Student News

The national network of Beta Alpha Psi honor societies is strong.

It includes more than 300 chapters and thousands of members whose efforts have helped it become the premier international honor and service organization for financial and business information students and professionals.

The University of Scranton’s Nu Kappa chapter of Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society once again — for the third consecutive year — proved itself to be among the very best of this group.

Nu Kappa at Scranton was recently distinguished with Gold Chapter status, indicating a high level of activity, service and engagement within the organization and its surrounding community.

The Beta Alpha Psi chapter at Scranton began in 2015 and its honors include achieving Silver Chapter for the 2021-22 academic year, followed by back-to-back-to-back Gold selections.

Scranton’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter far exceeded the various requirements for Gold. It completed 13 professional activities, 11 reaching out activities and eight service activities during the 2024-25 academic year.

The various activities included fundraising and donation collecting for organizations such as the NEPA Youth Shelter, the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center, the West Scranton Youth Center and Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, as well as presenting at meetings in Orlando, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, and organizing multiple panels and presentations with interns, emerging professionals and established industry leaders.

Amanda Marcy ’10, G’11, Ph.D.’20, assistant professor of accounting, serves as the faculty advisor for the Beta Alpha Psi chapter at Scranton. Dr. Marcy earlier this year was named a national Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Advisor award recipient.

Officers for the University’s Beta Alpha Psi honor society chapter during the 2024-25 academic year were:

Ryan Hanley, Dumont, New Jersey, president, a double major in accounting and finance

Brianna Kerrane, New Hyde Park, New York, vice president, who graduated in 2025 with a master of accountancy

Charles Howley, Putnam Valley, New York, treasurer, who is majoring in finance

Nina Figetakis, Little Neck, New York, secretary, who graduated in 2025 with an MBA in accounting

Alayna Wocniski, Camp Hill, social engagement director, who is majoring in accounting

Work is underway by seven University of Scranton undergraduate students who are working closely this summer with faculty mentors to complete research projects.

The seven students are recipients of the President’s Fellowship for Summer Research, a program administered by the Provost Office and designed to foster undergraduate research and hands-on learning through faculty-mentored projects. Each project is driven by the student who takes ownership in developing and refining their research.

The following list includes 2025 summer research fellows, their projects and faculty mentors:

Ronald Prislupski, a finance major from Pittston, “Does Trading Hour Extension Increase Information Content? The Natural Experiment from Hong Kong,” with faculty mentor Jinghan Cai, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, finance and international business;

Sarah Lyons, a nursing major from Moosic, “Exploring Emotional Intelligence Qualities Among a Sample of Bedside Nurses,” with faculty mentor Mary Jane DiMattio, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Nursing Department;

Alexa Martinez, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major from Walden, New York, “Understanding the Variation in Prevalence and Transmission of Wolbachia Bacteria in Insect Host Populations Over Time,” with faculty mentor Michael Hague, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology;

Therese Shimkus, a history and English major from Scranton, “Free Will, Sin and the Saints: The Problem of Heavenly Freedom,” with faculty mentor Christopher Hauser, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology;

Matthew Jasienski, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major from Duryea, “Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Functionalized Hollow Gold-Silver Nanoshells as Environmental Sensors for Organic Pollutants,” with faculty mentor Riddhiman Medhi, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry;

Daniel Cerra, a mathematics major from Suffern, New York, “Lurching Forward with Historical Proofs,” with faculty mentor Kenneth Monks, Ph.D., professor of mathematics;

Alyssa Cosklo, a biology major from Fell Township, “Investigating Morphological Plasticity in the Bacterial Genes Henricella Pelagia,” with faculty mentor Amelia Randich, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology.

By: Elizabeth Vander Neut ‘26, student correspondent 

This summer, Rachael Beehler ‘26, shown, said she has learned more than she thought possible in just six weeks during an internship at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) in Horsham. From running lab experiments to testifying in a mock courtroom, she gained hands-on experience and sharpened skills that are key to a future in forensic science.

Beehler, of Parsippany, New Jersey, is a forensic chemistry major at The University of Scranton. She explains how the Royal Experience Summer Internship Program has strengthened her confidence in conducting toxicology lab work as well as her understanding of forensic casework.

 

Describe a typical day at work.  

"A typical day as a forensic toxicology intern involves conducting experiments that help me understand the processes and techniques used in the field. I usually start by checking in with my supervisor to review the plan for the day, which includes preparing, testing and analyzing samples. While I’m not working on actual casework, everything I do is designed to build a strong foundation in forensic toxicology to prepare me for a future career in the field."

 

What are some skills you have learned so far?

"Most of my time at this internship is spent in the lab, where I work on experiments that simulate real forensic testing. I’ve learned different extraction techniques such as liquid-liquid and solid phase extraction to isolate drugs found in samples of blood. I learned to use complex instruments such as ELISA, QTOF, LC-MS, and GC-MS to study how these substances are identified and quantified. On top of that, I have also learned how to properly document procedures following the chain of custody, and write detailed reports on all of my findings to reflect the accuracy and integrity expected in forensic casework."

 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

“What I enjoyed the most about this internship was being able to work on my own individual case sample. I completed a 53-page report where I had to qualify and quantify substances in my sample of blood, which I then testified as a forensic analyst in a moot courtroom setting. It was really exciting to be able to conduct my own extractions, testing and research to gain more knowledge of the field.”

 

What were your expectations going into the internship and how do they compare to the reality?  

“Going into the internship, I expected to mostly shadow professionals and observe how toxicology labs operate. I thought I might help with small tasks here and there, but I didn’t expect to be as hands-on as I’ve been. From running experiments to using complex instruments and even presenting my findings in a moot court, I’ve been involved in almost every step of the process. This internship has exceeded my expectations as it has been a much more engaging and educational experience than I imagined, and I’ve learned more than I thought possible in just six weeks.” 

 

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

"This internship gave me a solid understanding of what working in forensic toxicology is really like. It showed me how important integrity and attention to detail are in this field since every step can affect real people’s lives. I feel much more confident and prepared to take on future lab work and eventually make my way up to working on real forensic cases."

The two liveliest weeks of summer on The University of Scranton's campus have nearly come to an end, as the fourth and final group of first-year students is in town for New Student Orientation. The two-day sessions occurred June 23-24, June 26-27, June 30-July 1 and July 2-3.

Each session was programmed with presentations, activities, tours and more, giving all first-year students and their families a warm and interactive welcome to the University. In addition to what first-year students "need to know," they learned some fun facts about their class like it has 10 sets of twins and the most common names are Ella, Grace, Joseph and Matthew.

Orientation activities were led by a professional staff and a team of Orientation Assistants, including Daylene Marin Garzon '26 and Connor Farrington '27, who served as Orientation Team Leaders.

Fall Welcome for incoming students will begin with Move-in on Saturday, Aug. 23. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 25.

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This spring, University of Scranton students received awards internationally and at home. A team recently placed first among a field of international competitors in a cybercrime investigation challenge in Europe, and top student writers and researchers were honored with Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prizes. 

Nine University of Scranton students participated in a study abroad program in Spain, which provided an exploration of the country’s criminal justice and security systems and admission into the 2025 White Hat Conference. This year’s conference theme — held June 9-11 at the University of León — was “AI, Cybercrime and Cyber Defense.”



The University’s first-place team was comprised of James Andres, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Surprise, Arizona; Michael O’Donnell, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Old Lyme, Connecticut; and Leah Schneider, a criminal justice major from Middle Village, New York.

Find out how Scranton’s three-person team made history. Shown above, from left, Schneider, O'Donnell and Andres.

Ten Students Earn Library Research Awards

 

Ten of The University of Scranton’s top student writers and researchers were recently honored with coveted Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prizes. Prize winners were honored May 16 at an awards ceremony and reception inside the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library.

Learn more about the students and their research, and see photos from the reception.

More than 1,725 students were named to The University of Scranton’s Dean’s List for the 2025 spring semester. The Dean’s List recognizes students for academic excellence. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours during the semester to make the Dean’s List. The list includes students from the Jesuit university’s College of Arts and Sciences, Kania School of Management and the Leahy College of Health Sciences.

A list of students making the spring 2025 Dean’s List can be seen here.

The following students were added to The University of Scranton Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester after publication of the list in January of 2025.

The Dean’s List recognizes students for academic excellence during the 2024 fall semester. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours to make the Dean’s List. The list includes students from the Jesuit university’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management and the Leahy College of Health Sciences.

Students added to the fall 2024 Dean’s List are:

A team of University of Scranton students recently placed first among a field of international competitors in a cybercrime investigation challenge in Europe.

Nine University of Scranton students participated in a study abroad program in Spain, which provided an exploration of the country’s criminal justice and security systems and admission into the 2025 White Hat Conference. This year’s conference theme — held June 9-11 at the University of León, Spain — was “AI, Cybercrime and Cyber Defense.”

The University’s first-place team was comprised of James Andres, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Surprise, Arizona; Michael O’Donnell, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Old Lyme, Connecticut; and Leah Schneider, a criminal justice major from Middle Village, New York.

Scranton’s three-person team made history. In six years of the White Hat Conference, it was the first U.S. team to place first in the cybercrime investigation capture-the-flag (CTF) challenge that included student and practitioner teams.

The full roster of participating Scranton students:

James Andres, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Surprise, Arizona

Johnathan Fisher, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Moscow

Ryan Gaudioso, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Massapequa, New York

Alyzia Malibu Hiraldo, a criminal justice major from New York, New York

John Mahoney, a criminal justice major from Rockaway Point, New York

Meghan McDonnell, a criminal justice major from Old Forge

Michael O'Donnell, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Old Lyme, Connecticut

Erin Ryan, a mechanical engineering major from Scotch Plains, New York

Leah Schneider, a criminal justice major from Middle Village, New York

The conference and competition were sponsored by Boston University’s Center for Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity (CIC) in partnership with the University of Leon (Universidad de León) and the Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE). The CTF challenge was a web security exercise that tasked participants with finding hidden pieces of text or code.

Through the course of the events, led by Department of Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Sociology professors Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., and Sinchul Back, Ph.D., the students visited several key institutions, gaining a comprehensive understanding of Spain’s criminal justice and national security systems. In addition to hearing from internationally regarded researchers, lawyers and practitioners, students visited the National Police Central Cybercrime Unit, the Constitutional Court, Lazarus (a private cybersecurity firm) and the INCIBE and had opportunities to participate in various cultural events in Madrid.

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Eight University of Scranton students were selected for this year’s Royal Experience Summer Internship Program and an additional student earned an opportunity via the Royal Psychology Summer Internship Program. Since 2016, the Royal Experience has provided students with valuable, hands-on experience across numerous career paths.

The Royal Experience provides students with a stipend up to $2,000, supporting their participation in meaningful, otherwise-unpaid internships during the summer of 2025. The program was initially established through funding by the University’s Parents’ Executive Council and donations by alumni and friends of the University. The Royal Psychology Summer Internship Program is funded by the Department of Psychology but otherwise follows the same guidelines as the Royal Experience.

Having been selected from a competitive pool of candidates, this year’s nine interns are writing about their experiences in a blog published on the University’s Roche Family Center for Career Development webpage.

The following students are participating in the 2025 Royal Experience Summer Internship Program:

Damaris Acomata, an accounting major from Secaucus, New Jersey, is interning with the accounting firm Pardo & Associates CPAs in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Amelia Alfano, a criminal justice major from Budd Lake, New Jersey, is interning at the Mobile Response Stabilization Services (MRSS) division of the Center for Family Services based in Rockaway, New Jersey.

Jane Bagatta, a journalism/electronic media and advertising/public relations double major from Rockville Centre, New York, is interning with Herald Community Newspapers on Long Island, New York.

Rachael Beehler, a forensic chemistry major from Boonton, New Jersey, is interning at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) in Horsham.

Sophia da Costa, a neuroscience/philosophy double major from Maple Glen, is interning with the biopsychology lab at The University of Scranton.

Eduardo Diazgranados, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major from Swarthmore, is interning with the Biology Department at The University of Scranton.

Sally Hopkins, an advertising/public relations and journalism/electronic media double major from East Stroudsburg, is interning with the It Is a Keeper division of White Birch Media.

Anthony Knof, a criminal justice major from Pompton Plains, New Jersey, is interning with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Unit in New Jersey.

The following student is participating in the 2025 Royal Psychology Summer Internship Program:

Liz Ortega, a political science/psychology double major from Pearl River, New York, is interning at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office in New York.

Ten of The University of Scranton’s top student writers and researchers were recently honored with coveted Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prizes. Prize winners were honored May 16 at an awards ceremony and reception inside the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library.

Miriam Van de Water, a neuroscience and mathematical sciences double major, of Souderton, earned the award in the Undergraduate Upper-Level (200- to 400-level course) category. Myira Vilchis Bruno, a political science major, of Toms River, New Jersey, won at the Undergraduate Foundational (100 level) category.

Van de Water won for her honors thesis, “Examining the Outcomes of Collective Decision Making Over Time.” Van de Water’s research studied how group decisions and sociality impact population success.

Vilchis Bruno won for her paper, “Directly American.” Tasked with researching an argumentative contemporary issue related to her major, Vilchis Bruno explored the benefits of direct democracies versus representative democracies.

Additionally, Kiera Mooney, College Point, New York, and Jessica Tsu, Valley Stream, New York, won prizes in the Graduate category. Their joint project, “The Role of Gender Throughout the History of Occupational Therapy,” reported on the role of gender makeup on the occupational therapy workforce over the past century. Mooney and Tsu incorporated evidence from primary sources dating back to the 1910s to today.

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Honorable mention recognition was awarded to Faith Montagnino, Morganville, New Jersey, Undergraduate Foundational; and Erin Augusiewicz, Seafood, New York, Undergraduate Foundational. Receiving Graduate honorable mention recognition were: Nicolette George, Denville, New Jersey; Mary Kallberg, Bethel, Connecticut; Julia LeMay, Flanders, New Jersey; and Stephanie Patullo, Hillsborough, New Jersey.

The Library Research Prize program was introduced in 2011, recognizing excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge of the methods of research and the information gathering process, as well as the use of library resources, services and tools. The awards were named in 2017 for Bonnie W. Oldham, Professor Emerita, who founded the prize program in 2011.

For more information, visit the prize’s webpage on scranton.edu.

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A team of more than 30 University of Scranton students excelled at this year’s Students Save Lives College Challenge, a competition whose goal is educating the public about organ donation.

The University of Scranton placed third out of 14 teams from institutions of higher learning. Scranton’s team consisted of students in a communications ethics course instructed by Brian Snee, Ph.D., associate professor of communications and media.

Teams competed for points across numerous activities, including social media posts, new donor registrations and participating in special days like National Donor Day (Feb. 14) and National Blue and Green Day (April 11).

The College Challenge is presented by the Gift of Life Donor Program. Gift of Life is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that helps coordinate life-saving organ and tissue transplants. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, more than 103,000 men, women and children are on the national transplant waiting list and nearly 50,000 transplants were performed in 2024.

The following is a list of students who competed on this year’s third-place team from Scranton:

Lucy Abdalla, an advertising/public relations major from South Abington Township

Lily Abreu, an advertising/public relations major from Wilkes-Barre

Dermot Alvidrez, a journalism and electronic media major from Summit, New Jersey

Alexander Arici, a communication major from Boonton, New Jersey

Jane Bagatta, a journalism and electronic media major from Rockville Centre, New York

Daniel Bohenek, a journalism and electronic media major from Scranton

Weston Camillone, a journalism/electronic media and advertising/public relations major from East Northport, New York

Michael Carrea, a communication major from Cranford, New Jersey

Ileen Castillo, a social media strategies major from Bronx, New York

Mia Chmela, a communication major from Franklin Square, New York

Mason Cuff, a business communication major from Clarks Summit

Jake D’Agata, a business communication major from East Moriches, New York

Jennifer D’Andrea, an advertising/public relations major from Tafton

Elise Doherty, an advertising/public relations major from Havertown

Emily Gallagher, a criminal justice major from Blackwood, New Jersey

Erin Gretsky, a communication major from Middletown, New Jersey

Nefty Guadalupe, a journalism and electronic media major from Newark, New Jersey

Ethan Haggerty, a journalism and electronic media major from Milford

Dean Hiltsley, a business communication major from Buchanan, New York

Kaitlyn Johnson, a business communication major from Coram, New York

Carson Kelleher, a business communication major from Clarks Summit

Haley Kenny, a journalism and electronic media major from Vestal, New York

Robert Latzanich, a business communication major from Point Lookout, New York

Patrick McCormack, a business communication major from Livingston, New Jersey

Cynthia McDermott, a communication major from Brightwaters, New York

Derek Myers, a business communication major from Cortland, New York

Carly Nadal, a journalism and electronic media major from Bronx, New York

Connor O’Keefe, an advertising/public relations major from Ramsey, New Jersey

Brenna Parker, an English major from Orangeburg, New York

Mila Racibor, a social media strategies major from Old Forge

Anthony Santos, a journalism and electronic media major from Scranton

Daniel Smith, a communication major from Havertown

Bridget Ulmer, a communication major from North Wales

Grace Werteen, a journalism and electronic media major from Orefield

Hundreds of incoming University of Scranton first-year students over the next two weeks will begin their college experience, arriving to campus for New Student Orientation.

Members of the University’s incoming class of 2029 are offered four opportunities to attend two-day orientation sessions:

• Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24

• Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27

• Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1

• Wednesday, July 2 and Thursday, July 3

Each of the four sessions is designed to give students and their parents/guardians a proper introduction to Scranton, filled with opportunities to make friends, meet faculty and staff, tour campus and learn about the resources available to them.

In addition to the professional staff, the New Student Orientation program is led by a team of Orientation Assistants, including two Orientation Team Leaders, Daylene Marin Garzon ’26, a criminal justice major from Liberty, New York; and Connor Farrington ’27, a business analytics and accounting double major from Washington, New Jersey.

For updates and more information, follow the New Student Orientation account on Instagram @uofs_cse and visit the orientation page on the University’s website.

Today, Jenyah Cunningham ’25 is decisive, focused and goal-oriented.

These traits helped Cunningham open doors at The University of Scranton, where she carefully plotted out her four-year journey en route to receiving a world-class academic fellowship.

However, growing up, Cunningham was just as impressionable and spontaneous as any child forming opinions about potential careers.

“I always wonder, ‘What if I didn’t have a great teacher? What if my third-grade math teacher was horrible to me?’” she said. “But I had great teachers. And I want to be a person who students can look back on 20 years later and say, ‘Ms. Cunningham was a great teacher.’”

Cunningham, who graduated cum laude as a double major (secondary education, English; English), of Brooklyn, New York, accepted a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan. The Fulbright Student Scholarships program is a prestigious international academic exchange opportunity provided competitively by the U.S. government.

Cunningham is slated to teach English at a junior high school from August through June as one of nearly 200 Fulbright award recipients stationed in Taiwan. While at Scranton, she had a Chinese language focus within her Asian studies concentration.

It will be Cunningham’s second trip to the country. She completed a study abroad program in summer of 2024 at Fu Jen Catholic University, a Jesuit college in Taiwan.

“I had the best time there,” she said. “I thought it was the most amazing place, so that solidified my option to choose Taiwan as my country to go to.”

While learning new people, places and ways of life can be intimidating, Cunningham’s up for the challenge. She grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, moved to New York to attend school, then enrolled at The University of Scranton before even stepping on campus.

“I found myself at The University of Scranton because my college advisor at the time told me that the University has a great education program,” Cunningham recalled. “I didn’t expect to get in. But I got in, they gave me financial aid and I said, ‘Why not come to Scranton?’”

Cunningham’s most difficult adjustment in college, she said, was living without her twin sister, Janeciah Cunningham. But after a few months, Cunningham fully embraced the Scranton community and all it had to offer, including her English advisor, Joe Kraus, Ph.D., professor and chair of the English Department, who encouraged her to look into the Fulbright program.

Before being selected for the fellowship, Cunningham began her teaching pursuits this past year with a 12-week student teaching assignment at Dunmore High School.

Going into Dunmore, Cunningham initially feared she wouldn’t be a good teacher and that she might not like the career she chose for herself. Thankfully, such fears were unfounded and she called her experience of teaching 10th grade English “very amazing.”

“Student teaching really taught me what it means to be a teacher,” she said. “It fulfilled every dream that I always dreamed of.”

After working with Dr. Kraus and Kara Bishop, Fulbright program advisor, Cunningham, in May, finally received her long-awaited update on the fellowship. She opened the email with her sister on the phone, sharing the news and excitement from hundreds of miles away.

As she begins her teaching journey, Cunningham has a clear idea of how she hopes to succeed and evolve in the profession.

“If I’m 30 years down the line, still very much happy in my career, still having passion … trying to change and improve,” she said, “then I know I’ve had a successful teaching career.”

Cunningham is the 132nd University of Scranton student since 1972 to be awarded a Fulbright award.

Students from Dr. Ovidiu Cocieru’s Sports Event Management course hosted the University’s annual SoccerFest Event at Fitzpatrick Field on Saturday, May 3.

The event brought local teams from surrounding middle and high schools together for a series of charity matches benefiting the Keystone Mission. Each team was separated into a division that provided fair pairings based on age and skill set.

The students spent the spring semester learning all aspects of event management, from the initial organization and funding through marketing, ticket sales and registration.

“For me, the most rewarding part of SoccerFest was seeing the event come to life. After weeks of planning and preparation, it was incredible to watch our hard work pay off,” Reagan Dolan ’25, a management major said.  “We faced challenges — including weather issues and tight timelines — but we adapted and made it happen.”

One of the most significant challenges the group faced was recruiting enough teams for each division. Dolan said that the SoccerFest planning team initially sought to create five divisions for teams to compete in, but further evaluation of their resources dropped the count to four.

“That change in particular taught me the importance of flexibility and clear communication,” Dolan said. “Adjusting that initial plan, no matter how nervous it may have made us at the time, didn’t take away from the success of the day—it strengthened it.”

Seventeen teams, undaunted by bleak weather forecasts for that weekend, turned out at the event to have fun for a cause.

For the class instructor, the most important achievement of the event was watching his students help the local community and garner the skills taught in his class.

“It’s one of the most rewarding experiences of the term to see how much my students have grown and learned from running this event,” Dr. Cocieru said. “It’s only made better by the fact that they are having a positive impact on the community.”

For Dolan, the course came at an apropos time. As a four-year member of the University’s field hockey team, team captain during his last year, and a lifelong athlete looking to build a career in the sports industry, he found the insights garnered by the course invaluable to his future growth.

“It gave me a whole new perspective. I’ve always shown up to games ready to play, without realizing the amount of effort and coordination it takes behind the scenes to run an event,” Dolan said. “Being on the operations side helped me appreciate the planning, teamwork and communication involved. I now feel more prepared for real-world responsibilities like team meetings, professional phone calls, and interviews — and I’m excited to bring this experience into my future career in sports.”

Keystone Mission is an Evangelical, faith-based non-profit organization that seeks to share the hope of the Gospels by providing food, clothing, social services and select programming to at-need individuals.

  

 

 

University of Scranton graduate Brian Gallagher, J.D. ’08, Lackawanna County district attorney, returned to his alma mater in May to speak to students in the pre-law society and criminal justice program. He discussed his education at Scranton, his career experience and future job opportunities.

This was his second visit to campus in the spring semester. In April, District Attorney Gallagher announced a new Crime Analysis and Investigation Program for internships at the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office for Scranton students majoring in criminal justice, cybercrime and homeland security or sociology.

District Attorney Gallagher graduated from Scranton in 2008.

The University of Scranton Class of 2025 graduated on May 18 at Mohegan Arena. The class includes many students who graduated from one, or more, of the University's Programs of Excellence.

Class of 2025 Business Honors Program Graduates

Seven members, shown, of The University of Scranton’s Class of 2025, recently graduated from its Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program, one of Scranton’s five programs of excellence. 

Students in the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program undergo four years of honors studies in the areas of economics, entrepreneurship, operations management, accounting, finance, international business, marketing and management, as well as a series of personal development extracurricular activities in the areas of service and career building.

Read more about the graduates and their faculty mentors, their majors, and the research projects they presented to a panel of judges in early May, here.

2025 Business Leadership Honors Program Graduates

Thirteen members of The University of Scranton’s Class of 2025 graduated from its Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program.

Students in this highly selective program explore the basic theories and concepts of leadership through special seminars and courses in management, ethics, strategy and analysis, in addition to field trips to learn from top executives and projects in leadership, service and mentoring.

Read more about the program graduates and their majors.

Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program Graduates

Twenty-four members, shown, of The University of Scranton’s Class of 2025 graduated from its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA).

Students in SJLA pursue a rigorous education designed to develop enhanced writing, oral and critical-thinking skills through specially designed courses in philosophy, theology and literature.

Read more about the graduates.

Class of 2025 Graduates of Magis Honors Program in STEM

Fourteen members of the University’s Class of 2025 graduated from the Jesuit school’s Magis Honors Program in STEM.

The program combines the development of STEM knowledge and research techniques with programing to further the students’ understanding of the impact science has on society.

The Magis Honors Program offers talented students, shown, a more intense, interdisciplinary experience of research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Courses taken over four years at Scranton combine a series of seminars on STEM and society with humanities courses. With guidance by faculty mentors, the students in the program develop, present and defend a thesis based on their individual research projects. In addition, the program requires participation in annual community service projects as well as professional development programs.

Read more about the graduates and their research projects.

Thirty members of The University of Scranton’s Class of 2025 graduated from the undergraduate University Honors Program.

Undergraduate students in the Honors Program pursue a rigorous education that stresses independent work through close engagement with professors and other honors students, including the preparation, presentation and defense of a research or creative project during their senior year.

Learn more about the graduates, their research projects and faculty mentors. 

Eight University of Scranton undergraduate and graduate students, along with physics and engineering faculty members Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., and Argyrios Varonides, Ph.D., and Post-Doctoral Research Associate Kornyanat Hozumi, Ph.D., presented research at the American Geophysical Union Meeting in Washington, D.C., in December. The annual meeting is the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists worldwide, with more than 25,000 attendees representing more than 100 countries.

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The following University of Scranton students presented at the conference.

James P. Fox, Hillsborough, New Jersey, a computer science major at Scranton, presented his research poster titled “A Solar Cycle of Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed Using SuperDARN Radars in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.”

Nicholas Guerra ’24, Scranton, who earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Scranton in 2024 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in software engineering at the University, presented his research poster titled “Integration and Validation of a Standardized Library and File Format for PyDARNMUSIC and DARNtids: Migrating From Legacy Pickle Files to HDF5 and Implementing a Comprehensive Testing Suite.”

Michael Molzen, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, a physics major at Scranton, presented his research poster titled “Investigating North American SuperDARN Observations of Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances During January 2016.”

Cuong Nguyen ’23, Ashley, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering and computer science from Scranton in 2023 and is now pursuing a master’s degree in software engineering at the University, presented his research poster titled “High-Frequency Radio Receivers for Ionospheric Observations in the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station Network.”

Alexandros Papadopoulos, Scotrun, a computer engineering major at Scranton, presented his research poster titled “Analysis of the HamSCI Solar Eclipse High-Frequency Time Difference of Arrival Experiment Observations Using Automated Techniques.”

Gerard N. Piccini, Monroe Township, New Jersey, an electrical engineering major at Scranton, presented his research poster titled “A Low-Cost Low-Power Chirp Ionosonde for Studying Eclipse Ionospheric Impacts.”

Thomas J. Pisano, Staten Island, New York, an electrical engineering major at Scranton, presented his research poster titled “Forward Modeling of SuperDARN Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance Measurements Using High-Frequency Raytracing and the PyDARN-MUSIC Toolkit.”

Diego Sanchez, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, who is pursuing a master’s degree in software engineering at Scranton, presented his research poster titled “A Multi-Year Climatology of 14 MHz Amateur Radio Large-Scale Traveling Ionosphere Disturbances Made Using a Novel Automated Detection Technique.”

Members of the University’s Physics and Engineering Department also presented research at the 2024 conference. Dr. Hozumi presented research titled “HamSCI as a Novel Dataset to Validate Ionospheric Models.” Dr. Varonides presented research titled “New modeling of Schottky Diode current-degradation due to proton irradiation on the lunar surface (parts I and II).” Dr. Frissell presented research studies titled “Results from the 2023/2024 HamSCI Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science and What Comes Next,” “First Observations Linking Large-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances to Polar Vortex Strength,” and “HamSCI Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science: Creating an International Community of Volunteers to Study the Ionospheric Impacts of the 2023/2024 North American Solar Eclipses and Beyond” as an invited presentation. He also participated in the NASA Solar Eclipse Science Press Conference, which has since generated several stories in news and science outlets, including NASA Science.

In addition, Scranton physics and engineering professor Robert Spalletta, Ph.D., also attended the conference.

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The University of Scranton recently honored students and their high school teachers, who they credit with contributing to their success, with Rose Kelly Awards at a ceremony held on campus.

The Rose Kelly Award was established by University of Scranton alumnus Joseph Wineburgh, Ph.D., to link the efforts of educators to the achievements of college students. The award is presented jointly to a student in each of the University’s colleges who has completed two years at Scranton and to the teacher he or she recognizes as having a great impact in his or her life. Students are selected based on exemplary achievement in both academics and general campus involvement.

Leahy College of Health Sciences

Hannah S. Popadin-Lesniak, Wantagh, New York, received the Rose Kelly Award for the Leahy College of Health Sciences. She honored Diane Pudell, her teacher for an Algebra II class and a College-Level Statistics class at Wantagh High School. A Dean’s List student, Popadin-Lesniak is a nursing major in her junior year at Scranton. On campus, she is a tour guide for the Admissions Office, a peer health educator with the Center for Health Education and Wellness (CHEW), and a member of the Scranton Contemporary Dance Team, the Student Nurses Association and Scranton’s Orthodox Christian Fellowship. She also serves as the junior class representative on the Enrollment Management Committee for the Nursing Program.

Kania School of Management

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From left: Rose Kelly Award recipient for the Kania School of Management Ryan Hanley and Murli Rajan, Ph.D., associate dean of the Kania School of Management. Michael Force, Hanley’s teacher at Dumont High School was absent from the photo.

Ryan Hanley, Dumont, New Jersey, received the Rose Kelly Award for the Kania School of Management. He honored Michael Force, his teacher for a ninth-grade College, Career and Finance class and a Sports Marketing and Management class at Dumont High School. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, Hanley is a double major in accounting and finance in his junior year. He is co-president of the PRISM, the University’s investment club; president of the University’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for financial information students and professionals; and president and outreach officer of the University’s Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Student Chapter. He was a CFO advisory intern with Wiss and Company in Florham Park, New Jersey, and, this summer, will intern in audit/assurance at EY in New York City.

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From left: Rose Kelly Award recipients from the College of Arts and Sciences Mike Redmond and Jeff Kuphal, his teacher at Hunterdon Central Regional High School; and Carolyn Barry, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Mike Redmond, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, received the Rose Kelly Award for the College of Arts and Sciences. He honored Jeff Kuphal, who was his pre-calculus teacher during his sophomore year at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, Redmond is a double major in accounting and finance in his junior year. He is a recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. He is president of the Men’s Ice Hockey Club. In November 2023, he was among the University students who participated in the PwC’s Case Competition on campus.

In celebration of International Education Week 2024, November 18-22, two Kania School of Management graduate students took the opportunity to present "Common Threads of Wisdom." 

The session was hosted in O’Hara Hall on Nov. 21, led by presenters Bharat Varma G'25 and Zohaib Rizvi G'25, who delved into the philosophies of Advaita Vedanta, a school of Indian philosophy, and Sufism, an Islamic belief and practice. The event explored the foundational question, "What is Spirituality?" by distinguishing it from religion, emphasizing its universality and harmony with scientific principles. Through discussions, the speakers highlighted how spirituality transcends boundaries and offers a deeper understanding of the self and the universe.

“Spirituality has always been deeply intertwined with my sense of being, and I firmly believe that understanding the true nature of one’s self must serve as the foundation for all life’s endeavors. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Office of Global Education for making this presentation possible and for providing a platform to explore these profound insights,” said Varma, a M.S. in the University's business analytics program.

International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. According to IEW website, the week presents an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. 

Using metaphors and quotations from renowned saints, Varma and Rizvi wove together the principles of Advaita Vedanta and Sufism, demonstrating the shared wisdom that connects diverse spiritual traditions. They discussed the concept of oneness in Advaita Vedanta and the Sufi emphasis on love and unity. The presenters emphasized how these philosophies encourage self-realization, inner peace and universal compassion.  

"It was a phenomenal experience for me. The topic I spoke about came naturally, as it is close to my heart. As I presented, I felt a strong sense of connection with the audience, and their engagement showed that the message was effectively conveyed. This, I believe, is true success. I would like to thank the Office of Global Education for this," said Rizvi, an MBA student in the business analytics program

A Q&A session that followed the presentation demonstrated interest among students and faculty in understanding the interconnectedness of diverse philosophies.

The University of Scranton Office of Global Education promotes inclusivity and intellectual curiosity on campus.

 

 

Twenty-seven undergraduate students and one graduate student at The University of Scranton were recently inducted into the national honor society for nursing.

Sigma Theta Tau International, Iota Omega Chapter hosted their 36th annual induction ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 2. 

Sigma Theta Tau International is the national honor society for nursing. Induction is offered to undergraduate students in the upper 35 percent of their class and to graduate nursing students who demonstrate academic excellence by maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or greater.

 

Frank O’Hara awards were given to University of Scranton students with the highest grade-point averages in their first-, second- and third-year in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management and the Leahy College of Health Sciences for the 2023-24 academic year. The awards, named in honor of the late Frank O’Hara who served the University for 53 years in various administrative positions, were presented at a ceremony held in December on campus.

College of Arts and Sciences

Matthew W. Rakauskas, Factoryville, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for his freshman year in the College of Arts and Sciences. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, he is currently in his sophomore year at Scranton, pursuing a double major in computer science and mathematics. He is a recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, he has also been involved in student organizations and activities on campus. He currently serves as the treasurer of the Computer Science Club and as vice president of the Philosophy Society. He is also a tutor with the University’s Office of Student Support and Success.

Alyssa M. Cosklo, Fell Township, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for her sophomore year in the College of Arts and Sciences. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, she is currently in her junior year at Scranton, majoring in biology. She is a recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she has conducted and presented research on a project titled “Henricelle pelegia and henriciella mobilis unexpectedly tip-budding bacteria” with faculty mentor Amelia Randich, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at the University. On campus, she is a resident assistant, vice president of the Biology Club, a tutor with the Office of Student Support and Success, and regularly volunteers with the Center for Service and Social Justice. She also serves as a medical scribe at Geisinger Community Medical Center, and volunteers at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital through the Hospital Elder Life Program.

Matthew F. Schade, Hadden Heights, New Jersey, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for his junior year in the College of Arts and Sciences. A member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, he is currently in his senior year at Scranton, majoring in mathematical sciences. He is a recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, he also serves as a resident assistant and has been involved with intramural sports programs offered on campus. In the summer of 2024, he served as an actuarial intern at Guy Carpenter.

Kania School of Management

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From left: O’Hara Award recipients for the Kania School of Management Jessieca Moira Aguasin, Dean Finan and Grace Boyle; and Murli Rajan, Ph.D., associate dean of the Kania School of Management.

Jessieca Moira C. Aguasin, Honesdale, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for her freshman year in the Kania School of Management. A member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program, she is currently in her sophomore year at Scranton, majoring in accounting. She is a recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is a member of Kania Women in Business and the Commuter Students Association and participates in the University’s Meaningful Opportunity for Student Access, Inclusion, and Community (MOSAIC) program.

Dean J. Finan, Malvern, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for his sophomore year in the Kania School of Management. A member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Program, he is currently in his junior year at Scranton pursuing a double major in finance and business analytics with a minor in business leadership. He is a recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, he is also a member of Scranton’s Men’s Soccer team. He serves as president of the Kania Student Advisory Board and as sector head for consumer staples and industrials for PRISM, the University’s investment club. On campus, he volunteers with the Center for Service and Social Justice. In the summer of 2023, he worked as a finance intern for Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., where he also worked as a project intern. In the summer of 2024, he worked as an accounting support intern for Mutual Capital Services.

Grace Boyle, Clarks Summit, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for her junior year in the Kania School of Management. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she is currently a senior majoring in finance with a concentration in corporate finance and is member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she received the University’s O’Hara Award in 2023 for her sophomore year. On campus, she is vice president of Omega Beta Sigma, the women’s business honor society, and is a member of the PRISM Investment Club. She volunteers with the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice. During the summer months, she has worked as a consulting intern at the University of Scranton’s Small Business Development Center; a corporate finance and business analytics intern at Candela Medical; and as a corporate finance intern at Edelman Financial Engines in Boston. During the school year, she works part-time as a receptionist at her family’s business, Boyle Eye Specialists.

Leahy College of Health Sciences

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From left: O’Hara Award recipients for the Leahy College of Health Sciences Allie Dean, Sarah Lyons and Elizabeth  McKechney; and Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Leahy College of Health Sciences.

Sarah A. Lyons, Moosic, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for her freshman year in the Leahy College of Health Sciences. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a sophomore majoring in nursing. She is a peer health educator with the University’s Center for Health Education and Wellness, a tutor with the Office of Student Support and Success, and has served as a student panel member for the Nursing Department for the University’s Open House. She volunteers with the Nursing Department’s Period Poverty Project. She also volunteers with Hospice of the Sacred Heart and with the Nativity of Our Lord Parish. Lyons works part time as a spin instructor.

Allie D. Dean, Endicott, New York, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for her sophomore year in the Leahy College of Health Sciences. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a junior majoring in nursing. She is member of the University’s Student Nursing Association, a note taker for the University’s Office of Student Support and Success, and a referee for the University’s intramural volleyball. She also volunteers at the St. Francis of Assisi kitchen. She works for Broome Oncology in New York.

Elizabeth P. McKechney, Fairport, New York, received the O’Hara Award for academic achievement for her junior year in the Leahy College of Health Sciences. She is the recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in counseling and human services. She is recording secretary in the University’s chapter of the National Student-Speech-Language Hearing Association, a tutor in the Office of Student Support and Success, and lead vocalist and guitarist for the Praise and Worship Club. As a member of the University’s church choir, she serves as a cantor and as organizer and leader of the music for Mass with Marina. Off campus, she volunteers with the Clothesline for Men, the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children and as an ASL Story Time assistant at the Abington Community Library.

“The Office” cast member and New York Times best-selling author Brian Baumgartner will visit The University of Scranton on Wednesday, Nov. 6, for an exclusive Q and A with students, faculty and staff, followed by book signing just for members of the University community. The event is one day after launch of his latest book, “The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin.”

Baumgartner was on campus for an exclusive student Q and A and book signing in September 2022 for the launch of his book “Seriously Good Chili Cookbook,” and in November 2021 for his first book “Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office,” which became a New York Times best-seller.

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The new book, “The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin,” is described by publisher HarperCollins as “the ultimate holiday gift for every fan of The Office” – an “hilarious and timeless illustrated retelling of the beloved poem, featuring a visit from Michael Scott as Santa and narrated by Kevin Malone (author Brian Baumgartner).”

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“The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin,” co-authored with Ben Silverman and illustrated by Maël Gourmelen, will be available on Nov. 5 at the University book store and at stores nationwide. Copies of the book will also be available at the Q and A and book signing event on campus Nov. 6. The book cannot be pre-ordered at the University’s book store.

Pre-registration is required to attend the Q and A, which begins on Nov. 6 at 3:30 p.m. in the Moskovitz Theatre of the DeNaples Center. A book signing immediately follows at 4:15 p.m. Both events require Royal cards for access.

The first 50 students registering for the event will receive a free copy of “The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin.” Students can also submit questions for consideration for the Q and A when registering for the event.

Michael Ritterbeck ’09, director of the University’s Center of Student Engagement, will serve as host for the Q and A.

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Baumgartner played Kevin Malone on The Office, which originally aired on NBC from 2005 to 2013, and was among the most popular shows on Netflix. Episodes can now be seen on Peacock. He was among the cast members who visited the University for The Office Convention in 2007 and The Wrap Party in 2013. He was also on campus for the taping of his popular podcast on the history of The Office, which was the precursor to his first book, “Welcome to Dunder Mifflin: The Ultimate Oral History of The Office.”

A public book-signing event with Baumgartner for area residents is planned at Books-A-Million (BAM) at the Viewmont Mall, Nov. 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

University of Scranton students won an American Advertising Federation NEPA interactive competition that is modeled after the Food Network Show Cropped. For the competition, teams of three to four college students were paired with local advertising professionals to create an advertising campaign for a local nonprofit organization. The competition, hosted at the University, included the development of a logo, tagline and media tactics.

A panel of adverting professionals served as judges to review the participants submissions, and to eliminate teams at the end of each round. The team winning the competition will work with their agency partners at Posture Interactive to complete the campaign, tagline and logo for the Willow Foundation, which provides services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and/or food insecurity in Luzerne County.

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Members of the winning team were: University of Scranton students Morgan T. Masters, Jessup, a journalism and electronic media major; Vincenzo J. Angeloni, Jessup, a journalism and electronic media major; Tatiana L. Baide Franco, Lake Katrine, New York, an advertising/public relations major; and Cameron J. Moczulski, Carbondale, a journalism and electronic media major, and Posture Interactive professional partners: Kathryn Bondi, creative director; and Joey Zarcone, vice president.

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This is the third time that AAF NEPA has offered this competition and is the third time that Scranton students were members of the winning team.

The University of Scranton Players will present the 2013 Tony Award winner for Best Play, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," written by Christopher Durang and directed by Michael O’ Steen. The production will run October 25 – 27 and Nov.1 - 3. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. All performances are in the Studio Theatre in the McDade Center for the Literary and Performing Arts on The University of Scranton campus.

This comedic production that blends characters and themes from Russian playwright, Anton Chekhov,  centers on the reunion of a glamorous film star with two middle-aged siblings at the family homestead in present-day Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Vanya and stepsister Sonia have lived their entire lives in their family’s farmhouse. While they stayed home to care for their ailing parents, their sister Masha has been gallivanting around the world as a successful actress and movie star, leaving Vanya and Sonia to feel trapped and regretful.

Their soothsayer/cleaning woman Cassandra warns them about terrible things in the future, which include a sudden visit from Masha and her twentysomething boy toy Spike. The company of "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" features: Alek Panchik of Hershey, Pennsylvania, Gabriella Palmer of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Sofia Greco of Verona, New Jersey, Bryanna Grossman of Easton, Pennsylvania, Lilliana Mangano of Harrington Park, New Jersey.

Reservations can be made at this URL: https://forms.gle/8LM7KR4iRMUn9e8Y6
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $7 for senior citizens, students and University of Scranton faculty and staff.

For more information, contact the University Players box office at 570-941-4318 or visit the Players' website at www.thescrantonplayers.com or on  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The University of Scranton Players is an academic theatre program that brings exceptional theatre to Northeastern Pennsylvania every season. The Players’ productions feature University of Scranton students in a mix of classical and contemporary works under the direction and mentorship of award-winning faculty and guest artists.

The University of Scranton’s Nu Kappa chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for financial information students and professionals, achieved Gold Chapter status for the 2023-2024 academic year. This is the chapter’s second time achieving this status, having earned it for the 2022-2023 academic year, following silver status for the 2021-2022 academic year. The chapter began at Scranton in 2015.

In notifying the University of the Gold Chapter Status, the president of Beta Alpha Psi, Patricia Poli, Ph.D., commended the “exceptional leadership” shown by the moderator of Scranton’s chapter, Amanda Marcy ’10, G’11, Ph.D. ’20, assistant professor of accounting, as well as “the dedication and excellence” of the University’s Accounting Department.

“Under the inspiring stewardship of these faculty advisors, your chapter has far exceeded Beta Alpha Psi’s baseline requirements, excelling in academics, professionalism and ethical leadership,” wrote Dr. Poli.

To receive an award status, Beta Alpha Psi chapters and their members must go above and beyond minimum chapter requirements with regard to professional, service and outreach activities. The members participate in a variety of professional activities, including professional panels and information sessions, internship panels, certification information sessions, career readiness sessions, skill-building workshops, CPA and CMA mock exams and industry site visits.

The more than a dozen professional development programs hosted by Scranton’s Beta Alpha Psi honor society chapter in 2023-2024 included: Withum: Preparing for a Career Fair; Baker Tilly: Interpersonal Skills at the Workplace UWorld: CPA Exam Evolution and Navigating the New CPA Exam; PwC: Service in a Professional Career; Forvis Mazars: Demystifying Digital Assets; EY: DEI in the Workplace; ForvisMazars: Recruitment and Interviewing Process; and CLA: Effective Communication Skills Workshop, in addition to participation in accounting and finance internship and young professional panel discussions, among other activities.

Service activities included making Christmas cards for veterans, hosting a prospective accounting student networking event and conducting a children’s book drive, among other projects.

In addition, student members attended and presented at the Beta Alpha Psi Mid-Year and Annual meetings, allowing them to network with Beta Alpha Psi members and professionals from across the globe.

Officers for the University’s Beta Alpha Psi honor society chapter for the 2023-2024 academic year were:

Kaleigh E. Timmons, Bergenfield, New Jersey, president, who graduated from the University in 2024 as an accounting and philosophy double major and member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program, Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program, and Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program;

Madelyn G. Ronan, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, vice president, who graduated from the University in 2024 as an accounting and finance double major and member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program;

John J. Sheehan, Dumont, New Jersey, treasurer, who graduated from the University in 2024 as an accounting major and member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program;

Nina J. Figetakis, Little Neck, New York, secretary, who graduated from the University in 2024 as an accounting major and member of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and is currently pursuing a MBA degree in accounting at Scranton;

Brianna M. Kerrane, New Hyde Park, New York, social engagement director, who graduated from the University in 2024 as an accounting major and member of the University’s Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program and is currently pursuing a Master in Accountancy degree at Scranton;

Ryan W. Hanley, Dumont, New Jersey, junior officer, who is an accounting and finance double major at Scranton.

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Beta Alpha Psi is an international honors organization for financial information students and professionals with over 300 chapters on AACSB accredited college and university campuses with more than 300,000 initiated members. The organization recognizes academic excellence in accounting, finance and business analytics, and complements members’ formal education by providing interaction among students, faculty and professionals. Members must achieve a personal record of superior scholarship in their academic endeavors and demonstrate active engagement in all chapter activities. Members in good standing at the completion of their senior year receive honors cords and pins upon graduation.

Alumni or professional partners interested in volunteering or sponsoring a Beta Alpha Psi event or activity can contact Dr. Marcy at amanda.marcy@scranton.edu.

By: Elizabeth Vander Neut '26, student correspondent

A team of four students from The University of Scranton won the NEPA American Advertising Federation (AAF) 2024 Cropped challenge, the third time that University students have been on the winning team.

The University hosted the event on Oct. 10, with eight total participants and 16 attendees. Much like the Food Network show “Chopped,” four teams of local creatives were assembled to compete against each other in three rounds of advertising campaign creation for local nonprofit organizations.

Team members are Vincenzo J. Angeloni ‘27, Tatiana L. Baide Franco ’26, Morgan T. Masters ’27 and Cameron J. Moczulski ’26. The team worked with professionals from Posture Interactive to develop rebranding concepts for the Willow Foundation’s Heartwood Center, a resource hub. The center aims to fulfill the unmet need for a day shelter/drop-in center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the Greater Hazleton Area.

Morgan Masters, a sophomore production and journalism major, said that for her, the most rewarding aspect of this competition was the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and support the Willow Foundation's mission. "I think it is so important to give back to the community, and we all need a guiding light. No one deserves to go through anything alone," she said.

Independent Graphics Inc. presented the competition and representatives from Coal Creative and NEPA’rogi judged each team’s logo, copywriting and creative execution concepts. After each round, one team was eliminated or “cropped.”

The team will work with the nonprofit to finalize their rebranding and create real-life campaign elements to be presented at the annual AAF holiday party in December.

"No one deserves to go through anything alone, and my team can now volunteer our time and resources to help all of NEPA with this campaign," Masters said.

In an occasional series, Royal News spotlights clubs from the university’s 100+ student organizations on campus, speaks to members and offers information on how to connect with the clubs. 

To suggest a club for a future Royal News article, to share ideas or to inform us of any upcoming club events, please email RoyalNews@scranton.edu or Elizabeth.vanderneut@scranton.edu.

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By: Elizabeth Vander Neut, student correspondent

GET INVOLVED

Club: Scranton Student Association of the Philippines

Meet: Will Walsh '25, shown, is an kinesiology major from Factoryville.

Role in the Club: Executive Board President 

Connect: @uofssap

Q: Your upcoming event will be Halo-Halo-Ween. Would you please share details about its purpose and how people can participate?

In the Philippines, halo-halo is an extremely popular shaved ice dessert. We include different ingredients such as fruit, coconut slices, and even our very own ube jam! Our goal is to share our very tasty dessert with ALL of The University of Scranton students. Join us on Monday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Multicultural Center!

Q: What is the SSAP mission?

1. To bring together a community of Filipino students under the unity of the same cultural background.

2. To educate the Scranton community about the Filipino culture.

3. Bring cultural awareness of social injustices occurring within the Republic of the Philippines.

4. Construct different agendas to help the Filipino community within Scranton and in the Philippines. 

Q: What, in your opinion, are the most exciting events or activities you present as a club?

 As a club, we have many fun activities which bring a remarkably diverse group of students together. We have intense game nights, food festivals (BOODLE), and more events which contribute to our community service.

Q: Why would you recommend someone join?

Joining our club will bring you many new opportunities. Our community is full of passionate Filipinos and many cultural backgrounds who bring his or her own skills to the table. We intend to build a strong network to help us engage in creating new connections with everyone on campus.

Q: Please share the format of a typical meeting. When and where does SSAP meet and how can someone who is interested find out more about it? 
We meet every last Monday of the month at 6 p.m. Locations are TBD, but we update our Instagram daily @uofssap. Also, join our Royal Sync to receive emails!

 

By Amelia Farry '26, and Samantha Kosmark '26, Student Correspondents

The Society for Sustainability and Conservation Club recently hosted student Sean Campbell '25, at a biweekly meeting to educate members about composting and its benefits. There was a large turnout of club members, many brought different items to determine their “compostability,” adding an interactive element to the meeting.

“You have to be nice to the Earth,” said Campbell, the founder of Sunshine Composting Company and a business major at The University of Scranton.

Composting is an eco-friendly way to reduce waste by turning organic materials, like food scraps and yard waste, into nutrient-rich soil. It enriches soil with essential nutrients, supporting gardening, agriculture and land restoration, while reducing chemical fertilizer use and promoting sustainable land practices. The life cycle of food scraps and organic waste can result in three outcomes: ending up in landfills, being incinerated, or being composted.

Campbell explained that composting has no negative impacts, as it promotes biodiversity and improves the Earth’s carbon footprint. By adopting composting practices, individuals can enhance environmental health and inspire others to do the same.

"Táim an-bhuíoch as ucht a bheith anseo sna Stáit Aontaithe, ach táim níos buíoch as ucht a bheith i mo Éireannaigh. That means, I'm so grateful to be here in the United States, but I’m even more grateful to be Irish,"  said Ruby Mcgrath, '28, psychology, from Spiddal, Co., Galway, Ireland.

Global Insights will feature three students from Ireland on Oct. 31 beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Rose Room, Brennan Hall 509. Registration is required.

Mcgrath will co-present with Jack Burke, '25, psychology, and Sean Comiskey, '26, secondary education, Cit/History, both from Dublin, Ireland.

Burke remarked on the appropriateness of the program's Oct. 31 date.  "A fact about Ireland is that Halloween originated in Ireland. The holiday dates back to the Samhain festival which honored the dead and ancestors of Ireland." 

Both Burke and Mcgrath spoke of their love for the Irish language. "I  grew up in a primarily Irish-speaking area, known as the Gaeltacht. Irish or Gaelige was the only language I was allowed to speak conversationally in primary school. I never understood why they disproved of us speaking English with each other, but I get it now. It was a way of keeping the language alive. I’m so proud to be fluent in the language; it’s the language of my ancestors who they fought hard for it, to keep it alive," said Mcgrath. Burke agreed, saying "Another thing that I would like to promote is the Irish language. Oftentimes, people mistakenly refer to the language as ‘Gaelic’ but we simply call it ‘Irish.’ It is a beautiful dying language that not many non-Irish know about."

"The culture of Irish people is to always help when possible, and I strive to replicate that at all times." - Jack Burke

Burke, who has traveled to 19 countries, speaks fondly of the Irish people and culture. "The people of Ireland are the friendliest people I’ve encountered in all of my travels. They are always willing to stop and talk and offer assistance if needed. The culture of Irish people is to always help when possible, and I strive to replicate that at all times."

Mcgrath's favorite activities include "sea swimming" year round, but especially in October "as the seasons are changing and the water gets a bit chillier." Burke, along with supporting his local soccer team, enjoys listening "to traditional Irish music with a pint of Guinness, in any small pub. My personal recommendation is The Cobblestone Pub in Dublin." 

Burke, Comiskey and Mcgrath will discuss more on the origin of the Halloween holiday, and Irish country and culture at the Oct. 31 program.

Register for Global Insights Ireland. 

This program is sponsored by The Office of Global Education, and co-hosted with the Office of Equity and Diversity, the Cultural Centers and Office of Residence Life.

For more information, please contact international@scranton.edu or 570-941-4841.

In an occasional series, Royal News spotlights clubs from the university’s 100+ student organizations on campus, speaks to members and offers information on how to connect with the clubs. 

To suggest a club for a future Royal News article, to share ideas or to inform us of any upcoming club events, please email RoyalNews@scranton.edu or ava.aversa@scranton.edu .

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GET INVOLVED

Club: Mountain Sports
Meet: Mason DiCesare '26, shown above, at center, is a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology (BCMB) and philosophy double major from Philadelphia.
Role in the Club: Vice President, Winter Sports
Connect: @uofs_mm

By: Ava Aversa, student correspondent

Q: When would your upcoming event be? Would you please share details about its purpose and how people can participate?

"Our latest event hosted by the Mountain Sports Club will be at Skirmish Paintball Fields on October 19! We are super excited to bring a large group of students and introduce them to the sport of paintball. We’ll supply rentals, paint, and gear so that anyone of varying levels can play! You can sign up via RoyalSync for a small charge using cash, credit or Royal!"

Q: What is the Mountain Sports Club mission?

"Mountain Sports aims to provide low-cost excursions to local locations in NEPA, providing students a chance to pick up new hobbies and create memories with old and new friends. We hope to bring students of varying levels to all kinds of events. Whether you're an expert or completely new, Mountain Sports wants to offer you an experience you won’t forget."

Q: What, in your opinion, are the most exciting events or activities you present as a club?

"I am super biased towards our winter activities like skiing, particularly our out-of-state trip that is still being planned and processed for approval soon. We’re hoping to bring a group of around 20 students to either Vermont or New York and stay for the weekend. No prior experience is needed for the trip, but since these are primarily harder and longer trails, we’d like students to be at least accustomed to the slopes.

If you’re looking for something more relaxed and more frequent, we will be offering trips to local mountains like Montage Mountain and Elk Mountain Ski Resort. These tickets will be at a discounted price and rentals will be provided if requested. Transportation for these local mountains will also be provided, so if you’re looking for an all-inclusive trip, Mountain Sports is the club for you!"

Q: Why would you recommend someone join?

"When you join Mountain Sports, whether you’re intending to participate in all of our events or just one, you are ultimately saving tons of money and getting a chance to meet new friends. We want to offer new members an open and safe environment to find new hobbies and create new experiences. Mountain Sports wants to provide our members with our experienced and knowledgeable leaders to help them explore NEPA and what it has to offer."

Q: When and where does Mountain Sports Club meet, and how can someone who is interested find out more about it?

"Our meetings are limited to our officers, but we’d love for our members to come and ask questions if need be or bring any suggestions on future trips. You can find us in The Butler Student Forum in DeNaples on Tuesdays at around 7 p.m.!"

Q: What topics do you discuss?

"Our meetings are focused on bringing the best, and price effective, trips to our members and we meticulously plan each one of our trips. Our officers aim to bring you an experience that will keep you coming back for more. We normally brainstorm and discuss how, when and where each trip will be and we’re always open to suggestions."

Q: Any upcoming plans for the fall semester?

"Including our paintball event, we have a couple more hikes and indoor rock climbing, but most of our events will ramp up at the beginning of the spring semester when snow begins to fall and we can hit the slopes together. We’re excited to bring students a variety of skiing trips and we hope to see you out there."