Johnson College Receives Contribution from Fidelity Bank

Johnson College received a $5,000 EITC contribution from Fidelity Bank to support students in the College’s Industry Fast Track Program.

The Industry Fast Track Program (IFT) is a joint partnership with area school districts and the College. The program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to simultaneously enroll in secondary and post-secondary coursework on the Johnson College campus. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes at Johnson College.

Fidelity Bank’s contribution to Johnson College is part of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

United Way’s Gift of Warmth Program Reaches Pike County

The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike is pleased to announce a fund distribution of $10,000 to Pike County in support of The Gift of Warmth Program.

The $10,000 check, presented to Pike County officials on Thursday, February 1st, represents a targeted fund in the local community that focuses on heating assistance for households experiencing tough times.

 “We are thrilled to provide this $10,000 contribution to Pike County, furthering our commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities,” said Gary Drapek, Preside & CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. “This reflects our dedication to collaborating with local partners and addressing the unique challenges faced by Pike County residents. We believe in the power of collective action to create positive and lasting change and are excited to extended our resources to Pike County.”

For more information about the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike and its Gift of Warmth Program, please visit uwlc.net or contact Barry Snyder, Vice President of Community OutReach at 570.343.1267 x237 or bsnyder@uwlc.net.

(Left to Right) Christa Caceres, Pike County Commissioner, Ronald Schmalzle, Pike County Commissioner, Matthew Osterberg, Pike County Commissioner, Gary Drapek, President & CEO of United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike, Robert Ruiz, Pike County Executive Director of Human Services, Amy Burke, Assistant Vice President, The Dime Bank (Dingman’s Ferry)/United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Board Member, Matt Ceruti, Vice President of Resource Development/Campaign, United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike, Stephanie Everson, Pike County Housing Coordinator, Samantha Robayo, Pike County Projects Coordinator, Kayla Orben, Pike County Assistant Director of Human Services.

Wayne Bank Announces Promotion in Loan Operations Department

Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Tonya Ryan to Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loans Documentation Officer.

Ryan joined the bank in 2016 and has held several titles during her tenure.  She holds a business degree from Lackawanna Community College.

Mr. Donnelly stated, “I’m so pleased to announce this promotion. As a Commercial Loan Documentation Officer, Tonya is responsible for reviewing and overseeing all loan documents for community lending and community development purposes. She is a valued employee whose knowledge, expertise, and precision reflects in all aspects of her work.”

Ryan resides in Beach Lake with her Husband, Scott.  She has two children, Veara and Keith, and a one and half year-old grandson, whom she adores.

Marywood University Hosts Dietitian Competition for Prospective Nutrition Students

Prospective students will be able to partner with a current Marywood University Nutrition and Dietetics major in a Dietitian Competition set for Friday, March 1, from 9:30 – 1:15 p.m., at the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. Together, the students will create a dessert using a mystery healthy ingredient, and final dishes will be scored by a panel of judges.

This free event is a fun way to introduce a career in dietetics to interested students. To reserve a place in the cooking competition, registration is required by February 21.

Prospective students and their families also will be able to have conversations with admissions staff, and Q & A sessions will be held, as well as a complimentary lunch with faculty. Optional campus tours will be conducted following lunch.

To reserve a place in the cooking competition, register by February 21 at: admissions.marywood.edu/register/DietitianCompetition24.

Learn about Marywood’s bachelor’s degree program in nutrition and dietetics at:

marywood.edu/nutrition-dietetics-bachelors-degree.

Contact Marywood’s Nutrition and Dietetics department at 570-348-6277 or cfalzone@marywood.edu with any questions.

The University of Scranton Plans Spring Events

Jan. 28     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring ELEW! Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Jan. 30     5 p.m. Slattery Center Lecture: “From Asylum Seeker to Immigration Attorney: How I Turned My Struggle into My Strength” presented by Luis Canales, JD. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 2 through Mar. 22     Art Exhibit: “The Fables of Ora Lerman: Creativity + Critical Thinking.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 2     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Religion, Democracy, and Election Cycles” presented by Anthea Butler, Ph.D., Geraldine R. Segal Professor in American Social Thought, and chair of religious studies, the University of Pennsylvania. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 2     5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “The Fables of Ora Lerman: Creativity + Critical Thinking” presented by Josephine Dunn, Ph.D., guest curator. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery as part of Scranton’s First Fridays events. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 5 through Apr. 21     Art Exhibit: “Scranton Stories” Oral History Interviews and Photographs. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free during library hours. Call 570-941-6341 or email michael.knies@Scranton.edu. 

Feb. 7     6 p.m. Humanities Forum Lecture: “Ecotheological Longing and Its Double Effect” presented by Martha Serpas, Ph.D. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 7     7:30 p.m. Black History Month Film: “Judas and the Black Messiah” with introductory talk by Anthony Betancourt, Ph.D. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email rose.merritt@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 9     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Rethinking Local Journalism in Scranton” presented by Jeff Jarvis, Tow Professor of Journalism Innovation and director of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the City University of New York, and creator and founding editor of Entertainment Weekly. McIlhenny Ballroom, The DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 10     1 p.m. 22nd Annual Northeast PA Brain Bee sponsored by the Neuroscience Program at The University of Scranton. Snow date Feb. 24. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-4324 or email robert.waldeck@scranton.edu. 

Feb. 14     7:30 p.m. Black History Month Film: “The Hate U Give” with introductory talk by Anthony Betancourt, Ph.D. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email rose.merritt@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 15     6:30 p.m. Asian New Year Celebration and Workshop. Brennan Hall, Rose Room. Free. Registration required at https://tinyurl.com/AsianNewYearUofS or email asianstudies@scranton.edu. 

Feb. 16     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring Dennis Lichtman, clarinet and Mona’s Hot Five. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 19     5 p.m. Slattery Center Lecture: “Technology’s Student: Thinking and Writing in the Age of AI” presented by Fr. Kevin Spinale, S.J. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 20     5 p.m. Ethics Across the Curriculum Lecture: “Got Ethics? The Role of Ethics in Healthcare” presented by Karen Smith, Ph.D., director of clinical ethics, Banner Desert Medical Center. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 21     6:30 p.m. Screening and Talk Back: “Black Voices: Scranton Stories.” Black Scranton Project Center for Arts and Culture. Free. Light refreshments provided. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Call 570-941-5529 or email daysi.carreto@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 23-25 and Mar. 1-3     8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Performance: “Disaster!” by Seth Rudetsky and Joe Plotnick (musical) presented by The University of Scranton Players. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu.  

Feb. 28     7:30 p.m. Black History Month Film: “Cooley High” with introductory talk by Melissa Anyiwo, Ph.D. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email rose.merritt@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 1     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The Lincoln/Armstrong Connection: From Gettysburg to New Orleans” presented by Loren Schoenberg, senior scholar of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, faculty at Juilliard and has also taught at the Manhattan School of Music and the New School. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 2     9 a.m. Regional National History Day Competition for junior and senior high school students. The DeNaples Center. Pre-registration required. Call 570-941-4549 or email nhdparegion2@gmail.com. 

Mar. 2     3:30 p.m. Performance Music: Jazzfilm/Musictalk screening of “Wham-Re-Bop-Boom-Bam: The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham” hosted by the film’s creators Loren Schoenberg, producer and musical director and award-winning filmmaker Kris Hendrickson (’88). Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 2     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with guest soloist Loren Schoenberg, piano and tenor sax. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 6     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “Political Reforms to Combat Extremism” presented by Richard Pildes, Sudler Family Professor of Constitutional Law, one of the nation’s leading scholars of constitutional law and a specialist in legal issues concerning democracy, former law clerk to Justice Thurgood Marshall, and an appointee on President Biden’s Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 21     5:30 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Slattery Center for Ignatian Humanities Collaborative Program: “Christian Nationalism” presented by Charles R. Gallagher, S.J., associate professor of history, Boston College, and former visiting fellow at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations, College of the Holy Cross. Reception to follow. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 23     9 a.m. Preview Day for accepted students to The University of Scranton’s class of 2027. Various locations on campus. Call 570-941-7540 or email admissions@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 24     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and The Scranton Brass Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Mar. 25     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “All the Beauty in the World: A Portrait of the MET Museum” presented by Patrick Bringley, author and former New Yorker staffer, spent a decade as a museum guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art before writing his memoir. Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 4     5 p.m. 27th Annual ACHE Healthcare Symposium: “Driving Change in Healthcare.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Includes dinner, presentation and panel discussion. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4527 or email abigail.lynott@scranton.edu.   

Apr. 5 through May 3     Art Exhibit: “Our Common Home: Landscapes from the University of Scranton Art Collection.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 5     11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The World in Disarray” presented by Jill Dougherty, adjunct professor, Georgetown University’s Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies, a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute Advisory Council. McDonnell Room, The DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 5     5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Our Common Home: Landscapes from the University of Scranton Art Collection” presented by Darlene Miller-Lanning, Ph.D., director, Hope Horn Gallery. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery as part of Scranton’s First Fridays events. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 8     4 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “The Economics of Obesity” presented by John Cawley, Ph.D., professor, Department of Economics and the Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email john.ruddy@scranton.edu. 

Apr. 10     5:30 p.m. Slattery Center Lecture: “REARRANGED: An Opera Singer’s Facial Cancer and Life Transposed” presented by Kathleen Watt. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu.   

Apr. 14     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Mark Kosower and Mingyao Zhao, cello. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 15     5 p.m. Environmental Art Show Opening Event: An Artist Talk with Theresa O’Connor. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 15-24     Environmental Art Show: “Creating Connections.” Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free during library hours. Call 570-941-4740 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 16     11 a.m. Earth Day Fair with interactive games, presentation and information related to the environment and sustainable practices. Atrium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6267 or email mark.murphy@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 18     8:30 a.m. Hayes Family Competition in physics and engineering for high school students. Byron Complex. Registration required. Call 570-941-7509 or email salisa.brown@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 18     5:30 p.m. Earth Day “Evening of Environmental Science” and Essay Award Presentation. University student-run interactive science experiments and exhibit of University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest submissions. Essay contest awards will be announced at the event. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6267 or email susan.falbo@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 18     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra with special guest cello soloists Mark Kosower and Mingyao Zhao. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 18-20     8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Performance: “Children of Eden” presented by The University of Scranton Liva Arts Company. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Visit https://livaartscompany.ludus.com for tickets or email livartscompany@gmail.com.  

Apr. 23     4:15 p.m. Math Integration Bee. Calculus-based high school math competition. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required.  See https://www.scranton.edu/academics/cas/math/bee.shtml for more details or email stacey.muir@scranton.edu.   

Apr. 24     noon. Celebration of Student Scholars. Displays and presentations of undergraduate and graduate student research and scholarly projects. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7653 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. 

Apr. 25     5 p.m. Campus Take Back the Night. Dionne Green. Free. Call 570-941-6194 or email brandice.ricciardi@scranton.edu. 

Apr. 25     6p.m. Schemel Forum with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program: “The Mind and Music of Scott Joplin” presented by Richard Kogan, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, and artistic director, Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program. Reception to follow. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, 525 Pine Street, Scranton. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Apr. 27-28     9 a.m. Saturday; Noon Sunday. Friends of the Library Book Sale. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-6195 or email melisa.gallo@scranton.edu.  

May 4     7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “41st Annual World Premiere Composition Series Concert” The University of Scranton Concert Band and Concert Choir premiering two new works by composer-conductor Nate Sparks. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

May 8     5 p.m. Feminism Expo. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-6312 or asianstudies@scranton.edu. 

May 10    7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Janet Sora Chung, organ. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.  

May 18    4 p.m. Commencement Baccalaureate Mass. Byron Recreation Complex. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.  

May 19    11 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.  

May 19    4:30 p.m. Graduate Commencement. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu.  

Schemel Forum Courses 

Mondays: Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26 & Mar. 4     6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Hidden Figures of Black History” presented by Melissa Anyiwo, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of History, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu.  

Wednesdays: Jan. 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Mar. 6     6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “Identity Politics” presented by Matthew Meyer, Ph.D., professor, Department of Philosophy, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. 

Mondays: Mar. 25, Apr. 8, 15, 22, 29 & May 6     6 p.m. Schemel Forum Evening Course: “The Sitcoms of Norman Lear” presented by Charlie Cino, M.A., instructor, Department of English and Theatre, The University of Scranton. Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. 

Noteology Hosts Galentine’s Day Events

SCENT ME, BABY! THE PERFUME MAKING EXPERIENCE

Friday, February 9th & Sunday, February 11th

*With several time slots available each day!

LOVE ME A CANDLE! THE CANDLE MAKING EXPERIENCE  

Thursday, February 8th & Saturday, February 10th

*With several time slots available each day!

For more details and to grab your tickets, click here: https://bit.ly/gal-2024

Have some more fun at our Pop-up Flower Bar too! 

On February 10th & 11th from 11-2 pm, McKenzi Fox will be here from Eclectic Florals guiding you though making your own bouquet! Her blooms are stunning & she’s fabulous to work with too! 

For more details and to grab your tickets, click here: https://bit.ly/popflowers2024

Governor Josh Shapiro Opens Application for Historically Disadvantaged Businesses

The program will provide grants to eligible small diverse businesses for working capital, inventory, equipment, safety and security equipment, marketing, and costs to support the ongoing operation of the business.

Grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will be awarded to historically disadvantaged businesses that were in operation on or before March 17, 2020, and were impacted economically by COVID-19.

Historically disadvantaged businesses are defined through this program as minority businesses generating annual revenues of $1 million or less and employing fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees.

Additional program priorities are in place for small businesses located within low-income census tracts, high-crime municipalities, and are located in the following designated areas: Commercial Corridors (Philadelphia), Neighborhood Business Districts (Pittsburgh), Allegheny Together Communities (Allegheny County) and active Main Street Program areas (statewide).

All applications submitted between February 5 and February 23, 2024, will be considered for funding.

Read Governor Shapiro’s press release here.

To apply go: https://pacdfinetwork.org/about/hdbagrants/

New High Touch Service Hotel Opens in Pocono Mountains

Service is about to take on a whole new meaning in the Pocono Mountains. The Swiftwater broke ground on January 5th, 2023, and began site work in August of 2022 with the promise of bringing an unfulfilled desire for a contemporary high touch hotel to the Poconos.

The Trapasso family has owned and operated Desaki restaurant in the Pocono Mountains since 2008. Over the years they saw the need for a new type of hotel in the Poconos which included concierge service and a boutique experience. Years in the planning, The Swiftwater, will be the culmination of research, experience, and a passion for hospitality.

The new hotel experience will include:

  • Swiftwater Signature Service
  • A Concierge Level
  • Contemporary Yet Authentic Design
  • 6 Plunge Pool Suites
  • Breakfast & Cocktail Lounge
  • Indoor/Outdoor Heated Pool
  • Executive Meeting Room
  • Private Garden Patio

Rooms will be thoughtfully appointed with:

  • Frette Linens
  • 65-inch smart TVs
  • Lightning-Fast Wi-Fi
  • Double Bathroom Vanities
  • Extra Sound Proofing
  • High-Pressure Showers

This level of luxury will be new to the Pocono Mountains and the Trapasso family is eager to share their expertise in hospitality with the surrounding areas.

“We want our guests to feel that their every need is being met when they stay at The Swiftwater”, says owner Dante Trapasso, “our commitment to exceptional service will be a cornerstone of the hotel.”

Sharing the local businesses that make the Pocono Mountains special is an area they plan to focus on. “We live in a beautiful area with amazing natural amenities and great activities. We plan to help curate experiences for our leisure guests and corporate retreats that highlight our community partners and bring awareness to the beautiful area we call home; the Pocono Mountains” shared Dante.

The hotel is accepting bookings for May 1st and beyond. For more information or to book your stay check out TheSwiftwater.com.

Tobyhanna Army Depot Names Supervisor of the Quarter

Since joining Team Tobyhanna, Paula Mesaris has worked in multiple positions and pursued continuous learning opportunities whenever possible. Due to her effective leadership skills and strong body of work, she has been honored as Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD) latest Supervisor of the Quarter.

Mesaris came to TYAD in 2006 following a job as a postal worker. She began her depot career working in what was then a combined safety and environmental office. After 10 years in that position, she was named Chief of what is now the Environmental Branch in November of 2016.

Mesaris and her team manage all of the environmental compliance programs for TYAD while also focusing on sustainability and conservation. They strive to ensure the depot remains in compliance with federal, state, and U.S. Army regulations in regard to cultural resources, hazardous waste, natural resources, pollution prevention, energy, pest management and solid waste/recycling programs.

Under Mesaris’ leadership, the environmental team earned the 2023 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for water resiliency through wastewater treatment technology. This award comes in addition to the Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Award for Exceptional Achievement in Water Efficiency the depot received in February 2023. Additionally, she oversaw TYAD’s participation as an Army Pilot site for a cooperative program centered on Environmental Justice which included representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force.

Mesaris has also spearheaded multiple depot clean-up events, to include the 2023 Earth Day clean up event. During this event, 110 members of Team Tobyhanna collected 142 bags of trash with other debris such as metal, wood, plastic, rubber, etc.

Mesaris said when she got the news about receiving the award, it came as a big surprise.

“It is such an honor. I was very surprised. It was very unexpected,” said Mesaris” “You kind of just go about your job and then when something like this happens it is nice that somebody notices that your team is performing well.”

Mesaris thanked her team above all, saying that no supervisor can earn such an award without a strong group of people around them.

“When you look back, you don’t remember the tasks you did over the years, you remember the people you worked with. I don’t think anybody can win this award without a really awesome team and I’m very blessed to have one,” said Mesaris. We have a lot of new team members that are very gung-ho and are very environmentally conscious. They are about their job and about serving the depot and it is just a great pleasure to have a team like that. They make it pleasant to come into work because I have people that care.”

Environmental Engineer Amalia Thomas praised Mesaris for her strong leadership skills and people-first mentality.

“Paula is a fantastic and dedicated supervisor. She always has a happy face on and is always willing to help you out,” said Thomas. “She strives for growth of her employees and has the utmost respect for her colleagues. Paula is there when you need her.”

Mesaris said she has always been a strong proponent for pursuing learning opportunities. Throughout her career, she has been involved with the Combined Federal Campaign, COVID Trace Team, TOBY2035 Line-of-Effort teams, the Peer-to-Peer program and more in addition to her typical duties in the spirit of learning as much as she can. She is actively in the process of earning her master’s degree from Marywood University to go alongside her bachelors degree from the same school.

Mesaris credited the strong leadership she has received throughout her career as her reason for trying new things.

“I have always had really great support from my leadership teams,” said Mesaris. “I’ve always received encouragement to take a leap and pursue something that was out of my comfort zone. Having mentors like that definitely helped and made an impact on me throughout my career.”

TYAD’s Chief of Public Works James Wisnewski serves as Mesaris’ supervisor. He lauded her for being incredibly reliable and willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

“Paula is an exemplary employee, mission minded, organization focused and willing to go to great efforts to ensure TYAD’s success,” said Wisnewski. She is a well-respected and dependable member of TYAD’s supervisory workforce and is always willing to assist without hesitation.”

The Supervisor of the Quarter award – and its companion Employee of the Quarter awards – are TOBY2035 initiatives aligned with the Invest in Our People line of effort. The plan, which has three additional focus areas, strives to position Tobyhanna for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.