The University of Scranton has awarded 18 students from its class of 2023 four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships. The Presidential Scholarship recipients are Emily Amershek, Lauren Cawley, Matthew Earley, Michael Edwards, Jared Fernandez, Dominic Finan, Timothy Gallagher, Angela Hudock, Amanda Lamphere, James Lanning, Sarah Liskowicz, Molly Neeson, Michael Quinnan, Muhammad Shaaf Sarwar, Cameron Shedlock, Claire Sunday, Kathleen Wallace and Daniel Zych.
Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students with outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition provided that the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average.
Emily Amershek, New Ringgold, graduated as valedictorian from Tamaqua Area High School. She was designated an AP Scholar and was awarded the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and English National Honor Society. She was captain of the varsity volleyball team and a student leader of Raiders Step Up, a club which focused on improving mental health to prevent addiction. Amershek volunteered with Big Brother Big Sister and youth group, and she tutored English, math and chemistry. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Amershek will major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology on the pre-med track. She is the daughter of Tom and Melissa Amershek.
Lauren Cawley, Duryea, graduated from Scranton Preparatory School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a student government class representative. In high school, she was also captain of the varsity softball team and co-founded the Respect Life Service Club. Cawley volunteered as a program tutor at Nativity Miguel School, as well as participated in the University’s SPARK Summer Service Program at Chapman Lake and at Junior Leadership Wilkes-Barre. Cawley will major in secondary education-mathematics. She is the daughter of Donna and Brian Cawley, who is a 1989 graduate of The University of Scranton.
Matthew Earley, Perkasie, graduated from La Salle College High School. A National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist, he was a Mathlete and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also was awarded the Harvard Book Award. He ran cross country, as well as indoor and outdoor track. Earley participated in community service trips to Appalachia and Philadelphia and engaged in homeless outreach. A member of the Business Honors Program, Earley will major in finance at the University. He is the son of Joanna and John Earley, who are 1992 and 1993 graduates of The University of Scranton.
Michael Edwards, Wadsworth, Ohio, graduated from Wadsworth High School. A National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalist, he received the National AP Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction awards. He was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the varsity swim team and was a district qualifier for two years. Edwards volunteered at a homeless shelter and a food pantry. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Edwards will major in mathematics and theology. He is the son of Jon and Karen Edwards.
Jared Fernandez, Tunkhannock, graduated as salutatorian from Tunkhannock Area High School. He was a National Merit Commended Scholar and member of the National Honor Society. In high school, he was involved in the Ski Club. Fernandez also participated in food drives. He is a nursing major at the University. He is the son of Kim and Gus Fernandez, who earned his master’s degree in 2014 from The University of Scranton.
Dominic Finan, Malvern, graduated from Great Valley High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Latin Honor Society. He was student body treasurer and an active member of Model United Nations, Future Business Leaders of America and Junior Classical League. He also competed on the cross-country and track and field teams. Finan shadowed healthcare professionals at Paoli Hospital and served as a volunteer instructor in Tang Soo Do, in which he holds the rank of second-degree black belt. A member of The University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Finan will major in neuroscience on the pre-med track. He is the son of Don and Debbie Finan.
Timothy Gallagher, River Vale, New Jersey, graduated from Bergen County Academies. He was a National Merit Commended Scholar and also a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He participated in concert and chamber choirs as well as the Generation Coders Club, which volunteered to teach middle-school students how to code. Gallagher was an altar-server and member of the church choir. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and Magis Honors Program in STEM, Gallagher will major in computer science at Scranton. He is the son of Guy and Annette Gallagher.
Angela Hudock, Sayre, graduated as valedictorian from Athens Area High School. She was a National Merit Commended Scholar. She was actively involved in Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America and Scholarship Challenge and was the vice president of Red Cross and Students Against Destructive Decisions. She was also her class secretary. Hudock served as a certified volunteer EMT as a part of her local ambulance company’s Junior Program and also participated in her church’s weekly community meal program. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM, Hudock will major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. She is the daughter of Dr. Michael and Diane Hudock.
Amanda Lamphere, Sellersville, graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy. She was a National Merit Commended Scholar and served as secretary of the National Honor Society. She was awarded the Fairfield University Book Award for outstanding academic success. Lamphere participated in theatre, choir, dance, the Gold Key Club and video marketing. She co-directed Broadway Wishes, a student-led fundraiser performance for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Other services included tutoring, teaching music at Southampton Music Company, music ministry, youth ministry and visiting patients at the Grand View Hospital. Lamphere is a secondary education-mathematics major at the University. She is the daughter of Thomas and Rose Lamphere.
James Lanning, Mountain Top, graduated from Crestwood High School. He was also a student in the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Online. He was a member of the French National Honor Society and participated in French Club and theatre. He also was selected to attend county, district and regional chorus. Lanning is a physics major and the son of Bruce and Darlene Lanning, Ph.D.
Sarah Liskowicz, Laflin, graduated as valedictorian from Holy Redeemer High School. She was a National Merit Commended Scholar and received a gold medal in the National Spanish Exam. She was also awarded the Diocese of Scranton Bishop’s Youth Award. In high school, she was a cabinet member of the National Honor Society, president and founder of Baking Club and secretary of Investment Club. Additionally, she was captain of the volleyball team and participated in track and field, bell choir and the speech and debate team. She completed National Guild Auditions in piano for nine years. Liskowicz was an altar server, lector and extraordinary minister for her parish. She also coached high school volleyball camps for middle school students and was a Girl Scout for 11 years, earning a silver award. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Liskowicz will major in neuroscience at Scranton. She is the daughter of Susan and Robert Liskowicz, who was a 1989 graduate of The University of Scranton.
Molly Neeson, Pottstown, graduated as salutatorian from Pottsgrove High School. She was a member of the National Honors Society. She was also the vice president of Falcon Friends, a club that assists special needs students, captain of her varsity cross-country and track teams and a member of Quiz Bowl. Neeson volunteered with Special Olympics and worked with Green Allies, an environmental non-profit. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Neeson will major in environmental science. She is the daughter of Tom and Marisa Neeson.
Michael Quinnan, Shavertown, graduated from Dallas High School as a Gelso Scholar. He was a co-president of the National Honor Society and team captain of Science Olympiad. He was designated an AP Scholar with Distinction and was awarded a Science Olympiad Regional Medal nine times. He was a Model UN Outstanding Delegate and PennDOT Innovations Challenge State Finalist. He was also a member of the National Association for Music Education All-National Honor Ensemble Mixed Choir, Knowledge Bowl, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Environmental Forum and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Choir. Quinnan volunteered at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, SPCA of Luzerne County and the Luzerne County Fair. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM, Quinnan will major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. He is the son of Harold and Patti Quinnan, who are 1993 and 1996 graduates of The University of Scranton.
Muhammad Shaaf Sarwar, Lahore, Pakistan, graduated from the Beaconhouse School System. He was a Science Olympiad head delegate and a member of the student council as class prefect. He also participated in volleyball, Model UN, and was president of the Literacy Club. He worked as an intern in several nonprofit organizations, including the Akhuwat Leadership and Youth Fellowship Program, the Care Foundation and the Parwah Foundation. He is a physics major at the University. He is the son of M. Sarwar Ehsan and Farkhanda Jabeen.
Cameron Shedlock, White Haven, graduated from Wyoming Seminary. He won a first award at state level for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science at Penn State. He was a member of the cum laude society, the engineering club, leader of medical club and captain of the varsity cross-country team. Shedlock volunteered at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and, for his Eagle Scout service project, built a handicap-accessible outdoor learning area at Fairview Elementary School. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM, Shedlock will major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. He is the son of Mark and Rochelle Shedlock.
Claire Sunday, South Abington Township, graduated as valedictorian from Scranton Preparatory School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Model United Nations and was a Scranton Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar. She was also a varsity captain for basketball cheerleading. Sunday served as a Kairos leader for hospice workers, led Vacation Bible School and volunteered at Scranton Prep’s open house and scholastic bowl. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Sunday will major in political science. She is the daughter of Katie and Dr. Michael Sunday, a 1984 graduate of The University of Scranton.
Kathleen Wallace, Bowie, Maryland, graduated as salutatorian from Rockbridge Academy. A National Merit Commended Scholar, she was captain of the varsity cross-country team, coordinator of Young Engineers and Scientists and a participant in the Science Olympiad. She also passed the National Latin Exam magna cum laude. She participated in Maryland State Bar Association Mock Trial, undefeated, and received the John Jay Mock Trial Award. Wallace volunteered as a counselor at Camp Wabanna, as well as a childcare volunteer, charity runner, Rotary Interact Service Club member, and grammar school tutor. A member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Wallace is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences. She has not yet declared a major. She is the daughter of Sean and Eileen Wallace.
Daniel Zych, Waverly, graduated as salutatorian from Scranton Preparatory School. He was a National Merit Commended Student and designated an AP Scholar with Distinction. He received two gold medals for the National Spanish Exam and three gold medals for the National Latin Exam, and he was a Scranton Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar. He was a member of the Advanced Technology Club, captain of the boys’ tennis team and student council homeroom representative. Zych volunteered as a tutor and also participated in the University’s SPARK service program. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Zych will major in mathematics. He is the son of Dr. John and Janice Zych, a 1995 graduate of The University of Scranton.