University of Scranton Names Four New Trustees

The University of Scranton names four new members, including two alumni, to its board of trustees.
James F. Cummings, M.D., ’88, H’15; Rev. Richard G. Malloy, S.J.; John P. “JP” Sweeney P’08, P’13, P’20; and Nicole Young ’00 were named to The University of Scranton’s Board of Trustees.
James F. Cummings, M.D., ’88, H’15; Rev. Richard G. Malloy, S.J.; John P. “JP” Sweeney P’08, P’13, P’20; and Nicole Young ’00 were named to The University of Scranton’s Board of Trustees.

The University of Scranton named four individuals to its Board of Trustees: James F. Cummings, M.D., ’88, H’15; Rev. Richard G. Malloy, S.J.; John P. “JP” Sweeney P’08, P’13, P’20; and Nicole Young ’00.

Dr. Cummings is the president of ICON Government and Public Health Solutions Inc., a global clinical research organization, providing clinical trial and functional services to government and commercial customers. Previously, he served as vice president of clinical development and translational medicine at Novavax Inc., in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he led the development programs for all emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including human and veterinary vaccine development and polyclonal human antibody development.

Colonel (Retired) Cummings enjoyed a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Army with a proven track record in vaccine, drug and diagnostics development. Most recently, he served as director of the Department of Defense (DoD) Global Emerging Infectious Diseases Surveillance and Response Systems (DoD GEIS) leading Biosurveillance for the US DoD with laboratories and partners in 71 countries, and as the consultant to the Surgeon General for all medical research and development. He also served at Walter Reed Army Research Institute of Research (WRAIR), where he directed the comprehensive translational medicine research division within the WRAIR and DoD, and was director of the clinical trials center in DoD, and chief of overseas vaccine development for WRAIR’s Department of Immunology, Division of CD&I. He has been elected a fellow in the American College of Physicians (FACP), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (FIDSA) and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (FASTMH). Dr. Cummings has more than 35 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters and has recently served as a member of numerous national committees and editorial boards.

A native of Dunmore, Dr. Cummings graduated from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1993, after earning his bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Scranton in 1988. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University in 2015 and delivered principal remarks at the graduate commencement. He resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with his wife, Julia, and their two children.

Fr. Malloy serves as director of mission and ministry, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Previously, he served as University Chaplain and vice president for University Ministries at Scranton, and taught courses there in anthropology, sociology and theology. From 1988-2003, he worked as a member of the Jesuit Urban Service team at Holy Name Parish in Camden, New Jersey, where he also served in various positions at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

His books include, A Faith That Frees: Catholic Matters for the 21st Century (Orbis Books, 2008), which examines the relationships between the practices of faith and the cultural currents and changes so rapidly occurring in our global world. He has also published Being on Fire: the Top Ten Essentials of Catholic Faith (Orbis Books 2014). His third book, Spiritual Direction: A Beginner’s Guide was published by Orbis in the Fall of 2017. All three books were recognized with awards by the Catholic Press Association in the category “Best Presentation of the Catholic Faith.”

Fr. Malloy has also written numerous articles for Catholic newspapers, magazines and other publications, and has led and presented at numerous retreats and workshops.

Fr. Malloy entered the Jesuit order in 1976. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University and a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from Temple University. He earned a Master of Divinity and a S.T.L. from Weston Jesuit School of Theology. During his Jesuit training, Fr. Malloy served for three years (1981-1984) in Osorno and Santiago, Chile. He was ordained in 1988.

Sweeney is a vice president in the Private Client Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in Scranton.  Before entering the financial services industry, he served as vice president/program manager with Specialty Defense Systems headquartered in Dunmore.

Sweeney has been actively engaged with the University of Scranton. He and his wife Davida served as co-chairs of the University’s Parents Executive Council for the 2019-20 academic year. He has been a member of the Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Awards Committee and the President’s Business Council. He also serves on the boards of several local nonprofit organizations.

The Sweeney’s have five children, Kathleen ’08 G’10, Patrick ’14, Marc G’20, Maeve and Meg ’20.  Sweeney attended The University of Scranton’s Dexter Hanley College. His father, John P. Sweeney, graduated from Scranton in 1961 and received the University’s Frank J. O’Hara Award in 2006.

Young is an award-winning producer for 60 Minutes. Among her many honors, she has received 16 News and Documentary Emmy Awards, three Alfred I. DuPont- Columbia Awards, four Writer’s Guild Awards, two Gerald Loeb Awards, two Sigma Delta Chi Awards, four National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Salute to Excellence Awards, a George Foster Peabody Award, a George Polk Award, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and a Wilbur Award.

Young’s most recent 60 Minutes assignments include breaking news coverage on the COVID-19 pandemic, social injustice and the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump; reporting on Syria from the front lines on the refugee crisis, the use of chemical weapons and The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as “The White Helmets” and Ethiopia’s Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela. Some of Young’s most critical stories, however, are those focusing on job loss, poverty, homelessness and especially child hunger in the United States.

In addition to producing pieces for 60 Minutes, Young was a senior producer at the CBS Evening News for six years where she broke major stories for the nightly broadcast.

Young earned her bachelor’s degree in communication at the University and her master’s degree in international journalism from City University of London. She resides in the New York City area with her family.

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