Marywood University Designated a Voter Friendly Campus Marywood University was recently named a Voter Friendly Campus, one of 258 campuses in 38 states and the District of Columbia, by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education as part of the nationwide Voter Friendly Campus initiative. The initiative recognizes institutions that have planned and implemented practices that encouraged their students to register and vote in the recent 2022 elections, along with a stated commitment to continue to foster and promote good voting habits for years to come. Those institutions designated Voter Friendly Campuses represent a wide range of two-year, four-year, public, private, rural, and urban campuses, collectively serving over 3.5 million students. “As part of our ongoing efforts as a designated Voter Friendly Campus, Marywood continues to promote civic engagement every year, not just during major election years,” said Kevin Farrell, director of student engagement at Marywood University. “With our Pacers to the Polls initiative, as well as our participation in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, the university has made a strong statement about its civic mission to prepare students to be engaged participants in our democracy, and we are eager to continue engaging students throughout 2023, 2024, and beyond.” Pacers to the Polls is Marywood’s nonpartisan campaign focused on increasing voter registration, preparedness, and turnout among students. Many different events and initiatives take place throughout the year as part of this campaign, and they are led and managed by a task force of students, staff, and faculty members. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge strives to change civic culture and institutionalize democratic engagement activities and programs on college campuses, making them a defining feature of campus life. The mission of the 2023 Voter Friendly Campus designation is to bolster colleges and universities’ efforts to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process—every year, not just during years featuring federal elections. Marywood was evaluated based on a written plan detailing how the university registered, educated, and turned out student voters in 2022, how it facilitated voter engagement efforts on campus, and by providing a final analysis of its efforts.
United Neighborhood Centers Pine Brook Family Arts Festival United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA (UNC) and John Adams elementary school are teamng up for the 2nd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival. All art and activities will take place on the school’s playground. Activities include a squirt gun mural, kids axe throwing, rock painting, planting flowers, photo booths, DIY galaxy bottles, finger puppets, obstacle courses, a theatre workshop, exercise and dance activities, nutrition and educational art, along with food and music. This year UNC is partering with Marywood University Kidstuff to bring 8 campus groups to the festival to provide art for the kids, including face painting and friendship bracelets. The University of Scranton Community Relations is proving funding for the school spirit project and free Italian ice from Marv’s Mobil Icey. The University of Scranton’s occupational therapy students are providing sensory and educational crafts including noise makers, bubble wands, and weaving. Food vendors El Buen Amigo and Antonio’s Pizza will be serving up hot tacos and pizza for an additional cost to festival attendees. Organizations hosting crafts and resources include UNC, My Center for Independent Living, Outreach, Penn State extension 4H & Master Gardners, The Green House Project, The Hexagon project, Lackawanna Library systems, Be SMART, and Scranton Fringe! Event orgainzer Holly Yorkonis says, “We are excited about year two of this successful event, we nearly doubled the number of crafts and art for families this year.” UNC would like to thank sponsors Lackawanna County Re-Invest, Lackawanna County Arts and Culture, Scranton Aera Foundation, The University of Scranton, and Marywood University. Those interested in volunteering at the annual event can contact UNC Revitalization Coordinator Holly at Hyorkonis@uncnepa.org or (272)-228-1366.
Slick Cyber Systems Offers Chamber Members Complimentary Service Slick Cyber Systems understands the importance of having a robust and secure information technology infrastructure in place and are pleased to offer a free information technology network assessments to all Chamber members. With this free network assessment, we hope to provide valuable insights into organization’s IT infrastructure and help identify any areas of improvement. A team of highly experienced IT professionals will conduct a thorough assessment of your network infrastructure to ensure that systems are functioning optimally and securely. The assessment will identify any potential vulnerabilities or issues that could potentially compromise your data or computer systems. To take advantage of this offer, please call 570-215-8888 or visit https://www.slickcybersystems.com/contact/ to schedule your free network assessment. Slick Cyber Systems is committed to providing top-notch IT solutions and services to businesses of all sizes.
The Greater Scranton YMCA Annual Healthy Kids Day The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on May 6 at 10:00 a.m. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. “It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources to families to ensure that their children have access to what they need to reach their full potential, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer resources that the Y has to offer.” Sponsored by Eggland’s Best, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to turn fun and play into lifelong memories. Some featured activities include a Kids Fun Run that kicks-off at 10:30 a.m., vendor fair, petting zoo, rides, bounce houses, entertainment and more. “At Eggland’s Best, we strive to help families fulfill their health and wellness goals by supplying them with the only egg that provides superior taste, nutrition, versatility and freshness compared to ordinary eggs,” said Kurt Misialek, President and CEO of Eggland’s Best. “We’re thrilled to be an Official Sponsor of Healthy Kids Day to make nutrition fun and encourage families to choose better-for-you foods.” Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Community Bank, Matrix Fitness, TOPP Business Solutions, Cal Mal Vending Services, Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, NET Credit Union and Rainey & Rainey CPAs. For more information, contact Brandon Whipple at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@gsymca.org or visit the Y online at https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/special-events/.
Marywood’s Online Master of Public Administration Program Ranked Among Best in Nation Scranton, PA (February 28, 2023) — Marywood University’s Master of Public Administration Program has been recognized as one of the best schools for online learning at the master’s level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD). Marywood’s public administration programs earned top honors for overall quality, affordability, and commitment to student success. OMD analyzed more than 7,700 accredited universities by using data pulled from the schools themselves and from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). To be eligible for ranking, a university must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online master’s program in the ranking subject. Just 8 percent of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position. “Providing students with opportunities to get a master’s online is only part of our rankings,” said Kyle Darland, co-founder of OMD. “Top-ranked schools also had competitive tuition rates and/or scholarships to help drive costs down.” Ranking at #30, Marywood University, which offers a fully online MPA program, was the only regional institution, as well as one of only two institutions in Pennsylvania, that placed. In addition to its regular online degree program, Marywood recently launched an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) Program to fast track graduate degree completion for those working in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Designed for working professionals with at least five years of post-bachelor’s degree experience, the EMPA program allows students to take graduate courses in public policy and administration without taking time off from their careers. Set to begin in the fall 2023 semester, the program is currently accepting applicants.
Larry Vojtko to retire from WVIA, WVIA Radio announces updated radio lineup, and the addition of WVIA Arts Radio PITTSTON, Pa. – Following a long career of public service and broadcasting, WVIA Radio programming director Larry Vojtko has announced his retirement, effective Friday, June 3rd, 2023. Vojtko, who started with WVIA in 1982, served as WVIA Radio Programming Director and afternoon classical music host in addition to being the host for additional radio programs including the Simply Grand music series. “I am so grateful to our listeners for welcoming me into their lives for over 41 years,” said Vojtko. “My years here have been full of more amazing experiences and memories than I can list and I thank you for tuning in with us each day.” Larry will continue to serve as moderator for WVIA television’s Keystone Edition Reports. “We are beyond thankful to Larry for sharing his voice, his talents, and his classical music expertise with our community for so many decades. He has truly enriched the lives of generations of listeners. Now with his departure, we wondered what will WVIA Radio afternoons be in his absence?” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President and CEO. “As always, we turned to our listeners and the mission of our station for guidance.” Beginning June 5th, WVIA Radio will expand its offerings from NPR and WVIA’s digital radio channel HD2 will be rebranded as WVIA Arts Radio. The updated schedules are below: WVIA Radio Weekday Schedule (as of 6/5/23): 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Morning Edition 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Classical Music with Lisa Mazzarella 12 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. – ArtScene with Erika Funke 12:15 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Classical Music with Erika Funke 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Here & Now 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – All Things Considered 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Marketplace 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. – The Daily 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Fresh Air 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. – All That Jazz with George Graham 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Mixed Bag with George Graham 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. – BBC World Service WVIA Arts Radio Weekday Schedule (as of 6/5/23): 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Classical 24 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Classical Music with Lisa Mazzarella (simulcast) 12 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. – ArtScene with Erika Funke (simulcast) 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Classical Music with Erika Funke 2 p.m. – Performance Today 4 p.m. – Classical 24 “WVIA has compared years of ratings data, tallied audience surveys, combined with feedback from listening sessions across our region to ensure we will be delivering the very best radio content for our audience,” said McCabe. “The advantage of having multiple digital radio channels allows us to provide more programming options than ever before. Our audience told us they wanted more NPR programs, more classical, and more local content, we are excited to provide exactly that!” “We’ve been assessing our service to the community for some time; it just so happens that this shift in service coincides with my retirement,” said Larry Vojtko. “I am excited that beginning this June, WVIA will be offering more NPR programs and more arts programming than ever before.” For questions and feedback listeners are encouraged to visit wvia.org, call WVIA at 570-602-1297 or email customerservice@wvia.org About WVIA WVIA is the PBS and NPR affiliate serving over 22 counties in northeastern and central Pennsylvania. For over 50 years WVIA has been committed to serving the people by offering informational, educational, and entertaining content that enriches and expands viewpoints and serves as a catalyst for positive change. WVIA television channels include WVIA TV, WVIA PBS Kids 24/7, and WVIA Create. WVIA’s radio channels include WVIA Radio, WVIA HD2, and the Chiaroscuro Channel. WVIA’s programs can also be found streaming live and on-demand on wvia.org and the WVIA app. WVIA Mission WVIA educates, inspires, entertains, and fosters citizenship, diverse cultures, and perspectives to nurture community. Photo Caption: Larry Vojtko to retire from WVIA. WVIA Radio announces updated radio lineup, and the addition of WVIA Arts Radio.
SSgt Coker joins Scranton Air Force Recruiting Team Please welcome SSgt Justin Coker to the Air Force Recruiting team in Scranton. He’s been with the Air Force for over 7 years as a fire fighter and is excited to share his experience with the community. Now with 2 active duty AF recruiters we have more availability for applicants.
The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education awarded federal grants to plan and develop residency programs in pediatric dentistry, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology Scranton, Pa. (April 5, 2023) – The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education have been awarded three grant awards totaling $1.5 million from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for the planning and development of three residency programs, further expanding and enriching physician training opportunities in Northeast Pennsylvania. As a nearly 50-year-old nonprofit enterprise providing graduate medical education and primary health services in Northeastern Pennsylvania, The Wright Center, along with partnering institutions and community providers, intends to explore establishing accredited residency programs in pediatric dentistry, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology. “We are grateful for the high-impact financial support from HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce and Congressman Cartwright’s reliable leadership support for our mission and our region,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, The Wright Center’s designated institutional official. “These graduate medical education planning and development grants will allow The Wright Center to invite and convene inclusive community stakeholders to strategic planning conversations inspired by a shared understanding of the impact of these training programs to increase access to primary health services and future career opportunities for children and adults in the communities we serve.” This federal grant funding was made available through HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program, using appropriations from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The initiative is intended to strengthen and expand community-based residency programs in rural and other medically underserved communities across the United States. HRSA’s Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education funding is allocated specifically for physician and dental training that includes community-based and governed care settings, such as The Wright Center for Community Health’s Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike venues. The training opportunities created for these residents help to expand and improve the distribution of the nation’s primary health services workforce beyond affluent urban areas to economically disadvantaged areas. As a grant awardee, The Wright Center may apply its funding to startup costs, including planning meetings, curriculum development, recruitment and training of residents and faculty, and necessary activities related to obtaining program accreditation from either the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The successful introduction of these programs will represent another milestone in The Wright Center’s continued strategic growth as a generator of compassionate, highly skilled, and patient-centered physicians who can help to address the region’s and nation’s ongoing health care services inequities and workforce shortages. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1976 as the Scranton-Temple Residency Program. A year later, it welcomed its first class of six internal medicine residents. Since then, the organization has been renamed and has grown in size and scope to reflect the community’s – and the country’s – evolving needs. It now trains about 250 residents and fellows each academic year in the region and at partner training sites in Arizona, Ohio, Washington state, and Washington, D.C. The Wright Center currently offers residencies in internal medicine, family medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, and psychiatry, as well as fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. All of its residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the ACGME. Additionally, in partnership with NYU Langone Dental Medicine, The Wright Center has served as a training site since 2021 for dentists in an Advanced Education in General Dental Residency Program. To learn more about the medical education opportunities at The Wright Center, visit TheWrightCenter.org.
FREE Business Event: t-factor Virtual Summit Join Christian Business Men’s Connection at Clarks Summit University in Clarks Summit, PA, on Wednesday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the t-factor Virtual Summit. t-factor’s transforms workplace cultures around the world for good, for God, for growth. This free virtual instructional initiative is designed for CEOs, senior leaders and influencers who have an interest in transforming their organization into a purpose-driven and faith-friendly workplace.
