The University remains committed always to improving the quality of education, services and facilities we provide our students. Recent new initiatives include:

• The completion of the Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., Athletic Campus, a more than $14 million home for our field sports. As part of the project, we also resurfaced Fitzpatrick Field, which is now available for intramurals, club sports and recreation. In addition, in Athletics, we also improved the Long Center, replacing bleachers among other features.
• A recent $2 million upgrade to the first-floor dining area of The DeNaples Center that provided expanded options for students.
• Strategic Initiatives Funding for various projects, including expanded residential learning communities and community-based learning coursework that enable students to experience more deeply their own and the broader community.
• An option for select juniors to apply for a 3-3 program with Boston College Law School.
• A University-wide alumni mentoring program, offered through the Center for Career Development, called ScrantonConnections that solidifies the historically strong link between Scranton alumni and current students.

We also continue to invest in our classrooms, residence halls, the latest research equipment, student and faculty research, faculty-led study abroad courses, domestic and international service trips, internships and career development, and, of course, financial aid.

Doing so while improving the student experience and keeping our tuition increases as low as possible has demanded that we work differently and more efficiently across campus. We have embraced this challenge through our Comprehensive Resource Review process, enabling a significant increase in financial aid dollars. And, recently, we established the Student Life Division, realigning my leadership team to focus on the lives of our students outside the classroom.

The outcomes of our work are best understood through the satisfaction and success of our students: 98% of the undergraduate class of 2018 and 99% of the graduate class reported being successful in their career path of employment or pursuing additional education within six months of graduation. The average reported salary for undergraduates was $51,282 and $62,571 for master’s degree graduates. I encourage you learn more on these webpages that relate to the value and values of our Catholic and Jesuit education.

We will continue to work tirelessly to keep the University affordable by reducing costs, making innovative use of technology and improving efficiencies.

I wish you every success in the coming year.