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Faculty

Sep 01, 2020

Fall Diversity and Inclusion Program for Faculty and Staff

The Office of Equity and Diversity, in collaboration with the Cross Cultural Centers, the Counseling and Human Services Department, and the Staff Senate are pleased to offer a new format for the Diversity and Inclusion Lunch/Learn Series for Fall 2020. You are encouraged to participate in each segment to get the full experience.

Emergency Notification System Test on Sept. 3 image

General

Sep 01, 2020

Emergency Notification System Test on Sept. 3

The University of Scranton will test its emergency notification system on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Staff

Sep 01, 2020

Staff Senate Call for Nominations

University staff, are you interested in joining Staff Senate? Please consider nominating yourself or a colleague.

An Update on University Actions to Combat Racism and Discrimination image

General

Aug 28, 2020

Dear Members of the University Community:

Although efforts to reopen campus for the Fall Semester in the midst of the pandemic demands considerable attention, we continue to make progress on actions to combat racism and ensure that Black Lives Matter at The University of Scranton.

First, as I mentioned in June, the Office of Equity and Diversity now reports to the President, and Elizabeth Garcia has quickly become a valuable member the President’s Cabinet as Executive Director of Equity and Diversity and now also Special Assistant to the President.

Today, the University has launched a Diversity and Inclusion website that will reside prominently on the University’s site and provide a consolidated overview and access point for resources and educational efforts across campus. Additionally, I asked the Office of Equity and Diversity to gather a fulsome account of many other related programs and actions that took place over the summer or that are planned for the fall. This report can be accessed on the new Diversity and Inclusion website by clicking here.

Briefly, however, I wanted to highlight just a few key actions on which the President’s Cabinet and I have focused these past several weeks. Many relate to the areas of concerns that were most frequently raised in June following the death of George Floyd and now in the deeply disturbing events in Wisconsin surrounding the shooting of Jacob Blake and three protestors:

Policy on racism, discrimination, bias and inclusion for all members of the University community.
- After I approved the new Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy in June, the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) with assistance from Student Life and Human Resources created a reporting and resources brochure for students, faculty and staff. Printed copies are also being distributed throughout campus. In addition, OED and Student Government collaborated to create a social media information campaign to promote the policy.
- Students, faculty and staff now may file reports of harassment, discrimination, bias or hate on-line. Reports can be filed anonymously.
- OED also provided training on the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy to all recently hired faculty and staff. Now that our community is back on campus, additional trainings will be announced over the next few weeks.

Long-term commitment through strategic planning:
- In coordination with the University Planning Committee and with feedback from across the University community, we have solidified our long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion by firmly embedding them into the new strategic plan. The plan will be presented to the Board of Trustees in September for approval.
- One of the five primary goals for this new plan is to: Reflect and understand the diversity of the world by demanding that diversity be a priority as we build an inclusive community and campus culture, develop and deliver our education and shape our student experience.

Training and development for students, faculty and staff.
- Student Life developed and implemented a session for all incoming students that focused on diversity and inclusion and educates students about microaggressions as part of every Summer Orientation session.
- Faculty were provided a host of curricular resources developed by OED.

The need to address better in our curriculum racism, discrimination and the cultural richness, and contributions of blacks and all persons of color.
- Faculty have begun a productive discussion to ensure that a review of general education this year includes a focus on the development and implementation of a curricular component that addresses racism and discrimination. In addition, some academic departments have already had significant discussions about how to strengthen their disciplinary curriculum and teaching methods.
- Relatedly, I approved a proposal from the History Department to hire a full-time faculty member with a focus on African American history. Other academic departments have submitted proposals for new faculty lines to strengthen our curriculum and help to diversify our faculty. We ask that any further proposals be submitted by September 4 to the Provost’s Office.

I want also to report progress related to faculty and staff hiring, an area of strategic importance. At my request, Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Patricia Tetreault, Vice President for Human Resources, convened a working group of faculty and staff to assist the Office of Equity and Diversity in identifying and implementing steps to expand the pool of candidates and intentionally seek to build a faculty and staff that better represent the growing diversity of our student body. I am grateful to the following individuals who have agreed to serve on this working group: George Aulisio, Lori Bruch, Elizabeth Garcia, Christie Karpiak, Michelle Maldonado and Nabil Tamimi. Additional information is included on the website.

Personally, I reached out throughout the summer to alumni who shared with me their experience as students of color, listening to their stories and seeking their advice. I was deeply moved by their candor. Consistently, they talked about being feeling marginalized by fellow students who used racist terms largely out ignorance and unfamiliarity with people of color. It is painful but necessary for all of us in the University community to acknowledge the presence of systemic racism, implicit bias, and microaggressions on our campus.

In the coming days, I will meet personally with several students of color, including leaders of our United Cultures Organization. I look forward to listening to them and to asking for their good counsel on ways that we can do better.

Creating a welcoming and supportive community is uniquely central to Scranton’s Catholic and Jesuit mission. I am grateful to the many members of campus for their efforts this summer and their plans for this fall. I recognize, however, that a list of activities is not enough to transform any institution and that there is so much more to be done. We must all commit ourselves to this work and accept nothing less than a community in which everyone feels welcome and safe.

Sincerely,

Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.

President

An Update on University Actions to Combat Racism and Discrimination

President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., sent An Update on University Actions to Combat Racism and Discrimination to the University community.

Faculty

Aug 26, 2020

GlobalProtect to be Deployed to Faculty, Staff Windows 10 Computers

Starting on Thursday, August 27, Information Technology will deploy GlobalProtect to all faculty and staff Windows 10 computers.

General

Aug 26, 2020

Meditation-Yoga-POUND Classes

CHEW's Weekly Wellness Classes kick-off this week.

Student

Aug 26, 2020

Students Can Explore Interests at Activities Fair

The University will hold the Fall 2020 Student Activities Fair on Saturday, Aug. 29, from noon to 3 p.m. on Fitzpatrick Field.

Safety Precautions at Masses Encourage University Community Members to Attend image

General

Aug 26, 2020

Encouraged by the safety precautions in place, hundreds of students, faculty and staff have turned out for campus Masses this semester. About 180 members of the University community attended the first Sunday Mass of the semester on Aug. 16, with more than 1,000 others watching via livestream.

Joseph Fullam ‘22 serves as a cantor and is among the musicians, lectors, ushers and greeters who have been trained by the Campus Ministries staff in safety precautions and protocol. With Royal card swipe-only access, social distancing and required masks in a large, well-ventilated area, students report feeling safe at the gatherings.

“I have felt safe going to Mass, because I know that every precaution is being taken in order to ensure my safety and the safety of my fellow students,” said Fullam. “I must wear a mask while I sing and must sterilize my hands every time I step on and off the cantor stand. While it is upsetting the congregation cannot sing with me, I am happy knowing they have put faith in me to sing and give glory to God on their behalf.”

The first Mass in the Byron Recreation Complex included a blessing of the Class of 2024 banner. University Campus Ministries is abiding by the liturgical guidelines of the Diocese of Scranton. Students, faculty and staff receive communion before exiting. The entire space is then sanitized.

Above: Rev. Herbert Keller, S.J., blesses the Class of 2024 banner at the Aug. 16 Mass.

“Because so much in our world has been disturbed by the COVID crisis, people are understandably unsettled,” said Rev. Herbert Keller, S.J., vice president for Mission and Ministry. “So, it is especially important that our school community can have the opportunity to be able to worship in a safe and comfortable environment. The Mass is at the heart of our life at this Catholic and Jesuit institution, so it is truly a blessing to be able to come together as a school community on Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m.”

Coming together as a community is paramount, especially right now, agreed Fullam.

“For me, Mass is the greatest display of community here at the University,” he said. “Being given the opportunity to gather as a family and share in something that represents who we are as students of The University of Scranton is an amazing gift!”

More than 220 members of the University community attended the second Mass of the semester on Aug. 23.

“At Campus Ministries, we are very grateful to all those who have come together to allow this to happen,” said Fr. Keller. “We thank Father Pilarz who made securing a proper space for Sunday Mass a top priority. We are grateful as well to all those in facilities, physical plant, and IT who have worked to put the space together for us."

For more information about Masses this semester, click here.

Safety Precautions at Masses Encourage University Community Members to Attend

Encouraged by the safety precautions in place, hundreds of students, faculty and staff have turned out for campus Masses this semester.

General

Aug 26, 2020

Global Insights Program

Delve into exciting countries and cultures when you attend Global Insights programs presented by students, staff and faculty who share their international heritage and experiences!

Career Development Tips for the Fall image

Student

Aug 26, 2020

Career Development Tips for the Fall

The Center for Career Development offers tips students can do now to be proactive and prepared for future job opportunities.

Scranton Among Nation’s Best Values for College image

Alumni

Aug 26, 2020

The University of Scranton ranked among the nation’s best values for a college education based on educational quality, affordability and alumni success, according to a 2020 ranking by Money magazine published online Aug. 25. Money ranked Scranton at No. 274 among its selection of the 739 “Best Colleges for Your Money” in America, a ranking of “schools that successfully combine quality and affordability.” Money based its ranking on its analysis of more than 20,000 data points.

This is the sixth consecutive year Money has listed Scranton among America’s best values in college education. Scranton was the highest ranked school in Northeastern Pennsylvania and had the eighth highest rank of the 25 Jesuit colleges listed.

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

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

The factors Money used to assess “outcomes” included the average salaries of alumni reported in PayScale early- and mid-career, and their reported earnings at these points adjusted by major. In addition to other factors, the “outcomes” criteria looked at socio-economic mobility index that uses data from the Equality of Opportunity Project, a study that examines the percentage of students that move from low-income backgrounds to upper-middle-class jobs before the age of 34.

Colleges with graduation rates below the national median, that were in financial difficulty, or that had fewer than 500 undergraduates, were not included in Money’s ranking.

Scranton has been recognized for its value in other national rankings such as U.S. News Forbes, The Economist and Barron’s.

Scranton Among Nation’s Best Values for College

Money magazine ranked Scranton among the nation’s “Best Colleges for Your Money” in a 2020 list published online today.

Faculty

Aug 26, 2020

The University of Scranton granted promotions and/or tenure to 20 faculty members effective at the start of the 2020-21 academic year.

Eleven faculty members have been promoted to professor: George Aulisio, library; Sean Brennan, Ph.D., history; Will Cohen, Ph.D., theology and religious studies; Paul Datti, Ph.D., counseling and human services; Michael Knies, library; Nathan Lefler, Ph.D., theology and religious studies; Sufyan Mohammed, Ph.D., communication; Jessica Nolan, Ph.D., psychology; Iordanis Petsas, Ph.D., economics and finance; Donna Witek, library; and Habib Zanzana, Ph.D., world languages and cultures.

Howard Fisher, Ph.D., communication, and Wendy Manetti, Ph.D., nursing, were named associate professors.

Six faculty members were named associate professor and granted tenure: Jinghan Cai, Ph.D., economics and finance; Ozgur Isil, Ph.D., operations and information management; Jo Ann Nicoteri, Ph.D., nursing; Patrick Orr, Ph.D., psychology; Juan Serna, Ph.D., physics and electrical engineering; and Nicholas Sizemore, Ph.D., chemistry.

Ahmed Gomaa, Ph.D., operations and information management, was granted tenure.

Prof. Aulisio, chair of the library, received his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and his master’s degrees from Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked for the University since 2009.

Dr. Brennan received his bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst University, his master’s degree from the Villanova University and his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame. He has worked for the University since 2009.

Dr. Cai received his bachelor’s degree from Renmin University of China, his doctorate degrees from the City University of Hong Kong and Boston College. He has worked for the University since 2014.

Dr. Cohen received his bachelor’s degree from Brown University, his master’s degree from St. Vladmir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and his doctorate from the Catholic University of America. He has worked for the University since 2009.

Dr. Datti received his bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University, his master’s degree from The University of Scranton and his doctorate from the Pennsylvania State University. He has worked for the University since 2009.

Dr. Fisher, chair of the Department of Communication and Media, received his bachelor’s degree from the Minnisota State University, his master’s degree from Texas Tech University and his doctorate from Ohio University. He has worked for the University since 2009.

Dr. Gomaa received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Alexandria in Egypt, and a MBA and doctorate from Rutgers University. He has worked for the University since 2016.

Dr. Isil received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, Austin, and his MBA and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. He has worked for the University since 2009.

Prof. Knies received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Pennsylvania State University and his master’s degree from Rutgers University. He has worked for the University since 1996.

Dr. Lefler received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, his master’s degree from Yale Divinity School and his doctorate from the Catholic University of America. He has worked for the University since 2008.

Dr. Manetti, received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Scranton and her doctorate from the Widener University. She has worked for the University since 2011.

Dr. Mohammed received his bachelor’s degree from Jai Hind College, his MBA degrees from Rizvi Institute of Management Studies and Research and the Rochester Institute of Technology, and his doctorate from Texas Tech University. He has worked for the University since 2008.

Dr. Nicoteri received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, her master’s degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton and her doctorate from the University of Maryland. She has worked for the University since 1985.

Dr. Nolan received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, her master’s degree from California State University and her doctorate from the University of Arkansas. She has worked for the University since 2008.

Dr. Orr received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, and his master’s degrees and his doctorate from Yale University. He has worked for the University since 2015.

Dr. Petsas, chair of the Economics and Finance Department, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Thessaloniki and his MBA degree and his doctorate from Indiana University. He has worked for the University since 2002.

Dr. Serna received his bachelor’s degree from Universidad de Antioquia and his master’s degree and his doctorate from the University of Arkansas. He has worked for the University since 2015.

Dr. Sizemore received his bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University and his doctorate from the University of California. He has worked for the University since 2015.

Prof. Witek received her bachelor’s degree from the Tisch School of the Arts and her master’s degree from Long Island University. She has worked for the University since 2008.

Dr. Zanzana received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and his doctorate from Indiana University. He has worked for the University since 1995.

University Announces Faculty Promotions

Twenty faculty members were granted rank and tenure promotions at the University.

Get to Know the new Director of Student Retention and Completion image

Staff

Aug 26, 2020

Nicholas Truncale '06, G'07 was appointed to the inaugural position of director of Student Retention and Completion this summer. Previously, he served as a faculty specialist in the University’s Department of Physics and Engineering. In addition to the time he spent in the classroom, he also served as the Coordinator of General Education Assessment and OEA Fellow in the Office of Educational Assessment and as the Coordinator of Elections for the Faculty Senate while serving on the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. As a faculty representative on the University’s Governance Council, Strategic Enrollment Planning and Student Retention committees, he has been an engaged contributor to student success initiatives for many years.

You're the inaugural director of Student Retention and Completion. Can you give us some examples of how you'll be helping students navigate transitions?

I am thrilled and excited to be in this new position at the University! I’ll be working closely with other departments and personnel on campus to implement proactive intervention strategies to advance student success metrics such as graduation rates, student satisfaction and student success. I’ll also be one more resource for students as they pursue their academic and personal endeavors. People in positions like mine at other institutions are known to be advocates for students. I do not solve problems for the student, but I guide them through the problem-solving process as they navigate transitions.

If any students are in need of information and/or guidance and would like to set up an appointment with me, please see my contact information here:

Nicholas.truncale@scranton.edu
Office: O’Hara 118
Phone: 570-941-6289

How will your experience as a faculty specialist inform how you work with students? Are you looking forward to connecting with Scranton students in a new way?

As a faculty specialist in physics and engineering, I routinely worked with students who were struggling with either coursework or the college life experience. I have counseled students as their support person through the conduct processes administered through Student Life. I have even supported students when they have lost a loved one or encountered personal challenges. These experiences fully inform how I will work with students in my new position.

It is my philosophy that everyone’s primary job at this university is to partner with students in their transformational years at the University. We must emulate kindness, patience, and respect so that our students learn from our own actions and behaviors. I am also looking to connect with students in new ways outside of the classroom. For example, I will be meeting with the leaders of Student Government to see their perspective on how my position can help students excel through their coursework and graduate.

I'm assuming that you had to jump right in this past summer. Can you tell us what you've done to help during this very unique transition?

I began my new position at the end of July and immediately scheduled meetings with staff from different areas on campus in order to learn about their programs and functions. More importantly, I’ve been studying how each area interfaces with one another. If there are pain points in the student experience, I hope to facilitate solutions. I, and others, have been discussing how we, as a campus, can approach retention from a strategic vantage point. I have also been working with the Office of Institutional Research and Office of the Registrar and Academic Services on some data analytics projects.

What're some of the goals of the office?

The University has had a standing Retention Committee for several years. Membership includes hard-working, caring leadership from all student-centered administrative units.

The committee’s goal, and my goal, is to support the academic, spiritual and personal persistence of all enrolled students at the University. I am privileged to now co-chair the committee. A new member of the committee sent a note after our first meeting this academic year and said, “By the middle of the meeting, I realized that this was a great example of what we talk about a lot -- cura personalis -- but seldom witness being done by a committee. I cannot believe the level of connectedness that everyone had to these individual students. It was clear that they were seeing the person and not just a spreadsheet. I just wish that the rest of the community could see this level of care and commitment.”

I think the level of care and commitment we have and demonstrate to our students makes the Scranton experience second to none.

You're a Scranton grad! How does being an alumnus inform your work?

I can still remember sitting in Dr. Klonoski’s Ethics course in St. Thomas Hall when he told me “You write like a scientist," which was accurate at the time being that I was a physics major. He taught me that sometimes it’s not enough to write down declarations and facts and to write with a technical focus to support a hypothesis. Sometimes an examination of an issue must include rhetoric devices and persuasive examples that show you fully grasp the topic. That really stuck with me and with my writing going forward. I think it shows how our General Education program at Scranton is so important (and excellent). I don’t know that I would have learned what I did from Dr. Klonoski at a different university. I was a science major and I wasn’t just a name to him in his Ethics course. The students who I will work with won’t just be names either.

Get to Know the new Director of Student Retention and Completion

Get to know Nicholas Truncale '06, G'07, the new director of Student Retention and Completion.

10th Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt Winners image

Community

Aug 26, 2020

10^th Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt

This past weekend The University of Scranton’s Office of Community Relations hosted its 10^th Annual Scavenger Hunt in downtown Scranton to give students an opportunity to explore the City of Scranton, including businesses, historical sites, landmarks, and murals. For many members of the first year class, this event is the first chance to acquaint themselves with their new home.

This year’s event was adapted to ensure safety in light of the coronavirus. Updates included offering the event asynchronously over the course of the entire weekend, wearing masks, maintaining 6 feet social distancing, and a new QR code system that enabled the event to be hosted entirely outdoors. Over 30 participating locations from across the downtown hosted “Iggy” posters in their windows for students to find. Students could scan QR codes on the posters to receive a clue with more information about the next location. In addition to the Scavenger Hunt, this year’s event also had two additional photo contests: one focusing on downtown landmarks and artistic murals and the other to mark the most creative photo overall.

“Despite the changes this year to ensure health and safety, we still had a great competition, community spirit, and creativity demonstrated by our students. Students immersed themselves in the city and got to know more about the rich history & culture and vibrant businesses in our community” said Carolyn M. Bonacci, community and civic engagement coordinator at the University.

vatsal-chetanbhai-shah-and-jamie-sainz-scavenger-hunt-winner-3-runner-up.jpg

This year’s winners are as follows:

Scavenger Hunt Winners:

Grand Prize: Vatsal Chetanbhai Shah, graduate student, India and Jamie Sainz, graduate student, Spain

Runners Up: Annette Johnson ’24, Silver Springs, MD and Kaleigh Timmons ’24, Bergenfield NJ

Downtown Murals and Landmarks Photo Contest Winners:

Grand Prize: Michelle Andruszko ’24, Drexel Hill, PA and Nicole Wirth ’24, Pompton Lakes, NJ

Runners Up: Francesca Fassett and Jenna Ziemba, High School Scholars

Creativity Photo Contest Winners:

Grand Prize: Kayla Murray ’24, Philadelphia, PA and Alexa Ryan ’24, Philadelphia, PA

Runners Up: Vatsal Chetanbhai Shah, graduate student, India and Jamie Sainz, graduate student, Spain

Over 140 teams registered for the event and 30 downtown businesses and cultural and city venues offered students a chance to experience different facets of the city. Photo highlights were shared by the Scranton Times-Tribune. The event demonstrated both that Royals can stay safe together and how much being in the City of Scranton means to the University: “I know it’s challenging, we’re all going through it, but it’s going to work out in the end we’re going to be stronger as a University and as a community because of it," said Diya Patel, sophomore and Community Relations intern, in a story by Fox56 that included interviews with the Community Relations team that organized the event, as well as participating business and longtime fixture of Courthouse Square, Northern Light Espresso Bar.

This event was held in collaboration with The Center for Student Engagement, The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center, and The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce & Metro Action, and Scranton Tomorrow.

Follow Community Relations on Facebook to view a full album of the winning photos.

10th Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt Winners

University of Scranton students safely enjoyed downtown Scavenger Hunt this past weekend

Student

Aug 24, 2020

Activities Fair, Aug. 29

The Fall 2020 Student Activities Fair Will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Fitzpatrick Field.

University President Stepping Down in May 2021 image

Community

Aug 19, 2020

University of Scranton President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., announced in a video to the campus community today his intention to step down at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. Father Pilarz said he came to the decision to conclude his term as Scranton’s 27^th president after assessing the progression of symptoms related to his diagnosis of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

“During the past two years, my love [for the University] has only grown stronger and my sense of gratitude deeper. I love the University too much to ever jeopardize her future. That is why I think it is prudent to step aside at the end of this year. The University needs a strong and steady hand, and I pray for the success of the search. I ask you all to pray with me for God’s continued grace and for the University’s unique place in the landscape of Catholic and Jesuit education,” said Father Pilarz in a video message.

During the upcoming year, Father Pilarz plans to focus on the health and safety of the campus community related to the pandemic; ways in which the University can address systemic racism; the continued success of the Slattery Center for the Humanities; the launch of the of the University’s 2020-2025 strategic plan; and the advancement of a capital campaign to build the University’s endowment, support its aspirations and enrich the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission.

“I would also like to direct my energy toward continuing to educate people about ALS, the urgent need for research and the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people living with ALS,” said Father Pilarz in his video message.

When Father Pilarz concludes his second term as president on May 31, 2021, he will have been the second-longest-serving president in the University’s history. Only J.A. Panuska, S.J. (1982-1998) has served a longer term as president.

During Father Pilarz’s second tenure as president, Scranton further advanced its commitment to providing students a transformative education in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition. The founding of the Slattery Center for the Humanities in 2019 underscores the core role that the liberal arts plays in the formation of students to become “men and women for and with others.” Renewed strategic enrollment initiatives led the University to add majors in academic areas of emerging growth, including mechanical engineering, cybercrime and homeland security, and business analytics, among others. The University increased its endowment to support student-faculty research and faculty development, and has strengthened scholarships and financial aid for students and their families. The University further aligned its commitment to serve the region by opening the Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence Executive Hub on campus to enhance services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The establishment of a new community-based learning office coordinates and encourages academic course projects focused on community needs. In response to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic church, Father Pilarz established the Task Force on Healing, Reconciliation and Hope.

James M. Slattery, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, announced in a letter to the campus community, also sent on Aug. 19, that the board has accepted Father Pilarz’s resignation “with an equal measure of gratitude and sadness.”

“As trustees, we could not be more pleased with the masterful way in which Father Pilarz has led the University throughout his presidency and especially during these past months – perhaps the most challenging time in our history. His love for the University – and especially our students – inspires all of us every day, and we take comfort in knowing that he continues to lead us through the end of next May,” said Slattery in the letter to the campus community.

According to Slattery, the University’s Board of Trustees will form a committee to conduct a national search for a new president that will seek input from the campus community and will make the “search process as inclusive as possible, within the necessary limits of confidentiality.”

University President Stepping Down in May 2021

Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., to step down as president on May 31, 2021, after assessing progression of symptoms related to his diagnosis of ALS.

Royals Safe Together Safety Ambassador Program image

General

Aug 19, 2020

Royals Safe Together Safety Ambassador Program

The University is launching a Safety Ambassador Program overseen by the Pandemic Safety Officer.

Scranton in Princeton Review’s Best Colleges List image

Alumni

Aug 18, 2020

For the 19^th consecutive year, The Princeton Review included Scranton among the nation’s “Best 386 Colleges” in its annual guidebook that published Aug. 18. In addition, The Princeton Review ranked Scranton for the sixth consecutive year among the nation’s “Best Campus Food” (No. 7) and “Best Science Lab Facilities” (No. 8). The Princeton Review also ranked Scranton at No. 15 in the nation for “Most Religious Students.”

The 2020 edition of the guidebook includes detailed profiles of each of “The Best 386 Colleges.” Scranton’s profile stated that students “like the fact that they are required to take courses in the ‘humanities, philosophy, and theology irrespective of [their] major.’ In turn, this ensures that students receive a well- rounded education.” Students also touted Scranton’s strong science programs and high acceptance rates to medical schools. Student’s also praised the faculty saying “they’re just so engaging and really know how to present the material in such a way that it’s interesting for us as students.”

For the annual guidebook, The Princeton Review selects schools it “believes are the best in the nation, academically.” Just 13 percent of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and universities are included. The book also includes The Princeton Review’s much publicized “Best of” lists of the “Top 20” colleges in 62 categories. The “Best of” lists are based entirely on surveys of students at colleges selected by The Princeton Review for inclusion in its guidebook.

In addition to The Princeton Review, U.S. News has ranked Scranton among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 26 consecutive years, placing the University No. 6 in its 2020 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook. U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 5 in its category in a listing, based on peer assessment recommendations, of the nation’s “Most Innovative Schools,” which recognizes colleges that are making “innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities.” In addition, U.S. News ranked Scranton No. 12 in its category in its “Best Undergraduate Teaching” listing of the top colleges in the nation expressing “a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.”

Scranton in Princeton Review’s Best Colleges List

Scranton listed among the nation’s best science labs, campus foods and most religious students in Princeton Review’s Best 386 Colleges book.

Student

Aug 18, 2020

For the second year in a row, the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) recognized the University of Scranton’s student chapter as one of just five Outstanding Student Chapters in the nation for the 2019-2020 academic year. The IMA’s Award of Excellence is presented to the top student chapters that qualified for Gold Status. Officers of the University’s IMA student chapter for 2019-2020 were: Ngoc Nguyen of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, president; Rosemary Wolf of Little Neck, New York, vice president; Grace Gallagher of Dalton, secretary; and Sarin Baldante of Sayville, New York, treasurer.

In order to qualify for this achievement, the student chapter had to facilitate/sponsor numerous student events and meetings including a new member orientation, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam information session, an ethics-based meeting and other educational opportunities in addition to participating in the IMA’s national student case competition, its national student manuscript competition, and the Student Leadership Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 2019 Student Leadership Conference was the highlight of the student officers’ year as they were able to accept the Award of Excellence from the 2018-2019 academic year and they were able to connect with fellow students from around the world.

“Being an officer in the IMA Student Chapter has provided me many opportunities to learn more about leadership through connecting with other IMA officers worldwide. From that, I can share my leadership experience and promote the importance of the CMA certification with our IMA members” said Nguyen.

The University’s IMA student chapter formed in 2017 and grown to over 35 active members over the past three years.

The IMA’s Endorsement of Higher Education initiative recognizes programs that meet rigorous educational standards, enabling students to pursue and earn the CMA credential. The University’s undergraduate accounting program was endorsed by the IMA in 2017.

Ashley Stampone, faculty specialist in the Accounting Department, serves as the faculty advisor for the University’s student chapter.

Student Group Wins Second National Award

University’s Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) student chapter named among five Outstanding Student Chapters in the nation.

Getting to know Michelle Maldonado, New Dean of CAS image

Staff

Aug 18, 2020

Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado, Ph.D. joined The University of Scranton as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on July 1. Previously, she served as assistant provost of undergraduate education at the University of Miami, where she also served as the executive director of the Office of Academic Enhancement and as a professor of religious studies. She is the editor, co-author or author of 10 books and has published more than 40 articles in academic journals and book chapters. You can also view her TED Talk on Latina Intellectuals, here.

We caught up with her recently to learn more about what she has in store for students and how she’s finding her new home.

You arrived here from Miami this summer. Welcome to Scranton! How are you finding the area so far?

My family and I really love it. We are all struck by the natural beauty around us and have been taking advantage of all the amazing hiking trails and parks in the area. The University community has been so welcoming, and so has everyone we have met in the area. We have also been exploring Scranton’s Latino/a community. The city is much more diverse than people often assume.

Tell us what it's been like to make this big change during the pandemic.

The pandemic has made things a bit surreal, to be honest. In some ways, it has made my transition smoother because I had to dive into the preparations for the fall and was able to meet a lot of people quickly as we collaborated together. I continue to be impressed at how many people have worked so hard to get us back on campus.

What are you most looking forward to in your new position as dean of CAS?

I am looking forward to working more closely with faculty. With the upcoming review of our General Education requirements, this is an exciting moment to join the University community as we revisit and refine who we are and what we offer our students intellectually. Universities are sites of research, innovation, and creativity, and this all begins with our faculty. I also think we are at a significant historical moment, with the upcoming election, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the pandemic, where we can focus on Mission-driven initiatives that help our community understand and respond to the challenges of the world around them.

You're a scholar of religious studies and you are Jesuit educated yourself. What excites you most about being part of a Catholic/Jesuit University?

I am most excited about being at a Jesuit University that is earnestly committed to its Mission. My Jesuit education taught me to recognize that my worldview is one of many and that I must be open to, listen to, and be challenged by the diversity of our humanity, whether it is our intellectual diversity, political diversity, racial diversity, and /or socioeconomic diversity. The University’s commitment to social justice is also extremely important to me, especially today as we as a nation struggle with naming and addressing systemic racism. A University education is one of the most significant forms of empowerment, not only for us but for our communities. I should also add that as a theologian I am thrilled to be back at a University where the study of religion is valued as a core component of the curriculum.

It looks like, from your bio, that you have experience working with/on behalf of, historically underrepresented and first-generation college students. Can you tell us why this is important to you/how you can contribute at Scranton?

Working with historically underrepresented and first-generation college students is a core passion that defines me as an administrator, a scholar, and a teacher. As a Cuban-American daughter of political refugees, I had to figure out the college application process and then college itself on my own. I think it is important to remember that our students (and faculty and staff) come from diverse backgrounds and that some may need more support navigating through our University. I hope that our first-generation and historically underrepresented students see me as an ally who is here as a resource and an advocate.

Getting to know Michelle Maldonado, New Dean of CAS

We caught up with the new dean of CAS to learn more about what she has in store for students and how she’s finding her new home.

Student

Aug 18, 2020

The 10th annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt will take place from Friday, Aug. 21-Sunday, Aug. 23! This fun, interactive orientation to downtown Scranton is part of Fall Welcome Weekend and is open to all students. Register here. Students can explore more than 30 downtown eateries, shops and entertainment venues.

The 2020 Scavenger Hunt will not be timed and students can participate in it over a 3-day period. All students must wear masks, maintain 6 feet social distancing, and limit the team size to 2 persons (roommate preferred). The hunt will still involve clues that lead to our University mascot Iggy, but they will be shared via QR codes and displayed in business windows to keep the hunt entirely outdoors. A smartphone will be required to scan the codes that will unlock the clues at different locations.

There are also additional photo contests! Students can visit a list of downtown historical landmarks and murals, take photos, and submit these to community@scranton.edu to win a grand prize. Additionally, there will be a contest for the most creative photo overall along with some other themed photo contests. These new contests offer students additional chances to win great prizes and new ways to engage with the downtown area.

To participate in this event, students can begin registering on Aug. 17 by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/Hunt2020 or scanning the QR codes on Scavenger Hunt posters located around campus. The first 100 students to submit photos during the event will be given a free t-shirt. Registered students will receive an email on Friday, Aug. 21 with a special downtown map and rules sheet that will detail how the scavenger hunt will proceed and provide safety guidelines. Grand prices for the Scavenger Hunt and Photo Contests include downtown restaurant and University bookstore gift cards.

The scavenger hunt is a great way for students to learn about their new home while supporting local businesses! When the time comes, be sure to register and find as many locations as you can!

Downtown Scranton Scavenger Hunt

The 10th annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt will take place from Friday, Aug. 21-Sunday, Aug. 23!

Great Opportunities Exist for Students to Get to Know Scranton this Fall image

Community

Aug 18, 2020

Getting to Know Scranton

As the fall semester gets underway, this new academic year is already unique in many ways with the new safety measures in place to keep everyone safe. Although this year is different, there are still many ways that University of Scranton students can have fun and explore and enjoy the Scranton area.

10^th Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt

One of the hallmarks of back to school for University of Scranton students is the annual downtown Scavenger Hunt event, now in its 10^th year. This year, the event is still on with some new modifications. Among the updates to this year’s event is a new registration system online by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/Hunt2020 or by scanning QR codes on posters located across campus. This year’s event also requires all students to wear masks, maintain 6 feet social distancing, and to keep teams to 2 students, roommate preferred. This year’s hunt is entirely outdoors, with Iggy posters in business windows featuring QR codes that students can scan for clues, instead of paper clues as in past years.

The Scavenger Hunt has also added two additional grand prizes for the Photo Contests. University students can explore the downtown to find historical monuments and downtown murals and then submit their photos to community@scranton.edu. A second photo contest will award a grand prize the most creative photo submitted during the course of the event. Students can follow The Office of Community Relations on Facebook @uscrantoncommunity & on Instagram and Twitter@uofscommunity for additional clues, contests, and prizes during the course of the weekend.

Outdoor Recreation

Students looking to take a break from coursework and the city can easily find many natural outdoor spaces to explore located within a short distance from campus. One favorite outdoor location is Nay Aug Park, which is easily accessible on foot or bike from campus heading up Mulberry Street. Nay Aug Park is the largest park in the City of Scranton featuring several walking trails and a pedestrian footbridge to allow visitors to cross over the Roaring Brook.

Another great natural escape close to campus is the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail with 70 miles of paved trail that crosses over 30 communities and includes the D&H Rail-Trail. From downtown Scranton, outdoor enthusiasts can enter the trail either at the 7th Avenue Trailhead, two blocks southwest of Lackawanna Avenue, or at the Olive Street Trailhead, located on Olive Street one block down from the intersection with Providence Road. For trail maps and additional information, please visit https://lhva.org/HeritageTrail.php.

A short drive, or if you are extra energetic run, from campus is the Lake Scranton Walking Trail. This 3.57-mile asphalt trail is a favorite of local runners training for races. This beautiful outdoor trial is a circular loop around Lake Scranton. Now that the nights are turning cooler, the beautiful fall foliage will soon begin and visitor can enjoy taking the beautiful vistas from around the lake. There is free parking just up the hill from the intersection of Moosic Street and Lake Scranton Road.

Downtown Dining

Scranton and the surrounding area is also famous for its many options for foodies and our downtown restaurant businesses offer a variety of outdoor dining options and takeout. You can enjoy a classic NY style slice from DaVini Pizza, delicious deli favorites from Abe’s Kosher Deli, grab a coffee at Northern Lights Espresso Bar or Adezzo, comfort food at Paradise Soulfood & Sweets, delicious grill and Mediterranean favorites from The Garden Mediterranean Café, and so much more. One thing is for certain, downtown Scranton has something for everyone. Many downtown businesses also offer 10% off to students that show their Royal Card. To learn more about the downtown discount program visit the Office of Community Relations website at scranton.edu/about/community-relations/downtown-info-discounts.shtml.

Great Opportunities Exist for Students to Get to Know Scranton this Fall

The Scranton area has much to offer students interested in exploring the region while staying safe.

Performance Music Ensembles, Fall 2020 image

Student

Aug 18, 2020

Performance Music Ensembles, Fall 2020

Performance Music is offering members of the woodwind and brass sections of their bands and students who sing with their performance choirs various opportunities to learn/play string or percussion instruments until their regular ensembles are able to safely resume.

DBA Program Advisor Awarded Lifetime Service Award image

Faculty

Aug 17, 2020

George W. Krull, Jr., Ph.D., CPA, CGMA, global strategic advisor for The University of Scranton’s doctor of business administration (DBA) program, was presented a 2020 Lifetime Service Award from the American Accounting Association (AAA) at its annual meeting, which took place virtually earlier this week.

The Lifetime Service Award recognizes service contributions to accounting education made over a sustained period of time through service to the AAA, service with the education efforts in the profession through involvement with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and other accounting professional organizations, and service with the education efforts of public accounting firms, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations.

“I am honored to receive the AAA’s Lifetime Service Award for 2020 along with Beatrice Sanders and the late William F. (Bill) Ezzell, Jr., who have both contributed so much to advance education in the field of accounting. To be honored alongside such distinguished colleagues is truly a humbling experience,” said Dr. Krull.

Dr. Krull served as a Partner in the Executive Office of Grant Thornton LLP and was the firm’s chief learning officer. Since retiring, he has remained active with the academic and professional accounting communities. He has served as an executive-in-residence and professor of accounting at Bradley University where he was awarded emeritus status in 2011. He has served as interim chair at the University of North Texas, Saint Louis University, and Oklahoma State University. He joined The University of Scranton as a global strategic advisor for the DBA program in 2017.

“On behalf of the University and the Kania School of Management, we congratulate Dr. Krull on receiving one of the highest honors awarded in the accounting field and we are privileged to have him participating in our DBA Program, mentoring our doctoral students and collaborating with our faculty on scholarship,” said Sam Beldona, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management.

“We are most honored and proud to have George providing strategic insights to our program. His global perspective, knowledge, integrity and professionalism are invaluable. He is one of the most respected and trusted leaders in the accounting profession and academia. I view him as a true mentor and friend and congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition,” said Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., chair of the Accounting Department, director of the DBA Program and founder and director of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program at Scranton.

During his distinguished career, Dr. Krull has served with the AAA, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the AICPA and the Pathways Commission. He was a member of the AACSB International’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Accreditation Quality, has served four terms on the AACSB’s Accounting Accreditation Committee and continues doing business and accounting accreditation peer reviews.

In 2014, Dr. Krull was recognized as one of one hundred distinguished graduates of the Spears School at Oklahoma State during its centennial anniversary celebration, and in 2015 he was inducted into the Spears School Hall of Fame. In 2016, he received the AAA’s Outstanding Service Award and, in 2017, Dr. Krull received the AICPA’s Gold Medal Award of Distinction. Dr. Krull received his undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University, Oklahoma State University, and Michigan State University, respectively, and he is an honorary alumnus from Northern Illinois University.

Scranton’s DBA program received international recognition when the prestigious accrediting body, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), recognized the program in 2019 among the “Innovations and Best Practices in Canada, Latin America and the United States.” Scranton’s DBA was recognized for providing a non-traditional research DBA in accounting that “promotes diversity and practice relevance by providing a flexible path for experienced practitioners to gain the knowledge and credentials required to succeed in tenure-track positions at AACSB-accredited institutions.”

For information about Scranton’s DBA program, visit scranton.edu/dbaprogram.

DBA Program Advisor Awarded Lifetime Service Award

George W. Krull, Jr., Ph.D., DBA program global strategic advisor, received an American Accounting Association 2020 Lifetime Service Award.

Student

Aug 14, 2020

Scranton Welcomes Class of 2024

Members of the class of 2024 were among the more than 1,000 new graduate and undergraduate students welcomed to Scranton the fall semester.

Professor Selected to National Academy image

Faculty

Aug 14, 2020

Julie A. Cerrito, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the School Counseling Program at The University of Scranton, was one of just eleven counselor educators nationwide to be selected to participate in the Counselor Educator Academy held at the National Career Development Association Global Conference in Houston, Texas. Dr. Cerrito also received the University’s Faculty Senate Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award for 2020, which recognizes a faculty member at Scranton who demonstrates dedication to teaching graduate students in a manner that creates an encouraging and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes critical thinking and learning.

Dr. Cerrito was selected to the Counselor Educator Academy based on her role as a professor of career counseling graduate courses to focus on the growth and development of the intersection of counselor education and career counseling.

The purpose of the Academy is to support those counselor educators who work teaching future counselors about their role in career counseling. The goal of the Academy is to provide information, experiences, and tools that counselor educators can use in their work to enhance the practice of teaching career counseling across the profession. This Academy aims to facilitate determining best practices in the field of career counselor education and to provide leadership/research opportunities to academics.

As part of the 2019-20 Counselor Educator Academy cohort, Dr. Cerrito has been working with a group of fellow counselor educators on a year-long research and development project focused on the intersections of career counseling and counselor education. The cohort will then present their findings and recommendations at the 2021 National Career Development Global Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Cerrito is a National Certified Counselor and a National Certified School Counselor.

Dr. Cerrito joined the faculty at the University in 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University, her master’s degree from The University of Scranton and her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University.

Professor Selected to National Academy

Counseling Professor Julie A. Cerrito, Ph.D., was among just 11 selected to participate in the national Counselor Educator Academy.

Patrick Keehan Joins University of Scranton SBDC image

Staff

Aug 14, 2020

Patrick Keehan Joins University of Scranton SBDC

University of Scranton alumnus Patrick Keehan joins the staff of Scranton’s Small Business Development Center as a business consultant.

Wellness Self-Screening Application Launches Aug. 14 image

Student

Aug 12, 2020

The University has added a wellness self-screening application for use by students and employees that will be available through the My.Scranton portal, the University’s mobile application for iOS and Android mobile devices and via this URL: scranton.edu/WellnessScreening.

The wellness application will go live on Aug. 14 and is required every day (yes, that means weekends, too!) by all members of the University community. The screening should be done before any student or employee arrives on campus.

The basics:

Students and employees are required to use the application every day by responding to a series of simple questions regarding symptoms as recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Completion of the questions each day will require use of a personal thermometer.
When symptoms are reported through the screening, the application will automatically notify the appropriate department for students or employees and provide additional instructions by email. At the end of the screening, if it is determined that the student or employee should not come to campus, a stop signal will appear with a number to call (Human Resources for employees and Student Health Services for students). The application does not store data from personal submissions.
If the screening indicates that the person does not have signs of COVID-19, a thumbs up badge will appear at the end of the screening. If the student or employee develops symptoms later in the day, they should call Student Health Services (students) or Human Resources (employees).
The badge will appear on each person’s My.Scranton page and will be reset daily at midnight.
The University’s Pandemic Safety Officer maintains a comprehensive accounting of all active COVID-19 cases on campus in cooperation with Student Health Services and Human Resources.

As part of the planning of Royals Safe Together, Cindy Hricko, manager of Enterprise Application Services, and her team developed the University’s wellness self-screening application, which just completed the pilot test phase. Susan Bowen, Chief Information Officer, oversaw the project.

“This about the shared responsibility of the entire community to ensure our health and safety,” said Bowen. “This app will get us in the habit of thinking of that responsibility each morning. Logging into the Scranton app or portal and taking the wellness screening should be done before you arrive on campus.”

See the slideshow below to get a glimpse into what to expect from the wellness self-screening application.

Wellness Self-Screening Application Launches Aug. 14

The University’s wellness self-screening application, a new daily requirement for every member of the University community, will go live on Aug. 14

Student

Aug 12, 2020

President Welcomes Students Back to Campus

University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., welcomed students back to campus for the fall semester in a video message.

Health and Safety Protocols Set for Fitness Center image

General

Aug 12, 2020

Cardio equipment and free-weight areas have been spaced to allow for social distancing; additional sanitary wipe stations and hand sanitizing stations have been located throughout the facility; and masks must be worn by those using the facility. These are among the health and safety measures put in place for the Fitness Center for the fall semester, following guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH).

The Fitness Center will operate from 6 a.m. to midnight from Monday through Thursday; from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays; and from 9 a.m. to midnight on Sundays. Students, faculty and staff will need a reservation to use the facility during the fall semester. Reservations for 90-minute blocks of time can be made 24-hours in advance using IMLeagues.com. (Users will have to sign-up for an IM Leagues account using their Royal ID).

Those using the Fitness Center will swipe themselves in using their Royal Card and give their name to the attendant at the front desk, who will have a list of those registered. No one will be allowed to enter the facility prior to their scheduled start time. Walk-ins will not be allowed. The facility will also be closed to guests. Faculty/staff family and alumni memberships have been suspended for the semester.

All equipment in the Fitness Center will be available for use on a first-come, first-serve basis to those with a reservation. All users will be expected to wipe down equipment prior to and after use. Sanitary wipe stations and hand sanitizing stations have been added throughout the facility, in addition to signage reminding students, faculty and staff of health and safety expectations for use of the Center.

Masks will be required in the Fitness Center and social distancing must also be observed.

Water bottle stations will not be available during the semester, so users of the facility should bring their own water or sports drink.

The locker room and shower areas will remain open.

Additional cleaning protocols will be completed by staff throughout the day. A fogger/mister will be used at the end of each day and periodically throughout the day in the locker room areas.

Additional information about the Fitness Center can be seen here.

Health and Safety Protocols Set for Fitness Center

The University’s Fitness Center in Pilarz Hall is set to open for students, faculty and staff for the fall semester.

Student

Aug 12, 2020

It’s almost that time – Move-in 2020! See the schedule for Move-in Weekend, below. Remember, classes begin Aug. 17.
Please remember to wear your masks and follow social distancing guidelines when you arrive on campus, throughout the weekend and beyond.

Saturday, August 15

8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Class of 2024 Moves In

The Office of Residence Life Fall 2020 Move-in page has the information you need, here.

1 p.m.-7 p.m.
Scranton Swag!

First-year students are invited to stop by the hospitality tent (Dionne Green by the amphitheater) to pick up their traditional Class of 2024 t-shirt, their University of Scranton S pin and their cloth masks. Students are invited to participate in our Class of 2024 photo collage.

6:30 p.m.
Class of 2024 Dinner, Dionne Green

Pick up your dinner and eat where you like on campus!

8 p.m.
Commuter Student Social (Zoom)/First Floor meeting

9 p.m.
Evening Entertainment, Both in-person and virtual.

Sunday, August 16

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Remaining Students Move In and Mask Pick Up

Undergrad and grad students are invited to the hospitality tent (Dionne Green by the amphitheater) to pick up their Scranton masks.

11 a.m.
Emergency Response Training for First-Year Students

First-year students required to participate in emergency response training (Zoom)

1-3:30 p.m.
First-Year Checklist

First-year student checklist to learn about different offices and services and classroom tours.

4 p.m.
Virtual Royal Olympics

7 p.m.
Mass, in-person (limited seating capacity) and live-streamed (parents are invited to watch the live stream, too!) Click here or check The University of Scranton YouTube channel.

Mass will be held on Sunday, Aug. 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Byron Recreation Complex. This Mass will include a special blessing of the Class Banner for the Class of 2024 as we welcome our newest students to campus. Students must show their Royal Card for admission to this and all Masses on campus this semester. For more information about campus liturgies, click here.

More information for Zoom links, checklist information, etc. will be shared with you via email soon!

what to pack.jpg

Move-in Weekend Schedule

It’s almost that time – Move-in 2020! See the schedule for Move-in Weekend, below.

Information about Fall 2020 University Masses image

General

Aug 12, 2020

Information about Fall 2020 University Masses

Access to our campus has been restricted this fall due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Therefore, our weekday and Sunday Masses on campus are limited to current students, faculty and staff of the University. Royal Card access is required.

Meal Options Added to Accommodate Fall Conditions image

Student

Aug 12, 2020

Dining Services has adjusted ways to prepare and deliver meals for the fall semester that accommodate all University meal plans and follow federal, state, local, Aramark, and University health and safety guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Plans include additional cleaning procedures; reduced density seating and accommodations for social distancing in all food service locations; and expanded outdoor seating options in front of the DeNaples Center.

Pre-packaged “grab-and-go” meals that include a salad, dessert and up to two lunch and dinner choices as well as beverage options will be available on the third floor of the DeNaples Center, the lobby of the Long Center, a food truck on the DeNaples Patio as well as other locations on campus.

Dining Services has added lunch and dinner hours in the Fresh Food Company; and meal swipe access at Bleecker Street in the Loyola Science Center and Einstein Bros. Bagels in Leahy Hall. Take-out containers will be available for all of these options. Mobile ordering for the DeNaples Food Court on the first floor will be available in September.

Aramark employees will serve food at all stations. Self-serve food areas will be eliminated for the fall semester.

Seating, food preparation and serving areas will be cleaned by Aramark staff throughout the day as well as when the venues close. Cleaning and disinfection protocols comply with guidelines from the CDC for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Students are required to wear a mask when ordering food or moving about dining facilities areas on campus. Masks can only be removed while eating at designated dining areas. Plexiglass shields have been added to tables and booths of Fresh Food Company to allow two students to sit in defined seating areas while meeting social distancing requirements. Additional seating that meets safety recommendations has been added in tented areas outside of the DeNaples Center. Seating in the first-floor dining area of the DeNaples Center has been removed to accommodate space needed for those using these food services to socially distance.

Signage throughout food service areas will remind students of health and safety recommendations and the shared responsibility of all community members to follow the guidelines put in place to stay safe.

Additional information about University of Scranton Dining Services is available on its webpage.

Meal Options Added to Accommodate Fall Conditions

Dining Services plans for the fall semester follow federal, state, local, Aramark and University recommended health and safety guidelines.

Spaces Dedicated for Commuters, Zoom Use, Study image

Student

Aug 12, 2020

Spaces on campus have been dedicated for students to use for Zoom sessions and remote classes, as well as for study.

Commuter students will have access to residence hall rooms in Lynett Hall for the fall semester primarily to participate in remote classes while on campus. Later this week, the Office of Residence Life will inform commuter students of the process to reserve space for day-use within Lynett Hall. Students will also be allowed to reserve space for the same day/time throughout the semester if it is needed for a particular class period. Occupancy will be limited to one student per room at a time.

Facilities staff will clean rooms regularly during the day and will also deep clean rooms each evening. In addition, each room will have disinfectant wipes and hand-sanitizer available for students. Students are asked to wipe down the desk and chair space upon arrival and prior to leaving the room.

In addition, rooms located across campus have been designated as “zoom rooms” for all students to use throughout the day, except when closed for cleaning. Each room will have a capacity, based on social distancing, that will be posted. These rooms cannot be reserved. When a student enters the room, they must be sure that they do not cause the room to exceed capacity. If so, they must exit the room and find another study location. Students should use hand sanitizer before entering the zoom rooms and wipe down desks when leaving. Students should also use headphones in the rooms to reduce noise. Additional information about zoom rooms can be seen in the Aug. 10 Royals Safe Together Update.

The Weinberg Memorial Library also has spaces available for students. Seating has been reconfigured to meet recommended social distancing requirements and should not be rearranged. Group study rooms have reduced seating, and use of group study rooms will be available by reservation only. The most up-to-date information about the library can be seen here.

Spaces Dedicated for Commuters, Zoom Use, Study

Lynett Hall has been designated as a space on campus for commuter students to use for the fall semester.

Scranton Ranked Among Best Catholic Colleges in US image

Alumni

Aug 12, 2020

Three information websites for prospective college students have ranked The University of Scranton in the top 25 best Catholic colleges in the nation in recently published rankings for 2020. The rankings include some of the most prestigious Catholic universities in America.

Niche.com ranked Scranton No. 18 among the 2020 Best Catholic Colleges in America, which is a ranking based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. According to their website, “top-ranked Catholic colleges are leading academic institutions that offer students an education and college experience rooted in Catholic traditions and faith.” The ranking is based on their analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni.

College Factual ranked Scranton No. 22 in its 2020 list of “Best Colleges Affiliated as Roman Catholic Nationwide.” The national ranking is based their analysis of retention and graduation rates, student loan default rates, overall average post- graduation earnings based on PayScale and College Scorecard data, among other data. Scranton ranked No. 3 “Best Colleges Affiliated as Roman Catholic in Pennsylvania.”

College Choice ranked Scranton No. 23 among just 75 “Best Catholic Colleges and Universities” in the nation. The ranking was based on their analysis of the college’s reputation, net cost, financial aid and average graduate salary, which used publicly available data from websites of the schools, the National Center for Educational Statistics, U.S. News and World Report, and Payscale.com.

In April of 2020, College Consensus ranked Scranton No. 37 among the “Best Catholic Colleges and Universities” in America. For the ranking, College Consensus calculated an “average rating score” for colleges based on national guidebook rankings, which include U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and others. College Consensus also calculated an “overall score” for colleges based on student reviews posted on multiple sites, including Niche.com. The schools were ranked based on a “consensus ranking” that combined both these scores.

In addition to the above rankings, The University of Scranton is listed in numerous well-known national “best college” rankings and guidebooks, such as U.S. News, The Princeton Review and others.

Scranton Ranked Among Best Catholic Colleges in US

Multiple online sources have ranked The University of Scranton among the top 25 Catholic colleges in the nation.

Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt Redesigned for Fall 2020 image

Community

Aug 11, 2020

The coronavirus has meant changes in what back to school looks like for us all, however, The University of Scranton’s Office of Community Relations has worked with its partners to ensure that the annual Scavenger Hunt can take place safely with some modifications for physical distancing. This year’s fall welcome week event will run from 12 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 through 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. This new format offers students the opportunity to participate in the hunt asynchronously over the course of the weekend.

The annual Scavenger Hunt is offered in partnership with The Center for Student Engagement, The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center, and The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce & Metro Action, and Scranton Tomorrow. The Scavenger Hunt encourages students to explore the downtown Scranton area and to learn more about our small businesses, cultural venues, and unique features, such as landmarks and murals. This year, the hunt looks a little different, but it still holds the same Scrantastic attitude it has had previous years and 31 downtown partners are participating.

The 2020 Scavenger Hunt will not be timed and students can participate in it over a 3-day period. All students must wear masks, maintain 6 feet social distancing, and limit the team size to 2 persons (roommate preferred). The hunt will still involve clues that lead to our University mascot Iggy, but they will be shared via QR codes and displayed in business windows to keep the hunt entirely outdoors.

In addition to the main Scavenger Hunt event, this year there are also additional photo contests offered. Students can visit a list of downtown historical landmarks and murals, take photos, and submit these to community@scranton.edu to win a grand prize. Additionally, there will be a contest for the most creative photo overall along with some other themed photo contests. These new contests offer students additional chances to win great prizes and new ways to engage with the downtown area.

To participate in this event, students can begin registering on August 17 by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/Hunt2020 or scanning the QR codes on Scavenger Hunt posters located around campus. Registered students will receive an email on Friday, August 21 with a special downtown map and rules sheet that will detail how the scavenger hunt will proceed and provide safety guidelines. A smartphone will be necessary to scan QR codes that will unlock clues at the different locations.

Students that participate in this annual event have the chance to win great prizes. The first 100 students to submit photos during the event will be given a free t-shirt designed with the Electric City logo and the businesses on the back. Grand prizes for the Scavenger Hunt and Photo Contests include downtown restaurant and University bookstore gift cards.

To our new students, Class of 2024, welcome! To our returning students, welcome back! The Office of Community Relations offers this unique opportunity for University of Scranton students during Fall Welcome Week to explore the many boutique shops, ethnic restaurants, cafes, and cultural venues that make up the Electric City. The scavenger hunt is a great way for students to learn about their new home while supporting local businesses! When the time comes, be sure to register and find as many locations as you can.

Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt Redesigned for Fall 2020

Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award -- August image

Staff

Aug 11, 2020

Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award -- August

Congratulations to Lynn Pelick, our August Award Winner.

Staff

Aug 11, 2020

Diversity/Inclusion Program for Faculty and Staff

The Office of Equity and Diversity, in collaboration with the Cross Cultural Centers, the Counseling and Human Services Department, and the Staff Senate are pleased to offer a new format for the Diversity and Inclusion Lunch/Learn Series for fall 2020.

DeNaples Mailroom - Opening August 12 image

General

Aug 11, 2020

DeNaples Mailroom - Opening August 12

The DeNaples Mailroom will open August 12 with the following hours.

Pandemic Safety Ambassador Program Seeks Volunteers image

General

Aug 11, 2020

Pandemic Safety Ambassador Program Seeks Volunteers

In order to assist with plan implementation, the University is launching a Pandemic Safety Ambassador Program that will be overseen by the Pandemic Safety Officer (PSO).

Faculty

Aug 11, 2020

Book by Faculty Member Wins Indie Award

The Kosher Capones, a book by English Professor Joe Kraus, Ph.D., won a national Indie Award in the history category.

Area Students Begin University of Success image

Community

Aug 11, 2020

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

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

“The University of Success, a first-generation college-bound program is living out the mission of St. Ignatius of Loyola by insuring that students beginning in the middle school years have a support network with the information and strategies to follow their paths to college, go to college, and grow into the people they are capable of becoming,” said Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of The University of Scranton’s Panuska College of Professional Studies, which houses the University of Success program.

The summer program provides learning experiences designed to engage the students in creative thinking, problem solving and communication through activities that expose students to concepts in various academic disciples. The virtual program featured presentations by former Success students, Admissions and Financial Aid Personnel from the University of Scranton, Counselors from Lackawanna County Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, and University Science Professors and Staff.

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

The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants. Donors to the program include AT&T, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Kuehner Family Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Overlook Estate Foundation, Prudential Foundation, Scranton Area Foundation, The University of Scranton, Waste Management, Wells Fargo and William G. McGowan Charitable Fund.

Students entering the University of Success program are as follows:

Andrea Amigon, Wilkes-Barre, who attended Solomon/Plains Junior High School;

Trinity Anglin, Clarks Summit, who attended Abington Heights Middle School;

Jovani Aguilar, Scranton, who attended South Scranton Intermediate School;

Colby Beck, Hawley, who attended Wallenpaupack Middle School;

Krista Lynn Davis, Carbondale, who attended Carbondale Area Junior/Senior High School;

Kydasia Deas, Scranton, who attended West Scranton Intermediate School;

Isaac Diaz, Scranton, who attended Northeast Intermediate School;

Emily Durkin, Moosic, who attended Riverside Junior/Senior High School;

Jacob Emmet, Carbondale, who attended Carbondale Area Junior/Senior High School;

Stephany DeOliveira, Olyphant, who attended Mid Valley Secondary Center;

Arthur Garcia, Scranton, who attended South Scranton Intermediate School;

Natasha Hendrickson, Lakewood, who attended Preston Area/Wayne Highlands Area School;

Mariella McCue, Clarks Summit, who attended Abington Heights Middle School;

Quienton McMillian, Scranton, who attended West Scranton Intermediate School;

Evelyn Moctezuma, Scranton, who attended South Scranton Intermediate School;

Chloe Moore, Susquehanna, who attended Preston Area/Wayne Highlands Area School;

Elizabeth Novak, Scott Township, who attended Lakeland Junior/Senior High School;

Vallery Oentoya, Scranton, who attended South Scranton Intermediate School;

Braeden Philpott, New Milford, who attended Blue Ridge Middle School;

Miguel Ramos, Dunmore, who attended Dunmore Junior High School;

Olivia Rowehl, Matamoras, who attended Delaware Valley Middle School;

Kateryna Smirnova, Scranton, who attended West Scranton Intermediate School;

Zi Cheng Weng, Plains, who attended Solomon/Plains Junior High School;

Alayshia Williams, Carbondale, who attended Carbondale Area Junior/Senior High School;

Jaden Willis, Taylor, who attended Riverside High School;

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

Area Students Begin University of Success

Incoming high school students enter the University of Success, a multi-year, pre-college mentorship program at The University of Scranton.

General

Aug 11, 2020

Library Access for Fall 2020

Only current students, staff, and faculty will be allowed access to the Weinberg Memorial Library building using their Royal Card.

Preparations Made to DeNaples Center for Fall image

General

Aug 05, 2020

Preparations Made to DeNaples Center for Fall

Health and safety adjustments have been made throughout the DeNaples Center to allow for class instruction and social distancing.

Student

Aug 05, 2020

Electronic health records. Telehealth. Mobile check-in. These are just a few of the changes that Student Health Services (SHS) has made to their usual health processes for fall 2020.

“We want students to know that we’re here for them. Our phone is always answered. Students can request telehealth appointments, more than once a day, if they need to. We’re following all the CDC regulations, we have enough personal protective equipment (PPE) and we have mobile check-in so registration is contactless. By implementing telehealth, we hope that there will be little to no wait time for in-person appointments and COVID-19 testing,” said Marguerite Mannion, CRNP, FNP-BC, director of SHS.

SHS reminds students that in addition to wearing masks and social distancing, this year it is vitally important for them to bring a reusable thermometer, their medications, disinfecting wipes and cleaning supplies to campus. SHS and the CDC is also advising people to make getting a flu shot this fall a priority to “reduce your risk from flu but also to help conserve potentially scarce health care resources.” The University will offer flu clinics on campus during the fall semester.

Students who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or with known or suspected exposure to the virus should contact Student Health Services by phone at (570) 941-7667 for advice and care. For immediate medical assistance after hours or on weekends University Police will be available at 570-941-7777. The University has established protocols to address isolated positive cases of COVID-19 on campus, which you can read here.

“The first thing a student should do when they feel sick is to stop what they’re doing and stay where they are,” said Mannion. “Then they should call us at the front desk. That person will use their best judgement as to whether the student needs to come in for a regular appointment or schedule a telehealth appointment.”

Students who are determined by SHS to need COVID-19-testing will be treated on a separate side of the SHS building so as not to come in contact with other patients. The testing will take place when regular clinic activities are complete in order to limit traffic near the SHS building. Providers at the testing site will be in full PPE.

Students will be required to isolate/quarantine depending on individual circumstances and in accordance with the guidelines established by the CDC and the PA Department of Health. The University will provide a testing option for students experiencing symptoms.

If a student has pending or positive test results SHS and Residence Life will provide the person with quarantine and isolation instructions.

Isolation is used to separate infected people from people who are not sick. People in isolation should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” and using a separate bathroom.

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health and follow directions from their local Department of Health.

SHS Offers Advice: Focus on the 3 W’s

Wash your hands frequently
Wear a mask
Watch your distance!

Isolation rooms are available on campus for short-term use. Students are encouraged to return to home for quarantine or isolation.

The University will also implement contact tracing, which you can read about on the University’s Royals Safe Together website, under “Testing and Contact Tracing” and in this Royal News article. According to the CDC, a close contact is someone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

“Someone in ‘close contact’ might mean a roommate or someone else you were in less than 6 feet away from for more than 15 minutes, not someone who may have passed you in the dining hall or was sitting 6 feet away from you in class,” said Mannion.

SHS outlines the rules for discontinuing quarantine or isolation:

Quarantined students (people who have been around a person with COVID-19) should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with the sick person. Monitor your health during this time and report symptoms of COVID-19 illness to your health care provider. Avoid people who are at high risk for getting very sick from the virus.

Sick students can be with others (discontinue isolation) after

At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and

At least 24 hours with no fever without fever reducing medicine and

Symptoms have improved

The Student Health Services staff promises to guide and counsel students through illness or exposure, and the University will continue to monitor the spread of the virus, especially within the broader region, and will respond accordingly.

Any additional institutional actions, including decisions related to campus closure, will be informed by this ongoing assessment and by guidance or directives from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Read the entire Royals Safe Together plan on the website, here, and visit the SHS website, here.

Information for Faculty & Staff

Employee guidance for addressing student questions:

Employees should refer students who test positive for COVID-19, who are concerned about having been exposed to someone testing positive and/or who are experiencing symptoms to Student Health Services to ensure necessary monitoring, support, and/or contact tracing.
The employee should then alert the Dean of Students Office (570-941-7680) to ensure appropriate follow-up.

Information for an employee who has been exposed to COVID-19:

An employee who has been exposed, is experiencing symptoms, or has tested positive to COVID-19 should report this information to the employee’s supervisor (staff), dean (faculty) or HR directly and go home.
The supervisor or dean should notify HR immediately so that appropriate information can be shared with the employee and, if needed, contact tracing can take place.

Read more about Responding to a Resurgence, here.

Student Health Services Prepares for Arrival of Students

Electronic health records. Telehealth. Mobile check-in. These are just a few of the changes that Student Health Services has made to their usual health processes for fall 2020.

Protocols Keep Instructional Spaces Clean and Safe image

General

Aug 05, 2020

Throughout campus, Facilities Operations has already adopted cleaning and disinfection protocols that comply with guidelines from the CDC for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Additional cleaning procedures have been put in place for the fall semester for instructional spaces such as classrooms, laboratories, as well as other spaces on campus that will be used for classes during the fall semester. Classrooms have been adjusted to meet social distancing recommendations.

“The focus of Royal Safe Together – A Plan to Reopen Campus has been to provide our students with an education grounded in our Catholic and Jesuit mission in a safe manner at this unique time. Priority was given to the use of all spaces on campus for instruction and an extensive plan was developed to implement health and safety precautions to keep our campus safe for our students, faculty and staff. We realize this is a shared responsibility and the plan and procedures put in place take this into account,” said Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Cleaning procedures for instructional spaces include custodial cleaning as well as protocols for students and faculty using these rooms. The cleaning and disinfecting procedures are in addition to the wearing of masks and room reconfigurations that allow for social distancing recommendations.

The custodial cleaning program of academic areas will be increased in frequency and will follow the CDC’s cleaning and disinfection guidance of cleaning high touch-points such as door handles, banisters, elevator buttons, public areas and restrooms. Classroom cleaning will include the use of electrostatic cleaning and backpack sprayers after classes end each day. Log sheets indicating the date and time of cleaning protocols completed will be posted in classrooms and restrooms.

The cleaning program was reviewed and confirmed by Michael Baltrusaitis, University health and safety officer, from Cocciardi & Associates, Inc., a recognized firm providing guidance on health and safety issues.

In addition to the custodial staff, students and faculty will also play a role in keeping instructional areas clean. Students and faculty will be asked to apply hand sanitizer as they enter the class. Hand sanitizer is available by the door of every instructional space. EPA-registered disinfectant wipes will also be available to students and faculty as they enter the classroom. Each student will wipe down the surface area in front of them before and after they sit down. Faculty members or others responsible for instruction (e.g. laboratory staff or teaching assistants) will wipe down surface areas in front of them before and after class. This may include computer, podium, front table, etc.

Signage of these procedures will be placed in instructional spaces as a reminder of the protocols.

Facilities staff will restock cleaning supplies in instructional spaces throughout the day. Additional cleaning supplies, as well as masks, will also be available at the Dean’s Offices in Brennan Hall, St. Thomas Hall and Leahy Hall, and in the Dean of Students Office in the DeNaples Center.

The University will determine alternate arrangements for faculty or staff who are unable to perform any cleaning tasks due to medical conditions. Students who are unable to perform any of these cleaning tasks outlined in this protocol due to medical conditions can contact the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE). Faculty will be informed of students who cannot perform these tasks.

In addition to cleaning protocols, for classes with more than 20 students, instructors are asked to dismiss students in smaller groups for social distancing purposes.

Royals Safe Together: A Plan to Reopen Campus complies with Pennsylvania’s Preliminary Guidance for Resuming In-Person Instruction at Post Secondary Institutions and Adult Education Programs as well with relevant guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH). The plan also recognizes the need to continue to adapt to changing circumstances, noting that the University “will continue to monitor the spread of the virus, especially within the broader region, and will respond accordingly.”

Protocols Keep Instructional Spaces Clean and Safe

Classroom cleaning procedures put in place for fall semester meet CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Landmark Conference Fall Semester Update image

General

Jul 31, 2020

The Landmark Conference released the following statement on July 31, 2020:

TOWSON, Md. – Following a unanimous vote of the Landmark Conference Executive Board, the league has postponed all conference regular season contests and championships scheduled to take place during the fall 2020 semester (thru Dec. 31, 2020).

The conference supports institutional autonomy for its member institutions and teams to engage in athletically related activities in accordance with their local and state health guidelines and NCAA Division III rules.

The conference and its member institutions are exploring ways to provide competitive opportunities for fall student-athletes to participate in their sport during the spring semester barring local and state recommendations related to the pandemic. At present, it is the intent of the Landmark Conference to play a conference schedule and conduct league championships for fall sports in the Spring of 2021.

The University of Scranton athletics department will continue to explore ways to provide student-athletes with athletic opportunities with their teams in a safe and sensible manner during the fall semester. Any team activities will be held in accordance with local, state, and federal health guidelines, as well as all institutional protocols surrounding COVID-19. The athletics department will provide more information as those plans come together.

"Our priority, first and foremost, is the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and University community," said Dave Martin, director of athletics. "We continue to look into ways to give our student-athletes a meaningful athletic experience during the fall semester while following proper guidelines to minimize risk. We feel there is an avenue to that, but we need to be diligent in exploring the right way to make it happen."

The Landmark will provide a status report by October 15th that will include any updates to the league's winter & spring championships along with additional information regarding future schedules.

General questions will be addressed through a FAQ document, which is available by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3jY7CkY

Landmark Conference Fall Semester Update

Following a unanimous vote of the Landmark Conference Executive Board, the league has postponed all conference regular season contests and championships scheduled to take place during the fall 2020 semester (thru Dec. 31, 2020).

Infectious Disease Expert Discusses Outbreaks, Responses and Covid-19 image

Alumni

Aug 05, 2020

As the keynote speaker for the April 30 President’s Business Council webinar, Col. James Cummings, M.D. ’88, H’15, president of ICON Government and Public Health Solutions, Inc., discussed everything from the history of pandemics to possible vaccines.

Following his graduation from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Cummings spent 26 years in the U.S. Army. He has maintained a close connection with The University of Scranton as a member of the University’s Medical Alumni Council (MAC) and mentor to pre-medical students. Prior to his current position at ICON, he was vice president of clinical development and translational medicine at Novavax, a clinical-state biotechnology company “committed to delivering novel products to prevent a broad range of infectious diseases.”

Prior to Novavax, he was director at the Department of Defense’s Global Emerging Infection Surveillance and Response Systems (DoD-GEIS) responsible for oversight, development, functionality and fiscal accountability of the DoD’s global surveillance program for emerging infectious disease.

Here are some highlights from his talk, which you can watch in its entirety, here.

On Pre-COVID

“We’ve done a lot of learning through all of these outbreaks. And we do a lot of continued planning and learning even when there’s not an outbreak occurring. Across the whole of government, and not just the U.S. government, but other governments as well, NGOs, academic institutions, commercial biopharmaceutical companies, CROs, like the one I run at Icon, and others. We get together very regularly to discuss and learn from what we call Disease X, that’s the next pathogen, generally considered to be a viral pathogen, that will be infecting humanity and could be responsible for an outbreak or a pandemic.”

On Who it Affects

“I can tell you from the death rate…it’s not only the elderly or those who are medically compromised who are ill in the hospital, on ventilators or who are dead. This certainly has a concentration in elderly or medically compromised, but it crosses the spectrum of humanity in terms of who it’s affecting directly.”

On Biosurveillance

“There’s a national strategy for biosurveillance that’s been in place for many years. When you see a constellation of people becoming ill and you don’t know why they’re becoming ill, we’re very fortunate now that we have gene sequencing available and we can detect novel infectious agents just like this coronavirus. And that was done in China. We take that data, we review it, we integrate it, we analyze it. We turn it into actionable information that you can disseminate to key leaders and to people who can make a difference in what that information might mean. That decision gives support and feedback about where next to go for biosurveillance.”

On Healthcare Innovations

“There are DNA-based vaccines and mRNA-based vaccines. These vaccines involve injections either intramuscularly or subdermally, and then, generally speaking, some electroporation, just a fancy name for a little bit of electrical stimulus on the skin to drive that DNA or mRNA into our dendritic cells and get a robust immune response.”

“There are more traditional vaccine production methodologies either protein subunit vaccines, replicating viral vector vaccines, and virus-like particles, nonreplicating viral vectors and live attenuated virus. The inactivated, think of that like your traditional flu vaccine where we grow a bunch of virus, we kill it, then we give your immune system a little taste of that virus. Your immune system develops a robust response to that and realizes that’s the wanted poster for your immune system. The majority of these are all, for the most part, acting against the glycoprotein spike on the coronavirus.”

“There is good news on the horizon, because these platforms have already been developed for other coronaviruses. The good news is that they were able to turn the key on the machine and go very quickly with a safe product into phase one testing.”

On Cooperation

“In my short career, 26 years or so, there’s been a great development or maturation, I think, of relationships with the FDA and other regulatory agencies and industry. There are partnerships for developing solutions moving forward. Where, at one point in time, the FDA may not have been looked at as a facilitator of great products, but more of a policeman, now what’s happening is that the FDA is really bringing to bear the full might of their knowledge and their power as a regulatory agency…to ensure that we’re very rapidly assessing these investigational new drugs or vaccines or diagnostics and facilitating great work moving forward faster.”

“The regulatory process has really sped up in terms of total amount of time it requires to ensure a safe product is moving forward. That is key. You don’t want a rubber stamp, and that’s not what they’re giving. They are giving a very thoughtful review in a more expedited fashion.”

“No one’s looking for shortcuts.”

On Opening

“It’s a very fluid situation. This isn’t a light switch that we flip on and say ‘OK we’re open for business now.’ This is going to be a very segmented transition. And when you say, ‘getting back to normal,’ it’s a new normal.”

“I’m a fan of the build, measure, learn cycle. So, we’ll take a look, we’ll make a data-driven decision, then we will monitor to see what that decision produced.”

“In educators’ standpoints, there’s so much value in having people together. …You really want kids to have that socialization and that process of further maturation and development, but it can’t be at the cost of endangering their health. So I think we have to be very practical and pragmatic.”

Infectious Disease Expert Discusses Outbreaks, Responses and Covid-19

Col. James Cummings, M.D. ’88, H’15, president of ICON Government and Public Health Solutions, Inc., discusses COVID-19.

Remote Internship is 'as Real World as it Gets' image

Student

Aug 05, 2020

Like many other students this year, Annie Yurgosky '22 spent the summer interning from home. Yurgosky interns for The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a Small Business Internship Initiative (SBII) Operations Intern. We caught up with her recently to hear about her experience.

Tell us about your remote internship experience.

I started working in the position in the early spring semester and has carried now into the summer, so I was able to have an understanding of both what the internship was like in person and then remotely. I definitely think that the first few weeks of working remotely were an adjustment period for everyone. I soon realized how important it was to keep a strong line of communication between everyone to make sure that I am clear what my tasks are for that week. Whether it was through Zoom meetings or emails, I realized that effectively communicating with my supervisors was key to having a successful remote internship.

What are some of the skills you gained?

My internship at the SBDC is for the Small Business Internship Initiative. This is a program that the SBDC has that connects students in the area to internships with small businesses. My job is to help the small businesses that are interested in hosting an intern decide what they need assistance in, and develop a post and criteria to post on our website so that we can connect the right students for the internship. We are also there to help the small business and student with any questions they have throughout the internship.

I think that throughout this process I have enhanced my writing skills and Microsoft Excel skills. Being able to keep track of all of the internships that have been posted and where each internship is a large amount of the data that we must keep track of through spreadsheets so that any person is able to refer to it at a given time and can find the answer to their question. I also think that throughout this internship, my communication skills have been greatly enhanced. I have learned to communicate with the small business owners, students and my supervisors effectively so that we are all on the same page which, in my opinion, is the most important skill to have in a business setting.

How do you feel this internship prepared you for the real world?

The Scranton SBDC works with many small businesses throughout the Scranton area and surrounding counties. Back in pre-COVID times, our office mainly saw people who had business ideas or small business owners who were looking to expand. It was a very cool experience to be able to watch someone come into our office with just an idea in their head and then several months later be standing in front of their new business at their grand opening. I saw the business consultants work tirelessly to help people make their dreams a reality.

It was a surreal experience to watch their focus shift from helping people apply for loans to start businesses, to now applying for loans in hopes that they can save their business. These past few months have been an extremely hard and difficult time for the SBDC, as we have watched many of our small business owners face challenges they never thought they would encounter. It has been absolutely inspiring to see how these people have been able to make changes to their businesses in such a short amount of time in order to keep their employees and customers safe.

If you think back to January and February, there was no such thing as no-contact delivery or curbside pickup. These businesses had to change the way that they have been doing things forever. They did it because of their passion and drive to keep their small business alive and give hope to the community that there will be an end to this but until then we are going to keep you safe. Many restaurants have now added outdoor dining to make their customers feel comfortable going out to eat.

To me, this internship is as "real world" as it gets. I've had the opportunity to see the ups and downs that the real world throws at you and how you have to roll with the punches. It has shown me that with drive, passion, and the ability to adapt to changes quickly, you can overcome almost anything.

What advice would you give to college students pursuing an internship at this time?

While it may be difficult in the world we are living in right now, don't give up on searching for an internship! It can be one of the most beneficial opportunities to enhance your education at the University will push you to improve your problem-solving skills in ways you never thought you could.

Once you have an internship, don't be afraid to ask questions! An internship is a learning experience, don't feel like you need to have all of the answers. The way to get the most out of this experience is by asking questions and listening to their critiques. I think that the most important characteristic in someone is to be a teachable person. I went into the internship with Socrates' idea that "I know that I know nothing." It's OK and important to know that you don't know because that's how you learn. That idea will allow you have the most beneficial internship experience.

Annie Yurgosky '22

Remote Internship is 'as Real World as it Gets'

Like many other students this year, Annie Yurgosky '22 spent the summer interning from home. Read about her experience here.

PBC To Offer Virtual Celebration Oct. 8 image

Alumni

Aug 05, 2020

The President’s Business Council (PBC) will present President’s Medals to Margaret “Maggie” Quinn Mariotti, Au.D. P’10, John R. Mariotti, D.M.D. ’75, P’10 and Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, J.D., J.C.L. ’72 at its virtual 19^th Annual Award Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 8.

“While we are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we feel that it is important to continue with our annual fundraising initiative in support of the student needs and scholarships at Scranton,” said Timothy J. Pryle ’89, executive director of the PBC. “This year, we feel that it is important to expand the impact of our fundraising efforts to support more students while also recognizing Father Pilarz’s tireless leadership through this pandemic.” In addition to the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, this year’s proceeds will be designated to the James P. Sweeney, S.J., Family Outreach Fund for students facing unexpected financial hardship and the Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Scholarship, a need-based scholarship established in 2011 by the Sorbera Family.

Margaret “Maggie” Quinn Mariotti, Au.D. P’10 is a retired clinical audiologist whose private practice included offices in Honesdale and Clarks Summit. She has held several clinical audiologist positions at various institutions, including the U.S. Army Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at Fort Stewart, Ga. Dr. Mariotti also taught as an adjunct professor in the communication sciences and disorders program at Marywood University.

She was a Pennsylvania Speech and Hearing Association liaison and served as a board member of the Women’s Resource Center and the IHM Foundation. Maggie was a member of the University’s Board of Trustees from 2003 through 2010. Dr. Mariotti earned a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Marywood University, a master’s degree in audiology from Temple University and a doctorate in audiology from the University of Florida.

John R. Mariotti, D.M.D. ’75, P’10 has worked as an orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics practitioner for 35 years and is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Mariotti earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University and a doctor of dental medicine degree from Temple University. He was commissioned as a U.S. Army captain in the Army Dental Corps at Fort Stewart, Ga. After completing his tour of duty, John pursued his post-graduate degree in orthodontics at the Eastman Dental Center at the University of Rochester. At Eastman, he conducted research in growth and development and TMJ disorders.

Dr. Mariotti served as president and chair of the board of the Scranton District Dental Society and is a past board president of the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists. An active member of the University’s Medical Alumni Council, he became a member of the Board of Trustees in 2019.

The Mariottis, who reside in Jefferson Twp., have four children.

Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, J.D., J.C.L. ’72 has been a priest in the Diocese of Scranton for 35 years and currently serves as pastor of Our Lady of the Snows Parish in Clarks Summit. For 16 years he was the rector of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Prior to his current role, he was the vice president for mission and ministry at Fordham University.

Monsignor Quinn received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University and a juris doctorate from Seton Hall University. At the age of 25, he was appointed a federal magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court, becoming the youngest person in the country to serve in that position. After resigning his post, he entered the seminary and completed his studies at the North American College in Rome, earning graduate degrees in theology from the Gregorian University and the Angelicum University.

He has served on numerous boards, including as a member of the Board of Advisors of the North American College and as the founding chairman of the Scranton Preparatory School Board of Trustees. He is a former member of the University’s Board of Trustees, which he served for 15 years.

The Quinns are two of the 12 children of the late June Scanlan Quinn and John A. Quinn Sr., D.D.S. ’40.

In presenting the President’s Medal, the University and the PBC recognize individuals who have achieved excellence in their fields, who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion for others, and who personify the University’s mission of Catholic and Jesuit excellence and service. Through its previous 18 dinners, the PBC has generated over $16 million for the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund.

Planning for this year’s celebration, including a virtual Honoree Announcement, is ongoing, so please visit our website at www.scranton.edu/PBCcelebration for up-to-date information and the October 8 event link. For more information on this year’s event or the PBC, please contact Tim Pryle at (570) 941-5837 or pbc@scranton.edu.

PBC To Offer Virtual Celebration Oct. 8

PBC To Hold Virtual Celebration In Place Of Annual Award Dinner.

University Holds Zoom Welcome For Class of 2024 Families image

Alumni

Aug 05, 2020

University Holds Zoom Welcome For Class of 2024 Families

Alumni, parents and staff members virtually welcome incoming Class of 2024 families to their Royal Family.

Alumni

Aug 05, 2020

What's new with you? To submit a Class Note, visit the Class Notes Submission Page.

Mary M. McCambridge '79, Lake Mary, Florida, a grief and bereavement specialist and author of several works in her field who established the Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc., has launched a podcast, The Mary Mac Show, lending her 35 years' experience to comfort and educate those grieving the death of a loved one. Her show was recognized among the 10 Best Podcasts on Grief by several organizations. She is also offering products for the bereaved through The Mary Mac Shop. Mary is a 2009 recipient of the Frank J. O'Hara Award.

Stephen P. Castellano ’90, Glen Mills, was named chief practice operations officer at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). In this role, Castellano will be a key member of the leadership team, overseeing a multispecialty, multi-location group of medical practices as well as the design of organizational structure, day-to-day oversight of performance and operations, and the continuous improvement of administrative and clinical operating models.

Karen M. Murphy, Ph.D. ’91, Clarks Summit, chief innovation officer and founding director of the Geisinger Steele Institute for Health Innovation, was named a “2020 Woman to Watch in Health Information Technology” by Becker’s Hospital Review. In her role at the Steele Institute, Murphy leads Geisinger’s commitment to innovation, developing leading-edge solutions that slow rising costs, improve quality and increase access to healthcare.

Courtney Roselle ’11, Jersey City, New Jersey, was a competitor on The Rock’s “Titan Games,” on NBC. Roselle is a professional Crossfit athlete and trainer for Brazen Athletics in Hoboken and Black House Strength and Conditioning in Fairfield. Roselle also has her own fitness company, Iron Grace, which sells workout apparel and offers training classes.

Deaths

Eugene M. Langan ’58, Clarks Green
Edward B. Vanisky ’58, Clarks Summit
Edward E. Adrian ’59, Johnson City New York
Eugene R. Molnar ’59, Cary, North Carolina
Henry D. Ritzie, Jr. ’63, Dupont
Raymond J. Lintner ’66, Honesdale
William F. Yachymiak ’68, Brooklyn
Joseph S. Kutsop ’73, Blakely
Henry P. Magdon ’82, Olyphant
Edward L. “Ned” Posluszny ’92, Throop

Births

A daughter, Michalina Marie, to Chris '08 and Allison Martyn Samuels '08, Centennial, Colorado.

Alumni Class Notes, August 2020

Share your story with your Royal Family.

Electric City Connection Project Receives Grant Support image

Community

Aug 04, 2020

At the beginning of the pandemic, a collaboration led by The University of Scranton, Scranton Tomorrow, and Friends of the Poor launched The Electric City Connection project to help address the emerging needs of both local restaurants experiencing an economic downturn due to the pandemic and to help Scranton area residents in need of food assistance.

This project was recently awarded a generous $20,000 grant from Scranton Area Community Foundation to continue its work throughout the summer and add to the generous community member donations that have totaled $26,955.

"This is a great opportunity to address challenges surrounding food insecurity in Scranton, which have been elevated during the COVID-19 crisis," stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. "Thanks to generous support from donors to the NEPA COVID-19 Response Fund, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is able to provide support for the Electric City Connection project."

The program began by accepting donations in increments of $15, then used by local restaurant partners to supply gift cards for meals distributed by the Friends of the Poor Scranton to individuals and families facing food insecurity in our community. The additional support from the Scranton Area Community Foundation grant will help provide over 3,000 meals to community members, including gift card distributions as well as an expansion of the program to include senior citizens and residents with disabilities living in Downtown Scranton high rises.

“We are seeing a great and ongoing need in the area. Many people are first time recipients of food assistance, truly showing the economic struggles in the face of the pandemic.” Sr. Ann remarked. “Thankfully there is also a great deal of generosity and support to help fill our community needs. The Electric City Connection is a great program to mutually sustain both our local restaurant businesses, and also to provide food assistance to the individuals and families in our community during this challenging time.”

Friends of the Poor Scranton has distributed the gift cards from its weekday/daily food pantry located in West Scranton and FOP and the University of Scranton have worked jointly with Fitch Towers, Mulberry Towers, Geneva House and Amos Towers, to coordinate meals from local restaurant partners. For elderly and disabled downtown residents, these meals while nourishing for their bodies, are also a sign of the care our community has for them and a way to make connections during this time of physical distancing.

This impact can be felt in the reactions from their residents, as Cathie Dougher, Building Manager at Amos Towers shared following a turkey dinner with all the trimming catered by Stirna’s Restaurant on July 23: “The meal was greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all with smiles. This gesture will be a topic of conversation in our building for several weeks. The residents have been calling the office since the delivery expressing thankfulness for the delicious generous portions.”

Continuation of the project also provides a much-needed economic boost to local restaurants at a critical time. Altogether, the project has injected more than $45,000 into our Scranton economy.

Restaurant partners include but are not limited to: A Little Pizza Heaven, Abe's Kosher Deli, Downtown Victoria's, Fratelli's Restaurant, Mansour's Market, Stirna’s Restaurant, The Garden Mediterranean Café, The Peculiar Slurp Shop, Pizza by Pappas, Savory Maza, Zummo's Café, Villa Maria's, The Black Box Café, Glider Diner, Sacco's Pizza, Taco Bandito, Paradise Soulfood & Sweets, Vincenzo’s Pizzeria & Catering.

Scranton Tomorrow will continue accepting donations for the duration of the project. To make a contribution, visit www.scrantontomorrow.org and click on Electric City Connection. To learn more about The University of Scranton, visit www.scranton.edu, and for more information about Friends of the Poor, visit www.fotp-ihm.org.

For questions about The Electric City Connection, contact The University of Scranton Community Relations Office via email at community@scranton.edu or by calling 570-941-5529. Additional University partner offices include the Center for Service and Social Justice and University of Scranton Small Business Development Center.

Electric City Connection Project Receives Grant Support

The Electric City Connection project receives grant support to carry on through pandemic.

Student

Aug 04, 2020

Move-in will look different this year, with several move-in dates, fewer family members on campus and less luggage.

Not sure what to expect? We lay it all out for you here.

In order to avoid a rush right before classes begin, students may request a move-in time to drop off their belongings, set up their living space and then depart campus several days before classes begin, between Aug. 9 and 11, by requesting a slot here. This phase is fully optional based on student ability and interest.

First year-students should have received Welcome Packets with their assigned move-in times for Aug. 15.

Each student is assigned a time between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
First-year students can expect help from returning students with their move-in.
The Welcome Packets include information about the traffic routes for Aug 15.
Additional information can be reviewed by visiting the Residence Hall Move-in webpage, here, after Aug. 6.

Returning students will move in Aug. 16.

Returning students who did not participate in Drop-off or as a Move-in Volunteer may return to campus housing on Aug. 16
Students may arrive between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Additional information can be reviewed by visiting the Residence Hall Move-in webpage, here, after Aug. 6.

“We are excited to have students return to campus as campus is a very quiet place without our students,” said Brad Troy, director of Residence Life, “Life on campus will be a bit different, but a commitment to personal safety expectations from the entire campus community will help to ensure we have a successful semester. We want to remind students and families that all persons visiting campus during move-in must wear a face covering at all times and practice proper social distancing and good hand hygiene.”

Students should (are encouraged to) pack lightly since the semester will end before the coldest weather traditionally hits Scranton.

Students are being asked to bring disinfecting wipes, cleaning supplies and a reusable thermometer from home.

Students should be arriving with no more than two family members with whom they currently reside. Upon arriving on campus, students and family members will be required to follow basic safety guidelines, including

Social distancing
Wearing masks at all times, on campus and in residence halls,
Washing hands and using the provided hand sanitizer often.

Some residence life adjustments for this year include:

Triple rooms being used for two rather than three students;
A small number of single rooms being reserved for students who demonstrate specific risk factors (students should contact CTLE for this accommodation)
No non-University guests and no overnight guests will be allowed in residence halls during the fall semester
Students from international locations or from designated states must complete a 14-day quarantine in Pennsylvania prior to their arrival on campus or must quarantine in their residence hall room or private residence (the Office of Residence Life will contact impacted students to determine their plans).

Find all information on this year's move-in on the Residence Hall Move-in webpage, here.

Please also familiarize yourself with the Royals Safe Together website, here, which details safety in residence halls and around campus.

Please follow these safety guidelines from The University of Scranton's Royals Safe Together plan, which you can find here.

FACE COVERINGS IN RESIDENCE HALLS

Face coverings are not required when students are in their assigned residence (room, suite, or apartment) and the only other person(s) present is their assigned roommate(s). Residents in apartments are permitted to remove face coverings within other areas of their apartment so long as only residents who share the apartment are present.
Given that students may not know if they can maintain social distancing, face coverings are required any time students leave their residence, including going to building common spaces or bathrooms.

RESIDENCE HALL BATHROOMS

In buildings with multiple community bathrooms on a floor, students will be assigned a specific bathroom for their use, and limited occupancy in the bathroom spaces will be implemented.
Increased cleaning procedures will be in place for all community bathrooms during the fall semester, which may mean the bathroom is closed during certain parts of the day.
In-room custodial services (trash removal and vacuuming) in first year and sophomore residences will be paused this semester. Students will be given instructions on trash disposal at the beginning of the semester by their Resident Assistants.

RESIDENCE HALL GUESTS

In order to limit community spread, it is necessary to limit contact between people in close quarters. Accordingly, no non-University guests and no overnight guests will be allowed in residence halls during the fall semester.

Preparing for Move-in, Fall 2020

Move-in will look different this year, with several move-in dates, fewer family members on campus and less luggage. Not sure what to expect? We lay it all out for you here.

August 2020

Fall Diversity and Inclusion Program for Faculty and Staff

Emergency Notification System Test on Sept. 3

Staff Senate Call for Nominations

An Update on University Actions to Combat Racism and Discrimination

Some of the benefits include:

GlobalProtect to be Deployed to Faculty, Staff Windows 10 Computers

Meditation-Yoga-POUND Classes

Students Can Explore Interests at Activities Fair

Safety Precautions at Masses Encourage University Community Members to Attend

Global Insights Program

Career Development Tips for the Fall

Scranton Among Nation’s Best Values for College

University Announces Faculty Promotions

Get to Know the new Director of Student Retention and Completion

10th Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt Winners

Activities Fair, Aug. 29

University President Stepping Down in May 2021

Royals Safe Together Safety Ambassador Program

Scranton in Princeton Review’s Best Colleges List

Student Group Wins Second National Award

Getting to know Michelle Maldonado, New Dean of CAS

Downtown Scranton Scavenger Hunt

Great Opportunities Exist for Students to Get to Know Scranton this Fall

Performance Music Ensembles, Fall 2020

DBA Program Advisor Awarded Lifetime Service Award

Scranton Welcomes Class of 2024

Professor Selected to National Academy

Patrick Keehan Joins University of Scranton SBDC

Wellness Self-Screening Application Launches Aug. 14

President Welcomes Students Back to Campus

Health and Safety Protocols Set for Fitness Center

Saturday, August 15

Sunday, August 16

Move-in Weekend Schedule

Information about Fall 2020 University Masses

Meal Options Added to Accommodate Fall Conditions

Spaces Dedicated for Commuters, Zoom Use, Study

Scranton Ranked Among Best Catholic Colleges in US

Annual Downtown Scavenger Hunt Redesigned for Fall 2020

Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award -- August

Diversity/Inclusion Program for Faculty and Staff

DeNaples Mailroom - Opening August 12

Pandemic Safety Ambassador Program Seeks Volunteers

Book by Faculty Member Wins Indie Award

Area Students Begin University of Success

Library Access for Fall 2020

Preparations Made to DeNaples Center for Fall

Student Health Services Prepares for Arrival of Students

Protocols Keep Instructional Spaces Clean and Safe

Landmark Conference Fall Semester Update

Infectious Disease Expert Discusses Outbreaks, Responses and Covid-19

Remote Internship is 'as Real World as it Gets'

PBC To Offer Virtual Celebration Oct. 8

University Holds Zoom Welcome For Class of 2024 Families

Alumni Class Notes, August 2020

Electric City Connection Project Receives Grant Support

FACE COVERINGS IN RESIDENCE HALLS

RESIDENCE HALL BATHROOMS

RESIDENCE HALL GUESTS

Preparing for Move-in, Fall 2020