catholic and Jesuit excellence and service.

“Patti and Tom are highly successful professionals who have had a tremendous impact on generations of alumni,” said Frank Pearn ’83, global chief compliance officer, JPMorgan Chase and Co., and chair of the President’s Business Council, in his remarks at the dinner. “They truly embody everything that the PBC aims to represent and, given the way that they share their talents, gifts and insights, they are wonderful examples of St. Ignatius’s quote that ‘Love is shown more in deeds than in words.’”

Through its past celebrations, the PBC has generated more than $19 million for the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. Presidential Scholarships are four-year, full-tuition scholarships awarded to incoming freshmen at Scranton with both outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement.

Class of 2023 Presidential Scholar Dominic Finan ’23, Malvern, a neuroscience and philosophy double major in the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, spoke at the award dinner on behalf of the Presidential Scholars.

Other Presidential Scholars of the University’s class of 2023 are: Emily Amershek, New Ringgold, a philosophy major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; Lauren Cawley, Duryea, a secondary education – mathematics and mathematics double major; Matthew Earley, Perkasie, a finance major and member of the University’s Business Honors Program and the Business Leadership Honors Program; Michael Edwards, Wadsworth, Ohio, a mathematics and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; Jared Fernandez, Tunkhannock, a nursing major; Timothy Gallagher, River Vale, New Jersey, a computer science and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; Angela Hudock, Sayer, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM; Amanda Lamphere, Sellersville, a mathematics and computer science double major; James Lanning, Mountain Top, a chemistry major; Sarah Liskowicz, Wilkes-Barre, a neuroscience and biomathematics double major and member of the University’s undergraduate Honors Program; Molly Neeson, Pottstown, an environmental science major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; Michael Quinnan, Shavertown, a biomathematics major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM; Muhammad Shaaf Sarwar, Qazalbash Chowk, Pakistan, a physics and mathematical sciences double major; Cameron Shedlock, White Haven, a neuroscience major and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM; Claire Sunday, South Abington Township, a theology and religious studies and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and undergraduate Honors Program; Kathleen Wallace, Bowie, Maryland, a philosophy and theology and religious studies double major and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program; and Daniel Zych, Waverly, a mathematics major.

“Collectively, the 18 of us (from the class of 2023) have 28 majors, 18 minors, and 5 concentrations. … These academic pursuits, research opportunities and moments of profound growth would not be possible without the contributions of everyone in this room. So, for that I say thank you. Thank you for empowering our unique gifts, talents, and interests; and thank you, most importantly, for helping us call The University of Scranton our home. You have changed our lives, and our family’s lives, for the better,” said. Finan. “The generosity of the President’s Business Council cleared a path for us to become future lawyers, doctors, actuaries, educators, researchers, and business executives alike. We promise to use the spark you ignited in us to ‘go forth and set the world on fire.’”

In accepting their awards, Byrnes Clarke and O’Brien talked about why they became involved with the PBC and in giving back to the University.

“I got involved with the PBC because I wanted to try to give back to students and help with mentoring and job placement,” said O’Briem. “Early in my career, a fellow Scranton alumnus who I did not know helped me. … I need to do this because someone a long time ago helped me.”

“The exposure to Scranton and its students and its alumni challenged me to take on my own journey to do more and to do better as a person, a family member, a leader and a friend,” said Byrnes Clarke. “It’s true that as Scranton students we are exposed to the Ignatian values, but aren’t always mature enough to overtly put them into practice in our lives. But, with a Scranton education, that Ignaitan foundation is always there. And when you choose to be engaged, and get involved and give back to Scranton, you get this very special opportunity to explore those Ignaitan roots.”

For more information on the PBC, contact Executive Director Timothy J. Pryle ’89 at 570-941-5837 or pbc@scranton.edu, or visit scranton.edu/pbc.

About Patti Byrnes Clarke

During her time at the Havas Group, which is one of the world’s largest global communications groups and part of the Vivendi Group, Patti Byrnes Clarke has built a talent management approach that includes initiatives on network mobility, high-potential leadership development, women’s leadership advancement, global employee engagement, employer branding, global diversity, equity and inclusion and wellness. As the global chief talent officer, she is responsible for leading the talent and cultural strategy for the group’s 20,000 plus employees in more than 100 countries.

Byrnes Clarke earned her bachelor’s degree in management from the University in 1986. She is a former member of the University’s Board of Trustees and a former member of the Kania School of Management Advisory Board and the University’s Parents’ Executive Council (PEC). She is also a former chair of the PBC and created the PBC/Kania School of Management Career Coaches Program, in which she remains a mentor to current University students. She and her husband, David, reside in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, and have five children.

About Tom O’Brien

Prior to the acquisition of SumRidge Partners, LLC, by Raymond James in July 2022, Tom O’Brien was a co-founder, chief executive officer and president of SumRidge Partners, L.LC., which formed in 2010. SumRidge Partners is a top-ranked electronic fixed income market maker specializing in high-yield, investment-grade corporate bonds, municipal bonds, institutional preferred securities, and emerging market bonds. Prior to launching SumRidge Partners, O’Brien was co-head of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s Capital Markets division and was also a member of the firm’s management and risk committees.

O’Brien earned his bachelor’s degree of economics/finance from the University in 1986 and a master of business administration from Fordham University. He is a former member of the University’s Board of Trustees, where he served as vice chair, and was a former chair of the PBC. Today, he acts as a mentor to current University students and frequently teaches in the fixed income securities and markets course, which he co-developed with the late Frank Corcione, Ph.D., and Murli Rajan, Ph.D., G’84. He resides in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife, Denise, and their three sons.

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The University of Scranton has awarded 15 students from its class of 2026 four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships.

Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students with outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition provided that the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average.

Matthew J. Almonte, East Stroudsburg, graduated from East Stroudsburg High School South. A member of National Honor Society, he received the Bausch + Lomb Science Award. He was a member the Scholastic Scrimmage Team, and the varsity soccer team, serving as honorary captain during his senior year. He also received recognition as a Lehigh Valley Soccer Scholar. Almonte volunteered with the Emanuel Church media team, worship team (drummer) and was a group leader at Vacation Bible School. He also volunteered at Salvation Army Food Drive and as a running buddy for Girls on the Run. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Almonte will major in mathematics. He is the son of Juan and Lisa Almonte.

Luca Baratta, Richboro, graduated from Perkiomen School in Pennsburg. He was a member of National Honor Society, the National English Honors Society and the Latin Honors Society. A member of the varsity basketball team, he received the Most Improved Player Award at Perkiomen for his senior year and at Council Rock South High School, Holland, as a junior. He will be a member of the Royals men’s basketball team. In high school, he also participated in track and field, golf, the Latin Club and Future Business Leaders of America. Baratta volunteered as at Camp PALS, the CYO Basketball Camp and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, as well as other service programs. A member of the University’s Business Honors Program, Baratta will major in finance. He is the son of Anthony and Patricia Baratta.

Riley P. Clarke, Scranton, graduated as salutatorian of Scranton High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the Ski Club. Clarke volunteered at Friends of the Poor. He will major in computer science. He is the son of Kevin and Jessica Clarke.

Alyssa M. Cosklo, Carbondale, graduated as valedictorian from Carbondale Area High School. She was a member of the National Junior Honor Society and vice president of the National Honor Society. She received multiple first place awards at regional and state Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competitions. She also received awards at Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) regional and state competitions and was the winner of the 2019 VFW essay contest. Cosklo was captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and a member of the girls’ varsity soccer and track and field teams. She was class president and vice president for Student Council; vice president for FBLA Region 22; treasurer for the school chapter of FBLA; president of the Future Teachers Club; and vice president of Students Against Destructive Decisions. She participated in the Spanish Club, Science and Technology Club, Mock Trial, Yearbook Club and Future Medical Careers Club, among other student organizations. Cosklo volunteered with the Carbondale Area High School Tutoring Club. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Cosklo will major in biology on the premed track. She is the daughter of David and Kimberly Cosklo.

Rebecca R. Doyle, Massapequa, New York, graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the A team of Science Olympiad Club. She participated in all three of her high school’s choirs, through which she sang at masses, funerals and at a 9/11 memorial service at Point Lookout. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Doyle will major in neuroscience on the premed track. She is the daughter of Michael and Janet Doyle.

Dean J. Finan, Malvern, graduated from Great Valley High School. A National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Distinction, he received Pennsylvania’s Certificate of Merit for outstanding performance on the SAT and received a Silver Medal and Certificate of Honorable Merit for Outstanding Performance in the National Latin Examination. Finan was a member of the National Honor Society, the Latin Honor Society, the America Club, the Junior Classical League and served as secretary of the Finance Club. He was captain of his high school soccer team and participated in track and field. He is a member of the University’s soccer team. He co-founded and organized a soccer equipment drive that collected and donated cleats, kits, socks and other items to underprivileged children in his community. A member of the University’s Business Honors Program, Finan will major in finance. He is the son of Donald and Deborah Finan.

Matthew George, Avoca, graduated from Scranton Preparatory School. He was a member of the National Honor Society. He participated in the Book Club, the Spanish Club and the Service Club. He volunteered at Allied Services nursing home in Wilkes-Barre. George has not yet declared a major. He is the son of Gene and Helene George, who received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton in 1996 and her master’s degree in 1999.

Emily Alexa C. Gotiangco, Staten Island, New York, graduated from St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School as a full-scholarship recipient of their honors program. A National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honor, she achieved perfect score on the National Latin Exam. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a member of her school’s archery team that won the New York state tournament. She was also a member of the Viking Voices choir and was senior vice president of the Ladies of Charity. Gotiangco volunteered as a tutor for mathematics, science and English and helped serve Thanksgiving meals to the homeless. She was also an altar server at St. Sylvester Parish in Staten Island. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Gotiangco will major in computer science. She is the daughter of Jose and Mildred Gotiangco.

Allison M. Magee, Harleysville, graduated from Souderton Area High School. An AP Scholar with Distinction, she was treasurer of the National Honor Society. She was captain of the girls’ varsity tennis team. She was also treasurer for the Future Business Leaders of America, vice president of Recycle The Cycle and participated in Student Government and Link Crew. A member of University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM, Magee will major in mathematical sciences. She is the daughter of Dave and Carolyn Magee.

Joseph T. Maguire, Islip, New York, graduated from Saint John the Baptist Diocesan High School. A National Merit Commended Scholar, he was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the science, English, Rho Kappa social studies, Spanish, math and Tri- M music honor societies. He was captain of the men’s varsity volleyball team and both the fall and winter varsity crew teams.  He was named one of long island presses top scholar athletes and received the New York State Board of education scholarship for academic excellence. He was also a member of Student Council and the Good Samaritan Hospital WE CARE program. Maguire volunteered as a as a counselor at Saint Patrick’s of Bayshore faith camp. He also served as a peer tutor, wrote book reviews for a library and participated in local beach clean ups. Maguire will major in biochemistry cell and molecular biology on the pre-med track. He is the son of Robert and Kathleen Maguire.

Michael L. Redmond, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, New Jersey. An AP Scholar with Distinction, he was a member of the National Honor Society and earned a seal of bi-literacy for Spanish. He was captain of the varsity hockey team. Redmond volunteered at the Flemington Food Pantry. During the COVID quarantine, he hosted neighborhood food drives. He also raised more than $1,700 for the Patrick’s Pals Foundation through his high school’s annual water wars tournament. A member of University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Redmond will major in biophysics. He is the son of Michael, who is a 1993 graduate of The University of Scranton, and Ann-Marie Redmond.

Matthew C. Saita, Scranton, graduated as valedictorian of Scranton High School. He was president of the National Honor Society. He was named a Scranton Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar, an NEIU Scholar of the Year and received a P.I.A.A. District II Scholar-Athlete Award. He was a four-year member of the school’s baseball team. He was also a Senior Class Officer. He participated in the Coaches vs. Cancer program and volunteered at Christmas to deliver poinsettias to shut-ins at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Scranton. He will major in business administration. He is the son of Carmine and Linda Saita.

Matthew F. Schade, Haddon Heights, New Jersey, graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia. An AP Scholar with Distinction, he was a member of the National Honor Society. He was a member of the varsity soccer team and captain of Ultimate Frisbee team. He was a member of the Travis Manion Leadership Academy. Schade participated in a service trip to Sacred Heart Church in Richmond, Virgina. He also volunteered at St. Rose of Lima vacation bible school and at various community cleanups and food donation programs. A member of University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Schade will major in mathematical sciences. He is the son of Bill and Jackie Schade.

Rachel E. Tuman, Lake Ariel, graduated as valedictorian frim Western Wayne High School. A 2022 Scranton Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar and a NEIU Scholar of the Year, she was president of the National Honor Society. She received a Bishop’s Youth Award from the Diocese of Scranton and a Daughters of the American Revolution “Good Citizen” Award. She was captain of the girls’ varsity tennis team and participated in the varsity softball team and basketball cheerleading squad. She was senior class vice president for Student Council; president of St. Thomas More Youth Group; vice president of the Scholastic Scrimmage team; and Operations Manager for the Western Wayne School Store, among other activities. She was also senior vice-president for Future Business Leaders of America and was a national competitor in several categories and placed in state and regional competitions. She volunteered at “Tree for New Life” and was an alter server at St. Thomas More/St. Mary Parish in Lake Ariel. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Tuman will major in business administration on the pre-law track. She is the daughter of Michael and Ellen Tuman.

Ashlyn Urbanski, Pittston Township, graduated as valedictorian from Scranton Preparatory School. An AP Scholar with Distinction, she is a member of the National Honor Society. She was named a 2022 Scranton Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar and NEIU Scholar of the Year. She was awarded a gold medal on National Latin Exam and a bronze medal on National Spanish Exam. She also received a Bishop’s Youth Award from the Diocese of Scranton. She won the Paderewski Gold Medal for 10 years of National Guild piano auditions and was also a Carnegie Hall Winner for piano. Urbanski participated on the lacrosse, cross country and swimming teams and was a member of Student Council, Books for Bedtime Club and secretary for the Technology Student Association. She volunteered as a peer tutor for StudyHard NEPA and was co-founder for Queen of the Apostles Youth Group, among other activities. Urbanski has not yet declared a major. She is the daughter of Chris and Tammy Urbanski.

The University of Scranton, a nationally recognized Jesuit university in northeast Pennsylvania, will host two Open House events for prospective students and their families on Sunday, Oct. 23, and Sunday, Nov. 6.

“Best 388 Colleges,” “Best Buys in College Education,” “America’s Best Colleges,” “A Focus on Student Success,” “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” “Best Catholic Colleges” – these are just a few of the ways that the nation’s leading college rankings and guidebooks consistently refer to The University of Scranton. For 29 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Scranton among the 10 top Master’s Universities in the North. The Princeton Review included Scranton in its list “Best Colleges” for 21 consecutive years and in its ranking of the nation’s “Best Science Labs” (No. 7) for six years, among other rankings.

At the Open House, participants can learn about Scranton’s 69 undergraduate majors, meet with faculty, students, admissions counselors and financial aid representatives. Student-led campus tours will be conducted throughout the day and will include residence halls, dining halls, computer labs, science labs and academic facilities.

In addition, representatives of student organizations, athletic teams and Scranton’s programs of excellence, such as the undergraduate Honors Program, Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Magis Honors Program in STEM, Business Honors Program and Business Leadership Honors Program, will also be available.

For additional information, contact Scranton’s Admissions Office at 1-888-SCRANTON or visit Scranton’s Open House webpage.

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The University of Scranton ranked No. 47 among the 603 master’s universities in the nation included in a 2022 listing by Washington Monthly that seeks to rate colleges based on their contribution to the public good. Published in the September/October issue of the magazine and online, Washington Monthly analyzed numerous data sets to determine an overall rank based on what “schools do for the country.” According to the publication, they rank “four-year schools (national universities, liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges, and master’s universities) based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and providing opportunities for public service.”

Washington Monthly also ranked the colleges in categories for “research,” “community and national service” and “social mobility.” Scranton ranked No. 39, No. 52 and No. 124, respectively, in these categories among master’s universities.

Washington Monthly weighted equally the colleges’ scores for research, social mobility and service to calculate the overall ranking. The research score is based on each school’s research expenditure and the number of alumni earning Ph.D.s, relative to the size of the college. The social mobility score is based on actual and predicted graduation rates; student loan repayment rates; the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants; and the school’s average net price for full-time, in-state students with family incomes below $75,000 per year over the past three years, among other factors. The service score, also adjusted for the size of the school, is based on the size of the ROTC program; the number of alumni serving in the Peace Corps; and the percentage of federal work study grant money spent on community service projects and voter engagement, among other factors.

This is the 13^th consecutive year Washington Monthly has included Scranton in its college rankings.

In other national rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Scranton No. 5 among regional universities in the north in its 2023 guidebook, marking the 29^th consecutive year that Scranton ranked in the top 10. The Princeton Review included Scranton in its list of “Best Colleges” for 21 consecutive years, and ranked the University No. 7 in the nation for “Best Science Lab Facilities” in its latest edition of the guidebook.

A rich burst of color shines in the predominately black and white image of Rose Cuy, highlighting the beauty of Mayan traditional dress that is all-too-quickly fading from the town of San Lucas Tolimán in Guatemala.

Byron Maldonado hopes his photographs of elderly women of his village who still wear traditional Mayan clothes will help remind people in his town, and inform people the greater community, of the richness of Mayan culture. 

“I hope to remind people of the importance of traditions that are being lost,” said Maldonado of the images he took in 2012 which will be part of the art exhibition “Mayan Narratives: San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala,” to be displayed in The University of Scranton’s Hope Horn Gallery from Friday, Oct. 7, through Friday, Nov. 18.

Maldonado, a native of San Lucas Tolimán, has been taking photos of his village and its people since the time when, as a boy, he found a camera discarded by a visiting tourist in the garbage. 

One day, a priest who ran a Roman Catholic Church Mission in the village saw one of his photos and bought it. The priest, Father Gregory Schaffer, then asked him to begin documenting the work of the San Lucas Mission. 

“My passion for photography was born and my career as a documentary photographer began” wrote Maldonado on his website.

Maldonado recalls that Father Gregory instructed him to only take images of the people, not the way they live, telling him to always keep intact the dignity of the people he photographed.

It is a lesson Maldonado keeps to this very day, saying the faces of those in the photo tell their story – each wrinkle, the texture of their skin, tells about their lives.

Among the photos to be included in the upcoming exhibition is one of Laso Diaz.

“His eyes mean something different to everyone who sees the photo. Some see happiness, others see curiosity. Some see sadness,” said Maldonado. “I remember that he was just so happy to have his photo taken. His big, bright eyes remain with me to this day. In his eyes, I see a sense of hope.”

Maldonado moved to the U.S. in 2006 and further developed his skill as a photographer. 

He returns to San Lucas Tolimán annually. He continues to support the work of the Friends of San Lucas Mission and to keep in touch with those he photographed a decade ago.

Maldonado said that if he were to take a portrait photo of himself it would show two images where his heart lives. One would be of him working with the people of San Lucas Tolimán. The other would be of him with his family. It would document the artist, like his art, preserving the past while looking toward the future.

Maldonado will discuss his exhibition at a public lecture at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. A gallery reception will immediately follow at the Hope Horn Gallery as part of the City of Scranton’s First Friday events. The exhibition can be seen during gallery hours through Nov. 18. The lecture and exhibition are free of charge and open to the public.

This exhibition is produced through the Hope Horn Gallery in cooperation with the Office of Community Affairs and the Multicultural Center at The University of Scranton. It is part of the “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” project, made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. (Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.) Funding for the show and its related programming has also been provided by a University of Scranton Diversity Initiatives Grant and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

For additional information, call the Hope Horn Gallery at 570-941-7624, or email Darlene Miller-Lanning, director of the Hope Horn Gallery, at darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

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More than 50 non-profit organizations met with students at The University of Scranton’s annual Volunteer Fair held on campus Sept. 13.

The fair allows students and student-led clubs interested in service projects and community-based learning sites a chance to meet representatives from nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers. Adopt a Boxer Rescue, Arc of NEPA, Big Brother Big Sister, Catholic Social Services, Friends of the Poor, Neighbor Works of NEPA, Taylor Community Library and the Gino Merli Veterans Center were among the participating organizations.

The annual fair is organized by the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice.

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Forbes ranked The University of Scranton among “America’s Top Colleges” for the 14^th year. Scranton is the only college in Northeast Pennsylvania to be named among the just 498 elite colleges in the nation listed in the 2022 ranking, which was published online last month. Scranton, ranked No. 414, was among just 33 colleges in Pennsylvania that Forbes selected as “America’s Top Colleges.”

The ranking by Forbes analyzed “outputs” of a college education, weighting alumni salaries at one to six years and 10 years after enrollment and after graduation the most, representing 20 percent of the overall score. The methodology used by Forbes also looked at graduation rates (15 percent), student debt (15 percent) and the number of alumni making the Forbes “American Leaders” lists (15 percent), such as its “Forbes 400” and “Richest Self-Made Women” lists, as well as alumni who won national and international awards or positions, such as winners of the Nobel Prize. Forbes also rated retention rate (10 percent), academic success (10 percent), as measured by alumni winning prestigious academic scholarships, such as Fulbright and Truman scholarships, and a “return on investment” measurement (15 percent), which calculates the time it takes for students to pay their college debt based on the “post-enrollment earnings boost students get compared their typical salary of a high school graduate in their state.”

In other national rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Scranton No. 5 among regional universities in the north in its 2023 guidebook. This is the 29^th consecutive year that Scranton ranked in the top 10. The Princeton Review included Scranton in its list of “Best Colleges” for 21 consecutive years, and ranked the University No. 7 in the nation for “Best Science Lab Facilities” in the 2023 edition of the guidebook.

The University of Scranton recently hosted a Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) “On the Road” College Election Roundtable to discuss the highly contested Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Senate races. Panelists for the event, co-sponsored by the University of Scranton’s Political Science Department, were JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., director of The University of Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service; Jeff Brauer, professor of social and behavioral sciences at Keystone College and University of Scranton alumnus; and Borys Krawczeniuk, investigative reporter for the Scranton Times-Tribune. Francine Schertzer, senior vice president and chief content officer for PCN, moderated the discussion.

Several questions posed to the panel sought to determine what salient issues will likely motivate citizens to vote, and how specific candidate attributes will affect the election outcomes.

Prof. Brauer highlighted the struggling economy as an important factor that will drive people to vote. Dr. Hopper agreed, but expanded, noting that some polls find the issue of abortion, a topic of intense conversation since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson decision in June 2022, to be of larger importance to voters than the economy and inflation. She also referenced Kansas voters’ rejection of a referendum that would have restricted abortion rights as evidence that this issue may bring more women and independents to the polls in favor of Democrats.

Other questions examined if the panel expected the Pennsylvania midterms to defy typical midterm election expectations. For example, after successful primaries, candidates usually shift their rhetoric more to the center of the political spectrum to attract more voters. The party opposite of the president also tends to win more seats in midterm elections. Krawczeniuk responded, explaining that Fetterman, Oz (candidates for the U.S. Senate), and Shapiro (Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Governor) have all moved their positions closer to the middle, but Doug Mastriano, the Republican candidate for Governor, has not. Dr. Hopper attributed this to a recent trend in which candidates are being “rewarded for being on the extremes.” Krawczeniuk also pointed out that although early data pointed to voters favoring Republican candidates, the Democratic candidates have since taken the lead in the polls. However, Krawczeniuk expects the polls to tighten as they usually do after Labor Day.

Dr. Hopper said that the relevance and influence of a former president (Donald Trump) this long after the conclusion of their term is not typical, but will likely have an effect on the midterm results. Prof. Brauer noted that although midterm elections typically act as a referendum on the president’s party, this election still seems to focus on, in a way, the choice between two presidential candidates – a notion exemplified recently as both President Biden and former President Trump visited Northeast Pennsylvania. Dr. Hopper underscores that the state garners so much attention because “Pennsylvania, I think, it is really truly split.”

The panelists also fielded questions about the importance of debates, social media and endorsements and discussed each of the candidates more specifically.

The panelists concluded the event with advice on how to identify legitimate polls, highlighting the importance of poll timing, poll sample-size, the poll’s margin of error, the poll’s potential partisan leaning and the importance of referencing several different sources. The panelists also noted that polls tend to become more accurate the closer to the election.

The panel discussion can be viewed on PCN’s website.

 

The University of Scranton’s Asian Studies Program will host two events that examine transnational migration in Taiwan and its cultural impact on the country’s literature and cinema.

Hsin-Chin Evelyn Hsieh, Ph.D., will present “Bringing the World to Taiwan: Border Crossing and Transnational Cultural Flow in Contemporary Taiwan” at a public lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 5, in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and the lecture beginning at 6 p.m.

A screening of the award-winning film “The Good Daughter” and Q and A with the director Yu-Ying (Sally) Wu will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6, in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. The event also begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., and the film presentation beginning at 6 p.m. immediately followed by a Q and A with the film’s director.

Both events are free of charge and open to the public.

Dr. Hsieh is an associate professor of the Graduate Institute of Taiwan Literature at National Taiwan University. She formerly taught at Wesleyan University and was a visiting scholar at University of Tubingen, Germany. At the Oct. 5 lecture, she will discuss how Southeast Asian migrants and their experiences have reshaped the cultural landscape of Taiwan. Dr. Hsieh’s research interests include contemporary Taiwan literature, film and documentary and migration studies, particularly related to the contemporary cultural production and the inbound and outbound migration of Taiwan.

Director Wu has collaborated with David Sutherland on his FRONTLINE series and other films that aired on PBS. Her debut feature documentary, “The Good Daughter,” won Best Documentary and Best Editing at the 2020 Taipei Film Festival. The film looks at the complicated marriage of a disabled Taiwanese man and his Vietnamese wife, portraying her struggle to balance her family obligation to support her relatives in Vietnam with her duties as a mother and wife to her impoverished family in Taiwan.

The lecture and film screening and Q and A are sponsored by the University’s Asian Studies Program and its College of Arts and Sciences, and the Taipei Cultural Center in New York of the Taiwan Ministry of Culture.

For more information or questions about the events, contact Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., director of Asian Studies and professor of philosophy at the University, at ann.pang-white@scranton.edu or 570-941-7643

The University of Scranton President’s Business Council (PBC) will host its first in-person President’s Business Council (PBC) Award Dinner since 2019. The PBC 21^st Annual Award Dinner will take place at Gotham Hall in New York City on Thursday, Sept. 29, and will honor this year’s recipients of the President’s Medal: Patti Byrnes Clarke ’86, P’17,’19, global chief talent officer, Havas Group; and Tom O’Brien ’86, P’19, senior managing director, SumRidge Partners, a Raymond James company. Proceeds from the dinner go directly to the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund.

During her time at the Havas Group, which is one of the world’s largest global communications groups and part of the Vivendi Group, Byrnes Clarke has built a talent management approach that includes initiatives on network mobility, high-potential leadership development, women’s leadership advancement, global employee engagement, employer branding, global diversity, equity and inclusion and wellness. As the global chief talent officer, she is responsible for leading the talent and cultural strategy for the group’s 20,000 plus employees in more than 100 countries.

Byrnes Clarke earned her bachelor’s degree in management from the University in 1986. She is a former member of the University’s Board of Trustees and a former member of the Kania School of Management Advisory Board and the University’s Parents’ Executive Council (PEC). She is also a former chair of the PBC and created the PBC/Kania School of Management Career Coaches Program, in which she remains a mentor to current University students. She and her husband, David, reside in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, and have five children.

Prior