On the Commons

Responsibilities of an Education

Discussed During the inaugural Humanities in Action Lecture, the former chief of staff to President Barack Obama reminded students of the value — and responsibility — that come with a four-year college degree.

The lecture was sponsored by the Gail and Francis Slattery Center for Humanities. The conversation with Denis McDonough, senior principal at the Markle Foundation and chair of its Rework America Task Force, was titled “From the White House to the Work Force.”

Because technology will, in the future, perform more and more tasks humans now perform, and only 34 percent of the U.S. workforce has a college degree, he urged students to care for the underserved, as their Jesuit education teaches them.

“Perhaps the most Ignatian of all,” he said, “is that you have the responsibility, outfitted and armed with the armor that this place gives you, to take care of this country, to take care of the world and to take care of the most vulnerable.”

McDonough, who served as White House chief of staff for President Obama from February 2013 to January 2017, also reminded students to vote, noting that only 23 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted in the 2016 election.

“That’s a travesty,” he said. “The first responsibility you have as citizens of this great democracy is to vote.” Read more about the Slattery Center for Humanities on page 30.

Sondra and Morey Myers Fellowship Established

This fall, the University established The Sondra H’87 and Morey Myers H’12 Distinguished Visiting Fellowship in the Humanities and Civic Engagement, housed in the University’s Slattery Center for Humanities. The fellowship honors two highly regarded community leaders from the region, Sondra and Morey Myers, J.D. Through their generous support and tireless work, both have encouraged civic engagement and cultural excellence for the betterment of the University, the city of Scranton and the country.

The fellowship was formally launched Oct. 24 at a lecture by Wayne Winborne, executive director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University-Newark. The launch event continued Oct. 25 with a Festival of Ideas, at which distinguished scholars and activists discussed the way in which law, humanities and civic engagement can address the crisis of democracy in the 21st century.

Tributes to the Myerses were presented by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., Lonnie Bunch III, the 14th secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and the Rev. William J. Byron, S.J, the 21st president of the University, among others. The fellowship will “help to enrich the community and elevate the type of serious thinking and reflection that Sondra and Morey constantly demonstrate,” Gov. Wolf said in a video tribute.

Sondra Myers serves as senior fellow for international, civic and cultural projects and director of the Schemel Forum at Scranton. Morey Myers is a practitioner in state and federal court in civil and criminal law.

On the Commons Annual Conference Focuses on Autism

In collaboration with the AllOne Foundation and Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence (ACCE), the Panuska College of Professional Studies (PCPS) and the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment presented “Exploring Autism Across the Spectrum: Building Inclusive Communities” at the University’s 18th Annual U.S. Conference on disAbility on Oct. 10 on campus. “The conference was abounding with excellent keynote speakers and presenters,” said Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of PCPS. “It provided opportunities to address key issues relevant to our mission by positively influencing the quality of life and wellness of individuals and families living with disabilities, especially autism.”

The speakers at the conference included: Patrick R. Progar, Ph.D., BCBA-D, vice president of behavioral services at The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health; autism advocates Deya Velasco and her son, Jose Velasco Jr.; Kerry Magro, Ph.D., an award-winning professional speaker and best-selling author; and Jeremy Sicile-Kira, an acclaimed intuitive artist. This year’s conference included a meet-andgreet reception with U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr.

The conference also highlighted the continuing accomplishments of ACCE, which is part of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar regional initiative led by the AllOne Foundation to enhance the service delivery system for individuals with autism and their families living in 13 counties in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania.

Read more about the conference in the Q&A with Dean Pellegrino on page 10 of this magazine.

We Heard You!

In the fall, we asked readers of The Scranton Journal to fill out a survey that would help us improve the magazine. We were thrilled to hear from hundreds of respondents, most of whom still prefer to get the magazine in print. In the past decade, we’ve conducted this survey several times, and your feedback has shown an upward trend in most categories, from content to design. But, we know, there is still room for improvement! In the coming issues, we will consider all feedback to make sure this magazine helps connect you to your alma mater. To learn the results of the survey, hosted by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), visit scranton.edu/journalextras.

Appointments and Retirements

Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., was named vice president for Mission and Ministry.

Father Keller serves as rector of the Scranton Jesuit Community, and he served as interim president at the University from June 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. Most recently, he was the University’s special assistant to the president.

Michelle Gonzalez Maldonado, Ph.D. was named dean of the University’s College of Arts and Sciences

(Effective July 1, 2020) Since 2014, Dr. Maldonado has served as assistant provost of undergraduate education at the University of Miami, where she also has served since 2016 as the executive director of the Office of Academic Enhancement and as a professor of religious studies. She joined the Miami faculty in 2006.

Gerald Zaboski ’87, G’95 was named vice president for Enrollment Management and External Affairs

In this position, Zaboski will provide overall strategic direction to the University’s admissions and enrollment activities, financial aid, branding and marketing efforts, news and media relations, and community and government relations. He joined the staff at the University in 1988.

Charles E. Kratz, dean of the Library and Information Fluency, retired at the end of 2019

For more than 28 years, Dean Kratz led the library. He led the opening of the new Weinberg Memorial Library in 1992 and the renovation of the first floor for its 20th anniversary. He built collections to meet student needs, instituted and extended 24-hour accessibility for study space and worked with University administration, faculty and students to improve library services, spaces and collections.

University Celebrates First-Gen Students

The University joined the National First-Generation College Celebration with an event on campus Nov. 8 to recognize the University’s first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni. The celebration was organized by the University’s THR1VE Program, which launched in July 2019 to celebrate and support Scranton students whose parents have not completed a four-year college degree. THR1VE is housed in the University’s Center for Student Engagement and is supported by a Strategic Initiatives Fund grant. At the University, 23 percent of the undergraduate population identifies as first-generation.

Students gather at the National First-Generation College Celebration in The DeNaples Center on Nov. 8.

According to Robert McGowan, coordinator of the THR1VE program, many first-generation students expressed similar concerns about their college experience, namely, “What am

I studying? What am I going to do with it after I graduate? And how am I going to pay for it?”

Based on this information, the THR1VE program focuses on three primary areas of support: financial wellness, academic planning and career development. Sessions include workshops on budgeting and financial planning, student loans and consumer debt, and savings and investment, as well as programming focusing on developing study skills. In addition to the special programming, THR1VE will assist first-generation students in navigating the vast array of resources available to them at the University.

“As the first member of the Pilarz family to graduate from college, I know firsthand the ways that graduation can be particularly life-changing for students, their families and future generations,” University President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., wrote in a letter to the University community about the celebration. “Since our founding as St. Thomas College, educating and forming those who are the first in their families to earn a college degree has been and will continue to be a special part of our mission.”

The National First-Generation College Celebration was established in 2017 to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which helped students from minority and low-income backgrounds. For the past two years, institutions from across the nation have organized their own celebrations in support of their first-generation students.

This marks the first year that the University has participated in the National First-Generation College Celebration.

Giblin-Kelly Hall Dedicated

Giblin-Kelly Hall DedicatedThe University dedicated a freshman residence hall in honor of the late Brendan J. Giblin of the class of 2006, who died in a hit-and-run accident while on spring break during his senior year, and the late William H. Kelly Jr. of the class of 1993, who died in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

“Your families had suffered the unthinkable, the unexpected death of a child — of a brother,” said University President Scott

From left are: Joe and Mary Giblin, parents of the late Brendan Giblin; University student Kim Baxter, recipient of the Giblin Scholarship who spoke at the ceremony; Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president; Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry; and Joanne and Bill Kelly, parents of the late William Kelly.

On the Commons R. Pilarz, S.J., at the dedication ceremony. “Yet, somehow, you were able to find the strength to turn these tragedies into a way to help others. Through your efforts, more than $1 million has been raised to support Giblin and Kelly scholarships that have been awarded to dozens of students at Scranton.”

To date, the University has awarded six Giblin Scholarships and 27 Kelly Scholarships to students at Scranton.

Kim Baxter, a senior from Philadelphia who is majoring in political science and criminal justice, spoke at the dedication on behalf of the recipients of Kelly and Giblin scholarships. Baxter is the recipient of a Giblin Scholarship.

“I have loved attending the University for the past four years, because I have had the opportunity to serve in different leadership positions, to serve others through different services trips, and to gain experience through different internships,” said Baxter. “I would not have been able to attend the University without receiving the Brendan J. Giblin Scholarship.”

Giblin-Kelly Hall, formerly called Hannan Hall, is a residence facility built in 1960 that accommodates 74 students.

Leahy Endowment Bequeathed Nearly $1 Million

Margaret C. Perez, Bethlehem, had known Edward R. Leahy, J.D. ’68, H’01, for more than 60 years. She knew his wife, Patricia, and their late son, Edward Jr. She also knew of the work of the University’s Leahy Community Health and Family Center and Edward R. Leahy Jr. Center Clinic for the Uninsured housed in the Panuska College of Professional Studies. She was so impressed by its mission that she bequeathed a portion of her estate to the Edward R. Leahy Jr. Endowment at the University — a gift of nearly $1 million.

“Margaret, or Marge as we called her, was a good soul and a lifelong friend. She never said an unkind word to anyone and went to church nearly every day,” said Edward Leahy. “She had no children or living relatives, and when she passed away at the age of 88, she gave her entire estate to charities, including a portion to the Leahy Endowment at the University.”

Leahy said Perez visited the Leahy Community Health and Family Center years ago and was deeply moved by the compassionate service shown to people with disabilities. Shortly after her visit, she told Leahy of her intent to bequeath a portion of her estate to the endowment at the University.

Snapshot of the Class of 2023

Nearly 9,500 APPLICANTS More than 1,000 UNDERGRADUATES

More than 400 Graduate Students (On Campus & Online)

40 Transfer Students 93 Legacy Children 13 States Several countries including IRELAND, PAKISTAN & VIETNAM

Program News

New Lifelike Simulators Used by Student Nurses

This past fall, The Moses Taylor Foundation awarded an $88,000 grant to Scranton’s Nursing Department for the purchase of new simulator equipment for its laboratory. Thanks to the grant, the University acquired an advanced newborn patient simulator, a five-year-old pediatric simulator and a simulation medication dispensing system. The simulators allow nursing students to practice emergency protocol safely and in a controlled environment and permit students to make life-or-death decisions the field might require without the risk to a real patient a clinical rotation might present. Students and Faculty Attend Occupational Therapy Conference University occupational therapy (OT) students and faculty were invited to present their research endeavors at the annual Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association conference in King of Prussia this past fall. Faculty and 35 Scranton OT students joined students, faculty and clinicians from across the state. Students presented their faculty-mentored research projects during four poster presentation sessions.

Two Majors Seeing Major Growth at Scranton

Two majors at Scranton — criminal justice and history — have seen the number of incoming students triple in the past three years for the same reasons: cogent explanations of career employment opportunities after graduation; having an engaging faculty; and providing appealing courses. The number of incoming students declaring a major in criminal justice increased from 13 in 2017-18 to 39 in 2019-20. Students declaring history as their first major also rose, as well as the total number of history majors, which includes those who have changed their major as well those who declare history as a second major.

Mechanical Engineering to be Offered

In fall 2020, students will be able to enroll in the University’s new major in mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering disciplines and involves the design, production and operation of mechanical and thermal systems. Students graduating in this major will be prepared to work in a wide array of fields, including the automotive and aerospace industries, manufacturing, electronics, mechatronics and nanotechnologies.

Business Analytics Major Offered

In fall 2019, the University began offering a new major in business analytics, which was developed based on feedback from practitioners, business executives and companies regarding the skills they search for when recruiting recent graduates in this field. Students will develop hands-on skills in using advanced analytical techniques such as data mining, predictive analytics and statistics to evaluate large amounts of data collected from e-commerce transactions and social media to help inform business decisions. For more program news, visitnews.scranton.edu.

Student Veteran Attends Leadership Institute

University student veteran Amy Atkinson ‘19, G’22, who has been actively advocating for veterans on campus, was invited to attend the Student Veterans of America’s (SVA) Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C., in September. Hundreds apply for this honor, which is extended only to a select group of student veterans who are SVA chapter leaders. In January 2020, Atkinson attended the Student Veterans of America National Conference (NATCON). Amy Atkinson ‘19, G’22

“To be considered, the student veteran must have extraordinary academic, extracurricular and personal strengths, so it was satisfying to have my hard work and dedication acknowledged,” said Atkinson, a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Counseling Program.

Atkinson is a U.S. Army veteran, president of the Student Veterans Organization, member of the Committee on the Status of Women and Counseling and Human Services Association, as well as a member of three national honor societies: Alpha Pi Sigma, SALUTE and Tau Upsilon Alpha.

The concept behind the SVA Leadership Institute is that long-term leadership success comes from an intimate knowledge of one’s core values and how to empower others. Attendees are mentored through this experience by successful SVA alumni, business leaders and advocates.

“The SVA Leadership Institute provided me a more solid sense of self, as well as a clearer sense of who I am as a leader,” said Atkinson.

Concert Celebrates 100th Birthday of Composer

Performance Music at Scranton paid homage to the great composer Václav Nelhýbel with a concert celebrating the centennial year of his birth.

The Václav Nelhýbel Centennial Concert took place in November and featured The University of Scranton Symphonic Band and internationally acclaimed trumpeter Christian Jaudes.

Nelhýbel had a long and close relationship with the University. At the time of his death on March 22, 1996, he was the composer-in-residence at Scranton and a beloved mentor to Performance Music conductor and director Cheryl Y. Boga. The composer’s influence is still very much alive at the University, as it is throughout the world. For the past 20 years Scranton has served as the home of The Nelhýbel Collection, which includes his published and unpublished compositions, personal papers, manuscript scores and other valuable materials, all impeccably curated by the composer’s widow.

“Nelhýbel’s music has resonated with every iteration of student who has come through here,” said Boga. “Every student who has ever played it, it has touched something in them or awoken something in them.”

Hear Cheryl Boga talk about Nelhýbel at scranton.edu/journalextras.

Social Media Dorm Room Contest Students participated in a social media dorm room contest through the Marketing Communications Department last semester.

On the Commons Update to the Living Wage Report Presented

In partnership with The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development, the University’s Office of Community and Government Relations, the Ellacuría Initiative and the Political Science Department released a comprehensive report that details how conditions have changed three years after their groundbreaking “Living Wage Report 2016.” A living wage is a rate at which a worker can reach a standard of living that meets essential basic needs and enables the worker to live a modest but dignified life.

Numerous families in Lackawanna and Luzerne fall below official federal poverty measurements and there are also many others who work full-time and are above the poverty line, but still fall short of a living wage that can adequately provide for themselves and their children, according to the study that offers recommendations to close the gap and promote economic security.

Read the updated report at scranton.edu/livingwage.

Distinguished Author Award Honors Madeline Miller

Madeline Miller, author of two New York Times bestsellers, received the 2019 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award from The University of Scranton’s Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library.

Miller’s latest book, Circe, inspired by the mythological witch in Homer’s Odyssey, became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and is short-listed for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. At the award dinner, Miller, whose mother was a librarian, said she was grateful to the Weinberg Memorial Library community. 2019 Distinguished Author Award Winner Madeline Miller at the award dinner.

“It’s been such a pleasure to get to know this library, this University a little bit and this amazing community of readers,” she said at the ceremony. “I spent a lot of my childhood in libraries, so I know a good library when I see one.”