Community News

The Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL), in collaboration with campus partners, is pleased to offer a series of three "CBL Talks" in the spring 2026 semester. The goal of these talks is to provide University students and the surrounding community with information and insights into the major challenges and opportunities facing the Scranton area, and how they can be part of positive change. This spring semester’s "CBL Talks" are as follows: "Healthcare Across the Lifespan," "Community Solutions: Affordable Housing in NEPA,” and "Making NEPA Home."

Each CBL Talk will begin with a presentation from guest speakers, followed by Q&A. These sessions will also be recorded to serve as a resource for CBL courses. These events are a special collaboration of the Office of Community-Based Learning with the Leahy College of Health Sciences T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y. program. The talks are also open to the broader University and Scranton communities.

 

Details on The Spring 2026 CBL Talks

 

“Healthcare Across the Lifespan”

On Thursday, Feb.12, at 11:30 a.m. in the DeNaples Ballroom, DeNaples Center room 407, Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards, Maternal Family Health Services and Dr. Maria Vital, Edward R. Leahy Jr. Clinic, will highlight health and healthcare issues across the lifespan impacting individuals at different ages, from different populations and with diverse needs.

* Event update: This event is now full. We encourage prospective attendees to sign up for the following CBL talks listed below.*

 

“Community Solutions: Affordable Housing in NEPA”

On Thursday, March 4, at 6 p.m. in the PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center, room 133, Joy Hubshman, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Sara Cruz, Scranton Housing Authority, and Kecia Snyder, Lackawanna County, will discuss issues related to affordable housing in NEPA.

RSVP 

 

“Making NEPA Home”

On Thursday, April 23, at 6 p.m., in the PNC Auditorium, all are invited to a screening of the WVIA documentary "Making NEPA Home," which shares stories about immigration in NEPA from refugee and immigrant individuals and agencies that work with these communities. After the film, a panel discussion will include speakers: Kara Washington, WVIA; Fikile Ryder, Catholic Social Services; Ushu Mukelo, Congolese Community of Scranton; Terilynn Brechtel and Audrey Golosky, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA; Julie Schumacher Cohen, University of Scranton.

RSVP  

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The CBL talks are sponsored by the Office of Community-Based Learning, Office of Community Relations, and additional campus and community partners. Questions? Contact Daysi Carreto, assistant director of Community and Civic Engagement, at daysi.carreto@scranton.edu or (570)-941-4419.

 

On Monday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. The University of Scranton will host “Trivia Night: Contributions of Black Northeast Pennsylvanians Across the Eras – From the Underground Railroad to Black Scranton” featuring Glynis Johns, CEO and Founder of Black Scranton Project, and E.J. Murphy, Program Manager at the Destination Freedom Underground Railroad Walking Tour at the Waverly Community House.

This Trivia Night event will feature opening comments by the two speakers, trivia questions and prizes, and Q&A and discussion. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.

This event is co-sponsored by: The University of Scranton Offices of Community Relations, Cross-Cultural Centers and the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union together with the Black Scranton Project and the Waverly Community House Destination Freedom Program.

Register for the in-person event 

Please direct questions to the Office of Community Relations at community@scranton.edu.

The University of Scranton, Condron Sweda Advertising and three of the area’s most experienced politicians are combining forces on an event later this month.

Registration is open for Campaign School, a free workshop for aspiring political candidates, staff members, volunteers and anyone in Northeastern Pennsylvania with an interest in politics. The event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, on the University’s campus.

The University of Scranton’s Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service and former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is among those who will share his insights in speaking with attendees. Lackawanna County Commissioners Chris Chermak, a Republican, and Thom Welby, a Democrat, will also present on what it takes to meet the challenges of campaigning in NEPA.

“Campaign School offers an invaluable opportunity for anyone interested in local politics and the political process to meet and learn from elected officials, former candidates, campaign strategists and advertising executives,” said Brian Snee, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and media and director of the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS).

Dr. Snee’s on-campus program, CEEPS, has partnered with Condron Sweda Advertising, a Clarks Summit-based, full-service agency, to bring the event to life.

While Campaign School will take place on the University’s campus, the final location will be confirmed closer to the event date. Registrants will receive an email with the precise location.

For more information, please visit the event’s registration page and follow CEEPS on social media, including Facebook.

On Thursday, Feb. 12, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will host world music/jazz/pop/funk sensation Lucky Chops in concert. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

"When I first heard the guys in Lucky Chops jamming together in the NYC subway while still students, they were already drawing crowds bigger than the audiences in many of the city’s established venues," said Cheryl Y. Boga, conductor and Artistic Director of Performance Music.

“We are really looking forward to being able to share this group’s irrepressible energy and joyful excitement with our students and audiences," added Janelle Decker, Performance Music Executive Director and conductor.

The highly energetic Lucky Chops have been sharing their inspired brassy funk with audiences since 2006 when they first came together in New York City while still students. Their intent was and is to share the healing and inspirational power of music with their audiences. The intense power of that message has reached and impacted audiences throughout the world — the group has performed in 25 countries and has millions of views and followers on their social media pages. The members are all committed to passing down their creative torch musically to student musicians and music educators, as well as audiences, through their performances and educational events. Co-founder of the group Josh Holcomb, trombonist, is a native of New York City. In addition to his extensive work with Lucky Chops, Holcomb maintains an active freelance career within New York's jazz, world music and gospel music scenes.

The University of Scranton Jazz Band will perform one piece with Lucky Chops at the concert. The 25-member ensemble of big band style instrumentation is made up of University of Scranton student musicians from majors spanning the curriculum. The majority of their performances are open to the public, free of admission charge, and often feature a nationally or internationally renowned guest soloist. The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year, and neither an audition nor enrollment fee is required for membership.

For further information on the performance, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit the University's website. For more info on Lucky Chops, visit their website.

 

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If You Go:

What: Lucky Chops with an appearance by The University of Scranton Jazz Ensemble, presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton

When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12

Where: Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton

Admission: FREE

The ninth presentation in the Jay Nathan, Ph.D., Visiting Scholar Lecture Series featured remarks by a career diplomat and additional programming that celebrated her native country.

Leena-Kaisa Mikkola, Ambassador of Finland to the U.S., participated in the program, titled, “Finland: History. Culture. Economy,” on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the PNC Auditorium inside The University of Scranton’s Loyola Science Center.

Mikkola, who previously served as Ambassador to China (2021-2024) and Israel (2011-2016) and as Director General for Africa and the Middle East (2017-2021), has been in her current role since September 2024. She spoke alongside Petri Koikkalainen, senior specialist for science and higher education.

In addition to the lecture, the evening’s events included live performances by Finnish singer Josefin Silén and Finnish classical pianist Markus Kaitila, as well as a reception.

Previous Nathan lecturers have included representatives from Denmark, Iceland, Lithuania, Romania, India, Thailand, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

For more information, please see the series’ webpage on The University of Scranton’s website.

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The University of Scranton will host the 25th annual Northeastern Pennsylvania Brain Bee, an event that offers high school students a chance to test their neuroscience knowledge in an academic competition. 

There is no cost to enter the Brain Bee, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at room 133 inside the Loyola Science Center. Registration is currently open and will close after Feb. 20. The registration form can be found on the event’s website. The event is open to high school students currently enrolled in Grades 9-12 and between the ages of 13-19. 

Sponsored by the University’s neuroscience program in the Department of Biology, the Brain Bee covers topics including emotions, intelligence, memory, sleep and stress. 

The winner of this regional bee — dedicated to the memory of J. Timothy Cannon, Ph.D., founder of the University’s neuroscience program and a longtime Brain Bee coordinator and judge — receives a $400 prize, a $1,000 scholarship to The University of Scranton and also advances to the National Brain Bee, held Saturday, April 25, at the University of California, Irvine. 

Three University of Scranton biology professors will serve as NEPA Brain Bee Judges: Gary Kwiecinski, Ph.D.; Marc Seid, Ph.D.; and Robert F. Waldeck, Ph.D., director of the neuroscience program and NEPA Brain Bee coordinator. 

Previous top-three finishers have attended local schools such as Wyoming Area, Wallenpaupack, Abington Heights and Scranton Prep, as well as schools from other parts of Pennsylvania and other East Coast states. 

For more information or to register online, visit the NEPA Brain Bee’s website or contact Dr. Waldeck at 570-941-4324 or email robert.waldeck@scranton.edu.

The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will offer two evening courses this spring, each furthering the program’s mission of sharing ideas and lessons that illuminate culture, ethics and the human experience. Both courses will be taught inside room 305 at the Weinberg Memorial Library.

The first course, titled, “Food, Climate Change and Justice,” is instructed by Sarah Kenehan ’02, Ph.D., executive director of the University’s Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities. Meeting from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Mondays — Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2 and 9 — the course examines how global food systems intersects with climate change. Participants will explore scientific data and philosophical literature to better understand how justice intersects with food systems and individual food choices in the context of a warming world.

Dr. Kenehan earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and philosophy from The University of Scranton, where she was also a member of the women’s cross country team. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and her Ph.D. from the University of Graz in Australia. Dr. Kenehan, who previously worked at Marywood University, began working in her current position in 2022.

The second course, titled “Appreciating Art Through the Ages,” is instructed by Darlene Miller-Lanning, Ph.D., director of the Hope Horn Gallery at The University of Scranton. Dr. Miller-Lanning’s course will meet from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Wednesdays — March 25 and April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 — and covers major art developments and significant artworks from the Ancient, Classic, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern and Contemporary eras, as described in Helen Gardner’s century-old text.

Dr. Miller Lanning earned a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University, a master’s from Marywood University and a Ph.D. from Binghamton University. She has worked at the University since 1991.

Registration starts at $100 per course for non-members of the Schemel Forum.

To register for the evening courses or to request more information, please call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

For more information about upcoming events, visit the Schemel Forum’s website. The Schemel Forum’s spring brochure is now available.

Lackawanna and Wayne County residents, whose households earned $67,000 or less in 2025, can receive free assistance in completing and filing their federal, state and local tax returns from University of Scranton accounting students through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

University students have assisted residents with low and moderate incomes who need help with their basic tax returns for more than 30 years.

Walk-in service at Brennan Hall on the University’s campus begins Monday, Feb. 4, and will end on Wednesday, April 8. The VITA service is offered on a first-come, first-served basis during scheduled hours. Appointments are not available at the University.

Residents can schedule appointments at other locations by contacting the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties by visiting its website or calling 570-602-3133 or 1-866-662-8887.

Residents who qualify for the free VITA service are asked to bring the following items: a valid photo ID; Social Security cards for all taxpayers and dependents; all W2 forms; last year’s tax returns; all 1099 forms (interest, dividends, pensions); unemployment paperwork; Form 8332 for non-custodial parents; information related to income and expenses (business, rental properties, sale of stocks); a personal banking account check if direct deposit is desired; documentation related to health insurance for themselves and anyone on the tax return, such as Form 1095-A, -B or –C; and real estate tax receipts if you qualify for the rent/tax rebate.

Walk-in VITA service without an appointment is available in Room 111 of Brennan Hall, Madison Avenue, on the University’s campus on Mondays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Service begins on Monday, Feb. 4, and continues to Wednesday, April 8, except for the week of March 16-20, when the University is closed for Spring Break.

The VITA office may also close due to inclement weather.

The University reserves the right to cap the number of walk-in residents they can serve within a single day. Residents with questions may call the University at 570-941-4045.

A group of seventh-grade students from Wyoming Seminary visited The University of Scranton on Thursday, Jan. 22, for a hands-on field trip focused on creativity, problem-solving and entrepreneurship.

Much of the day’s programming occurred inside the IDEA Center at Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall, where Sem students participated in interactive activities that challenged them to think like entrepreneurs and designers. Working in small teams, the students developed business ideas, identified real-world problems and pitched solutions in areas such as gaming, entertainment, sustainability and school improvements. The students also engaged with the IDEA Center’s laser engravers and 3-D printers to create advertisement products and investigate protoyping.

“Students embraced this experience completely,” said Tom Bryan, director of the IDEA Center, who was featured earlier this month in a video walkthrough of the new facility. “They collaborated, solved problems and gained real insight into entrepreneurship and design. They stepped into the role of University students for the day, rose to the occasion and had a lot of fun in the process.”

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Working alongside Bryan as volunteers were University of Scranton students Allison Kipp, a business analytics major from Pittston; Cameron Moczulski, a journalism/electronic media and advertising/public relations major from Carbondale; Damien Bryla, an accounting major from Canadensis; Daniel Juchnicki, a mechanical engineering major from Tobyhanna; and Vincenzo Angeloni, a journalism/electronic media major from Jessup.

The goal of the IDEA Center, which opened at the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year, is to empower students, faculty and community partners to turn concepts into reality with cutting-edge resources and instructors.

For additional coverage, please see the following links from WNEP-TV and the Scranton Times-Tribune.

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On Saturday, Jan. 31, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will host the Anderson Twins Sextet performing their acclaimed program, “The Fabulous Dorseys,” to open Performance Music’s spring 2026 season. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

“Will and Pete are no strangers to Scranton, and on every occasion they visit, their approachable virtuosity draws in our students," said Performance Music Executive Director Janelle Decker.

“The twins first performed here with Loren Schoenberg and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem All-Stars in 2008 and have returned to the University as guest artists and clinicians so many times that they feel like sons of Scranton," added Cheryl Y. Boga, Artistic Director of Performance Music.

The Anderson brothers’ program brings the remarkable story of the Dorsey brothers, Jimmy and Tommy, to life. Performed by a sextet of New York’s finest musicians, the show traces the Dorseys’ journey from their start in the coal regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania as teenage professionals on trombone and saxophone through their rise as national stars with the Dorsey Brothers Band, to the dramatic 1935 sibling split that sent them on separate paths, followed by their long-awaited reunion a decade later.

Identical twins Peter and Will Anderson are two of the most extraordinary jazz woodwind players today. Hailed by The New York Times as “virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone," they were born and raised in Washington, D.C., and moved to New York City to attend The Juilliard School. They’ve performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Paquito D’Rivera, Wynton Marsalis, and can be heard on the 2014 Grammy-winning soundtrack of HBO’s "Boardwalk Empire" with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. They’ve headlined at Carnegie Hall, The Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Feinstein’s 54 Below, Blues Alley, Birdland and performed live on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie "Home Companion" Radio Program. The Andersons have performed in over 40 U.S. states, throughout Brazil, Japan, the U.K., and six times in New York City's famed "Highlights in Jazz" series, alongside Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Heath, Ken Peplowski, Steve Turre, Warren Vache, Frank Vignola and Jimmy Cobb.

The Andersons' film credits include "Revolutionary Road," "Killers of the Flower Moon," "Boardwalk Empire" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." They performed with the Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars in "After Midnight," which ran on Broadway from 2013-2014, and featured Vanessa Williams, k.d. lang, Fantasia Barrino and Patti LaBelle. In 2017, the Andersons directed “The Fabulous Dorsey Brothers” in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, narrated by "The Wire" and "Treme" actor Clarke Peters.

The legendary Dorsey Brothers began their professional careers performing with the popular local band, the Scranton Sirens, at venues such as Scranton’s historic Hotel Casey in the early 1920s before relocating to New York and rising to fame as big band leaders. A mural of the brothers, completed in 2024 to honor their connection to the area, can be seen at 217 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton.

For further information on the performance, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on the Andersons, visit peterandwillanderson.com.

 

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If You Go:

What: “The Fabulous Dorseys” with the Anderson Twins Sextet, presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 31

Where: Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton

Admission: FREE

The University of Scranton has been nationally recognized for its dedication and distinction in community engagement in a newly released report that serves as the premier framework for assessing and honoring institutions committed to this work.

The 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective designation awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, listed Scranton as one of 237 honorees nationwide. The cohort includes 157 public and 80 private institutions, including 19 others in Pennsylvania. The University is the only 2026 cohort recipient of the honor in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

The classification, which is valid until 2032, is awarded to colleges and universities that submitted a self-study that revealed an institutional integration of mission, culture, leadership and resources used to advance meaningful and impactful community engagement. The Carnegie Foundation describes community engagement as “the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity” that contributes to the public good.

Answering the Call To 'Love Your Neighbor'

 

“Students, faculty, staff and alumni engage with the Scranton community in a range of ways — direct service, academic projects and research, and joint initiatives — that help improve the community we all call home. They address community-defined needs and priorities in such areas as poverty, food insecurity, youth programming, health care, older adult needs, immigrant and refugee support, prison education and civic engagement,” said Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president of community engagement and government affairs. “These community-based activities and partnerships are where some of our best learning takes place and one of the important ways that we respond to the call to ‘love your neighbor,’ grounded in our Jesuit and Catholic mission."

As a Catholic, Jesuit institution, The University of Scranton’s identity is closely tied to serving others in the community. Spearheading the University’s efforts are the Center for Service and Social Justice, the Office of Community Relations in External Affairs, the Office of Community-Based Learning, the Leahy Community Health and Family Center and the Small Business Development Center. Collectively, these offices and others organize service opportunities, host educational and cultural events, provide health and wellness services, offer expert consulting solutions and create hands-on learning experiences that connect students and employees with local and regional partners. Altogether, through these and other offices and programs, the University invested $1,077,557 in its 2023-2024 annual budget to support institutional engagement in the community.

These campus offices work directly with a range of community organizations; the application highlights several key partnerships including Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, United Neighborhoods Center of NEPA, Scranton Jewish Community Center, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton Tomorrow, The Gino Merli Center, Catherine McAuley Center and Friends of the Poor, Bhutanese Cultural Foundation Association of Scranton, Congolese Community of Scranton, Saint Joseph's Center, Neighborworks of NEPA, Marywood STARS after-school program, McNichols Plaza Elementary School and more. 

“Since arriving at the University in 2021, I have found the relationship between The University of Scranton and the City of Scranton and the broader community of Northeastern Pennsylvania to be a source of pride, mutual learning, and collaboration in pursuit of the common good. The University cannot be successful if Scranton is not flourishing and vice versa,” Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University of Scranton president, said in a letter submitted with the Carnegie application. “The University’s Jesuit and Catholic mission characterizes how we seek to engage with our community — in solidarity, in a spirit of mutuality and encounter, and in service of justice and positive change.”

The application provides information and analysis of the University’s community engagement efforts, reflecting on areas of growth and improvement as well as long-standing programs and commitments. It details local co-curricular service such as students preparing 1,700 meals in 2023-2024 for low-income neighbors through innovative projects such as “We Care;" supporting and mentoring youth in after-school programs; conducting item drives; volunteering with numerous local non-profit organizations; and participating in domestic and international service trips.

Through community-based learning, faculty and students engage locally in ways tied to their academic course or program. They have helped improve the health and wellbeing of neighbors with special needs and older adults, archived the stories of veterans, addressed period poverty, created arts activities for elementary students, provided health fairs for newly arrived refugees, and promoted awareness and advocacy on such issues as child abuse, among other projects. In 2023-2024, a total of 88 community-based learning courses were taught at the University, including an estimated 1,200 students performing 31,673 academic service hours during that year.

Community engagement is embedded in still further ways — through student government’s biannual Street Sweep that beautifies streetscapes and parks, through the many faculty and staff (80%) who engage in local community volunteer activities, and through the University's alumni’s annual day of service. The application also highlights civic engagement programs — such as non-partisan voter engagement activities and a political dialogue across differences project run since 2017 — which help students reflect on their values and use their voice within campus and in the public square.

The data and projects detailed in the Carnegie application built on the information shared through the University’s 2024 Community and Economic Impact Report, produced by the University’s Office of Community Relations. The University produced an overall economic impact of more than $277 million and awarded over $100 million in institutional student aid. The newest building on campus, Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall, is a hub for several of the University’s community-focused programs and has state-of-the-art equipment that is meant to be shared with local partners.

The University of Scranton’s life-changing, four-year, pre-college program was recently awarded a grant that will help it continue to provide encouragement and academic, cultural and social enrichment to local teenagers who aspire to enroll in colleges and universities.

The University of Success program at The University of Scranton received a $15,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. It was awarded as part of the 2025 spring grant cycle for the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The funds will support promising high school students who can contribute to the community and achieve success with access to post-secondary education.

Created in 1996 and with its first full graduating class in 2001, the University of Success is supported by gifts and grants. The program, which is offered free of charge to selected local students beginning in Grade 9 and continuing through Grade 12, offers mentorship, seminars, test prep and developmental enrichment courses covering a wide range of topics. The University of Success staff closely works with students to keep them on track as they develop skills and confidence and ultimately gain admission to their chosen institutions of higher learning. The 17 University of Success graduates in the Class of 2025 matriculated to 11 colleges and universities, including five at The University of Scranton. Two graduates joined the military to further pursue their education.

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in funding to initiatives and programs that serve the people of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was founded in 2015, shortly after the death of Spitz, who was born in Scranton in 1955, graduated from Scranton Central High School and the University of Miami, Florida, and had been employed by the U.S. Department of Labor and owned several local Arby’s restaurants.

One of The University of Scranton’s most historic and highest-achieving programs has been awarded a nearly $1 million federal grant.

The University of Scranton’s clinical rehabilitation counseling program will receive a five-year grant, totaling nearly $1 million, from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The grant, which will provide scholarships to graduate students at Scranton and will also broaden program accessibility through online and hybrid learning formats, was announced Monday, Jan. 12, in partnership with U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan ’12 through an official press release.

“The University of Scranton plays an important role in preparing students for careers that meet real needs in our communities,” said Rep. Bresnahan in the press release. “That’s why I’m proud to have helped secure this critical funding to expand access to training and help address workforce shortages in rehabilitation and counseling services. I will always fight to bring tax dollars back to Northeastern Pennsylvania to strengthen programs our communities rely on.”

The rehabilitation counseling profession itself was significantly shaped — and in many ways created — by the federal government. It emerged in the early 20th century as a result of injured veterans returning from war and desiring a sense of normalcy. As the demand for these services grew, so, too, did the need for qualified professionals. Because of service demand and concomitant federal commitment to rehabilitation programmatic success, a handful of programs were started at well-established, graduate degree-granting colleges and universities.

Clinical rehabilitation counseling practitioners are charged with helping individuals overcome developmental, emotional, mental and physical disabilities while also encouraging autonomy and removing the social and attitudinal barriers that restrict full participation for people with disabilities.

“As a Catholic, Jesuit institution, The University of Scranton teaches our students and graduates to be ‘for and with others.’ We must not only serve others but stand in solidarity with them,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University of Scranton president. “The clinical rehabilitation counseling field is a shining example of this Jesuit ideal. Our students are trained to treat — but even more importantly, accompany — individuals as they face emotional, physical and psychological challenges. They work with the underserved and overlooked, treating them with the humanity and dignity they deserve and that ultimately helps them flourish.”

The grant will fund tuition scholarships and increase the pool of highly qualified, master’s-level rehabilitation counselors, thus addressing regional personnel shortages. The degree was previously offered only on-campus, but will now also be offered entirely online or as an on-campus/online hybrid, making it accessible to more students.

Scranton’s nationally recognized rehabilitation counseling program, which offers a Master of Science degree, was established in 1965. It is the second-oldest such program at a Catholic college or university in the U.S.

Since its inception, Scranton’s rehabilitation counseling program has prepared 976 graduates who have gone on to serve people with disabilities in both public and private settings. Data shows rehabilitation counselors are likely to serve 1,500 to 2,500 individual clients in a career, meaning Scranton’s graduates are estimated to have served about 1.5 million clients with disabilities.

In addition to the teaching rooted in Jesuit values and instruction coming from world-class educators, Scranton’s innovative program features state-of-the-art video technology at the David W. Hall Counselor Training Center, which enables students to record counseling sessions with hands-on supervision.

“We are very honored to have received this grant award, as it is a significant validation of the commitment to excellence of those who have built and sustained this program for over 60 years,” said Samantha Herrick, Ph.D., associate professor of counseling and human services and director of the University’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Program. “This grant will allow us to carry forward our mission into the future by increasing capacity and expanding access for qualified applicants with a passion for empowering others to reach their full potential.”

The clinical rehabilitation field offers strong employment rates and salaries, as well as opportunities to engage in meaningful, life-changing work. Additionally, Scranton alumni remain connected to the program long after graduation, evidenced by the 60-year anniversary celebration and reunion held this fall.

The grant will award the University’s program with five payments over a five-year period, totaling $999,909.16.

U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Scranton’s rehabilitation counseling program as No. 2 in Pennsylvania and in the top 50 in the U.S., reflecting its strong reputation across the nation.

Innovation. Design. Education. Application. The IDEA Center at The University of Scranton promotes creativity among students and fosters connections with the community.

In this video, IDEA Center Director Tom Bryan explains some of the possibilities the center offers, including 3D printing, laser engraving, graphic design, and manufacturing equipment, as well as a podcast media studio.

You do not need to be an engineer to create in the space at the IDEA Center, which is located at the University's Robert S '68 and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall. The team there provides instruction, safety training and guidance prior to the use of the equipment or machinery.

Learn more about how the IDEA Center can help bring creative ideas to life. Visit the website to reserve the podcast studio, complete a form to request training or schedule a visit or field trip.

Walk through the IDEA Center in this video interview with Tom Bryan. Then, get all the details at The Scranton Journal website: https://journal.scranton.edu/issues/2025/fall

On Sunday, Jan.18, The University of Scranton will once again host the Greater Scranton MLK Commission’s annual dinner. This event strives to give voice to and emphasize the importance of positive community and racial relations in all aspects of life through education, programming, and special events. It is an opportunity to celebrate the life, legacy and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

The annual celebration and awards dinner will take place on Sunday, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the University’s DeNaples Center McIllhenny Ballroom.

This year’s program theme is “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” and will feature keynote speakers, U. Melissa Anyiwo, Ph.D., associate professor of history and director of Black Studies at The University of Scranton and Dr. Yerodin Lucas, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Marywood University. University President Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., will provide an opening welcome.  

The University will sponsor a table; members of the University community interested in attending are directed to contact Julie Schumacher Cohen in Community Relations at julie.cohen@scranton.edu 

For more information, visit the event registration page: MLK Commission Annual Dinner details. 

The spirit of giving is alive and well at The University of Scranton, where, for the past month, students and faculty and staff members participated in an initiative that provides holiday gifts to families in need.

This year’s Gifts for Kids program — organized in partnership by the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ), Friends of the Poor, the Catherine McAuley Center and Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton — yielded hundreds of gifts generously donated by members of the University community. Organizers requested a focus on teens, noting that infants typically receive ample donations but need less. In response, a record number of teen gifts were collected.

“We’ve seen a lot of community need this year,” said Ellen Judge, CSSJ outreach program coordinator. “We’re glad that people were able to be generous and donate so that we could participate in this important program every year on our campus.”

Collected items will be delivered to the Byron Recreation Complex, where volunteers will sort and prepare them for distribution on Tuesday, Dec. 16, and Wednesday, Dec. 17. Gifts will be distributed to families who pre-registered for assistance.

For additional coverage, please see this story from Fox 56.

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Performance Music at The University of Scranton will continue in the holiday spirit at its 24th Annual Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert, this year featuring the Scranton Brass Orchestra. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center (Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton). The event is open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring either a new unwrapped toy, a new piece of child’s clothing or a cash donation. All donated items will directly benefit children of local families in need this holiday season via the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice.

Founded by Cheryl Boga and Hal Baillie, Ph.D., and with artistic support from Mark Gould, and now in its 13th season, Scranton Brass Orchestra is a fully professional, 27-member ensemble comprised of brass and percussion players/teachers from across the region. Since its founding in June 2011, the group’s performances have been free and open to the public and have featured nationally and internationally acclaimed guests, among them some of the most acclaimed brass players of our time. Some of the goals of the group include to provide high-level large brass ensemble performance and listening opportunities, serve as an aural and visual model to aid in the tonal and technical development of student brass players and as a professional development resource for brass performers and teachers in the region, and give participating regional brass musicians and teachers opportunities to work with and observe masters of the art of brass playing.

The Empty Stocking Fund concert traces its origins back to 1999, when Boga’s friend, Alan Drake, the former chairman of the music department at Georgia’s Augusta University, told her about a benefit Christmas concert held there. She was intrigued and Drake gave his blessing for her to bring the concept back to Scranton for the following year. For the inaugural year, she and Drake waged a friendly competition to see which concert could raise the most money. Scranton won — and an annual tradition was born.

The concert’s charitable mission makes it particularly special. The University’s Performance Music family is always moved when they see the donated items out on display the night of the concert. Meanwhile, the performance itself never fails to produce an abundance of yuletide cheer.

For those who are unable to attend the concert but would still like to drop off a toy or other donation, they will be accepted at the Houlihan-McLean Center this week (Monday, Dec. 8 through Thursday, Dec. 11) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Before the day of the concert, please use the Jefferson Avenue entrance.)

 

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IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Annual Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert with the Scranton Brass Orchestra, presented by Performance Music at The University of Scranton

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Houlihan-McLean Center

ADMISSION: A donation of either a new unwrapped toy, new piece of child’s clothing, new toiletry items or a cash donation, with all proceeds directly benefiting local families in need

On the eve of finals week, members of The University of Scranton community gathered in reflection and celebration.

The University hosted the annual University Advent Liturgy Mass on Sunday, Dec. 5, inside the Byron Recreation Complex.

After Mass, attendees proceeded to the John and Jacquelyn Dionne Campus Green at the heart of campus, where the University's Christmas tree was lit for the season alongside a Nativity scene.

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The world’s most prolific Christmastime communicator, Santa Claus, will spread holiday cheer this month in a variety of ways.

One of the more unique opportunities to greet Santa will happen across ham radio airwaves, connecting Scranton to the North Pole.

The University of Scranton’s W3USR amateur radio station will participate in CQ Santa, an open call in which Santa will invite ham radio operators from around the world to join him.

The state-of-the-art W3USR offices on the fifth floor of the Loyola Science Center will be open to children and their parents from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the following dates when CQ Santa is live. Families should arrive by 7:45 p.m. to make sure they can be checked into the net.

• Thursday, Dec. 11
• Friday, Dec. 12
• Saturday, Dec. 13
• Thursday, Dec. 18
• Friday, Dec. 19
• Saturday, Dec. 20

The offices and hardware will be staffed by W3USR volunteers, students and faculty members who will help children transmit their wishes and greetings to Santa as he responds in real time. Questions can be sent to w3usr@scranton.edu.

The University of Scranton’s Ph.D. in Accounting program is ranked No. 1 for research in accounting education, according to Brigham Young University’s Accounting Research Rankings, an internationally recognized benchmark for accounting research productivity.

The ranking measures research productivity across top accounting journals and reflects the exceptional work Scranton’s Ph.D. graduates and faculty have done in publishing influential research that helps improve accounting education. BYU’s data is categorized by topic, method and post-graduate window.

Scranton ranks No. 1 in the Main Ph.D. Program Rankings for All Education Publications 2024 in the 3-Year Recent and 6-Year Recent categories. It is fourth in the 3-Year All and 16th in the 6-Year All categories. Methodology could be found on the BYU Accounting website.

“This distinguished ranking recognizes the talent and dedication of our Ph.D. graduates, as well as the rigorous and supportive environment they experienced throughout their Ph.D. studies at The University of Scranton,” said Douglas M. Boyle, DBA’88, professor and chair of Scranton’s Accounting Department and director of the Ph.D. program. “Our Ph.D. students, graduates and faculty closely collaborate to advance educational research that upholds our Jesuit tradition, contributes to the accounting literature and benefits accounting faculty and students worldwide.”

BYU’s database lists ten Scranton Ph.D. graduates as authors — Drs. Samantha Falgout, Anthony Fulmore, Lisa S. Haylon, Heather Holcomb, Elena V. Isaacson, Gregory Kogan, Amanda S. Marcy, Thomas Kevin Parker, Linette A. Rayeski and Ashley Stampone — who collectively published 11 articles. Dr. Douglas M. Boyle was a co-author on seven of the 11 articles and Ph.D. faculty member Dr. James Boyle was a co-author on one.

Peer institutions ranked highly include Robert Gordon University in Scotland and the University of Western Australia, as well as American schools like Bentley University, Virginia Tech and the University of Alabama.

Additionally, the University’s Accounting Department is tied for second in Main University Rankings for Education Research and fourth in Main University Rankings for All Education Publications for the past six years worldwide. The 2024 report also ranked Dr. Douglas M. Boyle No. 2 in the world for accounting education publication volume in the past six years and No. 91 (tied) for Accounting Information System Research. Accounting faculty member Dr. James F. Boyle was ranked No. 10 (tied); and fellow faculty members Dr. Amanda Marcy and Dr. Ashley Stampone were ranked No. 79 (tied) worldwide. Dr. Stampone was also ranked No. 91 (tied) for Accounting Information System Research.

The University of Scranton’s accounting program is in the Kania School of Management, which was selected by the Princeton Review as one of the nation’s Best Business Schools. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Scranton’s accounting program as one of the top 40 nationally.

The University of Scranton and King’s College, along with the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, recently partnered on a civic celebration and demonstration to honor one of the region’s most notable inventors of the 20th century.

One-hundred-twenty years ago in 1905, Rev. Joseph Murgas publicly unveiled the “Tone Method,” a wireless communication system capable of transmitting messages reliably over long distances. Father Murgas, who was born in Slovakia but lived, died and is buried in Northeastern Pennsylvania, successfully tested the technology with a series of messages relayed between local stakeholders in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, University of Scranton president Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., Ph.D., King’s College president Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and Wilkes-Barre Mayor George C. Brown recreated the historic transmission from the University’s W3USR amateur radio station in the Loyola Science Center and the Richard Abbas Alley Center for Health Sciences at King’s. In addition to the message relay, guests were treated to refreshments while visiting exhibits on display at both campuses, showcasing Father Murgas’ vast accomplishments, breakthroughs and artworks.

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“This event truly was a special occasion,” said Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., W2NAF, associate professor of physics and engineering at The University of Scranton and member of the Murgas Amateur Radio Club. “We were able to bring together two wonderful cities and universities in a very unique way, all while celebrating the legacy of Father Murgas.

“He truly was a man who cared for his people while also advancing human knowledge. I am grateful to not only have been part of this celebration, but also to be a member of the Murgas Amateur Radio club that was established in his honor.”

The day also marked the 50-year anniversary of the Murgas Amateur Radio Club, which serves local radio operators and regularly participates in events and provides communications support for multiple local nonprofit organizations.

For additional coverage, please see the Times Leader, WVIA and The Citizens’ Voice.

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A new Ethical Encounters program connects themes in the University’s annual Royal Read with an interactive local experience for first-year students as part of the First-Year Seminar program. This year, students read the book "Cherished Belonging," by Rev. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program in the world. The Ethical Encounters events brought together students and faculty in first-year seminar courses with Cypress House at St. Luke’s, a bakery job reentry program modeled after Homeboy Industries. The students had heard Fr. Boyle and two of his colleagues, Junior and George, speak on campus in September.

At two events held in October and November, students visited St. Luke’s Church in downtown Scranton and had the opportunity to hear from local individuals who had been formerly incarcerated, sharing their stories of reentry in the Scranton area. They also learned about the Cypress House program from St. Luke’s Church pastor, Rev.Tyler Parry.

The panel was followed by a Q&A and small-group-facilitated table discussions with students making connections between the book’s themes and the panel stories. They discussed what it means to dismantle barriers of exclusion, including such issues as securing a job post-prison, experiencing stigma and other biases toward those who have been incarcerated. They also reflected on what it means to accompany and learn from those marginalized in our society, and ways we can all contribute to fostering greater belonging on our campus, community and beyond.

This year’s Ethical Encounters is a collaboration between the University’s First Year Seminar program and Office of Community Relations together with community partner Cypress House at St. Luke’s Church.

The public can learn more about Cypress House, a member of the Global Homeboy Network, at their upcoming Open House on Friday, Dec. 5.  Visitors will have the opportunity to tour their newly renovated kitchen, meet local residents who have experienced incarceration, enjoy artwork and poetry created by these individuals, participate in basket raffles, and savor refreshments. Two University of Scranton faculty members, Dr. Michael Jenkins and Dr. Ashley Stampone, serve on their Board of Directors.

This year’s Ethical Encounters is a collaboration between the University’s First Year Seminar program and the Office of Community Relations, together with community partner Cypress House at St. Luke’s Church. The program is funded by the Ethics Across the Curriculum initiative. 

To learn more, visit https://cypresshouse.org/.

The University of Scranton mourns the loss of a distinguished alumnus and civic leader whose death happened the very same night he was honored by his alma mater.

David J. Wenzel ’69, G’74, a decorated military veteran and public servant, died the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center. He was 80.

A Scranton native who lost both legs and an arm while serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Wenzel returned home and earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Scranton. He then dedicated his life to public service, most notably from 1986-90 as the 27th Mayor of Scranton. After leaving office, Wenzel continued working as a pioneering disability rights advocate.

The University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS) had long planned to showcase memorabilia from Wenzel’s remarkable career at an exhibit at the Weinberg Memorial Library. “A Life of Service: Celebrating David J. Wenzel,” which opened earlier in the evening of Nov. 5. It was attended by numerous local and University officials, as well as Wenzel’s friends and family, including his wife, Janet, who accepted the inaugural CEEPS Public Service Award on his behalf. Going forward, the award will be renamed in Wenzel’s honor.

“David was a happy warrior,” said Wenzel’s friend, Joe Riccardo. “He kept that wonderful smile and twinkle in his eye, but he fought. He fought for his country in Vietnam. He fought for our community, both as Mayor and as an active citizen. Boy, he fought all his life to maintain his dignity; it wasn’t always easy as a triple amputee, but David was not going to allow any disability to get in his way to prevent him from achieving his goals.”

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Prior to serving as mayor, Wenzel was Scranton’s tax collector. After leaving office, he served on the executive committee of the National Council on Disability. Later, he authored a book, “Scranton’s Mayors,” and received the honor of having his name attached to the beautiful David Wenzel Treehouse at Nay Aug Park.

Fellow Vietnam veteran and former President Judge of Lackawanna County, Tom Munley, spoke at the event and called Wenzel “my hero.” Former U.S. Sen. and Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service Bob Casey called him “an inspiration.” Former Scranton Mayor Christopher Doherty also spoke of Wenzel as a “great man.”

“Think of the impact he had on young men and women who asked the question: ‘Who’s this man? And he was the Mayor? What happened to him and what has he done?’” Doherty said. “When they get the answers, they realize here’s someone you should follow and model. Here’s someone who is a true leader of our city and a fine example of what our city produces: men of dignity, honor and honesty.”

The exhibit is open and will remain on display during regular library hours at the fifth-floor Heritage Room through Sunday, Dec. 14. 

For more coverage, please see: WNEP, The Times-Tribune, Fox 56 and WVIA.

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Eighty-three high school students participated in team-building exercises, breakout sessions and other activities at the fifth annual Path to Business Excellence Conference.

The University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management (KSOM) organized and hosted the event on Saturday, Nov. 22. Participants engaged in faculty- and student-led sessions and had an opportunity to hear from current students and alumni about their experience within KSOM, which holds accreditation from AACSB International, the gold standard for business school accreditation.

The students who attended the conference, along with their families, learned about a wide range of business majors offered at Scranton, including analytics and accounting programs that U.S. News and World Report ranked among the top 40 in the nation. Attendees also learned about Scranton’s underlying philosophy, guided by Jesuit ideals, in which students are encouraged to participate in community service, clubs and co-curricular activities while receiving an outstanding education.

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The Jesuit principles instilled at The University of Scranton — critical thinking, ethical responsibility, a commitment to justice, among other things — will benefit professionals in any line of work.

A trio of military personnel reflected upon the Jesuit teachings at a Veterans Day Communication Leadership Panel, organized by Scranton’s Department of Communication and Media. Col. Richard H. Breen, Jr., ’77, director of public affairs and communications at the office of the assistant secretary of war for health affairs, served as the moderator. Panelists included Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry ’79, U.S. Army, retired, and Lt. Col. Jay Wenger, professor of military science at The University of Scranton.

“The names that I would mention are all on buildings around campus,” Col. Breen said. “I was commissioned by Father William J. Byron. I had dinner many a night with Father Joseph Rock. Father Ed Gannon conducted the marriage ceremony for myself and my wife.

“Learning from your teachers and from the Jesuit values here — it’s something serious, it’s something that carries with you for the rest of your career.”

Col. Breen and the group spoke in front of nearly 100 guests — most of them students — during the hourlong panel and Q and A with the audience at the Kane Forum in Leahy Hall.

“Nobody prays for peace more than somebody that’s seen war,” Lt. Col. Wenger added. “In every corner of this world, there are lovely and wonderful people out there. The toughest environments you go into, the places where the Jesuit values are not, that is where they’re needed most. The morals, the ethics, the values that all of you have and that are fostered here — bring them to corners of the world. …

“When you are in these tough positions, you want somebody leading in the position that has (strong) values.”

The panelists spoke about numerous other items, including the value communications professionals can add to an organization such as a military command.

“The English language is a precise language when used precisely,” Maj. Gen. Terry said. “We have to be very careful when we use words. One of the most dangerous statements I ever got was … ‘Sir, I understand.’ Do you really? The importance of giving your intent, giving the opportunity for subordinate elements to develop their complementary plans and then coming back and back-briefing the higher level — that’s when you find out if you really understand.”

Maj. Gen. Terry and the panelists also offered advice to students who will soon enter the job market, emphasizing the importance of being on time, composed and respectful.

“Understand where you’re at,” Maj. Gen. Terry said. “As a communications person, you’re not the boss, you’re not the commander, you’re not the president. Where do you fit as a cog in that? And how can you support the mission? Be a team player. I think that’s the biggest thing. You want to be considered a team player among your peers because you’re going to have peers, and those peers may still be with you years down the road.”

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The event also included a posting and retirement of the colors by the University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Color Guard. Cadets Michael O'Toole, an undeclared major from Middle Village, New York, and Evan Taddeo, a biology major from Havertown, presented the colors. The national anthem was sung by ROTC cadets Kiley Mullins, a nursing major from Northford, Connecticut, and Haley Hendershot, a nursing major from Blue Point, New York. It concluded with remarks from Stacy Smulowitz, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication and Media.

“To our students,” Dr. Smulowitz said, “I hope you leave here today with a renewed sense of purpose no matter your choice of career. Remember the example set by our distinguished veterans. The values they embody — integrity, selflessness and an unwavering commitment to their country — are all values we can all strive to uphold in our daily lives.”

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Azzan Yadin-Israel, Ph.D., recently visited The University of Scranton as its featured speaker at the Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute Lecture.

Dr. Yadin-Israel’s presented “Solving the Mystery of Adam and Eve’s Forbidden Fruit” on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Pearn Auditorium in Brennan Hall. The speech was free and open to the public.

Dr. Yadin-Israel is the chair and professor of Jewish studies at Rutgers University and the author of the 2022 book, “Temptation Transformed: The Story of How the Forbidden Fruit Became an Apple.”

The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute was founded in 1979 through an endowment funded by the local Jewish community. The Institute was further funded in 1990 by a $1 million gift from Harry Weinberg. The lecture series has hosted numerous events and scholarly speakers throughout the years, fostering an appreciation for and understanding of Judaism, Israel and their histories.

The University of Scranton recently welcomed an international diplomat as a guest lecturer.

Mateusz Sakowicz, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York, spoke Friday, Nov. 7, at the Rose Room inside Brennan Hall.

Sakowicz presented, “Global Insight from Poland’s Consul General,” as part of the University’s Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Seminars series.

Sakowicz has worked in diplomatic relations for nearly 20 years. He assumed his current position in July 2024 after previously serving about four years as Deputy Permanent Representative of Poland to the United Nations in New York. Prior to that, he was awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit in 2019 for his diplomatic service.

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Having hosted Sakowicz, as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s senior curator Tom Shieber and University of Pennsylvania professor Josef Wegner, one event remains in the fall’s luncheon series. Matthew Duss, executive director at the Center for International Policy, will present, “America is Ready for a Pro-Peace Foreign Policy. Is Washington?” on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the McIlhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center. Cost is $30 to attend and includes a buffet lunch.

For more information, visit the Schemel Forum’s website, call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

The Schemel Forum is sponsored by Munley Law.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, The University of Scranton is joining a nationwide Catholic public witness for immigrants. The feast day of the patron saint of all immigrants, Mother Cabrini, will be celebrated on this day.

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, will preside at Mass at 4:30 p.m. at The University of Scranton’s Madonna Della Strada Chapel. A procession will follow to downtown Scranton, with a gathering and public witness on Courthouse Square, located on North Washington Avenue, scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.

The event is co-sponsored by The University of Scranton, Marywood University, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, IHM Sisters - Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton and St. Ann’s Passionist Monastery.

The national initiative is led by many Catholic organizations, including Jesuits ISA East, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB,) and the Ignatian Solidarity Network.

For more information on this national initiative, please visit the following link: National Initiative

Join this public witness to uphold the human dignity of our immigrant neighbors.

The Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL) announces their second cohort of the CBL Student Fellows Program. CBL is an academic experience that involves students working with community partners – individuals, groups, and local organizations – in ways that meet community-defined needs. The Student Fellowship Program aims to foster the professional and personal growth of students who are pursuing a CBL project alongside a faculty mentor. Projects focus on a plethora of areas and interests, including revitalization of the West Scranton neighborhood, promoting care and comfort to hospice patients, workforce equity with immigrants, accessible legal resources for victims of sexual assault, and helping expectant mothers gain crucial resources. All projects are in collaboration with community partners and aim to improve or expand the services they provide. The fellowship program will run throughout the fall semester.

The Fall 2026 CBL Student Fellows are listed below, including their involvements and a description of each intended project.

Yorgelis Bautista ‘26:

Yorgelis Bautista ‘26 is a senior from Philadelphia in the College of Arts and Sciences studying criminal justice and political science. She brings a unique approach to the program, providing fresh perspectives and the ability to adapt progressive organizing to traditional frameworks. Yorgelis aims to develop creative solutions to engage diverse communities in social change and drive civic participation. Her project, Work Without Walls: Advancing Workforce Equity for Immigrants, aims to identify key barriers to achieving full potential in the workforce while proposing practical and community-driven concepts for change. This project encompasses qualitative research interventions to assess the current status of workforce development in the Scranton area. Potential impacts of Yorgelis’ work include building a more inclusive and equitable workforce in the area for immigrant populations while integrating such individuals into the community. Bridging the gap between immigrant workers and the local labor market brings Yorgelis’ project to the forefront of efforts to promote equity and inclusion in employment.

Nora Flannery ‘27:

Nora Flannery ‘27 is a junior from Scranton, in the College of Arts and Sciences. She has majors in both physiology and philosophy as well as minors in Biochemistry and Theology/Religious Studies. Along with her academic studies, she is in the Faculty Student Research Program, the University Honors Program, and is involved in the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts (SJLA) on campus. A West Scranton native herself, Nora is teaming up with NeighborWorks NEPA to revitalize the community. Through empirical research, her project titled "Together in West Scranton: Research for Renewal," aims to support the initiation and growth of programs within the community. Nora’s main goal is to renew the once “tight-knit” community to what it once was. Nora aims to work on these programs with the help of West Scranton residents themselves, through surveys and personal interactions, to gather their views on the community. Grounded in her strong academic background and commitment to service, Nora hopes to help West Scranton flourish for generations to come.

Sofia Mastellone ‘26:

Sofia Mastellone ‘26 is a senior from Wayne, New Jersey, in the College of Arts and Sciences. She has a major in Psychology and minors in both philosophy and business leadership. Along with her academic studies, she is involved in the Business Leadership Honors Program (BLDR), Special Jesuit Liberal Arts (SJLA), and the Faculty Student Research Program. Throughout Project Create and Care, Sofia is teaming up with Hospice of the Sacred Heart to create a space of warmth and connectivity in both the in-patient unit and at home. In an effort to support loved ones and caretakers, Sofia plans to implement themes of positivity throughout the floor while utilizing bulletin boards, interactive activities, and positive messages to make the environment more encouraging. Her utilization of motivating interventions and environmental refurbishment links empathy and meaningful human connection to a vulnerable population. Through her work, Sofia will foster an environment where compassion and comfort ensure every individual is supported during life’s most challenging moments.

 

Gabriella Palmer ‘26:

Gabriella Palmer ‘26 is a senior from Phoenixville,  in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is a triple major of English, Theater, and Philosophy with a Legal Studies Concentration. Along with her academic endeavors, she is a Slattery Center Fellow, a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts (SJLA), and a member of the Faculty Student Research Program. Through Gabriella’s previous research on theatrical techniques used by litigators in courtrooms, she began to question justice in our society. Birthed from this inquiry, Gabriella wrote and staged a play that explored both her research findings and personal philosophical tension. Through her work on this play, she connected with a diverse population that encompasses all members of society: victims of sexual assault. Many of her connections disclosed their assaults were unreported for a plethora of reasons, including confusion and intimidation of the legal system. Gabriella now aims to improve student awareness and connectivity to legal aid and resources. For her project, she will collaborate with a multitude of different legal institutions to develop an interactive platform that will help students understand their rights and connect them to legal support and resources. This initiative aims to empower students with knowledge and resources needed to navigate the legal system with confidence and clarity.

 

Melissa Schweizer ‘26:

Melissa Schweizer ‘26 is a senior nursing student from Sparta, New Jersey in the Leahy College of Health Sciences. Along with her rigorous major, she also holds University Honors. Melissa aims to resuscitate a previously run program, Nurses2Newborns, which focused on aiding expecting parents and women facing health disparities in our communities. Through this project, she would provide these populations with donations such as clothes, food, sanitary items, and other needed materials for babies. Melissa aims to help people in the local community who face various social dilemmas feel supported during a critical point in their lives. By addressing basic needs, this program can alleviate some of the stress new parents encounter, while also encouraging healthier outcomes for both mothers and infants. Melissa bridges the gap between healthcare and community support, embodying Jesuit values of service, commitment, and empathy while promoting human dignity.

The Office of Community-Based Learning is excited to see how these programs develop, and to see the impact that they will have on the Scranton community. For more information on CBL at the University visit www.scranton.edu/cbl .

On Nov. 12 from 12 -1 p.m, The University of Scranton will host a program titled “Equality, Justice, and Peace—A Catholic Vision for Reconciliation in Israel/Palestine Today,” as a part of the national Rev. Drew Christiansen, S.J. Lecture Series 2025.

The event features Fr. Davis Neuhaus, S.J, who will be joining via Zoom. This event will be conducted as a hybrid event, where people can join via Zoom or in person at the University in the Pearn Auditorium in Brennan Hall (Room 228,) and lunch will be offered starting at 11:30 a.m.

Registration Link: surveymonkey.com/r/Equality-Justice-Peace

Fr. David Neuhaus, SJ, was born in 1962 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is an Israeli Jesuit and Patriarchal Vicar emeritus for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Fr. David was ordained to the priesthood in Jerusalem in 2000. He completed his Doctorate at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and has degrees in Theology from Paris, and Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He was appointed Patriarchal Vicar for Hebrew-speaking Catholics in Jerusalem by Patriarch Twal in 2009 and served as Coordinator of the Pastoral Care for Migrant Workers and Asylum Seekers. He teaches at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Seminary and at Bethlehem University.

About the Lecture

The lecture will focus on four elements in the Catholic Church’s position regarding Israel/Palestine: the welfare of the Christian community and the protection of the Holy Places; the interpretation of the Scriptures as a resource for promoting equality, justice and peace; the dialogue with Jews and Muslims; and the commitment to a social teaching that insists on equality, justice and peace.

About the Lecture Series

The Rev. Drew Christiansen S.J. was a Distinguished Professor at Georgetown University, consultant to the Holy See, Director of the U.S. Bishops’ Office of International Justice and Peace and editor of America magazine. Fr. Drew established the Catholic Advisory Council at Churches for Middle East Peace. The lecture series promotes education and advocacy among American Catholics and other Christians about realities in the Holy Land as part of promoting U.S. policies that contribute toward a just and lasting peace.

This event is co-hosted by The University of Scranton’s Ellacuria Initiative, Jesuit Center, Office of Community Relations, Political Science Department, Theology and Religious Studies Department, and Peace and Justice Studies together with the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace and Bethlehem University Foundation.

Questions can be directed to 570-941-4419 or julie.cohen@scranton.edu.