Scranton Makes National Honor Roll for University Civic Partnerships

        The University of Scranton is among just 140 institutions in the nation recognized in a "Survey of Best College and University Civic Partnerships."  Scranton is one of 12 colleges in Pennsylvania and one of just seven Jesuit universities in the nation listed as good-neighbor colleges.

        The listing is based on the results of a national survey conducted by Evan S. Dobelle, Ed.D., president of Westfield State College, Westfield, Mass. The list was announced at the conference of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities earlier this week.
       
        "The University is pleased to receive this and other national recognition for the numerous, long-standing examples of civic engagement demonstrated through the caring work of our faculty, staff and students," said University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.

        According to the report, called the "Saviors of Our Cities: 2009 Survey of College and University Civic Partnerships," the  colleges listed "illustrate the broad range of engagement initiatives" that have demonstrated "a positive economic, social and cultural impact" on the cities in which they reside.

        The survey followed assessment criteria in 10 areas of civic engagement and onsite interviews at many of the institutions listed. Scranton was among the schools listed in the "Honor Roll." Scranton and King's College in Wilkes-Barre are the only two local colleges listed.
 
        The University of Scranton cites numerous programs that offer support to the community. The university has more than a dozen community partnerships that provide services both, locally and internationally. Among these are the services offered through the Leahy Community Health and Family Center, including such diverse programs as the "Peacemakers Program" that serves elementary school children, the Autism Playgroup, counseling services, and a free clinic serving the uninsured of Lackawanna County. Scranton also offers to the public free of charge numerous lectures, musical performances and art exhibits throughout the year.

        In addition, each year more than 2,850 students perform well over 170,000 service hours, much of it through local organizations. The university offers numerous educational and training programs and many non-profit organizations make use of the university's facilities. The University of Scranton is also funding a multi-million dollar project to beautify and improve safety along Mulberry Street.

        This is the second time this year that The University of Scranton has received national recognition for its civic engagement efforts. In January, Scranton was among just 119 colleges in the nation earning the highly selective 2008 Community Engagement Classification designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
That listing recognized Scranton for both Curricular Engagement (the connection of teaching, learning and scholarship to community) and Outreach and Partnership (the extent of focus of institutional resources on community collaboration).