Marywood University’s Interior Design program ranks third among the top eleven design programs in the state of Pennsylvania according to universities.com.

Universities.com created the 2019 ranking of the best colleges in Pennsylvania that offer Interior Design degrees to help prospective students find a school that fits their needs. Each school’s ranking is based on the accumulation of data from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review. Additionally, the entire list of 11 Interior Design schools located within Pennsylvania can be viewed, at universities.com/find/pennsylvania/best/interior-design-degrees

Marywood University’s four-year professional degree in interior architecture provides students with the opportunity to create the specific character of spaces for human use and enjoyment. In this capacity, interior architects/designers learn the important role of materials, colors, textures, and light in the creation of interior spaces that respond to physical, social, psychological, and cultural needs of building users.

For additional information about Marywood University’s School of Architecture or the interior architecture program, please visit www.marywood.edu/architecture/index.html, or call (570) 961-4536.

Marywood University’s music, theatre, and dance department, in conjunction with an invitation to the community by Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, will host the Bamboo Orchestra of Beijing, China, for a special performance of professional musicians on Monday, January 20, 2020. The performance will take place in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, at 7:30 p.m., with a pre-show by the Marywood University Percussion Ensemble at 7:20 p.m. on the University’s Campus. The free performances are Marywood’s gift to the community. Marywood University is the only college campus venue at which the world-renowned orchestra will appear during its U.S. tour, which includes performances in major cities.

The Bamboo Orchestra, with its distinctive features and high standards, quickly gained extensive attention worldwide. The materials for their instruments provide pure and simple sound and are taken from mountain forests. The orchestra is known as China’s only green orchestra, and its members consists of mostly young, bright musicians, eighty percent of whom have senior professional titles, or a master’s degree or higher.

The Bamboo Orchestra has appeared on many major shows, on television, and radio stations broadcast in Beijing and around the country. Performances for international organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and national leaders were a great success and were widely praised. The orchestra has published five CD albums. Its founder, Wang Wei, received honors in the International Bamboo Art Competition held in New Orleans, La. He has published dozens of professional papers, and his book, Bamboo Musical Instruments, received a national publisher’s award. The orchestra also received the “Excellent Performances Award” in the CCTV Folk Instruments Contest; the “National Service Grass-Roots Advanced Units Award,” issued by the publicity department, the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, and the General Administration of Press and Publication. They also received nationally publicized praise by the Ministry of Culture for their performance in the Shanghai World Expo, and received the National Art Fund in 2015.

Join us for an evening of exceptional, unique music, with an array of spectacular costumes, as Marywood University hosts the Beijing Bamboo Orchestra. For additional information, please visit the music, theatre, and dance department, at marywood.edu/mtd/index.html, or call (570) 348-6268.

Marywood University recently announced its intent to purchase the Holy Family Residence adjacent to its campus, today revealed facility’s new name.

In a communication to the campus community and to current residents and staff, Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University President, announced that the facility will be renamed Marywood Heights. Consistent with the growing trend at universities around the country, the facility is a university-based retirement community (UBRC). Although there are now several in Pennsylvania, Marywood is the first university in Northeast Pennsylvania to establish a UBRC.

“A stipulation in the acquisition agreement with the Little Sisters of the Poor required a name change for the facility,” said Sister Mary Persico. “Using input gathered from the University community, we wanted to select a name that would reflect who we are, while embracing a vision for the future. Since it will be a dynamic part of our campus, we chose Marywood Heights. We envision many opportunities for future growth, along with vibrant community involvement.”

She added, “A UBRC is a very forward-looking model that provides distinctive benefits. This will be a thriving intergenerational community in which university students receive real-life experience at the facility and residents are connected to our campus life and mission.”

Sister Mary said that Marywood students would be able to use the space free of charge for their clinical rotations and internships. Additionally, those who reside at Marywood Heights can participate in life at Marywood, such as musical events, art exhibits, use of the Learning Commons, and more.

Marywood University entered into an asset purchase agreement with the Little Sisters of the Poor to buy the property at the end of March 2019. It is a prime location directly adjacent to Marywood’s campus on Adams Avenue, including the facility and 10 acres of land. Known as the Maloney Home before becoming Holy Family Residence in 1976, the property was granted to the Little Sisters more than 100 years ago, preceding Marywood’s founding in 1915.

Marywood has selected The Liberty Group as the full-time facility operator for Marywood Heights, which will remain a Catholic facility. This aspect was important to the current residents and staff, to the Little Sisters, and to the Marywood community. Sister Mary noted that retaining the facility’s Catholic identity also fulfills a broader need in the region for a faith-based care and living community.

There is room on the property for the operator to expand the facilities to include independent care, personal care, assisted living, skilled care, memory care, and hospice care, providing even more options for residents as well as clinical training and service opportunities for students from multiple disciplines.

Jan. 12    7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The Scranton Brass Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.

Jan. 25    8 a.m. Campaign School 2020. Learn the essentials of running for local government office from the petition process to organizing your campaign to effective use of media.  Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lackawanna County and co-sponsored by the Political Science Department. Brennan Hall, McShane Executive Center. Fees vary. Call 570-941-7431 or email jean.harris@scranton.edu.