Fall 2025

A Message from our President

Dear Friends:

On any given day, our University’s continued success reflects the extraordinary generosity of Royals and their abiding belief that Scranton offers life-changing opportunities.

The Scranton Journal’s fall issue recounts a recent capital campaign that raised $155.7 million for University causes and delivered an astounding visible addition to campus: four-story Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall. Project faculty liaison Michael Jenkins, Ph.D. ’06, professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Sociology, presents a behind-the-scenes tour of the potential for this new center for innovation and workforce development.

Robert ’68 and Marilyn Weiss’s commitment to entrepreneurship and community connection calls to mind a sentiment shared in St. Ignatius of Loyola’s prayer, Suscipe: “All I have and call my own, you have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it.”

The prayer, written as one of the final elements of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, aptly describes Robert ’68 and Marilyn’s unselfish act, and the countless instances of unfaltering support demonstrated by our alumni.

Another philanthropic family recently established an endowment that will benefit first-generation students majoring in nursing or on the pre-med track. Through this scholarship, siblings Amy Biedlingmaier Brown (Marywood University Class of 1975), Paul Biedlingmaier Jr. ’76 and Mark Biedlingmaier ’80, G’80, pay tribute to two generations of alumni — their parents Paul P. Biedlingmaier, D.D.S. and Romaine Lenherr Biedlingmaier, and grandfather Dr. Ferdinand Biedlingmaier, a dentist from The University of Scranton/St. Thomas College Class of 1912.

The magazine also shares impressive career trajectories of three alumni who attribute their early achievements to a Royal network that provided invaluable internships and affiliations. Carrying forward that leadership tradition are newly appointed chair and CEO Tim Walsh ’92 and award-winning voices in sports and entertainment journalism, Ryan Disdier ’17 and Stephanie Webber ’10.

In the pages ahead, learn about our expansion of mental health training in response to a burgeoning need, and welcome to campus former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, who will mentor students and interact with faculty and administration as a Leahy Distinguished Fellow in Public Service.

Please continue to remember the University in your prayers and be assured of mine in return. GO ROYALS!

Yours Faithfully,
Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J.
President

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