Promise.
Five decades ago at The University of Scranton, a decision to invest in the promise of exceptional young adults established a springboard for success.
What began as a four-year, full-tuition scholarship entrusted to incoming students who demonstrated excellence in and out of the classroom progressed into potential realized by generations of Presidential Scholars.
The result of the original investment of education: a Royal continuum of the highest caliber.
That gift of education also creates a virtuous circle. Presidential Scholars fulfill the hopes of generous benefactors by living that legacy every day, making choices that will serve the universal good and engendering support for future Scranton students.
When Presidential Scholarship recipients discuss their alma mater, the focus is never on auspicious entries into the workforce or career accomplishments. Instead, every conversation spotlights the culture of gratitude that exists among alumni from all eras.
Reflections of six Presidential Scholars illustrate the enduring appreciation and sense of community that define the Royal experience.
PATRICK W. SHEA ’78
Partner, Paul Hastings LLP • New York, New York
Major: History 
"The Shea boys were Irish quintuplets. Born at the height of the Baby Boom, my parents at one point had five boys with the oldest only 5 and a half. Fast forward 18 years and that would translate to three college and two law school tuitions all at the
same time. Scholarship money (at a time when it was harder to find) was essential.
Scranton was generous enough to offer me a Presidential Scholarship, and I immediately accepted. My brother Hank went to that other Jesuit school, Georgetown, on a scholarship, but it was an ROTC scholarship with a four-year commitment to the Army. Scranton’s generosity came with no strings attached.
The most important thing the Presidential Scholarship did for me was to open the doors to the University. There, I was mentored by wonderful professors, experienced some of the most profound intellectual and spiritual growth in my life, and met lifelong friends.”
1977: Patrick W. Shea, Dover, New Jersey, shown at center, contributes to a quarterfinal finish for Scranton at The University of Pennsylvania Debate Tournament.
BELINDA JURAN, ESQ. ’81
(Retired) Partner, WilmerHale • Lowell, Massachusetts
Major: Mathematics
"Without a scholarship, I’d never have been able to attend The University of Scranton and my dreams for a college education would have died. Although my parents were proud of my good grades and supportive of my learning, neither had attended
college, so college wasn’t something they saw in my future.
The scholarship gave me the chance to further my education and to build a life that I could never have imagined: a first career in the high-tech industry in the Boston area, followed 10 years later with an MBA and then a law degree, and a second career as a corporate lawyer. I am forever grateful to the donors who made this scholarship possible.”
1981: Then-University of Scranton Academic Vice President Vincent Ponko congratulates Belinda Juran for winning the Frank J. O’Hara Award for General Academic Excellence with a perfect 4.0 quality point average at Class Night 1981.
BRIAN P. LOFTUS, DMD ’92
St. Luke’s University Health Network, Easton Orthodontic Associates • Easton
Majors: Biology, Philosophy
"The University of Scranton’s Presidential Scholarship was a godsend for me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for college, or if enough student loans would be available for me. ... I took advantage of all that a Scranton education had to offer and achieved more than I ever thought possible. I was able to pursue a double major and focus on my goal of getting accepted into dental school.
After graduation, my wife Alisa and I have supported the University, not only because we love the school so much, but also as an attempt to pay back their generosity. We recently started an endowed family scholarship. Both of our children, Brandon ’22 and Amelia ’25, are proud alumni of ‘da U.’”
1996: Brian P. Loftus, DMD ’92, earned a doctor of dental medicine degree with honors.
RYAN SURACE ’03
Co-founder, Partner, Surace & Stanton Certified Public Accountants • Broomall
Major: Accounting | Minor: Mathematics
"The Presidential Scholarship was a springboard for me. The University continues to have a profound impact on my life. From freshman retreat through graduation, Scranton challenged my beliefs, stretched what I thought was possible and provided me with perspective. My belief and value system was forged at the U.
I met my wife (Colleen) on the first day of class freshman year and we celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary in August. ...Colleen and I studied abroad in Beijing in the fall of 2001, which was made possible by the scholarship. We met amazing people from a deep, proud culture that challenged our worldviews during a difficult time in our history.”
2001: In its first year of operation, the Office of Fellowship Programs successfully guided students through the competitive application process. Among the successes in 2001 were Freeman Awards to Ryan M. Surace and Colleen A. Duffy (today, Surace), who began their #ScrantonLoveStory as undergraduates.
SARA WIERBOWSKI, M.D.’19
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Residency Program in Psychiatry • Washington, D.C.
Majors: Philosophy, Neuroscience | Minor: Biochemistry
"When I first learned that I had been awarded the Presidential Scholarship, I already had a lifelong dream of attending medical school someday. ... I was (and still am) incredibly grateful for that opportunity to ultimately attend medical school without undergraduate debt.
Academically, it also allowed me to challenge myself and explore broadly. I could take additional courses, push my boundaries, and pursue opportunities like a medical mission trip. ... By senior year, I had completed my graduation requirements early, which left room for me to seek an internship with The Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA.
“...Scranton also played a central role in my personal life—I met my husband there, and we were married on campus last October. Interestingly, my connection to Presidential Scholars in the class above me helped bring us together.”
2016: All three Wierbowski children, Brad ’13, Shayne ’16 and Sara ’19, were high school valedictorians and went on to become University of Scranton Presidential Scholars. Their parents, Judy ’82 and Dave ’81, also attended the University.
CLAIRE SUNDAY, J.D. ’23
Juris Doctor Graduate From University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Majors: Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies 
"The Presidential Scholarship allowed me ... to be curious about more and to discover more, from religious studies to philosophy to Spanish to political science.
In high school, I knew that I wanted to attend graduate school, even though I was not fully sure what I wanted to pursue. ... I had the opportunity and the freedom to explore my interests and to follow them where they would lead me. Now I realize how much those explorations provided a foundation for me in law school.”
2022: Claire Sunday, J.D. ’23, shown second from right, is part of a second generation to attend Scranton. Royals in her family include her father, Michael Sunday, M.D. ’84, and her siblings Adam Sunday, M.D. ’19 and Madalyne Sunday, M.D. ’19.
