The University of Scranton

The University of Scranton conferred nearly 900 bachelor's and associate degree at its undergraduate commencement June 1 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre. Graduates of the Jesuit university included three recipients of prestigious Fulbright scholarships for the 2014-2015 academic year. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, served as the principal speaker and received an honorary degree from the University at the ceremony.

The University of Scranton conferred 1,735 degrees - the largest number of degrees in its history - at two commencement ceremonies this weekend, including more than 900 bachelor's and associate degrees at its undergraduate commencement on May 26 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre. Graduates included recipients of some of the nation's most prestigious scholarships, including the Truman Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship and five Fulbright scholarships. Sandra Postel, a respected author, scholar, lecturer and consultant on global water protection, and director of the Global Water Policy Project, served as commencement speaker. "I've devoted my life to the science and understanding of sustainability - the concept of inter-generational justice and stewardship that basically says we should aim to meet the needs of our present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs," said Postel, who advised graduates to find their niche -the intersection of "what you love" and "what you're good at." "Find your niche -- and don't be afraid to experiment and try new things until you do. It's been said that the two most important days of our lives are the day we were born and the day we understand why," said Postel. "And, never doubt that your story and your niche in this world matter." Postel, who received an honorary degree from the University at the ceremony, also advised graduates to keep "the tradition of service with you, because nothing can bring you more happiness or fulfillment than serving a cause greater than yourself." In addition to the remarks by Postel, University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., addressed the graduates and their guests. Graduates represent 13 states, including Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia. Majors with the most graduates in 2013 are biology, nursing, accounting, exercise science, communication, psychology and occupational therapy. Local graduates earning undergraduate degrees include the following.

The University of Scranton conferred 65 doctoral degrees in physical therapy and 748 master's degrees at its commencement on May 25 on campus. Graduates of the Jesuit university represented 38 states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Programs with the most graduates at Scranton were educational administration, curriculum and instruction, MBA, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, served as the principal speaker. A leader in community development for four decades, Burke has served as the chamber's president since 1981. He served in Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell's cabinet as secretary for community and economic development. "Graduates, the master's degree you earned today will help you to prepare for a lifetime of surprises," said Burke. "You will encounter challenges and frustrations, as well as moments of pure euphoria. My hope is that your euphoria will be intense and richly satisfying; that your euphoria will be the result of endeavors which benefit our children and grandchildren." University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., also addressed the graduates and their guests. Degrees were conferred by Father Quinn to candidates presented by W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education. The following area residents received post-baccalaureate degrees from The University of Scranton.

Several local residents were among the record number of graduates awarded master's and doctorate of physical therapy degrees by The University of Scranton at its post-baccalaureate commencement on May 26. The University of Scranton conferred 59 doctoral degrees in physical therapy (DPT) and 762 master's degrees, both of which are records for the University, at the commencement. Graduates represented 41 states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Programs with the most graduates at Scranton were educational administration, curriculum and instruction, MBA and occupational therapy. At the ceremony, the University awarded Morey Myers, Esq., an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, recognizing his passionate dedication to the rule of law and to social justice, as well as his intellect, vision and leadership. One of Pennsylvania's most respected attorneys, Myers is well-known in the region for his leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and civic engagement. After receiving the honorary degree, Myers provided the principal address to the graduates. In his address, Myers urged the University's graduates to be more than respected professionals, but also active community leaders, ready to help the underserved of our nation. "There is something to gain from higher education beyond just specialization and knowledge, and it doesn't matter whether you are online students or traditional students." Myers explained. "What is it that you are learning? Maybe you didn't even realize it. You were learning to become a citizen. By that I mean a participatory citizen." Presiding over his first commencement at The University of Scranton, Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., president, also addressed the graduates and their guests. "You were challenged to make Ignatius' charge, to love and serve in all things, your own," Father Quinn explained. "This is the value-added of a Scranton graduate education, and for this we are justly proud. Today, as we have been told, the University is awarding the largest number of DPT degrees and master's degrees in our history. Dear graduates, I trust you will conduct your professional and personal lives not only with confidence, but with compassion. Remember, you are sons and daughters of The University of Scranton forever." A complete list of graduates and program of speakers can be seen at www.scranton.edu. Local residents earning DPT degrees at Scranton were:

Several local residents were among the record number of graduates awarded master's and doctorate of physical therapy degrees by The University of Scranton at its post-baccalaureate commencement on May 26. The University of Scranton conferred 59 doctoral degrees in physical therapy and 762 master's degrees, both of which are records for the University, at the commencement. Graduates represented 41 states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Programs with the most graduates at Scranton were educational administration, curriculum and instruction, MBA and occupational therapy. Local residents earning graduate degrees at Scranton were:

Nearly 900 University of Scranton students were conferred bachelor's degrees at its undergraduate commencement on May 27 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre. Graduates included recipients of some of the nation's most prestigious scholarships, including the Truman Scholarship, the Goldwater Scholarship and two Fulbright scholarships. Graduates represented 15 states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Majors with the most graduates in 2012 are nursing, communication, biology, accounting, exercise science, and counseling and human services. Sister Patricia Eck, C.B.S., congregation leader of the Sisters of Bon Secours and chairperson of Bon Secours, Inc./Bon Secours Ministries Board of Directors, served as the principal speaker at The University of Scranton's 2012 undergraduate commencement. She also received an honorary degree from the University. "What a great day it is to graduate - Pentecost," said Sr. Eck to the nearly 9,000 in attendance at the undergraduate ceremony. "As you go into the world, you have God's assurance that the Spirit is with you. If you remember nothing from this day, and this is a good possibility, remember that God's Spirit is always with you. No matter what, God's Spirit is always with you." In addition to the remarks by Sr. Eck, University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., addressed the graduates and their guests. This was Father Quinn's first undergraduate commencement ceremony as president of the University. "You were challenged to make Ignatius' charge, to love and serve in all things, your own," Father Quinn said. "This is the value-added of a Scranton education, and for this we and the faculty are rightly proud. Remember, you are sons and daughters of The University of Scranton forever." A complete list of graduates and program of speakers can be seen at www.scranton.edu. Area residents receiving a bachelor's degree from The University of Scranton are:

The University of Scranton conferred more than 970 bachelor's and associate's degrees at its undergraduate commencement on Sunday, May 29, 2011, at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre. University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., served as principal speaker at the ceremony. "My friends in the Class of 2011, your education here at Scranton introduced you to high ideals and aspirations," said Father Pilarz in his remarks. "Yours is a formation that elicits great desires - desires that direct your days and works to the glory of God and the well-being of humankind." At commencement, honorary degrees from Scranton were presented to Freda Adler, Ph.D., director of the Master of Science Program in Criminology and visiting professor in the Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania; Carl J. Kuehner, University of Scranton alumnus, former chair of its board of trustees, and co-founder of Hope for Haiti; and Msgr. Andrew Martin, president emeritus of Camden Catholic High School, Cherry Hill, N.J. The University of Scranton's undergraduate class of 2011 included four recipients of Fulbright scholarships - the U.S. Government's premier scholarship program for overseas graduate study, teaching and research - and two recipients of Goldwater scholarships - the nation's most coveted scholarship program for science, engineering and mathematics. Graduates represented 16 states including Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Majors with the most graduates were biology, exercise science, communication, nursing, psychology, elementary education, marketing and accounting. In his address, Father Pilarz told graduates the Jesuit education they received at Scranton was "so much more than the accumulation of information." "... (T)he word education, as we commonly use it, doesn't really capture what happens on this sacred ground. Your time here has been formative, transformative. A word inscribed on the statue of St. Ignatius on campus expresses it best - metanoia - a time of turning. Turning toward new ideas, new methodologies, new paradigms, and, most importantly, new people," said Father Pilarz. "Take time to count the ways in which you are different than you were four years ago. Take stock of the new you - the person who was been shaped in ways subtle and dramatic, the person who now welcomes what is to come." The commencement marked the last public appearance by Father Pilarz as the 24th president of The University of Scranton. He will begin service as president of Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., this summer. The following local residents earned degrees from Scranton.

The University of Scranton conferred 46 doctoral degrees in physical therapy and 700 master's degrees, both of which are records for the Jesuit university, at its post-baccalaureate commencement ceremony held in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus on May 28. "Your going forth from The University of Scranton today is a summation of sorts, a beginning," said Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, in his address to the graduates. "The effect lies ahead, budding toward radiance. The gospel of light is handed on to you. You're being ignited for the world's well-being and the greater glory of God is Scranton's highest hope." Scranton's graduate degree recipients represent 38 states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Master's degree programs with the most graduates include curriculum and instruction, educational administration, occupational therapy and MBA. The degrees were conferred by Father Pilarz to candidates presented by W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education, The following list of local students earned graduate degrees at Scranton.

The University of Scranton conferred 46 doctoral degrees in physical therapy and 700 master's degrees, both of which are records for the Jesuit university, at its post-baccalaureate commencement ceremony held in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus on May 28. "Your going forth from The University of Scranton today is a summation of sorts, a beginning," said Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, in his address to the graduates. "The effect lies ahead, budding toward radiance. The gospel of light is handed on to you. You're being ignited for the world's well-being and the greater glory of God is Scranton's highest hope." Scranton's graduate degree recipients represent 38 states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Master's degree programs with the most graduates include curriculum and instruction, educational administration, occupational therapy and MBA. The degrees were conferred by Father Pilarz to candidates presented by W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education, The following list of local students earned degrees at Scranton.

Local residents were among the 946 graduates of The University of Scranton. The Jesuit university conferred nearly 950 bachelor's and associate's degrees at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 30, 2010, at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. The principal was speaker Carolyn ForchA(C), an award-winning poet, translator, essayist and human rights activist who coined the term "poetry of witness" to describe her politically engaged poetry. "(Carolyn ForchA(C)) proves that graduation is not only a time for pageantry. It is also a time for poetry. The witness of her words and example resonates with the University's commitment to promote justice in the Jesuit tradition," said Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, in his remarks at commencement. ForchA(C)'s address marked the culmination of Scranton's year long remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the Jesuit Martyrs of El Salvador and their companions and the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero. ForchA(C)'s told the graduates that during the years she worked as a human rights activist in El Salvador, she "sought and received the guidance of Father Ignacio Ellacuria of the Society of Jesus, one of the six Jesuit Priests murdered along with their two co-workers by the Salvadoran army on November 16, 1989. His door was always open, as it was for all. This was his message: aEUR~The struggle against injustice and the pursuit of truth cannot be separated nor can one work for one independent of the other.'" At the ceremony, ForchA(C) received an honorary degree from The University of Scranton, as did Rev. Charles L. Currie, S.J., president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities; John D. Dionne, senior managing director and head of Private Equity Investor Relations and Business Development for The Blackstone Group; Mary Beth Farrell, former executive vice president of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company; and Robert T. Healey, founder and trustee of the Viking Yacht Company. The University of Scranton's undergraduate class of 2010 included four recipients of Fulbright fellowships and a recipient of the National Security Education Program Boren Scholarship. Graduates represented 14 states including Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia. Majors with the most graduates were biology, nursing, communication, marketing and accounting. Area graduates are listed below.

The University of Scranton conferred more than 630 master's degrees and 37 doctoral degrees at its post-baccalaureate commencement ceremony in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus on May 29, 2010. "When St. Ignatius and his Jesuit brothers opened their first schools in the 16th century, they understood the purpose of education not so much in terms of the pursuit of abstract of specific truths," said Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, in his address to the graduates. "The primary point for them was character formation. As they explained in a letter to the king of Spain, aEUR~the proper education of people will mean improvement for the whole world.' Today, you become an extension of that centuries-old educational tradition, sent forth from here to aEUR~go and set the world on fire.'" Scranton's graduate degree recipients represent 35 states including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Utah, Texas, Georgia, New Jersey and New York. Master's degree programs with the most graduates include curriculum and instruction, educational administration, occupational therapy and MBA. The degrees were conferred by Father Pilarz to candidates presented by W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education. A list of area degree recipients follows.

The University of Scranton conferred 856 bachelor’s and associate’s degrees at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at Wachovia Arena. Scranton’s undergraduate class of 2008 included the recipients of Fulbright, Goldwater and other prestigious fellowships. Graduates represented 15 states including California, Colorado, South Carolina, New Jersey, Connecticut and New York. “What marks your Scranton education as singular is the devotion of our faculty to your success,” said University of Scranton President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., in his remarks. “Their passion for their academic disciplines is exceeded only by their dedication to you. I assure you this is a rare experience in American higher education and it is the result of our Jesuit identity.” The principal speaker was award-winning classical music conductor, composer, author and commentator Rob Kapilow. He received an honorary degree, as did Sr. Therese O'Rourke, IHM, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton, and Rev. John P. McNamee, poet, author, and founder of the Southwest Community Enrichment Center in Philadelphia. The following local students received undergraduate degrees at The University of Scranton:

The University of Scranton conferred 642 master’s degrees and 35 doctoral degrees at its post-baccalaureate commencement ceremony in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus on May 30, 2009. “You chose to pursue your degree at a very particular kind of institution: a Catholic and Jesuit institution. You studied at a place where we understand learning in a context larger than the acquisition of information and skills,” said University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. “The expertise you have acquired at Scranton has, I hope, inspired you to labor along with the world’s creator to heal, to teach, to conduct your business and your lives not only with competence, but with compassion, especially for those who are most vulnerable among us.” Graduates represent 39 states, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey and New York. Leo Moskovitz, who retired as president of First National Bank of Jermyn after 40 years of service, received an honorary degree at the ceremony. Local graduate degree recipients are: