February 2019

Brent Glass, Ph.D., director emeritus of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, has advised many museums around the world. Now he wants to explore Sing Sing prison’s rich history and put it on display so the world can learn more about the famous prison, and through this, learn more about ourselves.

“History is a resource that helps us understand our own times,” Dr. Glass said at the Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar in February. “[Sing-Sing prison] is a topic both timely and timeless.”

Sing Sing Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located in Ossining, New York, just over an hour’s drive from New York City. Its location, “up the river” from New York City, inspired the development of the same phrase, said Dr. Glass. Its first cell block was built by convicts in 1825, using stone from a large nearby quarry. The construction of Sing Sing marked a turn in our nation’s criminal justice philosophy, as convicts were kept from the public eye in prisons more and more, instead of facing justice in the public eye via stockades or similar displays. Auburn Prison was initially chosen to house most of New York City’s prisoners, but Sing Sing took its place because it is closer.

According to Dr. Glass, the original living conditions for inmates at Sing Sing were cramped, violent, and inhumane. Cells were often just big enough to fit an adult man, and no larger. Warden Elam Lynds, with a background in naval corporal punishment, made Sing Sing famous for corporal punishment during his tenure from 1825-1830.

“There’s something very haunting about being in this place, knowing its history, knowing how 1200 men […] lived in very Spartan conditions,” Dr. Glass said of the original cellblock.

The conditions at Sing Sing were so sensational that the New York Times assigned a reporter to cover stories of violence and drama at Sing Sing each day, said Dr. Glass. Newspapers and the era’s “yellow journalism” contributed to much of the prison’s notoriety.

In 1891, the prison began executing convicts in electric chairs, which continued until 1963. The decision to start executing people caused so much controversy that the town of Sing Sing changed its name to Ossining, so as not to be identified with the practice.

Dr. Glass said several prison directors have tried to implement change over the institution’s history, such as Lucretia Mott’s descendant Thomas Mott Osborne. Change has often been met with resistance by prison employees and authorities, but reforms over the years have done away with such practices as wearing stripes and walking in lockstep, while also adding more recreation and rehabilitation programs.

Dr. Glass hopes that the museum will contribute to a conversation on change in modern prisons, and the New York State Department of Corrections approves. Of course, Dr. Glass reminded the audience, they still have a prison to run.

“They have said to us, remember, we’re not in the hospitality business the way you are,” Dr. Glass said, to laughter.

Today, Sing Sing utilizes rehabilitation programs designed to reduce convicts’ recidivism, by empowering them with skills they can use to strengthen relationships and succeed in careers after being released.

While Sing Sing’s reputation over the years has gained some notoriety and fed into sensationalism, Dr. Glass said his goal for the museum is to take Sing Sing and its history seriously. With plans to improve the local economy and revitalize the town of Ossining, the museum will make a positive impact on the lives of prisoners, victims, employees, and families. Using interactive exhibits, virtual reality, and more, the museum will examine the experiences of the prisoners, staff, and the prison’s historical significance without trivializing or sensationalizing those stories. 

“All of us know someone who has been convicted or accused of a crime, and we may not realize it,” Dr. Glass said. “The prison’s mission statement is: we want to prepare the people who live here,” so that they do not come back.”

The Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminar series is sponsored by Munley Law. For more information about the Sing Sing Prison Museum, visit www.singsingprisonmuseum.org. For more information on the Schemel Forum, please contact Sondra Myers, director of the Schemel Forum, at 570-941-4089, or at Sondra.myers@scranton.edu.

Student researchers with the Department of Community Health Education are seeking participants in the research study “Assessing Healthcare Acquisition Preparedness in College Students.” This online survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete and seeks to gain a deeper understanding of how ready students are to navigate healthcare benefit conversations with future employers. To participate you must be a University of Scranton student age 18 or older. Participation is voluntary, but much appreciated.

The survey can be accessed here.

Questions may be directed to the researcher(s), Amanda Horner (amanda.horner@scranton.edu), Brendan Gregory (brendan.gregory@scranton.edu), or Dr. Rachel Francis, faculty sponsor (rachel.francis@scranton.edu).

The Institutional Research Office is administering the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to University of Scranton freshman and seniors during spring 2019. The University has administered this widely-used survey 7 times since 2005 and considers it to be one of the most useful ways to gauge students’ engagement and satisfaction with their college experience.

Over 500 academic institutions participate in the NSSE annually, and Scranton compares its results with peer institutions to see how we rank. Please click here to view the results of prior year’s reports.

An invitation to freshman and seniors to participate in the survey was sent from the president on Feb. 14.

Several email reminders will be sent through February and March.

All students who complete the survey by April 30 will be entered into a drawing to win one of two (2) monetary Royal Card deposits, each worth $250 (one for the freshman class and one for the senior class).

ATTENTION JUNIOR PRE-MED STUDENTS

Apply for the Francis P. Boland, MD Memorial Scholarship! Here are the eligibility requirements: 

Candidates for this award must be considered juniors in 2019-2020 and intend to graduate in May 2021.

First consideration will be given to sons and daughters of the Regional Hospital of Scranton (formerly the Mercy Hospital family). Family is intended to signify persons affiliated with the hospital. If there is no candidate associated with the Regional Hospital of Scranton (formerly the Mercy Hospital), consideration will then be given to Lackawanna County residents.

Candidates for the award should intend to pursue a medical degree. The award recipient will be a declared pre-med student.

Candidates must submit a profile including G.P.A., class work and extra-curricular involvement.

Candidates must also submit a one-page typed essay expressing their goals in medicine.

The candidate will be selected based on merit. Financial need will only be used as the determining factor for a final decision when there is a tie.

Deadline for submitting applications is Friday, March 22, 2019  

For questions about eligibility or the application process, contact:

The Financial Aid Office, St. Thomas Hall, Suite 401

Trained in stand-up comedy and author of the book “Leading Imperfectly: The Value of Being Authentic for Leaders, Professionals, and Human Beings,” James T. Robilotta was this year’s Keynote Speaker at the ninth annual IGNITE Leadership Conference hosted at The University of Scranton.

An internationally recognized speaker, Robilotta began by encouraging student leaders to embrace what makes them unique: “It’s fun when we talk about our weirds,” he said. After sharing some of his own strange eating habits, he called on others to share their own odd food rituals.

Robilotta introduced the topic of the session: Authentic Leadership and discussed the five attributes of authentic leaders. “They are purposeful, they empower, they own who they are, they’re real and they follow their morals.”

“Revisit your purpose and let it serve as a bulldozer that pushes you through the unfortunate parts of leadership,” he said, stressing the importance of having clear, honest intent when in leadership.

 The key to leadership, he told students, is not being perfect, or seeming perfect; it is in sharing who you actually are. This type of leadership, he admitted, is not easy, because it involves being vulnerable in front of others. He challenged the audience to think of lies they tell themselves every day, and to think of what version of themselves they show to others.

“You can’t be everything to everyone,” he concluded, “But you can be something to someone. Be something to someone.”

Following the keynote speech, students participated in a number of breakout sessions about being authentic leaders.

IGNITE, organized by the University’s Center for Student Engagement, is the premier leadership conference open to all college students in Northeast Pennsylvania.  Focused on personal growth and development, the conference holds sessions about a broad range of leadership topics, including communication, problem solving, team building, having difficult conversations, communication across difference and identity development.

Campus Ministries hosted its first Theology on Tap for the spring semester last Friday. Theology/religious studies professor Dr. Cyrus Olsen and English/theatre professor Dr. Stephen Whittaker co-presented on the subject of patriarchy and its impact on Christianity. Students raised lots of questions on topics including the current clerical sexual abuse crisis and women’s role in Catholicism and Islam.

Nick Capobianco ’19, Exercise Science Major, noted the importance of this program to him and his peers: "Theology on Tap facilitates the types of conversations students need to be having as we grow – the ones during which we seek to understand the unfamiliar – and helps everyone involved to be more comfortable with having those conversations more often."

Theology on Tap is a program founded in 1981 by two Catholic priests who wanted to provide an opportunity for young adults to engage in dialogue about relevant topics in religion and theology. Today, Theology on Tap programs are sponsored by Catholic dioceses across the country, as well as by other Christian denominations, including Episcopalians, Lutherans, Anglicans and some Presbyterian and Methodist churches.

Campus Ministries’ next Theology on Tap will take place on Friday, April 5 at 5:30 p.m. in The Wine Cellar on Mulberry Street across from the parking pavilion. Guest presenters: Olga Segura, Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless from America Magazine, the founders of the Jesuitical Podcast! Students of all religious denominations are welcome to join this powerful conversation – as long as you are at least 21!

Interested in more events from Campus Ministries?  

·       Mar 3 – Commissioning of Students and Chaperones taking part in a Spring 2019 Domestic Service Trip, 4:30 p.m. Mass in Madonna della Strada Chapel

·       Mar 5 – Campus Ministries’ Fat Tuesday Celebration – The Chocolate Fountain, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., TDC Second Floor

·       Mar 6, Ash Wednesday – Masses at 12:05 p.m., 4:40 p.m., and 8 p.m. in the DeNaples Center McIlhenny Ballroom

Overwhelmed by the polarization surrounding current events? Having a hard time talking to family and friends about your beliefs? Talk about your concerns and learn to create better conversations about politics using Ignatian dialogue tips at the Bursting Our Political Bubbles events! The first of three conversations will be on the NFL kneeling protests, on Feb. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in LSC 133. Free t-shirts to participants, first come-first served! Registration required.

Contact 570-941-4419 or Jessica.durkin@scranton.edu or RSVP directly here. 

CHEW's nationally certified Peer Health Educators (PHE) produce campus health projects and lead active and informative sessions on health & wellness topics for college students, such as stress, alcohol, fitness, nutrition, mental health and much more! Classroom, outdoor events, organization meetings and trainings are frequent stops for PHE teams. Our peer health educators are responsible for University of Scranton events including: Glow & Flow Yoga Event, The Fitness Challenge, Stress Less Week, Mindful Eating Week, Alcohol Awareness Week, and many more!

To apply visit here

Online Applications are due Friday, March 8 at 4 p.m.

If you have any questions, email chew@scranton.edu

F. Dennis Dawgert, M.D., explained that an important study shows Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are the root of many seemingly unrelated issues that children with such negative experiences may face later in life. The talk, “ACE Study and Resiliency,” was presented at a Schemel Forum collaborative program with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine earlier this month on campus. Dr. Dawgert, a former pediatrician, teaches at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

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Types of ACEs include verbal, physical and emotional abuse, neglect, witnessing of a parent’s abuse by another, or separation from a parent. ACEs are common, but the more ACEs are sustained, the more a child’s risk of future diseases or negative health events increase. These diseases and health issues include mental illness, addictions, severe obesity, high number of sex partners, stroke, hepatitis, ischemic heart disease and more. Children with ACEs are also less likely to graduate high school and college.

For Dr. Dawgert, understanding ACEs and preventative medicine go hand in hand. According to a large study by the CDC and Kaiser-Permanente on people who had experienced ACEs, those negatively impacted children grow into adults who are much more likely to suffer from disease, commit crimes, and even die decades earlier than their peers. People on death row, Dr. Dawgert pointed out, have very high ACE scores.

In society today, “we have many institutes that look at smoking, look at obesity, look at type 2 diabetes, look at cancers and other diseases, look at suicide,” Dr. Dawgert said. “And yet, we haven’t made the trip back upstream to figure out where this all comes from.”

The reason ACEs cause so much pain even after they have been inflicted lies in neurology. The brain can deal with different levels of stress, Dr. Dawgert said. Yet if sustained stress is severe enough or inflicted chronically while a child’s brain is still forming, the severe stressors can change how the brain forms, impacting a child’s thoughts and behaviors for the rest of their lives.

However, all is not lost for children with ACEs. Preventing ACEs from occurring, or treating them earlier on, could significantly improve the lives of children by helping their brains heal from psychological trauma earlier on, thus avoiding a slew of future health problems. The study of ACEs, Dr. Dawgert emphasized, extends into not just the topic of public health but also legal and educational issues across the globe, and should inform our consideration of current events such as the child separations at the U.S. Mexico border.

“We have to become aware of it and what the effects of adverse childhood experiences are so that we can look at this not as a medical problem, or social work problem, or psychiatric problem,” Dr. Dawgert said, viewing ACEs as a community responsibility, and a problem to solve together.

“There are things that can happen that help people who have ACEs,” Dr. Dawgert said. Doctors have found that children who can employ resilient mindsets can undo some of the negative effects of ACEs, and increase their life expectancy as well as decrease their risk of disease.

Supportive family, peers, teachers and coaches can all contribute to a child’s development of a healthy sense of self, and teach healthy behaviors.

“Resiliency is … positive adaptation, despite adversities,” Dr. Dawgert said. He showed the audience a picture of flowers pushing up through a crack in a road, blooming. “If you have some sort of supportive person, or supportive factor in your life,” it can make all the difference. “I can’t say you can get rid of ACEs, but you can obviate them to some extent.”

For more information on the Schemel Forum, please contact Sondra Myers, director of the Schemel Forum, at 570-941-4089, or at Sondra.myers@scranton.edu.

Kerry Buckhaults of East Meadow, New York, is the first recipient of The University of Scranton’s Mary Nguyen Silsbee Research Award, a competitive, merit-based scholarship available to University psychology students who engage in research.

The award, named in honor of Mary Nguyen Silsbee, a Scranton graduate and Behavior Specialist who passed away from cancer, was made possible through the generous support of her peers.

Buckhaults is a senior psychology and neuroscience double major and member of the University’s Honors Program. For her honor, she is researching the effects of environmental cues on food perception and consumption. Her faculty mentor is Patrick Orr, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology.

Buckhaults plans to present her research findings at the American Psychology Association’s Annual Convention this summer, and pursue graduate studies in behavioral neuroscience.

Can’t bring yourself to leave Scranton? Spend summer as a Summer Conference Assistant!

Each summer, Conference & Event Services hires a student staff that plays an integral role in welcoming our guests and making sure they feel at home while they are 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, who 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.

This position provides an excellent learning opportunity for Conference Assistants to work on their customer service, time management, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. Housing is available if needed, and meals are often provided. While this is a work study position, if you are interested and don’t currently have work study, we can help you through the process.

For more information, join us at one of our upcoming information sessions:

Friday, March 1 – 11:30 a.m. – DeNaples 214 
Thursday, March 7 – 11:30 a.m. – DeNaples 406

A full job description, application, and contact information can be found on scranton.edu/conferences.

Brennan Hall, room 500, was the setting for Student Government’s second meeting of the semester on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. Starting at 3:15 p.m., Senate had multiple guests attend the meeting, addressing topics such as the new Iggy Shuttle and a club charter.   

Senate Forum  

Each meeting, Student Government invites guests to discuss topics, ideas, and proposals that various departments at the University are working on through a forum discussion. This past week, Senate had the pleasure of welcoming Ms. Catherine Sanderson, Coordinator for Transportation and Parking Services, to the meeting. Ms. Sanderson discussed the new transportation shuttle on campus, the Iggy Shuttle, a twenty-four-passenger vehicle with the capacity to transport two wheelchairs. The Iggy Shuttle is currently being used by Athletics, but Senate will be working with Transportation and Parking Services to determine students’ interest in Montage Mountain or Dickson City trips via the Iggy Shuttle on the weekends. Senate is also exploring other uses for the shuttle that we hope to update students on! 

New Business  

This past week, Student Government appointed a new senator to fill the empty Class of 2019 Senator seat. Sarah Laga, a double major in international studies and philosophy, as well as a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program was appointed by Senate to fill the empty seat. Sarah will serve as a member of the Academic and Scholastic Affairs Committee.  

In addition to the appointment, Senate met with prospective members of The Knitting Club to discuss the possibility of receiving a club charter. The club has the intentions of meeting biweekly during the school semester to knit and learn various knitting techniques. The club would be open to all members of the University, and the club leaders have the intention of donating the knitted material to local venues. Senate unanimously passed the club charter, pending future approvals.   

Executive Reports 

Re-Imagining SG, our comprehensive plan, guided much discussion regarding Executive Reports at the previous Senate meeting, as President Coughlin addressed his vision of creating a Diversity and Inclusion Committee on campus, and Chief of Staff Barr addressed upcoming elections and the Spring Street Sweep which will be held on April 13th. In addition, Director of Communications Sunday updated Senate on her goal of rebranding Student Government with more interactive social media posts and the creation of a Student Government logo. Finally, Secretary Geerinck informed Senate that she is working with senators to digitize the Student Government binders for easier access to past meeting information.  

Senate Committee Reports 

The Academic and Scholastic Affairs Committee informed Senate that it will be working with president Coughlin in establishing a Diversity and Inclusion Committee on Campus. The committee will also be meeting with Dr. Gingerich, the Provost, to discuss the possibility of integrating Service Learning requirements into the Kania School of Management and the College of Arts and Sciences. 

The Appropriations and Student Transitions Committee noted that the Commuter Student Association will be receiving the Late Night Incentive, a cash prize given by Student Government for clubs who hold a Late Night event with one hundred guests or more, for their first formal dance held on Feb. 8, 2019. In addition, the committee informed Senate of the Club Tier System’s reporting deadline of March 20, in which club sports must report how much money is deposited in their club accounts.  

The Athletics and Programming Committee noted that they are starting to begin meetings for our Spring Street Sweep event on April 13th and are open to any suggestions for enhancing the event through additional activities.  

The Campus Life and Dining Services Committee will be working on promoting the Bag Lunch Program on campus in which Dining Services will provide students, who have at least 14 meals per week meal plan, with a bagged lunch to be taken to off-campus internships, clinicals etc. 

Finally, the Safety, Justice, and Service Committee will begin meeting with various departments on campus to discuss two aspects of the Re-Imagining SG plan: off-campus sidewalk cleaning and crosswalk enforcement on campus.  

As demonstrated by the packed meeting, Student Government is busy with various projects and initiatives. If any questions arise with respect to what Student Government is working on, or if you have any suggestions or interest in the current work of Student Government, please stop by the Student Government office, TDC Forum! As always, follow Student Government on Twitter and Instagram to receive additional updates: @uofssg. 

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program based in Cusco, Peru. Take 3, 6, or 9 credits in Spanish. Spanish for the Health Professions offered. OT students will be able to take 1 credit for fieldwork.

The program includes language classes in the mornings at Centro Tinku; all supervised activities in Cusco; trip and tour of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu; trip to Puno and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world; night at Amantani, an island inhabited by Quechua-speaking fishermen and farmers; and trip to Manu, in the Amazon rainforest. Optional Latin American Studies course in English (or Spanish): “Perspectives of Health, Healthcare, and Well-being in Latin America”.

Register before Feb. 28.

Contact Drs. Julia Guzman and Ana Ugarte for more details.

Want to mix-up your fitness routine? Looking for something fun to do tonight? CHEW is offering two special sessions of POUND- Rockout. Workout. during the month of February!

WHEN: Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Aerobics Room-Byron Gym!

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Channel your inner rockstar with this full-body cardio jam session inspired by the infectious, sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums. Using Ripstix?, lightly weighted exercise drumsticks, torch calories and pound away stress- all while rocking out to your favorite music! Beginners welcome! Free for students, faculty and staff. Bring your own mat if you have one.
Check it out here.

Sponsored by The Center for Health Education & Wellness

Throughout time, children have heard from their mothers, “Don’t use that tone with me.” In the Chinese language, as well as others, intonation and inflection is everything. Even a slight alteration in tone can completely change what you are trying to say. Global Insights invites you to experience the Chinese language in a fascinating, interactive presentation given by exchange scholar Chia-Ying (Andie) Liao, MA, of Taiwan, on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Rose Room, Brennan Hall 509. Registration is required. 

Andie, who has a master of arts in applied Chinese language and culture, has enjoyed working as a teacher of Chinese language and culture at both The University of Scranton and the Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School for kids ages 5-14. She states that teaching the children Chinese is challenging. She gets very little time with them weekly, they have had little experience in the world, and no opportunity for immersion within the Chinese culture; whereas,  college students have a greater chance of encountering people, culture and visiting China. She feels that immersion is key to learning and understanding a new language. “If you don’t get the immersion experience, and see other peoples, you don’t feel the need to stick with the language and learn the culture.”

As a student in Taiwan, she grew up learning both Mandarin Chinese and English. A favorite childhood pastime was watching American movies to increase exposure to English and American culture. Relating to her hobby, when asked about her experience in the Scranton area so far, she said: “Being here is like being in a movie.”

This program is being offered by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, the Cross Cultural Centers, Residence Life and the Office of Equity and Diversity. A light lunch featuring cuisine from the highlighted country will be served. Registration for this event is required. Click here to register. For more information, please contact Huey Shi Chew at hueyshi.chew@scranton.edu or 570-941-7575.

Nineteen University of Scranton education majors are serving as student teachers during the spring semester at eight local schools in the following seven school districts: Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit, Mid Valley, Forest City Regional, North Pocono, Bear Creek Charter, Valley View and Dunmore

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.

Courtney Boag of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, will student teach at Dunmore Learning Center;

Emily Carr of Elmhurst Township will student teach at Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Briana Cieszko of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, will student teach at Forest City Regional Elementary;

Matthew Criscione of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, will student teach at North Pocono Middle School;

Thomas Doyle of Florham Park, New Jersey, will student teach at Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Kaitlin Fivek of Newtown will student teach at Bear Creek Community Charter School;

Nate Goberdon of Scranton will student teach at Forest City Regional Elementary;

Jennifer Gold of Somers, New York, will student teach at Bear Creek Community Charter School;

Richard Hembury of Rocky Point, New York, will student teach at Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Amanda Iacono of East Stroudsburg will student teach at Valley View Middle School;

Erika Maxson of Greentown will student teach at Valley View Middle School;

Caitlin Nicosia of Breezy Point, New York, will student teach at Dunmore Elementary;

Brian O’Connor of Great Bend will student teach at Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Devan Pecoraro of Clinton, New Jersey, will student teach at Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Emma Percival of Granby, Connecticut, will student teach at Dunmore Elementary;

Cyan Scarduzio of Ossining, New York, will student teach at Valley View Intermediate;

Rebecca Silverman of Westbury, New York, will student teach at Dunmore Learning Center;

Elizabeth Tolley of Brookside, New Jersey, will student teach at North Pocono Middle School;

Emilie Tronoski of Morgantown will student teach at Valley View Middle School.

During this past Christmas season on campus, in the midst of the wreaths, trees and lights, there were some decorations that stood out. These blue silhouettes of people, or blue shadows, represented refugees and migrants on their journeys. They were found in several different buildings around campus, including DeNaples, Leahy Hall, the Loyola Science Center, and Brennan Hall. Each building had a group or “family” of three shadows. A “Welcome Refugees” banner also hung above the Nativity Scene inside the windows of DeNaples with a collection of blue shadows, a reminder that the members of the Holy Family were refugees.

This project was organized by the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Student Club, named for the international Catholic relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The club focuses on social justice issues, advocacy, solidarity, and other guiding principles of the CRS organization. A major focal point for the club this year is migration, which corresponds with current events at the United States-Mexico border and the migrant caravan. The blue shadows were placed around campus to draw attention to migration, and the journeys of refugees and migrants worldwide during this season of love and hope.

Each group of shadows was accompanied by the story of a real migrant’s journey to the United States. The stories were taken down at the Kino Border Initiative, an organization on the United States-Mexico border that is dedicated to promoting “US/Mexico border and immigration policies that affirm the dignity of the human person and a spirit of bi-national solidarity” through accompaniment, education, advocacy, and collaboration (Kinoborderinitiative.org). Every year, Campus Ministries’ International Service Program sends a group of students and chaperones to the Kino Border Initiative, where the group has the opportunity to speak with migrants and hear their stories first-hand. Upon returning home, the group is encouraged to advocate for the migrants and share their stories.

Students have had positive reactions and increased interest in the blue shadows. For those who hope to learn more, the CRS club will be having a refugee simulation on February 22 from 5-7 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Student Center to help students “walk in the shoes of refugees.” We hope you can join us!

Student Government's weekly update is here! Read more below.

Over intersession and into the spring semester, Student Government has been busy attending conferences, working on projects, planning an event, but most importantly, crafting a new plan for the upcoming semester.

The intersession season began with the president of Student Government Matthew Coughlin’s departure to St. Louis University to attend the Jesuit Student Government Association’s Winter Summit. This was the inaugural meeting for the association, which will serve as a medium for Jesuit student governments to explore topics, express ideas and collaborate on projects. The JSGA Winter Summit hosted representatives from 21 Jesuit colleges and universities to discuss issues such as sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and structural organization, all aimed at tackling concerns that each college and university face.

As Coughlin noted, “I think the importance of the JSGA cannot be emphasized enough. The ability to sit down and have conversations with student body presidents from numerous institutions gave insight beyond superficial conversations.”

Learning How We Can Improve For You

In the middle of January, senator Zoë Haggerty, director of communications Maddie Sunday and president Matthew Coughlin attended the Student Government Association Pennsylvania Drive-In hosted by Susquehanna University. Five colleges and universities from Pennsylvania attended the Drive-In aimed at discussing the roles that student governments play in enhancing the experience that students have at their respective institutions. The Drive-In highlighted the themes of budgeting, structure and engagement and how these themes can be applied to future projects and ideas. Primarily broken into break-out sessions, Coughlin discussed budgeting systems and how certain systems can be improved with a group of student government treasurers. Sunday and Haggerty also sat down with communications and marketing directors to discuss student engagement and the planning of new campus events. Overall, the SGA PA Drive-In provided the Student Government with several insights and ideas on how improvements and even modifications can be made with respect to initiatives and plans for the spring semester.

Over the intersession season, Student Government was very fortunate to have spent much time networking with individuals as demonstrated by our attendance at the two highlighted conferences. This networking provided much insight into the workings of other student governments as the individuals that attended the conferences began to consolidate ideas and craft a plan to apply these ideas to the spring semester. Re-Imagining SG, our comprehensive plan for the semester, has resulted from these networking events, which has given Student Government the foundation to expand its reach across campus. The plan encompasses six key action items that highlight the themes of student life, diversity and inclusion, and academic affairs.

“I’m really excited about the plan because I feel it will show students just how capable Student Government is to make the lives of students at the University better,” said Coughlin.

Each committee within Student Government has been given a specific task within the plan in the hopes of completion by the end of the spring semester.

To continue reading, click here. 

There is so much happening on and around campus. We don’t want you to miss any of it. Here’s a list of what’s happening.

Friday 2/8

• Leap Information Session 12:30-1:30 p.m. @ TDC
• Dean Rivera Drop-in Hours 12-2 p.m. @ TDC
• Muslim Jum’ah Service 1-2 p.m. @ Campus Mosque
• Student Nurses’ Association Monthly Meeting 3-4 p.m. @ Moskovitz Theater
• Wrestling vs. Middlesex County College 6 p.m. @ Lackawanna College
• Wrestling vs. Rutgers  7 p.m. @ Lackawanna College
• Formal Dance 9 p.m. @ TDC
• Gaming Club Meeting 7 p.m.-10p.m. @ LSC
• Last day to register for Chew’s Fitness Challenge
• United Cultures Organization Meeting 8 p.m. @ TDC

Saturday 2/9

• Weekday Mass 12:05 p.m. @ Chapel of Sacred Heart
• Women’s Basketball v. Juniata 1 p.m.@ John Long Center
• Men’s Basketball v. Juniata 3:30 p.m. @ John Long Center

Sunday 2/10

• Sunday Mass 11a.m., 4:30p.m., 7 p.m. @ LSC
• Mass with Fr. Mario Powell  7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.@  LSC
• Men & Women’s Track and Field DuCharme Invitational 10 a.m. @ Dickinson College

Monday 2/11

• Two Step Enrollment Deadline
• Weekday Mass 12:05 p.m., 4:40 p.m.@  Chapel of Sacred Heart
• Mindfulness Meditation 5-5:30 p.m. @ Library RM 305
• Yoga 4 p.m. @ Royals Room
• Pilates 6 p.m. @ Royals Room
• Fit and Faithful Circuit 7 p.m.@ Aerobics Room
• Yoga Flow 7 p.m. @ Royals Room

Tuesday 2/12

• Valentine’s Day Chocolate Roses Sale 11 a.m.-3 p.m.@ TDC
• Weekday Mass 12:05 p.m., 4:40 p.m. @ Chapel of Sacred Heart
• Mindfulness Meditation 5-5:30 p.m. @ Library RM 305
• Circle K Meeting 5:30-6:30 p.m.@ LSC 334
• Irish Dance 6 p.m. @ Royals Room
• Zumba 7 p.m. @ Royals Room
• Exercise Science Club Meeting 7 p.m.-8 p.m.@  LSC 233

Wednesday 2/13

• USPB Restaurant Night 5 p.m.-8p.m.@  TDC
• Weekday Mass 12:05 p.m., 4:40 p.m. @ Chapel of Sacred Heart
• Energizing Yoga 6 p.m. @ Royals Room
• Hatha Yoga 12:15-12:50 p.m. @ Leahy Center McGurrin Hall
• Schemel Forum with Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program 5:30 p.m.@  TDC
• Zumba 7 p.m. @ Royals Room
• Criminal Justice Meeting 8 p.m.-9p.m. @ STT 412
• Chess Club Meeting 8 p.m.-9:15 p.m. @ LSC 125
• Men’s Basketball v. Drew 7 p.m.@ Madison, N.J.
• Women’s Basketball v. Drew 7 p.m. @ John Long Center

Thursday 2/14

• Weekday Mass 12:05 p.m., 7 p.m. @ Chapel of Sacred Heart
• Energizing Yoga 5 p.m. @ Royals Room
• Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy 4:40 p.m.@  Ciszek Hall
• USPB Snowtubing Trip 5 p.m.@ Montage Mountain
• Zumba 6 p.m.@ Royals Room

Friday 2/15

• Weekday Mass 12:05 p.m., 4:40 p.m.@ Chapel of Sacred Heart
• Gentle Yoga 12:10 p.m.-12:40 p.m.@  BRN Hall
• Wrestling v. Wilkes 6 p.m.@  La Plume, PA
• Men and Women’s Swimming & Diving Landmark Conference Championships @ Germantown, MD

Interested in going to law school or pursuing a career in law? Join The University of Scranton's Pre-Law Society for a Q&A alumni panel and networking reception on Friday, Feb. 22 from 3-5:15 p.m. on the 5th floor of the Weinberg Library. Drinks and hors-d'oeuvres will be served. Students will have the opportunity to forge important internship and networking connections with alumni working in the area. This is a great event open to students of all majors and ages.

Dress is business casual. 

If you'd like to register for the event, please contact the Pre-Law Society President: marlene.geerinck@scranton.edu

 

The University of Scranton’s Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW) will offer its annual Fitness Challenge from Feb. 10 to March 10 this semester.

“The great thing about the fitness challenge is it’s open to the entire campus community, so students, faculty and staff are able to register through noon on Friday, Feb. 8,” Stephanie Adamec, director of CHEW said.

The challenge encourages students, faculty and staff to complete a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week for at least three out of the four weeks.

“The reason why it’s 150 minutes is because the CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity as a guideline for exercise,” Adamec said.

Students like Taylor Septer of Langhorne, a senior secondary education – general science major at Scranton, finds the exercise challenge to be mentally relaxing.

“It’s a nice break from my schoolwork and a little reprieve I have a couple times a week,” Septer said. “Even during my busy weeks, it pushes me to get down here to the gym and give myself a mental break.”

Last spring semester, CHEW had more than 850 students, faculty and staff signed up for the challenge, logging over 6,550 hours of exercise. This semester, more than 800 members of the University community have signed up.

“I would classify this a Scranton tradition, we have more than 500 people register every year,” Adamec said.

Students, faculty and staff can complete the challenge individually or with a team of up to five members. Kristen Gensinger of Seaford, New York, a junior strategic communication major at the University, is on a team with her friends.

“I like that it’s something I can do with my friends,” Gensinger said. “All my friends are on a team and we motivate each other, stay active and have fun.”

This year, there are all new optional “Wellness Challenges” to complete for people who signed up. One of the new challenges is called “POUND – Rockout Workout.” The event takes place on Feb. 14 and Feb. 21 and lets students, faculty and staff unwind while playing music.

“We’ve added two ‘POUND’ workout classes, where you use drumsticks and music, and we have a faculty member that is teaching it,” Adamec said. “It’s a class just designed to pound your stress away using music and movement.”

Adamec recommends bringing a friend along while doing the challenge to get into the routine of staying fit.

“You motivate each other and inspire each other to go on days that aren’t great,” Adamec said. “It’s all about habit forming that’s why we have it for 30 days, it’s designed intentionally because we know we need over 21 days to form a habit so we have it be four weeks so your forming that habit of regular exercise.”

The Fitness Challenge begins Sunday, Feb. 10. Once the challenge is completed on Sunday, March 10, students, faculty and staff who submitted three out of four fitness logs can qualify for a raffle and a free t-shirt.

Our toes tapped nervously on the airport tile as we waited for the gate to open in the wee hours of the morning. Occupational therapy fieldworks can be intimidating without the additional pressures of building a home and bridging a language barrier in the Dominican Republic. Cambiando Vidas (Changing Lives) constructs houses for deserving families in San Juan while simultaneously encouraging community support and personal responsibility. The organization’s founder Jose collaborated with Dr. Chandra Dombroski to arrange this special trip for the O.T. students to build a home and host a pop-up clinic. Cambiando Vidas certainly lived up to its influential name.

Upon our arrival to the site, a modest foundation and layout of a house greeted us. We were quick to throw ourselves into the chaos of passing bloques, laying down mecla, lifting heavy buckets of concreto and sweating out any fears we had before landing. At first, our interactions with the workers and volunteers were hesitant and curious; both groups were unsure of what to expect from one another. Fourteen University of Scranton women rushed around to lift, hammer, pile, dump, and collect materials with determination to prove ourselves. As the hours and days rolled on, Spanish words and big gestures began to ease the burden of communication and expectations. Pretty soon, jokes were being made and laughs were shared all around. As the house was becoming a home, the nervousness around us was reborn into close-knit bonds.

In the pop-up clinic, our supervisors — Drs. Chandra Dombroski and Julia Guzman — divided and conquered responsibilities. Julia primarily translated for clients’ intakes and Chandra assisted with evaluations and treatment guidance. As students, we struggled with the weight of providing the services these wonderful clients deserved. We quickly learned the challenges of a language barrier and necessary adaptations to interventions. The multitude of thank-yous after just taking vitals motivated our efforts. One older woman with an improperly healed wrist fracture was content just talking about her pain; she tried very hard to comprehend our broken Spanish recommendations. She hugged us tightly after discharge and said, “Thank God for you girls.” We were fortunate enough to also observe at a local rehabilitation center. Though complete strangers, the therapists warmly welcomed and incorporated us into treatment sessions effortlessly. Their generosity and broad kindness will not be easily forgotten. The course of this fieldwork experience taught us so much about what we knew, what we could learn in a week, and what research we need to complete upon our return. Our desire to be better professionals reinvigorated by the kindness and obstacles we faced.

As our week concluded, a house-warming ceremony with the family and community members combined many words of encouragement, blessings, and hope for a better future. We came to the Dominican Republic with open hearts, but would leave full of love and admiration for the people we met. Now, our toes tapped timidly on the tile of another airport floor. Our lives changed from the physical, mental, and emotional demands of this trip. None of us wanted to go home yet; we didn’t want to leave our new extended family behind. However, we stepped onto the plane with hope for a better future — for our homes and for theirs.

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What course are you taking and where are you taking it?

This intersession I enrolled in my third fieldwork course in the Dominican Republic.

What is your year and major?

I am a senior in the occupational therapy program.

What made you want to study there?

I wanted to be a part of an experience that applied my new therapeutic knowledge in a Jesuit volunteer type of setting. I have done ISP once before but wanted to return to an international program with healthcare in mind.

What has been your favorite part of the trip?

My favorite part of the trip had to be the people. Our group was nervous about how we’d be received especially without being fluent in Spanish. We quickly learned how welcoming, generous, and understanding the workers, clients, and local therapists would be to us. We received hugs after taking vitals, shared laughs while building a home, and related to therapists through observation and demonstration. I’ve never felt more comfortable abroad.

What have you learned from this experience?

I learned so much about flexibility and thinking on your toes. We faced numerous obstacles between building a home and the pop-up clinic. I had to be ready to run to my next task and pick it up quickly when needed. I had to work with my peers on how to educate different clients in another language or provide exercises through demonstrations. Not one moment was dull or boring, so we had to get creative and be patient with ourselves.

Has it changed you? How?

My eyes have been opened to international differences in occupational therapy. Across borders, some techniques remain the same while others are extremely varied due to resources, circumstances, and needs. I recognize now the value in things I may not understand from afar, but after having hands-on experience, can learn why it’s developed down that path.

What advice would you give to college students interested in studying abroad?

If financially and academically able, STUDY ABROAD. My advice would be to travel to a place you’re willing to adapt to and learn more about. If you don’t give up what is your “normal”, your experience abroad will be so limited. The people you meet will be so appreciative when you show interest in their language, culture, history, and traditions.

Why do you think it's important to have a "global" experience in college?

Broadening your horizons through studying abroad can add perspective to your understanding of the world and sense of self. We live our lives rarely reflecting on the little things that make up our society and culture. Exploring other countries allows us to question the smallest aspects of our interactions with others and compare the dynamics we’ve experienced. It gives us the opportunity to understand cultural differences and how that affects relationships personally, professionally and politically.

This article originally appeared in The Dispatch, The University Police Department's newsletter. Read it here.

I transferred to The University of Scranton as a sophomore in the fall semester of 2017. Before the start of the semester, I was looking for potential places to work on campus and I came across the University Police web page. I found some information about the Student Officer program and found it very intriguing. I have always been interested in law enforcement, so I decided to apply.

Once I was hired, I was welcomed with open arms and immediately became a part of the University Police family. My coworkers made my first few weeks at The University of Scranton so much easier because it gave me people to talk to when I didn’t know anyone else. Some of those people are now my closest friends.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I applied, but working as a Student Officer has been so much more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. As a Student Officer, I am a link between the University Police and the community that we serve. Every single shift I work is different and I never know what kind of situations I may encounter while on patrol. I have learned to be prepared for anything and to treat the people with whom I interact with dignity and respect. Through handling different situations, I have learned how important it is to remain level headed when responding to a call for service.

Because of the nature of the situations I am involved with, I have been able to improve my critical thinking and conflict resolution skills, as well as the ability to make quick decisions under pressure. Above all, working as a Student Officer has enhanced my leadership capabilities, my interpersonal skills and my ability to understand people. These skills I have learned, and continue to learn, are very important in any law enforcement field. I am confident that these skills will help me get a job after I graduate, and will help to differentiate myself from other applicants.

This past summer I was lucky enough to apply the skills I learned in the SO program while working for the Ocean City, Maryland, Police Department as a public safety officer. All the skills and knowledge I gained while working as a Student Officer applied to my time in Ocean City. From the application processes to my last day on the job, I felt extremely comfortable and prepared while working for OCPD. It is a large department, and everything is very fast paced, but I was able to adapt and succeed very quickly. I attribute that success to my time spent with the University Police Department.

My experience as a Student Officer helped me to expertly handle many stressful situations that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. As an ROTC Cadet and future Army officer, the ability to lead and interact well with others is key. Working as a Student Officer has greatly enhanced my leadership skills and my confidence in the ability to lead others.

Since being promoted to Student Officer Corporal, I have taken on the responsibility of supervising a shift and training new Student Officers. My role as a Corporal is to develop other Student Officers, mentor them, evaluate them and hold us all accountable for our actions. These are the basics of leadership and are the same tasks I will be performing as an Army officer, so it is great practice and development for me. Additionally, the other skills I have picked up in the Student Officer program directly relate to the Army. Being an Army officer means being good at managing people so the interpersonal, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills I have learned will be a great help for me in my future.

I am looking forward to the next year-and-a-half working as a Student Officer in the program. Once I graduate, I know I will always be grateful for my time spent with University Police and all the valuable lessons it will have taught me.

Hans Gindlesberger discussed his exhibit “I’m in the Wrong Film: Photographs by Hans Gindlesberger,” at a gallery lecture at the University on Feb. 1. The exhibit is on display at the Hope Horn Gallery through March 1.

Gindlesberger began his work as a photographer in college taking stray, isolated images without a narrative context. He said the images “blended in with what everybody else was doing at the time. Anything that I was doing wasn’t especially distinct or provocative,”

During his sophomore year at Bowling Green State University, his photography professor Lou Krueger taught him how to tell a story with photographs.

“He was a huge influence because he was the first photographer I encountered person-to-person that was working not with the world but with constructed imagery,” Gindlesberger said. “He was fabricating these things to be photographed rather than wandering around and trying to happen upon something.”

These fabricated photographs became the start of Gindlesberger’s storytelling through art.

“I made a lot of disconnected scenes – sort of one frame films – that didn’t tie together in any way, that didn’t tell any big arching story, but were each their own self-contained little narrative,” Gindlesberger said.

The pieces Gindlesberger presents in the exhibit contain images of real places, including some from his hometown in Northern Ohio. The images are also constructed in Photoshop to create his narratives by using technology.

“Photography is a medium that’s interesting, particularly because it has had so many different iterations,” Gindlesberger said. “Technology in the early days changed every three years, but now even more so in a radical and dynamic way.”

The art exhibit will be on display through March 1 in the Hope Horn Gallery, located on the fourth floor of Hyland Hall.

“What’s God got to do with it?”

This is the general topic of reflection and discussion on a retreat facilitated by the Office of Campus Ministries for our athletic teams. In fact, the women’s lacrosse and softball teams have been asking themselves this question every January for the past six years. As a kick-off to their season, Campus Ministries leads these two teams in a half day of team building and faith building (two things that are not mutually exclusive.) As the athletes begin their preparation for the season, they come to realize that not all preparation happens on the field. 

“The team loved the retreat! It gave us the opportunity to reflect both individually and as a team on different topics pertaining to athletics, life, and faith. It was a positive experience that enabled us to bond and to mentally & spiritually prepare for the season ahead,” said Cait Kollar ’19, a neuroscience major on the Women’s Lacrosse Team. 

This year, the Track & Field team had their inaugural retreat with plans to continue the tradition in years to come. They used a “peer leadership” model for their experience where, under the direction and guidance of Campus Ministries, a team of former Scranton athletes (now graduate students) led the half day with activities, witness talks, small group discussions, and prayer.

What’s God got to do with it?  Well, perhaps the prayer that ended this year’s retreats can shed some light: Creator God, You formed us as one team, each with gifts & talents, each with struggles and challenges. Each of us can contribute. Each of us can hinder. May we always recognize that no matter how we perform as members of Your team or any team, we are always “very good” in your eyes, and thus should always live and play with confidence. May we be All-In, All-Day, Every-Day. Amen.