Student News

Every Scranton-savvy upperclassman was once a fresh-faced, first-year student.

Aiden Mackrell ’26, a biology major from Olyphant, who’s now heavily involved in The University of Scranton’s Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ) and a member of the Health Professions Organization, clearly recalls the beginning of his University journey.

“I remember being very, very nervous,” Mackrell said. “Lots of strangers, lots of people I never met.”

Despite his nervousness, however, Mackrell decided to put himself out there — a decision that changed the course of his college career.

Mackrell is one of 11 upperclassmen volunteering this week with First-years Involved in Reflective Service Together (FIRST), a reflective service immersion program.

While he’s now one of the student leaders overseeing 40 first-year students, Mackrell remembers four years ago when he was in their shoes. Through FIRST, he’d volunteered then with NeighborWorks and Friends of the Poor. Those two organizations, as well as the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center, Boys and Girls Club of NEPA, Arrupe House programming (sponsored by the CSSJ) and CHOP Out Hunger, are again this year benefiting from University volunteers.

“I had an amazing experience,” Mackrell said. “This was the program where I made almost all my friends today. For that reason, I’ll be forever grateful to this program.”

The social element is a critical part of FIRST, as it provides first-year students with a built-in network of connections.

“They are making friends and giving back to the community before they even start school,” said Thomas Noll ’26, a biology major and FIRST student leader from Scranton. “They’re giving up the last week of their summer to volunteer in an area that many of them know nothing about.”

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Noll noted that numerous states along the East Coast, including Connecticut, Vermont and Virginia, are represented among the 40 first-year FIRST participants.

“This week is the epitome of what The University of Scranton is all about: love,” said Avianna Carilli, coordinator of domestic and international service programs for the CSSJ. “Not only are we showing the first-year students that we cherish them through our reflections and small group activities, but also challenging them to step out of their comfort zones within our local community to give more, do more and be more.”

After volunteering their time and service each morning and afternoon Monday through Friday, FIRST participants spend the evening at the University’s Retreat Center at Chapman Lake. There, they reflect on their experience and service as it relates to the University’s mission and Jesuit values.

“The FIRST program allows students to really embody the Jesuit value of being a person for others,” Noll said. “These students get to come out and walk in the shoes of and with other people, while also serving underserved communities. …

“We want them to really understand what it means to be Jesuit-educated at The University of Scranton.”

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For additional coverage of FIRST's volunteer efforts, please visit WVIA and the Scranton Times-Tribune.

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By: Elizabeth Vander Neut ‘26, student correspondent 

This summer, Rebecca Boyle ’27, shown, is immersing herself in the fast-paced corporate world as an intern with SL Green Realty Corp. (SLG) in New York, New York. From executive-led presentations and site tours to hands-on rotations in property management and construction, Boyle has embraced every opportunity to learn. She says the experience has sharpened her professional skills, expanded her knowledge of real estate and inspired her to pursue her career goals with confidence.

Boyle, of Sugarloaf, is a business administration major with minors in finance and business leadership at The University of Scranton. She credits the program with preparing her for the real world and fueling her motivation to keep learning.

 

What do you enjoy most about your position?  

“I love learning new things, especially about real estate, and I think the way everyone at SLG treats the interns as professionals creates an ideal environment to maximize our learning experience. I also enjoy the structure of this internship, which is similar to a semester at school but offers much more practical, hands-on experience, which is something I really appreciate. Beyond these aspects, I’m truly grateful for every professional I’ve connected with at SLG. They’ve shared valuable advice and insights and have inspired me tremendously.”

 

Describe a typical day at work.  

"Almost every day, we attend three-hour presentations led by staff and executives from SL Green. They walk us through their roles, share insights about their departments, and offer valuable advice on both business and personal development. These presentations are followed by a case study or a site tour related to the speaker’s department, allowing us to apply what we’ve just learned in a practical setting. We then spend the remainder of the day in our designated rotation. Whether it's at one of SLG’s iconic buildings with the property management teams or alongside the fantastic construction group, each rotation offers hands-on experience, where we actively apply what we’ve been taught, work closely with knowledgeable staff, and contribute to the company."

 

What are some skills you have learned so far?

"Time management, efficiency, project management, budgeting, networking, communication, public speaking and professionalism."

 

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

“Being that I have never experienced the corporate life or living in a huge city, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had a feeling it was going to be amazing. After being with SLG for a little over a month now, I can confidently say that this is a fantastic experience. Adjusting to the fast-paced environment was definitely a bit challenging, but I love SLG's company culture. It's a very tight-knit community despite its size, which allows for efficient teamwork. It really is a great place to work, and I am so proud to be a part of it for two months. ” 

 

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

"Even just one week into the program, I already felt like I had learned so much. It’s impossible to go through a program like this without learning; every minute of the day, we are being taught something new. Every person I encounter genuinely wants us to reach our full potential and actively guides us toward it. The skill set I’ve acquired at SLG will stay with me forever, and above all, this internship has engraved in me the motivation to keep learning and pursue my dream career."

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The national Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) recently awarded The University of Scranton’s chapter with one of its highest honors.

During the 2024-25 academic year, the University’s IMA chapter met and exceeded the comprehensive set of criteria to qualify for Gold Chapter status.

Scranton is one of only eight student chapters nationwide to achieve Gold status, a designation the University has earned for an astounding eight consecutive terms dating back to 2018-19.

The University’s IMA chapter participated in numerous events and opportunities to promote itself and engage the community. Highlights included a toiletry drive, an Easter basket drive to benefit the University’s service programs and Friends of the Poor, a site visit of Gentex Corporation in Pennsylvania and attending the IMA Student Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.

Ashley Stampone, Ph.D. ’10, G’11, PHD’22, assistant professor of accounting, serves as the faculty advisor for the University’s IMA chapter.

Student officers this past academic year were:

Ryan Hanley, an accounting and finance major from Staten Island, New York, president and outreach officer

Rachel Tuman, an accounting major from Lake Ariel, documentation officer

Alexander Kichline, Allentown, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, secretary

Andrea Navarro, Albrightsville, who graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree in accounting, treasurer/social media officer

Dylan Port Vliet, a finance major from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, fundraising and service officer

Izabella Rose, Scranton, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, advertising officer

Teens living locally and across the nation visited The University of Scranton this summer. A few programs and camps that took place recently on campus included:

• • The University of Success two-week Summer Institute, one portion of a four-year, pre-college mentorship and developmental enrichment program for high school students; 
    
    
  • Cyber-AI Investigation Camp, a three-day program attended by high students from across the nation; and
    
    
  • SPARK, a weeklong program designed to empower youth between the ages of 12-15 through mentorship, education and fun.

Local High School Freshmen Join University of Success

Twenty-two rising high school freshmen, spanning numerous schools in Lackawanna County, recently entered The University of Scranton’s University of Success.

The University of Success is a four-year, pre-college mentorship and developmental enrichment program with the ultimate goal of producing high school graduates who gain entrance into a college or university. The four-year journey for the Class of 2029 began earlier this month with a two-week Summer Institute.

Learn more about the two-week summer institute that provided students with opportunities to explore academic, social and cultural enrichment.

University Hosts High School Students at Cyber Camp

Sinchul Back, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the University’s cybercrime and homeland security program, shown, speaks to students attending the Cyber-AI Investigation Camp held July 8-10. The three-day camp included interactive lectures, hands-on exercises and games, educating high school students on the topic of cybersecurity.

Learn more about the camp, which attracted current high school students from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Texas.

Leading with Purpose at SPARK

University students Brianna Zipay ’26 and Jesse Couch ’26, shown, reflect on their roles as team leaders of SPARK, a program focused on fostering community, modeling healthy habits and inspiring self-worth in at-risk youth. 

Learn more about this year's SPARK experience.

By: Elizabeth Vander Neut '26, student correspondent

This summer, Brianna Zipay '26, a nursing major from Archbald, and Jesse Couch '26, an environmental science major from Chalfont, stepped into leadership roles with SPARK, a weeklong program designed to empower at-risk youth between the ages of 12-15 through mentorship, education and fun. As team leaders, the pair guided student volunteers from The University of Scranton and Scranton Preparatory School in creating a meaningful summer experience rooted in Jesuit values. The program took place over the course of one week at The University of Scranton Chapman Lake Retreat Center.

 

What was your favorite part of this week at SPARK?

Brianna: “My favorite part is definitely watching a group of 20 strangers who have no idea what they are getting into come into this week and work together as a team to give these kids the summer they deserve and to give them such a good time. Also, to teach them skills that they can use the rest of their lives.”

Jesse: “I would say getting to see our team grow and blossom together. Just seeing them work with each other and come up with these activities while giving these kids the summer of their lifetime is something I am very proud of. Super glad I got to be a part of this program and this position (team leader).”

 

What are the goals of the SPARK program?

Brianna: "We work with a lot of kids who could use positive role models in their lives, and a big goal of ours is to give them that with our University students and Prep students. Also, to teach them skills like healthy communication, what to do if you see bullying and how to cope with bullying, or healthy coping strategies and healthy ways to live. We want to give them all of that and a fun summer at the same time.”

Jesse: “Like Brianna was saying, a lot of the topics that we cover are things that they might not normally hear... so our job is to teach them those topics in a very fun and engaging way. Bullying, self-worth, and self-care are the things that ...they may not have the opportunity to learn in other places.

 

Can you describe what university students and team leaders do for the SPARK program?

Jesse: “The team that works with the kids were chosen by us to be leaders of the group, specifically University students. The Prep students were assigned with the team leaders from the University to create one cohesive unit that would be doing the activities with the kids. A lot of these kids look up to them, ask them questions and look to them for guidance. Our (team leader) role is to oversee our team of the group leaders and make sure their needs are met and everything they're doing is working.”

Brianna: "Our University students and our Prep students had two days of preparation and created all of these activities to bring to the kids. They present it to the kids, and give them all their energy and all of their love."

 

How does this program connect to the universities Jesuit ideals?

Brianna: “Specifically, I think it connects to the idea of magis because it striving for more. These University kids and Prep students gave up a week of their summer to be here and to give these kids the best time they could. That to me is the spirit behind service.”

Jesse: “I found throughout my time at the University that service is a massive part of the University's identity. Being able to partake in a service opportunity like this really aligns with what the school is all about. Giving up a week of your summer when you're a busy college student trying to make money is not an easy decision, but it goes to show just how selfless a lot of these people are. They're willing to be a part of a community that you might not see every day and give back to that community in ways that they may never have done before.”

Campers dive into the fun at SPARK, where every activity is designed to build confidence, connection and lasting summer memories.

The Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference brings hundreds of the country’s best and brightest college students to Dallas, Texas, all vying to win national titles.

Take, for instance, the Parliamentary Procedure category with 19 qualifiers from 18 colleges in 11 states. There’s also the even more competitive Sports Management and Marketing with 33 competitors representing 27 colleges scattered across 18 states.

The University of Scranton produced national champions in both events.

“That’s a testament to The University of Scranton because my event isn’t necessarily what’s taught in the business school but obviously everything is tied back in some way to what we’re learning in school,” said Kaeli Romanowski ’26, a finance major from Lake Ariel, who earned the top prize in Parliamentary Procedure. “It’s rewarding not just for us as individuals but for University of Scranton FBLA. We’re trying to build a reputation and build membership. This is a great way to do it.”

First-year student Joe Walas ’28, an accounting and finance major from West Islip, New York, earned first-place in Sports Management and Marketing.

“I already had some background in sports,” Walas said. “In high school, I was a journalist for my school newspaper. I dabbled in journalism, I really liked it. But I decided to go a different route. It had set a foundation for me to pursue sports management and marketing and to get where I am now. Also, being a freshman, you’re always looking to get involved on campus; FBLA was a really good avenue to do that.”

Three classmates joined Romanowski and Walas at the event and they, too, finished in the top 10 as part of a historic showing for the University.

Chaz DellaCorte, a finance and accounting major from The Villages, Florida, ranked third in Accounting Case Competition. Gary Mrozinski, a finance major from Taylor, placed seventh in Foundations of Accounting. Connor Farrington, a business analytics and accounting major from Washington, New Jersey, placed ninth in Sports Management and Marketing.

“Hearing your name, even in the top 10, is rewarding enough,” Romanowski said. “It’s incredible: five of us went and we all placed in the top 10.”

Romanowski, who is a standout basketball player, is an FBLA veteran going back to her time at Western Wayne High School. She’s long studied parliamentary procedure, which refers to the rules and practices that ensure fair, orderly and efficient meetings and legislative assemblies.

Both Romanowski and Walas’ competitions were objectively scored as multiple-choice exams.

Romanowski, who’d won the state title weeks earlier, said she exited her exam feeling unsure of how it had gone. Meanwhile, Walas, a state runner-up, felt differently.

“I felt super confident in how it went,” Walas said.

Regardless of their conflicting stances, Romanowski and Walas both aced their tests, leaving Texas with championships and memories. In addition to FBLA activities, they toured the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium and attended a Texas Rangers baseball game at Globe Life Field.

“Special thanks to the University for setting this whole thing up,” Walas said. “It’s not easy to fly kids out to Dallas in the middle of the spring and I’m just appreciative of the experience as a whole.”

Romanowski, Walas, Mrozinski, Farrington and DellaCorte, the club president, attended nationals with David Mahalak, D. Eng., assistant professor of operations and analytics. Dr. Mahalak has served since 2021-22 as Scranton’s advisor for FBLA, which has more than 200,000 members and 5,000 chapters, mostly in the U.S.

By: Elizabeth Vander Neut ‘26, student correspondent 

This summer, Ryan Hanley ’26, shown, is gaining real-world experience at Ernst & Young (EY) in New York City, where he is interning with the FSO Assurance Group. From assisting with auditing a major public company to collaborating with profressionals across the firm, Hanley said each day has brought new and valuable experience. This internship has helped him apply classroom concepts in a practical setting and build connections that go beyond technical skills.

Hanley, of Dumont, New Jersey, is an accounting and finance major at The University of Scranton. He shares how this summer internship has deepened his understanding of the profession, preparing him for life after graduation.

 

Describe a typical day at work.  

"There is no such thing as a truly 'typical' day; each day at work looks a bit different for me, which keeps things interesting and exciting! Even with a variety, I am completing assigned tasks in a client-serving role, that direct support the firm’s audit of a large, well-known public company. Whether it is exploring financials or helping to gather and evaluate documentation, it’s cool to realize that my work has a genuine impact on something much bigger!."

 

What are some skills you have learned so far?

"Coming off my previous internship at Wiss & Company in Florham Park, New Jersey, I already had a solid foundation of technical skills to build on. This summer’s internship has allowed me to expand and strengthen many of those skills in meaningful ways. Beyond just the technical side, one of the most valuable parts of this experience has been the people; I’ve had the opportunity to connect with an incredible network of fellow interns and professionals, from staff to partners, who have not only offered great advice but also taught me a lot through their own stories and experiences!"

 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

“There are a lot of aspects of my internship that I’ve really enjoyed. First, being able to gain real-world experience while still actively studying accounting has been incredibly valuable. It’s helped me take what I’ve learned in the classroom at Scranton and actually apply it in a meaningful way, which has deepened my understanding of the material. I’ve also really appreciated the chance to work with a wide range of people across a large organization - everyone brings different experiences and advice, and I’ve learned a lot just from talking with them. On top of that, getting to work in New York City has been an exciting part of the experience.”

 

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

“To be honest, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect going into this internship but I’ve been extremely happy with how it’s turned out. In such a short amount of time, I’ve learned a tremendous amount. Getting hands-on experience with topics we cover in class and seeing how they actually come together in the real world has been incredibly rewarding. It's made everything click in a way that the classroom alone just can’t replicate.” 

 

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

"It’s given me hands-on experience and practical knowledge that I know will be incredibly valuable as I move forward in my career."

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.

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.