Scranton Names Class of 2024 Presidential Scholars
The University of Scranton has awarded 13 students from its class of 2024 four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships. The Presidential Scholarship recipients are: Tabitha Berger, Cresco; Luke Capper, Mechanicsburg; Caitlin Doughton, Throop; Thomas Elias, Tunkhannock; Stephanie Lehner, Poughkeepsie, New York; Diana Lozinger, Cranberry Township; John Nelson, Jefferson, Maryland; Nadia Ostrosky, Sherman, Connecticut; Jacqueline Savage, Kings Park, New York; Kathleen Till, Newtown Square; Shelby Traver, Sweet Valley; Jessica Tsu, Valley Stream, New York; and Cayman Webber, Buckeye, Arizona.
Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students with outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition provided that the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average.
Tabitha Berger, Cresco, graduated from Pocono Mountain East High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She was captain of the varsity cross country team and a four-year participant in the varsity swim team. She was the team manager for the boys varsity soccer team and participated in state competitions for the Future Business Leaders of America. Berger volunteered with American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, her school’s family swim night, mini-THON and several other organizations. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, Berger will major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology on the pre-med track. She is the daughter of Deanna and Joshua Berger.
Luke Capper, Mechanicsburg, graduated from Trinity High School in Camp Hill. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the Mathematics National Honor Society. He was a member of the varsity cross country team, track and field team and swimming and diving team. He was a member of the Quizbowl Team and Indoor Percussion Ensemble. An Eagle Scout, Capper also participated in Boy Scouts. He volunteered serving breakfast to the homeless at the kitchen at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Harrisburg. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Capper will major in applied computing. He is the son of Christine and Thomas Capper, who are 1990 graduates of The University of Scranton.
Caitlin Doughton, Throop, graduated from Scranton Preparatory School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, captain of the football cheerleading team and a member of the track and field team. She was a homeroom representative for Student Government, president of the Medical Club and a founder of Mindfulness Monday’s. She also participated in the Spanish Club and Book Club. Doughton volunteered at numerous organizations, including Nativity Miguel School, St. Joseph’s Center Daycare, Habitat for Humanity and NeighborWorks of NEPA. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Doughton will major in biology and philosophy on the pre-med track. She is the daughter of Karen and Robert Doughton.
Thomas Elias, Tunkhannock, graduated as salutatorian from Tunkhannock Area High School. He was vice president for the National Honor Society, team captain for Scholastic Scrimmage and the Battle of the Books. He participated in the Governor’s STEM Competition, SkillsUSA Quiz Bowl, Student Council, the Physics Club and the Robotics Club. He was a member of the Jazz Band, Marching Band and Concert Band. He served as a facilitator, trainer and speaker for the Diocese of Scranton’s International Student Leadership Institute and as an altar server and Sunday school aide at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Tunkhannock. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Elias will major in physics and philosophy. He is the son of Susan and Samuel Elias.
Stephanie Lehner, Poughkeepsie, New York, graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She was a member of the varsity golf team and a four-year member of the varsity soccer team. She participated with the Math Team, Ski Club and Spanish Club and served as a physics and calculus tutor and student ambassador at her high school. She was named the 2017 CYO Student Artist of the Year and completed her Girl Scout Gold Award. She was an altar server for Holy Trinity Parish in Poughkeepsie and volunteered at Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Business Honors Program, Lehner will major in biology on the pre-med track. She is the daughter of Maria and Eric Lehner.
Diana Lozinger, Cranberry Township, graduated from Vincentian Academy in Pittsburgh with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. A member of the National Honor Society, she received the Martin Luther King Jr. Day first place award in prose from Carnegie Mellon University. She participated in the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival in Vocals. She was a member of the International Club and served as the Diocesan youth council representative and as a cantor for her school and her parish, Saint Kilian Parish in Cranberry Township, where she also served as a CCD aid. An advocate for childhood stroke, brain injury and disability, Lozinger has made more than 3,500 beaded bracelets for children in recovery in hospitals and outpatient care. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Lozinger will major in counseling and human services and theology. She is the daughter of Tika and Charles Lozinger.
John Nelson, Jefferson, Maryland, graduated from St. John’s Catholic Prep in Buckeystown. A member of the National Honor Society, he was a member of the Science Olympiad and placed 1st in several events. He was a lawyer and witness on his school’s mock trial team that made it to the top 4 mock trial teams in the state before the pandemic began. He was captain of both the varsity golf team and varsity soccer team for which he played for four years. He served as student body executive president. He participated in his school’s musical theater performances, Math Club, Campus Ministries and other activities. He was lead altar server, retreat leader, cantor, lector and leader of religious education for children at his parish, Holy Family Catholic Church in Middletown. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Nelson will major in mechanical engineering and philosophy. He is the son of Karen and John Nelson.
Nadia Ostrosky, Sherman, Connecticut, graduated from Shepaug Valley High School in Washington. A National Merit Commended Scholar, she was a member of the National Honor Society and the Art National Honor Society. She was a member of the varsity soccer team, the cross-country team and was captain of the varsity indoor and outdoor track team. She was named a Berkshire League Scholar Athlete for three years. She also participated in Student Council and served as a tutor for underclassmen. She volunteered as a coach for youth girl’s soccer and with the Sherman Historical Society Summer Program. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Ostrosky will major in business communication and philosophy. She is the daughter of Helen Anne and Robert Ostrosky, who are 1992 graduates of The University of Scranton.
Jacqueline Savage, Kings Park, New York, graduated from Smithtown High School West in Smithtown. She was an AP Scholar with Distinction and member of the National Honor Society, as well as the mathematics, English and social studies honor societies. She was secretary for the Italian Honor Society and event coordinator for the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She placed 5th in the calculus level of the Suffolk County Mathematics Teachers Association Contest. She was concert master and principal clarinetist for her school’s Symphonic Band and leader for the Woodwind Ensemble. She also participated in the Orchestra Pit, Symphonic Orchestra and the NYSCAME all-county music festival. She volunteered at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM, Savage will major in biology. She is the daughter of Gina and Dave Savage.
Kathleen Till, Newtown Square, graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield. She was National Merit Scholarship Finalist and member of the National Honor Society. She served as the president of her school’s Community Service Corp and was on the executive board of the Danny Hammond Dance Marathon. She also participated in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, choir and musical theater. She served as a cantor at St. Anastasia parish in Newtown Square. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Till has not yet declared a major. She is the daughter of Ann and Eric Till.
Shelby Traver, Sweet Valley, graduated as salutatorian from Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School. She was a National Merit Commended Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and member of the National Honor Society. A Speech and Debate Association Academic All-American, Traver was a three-time qualifier to the Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Tournament in Student Senate, placed 12th in the state in Student Senate at the PHSSL State Tournament and a four-time qualifier to the National Catholic Forensics League Grand National Tournament in Student Congress. She twice won first place at the Regional National History Day Contest and was a two-time qualifier to the State National History Day Contest. She was captain of the Speech and Debate Team and also participated in the Interact Club, Science Olympiad, Scholastic Scrimmage and Martial Arts. She volunteered at Dorothy Day Catholic Worker's Farm, among other places. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Traver will major in international business and international studies. She is the daughter of Anne and Kelly Traver.
Jessica Tsu, Valley Stream, New York, graduated from Valley Stream North High School. She is a National AP Scholar, National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and member of the National Honor Society. She is also a member of the science, social studies, mathematics and foreign language honor societies and was president of the English Honor Society. She received the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2019 Medal of Honor. She was a four-year participant in the winter/spring track and field team and was a county qualifier for three years. She was a member of the Student Council, Class of 2020 Grade Council and the Gay Straight Alliance. She volunteered as a Spanish tutor to junior high students, an assistant Girl Scouts troop leader and at the Sunrise Senior Living Center. Tsu will major in occupational therapy. She is the daughter of Adele and James Tsu.
Cayman Webber, Buckeye, Arizona, graduated as valedictorian of the Odyssey Institute for Advanced and International Studies in Buckeye, with an International Baccalaureate Diploma. A National Merit Commended Scholar, Webber earned a summer internship with the KEYS Research Program at the University of Arizona. In Student Government, she served as president for her freshman class, vice president for her sophomore class and treasurer for her junior and senior classes. She was captain of her high school swim team and was a three-time Division III State Championship finalist in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard individual medley. She was a mission field trip coordinator for WATERisLIFE, a youth leader for the Summit Community Church in Buckeye and a delegate and counselor for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM, Webber will major in biology and philosophy in the pre-dental track. She is the daughter of Alicia and Tony Webber.