Nine Students Named Scholars in Service
Nine University students have taken their commitment to service to new heights. The students were recognized as AmeriCorps Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania for the 2011-12 academic year, committing to complete 300 or 450 hours of individual service in the community during the academic year.
Receiving the Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania Award are Robert Cermignano ’14; Gina-Lou Desplantes ’13; Michelle Dougherty ’14; Nora Henry ’14; Kady Luchetti ’12; Kendrick Monestime ’12; Timothy Plamondon ’14; Alyssa Thorley ’13; and Michael Wiencek ’12. This is the fourth consecutive year that Scranton students have been honored
with this recognition.
Ten Receive Presidential Scholarships
The University awarded four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships to 10 incoming students with exemplary records of high school achievement and community involvement. Seated (from left) are President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., and Presidential Scholars Katherine Fields and Catherine Thurston. Standing (from left) are Presidential Scholars Michelle Graham, Victoria Wrightson, Joseph Breslin, Dustin Frisbie, Joshua Ray Jimenez, Benjamin Turcea, Michael McCabe and Maria Cleary. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition provided the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average.
Scranton Nursing Graduates Top of the Class
Scranton nursing graduates know their craft. Our nursing program graduates once again have exceeded the National Council Licensure Examination average pass rates at the state and national levels for first-time test-takers between fall 2010 and fall 2011, which is the most current data available.
The University’s pass rate of 93.65 percent places it in the top 22 percent of colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and well above the state’s average pass rate of 87.66 percent.
The average national pass rate year-to-date for first-time students with a baccalaureate degree is 89.54 percent, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.
Learning Through Listening in Los Angeles
During an intersession service trip to Los Angeles, a group of University students had an unlikely set of instructors: former gang members. The Scranton contingent visited Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention and re-entry program in the nation, observing and listening to the life stories shared by the workers on staff. The trip was inspired by Rev. Gregory Boyle, S.J., the founder of Homeboy Industries, who was awarded the University’s Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award last year.
Kerry Delaney ’14 said the experience was just as important as traditional service and volunteer work. “It can be just as powerful, if not more powerful, for people to listen and then be able to tell others about what’s going on,” she says. During the trip, students also visited Dolores Mission Church, the smallest church in Los Angeles, and helped serve meals to approximately 60 homeless people.
Local Officials, Students Get Political
As part of Political Engagement Week, planned by University students, staff and faculty around the November elections, the University hosted an on-campus panel discussion titled, “Think Global, Act Local.”
The six panel members were College Democrats President Megan Davidovich ’13, Student Government President Adam Gault ’12, College Republicans President Mike Mulraney ’12, Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo, and Scranton City Council members Bob McGoff and Pat Rogan.
The discussion started on the topic of what the role of a local official is, but soon moved to what potential for political engagement existed for students at the University.
There have been several recent political accomplishments by University students. Recently, the College Democrats chapter won a Rising Star Chapter Award at the annual College Democrats of America Conference, presented for the chapter’s increase in membership and efforts to increase voter registration. Last year, the Debate Society hosted a debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans.
