Each summer ROTC cadets from across the country travel to Fort Lewis, Wash., located just outside Tacoma to participate in the annual Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC). LDAC is a 29-day training and evaluation course which every ROTC cadet must complete between the summer of their junior and senior year. The course is designed to assess a cadet’s leadership skills, physical fitness, mental toughness, as well as their technical and tactical military skills. This year more than 6,000 cadets from some 273 colleges and universities will travel to Fort Lewis, including 35 from the Royal Warrior Battalion.

In order for cadets to receive the training and evaluations required at LDAC, it takes a team of cadre and staff from all across U.S. Army Cadet Command. One of those key cadre members at LDAC this summer is Master Sergeant Alexander Ortega, Royal Warrior Battalion Senior Military Instructor, who will serve as the Non-Commissioned Officer In-Charge of the Tactical Training Base committee.

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Coaching education and sportsmanship were the topics du jour during a two-day conference entitled “Schools Shaping the Culture of Sport,” held recently at The University of Scranton. More than 300 students, coaches, and administrators from 22 school districts and regional colleges took part in the event, which also drew several leading national authorities in the sport and coaching community.

The conference was highlighted by a panel discussion titled “National Panel: Values, Character and Sport in the USA,” featuring John A. Walsh ’66, executive vice president and executive editor of ESPN, Inc., and Steve Vacendak, a Scranton Prep graduate and Duke University basketball legend, who is the executive director of NC Beautiful.

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The summer liturgy schedule, from May 31 to Aug. 27, is as follows:

Sunday Liturgy
11 a.m.
Madonna della Strada Chapel

Daily Liturgy
Chapel of the Sacred Heart
Monday - Saturday
12:05 p.m.
Thursdays
7 p.m.
(followed by Rosary and Benediction)

Want to relive Commencement Weekend? We have not one, but six videos highlighting the weekend’s events on the University's YouTube Channel, including a special musical tribute to our outgoing president you’ll definitely want to see for yourself.

The recently added commencement videos include:

• Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony – Full Ceremony
• Remarks By Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. – 2011 Undergraduate Commencement
• Class Remarks by Shawn Lamb '11 – 2011 Undergraduate Commencement
• Musical Tribute to Father Pilarz – 2011 Undergraduate Commencement
• Graduate Commencement Ceremony – Full Ceremony
• Baccalaureate Mass, Homily by Rev. Richard G. Malloy, S.J.

Did you know the University has a microsite on The Chronicle of Higher Education's website? If not, it's time to check it out at www.chronicle/universityofscranton. This month we updated our section with articles detailing the University's Schemel Forum and  “We Rise,” an original play performed by our education majors.

Scranton's Campus Viewpoints microsite contains an array of features, including articles, videos, slideshows and a "Did you Know" section. 

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Scranton is hosting its annual Greek Food Festival this week, starting today, June 7, and running through Saturday, June 11. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, diners are welcome to wait in line at the church, located at 505 N. Washington Ave., or place advance and take-out orders by calling 342-0566 or faxing 342-9722. For more information, click here.