The University of Scranton to Host Annual Volunteer Fair The University of Scranton will hold its annual Volunteer Fair for local nonprofit organizations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, on campus. The fair offers University students and student-led clubs interested in service projects and community-based learning sites a chance to meet representatives from nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers. There is no cost for a nonprofit organization to participate in the fair, however, registration is required. To register, email ellen.judge@scranton.edu or call 570-941-7429.
Waverly Community House Calls for Golf Tournament Volunteers The Waverly Community House is requesting volunteers for the Comm Classic Golf Tournament. If interested and available to volunteer on Monday, September 18th, from 11:30am until 4:30 pm, please call Kathy at The Comm office for more details: 570.586.8191
The University of Scranton Ranks Among Best Colleges in the Nation for 22 Years Marking the 22nd consecutive year, The Princeton Review selected The University of Scranton as one of the best colleges in the nation, and, for the seventh year, ranked Scranton among the “Best Science Lab Facilities” (No. 18) in the U.S. According to Princeton Review, students are impressed by the “recent improvements Scranton has been making, from laboratories and simulation spaces that impart vital firsthand experiences to ‘the gorgeous glass study rooms in the Loyola Science Center,’ and the cadaver lab to ‘academic buildings [that] are the greatest strength of the school because most have nice classrooms and places to study that foster learning.’” Students also boast about Scranton’s Alumni network that continues to look “for their Scranton successors, which helps explain the high 99% job-placement rate: as the school puts it, ‘more than 1,000 Scranton alumni are CEOs of their company or organization.’” Students also mention Scranton’s Jesuit ideals which permeate the course work and that “are designed to help students graduate with a ‘strong commitment to…ethics.’” Scranton is among just 14 percent of schools listed in the 2024 edition of the “Best 389 Colleges” guidebook to be selected and recommended by The Princeton Review as one of the top colleges in the country. The Princeton Review does not include an overall ranking of the schools selected as the best in the country, however they do publish rankings of schools in 50 categories based on results of their surveys of 160,000 students at the 389 colleges included in the book. Information from the surveys is also used in the profiles included about each school in the publication. In addition to Scranton’s ranking of “Best Science Lab Facilities,” The Princeton Review also ranked the school among the “Most Religious Students” (No. 22). The 2024 edition of the guidebook published online on Aug. 15.
Woodloch Secures 4th Title in 5 Years as USA TODAY’s #1 Family Resort in the U.S. For the fourth time in five years, Woodloch Pines, an all-inclusive family resort nestled in Pennsylvania’s picturesque Pocono Mountains, has been selected by USA TODAY as the number one family resort in the United States in the 2023 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Woodloch Pines previously claimed this impressive accolade in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Additionally, sister property and destination spa, The Lodge at Woodloch, secured the number three spot as the 2023 best all-inclusive resort. Nominees are chosen by a panel of travel experts, a well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields and their cities but also discriminating in their tastes. These include a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and other professional contributors.“We are incredibly honored to be chosen as the number one family resort for the fourth time in five years. Woodloch has been in our family for over 65 years, and it is humbling to see our resort ranked among so many amazing properties and national brands,” said Brad Kiesendahl, CEO and President of Woodloch. “We are grateful beyond measure for the hard work and genuine hospitality of our staff members as well as our loyal and passionate guests who generously shower us with praise year after year,” he continued.To obtain more information or to book a stay, please visit woodloch.com, or call 1-800-Woodloch.
HNB Promotes Employee Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President, and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, has announced Skylar Groover has been promoted to Branch Manager of HNB’s Hallstead Office. In making the announcement Sheridan stated, “Skylar plays a vital role in our Susquehanna County community.” He continued, “She remains eager to learn and adapt to new challenges while remaining focused on providing incredible customer service to all.” As Branch Manager, Groover will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the Hallstead Office as well as connecting with customers to understand how to better serve the community. She is a graduate of Montrose Area High School and is working toward a degree in Marine Science with a focus in Geology. With just over two years of experience, Groover began her career in the financial industry in 2020 as a part-time teller at HNB. She went on to become a full-time teller, later accepting a position as CSR. She was promoted to Branch Supervisor in 2022. In commenting on her new role at the bank, Groover noted, “HNB has allowed me room to grow in my career while giving me the tools and leadership to be successful in all areas of banking.” She noted, “Every day I am able to help a customer, I leave work knowing I have made a difference and that is why I love going to work.” Outside of the bank, she is a Certified Master Scuba Diver, a member of the New Milford Rotary, loves golfing, and spending time with her family.
PNC Bank to Host Third Annual Penguins 5K The third Annual Penguins 5K presented by PNC Bank benefiting the Penguins Goals Foundation is taking place at the Back Mountain Trail in Luzerne on Saturday, August 26th at 9:00 a.m. All registered participants will receive a free voucher for a 2023 Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins home game, Penguins 5K T-shirt, and a finisher puck. There will be top prizes for overall male and female and age group awards. The run/walk is just $35 and proceeds benefit the Penguins GOALS Foundation, an organization dedicated to removing barriers on and off the ice by supporting and creating programs to make youth sports more accessible, to advocate for education, and offer support to Northeastern Pennsylvania communities and their programming. Questions? Reach out to Mollie Boyd at mboyd@wbspenguins.com or (570) 208-5414.
Tobyhanna Army Depot to Host Industry Day Tobyhanna Army Depot will host an in-person Industry Day event on Thursday, August 24 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event will include briefings on depot partnership and contracting opportunities as well as tours of Tobyhanna’s industrial operations.Nearly 150 industry representatives, prospective vendors, and businesses with a focus on service and supply related industries will attend. The goal of the event is to increase awareness of Tobyhanna’s capabilities and educate potential partners of business opportunities that exist at the depot.Media representatives covering the event must pre-register with the Public Affairs Office by calling (570) 615-5864 no later than 3 p.m. on August 23.
Catherine McAuley Center Earns Nomination for National Award Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most influential nonprofit evaluator, has named the Catherine McAuley Center in the large-size organization category in the 2023 Community Choice Awards. The announcement was made on National Nonprofit Day, August 17, 2023. The nomination comes as a result of Catherine McAuley Center’s outstanding achievements, having attained a prestigious four-star rating and earned all four Charity Navigator beacons. This recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in its charitable endeavors. The Community Choice Awards will have one winner in each size-based category: small, medium, large, and super. The determination of the winners will be based on the total number of votes received. The winners will be officially announced on September 27, 2023. The four winning charities will receive the following: • Prominent visibility on Charity Navigator for one year • Email announcement to Charity Navigator’s audience of donors • Dedicated posts on Charity Navigator’s social media • Webinar speaking opportunity • Press release over the wire Krista Murray, Executive Director, shared her appreciation, “The Catherine McAuley Center is deeply grateful for this nomination and the continued support from its community, donors, and partners. The organization remains dedicated to its mission and looks forward to making a positive impact in its community.” To cast your vote and support Catherine McAuley Center in the Community Choice Awards, please visit the Center’s social media for a direct link and follow the instructions. The Catherine McAuley Center has provided programs and services to those experiencing homelessness in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties since 1984. Beyond a shelter of a roof and walls, the Center’s mission is to help the community break the cycle of poverty and heal the trauma of homelessness. To learn how you can make a difference, please contact the Catherine McAuley Center at 570-342-1342.
The Wright Center Welcomes Longtime EMT and Educator A longtime emergency medical technician-paramedic and educator joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as director of employee health and continuing medical education coordinator. Carmen Passaniti, EMT-P, will oversee employee health services and training for The Wright Centers in this new role. Earlier this month, the American Heart Association (AHA) designated The Wright Center for Community Health as an official training site. As part of his duties, Passaniti will oversee the process of developing The Wright Center for Community Health as an AHA training center, including developing a curriculum in alignment with AHA guidelines. Additionally, he will build and implement a continuing medical education program for clinical employees. Passaniti began his career as an emergency medical technician-paramedic at Community Medical Center in 1981, where he worked on the first advanced life support unit in Lackawanna County. Since then, the West Abington Township resident has spent decades coordinating training for and managing EMTs and paramedics at Community Life Support, which became part of Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services (CHEMS). In addition, he has managed the AHA training for EMTs and paramedics for Community Life Support and CHEMS for more than 20 years, including serving as training center coordinator for seven years. For more information about the locations and services provided by The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
