winter 2009-2010 - The University of Scranton

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6 The Scranton Journal Longtime Faculty Member Receives Earl Award Linda Ledford-Miller, Ph.D., chair and professor of world languages and cultures, was awarded the John L. Earl III Award for service to the University, the faculty, and the wider community. This award is presented annually to a member of the University community who demonstrates the spirit of generosity and dedication that the late Dr. John Earl, a distinguished professor of history, exemplified during his years at Scranton from 1964 to 1996. A distinguished faculty member, Dr. Ledford-Miller has served at Scranton since 1985 and has earned three Fulbright fellowships during her career. In 2001, she was awarded a Fulbright to lecture at Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique, Africa. In 1990, she received a senior Fulbright Fellowship to lecture on comparative literature at San Carlos University in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and in 1979, she received her first Fulbright Fellowship for graduate study and research to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dr. Ledford-Miller has also earned several awards at the University, including the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Advancing Global Learning in 2007, the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Integrating Diversity in Learning in 2005, and the International Center Award for Leadership in Global Education in 2003. Pictured at the presentation of the 11th annual John L. Earl III Award are, from left: University President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Pauline Earl, wife of the late John Earl; Karen Earl Kolon, M.D., daughter of the late John Earl; Linda Ledford-Miller, Ph.D., Earl Award recipient, chair and professor of world languages and cultures; and Harold Baillie, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Transition” Discussed at Annual disAbility Conference U.S. Senator Robert Casey participated in a Town Meeting panel discussion via teleconference from his Washington, D.C., office, as part of the 8th Annual Northeastern U.S. Conference on disAbility, Oct. 7. “Transition: Today, Tomorrow, Together,” was the theme of the 8th Annual Northeastern U.S. Conference on disAbility held on Oct. 7 in the DeNaples Center on campus. The conference was presented by the University’s J.A. Panuska, S.J., College of Professional Studies and the Edward R. Leahy, Jr., Endowment. In addition to a range of respected speakers, the conference featured a Town Meeting with a panel of experts discussing this topic of transition as it relates to healthcare reform. U.S. Senator Robert Casey participated in the discussion via teleconference from his Washington, D.C., office. Other panelists were William Gannon, executive director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Wendy Patterson, statewide transition specialist for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Michael Stoehr, education consultant for the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network; Harold Blass, assistant executive director of the Luzerne County Intermediate Unit; and Fredric Schroeder, Ph.D., research professor at San Diego State University, who works in the area of vocational rehabilitation and is the former ninth commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration. J. Joseph Grady, Esq. ’81 served as moderator. Book Explores Claims of The Da Vinci Code Among the new books released this year by The University of Scranton is The Catholic Church and American Culture: Why the Claims of Dan Brown Strike a Chord, by Eric Plumer, Ph.D., associate professor of theology/religious studies at the University. Although more than 50 books have been published debunking the religious claims of The Da Vinci Code, this is the first devoted to the fundamentally more interesting question: if those claims are so erroneous, why have they resonated so powerfully with millions of intelligent readers and filmgoers? Dr. Plumer looks at ten major reasons why the Catholic Church is viewed with such skepticism and suspicion by many Americans today, and why so many claim to be searching for a spirituality more in line with contemporary values. In addition to exploring the appeal of The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, this book provides a context for understanding Dan Brown’s latest novel, The Lost Symbol. Dr. Plumer has delivered numerous presentations to students, alumni and the greater community on this subject, including a presentation at Friends and Family Weekend on Sept. 26.
Foreign Languages Professor Receives Fulbright Joseph Wilson, Ph.D., professor of world languages and cultures, has been awarded a one-year faculty Fulbright to Kazakhstan in Central Asia beginning in the fall. This is the second faculty Fulbright for Dr. Wilson, whose first Fulbright took him to Albania in 2003. The Fulbright Program is the U.S. Government’s flagship international exchange program. Each year, approximately 800 U.S. faculty and professionals are selected to participate in the Traditional Fulbright Scholar Program. The scholars lecture and conduct research on a wide range of academic areas. During his faculty Fulbright to what is ranked as the ninth-largest country in the world, Dr. Wilson will conduct research into oral poetic traditions and will teach classes in English and American studies at Ablai Khan University for International Learning. Renowned Economist Discusses Housing “Bubble” J. Bradford DeLong, Ph.D., discussed “Macroeconomic Policy When Bubbles Matter” at the University’s 24th annual Henry George Lecture on Sept. 22. A professor of economics at the University of California at Berkeley J. Bradford DeLong, Ph.D., delivered the 24th annual Henry George Lecture in the Rev. Bernard McIlhenny, S.J., Ballroom of the Patrick & Margaret DeNaples Center on Sept. 22. and former deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury for economic policy in the Clinton administration, Dr. DeLong is a renowned economist who constructs practical public policy by analyzing sound economic theory. His talk focused on the causes of the recent burst of the housing “bubble” and efforts to stabilize the overall economy - what we have done, what we can do and how well the economic stimulus package is working. Funded by a grant from the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation, the Henry George Lecture Series is the preeminent public lecture series in economics in northeastern Pennsylvania. Staff Members Honored for Outstanding Contributions Three staff members received the Sursum Corda Award at the University Convocation on Sept. 4. The Sursum Corda Award, which means “Lift Up Your Hearts,” recognizes those members of the University’s staff who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University. University President Rev. Scott Pilarz, S.J., presented the awards to Patricia Vaccaro G’92 (Professional/Paraprofessional Staff), Mark Fischetti (Clerical/Technical Staff), and Bryant Benjamin (Physical Plant Staff). Pictured above, from left: University President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Patricia Vaccaro G’92, director, Office of Community Outreach, University Ministries, and Harold Baillie, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs Fr. Pilarz and Bryant Benjamin, mechanic, Physical Plant. Fr. Pilarz, Mark Fischetti, network resources technician, and Dr. Baillie. Connect with the University It’s easier than ever to stay connected with everything that’s happening at Scranton, thanks to an array of new social networking sites launched this year by the University. Starting with MySpace last October, followed in early 2009 with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr, we have created vibrant online communities where fans, friends and followers can keep up with all that’s new on campus and share their thoughts with us. Our Facebook page alone already has more than 3,500 fans! Some of the most popular posts on Facebook and MySpace have been when the University has received national accolades, such as being included in the Princeton Review’s “Best 371 Colleges,” or when students, alumni or faculty members are recognized for their accomplishments. Also popular are photographs on Facebook and Flickr from events, such as graduation or Move-In-Weekend, and videos on our You- Tube channel ranging from student-produced features to lectures on campus. In addition to the University’s main pages, many of our departments, clubs and organizations also have a presence in the social networking realm – Alumni, Admissions, the Weinberg Memorial Library, the Biology Department and Student Government, to name a few. Alumni have a variety of options for connecting with fellow grads, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and, for photo sharing, Shutterfly. Find out about events in your area and take advantage of the great networking opportunities in an alumni community that is over 42,500 strong. Visit our online communities and join the conversation! www.scranton.edu/connect 7 OnTheCommons
Page 1 and 2: WINTER 2009-10 S cranto N J O U R N
Page 3 and 4: A Message from the President Scrant
Page 5 and 6: Marie A. George, Ph.D., G ’78 Jos
Page 7: Remembering the Jesuit Martyrs of E
Page 11 and 12: Estate Gift Will Endow Two Faculty
Page 13 and 14: 6 9 7 4 5 8 [1] Attendees gather at
Page 15 and 16: 13 That “something” parlayed in
Page 17 and 18: 05 ▼ Liz Ali Alum Keeps “Crazy
Page 19 and 20: 85 ▼ Mary Leedy Mary Leedy was co
Page 21 and 22: Growing up in Mayfield, Pa., Philip
Page 23 and 24: 60 ▼ Major General John Herrling
Page 25 and 26: 11 Will Grogan Involved Junior Hope
Page 27 and 28: was an orientation assistant, and w
Page 29 and 30: ClassNotes Indicates Reunion Year
Page 31 and 32: The Alumni Small Business Directory
Page 33 and 34: 49 Owen P. Cusick, Forty Fort Willi
Page 35 and 36: A Celebration of Service University

winter 2009-2010 - The University of Scranton

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