Marywood University Welcomes the Catholic Women’s Conference Marywood University will host the Catholic Women’s Conference on the University’s campus on Saturday, June 19, 2021, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The cost of the conference is $40 for in-person attendance or $20 for virtual attendance. To register, please visit www.cwcnepa.com. The Catholic Women’s Conference titled; “Refresh your Faith with Merciful Love” will feature various speakers including: Father Chris Alar, MIC, reveals the beauty and powerful message of Divine Mercy. He wrote and produced the popular “Divine Mercy” 101 and “Explaining the Faith” DVD series. Father Alar explains the “merciful love” that comes from the Divine Mercy feast, image, novena, chaplet, and hour of mercy, and how to incorporate them into your spiritual life.Theresa Bonopartis will bring attendees on her personal healing journey through Divine Mercy. Her reflections will help attendees through issues of their own healing journey.Sister Virginia Joy will illuminate how much God loves you with His Merciful Love. She will help attendees to look deeper and re-encounter their own goodness in the ups and downs of life.Music finale with Taylor Tripodi. Taylor grew up in a small suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. She is the oldest of nine children, who taught her that you have to speak up in order for your voice to be heard. Taylor uses her voice to bring God glory and praise, inspiring all who hear her to praise Him with her.Celebrant for the conference is The Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Bambera, D.D., J.C.L. Bishop Bambera will celebrate the Mass for the Refresh Your Faith Catholic Conference for Women.Jeannine Lesante, vice president of marketing for SamSon Productions/SSPTV, will serve as the Hostess for the Catholic Women’s Conference. Ms. Lesante teaches Public Speaking at King’s College, from which she also graduated in 1997. Jeannine’s nonprofit, “Making A Difference,” has raised thousands of dollars for worthy events in NEPA. For additional information about the Women’s Catholic Conference or its featured speakers, please visit www.cwcnepa.com.
Marywood University Offers Summer Visit Options to Fit Any Schedule Marywood University is offering visit options that will fit any schedule throughout the summer. Visit options include Summer Saturdays, Transfer Tuesdays, and weekday on campus and virtual personal meetings. Beginning in June and continuing through to the start of the fall semester, small group information sessions with admissions counselors, as well as a campus tour will be offered each Saturday, at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Summer Saturdays at Marywood University are held in the Nazareth Student Center, in the Fireplace Lounge. To register, please visit admissions.marywood.edu/portal/summer_saturdays. For those ready to start something new, Marywood University will hold its Transfer Tuesdays program for college students or former college students who are considering transferring to Marywood University. Marywood welcomes transfer students at all stages of their college careers. Transfer Tuesdays opportunities will take place on the following Tuesdays: June 22, July 20, and August 17, 2021. Those interested can schedule an appointment every half hour beginning at 2 p.m. For additional information, or to register for the summer Transfer Tuesdays program, please call Marywood University’s Office of University Admissions, at (570) 348-6234, email YourFuture@marywood.edu, or visit marywood.edu/transfernow. Personal weekday campus visits with Marywood University admissions counselors and campus tours are offered all year Monday-Friday, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. To register for a personal weekday visit, please visit www.admissions.marywood.edu/visit. For those unable to visit campus in person, virtual personal appointments are available Monday – Friday, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. Join an admissions counselor by phone or video chat. Learn more about Marywood’s academic programs, campus life, athletics, financial aid, and more—all from the comfort of your home. To register for a virtual personal appointment, please visit www.admissions.marywood.edu/portal/virtual_appointment. For additional information about Marywood University’s visit options, please call the University’s Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234, or www.marywood.edu/visit.
Jim and Cathy Gavin To Be Honored by Marywood University Marywood University’s Eighth Annual Community Leadership Celebration, Inspiring Social Justice, will honor Jim and Cathy Gavin of Scranton. The Celebration will take place on the University’s campus in the Motherhouse and Seminary Morgan Memorial Garden on Thursday, June 10, 2021, where they will be awarded the 2021 Lead On Award. Inspiring social justice is a theme that unites Jim and Cathy, the Gavin and Walsh families, and the IHM Congregation in common purpose. In furtherance of that common purpose, Marywood University sets the standard for educating and preparing our youth for a successful and meaningful role in society. Mr. and Mrs. Gavin have a lifelong relationship with the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Congregation beginning in grade school at Chapel and Holy Rosary schools in the 1950s. This relationship has flourished over seven 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 the Marywood University 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, with the help of her son Michael, she totally renovated the West Market Street facility. Today, the restaurant and catering businesses 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. Mr. and Mrs. Gavin are active on numerous boards dedicated to the health and welfare of the citizens in Lackawanna and Allegheny counties. For additional information on the Eighth Annual Community Leadership Celebration at Marywood University, to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, or to buy tickets to the event, please visit marywood.edu/clc, or call 570-348-6238.
Marywood University to Hold Virtual Master of Fine Arts Information Session Marywood University will hold a virtual Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Information Session on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 4 p.m. This information session is free and open to anyone who is interested in pursuing a low-residency master of fine arts degree. To register, please visit https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/mfa. Marywood’s “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program for designers and illustrators is the oldest and best low-residency program in the country, designed for those who are working full time, but who are also interested in earning a terminal degree. For additional information about Marywood University’s MFA Information Session, please contact Steven Brower, MFA, director of the “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6211, ext. 2569, or email sbrower@marywood.edu.
Marywood University Receives Distinguished Chapter and Advisor Awards Marywood University’s National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) Chapter recently received the Distinguished Chapter Award. Additionally, Haleigh Zurek, assistant director for campus programming, received the Distinguished Advisor Award from the NSLS. Marywood University’s NSLS Chapter was one of five from the more than 700 NSLS Chapters that received the Distinguished Chapter Award. The University’s NSLS Chapter will receive $700 and each executive board member of the chapter will receive $50. Haleigh Zurek, winner of the Distinguished Advisor Award from NSLS, will receive $150. NSLS Chapter Advisors are vital in the development, perpetuation, and strength of the NSLS mission. Not only are they mentors and leaders to the executive board and local chapter members, but they also serve as a liaison with the campus administration. Marywood University’s Chapter of the NSLS is overseen and facilitated by the Office of Student Engagement. Inductees of Marywood’s NSLS Chapter Honor Society work with Marywood’s Office of Student Engagement to complete various steps prior to being inducted into the Society. These steps include Orientation, Leadership Training Day, meetings with Success Networking Teams, and Live Speaker Broadcasts. Marywood’s NSLS Chapter induction rating during the 2019-2020 academic year was among the Top 50 from the more than 700 NSLS chapters across the country. NSLS is the nation’s largest leadership honor society. Students are selected by their college for membership based on either their academic standing or leadership potential. Candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction. With more than 700 chapters, the NSLS currently has more than a million members nationwide. For additional information about Marywood University’s NSLS Chapter, please visit The University’s Student Engagement office, at marywood.edu/studentactivities/index.html, or call (570) 340-6016.
Marywood University’s Society of Collegiate Journalists Chapter Wins Multiple Awards at National Contest Marywood University’s Chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) recently won multiple first, second, third, and honorable mention awards at the Society for Collegiate Journalists National 2021 Contest. Thomas Kerrigan, Clarks Green, Pa., won first place in the category of Feature Photography for his photo, “Goat Yoga;” and Emily Scholl, Quakertown, Pa., Jenny Ngyuen, Scranton, Pa., and Michael Basta won first place for their Multimedia Series titled, “Media That Matters.” Second Place was awarded to The Wood Word, Marywood University’s online student-run newspaper; Sydney Toy, Carbondale, Pa., for her Enterprise Series titled, “Border Stories (Part 1 and II)”; Ellen Frantz, Camp Hill, Pa., and Briana Ryan, Shenandoah, Pa., for their Beat Reporting; and Eric Spivak, Scranton, Pa., for the Column or Commentary category. Third place winners include Michael Basta, Pittston Pa., in the category of News Photography; Ellen Frantz for News Story; Brendan Murphy, Stroudsburg, Pa., for Sports News; Thomas Kerrigan, Ellen Frantz, and Marli Hoskins, Moosic, Pa., for the category of Television News Package; and the TV Marywood Staff (TVM) in the category of Television Commercial/PSA, for the “Stay Home: A Public Service Announcement.” Honorable Mentions were awarded to The Wood Word in the category of Social Media Presence Overall Excellence; Jennifer Flynn, Cranford, N.J., in the category of Infographic for “Covid19 precautions and subsequent student survey sheds light on campus”; Emily Scholl, Justin Kucharski, Olyphant, Pa., and Megan Reynolds, Moscow, Pa., for Multimedia Series; Elizabeth Deroba, Bloomsburg, Pa., for Enterprise Series; and Emma Rushworth, Tunkhannock, Pa., Ellen Frantz, Erin Kane, Scranton, Pa., Richard Andrus, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., and Michael Basta, for Television News Package. Senior SCJ Chapter students Briana Ryan, SCJ president, and current editor-in-chief at The Wood Word, received the Medal of Merit, and Certificates of Merit were presented to Autumn Bohner, Domsife, Pa., digital content lead designer at The Wood Word, and Justin Kucharski, SJ secretary and former editor-in-chief at The Wood Word. The Society for Collegiate Journalists is the nation’s oldest honor society for student media leaders. Journalism is a foundation of democracy, and, to ensure its future, SCJ focuses on professional development at the collegiate level. SCJ advances ethical, accurate, and innovative collegiate journalism nationally and creates a strong network of advocates for First Amendment education. Lindsey Wotanis, Ph.D., president of the National SCJ Board, serves as advisor for the SCJ Chapter at Marywood University, which, to date, has inducted more than 100 students to its SCJ Chapter. For additional information about Marywood University’s Multimedia Communication Department, please visit marywood.edu/commarts, or call the Office of Admissions at (570) 348-6234.
Marywood University to Hold Transfer Tuesdays Opportunities Marywood University will hold its Transfer Tuesdays program for college students or former college students who are considering transferring to Marywood University. We welcome transfer students at all stages of their college careers. Transfer Tuesdays opportunities will take place on the following Tuesdays: May 18, June 22, July 20, and August 17, 2021. Those interested can schedule an appointment every half hour beginning at 2 p.m. Registered visitors can discuss financial aid and scholarship options, transfer credits, take a tour of campus, review credits for transfer eligibility, and complete an application for admission. Marywood University’s fall semester begins on Monday, August 23, 2021. For additional information, or to register for the spring/summer Transfer Tuesdays program, please call Marywood University’s Office of University Admissions, at (570) 348-06234, email YourFuture@marywood.edu, or visit www.marywood.edu/transfernow.
Marywood University Student Breaks School Track Record…Twice Marywood University freshman, George Thompson, Montrose, Pa., recently broke two school records for track and field within a week of each competitive event. First, Mr. Thompson broke Marywood’s school record in the Men’s 400 Hurdle, and then was a member of the Men’s 4×1 400-meter relay team, where a school record was once again broken. Mr. Thompson is a freshman math education major. He graduated from Montrose Area Junior/Senior High School, where he was also a member of its track and field program. Knowing that he wanted to continue to run track in college, Mr. Thompson explored opportunities where he could find a college that had both math and education majors, and that also had a strong track and field program. Mr. Thompson said, “Marywood was one of the few schools that offered a math education program, where I could graduate with a double major. What confirmed for me that I wanted to attend Marywood was the personal outreach from Robert Ahrens, head track and field/cross country coach for Marywood University.” Finding time to participate in the track and field program at Marywood came more easily for Mr. Thompson, as he stated it’s an easier sport to find time to train on one’s own. While other sports teams need to work together, track and field provides the opportunity for more individual practice and training. In addition to being a member of the University track and field team, Mr. Thompson also serves as an alumni assistant on campus, where he writes letters and makes phone calls to alumni of the University. Mr. Thompson said, “When I was applying for work study jobs, I was hoping to work at the gym, where I would be able to both work and train, freeing up some of my personal time. However, the alumni office was the first to reach out to me. While I knew it would be more difficult, the position offered me the opportunity to refine myself as a person and to make lifelong friendships and connections. I’m really glad that I took this path.” As a freshman, Mr. Thompson has a few years to make additional favorite memories, but his favorite to date is of breaking a school record with his teammates in the 4×1 relay race, as he was able to share that experience with other teammates. While Mr. Thompson emphasizes the personal importance of doing well, both with running and with his academic career, he feels that the connections and bonds he’s made on campus have been the most important, as they have enhanced his college experience. Post-graduation, Mr. Thompson plans to take the tests necessary to pursue an actuary profession. Having a double major in both mathematics and education, Mr. Thompson feels that the education major will serve him in his professional goals, to enhance his knowledge and experience in his interactions with others. For additional information about Marywood University, please visit www.marywood.edu, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234.
Marywood University Students Win First Place for Student Advocacy Day PSA Project Marywood University’s Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) was recently notified by the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association that they are the first-place winners of the Student Advocacy Day Public Service Announcement (PSA) Project. Following an educational session on legislative issues in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, NSSLHA Chapters were asked to develop a public service announcement that would address key issues that professionals and individuals with communication disorders face. The project helps others to understand the purpose for advocating for these issues, and the importance of making their voices heard. Marywood University’s NSSLHA Chapter chose to create a PSA regarding Diversity in the Workplace. A monetary prize was awarded, and Marywood University NSSLHA Chapter students chose to donate the monetary prize to the NativityMiguel School. Located on Marywood University’s campus, the NativityMiguel School seeks to empower students of all races and beliefs to reach their full potential. For additional information about Marywood University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders department, please visit marywood.edu/csd/index.html, or call the Office of Admissions at (570) 348-6234.
Marywood University Awards Noyce Scholarship to Mathematics/Secondary Education Junior Marywood University recently awarded a Noyce Scholarship to Jason Holman, Taylor, Pa., junior mathematics/secondary education major. A graduate of Riverside High School, Holman is benefiting from the tuition coverage of the scholarship, as well as the connections that he’s making with faculty and staff on the University’s campus. Marywood’s Advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Teaching (MAST) Program is a scholarship opportunity for biology and math secondary education majors. MAST scholars earn bachelor’s degrees in biology or math and are eligible for a Pennsylvania secondary teaching certification in biology or mathematics. Holman learned of the Noyce Scholarship from a science professor, and then the message was reinforced by Dhanapati Adhikari, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics/computer science. Dr. Adhikari explained that students are eligible to apply for the scholarship during their sophomore year, or after passing their sophomore screening for education. After applying, students are invited for an interview and get a status notification by May 1 each year. Beyond the financial benefits, Holman said, “It [the Noyce Scholarship] puts you out there—doing a lot of tutoring, puts you on the campus map with other people, particularly with faculty and staff members. In the future these connections can serve as recommendations in securing a teaching position.” Outside of gym classes, math was always Holman’s favorite subject. Having the added benefit of developing a strong relationship with his high school math teacher, who he had during his four years of high school, helped Holman solidify his talents for math and teaching. Enjoying tutoring and seeing the progression of someone learning is what drives Holman in his pursuit of teaching. Knowing that the Noyce Scholarship will help him get ahead, both financially and in securing employment post-graduation, Holman appreciates the teaching apprenticeship that the scholarship affords, as well as the bonds he has formed with faculty and staff at Marywood University. The Noyce Scholarship has a service component which requires scholarship recipients to teach in underserved school districts for two years post-graduation, while also providing scholarship recipients with the added benefit of helping to organize the math competition at Marywood, tutoring, and a teaching apprenticeship. Holman said, “I grew up in the area, and I want to stay here where I can make a difference in building up students to better themselves, which in turn betters the area. I hope to teach in Lackawanna or Wayne County post-graduation.” The Noyce Scholarship is not limited to tuition and can also be applied to other costs, such as room and board and books. Holman is technically a transfer student, since he transferred to Marywood just days after beginning his studies at another college. He sees the benefits of the Noyce Scholarship for both transfer and traditional undergraduate students, as students can apply during their sophomore year for junior year eligibility. In addition to his academic work, Holman is also a student-athlete, playing on the University’s men’s basketball team, which brings him full circle to his two favorite subjects—those of a love of math and of basketball.
