University News

Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Bids Farewell as 2011 Commencement Speaker

This year's commencement speaker is already well-known on campus. The University's Board of Trustees has invited Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., the 24th president of The University of Scranton, to serve as the principal speaker at the 2011 undergraduate commencement on May 29.  An accomplished leader, scholar and teacher, Father Pilarz's mark on Scranton will remain long after he begins his service as president of Marquette University this summer. Since Father's arrival at Scranton in 2003, the University has earned national recognition for academic quality, community engagement and student success. read more

Student Spotlight

Doors Open for Two NEPA Students: University's 2011 Goldwater Scholars

In the rarefied world of university scholarship there are three kinds of students: smart, really smart and Goldwater scholars. Maria Gubbiotti and Melissa Wasilewski, both from Northeastern Pennsylvania, are Goldwater scholars, the premier undergraduate scholarship program for students studying mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. Maria, from Falls, and Melissa, from Clarks Summit, are both members of the Class of 2011.  read more

University-Community Partnerships

University & Scranton High School Partner to Host National Debates 

More than 300 students from high schools across the country participated in the 2011 National Debate Coaches Association's (NDCA) National Championships, hosted by The University of Scranton and Scranton High School in April. Elite students from 23 states - including Alabama, Iowa, Minnesota and California - debated topics ranging from the treatment of juveniles in the U.S. criminal justice system to the use of financial incentives to encourage organ donation. Previous NDCA National Championships host sites include Michigan State University, Northwestern University and, most recently, Georgetown University.  read more  

Former Lackawanna County Prison Inmates and Education Department Students Unite for Original Play 

Though they may not seem the most likely of two crowds to get together, a group of University of Scranton students and former Lackawanna County Prison inmates joined forces to deliver stories - both their own and others' - of triumph and happiness, isolation and sorrow.  Ten education majors and three former inmates took the stage for a performance of "We Rise," written and directed by award winning playwright Nancy Hasty, on May 3 in a packed Moskovitz Theater.  The idea for the play stemmed from a collaboration between the University's Education Department and Hasty, who has conducted arts programs at the prison for the past five years. read more

 

 

Campus & Neighborhood

Students, Alumni Team Up for Annual Hill Section Street Sweep

University of Scranton students and alumni joined forces on a recent spring Saturday to clean up litter from the Hill Section streets. Despite inclement weather, approximately 200 students and 20 alumni and their families participated in the annual Scranton Street Sweep on April 16. The sweep was organized by Student Government in conjunction with the Alumni Day of Service, for which alumni chapters organized nearly a dozen service projects at sites across the east coast. The Scranton Alumni Chapter teamed with students representing approximately 20 clubs and organizations to clean the 300 and 400 blocks from Madison through Taylor avenues for the Scranton Street Sweep.

May: Month of Transition on Campus  

Neighbors can expect a higher volume of visitors and traffic around campus on the following dates:

Move Out Day on May 21 will involve freshmen, sophomores 

and juniors campus-wide as they pack up and leave for the summer months. 

Graduate Commencement will take place on May 28 at the Byron Center.  

Undergraduate Commencement draws hundreds to the area for a ceremony on May 29 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre. 

Special Summer Programs

University Hosts Summer Athletics Camps

The University is hosting a variety of athletics summer camps in June, July and August, including boys basketball, soccer and girls basketball.  If you are interested in enrolling your child in one of these summer camps, please visit the Athletics website.

Upcoming in May & June

May 12: Israel and American Jewry: A New Relationship, 7:30 p.m. 
The University's Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute will host a lecture by Brandeis University professor, Leonard Saxe, Ph.D., Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall, Free, read more 

 

May 12-14: New Director's Workshop, 8 p.m.

Three distinct evenings of scenes directed by students from the Directing For Theatre class, Studio Theatre, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts, Ticket prices vary, read more

May 13: Spring Concert Featuring B.o.B., 8 p.m. 

Spring Concert featuring B.o.B. hosted by the University of Scranton Programming Board (USPB),

Must be 18 or older to attend, Byron Complex, Ticket prices vary, Call 941-7463.

May 14: Pre-Commencement Concert, 7:30 p.m. 

Featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band and Singers, Houlihan-McLean Center, Free, read more

May 20: New Tools for University-Downtown Cooperation, 8:30 a.m.

Downtown Scranton businesses & cultural venues are invited to a meeting exploring new tools for cooperation, Free (registration required), call 941-4419 or email community@scranton.edu. 

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