Monsignor John Jordan Reflection

Monsignor John Jordan Reflection

REFLECTS ON COLLEGE’S EVOLUTION UNDER PELLEGRINO

Monsignor John Jordan jokes that he’s been a member of the Panuska College of Professional Studies’ Board of Visitors since “Adam ate the apple.”

Kidding aside, in his three-plus decades of service, Msgr. Jordan has seen plenty of great strides made by the college. And as far as he’s concerned, its accomplishments under the leadership of Dean Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., have made The University of Scranton “one of the leading Jesuit schools in the country.”

“Under Dean Pellegrino, we have seen the Panuska College grow by leaps and bounds,” said Msgr. Jordan. “The University is a big operation, and the Panuska College is one of its stars.”

Msgr. Jordan is one of a small but committed group of advisors who serve on the Board of Visitors, which is charged with providing the Dean with keen insight and guidance on issues relevant to advancing the college’s mission.

The board is made up of alumni and community leaders representing a variety of fields. Now retired, Msgr. Jordan formerly served as superintendent of the Diocese of Scranton schools and initially led Scranton’s NativityMiguel School.

“The board is a good group, and we try our best to give Dean Pellegrino good advice before taking on various initiatives,” said Msgr. Jordan, a Pittston resident. “She presents different updates on where they’re going and where they’re looking to go. For what it’s worth, the advice we give I think has helped the college. And one of the great things Dean Pellegrino did with our meetings was to bring in students from the college’s various disciplines to make presentations for us. Through talking to them, we get a sense of what is going on at the University. That way, you’re on the ground talking about the issues that really matter.”

Msgr. Jordan cited several PCPS projects implemented during Dr. Pellegrino’s tenure that he’s especially proud of, from the Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Center Clinic for the Uninsured to the addition of numerous undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.

Through it all, he said, Dr. Pellegrino has provided steady leadership to the faculty and staff members charged with helping her carry out this important work.

“She has been so committed to the Ignatian mission of the Jesuits — not just the professional studies, but also the liberal arts. The students know who they are and what the mission is, thanks to that emphasis on service learning. That’s what I admire most about what she’s done,” Msgr. Jordan said. “She’s not only a professional, but she also has that personal touch. And that goes a long way to connecting people to the University.”

“Now, as Dean Pellegrino departs, she’s handing off to Father Marina a very solid program that can continue to grow with good leadership,” he continued. “Panuska is a very well-run school, and the new president has something to be grateful for, thanks to Dean Pellegrino.”