Last spring, the University began altering its landscape in a four-story way with construction on the 300 block of Madison Avenue. Since the official April 8 groundbreaking, milestone moments have punctuated progress on a nearly 90,000 square-foot center for workforce development, applied research and outreach.
In June, Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, announced a $10.5 million gift from Robert S. ’68 and Marilyn A. Weiss. The building will be named Robert S. and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall in honor of the longtime University benefactors.
FACT: The Weiss’ $10.5 million gift is the largest single donation in the University’s 136-year history.
On a sunny Saturday in August, the University held an informal “topping off” ceremony for the Robert S. and Marilyn A. Weiss Hall, placing the top beam on the newest building on campus. Joining Father Marina in signing the beam were representatives of the departments that will be housed in the new facility, members of the President’s Cabinet and those involved in the building’s construction.
October 2024
On October 16, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded the University a $1,321,980 grant in support of the Technology-Driven Transformation in Workforce Development and Innovation project. The grant leverages opportunities in the building for outreach and collaboration with the greater Scranton community and is expected to involve 159 students, 10 businesses and 137 participants. Projects funded impact 188 counties in 10 Appalachian states: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
FACT: Scranton is one of just 20 projects in Pennsylvania selected to receive ARC awards. The project received the seventh-largest award in the Commonwealth.
ARC announced awards of $68.2 million for 65 projects through its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. The ARC grant funding leverages the workforce development, applied research and community outreach opportunities that will be created in the four-story Weiss Hall, including the expanded and dedicated space for the University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
The University plans to begin use of the building for the fall 2025 semester.
FACT: POWER directs federal resources to economic diversification and revitalization projects in Appalachian communities affected by the downturn of the coal industry. The awards amount to ARC’s largest POWER investment since the initiative was launched in 2015.
