Johnson College Receives $5,000 Grant from PPL Foundation Johnson College has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation to support an English as a Second Language (ESL) to Credential pilot program. The program was created through a collaboration among Johnson College, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC), Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC), and CareerLink of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As part of the pilot program, eight participants will work with UNC to learn English and receive case management services, EOC to obtain their GED, Johnson College to complete career technical training, and finally CareerLink of Northeastern Pennsylvania for employment services. The funding from the PPL Foundation will be used to support participants in the career technical training portion of this program to obtain supplies and support needed to help them succeed. They will enroll in one of three short-term training opportunities at Johnson College to earn recognized industry credentials including CNC Operator Training, Basic Maintenance, and Medical Assistant. “Johnson College’s Industry and Community Engagement department continues to look for ways to engage and create pathways for vulnerable populations to complete training as we know it can lead to high-demand occupations and ultimately life-sustaining wages,” said Dr. Kellyn Williams, Associate Vice President of Special Programs at Johnson College and director of the pilot program. The pilot program closely aligns with the PPL Foundation’s focus on sustainable communities and improving lives through collaboration with community partners. Through this educational collaboration, Johnson College hopes to address workforce shortages throughout the region, build strong communities, strengthen our regional economy, and set participants on a pathway to fulfilling careers with family-supporting wages.
Marywood University Announces Its Spring Semester Music and Theatre Performances Marywood University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance has announced its schedule for performances throughout the spring semester. The following concerts and events presented by the department are free and open to the public. If a signature event does require a modest admission fee, it will be noted in the information about the performance. Proceeds from any event that includes admission costs are used exclusively to support Marywood students’ performances. FEBRUARY February 15, 7:30 PM, Orchestra Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life: The Marywood Orchestra’s Winter Concert features a colorful marimba concerto by the Brazilian percussionist Ney Rosauro, performed by the winner of our 2024 Marywood Concerto Competition, Ben Werle. The concerto will be paired by two masterpieces of early romanticism—Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. February 20-21-22 at 7:30 PM and February 23 at 2 PM, Musical: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812, often simply referred to as The Great Comet, is a brilliant, thrilling, and incredibly popular new musical that had a highly succesful braodway run, starrring Josh Groban, from 2016-2017. Author and composer Dave Malloy describes Great Comet as, “an electro-pop opera ripped from a slice of Tolstoy’s War and Peace.” It’s a love story, it’s a coming-of-age story, it’s a midlife crises story, it’s classical, it’s contemporary, it’s new, it’s bold, it’s The Great Comet of 1812! Tickets are $15 for General Admission, $10 for Students, or free with a Marywood I.D. and for IHM Sister. Tickets scan be purchased online at https://marywood.universitytickets.com or in advance or at the door. MARCH March 2, 3 PM, Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble is affiliated with American Youth Ensembles, offering middle and high school musicians an opportunity to perform with other student instrumentalists who simply enjoy making music. They will perform a variety of repertoire ranging from traditional (transcriptions, marches and works of serious and artistic merit) to cutting-edge contemporary composition and music from popular media venues. March 29 at Noon, Children’s Theatre: Hansel and Gretel, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe retelling of a classic German fairy tale where siblings Hansel and Gretel find themselves alone in the forest and fall into the hands of a witch who lives in a house made of sweet treats. Hansel and Gretel must save themselves by outsmarting the witch. APRIL April 4, 8 PM, Jazz Ambassadors Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeFeaturing iconic blues, funk, and swing charts – the Marywood Jazz Ambassadors in concert will explore the lasting charm of mid-century jazz with captivating arrangements, smooth style, impressive technique, and a profound dedication to the blues. April 5, 7:30 PM, Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsWyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra’s spring concert will feature two French works: Ernest Chausson’s Symphony in B-flat, considered the composer’s greatest masterpiece, and the charming suite “Feuillets de Voyage” by Florent Schmitt. April 6, 3 PM, Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra Concert, Kirby Center for Creative Arts, Wyoming SeminaryWyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra’s spring concert will feature two French works: Ernest Chausson’s Symphony in B-flat, considered the composer’s greatest masterpiece, and the charming suite “Feuillets de Voyage” by Florent Schmitt. April 13, 2 PM, Tutti Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsMusic has the power to inspire, connect, and heal, which is exactly what the Tutti Ensemble is all about. Since 2016, Marywood University’s music therapy and music education students have collaborated to make this innovative adaptive music program possible, empowering individuals with diverse abilities to make music together. This semester’s free concert is especially meaningful, as it takes place during World Music Therapy Week. Celebrate the incredible achievements of our ensemble members as they showcase their talents, and enjoy a special interactive lobby experience to learn more about the transformative power of music therapy. April 13, 4 PM, Wind Symphony Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsMarywood’s Wind Ensemble performs literature by Samuel Hazo, John Barnes Chance, Frank Ticheli, and others. A special highlight of the concert will be a performance of “My Life Flashed Before My Eyes,” by Marywood’s own, Dr Diogo Carvalho April 25, 7:30 PM, Carmina Burana, with the Marywood Concert Choir and Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, at the F. M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA The Marywood Concert Choir will join forces with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic to present one of the most popular and exciting musical works for chorus and orchestra, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Visit nepaphil.org to purchase tickets for this not-to-be-missed event. April 27, 7 PM, Percussion Ensemble Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe Marywood University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Steven Mathiesen, will present a free program of chamber music for percussion instruments. The program will include works by Alejandro Rutty, Chick Corea, and arrangements by Clair Musser of works by Anton Rubinstein and Albert Ketelbey. April 28, 7:30 PM, String Ensemble Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeThe University String Ensemble will give a free performance of Bloch’s Concerto Grosso for strings and piano and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. April 29, 7:30 PM, Evening Of Strings, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeMarywood String Majors will give a free performance of solo music for violin, viola, cello, and bass. MAY May 3, 7 PM, Guitar Ensemble Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeAn Intimate Latin Night With the Marywood Guitar Program, with Marywood’s Guitar Ensemble, Beginning Guitar Class, and String Project Guitar, features Latin music from around the world, including Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane and Maddalena Casulana’s Amor per qual cagion. May 4, 2 PM, Chamber Singers Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeBefore embarking on its spring tour to Florida, Chamber Singers will present a free concert that includes motets by Orlando di Lasso and sacred and secular music from the American, English, and Eastern European choral traditions, as well as vocal jazz. May 5, 6:30 PM, String Project Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsString Project Spring Gala Concert, featuring Grammy-nominated guest artist, Nick Revel. This will be a culmination of a semester-long project exploring and creating new forms of notation and composition with students ages 4-18 and Marywood string students. 5/9/2025, 7:30 PM, Orchestra Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe Marywood Orchestra’s season finale features two Marywood string faculty, Sophie Till and Christiane Vaida, on the Double Concerto of Johannes Brahms.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Improvements to Pennsylvania Tax Appeal Process Extended time to appeal and new mediated settlement process available for certain state tax appeals. Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced numerous improvements to Pennsylvania’s tax appeals process which will benefit Pennsylvania taxpayers. The changes apply to tax appeals filed on or after January 27, 2025, when Act 123 of 2024, which amended the Tax Reform Code of 1971, took effect. “These are significant improvements which make the tax appeal process more fair for hardworking Pennsylvanians and businesses,” Treasurer Garrity said. “The new law removes unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles – and it will save both the state and its taxpayers time and money. I want to thank Sen. Scott Hutchinson, Rep. Tim Briggs, and every member of the General Assembly who supported these important changes with tremendous bipartisanship.” Pennsylvanians seeking to resolve tax disputes with the Department or Revenue (DOR) for personal income taxes, fiduciary income taxes, employer withholding taxes and pass-through assessments will now have 90 days (previously 60) to file their appeals with the Board of Finance & Revenue (BF&R). BF&R can also grant a 30-day extension for late-filed applications for these types of tax appeals if good cause is shown. In addition, taxpayers filing certain appeals will be able to request a mediated settlement conference at no cost to them. Those requesting a mediated settlement conference have 30 calendar days to do so following the filing of their tax appeal. BF&R also has the discretion to refer an appeal to a mediated settlement conference. This new mediated settlement process will reduce litigation costs for taxpayers and serve as an alternative to formal, lengthy and costly court appeals. Treasury estimates that up to 500 cases annually could be eligible for this new process. Act 123 of 2024 was supported by numerous organizations, including the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the NFIB, and the Pennsylvania Society of Enrolled Agents. The new law was sponsored by Sen. Hutchinson (R-21) and earned great bipartisan support in the General Assembly. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Briggs (D-149). BF&R is an independent administrative tax tribunal, administered by the State Treasurer, responsible for the second and final level of administrative appeal (with minor exceptions) before appealing to court. Its Board consists of three members – two are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate; the third is the State Treasurer or her designee and serves as Chair. For further guidance on procedures to request a mediated settlement conference, visit patreasury.gov/bfr.
Providence Pregnancy Center Opens New Maternity Home in Scranton Since its inception, Providence Pregnancy Center (PPC) had a goal of opening a maternity home in addition to its bustling Resource Center. The increased cost of living and lack of housing have left pregnant women in crisis without the support they need. When PPC purchased their property on North Main Ave, the Board envisioned turning one of the buildings on the property, a four-bedroom home, into a welcoming house that would allow mothers and children to stay together, filling this critical service gap. Casa de Maria will house up to four pregnant women (and their children up to age 5). Unlike any other maternity home in the region, women will have access to safe housing and be able to keep their small children with them while benefiting from a program designed to help them achieve stability and independence. Other maternity homes are not equipped to allow children to move in with their mothers during pregnancy, making women choose between remaining with their existing children or housing. Renovations of the home have been a work in progress, funded through donations and volunteers. Recently, PPC received two generous donations towards the renovations from the Scranton Area Community Foundation and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. These funds were instrumental in helping the organization finish some important projects. “We receive calls every week asking if we can accept residents. We’ve been working diligently to finish this project, and we’re so excited to share that we’re ready,” says Jessica Freyne, Executive Director. “We anticipate welcoming our first residents in March, so we want to invite the community to come celebrate all the progress we’ve made,” says Freyne. PPC is hosting an Open House at Casa de Maria on Sunday, February 23rd, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Guests can tour the newly renovated home, visit the pregnancy resource center, and stop by Reborn Boutique, their women’s thrift store. Fr. Eric Bergman will dedicate the home to Our Blessed Mother, and there will be light refreshments. Please RSVP online at www.ppcscranton.org/events, by calling PPC at 570-341-7045 or by emailing help@ppcscranton.org.
PS Bank Adds Walter Sarafinko Anthony J. Gabello, President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce the hiring of Walter Sarafinko as Commercial Loan Officer / Vice President. With over 40 years of experience in banking and more than 25 years specializing in commercial lending, Walter brings a wealth of expertise to the team, especially to the Northeast PA region. Walter joins PS Bank at an exciting time as it prepares to open its newest office on Keyser Avenue in Scranton, further expanding its footprint in Lackawanna County and surrounding markets. The new location aims to make PS Bank retail and business services more accessible to the Greater Scranton area. “I’m excited to join the team at PS Bank, a bank with a long-standing tradition of building strong relationships through community banking. This team has a great reputation within the business community, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join them” said Sarafinko. “I look forward to helping our clients navigate their financial needs, and continuing to grow PS Bank’s presence in a market that I have called home for most of my career.” Anthony J. Gabello, President & CEO of PS Bank, added, “Walter will play a vital role in increasing our presence in Lackawanna County and the surrounding markets, as we prepare to open our newest office in North Scranton. His vast knowledge of the region, combined with his extensive background in commercial lending, will be instrumental in helping us to better serve both new and existing customers.” A resident of South Abington Township, Walter resides with this wife, Robin, and has two adult children, Colin and Kelsey.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Awards Grantees in 2024 Employee Assistance Grant Program The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, in collaboration with AllOne Foundation & Charities and the Moses Taylor Foundation, gathered to award over $1.1 million to the recipients of the 2024 Employee Assistance Grant Program. Funds will assist nonprofit organization grantees in behavioral and mental health care across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties. Employee Assistance Grants will help the recipient organizations sustain a sufficient level of qualified providers to meet community demand. Specifically, funds will alleviate financial-related stressors, minimize employee attrition, and serve as an additional recruitment strategy while supporting the long- term development of a sustained workforce for providers. The 2024 grantees are Allied Services for an enhanced assistance program for behavioral health team members; Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA for launching an employee assistance program to retain and attract behavioral health employees; Children’s Service Center for an employee tuition and loan assistance program; Friendship House for the Friendship House ABA Program Staff Recruitment Initiative; Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania for investing in social workers; Scranton Counseling Center for the Scranton Counseling Center Employee Assistance Program expansion; and Volunteers in Medicine for the development of an employee assistance program in a nonprofit free clinic setting. For more information about The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, contact NEPAHCF@safdn.org or visit www.nepahealthcarefoundation.org.
RailRiders University Community Series Begins on April 1 The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the ninth annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each year, the RailRiders welcome local high school teams and the Wyoming Valley Challenger League onto PNC Field to showcase their talents. 25 different high school and two junior high programs will be represented with regular season games this year in addition to the PIAA District II Championships. PNC Field will host the Bill Howerton Media Day at PNC Field on Sunday, March 2, 2025. In conjunction with the American Cancer Society and The Howerton Organization, coaches and student-athletes from local softball and baseball teams will be present to discuss their upcoming seasons. Teams from the Wyoming Valley Conference will be on-hand from 11:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. At 12:30, there will be an awards ceremony and guest speaker in the Geisinger Champions Club. At 1, representatives from teams in the Lackawanna League will be available to the media. There is no parking charge or admission fee for any of the regular season games during the 2025 RailRiders University Community Series. The RailRiders are also proud to host the Wyoming Valley Challenger League as part of the Community Series on June 1, 15, 29, and July 13. RailRiders University will host three camps this summer—June 17–19, July 22–24, and August 19–21. Registration is open now for young athletes ages six to 14. Contact Robby Judge at (570) 558-4612 or rjudge@ swbrailriders.com for additional information. The 2025 RailRiders University Community Series is presented by Geisinger as part of their continued commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL. Date April 1 April 4 April 4 April 5 April 13 April 14 April 14 April 15 April 21 April 28 April 30 May 1 May 3 May 18 May 24–26 June 1 June 15 June 17–19 June 21 June 29 July 13 July 22–24 August 19–21 Time 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM TBD 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 1:00 PM TBD TBD 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Game/Details Hazleton Area High School vs. Nanticoke High School Holy Cross High School vs. Riverside High School Abington Heights High School vs. Valley View High School Dallas High School vs. Crestwood High School Towanda High School vs. Athens High School** Delaware Valley High School vs. North Pocono High School Pocono Mountain East High School vs. Pocono Mountain West High School Wallenpaupack High School vs. Abington Heights High School West Scranton High School vs. Scranton High School Wyoming Seminary High School vs. Hanover Area High School Mid Valley High School vs. Western Wayne High School Danville High School vs. Southern Columbia High School East Stroudsburg North High School vs. East Stroudsburg South High School Abington Heights Jr. High vs. North Pocono Jr. High PIAA District II Championships Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball RailRiders University Summer Camp #1 Lackawanna County High School Senior All-Star Game Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball RailRiders University Summer Camp #2 RailRiders University Summer Camp #3
Wright Center Doctor, Resident Physicians Named to Northeast Counties Medical Society Board of Directors A board-certified family medicine physician and medical director of The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre was appointed to the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board of Directors. Dr. Maureen Litchman joined The Wright Center in 2016. In addition to leading The Wright Center’s health center in Wilkes-Barre, she serves as associate program director of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. The Luzerne County native earned her medical degree from what is now Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and completed her medical residency at United Health and Hospital Services in Kingston, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. “I’m looking forward to becoming involved with the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board,” Dr. Litchman said. “This is an opportunity to strengthen relationships across the Northeastern Pennsylvania medical community. The potential to make a positive impact on the future of health care spurred me to seek a position on this board.” Drs. Tejas Nikumbh and Simran Bhimani, resident physicians in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency Program, were also appointed to serve on the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board. Dr. Nikumbh, a graduate of Grant Government Medical College in Mumbai, India, and Dr. Bhimani, a graduate of Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, began training at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Internal Medicine Residency Program in 2023. Both will serve on the Northeast Counties Medical Society’s Board until they graduate in 2026. Dr. Litchman will serve a three-year term on the board. The trio will join more than 20 doctors, resident physicians, and students from across Lackawanna and Luzerne counties on the board. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To learn more, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org. For more than 150 years, county medical societies have represented physicians who live and work in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Their recent merger created the Northeast Counties Medical Society, producing an even stronger partnership with more membership benefits. Visit www.nepams.org to learn more.
University of Scranton Accounting Dept. Ranked No 2 in Education Research Productivity The University of Scranton Accounting Department ranked No. 2 (tied) internationally for accounting education research published in peer-reviewed accounting journals during the most recent six-year period, according to the 2024 Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings just published. The 2024 report also ranked Douglas M. Boyle, D.B.A., professor and chair of the Accounting Department and director of the Ph.D. program, No. 2 in the world for accounting education publication volume in the past six years, and No. 91 (tied) for Accounting Information System Research. Accounting faculty members James F. Boyle, D.B.A., associate professor and director of the Master of Accountancy program, was ranked No. 10 (tied); and Amanda Marcy, Ph.D., assistant professor, and Ashley Stampone, Ph.D., assistant professor, were ranked No. 79 (tied) worldwide. Dr. Stampone was also ranked No. 91 (tied) for Accounting Information System Research. The Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings are considered to be the gold standard in accounting disciplines. “The international recognition for education research published by our Accounting Department faculty is a testament to their steadfast commitment to not only teach accounting students at Scranton but to advance further learning and knowledge for the betterment of the accounting profession,” said Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the University’s Kania School of Management and professor of accounting, who noted that all four professors recognized are graduates of The University of Scranton. “It is also a testament to the University’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service, which is embodied in each of these outstanding professors.” This is the fifth consecutive year the University’s Accounting Department was ranked among the top research publishers in the world in the prestigious Brigham Young University Accounting Rankings. The report ranks accounting programs and faculty throughout the world based on their success in publishing in top-tier, peer-reviewed accounting journals. The report is updated annually and includes ranks for specific categories of research and for specific time periods. Dr. Douglas Boyle is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant with more than 30 years of industry executive experience. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2009. An award-winning researcher and teacher, Dr. Boyle has received the Institute of Management Accountants’ (IMA) Committee on Ethics and Strategic Finance Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year Award three times and was also selected as the IMA Research Foundation Distinguished Scholar in 2022, among numerous other awards. At Scranton, Dr. Boyle earned Provost Excellence Awards for University Service and Leadership, Scholarship of Teaching and Scholarly Publication; and the Faculty Senate’s Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. He was named the Kania School of Management’s Alperin Teaching Fellow for 2015 to 2018 and received their Advisory Board’s Award for Curriculum Innovation for 2017-2018. He was twice recognized as the KSOM Teacher of the Year. He is the founder and director of the University’s Ph.D. in Accounting and Nonprofit Leadership Certificate programs. He earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, an MBA from Columbia University and a doctorate from Kennesaw State University. A Certified Public Accountant with significant professional experience working in public accounting and in internal auditing, Dr. James F. Boyle has taught part-time at the University since 2009 and full-time since 2012. He serves as faculty advisor for Accounting Internships at Scranton. He has co-authored articles published in many peer-reviewed academic and practitioner journals, including The Accounting Educators’ Journal, The CPA Journal, Strategic Finance, The Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting, and Internal Auditing. He received several publishing awards, including the 2015 IMA’s Lybrand Silver Medal and the 2016 IMA Certificate of Merit Award. He earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from The University of Scranton and a D.B.A. in Accounting from Kennesaw State University. A Certified Public Accountant, Dr. Marcy has twice received the Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year Award from the IMA’s Committee on Ethics and Strategic Finance. She was named assistant professor of accounting at Scranton in 2018 and previously served as a faculty specialist in the department. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Accounting Association and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Dr. Marcy earned a bachelor’s degree, an MBA and a Ph.D. in accounting from The University of Scranton. An award-winning teacher, Dr. Stampone was selected by students of Scranton’s Business Club as the Kania School of Management Professor of the Year four of the last five years. Since joining Scranton’s faculty in 2016, Dr. Stampone has garnered numerous state and national awards and professional honors. In 2019, she was given the IMA’s Faculty Leadership Award, and in 2021, she won IMA’s Ursel K. Albers IMA Campus Advocate of the Year Award, which recognizes a campus advocate/student chapter advisor who has made significant contributions to the IMA and student members in particular. Dr. Stampone earned a bachelor’s degree, an MBA and a Ph.D. from The University of Scranton.
The Office 5K Returns to Scranton in May The Office 5K, the wildly popular fun run celebrating the iconic sitcom “The Office,” returns to Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025, promising even more Dunder Mifflin-inspired fun and community spirit. Following a record-breaking 2024 event that drew over 1,500 registrants from around the globe, this year’s race is already off to a strong start with over 450 runners signed up internationally! The 5K course will wind through Scranton, passing by familiar locations featured in the show. Walkers can enjoy a shorter, one-mile course with interactive activities along the way. Participants are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Office characters for a chance to win prizes. The race kicks off at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 523 Linden Street in Scranton, in front of Backyard Ale House. Pre-registered runners can pick up their race bibs, t-shirts, and race information at Cooper’s Seafood House (701 N. Washington Avenue) on Friday, May 2nd, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Race day registration and packet pick-up will also be available from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the starting line. A post-race block party and awards ceremony will immediately follow the event. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers in various age groups, as well as a variety of costume categories, including Best Group Costume, Most Obscure Office Reference Award, and Best In Show. Register by April 20th to guarantee your race t-shirt! The pre-registration fee is $30, and the day-of registration fee is $40. All proceeds from The Office 5K will benefit Valley In Motion, a local non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the sense of community across the Lackawanna Valley. Learn more about Valley In Motion at www.valleyinmotion.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @valleyinmotion. For more information about The Office 5K and to register, please visit www.theoffice5k.com.
