About Us
“Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story” explores the aspirational journey to fulfill our national ideals through the lens of Scranton, Pennsylvania, an iconic American city that has experienced many of the key elements of our nation’s experience: industrial era growth and decline, waves of immigration past and present, and Black and Indigenous experiences.
Programs in a variety of scholarly and participatory formats will engage a diverse group of Scrantonians in conversations and story-sharing about founding debates, local and national identity, and our role as citizens in a democracy.
The story of Scranton is one of striving and struggle to realize the American ideals of freedom and justice for all. While its economy has oscillated, Scranton serves as an exemplar of community and resilience and of our ongoing American efforts to form a more perfect union.
Project Themes
- Portrait of Scranton, Portrait of a Nation
- The U.S. Citizen & the American Founding
- Indigenous History of Northeastern Pennsylvania
- From the Industrial Revolution to Act 47 and Beyond
- From “Immigrant” to Citizen
- The Underground Railroad to Black Scranton
- Scranton’s Religious Tapestry: Past and Present
- Education for Democracy: An Integrated Scranton & U.S. Story
University and Community Planning Committee Members
The University of Scranton Project Team Members:
Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for Community and Government Affairs and Project Director
Carolyn M. Bonacci, community and civic engagement coordinator
Patrick Clark, PhD., associate professor of theology and religious studies
David J. Dzurec, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of History and interim executive director of the Slattery Center for the Humanities
Colleen Farry, assistant professor and digital services librarian
Teresa A. Grettano, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre
Aiala Levy, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, Latin American studies, and women’s and gender studies
Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy and faculty director of the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Humanities
Sondra Myers, senior fellow for international, civic and cultural projects and director of the Schemel Forum
Jessica A. Nolan, Ph.D., professor of psychology
Adam J. Pratt, Ph.D., associate professor of history
Sheli E. Pratt-McHugh, assistant dean of the Weinberg Memorial Library
Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., Theatre Program director and associate professor of English and theatre
Community humanities partners include:
Erika Funke, senior producer, classical producer and program host at WVIA Public Media
Maureen McGuigan, director of the Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department
Glynis Johns, founder and CEO of the Black Scranton Project
Sarah Piccini, assistant director of the Lackawanna Historical Society
Mary Ann Moran-Savakinus, director of the Lackawanna Historical Society
In the News