October 2020

President Sends Message to Campus Community
University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., sends message to campus regarding the election and nearing end of the semester.

HR Presents 'For Your Benefit'
The Office of Human Resources is pleased to announce the continuation of the learning series, For Your Benefit, with three sessions geared toward resources, planning and guidance on topics including our various employee benefit plans and life issues such as social security, retirement readiness and more.

Van Dyke and Others Weigh in on Scranton Area as Election Battleground
Gretchen Van Dyke, Ph.D. is the latest professor to weigh in on the election, specifically related to Scranton as a battleground area.

Students 'Celebrate' Global Handwashing Day
Global Handwashing Day is an annual celebration, but this year it holds a little more weight than usual. Find out what songs are students are singing while they wash, in addition to the traditional ABCs.

Meet Spencer Galen, New Professor
Although we recognize first-years and transfer students as new to campus, we don't often think about another group that is just settling in: newly hired faculty.

Interactive Sessions Part of Virtual Open House
Prospective students and their families can interact with faculty, students and staff at the University’s virtual Open House on Nov. 1.

Applicants Given Flexibility for Competitive Majors
Flexibility is key for the University’s application process for competitive programs during the pandemic.

Death of Lt. Col. Joseph Wetherell
University President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., sends notice of the death of Lt. Col. Joseph Wetherell.

Campus Ministries Presents Examen for Civic Life, Nov. 2
The Office of Campus Ministries invites you to pray reflectively together prior to Election Day.

Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save the Country
Join us for "Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save the Country" on Thursday, Oct. 29.

E.J. Dionne to Speak at Oct. 29 Schemel Forum
Political columnist E.J. Dionne, Jr., will speak at a virtual Schemel Forum World Affairs Seminar Thursday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Humanities Forum: Anthea Butler on Jesuit Education and Activism
On Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m., the Slattery Center for Humanities and College of Arts and Sciences welcome Dr. Anthea Butler for the first Humanities Forum of the year.

University Celebrates International Education Week on Nov. 5
The University of Scranton is joining hundreds of universities across the country in the International Education Week (IEW) celebration, which highlights the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

Diversity Initiatives Grants Available
The Diversity Initiatives Review Board is accepting applications for grants in support of creative, educational programs that PROMOTE diversity, provide opportunity for inter-cultural engagement, and expand opportunities for multicultural experiences for our community.

Musicals Live During Pandemic Thanks to Liva Club
Student-run musical theater club uses creative ingenuity to hold events that bring members together safely during the pandemic.

Incoming Students Begin Business Honors Program
Eighteen members of the University’s class of 2024 enrolled in the four-year Business Honors Program.

The Heart of Health Care
The Year of the Nurse provides a challenge met by Scranton nursing alumni and students.

Video: Students Talk About the Importance of Voting
University students talk about why voting is important in this video.

Scranton Employees: Resources for the Whole Family
Your friends at The University of Scranton Early Learning Center want you to know about all the valuable resources Bright Horizons has to offer.

Transamerica - Individual Retirement Counseling
Dan Guzzo from Transamerica will be available via telephone for individual retirement counseling sessions on Friday, Oct. 23.

Born to be Wild Retreat Goes to the Top of the World
Campus Ministries Born to be Wild is a day-long hiking retreat coordinated by campus minister Fred Mercadante in which student participants were led by a team of peers.

Schemel Forum: The Politics of Maps: Cartographic Constructions of Israel/Palestine
This talk will focus on how various actors, institutions and governments engage in “map wars” in order to further different and often incommensurable geopolitical visions of contested territories.

Faculty Show Social Justice Can Be Taught
Operations and Information Management faculty publish research on outcomes of integrating social justice themes into business courses.

University to Participate in City Voter Activation Efforts
As Election nears, University participates in When We All Vote Together event to encourage early voting as part of #RoyalsVote initiative.

Scranton Voter Activation Event - Royals Vote
City of Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti has joined with When We All Vote, a nonpartisan voter engagement organization, to host a COVID-safe activation to celebrate voting and encourage voters in Scranton to vote early this year.

Global Insights Fall Wrap Up: Uruguay
Cecilia Núñez, Spanish teaching assistant in World Languages and Cultures, will present on her native country in the next Global Insights program,

For Faculty and Staff: Rebuilding Our Wounded World: A Catholic Response to Racism
The Office of Equity and Diversity is pleased to host Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, at the next D+I + A Better U! lunch and learn for faculty and staff.

Student Political Science Club Starts at Scranton
The 2020 Presidential Election is keeping student members of the new Political Science Club actively engaged in virtual discussions.

Campus Ministries Connections Retreat for First-year Students
The Class of 2024 was invited to take part in the Connections Retreat – an experience designed to help first-year students get to know each other as well as to get acquainted with Campus Ministries.

Post Graduate Service Fair, Oct. 27 via Handshake
If you've ever considered doing a year (or more) of volunteer service after graduation, please consider participating in our virtual Post-Grad Fair on Oct. 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. via the Handshake platform.

Join us for Democracy in Crisis: Elections in 2020
The Schemel Forum has been invited to present this non-partisan program featuring distinguished national leaders at this important moment in our nation's history.

Facilities Work Order System Launch Mon., Oct 26
Facilities Management and Information Technology are pleased to announce the launch of the new Facilities Work Order System on Oct. 26.

Graduate Assistant Applications
Applications are now available for students who would like to apply for a graduate assistantship for the 2021-2022 academic year!

New Arrangement of University Alma Mater
Enjoy this new arrangement of "The University of Scranton Alma Mater" (words by Kathleen M. Fisher, '80; music by Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J.

Three Receive President’s Medals at Virtual Event
The University’s President’s Business Council honored Margaret “Maggie” Quinn Mariotti, John R. Mariotti and Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn.

Scranton Community Celebrates Hispanic and Latinx Businesses
United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA and University partner to celebrate Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month by profiling community businesses.

Professor Receives NSF Grant
Operations and Information Management Professor Ahmed Gomaa, Ph.D., was awarded a $50,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.

Scranton among Best Colleges for Public Good
The University ranked among nation’s best for social mobility, research and service of graduates according to Washington Monthly.

The Slattery Center Presents: A Birthday Party for Bellarmine
This week, The Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Humanities launched the inaugural episode of its new Birthday Party podcast series.

Alumni Society Announces Pumpkin Carving Contest
Submit your entry by Oct. 30 to win a spooktacular Scranton prize.

PBC To Hold Virtual Celebration Oct. 8
Support Scranton students at this year's virtual celebration.

Remembering Jack Brennan '68
University Community Remembers Alumnus, Trustee, Donor and Mentor.

Finding a Purpose: Relvas Thrives as School Psychologist
Like any other wide-eyed, 18-year old freshman, Vanessa Relvas ’12 didn't know exactly what she was in for when she stepped onto Scranton’s campus more than a decade ago.

Theresa Haley ‘86 Prepares and Protects VA Hospital
VA infection preventionist and former volleyball student-athlete keeps patients, staff safe.
We Care Wednesday Provides Meals to Those in Need
Wednesday is the new Friday! We Care Wednesday, a new program organized by the Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ) and EFFORT (Excess Food For Others Recovery Team), has added much needed positive energy to the middle of the week during the pandemic.

Tutor US Seeking Virtual Tutors for Kids
The Center for Service & Social Justice and the Office of Community Relations are seeking University students to act as Virtual Tutors for elementary age kids in the Scranton School District.

Immigration Context with Sara Ritchie
The Multicultural Center is partnering with the Center for Service and Social Justice International Service Program, and we are excited to bring and host Sara Ritchie, director of Communication for the Kino Border Initiative.

Esprit is Calling for Submissions
Esprit, the University of Scranton’s Review of Arts and Letters, is calling for submissions for our Fall 2020 edition.

2020 Post Grad Service Fair
The University of Scranton Center for Career Development & Center for Service and Social Justice presents the 2020 Post Grad Service Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

University To Celebrate Jesuit Friends And Alumni Sunday Oct. 24, 25
Rekindle your connection to the Society of Jesus virtually.

Honor Roll Of Donors Recognizes Donor Generosity
More than 9,400 alumni, parents and friends gave to the University during the last fiscal year.
Craft for a Cause
Join CSSJ along with members from Circle K and The Knitting Club to "Craft For A Cause!"

19th Annual U.S. Conference on disABILITY
The 19th Annual U.S. Conference on disABILITY scheduled for Oct. 6, 2020, has over 800 registrants.

Scranton Names Class of 2024 Presidential Scholars
Thirteen students from The University of Scranton class of 2024 have been awarded four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships.

University to Host High-tech Virtual Open Houses
The University of Scranton has planned two virtual Open House events (Oct. 18 and Nov. 1.) using a state-of-the-art technology platform.

Students Start Amateur Radio Club at Scranton
W3USR University of Scranton Amateur Radio Club is among the new student clubs and organizations that started this semester

Scranton Among Wall Street Journal’s Best Colleges
The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked Scranton No. 92 in the nation for student engagement in its Best Colleges 2021.

Community Conversation to Address Racism Begins
Greater Scranton MLK Commission series of community conversations addressing systemic racism continues this October.

Meet the New Staff Senators
Welcome to the newly-elected Staff Senators and Alternates.

Ledetsch Adjusts on the Fly, Helps Long Island Block Back COVID-19
A former volleyball standout battles pandemic amid unprecedented circumstances outside New York City.