Journal Home Page Fall 2011 All On the Commons

Student News

The following news items highlight the recent recognition received by our students.

Pictured (from left) are: Susan Trussler, Ph.D., Fulbright program advisor at Scranton, and 2011-2012 Fulbright scholarship recipients Gian P. Vergnetti ’08, Philip J. Kachmar ’11, Aileen M. Monks ’10, G’11, Rebecca Bartley ’11 and Kaitlyn L. Doremus ’11. Melissa C. Beltz ’11 is not pictured.
Pictured (from left) are: Susan Trussler, Ph.D., Fulbright program advisor at Scranton, and 2011-2012 Fulbright scholarship recipients Gian P. Vergnetti ’08, Philip J. Kachmar ’11, Aileen M. Monks ’10, G’11, Rebecca Bartley ’11 and Kaitlyn L. Doremus ’11. Melissa C. Beltz ’11 is not pictured.

Continuing Our Fulbright Success

In a banner year for an already strong tradition at Scranton, six graduates were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year. Fublrights are the U.S. government’s premier scholarship program for overseas graduate study, research and teaching. Our recipients are traveling in the United Arab Emirates, India, Germany, Malaysia and Canada.

Since 1972, a total of 134 University students have received grants in the competitions administered by the Institute of International Education. For seven consecutive years, The Chronicle of Higher Education has listed Scranton among the “top producers” of Fulbright awards for American students.

Two More Prestigious Scholarships

Our six Fulbright scholarship recipients weren’t the only Scranton students recognized for their academic excellence and merit.

Abbe Clark ’12, a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major, joined just 274 other sophomore and junior college students in the United States to be awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s most coveted honor in science, mathematics and engineering. She is the ninth Scranton student in the past nine years to have earned the honor.

Sarah Marie Neitz ’12 is one of just 60 students from 54 colleges in the nation to be selected as a 2011 Truman Scholar, awarded to college students who plan to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or public service. A triple major of international studies, Hispanic studies and philosophy, Neitz is the eighth University student to be named a Truman Scholar in Scranton’s history and the fifth since 2000.

The inaugural Weinberg Memorial Library Research Prize was presented this spring. Rosemary Shaver ’12, a double major in history and political science, was selected as the winner, recognizing her knowledge of the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools and services. Charles Kratz (from left), dean of the library, presents the award to Shaver with Brian Conniff, Ph.D., G’80, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Bonnie Oldham, information literacy coordinator, looking on.
The inaugural Weinberg Memorial Library Research Prize was presented this spring. Rosemary Shaver ’12, a double major in history and political science, was selected as the winner, recognizing her knowledge of the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools and services. Charles Kratz (from left), dean of the library, presents the award to Shaver with Brian Conniff, Ph.D., G’80, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Bonnie Oldham, information literacy coordinator, looking on.

More than 50 students participated in the University’s 11th Annual Celebration of Student Scholars in May, displaying their work in poster presentations, as well as through oral presentations.

Student work presented at the event, held in the DeNaples Center, included thesis research, studies conducted as part of the Faculty/Student Research Program (FSRP), results from a President’s Fellowship for Summer Research, and other projects carried out as independent study.

The topics on display varied from the use of social media in the marketing efforts of Fortune 500 companies (only 49 percent used social media links on their corporate websites) to student eating habits according to gender (female students were far more likely to choose salads and fruit with their meals than males).

Other research presentations included:

  • Bath Salts: Proposed Mechanism and Potential Treatments” by neuroscience major Cristina Rivera ’11 of Lansdale and George Gomez, Ph.D., associate professor of biology
  • “Comparative Study: Energy Costs of Walking in Overweight vs. Normal Weight College-Aged Individuals” by exercise science major Sinead Farrelly ’11 of River Ridge, N.J., and Ronald Deitrick, Ph.D., associate professor of exercise science and sport
  • “Effects of anthropogenic carbon dioxide on the sea anemone Aiptasia pillid” by biology and philosophy double major Danielle Torres ’11 of Mountain Top and Janice Voltzow, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Biology Department

Class of 2015: By the Numbers

  • 1,059 members (surpasses previous record of 1,034 incoming students, set just two years ago)
  • 80 transfer students
  • 200 new graduate students
  • 9,045 applicants(an increase of more than 15 percent from previous year)
  • 1,127 average SAT score
  • 15 valedictorians and salutatorians
  • 443 different high schools
  • 15 states
  • 73 legacy children
  • 11 legacy students from alumni couples

Celebrating World Youth Day

The inaugural Weinberg Memorial Library Research Prize was presented this spring. Rosemary Shaver ’12, a double major in history and political science, was selected as the winner, recognizing her knowledge of the methods of research and the information gathering process, and use of library resources, tools and services. Charles Kratz (from left), dean of the library, presents the award to Shaver with Brian Conniff, Ph.D., G’80, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Bonnie Oldham, information literacy coordinator, looking on.

Several Scranton students spent a portion of their summer break sharing and celebrating their faith during World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. The event, held every three years, celebrates the Catholic faith, but invites all youth, regardless of religious convictions, to celebrate. Pictured (front, from left) are: Ryan Schuster, Steph Boccuzzi, Kelsey Hassig, Elena Habersky, Jess Wiler, chaperone Maria Vital, Leahy Family Clinic, (back) chaperone Danielle Frascella, Community Outreach graduate assistant, Andrew Gentilucci, Maureen Bullis and Danny Satterfield.

Family Weekend Showcases Scranton

Chemistry Professor Michael C. Cann, Ph.D., alias Dr. MC², was among the faculty members presenting a class during Family Weekend. Dr. Cann presented “Science Is Fun,” which showcased several exciting and simple science experiments.
Chemistry Professor Michael C. Cann, Ph.D., alias Dr. MC², was among the faculty members presenting a class during Family Weekend. Dr. Cann presented “Science Is Fun,” which showcased several exciting and simple science experiments.

The University unveiled a new direction for Family Weekend to the delight of the more than 2,300 students and family members attending Sept. 30-Oct. 2.

Intended to entertain and inform students and their guests alike with classes, facility tours, games, receptions, performances and fairs, the 2011 event was the best-attended Family Weekend to date.

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