Woodloch Resort to Host 14th Annual “A Night for the Cure” On Sunday, October 23, 2022, Woodloch, an inclusive resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, will host the 14th annual A Night for the Cure. The tricky-tray fundraiser benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure as part of BK Hope Cures. Originally established 23 years ago by Bob Kiesendahl (BK), co-owner of Woodloch and leukemia survivor, the organization’s mission is to raise awareness and funds in the fight against cancer. Held in the Heritage Nightclub at Woodloch from 5 to 8 PM, the family-friendly evening will feature over 150 items donated by local individuals and businesses, as well as wine and beer tastings, hors d’oeuvres, a dessert table, and a 50/50 raffle. Guests will enjoy live entertainment and have the chance to win dining gift certificates, unique gift baskets, and overnight stay packages at the area’s leading resorts and hotels. Admission costs $10, and 100% of the proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 50% of the dollars raised stay right here in Pennsylvania for education, screening and treatment grants, and 50% goes towards cancer research. The dress code is casual, and attendees are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause. Last year, over 400 people attended and more than $15,000 was raised. “Every year the event gets bigger and better. It’s a great night to celebrate with friends, raise money for the cause, show our support for survivors, and take a chance on some really great prizes. We are extremely grateful to the local businesses and individuals who donate their time and talents to make A Night for the Cure the special event that it is,” said Bob Kiesendahl. In addition to A Night for the Cure, Hope Cures also holds two other fundraising events each year — a golf tournament and a 5K run/walk. Over the past 23 years, Hope Cures has raised over $1.3 million. These funds benefit cancer research and patient care at several worthy facilities and foundations. For more information, please visit: www.bkhopecures.org/trickytray. Additionally, table and room reservations can be arranged by calling Woodloch Resort at 570-685-8002.
Lackawanna College Towanda Offers PNG Introductory Courses Bradford County residents will soon have a way to start their petroleum and natural gas education closer to home. Lackawanna College’s Towanda Center will start offering three introductory Petroleum & Natural Gas (PNG) courses in January as a way to provide additional access to the degree program. Currently, classes are offered at Lackawanna College’s Tunkhannock Center. To announce the new class offerings, Lackawanna College officials held an event on Aug. 24 where Chesapeake Energy delivered a wellhead, which will be on display on the front lawn of the Towanda Center. A wellhead is used in the energy field and is the component at the surface of an oil or gas well that provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment. Several businesses helped Chesapeake prepare the wellhead for Lackawanna. Those businesses were Xtreme Truckin, ROC Service Co., Technip FMC, Salandra Painting Inc. and Evergreen Oilfield Solutions. “The petroleum and natural gas industry is in need of qualified, well-trained employees,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “The industry is projected to see about 50% of its current workforce retire in the next five to seven years. Lackawanna College’s decision to offer these classes in Towanda shows our commitment to the local communities. We are always looking to enhance our educational offerings so we know community members get what they need to be successful in the local workforce.” The new classes at the Towanda Center are Petroleum & Natural Gas Technology (PNG 105), Math for PNG (Math 150) and Physical Science for PNG (PHY 150). Students will still need to travel to Tunkhannock for their hands-on classes. “Our hands-on PNG classes will still be offered at our Tunkhannock Center, but courses in Towanda will mean students won’t have to travel to Tunkhannock for all of their classes,” said Sue Gumble, program director for Lackawanna College’s School of PNG. Kelly White, Towanda Center director, said the new courses will be geared toward students still in high school, those who just graduated and those who are looking for retraining. “The introductory courses will give students the chance to take some of their PNG classes here in their hometown,” White said. “Our dual enrollment students in high school can get a jumpstart on their education with these classes. Other students will have the chance to take those introductory courses here as a first step in their education and training and then use this as a building block to advance.” The new classes are also the result of feedback from the local energy sector, which has a large presence in Wyoming County, where the School of PNG in Tunkhannock is, and in Bradford County, where the Towanda Center is. “We want to continue building our partnerships with the local communities and businesses,” Gumble said. “Offering these classes helps us continue that work. The energy industry likes to hire people from the local communities. They want to help communities thrive by having jobs people can work at so local workers have good career opportunities.” Ashley Knox, a School of PNG instructor, Lackawanna College alumni and Optimization Foreman with Chesapeake Energy, said Chesapeake is pleased to partner with Lackawanna to expand the classes to other locations. “We’re hoping the equipment will help generate community interest in the program,” Knox said. “Companies like Chesapeake need qualified workers, and the new classes in Towanda will be a great way for the College to help grow the local workforce.” Lackawanna College offers a Petroleum & Natural Gas Business Administration associate degree, Petroleum & Natural Gas Technology associate degree and certificates in Petroleum & Natural Gas Technician and Petroleum & Natural Gas Compressor/Engine Mechanic. Students interested in learning more about the PNG program in Tunkhannock or courses in Towanda can visit the College’s website. They can also contact the School of PNG at (570) 866-1900 and the Towanda Center at (570) 265-3449.
NEPA Health Care Foundation Nursing Scholarships In response to the acute shortage of nurses across the region and its effect on the health and wellness of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation announces it has awarded $418,000 in its second year towards nursing scholarships for local students as part of its Careers in Care initiative. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded 49 scholarships to students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These scholarship opportunities come during a time when there have been great strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After significant interest in 2021, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation increased the total amount available for scholarships in 2022 from the previous year. In 2021, a total of $190,312 was awarded to 21 students. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program accepted applications earlier this year and, through a rigorous and competitive application process, identified a variety of qualified nursing students. Recipients include Brooke Bird, Cleora Brown, Alexis Bruno, Sabrina Brynok, Maria Buchleitner, Amy Casagrande, Megan Chestnut, Michael Dargatis, Monica Darjee, Alyssa Dikeman Melisky, Jacqueline Earley, Thamar Etienne, Linda Gagner, Damian George, Chasity Girton, Alison Heck, Jennifer Jaffe, Amy Kwiatkowski, Ashley Lomascolo, Milagros Lopez, Nicole Lubash, Kristyn Lutecki, Leah Majdic, Brittany Marcinkevich, Danielle McCormick, Mary McFadden, Elizabeth McGuire, Tiffany Megotz, Karli Muto, Kathryn Nielsen, Nicole O’Boyle, Devon Ortolani, Gabriella Osegueda, Kimberly Owen, Kathleen Rafalko, Carissa Rand, Samantha Rosselli, Tami Rowlands, Anne Royce, Lorenzo Singotti, Kelly Smith, Kelsey Stanco, Charon Taylor, Celibeth Thomas, Celena Thomas, Tiffany Tomasello, and Ariana Velez. Scholarship recipients are attending a variety of schools including Luzerne County Community College, Bloomsburg University, Lackawanna College, Penn State Scranton, Wilkes Barre Area Career & Technical Center, Marywood University, Clarion University, Misericordia University, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, Graceland University, and Wilkes University. “Over the past two years, we have seen just how timely the Careers in Care initiative really is,” said James Clemente, NEPA Health Care Foundation Board Chair. “The Foundation’s Board understands the strains that the regional healthcare workforce is facing and strives to make an impact to address these critical issues through these important scholarships.” “The Board of the Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation was very innovative in their planning of these scholarships which are made available to nursing students from CNAs through nurse educators at the graduate level,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “There continues to be a great need and interest in the Careers in Care program, demonstrated by the increased number of scholarships awarded in the program’s second year.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation. There will be a third year of scholarships offered in February 2023 for the 2023/2024 school year. To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals were required to show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Scholarships were available to those interested in obtaining a CNA and entering the healthcare workforce. Scholarships are also for anyone employed in the healthcare field in either Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County and looking to advance as an LPN or RN/BSN. Additionally, students were invited to apply if they were in their third or fourth year of a four-year nursing degree and looking for financial assistance. Scholarship recipients were also asked to demonstrate a commitment to stay in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation also invited ‘nontraditional’ students or those looking to go back to school to obtain a nursing degree to apply for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship. Additionally, through Careers in Care, the NEPA Health Care Foundation has provided grant support totaling $800,000 to a variety of organizations including Lackawanna College, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Children’s Service Center, The Greater Hazleton Partners in Education, Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium, and Saint Joseph’s Center. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a $1.7 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023). In addition to the Careers in Care initiative, the NEPA Health Care Foundation is also in the eighth year of a $3.2 million commitment to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) for scholarship support for incoming first-year medical students from Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The NEPA Health Care Foundation Scholars program covers full tuition for these scholars, who indicate a commitment to practice medicine in Northeastern PA.
Boback Meets Discusses School Mental Health Initiative Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) met recently with Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, who wanted to acknowledge her work to create a new School Mental Health Initiative for Pennsylvania’s public schools. Barden’s 7-year-old son, Daniel, was one of the 26 victims of the mass school shooting in Newtown, Conn., nearly 10 years ago. His nonprofit organization works to advance legislation that promotes gun safety, youth mental health and violence prevention training. “So at the Sandy Hook Promise, we have long been on a mission, plain and simple, to prevent other families from having to endure the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence,” Barden said. “We know that evidence-based violence prevention programs are effective. We have a growing database of interventions, where school shootings have been prevented, along with other acts of violence such as suicides, so we know that this works.” Boback was the prime sponsor of House Bill 540, a proposal included in the 2022-23 state budget that provides $100 million for the initiative. “The School Mental Health Initiative is modeled after ideas developed by Mark’s organization, and I am proud of my role in bringing it to our schools,” said Boback. “Under the new program, every school district in the Commonwealth will receive a grant of at least $100,000 to address the mental health needs of students.” “When we can partner with champions and leaders like Rep. Boback to get this legislation done, it is from the bottom of my heart that I come here and offer my deepest appreciation,” added Barden.
Treasurer Garrity: Unclaimed Property In celebration of National Roller Coaster Day, Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that nearly $43 million is owed to more than 208,000 Pennsylvanians who are ready to take the ride of their lives – those with a name or business name that includes the words coaster, ride, loop, up, down, thrill, summer, park, Edwin or Prescott. “The last few years have been a wild ride, and we could all use a little extra cash in our wallets,” Garrity said. “Please keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times, and get ready to search for unclaimed property – you don’t even have to stand in line! The average roller coast ride is about two minutes long, but it doesn’t even take that long to see if Treasury has unclaimed property waiting for you.” Unclaimed property includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten stocks, insurance policies, tangible property like the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes, and more. The state’s unclaimed property law requires assets to be turned over to Treasury after certain periods of time, generally three years. “When Edwin Prescott patented the first looping roller coaster in North America in 1898, he had no idea how many smiles his invention would bring to millions of people,” Garrity said. “Finding unclaimed property is another reason to smile, especially since the average claim is about $1,500. One in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, so there’s a good chance you might end up with money in your pocket!” Last year, Treasury returned more than $135 million to Pennsylvanians. Treasury is currently seeking the owners of more than $4 billion in unclaimed property. Tangible property received by Treasury may be auctioned after approximately three years, but any proceeds from a sale will be kept in perpetuity until an owner is found. Military decorations and memorabilia are never auctioned, and Treasury works diligently to find veterans and their families to reunite them with these priceless symbols of service. Search Treasury’s unclaimed property database to see if you or someone you know has property waiting to be claimed at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property.
Fall Semester Events Planned at The University of Scranton Sept. 2-30 Art Exhibit: “Time and Lace: A History of the Scranton Lace Company.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Sept. 2 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring Matt Marantz Quartet. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Sept. 7 3 p.m. PCN 2022 Pennsylvania Election Panel Discussion. Pennsylvania Cable Network panel discussion on Pennsylvania’s Governor and U.S. Senate races. Panelists include JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., co-director of The University of Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, and Borys Krawczeniuk, investigative reporter for the Scranton Times-Tribune. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu. Sept. 7 3:45 p.m. Public Meeting for The University of Scranton’s Department of Health and Human Performance – Speech-Language Pathology program with the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Kane Forum, Leahy Hall. Free. Call 570-941-6305 or email info@scranton.edu. Sept. 8 5:30 p.m. Lecture: “The 1902 Anthracite Strike: Causes and Consequences, A 120th Anniversary Evaluation” presented by Bob Wolensky, Ph.D., sociologist and anthracite historian with panel respondents. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. Lackawanna County Courthouse, 200 N. Washington Avenue. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Sept. 12 Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Covering the White House: Challenges and Opportunities” presented by Ashley Parker, White House Bureau Chief for the Washington Post and NBC/MSNBC senior political analyst. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Sept. 16 5 p.m. Art Gallery Curator’s Lecture: “Time and Lace: A History of the Scranton Lace Company.” Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Sept. 17 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Carlos Avila, piano, and Vincent Grana, bass voice. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Sept. 19 Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Higher Education’s Indispensable Role in Preserving and Advancing Democracy” presented by Ira Harkavy, Ph.D., founding director, Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships, University of Pennsylvania. Kane Forum, Edward Leahy Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Sept. 21 7:00 p.m. “A Shop on Every Corner: Memories of the Garment Industry Film Screening and Discussion” presented by Ken Wolensky, Ph.D., historian and Maureen McGuigan, filmmaker. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. Ritz Theater and Performing Arts Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Sept. 23 9 a.m. NASA Northeast Pennsylvania Industry Day, a networking event focused on collaboration opportunities with local businesses. Fourth Floor, DeNaples Center. Free with reservations required to attend. (reservation link if needed: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nasa-industry-day-and-small-business-networking-event-tickets-383703245737). Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu. Sept. 23-25 The University of Scranton Family Weekend 2022. Various campus locations. Call 570-941-4222 or email familyweekend@scranton.edu. Sept. 24 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert: Family Weekend” featuring Joseph Boga and the Scranton Ramblers with an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Sept. 28 Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Managing Today and Envisioning Tomorrow: Leading the City of Scranton” presented by Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, mayor, City of Scranton. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Sept. 29 6:30 p.m. President’s Business Council 21st Annual Award Dinner honoring Patricia A. Byrnes Clark ’86, global chief talent officer, Havas Group, and Thomas P. O’Brien ’86, CEO and president, SumRidge Partners, LLC, at Gotham Hall, New York City. Proceeds from the dinner support the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund. Tickets required. Call 570-941-5837, visit www.scranton.edu/PBCdinner or email timothy.pryle@scranton.edu. Oct. 1 9 a.m. Scranton’s Ready to Run Northeast Pennsylvania Program: “Wanted: More Women Like You in Politics.” Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-6326 or email sharon.olechna@scranton.edu. Oct. 5 6 p.m. Asian Studies Public Lecture and Meet the Award-winning Author “Life on the Move: Transnational Migration and Cross-Cultural Imagination in Taiwan Literature and Film,” Part 1. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-6312 or email ann.pang-white@scranton.edu. Oct. 6 6 p.m. Asian Studies Film Screening and Meet the Award-winning Director of “The Good Daughter.” “Life on the Move: Transnational Migration and Cross-Cultural Imagination in Taiwan Literature and Film,” Part 2. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free, Call 570-941-6312 or email ann.pang-white@scranton.edu. Oct. 7 through Nov. 18 Art Exhibit: “Mayan Narratives: San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala” photographs by Byron Maldonado. Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Oct. 7 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Mayan Narratives: San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala” presented by Byron Maldonado. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Oct. 12 7:30 p.m. Ignatian Values in Action Lecture: “On Juneteenth” presented by Annette Gordon-Reed, Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times best-selling author. Byron Recreation Complex. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Oct. 13 Noon.Schemel Forum and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program: “Threats to Equity: The Influence of Social Determinants on Human Behaviors that Promote Well-being” presented Julie Byerley, MD, president and dean of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Oct. 15 2 p.m. Art Gallery: “Walking Tour: Scranton Lace Company/Lace Village Site.” Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Oct. 15 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Andrew Gonzalez, viola and violincello da spalla. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Oct. 21-23 and 28-30 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. “Almost, Maine” presented by The University Players. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu. Oct. 23 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu. Oct. 23 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, piano. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Oct. 29 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band and guest drummer Carmen Intorre Jr. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 6 9 a.m. Open House for prospective students and their families. Various locations on campus. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email admissions@scranton.edu. Nov. 8 7:30 p.m. 36th annual Henry George Lecture: “Still Worth the Trip? Modern-Era Busing and other Lessons from Urban School Reform” presented by Parag Pathak, Ph.D., professor of economics, MIT. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email janice.mecadon@scranton.edu. Nov. 10 Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “On Democracy, Inequality and Jazz Improvisation” presented by Wayne Winborne, Ph.D., executive director, Institute of Jazz Studies, assistant professor arts culture and media, Rutgers University-Newark. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Nov. 12 7:30 a.m. Schemel Forum bus trip to New York, New York, to August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” $150. Registration required before Sept. 30. Spaces are limited. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Nov. 12 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 17 7 p.m. Lecture featuring Curtis Zunigha, enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians and co-founder/co-director of the Lenape Center. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. McIlhenny Ballroom, The DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Nov. 17-19 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. “Rent” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Call 570-941-7401 or email livaartscompany@gmail.com. Nov. 18 6 p.m.. Schemel Forum with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Collaborative Program: The Royden B. Davis, S.J. Distinguished Author Award Event honoring Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award nominated playwright, novelist and screenwriter. McIlhenny Ballroom, The DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Nov. 18 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Dec. 2 Noon. Schemel Forum’s Munley World Affairs Luncheon Series: “How Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine Changed the World” presented by Trudy Rubin, Worldview columnist, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Dec. 3 8 p.m. Performance Music: “54th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Dec. 5 5 p.m. Community Relations Roundtable: “The Journey from ‘Immigrant’ to Citizen” featuring local resource speakers from a range of backgrounds, in collaboration with the Schemel Forum. The event is part of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project supported by a NEH grant led by The University of Scranton and community partners. PNC Board Room, Brennan Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. Dec. 9 Noon. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Process of Peace, Palermo: An Experience, a Model” presented by Leoluca Orlando, professor, former mayor of Palermo, honorary mayor of Palermo Huila Columbia and cofounder of Global Parliament of Mayors. Rose Room, Brennan Hall or remote. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Dec. 11 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert.” Performance Music student musicians perform solo, duet, trio and small group renditions of a variety of Christmas favorites. Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a monetary donation. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Schemel Courses: Mondays: Sept. 19, 26 and Oct. 3, 17, 24, 31 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “Crossing the Line(s): Reading and Writing Contemporary Poetry” presented by Billie Tadros, Ph.D., assistant professor of English and theatre, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Wednesdays: Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “What is Fascism?” presented by Roy Domenico, Ph.D., professor of history, The University of Scranton. Room 305, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu. Tuesdays: Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 8 6 p.m. Schemel Forum Course: “How a Masterpiece of Medieval Irish Art Bridged the Classical and Christian Worlds” presented by Stephen Whittaker, Ph.D., professor of English and theatre, The University of Scranton. Room 305 Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7816 or email kym.fetsko@scranton.edu.
Marywood University to Host Constitution Day Talk In recognition of Constitution Day, and with the support of the Dean’s Fund for the Humanities, Marywood University’s Social Sciences Department is hosting Dr. Pippa Holloway from the University of Richmond. Dr. Holloway will present a talk on the history and the evolving story of felon disenfranchisement in the United States and its larger connections to voting rights. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Thursday, September 15, from 7-8:30 p.m., in the Upper Nazareth Dining Room, Nazareth Student Center. In addition to Dr. Holloway’s talk, materials will be available to register to vote and receive information about voting in the upcoming Pennsylvania elections in November. Dr. Holloway is the Douglas Southall Freeman Distinguished Professor of History at the University of Richmond and the author of Living in Infamy: Felon Disfranchisement and the History of American Citizenship (Oxford University Press, 2014) and Sexuality, Politics, and Social Control in Virginia, 1920–1945 (UNC Press, 2006).
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center named among best major teaching hospitals Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center was ranked No. 9 on Fortune/Merative’s 2022 “25 Top Teaching Hospitals” list. The rankings are based on public data sets including Medicare cost reports, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review data, and core measures and patient satisfaction data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hospital Compare website. Michelle Thompson, MD, chief education officer and vice dean for graduate medical education and designated institutional official, said, “It’s public affirmation recognizing the clinical leadership team and all Geisinger Wyoming Valley employees for their contributions and efforts leading to a top-quality hospital that allows for an exceptional educational experience for the many residents and students who work and learn here.” According to Erika Fry, a senior writer at Fortune, Merative’s researchers found that hospitals achieving a ranking tend to share seven key characteristics, including: a mature culture (and a commitment to maintaining it)nursing excellencedeeply committed leadershipquality-focused hospital boardsan embrace of datainnovative technology (used in a practical manner), andlocal autonomy within health systems These characteristics come as no surprise to Daniel Landesberg, Geisinger’s associate vice president for clinical operations. “At Geisinger Wyoming Valley, we are fortunate to have everything on Merative’s list – particularly excellent nurses and committed leadership that emphasizes innovation and technology,” he said. “Their energy and focus make our hospital the ideal place for residents and fellows to work and learn.” Fortune also writes that the list, “represents those hospitals that held up best against the pandemic’s ongoing stress test. They achieved better results than peer institutions on performance indicators intended to measure clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience, and financial health. The study, which for this year evaluated 2,650 U.S. hospitals, relies on publicly available Medicare data for its analysis. The Top Hospitals list also considers an organization’s contributions to its community and equity of care.” The list is a debut for Fortune/Merative because Fortune’s long-time research partner, IBM Watson Health, became a standalone company named Merative when it was purchased in 2022.
University of Scranton Degree Ranks in Top 7 Percent A comprehensive analysis of the return on investment (ROI) of college degrees at more than 4,500 colleges in the United States shows the value gains of liberal arts education during the lifetime of a career. The analysis also ranks the ROI of a degree from The University of Scranton among the top 6.1 percent of colleges in the country after 40 years, among the top 7 percent after 30 years and among the top 11 percent after 20 years. The analysis by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce calculated the 40-year net present value of a University of Scranton degree is $1.133 million, which ranked No. 276 of 4,500 colleges in the nation (top 6.1 percent). The 30-year net present value for a Scranton degree was calculated at $842,000, which ranked at No. 310 in the nation (top 7 percent); and the 20-year net present value of a degree was $488,000, which ranked at No. 489 in the country (top 11 percent). The Center ranked 4,500 colleges based on the net value of the degrees at 10, 20, 30 and 40 years after enrollment using data from the expanded College Scorecard. The analysis, published online in the spring of 2022, looked at the net cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, books and supplies, and living expenses, minus aid received from all sources. The Center then calculated the net present value of a degree, which is “a metric that includes costs, future earnings and the length of time it would take to invest and earn a certain amount of money over a fixed horizon.” The analysis found that “bachelor’s degrees from private colleges, on average, have higher ROI than degrees from public colleges 40 years after enrollment. Community colleges and many certificate programs have the highest returns in the short term, 10 years after enrollment, though returns from bachelor’s degrees eventually overtake those of most two-year credentials.” In addition, the analysis showed “the median ROI of liberal arts colleges is nearly $200,000 higher than the median for all colleges. Further, the 40-year median ROI of liberal arts institutions ($918,000) is close to those of four-year engineering and technology-related schools ($917,000), and four-year business and management schools ($913,000).” Scranton has been recognized for its value in other national rankings such as U.S. News & World Report and The Economist. Most recently, Money magazine ranked the University at No. 268 among its selection of just 623 of the nation’s best values for a college education.
