Marywood University Receives the Robert H. Spitz Foundation 2021 Grant Marywood University received a 2021 Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant. The $12,000 grant was awarded to the S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together Achieving Remarkable Success) program, an after-school mentoring program. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation has made a positive impact on Scranton’s Latinx population through its grant support of the University’s S.T.A.R.S. program.Pictured from left to right are: Frank Caputo, Grants and Communications Coordinator, Scranton Area Foundation; Cathy Fitzpatrick, Grants and Scholarship Manager, Scranton Area Foundation; Patricia Rosetti, Leadership Annual Giving Officer, Marywood University, and Jenny Gonzalez, S.T.A.R.S. Program Director, Marywood University. Marywood University is the recent recipient of a 2021 Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant. The $12,000 grant was awarded to the S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together Achieving Remarkable Success) program, an after-school mentoring program. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation has made a positive impact on Scranton’s Latinx population through its grant support of the University’s S.T.A.R.S. program. Established in 2018, S.T.A.R.S. has provided weekly academic tutoring and mentoring to 20-25 middle and high school Latinx students. Marywood students serve as tutors and mentors to the youth. In addition to academic assistance, the students participate in career exploration activities and workshops related to secondary and post-secondary academic options. Monthly workshops, in English and Spanish, provide families with similar information about potential opportunities for their children. Additionally, Marywood University academic departments host students on campus 4-5 times a year, providing information and experiential activities that are focused on various majors. This includes small-group and individual mentorship for students using a career and college readiness curriculum, as well as individual tutoring sessions via zoom or in-person with a Marywood student. Student and family workshops are also provided.
The Greater Carbondale YMCA and Pennie Present Health Equity Tour Event If vendors or small businesses are interested in participating in this event, please fill out the form here.
Misericordia to Offer New Pandemic Opportunity Tuition Discounts in Spring ‘22 Misericordia University announced today a special, a one-time pandemic relief discount for new students enrolling in the Spring 2022 academic semester. The university is keenly aware of the financial and life challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and wants to assist both full-time and part-time students who may have postponed their higher education plans. New and former students not currently enrolled in Fall 2021 will be eligible for this university-supported program. New part-time students who enroll in undergraduate or graduate classes for the Spring 2022 semester will receive a 25 percent discount on Misericordia’s per-credit tuition rates for the spring. Students who transfer to Misericordia on a full-time basis to begin classes in January 2022 would receive a one-time $5,000 award from the university for the spring semester in addition to other aid. Misericordia University President Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., explains, “The pandemic and other disruptions have clearly impacted the higher education opportunities for many degree seekers. Through this program, we hope to reignite the desire of those seeking to advance their education and their career prospects. Many people are in need of additional credentials to compete in the modern workforce, and we know we can provide high quality educational opportunities to them.” In addition to part-time students receiving a discount this spring, Dr. Myers further expands on the opportunities for full-time study. “We believe that Misericordia is an excellent destination for transfer students who have completed one- or two years’ worth of study and either need a change of venue or have temporarily stopped their studies and would like to enroll full-time again. Students who postponed college and are just starting their first semester in January would also be eligible for this one-time, pandemic relief incentive,” says Myers.
Tickets Now On Sale for Disney On Ice at Mohegan Sun Area Hosts Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse bring audiences on an expedition across raging seas, snow covered mountains and the marigold bridge in Disney On Ice presents Into The Magic. This action-packed extravaganza, produced by Feld Entertainment, Inc., features Disney’s Moana, Frozen, Coco and Beauty and the Beast with other beloved Disney characters skates into Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza from January 6 – 9, 2022. Disney On Ice presents Into The Magic takes families on a high-sea adventure as Moana sets sail on a life-changing quest to save her island with help from the demigod Maui. With the ice floor transformed into the vast oceanic scape, Disney On Ice allows Moana’s strength and determination to take center stage. This engaging atmosphere lets audiences deepen their existing connection to their favorite wayfinder and discover one’s true identity is never out of reach. Journey across the Marigold Bridge with Miguel from Disney●Pixar’s Coco into the magnificent and mystical Land of the Dead and discover a vibrantly colorful performance with skeletons in a beautiful cultural celebration of family. Beautiful production numbers invite audiences into the world of Beauty and the Beast, as Belle shows what it means to be fearless. Along with her new friends in the enchanted castle, Belle is encouraged to step outside the ordinary and find joy in the bleakest situation. As she looks beyond the harsh exterior of the Beast to reach his gentle heart, fans learn there are teachable moments in everyday life. Through the athleticism and grace of Anna and Elsa, Rapunzel and Flynn, and Cinderella, brave heroes from Frozen, Tangled and Cinderella ignite passions to believe. Showgoers will witness each characters’ unique qualities and talents inspiring children around the world to discover their inner hero. While delivering the same magical experiences guest expect from Disney On Ice, Feld Entertainment is continuing Guest Wellness Enhancements to help keep families safe at its live events. Fed Entertainment is working closely with venue partners to establish and follow COVID-19 health and safety standards in accordance with all federal, state and local guidelines. Please monitor the venue website for health and safety policies, including face coverings and entry requirements, which are subject to change. Full details on Feld Entertainment Guest Wellness Enhancements can be found here. Event Location: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 Dates and Times of Performances: Thursday, January 6 7:00pm Friday, January 7 3:00pm 7:00pm Saturday, January 8 11:00am 3:00pm 7:00pm Sunday, January 9 11:00am 3:00pm For ticket prices and to purchase tickets visit www.disneyonice.com, Ticketmaster.com or visit the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena *Ticket pricing is subject to change based on market demand.
TOBY2028 Strategic Plan Drives Growth at Tobyhanna Army Depot Big changes are happening at Tobyhanna Army Depot – all thanks to the organization’s future-focused strategic plan, TOBY2028. TOBY2028 aligns with the depot’s four strategic focus areas, called lines of effort (LOEs): Invest in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. The endeavor was launched in 2018, as depot leaders envisioned becoming the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider. According to TOBY2028’s overall lead Heather Fiedler, the plan’s success can be attributed to the participation of depot employees. “TOBY2028 has showcased the talents and passion of Team Tobyhanna, and they have done a great job working to shape our future and deliver on our commitments.” Fiedler is the depot’s organizational development specialist. The foundational LOE under TOBY2028 is Invest in Our People (IiOP), focusing empowerment efforts for the Army’s most important resource: its people. Fielder lauded the success of the IiOP’s Peer2Peer (P2P) Proactive Education Program, which trained employees on how to handle peer-to-peer disclosures such as harassment, suicidal ideations, substance use and mental health issues. The program strives to create grassroots support where trained peers can connect co-workers with the appropriate first responder for intervention. “Because we know that disclosures are often made to peers first, we developed this program to ensure members of Team Tobyhanna always have a trained person to confide in. After less than a year, we’ve received a wealth of positive feedback for the program – and its participants,” Fiedler said. P2P, aligned with the Communication- Electronics Command’s Selflessness-Ownership-Unity-Larger Purpose (SOUL) program, is part of a larger slate of people-focused initiatives outlined by Fielder. Two standouts include a reciprocal shadowing pilot designed to build relationships across organizational silos and a twice-weekly mindfulness group to help reduce employee stress. A pivotal accomplishment under the C5ISR Readiness LOE is the enhanced scheduling process, identified by the Army Materiel Command as a best practice earlier this year. The endeavor, originally piloted at Tobyhanna, provides leadership with real-time reporting tools based upon data entered by production floor personnel. It also heightens visual management to optimize production floor execution. Production floor leadership gave the new process rave reviews. “Enhanced scheduling enables us to more efficiently execute mission requirements by clearly defining and prioritizing workload requirements based on real-time data,” said John Scott, Chief of the Tactical Satellite Systems Branch in the C4ISR Directorate. As subject matter experts on the topic, Tobyhanna hosted 12 government agencies for a summit in July to provide training on the enhanced scheduling process. The summit also allowed depot personnel to directly interact with their counterparts at other organizations, sharing knowledge for collective growth. Strategic communications (STRATCOM) were also improved under TOBY2028, with the introduction of multiple initiatives to better inform depot stakeholders. One such initiative was the development of a recruitment video to attract talent, jointly produced by the IiOP and STRATCOM LOEs. Anne Gebhardt, Recruiting the Future Workforce team lead, says the video will be a big help in publicizing Tobyhanna to prospective employees. “We believe this video will showcase not only the many different careers at Tobyhanna, but also the excellent benefits package and the advancement opportunities here. We also believe current employees sharing why they remain part of Team Tobyhanna is a powerful endorsement.” Another STRATCOM initiative was aimed at ensuring a growing communication platform – social media – was fully accessible to all members of Team Tobyhanna’s diverse stakeholder group. “Our team was excited to develop a plan to guarantee our media products were 508-compliant, ensuring our teammates who are deaf or blind can still engage with our digital platforms and are spun up on the latest news from Team Tobyhanna,” said Ryan Beilman, co-lead of the STRATCOM Effective Communication team. Beilman outlined the plan, which requires all depot social media to include closed captioning for videos or the integration of a sign language interpreter, while images all must be accompanied by a detailed image description. Significant efforts are also underway for the Shape the Future LOE, whose mission is to drive a collaborative approach to innovation to support emerging requirements for the future force. The team’s current focus is the Technology and Capability Review Team (TCRT). This new group will identify sustainable short and long-term workloads and establish a business case analysis to address the investment opportunities. Shape the Future Lead Katlin Edmunds believes the TCRT will be a big success for Tobyhanna. “This new effort will enable us to use data for process-based decisions on strategic capability investments. Simply put, it will help us better identify new workloads for Tobyhanna’s unique skill set.” Fielder says TOBY2028 will endure long past the year 2028. “TOBY2028 is not only our organizational roadmap today; it will remain our guide well into the future.”
Chief Fellow of Wright Center’s Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Presents at Conference The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s chief fellow of the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program had 18 research abstracts presented recently at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting & Postgraduate Course in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hemant Goyal, M.D., wrote and presented five abstracts at the international conference. He presented: “Continued Aspirin Use and Bleeding Risk After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Gastric Neoplasms: A Meta-Analysis,” “Don’t Blame the Duodenoscope Elevator, the Channels are Contaminated as Well: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” “How ‘Dirty’ are the Endoscope Channels: A Systematic Review and Mata-Analysis of Reprocessed Endoscopes,” “1-Day vs. 3-Day Low Residue Diet for Colonoscopy Bowel Cleansing: A Systematic Review,” and “Peptic Ulcer with Adherent Clot – Treat it or Leave It: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.” Dr. Goyal also co-authored 13 other scholarly posters with national and international co-authors that were presented at the conference. The abstracts that were presented are based upon findings from The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Institutional Review Board-approved research studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. They will also appear in future editions of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. ACG, a professional organization that champions the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of digestive disorders, features one of the largest annual gastroenterology conferences in the United States.
Misericordia University Dedicates New Science Center Dignitaries, donors, faculty, staff, and students attended the dedication of the new $38.5 million Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center at Misericordia University this morning. Two and a half years after the groundbreaking ceremony in April 2019, the largest academic building on the 126-acre campus was dedicated in honor of the people whose generosity to the university made the construction possible. The project also includes the renovation of the newly named Marianne Baloga Hall. The comprehensive Henry Science Center features a deliberate mix of classroom space, technology, and teaching and research laboratories. Its concept began in 2016 when the Misericordia University Board of Trustees committed to the multi-year project to expand learning and research opportunities for students and faculty. Built in 1957 and renovated in 1988, the previous science building was designed to accommodate 800 students on a campus now serving close to 2,300 students. “The support we’ve received for our NOW FOR TOMORROW: The Campaign for Misericordia University, an unprecedented, bold effort to bring our science facilities into the 21st century, increase our endowment, and buoy our scholarship program to help us attract and support the best students, has been nothing short of overwhelming,” said Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., the 15th president of Misericordia University, in his opening remarks. “As we stand here today, in front of the majestic Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center, we are ever appreciative of the lead gift given so generously by the late Frank M. Henry, whose commitment to this project led the way. Frank’s legacy as a business leader is second to none, and as a philanthropist, his support of his community is legendary.” President Myers recognized the leadership and input of biology professor Dr. Anthony Serino, Ph.D., and the science faculty and staff who made this project their mission for more than a decade. “Nobody knows more about every nook and cranny of this fantastic building than Tony. We know that you and the other faculty members are enjoying the fruits of that labor.” Trustee Mary Erwine, a member of Misericordia’s classes of 1990 and ’92, and the Now for Tomorrow Campaign co-chair, sees from her perspective as a nursing student the importance of this dream coming to fruition at her alma mater. “As a trustee, I have witnessed a great number of improvements made to the Misericordia landscape over the past 30 years. Yet, it is my memories of being a nursing student here in the 1980s, and the many days I spent in labs and classes in the original Science Center, that fueled my passion for this project. Built in 1957, the science center was showing wear and tear even back then,” said Erwine. “That is why one of my proudest moments happened 29 months ago, when many of us who are here today gathered with shovels in hand, to ceremoniously break ground on a dream – the dream of a science center for teaching and research exploration and discovery that would carry Misericordia students beyond their expectations and into the 21st century,” she continued. “As you look behind me today, that dream is real, with teaching and research underway in what is the largest academic building on this gorgeous campus.” Erwine concluded by recognizing the community’s efforts in the fundraising campaign for this project. “Being a part of the Now for Tomorrow Campaign leadership was something I had to do. And when we asked the community for support, you responded with unparalleled interest and generosity. I know I am speaking for campaign co-chair Sandy Insalaco, Sr. when I say what an honor it is to be involved in such a worthy, and above all, necessary project. One that we know will further the education of students in the health and natural sciences for years to come.” Local business leader, campaign co-chair and trustee emeritus, Sandy Insalaco, Sr., reflected on what this building means before introducing trustee Marjorie Henry, whose parents’ gift made this building possible. “The fantastic building that stands behind us, and the significant investments in the Misericordia Fund and endowment for scholarship made during the campaign, would not have been possible without my friend, the late Frank Henry. His foresight and the benevolence of his lead gift provided winning momentum to our campaign. It makes me so happy to have his daughter and fellow trustee Marjorie Henry Marquart with us today, as well as some of Frank and Dottie’s nieces and nephews, so we can say thank you for your family’s generosity and exceptional philanthropy here at Misericordia that is widely recognized throughout the region,” said Insalaco. Rich in technology, the 85,900-square-foot Henry Science center offers 15 new teaching labs in biology, chemistry, and physics. In addition, there are eight dedicated laboratories and workspaces for student-faculty research, including an electronics/computer build lab and a chemistry instrumentation suite. The center also includes a laboratory dedicated to the 300MHz nuclear magnetic resonance instrument, also known as an NMR. In addition, the building is home to a cold room that enables advanced molecular experiments, a research-grade greenhouse, animal vivarium, and a cadaver suite with a virtual dissection table that offers expanded learning opportunities for students in the health and medical sciences programs. Heidi L.K. Manning, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, spoke about the unique features of the new center designed to inspire collaboration within its walls. “When people think of a scientist working, they frequently envision a lone person in a laboratory, but that is not how science is actually done. Science is a collaborative endeavor, and the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center is specifically designed to facilitate those collaborations,” said Manning. “The building provides spaces for three types of collaboration to occur: student-to-student collaborations – studying and learning from one another in and out of classroom; student-to-faculty collaborations, the thing MU is best known for – our faculty that work so closely with the students throughout their education; and faculty-to-faculty collaborations – promoting interdisciplinary endeavors. These collaborations occur in the classrooms, the laboratories, and the informal learning spaces purposefully located throughout this building,” Manning added. “This Henry Science Center is built for all of Misericordia not just the science students and faculty. Since every student has to take at least two science classes as part of a Misericordia education, all students will experience this fantastic facility.” The Misericordia University student body was represented by Caitlyn Henry, Class of 2023, a biology major with minors in chemistry and medical and health humanities. She spoke about the impact a building like the Henry Center will have on her education and her future. “To all the donors, faculty, staff, and most importantly, to the late Frank M. and Dorothea Henry – who made this state-of-the-art science facility possible – I think I speak for all of the students at Misericordia when I say you have truly changed our education for the better,” said Henry. “When I look behind me, I see more than a state-of-the-art facility with top-notch equipment and breathtaking labs and research spaces. I see passion, collaboration, scholarship. I see a warm, welcoming environment that cultivates growth and development, where everyone is enthusiastic to learn and shares the same desire to succeed. I see valuable research being done on cancer, nerve injuries, even research being done on how we can improve first-year science courses – research that will be taken to national conferences and hopefully research that will one day change the world. I see extraordinary faculty members working one-on-one with students, shaping them into the incredible scientists, healthcare professionals, educators, and more, that they will one day become.” Trustee Marjorie Henry Marquart ’85, daughter of Frank M. and Dorothea Henry, spoke about the passion her parents had for the university and what this new center will mean for current and future students for many years to come. “It’s an honor to have my parents’ names on this building. I’m sure they are very pleased that Misericordia, Dallas, and the Wyoming Valley has a state-of-the-art science building,” said Marquart. “My charge to Misericordia is to offer programs that inspire and move our students forward. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for the honor. But the honor is for the students of Misericordia. They are the ones who will benefit. We are lucky to have the name, but it is all about what happens inside.” Deborah Smith-Mileski, ’75, D.Ed., chairperson of the Board of Trustees, had the honor of officially dedicating the new building. “Marjorie, on this special day, we thank you for your engagement, your commitment of time and talent, and your dedicated service to the Board of Trustees,” she began. “In addition, we honor your mother for her dedicated time on our Board of Trustees and recognize the selfless generosity of your father to Misericordia University, its students, faculty, alumni, and the community-at-large. His commitment and foresight enabled Misericordia University to construct the largest academic building on campus. The result is the exceptional facility in front of which we now stand. Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Board of Trustees, it is a great honor for me to dedicate this structure the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center today, October 22, 2021.”
Wayne Bank Celebrates 150 Year Anniversary Lewis J. Critelli, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce that the Bank will be celebrating its 150 year anniversary this November. Wayne Bank was founded in Honesdale, PA on November 4, 1871, with the modest capital of $25,000. It was known as the Wayne County Savings Bank, after Major General Anthony Wayne, who was a prominent solider, officer, and statesman in American history. During the later portion of the 19th Century, Honesdale was a burgeoning canal town at the terminus of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. Led by President, W.W. Weston, a Honesdale merchant and businessman, the Bank’s early financing included everything from boat building and harness manufacturing to tanneries and farming. As time went on, the Bank helped finance the progression of Wayne County into the glassworks, textile, and logging industries. The headquarters also moved to four different locations within Honesdale, until finally building and moving into the Bank’s present Corporate Office in 1924, located between Seventh and Eighth Streets on Main Street in Honesdale. The Bank continued to expand throughout the remainder of the 20th Century, acquiring and opening additional locations throughout Wayne, Pike, and Monroe Counties in Pennsylvania. The name was also officially changed to Wayne Bank in 1993. In 1996, the Bank’s holding company, Norwood Financial Corp, was created. Stock began trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol, NWFL. Additional acquisitions helped Wayne Bank to continue its tradition of expansion during the 21st Century with significant growth into Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties in Pennsylvania, and finally into Delaware, Sullivan, Otsego, Ontario, and Yates Counties in New York State. Today, Wayne Bank has 30 Community Offices in two states and ten counties, including those operating under the Bank of Cooperstown and Bank of the Finger Lakes brands, and employs close to 300 local people. Mr. Critelli commented, “Although so much has changed in 150 years, I am proud to say that Wayne Bank has remained committed to the same mission and core values that were instated upon our founding. We are a community bank that is dedicated to investing in the residents, businesses, and organizations who make our communities a better place to live. We are strong, secure, and excited to continue our legacy of ‘Helping the Community Grow’ for another 150 years.” As part of the 150th anniversary celebration, the Bank has some exciting initiatives planned which will kick off in November with special product promotions and Customer Appreciation events. For more information, visit waynebank.com or facebook.com/waynebank/.
Johnson College Donates Food and Supplies to NEPA Youth Shelter The Johnson College Diversity & Inclusion Committee sponsored a food and supply drive for the NEPA Youth Shelter in honor of National Coming Out Day. A local organization that provides emergency shelter and related services to unaccompanied youth, the NEPA Youth Shelter is especially affirming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth, as this population constitutes a high percentage of unhoused youth in our area. Food, drinks, and cleaning supplies were collected on the Johnson College campus from September 27 to October 8. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
