December 2021

The University of Scranton is pleased to share in the great pride of today’s announcement that alumnus Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh ’87 has been appointed by Pope Francis as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan.

Bishop-elect Walsh currently serves as pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Saint Rose of Lima Parish, Carbondale. His episcopal ordination and installation as Bishop of Gaylord are scheduled for March 4, 2022, at 2 p.m. in Saint Mary Cathedral, Gaylord.

A native of Scranton, Bishop-elect Walsh graduated from The University of Scranton in 1987 with a degree in Counseling and Human Resources. He studied for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland, earning a Master of Divinity Degree. He received a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in 1999 and a Master of Social Work degree from Marywood University in 2010. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 25, 1994.

“The University of Scranton joins His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, and people throughout the Diocese of Scranton in congratulating Bishop-elect Walsh on this joyful news as he prepares to begin this important episcopal ministry in the Great Lakes region of Michigan,”  said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton.

An article by the Catholic News Agency quoted Bishop-elect Walsh as saying: “With gratitude to our Holy Father Pope Francis, and joy in the Lord, I am eager to begin a new chapter in my life of discipleship among the good people of the Diocese of Gaylord. I am also most grateful to God for 27 years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Scranton. I have been inspired and challenged to grow in faith through various diocesan assignments and will forever prayerfully remember all the lay faithful, religious, deacons, priests, and bishops with whom and for whom I have served.”

Bishop-elect Walsh has served in a number of assignments in the Diocese of Scranton, including as the Parochial Vicar of Saint Rose of Lima parish, and Director of Religious Education at Sacred Heart High School in Carbondale (1995); Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of Saint Peter (1996); Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake parish in Lake Winola (1999); Director of Education at St. Pius X Seminary (1999); Director of Vocations (2002); Pastor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Tunkhannock (2004); Regional Episcopal Vicar (2006); Administrator of Saint Rita parish in Gouldsboro (2008); Administrator of Saint Anthony parish in Throop (2009); Secretary for Catholic Social Services (2009); Pastor of Saint John's parish in East Stroudsburg (2010); Vicar for the clergy (2015). He became pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and Saint Rose of Lima Parish in July 2020. Bishop-elect Walsh is also a member of the diocesan College of Consultors and of the Presbyteral Council.

The University of Scranton’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics has received accreditation from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

CAHIIM provides consistent quality monitoring of academic degree programs in health informatics through accreditation policies and processes that include tools for assessing continuous quality improvement through partnerships with colleges and universities, a voluntary peer review process, and annual program monitoring of continuous improvements in health informatics education to meet healthcare workforce needs. CAHIIM provides accredited programs with benchmark data and best practices for continuous improvement.

“As a Catholic and Jesuit university, Scranton strives to maintain the highest standards for academic excellence in all of our degree programs, as well as embedding strong ethical components within our curricula to ensure we are fulfilling our Ignatian mission of graduating men and women who serve for and with others. CAHIM’s accreditation process confirms that we are fulfilling our mission in profound ways,” said Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at The University of Scranton.

By meeting the rigorous accreditation standards set by CAHIIM, students earning a master’s degree in health informatics from Scranton are assured that the program provides the required knowledge and skill demanded by professionals working in high-growth field. The online 33-credit graduate program is designed to support the student’s development of the American Medical Informatics Association’s master’s level competencies in health informatics. A final capstone course allows students to develop expertise in a specialized arena by working on a real-world informatics project under the guidance of a preceptor.

Scranton’s master’s degree in health informatics is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses developed and taught by faculty from healthcare clinical disciplines, health informatics and health administration from the Panuska College of Professional Studies; computer science in the College of Arts and Sciences; and operations and analytics in the Kania School of Management, which holds accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

In the fall 2021 semester, the University began to offer a specialization in data analytics for the master’s degree program in health informatics that requires an additional 6-8 credits of coursework. Applicants to the graduate program must meet admission requirements.

For additional information, visit the Master of Science degree in Health Informatics webpage or contact Margarete L. Zalon, Ph.D., professor of nursing and director of the University’s online Master of Science in Health Informatics Program at Margarete.zalon@scranton.edu or 570-941-7655.

One alumnus combines a love of science and communication — plus his hip-hop performance skills — to teach STEM concepts and digital literacy all over the world.

By Frantz Lucien’s own estimation, he’s taught students across the U.S. and on every continent except Antarctica, all from the dock of Pier 86 in New York City.

As the manager of Interactive Experience and Family Engagement and a museum educator at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Pier 86, Lucien ’12 created a distance-learning program for the museum in 2016. The Intrepid Museum is a nonprofit educational institution that features the USS Intrepid aircraft carrier, a National Historic Landmark that served tours of duty in World War II and the Vietnam War, plus home to America’s first space shuttle, Enterprise, and jets and submarines. The museum presents exhibitions and interactive educational programming that showcase American innovation and bravery.

“I take a lot of pride in the fact that I created our distance-learning, virtual field trip program,” said Lucien, who majored in communication and media studies on the broadcast track at Scranton. “And it was one of the reasons we were able to pivot so quickly (when COVID happened) and go to the digital version of our museum and do different digital programming.”

Prior to the pandemic, Lucien would traverse the floor of the museum with an iPad to host virtual field trips, teaching students from as far away as Texas and China. He said teachers often told him that their students felt like they were right there with him at the museum. Fast forward to March 2020. Lucien sought to replicate that experience, even when the museum was closed at the height of the pandemic.

“My question was, how do I translate that (immersive experience) when I am sitting in my living room with a sunset painting behind my head?” Lucien said. “So I immediately went down to the ship — because I didn’t live too far from the ship — right before everything closed down. And I took videos walking through and talking, like what we normally do. And then I edited those videos and added different pictures and video clips, and they literally got shared all over the world.”

Continue reading in The Scranton Journal.

The University of Scranton President’s Business Council (PBC) Virtual 20^th Annual Award Dinner honoring John E. (Jack) Brennan ’68, P’06 in memoriam and also recognizing the first 20 years of the PBC was broadcast Nov. 18. This year’s event raised more than $750,000 for the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund, surpassing $19 million generated cumulatively.

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, presented Cindy Brennan, Ryan Brennan ’06 and Sarah Brennan Lapointe, Jack’s wife, son and daughter, with the University’s President’s Medal during the event. Father Marina noted, “Tonight has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life of Jack Brennan and the many ways his legacy lives on at his beloved Alma Mater.” In his acceptance remarks, Ryan said, “I want to thank everyone at the University for honoring my father. I know that he would be very proud of this award. The feeling and inspiration he got while he was at the University stayed with him for the rest of his life. I believe his generosity, not only financially but also of his time, is the major reason for this recognition.”

The audience was then treated to a retrospective video detailing the PBC’s origin, evolution and impact on students and alumni. The PBC was formed in 2001 by the University and a prominent group of alumni and friends with the purpose of advancing the mission of the University. The PBC is committed to strengthening the Scranton network in the business sectors and to providing mentoring, internships and career support for current students and meaningful engagement opportunities for alumni, parents and friends. At the PBC’s Annual Award Dinner, an honoree is presented with the University’s President’s Medal, which recognizes individuals who have achieved excellence in their fields and who have demonstrated extraordinary compassion for others. Through the proceeds from its annual award dinners, the PBC supports the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. 

The PBC Virtual 20^th Annual Award Dinner can be seen here. Gifts to the PBC can be made via the PBC giving page. For additional information, contact Timothy J. Pryle ’89, executive director of the PBC, at 570-941-5837 or pbc@scranton.edu.

About the honoree

John E. (Jack) Brennan ’68, P’06 received a bachelor’s degree in management from the University in 1968. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served as a 1^st lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corp. in Thailand. Following his years of service, Mr. Brennan joined Motorola as a salesman. He later co-founded Metro Mobile CTS, Inc., and served as the president and chief operating officer. Metro Mobile was later sold to Bell Atlantic, which would eventually become Verizon Communications. He was also president of Activated Communications and a member of the board of directors at Spectrum Signal Processing. At the time of his retirement, he was the vice chairman of the board of Southern Union Co. (later acquired by Energy Transfer LP).

During his professional career, Mr. Brennan was an active member of his community, serving as president of the Radio Club of America, as president of the Old Tappan Board of Education, as a member of the Old Tappan Planning Board, and as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. In support of his passion for furthering the education of young minds, Mr. Brennan was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees at Christ the King School (Cristo Rey) in Newark, N.J., and at the University, where he was also a founding member of the Kania School of Management Advisory Board. He was also among the inaugural inductees to the Business Leader Hall of Fame. In Oct. 2000, the University named Brennan Hall, the home of the Kania School of Management, in his honor.

Mr. Brennan passed away in Sept. 2020 after battling cancer. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, their two children and their grandchildren.

Nearly 300 alumni, parents and friends of the University donated nearly $50,000 to University causes during this year's global Giving Tuesday celebration.

The University's Giving Tuesday campaign began with a special video message promoting THR1VE, a program which supports University students who identify as first-generation college students, from the Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president. In the video, Father Marina, a first-generation college student, talks about the transformational impact his education had upon his life. Many of Tuesday's donations were designated for THR1VE, where they will help to ensure that first-generation college students continue to thrive at Scranton. To view the donor honor roll, visit this link. 

The University will hold a Presidential Christmas reception at The New York Athletic Club Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president.

To register, visit scranton.edu/christmas.

The University of Scranton is pleased to announce the establishment of an annual scholarship to honor the memory of Sara Farrell Hutchison ’08, an alumna who tragically passed away in August 2021. Initiated by colleagues of Marian Farrell, Ph.D., in the University’s Faculty Senate and Department of Nursing, The Sara Farrell Hutchison ’08 Memorial Scholarship benefits non-traditional female students studying in any of the health-related fields. “Non-traditional student” is defined, for the purpose of the scholarship, as a student who is returning to school to pursue her education after an absence.

Born in Scranton, Hutchison was the daughter of James C. and Dr. Marian L. Rosler Farrell. She was a 2004 graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University in 2008.  Hutchison was a devoted wife, sister, daughter and mother to three children.

To make a donation to The Sara Farrell Hutchison ’08 Memorial Scholarship, please visit scranton.edu/makeagift or send a check payable to The University of Scranton (please note “Sara Hutchison Scholarship” in the memo line), University Advancement, 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510.

On November 16, 20 alumni and friends of The University of Scranton sorted and inspected clothing donations at Cradles To Crayons Philadelphia, an organization that provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive.

Join your Scranton friends in the Boston area for a historical holiday stroll along the Freedom Trail Saturday, Dec. 11, at 3:30 p.m.

Walk the Freedom Trail and discover how Boston’s holiday traditions evolved. Led by 19th-century Dickensian costumed guides, the festive stroll is complete with a tour of holiday lights and Christmas trees along the Freedom Trail.

The 60-minute tour, provided by The Freedom Trail Foundation, will begin at the Boston Commons Visitor Information Center, 139 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. Tickets for adults will cost $15, and tickets for children will cost $5.

To register, visit this link. 

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

Harry A. Lennon ’83, Round Top, New York, has been re-elected to a sixth term on the Greene County, New York Legislature where he serves as Minority Leader.

Marion Munley ’83, Moosic, recently spoke at the Kentucky Justice Association. Drawing on her extensive trial expertise, Munley spoke to the Association on “Using the Defendants’ Words Against Them to Develop Your Trial Story.” Munley also recently spoke to the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Her discussion was titled “Rule of Three: Industry Standard or Make Believe?”

Lawrence A. J. Spegar '84, Jessup, was recognized in 2021 as one of America's Most Honored Lawyers. Spegar has enjoyed a 35-year career as a trial lawyer representing clients in a comprehensive practice involving areas of personal injury, disability, real estate, business, entertainment and wills and estates. His practice has covered many jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania and the United States Supreme Court. 

Julius J. Prezelski ’86, Mount Airy, Maryland, was the 2021 recipient of the Ted Beck Effective Educator Award which recognizes JumpStart’s third chairman’s commitment to making evidence-based decisions in striving to improve financial education. From basketball coach to business teacher, Prezelski uses coaching and storytelling as his unique approach to teaching. As a mentor, he uses his own personal experiences to teach the pitfalls and wins of financial management and does not shy away from difficult conversations in the classroom.

Elizabeth Brue Alterman ’93, Chatham, New Jersey, had her memoir, "Sad Sacked," released by Audible Originals on November 11, 2021. Alterman has also been named Erma Bombeck’s Humor Writer of the Month for November.

Robert Keenan ’95, Wayne, New Jersey, has been named vice president of Product Management/Development for Adweek.

James F. McNulty ’96, Gaithersburg, Maryland, was elected to the Gaithersburg City Council. McNulty will serve a 4-year term as one of two new council members in Maryland’s third-largest city.

Kate Brennan ’03, York, received a 2021 MAP Grant for her work with "The Infinity Trilogy," a YA musical cycle created to encourage mentorship between professionals and fledgling artists. The first piece in the trilogy, "ALiEN8," was recently published with YouthPLAYS after premiering with Drexel University, where she was a Mandell Professional in Residence. The second piece of the trilogy, "Clean Slate," is scheduled to premiere with Passage Theatre Company in 2022. Her book of poetry, "elevated thoughts," was published with Literati Press in 2020. Kate currently lives with her husband, child and dog in York where she is Artistic Director of Ignition Arts. 

Samuel J. Richards G’15, Shanghai, China, received an honorable mention during the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church’s annual meeting for his peer-reviewed research on Edward Colston. His article, “Historical Revision in Church: Re-examining the ‘Saint' Edward Colston,” was published in the September 2020 issue of the Anglican and Episcopal History, and investigates the legacy of philanthropist, enslaver, and High Anglican Edward Colston who lived from 1636 to 1721. It was noted for its excellent and timely research. Richards currently teaches history and politics at Shanghai American School in China.

WEDDINGS

Kelly Ann Haggerty ’09 to Frederick Vilsmeier
Meagan Pehnke ’10, G’11 to Joseph Serafini ’09
Kaylee Hatfield ’13 to Anthony Santino
Brianna McCullough '13 to Demetrios Vlahos
Elizabeth Joyce ’15 to Bryan Elman ’15
Elizabeth Palladino ’15, DPT ’18 to Patrick Heneghan ’15
Meghan Campbell ’16 to Joseph Costello ’16
Alison Kucharski '16 to Viliam Varhol
Maura McGowan '16, DPT '19 to Zachary Holden

BIRTHS

A son, Ryan, to Michael and Danielle Tartaglia Centalonza ’06, Randolph, New Jersey
A daughter, Michaela Kathleen, to  Joseph ’08 and Kaitlyn O’Connor Yourkavitch ’09, G’11, Reading
A daughter, Sophia Charles, to Christopher and Mary Rose Ho ’10, New York, New York
A daughter, Margaret Ann, to Joseph ’09 and Meagan Pehnke-Serafini ’10, G’11, Philadelphia
A son, Owen Lawrence, to Michael and Kristina Russo Joyce, ’12, DPT ’15, Wycoff, New Jersey
A son, River Michael, to Robert ’13 and Allison Tait Sachs ’14, Morristown, New Jersey
A daughter, Isla, to Joshua ’15 and Jackie Cavanaugh Ryan ’15, Rockville, Maryland

DEATHS

Myer B. Kahn ’38, Rockville, Maryland
Michael A. Rossi, Sr., Ph.D. ’53, Hackettstown, New Jersey
Fred S. Lewenson, D.D.S. ’57, East Norriton
LTC. Walter J. Lynch, USA, Ret. ’16, Moosic
Albert J. Marmo ’62, Bowie, Maryland
Gerald M. Durkin ’68, Clarks Summit
Joseph F. Gibbons ’70, Clarks Summit
John R. Hirschler ’73, Lancaster
Nancy Dunleavy Batten ’77, Raleigh, North Carolina
Thomas Z. Swinick ’78, G’83  Dunmore
Kevin J. O’Hara ’80, Greenfield Township
Mark L. Kuna ’84, Allentown
Brian J. Leahy ’90, Cranford, New Jersey
Nicole Rusyn Lutz ’93, Olyphant
Wendy Bailey Morris ’93, Scranton
Kerri Hubbard Naples ’06, G’09, Hazlet, New Jersey
Sara R. Wargo ’11, Jessup

FRIENDS' DEATHS

Rosemary DeMichele, wife of Michael DeMichele, Ph.D. ’63, mother of Michael A. DeMichele, M.D. ’87, Christine DeMichele Consiglio ’89 and Jacqueline DeMichele Kloss, Ph.D. ’92
Judy Peacock, wife of Thomas Peacock ’61
Kathleen Thornton, wife of Jeffrey T. Thornton ’85