November 2020

Advent Prayer Resources from Campus Ministries
Campus Ministries has prepared an online resource of prayers, daily Scripture readings, activities and videos for the University community as each journeys during this holy season of Advent.

Father Pilarz Profiled in Times-Tribune
University President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., was profiled by The Times-Tribune about the challenges of living with ALS and continuing to lead the University through the pandemic.

Data Mining Class Gives Students Real-World Experience
Operations and information management professor Yibai Li, Ph.D., gave students real-world experience in data mining class.

Library of Congress Adds Our America to Collection
Our America, a book edited by Sondra Myers, was added to the permanent collection of the Library of Congress.

Two Students Qualify for National Forensics Tournament
Four University of Scranton Speech Team members won awards at two recent virtual collegiate forensics tournaments.

The Latest Issue of Esprit is Online
The latest issue of Esprit, The University of Scranton review of arts and letters, is online.

Fiber Arts Workshop Weaves New Hope
Local students join with Hope Horn Gallery for gallery talk, followed by spinning and weaving workshop. Final workshop to be offered on December 8.

University To Host Thanksgiving Floral Workshop
Learn how to make the perfect Thanksgiving centerpiece at a zoom workshop hosted by Dorian Butovich of Central Park Flowers.

Open Doors by Learning a Language, Alumni Tell Their Stories
One way students can open doors is by learning a world language.

Clue Playing On Demand Nov. 27 and 28
On Friday Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, Broadway On Demand will be offering a pre-recorded performance of our production of Clue: stay at home edition for 48 hours.

History Professor Discusses Trail of Tears and Cherokee Removal on Podcast
Adam Pratt, Ph.D., a professor in the History Department, discusses the Trail of Tears and Cherokee removal on the Alarmist, a podcast that "scrutinizes history’s greatest disasters to figure out what went wrong, and most importantly, who’s to blame," according to the show's website.

University’s 53rd Annual Noel Night Goes Virtual
Performance Music at the University will present the 53rd annual Noel Night (COVID edition) virtually on Dec. 5.

What Does Dead Week Look Like This Semester?
his year, Dead Week looks a little bit different.

Biden Urges Students to Be Engaged Citizens at 1976 Commencement
Address given by then-U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. at the University’s 1976 undergraduate commencement ceremony has a familiar ring to it.

Downtown Businesses Offer Special Promotion for Students
Scranton Tomorrow partners with the downtown Scranton business community to offer a special opportunity for students.

Professor Works with Students to Publish Research
Research of Chemistry Professor Katherine Stumpo, Ph.D., and two Scranton graduates was published recently.

University Christmas Tree is a Live One for 2020
The University planted a live Norway Spruce on the Dionne Campus Green to serve as a Christmas tree for 2020 and years to come.

Christmas Giving Drives Modified for 2020
The University’s Center for Service and Social Justice adjusted its annual Christmas giving programs for the pandemic.

End of the Semester Food Drive
The Center for Service & Social Justice will be collecting non-perishable food from now until the end of the semester (Nov. 25).

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.

Sinchul Back, Ph.D., Wins ORSP Raffle
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) has a monthly and once during the summer raffle for members of the University who submit external grant proposals.

Students Fundraising for Local Youth Shelter
Graduate students in the clinical mental health counseling program are starting projects to advocate for at-risk groups as a part of their Professional Issues for Counselors course.

Students Begin Royal Scholar Program in STEM
Five incoming students joined the Royal Scholars Program, which provides scholarships through a National Science Foundation grant.

Twenty-one Staff Members to Retire: Read their Stories
Twenty-one University of Scranton staff members will retire at the end of the year.

Christians for the Common Good Meeting, Nov. 13
Christians for the Common Good, a reading and discussion group affiliated with Peace and Justice Studies, will meet Friday, Nov. 13 at noon on Zoom.

Spotlight: The University of Scranton Black Student Union (BSU)
The new Black Student Union (BSU) at The University of Scranton discusses some of their current goals and the process of becoming a club.

SBDC Releases Consumer Holiday Survey Results
Small Business Development Center consumer preference survey shows strong support for small businesses for upcoming holiday season.

National First-Generation College Celebration
The University of Scranton joined the National First-Generation College Celebration to recognize the University’s first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni on Nov. 8.

Landmark Conference Shares Initial Plans for Return to Sport
The Landmark Conference leadership groups continue to meet diligently to discuss scheduling models and postseason opportunities for its league's student-athletes in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

University Provides Thanksgiving Dinners to Those in Need
As holidays near, the University works with a local non-profit to help those in need.

University Observes Veterans Day on Campus
The University of Scranton to pay red, white and blue tribute to veterans on Veterans Day.

An Introduction to The Office of Equity and Diversity
Jeffrey Colucci '21, student government president, recently interviewed Elizabeth M. Garcia, Esq., executive director of The Office of Equity & Diversity and special assistant to the president, about The Office of Equity & Diversity.

Vacation Carry Over Request Form for Staff
Completed carryover request forms must be submitted to Human Resources no later than Friday, Dec. 11, 2020.

Fulbright Night: Germany
Join the World Languages and Cultures Department's FLTA from Germany for a fun night full of German Christmas traditions!

Esprit Reading, Nov. 18
Esprit, the University of Scranton’s Review of Arts and Letters, will be having a virtual reading of its Fall 2020 edition. The virtual reading will take place Wednesday, Nov 18 at 8:00 p.m.

Faculty Adjust Method of Instruction for Fall
Faculty members look to students for feedback on what’s working in courses taught during the pandemic.

Virtual Schemel Forum, Nov. 10
The Schemel Forum presents "Antisemitism Past, Present, and Future" on Tuesday, Nov. 10 (please note the new date).

Campus Coloring Book Available Now!
Campus Colors - University of Scranton Coloring Book, created by The Center for Service and Social Justice, is available now.

University Players to Live Stream Clue
The University of Scranton Players will present Clue: Stay at Home Edition, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. via Broadway On Demand.

Spitz Foundation Grant Supports Summer Program
The University of Scranton received $8,000 from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation to support its SPARK summer enrichment camp for local teens.

Crystal Ondrick Named PASFAA Treasurer
Crystal Ondrick, assistant director of financial aid, will serve as treasurer of PASFAA.

University Community Comes Together for Election
University seeks to engage the community in the civic process during the election and beyond.

Nursing Program Nationally Recognized for Impact
The University was one of two colleges in the nation selected to receive a 2020 Assessment and Impact Award for Nursing Education.

Students Begin Magis Honors Program at Scranton
Members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 begin the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Scranton Part of International Election News
Political science faculty interviewed by international journalists on Scranton and Pennsylvania voters for US Presidential Election.

University Reading Series - Christine Taylor
The University Reading Series proudly presents Christine Taylor, a New Jersey-based writer, teacher and editor.

Schemel Forum: What Democracy Requires: The 2020 Election in Historical Perspective
How should we think about the outcome of the 2020 election and the challenges and opportunities that loom for American democracy? History provides important clues, Professor Logevall will suggest, as well as a path forward.

Students Medal at Virtual Forensics Tournaments
University of Scranton Speech Team members win awards at two recent virtual collegiate forensics tournaments.

Student Asks Campus Experts About Voting and Election Anxiety
Rebeca Chieffallo '21 talks to experts on campus about how to deal with the daunting task of voting and dealing with the results of the election.

November Meg Cullen-Brown Magis Award
THE MEG CULLEN-BROWN MAGIS AWARD WINNER for NOVEMBER 2020 is: Melissa Ketten-Undergrad/Grad Admissions!