Marywood Dance Marathon for Children’s Hospital Surpasses Goal Marywood University recently held its first Dance Marathon to benefit the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. The event, which set a goal of $12,000, surpassed that amount through generous support from the community and successfully raised $16,000.67. Held near the end of the spring semester, Marywood students came together for the event, and the night of dancing also included face painting, sand art, corn hole, and catered food. Hospital and University representatives also spoke to the students about the impact of their efforts. Food and talent donations were contributed by TGI Fridays, GIANT, Perkins Franchising and Development, Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar, Lynn Sandy’s Bakery, Marywood’s Gourmet Dining LLC, Texas Roadhouse, Mike Walton DJ services, Party Crew LLC, Highway Line Dancing, Marywood’s Zumba instructor Vanessa Rodriguez, and more. The event concluded with a closing ceremony the next morning, during which students heard from Anne Baum, President of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, and Vanessa Gramm, the Director of Child Life at the hospital. The highlight was hosting the Marzen family, who shared their experience being treated at the hospital and how Marywood’s efforts are making a positive difference for families like them. Kevin Farrell, Marywood’s director of student engagement, noted that the students involved hope to expand this endeavor next year and make it an annual event.
Marywood University Celebrates 106th Annual Commencement Ceremony More than 800 students were part of Marywood University’s 106th annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 1 p.m., at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Casey Plaza, in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Marywood University’s two colleges, including the College of Health Sciences and the Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies, conferred degrees on undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students who hail from 24 states and 7 countries. Business, social work, and physician assistant studies were the top graduate level degree granting programs. Architecture, business, and nursing were the top undergraduate level degree granting programs. Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University’s 12th President, who will retire on June 30, served as keynote speaker, bidding a fond farewell to the Class of 2024, the final graduating class of her eight-year presidential tenure. Prior to her address, Sister Mary received a citation recognizing the many accomplishments of her presidency. Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM, Chair of the Marywood University Board of Trustees, shared that the Board recently granted Sister Mary the lifetime title of President Emerita, effective upon her retirement. Sister Kathleen praised Sister Mary’s leadership and vision, and expressed, “During the course of her presidency, Sister Mary has called upon her innate gifts of authenticity, compassion, courage, collaborative leadership, and bold vision, navigating both unprecedented challenges and outstanding accomplishments, always leading with hope, tenacity, and joy.” In her opening comments, Sister Mary teased that the Class of 2024 was not treated to a famous speaker who could have imparted the generic words of wisdom typically offered by those chosen to give such addresses, noting that she instead represented many people who know the graduates personally, the same people who prepared them for this moment. She chose the musical production, Merrily We Roll Along, to reflect upon the choices that are presented at milestone moments of our lives, and her keynote address culminated with the song “Our Time” from the musical. Sister Mary observed, “Commencement is a time to draw upon the skills you have learned to be leaders in the workforce, to value the friendships you have formed during your university years, and to rely on the values you were taught to guide you in your life choices.”
Marywood to Hold Virtual MFA Info Session Marywood University will hold a virtual Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Information Session on Thursday, May 23, 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/Spr24MFA. Marywood’s “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program is the oldest and best low-residency program in the country, designed for educators, graphic designers, and illustrators who are working professionally anywhere in the world and are interested in earning a terminal degree. The virtual info session will cover what to expect during the three-year program that includes four, two-week residential summer sessions at Marywood’s campus; six study tours conducted in New York City and other major cities; and independent work. Former student thesis and class project examples will be shared. While production and technical skills are stressed, the thrust of the program is on creativity and conceptual thinking. By design, the program is structured for students to keep their day job while pursuing a terminal degree. While production and technical skills are stressed, the core of the program encompasses creativity and conceptual thinking. For more details about the MFA in Graphic Design and Illustration Degree program, visit marywood.edu/visual-arts-graphic-design-illustration-masters-degree. To register for the MFA Info Session, please visit https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Spr24MFA. 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 Student Recognized on ALL IN Voting Honor Roll Marywood student Kelly Royer, Weatherly, has been named to the 2024 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll, which recognizes college students doing outstanding work to advance nonpartisan democratic engagement at participating campuses. Ms. Royer, who is pursuing her degree in Physician Assistant Studies, joins a group of 137 students recognized for their voter registration, education, and turnout efforts during the 2023 elections, which featured critical ballot measures and local and state races. “Whether it’s a presidential election year or one with critical state and local races on the ballot, students have a powerful role to play in fostering active and engaged campuses and getting their peers to participate in our democracy. Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is honored to celebrate 137 student leaders who model nonpartisan democratic engagement,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These honorees hosted candidate information sessions, created guides on polling location accessibility, registered their peers to vote and so much more. We know these students will continue to make a difference in our democracy.” Studies show that voting and democratic participation are habits that are built and strengthened over time. A recent survey from CIRCLE showed that 86 percent of under-35 youth who voted in 2022 and 72 percent of those who voted in 2020 consider themselves extremely likely to vote in 2024. Colleges and universities have an important role to play in encouraging their students to become active and engaged citizens at the ballot box and beyond. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge engages more than 1,000 institutions enrolling over 10 million students in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. For more information on Marywood University’s nonpartisan democracy initiative, Pacers to the Polls, along with more information on the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, visit marywood.edu/life-at-mu/involvement/pacers-to-the-polls.
Marywood Students Join AICUP Day on the Hill A group of six Marywood University students and one staff member recently participated in the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP) Day on the Hill in Harrisburg, Pa. They were among 170 attendees from 23 different schools. The annual one-day event, which was held this year on April 9, brings students from AICUP schools across the Commonwealth together at the Harrisburg Capitol Building to advocate on behalf of their institutions and the Pennsylvania State Grant Programs. Participants get the opportunity to meet with legislators and see how the advocacy process works in Harrisburg. The six students, all members of the Student Government Association, met with Pennsylvania State Representatives from Lackawanna County, including Rep. Kyle Donahue, Rep. Bridget Kosierowski, and Rep. Kyle Mullins, as well as Pennsylvania Senator Marty Flynn. Student Government Association (SGA) President-elect Scott Gartley was selected to speak at the event on behalf of Marywood University. Other Marywood student participants were: Ian Kovatch, Rosalyn Page, Aiyanna Jean, Kevin Budveit, and Kelly Royer. Dr. Ross Novak, Dean of Students, accompanied the students during the event. Image ID: Marywood University SGA President-elect Scott Gartley spoke at AICUP’s recent Day on the Hill event on the steps of the Capitol Building in Harrisburg, Pa.
Retiring President Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. to Address Graduates at Marywood Commencement Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University’s 12th president, who will retire from the institution on June 30, will address graduates at Marywood University’s 106th Commencement on May 18, 2024. She will be recognized with a special tribute at the ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, Pa. Sister Mary is a native of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. She attended Marywood as an undergraduate and, in her junior year, entered the IHM Congregation and finished her studies as a candidate. After earning her bachelor’s degree in education and French from Marywood in 1969, Sister Mary went on to earn a master’s degree in French from Assumption College and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University. During her professional life, Sister Mary has been a teacher, an administrator, and a leader in educational, health care, and congregational settings. She was the treasurer, then the president, of the IHM Congregation, serving eight years in each role. Following her congregational leadership, she went on to serve as an executive vice president at Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. She became president of Marywood University in 2016 and has guided Marywood through tough, but prudent, decisions to position the institution for the 21st century, even when facing unforeseen challenges like a global pandemic. Under Sister Mary’s leadership, strides were made in the scholarly life of the university by restructuring and streamlining the colleges within the university, adding or expanding several signature academic programs, and establishing the offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Global Education. Marywood also welcomed national retail partnerships to campus, including Starbucks, the Gear Shop, Apple, and Amazon stores. The university endowment has nearly doubled and maintained a fiscally responsible status, even during universally challenging financial times in higher education. To further strengthen Marywood’s future, Sister Mary is presently bringing the university’s $30 million comprehensive campaign, EMPOWER, to its conclusion. Sister Mary’s engagement, both in the public arena and on campus, are two highlights of her presidency. She has represented Marywood University locally, nationally, and even internationally, but notes that the best part of her presidential tenure has been interacting with Marywood students.
UNC’s 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival Date Set United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) and partner John Adams Elementary School are hosting the 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from Noon to 4 pm on the school’s playground. Activities include kids’ yoga, drum making, upcycling planters with flowers, DIY tie-dyes, suncatchers, face painting, balloon making, rock painting, food, music, and more! Antonio’s Pizza and El Buen Amigo will be serving pizza and tacos, for an additional fee. Joining us for the first time is Snook’s Wings and Things, selling burgers, fries, wings, and more. We will be supplying free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream truck for all attendees. Our partners Marywood University and The University of Scranton will provide arts education and make and take crafts. We are also hosting five local artists to assist children in creating artwork, this is made possible through a sponsorship from Lackawanna County Arts ENGAGE. Other organizations presenting crafts and resources include Penn State Extension 4H & Master Gardeners, Albright Memorial Library, Be SMART, Scranton Tomorrow with Keep PA Beautiful, and My Center for Independent Living. This free festival is a part of the UNC Pine Brook Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and offers access to different arts and activities for families in the neighborhood to enjoy,” said Holly Yorkonis, UNC event organizer. UNC’s Pine Brook Neighborhood Community Revitalization Plan is funded by Coterra, FNBC Bank, and Peoples Security Bank through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Neighborhood Partnership Program. Anyone interested in volunteering at the annual event should contact UNC Assistant Director of Community Revitalization, Holly at Hyorkonis@uncnepa.org or (272) 228-1366.
Marywood University to Hold Transfer Tuesdays Opportunities Marywood University has set several dates in late spring and throughout the summer for its Transfer Tuesdays program. Transfer Tuesday events are for current or former college students, at all stages of their college journey, who are considering transferring to Marywood University. Transfer Tuesdays opportunities will occur at Marywood University on the following Tuesdays: April 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 21, 1-6 p.m. June 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 16, 1-6 p.m. August 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Those interested in the spring/summer Transfer Tuesdays events can schedule an appointment every half hour during the time frame indicated for specific dates. 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 26, 2024 For additional information about transferring to Marywood, or to register for the Transfer Tuesdays program, please visit marywood.edu/transfer or call Marywood University’s Office of University Admissions, at (570) 348-6234 or email YourFuture@marywood.edu.
Marywood University Elects Lisa A. Lori, J.D. as First Lay President Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM, Chair of the Marywood University Board of Trustees, announced that former Board Chair Lisa A. Lori, J.D., a native of Pittston Twp., Pa., and a current resident of the Philadelphia region, has been appointed as the thirteenth president of Marywood University. Selected after an extensive national search, Atty. Lori will begin her tenure on July 1, 2024, succeeding Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., who has served as Marywood’s President since 2016 and is retiring on June 30, 2024. Atty. Lori makes history as Marywood’s first lay president, and her appointment reflects a growing national trend of lawyer presidents, whose legal training and strategic expertise are highly sought in today’s challenging, complex higher education climate. With her extensive legal background, innovative leadership as Marywood’s former Board Chair, and a link to the IHM Congregation as a commissioned IHM Associate (the IHM lay association), Atty. Lori is uniquely qualified to serve as Marywood University’s next president. “Lisa will be leading Marywood at a critical time in its 109-year history. In addition to her many professional qualifications, she embraces the charism and core values of the IHM Sisters and demonstrates an abiding commitment to our students, faculty, and staff,” stated Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM, Marywood Board Chair and Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “In the spirit of our shared mission to cultivate minds and hearts, I am confident that Lisa’s dynamic vision, deep faith, and strategic guidance will lead Marywood University to even greater heights of achievement and service to others.” Michael E. Bugno, Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and a Marywood Trustee, added, “Lisa’s vision for the university aligns seamlessly with our mission to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders who will make a positive impact on society. We look forward to working closely with her as we embark on this new chapter together.” Before this historic appointment, only IHM Sisters have served as president since Marywood’s founding in 1915. A comprehensive, Catholic university of more than 2,500 students, Marywood will continue to be sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton. Atty. Lori is committed to continuing the IHM legacy and to leading Marywood University in the Catholic intellectual tradition. “I believe Marywood’s greatest resource is its people, and our mission is life changing. As a first-generation college student, Marywood challenged me, empowered me, and provided me with a foundation from which I was able to reach my full potential,” said Atty. Lori. “My goal as president is to continue that vital mission, working together with our campus and community partners to ensure that Marywood University is a leading academic institution for future generations as well as an economic engine for the region.” Atty. Lori is a partner with Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg LLP, Philadelphia, Pa. An experienced business litigator for more than two decades, she has represented national and international businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, higher education institutions, health care providers, and individuals, in a full range of complex business litigation and strategic advising matters. She also was a founder and co-chair of her firm’s higher education and healthcare industry practice groups. Before becoming a lawyer, Atty. Lori pursued an entrepreneurial career, designing and manufacturing a line of clothing under the label Fioretti USA, which was sold at stores nationwide, including Nordstrom, before being acquired by a larger apparel manufacturer. She then decided to go to law school and pursued interests in intellectual property and business litigation. A graduate of Wyoming Seminary (Kingston, Pa.), Atty. Lori holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Design from Marywood University (Scranton, Pa.). She earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, cum laude, from Temple University School of Law (Philadelphia, Pa.), where she served as Editor in Chief of the Temple Political and Civil Rights Law Review. She also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in trial advocacy from Temple University and a Certificate in Strategic Leadership in Education from the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Pa.). Atty. Lori is a member of the Board of Directors of Jefferson University Physicians (2021–present). She has been recognized as a leading commercial litigation attorney in Pennsylvania by Chambers USA (2021, 2022, 2023), which ranks leading lawyers and law firms across the nation, based on in-depth market analysis and independent research. She also is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a highly selective, invitation-only honorary society of trial lawyers composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Selection is based on excellence and accomplishment in litigation and a superior ethical reputation. Further, Atty. Lori is AV Preeminent rated by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubble, the highest rating for legal ability and general ethics, as well as being named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2016, 2017, 2018) by a vote of her peers.
Marywood Community Leadership Celebration to Spotlight President and Alumna Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood’s President, who will retire on June 30, will be recognized with a special spotlight at Marywood University’s 11th Annual Community Leadership Celebration on Thursday, May 2, 2024, 5:30 p.m., at the Center for Athletics and Wellness on the University’s campus. The event also will honor community leader and Marywood alumna Mary Ellen McDonough. As Marywood’s 12th President, Sister Mary has guided Marywood University for the past eight years with her collaborative leadership and bold vision, devoting her life to promoting Marywood’s mission and core values. During her presidential tenure, Sister Mary made strides in the scholarly life of the university by restructuring and streamlining the Colleges, adding or expanding several signature academic programs, and establishing the Offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Global Education. During her eight years, Marywood has welcomed national retail partnerships to Marywood, including Starbucks, the popular Gear Shop, Apple, and Amazon stores. Additionally, Marywood’s endowment has nearly doubled and maintained a fiscally responsible status under her leadership, even during universally challenging financial times in higher education. To further strengthen Marywood’s future, Sister Mary is presently bringing the University’s $30 million comprehensive campaign to its conclusion. This campaign is designed to fund new construction and academic spaces on campus, provide scholarships for students, and enhance the student experience. In moments such as an unprecedented global pandemic, Sister Mary supported the entire community of faculty, staff, and students with strength and confidence. Her engagement, both in the public arena and on campus among the students, are two highlights of her presidency. She has represented Marywood well locally, nationally, and even internationally, but when asked, Sister Mary notes that the best part of the job was interacting with the wonderful people who are our students. The CLC is Marywood’s signature fundraiser, providing special support to Marywood students and honoring 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. To join Marywood University in recognizing Sister Mary Persico, IHM, and in honoring Mary Ellen McDonough at the 11th Annual Community Leadership Celebration on May 2, please visit marywood.edu/clc for ticket and sponsorship information, or call (570) 348-6238.
