Marywood to Host Local Band “The Chatter” for a Free Event A launch party to announce a campaign to empower Marywood students for success will take place during an outdoor event on Friday, September 22, 6:30 p.m., on Marywood’s campus. The Chatter, a high-energy dance/rock band with music spanning many decades and genres, will headline this special event, which also is the kickoff to Marywood University’s Alumni and Family Weekend. The Launch Party is open to the community, Marywood alumni, students and their families. The event is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is appreciated. Refreshments will be available. For more information, or to register, please visit marywood.edu/chatter.
Marywood Attends Global Business Week Five students from Marywood University’s School of Business and Global Innovation participated in the X-Culture Global Business Week in Lublin, Poland, during the summer, with two students earning awards. Dr. Chris Speicher, Executive Director of Marywood’s School of Business and Global Innovation, served as the students’ professor and trip ambassador. Marywood students were members of two of the four winning teams selected by company executives—tying the highest college-winning representation at the conference. X-Culture is an international business plan competition in which students compete on teams composed of other students from around the world on real-life projects, set up by companies seeking to enter international markets. Each year more than 10,000 students participate in X-culture from over 400 institutions around the world. The top 150 students are invited to participate in the X-culture international symposium annually. Marywood’s students were split up to work with one of four Lublin-based companies, in a challenge to advise these companies on market expansion and other unique challenges each faced. The students received first-hand exposure in international business practices, toured the companies’ facilities, and spoke with company representatives and leaders, to further their understanding of the European market. Each company was assigned six teams, with 25 teams in total, and the teams with the best strategy and five-year plan were selected as winners of the challenge, with the chance for their ideas to be implemented into the company’s annual operations. Marywood students participating included: Michael Romano, Maywood, N.J., a junior business management major, who was a member of a winning team; Daniel Gomez, Miami, Fla., a sophomore sports management major; Gabrielle Troch, Newfoundland, Pa., a junior financial planning in business management major, who was a member of a winning team; Joel DeCarli, Archbald, Pa., a junior business management major, and Madison Guelho, Stroudsburg, Pa., a junior business management/health services administration major. “It was a trip that gave us exclusive first-hand experience into the world of international business and provided us with skills that will be valuable to our professional development and make us Marywood students stand out in the job field,” said Michael Romano, one of the award winners.
Marywood Featuring Architecture Exhibit, Gallery Talk, & Lecture Marywood University is featuring an architecture exhibit, Ideas + Examples: An Exhibition from The Lucy and Olivio Ferrari Archive from September 6-15. The exhibit includes a gallery talk by Prof. Shelley Martin on Wednesday, September 6, at 7 p.m., as well as a lecture by Prof. Frank Weiner on Thursday, September 7, at 2 p.m. All events are taking place in the Hawk Gallery, Center for Architectural Studies, on Marywood’s campus. The exhibition is intended to build upon the existing connections between Marywood University and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., and to cultivate a continuing exchange. This relationship can be traced back to Professor Gregory Hunt, Founding Dean of Marywood University’s School of Architecture and a former long serving faculty member at Virginia Tech. Exhibition curators include Arian Korkuti, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Marywood University; Shelley Martin, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Virginia Tech, and Frank Weiner, Professor, School of Architecture, Virginia Tech. The work on view is from the collection of artifacts housed in The Lucy and Olivio Ferrari Archive located in the School of Architecture at Virginia Tech. The exhibition emphasizes the educational formation of an architect. The displayed artifacts, made by Lucy Ferrari and Olivio Ferrari, were not intended to be finished works of art or design, but rather didactic studies about basic design. The exhibition includes a set of photographic prints commissioned for the exhibition made by Prof. Shelley Martin. The Lucy and Olivio Ferrari Archive, established in October 2017 by Lucy Ferrari and Professor Frank Weiner, is housed in Cowgill Hall on the campus of Virginia Tech. The archive consists of approximately 1,000 items, representing a wide range of didactic materials including diagrams, texts, notes, professional projects, travel sketches, painting studies, prints, photographs, objects, furniture, prototypes, toys, jewelry, and textiles.
Marywood Earns Impressive Placements in 2024 Niche College Rankings Marywood University has earned impressive placements both nationally and statewide in the 2024 Niche College Rankings.Niche, the leading platform connecting students and families with colleges and schools, used updated data for 4,048 colleges nationwide, featuring updated methodology to better evaluate economic mobility and to reflect the declining importance of standardized test scores.In comparison with thousands of institutions nationwide and hundreds of institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania, Marywood garnered a host of notable placements, including: • Best Catholic Colleges in America (#46) and in Pennsylvania (#4)• Best College Dorms in America (#57) and in Pennsylvania (#5)• Best Small Colleges in America (#186) and Pennsylvania (#10)• Colleges with the Best Academics in Pennsylvania (#28) In the statewide category for Best Small Colleges, Marywood University is the highest-ranking local institution on the list. Additionally, Marywood earned high marks for Best Colleges for Architecture in America (#31), Best Colleges for Education in Pennsylvania (#16), Best College Campuses in Pennsylvania (#18), and Safest College Campuses in Pennsylvania (#23), among positive placements in many other categories.Niche combines data from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education with user input — reviews and ratings from current students, alumni, and parents — in a thorough analysis of factors including academics, athletics, food and campus life, to name a few. With rich data, tools, and comprehensive profiles and reviews on every college in America, Niche aims to empower students and their families as they embark on the college search process.
Marywood University News Marywood University Designated as a PA Hunger-Free+ Campus Marywood University has been designated as a Pennsylvania Hunger-Free Campus+ by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a two-year period, in recognition of its leadership in the area of college student food security. The Shapiro Administration recognizes Pennsylvania colleges and universities that are considered leaders in the effort to alleviate hunger and food insecurity among college students. Food insecurity is a growing concern on college campuses throughout the country. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, over one-third of students know someone who dropped out of college due to food insecurity during the pandemic. Roughly 52 percent of students who faced food or housing insecurity in 2020 did not apply for support, because they did not know how. 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. Various departments, deans, faculty members, student groups, and Friends of the Poor (a sponsored ministry of the IHM Congregation) collaborated to make the Pacer Pantry a reality, and it opened in February 2020. Marywood University has been recognized for connecting students to food options through the Pacer Pantry on campus, through local community-based food pantries, and other food delivery programs, as well as increasing awareness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility for students, focusing SNAP outreach on potentially eligible students, and helping students apply for SNAP and other benefits. Additionally, Marywood operates a task force to address basic needs, including hunger, and raising awareness among students using a lens of equity, inclusion, and belonging. The Hunger-Free+ Campus designation also qualifies Marywood to apply for the PA Hunger-Free Campus grant program, to help further expand university efforts to alleviate food insecurity. Marywood University Announces a New Master of Architecture Program Marywood University has established a new Master of Architecture degree (M.Arch). Students with an interest in the program can apply now for a Fall 2024 start. Part of Marywood University’s nationally renowned School of Architecture, the M.Arch degree program is intended for students who will pursue a career as a licensed architect. Accordingly, Marywood’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program is following in the footsteps of its Bachelor of Architecture degree, which is fully accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). “The Marywood University School of Architecture values conceptual & formal clarity, disciplinary consciousness, social agency, and material speculation to achieve its overarching priority that lies in design’s ability to act for the common good of the communities it serves,” noted James Eckler, M.ARCH, MSAS, director of Marywood’s School of Architecture. Mr. Eckler explained that architecture graduate students adhere to a scaffolded curriculum embodying these values, as it prepares them for professional practice that integrates building technologies, environmental design, hybrid representation, fabrication, history and theory. Students can choose from a robust body of elective opportunities within this structure, to define their own areas of specialized interest. Several advanced standing pathways through the M.Arch program are available to prospective graduate students, including those with an undergraduate degree in architecture, interior architecture, interior design, or allied disciplines, such as architectural engineering. For additional information about Marywood University’s master’s degree in architecture, please visit marywood.edu/architecture-masters-degree. Marywood University’s Illustration Program Ranked Among Top Nationally Marywood University is proud to announce that its illustration program has attained noteworthy placements among the top programs in the state, region, and nation in the 2023 Illustration School Rankings. This marks the 5th annual ranking for illustration schools. Nearly 150 schools with illustration programs were considered from across the United States. Marywood’s illustration program was recognized as #5 in Pennsylvania, #17 in the East, and #50 nationally overall, putting it in the top 40% of schools evaluated. Marywood University offers a rigorous curriculum in illustration at undergraduate and graduate levels. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, as well as opportunities to showcase their work through exhibitions and other professional development opportunities. The 2023 Illustration School Rankings were published by Animation Career Review, a leading online resource for individuals interested in pursuing careers in animation and related fields. The rankings are based on a variety of factors, including academic reputation, admissions selectivity, program offerings, and faculty credentials. Marywood University offers both BFA and MFA degree programs in illustration. For more information, go to marywood.edu/illustration-studio-arts-bachelors-degree for the BFA program and to marywood.edu/visual-arts-graphic-design-illustration-masters-degree for the MFA program. Marywood Art Students Design Scranton Fringe Festival Website The Scranton Fringe Festival website has a new look, thanks to the creative work and volunteer service of graphic design students at Marywood University. In the spring, Marywood graphic design majors in the Art 441I: Interactive Design II class, taught by Sue Jenkins, MFA, associate professor of art, completed a service learning project to design and develop the new website for the local arts event, which is scheduled to take place this year from September 28-October 7. Launched at the end of May, the site features two new levels of Fringe Membership, a new event system, a bunch of chickens (explained on the site’s About page), and interesting news about the events and programming at the Scranton Fringe Festival. Conor O’Brien, co-founder and executive director of Scranton Fringe, appreciated the Marywood University students’ willingness to volunteer on the project. “They gave it a full facelift and helped us integrate a lot of exciting new features,” said Mr. O’Brien. “It took hours and hours and hours of work, and everyone at Team Fringe is extremely grateful! A special thank you to Posture Interactive, who has been supporting us for years and who assisted with the new site launch as well.” Scranton Fringe is an award-winning arts organization producing innovative work since 2015, dedicated to creating a bold, engaging platform for thought-provoking art while striving to promote Northeast Pennsylvania as a viable creative environment. Inspired by the world’s largest annual event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the organization has grown into an incubator of unique creative work centered around the performing arts.
Marywood University Aviation Program Announces New Partnership Marywood University announced today that it has entered into a partnership with FlyGATEWAY Aviation Institute to provide state-of-the-art flight training for Marywood University Aviation students. As the need for airline pilots continues to grow more rapidly than the demand can be met, Marywood officials said this new partnership will provide their aviation students with a wealth of resources, enabling them to train on aircraft and in facilities that will provide a training experience of the highest standard as they work toward their goal of becoming professional pilots. FlyGATEWAY, a large flight school currently with operations in four locations throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware, is excited to expand their operations to accommodate Marywood University Aviation students by adding a new location based out of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Capt. Joseph McDonald, director of the Marywood Aviation Program and assistant professor of aviation, observed, “In addition to their classroom and technical training, the flight training provided by FlyGATEWAY will provide Marywood Aviation students with experience for real-world application and career development, ensuring that our graduates are prepared for a thriving career in aviation upon program completion. Marywood’s Aviation program, like others across the country, now plays a vital role in helping to mitigate the acute pilot shortage impacting the airline industry today.”
Marywood Opens Store with Amazon “Just Walk Out” Technology Marywood University and Gourmet Dining Services LLC are proud to announce the grand opening of an on-campus convenience store powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One, a palm-based biometric identity and payment service. Located in the entryway of the Main Dining Room in the Nazareth Student Center, the new convenience store—Marywood Pacer Nation—opened its doors to the University community on August 4, 2023. The implementation of Amazon’s cutting-edge Just Walk Out technology is designed to eliminate checkout lines and provide an effortless customer experience. As the first university in Pennsylvania to launch Just Walk Out technology in an on-campus convenience store, Marywood University is taking the lead in enriching the student experience through cutting-edge technology. Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One is made possible by artificial intelligence like computer vision and deep learning techniques, including generative AI, to accurately determine who took what in any retail environment. Amazon built synthetic datasets to mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios as well as photorealistic synthetic palm images to ensure accuracy in any environment. Customers simply use their credit card or, if enrolled in Amazon One, may hover their palm over an Amazon One device at the store entry gates, grab what they need, and the technology automatically detects what is taken from or returned to store shelves, creating a virtual shopping cart. When customers have completed their shopping, they leave the store without stopping to check out and their credit card will be charged for the items they took. Amazon One is easy to use and takes less than a minute to enroll. Customers can pre-enroll online at https://one.amazon.com/getting-started and complete the enrollment process at an Amazon One kiosk. Once registered, each time a customer wants to use Amazon One to pay at Marywood Pacer Nation or any location that accepts Amazon One for identification, entry or payment, they’ll just hover their palm above the device. It’s that simple. “This milestone represents another significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to enhance the Marywood student experience,” stated Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D, Marywood’s President. “I am grateful to our partners, Gourmet Dining Services LLC and Amazon, for their collaboration and support in bringing Marywood Pacer Nation to life, designing it with our students’ needs in mind.” “We are thrilled to bring Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One to the students of Marywood University,” said Jon Jenkins, Vice President of Just Walk Out technology, AWS Applications. “With Just Walk Out and Amazon One, students will find an innovative way to purchase the items they need with a frictionless shopping experience so they can quickly get back to their studies — even early in the morning or late at night.” In the initial planning for the Marywood Pacer Nation store, Gourmet Dining Services LLC surveyed students to hear firsthand what products they would most like to see in a new convenience store on campus. Their recommendations influenced the robust assortment, which includes a vast variety of food and beverage options, toiletries and other everyday essential items. Marywood University and Gourmet Dining Services LLC are committed to providing students with new and exciting on-campus experiences that cater to their needs. Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One allows the store to operate unattended if needed, enabling extended hours for busy students. Now, students and guests can grab food, beverages, and other essentials conveniently, in a way that fits their academic schedules and is free of long lines at checkout.
Marywood University Appoints new VP for Mission Services Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., recently appointed Sister Rachel Terry, IHM, to the position of associate vice president for mission services. A member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scranton since 2004, she is an experienced educator and leader, with a strong background in faith formation, liturgical preparation, and personal spiritual development. As associate vice president for missions services, Sister Rachel serves in the Office of Campus Ministry, working directly with students and with her colleagues to promote Marywood’s Catholic identity and affirm its significance as a central part of Marywood’s culture. Prior to assuming this new leadership role, Sister Rachel served as an Adult Faith Formation Intern at Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago, Illinois. She also worked part-time in Marywood’s Office of Campus Ministry from 2019-2021. Before that, she served as a music educator at elementary schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Dean Appointed at Marywood University Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., recently announced that Shelby W. Yeager, MEd, LAT, ATC, CSCS, was appointed as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Marywood University, effective July 1, 2023. She had been serving as the college’s Interim Dean since March 2022. Prior to this role, Dean Yeager was a long-term faculty member and department chair within the College of Health and Human Services. She began her academic career at Marywood in 2004. Before that, she was an Athletic Trainer at Wilkes University, then assumed clinical and administration roles at John Heinz Rehabilitation Institute and Keystone College. Additionally, Dean Yeager worked as part of the Sports Injury Prevention Program at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City. Dean Yeager earned her bachelor of kinesiology and sports medicine degree from Temple University and a master’s in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University. She is a licensed athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach with an emphasis on movement assessment, injury reduction, and corrective exercises. She also holds multiple specialty certifications from the USA-Weightlifting, National Academy of Sports Medicine and Functional Movement Screening.
Outdoor Summer Concerts at Marywood University Marywood University has set an outdoor concert series for two Sundays in July. Shows will be held at the Calabro Delfino Amphitheatre, behind the Learning Commons in the center of Marywood’s campus. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating. Each show starts at 6 p.m. Rain location is the Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, on Adams Avenue. The Fidelity Bank Sweets & Treats Van will be on site during the July 23rd show. July 23, 2023: Chosen Few is a world-class trio of musicians, showcasing vocals, saxes, bass & guitar. George Barron, Vernon Jones, and Jonathan Williams will perform a diverse repertoire that spans the decades, presented in an engaging & entertaining way! July 30, 2023: Erin Malloy and Friends, featuring Erin Malloy, Jimmy Waltich, Doug Smith, and Tyler Dempsey – The music of Erin Malloy and Friends features something for everyone, including a mix of pop, R&B, jazz, rock, and more.
