Sister Elizabeth Johnson Receives Arrupe Award
Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J., the 2024 recipient of The University of Scranton’s Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministry, presented “Jesus and the Earth: Seeing Christ Through an Ecological Lens” at the award ceremony on campus. Sister Johnson, hailed by The National Catholic Reporter as “one of the country’s most prominent and respected theologians,”served as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America. She is internationally known for her work in systematic, feminist and ecological theology. The University created the Arrupe Award in 1995 to recognize persons who have furthered in a significant way the Ignatian mission. The award is named for the late Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus.
Encyclical Letter Inspires Earth Day Theme
In recognition of Pope Francis’ call toward environmental sustainability, the University’s Sustainability Office chose “Sustainable Living, Caring for Creation” as the theme for this spring’s Earth Day celebration, which included nearly a dozen events such as a daylong Environmental Teach-In, Environmental Art Show and essay contest. The theme was inspired by Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical letter “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” and The University of Scranton’s commitment to join a coalition of colleges from around the world to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives around seven ecological goals over a seven-year period to meet the Pope’s call for integral ecology and to gain designation by the Vatican as a Laudato Si’ University.
Students Making a Difference as They Leave Campus
University of Scranton students living off-campus have developed an informal method of reselling or donating furniture to other student apartment dwellers when they move out at graduation. By reusing furniture, they are reducing waste. University students also donate bedding, clothing, decorations and a host of other smaller items through the End of the Year Drive organized by the Center of Service and Social Justice. This organized effort places donation boxes throughout campus to make it convenient for students to donate, rather than discard, items.
