Russell Presented with Arrupe Award
In recognition of her commitment to the advancement of Jesuit ideals and identity, Stephanie Russell, Marquette University’s vice president for mission and ministry, was presented with Scranton’s annual Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministries on May 3. At Marquette, Russell promotes the institution’s mission and identity by focusing on core Catholic values and social teaching, the Ignatian spiritual and educational heritage, and interreligious dialogue. In addition, she oversees the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality and Campus Ministry.
“Both on Marquette’s campus and throughout the country, Stephanie has worked to create a community of leaders, equipped with a deep understanding of our mission and the tools to go forth and articulate it,” says Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., president. The Arrupe Award, which the University instituted in 1995, is named in honor of the late Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the superior general of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983.
Lynett-Haggerty Family to Receive President’s Medal
The Lynett-Haggerty family, owners of Times-Shamrock Communications, will be presented with the University’s President’s Medal at the President’s Business Council (PBC) Eleventh Annual Award Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 4, at The Pierre in New York City. This represents the first time that a family (Cecelia L. Haggerty, Edward J. Lynett Jr. ’65, George V. Lynett, Esq., G’71, and William R. Lynett ’72) has been recognized at the annual gala.
The third generation of family ownership of The Scranton Times, which has grown to become Times-Shamrock Communications, has maintained a close relationship with the University over the past few decades, so it is most appropriate that they are honored collectively.
Natives of Scranton, members of the Lynett-Haggerty family are very active in the local community through their service on numerous boards and philanthropic interests.
In presenting an honoree with the President’s Medal, the University and the PBC recognize excellence in their field and extraordinary compassion for others. Proceeds from the Annual Award Dinner support the University’s Presidential Scholarship Endowment Fund.
That’s Nice of You to Say
Forbes Positions Scranton Among America’s Best
For the fifth consecutive year, Forbes magazine’s online listing of “America’s Best Colleges” included Scranton. The University was ranked No. 293 among the 650 universities in the nation selected.
Scranton Makes the Honor Roll
Thanks in part to the University’s commitment to service, Scranton was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2012. The national distinction recognizes universities “that achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes in the communities they serve.”
U.S. News Continues to Recognize University
For the 19th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Scranton among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” in the 2013 edition of its “Best Colleges” guidebook. In its 2013 “America’s Best Graduate Schools” listings, U.S. News also recognized several of the University master’s degree programs.
Eleven Years & Counting
This marks the 11th consecutive year that Scranton has made The Princeton Review’s “Best 377 Colleges” guidebook. According to the guidebook’s publisher, outstanding academics is the primary criteria for inclusion in the book.
Weinberg Memorial Library Turns 20!
When the Weinberg Memorial Library first opened in June 1992, the Internet was in its infancy. Instead of Google and Wikipedia, University students made use of a then state-of-the-art CD-ROM network. It wasn’t actually prehistoric, it just seems that way.
In recognition of the library’s 20th anniversary, the University has organized several events to celebrate its milestone. Among the noteworthy events is the presentation of the 2012 Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award to Jay Parini, Ph.D., H’05 on Sept. 29. An award-winning poet, biographer, fiction writer and educator, Dr. Parini penned the novel “The Last Station,” which recounts the last year in the life of Russian author Leo Tolstoy.
See the accompanying list for a complete rundown of the upcoming Weinberg Memorial Library anniversary events, which continue through March 2013.
While much has changed in two decades, Charles E. Kratz, dean of the library and information fluency, is particularly proud of what hasn’t: the library’s steadfast commitment to excellence, innovation and responsiveness.
“We look at everything we do through three lenses,” says Kratz of his staff. “How well we are advancing the mission and strategic plan of the University, how well we are meeting the needs of our students and faculty, and how well we are promoting sustainable practices within the library.”
Upcoming Library Anniversary Events
‘Libraries & the Moral Life’ – Carolyn Brown, Director of the Office of Scholarly Programs, Library Congress
Thursday, Oct. 25 • 5:30 p.m.
Brennan Hall, Rose Room, 509
Free & open to the public.
Reservations are preferred.
Native Son: Stephen Karam in Conversation with Paul Holdengraber
Tuesday, Oct. 30 • 5:30 p.m.
Center for Literary & Performing Arts, McDade Theatre
Free & open to the public.
Reservations are preferred.
Václav Havel: Profile of a Hero
Thursday, Nov. 8 • Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Brennan Hall, Rose Room, 509
Luncheon fee: $20
Reservations are preferred.
Free to Schemel Forum members.
Wine-tasting Fundraiser for the Weinberg Library & Leahy Clinic for the Uninsured
Friday, Nov. 16 • 6 to 9 p.m.
DeNaples Center Ballroom
Fee: $20 in advance; $25 at door
Reservations are preferred.
War & Peace: Current Issues
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 • 5:30 p.m.
Brennan Hall, Pearn Auditorium, Room 228
Free & open to the public.
Reservations are preferred.
For information, contact Kym Fetsko at (570) 941-7816 or visit www.scranton.edu/wml.
Once You Pop ...
You don’t have to stop – at least according to a recent research study by Scranton Chemistry Professor Joe Vinson, Ph.D.
Dr. Vinson – and Michael G. Coco ’13, an undergraduate chemistry major who participated in the study – reported that popcorn contains more of the healthful antioxidant substances called “polyphenols” than fruits and vegetables. *Though Dr. Vinson points out that popcorn cannot replace fresh fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet.
The duo presented their findings at the 243rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, in San Diego, Calif., in March. Upon its publication, the study was reported by news outlets throughout the nation, including USA Today, CBS News and Men’s Health magazine.
Alpha Sigma Nu Honors Talarico
Vanessa Silla-Zaleski Talarico, Ed.D., associate professor of education at Scranton, was named the 2011-12 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year.
The award, formally known as the Gannon Award, in honor of Fr. Edward Gannon, S.J., is the oldest teaching award at the University. Established in 1969 by the University’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, the award recognizes outstanding teaching among faculty. Student members of Alpha Sigma Nu select the professor to be honored.
The citation read at the ceremony included comments submitted with ballots, such as “Dr. Talarico cares for each student [and is] committed to excellence.” Another wrote that “she is so willing to go above and beyond for any student.” Several students noted that she has served as a chaperone on international service trips, illustrating her commitment to students’ development outside as well as inside the classroom.
Dr. Talarico joined the University faculty in 2005.
Ferzola Named CASE Teacher of the Year
The University named Anthony P. Ferzola, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, as its CASE Professor of the Year in recognition of his outstanding performance as a member of the faculty.
In addition to teaching a broad range of mathematics classes, Dr. Ferzola has developed several courses during his more than 20-year tenure at the University. Together with Josephine Dunn, Ph.D., professor of history, he created the interdisciplinary course “Mathematics and the Visual Arts,” which he and Dr. Dunn team-teach. He also developed the capstone course for the biomathematics major “Topics in Biomathematics,” which he teaches. In addition, he has offered many tutorials and readers, including sabermetrics, which is the study of advanced statistics in baseball.
Dr. Ferzola has received awards for academic research and teaching, including the Provost’s Award for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning from the University in 2007.
He joined the faculty at the University in 1990.
Our Fulbright Tradition Continues
Five University graduates were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year. Pictured (from left) are Harold Baillie, Ph.D., senior vice president for academic affairs and provost; Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., president; Anna DiColli ’10, who was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in public health to Spain; Kathleen Lavelle ’12, who won a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Spain; Ellen (Maggie) Coyne ’12, who received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to South Korea; and Susan Trussler, Ph.D., Fulbright Program Adviser and associate professor of economics/finance. Fulbright recipients C.J. Libassi ’10, who won a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Spain, and Nicole Linko ’12, who will conduct research highlighting “The Transformation of the Estonian Economy” at the University of Tartu in Estonia, are absent from photo.
Double Major Earns Coveted Scholarship
As if excelling with a double major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and English wasn’t rare enough, Bradley M. Wierbowski ’13 just became even more notable. The double major earned one of the nation’s most coveted honors in science, mathematics and engineering – the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. He joins just 282 students from elite colleges from across the nation – including just three Jesuit universities – to be awarded a Goldwater Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year.
A member of the University’s Honors Program, Wierbowski is the 10th Scranton student in the past decade to receive this prestigious honor that recognizes excellence in research, as well as exceptional academic achievement in science, mathematics and engineering.
University Student’s Team Wins Business Plan Competition
In June, more than 200 professionals gathered to honor Andrew Torba ’13 and his business partners as they were named the winners of the 10th Annual Great Valley Business Plan Competition (GVBPC).
This year’s GVBPC awarded $100,000 in cash and in-kind support to two entrepreneurial teams. Those eligible to enter the competition include students from the region’s 14 colleges and universities along with non-collegiate entrepreneurs. After careful deliberation, the judges selected collegiate team Kuhcoon LLC, whose team consisted of Torba, Mike Toma from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, and Charles Szymanski from the Pennoni Honors College at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Kuhcoon LLC is an interactive social media management and growth service.
It’s mission is to provide business owners with “an extraordinary social media community,” according to Torba.
Torba, a philosophy major with minors in both entrepreneurship and political science, first learned of the competition through the entrepreneurship program.
First Graduation, Then Volunteering
Twenty-three members of the University’s class of 2012 are working as long-term volunteers following graduation. The volunteers have committed to a variety of programs, including Teach for America, Jesuit Volunteer Corps and Mercy Volunteer Corps. The graduates gathered with President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., for a reception during commencement weekend. Pictured are (front, from left) Cara Brindley, Kim Hosgood, Kathleen Kardos, Kelly Lillis, Father Quinn, Kathryn Rigby, Brittany Dolan, Veronica Dress and Nicole Golonski. Standing (from left) are Marianne Patterson, Laura Capasso, Kathleen Tuohy, Eddie Ocasio, Sarah Neitz, Rob Gadomski, Allison Davis, Rosa Todaro, Andrew Kelly, Katie Gonzalez, Michael Wiencek and Sal Frangipane. Caitlin Hopkins, Dave Hopp and Marie Libassi are absent from the photograph.
Committed to Serving Others
Do you have 300 to 450 hours to devote to service? Nine Scranton students did, completing a year of community service projects and specialized service trips as AmeriCorps Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania.
Individually, the students worked with local organizations such as the St. Joseph’s Center, Scranton Habitat for Humanity, SMART mentoring program, Scranton Prep’s basketball team, STELLAR, St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen, Goodwill GoodGuides mentoring program and EFFORT (Excess Food For Others Recovery Team). As a group, they helped organize the annual Center for Service and Social Justice’s Easter Eggstravaganza, which provides Easter baskets and other activities for area children.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that University students have been honored with this award.
Honored for Promoting Healthy Living
Through regular health initiatives, the University promotes healthy living to its students, faculty and staff. The institution’s commitment is obvious on campus, thanks in large part to its new 14,000-square-foot fitness center and multitude of dietary options in its on-campus dining facilities.
These amenities were the focal point of a recent listing that ranked Scranton as the 25th “Healthiest” college in the United States, according to Greatist.com, an online source for health and fitness information.
By the Numbers: Class of 2016
20 – valedictorians & salutatorians
92 – legacy children of Scranton alumni
434 – high schools
971 – members
1,134 – average SAT score
Celebrating the Loyola Science Center as a Human Endeavor
The University is celebrating the completion of the Loyola Science Center with a dedication ceremony on Friday, Sept. 28, at four o’clock in the afternoon. The ceremony will be held on the Dionne Campus Green opposite the Commons entrance to the Loyola Science Center. It will be followed by a reception and tours. All are welcome. The dedication kicks off a semester-long series of events to give the campus and community an opportunity to experience firsthand the center.
For more information about the Loyola Science Center & a schedule of events, visit scranton.edu/LSCcelebration.
