University News

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General

September 4, 2026

Middle States Retreat Builds Momentum for University’s Self-Study

A campuswide effort to assess institutional effectiveness and plan for the future is underway.

Group seated around a conference table watching a presentation on a projector screen.

General

September 3, 2026

A diverse collective of University of Scranton faculty and staff recently gathered to discuss the increasing influence of artificial intelligence, with Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical letter as a focal point.

The Jesuit Center at the University led a reading group examining “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence” on Aug. 28. The encyclical, published in May 2026, is divided into five chapters and includes the pope’s appeal for accountability in the development process of AI.

According to Tim Dulle Jr., Ph.D., executive director of the Jesuit Center, 44 faculty and staff signed up for the reading with an additional waiting list. Because of the high demand, participants were split into separate discussion groups held simultaneously in Brennan Hall’s Casey Conference Room and the Slattery Center. Both groups will meet again on Sept. 14.

The encyclical and its contents were of particular interest to the Jesuit Center, whose mission is to assist the University “in keeping its Catholic and Jesuit character at the center of the educational enterprise.”

“There was so much energy around the first American pope, so, when they were releasing 'Magnifica humanitas,' I thought, ‘We have to do something on this. This is right in our wheelhouse,’” Dr. Dulle said. “We are dealing with what it means to be people in the age of AI. We are trying to teach students to be responsible in the age of AI.”

Members in attendance at Brennan Hall began by watching a short video accompanying the letter’s release, which encouraged viewers to “break the chains of digital slavery.” They reflected on the first three chapters of the document with the campus community in mind, pointing out students and faculty have expressed varying viewpoints on the applications and usefulness of AI.

Some emphasized the importance of critical thinking, and expressed concern the pope's outline didn't address its decline in greater detail. Others pondered whether further development of AI could take away the dignity of the individual and create wider technological divides within communities.

“I thought it was really useful to contextualize these current technological changes with Catholic social teaching, and how people and faculty at a Jesuit university should think about that and incorporate it into our everyday work,” said Adam Pratt, Ph.D., chair of the History Department.

Dr. Dulle ultimately characterizes the encyclical as a conversation starter more than a full-on critique or attack on AI, but it leaves plenty of room for debate and engagement. The letter includes multiple uses of words such as “criteria” and “foundations,” suggesting the pope is encouraging wider dialogue.

“The news headlines really framed this as the pope vs. big tech,” Dr. Dulle said. “And I think to frame it like that says more about what people think about big tech than it does about the encyclical.”

Visit the Jesuit Center homepage to learn more about its programs and upcoming events.

Scranton Faculty and Staff Examine Papal Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence

The Jesuit Center reading group discussed Pope Leo XIV's “Magnifica humanitas” with an academic twist.

Grid of headshots on a purple University of Scranton backdrop, with a large outlined letter S in one tile.

Faculty

September 3, 2026

The University of Scranton has appointed 20 new, full-time faculty members for the 2026-27 academic year.

Michele Boland, previously a lecturer and faculty specialist in the Nursing Program at the University, was named an instructor in the Department of Nursing. A certified academic clinical nurse educator, she served as a member of nursing faculty at Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County. She previously worked as an ICU nurse and clinical resource manager at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and as a nursing supervisor at Presbyterian Medical Center. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Delaware, a master’s degree in nursing education at the University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. from the University of the Cumberlands.

Emma Boyle was named a faculty specialist in the Accounting Department. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) through the Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy. She serves as a board member of NeighborWorks of NEPA and previously worked as a tax associate for Baker Tilly, LLP in Allentown. She earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting with a minor in business leadership, as well as a Master of Accountancy, from the University’s Kania School of Management. There, she received the Outstanding Student Award for Accountancy.

Collin Brice, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy and Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Brice is a licensed speech-language pathologist in Ohio and has a Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. His teaching interests include speech and hearing science and voice disorders. He earned a Bachelor of Science in speech and hearing science and Master of Science in speech-language pathology from Lamar University. He recently completed his Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Cincinnati.

Greg Campbell, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Engineering. He most recently served as a visiting assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Lafayette College. Dr. Campbell earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Villanova University and Stanford University, respectively, before completing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on human-safe soft robotics, and he served as a research mentor for more than a dozen students at Penn.

Kaitlyn Clarke, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. Dr. Clarke has a Pennsylvania state license in speech-language pathology; is a board-certified specialist in child language through the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders; and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She previously worked at St. Joseph’s Center, private schools and Geisinger’s Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute as part of her clinical experience. Most recently, she served as an assistant professor at Marywood University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health science and master’s in speech-language pathology from Misericordia University, before completing her Ph.D. in communication sciences and disorders from Pennsylvania State University.

Madison Conway was named a faculty specialist in the Department of Communication and Media. She has more than 17 years of professional experience in strategic communications, marketing and global branding. As the DDC Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, she led a multilingual global rebrand across multiple continents and languages. Prof. Conway’s experience also includes content marketing for eBay with top-tier media partners and public relations for a nonprofit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has published research on social media in elections, and Ragan Communications named her a 2025 Top Woman in marketing. Conway earned a Bachelor of Science in communications, marketing and media studies; Master of Arts in integrated global communication; and global learning certificate from Kennesaw State University. She also studied international business communication at Shanghai International Studies University.

Carla Enriquez, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. Dr. Enriquez is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties with more than two decades of clinical experience. She previously held faculty appointments at Kean University and currently maintains an adjunct faculty appointment at Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on pain mechanisms, health outcomes, precision orthopedic rehabilitation and health services research. She was recently selected as a PACES Scholar through the NIH-funded Precise Center for Precision Rehabilitation Across the Lifespan. Dr. Enriquez earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Silliman University in the Philippines, a master’s in health sciences and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in health education from Trident University International.

Erica Getts was named an assistant professor at the Weinberg Memorial Library. She most recently served as a librarian and instructor at Penn Foster Group, where she managed library websites and curated collections. Prof. Getts also worked at the McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her master’s in library and information science, and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in library science with instructional technology from Kutztown University and is a member of the Pennsylvania Library Association, American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries.

Sarah Hunt (Livick-Moses), Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Dr. Hunt most recently served as an assistant professor of theology at Gannon University, and her research focuses on systematic theology, spirituality, mystical theology, ecology and trauma studies. She earned her bachelor’s degree in literature and history from Hellenic College and her master’s and Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston College. She has written multiple peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and given presentations across Germany, Austria, Norway, Greece, Switzerland and the U.K.

Jonathan Kadjeski was named a faculty specialist in the English and Theatre Department. He has taught as an adjunct professor of English at Luzerne County Community College and Wilkes University, and he also served as an instructor and student success counselor at King’s College. His teaching examines William Shakespeare, food writing and Holocaust rhetoric. Prof. Kadjeski completed a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English at Wilkes and Villanova University, respectively. He is also a member of the National Organization for Student Success, serving as president of the Pennsylvania chapter since 2025.

Juliana Kazemi, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Philosophy Department. Dr. Kazemi earned her bachelor’s degrees in theology and religious studies and philosophy from Scranton, before completing a Master of Theological Studies and a master’s in early Christian studies at The University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in philosophy at Baylor University. She most recently served as an instructor of record in logic at Baylor. Her research focuses on the intersection of philosophy of religion, ethics and ancient philosophy. A lover of languages, she completed graduate studies in Latin and Ancient Greek and also studies Persian.

Samantha Kelly, Ph.D., was named a faculty specialist in the Department of Education. She has worked as a special education director and elementary emotional support teacher at New Story Schools based in Throop. Dr. Kelly earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and elementary education from East Stroudsburg University, master’s in special education from the University and completed her Ph.D. in special education at Lehigh University. She has contributed to six journal articles and given presentations at more than a dozen conferences across the U.S. and in Vietnam.

Charles Kulick, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics. Dr. Kulick earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from The University of Scranton, where he received the Rose I. Kelly Award, before completing his master’s and Ph.D. at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has research expertise in statistical machine learning, data science, dynamical systems, inverse problems and scientific computing. He previously worked as a teaching assistant and teaching associate at UCSB, serving as an instructor of record for linear algebra.

Margaret Maurer, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the English and Theatre Department. Dr. Maurer’s research examines alchemy in early modern England, as well as how gender, race and class have shaped labor and knowledge production in the history of science and literature. They have worked as a curriculum design specialist for the Sexual Violence Prevention Project at Dartmouth College. Dr. Maurer earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and theater from Brown University, a Master of Philosophy in medieval and early modern literature from Cambridge University and Ph.D. in English and comparative literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Katherine McLeod, Ph.D., was named a visiting assistant professor in the Department of History. Dr. McLeod previously worked as an instructor of record at New York University and as a research specialist at the Academy of Natural Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Her research has been supported by the Smithsonian Institution and the Consortium for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art from Columbia University, master’s in sustainability science and education from The City University of New York and Ph.D. in history from New York University. Dr. McLeod’s research examines how people come to understand the natural world. Her work traces how zoos, museums and the internet circulate and codify ideas about ecology, evolution, animals and people.

Corey Posa, previously a faculty specialist in the Nursing Program at The University, was named an instructor in the Department of Nursing. She is a nurse navigator who specializes in perinatal addiction medicine and previously worked at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital Pregnancy and Women’s Recovery Center. She is a licensed Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania and certified in basic life support (BLS). She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing and Master of Science in nursing education from Duquesne University.

David Sannino, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Biology Department. Dr. Sannino earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Rutgers University and Ph.D. in microbiology from Cornell University. His research is focused on microbiology, symbiosis, host-microbe interactions, bacterial/genetics genomics, molecular biology and other topics. He previously served as a postdoctoral research associate at The University of Glasgow and a laboratory scientist at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he worked in a testing program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he served as a postdoctoral researcher at Weill Cornell Medical College. His work has appeared in more than a dozen publications.

Jonathan Thai, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Chemistry Department. A member of the American Chemical Society, Dr. Thai is a synthetic chemist with a background in organic, inorganic and materials chemistry, as well as teaching interests in food chemistry and alchemy’s transition into modern chemistry. He most recently served as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry at Bowdoin College and Amherst College. Dr. Thai earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Western New England University and Ph.D. in chemistry from Colorado State University.

Yuzo Yanagitsuru, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor in the Biology Department. Dr. Yanagitsuru’s primary teaching interests are animal and human physiology, ecology and conservation biology. He previously worked as an assistant professor at Wilkes University and a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Washington and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dr. Yanagitsuru earned bachelor’s degrees in ecology behavior and evolution and earth science from the University of California, San Diego; a master’s in zoology from the University of Florida; and a Ph.D. in animal biology from the University of California, Davis.

Yiling Zhou, Ph.D., was named a visiting assistant professor in the Philosophy Department. Dr. Zhou received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Wuhan University and completed her master’s and Ph.D. in philosophy at St. Louis University. She has given presentations at colloquiums and conferences throughout the U.S. and previously served as a research assistant and instructor of record at SLU. Dr. Zhou’s primary research interests are ethics, moral psychology, agency and responsibility. She is fluent in English and Mandarin and also speaks Japanese.

University of Scranton Welcomes New Faculty Members

Ahead of the 2026-27 academic year, the University appointed new, full-time faculty members.

Portrait of an individual in a dark suit with a light blue shirt and yellow tie, set against a blurred campus building background.

General

September 2, 2026

University of Scranton President Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., announced an administrative reorganization on Wednesday, Sept. 2, designed to support the University’s strategic priorities and position the institution for continued success.

As part of the reorganization, Robert W. Davis Jr., Ed.D., ’03 G'10 G'13, will be appointed Executive Vice President, effective Sept. 4. In Dr. Davis’ new role, the following divisional leaders will report to him: Elizabeth M. Garcia, Esq., Associate Vice President for the Office of Institutional Compliance and Title IX; Stephen Hietsch, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration; and Patricia L. Tetreault ’93 G'00, Vice President for Human Resources. They will remain members of the President’s Cabinet. Dr. Davis, who has served since 2022 as Vice President for Advancement, will continue to lead Advancement and serve as the Athletics Direct Report.

“Over the past two decades, Bobby has brought dedication, imagination and a very impressive work ethic to every role in which he has served,” Fr. Marina said in a letter to the University community. “His experience leading our Student Life, Athletics and Advancement teams and serving as Chief of Staff for three presidents has given him a highly comprehensive understanding of the University. Along the way, he worked hard to improve his knowledge of higher education, earning a Doctor of Education Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016.”

The following members of the President’s Cabinet will continue to report directly to Fr. Marina: Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., Vice President for Mission and Ministry; Robert B. Farrell, J.D., Ed.D., General Counsel; Lauren S. Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students; Gerald C. Zaboski ’87 G’95, Senior Vice President for the Office of the President; WeiDong Zhu, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Shannon Zottola, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing.

“Making this change will allow me to focus even more time on ensuring the success of our Strategic Plan and Strategic Enrollment Management Plan,” Fr. Marina said. “It will free me up for more fundraising and for building community, both internally and externally.”

Having earned bachelor’s, master’s and MBA degrees from The University of Scranton, Dr. Davis brings more than 20 years of experience in student life, athletics, advancement and executive administration, along with a deep commitment to the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission. As Vice President for Advancement, he provided overall leadership for “A Fire That Kindles Other Fires Campaign to Advance Mission, Access and Excellence,” the largest capital campaign in University history, which exceeded its goal by a wide margin and raised $155.7 million.

The new structure reflects the University’s commitment to advancing the goals of Strategic Plan 2030, announced earlier this year.

University Announces Cabinet Leadership Reorganization

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., has outlined an administrative change designed to strengthen the University’s leadership structure.

Student

September 2, 2026

When Corey Posa, an instructor in The University of Scranton’s Department of Nursing, greeted families along Mulberry Street during First-Year Move-In on Saturday, Aug. 29, she was helping carry on a tradition that has welcomed generations of Royals to campus.

“You could definitely tell the different emotions inside the car,” Professor Posa said. “Sometimes, the students are super excited; other times, you can tell they might be a little more nervous. So, we’re just here to be able to make them feel comfortable.”

Professor Posa’s observations were familiar to Mary Troy ’95, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and human services, who has experienced move-in day from nearly every perspective imaginable.

Beginning her second year at Scranton, Professor Posa spent the morning volunteering alongside Dr. Troy, who graduated from Scranton, later watched her son enroll as a student and has taught at the University for 25 years, including the past eight in a full-time role.

Having experienced move-in day as a student, parent and faculty member, Dr. Troy said she appreciates the care and coordination behind one of the busiest days of the year.

“It’s a really smoothly run operation,” she said.

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Class of 2030 Facts and Figures

The University’s newest Royals traveled from across the country and around the world to begin their Scranton journeys.

There are approximately 920 first-year incoming undergraduate students and more than 45 incoming undergraduate transfer students.

The most common home state among the incoming first-year undergraduate students is Pennsylvania, followed by New Jersey and New York. In total, 17 states and six international countries are represented among the first-year undergraduate students. The most common major among incoming first-year undergraduate students is nursing, followed by finance, kinesiology, occupational therapy and biology.

Additionally, about 340 graduate students will have begun their studies in the summer and fall terms. Between on-campus and online learners, the incoming graduate class spans 23 states.

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Hundreds Answer the Call to Help

First-Year Move-In is a massive logistical undertaking.

It is also, according to Michael Ritterbeck ’09, director of the Center for Student Engagement, “one of the best reflections of what our community means.”

“A lot of schools do have processes in place to welcome their students, but this is a real, organic collaboration between students, faculty, staff and facilities to make a seamless transition for new students arriving on campus,” Ritterbeck said. “It is a real community effort.”

According to Ritterbeck, about 380 student volunteers and more than 40 faculty and staff volunteers helped facilitate the day’s events.

Many student volunteers returned to campus with their sports teams, student organizations or friend groups, turning the day into a community-building experience.

“I think that’s really great to see, that they want to pass on that tradition,” said Michael Mancini ’27, a nursing major from Trumbull, Connecticut, and an Orientation Team Leader. “It’s community, it’s bonding with each other, and it’s also helping promote the new student community from the second that they step on to campus.”

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Students Pay It Forward

For many of the upperclass student volunteers helping unload cars and carry belongings into residence halls, move-in day was an opportunity to return the kindness they received when they arrived at Scranton.

“I remember when I was a freshman and I came into my dorm room, everything was right there. It was great,” said Aidan Belverio, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Clark, New Jersey. “Helping out others at The University of Scranton and making the freshmen feel welcome and making them feel like this is the right place for them, it’s a very good thing to do.”

The work was not without its challenges, said Belverio, who helped carry refrigerators and heavy bags and boxes.

“I had to throw some on my back, carrying three bags at a time,” he said. “You gotta get strong, you gotta get gritty!”

Meghan Hooper, a nursing major from Harleysville, also volunteered because she remembered the welcome she received as a first-year student.

“I just remember it was a great day,” Hooper said. “Everybody was so helpful. I felt really welcomed.”

The first day of classes was Monday, Aug. 31. Commencement will be held Sunday, May 23.

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University of Scranton Welcomes Class of 2030 (Article + Photos)

The newest community members received a warm Scranton welcome from hundreds of volunteers eager to help them begin their journeys at the University.

General

August 30, 2026

The University of Scranton's 2026-27 academic year is underway.

As the seasons change, here are a few summer headlines you may have missed, as well as some announcements for upcoming events in the fall.

Princeton Review: Scranton a 'Best College' With Top Marks for Service and School Pride

University of Scranton campus entrance arch beside photos of students celebrating a championship and a group of students posing at an outdoor table.

The University of Scranton was once again selected by The Princeton Review as one of the nation's best colleges, in addition to earning three national top-25 rankings in categories that reflect a campus culture rooted in connection, service and school pride.

Read a full article about the rankings by clicking this link.

F.I.R.S.T. Program Hosts Community Fun Day, School Supply Giveaway

Large group of individuals pose for a group photo outdoors on a grassy lot in front of a chain-link fence and neighborhood houses.

Forty incoming University of Scranton students traded a week of summer break for a week of service, highlighted by a Community Fun Day and back-to-school supply giveaway for local families.

FOX56, WBRE and WNEP were among the media outlets that covered the activities organized by the University's F.I.R.S.T. (First-years Involved in Reflective Service Together) program.

Follow this link to see full coverage on Royal News.

Senior Accounting Student Named PCAOB Scholar

Camia Rosella Capalongo ’27, an accounting major from Scranton, was named a 2026 Scholar by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. She is one of 677 college students in the nation to receive the scholarship, which recognizes students pursuing accounting studies and supports their development as future professionals.

Read more about the honor in a full article on Royal News.

Fall Schemel Forum Programs To Feature Nationally Recognized Presenters

Poster for The University of Scranton’s Fall 2026 Schemel Forum, a program of the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library focused on cultural enrichment and education in the community. The University of Scranton's Schemel Forum will offer an eclectic lineup of programs this fall, including a World Affairs Luncheon Seminar with Rev. James Martin, S.J., H'17, a New York Times bestselling author and frequent media commentator.

Read the full lineup of fall Schemel Forum events by following this link.

Fall Concert Season Schedule Announced

A promotional poster for the Performance Music at The University of Scranton fall concerts.

Performance Music announced its fall concert season public performance lineup, with the first show quickly approaching on Friday, Sept. 18.

Read more and discover the full schedule of events by following this link.

In addition to the regular Wednesday email newsletter, The University of Scranton's Royal News website is updated continuously throughout the year with new stories, features and announcements. Readers may visit at any time to find the latest news from across the University.

Campus Catch-Up: Scranton Named a 'Best College'

Recent Royal News stories have covered a new ranking by The Princeton Review, as well as announcements from the Schemel Forum and Performance Music.

Modern brick and glass building partially obscured by leafy green trees under a clear blue sky.

Student

August 31, 2026

National Awards Highlight Strength of Scranton’s Accounting Ph.D. Program

Four University of Scranton Ph.D. in Accounting students received notable professional honors from the AICPA Foundation, EFWA and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Stone facade of a campus building with columns and windows, showing the carved sign “The University of Scranton” near the roofline.

Faculty

August 29, 2026

University Faculty Members Receive Promotions and Tenure

Twenty-two promotions and tenure appointments at The University of Scranton are effective for the 2026-27 academic year.

Red Letter Day, a relief block print on paper by Peter Hoffer,

Community

August 30, 2026

Sept. 8-Oct. 9 Art Exhibit: “Joy in the Process: Selections from a Regional Collection.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Sept. 10 11:30 a.m. Mass of the Holy Spirit. Open to University students, faculty and staff. Picnic on the DeNaples Patio immediately follows Mass. Byron Recreation Complex. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

Sept. 11 5 p.m. Art Gallery Curator’s Lecture: “Joy in the Process: Selections from a Regional Collection.” Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Sept. 15 11 a.m. Volunteer and Service Fair for area nonprofit agencies offering volunteer opportunities for students. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-7429 or email ellen.judge@scranton.edu.

Sept. 17 7:30 p.m. Ignatian Values in Action Lecture: “Searching for God at Ground Zero” presented by Rev. James Martin, S.J. H’17. Byron Recreation Complex. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email linda.walsh@scranton.edu.

Sept. 18 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest,” presented by Rev. James Martin, S.J. H’17, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and author of several New York Times bestsellers. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Sept. 18 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital: Baroque or Bust!” Aisslinn Nosky, violin, and Caroline Nicolas, cello. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Sept. 19 8:30 a.m. Schemel Forum “University for a Day.” Topics discussed: “The ‘New Right’ and the Old Liberalism of John Courtney Murray, S.J.;” “Stress, Mindfulness, and Resilience: Small Changes, Big Results;” and “Evaluating Alternative College Football Playoff Structures: A Multicriteria Framework for Balancing Stakeholder Objectives.” Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Sept. 26 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Family Weekend Concert: Swingin’ The Classics” featuring The Anderson Twins Sextet with an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Sept. 25-27 The University of Scranton Family Weekend. Various campus locations. Call 570-941-4142 or email familyweekend@scranton.edu.

Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “Somewhere In Between” presented by The University Players. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.

Sept. 28 5:30 p.m. Lecture by John Feal and representatives from the FealGood Foundation about their experiences at Ground Zero on 9/11 and their 20-plus years lobbying Congress for first responder and military healthcare. Sponsored by University Advancement as part of the Royals Remember 9/11 project. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

Oct. 1 6:30 p.m. President’s Medal Gala honoring Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss at Pier Sixty, New York City. Proceeds from the dinner support the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. Black Tie. Tickets required. Call 570-941-7719 or email eric.eckenrode@scranton.edu.

Oct. 7 8:30 a.m. 25th Annual U.S. Conference on DISABILITY “25 Years of Progress: Honoring the Legacy of Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Disability Inclusion and Careers Transforming Barriers into Opportunities.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4308 or visit www.scranton.edu/disabilityconference.

Oct. 7 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “The Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence” presented by Terence Keel, Ph.D., an award-winning professor of human biology and society and African American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and founding director of the lab for bioCritical studies. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Oct. 7 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “General Recital” featuring The University of Scranton Performance Music student musicians in solo, duo, trio and small ensemble performances. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu

Oct. 19-Nov. 20 Art Exhibit: “Peter Hoffer: Reflections. Five Decades of Art.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 20 6 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities Collaborative Program Lecture: “The 3 Degrees of Why: Moving Beyond Positions to the Stories That Shape Us” presented by Peace Ike, a cultural strategist, dialogue facilitator, and speaker who works across both secular and faith-based spaces to build bridges and foster cultural transformation. The Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Free. Exhibit and reception follow. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Oct. 23 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Peter Hoffer: Reflections. Five Decades of Art,” presented by Peter Hoffer. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.

Oct. 25 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu.

Oct. 30 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital: Saints & Spirituals” featuring Marcus Printup, trumpet, and Riza Printup, harp. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Nov. 6 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Jazz: From the Streets and Clubs to the Schools and Concert Halls” presented by Victor Goines, jazz chair, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and founding director, Juilliard Jazz Studies Program. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Nov. 7 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with guest artist Victor Goines, woodwinds. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Nov. 8 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu.

Nov. 11 5:30 Lecture by retired Col. Mark Volk, Scranton alumnus and former president of Lackawanna College, about his service at the Pentagon on 9/11, for which he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, the Army’s highest non-combat recognition for valor and heroism. Sponsored by University Advancement as part of the Royals Remember 9/11 project. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.

Nov. 11 7:30 p.m. Henry George Lecture: "How Working from Home Reshaped America" presented by Nicolas Bloom, Ph.D., professor of economics, Stanford University. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email pamela.turbessi@scranton.edu.

Nov. 12 6 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Collaborative Program Lecture: “The Freedom to Read: A Screening and Panel Discussion of The Librarians” presented by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Kate Cummings and Michele Legate. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Nov. 14 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Nov. 16 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Why do we have the worst health care outcomes? A consideration of the Social Determinants of Health” presented by Steven J. Scheinman, MD, dean emeritus, Geisinger College of Health Sciences. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Nov. 19-21 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. “Mean Girls – The Musical” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.livaartscompany.ludus.com or email livaartscompany@gmail.com.

Nov. 21 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 5 8 p.m. Performance Music: “59^th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers, String Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles with special guest Wycliffe A. Gordon H’06. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Dec. 11 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert: Holidays Around the World” featuring Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, piano. Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry item or a cash donation. All proceeds will directly benefit local families in need. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Schemel Courses:

Thursdays: Sept. 10, 17, 24 and Oct. 1, 8, 15 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “M*A*S*H: Television, War, and American Culture” presented by Charlie Cino, instructor, English and theatre, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Mondays: Oct. 19, 26 and Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “Karl Marx’s Das Kapital” presented by Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.

Fall 2026 Semester Events Planned at University

Events planned at the University during the fall 2026 semester include musicals, concerts, lectures and art exhibits.

Large group of individuals posing outdoors on grass in front of a chain-link fence and a house on a sunny day.

Student

August 26, 2026

Forty incoming University of Scranton students traded a week of summer break for a week of service, highlighted by a Community Fun Day and back-to-school supply giveaway for local families.

The University of Scranton’s F.I.R.S.T. (First Years Involved in Reflective Service Together) program brought together incoming students, community partners and local families on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for Community Fun Day at Novembrino Park.

The free community event featured food, face painting, games, children’s activities and the distribution of school supplies to help local families prepare for the upcoming school year. University student volunteers helped organize and facilitate activities throughout the day, reinforcing F.I.R.S.T.’s mission of service, reflection and community engagement.

The University’s Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ) and Friends of the Poor and the Catherine McAuley Center partnered in organizing the event.

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“We have 40 first-year students who moved in a week early to participate in local service trips with the Scranton community, and they are led by an upperclass student team of 12 students,” said Avianna Carilli ’22, CSSJ coordinator of domestic and international service programs. “Throughout this week, we are visiting about eight different nonprofit organizations. But today, we’re all working to collaborate and bring everyone together to put on a great event for our community.”

The 40 F.I.R.S.T. volunteers span more than a dozen declared majors and five states (Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York). The service sites where they are working this week include the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, St. Joseph’s Center, NeighborWorks, CHOP Out Hunger and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.

For additional coverage, please visit the following links:

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F.I.R.S.T. Program Hosts Community Fun Day, School Supply Giveaway (PHOTOS)

A Scranton park served as the hub for a day of games, giveaways and community connection.

Individual in a suit standing under the entrance archway that reads “The University of Scranton,” with trees and campus landscaping in the background.

Faculty

September 1, 2026

In his early teens, WeiDong Zhu’s academic prowess surpassed that of even his parents.

While they stressed the importance of education, neither Dr. Zhu’s father, an accountant, nor his mother, a custodian, graduated from college.

He was learning at an advanced level, though, and approached 10th grade at a crossroads built into China’s education system: whether to concentrate his studies in science or the humanities.

“There was a moment when my chemistry teacher taught us how to look at chemical reactions,” Dr. Zhu recalled. “He was teaching at a university level when we were in high school. And that was the moment that really captured me. I wanted to do science.”

Having benefited from numerous such examples in which someone’s guidance and kindness influenced him in his own career, Dr. Zhu carries those experiences with him as he approaches his duties as The University of Scranton’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Zhu, Ph.D., assumed his position in July, following 19 years at Saint Peter’s University, a Jesuit sister institution in New Jersey, where he'd held numerous academic and administrative roles.

“Over the years, a lot of people really helped me and a lot of people guided me in the right direction,” said Dr. Zhu, who immigrated to the U.S. at age 25. “I feel that I really owe it to them to pay it forward.”

While at St. Peter’s, Dr. Zhu’s roles included professor of physics; co-director (and later director) of the Center for Microplasma Science and Technology; chair of the Department of Applied Science and Technology; vice president and (briefly) president of the faculty senate; dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and, most recently, interim vice president for academic affairs.

Dr. Zhu used his influence to advocate for faculty. He shaped policies and restructured academic programs. He helped infuse Ignatian values into faculty development, core revision and high-impact practices.

When necessary, though, Dr. Zhu also set aside major tasks to settle small things; like, for instance, when a faculty member struggled to use a new software system and was initially seen as resistant to change. Dr. Zhu then personally met with the faculty member and walked them through the process, resolving the issue and helping the faculty member become comfortable using the system.

“In my first year as interim dean (2018-2019), I came to the realization that, as an administrator, I can make a completely different impact,” Dr. Zhu said. “Yes, there are struggles as an administrator. I have to deal with difficult things involving faculty or staff. But there are parts of this job that I really enjoy, that I can help people in a different way. …

“All of it distills down to communication, to clear policy-making, to the willingness to train people, to go to their space, to meet them where they are.”

A physicist by training, Dr. Zhu said he enjoys a challenge and examining problems from all angles — an approach he brings to his work as an administrator.

While he is a relative newcomer to Scranton, Dr. Zhu, who was an accomplished youth gymnast, learned how to ski at nearby Camelback Resort in the Poconos. He has made it a point to explore campus daily, often scheduling meetings outside of his home base at St. Thomas Hall, and added that Scranton’s Jesuit mission was a major factor in his interest in working at the University.

“I heard a lot about Scranton from colleagues at St. Peter’s and they speak very highly about Scranton,” Dr. Zhu said. “The campus also made a very good impression when I was doing my interview toward the end of February.”

Dr. Zhu ‘Pays it Forward’ as Scranton’s New Provost

From a young science student in China to Scranton’s top academic officer, WeiDong Zhu, Ph.D., sees leadership as an opportunity to serve others.

Modern glass-front university building with a large University of Scranton seal mounted on the stone facade.

General

September 3, 2026

The nation’s leading organization for sustainable building practices recently awarded one of its highest ratings to The University of Scranton’s newest facility, as the U.S. Green Building Council recognized Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall with LEED Gold certification.

Opened at the start of the 2025-26 academic year, Weiss Hall is Scranton’s fourth building to achieve LEED certification. The Loyola Science Center is also Gold, while Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall and the Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Center are Silver.

According to James L. Caffrey, DBA, associate vice president for facilities management, Weiss Hall was initially targeted to achieve LEED Silver certification. He described the Gold designation as coming with both “a profound sense of pride and a deep sense of responsibility,” as the University is currently engaged in a seven-year process to become designated by the Vatican as a Laudato Si’ University.

Among the major elements that helped Weiss Hall achieve LEED Gold certification are:

Mass timber construction: Weiss Hall was built using a sustainable wood product that significantly reduces the building’s carbon footprint.

Solar power: Rooftop solar panels generate clean electricity.

Natural light design: Large glass windows and walls bring more daylight into the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Energy-saving climate systems: High-efficiency heating, cooling and ventilation systems automatically adjust temperatures to reduce energy use.

Water conservation: Low-flow fixtures lessen demand on municipal water supplies.

“Earning the LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council represents a major milestone for The University of Scranton,” Dr. Caffrey said. “It signifies that Weiss Hall exceeds industry standards for sustainable design, energy efficiency, reduced water use and environmentally conscious construction.”

Weiss Hall is a four-story, nearly 90,000 square-foot facility on Madison Avenue. It houses more than 30 offices/research spaces, 12 study rooms, 11 classrooms, six exam rooms, two large seminar rooms and two rooftop terraces. It was built to support both institutional and community excellence, serving as the home for the University’s Small Business Development Center, the University of Success, Student Health Services and the Center for Health, Education and Wellness, as well as the Departments of Cybercrime and Homeland Security and Psychology. Weiss Hall also has a first-floor IDEA Center, which is equipped with cutting-edge equipment for production of various means.

LEED certification stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and is recognized worldwide as a marker for achievement and leadership in sustainability.

Weiss Hall Earns Prestigious LEED Gold Certification

The University’s newest building was recognized for excellence in sustainable design, energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Individual speaks at a podium with a cross emblem on a church stage, with purple-and-white banners and seated clergy in the background.

Faculty

September 1, 2026

Gretchen J. Van Dyke, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at The University of Scranton, recently accepted an invitation to join the Bretton Woods Committee, an influential and international network that connects academia, government, finance and industry, think tanks, nonprofits and civil society organizations.

Membership in the Bretton Woods Committee is extended by invitation only and reflects significant professional achievement and expertise in economic and policy matters. Members collaborate to advance dialogue on pressing global economic and financial issues of all kinds. The organization’s mission is to support a strong, multilateral, more inclusive and forward-looking international economic and financial system.

Founded in 1983, the Bretton Woods Committee is particularly committed to the continued stability of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund as well as broad global economic cooperation, the key foundational elements of the post-World War II economic order conceived at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference in New Hampshire.

Dr. Van Dyke, whose nomination was sponsored by an existing member, will have opportunities to interact with policymakers and global leaders at high-level events. She will also contribute to the organization’s thought leadership through publications, working groups and its global network of forums and conferences.

“I am deeply honored by the Bretton Woods Committee membership invitation, and I am excited to engage with national and international economic, financial, academic and policy leaders on such critical global issues and challenges,” Dr. Van Dyke said. “This prestigious international nonprofit organization continuously highlights the value of multilateral negotiations and cooperation in today’s multifaceted, highly integrated global economic and financial arena. In fact, I routinely help my own students see the value of such elements in confronting complex international political economic issues, in international relations classes broadly or in specific discussions about the European Union. That is why I so look forward to sharing my academic background and expertise with other BWC members — and learning from them — through the myriad conversations and activities offered by the Bretton Woods Committee continuously throughout the year.”

A graduate of Trinity College (B.A.) and the University of Virginia (M.A., Ph.D.), Dr. Van Dyke joined the University in 1994. She’s been an associate professor of political science since 2000 and specializes in international relations, foreign and national security policy and decision-making, the European Union and U.S. governmental institutions, teaching a wide range of courses that reflect policy expertise and global perspective.

Political Science Professor Gretchen J. Van Dyke, Ph.D., Joins Prestigious Committee

Membership on the Bretton Woods Committee signifies expertise in global economic and financial policy.

Collage showing The University of Scranton campus entrance arch, a group of athletes celebrating a championship, and students posing together at an outdoor event.

General

August 26, 2026

Once again selected as one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The University of Scranton also earned three top-25 rankings that reflect a campus culture rooted in connection, service and school pride.

The Princeton Review’s annual college guide, “The Best 392 Colleges,” was published Tuesday, Aug. 18. The highly anticipated ratings and rankings are based on the results of thousands of surveys, completed by college administrators and current students, plus institutional data.

In addition to being counted among the 392 best colleges — The Princeton Review does not rank the schools overall in a numerical list — Scranton ranks in the top-25 nationally in the following categories:

No. 20 Great Outdoors: Students Get Outside

No. 24 Most Engaged in Community Service

No. 25 Students Love Their School Teams

The Princeton Review rates colleges in several categories on a scale of 60 to 99. Among Scranton’s highest scores were 90 for accessible professors and 86 for interesting professors. The publication quoted students saying professors are “at Scranton because they want to teach and forge relationships with students” and they “are very determined to see you succeed.”

Scranton also received high scores of 85 for financial aid and 85 for quality of life, with students saying the campus atmosphere “is typically rather lively” with a “pretty walkable” campus that has many “comfortable and beautiful places to study and do work.”

“The colleges we profile in ‘The Best 392 Colleges’ vary by type, size, locale and campus culture,” Rob Franek, the book’s lead author, said in a press release. “The colleges that make our ranking lists in the book do so entirely as a result of their own students’ opinions of them. We don’t rank the schools on a single hierarchical list, nor have we ever crowned one college ‘best’ overall. No school is best overall. For 35 years, our goal for this project has been to create multiple ranking lists and resources to help college applicants answer what is likely the toughest but also the most important question in their journey to college: ‘Which college is best for me?’”

Earlier this summer, The University of Scranton’s Kania School of Management appeared on The Princeton Review’s list of Best Business Schools for 2027. This is the 21st consecutive year that Scranton has been included in the listing among the nation's top business colleges. Scranton’s KSOM was one of 208 colleges selected as a Best On-Campus MBA Program. Selections and rankings were based on more than 60 data points derived from surveys of students and business school administrators.

Founded in 1888, The University of Scranton is a Catholic and Jesuit university with 70 majors and more than 40 graduate programs housed in its three colleges (the Kania School of Management, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Leahy College of Health Sciences). Scranton has recently been recognized in national rankings by U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes. The most recent  First Destination Survey by the Roche Family Center for Career Development revealed success rates of 99% and 100% for Scranton's undergraduate and graduate members of the Class of 2024.

Princeton Review: Scranton a 'Best College' With Top Marks for Service and School Pride

The Princeton Review once again selected The University of Scranton as one of the nation’s best colleges, using data from student surveys and other sources.

An individual using a string trimmer to cut grass along a roadside curb while traffic passes in the background.

General

August 5, 2026

Service Before the Semester: F.I.R.S.T. Program Set for 24th Year

First-year students will spend the week of Aug. 24-28 volunteering with nonprofit and community organizations throughout Greater Scranton.

Portrait of a smiling individual against a plain gray background.

Student

August 17, 2026

Camia Rosella Capalongo ’27, an accounting major from Scranton, has been named a 2026 Scholar by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, earning a $15,000 scholarship through the organization’s nationally competitive program.

Capalongo is one of 677 college students in the U.S. to receive the scholarship, which recognizes students pursuing accounting studies and supports their development as future professionals in the field.

Capalongo, who graduated from West Scranton High School, is a dean's list student and a member of both the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. She is actively involved in the Kania School of Management Student Advisory Board, the Beta Alpha Psi and Omega Beta Sigma Honor Societies, Kania Women in Business, the Italian Society and the Commuter Student Association. She interned this past spring with Kronick, Kalada, Berdy and Co. in Kingston.

"I am truly grateful to receive the PCAOB Scholarship," Capalongo said. "This financial support will have a meaningful impact on my education and inspires me to continue working hard as I pursue a career in accounting."

Capalongo is the seventh University of Scranton student to receive the scholarship since 2017, bringing the total amount awarded to Scranton students through the program to $85,000.

The Scholars Program was launched in 2017 by the PCAOB, which is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress. It is charged with overseeing the audits of public companies to protect investors and further public interest and trust in audit reports.

“As a career choice, accounting offers students an opportunity to enter an innovative, technology-driven field that helps protect investors and build trust in our capital markets,” PCAOB chair Demetrios (Jim) Logothetis said in a press release. “We congratulate this year’s PCAOB Scholars, who have shown already that they have what it takes to become leaders in the profession and gatekeepers in financial reporting.”

U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges report ranked The University of Scranton No. 8 in the Regional Universities (North) category with a national ranking of No. 40 in Best Undergraduate Programs in Accounting.

Senior Accounting Student Named PCAOB Scholar

Camia Rosella Capalongo ’27 is one of 677 students nationwide selected for the prestigious honor.

Poster for The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum, Fall 2026, a program of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library.

General

August 14, 2026

The University of Scranton’s Schemel Forum will offer an eclectic lineup of programs this fall, spanning topics including culture, health care, history, media, politics and beyond. The events are sponsored by Munley Law.

The first of the Schemel Forum’s two evening courses this fall explores television series M*A*S*H as a lens through which to examine American culture, war and storytelling. Charlie Cino, English and theatre instructor at The University of Scranton, will lead the course. The second evening course examines Karl Marx’s “Das Kapital,” one of the most debated and influential works of economic and political thought. Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy at The University of Scranton, will lead the course. The M*A*S*H course will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning Sept. 10 and concluding Oct. 15, in Room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library. The Karl Marx course will be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Mondays, beginning Oct. 19 and concluding Nov. 23, also in Room 305 of the library.

The first of four World Affairs Luncheon Seminars will feature Rev. James Martin, S.J. H’17, a New York Times best-selling author and frequent media commentator seen and heard throughout the world. Father Martin’s lecture will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, inside the McIlhenny Ballroom on the fourth floor of the DeNaples Center. Terence Keel, Ph.D., an award-winning professor at UCLA, will discuss death records and accountability in cases involving police violence from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Dr. Keel’s presentation will be held inside the Rose Room on the fifth floor of Brennan Hall. Victor Goines, jazz chair at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, will explore the various forces that have shaped the evolution of jazz from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the Rose Room in Brennan Hall. Steven J. Scheinman, M.D., dean emeritus of the Geisinger College of Health Sciences, will present on the “social determinants of health” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at the Rose Room in Brennan Hall.

The Schemel Forum will co-sponsor two collaborative programs, beginning with Peace Ike’s presentation and discussion on “The 3 Degrees of Why: Moving Beyond Positions to the Stories That Shape Us.” Ike is a culture strategist, dialogue facilitator and speaker who works across secular and faith-based spaces to build bridges and foster cultural transformation. Ike’s presentation, offered in conjunction with the University’s Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities, will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Rose Room of Brennan Hall. Beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Pearn Auditorium on the second floor of Brennan Hall, the documentary,"The Librarians," will be screened. A panel discussion will follow featuring Susan Campbell Bartoletti, an award-winning author; Kate Cummings, assistant professor and research and instruction librarian for business and AI at the University’s Weinberg Memorial Library; and Michele Legate, district consultant for the Northeast Library District, based out of the Scranton Public Library. The screening and panel are presented in partnership with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

The Schemel Forum’s annual University for a Day program will return from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Moskovitz Theater of the DeNaples Center. Participants will attend three lectures presented by University faculty members on topics ranging from theology and mindfulness to college football analytics. Presenters include Will Cohen, Ph.D., professor of theology; Katherine J. Stefanelli, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and human services; and David A. Mahalak, D.Eng., assistant professor of operations and analytics.

Registration fees vary by program and membership level. The collaborative programs are offered free of charge. World Affairs Luncheon Seminars are priced at $30 per person. University for a Day is $35 per person; however, the first 100 high school students to register may attend free of charge. Membership options and package rates are also available.

For complete program details, registration information and membership rates, please visit the Schemel Forum website, email schemelforum@scranton.edu or call 570-941-4740.

Two courses
- M*A*S*H: Television, War and American Culture with Charlie Cino, English and theatre instructor at The University of Scranton (Thursdays Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15 at 6 p.m.)
- Karl Marx’s Das Kapital with Andrew LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy at The University of Scranton (Mondays Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 at 6 p.m.)
Four World Affairs Luncheon Seminars
- James Martin, S.J. H’17, “Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool and Priest (Friday, Sept. 18 at 11:30 a.m.)
- Terence Keel, Ph.D., “The Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence” (Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 11:30 a.m.)
- Victor Goines, “Jazz: From the Streets and Clubs to the Schools and Concert Halls” (Friday, Nov. 6 at 11:30 a.m.)
- Steven J. Scheinman, M.D., “Why Do We Have the Worst Health Care Outcomes? A Consideration of the Social Determinants of Health” (Monday, Nov. 16 at 11:30 a.m.)
Two collaborative programs
- “The 3 Degrees of Why: Moving Beyond Positions to the Stories That Shape Us” with Peace Ike (Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.)
- “The Freedom to Read: A Screening and Panel Discussion of The Librarians” with Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Kate Cummings and Michele Legate (Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.)
One session of University for a Day (Saturday, Sept. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
- “The ‘New Right’ and the Old Liberalism of John Courtney Murray, S.J.” with Will Cohen, Ph.D., professor of theology at The University of Scranton
- “Stress, Mindfulness and Resilience: Small Changes, Big Results!” with Katherine J. Stefanelli, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and human services at The University of Scranton
- “Evaluating Alternative College Football Playoff Structures: A Multicriteria Framework for Balancing Stakeholder Objectives” with David A. Mahalak, D.Eng., assistant professor of operations and analytics at The University of Scranton

Fall Schemel Forum Programs To Feature Nationally Recognized Presenters

The season includes presentations by Rev. James Martin, S.J. H’17, UCLA professor Terence Keel and jazz educator Victor Goines, among others.

A promotional poster highlighting the upcoming concerts at The University of Scranton.

General

August 26, 2026

Performance Music at The University of Scranton is excited to announce to the public its fall concert season public performance lineup.

The concerts are open to the public and free of charge. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted (e.g. Noel Night), and take place in the Houlihan-McLean Center at Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton.

For further information on the concerts or Performance Music at The University of Scranton, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music. For more info on guest artists, please visit their artist websites (links can be found on the events page at scranton.edu/music).

Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
IN RECITAL: BAROQUE OR BUST!
Aisslinn Nosky, violin, and Caroline Nicolas, cello

Saturday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m.
FAMILY WEEKEND CONCERT: SWINGIN’ THE CLASSICS
The Anderson Twins Sextet with an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m.
GENERAL RECITAL
University of Scranton Performance Music student musicians in solo, duo, trio and small ensemble performances

Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
IN RECITAL: SAINTS & SPIRITUALS
Marcus Printup, trumpet, and Riza Printup, harp

Saturday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
IN CONCERT: The University of Scranton Jazz Band with guest artist Victor Goines, woodwinds
(Visit scranton.edu/schemelforum for info on Goines’ luncheon lecture on Friday, Nov. 6.)

Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m.
IN CONCERT: The University of Scranton String Orchestra

Saturday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
IN CONCERT: The University of Scranton Symphonic Band

Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. (prelude from 7:05, doors open at 7)
59th ANNUAL NOEL NIGHT
The University of Scranton Singers, String Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles with special guest Dr. Wycliffe A. Gordon H'06

Friday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.
EMPTY STOCKING BENEFIT CONCERT: HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD featuring Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner, piano
(Admission “charge” is one new unwrapped toy or piece of children’s clothing, or a cash donation. All proceeds will directly benefit local families in need.)

IF YOU GO

What: Free concerts at The University of Scranton
When: September through December 2026
Where: The University of Scranton Houlihan-McLean Center (Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, downtown Scranton)
Admission: Free

Fall Concert Season Schedule Announced

Performance Music at The University of Scranton will host numerous concerts and recitals during the 2026-27 academic year, beginning Friday, Sept. 18. There is no cost to attend the performances.

Faculty

August 10, 2026

Scranton Biology Lab Supervisor Receives National Service Honor

The award celebrates Deborah Wardach’s lasting impact on the professional organization.

Group of staff members standing in a cafe in front of chalkboard menus and a sign reading “Shop Local. Shop Inclusive."

Student

August 10, 2026

A four-week class in the summer provided University of Scranton students with hands-on learning and connection — with a side of culinary practice.

Students in the University’s Distance Education Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program participated in “Recipe for Connection,” a cooking program that paired graduate students with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together, they prepared recipes while practicing communication, social interaction and problem-solving skills in the natural and supportive environment at Coffee Inclusive in Pittston.

“Rather than focusing solely on therapy activities, ‘Recipe for Connection’ creates genuine opportunities for conversation, collaboration and meaningful human connection,” said Tara Carito, the program’s clinical education coordinator. “It is an experience that benefits both our students and the participants they serve.”

Students in the two-year graduate program participated this summer in their in-person clinical experiences through partnerships with Coffee Inclusive, as well as the Scranton School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and the Waverly Community House. These placements allowed students to apply their developing knowledge to real-world settings.

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While cooking may seem like a straight-forward activity, it naturally brings together many of the communication skills needed in speech-language pathologists.

“As a meaningful takeaway from the experience, every participant received a recipe book featuring all of the recipes they created together, allowing them to continue enjoying the meals and memories long after the program concluded,” Professor Carito said.

The graduate students will continue their clinical training in the upcoming academic year through supervised placements in schools in the fall, followed by adult-based clinical placements in the spring.

For additional coverage, please read WVIA’s article about “Recipe for Success.”

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SLP Students Follow ‘Recipe for Connection’ at Pittston Coffee Shop (PHOTOS)

The four-week clinical training experience was hosted at Coffee Inclusive.

Collage of University of Scranton honors program announcements featuring group photos of the Class of 2026 graduates, set against a campus arch background.

Student

July 31, 2026

The dawn of the 2026-27 academic year is just weeks away.

It's not too late, though, to celebrate the year that was, particularly as it relates to The University of Scranton's graduates of distinction in the University's prestigious honors and leadership programs.

Nearly 100 members of the Class of 2026 graduated from one of Scranton's programs of excellence.

Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program

Large group of formally dressed students and faculty posing for a group photo in a conference room, with a purple University of Scranton backdrop behind them.

The Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA) brings together students with an interdisciplinary curriculum rooted in the Jesuit tradition of intellectual excellence, critical inquiry, leadership and service.

This year, SJLA graduated 34 members.

Read the full list by following this link.

University Honors Program

Group portrait of students and faculty posed in two rows in a campus hallway, with several seated in front and others standing behind.

The University Honors Program challenges students through rigorous independent scholarship, close faculty mentorship and advanced inquiry that culminates in significant original research or creative work.

This year, the program graduated 31 members.

Read the full list by following this link.

Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program

Group of students and faculty posed for a formal photo in front of a University of Scranton backdrop, with some seated in chairs and others standing behind.

The Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program provides transformative leadership and service experiences designed to prepare students for exceptional professional success.

This year, the program graduated 19 members.

Read the full list by following this link.

Magis Honors Program in STEM

Group of people posing in front of a purple University of Scranton step-and-repeat backdrop.

The Magis Honors Program in STEM's interdisciplinary research experience fosters scholarly achievement and leadership in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This year, the program graduated seven members.

Read the full list by following this link.

Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program

Group of students and faculty posed for a formal photo in front of a purple University of Scranton backdrop.

The Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program provides high-achieving business students with a four-year experience that combines original research, professional development and leadership formation.

This year, the program graduated six members.

Read the full list by following this link.

Additionally, 60 students were inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities. Juniors, senior and graduate students who have distinguished themselves in loyalty, scholarship and service are eligible for membership into the oldest honor society at Scranton.

Read the full list of inductees at this link.

Also, earlier this summer, the University announced the 65 members of its undergraduate Class of 2026 who were presented with awards honoring their academic excellence, leadership and service.

Read the full list of Class Night award winners at this link.

In addition to the regular Wednesday email newsletter, The University of Scranton's Royal News website is updated continuously throughout the year with new stories, features and announcements. Readers may visit at any time to find the latest news from across the University.

Campus Catch-Up: Honoring Outstanding Class of 2026 Graduates

The University of Scranton's five programs of excellence span numerous areas of academic interest.

The University of Scranton black iron archway at the entrance to campus.

Student

July 28, 2026

University Announces Spring 2026 Dean’s List

Students were named to The University of Scranton Dean’s List for the 2026 spring semester.

Student

July 28, 2026

Students Added to Fall 2025 Dean’s List

Students added to The University of Scranton Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.

Four people pose indoors, smiling as two in the center hold up a check, with a U.S. flag visible in the background.

General

July 31, 2026

SCI Waymart Program Donates to University of Success

The University of Success is fully funded by grants and gifts such as this.

Group of people standing and smiling indoors in front of glass doors, with The University of Scranton seal visible on the carpet in the foreground.

Student

July 31, 2026

As is the case in every professional field, clinical rehabilitation counselors come from various backgrounds.

Aaron Redis, for instance, saw the vocation as an opportunity to combine his interests in advocacy, psychology and social justice. Cassandra Dierolf’s choice to pursue the profession was informed by her personal experience navigating life with perceived limitations. And for Mia Sandy, a year of service work reinforced her decision to return to school as a graduate student.

While Redis, Dierolf, Sandy and their classmates entered the clinical rehabilitation counseling profession for different reasons, they each answered the call and will leave The University of Scranton dedicated to the same goal of helping others achieve independence and become the best version of themselves despite disabilities or chronic health conditions.

It’s only fitting that clinical rehabilitation counseling is one of the most historic, highest-achieving and federally supported programs at Scranton, which prides itself on Jesuit values such as cura personalis (care for the whole person).

“The University of Scranton brings attention to the importance of taking care of each client’s mind, body and spirit,” said Redis, a Bloomsburg native who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s in organizational leadership from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. “Because this perspective resonates with me, I am aware that a client’s psychological state, social support network, physical health and career objectives must all be taken into account in order to provide effective counseling.”

Therein lies the unique distinction about clinical rehabilitation counselors. They go beyond helping clients work through emotional or psychological challenges and are trained to address a client’s social, physical and other barriers that may stand in the way of a full and independent life.

“The inherent focus on commitment to social inclusion, holism, autonomy and resilience are all things that we need more of in society today,” Redis said.

A five-year, nearly $1 million grant ($999,909.16, to be exact) is helping Scranton train the next generation of clinical rehabilitation counselors. Announced earlier this year in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration and U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan ’12, the grant provides funding for student scholarships and expansion of program access by adding a fully online version of the program, directed by Samantha Herrick, Ph.D., as it seeks to address workforce shortages.

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The need for highly qualified rehabilitation counselors is significant, as is their impact.

Scranton’s clinical rehabilitation counseling program recently celebrated its 60-year anniversary, a span during which its graduates have served at least 1.5 million people with disabilities. Research shows that state vocational rehabilitation professionals with a master’s in rehabilitation counseling are also more likely to help clients achieve successful outcomes more quickly and with fewer state and federal resources, as opposed to professionals who hold other degrees.

Group of six adults smiling at an indoor celebration, standing in front of large silver “60” balloons and purple-and-white decorations. Dierolf, of Larksville, understands better than most the impact that can be made with proper resources and a supportive team.

Diagnosed with autism at three years old, Dierolf was told by professionals that she may never drive nor live independently.

“I got my driver’s license at 16 and have built an independent life while pursuing a meaningful and fulfilling career path,” she said.

While Dierolf kept her diagnosis private for many years, she has openly shared her story in hopes that it inspires others to embrace their identities. This, she believes, will help with treating clients — and it already aided her in other opportunities, such as serving as a job coach and direct support professional for adults with intellectual disabilities at PA Inclusive.

A graduate of Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Dierolf has made the most of her time at Scranton by getting involved with the Performance Music program and earning induction into Chi Delta Rho, the counseling honor society, among other things.

“Each experience has reinforced my commitment to advocacy, accessibility and empowering individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential,” Dierolf said.

Unlike Redis and Dierolf, Sandy completed her undergraduate studies at Scranton. She says she was “forever changed” while pursuing her degree in counseling and human services — and not only because of her coursework and mentors but because of a foundational experience with First-years Involved in Reflective Service Together (FIRST), a weeklong volunteer program that allows students to get involved in the community and see the impact they can make.

After graduating from Scranton in 2023, Sandy, a Scranton native, took a gap year to complete a service experience as an AmeriCorps member at Maggie’s Place in Phoenix, Arizona.

She returned to Scranton in 2024, prepared and inspired to follow another Jesuit ideal of “walking for and with others.”

“We are taught from the beginning of the program that anyone, at any time, can be diagnosed with a disability or acquire one,” Sandy said. “This career path became my passion, but like many counselors, I struggled with impostor syndrome and worrying about working with clients who may have very different life experiences compared to my own. …

“My experience at Maggie’s Place was fundamental in my choice to return to Scranton. I was surrounded by so many individuals with very different life experiences, and at the core of it all, I was relying on my rehabilitation background to support them.”

Sandy, who completed her graduate studies this past spring and was immediately hired by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blind and Visual Services in Wilkes-Barre, shares fond recollections of the fourth floor of McGurrin Hall, where she was pushed to learn and acquire the skills and tools that she now shares with clients.

Nine people pose together indoors, standing on carpet with the University of Scranton seal visible on the floor. For Sandy, though, those classrooms, hallways and peers represent something even deeper, having suffered the unexpected death in November of her father. She leaned on her clinical rehabilitation counseling community to get through her toughest times, including stepping up to become the legal guardian for her two teenage siblings.

“Many people would offer guidance and share their experiences, which healed me in so many ways,” Sandy said. “It is something I will never, ever forget and something that I will always carry with me. I never felt alone, and there is nothing more important to me than making sure whoever I work with has the same experience. …

“We, as students, get a lot more from this program than just a good education. We get to understand the commitment of showing up for ourselves, our clients and most importantly each other.”

Scranton’s RSA Scholars Support Critical Needs: ‘More Than Just a Good Education’

Three clinical rehabilitation counseling graduate students, supported by aid from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration, reflect on their passion for advocacy.

Pope Leo XIV and Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., shake hands in an ornate room.

General

August 1, 2026

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University of Scranton president, took part in a portion of this year's Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Pilgrimage to Rome, where he and his peers met Pope Leo XIV.

Father Marina met with the Pope on Thursday, June 25, at Consistory Hall, where Pope Leo acknowledged the challenges facing humanity and higher education.

“Often times young people are left without hope in a world that seems to lack the promise of a better future, and the natural environment continues to be degraded by those who would use the planet’s resources for their own interests instead of for the common good,” Pope Leo said. “Our world is also increasingly aware of the growing impact of artificial intelligence and the wider-ranging effects it can have on humanity.”

Pope Leo encouraged the AJCU delegation to address these challenges, using a framework provided by the Society of Jesus’ four Universal Apostolic Preferences as their guide. The full text of Pope Leo’s address is available online.

“Students normally begin their academic careers full of idealism and energy, often seeking to serve the needs of others,” Pope Leo said. “The studies that take place on your campuses, the friendships that naturally blossom there and the opportunity for all in your academic communities to encounter the thought and research of great scholars, both past and present, can bring a sense of hope and the promise of what could change for the better.”

Father Marina, who entered the Society of Jesus in 2004 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2012, described the experience as “inspiring.”

“It’s hard to describe what it feels like and how inspiring it is when you’re there not only representing yourself, but a much broader reality, namely the mission of Jesuit higher education and The University of Scranton,” Father Marina said. “I was very proud to represent this fine institution that we all know and love so well.

“And I want to bring that experience back here to Scranton. It should not be just a memory and an experience that I had but something that we can all share together.”

Father Marina’s cohort also met with Very Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., superior general of the Society of Jesus.

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A photograph of the presidents’ meeting with Father Sosa appeared in a news article on the AJCU’s website. A gallery of online images is posted on the Vatican Media website.

Born in Chicago, Pope Leo was elected last year as the United States of America’s first leader of the Roman Catholic Church. His predecessor, Pope Francis, who served from 2013 until his death in 2025, was the first Jesuit pontiff.

Father Marina has served since 2021 as The University of Scranton’s 29th president. He previously served as an administrator at institutions of higher learning including Le Moyne College, where he was provost and vice president for academic affairs and professor of education. He is a graduate of St. John’s University, Boston College and Fordham University.

Large group of people posing for a photo in a lobby with warm lighting, wall art, and a clock. — Members of the AJCU delegation met with Very Rev. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Image by the Jesuit Curia via ajcunet.edu.

Founded in 1888, The University of Scranton offers 70 majors, more than 40 graduate programs and has been recognized in recent national rankings by U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Princeton Review and Forbes. The most recent First Destination Survey by the Roche Family Center for Career Development revealed success rates of 99% and 100% for Scranton's undergraduate and graduate members of the Class of 2024.

The Society of Jesus is the Catholic Church’s largest religious order of priests and brothers. The AJCU is comprised of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities spanning 17 states, the District of Columbia and Belize.

Father Marina Reflects on Meeting Pope Leo XIV (Video + Photos)

The University of Scranton’s president and other leaders of Jesuit colleges and universities received the Pope’s message and blessing.

Three flags, including the U.S. flag, flying on tall poles above a stone plaza.

General

July 2, 2026

EDITOR'S NOTE: This message, written by Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, was shared ahead of Independence Day with members of the University community.

Dear Friends,

Yes, I am old enough to remember the bicentennial celebration of the United States of America in 1976! In fact, it occurred in the same year that I graduated from elementary school. Now, as the USA approaches its 250-year anniversary, Scranton continues to show forth a resilient people and a nation still emerging.

When I moved to Scranton more than five years ago, I carved out a daily walking route that took me through the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces just beyond Fitzpatrick Field. I remember being moved by those moments of stillness, peering over the ledge into the silos and imagining the booming, back-breaking work being done by thousands of Scrantonians in the 19th century.

I learned during my early days in Scranton that, before iron rails and anthracite coal defined the local industry, there was a previous attempt to advance commerce in the Area by manufacturing wrought iron nails. I also read that the nails produced here often failed. They were brittle and broke easily. The venture to build up Northeastern PA nearly went from boom to bust but was saved when proprietors deftly ditched the nails for rails, giving way to something stronger and more enduring.

And yet, the thought of those nails lingers in my mind — an early failure at the root of a story about reinvention and strength.

We know that not all nails fail. In the saving death of Jesus, the nails held. They pierced both his hands and feet, bearing the full weight of suffering and sacrifice as the life of the world itself seemed to give way.

However, something much greater was unfolding. What appeared to be the end was actually a beginning and what seemed to be defined by death was, in fact, transformed into life eternal.

Both stories, one industrial and one sacred, reflect the passage of hardship into something brighter and enduring. Each story reflects the truth of a people and perhaps a nation: that we are formed not only by what succeeds, but by how we endure and respond in the face of challenge. We are saved by grace, not by nationalism.

As we reflect upon America’s 250th birthday through a local lens, what can we discover here in Scranton?

To begin with, our summer is already an active one. The great Big Boy train engine rolled into town a couple of weeks ago with much fanfare, drawing tens of thousands of onlookers. The city’s downtown has “World Cup fever," with fans gathering for live entertainment and festive fun. Incoming first-year students have carried their hopes and dreams onto our campus for New Student Orientation and our summer schedule of camps and conferences is just revving up.

While our coal mines and iron furnaces have been quiet and cool for decades, hard work in our city and at our University has not gone away. It has simply taken on new forms inside classrooms, laboratories, hospitals and small businesses where another kind of labor, which calls for its own endurance and skill, has emerged.

These do not feel like separate moments but signs of life instead, continuing at a place still gathering, still welcoming, still becoming. We do not see a story of uninterrupted success but instead something more honest and human. We see a place and a country shaped by what breaks and by what holds.

On behalf of my Jesuit brothers, please accept my very best wishes and promise of prayers on this great anniversary of our nation. May the very best still lie ahead of us, for our nation and for our mission.

Yours faithfully,
Joseph G. Marina, S.J.
President

Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, reflects on Scranton and its role in U.S. history.

Group of students standing on a grassy campus lawn in front of a multi-story brick building with large windows, surrounded by trees.

General

June 30, 2026

The University of Scranton's New Student Orientation for the Class of 2030 concludes on Thursday, July 2, capping a two-week, four-session program that offered incoming students a first look at campus life and connections with classmates, faculty and staff.

Across the sessions, students were introduced to the academic, extracurricular and community opportunities that define the Scranton experience. A large group of orientation leaders and staff members guided the newest Royals — and their family members — through the transition to college, encouraging them to engage fully, build relationships and begin finding their place within the University community.

The incoming students were divided into four groups who each participated in a two-day orientation session. The fourth and final group began its session on Wednesday, July 1.

The University's 2026-2027 academic year begins with the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 31.

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This Year’s Leaders Share Advice for New Student Orientation

Four students in matching purple polo shirts pose outdoors in front of campus buildings and a large university seal on a glass facade.

Ahead of this year's New Student Orientation, Royal News caught up with the four current undergraduate students who served as Orientation Team Leaders.

Click here to read what Mary McAlpin, Michael Mancini, Gavin Kovaleski and Michael Zipay shared with readers and incoming students.

Pope Francis Co-author Speaks at University's Judaic Studies Lecture

Individual in a suit and glasses speaks at a podium labeled "The University of Scranton" in a lecture hall.

While the University turns its attention to the upcoming school year, we aren't too far removed from the end of the past school year.

One of the highlights late in the spring term included Rabbi Abraham Skorka, Ph.D., a globally recognized scholar, author and longtime collaborator of Pope Francis, who visited Scranton to deliver the Judaic Studies Institute Lecture.

Click here to read more about Dr. Skorka's appearance.

University to Honor Robert S. '68 and Marilyn A. Weiss at President's Medal Gala

In case you missed it, the University announced this year's President's Medal Gala will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, at Pier Sixty in New York City.

Click here for more information about the upcoming event and the President's Medal recipients, Robert S. '68 and Marilyn A. Weiss.

In addition to the regular Wednesday email newsletter, The University of Scranton's Royal News website is updated continuously throughout the year with new stories, features and announcements. Readers may visit at any time to find the latest news from across the University.

Campus Catch-Up: Welcoming the Class of 2030

The newest members to the University's community arrived on campus in late June and early July for New Student Orientation.

Pictured are members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from the University Honors Program wiht the program director.

Student

June 30, 2026

Thirty-one members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from the University Honors Program, which is one of the Jesuit university’s programs of excellence. 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.

The following is a list of the class of 2026 University Honors Program graduates and their faculty mentors and their research projects.

Amber H. Armitage, Stroudsburg, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Armitage worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis project titled "Neuroprotective Effects of Pagonomyrmex badius Venom on PTZ-Induced Seizure Activity in Camponotus floridanus."

David P. Banko, Wind Gap, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry major. Banko worked with faculty advisor Michael Fennie, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, on a thesis project titled "Syntheses of 4-Azidoproline and 4-Cyanamidoproline."

Connor Patrick Brophy, Macungie, graduated, cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology major and member of the Magis Honors Program in STEM. Brophy worked with faculty advisor Riddhiman Medhi, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, on a thesis project titled "Silver Nanoparticles & Sensing Capabilities Ysiny Machine Learning and Statistics."

Christopher G. Conboy, Yardley, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Conboy worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology.

Erica C. Czerwinski, Burlington, Massachusetts, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology and philosophy double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Czerwinski worked with faculty advisor Jill A. Warker, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, on a thesis project titled "The Effect of Different Types of Lies on Destination Memory."

Philip R. Danchik, Woodbine, Maryland, graduated as a chemistry major. Danchik worked with faculty advisor Riddhiman Medhi, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, on a thesis project titled "Removal of Methylene Blue Dye from Water by Magnetic Nio.6Co0.4Fe2O4 Nanoparticles in a Silica Matrix."

Ethan C. Distler, Royersford, graduated, cum laude, as a mechanical engineering major. Distler worked with faculty advisor Mojib Saei, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and engineering, on a thesis project titled "Transmission Maintenance Mount."

Rebecca R. Doyle, Massapequa, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and physiology double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Doyle was the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. Doyle worked with faculty advisor Krisy Elrod, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and human services, on a thesis project titled "Music on the Brain - A Neurological and Philosophical Review of the Emotional Processing of Songs."

Marc K. Guillet, Lindenhurst, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Guillet worked with faculty advisor Robert Smith, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis project titled "Effects of Parasite Load, Body Condition."

Marilyn Keating, New Providence, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a communication sciences and disorders major. Keating worked with faculty advisor Hope Baylow, D.A., associate professor of health and human performance, on a thesis project titled "Managing ARFID and PFD in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Scoping Review of Behavioral and Feeding Treatments."

Madison Jean Kuharchik, West Pittston, graduated, magna cum laude, as a forensic chemistry major. Kuharchik worked with faculty advisor John C. Deak, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, on a thesis project titled "Using Partial Molar Volume to Determine Differences in Glucose Molecular Properties."

Jenna M. LaBarca, Tuckahoe, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a English and criminal justice double major. LaBarca worked with faculty advisor Michael J. Jenkins, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Sociology, on a thesis project titled "Comparison of the American and Italian Legal Systems through the Maxi Trials, Amanda Knox Trial and O.J. Simpson Trial."

Grace V. Lennox, Peckville, graduated, summa cum laude, as a political science and philosophy double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Lennox worked with faculty advisor Joyanna S. Hopper, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, on a thesis project titled "Local Labor Leadership & Political Approaches in Northeastern Pennsylvania."

Grace L. Lloyd, Yardley, graduated, summa cum laude, as an individualized major and member of the Magis Honors Program in STEM. Lloyd worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis project titled "Computational Modeling of Temperature-Dependent Prion Protein Misfolding."

Allison M. Magee, Harleysville, graduated, summa cum laude, as a mathematical sciences and economics - social sciences double major. Magee was the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. Magee worked with faculty advisor Aram R. Balagyozyan, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, finance and international business, on a thesis project titled "Hot-handed Effect and Gambler's Fallacy in Equity Markets: Evidence from Short-selling Data."

Ian T. Mahalek, Fairfax, Virginia, graduated, summa cum laude, as an environmental science major. Mahalek worked with faculty advisor Christopher Howey, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Biology Department, on a thesis project titled "The Effects of Prescribed Fire on Stream Habitats and Impact on Salamander Biodiversity."

Thomas Edward Marine, Cockeysville, Maryland, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biochemistry major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Marine worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis project titled "Synthesis of Tetraarylmethanes and Diaryl Ethers."

Dylan P. Matamala, New Rochelle, New York, graduated, cum laude, as a psychology major. Matamala worked with faculty advisor Jason Shrive, J.D., faculty specialist for criminal justice, cybersecurity and sociology, on a thesis project titled "From Amateurism to Professionalism: The Legal Evolution and Future of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in College Athletics."

Kylie K. Matulich, Bellmore, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a business administration major. Matulich worked with faculty advisor Rose Sebastianelli, Ph.D., professor of operations and analytics, on a thesis project titled "An Empirical Examination of the Bloomberg Gender Equity Index."

Nathan A. Micknick, Jermyn, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Micknick worked with faculty advisor Gary Kwiecinski, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis project titled "Androgen and Estrogen Impacts on Bone Development."

Faith E. Montagnino, Morganville, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an English major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Montagnino worked with faculty advisor Billie R. Tadros, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre, on a thesis project titled "The Wound as Method: Pain, Language, and Feminist Knowledge in Confessional and Post-Confessional Poetry."

Michael R. Nicotera, Mountain Top, graduated, magna cum laude, as an economics and philosophy double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. Nicotera worked with faculty advisor Andrew T. LaZella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, on a thesis project titled "Marx Was a German Philosopher: Misunderstanding and Mischaracteriation of the Labor Theory of Value."

Janvi R. Patel, Scranton, graduated, magna cum laude, as an English major. Patel worked with faculty advisor Robert (Hank) Willenbrink, Ph.D., professor of English and theatre, on a thesis project titled "Autonomy: The Quest."

Kiera K. Ronan, Mamaroneck, New York, graduated as a neuroscience major.

Melissa J. Schweizer, Sparta, New Jersey, graduated, cum laude, as a nursing major.

Therese J. Shimkus, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a historyand philosophy double major.Shimkus worked with faculty advisor Patrick A. Tully, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Philosophy Department, on a thesis project titled "Natual Law and the Death Penalty."

Samantha R. Sonnie, Philadelphia, graduated, summa cum laude, as a journalism and electronic media major. Sonnie worked with faculty advisor Brian J. Snee, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and media, on a thesis project titled "Conspiracy Theories and The Media: Q'Anon Theory."

John C. Thomas, Danville, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major and member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Thomas worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis project titled "The Effects of CO2 on Memory in Camponotus floridanus."

Ashlyn Urbanski, Pittston, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and mathematical sciences double major. Urbanski was the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. Urbanski worked with faculty advisor Joseph J. Klobusicky, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, on a thesis project titled "Two Problems in Computational Geometry."

Jordon B. Wagner, Falls, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology major. Wagner worked with faculty advisor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biology, on a thesis project titled "Integration of Haltere Feedback with Physical Stimuli in Dipterans."

Jared P. White, Clarks Summit, graduated, summa cum laude, as a political science and philosophy double major. White worked with faculty advisor Joyanna S. Hopper, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, on a thesis project titled "Trust in the Digital Age: Podcasts, Alternative Media, and the Reconfiguration of Institutional legitimacy."

Sean Brennan, Ph.D., professor of history, serves as the director of the University Honors Program.

Class of 2026 University Honors Program Graduates

Thirty-one members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from the undergraduate University Honors Program.

Pictured are members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program with the program director.

Student

June 30, 2026

Thirty-four members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA), which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. 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.

The following is a list of the class of 2026 SJLA Honors Program graduates and their majors.

Dermot I. Alvidrez, Summit, New Jersey, graduated as a journalism and electronic media major.

Jordan L. Badman, Sunbury, graduated, summa cum laude, as a kinesiology major.

Jamison C. Bessoir, Clarks Summit, graduated, magna cum laude, as a management and philosophy double major.

Emily R. Carey, Monroe Township, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a public policy and service and philosophy double major.

Aryan M. Chandavarkar, Westborough, Massachusetts, graduated as an electrical engineering and philosophy double major.

Christopher G. Conboy, Yardley, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major and member of the University Honors Program

Adelle K. Confer, Canton, graduated, magna cum laude, as an English and philosophy double major.

Erica C. Czerwinski, Burlington, Massachusetts, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology and philosophy double major and member of the University Honors Program

Sophia C. da Costa, Ambler, graduated, cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major.

Lauren N. DeSantis, Copiague, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as an English and philosophy double major.

Mason S. DiCesare, Feasterville Trevose, graduated as a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major.

Joseph T. Dolan, Conshohocken, graduated, summa cum laude, as a computer science major.

Rebecca R. Doyle, Massapequa, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and physiology double major and member of the University Honors Program. Doyle is also the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Kevin P. Finning, Rockville Centre, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a history and philosophy double major.

Roseanna L. Hessler, Warrington, graduated as a neuroscience major.

Sean H. Kavanagh, White Plains, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a history and philosophy double major.

Grace V. Lennox, Peckville, graduated, summa cum laude, as a political science and philosophy double major and member of the University Honors Program

Thomas E. Marine, Cockeysville, Maryland, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biochemistry major and member of the University Honors Program

Sofia Mastellone, Wayne, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology major and member of the Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program

Joseph J. Mazich, Sparta, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a business analytics major.

Molly R. McGuinness, Stewart Manor, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a communication sciences and disorders major.

Olivia N. Miller, Phoenixville, graduated, summa cum laude, as an operations management major and member of the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program

Faith E. Montagnino, Morganville, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an English major and member of the University Honors Program

Michael R. Nicotera, Mountain Top, graduated, magna cum laude, as an economics and philosophy double major and member of the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program, Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program and the Undergraduate Honors Program

Thomas W. Noll, Scranton, graduated as a biology and philosophy double major.

Brian M. O'Connor, Sussex, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a mechanical engineering major.

Buse Z. Onat, S Abington Twp., graduated, cum laude, as a cybercrime and homeland security, criminal justice and philosophy triple major.

Gabriella M. Palmer, Phoenixville, graduated, magna cum laude, as an English and theatre major.

Sophia G. Perrin, Milford, graduated, cum laude, as a History, philosophy and theology and religious studies triple major.

Rebecca F. Potter, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a physics and philosophy double major.

John C. Thomas, Danville, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major and member of the University Honors Program

Nicholas S. Tollefsen, Rockville Ctr, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance and philosophy double major and member of the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program

Joseph T. Vazquez, Nutley, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology and philosophy double major.

Molly E. White, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a communication major.

Daniel Haggerty, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Philosophy Department, serves as the director of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program Graduates

Thirty-four members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

pictured are members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from Scranton’s Magis Honors Program in STEM, one of the Jesuit school’s five programs of excellence and the faculty directors for the program.

Student

June 30, 2026

Seven members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Magis Honors Program in STEM. The program, which is one of the Jesuit school’s five honors programs. combines the development of STEM knowledge and research techniques with programming to further the students’ understanding of the impact science has on society.

The Magis Honors Program in STEM offers talented students 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.

The following members of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated as members of the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Connor P. Brophy, Macungie, graduated, cum laude, as a Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology major and as a member of the University Honors Program. Brophy worked with faculty mentor Riddiman Medhi, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, on a thesis project entitled "Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their ability to detect things in the environment."

Alyssa M. Cosklo, Fell Township, graduated, summa cum laude, as a Biology major. Cosklo worked with faculty mentor Amelia Randich, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, on a thesis project entitled "Characterizing the growth and morphology/reproductive method of the marine Caulobacteria Henriciella pelagia." Cosklo is the recipeint of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Grace L. Lloyd, Yardley, graduated, summa cum laude, as an individualized major and as a member of the University Honors Program. Lloyd worked with faculty mentor Marc Seid, Ph.D., professor of biologyon a thesis project entitled "Thermal dynamics of prion and protein misfolding: A compuational approach."

Alexa R. Martinez, Walden, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology major. Martinez worked with faculty mentor Michael Hague, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, on a thesis project entitled "Effects of transmission of the parasite Wolbachia."

Sheldon S. Myers, Downingtown, graduated, summa cum laude, as a Biochemistry major. Myers worked with faculty mentor Michael Fennie, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, on a thesis project entitled “Cyano and Azido Tryptophan Probe Synthesis for Use in 2D IR Spectroscopic Protein Structure Elucidation.”

Hailey C. Patts, Harding, graduated, summa cum laude, as a Biochemistry major. Patts worked with faculty mentor Michael Fennie, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, on a thesis project entitled "Effects of the estrous cycle on Parkinson's Disease in female mice."

Daniella M. Scanlon, Goshen, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a Neuroscience major. Scanlon worked with faculty mentor Chris Howey, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Biology Department, on a thesis project entitled "Ambient light at night and how it affects the behavior of male anoles."

Declan Mulhall, Ph.D., professor of physics and engineering, and Amelia Randich, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, serve as the directors of the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Class of 2026 Graduates of Magis Honors Program in STEM

Seven members of the University’s class of 2026 graduated from the Jesuit school’s Magis Honors Program in STEM.

pictured are Six members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from the Jesuit school’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program with faculty advisors.

Student

June 30, 2026

Six members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program, which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. Students in this 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.

The Business Honors Program students presented their senior projects to a panel of judges in early May. Grace Boyle received the award for best senior project, and Colin Merriman and Frederick Rollo received honorable mention awards.

The following is a list of the class of 2026 Business Honors Program graduates and their majors, as well as their faculty mentors and research project.

Karleigh A. Capobianco, Long Beach, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a business analytics major. Capobianco was also a member of the Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. Capobianco worked with faculty advisor David Mahalak, Ph.D., professor of operations and analytics, on a thesis project titled "Uncovering the Impact of Social ESG Through Firm Clustering."

Dean J. Finan, Malvern, graduated, summa cum laude, as a finance and business analytics major. Finan was also a member of the Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program and was the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. Finan worked with faculty advisor Pedro Monteiro, Ph.D., assistant professor of finance, on a thesis project titled "Government Spending Uncertainty and the Systematic Risk of Corporate Bonds: Asymmetric Effects Across Credit Quality."

Olivia N. Miller, Phoenixville, graduated, summa cum laude, as an operations management major. Miller was also a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Miller worked with faculty advisor Ozgur Isil, M.B.A., Ph.D., associate professor of operations and analytics, on a thesis project titled "Overproduction by Design: How Fast Fashion Supply Chains Drive Textile Waste and the Offsets of Secondhand Market Solutions."

Michael R. Nicotera, Mountain Top, graduated, magna cum laude, as an economics and philosophy major. Nicotera was also a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program and the Undergraduate Honors Program. Nicotera worked with faculty advisor Andrew Lazella, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, on a thesis project titled "Marx the Economist vs. Marx the Philosopher: Limitations of a Popular Reading of Marx's Writings."

Camille C. Schwabe, Harleysville, graduated, summa cum laude, as a business administration major. Schwabe worked with faculty advisor John Ruddy, D.P.S. '91, associate professor of economics, finance, and international business, on a thesis project titled "Evaluating PRISM Portfolio Performance (2020–2025)."

Nicholas S. Tollefsen, Rockville Centre, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance and philosophy major. Tollefsen was also a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Tollefsen worked with faculty advisor Jinghan Cai. Ph.D., associate professor of economics, finance, and international business, on a thesis project titled "Local Sentiment and Alpha: Evidence from Country‑, State‑, and County‑Level Twitter Data."

Aram Balagyozyan, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, serves as director of the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program.

Class of 2026 Business Honors Program Graduates

Six members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program.

Pictured are members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 who graduated from the Jesuit school’s Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program.

Student

June 30, 2026

Nineteen members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program, which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. 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.

The following is a list of the class of 2026 Business Leadership Honors Program graduates and their majors.

Matthew J. Almonte, East Stroudsburg, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance major. Almonte was also the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Luca J. Baratta, Richboro, graduated, summa cum laude, as a finance major. Baratta was also the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Owen P. Barlow, Chesterfield, New Jersey, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance major.

Katie E. Brennan, Bohemia, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a business analytics major.

Camia R. Capalongo, Scranton, graduated as an accounting major.

Karleigh A. Capobianco, Long Beach, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a business analytics major. Capobianco was also a member of the University's Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program.

Nathan F. Clarke, Malvern, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major.

Philip J. Evan, Kingston, graduated, summa cum laude, as a finance and economics double major.

Dean J. Finan, Malvern, graduated, summa cum laude, as a finance and business analytics double major. Finan was also a member of the University's Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the recipient of the University's four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Phoebe A. Glidewell, Clarks Summit, graduated, summa cum laude, as a accounting major.

Matthew Hanley, Staten Island, New York, graduated, magna cum laude, as a business administration major.

Ryan W. Hanley, Dumont, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a accounting major.

Sofia Mastellone, Wayne, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology and finance double major. Mastellone was also a member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Denis P. McBride, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an applied computing major.

Ava M. Milicia, Holbrook, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as an accounting major.

Michael R. Nicotera, Mountain Top, graduated, magna cum laude, as an economics and philosophy major. Nicotera was also a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the Undergraduate Honors Program.

Jakub Niemczyk, Bartonsville, graduated, magna cum laude, as a finance and economics double major.

Kaeli M. Romanowski, Lake Ariel, graduated, summa cum laude, as a finance major.

Nicole C. Tonny, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a marketing major.

Robert McKeage, Ph.D., associate professor of management, marketing and entrepreneurship, serves as director of the University’s Business Leadership Honors Program.

2026 Business Leadership Honors Program Graduates

Nineteen members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2026 graduated from its Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program.

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Faculty

June 30, 2026

Stampone, a Scranton Alumna and Professor, Re-Appointed to PICPA Board

The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants has nearly 18,000 members.

Three circular headshots of smiling people overlaid on a campus building background.

Faculty

July 1, 2026

A research team from The University of Scranton has set out to answer a few questions whose answers may benefit communication systems around the world.

NASA’s Heliophysics Citizen Science Investigations program awarded the University a $568,117 grant to discover more information about the weather in space and how those conditions affect the reliability of high-frequency communication systems used on Earth.

The three-year project, titled “Ionospheric Model Validation and Development of an Open-Source High Frequency Ray-Tracing Toolkit” is led by Kornyanat "Kukkai" Hozumi, Ph.D., research scientist at Scranton. Dr. Hozumi is serving as the principal investigator with collaborators Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., associate professor of physics and engineering, and Mark Fenner, Ph.D., assistant professor of computing sciences, on the interdisciplinary team. The grant was awarded in February 2026 with work slated to continue through January 2029.

The Scranton team is researching how radio waves travel through the ionosphere, a region of the upper atmosphere that enables long-distance radio communication. Disturbances caused by solar activity can disrupt these signals, affecting aviation, emergency alerts, military operations and global radio networks.

Researchers will develop a freely available, open-source software toolkit capable of modeling radio wave propagation in three dimensions. This represents a significant advancement from the earlier two-dimensional tools.

Amateur radio operators from within the influential and prolific Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) community will test tools and contribute data that will then be analyzed by the researchers.

While several aspects of the work have already been outlined, the project centers on four key goals: 1. Developing a three-dimensional, open-source, high-frequency ray-tracing toolkit; 2. Validating leading ionospheric models using data from the global HamSCI network; 3. Studying space weather’s effects on radio signals; 4. Broadening access to data through public seminars and other avenues that support researchers, students and amateur radio operators.

Earlier this year, The University of Scranton received a three-year, $600,000 grant from the Office of Naval Research regarding ionospheric research.

Scranton Researchers Awarded NASA Grant Totaling More Than a Half-Million Dollars

Researchers from The University of Scranton are aiming to better understand space weather with an end goal of improving global communications.

Collage of awards event photos showing groups posing with a plaque in front of a University of Scranton backdrop and an audience seated at a banquet-style presentation.

Faculty

July 31, 2026

The University of Scranton’s Provost’s Faculty Enhancement Awards are some of the University’s most coveted prizes, presented with the intention of encouraging, supporting, promoting and recognizing the efforts of faculty who strive for and achieve distinction and excellence in their work.

This year, nine Provost Awards were presented Thursday, May 14, at the McIlhenny Ballroom inside the DeNaples Center.

Award recipients included:

Four people pose in front of a University of Scranton step-and-repeat backdrop.ard.

Honoring exceptional leadership in shared governance and academic planning, Andrew Venezia, Ph.D., associate professor of health and human performance, earned the Award for Academic Leadership and Institutional Stewardship. Dr. Venezia’s extensive service across more than 10 committees, including key chair roles, fosters collaboration, transparency and institutional strength while advancing faculty engagement and academic excellence throughout the University. As Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee chair alone, he convenes weekly meetings and works daily with various dean’s offices, the registrar, the provost and faculty from all three colleges.

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Honoring a commitment to justice, human dignity and belonging, the Beloved Community Faculty Enhancement Award recognizes Kate Cummings, assistant professor and research and instruction librarian for the University’s Weinberg Memorial Library. Professor Cummings’ leadership in promoting intellectual freedom and equitable access to knowledge has earned widespread recognition. In 2025, she was elected as the Pennsylvania Library Association’s vice president and president-elect, a three-year commitment that will culminate in her leading the state’s library association.

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Advancing care for creation and environmental justice, the Laudato Si’ Award honors Rich Larsen, professor of English and theatre. Professor Larsen has demonstrated decades of sustainable theatre practices, including innovative material reuse and eco-conscious design, long before sustainability became an institutional priority. His scenic design for a recent musical production used an estimated just $400 in new materials with the rest assembled entirely from stock and donated and reclaimed items, demonstrating how the arts can model creative stewardship of the natural world.

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Recognizing excellence in outcomes-based education, the Award for Assessment and Educational Effectiveness honors the Department of Counseling and Human Services. Across their five degree programs, CHS faculty members commit themselves to helping their graduates become competent practitioners who are genuinely prepared to care for those they serve. The department assesses its students through transparent and rigorous practices and while using a continuous feedback model that drives student and programmatic success, building a culture of assessment that benefits the entire University and its people.

Group of seven people pose in front of a University of Scranton step-and-repeat backdrop.

Honoring innovative and mission-centered collaboration, the Award for Mission-Driven Innovation and Partnerships recognizes the Department of Crime, Justice and Security. The department's Center for the Analysis and Prevention of Crime engages students with community partners to address real-world challenges while advancing justice, public safety and transformative student learning. Partner organizations include the Scranton Police Department, the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Youth and Family Services, among others. The department also runs an annual cyber camp in the summer, providing training to high school students.

Four people pose in front of a University of Scranton step-and-repeat backdrop, with one person holding a glass award plaque.

Group of four people pose in front of a University of Scranton step-and-repeat backdrop

Celebrating outstanding scholarly achievement, the Award for Research and Scholarly Practice recognizes corecipients Spencer Galen, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, and Marc Shapiro, Ph.D., professor and chair of theology and religious studies. Dr. Galen’s prolific research record includes 14 articles and a book chapter in an open-source textbook. He has also generated significant external funding and his work has been cited hundreds of times. Dr. Shapiro’s decades of leadership in Judaic Studies at Scranton has elevated the University’s international reputation and connections within worldwide Jewish communities. He is the author of nine books — with Nos. 10 and 11 in progress — and his most recent book about Rav Kook was a finalist for the prestigious Rabbi Sacks Book Prize.

Four people pose at a University of Scranton event in front of a purple step-and-repeat backdrop.

Recognizing innovative teaching excellence, the Award for Transformative Teaching and Learning honors Ovidiu Cocieru, Ph.D., associate professor of management. Dr. Cocieru’s Classroom-as-Organization (CAO) approach is a research-based model in which students live organizational life rather than simulating it. For instance, his students in MGT 430 plan and execute Scranton SoccerFest every spring. Dr. Cocieru’s instruction strengthens student engagement and awards real authority to students. He has authored six peer-reviewed publications on CAO pedagogy, establishing him as a national authority on the subject.

Four people pose at a University of Scranton event in front of a purple step-and-repeat backdrop.

Honoring sustained excellence across teaching, scholarship and service, the Magis Award recognizes Debra Fetherman, Ph.D., professor and chair of health and human performance. Dr. Fetherman’s leadership as Community-Based Learning’s (CBL) faculty coordinator has exemplified Ignatian values and prepared students to lead lives of purpose and service. She has led faculty workshops, supported colleagues in integrating CBL into their courses and secured grant funding. She also plays a central role in the Leahy College of Health Sciences’ TAPESTRY program, which introduces first-year students to Jesuit values to guide seniors to discern how those values will shape their professional lives.

Four people pose at a University of Scranton event in front of a purple step-and-repeat backdrop.

Additionally, Ann "Nancy" Cummings, management and marketing faculty specialist, received the Faculty Senate Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. The award recognizes a faculty member's dedication to teaching graduate students in an encouraging and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes critical thinking and learning. Last year's award winner, Wesam Alramadeen, assistant professor of operations and analytics, presented the award to Professor Cummings.

The University also honored a group of distinguished faculty members who are transitioning into scholarly pursuits, personal projects or retirement, among other things. The group includes Rev. Timothy Cadigan, S.J., Jones DeRitter, Ph.D., Michael Friedman, Ph.D., Jean Harris, Ph.D., Bonnie Markowski, MFA, and Terrence Sweeney, Ph.D., of the College of Arts and Sciences; Robert Spinelli, DBA, of the Leahy College of Health Sciences; and Daniel Mahoney, Ph.D., of the Kania School of Management.

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University Faculty Members Honored With Provost Awards

Nine Provost Awards were presented at a ceremony toward the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

Student

June 12, 2026

The University of Scranton’s Orientation Team Leaders will play a key role in welcoming members of the Class of 2030 as they arrive later this month for New Student Orientation.

Students and their families who attend one of the four sessions — June 22-23, June 25-26, June 29-30 and July 1-2 — will meet classmates, faculty and staff members and administrators covering virtually all areas of campus life. You have questions — about academics, arts, athletics, service, campus life, spiritual life, food, off-campus entertainment and everything in between — they’ll have answers.

The four Orientation Team Leaders will have answers, too, providing guidance and support, drawing on their own experience to help new students adjust.

We caught up with this year’s Orientation Team Leaders as they imparted some words of wisdom to the newest Royals.

Mary McAlpin, a theology and religious studies major on the pre-med track from Newtown: “I would encourage new students to be very open to the whole experience, to put themselves out there. This is really your first exposure to your new class and your new life at Scranton. So, take advantage of everything, get out there, talk to people, start making connections. Doing those things will only help you grow once you step on campus in the fall.”

Michael Mancini, a nursing major from Trumbull, Connecticut: “I think the most important part is having an open mind and living the experience for what it is. Take your time to get to know our beautiful campus and also the great people you’re going to be around. If you do that, you will feel more comfortable and more familiar when you get here in the fall.”

Gavin Kovaleski, a theology and philosophy double major from Dunmore: “People at orientation are more than willing to help you in every single facet to ease your college transition. Other new students and friends are also coming in with an open mind — so look to meet new people and make your next four years the best four years that you could possibly make, together.”

Michael Zipay, a mathematical sciences and philosophy major from Archbald: “Don’t be afraid to take on any opportunity that you’re given. Embrace it. There’s so much for you to do at Scranton. We’d love to see you take advantage of it.”

Students and their families are urged to visit the University’s website and check their emails for updates regarding programming.

What to Expect at New Student Orientation? This Year’s Leaders Share Advice

The first of four New Student Orientation sessions begins Monday, June 22. Each session provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about Scranton and to meet new friends.

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Student

June 29, 2026

Scranton FBLA Students Bring Home National Recognition

After a record-setting showing at states, four University of Scranton students achieved top-10 finishes at the national championship event.

An individual wearing glasses and a suit speaks from behind a podium.

General

June 5, 2026

Pope Francis Co-author Speaks at University’s Judaic Studies Lecture (Photos + Video)

Rabbi Abraham Skorka, Ph.D., shared reflections on his decades of interfaith dialogue and friendship.

Purple banner reading “Congratulations Graduates!” hangs between lampposts along a tree-lined campus walkway.

General

June 2, 2026

From Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, The University of Scranton welcomed thousands of guests who arrived with the shared motive of celebrating Scranton's newest graduates.

Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. '76, G'83, H'15, was among commencement's most active participants. Dr. Pennington, a longtime higher education administrator, was in town to celebrate her 50-year class reunion and to also serve as the principal speaker who imparted wisdom upon the 900-plus undergraduate and 450-plus graduate members of the Class of 2026.

"Some of us old-timers are back here today because there's something about this University that not only lives in your memory, but that gets in your bones and never goes away," Dr. Pennington said at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. "It's not just the cura personalis that was part of your Ignatian experience; it's the community of which you have been and will always be a part. There are faculty members whose words will come to you at the strangest times. There are lessons you learned that you won't even realize you learned until you need them. And those people sitting beside you, those classmates who were there — they're so much a part of your Scranton days and will continue to be so important to you at your best and your worst times."

In case you missed it, here are a few stories covering one of the best times of year at The University of Scranton:

Scranton Holds 2026 Undergraduate Commencement (Full Story + Photos)

Wide view of a graduation ceremony in a packed indoor arena, with rows of graduates seated on the floor and a stage set up at the front.

Curious about this year's most common majors? The most populous states? The distinguished individuals who received honorary degrees?

We've got you covered. Click here to read more about the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Follow this link to watch it.

Graduate Commencement Held at Mohegan Arena (Full Story + Photos)

Graduates in caps and gowns stand in rows during a commencement ceremony, with a large audience seated in the background.

For master's and doctoral graduates at The University of Scranton, commencement offered an opportunity for class speaker Harshil Nariya G'26, of Enola, to reflect on the empathy, resilience and sense of responsibility he and his classmates developed at Scranton.

Click here to read the full story from graduate commencement. An archived video recording is available at this link.

Class of 2026 Selects Teachers of the Year

Two side-by-side photos of an awards ceremony, with a robed official presenting framed “Teacher of the Year” certificates to two recipients. The University’s graduating senior Class of 2026 awarded this year’s Teacher of the Year to Sinchul Back, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the cybercrime and homeland security program; and Andrew Venezia, Ph.D., associate professor of health and human performance.

Click here to read more about the faculty members and their meaningful award.

Outstanding Graduates Recognized at Class Night

Collage of University of Scranton ceremony photos showing students in academic gowns posing with university officials and one student speaking at a podium.

The University of Scranton honored 65 members of its undergraduate Class of 2026 for academic excellence, leadership and service at a Class Night ceremony.

Click here for a list of all the award winners and their awards.

Top Master's, Doctoral Graduates Awarded

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The University of Scranton recognized 34 outstanding master’s and doctoral degree graduates at its graduate commencement events.

Click here to read more about the graduate honorees.

Scranton Graduates Commissioned as Second Lieutenants

Five U.S. Army cadets in dress uniforms pose and smile in front of purple-and-white banners.

Five members of The University of Scranton's Class of 2026, along with three additional members from other regional colleges, were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Click here to read more about the Royal Warrior Battalion.

Additionally, the University was featured in a handful of news articles and videos about topics unrelated to graduation:

WBRE visited the IDEA Center at Weiss Hall
The Hope Horn Gallery's anthracite art was featured on WVIA
WNEP spoke with a faculty member about bird migration

Continue reading Royal News all year round to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Scranton.

Campus Catch-Up: Celebrating the Class of 2026

May was a milestone month at The University of Scranton.

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General

June 1, 2026

Scranton Brass Orchestra Performing Sunday, June 14

The concert is free and open to the public with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Three smiling students stand indoors holding framed Weinberg Memorial Library Research Prize certificates.

General

June 1, 2026

George Aulisio, Ph.D., dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize competition.

This year’s winning projects in the three prize categories are:

Student standing in a library holding a framed award certificate in front of a brick wall. — Pictured is Lucas Camacho, Undergraduate Foundational Winner.

Undergraduate Foundational Winner: Lucas Camacho, for the project, Building Habits that Last a Lifetime, completed in WRTG 107: Composition taught by Prof. Dawn D'Aries Zera, adjunct faculty member, English and theatre.

Undergraduate Upper-level Winner: Hannah Horn, for the project, Money Laundering through Online Gambling, completed in CJ 231: Environmental Criminology taught by Ismail Onat, Ph.D., associate professor; criminal justice, cybersecurity and sociology.

Graduate Winner: Aaron T. Redis, for the project, Seeing Trauma Differently: Evaluating the Efficacy of EMDR Across Varying Abilities and Contexts, completed in COUN 521: Physical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability taught by Samantha Herrick, Ph.D., associate professor, counseling and human services.

Currently celebrating its 16th year, the Weinberg Memorial Library inaugurated the prize in 2011 to recognize excellence in research projects that show evidence of significant knowledge of the methods of research and the information gathering process and use of library resources, tools and services. In 2017, the prize was named for Professor Emerita Bonnie W. Oldham, who founded the prize at the University in 2011.

The Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize was fully endowed in 2019 and consists of a prize of $500 awarded to winning projects in each of the three categories: Undergraduate Foundational (100-level projects), Undergraduate Upper-level (200- to 400-level projects) and Graduate. Winning projects and descriptions of the research process submitted by the student winners will be deposited into the Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Collection this summer.

The following projects were selected by the judges as Honorable Mentions:

Undergraduate Foundational Honorable Mention: Emma McMahon, for the project, Prioritizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Over Pharmacotherapy, completed in WRTG 107: Composition taught by Prof. D'Aries Zera.

Undergraduate Foundational Honorable Mention: Abigail Wall, for the project, Does Telehealth Improve Access to Healthcare or Compromise the Quality of it?, completed in WRTG 107: Composition taught by Prof. D'Aries Zera.

Undergraduate Upper-level Honorable Mention: Corinne R. Langowski, for the project, Predicting Developmental Outcomes in Toddlers with Early Language Delay Using the Preschool Language Scale — Fifth Edition, completed in CSD 412: Introduction to Research Methods taught by Joseph Motzko, Au.D., adjunct faculty member, health and human performance.

Undergraduate Upper-level Honorable Mention: Faith E. Montagnino, for the project, The Wound as Method: Pain, Language, and Feminist Knowledge in Confessional and Post-Confessional Poetry, completed in WRTG 489H: Honors Project II mentored by Billie Tadros, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre.

Prize winners were honored at an awards ceremony on Friday, May 22, in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

A special thank you to the judges of this year’s competition: Kate Cummings, Colleen Farry, Corinne Flynn, Margaret Lakomy, Michael Landram, Bonnie Markowski, Bill Miller, Linda Mlodzienski, Ian O’Hara, Ashley Stampone, Ben Willis and Xinyu Zhou.

Audience seated in a bright chapel-like hall with a vaulted skylight, listening to a speaker at a podium beneath stained glass and religious artwork.

2026 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Winners

The Bonnie W. Oldham awards were founded in 2011 and recognize excellence in research projects.

Group portrait of young adults standing outdoors in front of a modern building entrance.

General

June 2, 2026

Eighteen local high school students graduated this spring from The University of Scranton's University of Success, a four-year program designed to provide academic, social and cultural enrichment to high school students.

Continuing a tradition that spans decades, the Class of 2026 successfully completed its journey and helped the program achieve its goal of assisting first-generation, college-bound students in completing high school and gaining entrance into a college or university or confidently pursuing the next steps that best fit their personal goals.

The University of Scranton will enroll five of the 18 graduates whose intended majors include accounting, chemistry, cybercrime and homeland security, business and early childhood education and special education. Students will also matriculate to Harrisburg University, Howard University, Lehigh University, Liberty University, Loyola University, Luzerne County Community College, Marywood University, Misericordia University, Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh.

Group of students pose on an indoor staircase in a brick building, with stained-glass windows behind them and one person holding a purple gift bag.

Below are this year’s University of Success graduates, listed alongside their high schools and colleges and intended majors or career paths:

Royli Jesus Ayala, West Scranton — Loyola University, Biology Pre-Med

Sophia Chen, Delaware Valley — Penn State, International Relations

Trent Coffield, Commonwealth Cyber School — Harrisburg University, Cybersecurity

Corey Condon, Dunmore — Marywood University, Communications

Luis Angel Espino, West Scranton — Misericordia University, Neuroscience Pre-Med

Vishwa Gandhi, Riverside — The University of Scranton, Accounting

Lucianna Gonzales, Abington Heights — Liberty University, Biomedical Science

Emily McDonald, Wyoming Valley West — Luzerne County Community College, Nursing

Joshua Miranda, Cyber School Scranton — Art Pursuits

Elany Nunez, West Scranton — Lehigh University, International Relations

Engel Ovalles, West Scranton — Marywood University, Architecture

Yadhira Paromo, West Scranton — The University of Scranton, Chemistry

Juan Ramos, West Scranton — The University of Scranton, Cybercrime and Homeland Security

Elias Rios, West Scranton — The University of Scranton, Business

Brandon Sanchez, West Scranton — Gap Year, Business Owner

K’lea Palukonis, Abington Heights — University of Pittsburgh, Early Childhood Education and Special Education

Nmesoma Clare Udoye, Scranton — Howard University, Public Health

Layla Weeks, Abington Heights — The University of Scranton, Early Childhood Education and Special Education

The University of Success is funded entirely by corporate and foundation grants, ensuring there is no charge to students and their families. The program was created in 1996 and graduated its first full class in 2001. Applications are accepted and new students are admitted each year. The deadline for applications for the Class of 2030 closed earlier this spring.

University of Success Celebrates 2026 High School Graduates

From Scranton to campuses across the country, 16 University of Success graduates plan to enroll this fall in colleges and universities.

Four people posing indoors beside a framed certificate on an easel, with one person holding a glass award.

General

June 2, 2026

Prolific Theologian Receives Arrupe Award (Photos)

M. Shawn Copeland, Ph.D., professor emerita of Boston College, received the 2026 Arrupe Award in a ceremony at the University.

Speaker in a blue blazer gives a presentation beside a podium with a laptop and microphone, with a projection screen in the background.

General

June 2, 2026

Renowned Economist Headlines Spring Henry George Seminar (Photos)

Philip E. Auerswald, Ph.D., professor of public policy at George Mason University, delivered the keynote speech at the spring Henry George Seminar.

Two group photos of medal recipients and faculty posed in front of a purple University of Scranton step-and-repeat backdrop.

Student

May 27, 2026

The University of Scranton recognized 34 outstanding master’s and doctoral degree graduates at its graduate commencement events the weekend of May 22-24, including at the graduate commencement ceremony at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township.

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The following graduate students were honored for achievement in their academic area:

Bryant L. Richards, of Webster, Massachusetts, received the Doctor of Philosophy Outstanding Student Award for Accounting;

Madison A. Borys, of West Caldwell, New Jersey, received the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Outstanding Student Award for Occupational Therapy;

Zadok I. Miller, of Glen Allen, Virginia, received the Doctor of Nursing Practice Outstanding Student Award for Nurse Anesthesia;

Madison R. Ribeiro, of Fairfield, New Jersey, received the Doctor of Physical Therapy Outstanding Student Award for Physical Therapy;

Cassidy A. Bartkowski, of Clarks Summit, received the Outstanding Student Award for Family Nurse Practitioner;

Madalyn Dolores Beretzki, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Occupational Therapy;

Logan H. Campbell, of Conshohocken, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Analytics;

Bethany Earley, of Clarks Green, received the Outstanding Student Award for School Counseling;

Christopher W. Eppley, of Harleysville, received the Outstanding Student Award for Finance;

Fara C. Etienne, of Wheatley Heights, New York, received the Outstanding Student Award for Healthcare Management;

Amelia J. Farry, of South Abington Township, received the Outstanding Student Award for Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity;

Cassandra K. Haw, of Scranton, received the Outstanding Student Award for Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling;

Thomas W. Hoy, of Danville, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Jonathan Janosky, of Greenfield Township, received the Outstanding Student Award for Software Engineering;

Paul L. Katz, of Pittsburgh, received the Outstanding Student Award for Accountancy;

Kevin M. Keil, of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Faith M. Kwasnik, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Special Education;

Nicholas A. Luzetski, of Edwardsville, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Kevin Ly, of Danville, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Anna J. Merkel, of Skillman, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Chemistry;

Renata Monteiro, of Mount Arlington, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Corporate Finance and Investment Specialization;

Spencer R. Owens, of Coopersburg, received the Outstanding Student Award for Health Administration;

Christian S. Rizzotti, of Macungie, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Allison Schuessler, of Selinsgrove, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Alyssa E. Sendek, of Haddon Township, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Ryan V. Sophabmixay, of Scranton, received the Outstanding Student Award for Secondary Education;

Julia R. Swistak, of Olney, Maryland, received the Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration;

Ashley M. Tirone, of Budd Lake, New Jersey, received the Outstanding Student Award for Applied Behavior Analysis;

Angeliki I. Trifonopoulos, of Jeffersonville, New York, received the Outstanding Student Award for Clinical Mental Health Counseling;

Kristen Ullmeyer, of Walden, New York, received the Outstanding Student Award for Speech-Language Pathology;

Anathae Wallace, of Levittown, received the Outstanding Student Award for Health Informatics;

Isabelle M. Wohlleber, of Hazleton, received the Outstanding Student Award for Biochemistry.

Top Master’s, Doctoral Graduates Awarded

The University of Scranton’s 2026 commencement events included the presentation of awards to high-achieving academic standouts.

Student

May 26, 2026

The University of Scranton honored 65 members of its undergraduate Class of 2026 for academic excellence, leadership and service at a Class Night ceremony on Friday, May 22, at the McIlhenny Ballroom inside the DeNaples Center.

Students with the highest GPA in each of the University’s three undergraduate colleges were presented Frank J. O’Hara Awards for General Academic Excellence, a memorial to the late administrator who served the University for 53 years.

Class of 2026 O’Hara Award recipients were: Alyssa M. Cosklo, of Fell Township, Michael J. Gallo, of Whitehall, Sheila A. Miller, of Milford, New Jersey, and Matthew F. Schade, of Haddon Heights, New Jersey, for the College of Arts and Sciences; Nathan F. Clarke, of Malvern, Dean Joseph Luciano Finan, of Downingtown, and Gary C. Mrozinski, of Taylor for the Kania School of Management; and Claudia Vivian Campisciano, of Broomall, for the Leahy College of Health Sciences.

Member of the Class of 2026 Mariah Mancuso, of Dunmore, offered remarks at the ceremony.

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In addition, students were honored for outstanding academic achievement in their fields of study, leadership and service.

The students honored at Class Night and the awards received are as follows:

David P. Banko, of Wind Gap, received the Lawrence A. Mann Award;

Alessandra Bellino, of Schwenksville, received the Excellence in Mathematics Award;

Diana Lynn Bobko, of Exton, received the Excellence in Occupational Therapy Award;

Claudia Vivian Campisciano, of Broomall, received the O'Hara Award;

Emily R. Carey, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Public Policy and Service Award;

Nathan F. Clarke, of Malvern, received the O'Hara Award and the Excellence in Accounting Award;

Chloe P. Colozza, of Old Forge, received the Mary E. Quinn Award for Excellence in Secondary Education;

Rebecca M. Colwell, of Taylor, received the Jesuit Community Award for Outstanding Service (ex aequo);

Kaitlyn M. Conrad, of Wyoming, received the Excellence in Management Award;

Alyssa M. Cosklo, of Fell Township, received the O'Hara Award and the J.J. Quinn, S.J., Achievement Award for Demonstration of Excellence in English Studies and the Excellence in Biology Award;

Erica C. Czerwinski, of Burlington, Massachusetts, received the Excellence in Psychology Award;

Philip R. Danchik, of Woodbine, Maryland, received the Excellence in Chemistry Award;

Allie D. Dean, of Endicott, New York, received the Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing, Award;

Philip J. Evan, of Kingston, received the Excellence in Economics Award (Kania School of Management);

Dean Joseph Luciano Finan, of Downingtown, received the O'Hara Award and the Excellence in Finance Award (ex aequo);

Kevin P. Finning, of Rockville Centre, New York, received the Prof. Frank C. Brown Award for Excellence in History;

Maeve A. Gale, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, received the Excellence in Health Administration Award;

Michael J. Gallo, of Whitehall, received the O'Hara Award;

Ryan W. Hanley, of Dumont, New Jersey, received the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Award;

Matthew J. Jasienski, of Duryea, received the Excellence in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Award;

Christina M. Kennedy, of Morristown, New Jersey, received the Jesuit Community Award for Outstanding Service (ex aequo);

Ashley A. Kessell, of Exeter, received the Excellence in Health Promotions Award;

Madison Jean Kuharchik, of West Pittston, received the Excellence in Forensic Chemistry Award;

Benjamin Lenert, of Havertown, received the Excellence in Cybercrime and Homeland Security Award;

Grace V. Lennox, of Peckville, received the Prof. Timothy H. Scully Award for Excellence in Political Science;

Bianca Leonard, of Hellertown, received the Excellence in Counseling and Human Services Award;

Grace L. Lloyd, of Yardley, received the J. Timothy Cannon Award for Excellence in Neuroscience;

Tanis J. MacNamee, of Windsor, New York, received the Excellence in Kinesiology Award;

Allison M. Magee, of Harleysville, received the Excellence in Economics Award (College of Arts and Sciences);

Ian T. Mahalek, of Fairfax, Virginia, received the Excellence in Environmental Science Award;

Mariah A. Mancuso, of Dunmore, received the Student Life Award (ex aequo) and spoke at the event;

Thomas Edward Marine, of Cockeysville, Maryland, received the Susquehanna Valley American Chemical Society Senior Award;

Sofia C. Mastellone, of Wayne, New Jersey, received the Lawrence Lennon Award for Outstanding Service and Achievement in Psychology;

Denis P. McBride, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Applied Computing Award;

Ashley M. McCartney, of Macungie, received the Excellence in Early and Primary Teacher Education Award;

Deirdre Rose Meagher, of Staten Island, New York, received the Excellence in Communication Sciences and Disorders Award;

Hadley M. Michaels, of Baldwinsville, New York, received the Academic Excellence in Nursing Award;

Olivia N. Miller, of Phoenixville, received the Excellence in Operations Management Award;

Sheila A. Miller, of Milford, New Jersey, received the O'Hara Award and the Prof. Bernard J. McGurl Award for Excellence in Communication;

Faith E. Montagnino, of Morganville, New Jersey, received the Prof. Joseph B. Cullather Award for Excellence in English;

Gary C. Mrozinski, of Taylor, received the O'Hara Award and the Excellence in Finance Award (ex aequo);

Sheldon S. Myers, of Downingtown, received the Excellence in Biochemistry Award;

Thomas M. O'Hern, of West Caldwell, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Chemistry Business Award;

James W. O'Malley, of Ambler, received the Dr. A.J. Cawley Award for Excellence in Engineering;

Caroline E. O'Rourke, of Huntington, New York, received the Excellence in Physiology Award;

Evangelina M. Paisi, of East Stroudsburg, received the Excellence in International Studies Award;

Gabriella M. Palmer, of Phoenixville, received the Excellence in Theatre Award;

Alek D. Panchik, of Hershey, received the Excellence in Business Administration Award;

Quentin A. Pegan, of Upper Chichester, received the Croteau and Marx Family Award for Excellence in Mechanical Engineering;

Rebecca F. Potter, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, received the Prof. Joseph P. Harper Award for Excellence in Physics;

Jonathon Purvis, of Carbondale, received the Excellence in Computer Science Award;

Brian Readie, of Cranford, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Information Technology Award;

Kaeli Marie Romanowski, of Lake Ariel, received the Edward K. Spitzer Scholarship Award;

Vito M. Rotell, of Eynon, received the Excellence in Business Analytics Award and the Student Life Award (ex aequo);

Matthew F. Schade, of Haddon Heights, New Jersey, received the O'Hara Award;

Therese J. Shimkus, of Scranton, received the Excellence in Philosophy Award;

Sarayah F. Smith, of Dallas, received the Excellence in Criminal Justice Award;

Samantha R. Sonnie, of Philadelphia, received the J. Harold Brislin Memorial Award for Excellence in Journalism;

Nicole C. Tonny, of Scranton, received the Excellence in Marketing Award;

Ashlyn Urbanski, of Pittston, received the Excellence in Mathematical Sciences Award;

Elizabeth G. Vander Neut, of Exton, received the Alumni Loyalty and Service Award;

Maria I. Viola, of Monroe, New York, received the Excellence in Theology Award;

Stevie-Gianna V. Vitale, of Freehold, New Jersey, received the Excellence in Sociology Award;

Steven Wohlmuth, of Cromwell, Connecticut, received the Military Science Leadership Award;

Delaney M. Wozniak, of Kings Park, New York, received the Excellence in Human Resource Studies Award.

An archived recording of the ceremony can be seen at this link.

Outstanding Graduates Recognized at Class Night

University of Scranton Class of 2026 graduates were recognized for academic excellence, leadership and service at Class Night.

Faculty

May 27, 2026

It is one of the highest honors at The University of Scranton.

And, this year, it was presented to two individuals.

The University’s graduating senior Class of 2026 awarded this year’s Teacher of the Year to Sinchul Back, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the cybercrime and homeland security program; and Andrew Venezia, Ph.D., associate professor of health and human performance.

Created in 1997 by the University’s Faculty Senate, the Teacher of the Year award recognizes faculty members who exemplify excellence across multiple dimensions of teaching and student engagement. Honorees must be committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence and fairness, ensuring an enlightening, rigorous and equitable learning environment for all students. Voting was conducted in April. Dr. Back and Dr. Venezia accepted their awards on Friday, May 22, at Class Night, held inside the DeNaples Center’s McIlhenny Ballroom.

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Dr. Back, who has worked at Scranton since 2019, is a retired Marine captain who served as an instructor in counter-terrorism tactics and counter-intelligence operations for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. He previously served as a legislative aide for the South Korea Senate and the Massachusetts State House.

Dr. Back holds a Ph.D. in International Crime from Florida International University, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Bridgewater State University and a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Political Science from Northeastern University. He teaches courses on cybercrime, cyber intelligence, mobile forensics, digital forensics investigation and introduction to homeland security.

Dr. Venezia, who has worked at Scranton since 2016, teaches in the kinesiology program and nutrition concentration and serves on the advisory committee for the neuroscience program. Among his courses is Advanced Physiology of Sport and Exercise, which he’s taught to every graduating kinesiology senior since 2016. He has also mentored several students in the University Honors Program.

Dr. Venezia earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise science from Bloomsburg University. He earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science from the University of Maryland.

Faculty members may earn the Teacher of the Year award no more than once.

Class of 2026 Selects Teachers of the Year

Sinchul Back, Ph.D., and Andrew Venezia, Ph.D., are associate professors of cybercrime and homeland security and health and human performance, respectively.

Five uniformed military cadets stand shoulder to shoulder and smile in front of purple-and-white banners on a stage.

Student

May 26, 2026

Five members of The University of Scranton’s Class of 2026 capped their undergraduate careers by being commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

The five Scranton graduates, as well as three additional members from other regional colleges, were honored at an on-campus ceremony, held Saturday, May 23, at the McIlhenny Ballroom inside the DeNaples Center.

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University of Scranton ROTC

2nd Lt. Natalie M. Badilla, of Fairless Hills, graduated, magna cum laude, as a nursing major.
2nd Lt. Caleb A. Grossman, of Swoyersville, graduated, magna cum laude, as an international studies major. He was named a Distinguished Military Graduate, placing him in the top 10% of cadets in the nation. He received the George C. Marshall Military Leadership Award, as well.
2nd Lt. Nicholas A. Luzetski, of Edwardsville, graduated as a business administration major. He was named a Distinguished Military Graduate, placing him in the top 10% of cadets in the nation.
2nd Lt. David R. McIntyre, of Scranton, graduated, magna cum laude, as a criminal justice major.
2nd Lt. Steven Wohlmuth, of Cromwell, Connecticut, graduated, summa cum laude, as a communication and philosophy double major. He was named a Distinguished Military Graduate, placing him in the top 10% of cadets in the nation. He received The University of Scranton's Military Science Leadership Award at Class Night on May 22.

Also commissioned at the event were members of the Royal Warrior Battalion from area colleges:

2nd Lt. Efrain Madera, of Reeders, who graduated as a criminal justice major from East Stroudsburg University;
2nd Lt. Stephen Tellez, of Moscow, who graduated as a U.S. history major from East Stroudsburg University.
2nd Lt. Amanda Trzesniowski, of Wilkes-Barre, who graduated as a nursing major from Marywood University.

Col. Kaitlyn Perkins '03 served as the principal speaker. Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president, and Lt. Col Jay Wenger, Ph.D., University professor of military science and leader of the Royal Warrior Battalion Army ROTC program, also participated in the ceremony.

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Scranton Graduates Commissioned as Second Lieutenants

Five members of The University of Scranton’s Class of 2026 were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Graduates in caps and gowns stand in rows during a commencement ceremony in an indoor arena, with a large audience in the background.

Student

May 27, 2026

The University of Scranton conferred more than 450 master’s and doctoral degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026. Graduates received their diplomas on Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township. Graduates must have completed their academic requirements between August 2025 and May 2026.

Graduates spanned 22 states from throughout the U.S., including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee with a large concentration from the East Coast. Pennsylvania was the most populous state among the graduates at 48%, followed by New Jersey and New York at about 15% each. International graduates hailed from Canada, India and Saudi Arabia.

Harshil Nariya ’26, a Master of Business Administration graduate from Enola, addressed his fellow graduates as the class speaker.

“Today is not just a celebration of what we have become, but it is also a reflection of who we are," Nariya said. “We came here with ambitions: to build careers, to learn, to create opportunities. And yes, we have done that. But along the way, we also developed something deeper. We developed empathy, resilience and a sense of responsibility.

“I come from a background where opportunities are not always guaranteed. From working in my family business to studying here, I have seen different sides of the world. And what I think connects them is simple: an understanding that our success is tied to those around us.”

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Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, who spoke earlier in the day at the undergraduate commencement ceremony, addressed the graduate crowd, as well.

Dr. Pennington, a former higher education administrator, was also in town to celebrate her 50-year class reunion.

“You have a chance to use this gift of education, this special status you achieved, as the launching pad to be more than you were before,” Dr. Pennington said. “Take all you have learned about managing time — past, present and future — to carry the lessons of organization, respect and kindness with you, as you commit to taking the actions necessary to achieve all of your goals.

“What does it mean to have a degree from The University of Scranton? You soon will know, because you have reached the end of this part of your Scranton journey. ... I say it's just ‘this part,’ because what it means to have a degree from The University of Scranton is more than a piece of paper to hang on your wall. It is knowing that you are part of a larger community, not just while in class but for long after."

Among the degrees awarded were Masters of Accountancy, Business Administration, Health Administration, Science and Science in Nursing; as well as Doctors of Nursing Practice, Occupational Therapy, Philosophy and Physical Therapy.

An archived recording of the ceremony is available online.

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Graduate Commencement Held at Mohegan Arena (Full Story + Photos)

The University of Scranton awarded 450-plus advanced degrees to the Class of 2026.

Wide view of a graduation ceremony in a packed indoor arena, with rows of graduates seated on the floor and a stage with speakers and faculty at the side.

Student

May 27, 2026

The University of Scranton awarded undergraduate degrees to more than 900 members of the Class of 2026. The newest Scranton alumni received their bachelor’s degrees on Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township. Graduates must have completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2025, as well as January and May of 2026.

The most populous states in this year’s graduating class included Pennsylvania (46%), New York (27%) and New Jersey (20%). Graduates hailed from 11 other states, stretching as far west as Washington and as south as Florida and Texas. The countries of Ireland and Ukraine were represented, as well.

The most common major among the graduates was nursing (10%), while accounting, biology, business administration, criminal justice, finance, kinesiology and occupational therapy represented about 5% each. In total, the graduates covered 61 distinct majors.

Following the processional and a welcome by Tracy M. Stewart, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., H’14, Bishop of Scranton, provided the Invocation.

Sajidul Alam ’26, a double major in political science and philosophy from Kingston, addressed his fellow graduates as the class speaker.

Alam spoke about how the University became “home” for the Class of 2026, referencing two quotes that graduates have seen and heard throughout their daily travels at Scranton.

“‘Go forth and set the world on fire.’ At first, it may have sounded like a call to do something big, something enormous. But Scranton has taught us that sometimes, it means taking what we have learned here and carrying forward those values with intention, integrity, compassion and purpose,” Alam said. “And there is another idea that defines this place, one that is etched on the side of the DeNaples Center: ‘Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.’ For the past four years, The University of Scranton has been that place.”

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Following Alam’s remarks, the University conferred honorary degrees to former Dominican University president Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D.; attorney and University alumnus Vincent F. Reilly, Esq. ’80; and longtime educator Jack Raslowsky.

Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, then took the stage as the principal speaker. Dr. Pennington’s 40-plus-year career in higher education administration, prior to retiring in 2021, included 22 years as vice president for student development and campus life at Montclair State University.

In addition to serving as the principal speaker, Dr. Pennington celebrated her class reunion. She and other 1976 graduates gathered before the ceremony, reminiscing on their historic class — the University’s first undergraduate, full-time student class to include women.

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Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president, conferred degrees upon candidates presented by the deans of the University’s three colleges: Victoria H. Castellanos, Ph.D., Leahy College of Health Sciences; Mark Higgins, Ph.D., Kania School of Management; and Carolyn M. Barry, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences.

Following the awarding of diplomas, Christopher J. Neumann, Esq. ’87, president of the alumni society, addressed the graduates, as did Father Marina. Megan E. Heeder, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology, provided the benediction prior to the recessional.

Music throughout the event was provided by the University’s concert band and singers.

An archived recording of the ceremony is available online.

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Scranton Holds 2026 Undergraduate Commencement (Full Story + Photos)

The University of Scranton conferred more than 900 bachelor’s degrees to graduates in the Class of 2026.

Purple campus banner reading “Congratulations Graduates!” hanging between lampposts amid leafy green trees.

General

May 19, 2026

The University of Scranton from Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, will celebrate its undergraduate and graduate Class of 2026.

Thousands of guests are expected for a wide range of on- and off-campus events, making this — combined with Memorial Day weekend — one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the Greater Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

Many of the University's colleges and programs host their own celebrations throughout the weekend, leading up to Sunday's commencement ceremonies.

More than 900 bachelor's degrees will be awarded at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. The degree recipients span 14 states, as well as Ireland and Ukraine. Additionally, 450-plus master's and doctoral degrees will be awarded at the graduate commencement ceremony.

🗓️ KEY EVENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 22

4 p.m. Leahy College of Health Sciences Outstanding Graduate Awards Ceremony at the Kane Forum of Leahy Hall.

5:30 p.m. Kania School of Management Reception at the fifth floor of Brennan Hall.

7:30 p.m. Class Night, recognizing undergraduates for academic achievement, leadership and service, at the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center.

SATURDAY, MAY 23

9 a.m. Pinning Ceremony for nursing graduates at the Byron Recreation Complex.

11:30 a.m. Multicultural Graduation Celebration at the Byron Recreation Complex.

1 p.m. ROTC Commissioning at the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center.

2:45 p.m. Class of 2026 Legacy Photo at the Loyola Science Center.

4 p.m. Baccalaureate Mass at the Byron Recreation Complex.

5:30 p.m. A Royal Toast to the Class of 2026 at the Dionne Campus Green.

SUNDAY, MAY 24

9:45 a.m. Doors open for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township. Tickets are not required.

11 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony begins.

12 p.m. Doctor of Physical Therapy Awards Ceremony at the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center.

3:45 p.m. Doors open for the Graduate Commencement Ceremony at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township. Tickets are not required.

4:30 p.m. Graduate Commencement Ceremony begins.

📍 LOCATIONS

Please refer to the University’s campus maps webpage for precise locations of school buildings.

Mohegan Arena, home of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins’ top minor league affiliate, is located at 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township, PA 18702, about 20 miles south of campus. Visit the arena’s website to review its clear bag policy and security procedures.

🎥 LIVESTREAMS

Class Night (7:30 p.m. Friday)

Pinning Ceremony (9 a.m. Saturday)

Baccalaureate Mass (4 p.m. Saturday)

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony (11 a.m. Sunday)

Graduate Commencement Ceremony (4:30 p.m. Sunday)

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further details, including commencement photography and programs, could be found on the University's website.

Join the fun by following @UniversityofScranton on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Commencement 2026: Schedule and Essential Information

Thousands of guests are expected to visit The University of Scranton’s campus and Mohegan Arena for the weekend’s festivities.

Collage of five professional headshots above a purple banner reading “The University of Scranton.”

General

May 7, 2026

Former Dominican University president Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D., University of Scranton alumnus and attorney Vincent F. Reilly, Esq. ’80, and longtime educator Jack Raslowsky will receive honorary degrees from The University of Scranton at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 24.

A fourth honorary degree will be conferred to legendary college and professional basketball coach P.J. Carlesimo. His degree will be awarded at a later date.

Dr. Carroll is a lifelong leader in Catholic, Jesuit higher education who served from 1994 to 2021 as president of Dominican University in Illinois. She was the first lay president of Dominican. Using a mission-centered, student-focused approach, she guided the institution through major transformations while advancing equity, supporting students on the margins and raising the university’s national profile.

Dr. Carroll is a former member of the Board of Trustees at The University of Scranton. She has served since 2024 as president of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, which serves as the collective voice of Catholic higher education in the U.S.

Reilly is a lawyer, philanthropist and alumnus whose life reflects cura personalis and service to those in need. He was the law partner of fellow Royal Kevin O’Brien, Esq. ’80, for 17 years before founding Reilly, McDevitt and Henrich, where he is the firm’s co-managing partner and has emphasized service to clients of modest means.

Reilly’s generosity extends to community service, parish life and education. Deeply connected to his alma mater, Reilly served multiple terms on The University of Scranton’s Board of Trustees, including as chair from 2022-2025. In 2015, he was awarded the University’s prestigious Frank J. O’Hara Distinguished Alumni Award.

Raslowsky is a veteran Jesuit secondary education leader whose career spans 35-plus years as a teacher, administrator and president. In 2009, he became the first lay president of Xavier High School (New York City), where he has since championed human dignity, inclusion and spiritual formation.

A strong advocate for social justice, Raslowsky has integrated Ignatian values into leadership and service in and out of the classroom, serving on numerous faith-based boards. He will retire from Xavier following the 2026-2027 academic year.

Deeply connected to Jesuit values and The University of Scranton, Carlesimo is a major supporter of Scranton athletics and the annual Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner held in memory of his late father, Peter A. Carlesimo, a historic University coach and athletic director.

Carlesimo has coached major college programs and NBA teams and was an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning 1992 U.S. Olympic men’s “Dream Team.” He won three NBA titles as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs and won 212 games as an NBA head coach. He is currently a prominent basketball broadcaster.

Douglas Brinkley, Ph.D., a New York Times best-selling author, was previously announced as this year’s undergraduate principal speaker. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Dr. Brinkley will not be able to attend commencement. Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, will serve as the principal speaker for the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies.

The University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, including the awarding of the honorary degrees, will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township. Doors open at 9:45 a.m.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was updated on Wednesday, May 20, to reflect a change in the undergraduate commencement speaker.

Honorary Degree Recipients Announced

Five individuals, including the principal speaker at the upcoming undergraduate commencement ceremony, will be honored with the University’s Class of 2026.

Group of people pose indoors around a round table, with several wearing matching black-and-gold polo shirts alongside two individuals in suits and an individual in clerical attire.

Student

May 15, 2026

ROTC Students Gather With Father Marina, Former U.S. Sen. Casey

The University celebrated its ROTC students and future military leaders at a special luncheon.

Collage of students at a math competition, including a classroom scene, trophies on display, and a group of winners holding awards.

General

May 14, 2026

Wyoming Valley West Student Wins Annual Math Integration Bee (Photos)

One winner and four finalists won trophies in the Northeastern Pennsylvania regional competition on April 29.

General

May 14, 2026

University of Scranton Hosts State Senate Debate (Photos)

The University was the epicenter of Northeastern Pennsylvania politics on Thursday, May 7.

General

May 14, 2026

The University of Scranton is accepting applications for Cohort 6 of its Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program (NLCP), which will run from January 2027 through January 2028. The deadline to apply is June 12, 2026.

Applications can be submitted by following this link to the Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center (NCAC) website.

The NLCP, housed in the Kania School of Management, is designed to be broad-based, hands-on and practitioner-focused to help high-potential nonprofit leaders tackle the pressing leadership challenges in organizations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Since the program’s inception in 2016, 87 nonprofit professionals from 65 regional organizations have graduated from the program. Cohort 5 included 19 community leaders who completed the program. The NLCP has created a network of high-performing individuals serving at nonprofit institutions, in addition to building an informal regional network of mentors and coaches for emerging nonprofit leaders.

Douglas Boyle, DBA'88, CPA, CMA, Accounting Department chair and founder of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program, noted the program fulfills a critical need in the region.

“The NLCP creates an ecosystem for new and emerging leaders to collaborate on solving an organizational challenge and strengthening their leadership skills," Dr. Boyle said. "The cohort-based approach assures that by building strong relationships, each participant gains a network of peers with specialized skills that they can gain insights from long after graduation. The program assists the organizations with succession planning, nurtures future collaborations with the nonprofit sector and most importantly yields strong and resilient leaders.”

Sessions are led in-person by Kania School of Management faculty and peer group coaches with deep expertise in nonprofit management and practical leadership tools. The program includes work towards specific organizational and personal goals, peer group work, mentorship, and academic leadership components.

For additional information, visit the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program webpage or contact one of the NLCP co-directors: Kurt Bauman at kbauman@nepa-alliance.org; Jesse Ergott at jesse.ergott@scranton.edu.

Nonprofit Leadership Program Now Accepting Applications for 2027 Cohort

The University of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program is accepting applications for its sixth cohort, which will begin in January 2027.

Smiling individual in an orange blazer, overlaid on a blurred University of Scranton commencement ceremony backdrop.

General

May 10, 2026

A trailblazing member of a landmark graduating class in The University of Scranton’s history, Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, will return to deliver remarks as the keynote speaker at this year’s graduate commencement ceremony.

Dr. Pennington, who led strategic initiatives and managed complex departments through periods of growth and transition as a senior director in higher education, holds three degrees from Scranton and also worked for five years at her alma mater. Notably, her undergraduate class, the Class of 1976, was the University’s first undergraduate, full-time student class to include women.

“As one of the first women to graduate from The University of Scranton, Dr. Pennington’s role in the history of our institution cannot be understated. It is through such moments that values take root and communities learn how to grow toward greater justice and belonging,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president. “Dr. Pennington has a keen understanding of this concept, as it has informed her own leadership in higher education, marked by inclusion and a steady commitment to the well-being and dignity of students and communities alike.”

This year’s graduate commencement will begin at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. Doors open at 3:45 p.m. The undergraduate commencement will be held earlier in the day, beginning at 11 a.m.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in history from Scranton, Dr. Pennington worked at Gannon University and Ohio University before returning to her alma mater in 1980. Over the next five years at Scranton, she was an associate dean of students and director of student activities whose duties included managing the production of all activities for 50 co-curricular student organizations and overseeing the functions of elected student government and class officers.

From Scranton, Dr. Pennington held positions at the State University of New York at New Paltz and State University of New York at Geneseo until landing in January 1998 at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Dr. Pennington worked at Montclair State for 22-plus years as vice president for student development and campus life. As its chief student affairs officer, Dr. Pennington was one of seven vice presidents who, with the president, set the University’s general policy and direction. She was responsible for hiring and developing staff; supervising and coordinating 23 departments and 300-plus employees; and serving as a media spokesperson for all activities involving students. Shortly before retiring in 2021, Dr. Pennington was awarded Montclair State’s Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as a Dean from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Dr. Pennington credits The University of Scranton as being a formative and deeply influential part of her life. In particular, she says John R. Gavigan ’42, former vice president of student affairs and namesake of the University’s Gavigan Hall, instilled in her an appreciation for the purpose of serving and helping college students.

Dr. Pennington received an honorary degree in 2015 from The University of Scranton.

University of Scranton Class of 2026 Graduate Commencement Speaker Announced

Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, was a member of the University’s first undergraduate, full-time student coeducational Class of 1976.

Portrait of an individual in a suit jacket and light blue shirt, with a University of Scranton ceremony backdrop.

General

May 6, 2026

EDITOR'S NOTE (Wednesday, May 20, 2026): Due to unforeseen circumstances, Douglas Brinkley, Ph.D., will not be able to attend commencement. He will accept an honorary degree at a future date. Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, who was previously announced as the graduate commencement speaker, will address the undergraduates, as well. Read more about Dr. Pennington at this link.

The information below reflects the original announcement at the time of publication.

Douglas Brinkley, Ph.D., a best-selling author, award-winning producer and nationally celebrated historian and scholar, will serve as the principal speaker at The University of Scranton’s 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony. Dr. Brinkley will address Scranton’s Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Dr. Brinkley’s prolific career has included authoring, editing and contributing to dozens of books and hundreds of essays. He has covered topics including American foreign policy, the presidency and the environment, as well as the lives of transformative figures such as Jack Kerouac, Rosa Parks and Hunter S. Thompson.

Among Dr. Brinkley’s New York Times bestselling books are his biography of Walter Cronkite, which won Fordham University’s Ann M. Sperber Prize, and “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” which earned the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Book Award. He also won a pair of Grammy Awards as a co-producer of the albums “Presidential Suite” and “Fandango at the Wall in New York.”

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Brinkley to Northeastern Pennsylvania, where he will address our graduating students at an important moment in their lives,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president. “Dr. Brinkley has demonstrated that history, when researched with care and written with authority, can inform, inspire and endure.”

Additionally, Dr. Brinkley is a leading voice in the environmental conservation and historic preservation community with service that has included board membership and advisory leadership in support of organizations at the forefront of protecting America’s natural beauty.

“Dr. Brinkley’s writing invites readers to see history not as possession, but as gift, entrusted to each generation anew,” Father Marina said. “In that spirit, he has taken his words and thoughts and put them into action, advocating for the preservation of our nation’s natural and historic treasures. He reminds us that the finest form of scholarship comes when intellect and action align in service of the common good.”

Dr. Brinkley was born in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving as a child to Perrysburg, Ohio. He pursued the study of U.S. history at Ohio State University and was awarded a fellowship to Georgetown University, where he immersed himself in the study of U.S. diplomatic history, and received master’s and doctorate degrees.

Dr. Brinkley’s early career included faculty positions at the U.S. Naval Academy, Princeton University and Hofstra University. As part of his “American Odyssey” course at Hofstra, he traveled across the country with students to historic landmarks that shaped America. The ambitious nature of his course drew national attention with write-ups in publications like The New York Times and SPIN magazine. Dr. Brinkley has since taught at the University of New Orleans and Tulane University.

He is currently the Katherine Tsanoff Brown Professor in Humanities at Rice University. He is also CNN’s presidential historian and a Vanity Fair contributor.

Dr. Brinkley will receive an honorary degree at the undergraduate commencement ceremony, which will be followed by the graduate commencement ceremony, also held at Mohegan Arena. Doors open at 9:45 a.m. Undergraduate commencement activities are set to begin at 11 a.m. and graduate activities at 4:30 p.m.

NYT Bestselling Author To Serve as Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

Douglas Brinkley, Ph.D., is a renowned historian who has chronicled many American icons.

Wrought iron gateway arch etched with The University of Scranton.

Student

May 8, 2026

Students Inducted into National Honor Societies

Hundreds of University of Scranton students were inducted into national and international honor societies during the 2026 spring semester.

University News

Middle States Retreat Builds Momentum for University’s Self-Study

Scranton Faculty and Staff Examine Papal Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence

University of Scranton Welcomes New Faculty Members

University Announces Cabinet Leadership Reorganization

Class of 2030 Facts and Figures

Hundreds Answer the Call to Help

Students Pay It Forward

University of Scranton Welcomes Class of 2030 (Article + Photos)

Princeton Review: Scranton a 'Best College' With Top Marks for Service and School Pride

F.I.R.S.T. Program Hosts Community Fun Day, School Supply Giveaway

Senior Accounting Student Named PCAOB Scholar

Fall Schemel Forum Programs To Feature Nationally Recognized Presenters

Fall Concert Season Schedule Announced

Campus Catch-Up: Scranton Named a 'Best College'

National Awards Highlight Strength of Scranton’s Accounting Ph.D. Program

University Faculty Members Receive Promotions and Tenure

Schemel Courses:

Fall 2026 Semester Events Planned at University

F.I.R.S.T. Program Hosts Community Fun Day, School Supply Giveaway (PHOTOS)

Dr. Zhu ‘Pays it Forward’ as Scranton’s New Provost

Weiss Hall Earns Prestigious LEED Gold Certification

Political Science Professor Gretchen J. Van Dyke, Ph.D., Joins Prestigious Committee

Princeton Review: Scranton a 'Best College' With Top Marks for Service and School Pride

Service Before the Semester: F.I.R.S.T. Program Set for 24th Year

Senior Accounting Student Named PCAOB Scholar

Two courses

Four World Affairs Luncheon Seminars

Two collaborative programs

One session of University for a Day (Saturday, Sept. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)

Fall Schemel Forum Programs To Feature Nationally Recognized Presenters

IF YOU GO

Fall Concert Season Schedule Announced

Scranton Biology Lab Supervisor Receives National Service Honor

SLP Students Follow ‘Recipe for Connection’ at Pittston Coffee Shop (PHOTOS)

Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program

University Honors Program

Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program

Magis Honors Program in STEM

Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program

Campus Catch-Up: Honoring Outstanding Class of 2026 Graduates

University Announces Spring 2026 Dean’s List

Students Added to Fall 2025 Dean’s List

SCI Waymart Program Donates to University of Success

Scranton’s RSA Scholars Support Critical Needs: ‘More Than Just a Good Education’

Father Marina Reflects on Meeting Pope Leo XIV (Video + Photos)

Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary

This Year’s Leaders Share Advice for New Student Orientation

Pope Francis Co-author Speaks at University's Judaic Studies Lecture

University to Honor Robert S. '68 and Marilyn A. Weiss at President's Medal Gala

Campus Catch-Up: Welcoming the Class of 2030

Class of 2026 University Honors Program Graduates

Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program Graduates

Class of 2026 Graduates of Magis Honors Program in STEM

Class of 2026 Business Honors Program Graduates

2026 Business Leadership Honors Program Graduates

Stampone, a Scranton Alumna and Professor, Re-Appointed to PICPA Board

Scranton Researchers Awarded NASA Grant Totaling More Than a Half-Million Dollars

University Faculty Members Honored With Provost Awards

What to Expect at New Student Orientation? This Year’s Leaders Share Advice

Scranton FBLA Students Bring Home National Recognition

Pope Francis Co-author Speaks at University’s Judaic Studies Lecture (Photos + Video)

Scranton Holds 2026 Undergraduate Commencement (Full Story + Photos)

Graduate Commencement Held at Mohegan Arena (Full Story + Photos)

Class of 2026 Selects Teachers of the Year

Outstanding Graduates Recognized at Class Night

Top Master's, Doctoral Graduates Awarded

Scranton Graduates Commissioned as Second Lieutenants

Campus Catch-Up: Celebrating the Class of 2026

Scranton Brass Orchestra Performing Sunday, June 14

2026 Bonnie W. Oldham Library Research Prize Winners

University of Success Celebrates 2026 High School Graduates

Prolific Theologian Receives Arrupe Award (Photos)

Renowned Economist Headlines Spring Henry George Seminar (Photos)

Top Master’s, Doctoral Graduates Awarded

Outstanding Graduates Recognized at Class Night

Class of 2026 Selects Teachers of the Year

University of Scranton ROTC

Scranton Graduates Commissioned as Second Lieutenants

Graduate Commencement Held at Mohegan Arena (Full Story + Photos)