April 2018

A professor of economics from the University of Chicago presented “Crony Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics” at The University of Scranton’s Henry George Seminar, held in April on campus. Chang-Tai Hsieh, Ph.D., spoke at the seminar, presented by the University’s Economics and Finance Department and the campus chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon.

“In terms of the overall ease of starting a business, China ranks 151 in the world,” Dr. Hseih said. “In 2013 there were 185 countries, so that’s very near the bottom in terms of the overall ease of starting a business.”

Dr. Hsieh provided an example of what it takes to expand a small business in a small city in China.

“Think about a small noodle shop. What you need to do is pay 95 taxes and get 192 official chops (referred to as a seal or stamp) of approval. Those are the official signatures,” Dr. Hsieh said. “There is an official list of rules and regulations that on the face of it looks like it is going to kill any business.”

Paying the 95 taxes and getting the 192 chops is required by all business in China unless a business can strike a deal with the local government.

“What you quickly find out is that every single branch of the government, at the local level, is focused on business,” Dr. Hsieh said. “A big part of what that means is basically carving out special deals, or exceptions, to the 95 taxes and 192 official chops.”

The members of the local government can essentially wave past these requirements for businesses if they deem them important enough.

The Henry George Seminar is supported financially by a grant from the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.

The Offices of the Registrar and Academic Services and Information Technology are pleased to announce the release of the Student Advisor Profile.  This easy-to-use, modern Banner 9 Self-Service application facilitates personalized academic advice by presenting each student with a comprehensive view their academic information in a centralization location.  Each student’s assigned advisor has a similar view of their advisee’s profile. 

"It is the latest enhancement to the student experience, in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan," said Julie Ferguson, registrar. "When faculty, advisors, administrators, and students themselves have access to a clear and consistent academic profile, less time is spent seeking the data and more time can be devoted to  the important conversations that support a student’s career journey and academic success.”

The Student Advisor Profile consolidates a student’s curriculum, degree plan, grade, registration, hold, GPA and pre-matriculation information.  It also allows advisors to record and release student advising notes.

The Student Advisor Profile was released in early March and training sessions for students, advisors, department chairs, program directors, deans, administrators and staff occurred in the months of March and April. 

Questions and comments about the product should be directed to Julie Ferguson, Registrar, julie.ferguson@scranton.edu.

On Friday, May 4, from 3 p.m.- 5 p.m. on the Dionne Green (Rain Location: Byron Center) the United Cultures Organization will be hosting the 10th Annual Festival of Nations!!! Please come, support, and enjoy your time at the event where they will be food, music/performance, games, t-shirts, & more.

For more information or topic suggestions, please contact the Cross Cultural Centers at multicultural@scranton.edu

The University of Scranton's annual End of the Year Drive collects all the items that students would normally discard at the end of the academic year. A team of more than 20 underclassmen undertakes the effort to collect, sort and distribute the donations, volunteering to stay on campus after final exams. Donations are given to area agencies in need such as Friends of the Poor, Community Invention Center, Leahy Family Center, and Safety Net. Boxes will be placed in all residence halls, in addition to the parking garage stairwells and several academic buildings.

Student volunteers can register at https://orgsync.com/96927/news_posts/283492.

For more info, please contact student coordinator Emily.Errickson@scranton.edu

The Edward J. Spitzer Scholarship was endowed to The University of Scranton by the estate of Marian Robling to be awarded to a University graduating senior who will be attending a graduate program in the area of Business Administration at any college. The award will be made on Class Night.

Applications available in the Financial Aid Office or at www.scranton.edu/financialaid. Click on Scholarship and Grants; Additional Scholarship Opportunities.

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018

There’s just something about The University of Scranton. Maybe it’s the way faculty want to see their students succeed. Or, maybe it’s the long-lasting friendships that develop during one’s time here. Perhaps it’s the food, or the classes, or the sense of community throughout campus. Or, maybe that’s the point. There are many reasons why The University of Scranton becomes a home-away-from-home for so many of its students. The moment I first stepped on campus as a student, I knew Scranton was going to have a positive impact on my life. I did not want to keep Scranton as my little secret. I wanted to share my experiences and show everyone what amazing things The University of Scranton has to offer. That’s why I decided to work in the admissions office, working toward my goal of becoming a tour guide.

My journey to becoming a tour guide began in January 2017 when I became a Royal Ambassador for the admissions office. Royal Ambassadors are oftentimes the very first students prospective families interact with when they arrive at The University of Scranton. You can usually find Royal Ambassadors sitting by the parking lot on Ridge Row on weekdays or outside the parking pavilion on Saturdays. Their job is simple but important: greet families, provide them with parking passes if need be and direct them to the admissions office.

Royal Ambassadors also work major events for admissions, including open houses and preview day. I enjoyed working open houses and preview day because I was usually assigned to be a tour leader. Being a tour leader meant that I got to bring prospective families to different spots on campus. At these designated spots, a certified tour guide would discuss whatever aspect of campus life that pertained to that area. Interacting with prospective families is something I love to do because it gives me the opportunity to share my personal Scranton experiences with other people. I also enjoyed being a tour leader because it gave me the opportunity to see what it would be like to be a tour guide.

In January 2018, one year after I became a Royal Ambassador, I decided to officially apply to be a tour guide. The application and interview process was quick, and I was ecstatic when I was told that the admissions office would love to have me as a tour guide.

However, before I could give standard tours of campus, I needed to go through the tour guide training process. The entire process consisted of shadowing two tours, tag-teaming two tours with a certified tour guide and having a final tour evaluation. My favorite step in the entire process was the tag team tours. During this part of the training, I gave actual prospective families tours of the University. A certified tour guide was with me during these tours and added information if I forgot to mention anything important. The tour guides I shadowed and tag teamed with were extremely helpful. They were always ready to give me feedback on how I was doing and what I could improve upon.

It did not take me long to finish the shadowing and tag team components of the tour guide training process. Before I knew it, it was time for my final tour evaluation with Antonelle Tuazon ’14, the assistant director of admissions, and Hugh Doyle ’17, an admissions counselor. I was not too nervous when I did my evaluation, which consisted of giving Antonelle and Hugh a tour of the University. I felt that I was well-prepared for it after completing the other steps in the training process.

The evaluation went very well. I was able to pass it on the first try. However, there is still one more step I need to take before I become a full-fledged tour guide: I need to go through the Leahy Hall training process. Leahy Hall is not a part of the standard tour route; as the home for occupational therapy, physical therapy and exercise science students at the University, however, it is a popular attraction for prospective students. As a result, separate tours of Leahy are offered by the admissions office.

The University of Scranton Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club recently conducted a field trip to Rocky Meadows Sheep Farm in Nicholson. The Pre-Vet Club seeks to provide experiences for students interested in veterinary medicine. Experience working with small and large animals is required before attending a vet school. Working with large animals is oftentimes the most difficult experience to acquire.

Under the direction of Dana Hardisky, DVM ’11, students from the Pre-Vet Club helped to administer CD&T vaccines to approximately 70 lambs. Students were taught proper handling techniques required to capture and immobilize lambs safely. They also received instruction for proper syringing of vaccines and sterile technique for subcutaneous injections. Students also observed treatment of an abscess and castrations.

Dr. Hardisky explained some of the management considerations for lamb production and procedures to care for newborn lambs through the weaning period. Students observed lambs ranging in age from 3 days to 10 weeks old. Students enjoyed their work experience in the new sheep barn.

The Pre-Vet Club students would like to thank Dr. Michael Hardisky of the Biology Department and his daughter, Dana Hardisky, DVM for this incredible experience!

“Veterans, especially educated veterans, it is my honest belief, will be the generation that leads during the hard times that are in front of us. They are the ones that will solve the complex problems of our country,” said Jared Lyon, president and CEO of Student Veterans of America (SVA), during his keynote address at The University of Scranton’s College/University Regional Veterans Education Representative Conference in Leahy Hall. The conference was sponsored through a grant from Lockheed Martin.

Lyon discussed the history of the GI Bill and its initial unpopularity with some of this country’s university presidents, who, in 1944, could not envision veterans in higher education.

“There were op-eds written by university presidents … begging Congress not to add a provision for education, and quite literally, calling for the President of the United States to veto the bill,” Lyon said. “‘These [veterans] maybe weren’t smart enough to get into college. I mean otherwise, how did they end up fighting the war?’”

Negative assumptions about student veterans have always existed, Lyon said, but veterans have always proved stereotypes wrong.

Veterans “not only defended the world, freedom, and democracy,” Lyon said, “but then came home and were quite literally the most successful students in higher education, with their top three majors of business, STEM and health-related fields.” Lyon explained student veterans today are the most educated subset of the population, and have some of the highest GPAs and success rates of any other group after international students.

The GI Bill paved the way for other once-nontraditional students to pursue education rights, including women, minorities, people with disabilities and people of lower socioeconomic status.

“The happy accident of history is that the original GI Bill made education available for a generation of warriors,” Lyon said. “It democratized higher education for not just veterans, but for all Americans.”

Recognizing veterans’ right to education enables them to become leaders and continue serving their country, said Lyon. The SVA, which assists over 500,000 veterans in the US, advocates for them on their path to success.

“We are yesterday’s warriors, becoming today’s scholars, who will most assuredly be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Lyon.

5.06 Weekend (May 4 - May 6) is the University of Scranton's Day of Giving celebration. In three days, Scranton will aim to reach 2,018 donors.

There are three ways you can raise money for Club/Organization during 5.06 Weekend:

1. Campus Headquarters: Friday, May 4 10 am. to 4 p.m. on 1st Floor DeNaples. Here, you can ask friends, classmates, faculty and staff to donate to your club. Everyone who gives $5 or more gets a prize!
2. 5.06k Run/Walk: Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. at the *new* Quinn Athletics Campus (You can make a team for your club and encourage friends/fellow classmates/ faculty/staff to run/walk in support of your club. Student registration is $10 and non-student is $20. This money directly goes to the club. Plus, runners/walkers get a T-shirt!)
3. MobileCause Page: A staff member can set up a personalized giving page for you (similar to GoFundMe) to share throughout the weekend.

The University of Scranton’s Master in Health Administration (MHA) program received the prestigious Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)/Canon Award for Sustainability in Healthcare Management Education and Practice. The national award from CAHME and Canon Solutions America, presented at the CAHME Congress in Chicago, recognized Scranton’s MHA program for its sustainability initiatives in the context of corporate responsibility and Jesuit pedagogy.

The University’s MHA program links sustainability with social justice, public health and health disparities through alumni engagement, international experiences and community project work. Scranton’s MHA program was highlighted in this video shown at the award ceremony.

Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies, which houses the health administration program at Scranton; Steven Szydlowski, D.H.A., program director of the University’s MHA program; and MHA student Louis Finnerty of Old Forge, who earned his bachelor’s degree in health administration from Scranton in 2017, are interviewed in the video.

Each year, CAHME recognizes excellence in graduate healthcare management education with CAHME- accredited programs and in partnership with leading healthcare organizations. These valued programs are recognized for driving innovation, improving the student experience, and expanding the presence of graduate healthcare management education. Now in its second year, the CAHME/Canon Solutions America Award for Sustainability in Healthcare Management Education and Practice focuses on recognizing universities that are committed to pushing public health forward through dynamic and diverse sustainability-driven activities with proven results.

According to CAHME, the mission of the University’s master in health administration program helped to secure the award. The program’s mission is to provide local, regional and international students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary set of core competencies and values for health administration jobs in a variety of healthcare organizations. Additionally, the program contributes scholarship to its disciplines, especially applied research, publications and presentations.

The innovative curriculum of the University’s MHA program includes a “Fit for the Profession” component to ensure readiness for profession, said Dr. Szydlowski. In addition, sustainability components imbedded in the curriculum include administrative residency project for sustainability in healthcare as part of the program’s 8-credit Administrative Residency course (HAD 581), which is required course for all MHA students. Dr. Szydlowski said projects cover global, environmental, financial, social sustainable issues and involve developing and implementing a sustainability project in an applied healthcare setting. Elements of sustainability are also addressed in other elective courses, as well as through other initiatives such as study abroad experiences.

CAHME is an interdisciplinary group of educational, professional, clinical and other health sector organizations devoted to quality improvement of education for healthcare management and administration professionals. Additionally, CAHME accreditation establishes the standard of measurement of graduate healthcare management education for the world community.

To learn more about Canon Solutions America’s partnership with CAHME, visit here.

About CAHME:
CAHME serves the public interest by advancing the quality of graduate healthcare management education in the United States and Canada. CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a professional master’s degree in healthcare management education. CAHME Accreditation is the benchmark for students and employers that ensure the integrity of healthcare management education. For more information, visit Cahme.org.

About Canon Solutions America, Inc.

Canon Solutions America provides industry leading enterprise, production, and large format printing solutions, supported by exceptional professional service offerings. With the technology offerings of the Canon and Océ brands, Canon Solutions America helps companies of all sizes improve sustainability, increase efficiency, and control costs through high volume, continuous feed, digital and traditional printing, and document management solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., Canon Solutions America is headquartered in Melville, N.Y. and has sales and service locations across the U.S. For more information on Canon Solutions America, please visit csa.canon.com.

“The Cold War and its influence lasted, as you know, for decades. The majority of the fighters for freedom and democracy didn’t live to see the fall of the Iron Curtain in the fall of 1989. Therefore, we historians need to catalog their efforts and make sure that their work will not be forgotten,” said Martin Nekola, Ph.D., of Prague, at The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum collaborative program with the History Department, held recently on campus.

Dr. Nekola, a Czech political scientist, historian and scholar from Charles University, presented “For the Freedom of Captive Nations: Eastern European Exiles in Postwar America,” which explored the formation and development of organizations of political exiles during the Cold War.

“Each time we have the opportunity to hear a scholar or a journalist from abroad, I believe we make this institution a better place,” said Sondra Meyers, Schemel Forum director. “I am especially pleased to welcome a Czech scholar from Charles University, Martin Nekola. While we are in one of those eras in America where immigration is under scrutiny and discouraged, there is no doubt that immigrants have enriched the intellectual and cultural climate of our nation.”

Dr. Nekola examined the general conditions leading up to the anti-communist exile movements in the countries of east-central and south-east Europe in the West.

“In the 1920s and 1930s, there were about two million first- and second- generation Poles in this country, in America, almost one million Czechs and Slovaks, 300,000 Hungarians, 260,000 Yugoslavs and 150,000 Romanians,” said Dr. Nekola.

Dr. Nekola also discussed the internal crises and conflicts surrounding anti-communist exiles, which included the lack of proper leadership and the surfacing of propaganda. 

“There were fears that World War II and the years preceding had exposed many reasons for distrust and bitterness. Nevertheless, the complicated relations between the Poles, Czechs, Hungarians and Romanians did not prevent a common bond against the communist enemy,” said Dr. Nekola.

The Czech scholar addressed the varying viewpoints of what liberation meant to different parts of each exile community, as well as the impact those viewpoints had on society as a whole.

“Naturally, there were different views and disagreements about what would constitute an effective liberation. The conservative and extremist parts of the exile communities claimed that only a complete eradication of communism would suffice. The majority, however, said that many of the economic and social changes introduced under the communists would have to stay because they had become a part of each nation’s life,” said Dr. Nekola.

Dr. Nekola is a researcher on the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague. His research has mostly focused on non-democratic regimes, the Communism era, and the East-European anti-communist exiles in the United States throughout the Cold War. Moreover, Dr. Nekola has conducted research regarding political refugees from Eastern Europe in the aftermath of World War II and their migration to different parts of the world, at both the Hoover Institution and Stanford University.

Between classes, clubs and extracurricular events, college keeps you on a busy schedule. However, no matter how busy you are, there is always time for a quick study-snack or a meal with friends. When it comes to dining on campus, Scranton has you covered with a variety of meal plans to meet your specific needs. Scranton personalizes your dining experience with convenient, flexible and healthy options. The only thing you have to do is pick a dining package that is the right fit for you.

Resident first- and second-year students are required to purchase a meal plan, with first-year students having one of the “ultimate meal plans.” To make the experience even easier, meal plans auto-renew for the spring semester of each year, un-used flex money rolls over and you can change your meal plan at any time.

The Ultimate Plus Plan lets you eat as many times as you’d like on the third floor of the Denaples Center, with $170 in Flex to use at any campus dining center. The Ultimate Plan gives you that same freedom, just with $70 in Flex. This meal plan is great for a busy student who doesn’t want to worry about going food shopping or have the hassle of food prep. Whether it’s a quick apple before class or a lunch with friends, these plans have you covered 24/7.

The 14 Plus Plan and 14 Plan are pretty self-explanatory. You can eat 14 times a week with $280 and $180 in Flex respectively. This is great for students who don’t always have the time to sit down and eat.

“As a first-year, having unlimited was helpful because I never had to worry about meals in the midst of my crazy schedule,” said Elizabeth Kugler, ’20. “But, as a second-year, with all the classes I’m taking, 14 is just right. Sometimes I’m just too busy for three on-campus meals a day. I’m not too much of a breakfast person, so I’d rather have the extra flex for Starbucks or the P.O.D. It’s so convenient and I don’t ever feel like I’m wasting my money.”

The 10 Plus Plan and 10 Plan are one step down from the 14. They give you 10 meals a week with $360 and $260 in Flex respectively. This factors down to less than two meals a day, which is great for the student who likes to have the option of shopping for food themselves.

“Sometimes I like to make my own food, so I don’t want to be tied to a meal plan that costs more when I don’t always want to eat on campus,” said Kaleigh Valeski, ’20. “The best part is that when I’m too busy to cook for myself, I just use my Flex to get something on campus. I never feel deprived and will probably keep this meal plan into next year.”

Last and certainly not least are the commuter options, for the students truly “on-the-go”. The Commuter 60 and Commuter 30 offer 60 meals a semester with $150 in Flex and 30 meals a semester with $25 dollars in flex. These plans are great for when you’re hungry between classes and don’t have time to go home, when there’s inclement weather and you can’t get home, or just when you want to have the chance to try the delicious campus cuisine.

Click here to find out more details to find out which plan is right for you. Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

Happy eating!

Travel Around the World with ISP!

Come on down, Saturday, April 21 from 9 p.m. to midnight on the first floor of the DeNaples Center.

Visit our interactive country tables and enjoy the food, music and prizes!

If you visit four tables, you are entered into the drawing for $10 gift cards! If you visit all the tables, you are entered into the drawing to win a $50 gift card!

For any questions, contact Barbara King at (570) 941-4138

The Offices of the Registrar and Academic Services and Information Technology are pleased to announce the release of the Student Advisor Profile.  This easy-to-use, modern Banner 9 Self-Service application facilitates personalized academic advice by presenting each student with a comprehensive view their academic information in a centralization location.  Each student’s assigned advisor has a similar view of their advisee’s profile. 

"It is the latest enhancement to the student experience, in keeping with the University’s Strategic Plan," said Julie Ferguson, registrar. "When faculty, advisors, administrators, and students themselves have access to a clear and consistent academic profile, less time is spent seeking the data and more time can be devoted to  the important conversations that support a student’s career journey and academic success.”

The Student Advisor Profile consolidates a student’s curriculum, degree plan, grade, registration, hold, GPA and pre-matriculation information.  It also allows advisors to record and release student advising notes.

The Student Advisor Profile was released in early March and training sessions for students, advisors, department chairs, program directors, deans, administrators and staff occurred in the months of March and April. 

Questions and comments about the product should be directed to Julie Ferguson, Registrar, julie.ferguson@scranton.edu.

ATTENTION RISING JUNIORS MAJORING IN A STEM PROGRAM

Royal Scholars Program-NSF S-STEM Scholarship

This new program for Scranton students in STEM majors (science, technology, engineering and math) is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. We will be able to accept five rising juniors and offer a two-year scholarship for participation. Contingent on your maintaining the requirements of the program, the scholarship would be $5000 for each of your junior and senior years for a total of $10,000.

Participation in the Royal Scholars Program will include:

· STEM seminars that will pair students for mentoring and provide support for research, internships, and careers in STEM

· Mentoring by faculty and peers throughout the program

· Support for summer research or internship experiences

· Support services by University offices

· Extracurricular activities to build community within the cohort

· Outreach opportunities to build STEM identity and community engagement

The goals of the program are to assist students in developing their identities as STEM professionals, exploring careers in STEM, and taking steps along the appropriate pathways to these careers to improve the STEM workforce. Through this, we hope to influence students’ confidence and success in achieving their goals in STEM careers. Please contact Dr. Janice Voltzow (janice.voltzow@scranton.edu) with any questions about the program or the application.

Application available on the website under Financial Aid, Scholarship & Grants, click on Additional Scholarship Opportunities and Deadline is Monday, April 23, 2018.

The Commencement Committee is currently looking for volunteers to assist at Class Night, Graduate Commencement, Baccalaureate Mass, and Undergraduate Commencement. Student volunteers assist at events over Commencement weekend (May 25 - May 27, 2018) and have the opportunity to stay on campus (meals included!) for all of senior week. It gives you the chance to spend quality time with your senior friends before graduation, plus receive a free Commencement Volunteer shirt! 

This year we will be continuing our popular volunteer incentive! If you register to volunteer for Commencement weekend, attend all of your assignments and behave in a manner consistent with University policies and expectations, your name will be entered into a raffle for a $50 Visa gift card. Ten students will each be awarded a $50 gift card and all Royal Ambassador volunteers will also receive 2 free movie tickets to Cinemark at Montage Mountain! 

Come have some fun and help us send off the Class of 2018! If you would like to volunteer please fill out the volunteer form, here, as soon as possible but no later than May 11, 2018. Once you have signed up you will receive further communication outlining the details of the weekend.

If you have any questions please contact Caitlyn Hollingshead, Commencement Committee Volunteer Coordinator, at (570) 941-6202 or caitlyn.hollingshead@scranton.edu. We look forward to and appreciate your help! 

The University of Scranton announced Peter J. Danchak ’84, regional president, PNC Bank, Northeast Pennsylvania, will serve as the principal speaker at its 2018 graduate commencement. He also will receive an honorary degree from the University at the ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, May 26, at 10:45 a.m. at the Byron Recreation Complex.

“Pete Danchak is a community leader who cares greatly for this area and is deeply committed to improving the lives of those in this region. We are proud to count him as one of our alumni and pleased to have him serve as principal speaker at our graduate commencement,” said Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., interim president of The University of Scranton.

Danchak earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University in 1984, the same year in which he joined PNC Bank. He held numerous positions with PNC bank, advancing in 1996 to senior vice president, division manager for the corporate banking line of business for the Northeast Pennsylvania market. He was named regional president of the Northeast Pennsylvania market of PNC Bank in January 2001.

Active in the community, Danchak currently serves as co-chair of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Council Boy Scouts of America 2018 Annual Dinner, co-chair of the Scranton Plan and co-chair of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, to which he was appointed in 2008. He is a member of the executive leadership council of Pre-K Counts in Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the board of directors of AllOne Health Foundation, the ARC of Northeastern Pennsylvania Foundation and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry.

Danchak previously served as a trustee or member of the board of directors of numerous organization, including Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Luzerne Foundation, the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, King’s College, Keystone College, Johnson College, Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Scranton Chamber Board of Commerce, Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company and Marywood University. He also served on the advisory board of the University’s Kania School of Management and on the president’s advisory council for Keystone College. He was chairman of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties 2013/2014 Campaign.

Danchak received the University’s O’Hara Award for Community Service in 2004. O’Hara Awards are the highest honor bestowed jointly by the University and its Alumni Society and recognize alumni and others who have achieved distinction in their professions or personal endeavors.

The Multicultural Center Presents: An Identity Development Retreat

When: Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 15

Where: Chapman Lake Retreat Center

Register: Multicultural office Or on Royal Sync!

First come, first serve. Cost: $20

The mission of our Identity Development Retreat is to provide the University of Scranton students a reflective experience focusing on the principles of culture, prejudice, equality, and human dignity. The retreat draws on these principles to prepare you as a future leader in our global society.

For more information or topic suggestions, please contact the Cross Cultural Centers at multicultural@scranton.edu

“Almost exactly 50 years ago, March 31, 1968, when Lyndon Johnson stepped before the television cameras and part way through the speech he said, ‘I shall not seek and I will not accept the nomination from my party for another term as your president,’” said Pulitzer Prize-winning author Fredrik Logevall, Ph.D.

            The mystery behind former President Johnson’s reason for not seeking another term as president was discussed a University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum luncheon seminar, titled “JFK, LBJ and the Paradox of Vietnam” and presented by Dr. Logevall recently on campus.

            “I think he withdrew because of the war and because of the divisions that the war had created,” said Dr. Logevall, who won the 2013 Pulizer Prize in history for his book “Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and the Making of America’s Vietnam.”

            The United States had been involved in Vietnam beforehand in the 1950s with former President Dwight D. Eisenhower sending over military advisory groups to Vietnam to help the Republic of Vietnam fight the North Vietnamese communists said Dr. Logevall. In the early 1960s, however, former President John F. Kennedy increased United States presence in Vietnam significantly.

            “He also authorized a coup in his final month against the south Vietnamese leader Ngo Dinh Diem, a fellow catholic, somebody who had been president of south Vietnam for a long time and American officials concluded the war could not be won with Diem,” Dr. Logewall said.

            The coup was successful and Diem was assassinated along with his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu on November 1, 1963.

            “JFK dictates into a machine (recording device), on the fourth of November, his thoughts on the Diem coup and he says this, ‘I feel we must bear a good deal of responsibility for what’s happened,’” Dr. Logevall said. “It’s testimony to how much he struggled with this coup.”

Three weeks later former President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

“Then Lyndon Johnson takes power and of course now is dealt a difficult hand in part because of the coup,” Dr. Logevall said.

In March of 1965 former President Johnson officially sent United States combat forces into Vietnam.

“Publically Johnson would project optimism about the war but the truth is he was always a bleak skeptic on Vietnam,” Dr. Logevall said. “In May of 1964, he says to McGeorge Bundy, who is the national security advisor, ‘I don’t think it is worth fighting for and I don’t think we can get out, it’s just the biggest damn mess.’ That is almost a full year before the first United States ground troops are dispatched into the war.”

Dr. Logevall said the mystery still remains of why former President Johnson pursued a path of war in Vietnam when he had his own doubts.

“Surely part of the answer to the question is that Johnson felt if he did this gradually without putting the nation on full war footing he could take the path of least resistance,” Dr. Logevall said. “Especially in domestic political terms it was an easier proposition for Johnson to hope that these new measures would succeed.”

Former President Johnson would continue his hope that his path of least resistance would succeed, until the end of his one term presidency and he left the White House with the nation still involved in Vietnam. It would take until April of 1975 for the United States to officially leave Vietnam.

“I would say that from day one until the end Lyndon Johnson was a hawk on Vietnam, this proves that even doubting warriors can be committed warriors,” Dr. Logevall said.

A reception and book signing at the Lackawanna Historical Society’s Catlin House followed the lecture.

The Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar series is sponsored by Munley Law.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about studying abroad!

Tuesday, April 10 & Wednesday, April 11 
Starting at 7:30 p.m. in LSC room 233!!!

Meet our TSC student consultants! They are an important part of the Technology Support Center team, as they answer phone calls and in-person questions about a wide range of topics related to computing, technology and other IT services.

Avish

Graduate, Class of 2018

Major: Software Engineering

I have been a student consultant for one year and about seven months. What I like most about being a student consultant is that I get to help solve issues from students, and whoever calls or comes down for help.

My favorite movie is the complete Harry Potter series while my favorite hobby is badminton.

I am an international student and I get to experience best of both worlds. I come from India, and I have discovered many new things while experiencing something new every day in this fo

reign land. I like to share my experiences towards the differences in culture and ways of living, which is a great learning curve for me.

My favorite thing about the University of Scranton is that there are so many wonderful activities happening around the campus every week, where I get to meet different kinds of students whenever I attend such events.

Why should other students consider employment at the TSC? The TSC as a whole is a great place to work and improve your communication skills and knowledge about technology used in day-to-day activities at the University. The Technology Support Center helped me learn about new electronic devices that I never knew existed. Every day becomes an adventure to complete the tasks on the daily sheet, which is a lot of fun.

Christine

Class of 2021

Major: Finance

Minor: Sociology

Hi! My name is Christine and I am a first-year student. I became a student consultant last Fall, about six months ago. What I enjoy most at the TSC is helping people resolve issues. Even if it is something as simple as connecting a laptop to our wireless network, you know that you have made that 

person’s day a little better.

My favorite companion animals are cats. In my spare time, I enjoy sleeping, playing video games with my friends. My preferred character to play in Overwatch is a toss-up between Reaper, Ana, and d.Va right now.

I love the University community. For the most part, everyone is super friendly and willing to help if you ask.

Why should other students consider employment at the TSC? You learn some pretty neat things about the University. In addition, Kathy, she is really fun to listen to.

Become part of our team

If you are self-motivated, communicative, outgoing, dependable —we want to talk to you. Visit scranton.edu/tscworkstudy. 

Conference & Event Services is taking applications for the position of Summer Conference Assistant! If you or anyone you know is interested in applying, please do so by Friday, April 13.

Our staff of Summer Conference Assistants plays an integral role in welcoming our guests and making sure they feel at home while on campus. Over the course of the summer, we will host roughly 5,000 guests with conferences and camps ranging from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference, which has been with us for over 30 years, to one of our newest groups, Camp PALS, who fosters close connections and a sense of belonging for individuals with Down syndrome.

A full description and application can be found at http://www.scranton.edu/conferences/student-employment.shtml. Please note that this is a work-study position open to students who are enrolled in the Fall 2018 semester. For more information,please contact Elizabeth Geeza at elizabeth.geeza@scranton.edu.

Thank you!

The University of Scranton announced that Most Reverend George V. Murry, S.J., Ph.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, will be the principal speaker at its undergraduate commencement on Sunday, May 27. He will also receive an honorary degree from the University at the ceremony.

A member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Murry currently serves as chair of its Committee Against Racism, which was formed in August 2017 “… to focus on addressing the sin of racism in our society, and even in our Church, and the urgent need to come together as a society to find solutions.”

 “Bishop Murry’s leadership in the Church, his Jesuit roots, his experience in Jesuit higher education, and his important work in combating racism in our society, all combine, I believe, to make him a wonderful choice for this honor. He is someone who has the ability to deliver a timely and important message for our students, their families and guests,” said Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., interim president of The University of Scranton.

Prior to his service as Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, which began in 2007, Bishop Murry served as Bishop of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands and Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago. For 20 years previously, he worked as a teacher and administrator in Catholic education, serving as associate vice president for academic affairs at the University of Detroit-Mercy, president of Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., assistant professor of American studies at Georgetown University and as a faculty member and dean of student activities at Gonzaga College High School, Washington, D.C.

Bishop Murry has served on numerous boards including of Catholic Relief Services, Saint Joseph’s University, the University of Detroit, Fairfield University, and Mount Saint Mary’s College. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, he also served as secretary of the Conference, chairman of the Committee on Priorities and Plans.

A native of Camden, New Jersey, Bishop Murry attended Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia; St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut; and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1972 and was ordained for the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus on June 9, 1979. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley and a doctorate in American cultural history from George Washington University.

The University of Scranton’s undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, on Sunday, May 27, at noon.

Positions are available for the Student Government Executive Cabinet next year! The positions are:

• Chief of Staff
• Treasurer
• Director of Technology
• Director of Communication
• Secretary

If appointed, there are mandatory commitments and requirements, for more information look at the application on RoyalSync.

The equestrian team has had much success this season and it's not hard to understand why. It is a sport that the team captain, Sela Fine, said takes “talent and guts,” two qualities the current team undoubtedly possesses.

“We’ve placed in the top four for overall team points,” Fine said. “This is very exciting news for us since previous to last year we haven’t placed very well in team ribbons as there are nine other schools in our region that we are competing against.”

This year's equestrian team has made Scranton history with six members of the team competing in the regional show and a few in more than one class. Katelyn Langford, Lauren Rice, Alexandra Mueller, Kelsi McGlone, Claire Jarvis and Fine will be competing on March 31 for a spot in Zones, which potentially leads to qualifying for the National Competition.

While an observer might see the riders easing through the course, Fine said the art of being an equestrian is far more complex than one could imagine.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of the fact that as a team we show up to the shows and are randomly assigned a horse to ride for our specific classes. We aren’t given any time to get to know the horse’s habits but are put to the task of figuring that out while trying to perform perfectly in the class. Along with this, there are times where a rider may get a horse that’s a little more complicated to figure out than other horses,” Fine said.

Perhaps the only quality of the equestrian team more remarkable than their talent and perseverance is their close bond. To them, it is not so much about individual successes as it is about the overall effort to secure the win for the entire team.

“The equestrian team is just as much a team sport as an individual sport. The team ribbons allow us to compete against other schools and feel a sense of unity,” Fine said.

Robert Hermes, assistant director of recreational sports, testifies to the team’s well-earned accolades and deserved spots in the Regional Competition.

“They are an amazing group of women who are dedicated to their sport,” he said. “I admire the work they put in and how far they have come as a club in my years overseeing them. I wish them the best of luck as the season wraps up.  They are a testament to the important opportunities afforded by the growing club sports program here at The University of Scranton."