Spark by Hilton to Open in Clarks Summit Experience the new Spark by Hilton in Clarks Summit Welcome Hotel Group and SAP Hotels, LLC are thrilled to announce the completion of its extensive renovation, marking its transformation into a vibrant Spark by Hilton property. The revitalization project has redefined luxury and comfort, offering guests an unparalleled experience in Clarks Summit. The renovation to Spark by Hilton represents a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming a premier destination for travelers seeking sophistication, innovation, and personalized service. Inspired by the dynamic Spark by Hilton brand, the hotel now boasts a contemporary design, state-of-the-art amenities, and an array of engaging spaces for guests to unwind and connect. “Our team is proud to introduce the new era of hospitality at the Spark by Hilton in Clarks Summit,” said Jim Petorak, General Manager of the property. “With this transformation, we are elevating the guest experience to new heights, combining modern elegance with the warm hospitality that defines our brand.” The redesigned guest rooms at the Spark exude comfort and style, featuring plush bedding, sleek furnishings, and cutting-edge technology to ensure a restful stay. The transformation into a Spark by Hilton property reflects Hilton’s commitment to redefining the hotel experience for today’s discerning travelers. With its emphasis on creativity, connectivity, and community, Spark by Hilton encapsulates the spirit of modern hospitality, inviting guests to discover moments of inspiration and delight at every turn. For reservations and more information about Spark by Hilton Clarks Summit, please visit Spark by Hilton Clarks Summit or contact the hotel at 800-774-1500.
Misericordia University Introduces New Programs in Entrepreneurship and Criminology Misericordia University recently introduced two new majors for full-time students that begin in fall 2024. The College of Arts and Sciences added a new Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Entrepreneurship is now available within the College of Business. “Our criminology degree was created to educate students in a wide range of issues and principles impacting crime in modern society,” says John Woznicki, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “It will prepare students for a career in law enforcement and various other fields related to the study and reduction of crime. We use an interdisciplinary approach, apply broad-based thinking skills in the Mercy tradition, and draw on the talents of our faculty in government, law, and national security as well as new faculty we’ve added to support this major.” Building on recent success in launching new majors, such as supply chain management and business economics, the College of Business is introducing entrepreneurship as a major for full-time students, as well as a certificate program for adult learners. Jim Pierson, J.D., CPA, dean of the College of Business says, “Entrepreneurship is an excellent major for students who desire to start their own businesses or who wish to apply their knowledge in an existing company as someone who promotes innovative product development and marketing. Students will apply appropriate thinking skills and technology to entrepreneurial activities to solve business problems and formulate sound business decisions.” Pierson adds that students can opt for a specialization in social entrepreneurship that will help them analyze the importance of ethical and social responsibilities and to foster innovation in applying entrepreneurial skills to address social issues impacting our communities through social ventures and responsive business operations. Misericordia University is a highly personal community of over 2,000 students in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As a private Catholic institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia emphasizes collaborative, hands-on learning and supports co-curricular activities by engaged faculty and staff. The university challenges students to excel academically, professionally, and socially and has notably superior graduation and retention rates. The university’s core values of Mercy, Service, Justice, and Hospitality underpin the more than 50 academic programs. Misericordia offers 31 Division III NCAA intercollegiate athletic programs, which include the new additions of STUNT, men’s and women’s wrestling, and men’s ice hockey. Misericordia University is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 and is planning to welcome its second largest first-year class. For more information on any new or existing program, please visit www.misericordia.edu/academics.
Lackawanna College Earns Institutional Reaccreditation for Next Eight Years Lackawanna College has earned reaccreditation through the 2031-32 academic year from The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The reaccreditation reflects the college’s commitment to maintaining high standards of education and accountability. The reaffirmation culminates a rigorous two-year long self-study process that directly involved more than 100 faculty, staff, students, board members and employers. The process included various reviews of Lackawanna College’s strategic plan, enrollment process, academic development and offerings, campus life, fiscal health and student success rate. “This impressive outcome reflects our continued commitment to providing a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives” Lackawanna College President and Chief Innovation Officer Jill Murray, Ph.D. said. “This is a critical accomplishment and reflects years of hard work by our entire college community. While we are proud of our results, we are even more proud of our outstanding team.” As part of the reaccreditation process, a self-study team was created to review and prepare information for the MSCHE evaluation team’s three-day site visit in March 2024. The self-study team was led by Lackawanna College Provost Erica Barone Pricci, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of Health Sciences Kelly A. Musti, PT, DPT, Dean of Curriculum and Faculty Affairs Adrienne Asbury and Director of Academic Quality Lindsey Munley. The Lackawanna College community also collaborated for the site visit by partaking in self-study activities, participating in working groups and were heavily involved in the on-site MSCHE visit. After the review, the MSCHE found Lackawanna College meets all standards and requirements for accreditation, providing nine commendations for outstanding aspects of the college. As of July 2024, the MSCHE has formally accepted the evaluation team’s report and reaffirmed its accreditation status. “Maintaining our MSCHE accreditation is vital for ensuring academic excellence and institutional integrity,” Musti said. “Achieving reaffirmation of our accreditation is not merely a benchmark; it supports Lackawanna College’s commitment to providing a high-quality education and making a positive impact within our community.” The MSCHE is a voluntary, non-profit association providing accreditation to institutions of higher education in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The next self-study evaluation will take place in eight years.
United Neighborhood Centers to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) year-round; every Thursday, Carbondale Farmers Market invites you to our National Farmers Market Week Celebration event. Join us this Thursday, August 8, 2024, during our market hours, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the grounds of UNC’s Fallbrook Senior Community Center at 185 Fallbrook Street in Carbondale. The market will feature woodfire pizza from Lupo Russo Pizza Truck, ice cream from Handel’s Ice Cream Truck, Authentic Puerto Rican food from Amor de Mami, raffle baskets to giveaway, and more! Stop by all the vendors, sit, and relax to the music provided by UNC. What about fresh local produce and meats? Stop by Kim and Andrew’s Farm Market for all your homegrown produce, farm-fresh salad dressing, sauces, and maple syrup. Winola Farms brings all the protein you need with its assortment of pasture-raised beef, pork, and chicken. And there are more vendors to come! UNC Farmers Markets accepts SNAP/EBT, and all benefit holders can receive an extra $2.00 for every $4.00 spent while shopping. For more information about SNAP/EBT, Food Bucks, or to become a vendor or cooking demonstrator, contact Taylor Burdick, UNC Carbondale Farmers Market Manager, at tburdick@uncnepa.org. UNC’s Carbondale Farmers Market is generously funded by the Moses Taylor Foundation. Like us on Facebook to learn about upcoming demonstrations and programs.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Month of ABLE Webinars Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Chair of the national ABLE Savings Plans Network (ASPN) announced today that to celebrate the first national ABLE Savings Day on August 14, multiple free webinars will be hosted by ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) program experts throughout August. Webinars will explain how ABLE accounts can help individuals with disabilities and their families save without affecting eligibility for important benefits. “ABLE programs provide fantastic opportunities for people with disabilities and their families to save for the future, which used to be impossible,” Treasurer Garrity said. “It’s my goal to make sure everyone who can benefit from an ABLE account learns about their benefits and knows how to open one. Our own PA ABLE is one of the largest programs in the country, and it’s growing quickly.” This month’s webinars include: ABLE Account 101 Monday, August 12, at 2:00 p.m. Join Mark Raymond, Jr., and other ABLE experts to learn about ABLE accounts. Mark will do a 30-minute presentation covering all ABLE topics (what is ABLE, who qualifies, how it works – and much more). After the presentation, participants can ask questions live. Learn About PA ABLE Tuesday, August 13, at 6:00 p.m. Webinar topics include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how a PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits. How Can Employers Promote ABLE as an Accessibility Tool? Wednesday, August 14, at 2:00 p.m. This webinar is designed for self-advocates, Employers, Providers, and Human Resources executives to learn about the power of ABLE accounts and innovative ways employers are supporting their employees with disabilities and family members through ABLE accounts. Webinar attendees will gain tools and strategies to help employers and jobseekers best take advantage of ABLE accounts. I Have an ABLE Account, Now What? Wednesday, August 21, at 2:00 p.m. This webinar is designed for self-advocates, family members and caregivers, who have opened an ABLE account or are considering opening an ABLE account. It will guide you through the ins and outs of ABLE accounts, helping you make the most of your financial opportunities. All times are Eastern Standard. The PA ABLE Savings Program provides people with disabilities and their families the opportunity for greater control of their finances and to plan a more secure future. To find out if you are eligible for a PA ABLE account, visit paable.gov.
Marywood to Host 2nd Annual Cruisin’ for a Cause Car Show Marywood University will host its second annual Cruisin’ for a Cause Car Show on Sunday, September 22, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Nazareth Student Center parking lot on Adams Avenue on the university’s campus. If needed, a rain date has been set for Sunday, September 29, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Various student and alumni groups, spearheaded by Marywood’s SOUL (Students Organized to Uphold Life), are collaborating with both the Pharoahs Car Club and the Coal Crackers Car Club, two of the largest in NEPA, for the event. All proceeds from the car show will benefit St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton. Last year’s inaugural event successfully raised $1,050 for St. Joseph’s. More than 75 cars and unique hot rods from all different generations will be featured at the family-friendly event, which also will feature a bake sale, music, raffles, and more. For more details, contact Kevin Farrell, Associate Vice President for the Student Experience, at kfarrell@marywood.edu or 570-340-6016.
Marywood University Sets Fall Open Houses Marywood University will hold two undergraduate open house events this fall for high school students and their parents. The October Open House is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, and the November Open House is set for Saturday, November 16. Both events will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration for each open house begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Fireplace Lounge at the Nazareth Student Center on the University’s campus, and the last campus tour departs at 1:45 p.m. A complimentary continental breakfast and lunch are included in the fall open houses. The open houses will give prospective students the opportunity to walk through a student services & organizations fair to find out how Marywood students fit in and have fun on campus. In addition, students will be able to explore various majors at an academic fair, learn more about the admissions process, visit an academic department of their choice and spend some time with faculty, as well as chat with varsity coaches and tour Marywood’s campus. For more information and to register for Marywood University’s fall open houses, visit marywood.edu/openhouse, email YourFuture@marywood.edu, or call Marywood’s admissions office at (570) 348-6234.
The University of Scranton to Host Annual Volunteer Fair The University of Scranton has planned a fair on Tuesday Sept. 10 for area nonprofit organizations seeking college students as volunteers. Fair for Nonprofit Agencies Seeking Volunteers The Center for Service and Social Justice at The University of Scranton will hold its annual Volunteer & Service Fair for local nonprofits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, on campus. The fair offers University students and student-led clubs interested in service projects and community-based learning sites a chance to meet representatives from nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers. To register a nonprofit organization for the event, email ellen.judge@scranton.edu or call 570-941-7429. The deadline to register for the fair is Friday, Sept. 6.
PennDOT Announces Plans for the Route 3020 Culvert Replacement Project The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to a Public Meeting with plans display regarding the Route 3020, Section D50 Culvert Replacement Project. The Route 3020 Section D50 project involves replacing the crossing of Route 3020 over a tributary to Lake Quinn in South Canaan Township, Wayne County. The project proposes to replace the existing concrete slab bridge with a new precast concrete box culvert. The new structure has been designed to improve the hydraulic performance of the original bridge and maintain the existing floodplains so as not to adversely affect adjacent property owners. Roadway improvements associated with the project include full-depth reconstruction in the vicinity of the bridge with guide rail and pavement marking installations where required. Only minor utility impacts are anticipated to construct the project. Public Meeting The in-person public display meeting for the project will take place on: Date: August 7, 2024 Time: 3:30 PM Location: 2238 Easton Turnpike Waymart PA 18472 (Township Building) The public comment period is from July 24, 2024 – August 21, 2024. The plans display will be held online and will be available from July 24, 2024 – August 21, 2024. Online information, including detailed project information and comment form, can be found by visiting the following PennDOT District 4-0 website: Route 3020 Section D50 Culvert Replacement Project (pa.gov). The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project, display and describe the planned traffic control, and receive public input regarding questions or concerns with the project. The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, contact Mr. Thomas Capitano, PennDOT Project Manager, at tcapitano@pa.gov. Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, PennDOT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability. If you feel that you have been denied the benefits of or participation in a PennDOT program or activity, you may contact the PennDOT, Bureau of Equal Opportunity, DBE/Title VI Division at 717-787-5891. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District4. Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D4Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov. Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
