Marywood University to Present the Musical “Bright Star” Marywood University will present Bright Star as its major spring production, February 22-25. Bright Star is a bluegrass musical set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the 1920s and 40s. It is a story of love and redemption and is full of humor and joy! Written by comedy legend Steve Martin and pop star Edie Brickell (of Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians), Bright Star is full of heart and hope – not to mention fiddle and banjo! Show Dates/Times include: Thursday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Munley Theatre in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $10 each for the general public. Admission is free for Marywood students, faculty, staff, and IHM Sisters with a Marywood ID. Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) or in advance by credit card at: https://marywood.universitytickets.com. For more information about Marywood University’s Music, Theatre, and Dance program, visit marywood.edu/mtd.
Marywood University Hosts Dietitian Competition for Prospective Nutrition Students Prospective students will be able to partner with a current Marywood University Nutrition and Dietetics major in a Dietitian Competition set for Friday, March 1, from 9:30 – 1:15 p.m., at the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. Together, the students will create a dessert using a mystery healthy ingredient, and final dishes will be scored by a panel of judges. This free event is a fun way to introduce a career in dietetics to interested students. To reserve a place in the cooking competition, registration is required by February 21. Prospective students and their families also will be able to have conversations with admissions staff, and Q & A sessions will be held, as well as a complimentary lunch with faculty. Optional campus tours will be conducted following lunch. To reserve a place in the cooking competition, register by February 21 at: admissions.marywood.edu/register/DietitianCompetition24. Learn about Marywood’s bachelor’s degree program in nutrition and dietetics at: marywood.edu/nutrition-dietetics-bachelors-degree. Contact Marywood’s Nutrition and Dietetics department at 570-348-6277 or cfalzone@marywood.edu with any questions.
Marywood University’s “Day-in-the-Life” Exercise Science Experience Event Marywood University’s exercise science program will host a day-in-the-life experience for prospective students on Friday, February 16, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The deadline to register for the event is Monday, February 12. The experience will feature immersive and hands-on learning in topic areas including sports performance and sports rehabilitation. This event also includes a program overview, meetings with faculty, a Q&A student panel, and breakout sessions. An optional campus tour is included at the conclusion of the day’s events. Register for the event by February 12 at: admissions.marywood.edu/register/ExerciseScienceSpr24. Learn more about Marywood’s bachelor’s degree program in exercise science at: marywood.edu/exercise-science-bachelors-degree. Contact Lindsay Howard, Chair of the Exercise Science program, with any questions at howard@marywood.edu or 570-348-6211, ext. 2283.
Marywood to Host 11th Annual Community Leadership Celebration Marywood University’s 11th Annual Community Leadership Celebration will honor community leader and Marywood alumna Mary Ellen McDonough, with a special spotlight on retiring Marywood President, Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, 5:30 p.m., at the Center for Athletics and Wellness on the University’s campus. During the celebration, Mrs. McDonough will receive the University’s Lead On Award, in recognition of her dedicated service as both a Certified Prevention Specialist and as a community volunteer leader. The Community Leadership Celebration, Marywood’s signature fundraiser, provides special support to Marywood students and honors individuals in the community who exemplify Marywood’s core values in leadership and service to others. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit campus improvements as part of the EMPOWER Campaign. Drawing on her innate sense of hope and her compassion for others, Mrs. McDonough’s professional world developed around her desire to do more and to do better for her community. She and her husband, Jim, have four children and seven grandchildren. Her devotion to and caregiving of her family has extended to countless children, individuals, and families she has served in the community. During the years when she was raising her family, Mrs. McDonough noticed a lack of a drug and alcohol curriculum in her children’s schools. She decided to create the South Scranton Drug and Alcohol Task Force to raise money for drug and alcohol education in Scranton’s parochial school system. Her professional life evolved out of her volunteer work, leading to a long, meaningful professional career as a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) with the Lackawanna Drug and Alcohol Commission, through which she made a positive, enduring impact on the many regional educators, parents, and students who benefited from her compassionate expertise in prevention programming. Her community involvement has encompassed numerous board memberships, leadership positions, and volunteer efforts for Catholic Social Services, Divine Mercy Parish at St. Joseph’s Church, South Scranton Drug Curriculum Task Force, and more. At Marywood, Mary Ellen served as a Member of the Board of Trustees and on the Alumni Association Board. In 2008, she merited the Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Education and Human Development, which recognized her many professional accomplishments. She co-chaired the Inauguration Committee for Marywood’s 12th President and, along with Atty. Pat Brier, co-chaired Marywood’s Community Leadership Celebration at its inception. To join Marywood University in honoring Mary Ellen McDonough and in recognizing Sister Mary Persico, IHM, at the Community Leadership Celebration on May 2, or for details about event sponsorships and items for auction, please visit marywood.edu/clc, or call (570) 348-6238.
Marywood Architecture Student Recognized by AIA Pennsylvania Rye Ahronson, Scranton, a Marywood University Architecture student, was recently recognized by AIA Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, with its 2023 Architectural Excellence Student Award. Each year, AIA Pennsylvania recognizes one architecture student from each of the seven Pennsylvania schools offering an accredited architecture program, as determined by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Mr. Ahronson, a Dean’s List student, who will earn his Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree from Marywood in 2024, represents the Marywood University School of Architecture (MUSOA) in this prestigious awards program. He earned the AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Student Award based on his exceptional accomplishments and proficiency in academics and design and his readiness to meet the challenges and responsibilities of a career in architecture. The Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIA Pennsylvania, represents nearly 3,000 members across the Commonwealth working at the forefront of a nearly $17 billion construction industry. AIA Pennsylvania advocates for the value of architecture and policies that promote economic prosperity and the health, safety, and welfare of the public. As a membership organization, the chapter provides architecture professionals with the statewide community, advocacy, and knowledge to affect positive outcomes through the power of design. For more information about Marywood University’s School of Architecture programs, please visit marywood.edu/architecture.
Marywood University to Hold Community Stalking Awareness Campaign January 2024 marks the 20th National Stalking Awareness Month, an annual call to action to recognize and respond to the serious crime of stalking. Stalking is defined as a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that causes fear. Many stalking victims experience being followed, approached, monitored and/or threatened—including through various forms of technology. Victims and survivors often suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression as a result of their victimization, and many lose time from work and/or move. As a part of the Department of Justice Grant, Project SHARE, Marywood’s prevention education efforts of the grant will be supporting a Stalking Awareness Week, January 22-26, 2024. The events scheduled are as follows: January 22 – Sweet Information Table, Learning Commons, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.: This will be a tabling event where students can pick up information (flyers, brochures, etc) about Stalking Awareness on a college campus. January 23 – Stalking In the Media Presentation, Upper Main, Nazareth Student Center, 5-6 p.m.: This event is a presentation about how the media portrays stalking behaviors. January 25, 2024 – Stalking Awareness Presentation, given by the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), Swartz Center, from 3-4 p.m.: WRC will give a presentation on stalking behaviors and ways to stay safe.
Fidelity Bank Commits $250,000 to Marywood EMPOWER Campaign Fidelity Bank has made a $250,000 commitment to The Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion at Marywood University, as part of Marywood’s comprehensive campaign, EMPOWER. Daniel Santaniello, Fidelity Bank CEO, is a Marywood graduate and regional community business leader, who earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1990. Mr. Santaniello, who has contributed his own personal financial support to the EMPOWER campaign, was proud to also guide the major gift from Fidelity Bank. “To be a part of this is inspiring,” said Mr. Santaniello. “The IHM Sisters and Marywood, and their core values, focusing on exemplary ideals like community and excellence, along with their commitment to continuous improvement through lifelong learning, share the core values that we have at Fidelity Bank.” By proactively addressing increasing healthcare workforce shortages that place communities at risk and limit timely access to care, Fidelity’s significant commitment to the EMPOWER Campaign is a key part of the solution, providing vital support to advance Marywood’s ability to expand its healthcare offerings.The Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion is a 15,000 square-foot addition to the existing Keith J. O’Neill Center for Healthy Families. With state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and technology-supported classrooms, Marywood University will be able to teach more health sciences students, who will learn and work together in one facility. This real-world environment will better prepare them to deliver an integrated model of collaborative clinical care after entering practice. “The demand is here today,” Mr. Santaniello affirmed. “The workforce is asking for these professionals. None of us anticipates the demand for healthcare workers will go down anytime soon. In fact, it is going to continue to grow.” He added, “This contribution makes it possible for Marywood to expand and meet the ever-growing demand that exists today. We need to respond in a way that is proactive. We feel that this (campaign initiative) will absolutely help meet that demand.” For more information about EMPOWER: The Campaign for Marywood University, go to: marywood.edu/empower.
Marywood University Sets Virtual Info Sessions for Graduate Programs Marywood University will hold virtual information sessions for several graduate programs throughout the month of January. Prospective graduate or doctoral students interested in any of these programs are encouraged to sign up for the virtual events. To register for any of these programs, go to marywood.edu/visit. Master of Social Work Program: Wed., Jan. 3, 2024, at 6 PM Learn about Marywood’s Master of Social Work program, converse with faculty, and get information from Admissions staff about the application process. School of Education Graduate Programs: Thurs., Jan. 4, 2024, 3 PM Spend an afternoon online with Marywood faculty and Admissions staff to learn more about School of Education graduate degree programs as well as the admissions application process. Ph.D. and Master of Public Administration Programs: Tues., Jan. 9, 2024, 6 PM Join Marywood faculty member Dr. Alex Dawoody and Admissions staff virtually to learn about our 100% online Ph.D. and Master of Public Administration degree programs, which use dynamic teaching methods designed for learning adults and effective graduate studies. Dietetic Internship Program: Wed., Jan. 10, 2024, 4 PM This virtual event includes an overview of the Nutrition/Dietetic Internship program and conversations with current student interns. Biotechnology Master’s Program: Mon., Jan. 22, 2024, 5:30 PM Join science faculty members virtually to learn about Marywood’s 100% online Biotechnology degree program. You’ll also get information about the application process from Admissions staff. School of Business and Global Innovation-MBA and MIS Programs: Wed., Jan. 24, 2024, 5 PM Join business faculty online to learn about MBA and Management Information System graduate degree programs. Admissions staff will discuss the admissions application process. Graduate & Doctoral Psychology & Counseling Programs: Tues., Jan. 30, 2024, 3 PM Spend an afternoon online with faculty and Admissions staff to learn about Marywood’s Counseling & Psychology graduate and doctoral degree programs, as well as the admissions application process. This session includes the Ed.S. School Psychology and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology programs.
Marywood University President Announces Retirement Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D.,the 12th President of Marywood University, has announced to the Board of Trustees her decision to retire from her role, effective June 30, 2024. Sister Mary was elected President of Marywood University by the University Board of Trustees in April 2016 and began her presidential tenure on July 1, 2016. Throughout her eight-year tenure, the University endowment has nearly doubled and maintained a fiscally responsible status, even during universally challenging financial times in higher education and while the industry as a whole has faced a national downturn in enrollments. To further strengthen Marywood’s future, Sister Mary is presently guiding the University’s $30 million comprehensive campaign, which is set to conclude upon her retirement. The campaign is designed to fund new construction and academic spaces on campus, to provide scholarships for students, and to enhance the student experience. The state-of-the-art Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion, an addition to the O’Neill Healthy Families Center, which will house all students who study the Health Sciences, will be dedicated in May 2024. Since 2016, several signature programs have enjoyed expansion, including the Physician Assistant and Architecture programs, and several innovative programs in Respiratory Therapy, Construction Management, and Biotechnology were launched. Last spring, the Living City Lab at Marywood University was established and dedicated to the memory of Jane Jacobs, an urbanist and activist from Scranton; this entity is housed in the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts. Sister Mary also launched the Center for Law, Justice, & Policy, as a precursor to the engagement of students in programs that will lead to legal-related professions. Additionally, the University established the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, out of which grew the Center for Truth and Racial Healing. Sister Mary’s belief that universities exist to serve the communities that surround them was realized, in part, with the purchase of Marywood Heights, the former Holy Family Skilled Nursing Facility, which is home to nearly 90 residents. Marywood Heights is the first UBRC (University Based Retirement Community) in Northeast Pennsylvania. In addition, the NativityMiguel School of Scranton was relocated to Marywood University in 2019 and is now a permanent addition to campus. Sister Mary has represented Marywood to the broader higher education community through service on boards and by her presence in the public arena, including a six-year term on the Board of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, during which time she assumed the role of Chair for one year. She was an appointee of Governor Tom Wolf to the PA Humanities as a Director for six years and also assumed the role of Chair for some of her tenure there. In 2019, Sister Mary was asked to deliver the Commencement Address at the Catholic University of East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. She currently serves as one of ten members on the Governor’s task force for Higher Education in the Commonwealth of PA and has chaired several Middle States site visits during her years as Marywood’s President. Sister Mary’s leadership has led to global accomplishments, such as online graduate Business programs to students from the Tsingsua Holdings Zijing Education Group in Beijing, China, and from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Support, Alexandria, Egypt. The Office of Global Education also was established during her presidency. Through this office, dozens of students from South Korea spend one semester at Marywood and do practical nursing training in local hospitals and clinics. When the COVID-19 pandemic arose, Sister Mary guided Marywood through unprecedented, uncertain times, successfully navigating challenges and positioning Marywood to thrive in the aftermath of a global pandemic. The University was able to pivot quickly to sustain its mission and to assist the community to curb the spread of the virus and minimize the pandemic’s consequences. Additionally, she brought national retail partnerships to campus, including Starbucks, the Gear Shop, the Apple Store, and the Amazon Store, to provide an enhanced campus culture to students. “On behalf of the Trustees, I wish to acknowledge our admiration for Sister Mary, her collaborative leadership, and her bold vision for Marywood,” stated Board President, Lisa Lori, Esq. “Sister Mary has been an inspiration to us all. Throughout the years, and long before her tenure as President, Sister Mary promoted the mission and core values of our University. She has kept them ever before our students, staff, faculty, and administration as the collective light that guides all we do.” The Board of Trustees will launch a national search for Sister Mary’s successor. The Board of Trustees has hired a search firm/consultant and will be forming a search committee, which will include members of various stakeholder groups. The position is expected to be posted in early January 2024, with a plan to announce finalists for the position in March and a President-Elect by early April 2024.
Marywood University Hosting String Project Holiday Gala Concert Marywood University’s String Project will present its Holiday Gala Concert on Thursday, December 7, at 5 p.m. The performance will take place in the Munley Theatre at the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, and the concert is free and open to the public. Approximately 125 students enroll in Marywood’s String Project each year. Marywood is one of several universities across the U.S. participating in the National String Project Consortium (NSPC). The NSPC is dedicated to increasing the number of children playing stringed instruments, and addressing the critical shortage of string teachers in the U.S. The Marywood University String Project is grateful for support from: The Laurence Myer Davidow Memorial Fund, The Schwartz Mack Foundation, and The Anne Therese Kenny Flanagan Endowment. For more information about the Marywood University String Project, go to: marywood.edu/community/youth-programs/string-project.
