Marywood Professor and Graduate Students Present at Convention Dr. Vijayachandra Ramachandra, professor of communication sciences and disorders at Marywood University, and first-year speech-language pathology graduate students, Kirsten Van Louvender, Kelli Moreno, and Angela Genter, recently presented their research, “Meow and Oink Lead to a Right Spatial Bias: Implications for Aphasia Therapy,” at the 2022 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention, which was held in New Orleans, La., from November 17-19. In this study, the investigators explored how the brain processes different types of words and environmental sounds using neuropsychological methods called visual and tactile line bisection. The findings of this study have important implications for treating people with aphasia, a disorder caused due to a stroke or a head injury and which can affect a person’s ability to communicate. For additional information about the communication sciences and disorders department at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/academics/csd, or contact the Admissions Office at (570) 348-6234. Additionally, prospective undergraduate students can email YourFuture@marywood.edu and prospective graduate students can email GoGrad@marywood.edu for more information. IMAGE ID: Pictured left to right are Marywood University research presenters, Kirsten Van Louvender, Moscow, PA; Dr. Vijayachandra Ramachandra, East Stroudsburg, PA; Kelli Moreno, Hebron, MD; and Angela Genter, Scranton, PA.
Marywood University Announces Dean’s List Marywood University announces the regional students who were named to the Fall 2022 Dean’s List from each of its colleges, including the College of Health and Human Services, Insalaco College of Arts and Sciences, the and the Reap College of Professional Studies. Students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-4.00 on 12 or more graded credits merit this academic honor. Students who believe they may have been omitted from this list in error should contact the Dean of their respective college. Regional students named to the Dean’s List from the College of Health and Human Services, as declared by Interim Dean Shelby W. Yeager, M.Ed., LAT, ATC, CSCS, include: Joanna Aguirre, Wilkes Barre; Katelyn Ainey, Jessup; Mia Amorino, Friendsville; Ava Aulisio, Old Forge; Rachel Beidler, Scranton; Megan Bidwell, Honesdale; Alyssa Bollard, Kingsley; Vanessa Bompane, E Stroudsburg; Elizabeth Buczek, Tobyhanna; Branielle Butwin, Harding; Caroline Cadden, Scranton; Ariana Campbell, Scranton; Maria Castaldi, Moosic; Roxana Castillo, E Stroudsburg; James Cawley, Moscow; Izabella Chmil, Scott Twp; Samantha Christian, Pittston; Julia Cicco, Scranton; Bailey Cinamella, Covington Twp; Jose Collado, Scott Twp; Jenna Collins, Duryea; Sarah Connor, Scranton; Laci Connor, Archbald; Michael Cost, Scranton; Meadow Curyk, Scranton; Skylar Dearie, Carbondale; Molly Devine, Scranton; Talia Donati, Wyoming; Mandy Duplessis, Carbondale; Ayla Eckersley, Greentown; Gabrielle Eldridge, Nanticoke; Noah Fontanella, Archbald; Madison Fox, Dalton; Madelyn Franceski, Vandling; Skylar Gagnon, E Stroudsburg; Angela Genter, Scranton; Makayla Gregory, Waymart; Amanda Gross, Moscow; Nina Grushinski, Peckville; Kortney Harry, Noxen; Stephanie Hicks, Throop; Ashley Hrywnak, Spring Brook; Abbey Jackson, Olyphant; Kylee Jezorwski, Dunmore; Justice Johnson, Laceyville; Sarah Kagan, Hanover Twp; Tristen Kalt, Jermyn; Daelyn Karboski, Olyphant; Kathleen Kennedy, Dunmore; Julia Kistler, Scranton; Emma Kobylanski, Olyphant; Carissa Kopenis, Hanover Twp; Alyssa Kornish, Pittston; Athena Legates, Thompson; Kaylyn Lewis, Hallstead; Keanna Locatelli, Madison Township; Lily Mackarey, Archbald; Alyssa Marion, Peckville; Gianna Marturano, S Abingtn Twp; Morgan Mayne, Eynon; Erinn Messner, Temple; Skylar Milovcevich, Dingmans Fry; Lizbeth Moctezuma, Scranton; Emily Mondak, Peckville; Christina Monroe, Olyphant; Grace Murtagh, Olyphant; Allison Nealon, Clarks Green; Emily O’Brien, Montrose; Celeste Orchard, Lake Ariel; Rebecca Ottensman, Nanticoke; Alexis Overholtz, Dunmore; Nadia Palevac, Peckville; Sarah Pavlovicz, Scranton; Elizabeth Pfohl, Scranton; Nicole Piccoletti, Pittston Twp; Marzinete Pilch, Archbald; Jack Rafferty, Scranton; Yva-Marie Ramos-Febus, Scranton; Allison Rempe, Moosic; Spencer Renwick, New Milford; Camille Rillstone, Ransom Twp; Emily Rinaldi, Duryea; Tatiana Roldan, Milford; Gabrielle Roote, Tunkhannock; Jocelyn Ryan, Mountain Top; Tiara Sanchez, Scranton; Meredith Santiago, Scranton; Gracie Secor, Avoca; Olivia Sellers, Wyoming; Taylor Seprosky, Archbald; Bethany Serio, Archbald; Allison Sidiropoulos, Peckville; Riley Skelton, Honesdale; Sydney Skrutski, Archbald; Laura Slivinski, Scranton; Alysha Smigiel, Pittston; Meghan Smith, Duryea; Gianna Snell, Jermyn; Abigail Stalter, Jermyn; Megan Stledger, Jessup; Allison Strelecki, Kingston; Kacie Szczech, Dickson City; Oliwia Szumniak, Pocono Manor; Gesileny Taveras, Scranton; Rachel Totten, Milford; Marie Traverse, Milford; Emily Turlip, Archbald; Delaney Valinski, Waymart; Kirsten Van Louvender, Moscow; Sydney Vanorden, Scranton; Stephanie Ventura, Wilkes Barre; Nikolas Verdugo, Lake Ariel; Michaela Wall, Olyphant; Kathryn Walsh, Springbrook Township; Leigha Welsh, Honesdale; Kyra Wojtkielewicz, Moscow; Leah Zambetti, Yatesville; and Emma Ziminskas, Jessup. Regional students named to the Dean’s List from the Insalaco College of Arts and Sciences, as declared by Dean Jeffrey Johnson, DMA, include: Elizabeth Adams, Brackney; Madeline Adams, Brackney; Tatiana Amaral, Roaring Brook Township; Michael Antoniacci, Moosic; Paul Appolt, Scranton; Olivia Arcuri, S Abington Twp; Jason Ardan, Scranton; Nathaniel Armstrong, Clarks Summit; Cassidy Asinski, Waymart; Adele Banfield, Pocono Lake; Shannon Baransky, S Abingtn Twp; Gavin Beck, Moosic; Bria Beggin, Jessup; Emily Bergamino, Old Forge; Madison Bialy, Dickson City; Angel Bieloski, Thompson; Olivia Bloskey, Scranton; Marlena Bompane, E Stroudsburg; Logan Bowling, Luzerne; Margaret Breznay, Pittston Twp; Caitlyn Brown, Meshoppen; Emma Budnovitch, Roaring Brook Twp; Noah Budnovitch, Roaring Brook Twp; Max Burke, Dunmore; Eric Burnett, Eynon; Joel Cali, Old Forge; Olivia Canfield, Honesdale; Joseph Cardillo, Dunmore; Phoebe Cheesman, Dalton; Maxwell Christian, Scranton; Vito Ciullo, Scranton; Caroline Coar, Dunmore; Ryan Coleman, Archbald; Chloe Conway, S Abingtn Twp; Ariel Corrigan-Mills, Clarks Green; Seth Croll, Milford; Jacqueline Cunha, Scranton; Mardan Daurilas, East Stroudsburg; Francheliz De Jesus Correa, Carbondale; Ashley Deabreu, Henryville; Mia Demarco, Pittston; Sarah Demchak, Carbondale; Nichol Denison, Clarks Summit; Delayne Depietro, Archbald; Tehya Dietrich, Carbondale; Todd Dotter, Thornhurst; Madison Doyle, Throop; Kyle Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Molly Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Emily Duris, Monroe Twp; Myia Evans, Elmhurst Twp; Emma Eynon, Dunmore; Jaden Fedorchak, Carbondale; Nick Ferraro, Dickson City; Margaret Fields, Scranton; Bridgette Flannery, Lake Ariel; Samantha Frable, Scranton; Jennifer Gable, Kingston; Evan Gedrich, Scranton; Elizabeth Gething, Old Forge; Kaitlyn Gingerlowski, Scranton; Josh Godlewski, Taylor; Austin Griffith, Jefferson Twp; Priscilla Grill, Scranton; Colton Grohs, Dunmore; John Guichay, Scranton; Zohal Gul Mohammad, Scranton; Mason Gumble, Tafton; Mara Hamm, S Abingtn Twp; Natasya Handijaya, Scranton; Matthew Hartz, Hazleton; Caleah Hawley, Eynon; Tyler Hewett, Scott Township; Allison Hewitt, Meshoppen; Hunter Hildebrand, Waverly Twp; Sierra Holbert, Stroudsburg; Emma Holbrook, Clarks Summit; Marilyn Hoskins, Moosic; Zachary Houston, Exeter; Allison Huegel, Scranton; Colby Hughes, Scranton; Corey Iyoob, Jessup; Ty Jackson, Olyphant; Lindsey Jason, Olyphant; Aiyanna Jean, Canadensis; Gabriel Jenceleski, Nanticoke; Kyle Jenkins, Scranton; Jake Jones, Duryea; Kaeleb Jones, Honesdale; Olivia Kaschak, Archbald; Evangeline Kelly, Milford; Kaitlyn Kenney, Effort; Rebecca Klemovitch, Waymart; Eleanor Kloss, Sprng Brk Twp; Andrew Kohut, Dickson Cty; Ian Kovatch, Archbald; Diane Kraus, Covington Twp; Kathryn Kraycer, Peckville; Carrie Kraynak, Mountain Top; David Kuzmick, Blakely; Sara Labar, Scranton; Grace Lehman, White Haven; Kristen Lello, Avoca; Kamryn Liuzzo, Carbondale; Madison Loscombe, Scranton; Sarah Macdonald, Scranton; Catherine Maholick, Gouldsboro; Jaylene Maisonet, Tobyhanna; Nicholas Mancuso, Old Forge; Vanessa Mancuso, Olyphant; Aubrey Mangan, Scranton; Marissa Manza, E Stroudsburg; Kelsey Martin, Honesdale; Nelly Martinez, Scranton; Noah Mauro, Carbondale; Sara McCormack, Scranton; Allison McDermott, Lake Ariel; Willow McDonald, S Abingtn Twp; Grace McDonald, Avoca; Jordyn McDonough, Spring Brook Township; Nathan McLane, Scranton; Nicole Melesky, Olyphant; Kirsten Melton, Shickshinny; Alayna Miller, Shavertown; Nevica Molinaro, Taylor; Jillian Mooney, Dunmore; Paige Morgan, Olyphant; Isabelle Morris, Hallstead; Samantha Mushak, Scranton; Rebecca Navin, Forty Fort; Shania Nelson, Scranton; Kaitlyn Newberry, Jessup; Bethany Newell, Mountain Top; Alex Ni, Moscow; Joseph Nocera, Old Forge; Lauren O’Brien, Pittston; Thomas O’Keefe, Milford; Emily Orlando, Scranton; Nick Oruska, Montrose; Molly Owings, Clarks Summit; Jessica Palauskas, Scranton; Michelle Pan, Stroudsburg; Polina Pastushenko, Scranton; Thi Ai Lien Phung, Scranton; Kaya Pickering, Hunlock Creek; Gabrielle Ponce, Scott Twp; Angel Popko, Dickson City; Vanessa Pruzinsky, Olyphant; Savannah Purdy, Sweet Valley; Maria Quinones, Scranton; Emily Raffaele, E Stroudsburg; Jessica Raharjo, Scranton; Jacob Rasimovich, Scranton; Brandon Reed, Taylor; Joanna Regalbuto, Lake Ariel; Jenna Reilly, Archbald; Fiona Reinhard, Kunkletown; Natalie Rinaldi, Tobyhanna; Sawyer Rippon, South Abington Township; Jalieza Rivera-Cordova, Scranton; Abigail Robson, Old Forge; Nikki Rosiak, Taylor; Madelynn Ross, Wyoming; Elizabeth Rothwell, Factoryville; Kelly Royer, Weatherly; Emma Rushworth, Meshoppen; Ashley Rusinko, Tunkhannock; Mahnoor Sami, Jessup; Breanna Sanon, Cresco; Maricruz Saucedo, Old Forge; Lia Schwenk, Dunmore; Alexander Shields, Scott Twp; Carl Shygelski, Taylor; Todd Snyder, Meshoppen; Julian Sochoka, Covington Twp; Shannon Sohl, Lake Ariel; Alexandra Solimine, Lake Ariel; Sage Sott, Hughestown; Dax Sowul, Tobyhanna; Lillie Spencer, Hunlock Creek; Eric Spivak, Scranton; Merison Stecik, Taylor; Kailey Stevenson, Montrose; Ruiwen Su, Dunmore; Jonelle Symonies, Carbondale; Vicky Tang, Scranton; Courtney Toroni, Peckville; Nicola Veniamin, Waverly Township; Anthony Viscomi, Scranton; Elizabeth Vito, Dupont; Lilly Vito, Dupont; Julia Walsh, Scranton; Breanna Walsh, Scranton; Isabella Watson, Honesdale; Colby White, Jermyn; Taylor White, Scranton; Abigail Wilson, Scranton; Samantha Wilson, Dickson City; Zachary Witte, Lakeville; Caitlynn Woyshnar-Hunsinger, Scranton; Drew Yanni, Scranton; Lauren Youngken, E Stroudsburg; Rachel Zarubski, Dunmore; and Jenna Zerilli, Effort. Regional students named to the Dean’s List from the Reap College of Professional Studies, as declared by Dean James J. Sullivan, M.ARCH, RA, AIA, include: Annabel Adams, Brackney; Mariah Addis, Peckville; Rye Ahronson, Scranton; Alex Amorine, Lake Ariel; Adam Anderson, Berwick; Michael Aronica, Scranton; Zoe Badner, Greentown; Danielle Banfield, Pocono Lake; Jack Baronski, Peckville; Jake Barrett, Peckville; Lauren Beemer, Dalton; William Berlew, Courtdale; David Biscontini, Shavertown; Kiarra Bonning, Harding; Maxwell Brewer, Scranton; Alesha Buchleitner, Covington Township; Caitlyn Burdick, Waymart; Colin Burke, Carbondale; Jacob Burkhart, Old Forge; Ava Butcher, Pittston; Brianna Campbell, Jessup; Ashley Capone, Scranton; Jordan Carty, Mount Pocono; Maria Cicerini, Jefferson Twp; Jake Ciullo, Scranton; Olivia Ciullo, Dunmore; Isabella Coleman, Factoryville; Brianna Conniff, Archbald; Christopher Conserette, Peckville; Douglas Cooke, Throop; Julianna Cotroneo, Blakely; Layla Crane, Duryea; Shannon Croll, Milford; Dhan Dahal, Scranton; Joel Decarli, Archbald; Gianna DiPietro, Dunmore; Jacob Dolinish, Scranton; Macrina Dolinish, Old Forge; Collin Dougherty, Shavertown; Collin Eisenhower, Sugarloaf; Samantha Farry, Scranton; Dominique Ferraro, Jessup; Landon Firmstone, Waymart; Lucas Flederbach, Honesdale; Alison Fortuner, Carbondale; Jolie Fraggetta, Milford; Denville Francis, Tobyhanna; Abagaile Gerba, Scotrun; Riley Gibbons, Eynon; Hadley Gilbert, Mayfield; David Girman, Dupont; Frank Golden, Dunmore; Daniel Gomez, Scranton; Kelsey Green, Nescopeck; Alyssa Green, Nescopeck; Nathan Grosvenor, Kingsley; Madison Guelho, Stroudsburg; Sophia Guerriero, Berwick; Destiny Hallock, Throop; Caleb Hamm, Scranton; Shawna Heckman, Old Forge; Alex Hernandez, Wilkes-Barre; Samantha Howey, Honesdale; Michael Ingenito, Scranton; Bo Judson, S Abingtn Twp; Julia Kanavy, Archbald; Connor Kelleher, Clarks Summit; Larry Kendricks, Scranton; Iain Kerrigan, Old Forge; Megan Kielar, Taylor; Sarah Kinback, Factoryville; Elsa Kovatch, Archbald; Rachel Kranick, Scranton; Matthew Kubasti, Hunlock Creek; Madison Kuzdro, Peckville; Becca Laboranti, Olyphant; Samantha Labrosky, Taylor; Connor Laity, Lake Ariel; Matthew Lastauskas, Waverly Twp; Thomas Lee, Scranton; Sage Lesh, Scranton; Jeremy Liptai, Scranton; Tristan Luczak, Hanover Twp; Isabella Luongo, Old Forge; Kathleen Lynott, N Scranton; Connor Madsen, Matamoras; Mia Mandarano, Dunmore; Brooke Manley, Old Forge; Justin Mantilla, Blakeslee; Nina Markle, South Abington Township; James Marsh, Duryea; Lauren Matarazzo, Milford; Alexandra Matyjevich, Sprng Brk Twp; Michael McCann, Dallas; Kaitlin McConnell, Mayfield; Ann Marie McGrogan, Hazleton; Nicolas Mendez, Mount Pocono; Christina Mercadante, Duryea; Giavana Mercatili, Archbald; Thomas Milewski, Jefferson Twp; Dennis Miley, East Stroudsburg; Shayne Mizok, Scott Township; Kevin Morales, Scranton; Owen Morgan, Jermyn; Riley Mulherin, S Abingtn Twp; Donia Nazmy, Wilkes Barre; Joshua Neary, E Stroudsburg; Rachael North-Mozda, Olyphant; Alexandria O’Halloran, Jessup; Caitlin Pagnotti, Scranton; Manshi Patel, Scranton; Het Patel, Danville; Megan Pavlowski, Dunmore; Casey Penzone, Jermyn; Corey Perkins, Clarks Summit; Ava Perrins, Throop; Kailee Perry, Carbondale; Matthew Pfohl, Scranton; Morgan Phillips, Shohola; Isabella Pliska, Jermyn; Alexis Pliska, Jermyn; Tyler Prudente, Scott Township; Joshua Quijada, Long Pond; Ashley Reddock, Eynon; Dimitri Reggie, Lake Ariel; Elyse Rehder, Clarks Summit; Elizabeth Rembecki, S Abingtn Twp; John Russo, Milford; Haneet Saini, Scranton; Amanda Sakulich, Jessup; Abigail Sankus, Wilkes Barre; Mia Santarelli, Archbald; Mackenzie Senatore, Dunmore; Jada Siino, Newfoundland; Gradon Silva, Sprng Brk Twp; Amandeep Singh, Lake Ariel; Matthew Smith, Old Forge; Olivia Smith, Archbald; Miranda Smith, Luzerne; Gabrielle Snee, Olyphant; Elizabeth Stone, Old Forge; Andrew Straka, Peckville; Milana Straub, Scranton; Ryan Strony, Dickson City; Michael Strouse, Stroudsburg; Emily Tansley, Scranton; Samantha Thomas, Factoryville; Gabrielle Troch, Newfoundland; Faith Ursich, Union Dale; Kaylee Urso, Taylor; Tyler Utnick, Effort; Robert Vanbrunt, Covington Twp; Ethan Verne, Covington Twp; Caleb Vigil, Mayfield; Nick Vilogi-Slayton, Jessup; Jillian Vito, Dupont; Lauren Walsh, Jessup; Natasha Walton, Moscow; Olivia Watson, Bethany; Elizabeth Williams, Honesdale; Brenda Zakarias, Scranton; and Anna Zuby, Peckville.
Marywood University Announces 2023 Summer Camps Even though winter days are here, Marywood University is looking forward to summertime with its 2023 Summer @ the Wood camps program. Pick your passion from 10+ camps, featuring sports activities, creative pursuits, and scientific interests. The 2023 schedule presently includes academic camps on architecture, art of comic books/graphic novels, biotechnology, environmental stewardship, and music, as well as athletic camps for boys/girls basketball, esports, girls lacrosse, softball, swimming, and girls volleyball. For more details, including camp dates, registration information and deadlines, camp descriptions, and associated fees, visit marywood.edu/community/camps/. Some camps are currently open for registration, while others will open after the first of the year. Several feature early bird registration rates. It is possible that other camps may be added to these initial offerings. If so, information will be listed on the camps website at: marywood.edu/community/camps/.
Marywood University “Day-in-the-Life” Exercise Science Experience Marywood’s exercise science department will host a day-in-the-life experience for prospective students on Thursday, December 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Center for Athletics & Wellness on the university’s campus. In addition to immersive experiential learning sessions in sports rehabilitation and combine-style strength and conditioning assessments, students who register for this free event will meet with faculty, participate in a Q&A student panel, and learn more about the exercise science program at Marywood. Additionally, a complimentary lunch and campus tour will be included.
Marywood Presidential Society Dinner Recognizes Major Benefactors At its recent Presidential Society Dinner in the historic Rotunda, Marywood University recognized its major benefactors for their support and commitment. As part of this evening of recognition, Pia Ferrario, New York, N.Y., vice chair of the Marywood Board of Trustees, was awarded the Presidential Mission Medal and was inducted into the Saint Alphonsus Society. Mission medal recipients are servant leaders who embrace a commitment to Marywood’s core values of Catholic identity, respect, empowerment, service, and excellence. They inspire others to serve and advance Marywood’s commitment to excellence and empowerment through education. In addition to Ms. Ferrario, Daniel and Kathleen Damico Mezzalingua ’60 and the Pascucci Family Foundation were inducted into the Saint Alphonsus Society, which honors benefactors whose lifetime commitments to Marywood have reached or exceeded $500,000. Mrs. Mezzalingua, a Marywood graduate, who earned her master’s degree from Syracuse University, taught in Syracuse Public Schools before retiring to raise the couple’s six children. She has served on behalf of numerous civic causes. Mr. Mezzalingua, a graduate of and former Syracuse University Trustee, worked as a marketing analyst before developing and managing a Syracuse-based family business that manufactured coaxial cable connectors for the cable TV industry. Committed to sharing their blessings and ensuring people have opportunities, the couple has been involved in a leadership capacity with many nonprofit organizations, including the United Way, Community General Hospital Organization, and Hospice of Central New York. The Mezzalinguas serve as President and Vice President for the Saint Agatha Foundation established by their late daughter, Laurie, a 2010 Marywood Presidential Medal recipient. Mr. Pascucci, who with his family, established the Pascucci Family Foundation, credits his early IHM education as the catalyst for his successful business career. A graduate of Bucknell University and New York University’s School of Business, Mr. Pascucci began his career as an entrepreneur, going on to found several successful businesses, including an auto leasing company, television station, and one of the top 100 golf courses in the United States, Seabonack Golf Club. The Pascucci Family has provided resources to and volunteered for many nonprofits and service organizations, including the Catholic Relief Services. Their Foundation generously supports Marywood’s health and wellness endeavors, including the acquisition of Marywood Heights and other healthcare initiatives planned at the University. A native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Ms. Ferrario attended Marywood Seminary, then went on to study art education at Kutztown University. However, she soon realized that the world of merchandising was her true professional calling. She got her start at The Globe Store in Scranton, then moved to the store’s parent company, John Wanamaker, in Philadelphia. Her leadership and management positions continued at JCPenney, Dallas, TX, and Ups’N Downs, Enfield, CT. From there, she served for 23 years in a number of executive leadership roles at Victoria’s Secret, a subsidiary of L Brands, which culminated in her being named as CEO of Victoria’s Secret Direct, a position she held until her retirement. Ms. Ferrario has traveled overseas with Catholic Relief Services and has served as a member of the New York Regional Council and the President’s Circle of Catholic Relief Services. Additionally, she participated in the Mentor Outreach Program of Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of New York, volunteered for and supported the Food Bank for New York City, the Inner City Scholarship Fund of New York City, and the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in New York City. Ms. Ferrario enthusiastically supports both Marywood University and the IHM Congregation, because of their emphasis on helping people and educating students, particularly those who otherwise would not have educational opportunities. Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University president, said, “I thank Pia for her unwavering commitment to the present and her faith in the future. She lives the virtue of kindness and humbly, wholeheartedly, and graciously espouses the mission of Marywood.”
Marywood University to Observe National School Psychology Week During the week of November 7-11, 2022, schools throughout the country are celebrating National School Psychology Week (NSPW) to highlight the important work school psychologists do to help students thrive. Every year in November, school psychologists, professors, and graduate students gear up to bring awareness to the field of school psychology and highlight the work that school psychologists do to help students thrive. The theme for our 2022 National School Psychology Week is “Together We Shine”. This theme encourages us to see hope after a series of challenging years. It’s about offering hope as students move forward from the difficult COVID-19 pandemic. We have all faced difficulties created by the pandemic, social injustice and inequity, economic stress, and challenges to mental and physical health. For some, it has been a time of real challenge, and finding light is critical to building resilience and hope. Though each of us has our own inner light, when we bring together our ideas and actions to uplift each other, we shine even brighter, both as individuals and as a community. During the week, school psychologists will connect with students and staff to highlight how each person’s contributions can move us forward. Just as we continue developing our own skills individually and with support from others, we in turn can help others foster resilience and support those who need it as well. School psychologists are particularly skilled at assisting students and staff in thriving and working together, whatever the challenge. With expertise in both education and mental health, school psychologists are uniquely qualified to help address the needs of students and schools. This means addressing challenges such as poverty, academic underachievement, mental and behavioral health issues, bullying, homelessness, increasing cultural and linguistic diversity, record high student enrollment—to name just a few. All argue for the critical importance of the services provided by school psychologists. School psychologists throughout the country are empowering students to deal with mental and behavioral health challenges, to connect with others, and to discover endless possibilities for academic success, as well as social and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, research suggests that longstanding shortages of school psychologists continue to threaten students’ access to needed school psychological services. Although this shortage continues to be a national problem, Marywood University officials are to be acknowledged and congratulated as they sought to address this critical issue shortage by recently reinstating its Ed.S. program in School Psychology. The program is directed by Dr. Stuart Badner. Under his direction and leadership, the School Psychology program at Marywood has been recruiting cadres of new school psychology students since Fall 2020 and are expecting to graduate its first class of entry-level school psychology professionals in May 2023. Moreover, the leaders of Marywood University are committed to developing a truly exceptional and much-needed program, aligned with National Association of School Psychology practice standards.
Marywood University’s Students and Faculty Engage in Service Students and faculty in Marywood University’s communication sciences and disorders (CSD) department have been engaged in several community service projects and events during the fall semester. Hearing Screenings at Scranton Treasure House: Dr. Sheri Skrutski, assistant professor of practice, supervised students who completed hearing screenings at the Scranton Treasure House. All preschool students were screened at the center. If you are interested in information regarding screening opportunities, contact Dr. Skrutski at the Marywood University Speech-Language and Audiology Clinics by phone at 570-348-6299 or email at sskrutski@marywood.edu. Alzheimer’s Walk: Members of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA)-Marywood Chapter participated in the 2.5 mile Walk to End Alzheimer’s held on Saturday, October 15. Team members walked throughout Marywood’s campus for the event. Locally, the walk raised $64,230. Marywood’s NSSLHA Chapter, composed of 19 members, raised $1,025 for the event. Money raised is providing funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Trunk or Treat Event: NSSLHA-Marywood Chapter members also held a Trunk or Treat event for clients, siblings, and friends of the Marywood University Speech and Language Clinic. Students in the CSD department, from undergraduate to graduate level, along with faculty, participated in the event. The event included decorated cars, treats, and costumes.
Marywood University News Marywood Graphic Design Student Among Winners in Poster Competition Marywood University student Danaé Drews, a junior graphic design major, is a winner in the international poster design competition, Typography Day, hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. Her work, selected from over 500 international entries, also will appear in a poster book. The winners are entitled to free participation during the online Typography Conference and Workshop, November 18-19, 2022, hosted by IDC School of Design (IDC), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) with support from India Design Association (InDeAs ) and Aksharaya. The winning entries will be published and displayed in an exhibition during the event. To view all winning entries from the 2022 Typography Day poster design competition, visit https://typoday.in/poster_result-22.html. Marywood Associate Professor Publishes Research Patrick Seffrin, Ph.D., associate professor of social science, along with his graduate research assistant, Joseph Teeple, recently had an article, titled “Making Drug Use Dangerous for Black Men: Race, Drugs, Violence, and Criminal Justice,” accepted for publication in the journal, Race and Justice. Dr. Seffrin teaches courses in the areas of sociology, criminology, and criminal justice at Marywood University. This study examined links between drug use, violence, and criminal justice involvement among Black and White men. Differential treatment under the law has historically been the case for African Americans. According to the article abstract, “This study theorized that the War on Drugs, which was waged disproportionately in majority Black communities, had the unintended effect of making drug use riskier for Black men by limiting the supply of drugs to high-risk populations who commit far more serious and violent criminal offenses.” The study revealed that drug use was found to be less prevalent, overall, for Black men, but its association with violence was greater for Black men than White men. Differential legal treatment for violence and drugs was found to be greater for Black men than White men and had diminishing returns for deterring violence and negative returns for drugs by predicting greater use. Accounting for differential legal treatment did not significantly reduce predicted racial disparities in violence or drug use, and implications of these findings are discussed in the study.
Marywood University to Celebrate the Season by “Making Spirits Bright” “Making Spirits Bright,” Marywood’s annual celebration of the holiday season through festive programming, community service, and spiritual opportunities, will kick off on Wednesday, November 30, and continue through New Year’s Eve. FESTIVE PROGRAMMING The signature event, Marywood’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, will take place in the Rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center on Wednesday, November 30, at 4 p.m. Seasonal music from student musicians will be featured. The event is free and open to the public. The public also may view the Marywood Christmas tree during the normal operating hours of the Liberal Arts Center, Monday through Friday, December 1-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Marywood’s campus will feature its main outdoor Christmas display of the Nativity scene at the Memorial Arch on Adams Avenue, and tasteful seasonal lighting will adorn various sections of campus. Indoors, an office decorating contest, sponsored by the Student Government Association, will allow students to vote for their favorite décor. A $250 donation will be given to the winning office’s favorite charity, and the winner will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony Sounds of the season will be broadcast by Marywood’s award-winning, student-run radio station, VMFM 91.7, which once again becomes Christmas 91.7 and continues its traditional community gift of broadcasting commercial-free Christmas music, 24/7. Christmas programming starts on Friday, December 2, at 4 p.m., and continues through New Year’s Eve. Those outside of the station’s local broadcast range can stream it for free online or through the Tune-in app. Marywood will offer its traditional Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by the NEPA Marywood Alumni Chapter in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Engagement. The event is set for Sunday, December 4, from 9 a.m. – Noon, in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center. Seating is limited, and preference is given to Marywood alumni. Advanced registration is required; once the event capacity is reached, registration will be closed. For details, go to: https://alumni2.marywood.edu/breakfast-with-santa-2022. The Music, Theatre, and Dance department is presenting several seasonal concerts, all of which are free and open to the public, including: String Ensemble, Thursday, December 1, 7 p.m., at the Marian Chapel. The String Ensemble will be performing an arrangement of American composer George Walker’s Adagio from the 2nd String Quartet, Grieg’s Holberg Suite, and Divertimento in Bb, K.137 by Mozart.Chamber Singers Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 4, 4 p.m., at the Marian Chapel. The Marywood University Chamber Singers’ annual Christmas Concert will feature Francis Poulenc’s profound and highly expressive Mass in G, as well as settings of “O Magnum Mysterium” by composers from both the Renaissance and the present day. In addition to sacred choral music, the performance will include Will Todd’s jazz settings of popular Christmas carols.String Project Holiday Gala Concert, Monday, December 5, 6 p.m., Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. This concert will feature string students, ages 4-18, performing a wide range of music and styles, including some holiday music, both in small ensembles and orchestra.Marywood Guitar Ensemble and Melinda Krokus, Music & Spirituality Holiday Concert, Tuesday, December 6, 7 p.m., at the Marian Chapel. The Marywood Guitar Ensemble presents its traditional Holiday Concert by performing a diverse repertoire, including songs, old carols, Blues, and French music. This year, however, brings two novelties, focused on Music & Spirituality. Melinda Krokus joins the concert, providing poetry readings and grounding sessions. In addition, a very special set of guests, who have been taking Professor Carvalho’s Music & Spirituality class, will present posters on their individual research! The topics are extremely varied, such as the Igbo spiritual and musical practices, the music of Ariana Grande, Paganism, Catholic Councils, and many more.Marywood Wind Ensemble, Christmas Variety Show, Wednesday, December 7, 7 p.m., Marywood Heights Commons.The Marywood Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. F. David Romines, will present a gift to the residents of Marywood Heights in the form of a Christmas variety show with instrumental musical numbers and a lot of singing. All of the traditional holiday favorites will be featured in the program. Special guests will include the Marywood acapella group, Nomadic Chromatics.Marywood University Orchestra, Saturday, December 10, 2 p.m., Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. COMMUNITY SERVICE An on-campus Giving Tree service project will run from November 7-November 30. Gifts for the Giving Tree are due at the Tree Lighting ceremony on November 30, and drop off boxes will be available at the event as well as on campus. Beneficiaries of this service effort are Friends of the Poor, Marywood Heights, and the Community Intervention Center. Additionally, Marywood’s Campus Ministry Office will host a Christmas card writing social event for students, with cards being sent to Our Lady of Peace residents/staff, NativityMiguel Scranton students/staff, St. Joseph’s Center residents/staff, and veterans. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIESMass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patronal feast of the IHM Sisters and the United States, will be celebrated on Thursday, December 8, at Noon in the Marian Chapel. For information on Marywood’s Christmas events and related resources, visit marywood.edu/makingspiritsbright.
Marywood University Chamber Singers Earn National Honorable Mention The Marywood University Chamber Singers have earned national recognition in a choral competition. The Chamber Singers were named semifinalists for the 2022 American Prize in Choral Music last February, and, in May, they were named one of the finalists. The Marywood University Chamber Singers are one of two collegiate choral ensembles in the small program division to receive an Honorable Mention for the 2022 American Prize in Choral Performance. Among the national finalists, only six choirs in the United States received the distinction of winning a prize or being given an Honorable Mention. Only one of the other schools is of a size comparable to Marywood University; the other universities are significantly larger. The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation’s most comprehensive series of contests in the performing arts. The American Prize is unique in scope and structure, designed to recognize and reward the best performing artists, directors, ensembles and composers in the United States at professional, college/university, community and high school levels, based on submitted recordings.
