Four Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students at Misericordia University successfully defended their dissertations recently by making a final oral defense of their cumulative scholarly research project at the annual capstone presentations on campus.

Students critically evaluate scientific literature while completing the rigorous project in order to develop evidence-based practice approaches that improve outcomes in the health care system. The class addressed a variety of practice problems, including the importance of healthy nutrition for children, reducing stress for non-traditional nursing students, glycemic control and increasing colorectal cancer screenings. Catherine Zurawski, D.N.P., C.R.N.P., F.N.P.-C., assistant professor of nursing, served as a faculty mentor.

The students will receive their doctorate degrees during the ninth annual winter commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 15 in the Anderson Sports and Health Center.

Misericordia University features the oldest nursing program in the region and graduates more students in the health sciences than any other college or university in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers three undergraduate nursing programs: traditional, full-time nursing students; part-time accelerated evening program for adult students, and the RN to BSN Expressway Program. The undergraduate nursing programs meet the special educational and scheduling needs of adult and traditional students. They all lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program meets the special needs of current BSN registered nurses who desire an advanced practice specialization as a family nurse practitioner. Misericordia also offers a post-master's certificate as a family nurse practitioner for nurses who already have an advanced clinical master's degree and who wish to change or expand their practice focus to primary care. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education in health assessment, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions with expertise in health promotion and disease prevention. Graduate programming leads to the MSN and provides course work in a convenient part-time, one-day-a-week format.

The University also offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program in two formats to accommodate the needs of busy health care professionals and in response to growing national need.

For more information about the nursing program at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/nursing.

Caption:

Misericordia University Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree students successfully defended their dissertations by making a final oral defense of their cumulative scholarly research project at the annual Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Synthesis. DNP students who made presentations and their faculty mentors, included first row from left, Amanda Turoni, Scranton, Pa.; Priyanka Patel, Plains Twp., Pa.; Sarah Brown, Shavertown, Pa., and Grace Olshefski, Kingston, Pa.; second row, Oradell Banker, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., clinical placement coordinator, graduate nursing program; Catherine Zurawski, D.N.P., C.RN.P., F.N.P.-C, assistant professor; Jacklyn DelPrete, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., assistant professor; Pamela Dwyer, D.N.P., C.R.N.P.., F.N.P.-C., assistant professor and chair, graduate nursing program, and Brenda L. Hage, Ph.D.., DN.P., C.R.N.P., professor.

The Misericordia University community celebrated an important milestone in the construction of the $45 million Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center by holding a beam signing ceremony to commemorate the beam being ready to be put in place for the 57,400-square foot academic building.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the Mercy institution of higher education signed the steel beam throughout the day in front of the construction site, with the highlight being a late morning ceremony featuring special remarks from President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs David B. Rehm, Ph.D., Trustee emeritus Sandy Insalaco, Sr., Trustees Mary Erwine, Chris Borton and Marjorie Marquart, chemistry major Ricky Averill of Harrisburg, and more.

"When I was first approached to co-chair the 'Now for Tomorrow' campaign, along with Sandy Insalaco, my immediate reaction wasn't why, but rather, why not?'' Trustee Erwine said. "I really hadn't given much thought to the fact that we had recently undertaken and successfully completed two major campaigns within the last 10 years. Nor did I give any consideration to the reality that this campaign, with an unprecedented fundraising goal of $30 million, will be our most ambitious – ever.''

"As a trustee emeritus, I am honored to share the Misericordia story and message about how transformational this campaign can and must be,'' Mr. Insalaco added. "But the narrative isn't completely written just yet. We still have work to do and other fundraising thresholds to achieve. Nonetheless, special thanks must be offered to all those whose remarkable commitments of time and talent are bringing to life the Henry Science Center – a 21^st century facility that will embody superior teaching, learning and research.''

Students and faculty will begin to use the new wing of the Henry Science Center during the 2020 fall semester, with the renovation of the existing 28,500-square-foot Science Hall wing to commence shortly thereafter. The overall 85,900-square-foot construction and renovation project will be the largest academic building on campus when it is completed for the 2021 fall semester.

"What an exciting day,'' President Botzman said, following remarks from Trustee Erwine. "It was just a few short weeks ago that the first steel beam arrived on campus, and today, we are already installing the last one. The Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Science Center is no longer just a dream. If you have not signed the beam, be sure to do so and be part of history in the making.

"For each and every person who has made this building possible, we are thankful. It has been years in the planning, and many faculty and staff have been beyond patient. I am confident your patience is going to pay off, as the new Henry Science Center promises opportunity to students and faculty beyond what we can even imagine,'' President Botzman added.

The late Frank M. Henry provided the lead gift for "Now for Tomorrow: The Campaign for Misericordia University," which supports construction of the comprehensive Henry Science Center, and provides significant investment in the Misericordia Fund and endowment for additional scholarship opportunities for worthy students.

"Our community friend, Frank Henry came forward at the start of the campaign with a leadership gift unlike any other Misericordia had seen along with a challenge,'' President Botzman added, quoting the late Mr. Henry as saying 'this is a big one (project) for Misericordia. I know you need my help. Please use my gift to challenge others.' "And we promised Frank we would do that, and I know all of us here are doing our best every day to be sure we are meeting his expectation.''

The Henry Science Center puts science clearly on display while meeting the demands of the 21^st-century model of learner-based and discovery-based teaching, which requires a deliberate mix of modern laboratories, technologies and learning spaces. A two-story glass curtain-wall on the north façade of the new will permit views from the center of campus into the new teaching labs.

Rich in technology, the Henry Science Center's design will provide a number of dedicated laboratories and workspaces for specific areas of inquiry, including a small mammal vivarium, aquatic/invertebrate vivarium, computer building lab and 10 new teaching labs in biology, chemistry and physics. An organic chemistry lab will be adjacent to the learning center dedicated to the nuclear magnetic resonance instrument, better known as an NMR. A new cold room will enable advanced molecular experiments, while a cadaver suite – complete with an integrated control room, Anatomage room, and laboratory and preparatory space – will expand learning opportunities for students in the health and medical sciences, which comprise about 54% of the study body.

"It seems like only yesterday that my fellow trustees and I approved the most ambitious and consequential construction project ever to occur on our campus,'' Trustee Chairperson Borton said. "Our approval was validation of the exceptional teaching and learning that occurs within our classrooms, clinics, laboratories and other settings. It was confirmation of our belief that when – not if – we build it, students will come and excel."

For more information about "Now for Tomorrow: The Campaign for Misericordia University," please log on to www.nft.misericordia.edu. To monitor progress of the project, please go to www.misericordia.edu/henryscience.

Misericordia University students, alumni and faculty will be featured when WVIA premieres the documentary, “The Voices Project: Mental Health,” on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. The film chronicles the student research project designed to promote the understanding and reduce the stigma of mental illness. The film will air throughout the month on WVIA in observance of Mental Health Awareness Month.

“The Voices Project: Mental Health” is the fourth chapter in an on-ongoing research project conducted by Alicia Nordstrom, Ph.D., professor of psychology, that explores society’s attitudes towards individuals considered different. In the fall of 2016, Dr. Nordstrom collaborated with Amanda Caleb, Ph.D., associate professor of English and Medical and Health Humanities, to have their students interview more than 60 people with mental health conditions and their family members to learn about their lives. A wide variety of conditions were explored including anxiety, depression, suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Based on their interviews, the students wrote a first-person narrative about the person they interviewed to share how the mental health conditions affect their lives. A team of faculty members from history, English, mass communications and psychology integrated the narratives into a theatrical performance. It debuted on the Misericordia campus in April 2017, and was selected for the Plays with a Purpose Outreach Program and presented at the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in Manhattan.

The 30-minute documentary captures actual interviews conducted by Misericordia students with individuals experiencing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and eating disorders, as well as family members of those with substance abuse and Alzheimer’s disease. The Misericordia students featured include Faith Sinclair, a nursing major from Saco, Maine; Ian Anderson, a nursing major from Mountainville, New York; Sarah Bender, a statistics major from Raritan, New Jersey, and Kierra Berrin, a health sciences major in the occupational therapy program from Babylon, New York, and 2018 alumna Courtney Answini, a sport management student from Wilkes-Barre.

“I am so proud of our students and the thoughtful insight they have provided. To have WVIA air ‘The Voices Project: Mental Health’ across the region underscores the need for people with mental health conditions – and their families – to be heard and understood,” Dr. Nordstrom said. “As an academic at heart, I'm always learning ways to improve on my projects in order to deepen the learning of my students and share what we have experienced. The power of these interviews will benefit the entire community.”

In addition to the Oct. 10 premiere, the documentary will air on Oct. 10 at 8:30 p.m., Oct. 11 at 1 and 1:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct.13 at 4:30 p.m.

The original The Voices Project in 2009 addressed stereotypes and prejudice towards individuals from different groups including race, religion, ethnic, sexual orientation, social class, and health status. The second phase involved individuals with physical health conditions, including deafness, blindness, dwarfism, spinal cord injury and stroke. WVIA videotaped the staged reading of the program and broadcast it multiple times. A link to the 52-minute video is at www.misericordia.edu/voicesproject.

“Voices U.S./U.K.” was produced in 2014-15 as the third phase of the project focusing on sociological and cultural differences on the two continents involving students from Blackburn College in Lancashire, England. As with the other Voices Projects, many misconceptions held by both sets of students were debunked through the process.

Dr. Nordstrom is a clinical child psychologist who joined the Misericordia University faculty in 2004. She has presented her Voices Project research findings at conferences in Canada, France and across the U.S., and received teaching awards from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues and the Social Psychology Network for her work. She also presented a talk at TEDxLancaster in 2016.

For more information about the Department of Psychology at Misericordia University, please call (570) 674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/psych.

Caption:

Misericordia University students, alumni and faculty will be featured when WVIA premieres the documentary, ‘The Voices Project: Mental Health,’ on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. Shown, front row from left, are students Sarah Bender, Raritan, N.J., and Faith Sinclair, Saco, Maine; and faculty members Amanda Caleb, Ph.D., associate professor of English and Medical and Health Humanities, and Alicia Nordstrom, Ph.D., professor of psychology; second row, students Kierra Berrin, Babylon, N.Y., and Ian Anderson, Mountainville, N.Y.

Misericordia University recently welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, Linda Auker, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of biology. She earned her doctorate in zoology from the University of New Hampshire. Kara Carmack, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of fine arts. She earned her doctorate in art history from The University of Texas at Austin. Patrick Danner, Ph.D., has been appointed an assistant professor of English. He earned his doctorate in rhetoric and composition from the University of Louisville. Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor of psychology. She holds a doctorate in experimental psychology from The University of Alabama. Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., was appointed as an assistant professor of biology after earning his doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Toronto, Ontario. Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., has been named an assistant professor of teacher education. She holds a doctorate in teaching and curriculum from Northcentral University.

In the College of Business, John Ash, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of business. He holds a doctorate degree in health services administration from Walden University. Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of business. He earned his doctorate in management from The University of Alabama. Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., has been named an associate professor of business after earning a doctorate degree in financial economics from The University of New Orleans.

In the College of Health Sciences and Education, Reethee Antony, MPhil, has been named an assistant professor of speech-language pathology. She holds a master of philosophy degree from the City University of New York. Melissa Cencetti, P.T., D.P.T., Ed.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physical therapy. She holds doctorate degrees in physical therapy from Arcadia University and educational leadership from Wilkes University. Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing. He holds a Master of Science in nursing degree from American Sentinel University. Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of occupational therapy after earning her doctorate in occupational therapy from Misericordia University.

Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., has been named associate professor of social work. She holds a doctorate in social work from Widener University. Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., has been appointed as an associate professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Wilkes University. Gerard Maritato, M.D., has been named an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Emory University School of Medicine. Dana Simon, M.S., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. She holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Marywood University. Melissa Weidner, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. Rebecca Zukowski, PH.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of nursing after earning her doctorate in administration and leadership studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Caption:

Misericordia University welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. Participating in the program, seated from left, are Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor, psychology; Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; Linda Auker, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Reethee Antony, MPhil., assistant professor, speech-language pathology, and Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; standing, John Ash, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., associate professor, business; Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., assistant professor, occupational therapy; Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Gerard Maritato, M.D., assistant professor, physician assistant studies; Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., assistant professor, teacher education; Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Patrick Danner, Ph.D., assistant professor, English; Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., associate professor, social work; Kara Carmack, Ph.D., assistant professor, fine arts, and Dana Simon, M.S., assistant professor, physician assistant studies.

Polar adventurer, expedition guide, author and educator Eric Larsen has spent the past 20 years traveling in some of the most remote and extreme environments on the planet from the North and South Poles to Mount Everest and Ellesmere Island. His travels and experiences will be the basis for two presentations at Misericordia University on Monday, Nov. 4 in Huntzinger and Alden Trust Rooms 218-219 of Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall.

A Soyka Fund for the Humanities-sponsored event, Larsen will present, "A Conversation on Global Warming and the Arctic Ice Cap,'' from 4-5 p.m. His second presentation, "On Thin Ice,'' is from 7:30-8:30 p.m. The Misericordia University Honors Program and departments of Biology, and History and Government are co-sponsoring the programming. The presentations are free, and open to the public.

In his first session, Larsen will screen a 20-minute clip from his film, "Melting: Last Race to the Pole,'' which documents his 53-day expedition with Ryan Waters to the North Pole and the dramatic warming they witnessed of the polar ice cap. Following the film, Brian F. Carso, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor of history and government, will interview the guest speaker about the expedition, the making of the film, and the implications of warming artic sea ice.

During the evening session, participants will experience Larsen's life through the lens of his stories based on nearly 20 years of extreme expeditions. He will share stories about encounters with polar bears, extreme cold, thin ice, avalanches, and much more, weaving themes of innovation, risk and uncertainty into the presentation while highlighting his own efforts to grow and expand environmental awareness into the future.

"Mr. Larsen's visit will continue an ongoing examination of climate change and the challenge of environmental sustainability,'' Dr. Carso said, "while also highlighting the human instinct of curiosity and exploration, and the quest to know ourselves and our world.''

To date, Larsen has completed more North and South Pole expeditions than any other American in history has. Included in that list are the first-ever summer expedition to the North Pole as well as a world-record expedition to the South Pole, North Pole and top of Mount Everest all within a 365-day period.

In May 2014, Larsen and Waters traveled unsupported from northern Ellesmere Island to the geographic North Pole in 53 days. "Animal Planet'' and the "Discovery Channel" featured this journey on the television shows in the United States and around the world, respectively. Larsen's award-winning book, "On This Ice: An Epic Final Quest into the Melting Arctic,'' also details his adventure. 

Larsen and Waters also completed the first ascent of Jabou Ri, a 6,000-meter peak in the remote Rolwaling region of Nepal in 2015. Larsen's other expeditions include dog sledding in the Canadian Arctic, training trips to Hudson Bay and countless dog sled races, including the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.

In addition, Larsen is the founder of COLDER Films, a small-by-design production company focused on creating dynamic media content that is visually captivating, emotional and informative. He has dedicated his adult life to sharing his love for the outdoor world with others. As an educator, he strives to connect people to places and issues.

He and his wife, Maria, have two children. The family resides in the small mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado. For more information about his career and explorations, please log on to www.ericlarsenexplore.com.

For more information about the Department of History and Government at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/history.

The Misericordia University Board of Trustees honored four people at the annual Trustee Associates Gala on Saturday, whose leadership, generosity, dedication and benevolence has enabled the institution of higher education to fully live its Catholic mission and evolve into a nationally ranked University.

Trustee emeritus Sherry A. Manetta and Barbara A. Soyka received the Trustee Associates Award at the annual gala for demonstrating outstanding dedication, service and generosity in support of Misericordia University. Manetta, a member of the Class of 1972, served her alma mater for 15 years as a respected trustee. Soyka, a retired English teacher at Coughlin High School for 38 years and generous benefactor to a number of Misericordia initiatives, passed away in March. Agnes A. Toloczko Cardoni, a member of the Class of 1969, accepted the award on behalf of Soyka.

Sidney Friedman, a local businessperson and philanthropist, and Mary Elizabeth “Liz” Rienzo Noll, a member of the Class of 1947, received the inaugural Mercy Mission Medals for their lifetime commitment to Misericordia, and for sharing their expertise and treasure to advance the University’s mission and core values.

“All of our honorees hold a well-deserved position of distinction among Misericordia University benefactors,’’ said President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., about those being honored at the Huntsville Golf Club. “Our students and alumni benefit from the generosity of many individuals and organizations, and those donors who we honor with our Trustee Associates Award and new Mercy Mission Medal are among our most caring and consequential contributors to student success.’’

Ms. Manetta received her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, cum laude, from Misericordia. She thoroughly lives the mission and fully displays Mercy, Service, Justice and Hospitality through her many actions and deeds in her personal and professional lives. A highly successful businessperson in the insurance and financial services industries, she has held prominent positions at Ernst & Young, Aetna, HealthRight, Inc., The Phoenix Companies, Conning Investment Management Co., and Glenwood Strategies LLC.

Throughout her career, Ms. Manetta has given back to her communities through her volunteer work. At Community Partners in Action, she advocated for criminal justice reform. She also has served on the boards of numerous nonprofits in Connecticut, Illinois and New York that focused on social justice and education. At Misericordia, she and her husband endowed the Brian Harvey and Sherry Manetta ’72 Scholarship for the Ruth Matthews Bourger Women with Children Program. In addition, they continue to support many other worthwhile programs and initiatives.

Ms. Manetta and her husband, Brian Harvey, live in Avon, Connecticut.

Misericordia will forever know Ms. Soyka as a great friend and benefactor. A certified master gardener and an expert on Shakespeare, her love and devotion to Misericordia began when she helped design the authentic Sister Regina Kelly Shakespeare Garden on campus. She subsequently established the Barbara Soyka Endowed Fund for the ongoing care of the Shakespeare Garden.

In subsequent years, Ms. Soyka also established the Soyka Women Endowed Scholarship for the Bourger Women with Children Program and then collaborated to endow the Barbara Soyka/Charlotte Newcombe Endowed Scholarship for Mature Women. A native of Kingston, Ms. Soyka founded the Soyka Fund for the Humanities in support of her passion for the humanities. The fund generously supports a wide range of lectures, projects and exhibits at Misericordia University.

Mr. Friedman, his late wife, Pauline “Pauly” Friedman and their children have been among the University’s most dedicated benefactors. Misericordia’s art gallery and a home for the Bourger Women with Children Program bear the family name.

Mrs. Friedman’s close relationship with Misericordia began in the early 1970s when she was among the community leaders recruited for a new advisory board to the Board of Trustees. She enthusiastically joined and served as vice chairperson for a number of years. A follower of the arts, she served as the first president of the Misericordia art gallery in 1977, and worked to improve its resources and facilities. She also was among the founders of the Ethics Institute of Northeastern Pennsylvania at Misericordia University.

In 1991, the family endowed the Sidney and Pauline Friedman Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a worthy student majoring in physical therapy. The family also endowed the Pauly and Sidney Friedman Excellence in Service Award that is given annually to a member of the faculty in recognition of their service to the University and greater community.

In 2004, the University recognized the couple’s generosity and leadership by awarding them the Trustee Associates Award. Mrs. Friedman passed away in 2008 after a lengthy illness. A year later, the University memorialized her with the official dedications of the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery and the Pauly House for the Bourger Women with Children Program.

The family has remained engaged with Misericordia, as the couple’s son, Rob Friedman, served on the Board of Trustees from 2011-14.

Mr. Friedman lives in Kingston.

An active alumna, stellar class agent, energetic class president and emerita member of the alumni board, Mrs. Noll is a storyteller who loves returning to campus and speaking with current students about how her years at Misericordia changed her life. Since earning her bachelor’s degree in sociology cum laude, she has participated in as many as 116 alumni gatherings in Florida, on campus and online. A scholarship recipient, she credits Misericordia for positively influencing her future, and that of her 10 children and 48 grandchildren.

Mrs. Noll’s sister Bernadette Rienzo ’59, late daughter Alma Noll ’75 and grandchildren, Lynn Babbitt Urban ’01 and Michele Melillo Babbitt ’05 also are Misericordia alumni. In honor of her 80^th birthday, Mrs. Noll’s family established the Dean and Liz Rienzo Noll ’47 Scholarship. Academically deserving first-year students with three or more siblings and financial need receive the award.

Misericordia recognized Mrs. Noll’s dedication in 2003 by presenting her the Mission Award for exemplifying the mission of the University as established by the Sisters of Mercy. She also received the Mother Mary Catharine McGann Alumni Achievement Award in 1984 for distinguished and sustained career accomplishments as a truant officer in New York City and an educator in New Jersey.

Mrs. Noll lives in Mount Arlington, New Jersey.

Misericordia University recently welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, Linda Auker, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of biology. She earned her doctorate in zoology from the University of New Hampshire. Kara Carmack, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of fine arts. She earned her doctorate in art history from The University of Texas at Austin. Patrick Danner, Ph.D., has been appointed an assistant professor of English. He earned his doctorate in rhetoric and composition from the University of Louisville. Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor of psychology. She holds a doctorate in experimental psychology from The University of Alabama. Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., was appointed as an assistant professor of biology after earning his doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Toronto, Ontario. Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., has been named an assistant professor of teacher education. She holds a doctorate in teaching and curriculum from Northcentral University.

In the College of Business, John Ash, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of business. He holds a doctorate degree in health services administration from Walden University. Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of business. He earned his doctorate in management from The University of Alabama. Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., has been named an associate professor of business after earning a doctorate degree in financial economics from The University of New Orleans.

In the College of Health Sciences and Education, Reethee Antony, MPhil, has been named an assistant professor of speech-language pathology. She holds a master of philosophy degree from the City University of New York. Melissa Cencetti, P.T., D.P.T., Ed.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physical therapy. She holds doctorate degrees in physical therapy from Arcadia University and educational leadership from Wilkes University. Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing. He holds a Master of Science in nursing degree from American Sentinel University. Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of occupational therapy after earning her doctorate in occupational therapy from Misericordia University.

Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., has been named associate professor of social work. She holds a doctorate in social work from Widener University. Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., has been appointed as an associate professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Wilkes University. Gerard Maritato, M.D., has been named an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Emory University School of Medicine. Dana Simon, M.S., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. She holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Marywood University. Melissa Weidner, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. Rebecca Zukowski, PH.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of nursing after earning her doctorate in administration and leadership studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Caption:

Misericordia University welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. Participating in the program, seated from left, are Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor, psychology; Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; Linda Auker, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Reethee Antony, MPhil., assistant professor, speech-language pathology, and Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; standing, John Ash, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., associate professor, business; Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., assistant professor, occupational therapy; Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Gerard Maritato, M.D., assistant professor, physician assistant studies; Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., assistant professor, teacher education; Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Patrick Danner, Ph.D., assistant professor, English; Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., associate professor, social work; Kara Carmack, Ph.D., assistant professor, fine arts, and Dana Simon, M.S., assistant professor, physician assistant studies.

Landmark Community Bank recently donated $6,000 to Misericordia University through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (PA EITC) to support programming in the Department of Speech Language Pathology that helps treat children with speech and language disorders.

Funding from Landmark Community Bank will support programs for children with communication difficulties at the Misericordia University Speech-Language and Hearing Center in John J. Passan Hall. The center offers free and low-cost speech-language pathology services to clients in the regional community. Faculty-supervised graduate students assess and treat patients of all ages, including many children from Northeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

PA EITC offers tax credits to eligible businesses that contribute to a state-approved scholarship organization, an educational improvement organization, and/or a pre-kindergarten scholarship organization. The benefactor may direct donations to specific organizations from a list of eligible participants. The Misericordia University has been approved by the state to be an Educational Improvement Organization.

For more information about how businesses may make contributions to Misericordia University and how to become eligible for PA EITC, please contact the Office of Corporate, Government and Foundation Relations at Misericordia University at (570) 674-6472.

For more information about the speech-language pathology program at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/slp. College Consensus and the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education rank Misericordia among the top college and universities nationally.

Caption:

Landmark Community Bank recently donated $6,000 to Misericordia University through the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program to support programming in the Department of Speech Language Pathology that helps treat children with speech and language disorders. Participating in the ceremonial check presentation, from left, are Molly E. Lorenzen, manager of corporate relations, Misericordia University; Rick J. Ercolani, vice president/branch manager, Landmark Community Bank; Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., president, Misericordia University, and Bobbie Gurnari, vice president/branch manager, Landmark Community Bank.

Misericordia University recently welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, Linda Auker, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of biology. She earned her doctorate in zoology from the University of New Hampshire. Kara Carmack, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of fine arts. She earned her doctorate in art history from The University of Texas at Austin. Patrick Danner, Ph.D., has been appointed an assistant professor of English. He earned his doctorate in rhetoric and composition from the University of Louisville. Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor of psychology. She holds a doctorate in experimental psychology from The University of Alabama. Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., was appointed as an assistant professor of biology after earning his doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Toronto, Ontario. Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., has been named an assistant professor of teacher education. She holds a doctorate in teaching and curriculum from Northcentral University.

In the College of Business, John Ash, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of business. He holds a doctorate degree in health services administration from Walden University. Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of business. He earned his doctorate in management from The University of Alabama. Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., has been named an associate professor of business after earning a doctorate degree in financial economics from The University of New Orleans.

In the College of Health Sciences and Education, Reethee Antony, MPhil, has been named an assistant professor of speech-language pathology. She holds a master of philosophy degree from the City University of New York. Melissa Cencetti, P.T., D.P.T., Ed.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physical therapy. She holds doctorate degrees in physical therapy from Arcadia University and educational leadership from Wilkes University. Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing. He holds a Master of Science in nursing degree from American Sentinel University. Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of occupational therapy after earning her doctorate in occupational therapy from Misericordia University.

Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., has been named associate professor of social work. She holds a doctorate in social work from Widener University. Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., has been appointed as an associate professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Wilkes University. Gerard Maritato, M.D., has been named an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Emory University School of Medicine. Dana Simon, M.S., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. She holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Marywood University. Melissa Weidner, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. Rebecca Zukowski, PH.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of nursing after earning her doctorate in administration and leadership studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Caption:

Misericordia University welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. Participating in the program, seated from left, are Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor, psychology; Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; Linda Auker, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Reethee Antony, MPhil., assistant professor, speech-language pathology, and Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; standing, John Ash, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., associate professor, business; Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., assistant professor, occupational therapy; Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Gerard Maritato, M.D., assistant professor, physician assistant studies; Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., assistant professor, teacher education; Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Patrick Danner, Ph.D., assistant professor, English; Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., associate professor, social work; Kara Carmack, Ph.D., assistant professor, fine arts, and Dana Simon, M.S., assistant professor, physician assistant studies.

Four Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students at Misericordia University successfully defended their dissertations recently by making a final oral defense of their cumulative scholarly research project at the annual capstone presentations on campus.

Students critically evaluate scientific literature while completing the rigorous project in order to develop evidence-based practice approaches that improve outcomes in the health care system. The class addressed a variety of practice problems, including the importance of healthy nutrition for children, reducing stress for non-traditional nursing students, glycemic control and increasing colorectal cancer screenings. Catherine Zurawski, D.N.P., C.R.N.P., F.N.P.-C., assistant professor of nursing, served as a faculty mentor.

The students will receive their doctorate degrees during the ninth annual winter commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 15 in the Anderson Sports and Health Center.

Misericordia University features the oldest nursing program in the region and graduates more students in the health sciences than any other college or university in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The University offers three undergraduate nursing programs: traditional, full-time nursing students; part-time accelerated evening program for adult students, and the RN to BSN Expressway Program. The undergraduate nursing programs meet the special educational and scheduling needs of adult and traditional students. They all lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program meets the special needs of current BSN registered nurses who desire an advanced practice specialization as a family nurse practitioner. Misericordia also offers a post-master's certificate as a family nurse practitioner for nurses who already have an advanced clinical master's degree and who wish to change or expand their practice focus to primary care. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education in health assessment, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic health conditions with expertise in health promotion and disease prevention. Graduate programming leads to the MSN and provides course work in a convenient part-time, one-day-a-week format.

The University also offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program in two formats to accommodate the needs of busy health care professionals and in response to growing national need.

For more information about the nursing program at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/nursing.

Caption:

Misericordia University Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree students successfully defended their dissertations by making a final oral defense of their cumulative scholarly research project at the annual Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Synthesis. DNP students who made presentations and their faculty mentors, included first row from left, Amanda Turoni, Scranton, Pa.; Priyanka Patel, Plains Twp., Pa.; Sarah Brown, Shavertown, Pa., and Grace Olshefski, Kingston, Pa.; second row, Oradell Banker, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., clinical placement coordinator, graduate nursing program; Catherine Zurawski, D.N.P., C.RN.P., F.N.P.-C, assistant professor; Jacklyn DelPrete, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., assistant professor; Pamela Dwyer, D.N.P., C.R.N.P.., F.N.P.-C., assistant professor and chair, graduate nursing program, and Brenda L. Hage, Ph.D.., DN.P., C.R.N.P., professor.

The Department of Fine Arts and the Medical and Health Humanities Program at Misericordia University are collaborating to present the three-part series, “Intersections: (Dis)Ability & the Arts,’’ in 2019-20 featuring renowned artists and scholars. The programs, which begin Nov. 18, are free and open to the public.

Northeastern Pennsylvania has numerous outlets for artistic creativity and health care facilities that serve the region’s diverse community. However, there are few forums to elicit an exchange of ideas between these domains. In order to close this existing gap and provide awareness of the ways in which the arts and medical fields interact, Misericordia University’s academic departments and the Soyka Fund for the Humanities organized and sponsored the interactive series featuring four key focal points: Disciplines, Communities, Practices and Narratives.

“Intersections: (Dis)Ability & the Arts” is also supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The series begins Monday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. with the presentation, “Drawing on Disability: Graphic Medicine,’’ by M.K. Czerwiec, R.N., M.A., in Huntzinger and Alden Trust Rooms 218-219 of Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. In her book, “Taking Turns: Stories from HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371,’’ Czerwiec considers the vulnerability of illness and the culture of discrimination and others that surrounded AIDS/HIV patients in the 1990s. Drawing from her text and her other work on graphic medicine and disability, the author will explore the intersection of art, medicine and disability by taking the audience through a visual journey of how health communities and society have viewed disability and ways in which comics allow for individualization, community building, and empathetic approaches to health care.

Czerwiec, also known as the “Comic Nurse,’’ is a co-founder of the field graphic medicine, which explores the interaction of comics and medicine as a mean of engaging with visual-narrative representations of health and illness. She is a Senior Fellow at George Washington School of Nursing Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement and artist-in-residence at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.

The series continues on Friday, Feb. 21 at 12 p.m. with the presentation, “Music and Mental Illness in Shakespeare,’’ by Kendra Preston Leonard, Ph.D., a musicologist and music theorist, in the Catherine Evans McGowan Room of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library.

During her presentation, Dr. Leonard will discuss how many forms of disability, including mental illness, are encountered through theater, film and television. While there are numerous works dealing with mental illness, the public can also look to the humanities to discover how our current understanding of it has been constructed and mediated. Dr. Leonard will outline how music functions as a signifier of mental health in films and stage performances of Shakespeare’s plays. She will illustrate how research in the humanities can be used to interpret and learn about the cultural, social and other influences that have led to the public’s present discourse around mental illness.

She is the author of five scholarly books and numerous book chapters and articles on Shakespeare and music. In addition, Dr. Leonard is the founder and executive director of the Silent Film Sound and Music Archive, the founder and manager of SHEAF: Shakespeare in Early Film Database, and the head of scholarship and research at the Institute for Composer Diversity at SUNY-Fredonia.

Stefan Sunandan Honisch, Ph.D., will offer an interactive presentation on Wednesday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in Huntzinger and Alden Trust Rooms 218-219 of Insalaco Hall that unpacks the complicated musical legacy of the blind pianist, teacher and writer Edward Baxter Perry (1855-1924). He will apply key insights from contemporary intersectional scholarship and critical disability studies in order to more fully understand the complex interplay between history, culture, and the body that shapes Perry’s legacy.

Dr. Honisch is an associate fellow at the University of Victoria’s Centre for Studies in Religion and Society. He spent the 2017 fall semester as a postdoctoral researcher at Uppsala University, within the Engaging Vulnerability unit, a position funded by the Swedish Research Council. He is a member of the Editorial Board of Public Disability History and serves on the Journal of Teaching Disability Studies Review Board. Dr. Honisch has been awarded a two-year Banting postdoctoral fellowship to pursue research on Helen Keller’s musical life.

For more information about the medical and health humanities program at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/ medicalhumanities.

Misericordia University recently recognized the second annual class of students to receive the full-tuition Sister Mary Glennon '62 Scholarships during a reception in the Catherine Evans McGowan Room of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library.

The 2019 Glennon Scholarships recipients and their academic majors are: Brooke Chronister of Gardners, Biglerville High School, philosophy; Casey Franzreb of Staten Island, New York, Notre Dame Academy High School, speech-language pathology; Cecelia Heidelberger of Lincroft, New Jersey, Communications High School, speech-language pathology; Caitlyn Henry of Burlington, New Jersey, Burlington Twp. High School, biology; Peyton Kimmel of Prince Frederick, Maryland, Calvert High School, biology, and Patrick Rother of Mountain Top, Crestwood High School, business.

Named in honor of the University's longest serving academic dean, the merit-based scholarship program awards six competitive scholarships annually to qualified incoming first-year students. Every first-time, full-time student who is admitted by Jan. 1, 2020 to the private, four-year Catholic institution is eligible for the scholarship program that covers four years of tuition as long as the students meet established academic criteria.

Students who apply to the University and meet or exceed eligibility criteria (1250 SAT or 26 ACT and 3.7 GPA or 1250 SAT or 26 ACT and top 5 percent of their graduating class) will be invited to participate in the competitive selection process. The University invites eligible applicants to participate in a tour of campus, have lunch with faculty and students in their field of study, and to write an essay.

A five-member committee reviews the completed essays and narrows the field to about 12 students. Committee members interview finalists and make scholarship offers to students who plan to major in academic programs available in each of the University's three colleges – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and College of Health Sciences and Education. Overall, the program will award no more than three scholarships to any one college and not less than one each.

The essay writing dates for students interested in the 2020 Glennon Scholarships program are Wednesdays, Jan. 22, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. The finalists will interview with committee members on Monday, Feb. 17. Scholarship recipients will receive notification prior to March 1.

For more information about the Sister Mary Glennon '62 Scholarships at Misericordia University, please call Donna F. Cerza, director of admissions, at 570-674-6460 or visit www.misericordia.edu/GlennonScholarships.

Caption:

Misericordia University recognized the second annual class of students to receive the full-tuition Sister Mary Glennon '62 Scholarships during a reception in the Catherine Evans McGowan Room of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library. The students began their studies in August for the 2019-20 academic year. Participating in the program, from left are Peyton Kimmel, Prince Frederick, Md.; Caitlyn Henry, Burlington, N.J.; Patrick Rother, Mountain Top, Pa.; Cecelia Heidelberger, Lincroft, N.J., and Brooke Chronister, Gardners, Pa. Absent from photo is Casey Franzreb, Staten Island, N.Y.

Misericordia University recently welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, Linda Auker, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of biology. She earned her doctorate in zoology from the University of New Hampshire. Kara Carmack, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of fine arts. She earned her doctorate in art history from The University of Texas at Austin. Patrick Danner, Ph.D., has been appointed an assistant professor of English. He earned his doctorate in rhetoric and composition from the University of Louisville. Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., was named an assistant professor of psychology. She holds a doctorate in experimental psychology from The University of Alabama. Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., was appointed as an assistant professor of biology after earning his doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Toronto, Ontario. Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., has been named an assistant professor of teacher education. She holds a doctorate in teaching and curriculum from Northcentral University.

In the College of Business, John Ash, Ph.D., has been named an assistant professor of business. He holds a doctorate degree in health services administration from Walden University. Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of business. He earned his doctorate in management from The University of Alabama. Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., has been named an associate professor of business after earning a doctorate degree in financial economics from The University of New Orleans.

In the College of Health Sciences and Education, Reethee Antony, MPhil, has been named an assistant professor of speech-language pathology. She holds a master of philosophy degree from the City University of New York. Melissa Cencetti, P.T., D.P.T., Ed.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physical therapy. She holds doctorate degrees in physical therapy from Arcadia University and educational leadership from Wilkes University. Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing. He holds a Master of Science in nursing degree from American Sentinel University. Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of occupational therapy after earning her doctorate in occupational therapy from Misericordia University.

Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., has been named associate professor of social work. She holds a doctorate in social work from Widener University. Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., has been appointed as an associate professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Wilkes University. Gerard Maritato, M.D., has been named an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Emory University School of Medicine. Dana Simon, M.S., has been appointed as an assistant professor of physician assistant studies. She holds a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Marywood University. Melissa Weidner, M.S.N., has been named an assistant professor of nursing after receive her Master of Science in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University. Rebecca Zukowski, PH.D., has been appointed as an assistant professor of nursing after earning her doctorate in administration and leadership studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Caption:

Misericordia University welcomed the addition of 19 new full-time faculty members to campus for the 2019-20 academic year during a special orientation program in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. Participating in the program, seated from left, are Sylvia Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor, psychology; Richard Hennigan, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; Linda Auker, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Reethee Antony, MPhil., assistant professor, speech-language pathology, and Catherine Luksic, M.S.N., assistant professor, nursing; standing, John Ash, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Ata Yesilyaprak, Ph.D., associate professor, business; Cheryl Jayne, O.T.D., assistant professor, occupational therapy; Xiaochuan Song, Ph.D., assistant professor, business; Gerard Maritato, M.D., assistant professor, physician assistant studies; Roberta Yeager, Ed.D., assistant professor, teacher education; Mateusz Wosik, Ph.D., assistant professor, biology; Patrick Danner, Ph.D., assistant professor, English; Viviana Lucabeche, Ph.D., associate professor, social work; Kara Carmack, Ph.D., assistant professor, fine arts, and Dana Simon, M.S., assistant professor, physician assistant studies.

Misericordia University, the regional leader in the health and medical sciences fields, is holding a free interactive program on Tuesday, Nov. 19 from 9-11:30 a.m. as part of the fourth annual National Health Professions Week for high school students who are interested in exploring the many exciting career opportunities available in health care.  

Sponsored by the Misericordia University Interprofessional Education Committee, the Health Professions Day program enables students to gain a better understanding of the many specialty careers available in the national health care system by participating in a case study. Academic programs participating in the simulation program include diagnostic medical sonography, exercise science, medical and health humanities, medical imaging, nursing, occupational therapy, patient navigation, physical therapy, physician assistant, psychology, social work, and speech-language pathology.

Registration for the program begins at 8 a.m. in Huntzinger and Alden Trust Rooms 218-219 of Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall. Health Professions Day begins at 9 a.m. with a welcome by Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education. The program concludes with lunch in John and Mary Metz Dining Hall.

The simulation program outlines the importance of health care professionals working together as a cohesive unit during a trauma in order to deliver the best patient outcomes possible.

The hands-on case study involves a motor vehicle accident in which the teenage driver suffers a spinal cord injury. Set up in stations, faculty members and students will represent their academic programs and explain the roles their respective professions play in treating, rehabilitating and returning the accident victim to an active lifestyle.

The interprofessional education program is free, but due to limited seating registration is required. To register, please contact Rachel Oberg, assistant director of admissions, at 570-674-8023 or roberg@misericordia.edu.

The Misericordia University campus community helped celebrate Mercy Heritage Days 2019 by holding a “Stuff the Bus” project, collecting non-perishable food items, personal care products and cleaning supplies for the McAuley Market, a food pantry on campus.

A large group of students, staff and faculty participated, including members of the cheerleading and women’s basketball teams. Elizabeth Pedro, technical administrator in the Information Technology Department and member of the Community Fiscal Committee of the university’s Staff Council, coordinated the drive.

“Stuff the Bus” is one of several annual events to recognize Mercy Heritage Days. The programming honors the Religious Sisters of Mercy, the founders of Misericordia University, who opened the doors to the institution of higher education 95 years ago on Sept. 24, 1924. Throughout the two weeks of Mercy Heritage Days, events addressed the tenets of the Sisters of Mercy, which include Mercy, Service, Justice and Hospitality.

The Misericordia University Health Care Management Program and student-run Health Care Management Association are offering the program, “Health Care Marketplace Tutorial,’’ on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide information and assistance to people who need help navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2020. Registration for the free session is in the lobby of the Insalaco Center for Career Development in McAuley Hall.

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15 for anyone who needs to enroll, re-enroll or change their insurance plan through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Medical coverage can begin as early as Jan. 1, 2019 by signing up for insurance.

“Students in our Health Care Management Association will be spearheading this service-learning project,’’ said Ronald V. Petrilla, Ph.D., assistant professor of business at Misericordia University. “By volunteering, our students gain hands-on experience in their field of study and also provide a vital service to members in our local community who rely on the Affordable Care Act to receive health insurance.’’

The Bachelor of Science in health care management at Misericordia University offers two distinct tracts: a four-year degree for traditional students and the 2½-year program for adult learners. The academic program responds to the specific needs of health care organizations in today’s dynamic work environment. Management skills, leadership development, strategic planning, marketing, health care finance and law are examined, including a comprehensive understanding of finance, insurance and payment mechanisms.

Dr. Petrilla and John R. Ash, M.H.A., Ph.D., F.A.C.H.E., assistant professor of business and health care administration, are the faculty advisors for the service-learning project.

For more information about the free community education initiative at Misericordia University, please call Dr. Petrilla at 570-674-1764 or Dr. Ash at 570-674-6704. Please log on to www.misericordia.edu/business and click on health care management to find out more about the academic program.

Walking along Lake Street with students, faculty, staff, administration and state and local officials, it was easy to see why Misericordia University stressed the importance of the more than 3,000-feet of sidewalk that was constructed along the busy roadway in Dallas borough and township.

The more than $1 million, two-phase initiative created a safe pedestrian path along a busy state road that averages more than 1,500 vehicles per day, according to a PennDOT traffic study completed before the first phase of the project began in 2016. The five-foot wide sidewalk begins at the North Gate of campus and extends south to the historic archway, the main entrance to the campus community, where it connects with the first phase of the project.

The sidewalk's first phase – 1,000 feet of sidewalk – extends south from the archway in Dallas Twp. toward downtown Dallas Borough's business district. A small bridge spans Toby's Creek allowing pedestrians to walk safely to the intersection of Center Hill Road and the resumption of neighborhood sidewalks on Lake Street, which extend downtown along both sides of the two-lane roadway.

The University's ribbon-cutting ceremony near the North Gate of campus enabled Misericordia University officials to acknowledge and thank elected officials for their support and the financial investment by the state that enabled the project to become a reality.

"We are pleased to see this important safety project completed,'' said state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20^th. "It is tangible evidence of how the university is working in multiple ways to improve ties within the community, physically as well as educationally."

"It was my pleasure to work with Misericordia University to assist them as they continue to grow," said state Rep. Karen Boback, R-117^th. "With this most recent improvement, the University will be better connected to the heart of Dallas than ever before. I could not be more exciting for the University, its students and the local merchants who will benefit as a result of this expansion."

In 2018, Misericordia received $320,870 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority Multimodal Transportation Fund to complete the second phase of the more than $580,000 project, which included 160-cubic yards of concrete for the 2,142-foot long sidewalk and a large retaining wall alongside McGeehan Field at the intersection of Townhouse Road and Lake Street. The project also includes safety lighting, detectable warning surfaces and crosswalks to residential areas nearby. Misericordia completed funding for the project by contributing almost $260,000 and committing to the maintenance of both phases of the sidewalk project during inclement weather and future repairs that may be necessary.

For the first phase of the safety initiative, Misericordia worked with the state Department of Community and Economic Development's Northeast office to secure funding through the Keystone Communities Program (KCP) and the Luzerne County Local Share Account. KCP awarded $165,000 to the University, in partnership with Dallas Twp., to complete the funding component of the more than $430,000 project. The University also received $150,000 through the Luzerne County Local Share Account in support of the project. Misericordia paid the more than $115,000 balance.

"The entire university community appreciates the support from our regional elected officials in helping us create a pedestrian friendly neighborhood linking our students to the small businesses and services nearby," said Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., president. "Local residents, students, and visitors enjoy the new park at the base of Lake Street. Combined with the sidewalk enhancements, it creates an attractive gateway to our community. Our neighbors now have safe, convenient access to our campus and its resources."

Thomas Caffrey represented Gov. Tom Wolf's office at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, while Dallas Twp. Supervisor Bill Grant and Dallas Twp. solicitor Tom Mosca, and Dallas Borough Mayor Tim Carroll also were recognized for their roles in making the project become a reality. After the ceremony, the University's guests and campus community enjoyed light refreshments.

Captions:

Larry Pellegrini, foreground, associate vice president of University Advancement, Misericordia University, offers a blessing of the new sidewalk for participants of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, from left, state Sen. Lisa Baker; Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., president, Misericordia University; Thomas Caffrey, Northeast Regional director, Gov. Tom Wolf's Office; Mayor Tim Carroll, Dallas Borough; state Rep. Karen Boback; Atty. Tom Brennan, former solicitor, Dallas Twp.; Bill Grant, supervisor, Dallas Twp.; Carol Warholak Sweeney, Office of Rep. Karen Boback, and Atty. Thomas Mosca, solicitor, Dallas Twp.

Misericordia University officials and special guests officially dedicated the Lake Street sidewalk project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the North Gate of campus. The more than $1 million project resulted in more than 3,000-feet of sidewalk along the busy state roadway to improve safety for pedestrians. Participating in the ribbon cutting, first row from left, are Thomas Caffrey, Northeast Regional director, Gov. Tom Wolf's Office; Mayor Tim Carroll, Dallas Borough; state Rep. Karen Boback; Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., president, Misericordia University; state Sen. Lisa Baker, and Atty. Thomas Mosca, solicitor, Dallas Twp.; second row, Atty. Tom Brennan, former solicitor, Dallas Twp.; Bill Grant, supervisor, Dallas Twp., and Carol Warholak Sweeney, Office of Rep. Karen Boback.

Misericordia University student Alex Skopic of Springville recently received national recognition for his essay, "This Means War: Antisemitism, Fascist Rhetoric, and the Duty of Opposition,'' in a writing contest sponsored by The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.

The son of Tim and Linza Skopic received an honorable mention in the 2019 Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest. The foundation, established by the Nobel Peace Prize recipient, combats indifference, intolerance and injustice through international dialogue and youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding and equality.

The essay contest is open to college juniors and seniors in the United States who wish to articulate an ethical issue they have encountered and analyze what it has taught them about ethics and themselves. Overall, the contest works to increase public dialogue on ethical matters of importance.

In his 19-page essay, Skopic outlines the first time he heard about the mass shooting in 2018 at the Tree of Life Congregation in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh that killed 11 people. The loss of life, while tragic, did not surprise him. The rise of antisemitism, alt-right movement and modern Nazism leading up to the 2016 presidential election culminated with violent and deadly riots in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017.

The national events "jolted" the Misericordia student out of "complacency" and inspired him to research the very nature of fascism, antisemitism and the Holocaust. He educated himself, first reading history books and then attending academic programming on campus that addressed the atrocities that occurred during World War II.

The Misericordia student focused his research and conclusions on the use of three words: Alt-right, problematic and optics. "As an English major, I was drawn to the language they used,'' he wrote in his essay. "Words are my trade, and I believe we have a responsibility to use them wisely.''

Skopic dedicated the essay to Max Levitas, a veteran antifascist fighter and activist who died in 2018 at the age of 103.

For more information about the Department of English at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/English.

The Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia University will explore sound, movement and art with the exhibition, "Percussion!," from Nov. 1 to Feb. 20, 2020. "Percussion!" features the works of New York-based artist Stefana McClure, who grew up in Northern Ireland, and Colombian artist Johana Moscoso.

Both artists use movement, pressure and striking motions in their art to represent their experiences with conflict and change. Video displays of the artists in action will provide an audio component within the visual exhibition.

In McClure's "Protest Jackets," rocks that have been wrapped in poetry and hurled at a wall fill the pockets of schoolchildren's jackets to show innocence interrupted by violence. A graduate of Hornsey College of Art in London, McClure continued her studies at Kyoto Seika University in Japan. She has had solo exhibitions in New York, Mexico and London, and her work has been included in exhibitions at The Museum of Modern Art, New York; Centre of Culture and Fine Art, Hafnarfjörður, Iceland; the art museums of Yale and Harvard universities; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, and the Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart, Germany, among others.

Moscoso is a Colombian-American artist currently living and working in Tennessee. Her artwork explores co-narratives of South American and North American cultures, and incorporates a variety of mediums into installations that express her interest in gender roles, culture and migration. Her ceramic tiles, imprinted with the shoeprints of dancers, show traces of the salsa and Colombia's traditional folk dance – the cumbia.

"Despite being from two different continents, these artists share a similar aesthetic in their use of performance and materials to visually explore the nature of action," said Lalaine Little, Ph.D., director, Pauly Friedman Art Gallery. "Inspired by the quick steps of a dancer, the keys of a typewriter – the artworks represent the impact of those overlapping, click-clacking sounds and movements. We hope visitors will be intrigued not only by the visual result, but by concepts and processes behind the artwork."

The meet-the-artists reception is Saturday, Nov. 2, from 5:30-7 p.m. The evening includes live performances and demonstrations with light refreshments.

Fall hours for the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery are Tuesday through Thursday, 12-7 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 p.m., or by appointment. The gallery is closed Mondays and all university holidays. For additional information, please go to www.misericordia.edu/art or call the gallery at 570-674-6250.

The Misericordia University Department of Teacher Education is presenting the free program, “Autism: What is It? A Glimpse Inside What It is Like to Live with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” on Wednesday, Nov. 20 featuring a talk by 13-year-old Trey DelGrosso of Swiftwater, who will discuss his life growing up with autism.

The American Education Week program begins at 5 p.m. with poster presentations on autism-related research by Misericordia students, along with a display on children’s literature about autism. DelGrosso’s talk is from 6-6:45 p.m. A question-and-answer session with a panel of autism experts will follow the presentation.

The program, in the Catherine Evans McGowan Room of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library, features the following panelists: Amy Linnen, director of special education, Pittston Area School District; Kelsey Suponcic, autistic support classroom teacher, Dallas School District; Jen DelGrosso, Trey’s mother, and Lori Charney, O.T.D., O.T.R./L., assistant professor and chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Misericordia University.

An eighth-grade student at Pocono Mountain East Junior High School, DelGrosso has made many public presentations on what it is like to live with autism. His challenges began at a young age, according to Mrs. DelGrosso. Born with a cleft palate, DelGrosso had to work hard to learn basic skills, such as eating. The challenges continued throughout his early years as he was diagnosed with a hole in his heart, an inward turning eye, a connective tissue disorder and loose joints, developmental delays, celiac disease, sensory processing disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

“Life became even more difficult for Trey as he progressed through school,” Mrs. DelGrosso said. “The sensory, academic and social demands of middle school completely overwhelmed him.  He began to have anxiety and panic attacks both at school and at home, and was physically and emotionally consumed by simply trying to survive the school day.”

Help arrived at the start of sixth grade, when DelGrosso’s developmental pediatrician suggested that he speak to his classmates about what it is like to live with autism. The goal for explaining what life is like for him was to make his classmates more accepting of him.

“His classmates were interested in what he had to say and willingly shared challenges that they face in their own lives,” Mrs. DelGrosso added. “This speech changed everything for Trey. Students viewed him as a leader and he had a presence and a purpose in school and in life. To this day, his mantra is, ‘There is nothing wrong with me,’ and he continues to offer his story as a way to help others understand what it is like to live with autism spectrum disorder.”

For more information about the program, please contact Roberta “Bobbi” Yeager, Ed.D., assistant professor, Department of Teacher Education at Misericordia University, at 570-674-8144 or ryeager@misericordia.edu

For more information about the Department of Teacher Education at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or visit www.misericordia.edu/education.