August 2023

Smiles – maybe a little nervous – but smiles nevertheless – graced the faces of nearly 1,500 new students as they moved onto The University of Scranton campus and prepared for the fall semester classes that began Aug. 28.

Forty-two members of The University of Scranton’s Class of 2027 arrived early to participate in the 20th anniversary year of FIRST (Freshmen Involved in Reflective Service Together), a reflective service immersion program at Scranton. FIRST’s student founder, Clare (Strockbine) Acosta ’04 returned to speak about the program to incoming students.

“When I was a freshman, I wanted the opportunity to do community service as part of orientation,” said Strockbine in a 2003 news story about the launch of the FIRST program. “I approached Pat Vaccaro with the idea for starting this program and both she and the University supported it wholeheartedly.”

Class of 2027 FIRST participants volunteered at the Belleview Center, Neighborworks and Friends of the Poor, shown above.

COHORT LARGEST IN 15 YEARS 

 


On Aug. 24, members of the largest cohort of graduate degree-seeking, international students in the last 15 years gathered for an orientation to campus and to Scranton. This fall, more than 120 new graduate degree-seeking international students, shown above, began studies at the University.

Incoming students also arrived early to participate in the Royals of Color Kickoff (ROCK) program. Read more about ROCK here.

SETTLING IN AT SCRANTON RESIDENCE HALLS

On Aug. 26, members of the Class of 2027 moved into residence halls. View a photo gallery of Move-in here.

The Class of 2027 represents more than 450 high schools and represents 15 states, including California, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. More than 25 percent of the class is from Northeast Pennsylvania.

LEGACY STUDENTS JOIN ROYAL COMMUNITY

The incoming class includes 85 legacy children, shown, above, whose parents are University of Scranton alumni. Read more about the incoming Class of 2027 here.

MASS HIGHLIGHTS SATURDAY WELCOME

Fall welcome events on Saturday included a Mass at which the Class of 2027 banner was introduced and blessed, shown above.

Classes began on Monday, Aug. 28.

Volunteers welcomed the newest Royals, their families and friends to The University of Scranton with a Move-in assist on Saturday, Aug. 26.

In advance of the fall semester, which will begin Monday, Aug. 28, members of the Class of 2027 moved onto campus with help from volunteers from the University community.

Incoming University students include more than 1,035 members of its undergraduate Class of 2027, which is one of the largest in Scranton’s history. Members of the class of 2027 represent 15 states, including California, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. More than 25 percent of the class is from Northeast Pennsylvania. 

By: Robert Correas-Rivera ’24, student correspondent

New friendships and the support of a mentor mean a lot to students in their first days away from home.

At The University of Scranton, first-year students tell Jose F. Sanchez, assistant director at the University's Cultural Centers with the direct oversight of the Multicultural Center, that the Royals of Color Kickoff (ROCK) provides these and gives students "a sense of belonging and community".

Royals of Color Kickoff (ROCK), an early arrival program, invites new students of color to campus the Thursday prior to first-year Move-in to connect with peers, upper-division mentors and campus and local resources. Nearly 50 mentors and students were involved in this year's ROCK program, according to Sanchez.

"ROCK participants shared that they make social connections and feel a sense of belonging and community," he said. "They mention the guidance and support of mentors and student support services offices." 

Sanchez said that student feedback confirms the program as a success.

On Thursday, Aug. 24, ROCK participants began their move onto campus in the afternoon with their first official welcome arriving from staff, administrators and University President Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J. Later, the same group hosted a dinner for ROCK participants and their families. They ended they evening with an evening farewell to loved ones followed by a small group gathering for ROCK participants and social activities with mentors. 

Over the next two days, students attended ice breakers and social activities, toured campus resources and sat in on two panels that featured faculty, staff, returning students and mentors.

"In one panel conversation, mentors shared details about their own transition to campus -- how they overcome challenges, found resources and built a community at Scranton," said Sanchez.

Among faculty panelists were Dr. Anthony Betancourt, assistant professor in the Psychology Department, and Dr. Melissa Anyiwo, associate professor in the History Department. Staff panelists included Tyrell Bradshaw, area coordinator, Abril Lopez, admissions dounselor, Maria Ramos, admissions counselor, Brandice Ricciardi, assistant director, Cultural Centers and Sanchez.

Lopez '22, shared experiences from her two perspectives.

"All the staff has been super welcoming, even across offices. It has been such an easy transition from student to staff member," she said.

The University of Scranton will welcome nearly 1,500 incoming students for the fall semester.

Incoming University students include more than 1,035 members of its undergraduate class of 2027, which is one of the largest in Scranton’s history, in addition to nearly 60 transfer students and more than 350 graduate students, both on-campus and online. Scranton will also welcome its largest degree seeking, graduate international student cohort in the last 15 years, with more than 120 new graduate degree-seeking international students starting this fall.

The University’s undergraduate class of 2027 was selected from a pool of 9,867 applicants. The class represents more than 450 high schools, has an average SAT score of 1,237. Nearly 23 percent of incoming students identify as a person of color. More than 35 percent of the incoming class identify as first generation college students. Members of the class of 2027 represent 15 states, including California, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia. More than 25 percent of the class is from Northeast Pennsylvania. The most common majors chosen by members of the incoming class are biology, nursing, kinesiology, business administration and occupational therapy.

The class of 2027 also includes 85 legacy children whose parents are University of Scranton alumni.

In addition to the undergraduate class of 2027, the University’s incoming graduate students represent several states and foreign countries, including the Bahamas, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

The University’s Fall Welcome events on August 26 and 27 include a Mass, a class legacy reception and photo, residence hall and commuter meetings and other events and activities. The University will display a special tribute to returning students on its Class of 2020 Gateway, which will run on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Fall semester classes on campus begin Monday, Aug. 28.

By: Shannon Bunn ’24, student correspondent

As a marketing intern on the Healthcare & Life Sciences team for Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, Gabrielle Andiario ’24, gained experience working for a multinational provider of consulting and technology services for Global 2000 companies.

Andiario, a rising senior, lives in Wyoming, Pennsylvania. The marketing major with a minor in business leadership discusses her eight-week internship.

Describe a typical day at work.

"Since my internship is fully remote, I spend most of my day at my desk, besides moving to my kitchen for snacks or coffee. To start, I usually begin working on the project I‘m currently assigned, which can range from in-depth research on industry competitors to organizing materials for the company’s internal website.

Then, I usually sit in on about two to three meetings each day. These meetings discuss the next steps of current campaigns, periodic updates on various projects from different members of the team, data from recent events to determine successes and areas for improvement, and more. A couple days a week, I have a one-on-one meet-and-greet with a Cognizant employee to learn more about their role in the company. After meetings wrap up for the day, I continue working on current projects or watch an online training course.

What is the time frame for your internship?

"My internship is remote, full-time for eight weeks. It started on June 9 and ends August 4."

What are some skills you have learned?

"My first project was to research competitors’ uses of generative AI. This helped me understand that awareness of a company’s position in relation to competitors is key when determining how to market new ideas, products or services.

I’ve also learned a lot about communication. When I sat in on my first meeting, I was overwhelmed with unfamiliar words and abbreviations related to marketing and the health sciences industry. Understanding these key terms is just the base layer to following along in meetings, so I quickly learned the importance of asking questions, taking notes and researching."

What do you enjoy most about your job?

"Most of all, I enjoy the people. Everyone I’ve met so far at Cognizant has been realistic, personable and helpful. Everyone has a great sense of humor, but still stays professional and knowledgeable. I’ve also been appreciative of connecting with the other interns. We meet at least once a week to share experiences and concerns, and to get to know each other. Making connections at a personal level really helped me feel comfortable and eased the nervousness that comes with starting a new role."

Does the job match your expectations? 

"Before I started the internship, I was super nervous that I was going to get assigned tasks that I would have no idea how to do. This was definitely not the reality. Of course, at first things can seem confusing. However, everyone I’ve been working with has been answering questions and making extra time to meet with me if there are any issues."

How do you feel that this job has prepared you for the real world?

"Communication. It may sound like I’m repeating myself, but I can’t stress this enough. I’ve learned a lot about how meetings are run within a large company, which will be valuable in any role. I’ve also learned how to ask the right questions, to not hesitate to share ideas, and to take an extra step to connect with those on my team. Each real-world job will require different industry-specific skill sets, but communication will likely be one that stays consistent across them all."

By: Shannon Bunn ’24, student correspondent

As Sales and Trading Summer Analyst intern for RBC Capital Markets in New York City, Madalyne Buhler ’24, spends afternoons shadowing on the trading floor.

Buhler lives in Stony Point, New York. The rising senior and finance major discusses her 10-week experience participating in the University's Royal Experience Internship Program.

Describe a typical day at work. 

"I usually get to the office by 6:30 a.m., where I prepare for any calls or meetings I might have to sit in on throughout the day. I spend the rest of the morning reading and summarizing any research that was published overnight and distribute it to my team. My afternoons are usually spent networking and shadowing various people on the trading floor. Any downtime is spent working on my longer-term projects that were assigned by my desk."

What is the time frame for your internship?

"The internship is 10 weeks long, lasting from the beginning of June to early August."

What are some skills you have learned? 

"The most important skills I have picked up include the ability to multi-task and prioritize. I have also learned how to be a more diligent and efficient worker, as there is a quick turnaround for all assignments and tasks when working on a trading floor.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

"I feel like I am learning and growing every day, and that is partially because of the very smart, talented and accomplished people I am able to interact with on a daily basis. No two days look the same and I  enjoy the fast-paced nature of the job."

Does the job match your expectations? 

"Going into the summer, I was nervous about the steep learning curve associated with some of the financial products and asset classes. While the learning curve is there, I think it is manageable if you lean on the people around you for help. Not being afraid to ask questions and being proactive are really important when it comes to learning new concepts and growing your skillset, and I think I have had the opportunity to do both so far this summer."

The University of Scranton’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA), was awarded Gold Chapter Honors for attaining a distinguished level of achievement in the areas of member recruitment and engagement, community outreach and service, legislative advocacy and fundraising during the 2022-23 academic year.

NSSLHA is the only national student organization for pre-professionals studying communication sciences and disorders recognized by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Established in 1972, the national NSSLHA supports nearly 11,000 members and more than 350 chapters at colleges and universities nationwide. NSSLHA members are studying communication sciences and disorders (CSD), speech-language pathology (SLP) and audiology at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels at college and universities nationwide.

“We are so proud of the 2022-23 Gold Chapter Honors awardees, and we congratulate them on all they’ve achieved this year,” said NSSLHA Executive Council President Gabrielle Howard in announcing the chapters receiving gold status. “Each chapter demonstrated a deep commitment to its members, its community, and the professions, and embodied NSSLHA’s values in the areas of collaboration, diversity, education, integrity, leadership and service.”

Each year, NSSLHA recognizes outstanding affiliated chapters that have made significant contributions to CSD programs, the national organization and their local chapters. Chapter Honors are awarded at the bronze, silver and gold levels.

During the 2022-23 academic year, The University of Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter participated in multiple community outreach and legislative activities, including partnering with the Bjorn This Way Foundation raising more than $1,000 to provide speech-language pathology services to individuals with communication disorders. The chapter distributed information for stuttering awareness day, including tips on communicating with individuals who stutter, and worked with the University’s parking services to update accessible parking signs to reflect person-first language. The chapter plans to suggest the same signage changes for the City of Scranton during the next academic year. The chapter participated with Take Action Letters through NSSLHA to request that Congress permanently cover telehealth services under Medicare after the pandemic public health emergency coverage was over.

“I am incredibly proud of all of our chapter members for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year. This is our first full-year as a chapter and first year we were eligible to receive chapter honors. I am elated that we were able to receive Gold Chapter Honors this year,” said Megan Knecht, Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter president. Knecht, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton.

Other student members of Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter are:

Amelia E. Alacqua, Sewell, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Ava N. Amato, Middlesex, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Alessia N. Clericuzio, Monroe, Connecticut, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Sofia B. Colucci, Saint James, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Maggie J. Cygan, Schnecksville, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Emma D. Dougherty, Ambler, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Madison G. Dunlop, Oreland, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Mianicole Duverge, Scranton, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Kaelan A. Ellis, Wind Gap, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Molly A. Enright, Havertown, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Francesca G. Failla, Merrick, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Teresa R. Fernandes, Philadelphia, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Brooke T. Haltmeier, Towaco, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Marilyn E. Keating, New Providence, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Christina M. Kennedy, Morristown, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Ashley A. Kessell, Exeter, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Anna K. Lunbery, San Antonio, Texas, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Gia R. Maayan, West Caldwell, New Jersey, is a community health education major at Scranton;

Molly R. McGuinness, Stewart Manor, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Elizabeth P. McKechney, Fairport, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Julianna B. McRell, Edwardsville, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Deirdre R. Meagher, Staten Island, New York, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Sheila A. Miller, Milford, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Nora G. O’Connell, Cranford, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Jacob J. Rogomentick, Havertown, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Domenic M. Scaffidi, Hammonton, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Kayla J. Tilwick, Nazareth, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Tanner J. Updyke, Guilford, Connecticut, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Joshua S. Vargas, Verona, New Jersey, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton;

Abigail J. Walsh, Scranton, is a communication sciences and disorders major at Scranton.

In addition, Scranton’s NSSLHA chapter at helped the National NSSLHA organization increase its awareness of communication sciences and disorders on more than 140 local college campuses and communities across the country as well as through virtual platforms. Scranton’s chapter supported the national organization’s advocacy efforts of sending more than 5,400 letters to state and federal legislators; providing scholarships to students in communication sciences and disorders programs by contributing more than $22,500 to the ASH Foundation’s NSSLHA Scholarship; and by supporting CSD-related organizations by donating $60,000 and more than 25,000 hours of chapter members’ time across the country.

Six University of Scranton students participated in the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference held at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts this summer.

The national conference, held at a different Jesuit University each summer, entails group discussions, a day of service and various workshops focused on furthering the development of students’ leadership from a Jesuit perspective.  

Michael Ritterbeck, director of Center for Student Engagement at the University, and Kayla Betacchini, assistant director of the Center for Student Engagement, served as chaperones at the conference. Ritterbeck presented a breakout session titled “What’s Next? Bouncing Back from Rejection in Student Leadership,” which included information about the University’s resiliency programming.

Scranton students who participated in the leadership conference and the University department they represented were:

Mia N. Familetti, an English and advertising/public relations double major from Dalton, represented Student Government and Orientation;

Daylene Marin Garzon, a criminal justice major from Liberty, New York, represented University Police and Orientation;

Hannah M. Kohrn, a sociology major from Hamden, Connecticut, represented the University of Scranton Student Programming Board and Residence Life;

Maria D. Manno, a biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology major from Blue Bell, represented the Center for Health Education and Wellness and Peer Health Educators;

Simal Sami, an information technology major from Jessup, represented Student Government and Residence Life;

The University of Scranton granted nine undergraduate students President’s Fellowships for Summer Research for 2023. The fellowships, administered by the Provost Office, offer each student the chance to partner with a faculty mentor to complete a research project during the summer. Each project was proposed and designed by the student and their faculty mentor.

The following is a list of the students who were awarded 2023 summer research fellowships, their projects and faculty mentors.

Stephen J. Butler, Telford, researched "The effect of social isolation on rates of addiction and neurochemistry in Camponotus floridanus" with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

Caitlin J. Doughton, Throop, researched "The Effects of Alkaloid Sequestration on Poison Frog Metabolism" with faculty mentor Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology,

Emma N. Hughes, Scranton, researched "The Effect of Predator Cues on the Physiology of P. cinereus" with faculty mentor Vincent Farallo, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology,

Jacob G. Mohring, East Stroudsburg, researched "Irisin-Hormones and their role in Parkinson’s Disease" with faculty mentor Joseph Brague, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology,

Samantha F. Pickering, Hunlock Creek, researched "Bat Species Richness and Activity in Northeast Pennsylvania at Lackawanna State Park" with faculty mentor Gary Kwiecinski, Ph.D., professor of biology.

Dominick J. Spera, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, researched "Characterization of Thiols on the Glycolytic Enzyme Enolase as a Regulatory Switch Sensitive to Metabolic Stress" with faculty mentor Timothy Foley, Ph.D., professor of chemistry.

Nicholas J. Tomassoni, Eynon, researched "The Effects of Recombinant Erythropoietin on Synaptogenesis in Camponotus floridanus " with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

Shelby A. Traver, Sweet Valley, researched "The Pandemic Within a Pandemic: Assessing the Impact of Covid-19 on Non-Profit Serving Women in Northeastern Pennsylvania" with faculty mentor JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., associate professor of politcal science.

Miriam M. Vandewater, Souderton, researched "The Effects of Rising Temperature in Pheidole dentata" with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

The Royal Experience Summer Internship Program and the Royal Psychology Experience Summer Internship Program provided seven University of Scranton students, selected from a competitive pool, a stipend of up to $2,000 to support their participation in a meaningful unpaid internship for the summer of 2023.

The Royal Experience program began in 2016 through funding by the University’s Parents’ Executive Council and the donations of alumni and friends of the University. The Royal Psychology Experience is funded by the University’s Psychology Department.

Students receiving support write about their internship experiences in a blog published on the University’s Roche Family Center for Career Development webpage.

The following is a list of students who participated in the 2023 Royal Experience Summer Internship Program.

Cabre Capalongo, a biology major from Scranton, was the Animal Care and Veterinary Medicine Intern at the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton.

Olivia Ciccimarra, a criminal justice major from Belmar, New Jersey, was the intern in the Office of Administrative Services Under the Division of Parole for the New Jersey State Parole Board in Trenton, New Jersey.

Olivia Manarchuck, a neuroscience major from Carbondale, was a Research Intern for The University of Scranton Biology Department lab of Jong-Hyun Son, Ph.D., associate professor of biology.

Jake Marchese, a criminal justice major from Leonardo, New Jersey, participated in the 2023 Law School and College Summer Internship Program of Richmond County District Attorney’s Office in Staten Island, New York.

Amelia Semple, an English major from Northport, New York, was an Archivist Intern for the Northport Historical Society in Northport.

Benjamin Trexler, a business analytics major from Reading, was a Ticket Sales and Sponsorship Intern for Reading Royals in Reading.

The 2023 Royal Psychology Experience Recipient was:

Jack Burke, a psychology major from Stoneybatter in Dublin, Ireland, was a Clinical Research Intern at the Friendship House in Scranton.