Marywood University Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Esports Center Marywood University will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new state-of-the-art Esports Center on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 3 p.m., at the Esports Center, in the Nazareth Student Center on the University’s campus. This event is free and open to the media and invited guests. Light fare will be served. At the ribbon cutting, Marywood University dignitaries, including Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president; Lisa Lori, Esq., chair of the Board of Trustees; and Paul Capoccia, director of the Esports program, will present the new NEPA premier Esports Center to the public. Sister Catherine Luxner, IHM, vice president for mission services, will offer a blessing, in the Marywood tradition, of the Esports Center. Marywood University’s Esports Center features 30 gaming stations, a workspace for broadcast (webcams, microphones), lounge area for team meetings and coaching sessions, coaching tools including smart tvs and white-board set-up, futuristic high-tech lighting, and a WOW factor that will entice all users of the facility. The Esports program at Marywood blends function and practicality into an exciting premier gaming center. With function at its highest level, Marywood will also establish a welcoming culture in which students can interact and be supported. Visiting students and those competing will have a powerful experience. For additional information about the Esports Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, or for questions about the Esports program, please visit marywood.edu/esports, or contact Paul Capoccia, director the Esports program at Marywood University, at pcapoccia@marywood.edu.
Moses Taylor Foundation Grants Support Marywood University Health and Wellness Initiatives Marywood University has received two grants from the Moses Taylor Foundation to support the University’s comprehensive Health and Wellness initiatives. Marywood, ranked among the 2021 Best Allied Health Professions Schools according to Health Care Degree Search, prepares its Health and Wellness students for a variety of healthcare fields. The first of these grants supported students participating in “The Healthcare Discovery Camp: An Interprofessional Camp,” which ran from June 29-July 1. This program offered middle school and high school students an opportunity to learn more about a variety of healthcare fields and how each discipline works together to provide optimum care for their clients. The second grant, in the amount of $79,054, will support Marywood’s College of Health and Human Services in the purchase of a Laerdal SimMom Birthing Simulator. The equipment will be used by the Nursing and Physician Assistant Programs. This advanced full body simulator, with accurate anatomy and functionality, will facilitate training for teaching prenatal, birthing and postpartum care, and will allow students to gain more experience with more complex and unpredictable circumstances that may not be common in a traditional hospital setting. The healthcare field is rapidly growing, demanding well-prepared professionals and practitioners. Marywood University’s comprehensive focus on health and wellness programs, including nearly 30 programs of study, prepares students for these in-demand careers. For additional information about the Health and Wellness programs at Marywood University, please contact the Office of Admissions at www.marywood.edu/admissions/, or call (570) 348-6234.
Marywood University Honors Jim and Cathy Gavin for Inspiring Social Justice Marywood University’s Eighth Annual Community Leadership Celebration, Inspiring Social Justice, took place on Thursday, June 10, 2021, and honored Jim and Cathy Gavin of Scranton. Nearly 300 people gathered at the Motherhouse and Seminary Morgan Memorial Garden to celebrate as Marywood proudly bestowed the Lead On Award to Jim and Cathy Gavin, honoring them for their community leadership, their selfless work for the benefit of Marywood students and the greater community, and for making our area a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Guests of the event were welcomed by Richard McLane, bagpiper. Entertainment was provided by Isabella Snyder ’22, student vocalist, accompanied by Stephen Murphy, pianist and vocalist. Barbara Cawley ’63 and Mary Ellen Coleman ’68, served as committee co-chairs of the event. Funds raised at this year’s Community Leadership Celebration (CLC) exceeded $325,000. To date the CLC has raised nearly 3 million dollars. Marywood University’s CLC event provides special support to Marywood students. Proceeds from this year’s event, as in the past three years, will support the President’s Innovation Fund, a fund that supports Marywood students through initiatives that enhance the academic experience in the IHM tradition. The Gavins have had a lifelong relationship with the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, beginning in grade school at Chapel and Holy Rosary schools in the 1950s. This relationship has flourished over several decades. Mr. Gavin graduated from the University of Scranton in 1971, following three years of active military service. He earned graduate degrees in Social Work and Management from Marywood in 1973 and 1985. A professional social worker, Mr. Gavin worked in the behavioral health field for 47 years in clinical as well as management positions. He recently retired after 21 years as President/CEO of Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, a UPMC insurance company, and is currently a Senior Advisor to executive leadership. Elected to Marywood University’s Board of Trustees in 2014, Mr. Gavin is a member of various committees serving as Treasurer and Chair of Finance since 2016. Mrs. Gavin began a lifelong career in the restaurant business at Stirna’s Restaurant in 1967. After a short stay at The Scranton/Lackawanna Human Development Agency she returned to her true passion, Stirna’s Restaurant. In 1980, with the support and assistance of a friend and attorney, she purchased the business and remains its sole proprietor today. During the next 40 years, Mrs. Gavin began and managed what is today a thriving catering business. She also negotiated and managed the food service contract for Lackawanna College. In 2008, on the 100th Anniversary of Stirna’s Restaurant, and with the help of her son, Michael, she totally renovated the West Market Street facility. Today, the restaurant and catering business continue to thrive under their management and supervision. During Jim and Cathy’s fifty years of marriage, their focus has been on family, church, and community. They have two children, Kate and Michael, and two grandchildren, Gavin and Grace. They are proud members of the Gavin/Walsh families, who are collectively committed to the missions and work of the IHM Congregation. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Gavin are active on numerous boards dedicated to the health and welfare of the citizens in Lackawanna and Allegheny counties. To learn more about Marywood University’s Annual Community Leadership Celebration, please visit marywood.edu/clc, or call (570) 348-6238.
Marywood University Professor Co-Authors Article Sunny Sinha, Ph.D., associate professor in Marywood University’s School of Social Work, recently co-authored an article titled, “Community-Based Strategies for Harm Reduction Among Sex Workers in Kolkata, India.” In the article, Dr. Sinha and her co-author explore research that was conducted with diverse groups of sex workers in India as well as around the globe, which has shown that decriminalizing sex work can promote the health, safety, and security of sex workers. Nonetheless, in many countries, including India, legislations criminalizing buying of sex—that is punishing clients of sex workers—have gained momentum with the accompanying rationale of rescuing/saving women trapped in sex work. These legislations ignore the reality that sex work is an economically viable vocation for a majority of women, men, and transgender people in India—especially when compared to low-paying jobs with long, fixed hours of work. Consequently, such legislations have also not deterred people from choosing sex work as a livelihood option. In addition, little information is available about the community-based harm reduction responses. In addition to her role as an associate professor in the School of Social Work at Marywood University, Dr. Sinha is also a Fahs-Beck Scholar, a doctoral dissertation grant program that helps support dissertation expenses of students in the U.S. and Canada. She earned her Ph.D. degree in Social Work form the University of South Carolina, Columbia. Her research and scholarship focus on a wide range of global issues, including HIV prevention, trafficking, and issues related to gender, race, class, and sexuality. She has published mostly on the issues of non-brothel-based female sex workers in Kolkata, India. Dr. Sinha is also the recipient of the Michael H. Agar Lively Science Award for 2018. For additional information about Marywood University’s School of Social Work, please visit marywood.edu/ssw, or call the Office of Admissions at (570) 348-6234. To read the paper, “Community-Based Strategies for Harm Reduction Among Sex Workers in Kolkata, India,” please visit https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13178-021-00588-5#author-information.
Marywood University Announces New VP for Finance and Administration Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, announced that William McDonald has been appointed by the board of trustees as the university’s new vice president for finance and administration (VPFA), effective July 1, 2021. In his new role as Marywood’s VPFA, Mr. McDonald will serve as the university’s chief financial officer and will oversee a range of administrative and business operations that support Marywood and facilitate the advancement of its academic mission. He will be a key member of the executive leadership team, helping to define the strategic direction of the institution and providing leadership in the development and implementation of its financial and administrative infrastructure, along with its operational procedures. “Bill is a seasoned vice president and has a thorough working knowledge of all the fiscal and related operations of an institution of higher education,” said Sister Mary Persico. “He resonates strongly with our mission and culture.” Mr. McDonald comes to Marywood from Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, N.J., where he focused his entire career on higher education finance, planning, and administration. During his more than three decades at Bloomfield, he worked his way through the ranks in fiscal roles and responsibilities, beginning as an accountant and ultimately becoming the institution’s vice president for finance and administration. Mr. McDonald’s sound financial and administrative management during his career at Bloomfield resulted in operating efficiencies, revenue enhancements, and cost reductions in the areas of finance, technology, recruitment and retention, facilities, and vendor negotiations. His work and dedication have been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from Bloomfield College, a Gold Award from the Downtown N.J. Excellence Awards for Franklin Street Residence Hall, and a Development Recognition Award from the Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Mr. McDonald twice merited the Dedicated Service Award from Livingston National Little League and Softball. His community affiliations include the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Knights of Columbus-Military Wounded & Veterans Project. Mr. McDonald was previously involved in the Bloomfield Business Advisory Board, Livingston American/National Little League and Softball, and Project Children. Mr. McDonald holds a master of science degree in management from Thomas Edison State College (Trenton, N.J.) and a bachelor of science degree in accounting and administration with a concentration in finance, from Bloomfield College (Bloomfield, N.J.) Additionally, he completed the College Business Management Institute Program of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers at the University of Kentucky (Lexington, Ky.)
Marywood University’s Alumni Office to Host Movies at Circle Drive-In Marywood University’s Alumni Office will host two feature films at the Circle Drive-In, Dickson, City, Pa. The feature films are open to the public and include Free Willy on Wednesday, July 21, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Both films will be shown at 9 p.m., and the cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 12 and under. Proceeds from the movie feature events will be donated to the Marywood Alumni Lackawanna County Scholarship. In addition to the movie features, attendees can purchase basket raffle tickets (cash only), and the winner will be announced prior to the start of each of the movies. The basket for the Free Willy film includes passes to the Electric City Aquarium, gift certificates to Hank’s Hoagies, Free Willy movie and popcorn, beach and summer fun items, goldfish crackers, and more. The Harry Potter basket includes gift certificates to Hank’s Hoagies, Harry Potter movie and popcorn, back to school supplies, a Harry Potter joke book and jigsaw puzzle, candy, and more. For additional information about the feature film screenings, please contact Marywood University’s Alumni Office, at (570) 348-6206, or visit marywood.edu/connect/events.
Marywood University Students Organize Food Donation Drive Marywood University students, Katelyn Gjini, Ramsey, N.J., president of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) chapter, and Nicole Koestler, vice president of the NSSLHA chapter at the University, recently organized a food donation drive for Marywood University’s Pacer Panty. Miscellaneous food, snacks, and personal hygiene/toiletry items were donated to the Pacer Pantry with the support of students and faculty in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department. The Pacer Pantry opened on the University’s campus in February 2020 on the ground floor of Emmanuel Hall. Various Marywood University departments, deans, faulty/staff members, student groups, and Friends of the Poor (a sponsored ministry of the IHM Congregation) collaborated to make the Pacer Pantry a reality. Sister Elizabeth McGill, IHM, an IHM novice and a Marywood graduate, headed the project. Food insecurity is a growing concern on college campuses throughout the country. Marywood’s local response to this nationwide issue is the Pacer Pantry, a name chosen by Marywood students, to benefit students and staff who may struggle with food insecurity. Fighting hunger—whether on a global scale or right in one’s own community—requires awareness. Advocacy and action are a part of the solution, but the fact that food insecurity is a real problem that exists on college campuses across the nation is eye opening for many. The NSSLHA Chapter at Marywood University is a student-run organization that is an active part of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department and is in affiliation with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. The NSSLHA Chapter at Marywood collaborates with the University’s Student Government Association, and has participated in many departmental as well as campus-wide activities and events. For additional information about Marywood University’s Pacer Pantry, please email PacerPantry@marywood.edu, or visit marywood.edu/article/2020-Pacer-Pantry-Open-House. For additional information about Marywood University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, please visit marywood.edu/csd/, or call the office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234.
Marywood University Alumnus to Reveal Martin Luther King, Jr. Mural Marywood University alumnus, Emmanuel Wisdom Adjei, bachelor of fine arts in graphic design graduate, and Eric Bussart, bachelor of fine arts in illustration graduate, will reveal their mural, “The Dream,” of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the City of Scranton’s First Friday event on July 2, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. The mural is located at the intersection of Adams Avenue and Mulberry Street, Scranton, Pa. Scranton Tomorrow sponsored the grant that funded the mural project and is also organizing the unveiling. The mural, which will occupy the entire side of a building, as well as the imagery and messaging, is aesthetically outstanding and powerful. Inspired by Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr., “The Dream” pays tribute to the American civil rights leader who changed the world. Artist Eric Bussart incorporated morning glory flowers into the design because they are resilient, just as his hero, MLK, was. With lettering by artist Emmanuel Wisdom Adjei, the mural encompasses a wide array of interests, including diversity, positive messaging, inclusion, urban gentrification, and art. The messaging and art work conveys a timeless message for the greater community, enhances the aesthetic appeal of the city, and showcases how graduates of Marywood University’s art programs are applying their talent and creativity to elevate humanity, a universal, as well as a Marywood, core value. For additional information about Marywood University’s art department, please visit marywood.edu/art, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234. For additional information about Scranton Tomorrow’s mural projects, please visit scrantontomorrow.org/thedream.
Marywood University to Offer Master of Social Work Online Information Sessions Marywood University will offer master of social work (MSW) online information sessions for its Scranton Program on Thursday, June 10, from noon – 1 p.m.; Tuesday, June 15, 4 – 5 p.m.; and Thursday, June 24, from 1 – 2 p.m., 2021. The online information sessions are free and open to those interested in pursuing an advanced degree in social work. To register, please visit marywood.edu/ssw/grad/. Attendees can learn about full and part-time study options, advanced standing for bachelor of social work graduates, the admission and financial aid process, the internship program, and more. Marywood University’s School of Social Work MSW program is the leading provider of MSW education in Northeast Pennsylvania. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the School prepares students for culturally-competent, ethical, interprofessional practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Offering a blend of traditional, online, and hybrid courses, as well as a full range of field education experiences, Marywood’s graduates embark on rewarding careers in behavioral health, gerontology, children and family services, developmental disabilities, administration, and health care. For additional information about Marywood University’s master of social work information sessions, please visit marywood.edu/ssw/grad/; call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234; or contact Selina Shrestha, LSW, assistant professor of practice and academic coordinator in Marywood University’s School of Social Work, at shrestha@marywood.edu., or (570) 348-6282, ext. 4566.
Marywood University’s Graduate Art Therapy Program Earns Accreditation Marywood University’s graduate art therapy program was recently notified that it is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE). Marywood University’s graduate art therapy program is founded in artistic, ethical, and spiritual values within a tradition of service. The graduate art therapy program at Marywood provides a supportive framework for the enhancement of students’ capacity to utilize the therapeutic qualities of art making with a wide variety of populations. The master of arts degree in art therapy at Marywood University trains professionals in the mental health field to use art as a catalyst for healing and self-actualization. Art therapy aids human development through self-discovery, self-awareness, and personal growth. Marywood’s graduate art therapy program exposes students to a variety of theories and approaches related to the practice of art therapy and the field of psychology. The CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences professions. In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits more than 2,100 individual education programs in over 32 health science occupations. CAAHEP-accredited programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure that they meet the standards and guidelines of each profession. For additional information about Marywood University’s graduate art therapy program, please visit marywood.edu/art/graduate-programs/master-art-therapy.html, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234. For additional information about the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, please visit caahep.org.
