University News
‘Native Son’ Helps Celebrate Library’s Anniversary
PBC Announces New Leadership, 2013 Honorees
The University’s President’s Business Council (PBC) began 2013 with new leadership and an enhanced organizational structure to better support its objectives of providing mentoring and career opportunities for current students, providing meaningful networking opportunities for alumni and friends, and raising funds for the Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. Tom O’Brien ’86, founding partner of SumRidge Partners, LLC, is the new chair. Patti Byrnes Clifford ’86, global chief talent officer for Havas Worldwide and chief talent officer for Havas Creative, is the vice chair for student engagement. Tom Lynch ’86, executive vice president at KDC Solar, LLC, is vice chair for fundraising. Elizabeth Boyle Madden ’96, vice president at Goldman, Sachs & Co., is vice chair for networking and member development.
At its Twelfth Annual Award Dinner, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3, at The Pierre Hotel in New York City, the PBC will present Jacquelyn ’89 and John ’86 Dionne with the President’s Medal. A current member of the University’s Board of Trustees, Jackie is a registered nurse who received her bachelor’s degree in health administration. Her intensive care nursing career included several earned certifications while at Mount Auburn, a Harvard teaching hospital, and at the New Hampshire Heart Institute. She is an officer with the National Charity League. John, a founding co-vice chair of the PBC, is a Senior Managing Director and Head of Private Equity Investor Relations & Business Development at Blackstone in New York City. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991. John is a former chair of the University’s Board of Trustees.
“Jackie and John are among our most engaged and devoted alumni,” noted University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. “We are grateful for their many contributions and are proud to recognize them with this honor.”
The PBC’s Eleventh Annual Award Dinner was held on Oct. 4. More than 500 alumni and friends were in attendance as the Lynett-Haggerty family, owners of Times-Shamrock Communications in Scranton, was honored.
For more information on the PBC or the dinner, contact the PBC Office at (570) 941-5837 or pbc@scranton.edu.
New Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Appointed
“Gary will bring a superior strategic vision and a deep commitment to engaging the wider campus community in development and alumni relations,” says University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.
At Villanova, Olsen played a leading role in crafting its integrated development and alumni relations program. He was also involved with the strategic and operational development of two capital campaigns, founded an award-winning leadership summit, and established an alumni association board of directors, among other accomplishments.
That’s Nice of You to Say
U.S. News Rates University Among ‘Best Colleges’
For the 19th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Scranton among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” in the 2013 edition of its “Best Colleges” guidebook. In its 2013 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” listing, U.S. News also recognized several of the University’s master’s degree programs.
Excelling in Online Education
U.S. News & World Report’s “2013 Best Online Education Programs” listing again gave the Scranton’s online graduate program high marks. The University’s online education program ranked No. 6 in the nation, and its online MBA program earned No. 39, according to the January listing.
Top Fulbright Producer Once Again
For the eighth consecutive year, the University was named one of the nation’s “Top Producers of U.S. Fulbright Students.” Scranton is among just 17 “Master’s Institutions” in the nation making the list for the 2012-2013 academic year published by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
A total of five University of Scranton graduates received Fulbright scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year. A total of 139 University students have received grants in the competitions administered by the Institute of International Education since 1972.
University Named ‘Most Efficient’
A December listing by U.S. News & World Report includes Scranton among the nation’s “highly ranked universities” that operate “most efficiently.” The University is one of just 40 colleges in the nation recognized, and one of only two Jesuit institutions listed.
Business School Among the Best
The Kania School of Management is again listed among the elite “Best 296 Business Schools” profiled in the 2013 edition of The Princeton Review’s guidebook. This marks the eighth consecutive year the University has been selected for the international listing of the “best business schools.”
T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y. Brings Education Together
This year’s freshmen in the Panuska College of Professional Studies (PCPS) are the first to participate in a new co-curricular initiative devoted exclusively to developing healthy and well-rounded adults.
The T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y. program, a four-year program geared toward personal and professional development, offers students an opportunity to experience all the University can provide through a series of structured offerings. As part of T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y., PCPS students will attend special lectures, complete service learning projects, meet with advisors, and participate in wellness activities designed to build a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
“We’re looking at the whole person and what the person needs to be successful as a professional, including things outside of the classroom,” says Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., PCPS associate dean. “T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y. provides a framework for these co-curricular activities to help students organize and understand how all of these things fit into their University of Scranton education.
”While traditional classes within PCPS are designed to develop the whole person, Dr. Castellanos says some topics inevitably fall through the cracks. The new initiative bridges the gap and provides opportunities for development that don’t cleanly fit into a syllabus.
“The term T.A.P.E.S.T.R.Y. comes from the idea that there are threads across all the programs and across all four years of their undergraduate education in Panuska College,” Dr. Castellanos explains.
Sportsmanship Conference Draws Crowd, Sends Positive Message
Celebrating Christmas with Breakfast
Business Club Bestows Professor of the Year Award
Professor’s Book Picked Among Year’s Best
Former Professor Endows Scholarship
University Presents Staff Members with Sursum Corda Awards
At a spring convocation, four staff members were presented Sursum Corda (Lift Up Your Hearts) Awards, recognizing employees who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University. Pictured (from left) are University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., and Sursum Corda Award recipients Brian Pelcin, university minister; Jim Piazza, carpenter; Kym Fetsko, administrative assistant for the dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library; and Barbara King, director of residence life.
Hundreds of Gifts Collected, Donated
More than 350 students, faculty and staff donated more than 700 individual holiday gifts, including clothing and toys, to those in need during the annual gift drive held by the Center for Service and Social Justice. In addition, participants “adopted” 88 children through the “adopt an angel” program in which sponsors provide multiple gifts for a child. Pictured (from left) are students Peter DeLong ’14, Mary Longest ’15, Kelly Judge ’14, Kerry Delaney ’14 and Lauren Delle Donne ’13.
Class of 2016 Presidential Scholars Announced
Nineteen members of the class of 2016 were awarded four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships, which recognizes incoming freshmen with outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement. Seated with University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., are (from left) Alison Gohn, Daniel Clark Jr. and John Clark. Standing (from left) are Ralph Petagna Jr., Norman Frederick Jr., Corey Wasilnak, Tricia Leavy, Andrew Hill, Marisa Riley, Shayne Wierbowski, Cecilia Strauch, Jessica Lavery, Christopher Kilner, Julie Dragonetti, Margaret Capooci, Sara Chapin and Krista Ziegler. Absent from photo are Christopher Musto and Vhalla Otarod.
Seven Students Named Scholars in Service
Seven students have been recognized as AmeriCorps Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania for the 2012-2013 academic year. The award honors students who have committed to complete 300 or 450 hours of individual service in the community during the academic year.
Each scholar volunteers primarily with one or two area nonprofit organizations throughout the year. Some of this year’s service sites include the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten, St. Joseph’s Center and Jewish Home of Eastern Pennsylvania. In addition, the students assist with numerous campus-wide service opportunities, which are organized by the Center for Service and Social Justice and often benefit area residents in need.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Scranton students have been honored with this recognition.
Double Major Receives McGowan Scholarship
Biology Major Wins Prestigious Scholarship
A member of a diverse group of honor societies, Meljen balances her academic studies with participation in numerous research projects, activities and service initiatives, including serving as a translator at the Leahy Clinic for the Uninsured and organizing a booth on Cuban history and culture at last year’s Diversity Fair.
Faculty Member Elected to Serve on National Board
Nursing Professor Honored with Service Award
Marian L. Farrell, Ph.D., professor of nursing, was awarded the University’s John L. Earl III Award for service to the University, faculty and wider community. This award is presented annually to a member of the University community who demonstrates the spirit of generosity and dedication that the late Dr. Earl, a distinguished professor of history, exemplified during his years at Scranton from 1964 to 1996.An educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Farrell joined the nursing faculty at the University in 1990. Her areas of research include healing experiences of abused women, relationships of abused women and young adult women, and the impact of mentoring in young adult women.
