Royal News

Download Our App

Read Royal News on our App!

About Royal News

Royal News is published for The University of Scranton community.
Submit announcements to royalnews@scranton.edu by Friday at 5 p.m. for inclusion on Tuesday.
For additional information about Royal News, contact:

The Office of Public Relations
(570) 941-7669
send an email

November 22, 2011: General News

General News | Faculty/Staff News | Student News | Athletics News

Thanksgiving Food Drive a Success!

drive

Got the Holiday Spirit? The University of Scranton Community Outreach Office does! This weekend, the office delivered Thanksgiving food to more than 150 area families thanks to donations from students, faculty and staff. Check out these food drive photos.

Local Officials, Students Discuss Political Engagement

“Think Global, Act Local,” a panel discussion by three University of Scranton students and three local elected officials concerning political engagement, was held at the Loyola Science Center on Nov. 14.

The six panel members were College Democrats President Megan Davidovich ’13, Student Government President Adam Gault ’12, College Republicans President Mike Mulraney ’12, Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo and Scranton City Council members Bob McGoff and Pat Rogan.

To read the full article, available on TheTimes-Tribune.com, click here. (The article was written by Cory Burrell '14, a student correspondent.)

Blessing of the Books Project Returns

The Panuska College of Professional Studies is collecting new or gently used children's books for its annual Blessing of the Books Project. Donation boxes are located in McGurrin, Leahy, Hyland, O'Hara, Brennan, St. Thomas, Long Center, Weinberg Memorial Library, DeNaples Center, and the Loyola Science Center. Also, please join us for the Blessing of the Books ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. in the lobby of McGurrin Hall. For more information, please visit our website.

TA TALK Luncheon Set for Today

All University of Scranton staff, faculty, students and friends are invited to attend the sixth annual TA TALK/Luncheon, set for Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 11:30 a.m. in Brennan Hall, room 509, featuring the Department of World Languages and Cultures teaching assistants from Argentina, France, Japan and Taiwan. Come and enjoy entertaining, fun and informative presentations on what makes their countries so special to them! Reservations are required: karamm1@scranton.edu. See you there!

Film Series Presents The Colors of the Mountain

The Foreign Film Series will present the Colombian drama "The Colors of the Mountain" at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, in room 305 of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Yamile Silva, Ph.D., will lead a discussion following the film.

As described by Film Movement, "The Colors of the Mountain" centers around a boy’s desire to play soccer in an area surrounded by war. The boy, Manuel, lives with his parents, who are hard-working farmers, in a mountainous and remote region of the Colombian countryside. As military forces square off against rebels in a civil war, Manuel and his friend Julian try to hold onto their everyday lives. When the soccer ball Manuel received for his birthday is kicked into a minefield, Manuel and his friends are determined to retrieve the precious gift.

The award-winning film is directed by Carlos Cesar Arbelaez and is in Spanish with English subtitles.

This event is open to faculty, staff, students and the public. Seating is limited, so please contact Sharon Finnerty at (570) 941-6330 or finnertys2@scranton.edu for reservations.

Does Your Project Need Funding?

Because of the inspirational work of our University community, awesome things are happening every day. Our students, our staff and our faculty have ideas that can change lives, and our alumni would like to help bring those ideas to life.

Introducing Scranton[Micro]Grants – a new kind of fundraising in which the funding for your project comes from alumni, parents and friends of the University. Starting in February, a live website will make select campus projects eligible for direct donor support.

If you have a project in need of funding, contact Special Projects Manager Ashley Alt for more information at 570-941-4213, ashley.alt@scranton.edu, or visit O’Hara Hall, room 616. Deadline for 2011-12 academic year submissions is Thursday, Dec. 1.

Our Youtube Channel Features New Videos

As you may know, the University often updates its official Youtube channel with new content. This week, we have video highlighting the Dedication of Pilarz Hall, as well as the Harry Mullin, M.D. Memorial Lecture with John F. Nash, Jr., Ph.D., speaking on "Ideal Money and the Motivation of Savings and Thrift." Don't miss our student-produced video with clips of on-campus events from the month of October.

Please Sign Statement in Support of Student Aid

On Friday, Nov. 11, University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., shared a letter with the University community, detailing the possible budgetary cuts to the student aid programs that benefit so many of our University students. Father Quinn urges everyone in our community to sign the "Save Student Aid: Statement of Support," voicing our concerns to keep college costs within reach for our nation’s students and families. To view the full release, click here.

Noel Night Set for Dec. 3

Performance Music's 44th annual Noel Night concert is slated for Saturday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center (Mulberry Street at Jefferson Avenue.) The performance features the Unviersity's singers, string orchestra and chamber ensembles. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the prelude starts at 7:05 p.m.

Commemorating World AIDS Day

Join us on Thursday, Dec. 1, from noon to 2 p.m. in the DeNaples Center's fireplace lounge for World AIDS Day. Create your own red Christmas ornament in honor of those affected by HIV/AIDs. Donations will be accepted for St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School for AIDS orphans in Nairobi, Kenya. The University of Scranton community is invited to remember and reflect upon the lives impacted by HIV/AIDS at a Mass on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 9:45 p.m. in the Madonna della Strada Chapel. The event is sponsored by the Center for Health Education and Wellness, University Ministries and Scranton Inclusion.

Criminal Justice Club Hosts Nov. 30 Event

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the Criminal Justice Club will be hosting "A Glimpse into the Federal Criminal Justice System" at 5:30 p.m. in the DeNaples Center, room 405.

Our special guests/speakers will include:

FBI Special Agent Larry Whitehead
FBI Analyst Shawn Skovronsky
Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus
Federal Probation Officer Kimberly Kaleta
Captain Enrique Pabon

Each speaker will give students some insight into the Federal Criminal System and ideas of various employment opportunities in the Federal System. CK's pizza and refreshments will be served! For more information, contact Laura Murphy at murphyL4@scranton.edu.

Flu Shots Still Available!

Flu shots are still available to students, staff and faculty. The cost is $20 (check, cash or Royal Card). To set up an appointment, call Student Health Services at 941-7667.

Sustainamania Slated for Nov. 29

Sustainamania, an exhibit of sustainability experts and professionals, showcasing environmental issues and how to reduce your carbon footprint, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the DeNaples Center, room 405. All exhibits will be geared toward the college lifestyle. Free pizza will be available and there will be a raffle-off.

Holiday Vendor Fair Slated for Dec. 1

The annual Holiday Vendor Fair will take place in the McIlhenny Ballroom in the DeNaples Center on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Choose from a wide selection of jewelry, handmade items, Pampered Chef, accessories, bath and beauty, gift baskets and so much more.

Don't Miss the Espirt Reading Dec. 8

Don't miss the Esprit Reading on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. in the DeNaples Center, room 405. Student authors will read selections from the fall 2011 issue, and awards will be presented in the categories of poetry, prose, and art & photography.

Open Mic Night Scheduled

99.5 WUSR FM and the Fresh Food Company on the third floor of DeNaples will be holding an Open Mic Night open to all students, faculty and staff on Wednesday, Nov. 30. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, email wusr.events@gmail.com.

Coatally Sustainable Begins Next Week

Senior communication students enrolled in Senior Seminar, the capstone communication class, are holding a coat drive to promote textile recycling and sustainability on campus.

The project, titled “Coatally Sustainable," seeks to raise awareness about textile manufacturing’s impact on the environment. According to National Geographic, Americans throw away 2.5 billion pounds of clothes a year, constituting about 5% of landfill waste.

Clothing impacts the environment at every stage of its life cycle, including production, cleaning and post use, according to an article from Environmental Health Perspectives. Along with using significant amounts of water, pesticides and crude oil, the manufacturing process is energy-intensive and emits toxins, greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds into the air.

“Coatally Sustainable” is encouraging students, faculty and staff to reduce their impact by donating new or used coats. “Coatally Sustainable” will be collecting coats on the second floor of the DeNaples Center on Monday, Nov. 28, and Tuesday, Nov. 29 and Monday, Dec. 5, and Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. All of the coats will be distributed to guests of the Christmas Day Breakfast.

Don’t forget to follow Coatally Sustainable on Twitter @CoatallySUSTNBL for facts about textile recycling and updates about the coat drive. For more information, visit coatallysustainable.wordpress.com or contact Maria Kristina Melgarejo at melgarejom2@scranton.edu.

SIFE, ROTC Partner to Combat Dating Violence

The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team held a program for ROTC cadets that addressed the growing incidence of dating violence on college campuses. Cadets took part in activities designed by the White Ribbon Campaign, an anti-violence organization and from Liz Claiborne’s “Love is Not Abuse” curriculum. Surveys confirmed that participants felt better prepared to intervene with dating violence issues that they might encounter on a college campus. Other activities involved gender issues in the military and how to better accommodate female cadets in a traditionally male environment. Cadets learned to distinguish and use assertive rather than passive communication styles.

Call for Papers for Discourse, the Undergraduate Philosophy Journal

Phi Sigma Tau, the philosophy honors society, is calling for short philosophical essays and creative pieces for consideration in our annual journal. The submission deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 29. The submission guidelines are available at room 235 in the Loyola Science Center.

Adopt an Angel/Giving Tree Programs

It’s that time again! The Community Outreach Office will be sponsoring its annual Adopt an Angel and Giving Tree programs for the holidays. Since our semester ends so early this year, gifts are all due back to our office on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Makre sure ot shop over Thanksgiving break!

Here’s how it works

ADOPT AN ANGEL: Purchase toys and clothing for a child in need from our local community. Names, sizes and wishes are provided. Spend about $100. Gifts are due, unwrapped, to the Community Outreach Office by Wednesday, Dec. 7. Please include a roll of wrapping paper and tape. Be sure to include batteries if your items require them. Put the child’s name and assigned number on each item please.

GIVING TREE: Our tree will be on the second floor of the DeNaples Center by Friday, Nov. 11. Take an ornament for a boy or girl, age 0-teens, and purchase a gift of your choice for a value of about $25. Return, unwrapped, to the Community Outreach Office, by Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Contact Ellen Judge at judgee2@scranton.edu by Monday, Nov. 28, to have your angel info sent to you by e-mail! If you are also interested in helping us deliver gifts, please email judgee2@scranton.edu. Delivery dates TBA but will most likely be finals week.

This year, most of our children are from area Headstart preschool programs. They must meet federal poverty standards to attend this program. A family of four can make no more than $22,350. Other programs that will benefit from our holiday programs are Friends of the Poor, United Neighborhood Centers and area group foster homes.

Upcoming Community Events

Check out this week’s downtown and Scranton area events posted on the Community Relations website, including “Holiday Times,” the annual radio tower lighting and fireworks event on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the Scranton Times Building. You can also Like us on Facebook to stay up to date with Scranton happenings. If you have any questions, contact community@scranton.edu or 941-4419.

Send us your Feedback! Parents who wish to unsubscribe or subscribe to Royal News, may do so by sending an e-mail to Royal News. Please include your name, name of your student(s), and whether you are unsubscribing or subscribing.