16 minute read
On The Commons
Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Humanities Opens
In May, University President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., announced the establishment of the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Humanities, which opened this fall in a grand Victorian home on the corner of Mulberry Street and Clay Avenue.
The Gail and Francis Slattery Center for the Humanities, which opened this fall.
The Center is named after the parents of benefactor and current University Trustee James M. Slattery ’86 and his wife, Betsy, of Peach Tree City, Georgia.
James Slattery, chief operating officer of North America for Melrose PLC, earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. He has been active with the University’s President’s Business Council (PBC) and served as chair of its annual award dinner in 2013. Betsy Slattery is an active community volunteer.
Through the Center’s programs, elevated discourse on an array of topics and civic engagement will be encouraged by members of the University community, as well as by residents throughout the greater Scranton area.
“The humanities ground our academic disciplines and pursuits of The University of Scranton while also asking us to engage on a global and historical level,” said Yamile Silva, Ph.D., chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures, at the announcement. “Through the humanities, our students learn about the values of different cultures, about what goes into writing a play, about what history is made, about the pursuit of the truth.”
DBA Program is Recognized for Innovations and Best Practices
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) recognized the University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program for “Innovations and Best Practices in Canada, Latin America and the United States.”
Just 43 colleges from the two continents were included in the publication, which recognizes the “impactful ways” AACSB member schools are redefining business education.
AACSB recognized Scranton for providing a non-traditional research DBA in accounting that “promotes diversity and practice relevance by providing a flexible path for experienced practitioners to gain the knowledge and credentials required to succeed in tenure-track positions at AACSB accredited institutions.”
The University’s DBA program in accounting, launched in the fall of 2017, was developed specifically to provide experienced practitioners with a practical, flexible pathway to an academic career, while still providing for the development of the knowledge and skill set necessary to become a “scholarly academic,” that is one who is most qualified to serve in a tenure-track position at a school of business that possesses or is seeking formal accreditation by AACSB International.
Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence Executive Hub Opens
The University officially opened the Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence Executive Hub on campus as part of an initiative led by the AllOne Foundation intended to significantly enhance the service delivery system for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families living in 13 counties in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania.
The Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence Executive Hub opens on campus.
This fall, the University began offering an 18-credit Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study for professionals working in psychology, education, child care, speech and language disorders, and counseling and human services.
At the opening, University faculty discussed aspects of the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) in the center’s state-of-the-art assessment labs that will be taught as part of this post-graduate program, which will be housed in the University’s Department of Counseling and Human Services. Each lab is also equipped with recording devices to aide in education and training of the students and assessment purposes.
Campus Update: St. Thomas Hall’s Façade
The façade of St. Thomas Hall facing Linden Street will have a new, modern design, which incorporates locally quarried stone with a lit glass wall that spans the center of the four-story building and features the University seal.
A rendering of St. Thomas Hall’s new look.
The new design keeps the iconic cross that rises above the left side of the building. Spanning the center of the façade is a glass wall etched with the University’s seal. The wall will be lit in evenings to highlight the image.
Hemmler + Camayd designed the updated façade. A.J. Guzzi General Contractors, Inc., is the construction manager for the project, which began in July and is expected to be completed in six months.
New Law School 3-3 Programs
The University has signed early admissions agreements with Boston College Law School and Penn State Law School that will allow Scranton students who meet program requirements to be eligible for admission after three years at Scranton. The new agreements took effect at the beginning of this academic year. Commonly referred to as a “3-3 program,” the agreements allow Scranton students to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University and a juris doctor degree from Boston College or Penn State in six, rather than seven, years.
Read more about these agreements and the expanding Pre-Law Advisory Program at Scranton on page 25.
New Dean Joins University
Sam Beldona, Ph.D., began serving as dean of the Kania School of Management in July 2019. Previously, Dr. Beldona served as dean of the Barowsky School of Business at Dominican University of California.
Dean Beldona has lectured, consulted, studied and taught in the Americas, Asia and Europe, and since 2003, he has served as a visiting professor of corporate strategy at Temple University Japan, in Tokyo.
Emmy Award-winning Alumna Visits Campus
By Kelsey Wynn ’21, student correspondent
Nicole Young ’00, a 13-time Emmy Award-winner for her work as a producer on “60 Minutes,” spoke at the University’s Spring Community Breakfast. Young told the audience of Scranton area residents, faculty, staff and students that she wanted to become either a humanitarian or a journalist in order to have a platform to get the world talking about global issues.
Nicole Young ’00 visits campus for the Spring Community Breakfast.
Young said her experiences as a producer for “60 Minutes,” investigating starvation and poverty are overwhelming, yet strangely addicting.
At the breakfast, Young played a compilation of several of her shows from “60 Minutes,” including “Fighting Famine,” which focuses on a rare famine emergency in South Sudan. Young received a standing ovation at the end of her talk and said she was choked up about returning to Scranton after nearly 20 years.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania Gives Talk
By Eric Eiden ’19, student correspondent
His Excellency Rolandas Kriščiūnas, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States of America and to the United Mexican States, spoke at Scranton’s sixth annual Jay Nathan Lecture Series titled “Lithuania: Traditional and Modern Nation.” The lecture began with a short video on Lithuania, covering the history of the country and its geographical features.
His Excellency Rolandas Krišciunas
“Today we do believe and always believe that we love freedom and we love peace. Lithuania is not a threat to anyone and it will never be,” Ambassador Kriščiūnas said. “We would like to see our neighbors living in peace, cherishing freedom and building a future.”
The lecture featured a musical performance by soprano Kristina Malinauskaitė, a participant in the Martina Arroyo Foundation’s Opera Education Program and dell Arte Opera Ensemble; and a reading by poet Carol Lasata Gargan, Ph.D.
See the video of this lecture, as well as other lectures and events on campus, on our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/universityofscranton
Jane Kopas Women’s Center Celebrates 25 Years
On March 2, the University celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Jane Kopas Women’s Center at a luncheon held on campus. The Women’s Center at the University was established in 1994 to provide a campus forum for exploring women’s issues and to address concerns of gender equality and justice.
In 2001, the Campus Women’s Center was renamed after theology and religious studies professor M. Jane Kopas, Ph.D., to recognize her numerous and diverse contributions to improving the status of women on campus and in the greater Scranton community. The Center continues to focus on advancing gender equity through education, awareness, and advocacy.
From left are, Anitra McShea, Ph.D., associate vice president for student life; Robert W. Davis Jr., Ed.D., vice president for student life; Maria R. Marinucci, director of the Cross Cultural Centers; Amy McKiernan ‘07, program speaker; Megan Barr ‘18, G’19, program speaker; Lauren S. Rivera, J.D., assistant vice president for student life and dean of students; Gerianne Barber, director of the Counselor Training Center and recipient of the Legacy Award; and Jean Wahl Harris, Ph. D., professor of political science and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies program, who served as the keynote speaker.
Magis Honors Program in STEM Approved
After two years of pilot seminars, the University has begun a new Magis Honors Program in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), founded to help students with an interest in STEM research get started early in their college careers.
The program consists of a series of seminar courses, ranging from a first-year Writing Science in Literature course to a history course on America’s environment, that students take throughout their four years. Through both individual and group projects, students will gain the intellectual and technical skills to carry out original research and to communicate this research to others.
“It’s so much fun,” said Janice Voltzow Ph.D., a biology professor and one of the founders of the program. “They are so excited about what they’re doing, and there’s an awful lot of sharing of that enthusiasm.”
The program also has a community outreach component where the undergraduates volunteer with local students.
Student Attends IMA Student Leadership Experience
Nhu Nguyen, a double-major in accounting and international business at Scranton, attended the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA’s) Student Leadership Experience in Orlando, Florida, in February. This highly selective program included only five students from the around the world.
In addition to attending in the IMA’s Global Board of Directors Meeting, Nguyen participated in meetings for the Committee on Ethics and the Volunteer Leadership Committee.
“I not only had an opportunity to learn more about the IMA, but I also got to experience how passionate and dedicated the members are to the accounting profession and student development,” said Nguyen.
Students Organize Inaugural Social and Digital Media Conference
The University hosted high school students and regional business professionals for the inaugural University of Scranton Social and Digital Media Conference (USSDMC) held in the DeNaples Center on April 30.
Student organizers and others at the inaugural social media conference on campus in April.
This innovative conference successfully brought together more than 110 students and industry professionals to learn from leading experts in the social media industry about the importance of social media and how it can best be used to bolster both personal and professional brands. The conference featured five specialized panels, including advocacy, nonprofit and ethics, social media marketing, sports and entertainment, empowerment lunch and a college student panel.
The conference was organized by 15 students in the Events Management course offered through the Department of Communication.
Celebrating 50 Years Since Apollo 11
Fifty years ago, Glynn S. Lunney H’71 served as a NASA flight director for the historic Apollo 11 mission that placed the first man on the moon. Lunney, a native of Old Forge, completed his pre-engineering studies at the University in 1955 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Detroit in 1958.
Glynn S. Lunney H’71 is pictured with Apollo 11 flight directors in the Mission Control Center, seated from left, Clifford E. Charlesworth and Gerald D. Griffin; standing, Eugene F. Kranz and Milton L. Windler; and Lunney, far right.
“It amazes me to know that 50 years ago, a Scranton alumnus played a pivotal role in placing a man on the moon,” said Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., University president. “We are very proud of contributions our alumni have made, and will continue to make in the future, for mankind and for the greater glory of God.”
During his distinguished career, Lunney served as a flight director for Apollo 5, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 14, and as lead flight director for Apollo 1, 4, 7 and 10.
The University bestowed an honorary degree upon Lunney in 1971.
A Cappella Group Celebrates Anniversary
Men and Women for Octaves, an a cappella club on campus, celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year. As part of the festivities, alumni joined the current members of the club for a weekend reunion in May.
Men and Women for Octaves celebrate its 10-year anniversary in May. (Photo credit: Michele Richard)
“Students tell me that one of the things they like best about belonging to an a cappella group is that it’s like being a member of a second family, made up of students from lots of different majors, different age groups and different ethnic backgrounds, all drawn together for the purpose of making music,” said club moderator and professor Michael Friedman, Ph.D.
In addition to some jam sessions, current and former members of the group took to the stage over the weekend to perform a rendition of “Come on Eileen,” arranged by Jimmy Francis ’16.
SMART Program Grows
Twelve University of Scranton students mentored 34 high school students from Scranton High and West Scranton High School as part of The Meg Cullen-Brown SMART Program.
“The program helps high school students connect with a college student to learn about various topics including: social media (use and abuse), bullying, communication, healthy relationships, role models and personal potential,” said Pat Vaccaro, director of Campus Ministries’ Center for Service and Social Justice.
One goal of the program is to help mentees establish strong relationships with college student mentors. Studies have shown that students have a better chance at academic success when making a connection with a mentor.
The program was named to honor Meg Cullen-Brown, director of the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services at Scranton, who died unexpectedly in May 2016. The program was made possible by donations from her family and The Margaret Briggs Foundation.
Commencement Speaker Receives Multiple Honors
This spring, Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93, G’93, H’19, the director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame, was awarded both the Arrupe Award and an honorary degree from Scranton. She was also the undergraduate Commencement speaker and was named to the University’s Board of Trustees.
Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93, G’93, H’19 delivers the undergraduate commencement speech.
Three days after the public release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report detailing sexual abuse by Catholic priests in the Commonwealth, The New York Times published an opinion column about the findings by Dr. Cummings.
The “masterful opinion article captured so well what I and so many other Catholics were feeling in that moment,” said University President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., who presented Dr. Cummings with the University’s Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry Award at a ceremony in April.
In her address to the graduates at Commencement, Dr. Cummings said, “My prayer is that you, as Scranton graduates, will always seek to do more. My prediction is that your most profound encounters with the human and the divine await you in the places that feel the least familiar. My promise is that our church, our nation, our world and our planet are going to need every ounce of your passion, your talents, your creativity in the years to come. My plea is for you to take what you learned while studying in these mountains, and go forth determined to move metaphorical ones. The best is yet to come.”
Commencement 2019 Fast Facts
Honorary Degree Recipients
David and Ann Hawk of Gertrude Hawk Chocolates and the Hawk Family Foundation; Rev. Matthew Ruhl, S.J., pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Belize; Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93, G’93, director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame and Rev. Brendan Lally, S.J. ’70, rector of the Jesuit Community and chaplain at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Graduate Numbers
Included more than 1,480 graduates with 41 doctoral degrees, more than 585 master’s degrees, more than 850 bachelor’s degrees and one associate degree.
Fulbright Scholarship
Thomas Gerald McGinley ‘19 won a competitive Fulbright-Lappeeranta University of Technology Graduate Award to Finland.
Welcome, New Members of the Board of Trustees
The following members of the Board of Trustees began their tenure at the start of the academic year.
Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93, G’93, H’19
• William W. and Anna Jean Cushwa Director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame
• Associate professor of American studies and history at Notre Dame, and an affiliated faculty member in gender studies, Italian studies and the Nanovic Institute for European Studies
• Previous recipient of the Frank J. O’Hara Alumni Award by the University
Kathleen Sprows Cummings, Ph.D. ’93, G’93, H’19
Ryan J. Maher, S.J.
• President of Scranton Prep
• Previously the executive director of the Jesuit Center, a resource center he founded to help University faculty and staff understand and engage more fully in the University’s Catholic and Jesuit mission
• Spent 11 years as an associate dean and professor at Georgetown University, including two years at Georgetown’s branch campus of its School of Foreign Service in the Persian Gulf
Ryan J. Maher, S.J.
John Mariotti, D.D.S. ’75, P’10
• Orthodontist, Quinn Mariotti & Abod
• Past president, former chair of the Scranton District Dental Society and past president and board member of the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists
• During the past few years, he has been chosen to be a fellow of the International College of Dentists and to the Pierre Fauchard Academy
John Mariotti, D.D.S. ’75, P’10
Steve Sandherr, Esq. ’80
• CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the nation’s largest commercial construction trade association.
• Has also served as Labor and Small Business Counsel for the National Association of Home Builders and practiced law with the firm of Thompson, Mann and Hutson
• An honorary trustee of the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. and was elected to the National Academy of Construction
Steve Sandherr, Esq. ’80
Rachele Mackin Browning ‘84
• Managing director in SEI’s Institutional Group, responsible for new business development in the U.S. for Endowments & Foundations, Healthcare and Corporate markets
• Active in her community and currently serving on the board of Mindfulness through Movement, a Philadelphia organization committed to nurturing the wellness of children in underserved areas
• Recently awarded the Frank J. O’Hara Alumni Award by the University
Rachele Mackin Browning ‘84
